Relationship between 3-Methyl-2,4-nonanedione Concentration and Intensity of Light-induced Off-odor in Soy Bean Oil.

PubMed

Sano, Takashi; Iwahashi, Maiko; Imagi, Jun; Sato, Toshiro; Yamashita, Toshiyuki; Fukusaki, Eiichiro; Bamba, Takeshi

2016-05-01

A beany and green off-odor is developed in soy bean oil (SBO) under light-induced oxidative conditions. 3-Methyl-2,4-nonanedione (3-MND) was inferred as the compound responsible for the off-odor. In this study, we designed a simple quantification method for 3-MND in SBO, and evaluated the relationship between the 3-MND concentration and the intensity of the off-odor. 3-MND was analyzed by GC/MS with a thermal desorption unit system. By our method, the 3-MND concentration was found to increase with storage days and the SBO content under light exposure, and there was a high correlation between the measured 3-MND concentration and the intensity of the light-induced off-odor in SBO (R = 0.9586).

Motor neuron disease mortality rates in New Zealand 1992-2013.

PubMed

Cao, Maize C; Chancellor, Andrew; Charleston, Alison; Dragunow, Mike; Scotter, Emma L

2018-05-01

We determined the mortality rates of motor neuron disease (MND) in New Zealand over 22 years from 1992 to 2013. Previous studies have found an unusually high and/or increasing incidence of MND in certain regions of New Zealand; however, no studies have examined MND rates nationwide to corroborate this. Death certificate data coded G12.2 by International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 coding, or 335.2 by ICD-9 coding were obtained. These codes specify amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive bulbar palsy, or other motor neuron diseases as the underlying cause of death. Mortality rates for MND deaths in New Zealand were age-standardized to the European Standard Population and compared with rates from international studies that also examined death certificate data and were age-standardized to the same standard population. The age-standardized mortality from MND in New Zealand was 2.3 per 100,000 per year from 1992-2007 and 2.8 per 100,000 per year from 2008-2013. These rates were 3.3 and 4.0 per 100,000 per year, respectively, for the population 20 years and older. The increase in rate between these two time periods was likely due to changes in MND death coding from 2008. Contrary to a previous regional study of MND incidence, nationwide mortality rates did not increase steadily over this time period once aging was accounted for. However, New Zealand MND mortality rate was higher than comparable studies we examined internationally (mean 1.67 per 100,000 per year), suggesting that further analysis of MND burden in New Zealand is warranted.

Minor neurological dysfunction in five year old very preterm children is associated with lower processing speed.

PubMed

Kurpershoek, Tinka; Potharst-Sirag, Eva S; Aarnoudse-Moens, Cornelieke S H; van Wassenaer-Leemhuis, Aleid G

2016-12-01

Minor neurological dysfunction (MND) is present in one quarter to one third of children born very preterm (VP). The more severe form, complex (c)-MND has been associated with learning disabilities, behavioural and motor problems. To study the association between c-MND and neurocognitive and motor disabilities at age five in VP children without CP. Ninety-four children born with gestational age<30weeks and/or a birth weight<1000g were assessed at five years corrected age. MND was classified according to Touwen. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary School Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III-NL) was used to measure intelligence. Simple reaction time, focused attention and visuomotor coordination were measured using the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks, and working memory using a Digit Span Task. For motor skills the Movement Assessment Battery for children (M-ABC2) was used. Eighty-one percent was classified as 'normal' (no or simple (s-)-MND) and 19% as 'abnormal'(c-MND or mild CP). The abnormal group had a significantly lower processing speed quotient (PSQ), M-ABC percentile score and slower simple Reaction Time than the normal group. Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, working memory, focused attention and visuomotor coordination did not differ between groups. Exclusion of the mild CP cases (n=4) led to similar results. Five year old VP children with c-MND have lower PSQ, slower reaction time, and poorer motor skills, than those without c-MND. Neurological examination should include identification of MND to help identify children at risk for neurocognitive disabilities. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Communications Technology and Motor Neuron Disease: An Australian Survey of People With Motor Neuron Disease

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Background People with Motor Neuron Disease (MND), of which amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form in adults, typically experience difficulties with communication and disabilities associated with movement. Assistive technology is essential to facilitate everyday activities, promote social support and enhance quality of life. Objective This study aimed to explore the types of mainstream and commonly available communication technology used by people with MND including software and hardware, to identify the levels of confidence and skill that people with MND reported in using technology, to determine perceived barriers to the use of technology for communication, and to investigate the willingness of people with MND to adopt alternative modes of communication. Methods An on-line survey was distributed to members of the New South Wales Motor Neuron Disease Association (MND NSW). Descriptive techniques were used to summarize frequencies of responses and cross tabulate data. Free-text responses to survey items and verbal comments from participants who chose to undertake the survey by telephone were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Responses from 79 MND NSW members indicated that 15-21% had difficulty with speaking, writing and/or using a keyboard. Commonly used devices were desktop computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Most participants (84%) were connected to the Internet and used it for email (91%), to find out more about MND (59%), to follow the news (50%) or for on-line shopping (46%). A third of respondents used Skype or its equivalent, but few used this to interact with health professionals. Conclusions People with MND need greater awareness of technology options to access the most appropriate solutions. The timing for people with MND to make decisions about technology is critical. Health professionals need skills and knowledge about the application of technology to be able to work with people with MND to select the best communication technology options as early as possible after diagnosis. If people with MND are willing to trial telehealth technology, there is potential for tele-consultations via Skype or its equivalent, with health professionals. People with MND can benefit from health professional involvement to match technology to their functional limitations and personal preferences. However, health professionals need a comprehensive understanding of the application of available technology to achieve this. PMID:28582251

Nationwide incidence of motor neuron disease using the French health insurance information system database.

PubMed

Kab, Sofiane; Moisan, Frédéric; Preux, Pierre-Marie; Marin, Benoît; Elbaz, Alexis

2017-08-01

There are no estimates of the nationwide incidence of motor neuron disease (MND) in France. We used the French health insurance information system to identify incident MND cases (2012-2014), and compared incidence figures to those from three external sources. We identified incident MND cases (2012-2014) based on three data sources (riluzole claims, hospitalisation records, long-term chronic disease benefits), and computed MND incidence by age, gender, and geographic region. We used French mortality statistics, Limousin ALS registry data, and previous European studies based on administrative databases to perform external comparisons. We identified 6553 MND incident cases. After standardisation to the United States 2010 population, the age/gender-standardised incidence was 2.72/100,000 person-years (males, 3.37; females, 2.17; male:female ratio = 1.53, 95% CI1.46-1.61). There was no major spatial difference in MND distribution. Our data were in agreement with the French death database (standardised mortality ratio = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.96-1.06) and Limousin ALS registry (standardised incidence ratio = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.72-1.15). Incidence estimates were in the same range as those from previous studies. We report French nationwide incidence estimates of MND. Administrative databases including hospital discharge data and riluzole claims offer an interesting approach to identify large population-based samples of patients with MND for epidemiologic studies and surveillance.

Design and implementation of a hybrid MPI-CUDA model for the Smith-Waterman algorithm.

PubMed

Khaled, Heba; Faheem, Hossam El Deen Mostafa; El Gohary, Rania

2015-01-01

This paper provides a novel hybrid model for solving the multiple pair-wise sequence alignment problem combining message passing interface and CUDA, the parallel computing platform and programming model invented by NVIDIA. The proposed model targets homogeneous cluster nodes equipped with similar Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) cards. The model consists of the Master Node Dispatcher (MND) and the Worker GPU Nodes (WGN). The MND distributes the workload among the cluster working nodes and then aggregates the results. The WGN performs the multiple pair-wise sequence alignments using the Smith-Waterman algorithm. We also propose a modified implementation to the Smith-Waterman algorithm based on computing the alignment matrices row-wise. The experimental results demonstrate a considerable reduction in the running time by increasing the number of the working GPU nodes. The proposed model achieved a performance of about 12 Giga cell updates per second when we tested against the SWISS-PROT protein knowledge base running on four nodes.

UManSysProp: an online facility for molecular property prediction and atmospheric aerosol calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Topping, D.; Barley, M. H.; Bane, M.; Higham, N.; Aumont, B.; McFiggans, G.

2015-11-01

In this paper we describe the development and application of a new web based facility, UManSysProp (http://umansysprop.seaes.manchester.ac.uk), for automating predictions of molecular and atmospheric aerosol properties. Current facilities include: pure component vapour pressures, critical properties and sub-cooled densities of organic molecules; activity coefficient predictions for mixed inorganic-organic liquid systems; hygroscopic growth factors and CCN activation potential of mixed inorganic/organic aerosol particles; absorptive partitioning calculations with/without a treatment of non-ideality. The aim of this new facility is to provide a single point of reference for all properties relevant to atmospheric aerosol that have been checked for applicability to atmospheric compounds where possible. The group contribution approach allows users to upload molecular information in the form of SMILES strings and UManSysProp will automatically extract the relevant information for calculations. Built using open source chemical informatics, and hosted at the University of Manchester, the facilities are provided via a browser and device-friendly web-interface, or can be accessed using the user's own code via a JSON API. In this paper we demonstrate its use with specific examples that can be simulated using the web-browser interface.

SysML model of exoplanet archive functionality and activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramirez, Solange

2016-08-01

The NASA Exoplanet Archive is an online service that serves data and information on exoplanets and their host stars to help astronomical research related to search for and characterization of extra-solar planetary systems. In order to provide the most up to date data sets to the users, the exoplanet archive performs weekly updates that include additions into the database and updates to the services as needed. These weekly updates are complex due to interfaces within the archive. I will be presenting a SysML model that helps us perform these update activities in a weekly basis.

Two Studies on Twitter Networks and Tweet Content in Relation to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Conversation, Information, and 'Diary of a Daily Life'.

PubMed

Hemsley, Bronwyn; Palmer, Stuart

2016-01-01

To date, there is no research examining how adults with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and severe communication disability use Twitter, nor the use of Twitter in relation to ALS/MND beyond its use for fundraising and raising awareness. In this paper we (a) outline a rationale for the use of Twitter as a method of communication and information exchange for adults with ALS/MND, (b) detail multiple qualitative and quantitative methods used to analyse Twitter networks and tweet content in the our studies, and (c) present the results of two studies designed to provide insights on the use of Twitter by an adult with ALS/MND and by #ALS and #MND hashtag communities in Twitter. We will also discuss findings across the studies, implications for health service providers in Twitter, and directions for future Twitter research in relation to ALS/MND.

Communications Technology and Motor Neuron Disease: An Australian Survey of People With Motor Neuron Disease.

PubMed

Mackenzie, Lynette; Bhuta, Prarthna; Rusten, Kim; Devine, Janet; Love, Anna; Waterson, Penny

2016-01-25

People with Motor Neuron Disease (MND), of which amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form in adults, typically experience difficulties with communication and disabilities associated with movement. Assistive technology is essential to facilitate everyday activities, promote social support and enhance quality of life. This study aimed to explore the types of mainstream and commonly available communication technology used by people with MND including software and hardware, to identify the levels of confidence and skill that people with MND reported in using technology, to determine perceived barriers to the use of technology for communication, and to investigate the willingness of people with MND to adopt alternative modes of communication. An on-line survey was distributed to members of the New South Wales Motor Neuron Disease Association (MND NSW). Descriptive techniques were used to summarize frequencies of responses and cross tabulate data. Free-text responses to survey items and verbal comments from participants who chose to undertake the survey by telephone were analyzed using thematic analysis. Responses from 79 MND NSW members indicated that 15-21% had difficulty with speaking, writing and/or using a keyboard. Commonly used devices were desktop computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Most participants (84%) were connected to the Internet and used it for email (91%), to find out more about MND (59%), to follow the news (50%) or for on-line shopping (46%). A third of respondents used Skype or its equivalent, but few used this to interact with health professionals. People with MND need greater awareness of technology options to access the most appropriate solutions. The timing for people with MND to make decisions about technology is critical. Health professionals need skills and knowledge about the application of technology to be able to work with people with MND to select the best communication technology options as early as possible after diagnosis. If people with MND are willing to trial telehealth technology, there is potential for tele-consultations via Skype or its equivalent, with health professionals. People with MND can benefit from health professional involvement to match technology to their functional limitations and personal preferences. However, health professionals need a comprehensive understanding of the application of available technology to achieve this. ©Lynette Mackenzie, Prarthna Bhuta, Kim Rusten, Janet Devine, Anna Love, Penny Waterson. Originally published in JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology (http://rehab.jmir.org), 25.01.2016.

DBSecSys: a database of Burkholderia mallei secretion systems.

PubMed

Memišević, Vesna; Kumar, Kamal; Cheng, Li; Zavaljevski, Nela; DeShazer, David; Wallqvist, Anders; Reifman, Jaques

2014-07-16

Bacterial pathogenicity represents a major public health concern worldwide. Secretion systems are a key component of bacterial pathogenicity, as they provide the means for bacterial proteins to penetrate host-cell membranes and insert themselves directly into the host cells' cytosol. Burkholderia mallei is a Gram-negative bacterium that uses multiple secretion systems during its host infection life cycle. To date, the identities of secretion system proteins for B. mallei are not well known, and their pathogenic mechanisms of action and host factors are largely uncharacterized. We present the Database of Burkholderia malleiSecretion Systems (DBSecSys), a compilation of manually curated and computationally predicted bacterial secretion system proteins and their host factors. Currently, DBSecSys contains comprehensive experimentally and computationally derived information about B. mallei strain ATCC 23344. The database includes 143 B. mallei proteins associated with five secretion systems, their 1,635 human and murine interacting targets, and the corresponding 2,400 host-B. mallei interactions. The database also includes information about 10 pathogenic mechanisms of action for B. mallei secretion system proteins inferred from the available literature. Additionally, DBSecSys provides details about 42 virulence attenuation experiments for 27 B. mallei secretion system proteins. Users interact with DBSecSys through a Web interface that allows for data browsing, querying, visualizing, and downloading. DBSecSys provides a comprehensive, systematically organized resource of experimental and computational data associated with B. mallei secretion systems. It provides the unique ability to study secretion systems not only through characterization of their corresponding pathogen proteins, but also through characterization of their host-interacting partners.The database is available at https://applications.bhsai.org/dbsecsys.

UManSysProp v1.0: an online and open-source facility for molecular property prediction and atmospheric aerosol calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Topping, David; Barley, Mark; Bane, Michael K.; Higham, Nicholas; Aumont, Bernard; Dingle, Nicholas; McFiggans, Gordon

2016-03-01

In this paper we describe the development and application of a new web-based facility, UManSysProp (http://umansysprop.seaes.manchester.ac.uk), for automating predictions of molecular and atmospheric aerosol properties. Current facilities include pure component vapour pressures, critical properties, and sub-cooled densities of organic molecules; activity coefficient predictions for mixed inorganic-organic liquid systems; hygroscopic growth factors and CCN (cloud condensation nuclei) activation potential of mixed inorganic-organic aerosol particles; and absorptive partitioning calculations with/without a treatment of non-ideality. The aim of this new facility is to provide a single point of reference for all properties relevant to atmospheric aerosol that have been checked for applicability to atmospheric compounds where possible. The group contribution approach allows users to upload molecular information in the form of SMILES (Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System) strings and UManSysProp will automatically extract the relevant information for calculations. Built using open-source chemical informatics, and hosted at the University of Manchester, the facilities are provided via a browser and device-friendly web interface, or can be accessed using the user's own code via a JSON API (application program interface). We also provide the source code for all predictive techniques provided on the site, covered by the GNU GPL (General Public License) license to encourage development of a user community. We have released this via a Github repository (doi:10.5281/zenodo.45143). In this paper we demonstrate its use with specific examples that can be simulated using the web-browser interface.

Trends in motor neuron disease: association with latitude and air lead levels in Spain.

PubMed

Santurtún, Ana; Villar, Alejandro; Delgado-Alvarado, Manuel; Riancho, Javier

2016-08-01

Motor neuron diseases (MND) are a group of disorders characterized by motor neuron degeneration. Among them, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is by far the most common in adulthood. This paper assesses the trend and geographical pattern in MND incidence in Spain and the possible air lead levels effect on this pathology. To confirm this concept, we performed a retrospective analysis of the deaths due to MND in Spain during 2000 and 2013, determined the geographical differences, and explored the relationship between MND and the air levels of lead. Overall, between 2000 and 2013, 11,355 people died in Spain because of MND. Disease mortality significantly increased in recent years (2007-2013) when compared with the first time of the period. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient also showed a statistically significant positive trend (CC = 0.824, p = 0.0002). Among people over 65 years, mortality rates were higher in Northern provinces. Moreover, we found a significant association of MND mortality with higher air lead levels (CC = 0.457, p = 0.01). Our study confirms that MND mortality is increasing in Spain, with a significant latitude gradient, which suggests an important role of environmental exposures. This ecological study suggests that air lead levels may be implicated in ALS pathogenesis.

'The shock of diagnosis': Qualitative accounts from people with Motor Neurone Disease reflecting the need for more person-centred care.

PubMed

Aoun, Samar M; O'Brien, Mary R; Breen, Lauren J; O'Connor, Margaret

2018-04-15

The diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is devastating for people with MND (PwMND) and their families. The objective of this study is to describe the experiences of PwMND in receiving the diagnosis in order to inform a more person-centred approach to communicating such bad news. The design was an anonymous postal survey facilitated by all MND associations across Australia (2014-15). Survey questions centred on the SPIKES protocol for communicating bad news; each question contained an area for written responses, which were thematically analysed for content. Two hundred and forty-eight responses were received from people with MND (29% response rate). Four themes emerged: challenges in being diagnosed with MND; the emotions experienced; the good and the bad; and links to further information and support. Receiving such a diagnosis requires preparation, forethought, sensitive and individualised care on the part of the neurologist, including where and how the diagnosis is given; the supports required; and timing, amounts and sources of giving information. The emotional reactions of the neurologist also caused a lasting impression on those receiving the diagnosis. This study could form the basis for best practice programs implementing a more person-centred approach to caring for PwMND right from the diagnosis stage. The focus needs to shift on the person's values, preferences, psychosocial and existential concerns in the context of the underlying disease experience and the manner clinical practice is delivered. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Computational Analysis of Pharyngeal Swallowing Mechanics in Patients with Motor Neuron Disease: A Pilot Investigation.

PubMed

Garand, K L; Schwertner, Ryan; Chen, Amy; Pearson, William G

2018-04-01

Swallowing impairment (dysphagia) is a common sequela in patients with motor neuron disease (MND). The purpose of this retrospective, observational pilot investigation was to characterize how pharyngeal swallowing mechanics are impacted in patients with MND using a comparison with healthy, non-dysphagic control group. Computational analysis of swallowing mechanics (CASM) was used to determine covariate biomechanics of pharyngeal swallowing from videofluoroscopic assessment in 15 patients with MND and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Canonical variant analysis with post hoc discriminate function analysis (DFA) was performed on coordinate data mapping functional muscle groups underlying pharyngeal swallowing. Differences in swallowing mechanics associated with group (MND; control), motor neuron predominance (upper; lower), onset (bulbar; spinal), and swallow task (thin, pudding) were evaluated and visualized. Pharyngeal swallowing mechanics differed significantly in patients with MND compared with healthy controls (D = 2.01, p < 0.0001). Post hoc DFA pairwise comparisons suggest differences in pharyngeal swallow mechanics by motor neuron predominance (D = 5.03, p < 0.0001), onset (D = 2.03, p < 0.0001), and swallow task (D = 1.04, p < 0.0001). Pharyngeal swallowing mechanics of patients with MND differ from and are more heterogeneous than healthy controls. These findings suggest patients with MND may compensate reductions in pharyngeal shortening and tongue base retraction by extending the head and neck and increasing hyolaryngeal excursion. This work and further CASM investigations will lead to further insights into development and evaluation of targeted clinical treatments designed to prolong safe and efficient swallowing function in patients with MND.

Effect of Furan Fatty Acids and 3-Methyl-2,4-nonanedione on Light-Induced Off-Odor in Soybean Oil.

PubMed

Sano, Takashi; Okabe, Ryo; Iwahashi, Maiko; Imagi, Jun; Sato, Toshiro; Yamashita, Toshiyuki; Fukusaki, Eiichiro; Bamba, Takeshi

2017-03-15

Soybean oil is one of the most widely consumed vegetable oils. However, under photooxidative conditions, this oil develops a beany and green off-odor through a mechanism that has not yet been elucidated. Upon photooxidation, 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione (3-MND) produces a strong aroma. In this study, the effect of furan fatty acids and 3-MND on odor reversion in soybean oil was investigated. Our findings suggest that the observed light-induced off-odor was likely attributable to the furan fatty acids present in the oil through the generation of 3-MND. While 3-MND may not be directly responsible for the development of light-induced off-odor, this compound appears to be involved because off-odor was detected in canola oil samples containing added 3-MND. In addition, in the present work, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione, which is derived from 3-MND, was identified for the first time in light-exposed soybean oil and shown to be one of the compounds responsible for odor reversion.

Experiences of living with motor neurone disease: a review of qualitative research.

PubMed

Sakellariou, Dikaios; Boniface, Gail; Brown, Paul

2013-10-01

This review sought to answer the question "what is known about people's experiences of living with MND?". The review followed the guidelines of the Centre of Reviews and Dissemination. Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria and their results were analysed thematically. Data were managed and coded using the software package NVIVO and the analysis was performed in two stages, with the first stage aiming to develop descriptive themes offering an overview of the included data. During the second stage, analytical themes were developed with the explicit aim to answer the review question. The themes that emerged point to the following: (a) people with motor neurone disease (MND) develop experiential knowledge that helps them to live with the disease and (b) while people with MND believe they do not have any control over the disease, they try to have control over their lives through active choices, e.g. how and when to use adaptive equipment. This review highlights the decision-making and knowledge generating processes used by people with MND. Further research is required to explore these processes and their implications for the care of people with MND. Decision-making process by MND patients regarding their care is complex and takes into account the social elements of the disease as well as the medical. Exploring the practical knowledge that patients develop can offer insights on appropriate care for MND patients.

WAIS Digit Span-Based Indicators of Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction: Classification Accuracy in Traumatic Brain Injury

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heinly, Matthew T.; Greve, Kevin W.; Bianchini, Kevin J.; Love, Jeffrey M.; Brennan, Adrianne

2005-01-01

The present study determined specificity and sensitivity to malingered neurocognitive dysfunction (MND) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) for several Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Digit Span scores. TBI patients (n = 344) were categorized into one of five groups: no incentive, incentive only, suspect, probable MND, and definite MND.…

Motor Neurone Disease: Disability Profile and Service Needs in an Australian Cohort

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ng, Louisa; Talman, Paul; Khan, Fary

2011-01-01

Motor neurone disease (MND) places considerable burden upon patients and caregivers. This is the first study, which describes the disability profile and healthcare needs for persons with MND (pwMND) in an Australian sample from the perspective of the patients and caregivers to identify current gaps in the knowledge and service provision. A…

Combined Cycle Engine Large-Scale Inlet for Mode Transition Experiments: System Identification Rack Hardware Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Randy; Stueber, Thomas J.

2013-01-01

The System Identification (SysID) Rack is a real-time hardware-in-the-loop data acquisition (DAQ) and control instrument rack that was designed and built to support inlet testing in the NASA Glenn Research Center 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. This instrument rack is used to support experiments on the Combined-Cycle Engine Large-Scale Inlet for Mode Transition Experiment (CCE? LIMX). The CCE?LIMX is a testbed for an integrated dual flow-path inlet configuration with the two flow paths in an over-and-under arrangement such that the high-speed flow path is located below the lowspeed flow path. The CCE?LIMX includes multiple actuators that are designed to redirect airflow from one flow path to the other; this action is referred to as "inlet mode transition." Multiple phases of experiments have been planned to support research that investigates inlet mode transition: inlet characterization (Phase-1) and system identification (Phase-2). The SysID Rack hardware design met the following requirements to support Phase-1 and Phase-2 experiments: safely and effectively move multiple actuators individually or synchronously; sample and save effector control and position sensor feedback signals; automate control of actuator positioning based on a mode transition schedule; sample and save pressure sensor signals; and perform DAQ and control processes operating at 2.5 KHz. This document describes the hardware components used to build the SysID Rack including their function, specifications, and system interface. Furthermore, provided in this document are a SysID Rack effectors signal list (signal flow); system identification experiment setup; illustrations indicating a typical SysID Rack experiment; and a SysID Rack performance overview for Phase-1 and Phase-2 experiments. The SysID Rack described in this document was a useful tool to meet the project objectives.

CEBS object model for systems biology data, SysBio-OM.

PubMed

Xirasagar, Sandhya; Gustafson, Scott; Merrick, B Alex; Tomer, Kenneth B; Stasiewicz, Stanley; Chan, Denny D; Yost, Kenneth J; Yates, John R; Sumner, Susan; Xiao, Nianqing; Waters, Michael D

2004-09-01

To promote a systems biology approach to understanding the biological effects of environmental stressors, the Chemical Effects in Biological Systems (CEBS) knowledge base is being developed to house data from multiple complex data streams in a systems friendly manner that will accommodate extensive querying from users. Unified data representation via a single object model will greatly aid in integrating data storage and management, and facilitate reuse of software to analyze and display data resulting from diverse differential expression or differential profile technologies. Data streams include, but are not limited to, gene expression analysis (transcriptomics), protein expression and protein-protein interaction analysis (proteomics) and changes in low molecular weight metabolite levels (metabolomics). To enable the integration of microarray gene expression, proteomics and metabolomics data in the CEBS system, we designed an object model, Systems Biology Object Model (SysBio-OM). The model is comprehensive and leverages other open source efforts, namely the MicroArray Gene Expression Object Model (MAGE-OM) and the Proteomics Experiment Data Repository (PEDRo) object model. SysBio-OM is designed by extending MAGE-OM to represent protein expression data elements (including those from PEDRo), protein-protein interaction and metabolomics data. SysBio-OM promotes the standardization of data representation and data quality by facilitating the capture of the minimum annotation required for an experiment. Such standardization refines the accuracy of data mining and interpretation. The open source SysBio-OM model, which can be implemented on varied computing platforms is presented here. A universal modeling language depiction of the entire SysBio-OM is available at http://cebs.niehs.nih.gov/SysBioOM/. The Rational Rose object model package is distributed under an open source license that permits unrestricted academic and commercial use and is available at http://cebs.niehs.nih.gov/cebsdownloads. The database and interface are being built to implement the model and will be available for public use at http://cebs.niehs.nih.gov.

Racial differences in motor neuron disease.

PubMed

Gundogdu, Betul; Al-Lahham, Tawfiq; Kadlubar, Fred; Spencer, Horace; Rudnicki, Stacy A

2014-03-01

Our objective was to compare and contrast clinical features of black and white patients seen in the UAMS ALS/Motor Neuron Disease (MND) clinic from January 2001 to December 2010. Death certificate information was reviewed to determine race of Arkansans who died of ALS/MND between 1999 and 2006. We used a retrospective chart review of patients with ALS/MND seen at least once in our clinic and reviewed state death certificate data. Results showed that from 1999 to 2006, 466 Arkansas deaths were attributed (immediate or contributory) to ALS/MND; 17 (3.6%) were black, four (0.9%) other, and 445 (95.5%) white. During this period, the proportion of black Arkansans was 17%. From 2001 to 2010, we saw 330 patients with ALS/MND: 30 (9.1%) black, six (1.8%) other, 294 (89.1%) white. Average onset age for whites was 58.1 + 12.4 years, for blacks 52.8 + 13.0 (p = 0.038). Gender, onset site, time from symptom onset to first clinic visit and initial vital capacity were similar between the groups. Initial ALSFRS-R was 37.5 + 7.2 for whites and 30.8 + 8.5 (p = 0.004) for blacks. A first or second degree relative with ALS/MND was reported by 8.1% of whites and by none of the black patients (p = 0.15). Riluzole, PEG and non-invasive ventilation use was similar between the groups. Median tracheostomy-free survival was 36 months for white and 40 months for black patients (p = 0.475). In conclusion, although blacks appear relatively spared from ALS/MND, they present at an earlier age and are functionally worse at their first visit. Investigating the genetic make-up of blacks with the disease may help identify genes that modify risk of developing ALS/MND.

Racial differences in motor neuron disease

PubMed Central

GUNDOGDU, BETUL; AL-LAHHAM, TAWFIQ; SPENCER, HORACE; RUDNICKI, STACY A.

2014-01-01

Our objective was to compare and contrast clinical features of black and white patients seen in the UAMS ALS/Motor Neuron Disease (MND) clinic from January 2001 to December 2010. Death certificate information was reviewed to determine race of Arkansans who died of ALS/MND between 1999 and 2006. We used a retrospective chart review of patients with ALS/MND seen at least once in our clinic and reviewed state death certificate data. Results showed that from 1999 to 2006, 466 Arkansas deaths were attributed (immediate or contributory) to ALS/MND; 17 (3.6%) were black, four (0.9%) other, and 445 (95.5%) white. During this period, the proportion of black Arkansans was 17%. From 2001 to 2010, we saw 330 patients with ALS/MND: 30 (9.1%) black, six (1.8%) other, 294 (89.1%) white. Average onset age for whites was 58.1 ± 12.4 years, for blacks 52.8 ± 13.0 (p = 0.038). Gender, onset site, time from symptom onset to first clinic visit and initial vital capacity were similar between the groups. Initial ALSFRS-R was 37.5 ± 7.2 for whites and 30.8 ± 8.5 (p = 0.004) for blacks. A first or second degree relative with ALS/MND was reported by 8.1% of whites and by none of the black patients (p = 0.15). Riluzole, PEG and non-invasive ventilation use was similar between the groups. Median tracheostomy-free survival was 36 months for white and 40 months for black patients (p = 0.475). In conclusion, although blacks appear relatively spared from ALS/MND, they present at an earlier age and are functionally worse at their first visit. Investigating the genetic make-up of blacks with the disease may help identify genes that modify risk of developing ALS/MND. PMID:24067242

Evaluation of Occupational Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Motor Neuron Disease Mortality in a Population-Based Cohort

PubMed Central

Parlett, Lauren E.; Bowman, Joseph D.; van Wijngaarden, Edwin

2015-01-01

Objective Epidemiologic evidence for the association between electromagnetic fields and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the most common form of motor neuron disease (MND), has been inconclusive. We evaluated the association between electromagnetic fields and MND among workers in occupations potentially exposed to magnetic fields. Methods MND mortality (ICD-9 335.2) was examined in the National Longitudinal Mortality Study using multivariable proportional hazards models. Occupational exposure to magnetic fields was determined on the basis of a population-based job-exposure matrix. Age at entry, education, race, sex, and income were considered for inclusion as covariates. Results After adjusting for age, sex, and education, there were no increased risks of MND mortality in relation to potential magnetic field exposure, with hazard ratios around the null in all magnetic field exposure quartiles. Conclusions Our study does not provide evidence for an association between magnetic field exposure and MND mortality. PMID:22076040

Auto-Versioning Systems Image Manager

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

Pezzaglia, Larry

2013-08-01

The av_sys_image_mgr utility provides an interface for the creation, manipulation, and analysis of system boot images for computer systems. It is primarily intended to provide a convenient method for managing the introduction of changes to boot images for long-lived production HPC systems.

The Assessment of Minor Neurological Dysfunction in Infancy Using the Touwen Infant Neurological Examination: Strengths and Limitations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadders-Algra, Mijna; Heineman, Kirsten R.; Bos, Arend F.; Middelburg, Karin J.

2010-01-01

Aim: Little is known of minor neurological dysfunction (MND) in infancy. This study aimed to evaluate the inter-assessor reliability of the assessment of MND with the Touwen Infant Neurological Examination (TINE) and the construct and predictive validity of MND in infancy. Method: Inter-assessor agreement was determined in a sample of 40 infants…

A Temporal Association between Accumulated Petrol (Gasoline) Lead Emissions and Motor Neuron Disease in Australia.

PubMed

Laidlaw, Mark A S; Rowe, Dominic B; Ball, Andrew S; Mielke, Howard W

2015-12-19

The age standardised death rate from motor neuron disease (MND) has increased from 1.29 to 2.74 per 100,000, an increase of 112.4% between 1959 and 2013. It is clear that genetics could not have played a causal role in the increased rate of MND deaths over such a short time span. We postulate that environmental factors are responsible for this rate increase. We focus on lead additives in Australian petrol as a possible contributing environmental factor. The associations between historical petrol lead emissions and MND death trends in Australia between 1962 and 2013 were examined using linear regressions. Regression results indicate best fit correlations between a 20 year lag of petrol lead emissions and age-standardised female death rate (R² = 0.86, p = 4.88 × 10(-23)), male age standardised death rate (R² = 0.86, p = 9.4 × 10(-23)) and percent all cause death attributed to MND (R² = 0.98, p = 2.6 × 10(-44)). Legacy petrol lead emissions are associated with increased MND death trends in Australia. Further examination of the 20 year lag between exposure to petrol lead and the onset of MND is warranted.

Genetic epidemiology of motor neuron disease-associated variants in the Scottish population.

PubMed

Black, Holly A; Leighton, Danielle J; Cleary, Elaine M; Rose, Elaine; Stephenson, Laura; Colville, Shuna; Ross, David; Warner, Jon; Porteous, Mary; Gorrie, George H; Swingler, Robert; Goldstein, David; Harms, Matthew B; Connick, Peter; Pal, Suvankar; Aitman, Timothy J; Chandran, Siddharthan

2017-03-01

Genetic understanding of motor neuron disease (MND) has evolved greatly in the past 10 years, including the recent identification of association between MND and variants in TBK1 and NEK1. Our aim was to determine the frequency of pathogenic variants in known MND genes and to assess whether variants in TBK1 and NEK1 contribute to the burden of MND in the Scottish population. SOD1, TARDBP, OPTN, TBK1, and NEK1 were sequenced in 441 cases and 400 controls. In addition to 44 cases known to carry a C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion, we identified 31 cases and 2 controls that carried a loss-of-function or pathogenic variant. Loss-of-function variants were found in TBK1 in 3 cases and no controls and, separately, in NEK1 in 3 cases and no controls. This study provides an accurate description of the genetic epidemiology of MND in Scotland and provides support for the contribution of both TBK1 and NEK1 to MND susceptibility in the Scottish population. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Removal Kinetics and Mechanism of Aniline by Manganese-oxide-modified Diatomite].

PubMed

Xiao, Shao-dan; Liu, Lu; Jiang, Li-ying; Chen, Jian-meng

2015-06-01

A novel rapid green one-step method was developed for the preparation of manganese modified diatomite (Mn-D) by treating roasted diatomite with an acidic permanganate solution. The effects of calcination temperature and mass ratio of KMnO4 and diatomite (p) on aniline removal efficiency of Mn-D were investigated. The removal kinetics and mechanism of aniline by Mn-D were also discussed. The results showed that when the optimal calcination temperature was 450 degrees C, p was 1.6, and the loading amounts of δ-MnO2 was 0.82 g x g(-1), Mn-D had a great performance for aniline removal, and more than 80% of aniline was adsorbed within 10 minutes, accompanied with the release of Mn2+. In acidic conditions, the adsorption process on Mn-D followed pseudo-second-order and was mainly controlled by intra-particle diffusion. The best fitting of the experimental adsorption data was given by the Freundlich equation. Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer was applied to identify the reaction intermediates at different times, and azobenzene was found to be the main reaction intermediate in the degradation system. Based on the above observations, the possible degradation pathway of aniline by Mn-D was proposed.

The Effectiveness of Prophylactic Modified Neck Dissection for Reducing the Development of Lymph Node Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

PubMed

Ito, Yasuhiro; Miyauchi, Akira; Kudo, Takumi; Kihara, Minoru; Fukushima, Mitsuhiro; Miya, Akihiro

2017-09-01

The most frequent recurrence site of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the cervical lymph nodes. The introduction of an electric linear probe for use with ultrasonography in 1996 improved preoperative lateral neck evaluations. Before 2006, however, our hospital routinely performed prophylactic modified neck dissection (p-MND) for N0 or N1a PTCs >1 cm to prevent node recurrence. In 2006, we changed our policy and the indications for p-MND to PTCs >3 cm and/or with significant extrathyroid extension. Here, we retrospectively compared lymph node recurrence-free survival between PTCs with/without p-MND. We examined the cases of N0 or N1 and M0 PTC patients who underwent initial surgery in 1992-2012. To compare lymph node recurrence-free survival between patients who did/did not undergo p-MND, we divided these patients into three groups (excluding those whose surgery was in 2006): the 2045 patients whose surgery was performed in 1992-1996 (Group 1), the 2989 with surgery between 1997 (post-introduction of ultrasound electric linear probes) and 2005 (Group 2), and the 5332 operated on in 2007-2012 (Group 3). The p-MND performance rate of Group 3 (9%) was much lower than that of Group 1 (80%), but the lymph node recurrence-free survival of the former was significantly better, probably due to differences in clinical features and neck evaluations by ultrasound between the two groups. Our analysis of the patients aged <75 years with 1.1-4-cm PTCs in Groups 2 and 3 showed that p-MND did not improve lymph node recurrence-free survival. p-MND did significantly improve lymph node recurrence-free survival for the extrathyroid extension-positive 3.1-4-cm PTCs, but not for the other subsets. Abolishing routine p-MND for PTCs in 2006 did not decrease lymph node recurrence-free survival, probably due to improved ultrasound preoperative neck evaluations and clinical feature changes. Selective p-MND for high-risk cases improved lymph node recurrence-free survival.

Uniaxial low cycle fatigue behavior for pre-corroded 16MND5 bainitic steel in simulated pressurized water reactor environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xu; Ren, Bin; Yu, Dunji; Xu, Bin; Zhang, Zhe; Chen, Gang

2018-06-01

The effects of uniaxial tension properties and low cycle fatigue behavior of 16MND5 bainitic steel cylinder pre-corroded in simulated pressurized water reactor (PWR) were investigated by fatigue at room temperature in air and immersion test system, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS). The experimental results indicated that the corrosion fatigue lives of 16MND5 specimen were significantly affected by the strain amplitude and simulated PWR environments. The compositions of corrosion products were complexly formed in simulated PWR environments. The porous corrosion surface of pre-corroded materials tended to generate pits as a result of promoting contact area to the fresh metal, which promoted crack initiation. For original materials, the fatigue cracks initiated at inclusions imbedded in the micro-cracks. Moreover, the simulated PWR environments degraded the mechanical properties and low cycle fatigue behavior of 16MND5 specimens remarkably. Pre-corrosion of 16MND5 specimen mainly affected the plastic term of the Coffin-Manson equation.

A Temporal Association between Accumulated Petrol (Gasoline) Lead Emissions and Motor Neuron Disease in Australia

PubMed Central

Laidlaw, Mark A. S.; Rowe, Dominic B.; Ball, Andrew S.; Mielke, Howard W.

2015-01-01

Background: The age standardised death rate from motor neuron disease (MND) has increased from 1.29 to 2.74 per 100,000, an increase of 112.4% between 1959 and 2013. It is clear that genetics could not have played a causal role in the increased rate of MND deaths over such a short time span. We postulate that environmental factors are responsible for this rate increase. We focus on lead additives in Australian petrol as a possible contributing environmental factor. Methods: The associations between historical petrol lead emissions and MND death trends in Australia between 1962 and 2013 were examined using linear regressions. Results: Regression results indicate best fit correlations between a 20 year lag of petrol lead emissions and age-standardised female death rate (R2 = 0.86, p = 4.88 × 10−23), male age standardised death rate (R2 = 0.86, p = 9.4 × 10−23) and percent all cause death attributed to MND (R2 = 0.98, p = 2.6 × 10−44). Conclusion: Legacy petrol lead emissions are associated with increased MND death trends in Australia. Further examination of the 20 year lag between exposure to petrol lead and the onset of MND is warranted. PMID:26703636

Myonuclear domain size and myosin isoform expression in muscle fibres from mammals representing a 100,000-fold difference in body size.

PubMed

Liu, Jing-Xia; Höglund, Anna-Stina; Karlsson, Patrick; Lindblad, Joakim; Qaisar, Rizwan; Aare, Sudhakar; Bengtsson, Ewert; Larsson, Lars

2009-01-01

This comparative study of myonuclear domain (MND) size in mammalian species representing a 100,000-fold difference in body mass, ranging from 25 g to 2500 kg, was undertaken to improve our understanding of myonuclear organization in skeletal muscle fibres. Myonuclear domain size was calculated from three-dimensional reconstructions in a total of 235 single muscle fibre segments at a fixed sarcomere length. Irrespective of species, the largest MND size was observed in muscle fibres expressing fast myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms, but in the two smallest mammalian species studied (mouse and rat), MND size was not larger in the fast-twitch fibres expressing the IIA MyHC isofom than in the slow-twitch type I fibres. In the larger mammals, the type I fibres always had the smallest average MND size, but contrary to mouse and rat muscles, type IIA fibres had lower mitochondrial enzyme activities than type I fibres. Myonuclear domain size was highly dependent on body mass in the two muscle fibre types expressed in all species, i.e. types I and IIA. Myonuclear domain size increased in muscle fibres expressing both the beta/slow (type I; r = 0.84, P < 0.001) and the fast IIA MyHC isoform (r = 0.90; P < 0.001). Thus, MND size scales with body size and is highly dependent on muscle fibre type, independent of species. However, myosin isoform expression is not the sole protein determining MND size, and other protein systems, such as mitochondrial proteins, may be equally or more important determinants of MND size.

Sufficient Amounts of Functional HOP2/MND1 Complex Promote Interhomolog DNA Repair but Are Dispensable for Intersister DNA Repair during Meiosis in Arabidopsis[W

PubMed Central

Uanschou, Clemens; Ronceret, Arnaud; Von Harder, Mona; De Muyt, Arnaud; Vezon, Daniel; Pereira, Lucie; Chelysheva, Liudmila; Kobayashi, Wataru; Kurumizaka, Hitoshi; Schlögelhofer, Peter; Grelon, Mathilde

2013-01-01

During meiosis, homologous recombination (HR) is essential to repair programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and a dedicated protein machinery ensures that the homologous chromosome is favored over the nearby sister chromatid as a repair template. The HOMOLOGOUS-PAIRING PROTEIN2/MEIOTIC NUCLEAR DIVISION PROTEIN1 (HOP2/MND1) protein complex has been identified as a crucial factor of meiotic HR in Arabidopsis thaliana, since loss of either MND1 or HOP2 results in failure of DNA repair. We isolated two mutant alleles of HOP2 (hop2-2 and hop2-3) that retained the capacity to repair meiotic DSBs via the sister chromatid but failed to use the homologous chromosome. We show that in these alleles, the recombinases RADIATION SENSITIVE51 (RAD51) and DISRUPTED MEIOTIC cDNA1 (DMC1) are loaded, but only the intersister DNA repair pathway is activated. The hop2-2 phenotype is correlated with a decrease in HOP2/MND1 complex abundance. In hop2-3, a truncated HOP2 protein is produced that retains its ability to bind to DMC1 and DNA but forms less stable complexes with MND1 and fails to efficiently stimulate DMC1-driven D-loop formation. Genetic analyses demonstrated that in the absence of DMC1, HOP2/MND1 is dispensable for RAD51-mediated intersister DNA repair, while in the presence of DMC1, a minimal amount of functional HOP2/MND1 is essential to drive intersister DNA repair. PMID:24363313

Feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of dignity therapy for family carers of people with motor neurone disease.

PubMed

Bentley, Brenda; O'Connor, Moira; Breen, Lauren J; Kane, Robert

2014-03-19

Dignity therapy is a brief psychotherapy that has been shown to enhance the end of life experience. Dignity therapy often involves family carers to support patients weakened by illness and family carers are also the usual recipients of the legacy documents created. No research to date has examined the impact of dignity therapy on family carers at the time of the intervention. This study examined the effects of dignity therapy on family carers of people with motor neurone disease (MND). This is a cross-sectional study utilizing a one-group pre-test post-test design with 18 family carers of people diagnosed with MND. Outcomes measured caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, and hopefulness. Acceptability was measured with a questionnaire. Feasibility was assessed by examining family carers' involvement in the therapy sessions, time taken to conduct sessions, and any special accommodations or deviations from the dignity therapy protocol. There were no significant pre-test post-test changes on the group level, but there were decreases in anxiety and depression on the individual level. Baseline measures indicate that 50% of family carers had moderate to severe scores for anxiety prior to dignity therapy. MND family carers saw benefits to the person with MND and to themselves after bereavement, but acceptability of dignity therapy at the time of the intervention was mixed with some family carers indicating it was helpful, some indicating it was harmful, and many expressing ambivalence. Dignity therapy involving MND family carers is feasible and the involvement of family carers has minimal impact on the therapy. Dignity therapy is not likely to alleviate caregiver burden in MND family carers, but it may have the ability to decrease or moderate anxiety and depression in distressed MND family carers. Dignity therapy is feasible and generally acceptable to MND family carers. Dignity therapists may provide a better experience for family carers when they are aware of acceptance levels and the quality of partner relationships. ANZCTR Trial Number: ACTRN12611000410954.

Feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of dignity therapy for people with motor neurone disease.

PubMed

Bentley, Brenda; O'Connor, Moira; Kane, Robert; Breen, Lauren J

2014-01-01

Motor neurone disease (MND) practice guidelines suggest developing interventions that will promote hope, meaning, and dignity to alleviate psychological distress, but very little research has been done. This study begins to address this need by exploring the use of dignity therapy with people with MND. Dignity therapy is a brief psychotherapy that promotes hope, meaning and dignity, and enhances the end of life for people with advanced cancer. The aims of this study are to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of dignity therapy for people with MND. This cross-sectional feasibility study used a one-group pre-test post-test design with 29 people diagnosed with MND. Study participants completed the following self-report questionnaires: Herth Hope Index, FACIT-sp, Patient Dignity Inventory, ALS Assessment Questionnaire, ALS Cognitive Behavioural Screen, and a demographic and health history questionnaire. Acceptability was measured with a 25-item feedback questionnaire. Feasibility was assessed by examining the length of time taken to complete dignity therapy and how symptoms common in MND affected the intervention. Generalised linear mixed models and reliable change scores were used to analyse the data. There were no significant pre-test post-test changes for hopefulness, spirituality or dignity on the group level, but there were changes in hopefulness on the individual level. The results of the feedback questionnaire indicates dignity therapy is highly acceptable to people with MND, who report benefits similar to those in the international randomised controlled trial on dignity therapy, a population who primarily had end-stage cancer. Benefits include better family relationships, improved sense of self and greater acceptance. Dignity therapy with people with MND is feasible if the therapist can overcome time and communication difficulties. Dignity therapy for people with MND is feasible and acceptable. Further research is warranted to explore its ability to diminish distress. www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12611000410954.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Potential Effectiveness of Dignity Therapy for People with Motor Neurone Disease

PubMed Central

Bentley, Brenda; O'Connor, Moira; Kane, Robert; Breen, Lauren J.

2014-01-01

Background Motor neurone disease (MND) practice guidelines suggest developing interventions that will promote hope, meaning, and dignity to alleviate psychological distress, but very little research has been done. This study begins to address this need by exploring the use of dignity therapy with people with MND. Dignity therapy is a brief psychotherapy that promotes hope, meaning and dignity, and enhances the end of life for people with advanced cancer. The aims of this study are to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of dignity therapy for people with MND. Methods/design This cross-sectional feasibility study used a one-group pre-test post-test design with 29 people diagnosed with MND. Study participants completed the following self-report questionnaires: Herth Hope Index, FACIT-sp, Patient Dignity Inventory, ALS Assessment Questionnaire, ALS Cognitive Behavioural Screen, and a demographic and health history questionnaire. Acceptability was measured with a 25-item feedback questionnaire. Feasibility was assessed by examining the length of time taken to complete dignity therapy and how symptoms common in MND affected the intervention. Generalised linear mixed models and reliable change scores were used to analyse the data. Results There were no significant pre-test post-test changes for hopefulness, spirituality or dignity on the group level, but there were changes in hopefulness on the individual level. The results of the feedback questionnaire indicates dignity therapy is highly acceptable to people with MND, who report benefits similar to those in the international randomised controlled trial on dignity therapy, a population who primarily had end-stage cancer. Benefits include better family relationships, improved sense of self and greater acceptance. Dignity therapy with people with MND is feasible if the therapist can overcome time and communication difficulties. Conclusions Dignity therapy for people with MND is feasible and acceptable. Further research is warranted to explore its ability to diminish distress. Trial Registration www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12611000410954 PMID:24816742

MND2: A new mouse model of inherited motor neuron disease

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

Jones, J.M.; Albin, R.L.; Feldman, E.L.

1993-06-01

The autosomal recessive mutation mnd2 results in early onset motor neuron disease with rapidly progressive paralysis, severe muscle wasting, regression of thymus and spleen, and death before 40 days of age. mnd2 has been mapped to mouse chromosome 6 with the gene order: centromere-Tcrb-Ly-2-Sftp-3-D6Mit4-mnd2-D6Mit6, D6Mit9-D6Rck132-Raf-1, D6Mit11-D6Mit12-D6Mit14. mnd2 is located within a conserved linkage group with homologs on human chromosome 2p12-p13. Spinal motor neurons of homozygous affected animals are swollen and stain weakly, and electromyography revealed spontaneous activity characteristic of muscle denervation. Myelin staining was normal throughout the neuraxis. The clinical observations are consistent with a primary abnormality of lower motormore » neuron function. This new animal model will be of value for identification of a genetic defect responsible for motor neuron disease and for evaluation of new therapies. 36 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.« less

The SysMan monitoring service and its management environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Debski, Andrzej; Janas, Ekkehard

1996-06-01

Management of modern information systems is becoming more and more complex. There is a growing need for powerful, flexible and affordable management tools to assist system managers in maintaining such systems. It is at the same time evident that effective management should integrate network management, system management and application management in a uniform way. Object oriented OSI management architecture with its four basic modelling concepts (information, organization, communication and functional models) together with widely accepted distribution platforms such as ANSA/CORBA, constitutes a reliable and modern framework for the implementation of a management toolset. This paper focuses on the presentation of concepts and implementation results of an object oriented management toolset developed and implemented within the framework of the ESPRIT project 7026 SysMan. An overview is given of the implemented SysMan management services including the System Management Service, Monitoring Service, Network Management Service, Knowledge Service, Domain and Policy Service, and the User Interface. Special attention is paid to the Monitoring Service which incorporates the architectural key entity responsible for event management. Its architecture and building components, especially filters, are emphasized and presented in detail.

Dementia in motor neuron disease: Reviewing the role of MRI in diagnosis

PubMed Central

da Rocha, Antonio José; Nunes, Renato Hoffmann; Maia Jr., Antonio Carlos Martins

2015-01-01

The superimposed clinical features of motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) comprise a distinct, yet not fully understood, neurological overlap syndrome whose clinicopathological basis has recently been reviewed. Here, we present a review of the clinical, pathological and genetic basis of MND-FTD and the role of MRI in its diagnosis. In doing so, we discuss current techniques that depict the involvement of the selective corticospinal tract (CST) and temporal lobe in MND-FTD. PMID:29213986

Motor neurone disease presenting as polycythaemia.

PubMed

Santana-Vaz, Natasha; Bwika, Jumaa; Morley, Kirstie; Mukherjee, Rahul

2014-04-28

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a chronic, progressive and currently incurable neurodegenerative disorder. This case report discusses an instance of MND presenting initially as polycythaemia, caused via insidious respiratory failure through ventilatory insufficiency. This case aims to improve clinicians' awareness of this atypical presentation and highlights the need for a high index of suspicion of respiratory failure in any patient with polycythaemia. Finally it demonstrates an improvement in quality of life associated with the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in a patient with MND.

Feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of dignity therapy for family carers of people with motor neurone disease

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Dignity therapy is a brief psychotherapy that has been shown to enhance the end of life experience. Dignity therapy often involves family carers to support patients weakened by illness and family carers are also the usual recipients of the legacy documents created. No research to date has examined the impact of dignity therapy on family carers at the time of the intervention. This study examined the effects of dignity therapy on family carers of people with motor neurone disease (MND). Methods This is a cross-sectional study utilizing a one-group pre-test post-test design with 18 family carers of people diagnosed with MND. Outcomes measured caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, and hopefulness. Acceptability was measured with a questionnaire. Feasibility was assessed by examining family carers’ involvement in the therapy sessions, time taken to conduct sessions, and any special accommodations or deviations from the dignity therapy protocol. Results There were no significant pre-test post-test changes on the group level, but there were decreases in anxiety and depression on the individual level. Baseline measures indicate that 50% of family carers had moderate to severe scores for anxiety prior to dignity therapy. MND family carers saw benefits to the person with MND and to themselves after bereavement, but acceptability of dignity therapy at the time of the intervention was mixed with some family carers indicating it was helpful, some indicating it was harmful, and many expressing ambivalence. Dignity therapy involving MND family carers is feasible and the involvement of family carers has minimal impact on the therapy. Conclusion Dignity therapy is not likely to alleviate caregiver burden in MND family carers, but it may have the ability to decrease or moderate anxiety and depression in distressed MND family carers. Dignity therapy is feasible and generally acceptable to MND family carers. Dignity therapists may provide a better experience for family carers when they are aware of acceptance levels and the quality of partner relationships. Trial registration ANZCTR Trial Number: ACTRN12611000410954 PMID:24646211

Mimics and chameleons in motor neurone disease

PubMed Central

Turner, Martin R; Talbot, Kevin

2013-01-01

The progression of motor neurone disease (MND) is currently irreversible, and the grave implications of diagnosis naturally fuels concern among neurologists over missing a potential mimic disorder. There is no diagnostic test for MND but in reality there are few plausible mimics in routine clinical practice. In the presence of a progressive pure motor disorder, signs such as florid fasciculations, bilateral tongue wasting, the ‘split hand’, head drop, emotionality, and cognitive or behavioural impairment carry high positive predictive value. MND is clinically heterogeneous, however, with some important chameleon-like presentations and considerable variation in clinical course. Lack of confidence about the scope of such variation, or an approach to diagnosis emphasising investigations over clinical common sense, has the potential to exacerbate diagnostic delay in MND and impede timely planning of the care which is essential to maximising quality of life. PMID:23616620

Exploring the Role of PGC-1α in Defining Nuclear Organisation in Skeletal Muscle Fibres.

PubMed

Ross, Jacob A; Pearson, Adam; Levy, Yotam; Cardel, Bettina; Handschin, Christoph; Ochala, Julien

2017-06-01

Muscle fibres are multinucleated cells, with each nucleus controlling the protein synthesis in a finite volume of cytoplasm termed the myonuclear domain (MND). What determines MND size remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that the level of expression of the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α and subsequent activation of the mitochondrial biogenesis are major contributors. Hence, we used two transgenic mouse models with varying expression of PGC-1α in skeletal muscles. We isolated myofibres from the fast twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow twitch diaphragm muscles. We then membrane-permeabilised them and analysed the 3D spatial arrangements of myonuclei. In EDL muscles, when PGC-1α is over-expressed, MND volume decreases; whereas, when PGC-1α is lacking, no change occurs. In the diaphragm, no clear difference was noted. This indicates that PGC-1α and the related mitochondrial biogenesis programme are determinants of MND size. PGC-1α may facilitate the addition of new myonuclei in order to reach MND volumes that can support an increased mitochondrial density. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1270-1274, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fourier transform spectroscopy of MnH and MnD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balfour, W. J.; Launila, O.; Klynning, L.

Two infrared band systems, centred near 846 nm and 1060 nm in both MnH and MnD have been rotationally analysed and shown to have a common lower state. The electronic transitions lie within the quintet manifold and are here designated c 5Σ-a 5Σ and b 5Πi-a 5Σ for the 846 and 1060 nm systems, respectively. In the 846 nm system in MnH all 10 main branches have been found in the 0-0 and 1-1 bands, while in MnD the data are complete only for 0-0. Satellite branches have been identified in the 1060 nm system and all spin and Λ-type doublings have been established. The number of assigned 0-0 branches in the 1060 nm system is 35 for MnH and 37 for MnD. Molecular constants have been determined for all three states involved. Λ-doubling diagrams are presented for b 5Πi state with v = 1, 2 levels in MnH and with the v = 2 level in MnD. Local perturbations in c5Σ (v = 1) in MnH are suspected to originate from the v = 3 level of b 5Πi.

Sorption of Cr(III) ion from aqueous solution by two kinds of modified diatomite.

PubMed

Li, Er; Zeng, Xiangying

2012-01-01

Raw diatomite modified by microemulsion (DMM) and manganese oxide (MnD) were used for the removal of Cr(III) ions from aqueous solution. The characteristics and performance of these two types of modified diatomite on Cr(III) ion adsorption were compared. The results indicate that the Cr(III) ion adsorption capacities of diatomite were considerably improved after modifications by manganese oxide (MnO) and microemulsion. The surface area of MnD was increased because of the formation of MnO on the diatomite surface, and that of DMM was promoted owing to the existence of the hydrolyzed aromatic acid. Because of the stronger surface ionized function, the adsorption performance of Cr(III) ions in DMM was better than that in MnD. Within the experimental range of pH (i.e. 2.2-6.3), the Cr(III) ion removal of DMM (35-70%) was higher than that of MnD (33-59%) owing to the different electrostatic forces between the Cr(III) ion and the surface of the modified diatomite. The Cr(III) ion removal in MnD and DMM was improved with the increase of synthetic solution concentration in volumes from 0 to 2,500 mL.

The development of behavioral abnormalities in the motor neuron degeneration (mnd) mouse.

PubMed

Bolivar, Valerie J; Scott Ganus, J; Messer, Anne

2002-05-24

The motor neuron degeneration (mnd) mouse, which has widespread abnormal accumulating lipoprotein and neuronal degeneration, has a mutation in CLN8, the gene for human progressive epilepsy with mental retardation (EPMR). EPMR is one of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), a group of neurological disorders characterized by autofluorescent lipopigment accumulation, blindness, seizures, motor deterioration, and dementia. The human phenotype of EPMR suggests that, in addition to the motor symptoms previously categorized, various types of progressive behavioral abnormalities would be expected in mnd mice. We have therefore examined exploratory behavior, fear conditioning, and aggression in 2-3 month and 4-5 month old male mnd mice and age-matched C57BL/6 (B6) controls. The mnd mice displayed increased activity with decreased habituation in the activity monitor, poor contextual and cued memory, and heightened aggression relative to B6 controls. These behavioral deficits were most prominent at 4-5 months of age, which is prior to the onset of gross motor symptoms at 6 months. Our results provide a link from the mutation via pathology to a quantifiable multidimensional behavioral phenotype of this naturally occurring mouse model of NCL.

[Language and semantic memory impairment in a patient with motor neuron disease and semantic dementia: a case report].

PubMed

Kito, Yumiko; Kazui, Hiroaki; Yoshida, Tetsuhiko; Kubo, Yoshihiko; Takaya, Masahiko; Tokunaga, Hiromasa; Takeda, Masatoshi

2010-06-01

We report the rare case of a 59-year-old man with motor neuron disease and semantic dementia (SD-MND); SD-MND was in a very early stage, and its clinical progression, especially with regard to language impairment, and abnormalities on neuroimages were evaluated for 3 years. The patient complained only of difficulties in recalling names of acquaintances and in writing kanji characters. After 1 year, he experienced difficulty in describing common objects. He developed two-way anomia only in some words, which varied from day to day. His anomia was not category-specific and was noted even with respect to words that describe color. In addition to experiencing difficulty in writing kanji characters, he experienced difficulty in writing kana characters. Muscle atrophy was observed, and he experienced weakness in his limbs, especially in the right upper limb; however, bulbar symptoms were not observed. At this point, he fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for MND. In the next year, semantic memory impairment became apparent, and he was subsequently diagnosed with SD. Deterioration in his ability to name objects in all categories, except body parts, was noted. Further, the ability of writing both kana and kanji characters was increasingly impaired. He developed bulbar symptoms and experienced increased muscle weakness. The characteristics of this patient differed from those of SD patients without MND with regard to the difficulty in writing kana characters and naming colors even though the SD-MND was in the early stage. Further, the pattern of brain hypoperfusion was different from that observed for SD patients without MND. In the case of this patient, brain hypoperfusion was found not only in the left anterior temporal lobe but also in the frontal lobe. The characteristics of his language symptoms might be related to the specific pattern of brain hypoperfusion, which might be commonly observed in patients with dementia and MND.

Assessing social isolation in motor neurone disease: a Rasch analysis of the MND Social Withdrawal Scale.

PubMed

Gibbons, Chris J; Thornton, Everard W; Ealing, John; Shaw, Pamela J; Talbot, Kevin; Tennant, Alan; Young, Carolyn A

2013-11-15

Social withdrawal is described as the condition in which an individual experiences a desire to make social contact, but is unable to satisfy that desire. It is an important issue for patients with motor neurone disease who are likely to experience severe physical impairment. This study aims to reassess the psychometric and scaling properties of the MND Social Withdrawal Scale (MND-SWS) domains and examine the feasibility of a summary scale, by applying scale data to the Rasch model. The MND Social Withdrawal Scale was administered to 298 patients with a diagnosis of MND, alongside the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The factor structure of the MND Social Withdrawal Scale was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Model fit, category threshold analysis, differential item functioning (DIF), dimensionality and local dependency were evaluated. Factor analysis confirmed the suitability of the four-factor solution suggested by the original authors. Mokken scale analysis suggested the removal of item five. Rasch analysis removed a further three items; from the Community (one item) and Emotional (two items) withdrawal subscales. Following item reduction, each scale exhibited excellent fit to the Rasch model. A 14-item Summary scale was shown to fit the Rasch model after subtesting the items into three subtests corresponding to the Community, Family and Emotional subscales, indicating that items from these three subscales could be summed together to create a total measure for social withdrawal. Removal of four items from the Social Withdrawal Scale led to a four factor solution with a 14-item hierarchical Summary scale that were all unidimensional, free for DIF and well fitted to the Rasch model. The scale is reliable and allows clinicians and researchers to measure social withdrawal in MND along a unidimensional construct. © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SysSon - A Framework for Systematic Sonification Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, Katharina; Goudarzi, Visda; Holger Rutz, Hanns

2015-04-01

SysSon is a research approach on introducing sonification systematically to a scientific community where it is not yet commonly used - e.g., in climate science. Thereby, both technical and socio-cultural barriers have to be met. The approach was further developed with climate scientists, who participated in contextual inquiries, usability tests and a workshop of collaborative design. Following from these extensive user tests resulted our final software framework. As frontend, a graphical user interface allows climate scientists to parametrize standard sonifications with their own data sets. Additionally, an interactive shell allows to code new sonifications for users competent in sound design. The framework is a standalone desktop application, available as open source (for details see http://sysson.kug.ac.at/) and works with data in NetCDF format.

'All in the same boat'? Patient and carer attitudes to peer support and social comparison in Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

PubMed

Locock, Louise; Brown, Janice B

2010-10-01

This paper explores attitudes to peer support among people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and their family carers. It reports findings from a secondary analysis of data from two UK interview studies conducted by the authors. The process of secondary analysis is reported in detail. 48 people with MND and 22 carers were interviewed in 2005-2007. The authors identified narrative extracts on peer support from their own datasets and exchanged them for independent thematic analysis. Subsequent discussion, drawing on literature on support groups and social comparison, led to an exploration of two overarching themes: valuing camaraderie and comparison, and choosing isolation. Findings suggest that social comparison theory is a useful framework for analysing attitudes to MND support groups, but that on its own it is insufficient. 'Valuing camaraderie and comparison' explains how support groups offer practical and social support, as well as beneficial opportunities for social comparison. Seeing others coping well with the condition can provide hope, while downward comparison with those worse off can also make people feel better about their own situation. However, most people are also shocked and saddened by seeing others with the condition. Tension of identity can occur when group membership starts to define the individual as 'a person with MND, rather than the person I am that happens to have MND'. Choosing isolation can be a deliberate defensive strategy, to protect oneself from witnessing one's possible future. Levels of involvement may change over time as people struggle with their changing needs and fears. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Risk factors for respiratory failure of motor neuron disease in a multiracial Asian population.

PubMed

Deng, Xiao; Hao, Ying; Xiao, Bin; Tan, Eng-King; Lo, Yew-Long

2017-05-01

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a devastating degenerative disorder. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common and severe form of MND. Respiratory failure arising from ventilator musculature atrophy is the most common cause of death for ALS patients. Exploring the factors correlated with respiratory failure can contribute to disease management. To characterize the clinical features of MND and determine the factors that may affect respiratory failure of MND patients. The case records of all MND patients seen in Singapore General Hospital (SGH) between January 2004 and December 2014 were examined. Demographic, clinical information were collected by reviewing case records. Mortality data, if not available from records, were obtained via phone call interview of family members. Demographic data and clinical treatments were compared between Respiratory support group and Non-respiratory support group. There were 73 patients included in our study. 49 (67.1%) patients died during follow-up. The mean age of onset was 58±11.1years. With regard to treatment, 63% needed feeding support, and 42.5% required ventilation aid. The median overall survival was 36months from symptom onset. Chi-square tests showed there was significantly higher percentage of respiratory support needed in Chinese than in other races (P=0.016). Compared with non-feeding support patients, patients with feeding support were more likely to require assisted ventilation (P=0.001). We report for the first time that the need of feeding support is significantly associated with assisted ventilation. Chinese MND patients may be more inclined to require respiratory support. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The TiM system: developing a novel telehealth service to improve access to specialist care in motor neurone disease using user-centered design.

PubMed

Hobson, Esther V; Baird, Wendy O; Partridge, Rebecca; Cooper, Cindy L; Mawson, Susan; Quinn, Ann; Shaw, Pamela J; Walsh, Theresa; Wolstenholme, Daniel; Mcdermott, Christopher J

2018-08-01

Attendance at a specialist multidisciplinary motor neurone disease (MND) clinic is associated with improved survival and may also improve quality of life and reduce hospital admissions. However, patients struggle to travel to clinic and may experience difficulties between clinic visits that may not be addressed in a timely manner. We wanted to explore how we could improve access to specialist MND care. We adopted an iterative, user-centered co-design approach, collaborating with those with experience of providing and receiving MND care including patients, carers, clinicians, and technology developers. We explored the unmet needs of those living with MND, how they might be met through service redesign and through the use of digital technologies. We developed a new digital solution and performed initial testing with potential users including clinicians, patients, and carers. We used these findings to develop a telehealth system (TiM) using an Android app into which patients and carers answer a series of questions about their condition on a weekly basis. The questions aim to capture all the physical, emotional, and social difficulties associated with MND. This information is immediately uploaded to the internet for review by the MND team. The data undergoes analysis in order to alert clinicians to any changes in a patient or carer's condition. We describe the benefits of developing a novel digitally enabled service underpinned by participatory design. Future trials must evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the TiM system within a clinical environment.

Spirituality and/or religious faith: A means for coping with the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease?

PubMed

O'Brien, Mary R; Clark, David

2015-12-01

The notion of spirituality/religious belief is recognized internationally as a domain within end-of-life care and is important in patients' and carers' quality-of-life. When faced with incurable illness, patients often become more philosophical about their life; many seek comfort in spiritual or religious philosophies. Our intention was to understand how personal spirituality and religious faith might help those living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) cope with their impending death. Unsolicited narratives (internet and print-published) written by individuals diagnosed with the terminal condition of ALS/MND were analyzed thematically. Narratives from 161 individuals diagnosed with ALS/MND written over a period of 37 years (from 1968 to 2005) were included. Our findings reveal that religious faith sustains and helps people to avoid despair, and personal spirituality helps them make sense of what is happening to them. The use of personal narratives by people with ALS/MND has provided a vehicle for sharing their deepest spiritual and religious thoughts with others. The place of spirituality and religious faith within ALS/MND care should not be underestimated. Assessment of religious or spiritual needs should become a routine part of practice and is the responsibility of all members of the multidisciplinary team.

The MY NASA DATA Project: Preparing Future Earth and Environmental Scientists, and Future Citizens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chambers, L. H.; Phelps, C. S.; Phipps, M.; Holzer, M.; Daugherty, P.; Poling, E.; Vanderlaan, S.; Oots, P. C.; Moore, S. W.; Diones, D. D.

2008-12-01

For the past 5 years, the MY NASA DATA (MND) project at NASA Langley has developed and adapted tools and materials aimed at enabling student access to real NASA Earth science satellite data. These include web visualization tools including Google Earth capabilities, but also GPS and graphing calculator exercises, Excel spreadsheet analyses, and more. The project team, NASA scientists, and over 80 classroom science teachers from around the country, have created over 85 lesson plans and science fair project ideas that demonstrate NASA satellite data use in the classroom. With over 150 Earth science parameters to choose from, the MND Live Access Server enables scientific inquiry on numerous interconnected Earth and environmental science topics about the Earth system. Teachers involved in the project report a number of benefits, including networking with other teachers nationwide who emphasize data collection and analysis in the classroom, as well as learning about other NASA resources and programs for educators. They also indicate that the MND website enhances the inquiry process and facilitates the formation of testable questions by students (a task that is typically difficult for students to do). MND makes science come alive for students because it allows them to develop their own questions using the same data scientists use. MND also provides educators with a rich venue for science practice skills, which are often overlooked in traditional curricula as teachers concentrate on state and national standards. A teacher in a disadvantaged school reports that her students are not exposed to many educational experiences outside the classroom. MND allows inner city students to be a part of NASA directly. They are able to use the same information that scientists are using and this gives them inspiration. In all classrooms, the MND microsets move students out of their local area to explore global data and then zoom back into their homes realizing that they are a part of the global Earth System. These armchair explorers learn to unite datasets in a region to learn about places like and unlike where they live. In a world that's becoming smaller and smaller with the aid of technology, projects like MND prepare our students for their global future. A teacher located in an area of California strongly impacted by pollution and potential climate changes noted that this project makes available data that are very relevant to issues that will affect her students' lives. She points out that not all scientific information they currently see is in a form that is understandable to an educated citizen, and that the experience with MND will enable her students to have better than average skills not only for deciphering scientific maps and graphs; but also for creating maps and graphics that successfully convey information to others.

Withdrawal of ventilation at the patient's request in MND: a retrospective exploration of the ethical and legal issues that have arisen for doctors in the UK.

PubMed

Phelps, Kay; Regen, Emma; Oliver, David; McDermott, Chris; Faull, Christina

2017-06-01

Ventilatory support has benefits including prolonging survival for respiratory failure in motor neurone disease (MND). At some point some patients may wish to stop the intervention. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance recommends research is needed on ventilation withdrawal. There is little literature focusing on the issues doctors encounter when withdrawing ventilation at the request of a patient. To identify and explore with doctors the ethical and legal issues that they had encountered in the withdrawal of ventilation at the request of a patient with MND. A retrospective thematic analysis of interviews of 24 doctors (including palliative care, respiratory, neurology and general practice) regarding their experiences with withdrawal of ventilation support from patients with MND. Respondents found withdrawal of ventilation at the request of patients with MND to pose legal, ethical and moral challenges in five themes: ethical and legal rights to withdrawal from treatment; discussions with family; discussions with colleagues; experiences of legal advice; issues contributing to ethical complexity. Though clear about the legality of withdrawal of treatment in theory, the practice led to ethical and moral uncertainty and mixed feelings. Many respondents had experienced negative reactions from other healthcare professionals when these colleagues were unclear of the distinction between palliation of symptoms, withdrawal of treatment and assisted death. Legal, ethical and practical guidance is needed for professionals who support a patient with MND who wishes to withdraw from ventilation. Open discussion of the ethical challenges is needed as well as education and support for professionals. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Withdrawal of ventilation at the patient's request in MND: a retrospective exploration of the ethical and legal issues that have arisen for doctors in the UK

PubMed Central

Phelps, Kay; Regen, Emma; Oliver, David; McDermott, Chris; Faull, Christina

2017-01-01

Background Ventilatory support has benefits including prolonging survival for respiratory failure in motor neurone disease (MND). At some point some patients may wish to stop the intervention. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance recommends research is needed on ventilation withdrawal. There is little literature focusing on the issues doctors encounter when withdrawing ventilation at the request of a patient. Aim To identify and explore with doctors the ethical and legal issues that they had encountered in the withdrawal of ventilation at the request of a patient with MND. Method A retrospective thematic analysis of interviews of 24 doctors (including palliative care, respiratory, neurology and general practice) regarding their experiences with withdrawal of ventilation support from patients with MND. Results Respondents found withdrawal of ventilation at the request of patients with MND to pose legal, ethical and moral challenges in five themes: ethical and legal rights to withdrawal from treatment; discussions with family; discussions with colleagues; experiences of legal advice; issues contributing to ethical complexity. Though clear about the legality of withdrawal of treatment in theory, the practice led to ethical and moral uncertainty and mixed feelings. Many respondents had experienced negative reactions from other healthcare professionals when these colleagues were unclear of the distinction between palliation of symptoms, withdrawal of treatment and assisted death. Conclusions Legal, ethical and practical guidance is needed for professionals who support a patient with MND who wishes to withdraw from ventilation. Open discussion of the ethical challenges is needed as well as education and support for professionals. PMID:26362794

Spatially complex distribution of dissolved manganese in a fjord as revealed by high-resolution in situ sensing using the autonomous underwater vehicle Autosub.

PubMed

Statham, P J; Connelly, D P; German, C R; Brand, T; Overnell, J O; Bulukin, E; Millard, N; McPhail, S; Pebody, M; Perrett, J; Squire, M; Stevenson, P; Webb, A

2005-12-15

Loch Etive is a fjordic system on the west coast of Scotland. The deep waters of the upper basin are periodically isolated, and during these periods oxygen is lost through benthic respiration and concentrations of dissolved manganese increase. In April 2000 the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Autosub was fitted with an in situ dissolved manganese analyzer and was used to study the spatial variability of this element together with oxygen, salinity, and temperature throughout the basin. Six along-loch transects were completed at either constant height above the seafloor or at constant depth below the surface. The ca. 4000 in situ 10-s-average dissolved Mn (Mnd) data points obtained provide a new quasi-synoptic and highly detailed view of the distribution of manganese in this fjordic environment not possible using conventional (water bottle) sampling. There is substantial variability in concentrations (<25 to >600 nM) and distributions of Mnd. Surface waters are characteristically low in Mnd reflecting mixing of riverine and marine end-member waters, both of which are low in Mnd. The deeper waters are enriched in Mnd, and as the water column always contains some oxygen, this must reflect primarily benthic inputs of reduced dissolved Mn. However, this enrichment of Mnd is spatially very variable, presumably as a result of variability in release of Mn coupled with mixing of water in the loch and removal processes. This work demonstrates how AUVs coupled with chemical sensors can reveal substantial small-scale variability of distributions of chemical species in coastal environments that would not be resolved by conventional sampling approaches. Such information is essential if we are to improve our understanding of the nature and significance of the underlying processes leading to this variability.

Decision-making and referral processes for patients with motor neurone disease: a qualitative study of GP experiences and evaluation of a new decision-support tool.

PubMed

Baxter, Susan; McDermott, Christopher J

2017-05-08

The diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND) is known to be challenging and there may be delay in patients receiving a correct diagnosis. This study investigated the referral process for patients who had been diagnosed with MND, and whether a newly-developed tool (The Red Flags checklist) might help General Practitioners (GPs) in making referral decisions. We carried out interviews with GPs who had recently referred a patient diagnosed with MND, and interviews/surveys with GPs who had not recently referred a patient with suspected MND. We collected data before the Red Flags checklist was introduced; and again one year later. We analysed the data to identify key recurring themes. Forty two GPs took part in the study. The presence of fasciculation was the clinical feature that most commonly led to consideration of a potential MND diagnosis. GPs perceived that their role was to make onward referrals rather than attempting to make a diagnosis, and delays in correct diagnosis tended to occur at the specialist level. A quarter of participants had some awareness of the newly-developed tool; most considered it useful, if incorporated into existing systems. While fasciculation is the most common symptom associated with MND, other bulbar, limb or respiratory features, together with progression should be considered. There is a need for further research into how decision-support tools should be designed and provided, in order to best assist GPs with referral decisions. There is also a need for further work at the level of secondary care, in order that referrals made are re-directed appropriately.

Psychosexual Functioning Among Adult Female Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

PubMed Central

Ford, Jennifer S.; Kawashima, Toana; Whitton, John; Leisenring, Wendy; Laverdière, Caroline; Stovall, Marilyn; Zeltzer, Lonnie; Robison, Leslie L.; Sklar, Charles A.

2014-01-01

Purpose Childhood cancer survivors may be at risk for impaired psychosexual functioning as a direct result of their cancer or its treatments, psychosocial difficulties, and/or diminished quality of life. Patients and Methods Two thousand one hundred seventy-eight female adult survivors of childhood cancer and 408 female siblings from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) completed a self-report questionnaire about their psychosexual functioning and quality of life. On average, participants were age 29 years (range, 18 to 51 years) at the time of the survey, had been diagnosed with cancer at a median age of 8.5 years (range, 0 to 20) and were most commonly diagnosed with leukemia (33.2%) and Hodgkin lymphoma (15.4%). Results Multivariable analyses suggested that after controlling for sociodemographic differences, survivors reported significantly lower sexual functioning (mean difference [MnD], −0.2; P = .01), lower sexual interest (MnD, −0.2; P < .01), lower sexual desire (MnD, −0.3; P < .01), lower sexual arousal (MnD, −0.3; P < .01), lower sexual satisfaction (MnD, −0.2; P = .01), and lower sexual activity (MnD, −0.1; P = .02) compared with siblings. Risk factors for poorer psychosexual functioning among survivors included older age at assessment, ovarian failure at a younger age, treatment with cranial radiation, and cancer diagnosis during adolescence. Conclusion Decreased sexual functioning among female survivors of childhood cancers seems to be unrelated to emotional factors and is likely to be an underaddressed issue. Several risk factors among survivors have been identified that assist in defining high-risk subgroups who may benefit from targeted screening and interventions. PMID:25113763

Symptomatic treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

PubMed

Ng, Louisa; Khan, Fary; Young, Carolyn A; Galea, Mary

2017-01-10

Motor neuron disease (MND), which is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), causes a wide range of symptoms but the evidence base for the effectiveness of the symptomatic treatment therapies is limited. To summarise the evidence from Cochrane Systematic Reviews of all symptomatic treatments for MND. We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) on 15 November 2016 for systematic reviews of symptomatic treatments for MND. We assessed the methodological quality of the included reviews using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool and the GRADE approach. We followed standard Cochrane study (review) selection and data extraction procedures. We reported findings narratively and in tables. We included nine Cochrane Systematic Reviews of interventions to treat symptoms in people with MND. Three were empty reviews with no included randomised controlled trials (RCTs); however, all three reported on non-RCT evidence and the remaining six included mostly one or two studies. We deemed all of the included reviews of high methodological quality. Drug therapy for painThere is no RCT evidence in a Cochrane Systematic Review exploring the efficacy of drug therapy for pain in MND. Treatment for crampsThere is evidence (13 RCTs, N = 4012) that for the treatment of cramps in MND, compared to placebo:- memantine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are probably ineffective (moderate-quality evidence);- vitamin E may have little or no effect (low-quality evidence); and- the effects of L-threonine, gabapentin, xaliproden, riluzole, and baclofen are uncertain as the evidence is either very low quality or the trial specified the outcome but did not report numerical data.The review reported adverse effects of riluzole, but it is not clear whether other interventions had adverse effects. Treatment for spasticityIt is uncertain whether an endurance-based exercise programme improved spasticity or quality of life, measured at three months after the programme, as the quality of evidence is very low (1 RCT, comparison "usual activities", N = 25). The review did not evaluate other approaches, such as use of baclofen as no RCTs were available. Mechanical ventilation for supporting respiratory functionNon-invasive ventilation (NIV) probably improves median survival and quality of life in people with respiratory insufficiency and normal to moderately impaired bulbar function compared to standard care, and improves quality of life but not survival for people with poor bulbar function (1 RCT, N = 41, moderate-quality evidence; a second RCT did not provide data). The review did not evaluate other approaches such as tracheostomy-assisted ('invasive') ventilation, or assess timing of NIV initiation. Treatment for sialorrhoeaA single session of botulinum toxin type B injections to parotid and submandibular glands probably improves sialorrhoea and quality of life at up to 4 weeks compared to placebo injections, but not at 8 or 12 weeks after the injections (moderate-quality evidence from 1 placebo-controlled RCT, N = 20). The review authors found no trials of other approaches. Enteral tube feeding for supporting nutritionThere is no RCT evidence in a Cochrane Systematic Review to support benefit or harms of enteral tube feeding in supporting nutrition in MND. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulationIt is uncertain whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improves disability or limitation in activity in MND in comparison with sham rTMS (3 RCTs, very low quality evidence, N = 50). Therapeutic exerciseThere is evidence that exercise may improve disability in MND at three months after the exercise programme, but not quality of life, in comparison with "usual activities" or "usual care" including stretching (2 RCTs, low-quality evidence, N = 43). Multidisciplinary careThere is no RCT evidence in a Cochrane Systematic Review to demonstrate any benefit or harm for multidisciplinary care in MND.None of the reviews, other than the review of treatment for cramps, reported that adverse events occurred. However, the trials were too small for reliable adverse event reporting. This overview has highlighted the lack of robust evidence in Cochrane Systematic Reviews on interventions to manage symptoms resulting from MND. It is important to recognise that clinical trials may fail to demonstrate efficacy of an intervention for reasons other than a true lack of efficacy, for example because of insufficient statistical power, the wrong choice of dose, insensitive outcome measures or inappropriate participant eligibility. The trials were mostly too small to reliably assess adverse effects of the treatments. The nature of MND makes it difficult to research clinically accepted or recommended practice, regardless of the level of evidence supporting the practice. It would not be ethical, for example, to design a placebo-controlled trial for treatment of pain in MND or to withhold multidisciplinary care where such care is available. It is therefore highly unlikely that there will ever be classically designed placebo-controlled RCTs in these areas.We need more research with appropriate study designs, robust methodology, and of sufficient duration to address the changing needs-of people with MND and their caregivers-associated with MND disease progression and mortality. There is a significant gap in studies assessing the effectiveness of interventions for symptoms relating to MND, such as pseudobulbar emotional lability and cognitive and behavioural difficulties. Future studies should use appropriate outcome measures that are reliable, have internal and external validity, and are sensitive to change in what is being measured (such as quality of life).

Being Yourself and Thinking About the Future in People With Motor Neuron Disease: A Grounded Theory of Self-care Processes.

PubMed

Bassola, Barbara; Sansone, Valeria Ada; Lusignani, Maura

2018-06-01

Self-care is a crucial aspect in the management of people with motor neuron disease (MND). Nurses and healthcare professionals must know the processes used by patients in performing self-care to identify problems and help them. Decision-making processes, self-understanding, and political and social support influence the self-care process in chronic diseases. Little is known about the self-care process in MND. The aim of this study was to gain insight on the self-care processes in people with MND. A grounded theory method was chosen for this study. Data from interviews were gathered, and a simultaneous comparative analysis was conducted to identify categories and codes. Twenty-one people with spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis participated in the study. Five categories were identified as grounded in the data. The process starts from "being yourself in the care," and it develops thanks to "growing and changing" and with a "thinking about the future" approach. "Family role" and "you and who helps you" categories affect the process itself. The self-care process in people with MND is not seen in a daily perspective but changes with the evolution of the disease. For the growing patients with MND, changing, accepting and controlling the disease while deciding autonomously are the foundations of the process.

KiMoSys: a web-based repository of experimental data for KInetic MOdels of biological SYStems

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The kinetic modeling of biological systems is mainly composed of three steps that proceed iteratively: model building, simulation and analysis. In the first step, it is usually required to set initial metabolite concentrations, and to assign kinetic rate laws, along with estimating parameter values using kinetic data through optimization when these are not known. Although the rapid development of high-throughput methods has generated much omics data, experimentalists present only a summary of obtained results for publication, the experimental data files are not usually submitted to any public repository, or simply not available at all. In order to automatize as much as possible the steps of building kinetic models, there is a growing requirement in the systems biology community for easily exchanging data in combination with models, which represents the main motivation of KiMoSys development. Description KiMoSys is a user-friendly platform that includes a public data repository of published experimental data, containing concentration data of metabolites and enzymes and flux data. It was designed to ensure data management, storage and sharing for a wider systems biology community. This community repository offers a web-based interface and upload facility to turn available data into publicly accessible, centralized and structured-format data files. Moreover, it compiles and integrates available kinetic models associated with the data. KiMoSys also integrates some tools to facilitate the kinetic model construction process of large-scale metabolic networks, especially when the systems biologists perform computational research. Conclusions KiMoSys is a web-based system that integrates a public data and associated model(s) repository with computational tools, providing the systems biology community with a novel application facilitating data storage and sharing, thus supporting construction of ODE-based kinetic models and collaborative research projects. The web application implemented using Ruby on Rails framework is freely available for web access at http://kimosys.org, along with its full documentation. PMID:25115331

Workforce Competencies in Syndromic Surveillance Practice at Local Health Departments

PubMed Central

Chughtai, Sarah; Kan, Lilly; Streichert, Laura C.

2016-01-01

Context: As the science and practice of syndromic surveillance (SyS) evolve, it has increasing utility for public health surveillance at the local level. Local health departments (LHDs) require specific organizational and workforce capabilities to use SyS data. In 2013, more than half of the LHDs reported using SyS, although little has been reported about LHD workforce capabilities in SyS. Objective: To conduct an assessment of self-reported knowledge and skills in SyS tasks to effectively target technical assistance to different levels of LHD need. Design, Setting, and Participants: A stratified sampling design based on LHD jurisdiction population and SyS status was employed. Data were drawn from the 2015 Biosurveillance Needs Assessment Survey, which captured variables related to LHD use of SyS, management of systems, and self-reported proficiencies in a typology of SyS functionalities developed by a workgroup of subject matter experts in SyS. Respondents were US-based LHD public health practitioners. Estimation weights were applied during analysis to determine the national representation of the responses. Main Outcome Measures: Respondents self-reported proficiency in 26 SyS tasks within 5 categories, analyzed by LHD jurisdiction size and respondents' years of SyS experience. Results: SyS expertise varied widely across LHDs. Less than 50% of workers who have access to SyS demonstrated overall proficiency within any of the task areas: communication, data use, data analysis, quality monitoring and assurance, and system design and development. SyS users were strongest in data use tasks. Proficiency in SyS practice corresponded directly with respondents' years of SyS experience and the LHD jurisdiction size. Conclusion: SyS practitioners display a wide range of proficiencies both within and across SyS tasks. Considerable gaps in proficiencies of all areas of SyS practice indicate a need for technical assistance and knowledge dissemination to improve SyS practice as an important component of an LHD surveillance strategy. PMID:27684623

Meeting report of the International Consortium of Stem Cell Networks' Workshop Towards Clinical Trials Using Stem Cells for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neuron Disease.

PubMed

Chaddah, Maya R; Dickie, Brian G; Lyall, Drew; Marshall, Caroline J; Sykes, J Ben; Bruijn, Lucie I

2011-09-01

The International Consortium of Stem Cell Networks' (ICSCN) Workshop Towards Clinical Trials Using Stem Cells for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Motor Neuron Disease (MND) was held on 24-25 January 2011. Twenty scientific talks addressed aspects of cell derivation and characterization; preclinical research and phased clinical trials involving stem cells; latest developments in induced pluripotent (iPS) cell technology; industry involvement and investment. Three moderated panel discussions focused on unregulated ALS/MND treatments, and the state of the art and barriers to future progress in using stem cells for ALS/MND. This review highlights the major insights that emanated from the workshop around the lessons learned and barriers to progress for using stem cells for understanding disease mechanism, drug discovery, and as therapy for ALS/MND. The full meeting report is only available in the online version of the journal. Please find this material with the following direct link to the article: http://www.informahealthcare.com/als/doi/10.3109/17482968.2011.590992 .

Distinct Clinical Features and Outcomes in Motor Neuron Disease Associated with Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia.

PubMed

Cortés-Vicente, Elena; Turon-Sans, Janina; Gelpi, Ellen; Clarimón, Jordi; Borrego-Écija, Sergi; Dols-Icardo, Oriol; Illán-Gala, Ignacio; Lleó, Alberto; Illa, Isabel; Blesa, Rafael; Al-Chalabi, Ammar; Rojas-García, Ricard

2018-06-08

To determine the motor phenotype and outcome in a clinically ascertained group of patients with motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This is an observational retrospective clinical study of patients fulfilling the clinical criteria for MND-FTD. A contemporary series of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) without dementia were included for comparison. Demographic, clinical, genetic, and neuropathological data were collected. A descriptive and comparative data analysis was performed. We identified 22 patients with MND-FTD. Selective distal upper limb muscle weakness and atrophy with non-significant lower limb weakness during follow-up was the most frequent motor pattern, present in 18 patients - in 15 of them associated with severe dysphagia. Aspiration pneumonia was the most common cause of death (12/19; 63%) despite gastrostomy. One-third of the patients did not develop upper motor neuron dysfunction. When compared to classic ALS without dementia (n = 162), these features were significantly different. A neuro-pathological examination was performed on 7 patients, and it confirmed the presence of MND with TDP43 protein aggregates in all patients. The MND-FTD patients frequently displayed a distinctive motor pattern characterized by weakness and atrophy in distal upper limb muscles and dysphagia, with no or little spreading to other regions. These features may help to define specific subgroups of patients, which is important with regard to clinical management, outcome, and research. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

GSTP1 Polymorphisms and their Association with Glutathione Transferase and Peroxidase Activities in Patients with Motor Neuron Disease.

PubMed

Gajewska, Beata; Kaźmierczak, Beata; Kuźma-Kozakiewicz, Magdalena; Jamrozik, Zygmunt; Barańczyk-Kuźma, Anna

2015-01-01

Glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP1) is a crucial enzyme in detoxification of electrophilic compounds and organic peroxides. Together with Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSHPx) it protects cells against oxidative stress which may be a primary factor implicated in motor neuron disease (MND) pathogenesis. We investigated GSTP1 polymorphisms and their relationship with GST and Se-GSTPx activities in a cohort of Polish patients with MND. Results were correlated with clinical phenotypes. The frequency of genetic variants for GSTP1 exon 5 (I105V) and exon 6 (A114V) was studied in 104 patients and 100 healthy controls using real-time polymerase chain reaction. GST transferase activity was determined in serum with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, its peroxidase activity with cumene hydroperoxide, and Se-GSHPx activity with hydrogen peroxide. There were no differences in the prevalence of GSTP1 polymorphism I105V and A114V between MND and controls, however the occurrence of CT variant in codon 114 was associated with a higher risk for MND. GSTP1 polymorphisms were less frequent in classic ALS than in progressive bulbar palsy. In classic ALS C* (heterozygous I /V and A /V) all studied activities were significantly lower than in classic ALS A* (homozygous I /I and A/A). GST peroxidase activity and Se-GSHPx activity were lower in classic ALS C* than in control C*, but in classic ALS A* Se-GSHPx activity was significantly higher than in control A*. It can be concluded that the presence of GSTP1 A114V but not I105V variant increases the risk of MND, and combined GSTP1 polymorphisms in codon 105 and 114 may result in lower protection of MND patients against the toxicity of electrophilic compounds, organic and inorganic hydroperoxides.

Fourier transform infrared emission spectra of MnH and MnD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordon, Iouli E.; Appadoo, Dominique R. T.; Shayesteh, Alireza; Walker, Kaley A.; Bernath, Peter F.

2005-01-01

Fourier transform infrared emission spectra of MnH and MnD were observed in the ground X7Σ + electronic state. The vibration-rotation bands from v = 1 → 0 to v = 3 → 2 for MnH and from v = 1 → 0 to v = 4 → 3 for MnD were recorded at an instrumental resolution of 0.0085 cm -1. Spectroscopic constants were determined for each vibrational level and equilibrium constants were found from a Dunham-type fit. The equilibrium vibrational constant ( ωe) for MnH was found to be 1546.84518(65) cm -1, the equilibrium rotational constant ( Be) is 5.6856789(103) cm -1 and the eqilibrium bond distance ( re) was determined to be 1.7308601(47) Å.

System modeling of the Thirty Meter Telescope alignment and phasing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dekens, Frank G.; Seo, Byoung-Joon; Troy, Mitchell

2014-08-01

We have developed a system model using the System Modeling Language (SysML) for the Alignment and Phasing System (APS) on the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). APS is a Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensor that will be used to measure the alignment and phasing of the primary mirror segments, and the alignment of the secondary and tertiary mirrors. The APS system model contains the ow-down of the Level 1 TMT requirements to APS (Level 2) requirements, and from there to the APS sub-systems (Level 3) requirements. The model also contains the operating modes and scenarios for various activities, such as maintenance alignment, post-segment exchange alignment, and calibration activities. The requirements ow-down is captured in SysML requirements diagrams, and we describe the process of maintaining the DOORS database as the single-source-of-truth for requirements, while using the SysML model to capture the logic and notes associated with the ow-down. We also use the system model to capture any needed communications from APS to other TMT systems, and between the APS sub-systems. The operations are modeled using SysML activity diagrams, and will be used to specify the APS interface documents. The modeling tool can simulate the top level activities to produce sequence diagrams, which contain all the communications between the system and subsystem needed for that activity. By adding time estimates for the lowest level APS activities, a robust estimate for the total time on-sky that APS requires to align and phase the telescope can be obtained. This estimate will be used to verify that the time APS requires on-sky meets the Level 1 TMT requirements.

On-ground calibration of the BEPICOLOMBO/SIMBIO-SYS at instrument level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez-Ferreira, J.; Poulet, F.; Eng, P.; Longval, Y.; Dassas, K.; Arondel, A.; Langevin, Y.; Capaccioni, F.; Filacchione, G.; Palumbo, P.; Cremonese, G.; Dami, M.

2012-04-01

The Mercury Planetary Orbiter/BepiColombo carries an integrated suite of instruments, the Spectrometer and Imagers for MPO BepiColombo-Integrated Observatory SYStem (SIMBIO-SYS). SIMBIO-SYS has 3 channels: a stereo imaging system (STC), a high-resolution imager (HRIC) and a visible-near-infrared imaging spectrometer (VIHI). SIMBIO-SYS will scan the surface of Mercury with these three channels and determine the physical, morphological and compositional properties of the entire planet. Before integration on the S/C, an on-ground calibration at the channels and at the instrument levels will be performed so as to describe the instrumental responses as a function of various parameters that might evolve while the instruments will be operating [1]. The Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS) is responsible for the on-ground instrument calibration at the instrument level. During the 4 weeks of calibration campaign planned for June 2012, the instrument will be maintained in a mechanical and thermal environment simulating the space conditions. Four Optical stimuli (QTH lamp, Integrating Sphere, BlackBody with variable temperature from 50 to 1200°C and Monochromator), are placed over an optical bench to illuminate the four channels so as to make the radiometric calibration, straylight monitoring, as well as spectral proofing based on laboratory mineral samples. The instrument will be mounted on a hexapod placed inside a thermal vacuum chamber during the calibration campaign. The hexapod will move the channels within the well-characterized incoming beam. We will present the key activities of the preparation of this calibration: the derivation of the instrument radiometric model, the implementation of the optical, mechanical and software interfaces of the calibration assembly, the characterization of the optical bench and the definition of the calibration procedures.

The Impact of Law on Syndromic Disease Surveillance Implementation.

PubMed

Purtle, Jonathan; Field, Robert I; Hipper, Thomas; Nash-Arott, Jillian; Chernak, Esther; Buehler, James W

Legal environments influence how health information technologies are implemented in public health practice settings. Syndromic disease surveillance (SyS) is a relatively new approach to surveillance that depends heavily on health information technologies to achieve rapid awareness of disease trends. Evidence suggests that legal concerns have impeded the optimization of SyS. To (1) understand the legal environments in which SyS is implemented, (2) determine the perceived legal basis for SyS, and (3) identify perceived legal barriers and facilitators to SyS implementation. Multisite case study in which 35 key informant interviews and 5 focus groups were conducted with 75 SyS stakeholders. Interviews and focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by 3 coders using thematic content analysis. Legal documents were reviewed. Seven jurisdictions (5 states, 1 county, and 1 city) that were purposively selected on the basis of SyS capacity and legal environment. Health department directors, SyS system administrators, legal counsel, and hospital personnel. Federal (eg, HIPAA) and state (eg, notifiable disease reporting) laws that authorize traditional public health surveillance were perceived as providing a legal basis for SyS. Financial incentives for hospitals to satisfy Meaningful Use regulations have eased concerns about the legality of SyS and increased the number of hospitals reporting SyS data. Legal issues were perceived as barriers to BioSense 2.0 (the federal SyS program) participation but were surmountable. Major legal reforms are not needed to promote more widespread use of SyS. The current legal environment is perceived by health department and hospital officials as providing a firm basis for SyS practice. This is a shift from how law was perceived when SyS adoption began and has policy implications because it indicates that major legal reforms are not needed to promote more widespread use of the technology. Beyond SyS, our study suggests that federal monetary incentives can ameliorate legal concerns regarding novel health information technologies.

Experiences and reflections of patients with motor neuron disease on breaking the news in a two-tiered appointment: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Seeber, Antje A; Pols, A Jeannette; Hijdra, Albert; Grupstra, Hepke F; Willems, Dick L; de Visser, Marianne

2016-02-02

Breaking bad news should be fine-tuned to the individual patient, contain intelligible information, include emotional support and offer a tailor-made treatment plan. To achieve this goal in motor neuron disease (MND), neurologists of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) centre Amsterdam deliver the message on 2 separate visits within 14 days. To evaluate how patients with MND react to and view disclosure of the diagnosis, in this 2-tiered approach. Non-participating observations and in-depth interviews with patients were conducted in 1 tertiary ALS referral centre. Qualitative analysis consisted of inductive analysis of observation reports and verbatim typed out interviews. 10 2-tiered appointments were observed and 21 Dutch patients with MND interviewed. They experienced the straightforward message to be suffering from a fatal disease as devastating, yet unavoidable. The prospect of a short-term second appointment offered structure for the period immediately following the diagnosis. The time between appointments provided the opportunity for a first reorientation on their changed perspective on their life. The second appointment allowed for detailed discussions about various aspects of MND and a tailor-made treatment plan. The 2-tiered approach fits well with the way in which Dutch patients with MND process the disclosure of their diagnosis, gather information and handle the changed perspective on their life. It may serve as a model for other life-limiting diseases. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Determinants of accepting non-invasive ventilation treatment in motor neurone disease: a quantitative analysis at point of need.

PubMed

Cousins, Rosanna; Ando, Hikari; Thornton, Everard; Chakrabarti, Biswajit; Angus, Robert; Young, Carolyn

2013-01-01

Objectives : Motor neurone disease (MND) progressively damages the nervous system causing wasting to muscles, including those used for breathing. There is robust evidence that non-invasive ventilation (NIV) relieves respiratory symptoms and improves quality of life in MND. Nevertheless, about a third of those who would benefit from NIV decline the treatment. The purpose of the study was to understand this phenomenon. Design : A cross-sectional quantitative analysis. Methods : Data including age, sex, MND symptomatology, general physical and mental health and psychological measures were collected from 27 patients and their family caregivers at the point of being offered ventilatory support based on physiological markers. Results : Quantitative analyses indicated no difference in patient characteristics or symptomatology between those who tolerated ( n  = 17) and those who declined ( n  = 10) NIV treatment. A comparison of family caregivers found no differences in physical or mental health or in caregiving distress, emphasising that this was high in both groups; however, family caregivers supporting NIV treatment were significantly more resilient, less neurotic and less anxious than family caregivers who did not. Regression analyses, forcing MND symptoms to enter the equation first, found caregiver resilience:commitment the strongest predictor of uptake of NIV treatment adding 22% to the 56% explained variance. Conclusion : Patients who tolerated NIV treatment had family caregivers who cope through finding meaning and purpose in their situation. Psychological support and proactive involvement for family caregivers in the management of the illness situation is indicated if acceptance of NIV treatment is to be maximised in MND.

Determinants of accepting non-invasive ventilation treatment in motor neurone disease: a quantitative analysis at point of need

PubMed Central

Cousins, Rosanna; Ando, Hikari; Thornton, Everard; Chakrabarti, Biswajit; Angus, Robert; Young, Carolyn

2013-01-01

Objectives: Motor neurone disease (MND) progressively damages the nervous system causing wasting to muscles, including those used for breathing. There is robust evidence that non-invasive ventilation (NIV) relieves respiratory symptoms and improves quality of life in MND. Nevertheless, about a third of those who would benefit from NIV decline the treatment. The purpose of the study was to understand this phenomenon. Design: A cross-sectional quantitative analysis. Methods: Data including age, sex, MND symptomatology, general physical and mental health and psychological measures were collected from 27 patients and their family caregivers at the point of being offered ventilatory support based on physiological markers. Results: Quantitative analyses indicated no difference in patient characteristics or symptomatology between those who tolerated (n = 17) and those who declined (n = 10) NIV treatment. A comparison of family caregivers found no differences in physical or mental health or in caregiving distress, emphasising that this was high in both groups; however, family caregivers supporting NIV treatment were significantly more resilient, less neurotic and less anxious than family caregivers who did not. Regression analyses, forcing MND symptoms to enter the equation first, found caregiver resilience:commitment the strongest predictor of uptake of NIV treatment adding 22% to the 56% explained variance. Conclusion: Patients who tolerated NIV treatment had family caregivers who cope through finding meaning and purpose in their situation. Psychological support and proactive involvement for family caregivers in the management of the illness situation is indicated if acceptance of NIV treatment is to be maximised in MND. PMID:25264500

Patients experiences of maintaining mental well-being and hope within motor neuron disease: a thematic synthesis.

PubMed

Soundy, Andrew; Condon, Nicola

2015-01-01

Research is required that can synthesize the experiences of patients with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). One value of being able to do this is to understand the psychological experiences and processes involved in maintaining mental well-being and hope. A qualitative thematic synthesis of studies was undertaken. Studies were electronically searched from inception until June 2014. Twenty-nine studies with 342 (175 male) unique individuals with MND were identified. Five themes were identified: (1)The effects of the disease on interactions, relationships, roles and meaningful activities, (2) Responses that relate to the expression of hope, (3) Factors which disable hope, (4) Factors which enable hope, and (5) Cognitive and Practical adaptation that enabled hope, control and coping. Finally, a model of hope enablement was identified that considers the psychological pathways undertaken by a patient which influence mental well-being and hope. Within this review article evidence is provided which illustrates the central importance of relationships and social support for individuals with MND. Further, it has been identified that periods of coping are possible and are likely associated with greater mental well-being for patients with MND.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Repowering Systems for Utilizing Waste Heat from Small Scale Garbage Incineration Plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pak, Pyong Sik

This paper evaluates two proposed repowering systems together with a conventional repowering system. A power generation system utilizing waste heat produced by a garbage incineration plant (GIP), which treats 45 t/d of garbage, was taken as an objective power generation system to be repowered. As the conventional repowering system (Sys-C), a gas turbine system with waste heat boiler was adopted. In the proposed system 1 (Sys-P1), temperature of the low temperature steam generated at the GIP is raised in the gas combustor by burning fuel, and used to drive a gas turbine generator. Hence, required power for compressing the air becomes remarkably small and expected to be high efficient compared with Sys-C. In the proposed system 2 (Sys-P2), the low temperature steam generated at the GIP is superheated by using regenerative burner and used to drive a steam turbine generator, and hence making steam condition optimal becomes easy. Various basic characteristics of the three repowering systems were estimated through computer simulation, such as repowering efficiency, energy saving characteristics, and amount of CO2 reduction. It was shown that Sys-P1 and Sys-P2 were both superior to the conventional repowering system Sys-C in the all characteristics, and Sys-P1 to Sys-P2 in repowering efficiency, and that Sys-P2 to Sys-P1 in energy saving characteristics and CO2 reduction effect. It has also been estimated that all the repowering systems are economically feasible, and that the proposed systems Sys-P1 and Sys-P2 are both superior to the Sys-C in the three economical indices of unit cost of power, annual gross profit and depreciation year.

Data Redistribution through MY NASA DATA: Striving to bring authentic NASA data into education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, P. M.; Oostra, D.; Oots, P.; Chambers, L. H.; Moore, S.; Crecelius, S.; Taylor, J.

2012-12-01

The Mentoring and inquirY using NASA Data on Atmospheric and Earth science for Teachers and Amateurs (MY NASA DATA or MND) project was launched in 2004 to bring authentic data into K-12 education. The MND website features a Live Access Server (LAS), an open source tool which allows users to customize data sets to suit their individual needs, choosing from among 200 global Level 3 data sets. Approximately 120 lesson plans that utilize the available parameters are offered to help teachers and students get started with data exploration. Grade appropriate data documentation is also provided (with continual efforts to improve it to better meet the needs of this target audience). Through inquiry and lesson utilization, educators have several connection points to the data. As classrooms shift to problem-based and inquiry learning, the need for a data visualizer/server increases. Through numerous and growing connections to NASA satellite missions, and with access to data as a built-in feature, MND effectively fills this niche to provide a first level of data re-use that is friendly to the K-12 community. Offering a wide variety of data sets allows MND to support many science topics within the K-12 curriculum while extending the use of scientific data from NASA Earth science satellites. Lessons, created by educators across the country, allow MND to connect with the classroom teacher and to meet their data needs. As technology continues to evolve, a second level of data re-use becomes both interesting and possible. Thus, the MND team is now exploring new web and mobile platforms that can be built and distributed on an accelerated time cycle to keep up with information technology developments. With implementation of these new platforms come challenges in promoting new items to the education community, the public, and other potential users. Included in the list of challenges are: ever-evolving technology, prediction of the market, web/mobile platforms, and time-to-market for new items. The MND team has addressed some of these barriers by embracing new technologies: 1) the Observe Your World blog utilizes WordPress and provides a central place to announce new resources; 2) The use of HTML5 has enabled cross-platform web application development and avoids native application release pitfalls; 3) close monitoring of server performance and access metrics (using, for example, Google analytics) provides real-time feedback and allows MND to make informed changes to content and delivery methods. Old-fashioned approaches to communication, such as paying close attention to the needs of the end user through relationship building and responsiveness, are also keys to success. Outcome: This paper will show the various platforms through which the MY NASA DATA project has made available data for use in the educational community. Successes and challenges will be shared from 8 years of working on data re-use tools to support the education community.

Our Theme for 2016: Sustaining Momentum

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

of design architectures and interfaces to make both open sys- tems and modularity a reality. This is “owning the technical baseline,” and the devil... write this year, although we will be implementing the changes required in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 National Defense Au- thorization Act. We still...Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics on the momentum we have gained as we get ready for a new administration next year. Promote Technical

DBSecSys 2.0: a database of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei secretion systems.

PubMed

Memišević, Vesna; Kumar, Kamal; Zavaljevski, Nela; DeShazer, David; Wallqvist, Anders; Reifman, Jaques

2016-09-20

Burkholderia mallei and B. pseudomallei are the causative agents of glanders and melioidosis, respectively, diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates. B. mallei and B. pseudomallei are closely related genetically; B. mallei evolved from an ancestral strain of B. pseudomallei by genome reduction and adaptation to an obligate intracellular lifestyle. Although these two bacteria cause different diseases, they share multiple virulence factors, including bacterial secretion systems, which represent key components of bacterial pathogenicity. Despite recent progress, the secretion system proteins for B. mallei and B. pseudomallei, their pathogenic mechanisms of action, and host factors are not well characterized. We previously developed a manually curated database, DBSecSys, of bacterial secretion system proteins for B. mallei. Here, we report an expansion of the database with corresponding information about B. pseudomallei. DBSecSys 2.0 contains comprehensive literature-based and computationally derived information about B. mallei ATCC 23344 and literature-based and computationally derived information about B. pseudomallei K96243. The database contains updated information for 163 B. mallei proteins from the previous database and 61 additional B. mallei proteins, and new information for 281 B. pseudomallei proteins associated with 5 secretion systems, their 1,633 human- and murine-interacting targets, and 2,400 host-B. mallei interactions and 2,286 host-B. pseudomallei interactions. The database also includes information about 13 pathogenic mechanisms of action for B. mallei and B. pseudomallei secretion system proteins inferred from the available literature or computationally. Additionally, DBSecSys 2.0 provides details about 82 virulence attenuation experiments for 52 B. mallei secretion system proteins and 98 virulence attenuation experiments for 61 B. pseudomallei secretion system proteins. We updated the Web interface and data access layer to speed-up users' search of detailed information for orthologous proteins related to secretion systems of the two pathogens. The updates of DBSecSys 2.0 provide unique capabilities to access comprehensive information about secretion systems of B. mallei and B. pseudomallei. They enable studies and comparisons of corresponding proteins of these two closely related pathogens and their host-interacting partners. The database is available at http://dbsecsys.bhsai.org .

Economic Studies in Motor Neurone Disease: A Systematic Methodological Review.

PubMed

Moore, Alan; Young, Carolyn A; Hughes, Dyfrig A

2017-04-01

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a devastating condition which greatly diminishes patients' quality of life and limits life expectancy. Health technology appraisals of future interventions in MND need robust data on costs and utilities. Existing economic evaluations have been noted to be limited and fraught with challenges. The aim of this study was to identify and critique methodological aspects of all published economic evaluations, cost studies, and utility studies in MND. We systematically reviewed all relevant published studies in English from 1946 until January 2016, searching the databases of Medline, EMBASE, Econlit, NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) and the Health Economics Evaluation Database (HEED). Key data were extracted and synthesised narratively. A total of 1830 articles were identified, of which 15 economic evaluations, 23 cost and 3 utility studies were included. Most economic studies focused on riluzole (n = 9). Six studies modelled the progressive decline in motor function using a Markov design but did not include mutually exclusive health states. Cost estimates for a number of evaluations were based on expert opinion and were hampered by high variability and location-specific characteristics. Few cost studies reported disease-stage-specific costs (n = 3) or fully captured indirect costs. Utilities in three studies of MND patients used the EuroQol EQ-5D questionnaire or standard gamble, but included potentially unrepresentative cohorts and did not consider any health impacts on caregivers. Economic evaluations in MND suffer from significant methodological issues such as a lack of data, uncertainty with the disease course and use of inappropriate modelling framework. Limitations may be addressed through the collection of detailed and representative data from large cohorts of patients.

Nutritional advice and treatment by dietitians to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neurone disease: a survey of current practice in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Canada.

PubMed

Rio, A; Cawadias, E

2007-02-01

The management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neurone disease (ALS/MND) has shifted from an attitude of nihilism to treatments that prolong survival and offer hope. Nutrition is an integral component of ALS/MND care requiring coordination among acute and community multi-disciplinary teams (MDT). Evidence-based nutrition guidelines exist for this patient group but their use among dietitians is unknown. The aim of this study was to survey the knowledge, practice and guideline use of dietitians working in ALS/MND centres/clinics across England, Wales, Northern Ireland (EWNI) and Canada. Dietetic contact details were obtained from the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and the ALS Society of Canada (ALSSC) websites. Telephone interviews were conducted with 23 dietitians using a standardized questionnaire. Multi-disciplinary team membership was high (78%). Only 22% dietitians had >4-years experience in ALS/MND care. Dietitians reported using body weight, percentage weight loss (PWL) and body mass index (BMI) to assess nutritional status. Equations used to estimate energy and protein requirements differed. Most frequent dietary advice was high calorie, texture modification and prescription nutritional supplements. Artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) was discussed when patients developed dysphagia, energy intake was inadequate, weight loss of 10% or forced vital capacity (FVC) was reduced. A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) service was available at all clinics/centres. Nutritional assessment techniques and dietary advice should be standardized. Dietetic collaboration at national and international level is recommended to reduce professional isolation. Training and support in ALS/MND nutrition should be made available as part of post-dietetic registration. Further dietetic research is required to stimulate nutritional care.

Self-Regulation and Executive Functioning as Related to Survival in Motor Neuron Disease: Preliminary Findings.

PubMed

Garcia-Willingham, Natasha E; Roach, Abbey R; Kasarskis, Edward J; Segerstrom, Suzanne C

2018-05-16

Disease progression varies widely among patients with motor neuron disease (MND). Patients with MND and coexisting dementia have shorter survival. However, implications of mild cognitive and behavioral difficulties are unclear. The present study examined the relative contribution of executive functioning and self-regulation difficulties on survival over a 6-year period among patients with MND, who scored largely within normal limits on cognitive and behavioral indices. Patients with MND (N=37, age=59.97±11.57, 46% female) completed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) as an executive functioning perseveration index. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF-A) was used as a behavioral measure of self-regulation in two subdomains self-regulatory behavior (Behavioral Regulation) and self-regulatory problem-solving (Metacognition). Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used. In total, 23 patients died during follow-up. In Cox proportional hazard regressions adjusted for a priori covariates, each 10-point T-score increment in patient-reported BRIEF-A self-regulatory behavior and problem-solving difficulties increased mortality risk by 94% and103%, respectively (adjusted HR=1.94, 95% CI [1.07, 3.52]; adjusted HR=2.03, 95% CI [1.19, 3.48]). In sensitivity analyses, patient-reported self-regulatory problem-solving remained significant independent of disease severity and a priori covariates (adjusted HR=1.68, 95% CI [1.01, 2.78], though the predictive value of self-regulatory behavior was attenuated in adjusted models (HR=1.67, 95% CI [0.85, 3.27). Caregiver-reported BRIEF-A ratings of patients and WCST perseverative errors did not significantly predict survival. Preliminary evidence suggests patient-reported self-regulatory problem-solving difficulties indicate poorer prognosis in MND. Further research is needed to uncover mechanisms that negatively affect patient survival.

Sigma nonopioid intracellular receptor 1 mutations cause frontotemporal lobar degeneration-motor neuron disease.

PubMed

Luty, Agnes A; Kwok, John B J; Dobson-Stone, Carol; Loy, Clement T; Coupland, Kirsten G; Karlström, Helena; Sobow, Tomasz; Tchorzewska, Joanna; Maruszak, Aleksandra; Barcikowska, Maria; Panegyres, Peter K; Zekanowski, Cezary; Brooks, William S; Williams, Kelly L; Blair, Ian P; Mather, Karen A; Sachdev, Perminder S; Halliday, Glenda M; Schofield, Peter R

2010-11-01

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the most common cause of early-onset dementia. Pathological ubiquitinated inclusion bodies observed in FTLD and motor neuron disease (MND) comprise trans-activating response element (TAR) DNA binding protein (TDP-43) and/or fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein. Our objective was to identify the causative gene in an FTLD-MND pedigree with no mutations in known dementia genes. A mutation screen of candidate genes, luciferase assays, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to identify the biological role of the putative mutation. Neuropathological characterization of affected individuals and western blot studies of cell lines were performed to identify the pathological mechanism of the mutation. We identified a nonpolymorphic mutation (c.672*51G>T) in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the Sigma nonopioid intracellular receptor 1 (SIGMAR1) gene in affected individuals from the FTLD-MND pedigree. The c.672*51G>T mutation increased gene expression by 1.4-fold, corresponding with a significant 1.5-fold to 2-fold change in the SIGMAR1 transcript or Sigma-1 protein in lymphocyte or brain tissue. Brains of SIGMAR1 mutation carriers displayed a unique pathology with cytoplasmic inclusions immunopositive for either TDP-43 or FUS but not Sigma-1. Overexpression of SIGMAR1 shunted TDP-43 and FUS from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by 2.3-fold and 5.2-fold, respectively. Treatment of cells with Sigma-1 ligands significantly altered translocation of TDP-43 by up to 2-fold. SIGMAR1 is a causative gene for familial FTLD-MND with a unique neuropathology that differs from other FTLD and MND cases. Our findings also suggest Sigma-1 drugs as potential treatments for the TDP-43/FUS proteinopathies.

Intellectual property rights, standards and data exchange in systems biology: Reflections from the IP Expert Meeting at the University of Luxembourg, 8-9 October 2015, ERASysAPP - ERA-Net for Systems Biology Applications.

PubMed

van Zimmeren, Esther; Rutz, Berthold; Minssen, Timo

2016-12-01

Intellectual property rights (IPRs) have become a key concern for researchers and industry in basically all high-tech sectors. IPRs regularly figure prominently in scientific journals and at scientific conferences and lead to dedicated workshops to increase the awareness and "IPR savviness" of scientists. In 2015, Biotechnology Journal published a report from an expert meeting on "Synthetic Biology & Intellectual Property Rights" organized by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation sponsored by the European Research Area Network (ERA-Net) in Synthetic Biology (ERASynBio), in which we provided a number of recommendations for a variety of stakeholders [1]. The current article offers some deeper reflections about the interface between IPRs, standards and data exchange in systems biology (SysBio) resulting from an Expert Meeting funded by another ERA-Net, ERASysAPP. The meeting brought together experts and stakeholders (e.g. scientists, company representatives, officials from public funding organizations) in SysBio from different European countries. Despite the different profiles of the stakeholders at the meeting and the variety of interests, many concerns and opinions were shared. In case particular views were expressed by a specific type of stakeholder, this will be explicitly mentioned in the text. In this article, we explore a number of particularly relevant issues that were discussed at the meeting and offer some recommendations. SysBio involves the study of biological systems at a so-called systems level. This is not a new concept in the life sciences - many former approaches in physiology, enzymology and other scientific disciplines have already taken a systemic view of selected biological subjects. Yet, SysBio has gained strong interest within the past 10 to 15 years. One predominant reason and a critical prerequisite for this success story being that the relevant scientific methodologies and research tools have become far more powerful and accurate. Remarkable technical progress allows scientists to generate, collect, display and analyse quantitative and qualitative data on biological processes and activities in much greater volumes, velocity, variety and veracity. The skilful integration of multiple heterogeneous data sets allows scientists to model and predict biological processes. SysBio's interdisciplinary nature requires data, models and other research assets to be formatted and described in standard ways to enable exchange and reuse of high quality data [2]. This allows a more effective utilisation of the enormous potential that rests in "big data" analysis. Finally, SysBio is often closely linked to or provides the foundation for Synthetic Biology (SynBio). Standardization and data exchange in SysBio may result in challenges and opportunities related to IPRs. The aim of this article is to raise awareness on these issues within the SysBio scientific community and to stimulate exploration of different strategies for dealing with IPRs in order to optimize access to and use of valuable research results. Copyright © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electrospinning of Nanodiamond-Modified Polysaccharide Nanofibers with Physico-Mechanical Properties Close to Natural Skins

PubMed Central

Mahdavi, Mina; Mahmoudi, Nafiseh; Rezaie Anaran, Farzad; Simchi, Abdolreza

2016-01-01

Electrospinning of biopolymers has gained significant interest for the fabrication of fibrous mats for potential applications in tissue engineering, particularly for wound dressing and skin regeneration. In this study, for the first time, we report successful electrospinning of chitosan-based biopolymers containing bacterial cellulous (33 wt %) and medical grade nanodiamonds (MND) (3 nm; up to 3 wt %). Morphological studies by scanning electron microscopy showed that long and uniform fibers with controllable diameters from 80 to 170 nm were prepared. Introducing diamond nanoparticles facilitated the electrospinning process with a decrease in the size of fibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy determined hydrogen bonding between the polymeric matrix and functional groups of MND. It was also found that beyond 1 wt % MND, percolation networks of nanoparticles were formed which affected the properties of the nanofibrous mats. Uniaxial tensile testing of the woven mats determined significant enhancement of the strength (from 13 MPa to 25 MP) by dispersion of 1 wt % MND. The hydrophilicity of the mats was also remarkably improved, which was favorable for cell attachment. The water vapor permeability was tailorable in the range of 342 to 423 µg·Pa−1·s−1·m−1. The nanodiamond-modified mats are potentially suitable for wound healing applications. PMID:27399726

Diaphragm pacing and noninvasive respiratory management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

PubMed

Mahajan, Kedar R; Bach, John Robert; Saporito, Lou; Perez, Nick

2012-12-01

Although it is known that continuous noninvasive ventilation (CNIV) can prolong life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND), in this study we explore similar claims for diaphragm pacing (DP). NIV and DP users' vital capacities (VCs) over time and duration of NIV and CNIV dependence were analyzed for 354 non-DP and 8 DP ALS/MND patients. Patients had a higher rate of monthly VC decline before NIV use (5.1 ± 7.6%) than during NIV use (2.5 ± 3.6%) (P < 0.01, 95% CI 0.84-4.5); the decline for 4 DP users was 3.7-20%. Fifty-five ALS/MND patients used part-time NIV for 19.9 ± 27.6 months until tracheostomy/death, whereas 113 others used it for 10.9 ± 10.5 months until CNIV dependence for another 12.8 ± 16.2 months. After placement, 7 DP users were CNIV dependent in 8.0 ± 7.0 months, whereas 6 underwent tracheostomy/died in 18.2 ± 13.7 months. CNIV prolonged the survival of 113 of the 354 non-DP and 6 DP ALS/MND patients by 12.8 and 10.2 months, respectively. DP provided no benefit on VC or mechanical ventilation-free survival. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Quantitative analysis in spontaneous canine anal sac gland adenomas and carcinomas.

PubMed

Simeonov, Radostin; Simeonova, Galina

2008-12-01

Stained cytological specimens from 7 canine anal sac gland adenomas and 11 canine anal sac gland carcinomas were analyzed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry. In each case, the nuclei of at least 100 neoplastic cells were measured, and the mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (MND) and nuclear roundness (NR) were calculated. The study aimed to evaluate (1) the possibility of using nuclear cytomorphometry as an auxiliary diagnostic method to differentiate between canine anal sac gland adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) the prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas. The results indicated that (1) MNA, MNP, MND and NR could be used as effective auxiliary tools for differential diagnosis between canine anal sac gland adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) MNA, MNP and MND are reliable prognostic indicators for canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas.

Application of System and Integration Readiness Levels to Department of Defense Research and Development

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-01

etc., and all of the IRL1n rather than a technology-centric approach that included TR L1 with all its interfaces. The inter- face -centric approach...Acquisition Research Journal , 23(3), In Print. The average of the SRL vector, equation (4), describes how mature the sys- tem is. The Sauser approach...Application of System and Integration Readiness Levels to Department of Defense Research and Development. Defense Acquisition Research Journal , 23(3), In

Using SysML for MBSE analysis of the LSST system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claver, Charles F.; Dubois-Felsmann, Gregory; Delgado, Francisco; Hascall, Pat; Marshall, Stuart; Nordby, Martin; Schalk, Terry; Schumacher, German; Sebag, Jacques

2010-07-01

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope is a complex hardware - software system of systems, making up a highly automated observatory in the form of an 8.4m wide-field telescope, a 3.2 billion pixel camera, and a peta-scale data processing and archiving system. As a project, the LSST is using model based systems engineering (MBSE) methodology for developing the overall system architecture coded with the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). With SysML we use a recursive process to establish three-fold relationships between requirements, logical & physical structural component definitions, and overall behavior (activities and sequences) at successively deeper levels of abstraction and detail. Using this process we have analyzed and refined the LSST system design, ensuring the consistency and completeness of the full set of requirements and their match to associated system structure and behavior. As the recursion process proceeds to deeper levels we derive more detailed requirements and specifications, and ensure their traceability. We also expose, define, and specify critical system interfaces, physical and information flows, and clarify the logic and control flows governing system behavior. The resulting integrated model database is used to generate documentation and specifications and will evolve to support activities from construction through final integration, test, and commissioning, serving as a living representation of the LSST as designed and built. We discuss the methodology and present several examples of its application to specific systems engineering challenges in the LSST design.

Distribution Synergy in Multi-National Division-Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation 07-09

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-10

customer wait time (CWT) in Multi-National Division-Baghdad (MND- B ) from October 2007 to January 2008. A secondary objective was to determine what...LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b . ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE 19b. PHONE NUMBER (include...Division-Baghdad (MND- B ) from October 2007 to January 2008. A secondary objective was to determine what affect initiatives from operational and

Significance of prophylactic modified radical neck dissection for patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma measuring 1.1-3.0 cm: first report of a trial at Kuma Hospital.

PubMed

Ito, Yasuhiro; Tsushima, Yukiko; Masuoka, Hiroo; Yabuta, Tomonori; Fukushima, Mitsuhiro; Inoue, Hiroyuki; Tomoda, Chisato; Kihara, Minoru; Higashiyama, Takuya; Takamura, Yuuki; Kobayashi, Kaoru; Miya, Akihiro; Miyauchi, Akira

2011-11-01

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) frequently metastasizes to and recurs in regional lymph nodes. Of the two compartments, the central compartment can be dissected through the same wound as the thyroidectomy, and the central node dissection (CND) is routinely performed in most Japanese surgical departments. However, the indications for prophylactic lateral compartment dissection (modified radical neck dissection [MND]) for low-risk PTC remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the indications for prophylactic MND for PTC patients with tumor measuring 1.1-3.0 cm without significant extrathyroid extension or distant metastasis. We investigated the lymph node disease-free survival (LN-DFS) rates of 829 patients who underwent CND and of 414 patients who underwent MND and CND between 2005 and 2007 at Kuma Hospital. The LN-DFS of these two groups was not significantly different. In the subset of patients with CND only, clinical central node metastasis (N1a) significantly predicted a worse LN-DFS. All N1a patients recognized as showing recurrence developed such recurrence in the lateral compartment. Other conventional prognostic factors, such as sex and age, were not related to LN-DFS. Taken together, N1a patients with low-risk PTC measuring 1.1-3.0 cm can be considered as candidates for prophylactic MND.

Imaging muscle as a potential biomarker of denervation in motor neuron disease

PubMed Central

Jenkins, Thomas M; Alix, James J P; David, Charlotte; Pearson, Eilish; Rao, D Ganesh; Hoggard, Nigel; O’Brien, Eoghan; Baster, Kathleen; Bradburn, Michael; Bigley, Julia; McDermott, Christopher J; Wilkinson, Iain D; Shaw, Pamela J

2018-01-01

Objective To assess clinical, electrophysiological and whole-body muscle MRI measurements of progression in patients with motor neuron disease (MND), as tools for future clinical trials, and to probe pathophysiological mechanisms in vivo. Methods A prospective, longitudinal, observational, clinicoelectrophysiological and radiological cohort study was performed. Twenty-nine patients with MND and 22 age-matched and gender-matched healthy controls were assessed with clinical measures, electrophysiological motor unit number index (MUNIX) and T2-weighted whole-body muscle MRI, at first clinical presentation and 4 months later. Between-group differences and associations were assessed using age-adjusted and gender-adjusted multivariable regression models. Within-subject longitudinal changes were assessed using paired t-tests. Patterns of disease spread were modelled using mixed-effects multivariable regression, assessing associations between muscle relative T2 signal and anatomical adjacency to site of clinical onset. Results Patients with MND had 30% higher relative T2 muscle signal than controls at baseline (all regions mean, 95% CI 15% to 45%, p<0.001). Higher T2 signal was associated with greater overall disability (coefficient −0.009, 95% CI −0.017 to –0.001, p=0.023) and with clinical weakness and lower MUNIX in multiple individual muscles. Relative T2 signal in bilateral tibialis anterior increased over 4 months in patients with MND (right: 10.2%, 95% CI 2.0% to 18.4%, p=0.017; left: 14.1%, 95% CI 3.4% to 24.9%, p=0.013). Anatomically, contiguous disease spread on MRI was not apparent in this model. Conclusions Whole-body muscle MRI offers a new approach to objective assessment of denervation over short timescales in MND and enables investigation of patterns of disease spread in vivo. Muscles inaccessible to conventional clinical and electrophysiological assessment may be investigated using this methodology. PMID:29089397

SysFinder: A customized platform for search, comparison and assisted design of appropriate animal models based on systematic similarity.

PubMed

Yang, Shuang; Zhang, Guoqing; Liu, Wan; Wang, Zhen; Zhang, Jifeng; Yang, Dongshan; Chen, Y Eugene; Sun, Hong; Li, Yixue

2017-05-20

Animal models are increasingly gaining values by cross-comparisons of response or resistance to clinical agents used for patients. However, many disease mechanisms and drug effects generated from animal models are not transferable to human. To address these issues, we developed SysFinder (http://lifecenter.sgst.cn/SysFinder), a platform for scientists to find appropriate animal models for translational research. SysFinder offers a "topic-centered" approach for systematic comparisons of human genes, whose functions are involved in a specific scientific topic, to the corresponding homologous genes of animal models. Scientific topic can be a certain disease, drug, gene function or biological pathway. SysFinder calculates multi-level similarity indexes to evaluate the similarities between human and animal models in specified scientific topics. Meanwhile, SysFinder offers species-specific information to investigate the differences in molecular mechanisms between humans and animal models. Furthermore, SysFinder provides a user-friendly platform for determination of short guide RNAs (sgRNAs) and homology arms to design a new animal model. Case studies illustrate the ability of SysFinder in helping experimental scientists. SysFinder is a useful platform for experimental scientists to carry out their research in the human molecular mechanisms. Copyright © 2017 Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Genetics Society of China. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of kinesiology tape versus postural correction exercises on neck disability and axioscapular muscles fatigue in mechanical neck dysfunction: A randomized blinded clinical trial.

PubMed

El-Abd, Aliaa M; Ibrahim, Abeer R; El-Hafez, Haytham M

2017-04-01

Mechanical neck dysfunction (MND), with axioscapular muscles fatigue, is highly prevalent worldwide. While postural correction is commonly used for its treatment, efficacy of kinesiology tape (KT) has received considerable attention. To determine the effectiveness of KT versus correction exercises on neck disability, and axioscapular muscles fatigue in MND patients. 46 MND patients were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups receiving 4 weeks treatment of either KT or correction exercises. Neck disability and axioscapular muscles fatigue as median frequency of electromyography (EMG-MF) were measured pre and post treatment. Group-by-time interaction was not significant in the multivariable test. Post hoc tests revealed that KT produced more disability reduction than the postural exercises. However, there was no significant interaction for EMG-MF. KT has been found to be more effective than postural exercises to reduce neck disability. However, both modalities have similar effects to reduce axioscapular muscles fatigue. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finger extension weakness and downbeat nystagmus motor neuron disease syndrome: A novel motor neuron disorder?

PubMed

Delva, Aline; Thakore, Nimish; Pioro, Erik P; Poesen, Koen; Saunders-Pullman, Rachel; Meijer, Inge A; Rucker, Janet C; Kissel, John T; Van Damme, Philip

2017-12-01

Disturbances of eye movements are infrequently encountered in motor neuron diseases (MNDs) or motor neuropathies, and there is no known syndrome that combines progressive muscle weakness with downbeat nystagmus. To describe the core clinical features of a syndrome of MND associated with downbeat nystagmus, clinical features were collected from 6 patients. All patients had slowly progressive muscle weakness and wasting in combination with downbeat nystagmus, which was clinically most obvious in downward and lateral gaze. Onset was in the second to fourth decade with finger extension weakness, progressing to other distal and sometimes more proximal muscles. Visual complaints were not always present. Electrodiagnostic testing showed signs of regional motor axonal loss in all patients. The etiology of this syndrome remains elusive. Because finger extension weakness and downbeat nystagmus are the discriminating clinical features of this MND, we propose the name FEWDON-MND syndrome. Muscle Nerve 56: 1164-1168, 2017. © 2017 The Authors Muscle & Nerve Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Finger extension weakness and downbeat nystagmus motor neuron disease syndrome: A novel motor neuron disorder?

PubMed Central

Delva, Aline; Thakore, Nimish; Pioro, Erik P.; Poesen, Koen; Saunders‐Pullman, Rachel; Meijer, Inge A.; Rucker, Janet C.; Kissel, John T.

2017-01-01

ABSTACT Introduction: Disturbances of eye movements are infrequently encountered in motor neuron diseases (MNDs) or motor neuropathies, and there is no known syndrome that combines progressive muscle weakness with downbeat nystagmus. Methods: To describe the core clinical features of a syndrome of MND associated with downbeat nystagmus, clinical features were collected from 6 patients. Results: All patients had slowly progressive muscle weakness and wasting in combination with downbeat nystagmus, which was clinically most obvious in downward and lateral gaze. Onset was in the second to fourth decade with finger extension weakness, progressing to other distal and sometimes more proximal muscles. Visual complaints were not always present. Electrodiagnostic testing showed signs of regional motor axonal loss in all patients. Discussion: The etiology of this syndrome remains elusive. Because finger extension weakness and downbeat nystagmus are the discriminating clinical features of this MND, we propose the name FEWDON‐MND syndrome. Muscle Nerve 56: 1164–1168, 2017 PMID:28440863

Patterns of Weakness, Classification of Motor Neuron Disease & Clinical Diagnosis of Sporadic ALS

PubMed Central

Statland, Jeffrey M.; Barohn, Richard J.; McVey, April L.; Katz, Jonathan; Dimachkie, Mazen M.

2015-01-01

Synopsis When approaching the patient with suspected motor neuron disease (MND) the pattern of weakness on exam helps distinguish MND from other diseases of peripheral nerves, the neuromuscular junction, or muscle. MND is a clinical diagnosis supported by findings on electrodiagnostic testing, in the absence of other abnormalities on neuroimaging or serological testing. MNDs exist on a spectrum: from a pure lower motor neuron; to mixed upper and lower motor neuron; to a pure upper motor neuron variant in addition to regional variants restricted to the arms, legs or bulbar region. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive mixed upper and lower motor neuron disorder, most commonly sporadic (~85%), which is invariably fatal. The only FDA approved treatments for ALS are riluzole, which prolongs life by about 3 months, and dextromethorphan/quinidine which provides symptomatic relief for pseudobulbar affect (inappropriate bouts of laughter or crying). Here we describe a pattern approach to identifying motor neuron disease, and clinical features of sporadic ALS. PMID:26515618

Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Antibodies in Slow-Progression Motor Neuron Disease.

PubMed

Godani, Massimiliano; Zoccarato, Marco; Beronio, Alessandro; Zuliani, Luigi; Benedetti, Luana; Giometto, Bruno; Del Sette, Massimo; Raggio, Elisa; Baldi, Roberta; Vincent, Angela

2017-01-01

The spectrum of autoimmune neurological diseases associated with voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC)-complex antibodies (Abs) ranges from peripheral nerve disorders to limbic encephalitis. Recently, low titers of VGKC-complex Abs have also been reported in neurodegenerative disorders, but their clinical relevance is unknown. The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of VGKC-complex Abs in slow-progression motor neuron disease (MND). We compared 11 patients affected by slow-progression MND with 9 patients presenting typical progression illness. Sera were tested for VGKC-complex Abs by radioimmunoassay. The distribution of VGKC-complex Abs was analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the mean values in the study and control groups. A case with long-survival MND harboring VGKC-complex Abs and treated with intravenous immunoglobulins is described. Although VGKC-complex Abs are not likely to be pathogenic, these results could reflect the coexistence of an immunological activation in patients with slow disease progression. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Using SysRem as an Alternative Photometry Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, S.; Williams, J.; Mazeh, T.; Walker, G.; Strelnitski, V.

2010-02-01

In SysRem, a statistical photometric algorithm for the search for new variable objects (Tamuz et al. 2005; Mazeh et al. 2007), the correction for systematic errors for star i on frame j is expressed as the product of two coefficients, a_j and c_i. SysRem introduces some distortion to the light curves, because unknown variations of variable objects influence c_i and a_j. Shporer et al. (2007) applied SysRem for photometry of a known star with transiting planet, WASP-1b. To minimize the influence of target's variability, only the comparison stars were used for finding a_j; then c_t for the target was determined by minimizing the residuals from the best fitting model of the transit. We investigated further the possibility of using modified SysRem for precise photometry of known targets. Here we report on the results obtained with a version similar to that used by Shporer et al. (2007, hereafter ``SysRem-ph''). The target was a constant V = 11.12 star from Landolt cluster SA98 (Landolt 1992). Observations were performed on the 0.6-m MMO reflector with the Princeton Instruments E2V, 512× 512, CCD camera, on two nights, with filters V (74 frames) and I (76 frames), with 90 s and 40 s exposures per frame, respectively. The reductions were made by JW and GW. JW compared SysRem-ph with the ``grey'' differential photometry (in which the differences in colors and positions of stars are not taken into account) and with the regular SysRem, and GW - the results of ``grey'' and ``color'' differential photometry (Hardie 1962). Eight comparison stars were used by JW and 12 by GW. The results for the four data sets can be summarized as follows: (1) Regular SysRem produced standard deviations (STDEV) of 3-5 mmag, close to the predicted photon noise (≈ 4 mmag); (2) SysRem-ph gave larger STDEV than regular SysRem (by 0.8-0.9 mmag) but smaller than ``grey'' photometry (by 0.5-1.6 mmag); and (3) ``Color'' differential photometry was better than ``grey'' photometry by 1-2 mmag. We conclude that for one-color photometry of variable objects with identifiable periods of constancy, SysRem-ph can be a good alternative to the traditional ``grey'' differential photometry. The higher precision of SysRem-ph is due to the capability of SysRem to account for the differences in color and position of the involved stars, without prior knowledge of these differences (Mazeh et al. 2007).

Specification and Design of Electrical Flight System Architectures with SysML

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McKelvin, Mark L., Jr.; Jimenez, Alejandro

2012-01-01

Modern space flight systems are required to perform more complex functions than previous generations to support space missions. This demand is driving the trend to deploy more electronics to realize system functionality. The traditional approach for the specification, design, and deployment of electrical system architectures in space flight systems includes the use of informal definitions and descriptions that are often embedded within loosely coupled but highly interdependent design documents. Traditional methods become inefficient to cope with increasing system complexity, evolving requirements, and the ability to meet project budget and time constraints. Thus, there is a need for more rigorous methods to capture the relevant information about the electrical system architecture as the design evolves. In this work, we propose a model-centric approach to support the specification and design of electrical flight system architectures using the System Modeling Language (SysML). In our approach, we develop a domain specific language for specifying electrical system architectures, and we propose a design flow for the specification and design of electrical interfaces. Our approach is applied to a practical flight system.

Network Security Guideline

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-01

3.2.15.3 ISDN Services over the Telephone Network 3 Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) services are subject to the same restrictions as router...to be audited: [SYS$SYSTEM]SYS.EXE, LOGINOUT.EXE, STARTUP.COM, RIGHTSLIST.DAT [SYS$ LIBARY ] I SECURESHR.EXE [SYS$ROOT] SYSEXE.DIR, SYSLIB.DIR...quantification) of the encoded value; ASCII is normally used for asynchronous transmission. compare with digital . ASYNCHRONOUS-Data transmission that is

Review of Virtual Environment Interface Technology.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-03-01

1.9 SpacePad 56 1.10 CyberTrack 3.2 57 1.11 Wayfinder-VR 57 1.12 Mouse-Sense3D 57 1.13 Selcom AB, SELSPOT H 57 1.14 OPTOTRAK 3020 58 1.15...Wayfinder-VR 57 Figure 38. Mouse-Sense3D 57 Figure 39. SELSPOTII 58 Figure 40. OPTOTRAK 3020 58 Figure 41. MacReflex 58 Figure 42. DynaSight 59...OPTOTRAK3020 The OPTOTRAK 3020 by Northern Digital Inc. is an infra-red (IR)-based, non- contact position and motion measurement sys- tem. Small IR LEDs

Formal Verification of Complex Systems based on SysML Functional Requirements

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-23

Formal Verification of Complex Systems based on SysML Functional Requirements Hoda Mehrpouyan1, Irem Y. Tumer2, Chris Hoyle2, Dimitra Giannakopoulou3...requirements for design of complex engineered systems. The proposed ap- proach combines a SysML modeling approach to document and structure safety requirements...methods and tools to support the integration of safety into the design solution. 2.1. SysML for Complex Engineered Systems Traditional methods and tools

The OMG Modelling Language (SYSML)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hause, M.

2007-08-01

On July 6th 2006, the Object Management Group (OMG) announced the adoption of the OMG Systems Modeling Language (OMG SysML). The SysML specification was in response to the joint Request for Proposal issued by the OMG and INCOSE (the International Council on Systems Engineering) for a customized version of UML 2, designed to address the specific needs of system engineers. SysML is a visual modeling language that extends UML 2 in order to support the specification, analysis, design, verification and validation of complex systems. This paper will look at the background of SysML and summarize the SysML specification including the modifications to UML 2.0, along with the new requirement and parametric diagrams. It will also show how SysML artifacts can be used to specify the requirements for other solution spaces such as software and hardware to provide handover to other disciplines.

VRX-496(VIRxSYS).

PubMed

Morris, Kevin V

2005-02-01

VIRxSYS is developing VRX-496, a lentiviral HIV-based vector encoding anti-HIV antisense envelope sequences, as a potential gene therapy for HIV infection. In July 2003, VIRxSYS undertook the initial dosing of an HIV-positive patient in a phase I/IIa trial.

Measurement of bottom-quark hadron masses in exclusive J/psi decays with the CDF detector.

PubMed

Acosta, D; Adelman, J; Affolder, T; Akimoto, T; Albrow, M G; Ambrose, D; Amerio, S; Amidei, D; Anastassov, A; Anikeev, K; Annovi, A; Antos, J; Aoki, M; Apollinari, G; Arisawa, T; Arguin, J-F; Artikov, A; Ashmanskas, W; Attal, A; Azfar, F; Azzi-Bacchetta, P; Bacchetta, N; Bachocou, H; Badgett, W; Barbaro-Galtieri, A; Barker, G J; Barnes, V E; Barnett, B A; Baroiant, S; Bauer, G; Bedeschi, F; Behari, S; Belforte, S; Bellettini, G; Bellinger, J; Belloni, A; Ben-Haim, E; Benjamin, D; Beretvas, A; Berry, T; Bhatti, A; Binkley, M; Bisello, D; Bishai, M; Blair, R E; Blocker, C; Bloom, K; Blumenfeld, B; Bocci, A; Bodek, A; Bolla, G; Bolshov, A; Bortoletto, D; Boudreau, J; Bourov, S; Brau, B; Bromberg, C; Brubaker, E; Budagov, J; Budd, H S; Burkett, K; Busetto, G; Bussey, P; Byrum, K L; Cabrera, S; Campanelli, M; Campbell, M; Canelli, F; Canepa, A; Casarsa, M; Carlsmith, D; Carosi, R; Carron, S; Cavalli-Sforza, M; Castro, A; Catastini, P; Cauz, D; Cerri, A; Cerrito, L; Chapman, J; Chen, Y C; Chertok, M; Chiarelli, G; Chlachidze, G; Chlebana, F; Cho, I; Cho, K; Chokheli, D; Chou, J P; Chuang, S; Chung, K; Chung, W-H; Chung, Y S; Cijliak, M; Ciobanu, C I; Ciocci, M A; Clark, A G; Clark, D; Coca, M; Connolly, A; Convery, M; Conway, J; Cooper, B; Copic, K; Cordelli, M; Cortiana, G; Cranshaw, J; Cuevas, J; Cruz, A; Culbertson, R; Currat, C; Cyr, D; Dagenhart, D; Da Ronco, S; D'Auria, S; de Barbaro, P; De Cecco, S; Deisher, A; De Lentdecker, G; Dell'Orso, M; Demers, S; Demortier, L; Deninno, M; Depedis, D; Derwent, P F; Dionisi, C; Dittmann, J R; DiTuro, P; Dörr, C; Dominguez, A; Donati, S; Donega, M; Donini, J; D'Onofrio, M; Dorigo, T; Ebina, K; Efron, J; Ehlers, J; Erbacher, R; Erdmann, M; Errede, D; Errede, S; Eusebi, R; Fang, H-C; Farrington, S; Fedorko, I; Fedorko, W T; Feild, R G; Feindt, M; Fernandez, J P; Field, R D; Flanagan, G; Flores-Castillo, L R; Foland, A; Forrester, S; Foster, G W; Franklin, M; Freeman, J C; Fujii, Y; Furic, I; Gajjar, A; Gallinaro, M; Galyardt, J; Garcia-Sciveres, M; Garfinkel, A F; Gay, C; Gerberich, H; Gerdes, D W; Gerchtein, E; Giagu, S; Giannetti, P; Gibson, A; Gibson, K; Ginsburg, C; Giolo, K; Giordani, M; Giunta, M; Giurgiu, G; Glagolev, V; Glenzinski, D; Gold, M; Goldschmidt, N; Goldstein, D; Goldstein, J; Gomez, G; Gomez-Ceballos, G; Goncharov, M; González, O; Gorelov, I; Goshaw, A T; Gotra, Y; Goulianos, K; Gresele, A; Griffiths, M; Grosso-Pilcher, C; Grundler, U; da Costa, J Guimaraes; Haber, C; Hahn, K; Hahn, S R; Halkiadakis, E; Hamilton, A; Han, B-Y; Handler, R; Happacher, F; Hara, K; Hare, M; Harr, R F; Harris, R M; Hartmann, F; Hatakeyama, K; Hauser, J; Hays, C; Hayward, H; Heinemann, B; Heinrich, J; Hennecke, M; Herndon, M; Hill, C; Hirschbuehl, D; Hocker, A; Hoffman, K D; Holloway, A; Hou, S; Houlden, M A; Huffman, B T; Huang, Y; Hughes, R E; Huston, J; Ikado, K; Incandela, J; Introzzi, G; Iori, M; Ishizawa, Y; Issever, C; Ivanov, A; Iwata, Y; Iyutin, B; James, E; Jang, D; Jayatilaka, B; Jeans, D; Jensen, H; Jeon, E J; Jones, M; Joo, K K; Jun, S Y; Junk, T; Kamon, T; Kang, J; Karagoz Unel, M; Karchin, P E; Kato, Y; Kemp, Y; Kephart, R; Kerzel, U; Khotilovich, V; Kilminster, B; Kim, D H; Kim, H S; Kim, J E; Kim, M J; Kim, M S; Kim, S B; Kim, S H; Kim, Y K; Kirby, M; Kirsch, L; Klimenko, S; Klute, M; Knuteson, B; Ko, B R; Kobayashi, H; Kong, D J; Kondo, K; Konigsberg, J; Kordas, K; Korn, A; Korytov, A; Kotwal, A V; Kovalev, A; Kraus, J; Kravchenko, I; Kreymer, A; Kroll, J; Kruse, M; Krutelyov, V; Kuhlmann, S E; Kwang, S; Laasanen, A T; Lai, S; Lami, S; Lammel, S; Lancaster, M; Lander, R; Lannon, K; Lath, A; Latino, G; Lazzizzera, I; Lecci, C; LeCompte, T; Lee, J; Lee, J; Lee, S W; Lefèvre, R; Leonardo, N; Leone, S; Levy, S; Lewis, J D; Li, K; Lin, C; Lin, C S; Lindgren, M; Lipeles, E; Liss, T M; Lister, A; Litvintsev, D O; Liu, T; Liu, Y; Lockyer, N S; Loginov, A; Loreti, M; Loverre, P; Lu, R-S; Lucchesi, D; Lujan, P; Lukens, P; Lungu, G; Lyons, L; Lys, J; Lysak, R; Lytken, E; MacQueen, D; Madrak, R; Maeshima, K; Maksimovic, P; Manca, G; Margaroli, F; Marginean, R; Marino, C; Martin, A; Martin, M; Martin, V; Martínez, M; Maruyama, T; Matsunaga, H; Mattson, M; Mazzanti, P; McFarland, K S; McGivern, D; McIntyre, P M; McNamara, P; McNulty, R; Mehta, A; Menzemer, S; Menzione, A; Merkel, P; Mesropian, C; Messina, A; Miao, T; Miladinovic, N; Miles, J; Miller, L; Miller, R; Miller, J S; Mills, C; Miquel, R; Miscetti, S; Mitselmakher, G; Miyamoto, A; Moggi, N; Mohr, B; Moore, R; Morello, M; Fernandez, P A Movilla; Muelmenstaedt, J; Mukherjee, A; Mulhearn, M; Muller, T; Mumford, R; Munar, A; Murat, P; Nachtman, J; Nahn, S; Nakano, I; Napier, A; Napora, R; Naumov, D; Necula, V; Nielsen, J; Nelson, T; Neu, C; Neubauer, M S; Nigmanov, T; Nodulman, L; Norniella, O; Ogawa, T; Oh, S H; Oh, Y D; Ohsugi, T; Okusawa, T; Oldeman, R; Orava, R; Orejudos, W; Osterberg, K; Pagliarone, C; Palencia, E; Paoletti, R; Papadimitriou, V; Paramonov, A A; Pashapour, S; Patrick, J; Pauletta, G; Paulini, M; Paus, C; Pellett, D; Penzo, A; Phillips, T J; Piacentino, G; Piedra, J; Pitts, K T; Plager, C; Pondrom, L; Pope, G; Portell, X; Poukhov, O; Pounder, N; Prakoshyn, F; Pronko, A; Proudfoot, J; Ptohos, F; Punzi, G; Rademacker, J; Rahaman, M A; Rakitine, A; Rappoccio, S; Ratnikov, F; Ray, H; Reisert, B; Rekovic, V; Renton, P; Rescigno, M; Rimondi, F; Rinnert, K; Ristori, L; Robertson, W J; Robson, A; Rodrigo, T; Rolli, S; Roser, R; Rossin, R; Rott, C; Russ, J; Rusu, V; Ruiz, A; Ryan, D; Saarikko, H; Sabik, S; Safonov, A; St Denis, R; Sakumoto, W K; Salamanna, G; Saltzberg, D; Sanchez, C; Santi, L; Sarkar, S; Sato, K; Savard, P; Savoy-Navarro, A; Schlabach, P; Schmidt, E E; Schmidt, M P; Schmitt, M; Schwarz, T; Scodellaro, L; Scott, A L; Scribano, A; Scuri, F; Sedov, A; Seidel, S; Seiya, Y; Semenov, A; Semeria, F; Sexton-Kennedy, L; Sfiligoi, I; Shapiro, M D; Shears, T; Shepard, P F; Sherman, D; Shimojima, M; Shochet, M; Shon, Y; Shreyber, I; Sidoti, A; Sill, A; Sinervo, P; Sisakyan, A; Sjolin, J; Skiba, A; Slaughter, A J; Sliwa, K; Smirnov, D; Smith, J R; Snider, F D; Snihur, R; Soderberg, M; Soha, A; Somalwar, S V; Spalding, J; Spezziga, M; Spinella, F; Squillacioti, P; Stadie, H; Stanitzki, M; Stelzer, B; Stelzer-Chilton, O; Stentz, D; Strologas, J; Stuart, D; Suh, J S; Sukhanov, A; Sumorok, K; Sun, H; Suzuki, T; Taffard, A; Tafirout, R; Takano, H; Takashima, R; Takeuchi, Y; Takikawa, K; Tanaka, M; Tanaka, R; Tanimoto, N; Tecchio, M; Teng, P K; Terashi, K; Tesarek, R J; Tether, S; Thom, J; Thompson, A S; Thomson, E; Tipton, P; Tiwari, V; Tkaczyk, S; Toback, D; Tollefson, K; Tomura, T; Tonelli, D; Tönnesmann, M; Torre, S; Torretta, D; Trischuk, W; Tsuchiya, R; Tsuno, S; Tsybychev, D; Turini, N; Ukegawa, F; Unverhau, T; Uozumi, S; Usynin, D; Vacavant, L; Vaiciulis, A; Varganov, A; Vejcik, S; Velev, G; Veszpremi, V; Veramendi, G; Vickey, T; Vidal, R; Vila, I; Vilar, R; Vollrath, I; Volobouev, I; von der Mey, M; Wagner, P; Wagner, R G; Wagner, R L; Wagner, W; Wallny, R; Walter, T; Wan, Z; Wang, M J; Wang, S M; Warburton, A; Ward, B; Waschke, S; Waters, D; Watts, T; Weber, M; Wester, W C; Whitehouse, B; Whiteson, D; Wicklund, A B; Wicklund, E; Williams, H H; Wilson, P; Winer, B L; Wittich, P; Wolbers, S; Wolfe, C; Wolter, M; Worcester, M; Worm, S; Wright, T; Wu, X; Würthwein, F; Wyatt, A; Yagil, A; Yamashita, T; Yamamoto, K; Yamaoka, J; Yang, C; Yang, U K; Yao, W; Yeh, G P; Yoh, J; Yorita, K; Yoshida, T; Yu, I; Yu, S; Yun, J C; Zanello, L; Zanetti, A; Zaw, I; Zetti, F; Zhou, J; Zucchelli, S

2006-05-26

We measure the masses of b hadrons in exclusively reconstructed final states containing a J/psi --> mu-mu+ decay using 220 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II experiment. We find: m(B+) = 5279.10 +/- 0.41(stat.) +/- 0.36(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B0) = 5279.63 +/- 0.53(stat.) +/- 0.33(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B(s)0) = 5366.01 +/- 0.73(stat.) +/- 0.33(sys.) MeV/c2, m(lambda(b)0) = 5619.7 +/- 1.2(stat.) +/- 1.2(sys.) MeV/c2. m(B+) - m(B0) = -0.53 +/- 0.67(stat.) +/- 0.14(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B(s)0) - m(B0) = 86.38 +/- 0.90(stat.) +/- 0.06(sys.) MeV/c2, m(lambda(b)0) - m(B0) = 339.2 +/- 1.4(stat.) +/- 0.1(sys.) MeV/c2. The measurements of the B(s)0, lambda(b)0 mass, m(B(s)0) - m(B0) and m(lambda(b)0) - m(B0) mass difference are of better precision than the current world averages.

Evaluation of HardSys/HardDraw, An Expert System for Electromagnetic Interactions Modelling

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-05-01

interactions ir complex systems. This report gives a description of HardSys/HardDraw and reviews the main concepts used in its design. Various aspects of its ...HardDraw, an expert system for the modelling of electromagnetic interactions in complex systems. It consists of two main components: HardSys and HardDraw...HardSys is the advisor part of the expert system. It is knowledge-based, that is it contains a database of models and properties for various types of

A Formal Modelling Language Extending SysML for Simulation of Continuous and Discrete System

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-01

UNCLASSIFIED DSTO-GD-0734 16. A Formal Modelling Language Extending SysML for Simulation of Continuous and Discrete System – Mark Hodson1 and...be conceptual at some level because a one to one mapping with the real system will never exist. SysML is an extension and modification of UML that...simulation, which can provide great insights into the behaviour of complex systems. Although UML and SysML primarily support conceptual modelling they

X-ray edge spectra — a sea-boson perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setlur, Girish S.; Meera, V.

2007-07-01

The well-studied X-ray-edge problem is revisited using the sea-boson method. This approach is contrasted with the well-known theories of Mahan, Nozières and De Dominicis (MND). The present approach does not use the sudden approximation and the holes carry a momentum label unlike in the MND theory. We focus on the case of doped semiconductors rather than metals. The problem of electrons in a partially filled conduction band and holes in the initially hole-depleted valence band is recast in the sea-boson language. The resulting hamiltonian is shown to be equivalent to the electron-phonon hamiltonian with the excitons taking on the role of electrons and intra-conduction band particle-hole excitations known as 'conductrons' taking on the role of phonons. It is shown that the excitonic pole in the computed absorption spectra is replaced by a branch cut with a simple radical leading to a broadening of the exicton line due to these many-body effects. A critical comparison is made with the MND theory as well as with relevant experiments.

RiceMetaSys for salt and drought stress responsive genes in rice: a web interface for crop improvement.

PubMed

Sandhu, Maninder; Sureshkumar, V; Prakash, Chandra; Dixit, Rekha; Solanke, Amolkumar U; Sharma, Tilak Raj; Mohapatra, Trilochan; S V, Amitha Mithra

2017-09-30

Genome-wide microarray has enabled development of robust databases for functional genomics studies in rice. However, such databases do not directly cater to the needs of breeders. Here, we have attempted to develop a web interface which combines the information from functional genomic studies across different genetic backgrounds with DNA markers so that they can be readily deployed in crop improvement. In the current version of the database, we have included drought and salinity stress studies since these two are the major abiotic stresses in rice. RiceMetaSys, a user-friendly and freely available web interface provides comprehensive information on salt responsive genes (SRGs) and drought responsive genes (DRGs) across genotypes, crop development stages and tissues, identified from multiple microarray datasets. 'Physical position search' is an attractive tool for those using QTL based approach for dissecting tolerance to salt and drought stress since it can provide the list of SRGs and DRGs in any physical interval. To identify robust candidate genes for use in crop improvement, the 'common genes across varieties' search tool is useful. Graphical visualization of expression profiles across genes and rice genotypes has been enabled to facilitate the user and to make the comparisons more impactful. Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) search in the SRGs and DRGs is a valuable tool for fine mapping and marker assisted selection since it provides primers for survey of polymorphism. An external link to intron specific markers is also provided for this purpose. Bulk retrieval of data without any limit has been enabled in case of locus and SSR search. The aim of this database is to facilitate users with a simple and straight-forward search options for identification of robust candidate genes from among thousands of SRGs and DRGs so as to facilitate linking variation in expression profiles to variation in phenotype. Database URL: http://14.139.229.201.

Implementation of a Goal-Based Systems Engineering Process Using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson, Jonathan D.; Breckenridge, Jonathan T.; Johnson, Stephen B.

2013-01-01

Building upon the purpose, theoretical approach, and use of a Goal-Function Tree (GFT) being presented by Dr. Stephen B. Johnson, described in a related Infotech 2013 ISHM abstract titled "Goal-Function Tree Modeling for Systems Engineering and Fault Management", this paper will describe the core framework used to implement the GFTbased systems engineering process using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). These two papers are ideally accepted and presented together in the same Infotech session. Statement of problem: SysML, as a tool, is currently not capable of implementing the theoretical approach described within the "Goal-Function Tree Modeling for Systems Engineering and Fault Management" paper cited above. More generally, SysML's current capabilities to model functional decompositions in the rigorous manner required in the GFT approach are limited. The GFT is a new Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach to the development of goals and requirements, functions, and its linkage to design. As a growing standard for systems engineering, it is important to develop methods to implement GFT in SysML. Proposed Method of Solution: Many of the central concepts of the SysML language are needed to implement a GFT for large complex systems. In the implementation of those central concepts, the following will be described in detail: changes to the nominal SysML process, model view definitions and examples, diagram definitions and examples, and detailed SysML construct and stereotype definitions.

Molecular nonlinear dynamics and protein thermal uncertainty quantification

PubMed Central

Xia, Kelin; Wei, Guo-Wei

2014-01-01

This work introduces molecular nonlinear dynamics (MND) as a new approach for describing protein folding and aggregation. By using a mode system, we show that the MND of disordered proteins is chaotic while that of folded proteins exhibits intrinsically low dimensional manifolds (ILDMs). The stability of ILDMs is found to strongly correlate with protein energies. We propose a novel method for protein thermal uncertainty quantification based on persistently invariant ILDMs. Extensive comparison with experimental data and the state-of-the-art methods in the field validate the proposed new method for protein B-factor prediction. PMID:24697365

An Ontology for State Analysis: Formalizing the Mapping to SysML

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, David A.; Bennett, Matthew B.; Karban, Robert; Rouquette, Nicolas; Jenkins, Steven; Ingham, Michel

2012-01-01

State Analysis is a methodology developed over the last decade for architecting, designing and documenting complex control systems. Although it was originally conceived for designing robotic spacecraft, recent applications include the design of control systems for large ground-based telescopes. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) began a project to design the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), which will require coordinated control of over a thousand articulated mirror segments. The designers are using State Analysis as a methodology and the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) as a modeling and documentation language in this task. To effectively apply the State Analysis methodology in this context it became necessary to provide ontological definitions of the concepts and relations in State Analysis and greater flexibility through a mapping of State Analysis into a practical extension of SysML. The ontology provides the formal basis for verifying compliance with State Analysis semantics including architectural constraints. The SysML extension provides the practical basis for applying the State Analysis methodology with SysML tools. This paper will discuss the method used to develop these formalisms (the ontology), the formalisms themselves, the mapping to SysML and approach to using these formalisms to specify a control system and enforce architectural constraints in a SysML model.

Clinic value of two-dimensional speckle tracking combined with adenosine stress echocardiography for assessment of myocardial viability.

PubMed

Ran, Hong; Zhang, Ping-Yang; Fang, Ling-Ling; Ma, Xiao-Wu; Wu, Wen-Fang; Feng, Wang-Fei

2012-07-01

To evaluate whether myocardial strain under adenosine stress calculated from two-dimensional echocardiography by automatic frame-by-frame tracking of natural acoustic markers enables objective description of myocardial viability in clinic. Two-dimensional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D STI) at rest were performed first and once again after adenosine was infused at 140 ug/kg/min over a period of 6 minutes in 36 stable patients with previous myocardial infarction. Then radionuclide myocardial perfusion/metabolic imaging served as the "gold standard" to define myocardial viability was given in all patients within 1 day. Two-dimensional speckle tracking images were acquired at rest and after adenosine administration. An automatic frame-by-frame tracking system of natural acoustic echocardiographic markers was used to calculate 2D strain variables including peak-systolic circumferential strain (CS(peak-sys)), radial strain (RS(peak-sys)), and longitudinal strain (LS(peak-sys)). Those segments with abnormal motion from visual assessment of two-dimensional echocardiography were selected for further study. As a result, 126 regions were viable whereas 194 were nonviable among 320 abnormal motion segments in 36 patients according to radionuclide imaging. At rest, there were no significant changes of 2D strain between the viable and nonviable myocardium. After adenosine administration (140 ug/kg/min), CS(peak-sys) had a little change of the viable myocardium while RS(peak-sys) and LS(peak-sys) increased significantly compared with those at rest. In nonviable group, CS(peak-sys), RS(peak-sys), and LS(peak-sys) had no significant changes during adenosine administration. After adenosine administration, RS(peak-sys) and LS(peak-sys) in viable group increased significantly compared with nonviable group. Obtained strain data were highly reproducible and affected in small intraobserver and interobserver variabilities. A change of radial strain more than 9.5% has a sensitivity of 83.9% and a specificity of 81.4% for viable whereas a change of longitudinal strain more than 14.6% allowed a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 90.2%. 2D STI combined with adenosine stress echocardiography could provide a new and reliable method to identify myocardium viability. © 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The LSST: A System of Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claver, Chuck F.; Dubois-Felsmann, G. P.; Delgado, F.; Hascall, P.; Horn, D.; Marshall, S.; Nordby, M.; Schalk, T. L.; Schumacher, G.; Sebag, J.; LSST Project Team

2010-01-01

The LSST is a complete observing system that acquires and archives images, processes and analyzes them, and publishes reduced images and catalogs of sources and objects. The LSST will operate over a ten year period producing a survey of 20,000 square degrees over the entire southern sky in 6 filters (ugrizy) with each field having been visited several hundred times enabling a wide spectrum of science from fast transients to exploration of dark matter and dark energy. The LSST itself is a complex system of systems consisting of the 8.4m three mirror telescope, a 3.2 billion pixel camera, and a peta-scale data management system. The LSST project uses a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology to ensure an integrated approach to system design and rigorous definition of system interfaces and specifications. The MBSE methodology is applied through modeling of the LSST's systems with the System Modeling Language (SysML). The SysML modeling recursively establishes the threefold relationship between requirements, logical & physical functional decomposition and definition, and system and component behavior at successively deeper levels of abstraction and detail. The MBSE approach is applied throughout all stages of the project from design, to validation and verification, though to commissioning.

Systems engineering in the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope project: an application of model based systems engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claver, C. F.; Selvy, Brian M.; Angeli, George; Delgado, Francisco; Dubois-Felsmann, Gregory; Hascall, Patrick; Lotz, Paul; Marshall, Stuart; Schumacher, German; Sebag, Jacques

2014-08-01

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope project was an early adopter of SysML and Model Based Systems Engineering practices. The LSST project began using MBSE for requirements engineering beginning in 2006 shortly after the initial release of the first SysML standard. Out of this early work the LSST's MBSE effort has grown to include system requirements, operational use cases, physical system definition, interfaces, and system states along with behavior sequences and activities. In this paper we describe our approach and methodology for cross-linking these system elements over the three classical systems engineering domains - requirement, functional and physical - into the LSST System Architecture model. We also show how this model is used as the central element to the overall project systems engineering effort. More recently we have begun to use the cross-linked modeled system architecture to develop and plan the system verification and test process. In presenting this work we also describe "lessons learned" from several missteps the project has had with MBSE. Lastly, we conclude by summarizing the overall status of the LSST's System Architecture model and our plans for the future as the LSST heads toward construction.

Can farmers mitigate environmental impacts through combined production of food, fuel and feed? A consequential life cycle assessment of integrated mixed crop-livestock system with a green biorefinery.

PubMed

Parajuli, Ranjan; Dalgaard, Tommy; Birkved, Morten

2018-04-01

This study evaluates environmental impacts of an integrated mixed crop-livestock system with a green biorefinery (GBR). System integration included production of feed crops and green biomasses (Sys-I) to meet the demand of a livestock system (Sys-III) and to process green biomasses in a GBR system (Sys-II). Processing of grass-clover to produce feed protein was considered in Sys-II, particularly to substitute the imported soybean meal. Waste generated from the livestock and GBR systems were considered for the conversion to biomethane (Sys-IV). Digestate produced therefrom was assumed to be recirculated back to the farmers' field (Sys-I). A consequential approach of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a combined production of suckler cow calves (SCC) and Pigs, calculated in terms of their live weight (LW). The functional unit (FU) was a basket of two products "1kg LW -SCC+1kg LW -Pigs", produced at the farm gate. Results obtained per FU were: 19.6kg CO 2 eq for carbon footprint; 0.11kg PO 4 eq for eutrophication potential, -129MJ eq for non-renewable energy use and -3.9 comparative toxicity units (CTU e ) for potential freshwater ecotoxicity. Environmental impact, e.g. greenhouse gas (GHG) emission was primarily due to (i) N 2 O emission and diesel consumption within Sys-I, (ii) energy input to Sys-II, III and IV, and (iii) methane emission from Sys-III and Sys-IV. Specifically, integrating GBR with the mixed crop-livestock system contributed 4% of the GHG emissions, whilst its products credited 7% of the total impact. Synergies among the different sub-systems showed positive environmental gains for the selected main products. The main effects of the system integration were in the reductions of GHG emissions, fossil fuel consumption, eutrophication potential and freshwater ecotoxicity, compared to a conventional mixed crop-livestock system, without the biogas conversion facility and the GBR. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Maximum upper esophageal sphincter (UES) admittance: a non-specific marker of UES dysfunction.

PubMed

Cock, C; Besanko, L; Kritas, S; Burgstad, C M; Thompson, A; Heddle, R; Fraser, R J L; Omari, T I

2016-02-01

Assessment of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) motility is challenging, as functionally, UES relaxation and opening are distinct. We studied novel parameters, UES admittance (inverse of nadir impedance), and 0.2-s integrated relaxation pressure (IRP), in patients with cricopharyngeal bar (CPB) and motor neuron disease (MND), as predictors of UES dysfunction. Sixty-six healthy subjects (n = 50 controls 20-80 years; n = 16 elderly >80 years), 11 patients with CPB (51-83 years) and 16 with MND (58-91 years) were studied using pharyngeal high-resolution impedance manometry. Subjects received 5 × 5 mL liquid (L) and viscous (V) boluses. Admittance and IRP were compared by age and between groups. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. In healthy subjects, admittance was reduced (L: p = 0.005 and V: p = 0.04) and the IRP higher with liquids (p = 0.02) in older age. Admittance was reduced in MND compared to both healthy groups (Young: p < 0.0001 for both, Elderly L: p < 0.0001 and V: p = 0.009) and CPB with liquid (p = 0.001). Only liquid showed a higher IRP in MND patients compared to controls (p = 0.03), but was similar to healthy elderly and CPB patients. Only admittance differentiated younger controls from CPB (L: p = 0.0002 and V: p < 0.0001), with no differences in either parameter between CPB and elderly subjects. The effects of aging and pathology were better discriminated by UES maximum admittance, demonstrating greater statistical confidence across bolus consistencies as compared to 0.2-s IRP. Maximum admittance may be a clinically useful determinate of UES dysfunction. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Predictive value of general movements' quality in low-risk infants for minor neurological dysfunction and behavioural problems at preschool age.

PubMed

Bennema, Anne N; Schendelaar, Pamela; Seggers, Jorien; Haadsma, Maaike L; Heineman, Maas Jan; Hadders-Algra, Mijna

2016-03-01

General movement (GM) assessment is a well-established tool to predict cerebral palsy in high-risk infants. Little is known on the predictive value of GM assessment in low-risk populations. To assess the predictive value of GM quality in early infancy for the development of the clinically relevant form of minor neurological dysfunction (complex MND) and behavioral problems at preschool age. Prospective cohort study. A total of 216 members of the prospective Groningen Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) cohort study were included in this study. ART did not affect neurodevelopmental outcome of these relatively low-risk infants born to subfertile parents. GM quality was determined at 2 weeks and 3 months. At 18 months and 4 years, the Hempel neurological examination was used to assess MND. At 4 years, parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist; this resulted in the total problem score (TPS), internalizing problem score (IPS), and externalizing problem score (EPS). Predictive values of definitely (DA) and mildly (MA) abnormal GMs were calculated. DA GMs at 2 weeks were associated with complex MND at 18 months and atypical TPS and IPS at 4 years (all p<0.05). Sensitivity and positive predictive value of DA GMs at 2 weeks were rather low (13%-60%); specificity and negative predictive value were excellent (92%-99%). DA GMs at 3 months occurred too infrequently to calculate prediction. MA GMs were not associated with outcome. GM quality as a single predictor for complex MND and behavioral problems at preschool age has limited clinical value in children at low risk for developmental disorders. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A self-care, problem-solving and mindfulness intervention for informal caregivers of people with motor neurone disease: A pilot study.

PubMed

Ugalde, Anna; Mathers, Susan; Hennessy Anderson, Nicole; Hudson, Peter; Orellana, Liliana; Gluyas, Cathy

2018-04-01

Informal caregivers of people with motor neurone disease (MND) take on an extensive role. Caregivers are at increased risk of experiencing psychological distress and burden, yet, there is a lack of intervention programmes to support them. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a therapeutic group intervention promoting self-care, problem-solving and mindfulness to informal caregivers of people with MND. Pilot study that utilised a one-arm pre- and post-design. Acceptability of the intervention was assessed 2 weeks post intervention with a questionnaire designed specifically for this study. Feasibility was assessed with consent, adherence and reasons for non-participation, refusal and attrition. Participants completed baseline and follow-up (6-week post intervention) questionnaires for psychological morbidity, burden, problem-solving, mindfulness and preparedness. Settings/participants: Caregivers of people with a diagnosis of MND within the past 12 months who were 18 years or older; who could speak, read and write in English and who were attending a progressive neurological diseases clinic were eligible. A total of 13 caregivers participated in one of three group intervention sessions which were focused on self-care, problem-solving and mindfulness. The intervention appeared to be feasible and acceptable. All participants stated that they would recommend the intervention to others. The group format appeared to be highly valued. There was no significant change in measures between pre-intervention and 6 weeks post intervention. This pilot serves as an initial step for examining interventions for MND caregivers, with the hope of identifying effective, efficient and sustainable strategies to best support this group.

Ahp2 (Hop2) function in Arabidopsis thaliana (Ler) is required for stabilization of close alignment and synaptonemal complex formation except for the two short arms that contain nucleolus organizer regions.

PubMed

Stronghill, P; Pathan, N; Ha, H; Supijono, E; Hasenkampf, C

2010-08-01

A cytological comparative analysis of male meiocytes was performed for Arabidopsis wild type and the ahp2 (hop2) mutant with emphasis on ahp2's largely uncharacterized prophase I. Leptotene progression appeared normal in ahp2 meiocytes; chromosomes exhibited regular axis formation and assumed a typical polarized nuclear organization. In contrast, 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole-stained ahp2 pachytene chromosome spreads demonstrated a severe reduction in stabilized pairing. However, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of sections from meiocytes revealed that ahp2 chromosome axes underwent significant amounts of close alignment (44% of total axis). This apparent paradox strongly suggests that the Ahp2 protein is involved in the stabilization of homologous chromosome close alignment. Fluorescent in situ hybridization in combination with Zyp1 immunostaining revealed that ahp2 mutants undergo homologous synapsis of the nucleolus-organizer-region-bearing short arms of chromosomes 2 and 4, despite the otherwise "nucleus-wide" lack of stabilized pairing. The duration of ahp2 zygotene was significantly prolonged and is most likely due to difficulties in chromosome alignment stabilization and subsequent synaptonemal complex formation. Ahp2 and Mnd1 proteins have previously been shown, "in vitro," to form a heterodimer. Here we show, "in situ," that the Ahp2 and Mnd1 proteins are synchronous in their appearance and disappearance from meiotic chromosomes. Both the Ahp2 and Mnd1 proteins localize along the chromosomal axis. However, localization of the Ahp2 protein was entirely foci-based whereas Mnd1 protein exhibited an immunostaining pattern with some foci along the axis and a diffuse staining for the rest of the chromosome.

Dignity Therapy for People with Motor Neuron Disease and Their Family Caregivers: A Feasibility Study

PubMed Central

Chochinov, Harvey M.; Kristjanson, Linda J.

2015-01-01

Abstract Background: There are calls to explore psychological interventions to reduce distress in patients with motor neuron disease (MND) and their family caregivers. Dignity therapy is a short-term psychotherapy intervention shown to alleviate distress for people with life-limiting illnesses. Objectives: To assess the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of dignity therapy to reduce distress in people with MND and their family caregivers. Methods: The study used a repeated-measures design pre- and post-intervention. Acceptability and feasibility were assessed using participants' ratings of the helpfulness of the intervention across several domains and time and resources required. Effectiveness measures for patients included: dignity-related distress, hopefulness, and spiritual well-being; and those for family caregivers included burden, hopefulness, anxiety, and depression. Results: Twenty-seven patients and 18 family caregivers completed the intervention. Dignity therapy was well accepted, including those patients who required assisted communication devices. The feasibility may be limited in small or not well-resourced services. There were no significant differences in all outcome measures for both groups. However, the high satisfaction and endorsement of dignity therapy by patients suggests it has influenced various important aspects of end-of-life experience. Family caregivers overwhelmingly agreed that the dignity therapy document is and will continue to be a source of comfort to them and they would recommend dignity therapy to others in the same situation. Conclusions: This is the first dignity therapy study to focus on MND and on home-based caregiving. Results established the importance of narrative and generativity for patients with MND and may open the door for other neurodegenerative conditions. PMID:25314244

The PCP SYS IV Management System: Educational Overview.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siegel, Martin A.; Davis, Dennis M.

This paper describes the structure and function of the SYS IV PLATO Curriculum Project's (PCP) computer-based management system and justifies the system design. A consideration of features most critical in the design of management systems provides the context for a discussion of specific SYS IV features, which include its ability to deliver any…

The visible spectrum of manganese hydride: Rotational analyses of the 480- and 450-nm systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balfour, W. J.; Lindgren, B.; Launila, O.; O'Connor, S.; Cusack, E. J.

1992-07-01

Two visible systems in MnH near 480 and 450 nm, and the 480-nm system in MnD have been recorded photographically both in absorption and in emission. The 480-nm system is shown to be the spectrum of the d5Π i- a5Σ + transition, while the 450-nm system reprsents the e5Σ +- a5Σ + transition, where the upper state is heavily perturbed. The numbers of identified branches in the (0,0), (1,1), and (2,2) bands of the 480-nm system of MnH are 35, 20, and 10, respectively. In the MnD 480-nm system, only the (0,0) band was assigned; the number of assigned branches here was 23. In the 450-nm system of MnH, all the 10 main branches were identified in the (0,0) system, while only the five P branches were found in the (1,1) system. Molecular parameters have been derived for all three states involved. Observed perturbations in the 450-nm system of MnH and in the 480-nm system of MnD have been discussed.

The Submillimeter Spectrum of MnH and MnD (X7Σ+)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halfen, D. T.; Ziurys, L. M.

2008-01-01

The submillimeter-wave spectrum of the MnH and MnD radicals in their 7Σ+ ground states has been measured in the laboratory using direct absorption techniques. These species were created in the gas phase by the reaction of manganese vapor, produced in a Broida-type oven, with either H2 or D2 gas in the presence of a DC discharge. The N = 0 → 1 transition of MnH near 339 GHz was recorded, which consisted of multiple hyperfine components arising from both the manganese and hydrogen nuclear spins. The N = 2 → 3 transition of MnD near 517 GHz was measured as well, but in this case only the manganese hyperfine interactions were resolved. Both data sets were analyzed with a Hund's case b Hamiltonian, and rotational, fine structure, magnetic hyperfine, and electric quadrupole constants have been determined for the two manganese species. An examination of the magnetic hyperfine constants shows that MnH is primarily an ionic species, but has more covalent character than MnF. MnH is a good candidate species for astronomical searches with Herschel, particularly toward material associated with luminous blue variable stars.

In silico analysis of β-mannanases and β-mannosidase from Aspergillus flavus and Trichoderma virens UKM1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yee, Chai Sin; Murad, Abdul Munir Abdul; Bakar, Farah Diba Abu

2013-11-01

A gene encoding an endo-β-1,4-mannanase from Trichoderma virens UKM1 (manTV) and Aspergillus flavus UKM1 (manAF) was analysed with bioinformatic tools. In addition, A. flavus NRRL 3357 genome database was screened for a β-mannosidase gene and analysed (mndA-AF). These three genes were analysed to understand their gene properties. manTV and manAF both consists of 1,332-bp and 1,386-bp nucleotides encoding 443 and 461 amino acid residues, respectively. Both the endo-β-1,4-mannanases belong to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and contain a carbohydrate-binding module family 1 (CBM1). On the other hand, mndA-AF which is a 2,745-bp gene encodes a protein sequence of 914 amino acid residues. This β-mannosidase belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase family 2. Predicted molecular weight of manTV, manAF and mndA-AF are 47.74 kDa, 49.71 kDa and 103 kDa, respectively. All three predicted protein sequences possessed signal peptide sequence and are highly conserved among other fungal β-mannanases and β-mannosidases.

Experience of long-term use of non-invasive ventilation in motor neuron disease: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

PubMed

Ando, Hikari; Chakrabarti, Biswajit; Angus, Robert M; Cousins, Rosanna; Thornton, Everard W; Young, Carolyn A

2014-03-01

Although non-invasive ventilation (NIV) can promote quality of life in motor neuron disease (MND), previous studies have disregarded the impact of progression of illness. This study explored how patients' perceptions of NIV treatment evolve over time and how this was reflected in their adherence to NIV. Five patients with MND (male=4, mean age=59 years), from a bigger cohort who were prospectively followed, had multiple post-NIV semistructured interviews, covering more than 12 months, along with ventilator interaction data. The transcribed phenomenological data were analysed using qualitative methodology. Three themes emerged: experience of NIV, influence on attitudes and perceived impact of NIV on prognosis. The ventilator interaction data identified regular use of NIV by four participants who each gave positive account of their experience of NIV treatment, and irregular use by one participant who at interview revealed a negative attitude to NIV treatment and in whom MND induced feelings of hopelessness. This exploratory study suggests that a positive coping style, adaptation and hope are key factors for psychological well-being and better adherence to NIV. More studies are needed to determine these relationships.

Why don't they accept non-invasive ventilation?: insight into the interpersonal perspectives of patients with motor neurone disease.

PubMed

Ando, Hikari; Williams, Carl; Angus, Robert M; Thornton, Everard W; Chakrabarti, Biswajit; Cousins, Rosanna; Piggin, Lucy H; Young, Carolyn A

2015-05-01

Although non-invasive ventilation (NIV) can benefit survival and quality of life, it is rejected by a substantial proportion of people with motor neurone disease (MND). The aim of this study was to understand why some MND patients decline or withdraw from NIV. Nine patients with MND (male = 7, mean age = 67 years) participated in this study. These patients, from a cohort of 35 patients who were offered NIV treatment to support respiratory muscle weakness, did not participate in NIV treatment when it was clinically appropriate. Semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) were employed to explore these patient's experience of MND and their thoughts and understanding of NIV treatment. Using IPA, four themes were identified: preservation of the self, negative perceptions of NIV, negative experience with health care services, and not needing NIV. Further analysis identified the fundamental issue to be the maintenance of perceived self, which was interpreted to consist of the sense of autonomy, dignity, and quality of life. The findings indicate psychological reasons for disengagement with NIV. The threat to the self, the sense of loss of control, and negative views of NIV resulting from anxiety were more important to these patients than prolonging life in its current form. These findings suggest the importance of understanding the psychological dimension involved in decision-making regarding uptake of NIV and a need for sensitive holistic evaluation if NIV is declined. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Non-invasive ventilation is widely used as an effective symptomatic therapy in MND, yet about a third of patients decline the treatment. Psychological disturbance generated by NIV use leads to negative experiences of the treatment. Decision-making about treatment potentials is complex and unique to each individual affected by perceived impact of disease. What does this study add? A decision concerning NIV uptake was influenced by perceived impact on individuals' sense of self. Sense of self was influenced by the maintenance of autonomy, dignity, and quality of life. Individuals' sense of self was identified to have been challenged by the disease, NIV, and their experience of health care service. © 2014 The British Psychological Society.

RT 24 - Architecture, Modeling & Simulation, and Software Design

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-01

focus on tool extensions (UPDM, SysML, SoaML, BPMN ) Leverage “best of breed” architecture methodologies Provide tooling to support the methodology DoDAF...Capability 10 Example: BPMN 11 DoDAF 2.0 MetaModel BPMN MetaModel Mapping SysML to DoDAF 2.0 12 DoDAF V2.0 Models OV-2 SysML Diagrams Requirement

A Proposed Pattern of Enterprise Architecture

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-01

consistent architecture descriptions. UPDM comprises extensions to both OMG’s Unified Modelling Language (UML) and Systems Modelling Language ( SysML ...those who use UML and SysML . These represent significant advancements that enable architecture trade-off analyses, architecture model execution...Language ( SysML ), and thus provides for architectural descriptions that contain a rich set of (formally) connected DoDAF/MoDAF viewpoints expressed

Study of J /ψ and ψ (3686 ) decays to π+π-η'

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ahmed, S.; Albrecht, M.; Amoroso, A.; An, F. F.; An, Q.; Bai, J. Z.; Bai, Y.; Bakina, O.; Baldini Ferroli, R.; Ban, Y.; Bennett, D. W.; Bennett, J. V.; Berger, N.; Bertani, M.; Bettoni, D.; Bian, J. M.; Bianchi, F.; Boger, E.; Boyko, I.; Briere, R. A.; Cai, H.; Cai, X.; Cakir, O.; Calcaterra, A.; Cao, G. F.; Cetin, S. A.; Chai, J.; Chang, J. F.; Chelkov, G.; Chen, G.; Chen, H. S.; Chen, J. C.; Chen, M. L.; Chen, P. L.; Chen, S. J.; Chen, X. R.; Chen, Y. B.; Chu, X. K.; Cibinetto, G.; Dai, H. L.; Dai, J. P.; Dbeyssi, A.; Dedovich, D.; Deng, Z. Y.; Denig, A.; Denysenko, I.; Destefanis, M.; de Mori, F.; Ding, Y.; Dong, C.; Dong, J.; Dong, L. Y.; Dong, M. Y.; Dorjkhaidav, O.; Dou, Z. L.; Du, S. X.; Duan, P. F.; Fang, J.; Fang, S. S.; Fang, Y.; Farinelli, R.; Fava, L.; Fegan, S.; Feldbauer, F.; Felici, G.; Feng, C. Q.; Fioravanti, E.; Fritsch, M.; Fu, C. D.; Gao, Q.; Gao, X. L.; Gao, Y.; Gao, Y. G.; Gao, Z.; Garzia, I.; Goetzen, K.; Gong, L.; Gong, W. X.; Gradl, W.; Greco, M.; Gu, M. H.; Gu, S.; Gu, Y. T.; Guo, A. Q.; Guo, L. B.; Guo, R. P.; Guo, Y. P.; Haddadi, Z.; Han, S.; Hao, X. Q.; Harris, F. A.; He, K. L.; He, X. Q.; Heinsius, F. H.; Held, T.; Heng, Y. K.; Holtmann, T.; Hou, Z. L.; Hu, C.; Hu, H. M.; Hu, T.; Hu, Y.; Huang, G. S.; Huang, J. S.; Huang, X. T.; Huang, X. Z.; Huang, Z. L.; Hussain, T.; Ikegami Andersson, W.; Ji, Q.; Ji, Q. P.; Ji, X. B.; Ji, X. L.; Jiang, X. S.; Jiang, X. Y.; Jiao, J. B.; Jiao, Z.; Jin, D. P.; Jin, S.; Jin, Y.; Johansson, T.; Julin, A.; Kalantar-Nayestanaki, N.; Kang, X. L.; Kang, X. S.; Kavatsyuk, M.; Ke, B. C.; Khan, T.; Khoukaz, A.; Kiese, P.; Kliemt, R.; Koch, L.; Kolcu, O. B.; Kopf, B.; Kornicer, M.; Kuemmel, M.; Kuhlmann, M.; Kupsc, A.; Kühn, W.; Lange, J. S.; Lara, M.; Larin, P.; Lavezzi, L.; Leithoff, H.; Leng, C.; Li, C.; Li, Cheng; Li, D. M.; Li, F.; Li, F. Y.; Li, G.; Li, H. B.; Li, H. J.; Li, J. C.; Li, Jin; Li, K. J.; Li, Kang; Li, Ke; Li, Lei; Li, P. L.; Li, P. R.; Li, Q. Y.; Li, T.; Li, W. D.; Li, W. G.; Li, X. L.; Li, X. N.; Li, X. Q.; Li, Z. B.; Liang, H.; Liang, Y. F.; Liang, Y. T.; Liao, G. R.; Lin, D. X.; Liu, B.; Liu, B. J.; Liu, C. X.; Liu, D.; Liu, F. H.; Liu, Fang; Liu, Feng; Liu, H. B.; Liu, H. M.; Liu, Huanhuan; Liu, Huihui; Liu, J. B.; Liu, J. P.; Liu, J. Y.; Liu, K.; Liu, K. Y.; Liu, Ke; Liu, L. D.; Liu, P. L.; Liu, Q.; Liu, S. B.; Liu, X.; Liu, Y. B.; Liu, Z. A.; Liu, Zhiqing; Long, Y. F.; Lou, X. C.; Lu, H. J.; Lu, J. G.; Lu, Y.; Lu, Y. P.; Luo, C. L.; Luo, M. X.; Luo, X. L.; Lyu, X. R.; Ma, F. C.; Ma, H. L.; Ma, L. L.; Ma, M. M.; Ma, Q. M.; Ma, T.; Ma, X. N.; Ma, X. Y.; Ma, Y. M.; Maas, F. E.; Maggiora, M.; Malik, Q. A.; Mao, Y. J.; Mao, Z. P.; Marcello, S.; Meng, Z. X.; Messchendorp, J. G.; Mezzadri, G.; Min, J.; Min, T. J.; Mitchell, R. E.; Mo, X. H.; Mo, Y. J.; Morales Morales, C.; Morello, G.; Muchnoi, N. Yu.; Muramatsu, H.; Musiol, P.; Mustafa, A.; Nefedov, Y.; Nerling, F.; Nikolaev, I. B.; Ning, Z.; Nisar, S.; Niu, S. L.; Niu, X. Y.; Olsen, S. L.; Ouyang, Q.; Pacetti, S.; Pan, Y.; Papenbrock, M.; Patteri, P.; Pelizaeus, M.; Pellegrino, J.; Peng, H. P.; Peters, K.; Pettersson, J.; Ping, J. L.; Ping, R. G.; Pitka, A.; Poling, R.; Prasad, V.; Qi, H. R.; Qi, M.; Qian, S.; Qiao, C. F.; Qin, N.; Qin, X. S.; Qin, Z. H.; Qiu, J. F.; Rashid, K. H.; Redmer, C. F.; Richter, M.; Ripka, M.; Rolo, M.; Rong, G.; Rosner, Ch.; Ruan, X. D.; Sarantsev, A.; Savrié, M.; Schnier, C.; Schoenning, K.; Shan, W.; Shao, M.; Shen, C. P.; Shen, P. X.; Shen, X. Y.; Sheng, H. Y.; Song, J. J.; Song, W. M.; Song, X. Y.; Sosio, S.; Sowa, C.; Spataro, S.; Sun, G. X.; Sun, J. F.; Sun, L.; Sun, S. S.; Sun, X. H.; Sun, Y. J.; Sun, Y. K.; Sun, Y. Z.; Sun, Z. J.; Sun, Z. T.; Tang, C. J.; Tang, G. Y.; Tang, X.; Tapan, I.; Tiemens, M.; Tsednee, B. T.; Uman, I.; Varner, G. S.; Wang, B.; Wang, B. L.; Wang, D.; Wang, D. Y.; Wang, Dan; Wang, K.; Wang, L. L.; Wang, L. S.; Wang, M.; Wang, P.; Wang, P. L.; Wang, W. P.; Wang, X. F.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y. D.; Wang, Y. F.; Wang, Y. Q.; Wang, Z.; Wang, Z. G.; Wang, Z. Y.; Wang, Zongyuan; Weber, T.; Wei, D. H.; Wei, J. H.; Weidenkaff, P.; Wen, S. P.; Wiedner, U.; Wolke, M.; Wu, L. H.; Wu, L. J.; Wu, Z.; Xia, L.; Xia, Y.; Xiao, D.; Xiao, H.; Xiao, Y. J.; Xiao, Z. J.; Xie, Y. G.; Xie, Y. H.; Xiong, X. A.; Xiu, Q. L.; Xu, G. F.; Xu, J. J.; Xu, L.; Xu, Q. J.; Xu, Q. N.; Xu, X. P.; Yan, L.; Yan, W. B.; Yan, W. C.; Yan, Y. H.; Yang, H. J.; Yang, H. X.; Yang, L.; Yang, Y. H.; Yang, Y. X.; Ye, M.; Ye, M. H.; Yin, J. H.; You, Z. Y.; Yu, B. X.; Yu, C. X.; Yu, J. S.; Yuan, C. Z.; Yuan, Y.; Yuncu, A.; Zafar, A. A.; Zeng, Y.; Zeng, Z.; Zhang, B. X.; Zhang, B. Y.; Zhang, C. C.; Zhang, D. H.; Zhang, H. H.; Zhang, H. Y.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, J. L.; Zhang, J. Q.; Zhang, J. W.; Zhang, J. Y.; Zhang, J. Z.; Zhang, K.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, S. Q.; Zhang, X. Y.; Zhang, Y. H.; Zhang, Y. T.; Zhang, Yang; Zhang, Yao; Zhang, Yu; Zhang, Z. H.; Zhang, Z. P.; Zhang, Z. Y.; Zhao, G.; Zhao, J. W.; Zhao, J. Y.; Zhao, J. Z.; Zhao, Lei; Zhao, Ling; Zhao, M. G.; Zhao, Q.; Zhao, S. J.; Zhao, T. C.; Zhao, Y. B.; Zhao, Z. G.; Zhemchugov, A.; Zheng, B.; Zheng, J. P.; Zheng, W. J.; Zheng, Y. H.; Zhong, B.; Zhou, L.; Zhou, X.; Zhou, X. K.; Zhou, X. R.; Zhou, X. Y.; Zhou, Y. X.; Zhu, J.; Zhu, K.; Zhu, K. J.; Zhu, S.; Zhu, S. H.; Zhu, X. L.; Zhu, Y. C.; Zhu, Y. S.; Zhu, Z. A.; Zhuang, J.; Zou, B. S.; Zou, J. H.; Besiii Collaboration

2017-12-01

Using the data samples of 1.31 ×109 J /ψ events and 4.48 ×108 ψ (3686 ) events collected with the BESIII detector, partial wave analyses on the decays J /ψ and ψ (3686 )→π+π-η' are performed with a relativistic covariant tensor amplitude approach. The dominant contribution is found to be J /ψ and ψ (3686 ) decays to ρ η'. In the J /ψ decay, the branching fraction B (J /ψ →ρ η') is determined to be (7.90 ±0.19 (stat )±0.49 (sys ))×10-5. Two solutions are found in the ψ (3686 ) decay, and the corresponding branching fraction B (ψ (3686 )→ρ η') is (1.02 ±0.11 (stat )±0.24 (sys ))×10-5 for the case of destructive interference, and (5.69 ±1.28 (stat )±2.36 (sys ))×10-6 for constructive interference. As a consequence, the ratios of branching fractions between ψ (3686 ) and J /ψ decays to ρ η' are calculated to be (12.9 ±1.4 (stat )±3.1 (sys ))% and (7.2 ±1.6 (stat )±3.0 (sys ))%, respectively. We also determine the inclusive branching fractions of J /ψ and ψ (3686 ) decays to π+π-η' to be (1.36 ±0.02 (stat )±0.08 (sys ))×10-4 and (1.51 ±0.14 (stat )±0.23 (sys ))×10-5, respectively.

The Shock and Vibration Digest. Volume 15, Number 8

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-08-01

a number of cracks have occurred in rotor shafts of turbogenerator sys - tems. Methods for detecting such cracks have thus become important, and...Bearing-Foundation Sys - tems Caused by Electrical System Faults," IFTOMM, p 177. 95. Ming, H., Sgroi, V., and Malanoski, S.B., "Fan/ Foundation...vibra- tion fundamentals, deterministic and random signals, convolution integrals, wave motion, continuous sys - tems, sound propagation outdoors

An extreme bias in the germ line of XY C57BL/6<->XY FVB/N chimaeric mice

PubMed Central

MacGregor, G. R.

2011-01-01

Chimaeric analysis is a powerful method to address questions about the cell-autonomous nature of defects in spermatogenesis. Symplastic spermatids (sys) mice have a recessive mutation that causes male sterility due to an arrest in germ-cell development during spermiogenesis. Chimaeric mice were generated by aggregation of eight-cell embryos from sys (FVB/N genetic background) and wild-type C57BL/6 (B6) mice to determine whether the male germ-cell defect is cell-autonomous. The resulting FVB/N<->B6 chimaeras (<-> denotes fusion of embryos) were mated with FVB/N mice and coat colour of offspring was used to identify transmission of FVB/N or B6 gametes. Regardless of the relative contribution of B6 to somatic tissues of the chimaeras, almost all (282 of 284; 99.3%) offspring of B6 XY<->XY FVB/N (+/+ or sys/+) males (n = 9) received a FVB/N-derived paternal gamete. After mating of female B6<->FVB/N chimaeras, 51 of 73 (69.9%) offspring received an FVB-derived maternal gamete. Southern blot analysis of different tissues from chimaeric males indicated that, despite the presence of balanced chimaerism in somatic tissues, the germ line in B6 XY<->XY FVB/N mice was essentially FVB/N in composition. Thus there is a strong selective advantage for FVB/N male germ cells over B6 male germ cells in B6<->FVB/N-aggregation chimaeras at some stage during development of the male germ line. Each of three male chimaeras that were either B6 XY<->XY FVB/N (sys/sys) or B6 XX<->XY FVB/N (sys/sys) in composition was sterile, and testis histology was essentially sys mutant. This finding indicates that the function of the gene(s) affected in the sys mutation may be required in the testis, although whether expression is required in germ cells, somatic cells or both remains unknown. The extreme bias in transmission of male gametes has implications for experimental design in studies that use chimaeric analysis to address questions regarding the cell-autonomous nature of germ-cell defects in mice. PMID:12201811

SysTerN. A nursing terminology system based on ICNP.

PubMed

Alecu, S; Moisil, I; Jitaru, E

1999-01-01

This paper is presenting a terminology system for nursing--SysTerN--that is based on the ICNP1 classification. SysTerN has been developed using the framework of the TeleNurse ID-ENTITY Telematics for Health EU project as a support for the dissemination actions carried on by CCSSDM (Center for Health Computing Statistics and Medical Documentation of the Romanian Ministry of Health) for Romania and other Central Eastern European countries. Currently, the terminology system uses the alpha version of ICNP, but this version is going to be replaced by the beta version. SysTerN is designed primarily for Romanian users but an English version is also available for other partners from CEE countries.

A secure 2G-RFID-Sys mechanism for applying to the medical emergency system.

PubMed

Chen, Yu-Yi; Wang, Yao-Jen; Jan, Jinn-Ke

2013-06-01

In the Medical Emergency System, any moment of delay in an emergency such as ambulance dispatch, ambulance diversion and clinical handover communication can significantly reduce a patient's chance of survival. Without the disadvantage of centralized management, a new type of RFID application named 2G-RFID-Sys will be more efficient. It is suitable for the tagged ambulance dispatch management in a huge range. In this article, the prototype of 2G-RFID-Sys and the responsibility of each participant are refined. We take an example of applying the 2G-RFID-Sys to the Medical Emergency System, the traffic condition of the ambulance will be able to ensure.

Validation of a SysML based design for wireless sensor networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berrachedi, Amel; Rahim, Messaoud; Ioualalen, Malika; Hammad, Ahmed

2017-07-01

When developing complex systems, the requirement for the verification of the systems' design is one of the main challenges. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are examples of such systems. We address the problem of how WSNs must be designed to fulfil the system requirements. Using the SysML Language, we propose a Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) specification and verification methodology for designing WSNs. This methodology uses SysML to describe the WSNs requirements, structure and behaviour. Then, it translates the SysML elements to an analytic model, specifically, to a Deterministic Stochastic Petri Net. The proposed approach allows to design WSNs and study their behaviors and their energy performances.

Diode laser spectroscopy of the MnD radical ( 7Σ) and the determination of mass-independent parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urban, Rolf-Dieter; Jones, Harold

1991-03-01

The infrared spectrum of the manganese deuteride radical has been observed in its ground electronic state ( 7Σ) using a diode-laser spectrometer. The hyperfine structure of a number of infrared transitions in the bands ν=1←0, ν=2←1 and ν=3←2 were measured with a nominal accuracy of ±0.001 cm -1. In all cases, the complete structure was easily resolved. Dunham parameters, spin—rotation and spin—spin coupling parameters were determined from the MnD data. A simultaneous fit of these data with those determined previously for MnH was carried out to determine mass-independent parameters and mass-scaling coefficients.

JPRS Report, Soviet Union Economic Affairs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-11-29

principles for this sys - tem. The system will include quotas for the income part of the budgets; payments from the enterprises’ computed profit...against the entire economic sys - tem. And these statements are not being subjected to the proper criticism. And if individual published items writ- ten...envisioned in the decree concerning the restructuring of the banking sys - tem adopted in July 1987. The main result of banking activity is profit

SynGenics Optimization System (SynOptSys)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ventresca, Carol; McMilan, Michelle L.; Globus, Stephanie

2013-01-01

The SynGenics Optimization System (SynOptSys) software application optimizes a product with respect to multiple, competing criteria using statistical Design of Experiments, Response-Surface Methodology, and the Desirability Optimization Methodology. The user is not required to be skilled in the underlying math; thus, SynOptSys can help designers and product developers overcome the barriers that prevent them from using powerful techniques to develop better pro ducts in a less costly manner. SynOpt-Sys is applicable to the design of any product or process with multiple criteria to meet, and at least two factors that influence achievement of those criteria. The user begins with a selected solution principle or system concept and a set of criteria that needs to be satisfied. The criteria may be expressed in terms of documented desirements or defined responses that the future system needs to achieve. Documented desirements can be imported into SynOptSys or created and documented directly within SynOptSys. Subsequent steps include identifying factors, specifying model order for each response, designing the experiment, running the experiment and gathering the data, analyzing the results, and determining the specifications for the optimized system. The user may also enter textual information as the project progresses. Data is easily edited within SynOptSys, and the software design enables full traceability within any step in the process, and facilitates reporting as needed. SynOptSys is unique in the way responses are defined and the nuances of the goodness associated with changes in response values for each of the responses of interest. The Desirability Optimization Methodology provides the basis of this novel feature. Moreover, this is a complete, guided design and optimization process tool with embedded math that can remain invisible to the user. It is not a standalone statistical program; it is a design and optimization system.

Pain in Neurodegenerative Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

PubMed Central

de Tommaso, Marina; Arendt-Nielsen, Lars; Defrin, Ruth; Kunz, Miriam; Pickering, Gisele; Valeriani, Massimiliano

2016-01-01

Neurodegenerative diseases are going to increase as the life expectancy is getting longer. The management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias, Parkinson's disease (PD) and PD related disorders, motor neuron diseases (MND), Huntington's disease (HD), spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is mainly addressed to motor and cognitive impairment, with special care to vital functions as breathing and feeding. Many of these patients complain of painful symptoms though their origin is variable, and their presence is frequently not considered in the treatment guidelines, leaving their management to the decision of the clinicians alone. However, studies focusing on pain frequency in such disorders suggest a high prevalence of pain in selected populations from 38 to 75% in AD, 40% to 86% in PD, and 19 to 85% in MND. The methods of pain assessment vary between studies so the type of pain has been rarely reported. However, a prevalent nonneuropathic origin of pain emerged for MND and PD. In AD, no data on pain features are available. No controlled therapeutic trials and guidelines are currently available. Given the relevance of pain in neurodegenerative disorders, the comprehensive understanding of mechanisms and predisposing factors, the application and validation of specific scales, and new specific therapeutic trials are needed. PMID:27313396

Influence of extractable soil manganese on oxidation capacity of different soils in Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chon, Chul-Min; Kim, Jae Gon; Lee, Gyoo Ho; Kim, Tack Hyun

2008-08-01

We examined the relationship between soil oxidation capacity and extractable soil manganese, iron oxides, and other soil properties. The Korean soils examined in this study exhibited low to medium Cr oxidation capacities, oxidizing 0.00-0.47 mmol/kg, except for TG-4 soils, which had the highest capacity for oxidizing added Cr(III) [>1.01 mmol/kg of oxidized Cr(VI)]. TG and US soils, with high Mn contents, had relatively high oxidation capacities. The Mn amounts extracted by dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) (Mnd), NH2OH·HCl (Mnh), and hydroquinone (Mnr) were generally very similar, except for the YS1 soils, and were well correlated. Only small proportions of either total Mn or DCB-extractable Mn were extracted by NH2OH·HCl and hydroquinone in the YS1 soils, suggesting inclusion of NH2OH·HCl and hydroquinone-resistant Mn oxides, because these extractants are weaker reductants than DCB. No Cr oxidation test results were closely related to total Mn concentrations, but Mnd, Mnh, and Mnr showed a relatively high correlation with the Cr tests ( r = 0.655-0.851; P < 0.01). The concentrations of Mnd and Mnh were better correlated with the Cr oxidation tests than was the Mnr concentration, suggesting that the oxidation capacity of our soil samples can be better explained by Mnd and Mnh than by Mnr. The first component in principal components analysis indicated that extractable soil Mn was a main factor controlling net Cr oxidation in the soils. Total soil Mn, Fe oxides, and the clay fraction are crucial for predicting the mobility of pollutants and heavy metals in soils. The second principal component indicated that the presence of Fe oxides in soils had a significant relationship with the clay fraction and total Mn oxide, and was also related to heavy-metal concentrations (Zn, Cd, and Cu, but not Pb).

Supporting wellbeing in motor neurone disease for patients, carers, social networks, and health professionals: A scoping review and synthesis.

PubMed

Harris, Melanie; Thomas, Geoff; Thomas, Mary; Cafarella, Paul; Stocks, Allegra; Greig, Julia; McEvoy, R Doug

2018-04-01

ABSTRACTObjective:Disease management in motor neurone disease (MND) is focused on preserving quality of life. However, the emphasis has so far been on physical symptoms and functioning and not psychosocial wellbeing. MND affects the wellbeing of carers, of family and social network members, and of healthcare providers, as well as of the patients. We therefore aimed to assess and synthesize the knowledge about maximizing MND-related psychosocial wellbeing across all these groups. We used a systematic search and selection process to assess the scope of the literature along with a narrative synthesis of recent high-quality reviews. The original studies were mainly observational studies of patients and, to a lesser extent, of carers. There were few interventional studies, mainly of patients. There were very few studies of any type on wellbeing in their wider social network or in healthcare professionals. All the review literature looked at MND patient or carer wellbeing, with some covering both. No reviews were found of wellbeing in other family members, patients' social networks, or their healthcare professionals. The reviews demonstrated wellbeing problems for patients linked to psychosocial issues. Carer wellbeing is also compromised. Psychotherapies, social supports, improved decision supports, and changes to healthcare delivery are among the suggested strategies for improved patient and carer wellbeing, but no proven interventions were identified for either. Early access to palliative care, also not well-tested but recommended, is poorly implemented. Work on interventions to deal with well-established wellbeing problems for patients and carers is now a research priority. Explicit use of current methods for patient and public involvement and for design and testing of interventions provide a toolkit for this research. Observational research is needed in other groups. There is a potential in considering needs across patients' social networks rather than looking individually at particular groups.

Identifying who will benefit from non-invasive ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neurone disease in a clinical cohort.

PubMed

Berlowitz, David J; Howard, Mark E; Fiore, Julio F; Vander Hoorn, Stephen; O'Donoghue, Fergal J; Westlake, Justine; Smith, Anna; Beer, Fiona; Mathers, Susan; Talman, Paul

2016-03-01

Respiratory failure is associated with significant morbidity and is the predominant cause of death in motor neurone disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND/ALS). This study aimed to determine the effect of non-invasive ventilatory (NIV) support on survival and pulmonary function decline across MND/ALS phenotypes. Cohort recruited via a specialist, multidisciplinary clinic. Patients were categorised into four clinical phenotypes (ALS, flail arm, flail leg and primary lateral sclerosis) according to site of presenting symptom and the pattern of upper versus lower motor neurone involvement. NIV was initiated according to current consensus practice guidelines. Between 1991 and 2011, 1198 patients diagnosed with ALS/MND were registered. 929 patients (77.5%) fulfilled the selection criteria and their data were analysed. Median tracheostomy free survival from symptom onset was 28 months in NIV-treated patients compared to 15 months in untreated (Univariate Cox regression HR=0.61 (0.51 to 0.73), p<0.001). The positive survival effect of NIV persisted when the model was adjusted for age, gender, riluzole and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy use (HR=0.72 (0.60 to 0.88, p=0.001). In contrast with the only randomised controlled trial, NIV statistically significantly increased survival by 19 months in those with ALS-bulbar onset (Univariate HR=0.50 (0.36 to 0.70), multivariate HR=0.59 (0.41 to 0.83)). These data confirm that NIV improves survival in MND/ALS. The overall magnitude of benefit is 13 months and was largest in those with ALS-bulbar disease. Future research should explore the optimal timing of NIV initiation within phenotypes in order to optimise respiratory function, quality of life and survival. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Battle Group Asset Management Decision Support System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-03-01

3.141 Terminal Display - Battle Group Missile Sys . 202 3.142 Battle Group Gun Systems . . . . . . . . . . . 204 3.143 Force missile and Gun Systems...with the sys -.6e, and/or the battle group has nct, as yet, been 61 * (MAIN MENU CC¢TI.) * SENSCR --- GRAPHICALLY DISPLAY UNIT/FORCE SENSCR *COVERAGE...BUILD A DATABASE OF THE CAPABILITIES OF THE UNITS IN YOUR BATTLE GROUP. THESE I CAPAEILITIES WILL INCLUDE ALL SENSOR AND WEAPONS SYS - TEES CNBCARD, AS

Development of in vitro models to demonstrate the ability of PecSys®, an in situ nasal gelling technology, to reduce nasal run-off and drip

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Many of the increasing number of intranasal products available for either local or systemic action can be considered sub-optimal, most notably where nasal drip or run-off give rise to discomfort/tolerability issues or reduced/variable efficacy. PecSys, an in situ gelling technology, contains low methoxy (LM) pectin which gels due to interaction with calcium ions present in nasal fluid. PecSys is designed to spray readily, only forming a gel on contact with the mucosal surface. The present study employed two in vitro models to confirm that gelling translates into a reduced potential for drip/run-off: (i) Using an inclined TLC plate treated with a simulated nasal electrolyte solution (SNES), mean drip length [±SD, n = 10] was consistently much shorter for PecSys (1.5 ± 0.4 cm) than non-gelling control (5.8 ± 1.6 cm); (ii) When PecSys was sprayed into a human nasal cavity cast model coated with a substrate containing a physiologically relevant concentration of calcium, PecSys solution was retained at the site of initial deposition with minimal redistribution, and no evidence of run-off/drip anteriorly or down the throat. In contrast, non-gelling control was significantly more mobile and consistently redistributed with run-off towards the throat. Conclusion In both models PecSys significantly reduced the potential for run-off/drip ensuring that more solution remained at the deposition site. In vivo, this enhancement of retention will provide optimum patient acceptability, modulate drug absorption and maximize the ability of drugs to be absorbed across the nasal mucosa and thus reduce variability in drug delivery. PMID:22803832

Dynamic Network Security Control Using Software Defined Networking

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-24

Most importantly I thank my family for understanding, loving , and thriving in the hectic world of military spouse and children. Michael C. Todd v...RBAC poses access to objects as a user to member-of group relationship . This construct results in a set of rules to govern access to objects based...API. Agent Agent.py Event.py Message.py ModSysStatus.py Event Message ModSysStatus Event - Message - ModSysStatus Relationship Figure 12. Agent Design

Maximizing Spatial Reuse in Indoor Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

interference model, which is the key model in our sys - tems to significantly reduce the number of measurements needed to make the coordinated decisions. We...fairness has an agreed-upon definition in wired networks [37, 61, 111] or operating sys - tems [71], there are conflicting notions of fairness in wireless...reasonable. In our systems, we adopt the implicit fairness model in the 802.11 systems. In 802.11 sys - tems, fairness is ensured in the sense that each

Reliability Programs for Nonelectronic Designs. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-04-01

to the system or component levels or to both and then Its degree of effectiveness. DOCUMENT ID TITLE/SUBJECT APPLICATION EFFECTIVENESS Sys ./Comp/Both...ID TITLE/SUBJECT APPLICATION EFFECTIVENESS ’ Sys ./Comp/Both Exc./Good/Poor MIL-STD-781B Reliability Tests Exponen- 1 1 1 1 Ii II tial Distribution MIL...DOCUMENT ID TITLE/SUBJECT APPLICATION EFFECTIVENESS Sys ./Comp/Both Exc./Good/Poor MIL-STD-1535A Supplier Quality Assurance I 1 I1 I 1 1 I Program

Formal Verification at System Level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzini, S.; Puri, S.; Mari, F.; Melatti, I.; Tronci, E.

2009-05-01

System Level Analysis calls for a language comprehensible to experts with different background and yet precise enough to support meaningful analyses. SysML is emerging as an effective balance between such conflicting goals. In this paper we outline some the results obtained as for SysML based system level functional formal verification by an ESA/ESTEC study, with a collaboration among INTECS and La Sapienza University of Roma. The study focuses on SysML based system level functional requirements techniques.

Measurements of the branching fractions of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D0→ωη , η(')π0 and η(')η

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ahmed, S.; Albayrak, O.; Albrecht, M.; Ambrose, D. J.; Amoroso, A.; An, F. F.; An, Q.; Bai, J. Z.; Bakina, O.; Baldini Ferroli, R.; Ban, Y.; Bennett, D. W.; Bennett, J. V.; Berger, N.; Bertani, M.; Bettoni, D.; Bian, J. M.; Bianchi, F.; Boger, E.; Boyko, I.; Briere, R. A.; Cai, H.; Cai, X.; Cakir, O.; Calcaterra, A.; Cao, G. F.; Cetin, S. A.; Chai, J.; Chang, J. F.; Chelkov, G.; Chen, G.; Chen, H. S.; Chen, J. C.; Chen, M. L.; Chen, P. L.; Chen, S. J.; Chen, X. R.; Chen, Y. B.; Chu, X. K.; Cibinetto, G.; Dai, H. L.; Dai, J. P.; Dbeyssi, A.; Dedovich, D.; Deng, Z. Y.; Denig, A.; Denysenko, I.; Destefanis, M.; de Mori, F.; Ding, Y.; Dong, C.; Dong, J.; Dong, L. Y.; Dong, M. Y.; Dou, Z. L.; Du, S. X.; Duan, P. F.; Fang, J.; Fang, S. S.; Fang, X.; Fang, Y.; Farinelli, R.; Fava, L.; Fegan, S.; Feldbauer, F.; Felici, G.; Feng, C. Q.; Fioravanti, E.; Fritsch, M.; Fu, C. D.; Gao, Q.; Gao, X. L.; Gao, Y.; Gao, Y. G.; Gao, Z.; Garzia, I.; Goetzen, K.; Gong, L.; Gong, W. X.; Gradl, W.; Greco, M.; Gu, M. H.; Gu, S.; Gu, Y. T.; Guo, A. Q.; Guo, L. B.; Guo, R. P.; Guo, Y. P.; Haddadi, Z.; Hafner, A.; Han, S.; Hao, X. Q.; Harris, F. A.; He, K. L.; He, X. Q.; Heinsius, F. H.; Held, T.; Heng, Y. K.; Holtmann, T.; Hou, Z. L.; Hu, C.; Hu, H. M.; Hu, T.; Hu, Y.; Huang, G. S.; Huang, J. S.; Huang, X. T.; Huang, X. Z.; Huang, Z. L.; Hussain, T.; Ikegami Andersson, W.; Ji, Q.; Ji, Q. P.; Ji, X. B.; Ji, X. L.; Jiang, X. S.; Jiang, X. Y.; Jiao, J. B.; Jiao, Z.; Jin, D. P.; Jin, S.; Johansson, T.; Julin, A.; Kalantar-Nayestanaki, N.; Kang, X. L.; Kang, X. S.; Kavatsyuk, M.; Ke, B. C.; Khan, T.; Kiese, P.; Kliemt, R.; Kloss, B.; Kolcu, O. B.; Kopf, B.; Kornicer, M.; Kupsc, A.; Kühn, W.; Lange, J. S.; Lara, M.; Larin, P.; Lavezzi, L.; Leithoff, H.; Leng, C.; Li, C.; Li, Cheng; Li, D. M.; Li, F.; Li, F. Y.; Li, G.; Li, H. B.; Li, H. J.; Li, J. C.; Li, Jin; Li, Kang; Li, Ke; Li, Lei; Li, P. L.; Li, P. R.; Li, Q. Y.; Li, T.; Li, W. D.; Li, W. G.; Li, X. L.; Li, X. N.; Li, X. Q.; Li, Z. B.; Liang, H.; Liang, Y. F.; Liang, Y. T.; Liao, G. R.; Lin, D. X.; Liu, B.; Liu, B. J.; Liu, C. X.; Liu, D.; Liu, F. H.; Liu, Fang; Liu, Feng; Liu, H. B.; Liu, H. M.; Liu, Huanhuan; Liu, Huihui; Liu, J. B.; Liu, J. P.; Liu, J. Y.; Liu, K.; Liu, K. Y.; Liu, Ke; Liu, L. D.; Liu, P. L.; Liu, Q.; Liu, S. B.; Liu, X.; Liu, Y. B.; Liu, Z. A.; Liu, Zhiqing; Loehner, H.; Long, Y. F.; Lou, X. C.; Lu, H. J.; Lu, J. G.; Lu, Y.; Lu, Y. P.; Luo, C. L.; Luo, M. X.; Luo, T.; Luo, X. L.; Lyu, X. R.; Ma, F. C.; Ma, H. L.; Ma, L. L.; Ma, M. M.; Ma, Q. M.; Ma, T.; Ma, X. N.; Ma, X. Y.; Ma, Y. M.; Maas, F. E.; Maggiora, M.; Malik, Q. A.; Mao, Y. J.; Mao, Z. P.; Marcello, S.; Messchendorp, J. G.; Mezzadri, G.; Min, J.; Min, T. J.; Mitchell, R. E.; Mo, X. H.; Mo, Y. J.; Morales Morales, C.; Morello, G.; Muchnoi, N. Yu.; Muramatsu, H.; Musiol, P.; Nefedov, Y.; Nerling, F.; Nikolaev, I. B.; Ning, Z.; Nisar, S.; Niu, S. L.; Niu, X. Y.; Olsen, S. L.; Ouyang, Q.; Pacetti, S.; Pan, Y.; Papenbrock, M.; Patteri, P.; Pelizaeus, M.; Pellegrino, J.; Peng, H. P.; Peters, K.; Pettersson, J.; Ping, J. L.; Ping, R. G.; Poling, R.; Prasad, V.; Qi, H. R.; Qi, M.; Qian, S.; Qiao, C. F.; Qin, J. J.; Qin, N.; Qin, X. S.; Qin, Z. H.; Qiu, J. F.; Rashid, K. H.; Redmer, C. F.; Ripka, M.; Rong, G.; Rosner, Ch.; Sarantsev, A.; Savrié, M.; Schnier, C.; Schoenning, K.; Shan, W.; Shao, M.; Shen, C. P.; Shen, P. X.; Shen, X. Y.; Sheng, H. Y.; Song, J. J.; Song, W. M.; Song, X. Y.; Sosio, S.; Spataro, S.; Sun, G. X.; Sun, J. F.; Sun, S. S.; Sun, X. H.; Sun, Y. J.; Sun, Y. K.; Sun, Y. Z.; Sun, Z. J.; Sun, Z. T.; Tang, C. J.; Tang, X.; Tapan, I.; Thorndike, E. H.; Tiemens, M.; Tsednee, B.; Uman, I.; Varner, G. S.; Wang, B.; Wang, B. L.; Wang, D.; Wang, D. Y.; Wang, Dan; Wang, K.; Wang, L. L.; Wang, L. S.; Wang, M.; Wang, Meng; Wang, P.; Wang, P. L.; Wang, W. P.; Wang, X. F.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y. D.; Wang, Y. F.; Wang, Y. Q.; Wang, Z.; Wang, Z. G.; Wang, Z. H.; Wang, Z. Y.; Wang, Zongyuan; Weber, T.; Wei, D. H.; Weidenkaff, P.; Wen, S. P.; Wiedner, U.; Wolke, M.; Wu, L. H.; Wu, L. J.; Wu, Z.; Xia, L.; Xia, Y.; Xiao, D.; Xiao, H.; Xiao, Y. J.; Xiao, Z. J.; Xie, Y. G.; Xie, Y. H.; Xiong, X. A.; Xiu, Q. L.; Xu, G. F.; Xu, J. J.; Xu, L.; Xu, Q. J.; Xu, Q. N.; Xu, X. P.; Yan, L.; Yan, W. B.; Yan, W. C.; Yan, Y. H.; Yang, H. J.; Yang, H. X.; Yang, L.; Yang, Y. H.; Yang, Y. X.; Yang, Yifan; Ye, M.; Ye, M. H.; Yin, J. H.; You, Z. Y.; Yu, B. X.; Yu, C. X.; Yu, J. S.; Yuan, C. Z.; Yuan, Y.; Yuncu, A.; Zafar, A. A.; Zallo, A.; Zeng, Y.; Zeng, Z.; Zhang, B. X.; Zhang, B. Y.; Zhang, C. C.; Zhang, D. H.; Zhang, H. H.; Zhang, H. Y.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, J. L.; Zhang, J. Q.; Zhang, J. W.; Zhang, J. Y.; Zhang, J. Z.; Zhang, K.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, S. Q.; Zhang, X. Y.; Zhang, Y. H.; Zhang, Y. T.; Zhang, Yang; Zhang, Yao; Zhang, Yu; Zhang, Z. H.; Zhang, Z. P.; Zhang, Z. Y.; Zhao, G.; Zhao, J. W.; Zhao, J. Y.; Zhao, J. Z.; Zhao, Lei; Zhao, Ling; Zhao, M. G.; Zhao, Q.; Zhao, S. J.; Zhao, T. C.; Zhao, Y. B.; Zhao, Z. G.; Zhemchugov, A.; Zheng, B.; Zheng, J. P.; Zheng, W. J.; Zheng, Y. H.; Zhong, B.; Zhou, L.; Zhou, X.; Zhou, X. K.; Zhou, X. R.; Zhou, X. Y.; Zhou, Y. X.; Zhu, J.; Zhu, K.; Zhu, K. J.; Zhu, S.; Zhu, S. H.; Zhu, X. L.; Zhu, Y. C.; Zhu, Y. S.; Zhu, Z. A.; Zhuang, J.; Zotti, L.; Zou, B. S.; Zou, J. H.; Besiii Collaboration

2018-03-01

By analyzing a data sample of 2.93 fb-1 collected at √{s }=3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector operated at the BEPCII storage rings, we measure the branching fractions B (D0→ω η )=(2.15 ±0.1 7stat±0.1 5sys)×10-3, B (D0→η π0)=(0.58 ±0.0 5stat±0.0 5sys)×10-3, B (D0→η'π0)=(0.93 ±0.1 1stat±0.0 9sys)×10-3, B (D0→η η )=(2.20 ±0.0 7stat±0.0 6sys)×10-3 and B (D0→η'η )=(0.94 ±0.2 5stat±0.1 1sys)×10-3. We note that B (D0→ω η ) is measured for the first time and that B (D0→η η ) is measured with much improved precision.

Measurements of the branching fractions of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D 0 → ωη , η ( ' ) π 0 and η ( ′ ) η

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

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ahmed, S.

By analyzing a data sample of 2.93 fb -1 collected at √s = 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector operated at the BEPCII storage rings, we measure the branching fractions B(D 0 → ωη) = (2.15 ± 0.17stat. ± 0.15sys.) × 10 -3, B(D 0 → ηπ0) = (0.58 ± 0.05stat. ± 0.05sys.) × 10 -3, B(D 0 → η'π0) = (0.93 ± 0.11stat. ± 0.09sys.) × 10 -3, B(D 0 → ηη) = (2.20 ± 0.07stat. ± 0.06sys.) × 10 -3 and B(D 0 → η'η) = (0.94 ± 0.25stat. ± 0.11sys.) × 10 -3. We note that B(Dmore » 0 → ωη) is measured for the first time and that B(D 0 → ηη) is measured with much improved precision.« less

Sys-BodyFluid: a systematical database for human body fluid proteome research

PubMed Central

Li, Su-Jun; Peng, Mao; Li, Hong; Liu, Bo-Shu; Wang, Chuan; Wu, Jia-Rui; Li, Yi-Xue; Zeng, Rong

2009-01-01

Recently, body fluids have widely become an important target for proteomic research and proteomic study has produced more and more body fluid related protein data. A database is needed to collect and analyze these proteome data. Thus, we developed this web-based body fluid proteome database Sys-BodyFluid. It contains eleven kinds of body fluid proteomes, including plasma/serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, synovial fluid, nipple aspirate fluid, tear fluid, seminal fluid, human milk and amniotic fluid. Over 10 000 proteins are presented in the Sys-BodyFluid. Sys-BodyFluid provides the detailed protein annotations, including protein description, Gene Ontology, domain information, protein sequence and involved pathways. These proteome data can be retrieved by using protein name, protein accession number and sequence similarity. In addition, users can query between these different body fluids to get the different proteins identification information. Sys-BodyFluid database can facilitate the body fluid proteomics and disease proteomics research as a reference database. It is available at http://www.biosino.org/bodyfluid/. PMID:18978022

Sys-BodyFluid: a systematical database for human body fluid proteome research.

PubMed

Li, Su-Jun; Peng, Mao; Li, Hong; Liu, Bo-Shu; Wang, Chuan; Wu, Jia-Rui; Li, Yi-Xue; Zeng, Rong

2009-01-01

Recently, body fluids have widely become an important target for proteomic research and proteomic study has produced more and more body fluid related protein data. A database is needed to collect and analyze these proteome data. Thus, we developed this web-based body fluid proteome database Sys-BodyFluid. It contains eleven kinds of body fluid proteomes, including plasma/serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, synovial fluid, nipple aspirate fluid, tear fluid, seminal fluid, human milk and amniotic fluid. Over 10,000 proteins are presented in the Sys-BodyFluid. Sys-BodyFluid provides the detailed protein annotations, including protein description, Gene Ontology, domain information, protein sequence and involved pathways. These proteome data can be retrieved by using protein name, protein accession number and sequence similarity. In addition, users can query between these different body fluids to get the different proteins identification information. Sys-BodyFluid database can facilitate the body fluid proteomics and disease proteomics research as a reference database. It is available at http://www.biosino.org/bodyfluid/.

Measurements of the branching fractions of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D 0 → ωη , η ( ' ) π 0 and η ( ′ ) η

DOE PAGES

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ahmed, S.; ...

2018-03-01

By analyzing a data sample of 2.93 fb -1 collected at √s = 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector operated at the BEPCII storage rings, we measure the branching fractions B(D 0 → ωη) = (2.15 ± 0.17stat. ± 0.15sys.) × 10 -3, B(D 0 → ηπ0) = (0.58 ± 0.05stat. ± 0.05sys.) × 10 -3, B(D 0 → η'π0) = (0.93 ± 0.11stat. ± 0.09sys.) × 10 -3, B(D 0 → ηη) = (2.20 ± 0.07stat. ± 0.06sys.) × 10 -3 and B(D 0 → η'η) = (0.94 ± 0.25stat. ± 0.11sys.) × 10 -3. We note that B(Dmore » 0 → ωη) is measured for the first time and that B(D 0 → ηη) is measured with much improved precision.« less

Children with behavioral problems and motor problems have a worse neurological condition than children with behavioral problems only.

PubMed

Peters, Lieke H J; Maathuis, Carel G B; Hadders-Algra, Mijna

2014-12-01

Some evidence suggests that children with specific behavioral problems are at risk for motor problems. It is unclear whether neurological condition plays a role in the propensity of children with behavioral problems to develop motor problems. To examine the relation between behavioral problems, motor performance and neurological condition in school-aged children. Cross-sectional study. 174 children (95 boys) receiving mainstream education and 106 children (82 boys) receiving special education aged 6 to 13 years (mean 9 y 7 m, SD 1 y 10 m). Behavior was assessed with questionnaires: the parental Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher's Report Form (TRF). Motor performance was assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). MABC-scores ≥5th percentile were considered as age-adequate and scores <5th percentile indicated definite motor problems. Neurological condition was assessed in terms of Minor Neurological Dysfunction (MND). The majority of specific behavioral problems were associated with definite motor problems, except somatic complaints and rule breaking behavior. Children with externalizing problems, according to the CBCL or TRF, and motor problems had more often MND than children with externalizing problems only. The same holds true for internalizing problems according to the CBCL. The present study demonstrated that various forms of behavioral problems were associated with motor problems. Especially children with motor and behavioral problems showed MND. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure and Ductility-Dip Cracking Susceptibility of Circumferential Multipass Dissimilar Weld Between 20MND5 and Z2CND18-12NS with Ni-Base Filler Metal 52

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Renyao; Duan, Zhaoling; He, Guo

2013-10-01

The large circumferential multipass dissimilar weld between 20MND5 steel and Z2CND18-12NS stainless steel welded with FM52 filler material was investigated in terms of the diluted composition, the grain boundary precipitation, and the ductility-dip cracking (DDC) susceptibility of the weld. The diluted composition of the weld is composed of 37 to 47 pct Ni, 21 to 24 pct Cr, and 28 to 40 pct Fe, which are inhomogeneous along the depth and over the width of the deep weld. The carbon content has a distribution in the region of the surface weld from a high level (~0.20 pct) in the zone near 20MND5 steel to a normal level (~0.03 pct) in the zone near Z2CND18-12NS stainless steel. The carbon distribution is corresponding to the grain boundary carbides. The minimum threshold strains for DDC occur in the temperature range of 1223 K to 1323 K (950 °C to 1050 °C), which are 0.5, 0.35, and 0.4 pct for the root weld, middle region, and the surface weld, respectively. The dissimilar weld has the largest susceptibility to the DDC compared to the filler metal 52 and the Inconel 690.

Clinical and neuropathologic variation in neuronal intermediate filament inclusion disease

PubMed Central

Cairns, N.J.; Grossman, M.; Arnold, S.E.; Burn, D.J.; Jaros, E.; Perry, R.H.; Duyckaerts, C.; Stankoff, B.; Pillon, B.; Skullerud, K.; Cruz-Sanchez, F.F.; Bigio, E.H.; Mackenzie, I.R.A.; Gearing, M.; Juncos, J.L.; Glass, J.D.; Yokoo, H.; Nakazato, Y.; Mosaheb, S.; Thorpe, J.R.; Uryu, K.; Lee, V.M.-Y.; Trojanowski, J.Q.

2009-01-01

Background Recently described neuronal intermediate filament inclusion disease (NIFID) shows considerable clinical heterogeneity. Objective To assess the spectrum of the clinical and neuropathological features in 10 NIFID cases. Methods Retrospective chart and comprehensive neuropathological review of these NIFID cases was conducted. Results The mean age at onset was 40.8 (range 23 to 56) years, mean disease duration was 4.5 (range 2.7 to 13) years, and mean age at death was 45.3 (range 28 to 61) years. The most common presenting symptoms were behavioral and personality changes in 7 of 10 cases and, less often, memory loss, cognitive impairment, language deficits, and motor weakness. Extrapyramidal features were present in 8 of 10 patients. Language impairment, perseveration, executive dysfunction, hyperreflexia, and primitive reflexes were frequent signs, whereas a minority had buccofacial apraxia, supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, upper motor neuron disease (MND), and limb dystonia. Frontotemporal and caudate atrophy were common. Histologic changes were extensive in many cortical areas, deep gray matter, cerebellum, and spinal cord. The hallmark lesions of NIFID were unique neuronal IF inclusions detected most robustly by antibodies to neurofilament triplet proteins and α-internexin. Conclusion NIFID is a neuropathologically distinct, clinically heterogeneous variant of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) that may include parkinsonism or MND. Neuronal IF inclusions are the neuropathological signatures of NIFID that distinguish it from all other FTD variants including FTD with MND and FTD tauopathies. PMID:15505152

Novel large deployable antenna backing structure concepts for foldable reflectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fraux, V.; Lawton, M.; Reveles, J. R.; You, Z.

2013-12-01

This paper describes a number of large deployable antenna (LDA) reflector structure concepts developed at EnerSys-ABSL. Furthermore, EnerSys-ABSL has confirmed the desire to build a breadboard demonstrator of a backing deployable structure for a foldable reflector in the diameter range of 4-9 m. As part of this project EnerSys-ABSL has explored five novel deployable structure concepts. This paper presents the top level definition of these concepts together with the requirements considered in the design and selection of the preferred candidate. These new concepts are described and then compared through a trade-off analysis to identify the most suitable concept that EnerSys-ABSL would like to consider for the breadboard demonstrator. Finally, the kinematics of the chosen concept is described in more detail and future steps in the development process are highlighted.

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope OCS and TCS models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schumacher, German; Delgado, Francisco

2010-07-01

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is a project envisioned as a system of systems with demanding science, technical, and operational requirements, that must perform as a fully integrated unit. The design and implementation of such a system poses big engineering challenges when performing requirements analysis, detailed interface definitions, operational modes and control strategy studies. The OMG System Modeling Language (SysML) has been selected as the framework for the systems engineering analysis and documentation for the LSST. Models for the overall system architecture and different observatory subsystems have been built describing requirements, structure, interfaces and behavior. In this paper we show the models for the Observatory Control System (OCS) and the Telescope Control System (TCS), and how this methodology has helped in the clarification of the design and requirements. In one common language, the relationships of the OCS, TCS, Camera and Data management subsystems are captured with models of the structure, behavior, requirements and the traceability between them.

Evaluation of rapid SYS system as screen for Yersinia enterocolitica in the United States.

PubMed Central

Mele, L; Nadler, H; Gomez, S

1987-01-01

Clinical isolates (n = 150) from stool specimens were selected for evaluation of the Rapid SYS system (Analytab Products, Plainview, N.Y.) as a screening test for Shigella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Salmonella spp. The Gram-Negative Identification Card (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) was used for identification. Although acceptable performance of the Rapid SYS system was described, the interpretative criteria provided by the vendor for previous studies led to inappropriate screening for Y. enterocolitica, particularly biotype 1. When corrected screening criteria were used for the present study, the sensitivity for the detection of 76 enteric pathogens was 98.7%. Of the 76 pathogens, 1 of 21 Shigella spp. was not detected. However, specificity was only 16.6% when 72 selected nonpathogens frequently encountered in stools were eliminated. Although the Rapid SYS system can identify Shigella spp., Y. enterocolitica, and Salmonella spp., only phenylalanine deaminase-producing and cytochrome oxidase-producing organisms can be eliminated from additional testing. Therefore, the Rapid SYS system cannot be used as a three-pathogen screen in the United States or in other geographic locales where Y. enterocolitica biotype 1 may be encountered. PMID:3323232

Ag/MnO₂ Nanorod as Electrode Material for High-Performance Electrochemical Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Guo, Zengcai; Guan, Yuming; Dai, Chengxiang; Mu, Jingbo; Che, Hongwei; Wang, Guangshuo; Zhang, Xiaoliang; Zhang, Zhixiao; Zhang, Xiliang

2018-07-01

A one-dimensional hierarchical Ag nanoparticle (AgNP)/MnO2 nanorod (MND) nanocomposite was synthesized by combining a simple solvothermal method and a facile reduction approach in situ. Owing to its high electrical conductivity, the resulting AgNP/MND nanocomposite displayed a high specific capacitance of 314 F g-1 at a current density of 2 A g-1, which was much higher than that of pure MNDs (178 F g-1). Resistances of the electrolyte (Rs) and charge transportation (Rct) of the nanocomposite were much lower than that of pure MNDs. Moreover, the nanocomposite exhibited outstanding long-term cycling ability (9% loss of initial capacity after 1000 cycles). These results indicated that the nanocomposite could serve as a promising and useful electrode material for future energy-storage applications.

Dynamical effects in x-ray absorption spectra of graphene and monolayered h -BN on Ni(111)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rusz, J.; Preobrajenski, A. B.; Ng, May Ling; Vinogradov, N. A.; Mårtensson, N.; Wessely, O.; Sanyal, B.; Eriksson, O.

2010-02-01

We present first-principles calculations of x-ray absorption spectra of graphene and hexagonal BN monolayer on the Ni(111) substrate. Including dynamical core-hole screening effects according to the theory of Mahan-Nozières-de Dominics (MND) results in an overall good agreement with previously published experimental data and our new observations. This approach provides a unified first-principles description of the electronic structure and core excitations in the sp2 -bonded materials on metal surfaces and a better insight into the dynamics of screening effects. We demonstrate in particular that the observed spectral features of graphene and hexagonal BN can be well reproduced with the MND theory, and that they are determined by a delicate balance between initial and final-state effects.

Computerised electronic foetal heart rate monitoring in labour: automated contraction identification.

PubMed

Georgieva, A; Payne, S J; Redman, C W G

2009-12-01

The foetal heart rate (FHR) response to uterine contractions is crucial to detect foetal distress by electronic FHR monitoring during labour. We are developing a new automated system (OxSys) for decision support in labour, using the Oxford database of intrapartum FHR records. We describe here a novel technique for automated detection of uterus contractions. In addition, we present a comparison of the new method with four other computerised approaches. During training, OxSys achieved sensitivity above 95% and positive predictive value (PPV) of up to 90% for traces of good quality. During testing, OxSys achieved sensitivity = 87% and PPV = 75%. For comparison, a second clinical expert obtained sensitivity = 93% and PPV = 80%, and all other computerised approaches achieved lower values. It was concluded that the proposed method can be employed with confidence in our study on foetal health assessment in labour and future OxSys development.

SysSon: A Sonification Platform for Climate Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visda, Goudarzi; Hanns Holger, Rutz; Katharina, Vogt

2014-05-01

Climate data provide a challenging working basis for sonification. Both model data and measured data are assessed in collaboration with the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change. The multi dimensionality and multi variety of climate data has a great potential for auditory displays. Furthermore, there is consensus on global climate change and the necessity of intensified climate research today in the scientific community and general public. Sonification provides a new means to communicate scientific results and inform a wider audience. SysSon is a user centered auditory platform for climate scientists to analyze data. It gives scientists broader insights by extracting hidden patterns and features from data that is not possible using a single modal visual interface. A variety of soundscapes to chose from lessens the fatigue that comes with repeated and sustained listening to long streams of data. Initial needs assessments and user tests made the work procedures and the terminology of climate scientists clear and informed the architecture of our system. Furthermore, experiments evaluated the sound design which led to a more advanced soundscape and improvement of the auditory display. We present a novel interactive sonification tool which combines a workspace for the scientists with a development environment for sonification models. The tool runs on different operating systems and is released as open source. In the standalone desktop application, multiple data sources can be imported, navigated and manipulated either via text or a graphical interface, including traditional plotting facilities. Sound models are built from unit generator graphs which are enhanced with matrix manipulation functions. They allow us to systematically experiment with elements known from the visual domain, such as range selections, scaling, thresholding, markers and labels. The models are organized in an extensible library, from which the user can choose and parametrize. Importance is given to the persistence of all configurations, in order to faithfully reproduce sonification instances. Finally, the platform is prepared to allow the composition of interactive sound installations, transitioning between the scientific lab and the gallery space.

Toward a Model-Based Approach for Flight System Fault Protection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Day, John; Meakin, Peter; Murray, Alex

2012-01-01

Use SysML/UML to describe the physical structure of the system This part of the model would be shared with other teams - FS Systems Engineering, Planning & Execution, V&V, Operations, etc., in an integrated model-based engineering environment Use the UML Profile mechanism, defining Stereotypes to precisely express the concepts of the FP domain This extends the UML/SysML languages to contain our FP concepts Use UML/SysML, along with our profile, to capture FP concepts and relationships in the model Generate typical FP engineering products (the FMECA, Fault Tree, MRD, V&V Matrices)

PalymSys (TM): An extended version of CLIPS for construction and reasoning using blackboards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bryson, Travis; Ballard, Dan

1994-01-01

This paper describes PalymSys(TM) -- an extended version of the CLIPS language that is designed to facilitate the implementation of blackboard systems. The paper first describes the general characteristics of blackboards and shows how a control blackboard architecture can be used by AI systems to examine their own behavior and adapt to real-time problem-solving situations by striking a balance between domain and control reasoning. The paper then describes the use of PalymSys in the development of a situation assessment subsystem for use aboard Army helicopters. This system performs real-time inferencing about the current battlefield situation using multiple domain blackboards as well as a control blackboard. A description of the control and domain blackboards and their implementation is presented. The paper also describes modifications made to the standard CLIPS 6.02 language in PalymSys(TM) 2.0. These include: (1) a dynamic Dempster-Shafer belief network whose structure is completely specifiable at run-time in the consequent of a PalymSys(TM) rule, (2) extension of the run command including a continuous run feature that enables the system to run even when the agenda is empty, and (3) a built-in communications link that uses shared memory to communicate with other independent processes.

Genetics Home Reference: GRN-related frontotemporal dementia

MedlinePlus

... temporal lobes . The frontal lobes are involved in reasoning, planning, judgment, and problem-solving, while the temporal ... MND. Phenotype variability in progranulin mutation carriers: a clinical, neuropsychological, imaging and genetic study. Brain. 2008 Mar; ...

Genetic analysis of SIGMAR1 as a cause of familial ALS with dementia

PubMed Central

Belzil, Véronique V; Daoud, Hussein; Camu, William; Strong, Michael J; Dion, Patrick A; Rouleau, Guy A

2013-01-01

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron diseases (MND), while frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second most common cause of early-onset dementia. Many ALS families segregating FTLD have been reported, particularly over the last decade. Recently, mutations in TARDBP, FUS/TLS, and C9ORF72 have been identified in both ALS and FTLD patients, while mutations in VCP, a FTLD associated gene, have been found in ALS families. Distinct variants located in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of the SIGMAR1 gene were previously reported in three unrelated FTLD or FTLD–MND families. We directly sequenced the coding and UTR regions of the SIGMAR1 gene in a targeted cohort of 25 individual familial ALS cases of Caucasian origin with a history of cognitive impairments. This screening identified one variant in the 3′-UTR of the SIGMAR1 gene in one ALS patient, but the same variant was also observed in 1 out of 380 control chromosomes. Subsequently, we screened the same samples for a C9ORF72 repeat expansion: 52% of this cohort was found expanded, including the sample with the SIGMAR1 3′-UTR variant. Consequently, coding and noncoding variants located in the 3′-UTR region of the SIGMAR1 gene are not the cause of FTLD–MND in our cohort, and more than half of this targeted cohort is genetically explained by C9ORF72 repeat expansions. PMID:22739338

Genetic analysis of SIGMAR1 as a cause of familial ALS with dementia.

PubMed

Belzil, Véronique V; Daoud, Hussein; Camu, William; Strong, Michael J; Dion, Patrick A; Rouleau, Guy A

2013-02-01

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron diseases (MND), while frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second most common cause of early-onset dementia. Many ALS families segregating FTLD have been reported, particularly over the last decade. Recently, mutations in TARDBP, FUS/TLS, and C9ORF72 have been identified in both ALS and FTLD patients, while mutations in VCP, a FTLD associated gene, have been found in ALS families. Distinct variants located in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the SIGMAR1 gene were previously reported in three unrelated FTLD or FTLD-MND families. We directly sequenced the coding and UTR regions of the SIGMAR1 gene in a targeted cohort of 25 individual familial ALS cases of Caucasian origin with a history of cognitive impairments. This screening identified one variant in the 3'-UTR of the SIGMAR1 gene in one ALS patient, but the same variant was also observed in 1 out of 380 control chromosomes. Subsequently, we screened the same samples for a C9ORF72 repeat expansion: 52% of this cohort was found expanded, including the sample with the SIGMAR1 3'-UTR variant. Consequently, coding and noncoding variants located in the 3'-UTR region of the SIGMAR1 gene are not the cause of FTLD-MND in our cohort, and more than half of this targeted cohort is genetically explained by C9ORF72 repeat expansions.

ROSSTEP v1.3

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

Allevato, Adam

2016-07-21

ROSSTEP is a system for sequentially running roslaunch, rosnode, and bash scripts automatically, for use in Robot Operating System (ROS) applications. The system consists of YAML files which define actions and conditions. A python file parses the code and runs actions sequentially using the sys and subprocess python modules. Between actions, it uses various ROS-based code to check conditions required to proceed, and only moves on to the next action when all the necessary conditions have been met. Included is rosstep-creator, a QT application designed to create the YAML files required for ROSSTEP. It has a nearly one-to-one mapping frommore » interface elements to YAML output, and serves as a convenient GUI for working with the ROSSTEP system.« less

A randomized controlled trial of the effect of combined spinal-epidural analgesia on the success of external cephalic version for breech presentation.

PubMed

Sullivan, J T; Grobman, W A; Bauchat, J R; Scavone, B M; Grouper, S; McCarthy, R J; Wong, C A

2009-10-01

Improving the success of external cephalic version (ECV) for breech presentation may help avoid some cesarean deliveries. The results of randomized trials comparing the success of ECV with neuraxial analgesia compared to control are inconsistent. We hypothesized that combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia would increase the success of ECV when compared with systemic opioid analgesia. Parturients with singleton breech presentation (n=96) were randomized to receive CSE analgesia with bupivacaine 2.5mg and fentanyl 15 microg (CSE group) or intravenous fentanyl 50 microg (SYS group) before ECV attempt. The primary outcome was ECV success. The success rate of ECV was 47% with CSE and 31% in the SYS group (P=0.14). Subsequent vaginal delivery was 36% for CSE and 25% for SYS (P=0.27). Median [IQR] visual analog pain scores (0-100mm scale) were lower with CSE (3 [0-12]) compared to SYS analgesia (36 [16 to 54]) (P<0.005) and patient satisfaction (0-10 scale) was higher (CSE 10 [9 to 10] versus SYS 7 [4 to 9]) (P<0.005). There were no differences in fetal heart rate patterns, but median time to return to fetal heart rate reactivity after analgesia was shorter with CSE (13 [IQR 9-21] min) compared to the SYS group (39 [IQR 23-51] min) (P=0.02). There was no difference in the rate of successful ECV or vaginal delivery with CSE compared to intravenous fentanyl analgesia. Pain scores were lower and satisfaction higher with CSE analgesia, and median time to fetal heart rate reactivity was shorter in the CSE group.

Process for selecting engineering tools : applied to selecting a SysML tool.

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

De Spain, Mark J.; Post, Debra S.; Taylor, Jeffrey L.

2011-02-01

Process for Selecting Engineering Tools outlines the process and tools used to select a SysML (Systems Modeling Language) tool. The process is general in nature and users could use the process to select most engineering tools and software applications.

Formal Validation of Fault Management Design Solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gibson, Corrina; Karban, Robert; Andolfato, Luigi; Day, John

2013-01-01

The work presented in this paper describes an approach used to develop SysML modeling patterns to express the behavior of fault protection, test the model's logic by performing fault injection simulations, and verify the fault protection system's logical design via model checking. A representative example, using a subset of the fault protection design for the Soil Moisture Active-Passive (SMAP) system, was modeled with SysML State Machines and JavaScript as Action Language. The SysML model captures interactions between relevant system components and system behavior abstractions (mode managers, error monitors, fault protection engine, and devices/switches). Development of a method to implement verifiable and lightweight executable fault protection models enables future missions to have access to larger fault test domains and verifiable design patterns. A tool-chain to transform the SysML model to jpf-Statechart compliant Java code and then verify the generated code via model checking was established. Conclusions and lessons learned from this work are also described, as well as potential avenues for further research and development.

Chemical effects in biological systems (CEBS) object model for toxicology data, SysTox-OM: design and application.

PubMed

Xirasagar, Sandhya; Gustafson, Scott F; Huang, Cheng-Cheng; Pan, Qinyan; Fostel, Jennifer; Boyer, Paul; Merrick, B Alex; Tomer, Kenneth B; Chan, Denny D; Yost, Kenneth J; Choi, Danielle; Xiao, Nianqing; Stasiewicz, Stanley; Bushel, Pierre; Waters, Michael D

2006-04-01

The CEBS data repository is being developed to promote a systems biology approach to understand the biological effects of environmental stressors. CEBS will house data from multiple gene expression platforms (transcriptomics), protein expression and protein-protein interaction (proteomics), and changes in low molecular weight metabolite levels (metabolomics) aligned by their detailed toxicological context. The system will accommodate extensive complex querying in a user-friendly manner. CEBS will store toxicological contexts including the study design details, treatment protocols, animal characteristics and conventional toxicological endpoints such as histopathology findings and clinical chemistry measures. All of these data types can be integrated in a seamless fashion to enable data query and analysis in a biologically meaningful manner. An object model, the SysBio-OM (Xirasagar et al., 2004) has been designed to facilitate the integration of microarray gene expression, proteomics and metabolomics data in the CEBS database system. We now report SysTox-OM as an open source systems toxicology model designed to integrate toxicological context into gene expression experiments. The SysTox-OM model is comprehensive and leverages other open source efforts, namely, the Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data (http://www.cdisc.org/models/send/v2/index.html) which is a data standard for capturing toxicological information for animal studies and Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (http://www.cdisc.org/models/sdtm/index.html) that serves as a standard for the exchange of clinical data. Such standardization increases the accuracy of data mining, interpretation and exchange. The open source SysTox-OM model, which can be implemented on various software platforms, is presented here. A universal modeling language (UML) depiction of the entire SysTox-OM is available at http://cebs.niehs.nih.gov and the Rational Rose object model package is distributed under an open source license that permits unrestricted academic and commercial use and is available at http://cebs.niehs.nih.gov/cebsdownloads. Currently, the public toxicological data in CEBS can be queried via a web application based on the SysTox-OM at http://cebs.niehs.nih.gov xirasagars@saic.com Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

A Persistent Chemical Effects Model.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

SYS . TYPE) , dimension one; by weapca type (VEH. HP N. TYPE) , dimension two; the seven body areas...if allied and i piayeci. Value: As given above N.VEH. SYS . TYPE GLOBAL VARIABLE INTEGER *« 4 — eauivalent) or...34. "•-’ *•-"•*•."•."-"- " •" *"".*’ "."."- " "^^ "• "-."••».’.’ ’. •. •—• - • •—• • - • .» .» -—-71—: w »-. » r . -w Dimensions: N .VEH. SYS . TYPE by H .VEH. WPN. TYPE by 2 by 3 by 2

KEYNOTE 2 : Rebuilding the Tower of Babel - Better Communication with Standards

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-01

and a member of the Object Management Group (OMG) SysML specification team. He has been developing multi-national complex systems for almost 35 years...critical systems development, virtual team management, systems development, and software development with UML, SysML and Architectural Frameworks

Coupling of the spatial-temporal distributions of nutrients and physical conditions in the southern Yellow Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Qin-Sheng; Yu, Zhi-Gang; Wang, Bao-Dong; Fu, Ming-Zhu; Xia, Chang-Shui; Liu, Lu; Ge, Ren-Feng; Wang, Hui-Wu; Zhan, Run

2016-04-01

This study investigated the coupling of the spatial-temporal variations in nutrient distributions and physical conditions in the southern Yellow Sea (SYS) using data compiled from annual-cycle surveys conducted in 2006-2007 as well as satellite-derived sea-surface temperature (SST) images. The influence of physical dynamics on the distribution and transport of nutrients varied spatially and seasonally in the SYS. The Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) plume (in summertime), the Subei Coastal Water (SCW) (year-round), and the Lubei Coastal Current (LCC) (in wintertime) served as important sources of nutrients in the inshore area in a dynamic environment. The saline Taiwan Warm Current (TWC) might transport nutrients to the northeast region of the Changjiang Estuary in the summer, and this nutrient source began to increase from spring to summer and decrease when autumn arrived. Three types of nutrient fronts, i.e., estuarine, offshore, and coastal, were identified. A circular nutrient front caused by cross-shelf transport of SCW in the southeast shelf bank area in the winter and spring was observed. The southeastward flow of western coastal cold water in the SYS might be an important conduit for cross-shelf nutrient exchange between the SYS and the East China Sea (ECS). The tongue-shaped low-nutrient region in the western study area in the wintertime was driven by the interaction of the southward Yellow Sea Western Coastal Current (YSWCC) and the biological activity. The vertically variable SCM (subsurface Chl-a maximum) in the central SYS was controlled by coupled physical-chemical processes that involved stratification and associated nutricline. The average nutrient fluxes into the euphotic zone due to upwelling near the frontal zone of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) in the summer are estimated here for the first time: 1.4 ± 0.9 × 103 μmol/m2/d, 0.1 ± 0.1 × 103 μmol/m2/d, and 2.0 ± 1.3 × 103 μmol/m2/d for DIN, PO4-P, and SiO3-Si, respectively. The depletion of nutrients in the central SYS and the upwelled transport in the boundary of the YSCWM resulted in a spatial transfer of the high Chl-a zone, varying generally from the central SYS to the boundary of the YSCWM from spring to summer, and the nutrient flux associated with this upwelling could contribute significantly to local primary production. This study deepens our understanding of the mechanisms influencing the distribution and transport of nutrients in the SYS.

AlexSys: a knowledge-based expert system for multiple sequence alignment construction and analysis

PubMed Central

Aniba, Mohamed Radhouene; Poch, Olivier; Marchler-Bauer, Aron; Thompson, Julie Dawn

2010-01-01

Multiple sequence alignment (MSA) is a cornerstone of modern molecular biology and represents a unique means of investigating the patterns of conservation and diversity in complex biological systems. Many different algorithms have been developed to construct MSAs, but previous studies have shown that no single aligner consistently outperforms the rest. This has led to the development of a number of ‘meta-methods’ that systematically run several aligners and merge the output into one single solution. Although these methods generally produce more accurate alignments, they are inefficient because all the aligners need to be run first and the choice of the best solution is made a posteriori. Here, we describe the development of a new expert system, AlexSys, for the multiple alignment of protein sequences. AlexSys incorporates an intelligent inference engine to automatically select an appropriate aligner a priori, depending only on the nature of the input sequences. The inference engine was trained on a large set of reference multiple alignments, using a novel machine learning approach. Applying AlexSys to a test set of 178 alignments, we show that the expert system represents a good compromise between alignment quality and running time, making it suitable for high throughput projects. AlexSys is freely available from http://alnitak.u-strasbg.fr/∼aniba/alexsys. PMID:20530533

Motor Neuron Diseases

MedlinePlus

... and can detect abnormalities in sensory nerves. Laboratory tests of blood, urine, or other substances can rule out muscle diseases and other disorders that may have symptoms similar to those of MND. For example, analysis of the fluid that surrounds the brain ...

The LSST: A System of Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claver, Chuck F.; Debois-Felsmann, G. P.; Delgado, F.; Hascall, P.; Marshall, S.; Nordby, M.; Schumacher, G.; Sebag, J.; LSST Collaboration

2011-01-01

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is a complete observing system that acquires and archives images, processes and analyzes them, and publishes reduced images and catalogs of sources and objects. The LSST will operate over a ten year period producing a survey of 20,000 square degrees over the entire [Southern] sky in 6 filters (ugrizy) with each field having been visited several hundred times enabling a wide spectrum of science from fast transients to exploration of dark matter and dark energy. The LSST itself is a complex system of systems consisting of the 8.4m 3-mirror telescope, a 3.2 billion pixel camera, and a peta-scale data management system. The LSST project uses a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology to ensure an integrated approach to system design and rigorous definition of system interfaces and specifications. The MBSE methodology is applied through modeling of the LSST's systems with the System Modeling Language (SysML). The SysML modeling recursively establishes the threefold relationship between requirements, logical & physical functional decomposition and definition, and system and component behavior at successively deeper level of abstraction and detail. The LSST modeling includes the analysis and documenting the flow of command and control information and data between the suite of systems in the LSST observatory that are needed to carry out the activities of the survey. The MBSE approach is applied throughout all stages of the project from design, to validation and verification, though to commissioning.

Clinical profile of motor neuron disease patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and neurogenic bladder.

PubMed

Vázquez-Costa, Juan Francisco; Arlandis, Salvador; Hervas, David; Martínez-Cuenca, Esther; Cardona, Fernando; Pérez-Tur, Jordi; Broseta, Enrique; Sevilla, Teresa

2017-07-15

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are frequent in motor neuron disease (MND) patients, but clinical factors related to them are unknown. We describe differences in LUTS among MND phenotypes and their relationship with other clinical characteristics, including prognosis. For this study, we collected clinical data of a previously published cohort of patients diagnosed with classical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (cALS), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) or primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) with and without LUTS. Familial history was recorded and the C9ORF72 expansion was analysed in the entire cohort. Patients were followed-up for survival until August 2016. Fifty-five ALS patients (37 cALS, 10 PMA and 8 PLS) were recruited. Twenty-four reported LUTS and neurogenic bladder (NB) could be demonstrated in nine of them. LUTS were not influenced by age, phenotype, disability, cognitive or behavioural impairment, or disease progression, but female sex appeared to be a protective factor (OR=0.39, p=0.06). Neither family history nor the C9ORF72 expansion was linked to LUTS or NB. In the multivariate analysis, patients reporting LUTS early in the disease course tended to show poorer survival. In this study, LUTS appear to be more frequent in male MND patients, but are not related to age, clinical or genetic characteristics. When reported early, LUTS could be a sign of rapid disease spread and poor prognosis. Further prospective longitudinal and neuroimaging studies are warranted to confirm this hypothesis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of mild traumatic brain injury on peripheral nervous system pathology in wild-type mice and the G93A mutant mouse model of motor neuron disease.

PubMed

Evans, T M; Jaramillo, C A; Sataranatarajan, K; Watts, L; Sabia, M; Qi, W; Van Remmen, H

2015-07-09

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with a risk of neurodegenerative disease. Some suggest a link between TBI and motor neuron disease (MND), including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To investigate the potential mechanisms linking TBI to MND, we measured motor function and neuropathology following mild-TBI in wild-type and a transgenic model of ALS, G93A mutant mice. Mild-TBI did not alter the lifespan of G93A mice or age of onset; however, rotarod performance was impaired in G93A verses wild-type mice. Grip strength was reduced only in G93A mice after mild-TBI. Increased electromyography (EMG) abnormalities and markers of denervation (AchR, Runx1) indicate that mild-TBI may result in peripheral effects that are exaggerated in G93A mice. Markers of inflammation (cell edema, astrogliosis and microgliosis) were detected at 24 and 72h in the brain and spinal cord in wild-type and G93A mice. Levels of F2-isoprostanes, a marker of oxidative stress, were increased in the spinal cord 24h post mild-TBI in wild-type mice but were not affected by TBI in G93A mice. In summary, our data demonstrate that mild-TBI induces inflammation and oxidative stress and negatively impacts muscle denervation and motor performance, suggesting mild-TBI can potentiate motor neuron pathology and influence the development of MND in mice. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Dying with motor neurone disease, what can we learn from family caregivers?

PubMed Central

Ray, Robin A.; Brown, Janice; Street, Annette F.

2012-01-01

Abstract Background  Increasingly, people with neurodegenerative illness are cared for at home until close to death. Yet, discussing the reality of dying remains a social taboo. Objective  To examine the ways, family caregivers of people living with motor neurone disease (MND) experienced the dying of their relative and to identify how health practitioners can better prepare families for end‐of‐life care. Design  Secondary analysis was undertaken on data sets generated from two longitudinal qualitative studies employing similar data collection and analysis methods. Combining data sets increased participant numbers in a low incidence disease group. Setting and participants  Primary studies were undertaken with family caregivers in England and Australia. Interview and observational data were collected mostly in home. Participants who discussed dying and death formed the sample for secondary analysis. Results  Combined data revealed four major themes: planning for end of life, unexpected dying, dignity in the dying body and positive end to MND. Despite short survival predictions, discussions among family members about dying were often sporadic and linked to loss of hope. Effective planning for death assisted caregivers to manage the final degenerative processes of dying. When plans were not effectively communicated or enacted, capacity to preserve personhood was reduced. Discussion and Conclusion  Returning death and dying to social discourse will raise the level of community awareness and normalize conversations about end‐of‐life care. Strategies for on‐going, effective communication that facilitates advance care planning among patients, their families and practitioners are essential to improve dying and death for people with MND and their family caregivers. PMID:22512686

United States Air Force Summer Research Program -- 1991. High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP) Reports, Volume 13: Wright Laboratory

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-12-01

ei a. "h:2 ;.::,e :v a :ei.w co±’eague. CAct. Alien Andrews. SAF. who s*_ese_ . zne tere in mod i: at:ons ch he m i emen tec tha nabed "he :CT -L work...program by entering: SET COMMAND SYS $SYSTEM:SAVE85 i0. Load the LOAD85 program by entering: SET COMMAND SYS $SYSTEM:LOAD85 11. Connect the VT340 with the...SYSINT CUROFF 4. Load the LOAD85 program by entering: SET COMMAND SYS $SYSTEM:LOAD85 5. Display the image to be printed on the screen by entering: LOAD85

Implementation of a Goal-Based Systems Engineering Process Using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breckenridge, Jonathan T.; Johnson, Stephen B.

2013-01-01

This paper describes the core framework used to implement a Goal-Function Tree (GFT) based systems engineering process using the Systems Modeling Language. It defines a set of principles built upon by the theoretical approach described in the InfoTech 2013 ISHM paper titled "Goal-Function Tree Modeling for Systems Engineering and Fault Management" presented by Dr. Stephen B. Johnson. Using the SysML language, the principles in this paper describe the expansion of the SysML language as a baseline in order to: hierarchically describe a system, describe that system functionally within success space, and allocate detection mechanisms to success functions for system protection.

Earth Science Mobile App Development for Non-Programmers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oostra, D.; Crecelius, S.; Lewis, P.; Chambers, L. H.

2012-08-01

A number of cloud based visual development tools have emerged that provide methods for developing mobile applications quickly and without previous programming experience. The MY NASA DATA (MND) team would like to begin a discussion on how we can best leverage current mobile app technologies and available Earth science datasets. The MY NASA DATA team is developing an approach based on two main ideas. The first is to teach our constituents how to create mobile applications that interact with NASA datasets; the second is to provide web services or Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that create sources of data that educators, students and scientists can use in their own mobile app development. This framework allows data providers to foster mobile application development and interaction while not becoming a software clearing house. MY NASA DATA's research has included meetings with local data providers, educators, libraries and individuals. A high level of interest has been identified from initial discussions and interviews. This overt interest combined with the marked popularity of mobile applications in our societies has created a new channel for outreach and communications with and between the science and educational communities.

Occupational Field 66 (Avionics) Less MOS’s 6682, 6683 and 6689 Task Analysis.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-04-01

EQUIPMENT ( SACE ) TECH 011 ACFT CRYPTOGRAPHIC SYS TECI-, IMA 018 ACFT INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM (INS) SACE TECH 019 ACFT SEARCH/TRACK (SIT) SACE TECH...020 SACE SYS TECH 021 ACFT DECEPTIVE ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES IDECM) TECH 022 ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES (ECM) MODULE REPAIR TECH 023 ACFT ECM TECH

76 FR 81986 - Continuous Computing, Inc. (CCPU), A Subsidiary of RadiSys Corporation, Including On-Site Leased...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-29

..., Inc. (CCPU), A Subsidiary of RadiSys Corporation, Including On-Site Leased Workers From Qualstaff... Location, San Diego, CA; Amended Certification Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment... Department of Labor issued a Certification of Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and...

75 FR 62424 - EDS, an HP Company (Re-Branded as HP-Enterprise Services) Including On-Site Workers From: Abel...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-08

... Floyd and Company, Trinity Government SYS a Private Co, Verizon Network Integration Corp, Vision... Provider Inc., Teksystems, The Experts Inc., TM Floyd and Company, Trinity Government SYS a Private Co... Compuware Corp Comsys Information Technology SVC, Diversified Systems Inc., E- Corn LLC, Farrington...

Big A Systems Architecture - From Strategy to Design: Systems Architecting in DoD

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-01

and modeling standards such as Systems Modeling Language ( SysML ). These tools have great potential to facilitate col- laboration and improve the...MBSE and SysML to Big “A” systems architecting and the potential ben- efits to acquisition outcomes are planned to be the subject of a future article

Executable Architecture Modeling and Simulation Based on fUML

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

SoS behaviors. Wang et al.[9] use SysML sequence diagram to model the behaviors and translate the models into Colored Petri Nets (CPN). Staines T.S...Renzhong and Dagli C H. An executable system architecture approach to discrete events system modeling using SysML in conjunction with colored Petri

System Modeling of a large FPGA project: the SKA Tile Processing Module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belli, C.; Comoretto, G.

Large projects like the SKA have an intrinsic complexity due to their scale. In this context, the application of a management design system becomes fundamental. For this purpose the SysML language, a UML customization for engineering applications, has been applied. As far as our work is concerned, we focused on the SKA Low Telescope - Tile Processing Module, designing diagrams at different detail levels. We designed a conceptual model of the TPM, primarily focusing on the main interfaces and the major data flows between product items. Functionalities are derived from use cases and allocated to hardware modules in order to guarantee the project's internal consistency and features. This model has been used both as internal documentation and as job specification, to commit part of the design to external entities.

Computing through Scientific Abstractions in SysBioPS

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

Chin, George; Stephan, Eric G.; Gracio, Deborah K.

2004-10-13

Today, biologists and bioinformaticists have a tremendous amount of computational power at their disposal. With the availability of supercomputers, burgeoning scientific databases and digital libraries such as GenBank and PubMed, and pervasive computational environments such as the Grid, biologists have access to a wealth of computational capabilities and scientific data at hand. Yet, the rapid development of computational technologies has far exceeded the typical biologist’s ability to effectively apply the technology in their research. Computational sciences research and development efforts such as the Biology Workbench, BioSPICE (Biological Simulation Program for Intra-Cellular Evaluation), and BioCoRE (Biological Collaborative Research Environment) are importantmore » in connecting biologists and their scientific problems to computational infrastructures. On the Computational Cell Environment and Heuristic Entity-Relationship Building Environment projects at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, we are jointly developing a new breed of scientific problem solving environment called SysBioPSE that will allow biologists to access and apply computational resources in the scientific research context. In contrast to other computational science environments, SysBioPSE operates as an abstraction layer above a computational infrastructure. The goal of SysBioPSE is to allow biologists to apply computational resources in the context of the scientific problems they are addressing and the scientific perspectives from which they conduct their research. More specifically, SysBioPSE allows biologists to capture and represent scientific concepts and theories and experimental processes, and to link these views to scientific applications, data repositories, and computer systems.« less

Hormonal, metabolic and skeletal phenotype of Schaaf-Yang syndrome: a comparison to Prader-Willi syndrome.

PubMed

McCarthy, John M; McCann-Crosby, Bonnie M; Rech, Megan E; Yin, Jiani; Chen, Chun-An; Ali, May A; Nguyen, HaiThuy N; Miller, Jennifer L; Schaaf, Christian P

2018-05-01

Nonsense and frameshift mutations in the maternally imprinted, paternally expressed gene MAGEL2, located in the Prader-Willi critical region 15q11-15q13, have been reported to cause Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS), a genetic disorder that manifests as developmental delay/intellectual disability, hypotonia, feeding difficulties and autism spectrum disorder. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterised by severe infantile hypotonia, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, early childhood onset obesity/hyperphagia, developmental delay/intellectual disability and short stature. Scoliosis and growth hormone insufficiency are also prevalent in PWS.There is extensive documentation of the endocrine and metabolic phenotypes for PWS, but not for SYS. This study served to investigate the hormonal, metabolic and body composition phenotype of SYS and its potential overlap with PWS. In nine individuals with SYS (5 female/4 male; aged 5-17 years), we measured serum ghrelin, glucose, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4, uric acid and testosterone, and performed a comprehensive lipid panel. Patients also underwent X-ray and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry analyses to assess for scoliosis and bone mineral density. Low IGF-1 levels despite normal weight/adequate nutrition were observed in six patients, suggesting growth hormone deficiency similar to PWS. Fasting ghrelin levels were elevated, as seen in individuals with PWS. X-rays revealed scoliosis >10° in three patients, and abnormal bone mineral density in six patients, indicated by Z-scores of below -2 SDs. This is the first analysis of the hormonal, metabolic and body composition phenotype of SYS. Our findings suggest that there is marked, but not complete overlap between PWS and SYS. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Iron geochemistry and organic carbon preservation by iron (oxyhydr)oxides in surface sediments of the East China Sea and the south Yellow Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Wei-Wei; Zhu, Mao-Xu; Yang, Gui-Peng; Li, Tie

2018-02-01

In marine sediments factors that influence iron (Fe) geochemistry and its interactions with other elements are diverse and remain poorly understood. Here we comparatively study Fe speciation and reactive Fe-bound organic carbon (Fe-OC) in surface sediments of the East China Sea (ECS) and the south Yellow Sea (SYS). The objectives are to better understand the potential impacts of geochemically distinct sediment sources and depositional/diagenetic settings on Fe geochemistry and OC preservation by Fe (hydr)oxides in sediments of the two extensive shelf seas around the world. Contents of carbonate- and acid-volatile-sulfide (AVS)-associated Fe(II) (FeAVS + carb) and magnetite (Femag) in the ECS sediments are about 5 and 9 times higher, respectively, than in the SYS. This could be ascribed to the ferruginous conditions of the ECS sediments that favor the formation/accumulation of Fecarb and Femag, a unique feature of marine unsteady depositional regimes. Much lower total Fe(II) contents in the SYS than in the ECS suggest that lower availability of highly reactive Fe (FeHR) and/or weak Fe reduction is a factor limiting Fe(II) formation and accumulation in the SYS sediments. The ratio of FeHR to total Fe is, on average, markedly higher (2.4 times) in the ECS sediments than in the SYS, which may be a combined result of several factors relevant to different sediment sources and depositional/diagenetic settings. In comparison with many other marine sediments, the percent fractions (fFe-OC) of Fe-OC to total organic carbon (TOC) in the ECS and the SYS are low, which can be ascribed to surface adsorption of OC rather than coprecipitation or organic complexation as the dominant binding mechanisms. Based on the fFe-OC in this study, total Fe-OC estimated for global continental shelves is equivalent to 38% of the atmospheric CO2 pool, which indicates the important role of sorptive stabilization of Fe-OC in continental shelf sediments for buffering CO2 release to the atmosphere. In the SYS, consistently less 13C-depleted Fe-OC relative to 13C of non-Fe-bound OC (13Cnon-Fe-OC) suggests selective sequestration of labile marine OC in the marine OC-dominated sediments of the central SYS. In the ECS, however, efficient oxidation of OC and frequent redox cycling of Fe in the unsteady depositional regimes may complicate the isotopic compositions of Fe-OC. A combination of our results and literature data demonstrates that Fe-OC contents are strongly dependent on the availability of TOC and reactive Fe, but the fFe-OC is primarily controlled by the processes of Fe redox cycling in the sediments.

Study of exclusive charmless semileptonic B decays and |Vub|.

PubMed

Adam, N E; Alexander, J P; Berkelman, K; Cassel, D G; Duboscq, J E; Ehrlich, R; Fields, L; Gibbons, L; Gray, R; Gray, S W; Hartill, D L; Heltsley, B K; Hertz, D; Jones, C D; Kandaswamy, J; Kreinick, D L; Kuznetsov, V E; Mahlke-Krüger, H; Meyer, T O; Onyisi, P U E; Patterson, J R; Peterson, D; Pivarski, J; Riley, D; Ryd, A; Sadoff, A J; Schwarthoff, H; Shi, X; Stroiney, S; Sun, W M; Wilksen, T; Weinberger, M; Athar, S B; Patel, R; Potlia, V; Yelton, J; Rubin, P; Cawlfield, C; Eisenstein, B I; Karliner, I; Kim, D; Lowrey, N; Naik, P; Selen, M; White, E J; Wiss, J; Mitchell, R E; Shepherd, M R; Besson, D; Pedlar, T K; Cronin-Hennessy, D; Gao, K Y; Hietala, J; Kubota, Y; Klein, T; Lang, B W; Poling, R; Scott, A W; Smith, A; Zweber, P; Dobbs, S; Metreveli, Z; Seth, K K; Tomaradze, A; Ernst, J; Ecklund, K M; Severini, H; Love, W; Savinov, V; Aquines, O; Li, Z; Lopez, A; Mehrabyan, S; Mendez, H; Ramirez, J; Huang, G S; Miller, D H; Pavlunin, V; Sanghi, B; Shipsey, I P J; Xin, B; Adams, G S; Anderson, M; Cummings, J P; Danko, I; Hu, D; Moziak, B; Napolitano, J; He, Q; Insler, J; Muramatsu, H; Park, C S; Thorndike, E H; Yang, F; Coan, T E; Gao, Y S; Artuso, M; Blusk, S; Butt, J; Li, J; Menaa, N; Mountain, R; Nisar, S; Randrianarivony, K; Sia, R; Skwarnicki, T; Stone, S; Wang, J C; Zhang, K; Bonvicini, G; Cinabro, D; Dubrovin, M; Lincoln, A; Asner, D M; Edwards, K W; Briere, R A; Ferguson, T; Tatishvili, G; Vogel, H; Watkins, M E; Rosner, J L

2007-07-27

We study semileptonic B decay to the exclusive charmless states pi, rho/omega, eta, and eta;{'} using the 16 fb(-1) CLEO Upsilon(4S) data sample. We find B(B0-->pi-l+nu)=(1.37+/-0.15stat+/-0.11sys)x10(-4) and B(B0-->rho-l+nu)=(2.93+/-0.37stat+/-0.37sys)x10(-4) and find evidence for B+-->eta'l+nu, with B(B+-->eta'l+nu)=(2.66+/-0.80stat+/-0.56sys)x10(-4). From our B-->pilnu rate for q2>16 GeV2 and lattice QCD, we find |Vub|=(3.6+/0.4stat+/0.2syst-0.4thy+0.6)x10(-3) [corrected

Intelligence and Electronic Warfare (IEW) Streamlining Project. Volume 3. Reference Documentation (Part 2), B

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-09-01

DoC* A 0" SAF ED P To FS E’F IRA C cons SPDOD ACES OPTPS 0(14 con 0CAC -O-0( Ell 23n Doc AG DOI on @- TS A Of0 Eg D SSO OIPIV PR0C At"C EMSC EN6ICT...except as noted in specific agreements, through 30 Sep 94. (4) Distribute, on a pro rata basis, across all CMFs, those resource changes imposed by...156A (.RD) Sig Sys Maint Tech WOTTC 1 Oct 93 256A 4C-256A Sig Sys Maint Tecn WOTTC I Oct 93 256A 4-11-C32-256A-RC Phase I Sig Sys Maint Tech SWOT -RC

Measurement of the leptonic decay width of J/ψ using initial state radiation

DOE PAGES

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ai, X. C.; ...

2016-08-09

Here, using a data set of 2.93 fb -1 taken at a center-of-mass energy of √s = 3.773 GeVwith the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we measure the process e +e - → J/ψγ →μ +μ -γ and determine the product of the branching fraction and the electronic width B μμ · Γ ee = (333.4 ± 2.5 stat ± 4.4 sys) eV. Using the earlier-published BESIII result for B μμ = (5.973 ± 0.007 stat ± 0.037 sys)%, we derive the J/ψ electronic width Γ ee = (5.58 ±0.05 stat ±0.08 sys) keV.

The Beginner's Guide to Wind Tunnels with TunnelSim and TunnelSys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benson, Thomas J.; Galica, Carol A.; Vila, Anthony J.

2010-01-01

The Beginner's Guide to Wind Tunnels is a Web-based, on-line textbook that explains and demonstrates the history, physics, and mathematics involved with wind tunnels and wind tunnel testing. The Web site contains several interactive computer programs to demonstrate scientific principles. TunnelSim is an interactive, educational computer program that demonstrates basic wind tunnel design and operation. TunnelSim is a Java (Sun Microsystems Inc.) applet that solves the continuity and Bernoulli equations to determine the velocity and pressure throughout a tunnel design. TunnelSys is a group of Java applications that mimic wind tunnel testing techniques. Using TunnelSys, a team of students designs, tests, and post-processes the data for a virtual, low speed, and aircraft wing.

The Groningen ART cohort study: the effects of ovarian hyperstimulation and the IVF laboratory procedures on neurological condition at 2 years.

PubMed

Schendelaar, P; Middelburg, K J; Bos, A F; Heineman, M J; Jongbloed-Pereboom, M; Hadders-Algra, M

2011-03-01

Up to 4% of children are born following assisted reproduction techniques (ART) yet relatively little is known on neurodevelopmental outcome of these children after 18 months of age. Only a limited number of long-term follow-up studies with adequate methodological quality have been reported. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of ovarian hyperstimulation, IVF laboratory procedures and a history of subfertility on neurological condition at 2 years. Singletons born after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation IVF (COH-IVF, n = 66), modified natural cycle IVF (MNC-IVF, n = 56), natural conception in subfertile couples (Sub-NC, n = 87) and in fertile couples (reference group, n = 101) were assessed (using Hempel approach) by neurological examination at 2 years of age. This resulted in a neurological optimality score (NOS), a fluency score and the prevalence of minor neurological dysfunction (MND). Primary outcome was the fluency score, as fluency of movements is easily affected by subtle dysfunction of the nervous system. Fluency score, NOS and prevalence of MND were similar in COH-IVF, MNC-IVF and Sub-NC children. However, the fluency score (P < 0.01) and NOS (P < 0.001) of the three subfertile groups were higher, and the prevalence of MND was lower (P = 0.045), than those in the reference group. Neurological condition of 2 year olds born after ART is similar to that of children of subfertile couples conceived naturally. Moreover, subfertility does not seem to be associated with a worse neurological outcome. These findings are reassuring, but we have to keep in mind that subtle neurodevelopmental disorders may emerge as children grow older.

Size-fraction partitioning of community gene transcription and nitrogen metabolism in a marine oxygen minimum zone.

PubMed

Ganesh, Sangita; Bristow, Laura A; Larsen, Morten; Sarode, Neha; Thamdrup, Bo; Stewart, Frank J

2015-12-01

The genetic composition of marine microbial communities varies at the microscale between particle-associated (PA; >1.6 μm) and free-living (FL; 0.2-1.6 μm) niches. It remains unclear, however, how metabolic activities differ between PA and FL fractions. We combined rate measurements with metatranscriptomics to quantify PA and FL microbial activity in the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific, focusing on dissimilatory processes of the nitrogen (N) cycle. Bacterial gene counts were 8- to 15-fold higher in the FL compared with the PA fraction. However, rates of all measured N cycle processes, excluding ammonia oxidation, declined significantly following particle (>1.6 μm) removal. Without particles, rates of nitrate reduction to nitrite (1.5-9.4nMNd(-1)) fell to zero and N2 production by denitrification (0.5-1.7nMNd(-1)) and anammox (0.3-1.9nMNd(-1)) declined by 53-85%. The proportional representation of major microbial taxa and N cycle gene transcripts in metatranscriptomes followed fraction-specific trends. Transcripts encoding nitrate reductase were uniform among PA and FL fractions, whereas anammox-associated transcripts were proportionately enriched up to 15-fold in the FL fraction. In contrast, transcripts encoding enzymes for N2O and N2 production by denitrification were enriched up to 28-fold in PA samples. These patterns suggest that the majority of N cycle activity, excluding N2O and N2 production by denitrification, is confined to a FL majority that is critically dependent on access to particles, likely as a source of organic carbon and inorganic N. Variable particle distributions may drive heterogeneity in N cycle activity and gene expression in OMZs.

A semantic proteomics dashboard (SemPoD) for data management in translational research.

PubMed

Jayapandian, Catherine P; Zhao, Meng; Ewing, Rob M; Zhang, Guo-Qiang; Sahoo, Satya S

2012-01-01

One of the primary challenges in translational research data management is breaking down the barriers between the multiple data silos and the integration of 'omics data with clinical information to complete the cycle from the bench to the bedside. The role of contextual metadata, also called provenance information, is a key factor ineffective data integration, reproducibility of results, correct attribution of original source, and answering research queries involving "What", "Where", "When", "Which", "Who", "How", and "Why" (also known as the W7 model). But, at present there is limited or no effective approach to managing and leveraging provenance information for integrating data across studies or projects. Hence, there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in creating a "provenance-aware" informatics platform to address this challenge. We introduce an ontology-driven, intuitive Semantic Proteomics Dashboard (SemPoD) that uses provenance together with domain information (semantic provenance) to enable researchers to query, compare, and correlate different types of data across multiple projects, and allow integration with legacy data to support their ongoing research. The SemPoD platform, currently in use at the Case Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics (CPB), consists of three components: (a) Ontology-driven Visual Query Composer, (b) Result Explorer, and (c) Query Manager. Currently, SemPoD allows provenance-aware querying of 1153 mass-spectrometry experiments from 20 different projects. SemPod uses the systems molecular biology provenance ontology (SysPro) to support a dynamic query composition interface, which automatically updates the components of the query interface based on previous user selections and efficiently prunes the result set usinga "smart filtering" approach. The SysPro ontology re-uses terms from the PROV-ontology (PROV-O) being developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) provenance working group, the minimum information required for reporting a molecular interaction experiment (MIMIx), and the minimum information about a proteomics experiment (MIAPE) guidelines. The SemPoD was evaluated both in terms of user feedback and as scalability of the system. SemPoD is an intuitive and powerful provenance ontology-driven data access and query platform that uses the MIAPE and MIMIx metadata guideline to create an integrated view over large-scale systems molecular biology datasets. SemPoD leverages the SysPro ontology to create an intuitive dashboard for biologists to compose queries, explore the results, and use a query manager for storing queries for later use. SemPoD can be deployed over many existing database applications storing 'omics data, including, as illustrated here, the LabKey data-management system. The initial user feedback evaluating the usability and functionality of SemPoD has been very positive and it is being considered for wider deployment beyond the proteomics domain, and in other 'omics' centers.

Conceptual Model of Quantities, Units, Dimensions, and Values

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rouquette, Nicolas F.; DeKoenig, Hans-Peter; Burkhart, Roger; Espinoza, Huascar

2011-01-01

JPL collaborated with experts from industry and other organizations to develop a conceptual model of quantities, units, dimensions, and values based on the current work of the ISO 80000 committee revising the International System of Units & Quantities based on the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM). By providing support for ISO 80000 in SysML via the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM), this conceptual model provides, for the first time, a standard-based approach for addressing issues of unit coherence and dimensional analysis into the practice of systems engineering with SysML-based tools. This conceptual model provides support for two kinds of analyses specified in the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM): coherence of units as well as of systems of units, and dimension analysis of systems of quantities. To provide a solid and stable foundation, the model for defining quantities, units, dimensions, and values in SysML is explicitly based on the concepts defined in VIM. At the same time, the model library is designed in such a way that extensions to the ISQ (International System of Quantities) and SI Units (Systeme International d Unites) can be represented, as well as any alternative systems of quantities and units. The model library can be used to support SysML user models in various ways. A simple approach is to define and document libraries of reusable systems of units and quantities for reuse across multiple projects, and to link units and quantity kinds from these libraries to Unit and QuantityKind stereotypes defined in SysML user models.

Scalable and Manageable Storage Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-12-01

Despite our long- distance relationship, my brothers and sisters, Charfeddine, Amel, Ghazi, Hajer, Nabeel , and Ines overwhelmed me with more love and...that enable storage sys - tems to be more cost-effectively scalable. Furthermore, the dissertation proposes an approach to ensure automatic load...and addresses three key technical challenges to making storage sys - tems more cost-effectively scalable and manageable. 1.2 Dissertation research The

Study of exclusive charmless semileptonic B decays and extraction of |Vub| at CLEO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asner, D. M.; Edwards, K. W.; Briere, R. A.; Ferguson, T.; Tatishvili, G.; Vogel, H.; Watkins, M. E.; Rosner, J. L.; Adam, N. E.; Alexander, J. P.; Cassel, D. G.; Duboscq, J. E.; Ehrlich, R.; Fields, L.; Gibbons, L.; Gray, R.; Gray, S. W.; Hartill, D. L.; Heltsley, B. K.; Hertz, D.; Jones, C. D.; Kandaswamy, J.; Kreinick, D. L.; Kuznetsov, V. E.; Mahlke-Krüger, H.; Meyer, T. O.; Onyisi, P. U. E.; Patterson, J. R.; Peterson, D.; Pivarski, J.; Riley, D.; Ryd, A.; Sadoff, A. J.; Schwarthoff, H.; Shi, X.; Stroiney, S.; Sun, W. M.; Wilksen, T.; Weinberger, M.; Athar, S. B.; Patel, R.; Potlia, V.; Yelton, J.; Rubin, P.; Cawlfield, C.; Eisenstein, B. I.; Karliner, I.; Kim, D.; Lowrey, N.; Naik, P.; Selen, M.; White, E. J.; Wiss, J.; Mitchell, R. E.; Shepherd, M. R.; Besson, D.; Pedlar, T. K.; Cronin-Hennessy, D.; Gao, K. Y.; Hietala, J.; Kubota, Y.; Klein, T.; Lang, B. W.; Poling, R.; Scott, A. W.; Smith, A.; Zweber, P.; Dobbs, S.; Metreveli, Z.; Seth, K. K.; Tomaradze, A.; Ernst, J.; Ecklund, K. M.; Severini, H.; Love, W.; Savinov, V.; Aquines, O.; Li, Z.; Lopez, A.; Mehrabyan, S.; Mendez, H.; Ramirez, J.; Huang, G. S.; Miller, D. H.; Pavlunin, V.; Sanghi, B.; Shipsey, I. P. J.; Xin, B.; Adams, G. S.; Anderson, M.; Cummings, J. P.; Danko, I.; Hu, D.; Moziak, B.; Napolitano, J.; He, Q.; Insler, J.; Muramatsu, H.; Park, C. S.; Thorndike, E. H.; Yang, F.; Coan, T. E.; Gao, Y. S.; Artuso, M.; Blusk, S.; Butt, J.; Li, J.; Menaa, N.; Mountain, R.; Nisar, S.; Randrianarivony, K.; Sia, R.; Skwarnicki, T.; Stone, S.; Wang, J. C.; Zhang, K.; Bonvicini, G.; Cinabro, D.; Dubrovin, M.; Lincoln, A.

2007-07-01

We have studied semileptonic B decay to the exclusive charmless states π, ρ/ω, η and η' using the full 15.5fb-1 CLEO Υ(4S) sample, with measurements performed in subregions of phase space to minimize dependence on a priori knowledge of the form factors involved. We find total branching fractions B(B0→π-ℓ+ν)=(1.37±0.15stat±0.11sys)×10-4 and B(B0→ρ-ℓ+ν)=(2.93±0.37stat±0.37sys)×10-4. We find evidence for B+→η'ℓ+ν, with B(B+→η'ℓ+ν)=(2.66±±0.80stat±0.56sys)×10-4 and 1.20×10-4

Gold and copper partitioning in magmatic-hydrothermal systems at 800 °C and 100 MPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frank, Mark R.; Simon, Adam C.; Pettke, Thomas; Candela, Philip A.; Piccoli, Philip M.

2011-05-01

Porphyry-type ore deposits sometimes contain fluid inclusion compositions consistent with the partitioning of copper and gold into vapor relative to coexisting brine at the depositional stage. However, this has not been reproduced experimentally at magmatic conditions. In an attempt to determine the conditions under which copper and gold may partition preferentially into vapor relative to brine at temperatures above the solidus of granitic magmas, we performed experiments at 800 °C, 100 MPa, oxygen fugacity ( fO2sys) buffered by Ni-NiO, and aS2sys fixed at either 3.5 × 10 -2 by using intermediate solid solution-pyrrhotite, or 1.2 × 10 -4 by using intermediate solid solution-pyrrhotite-bornite. The coexisting vapor (˜3 wt.% NaCl eq.) and brine (˜68 wt.% NaCl eq.) were composed initially of NaCl + KCl + HCl + H 2O, with starting HCl set to <1000 μg/g in the aqueous mixture. Synthetic vapor and brine fluid inclusions were trapped at run conditions and subsequently analyzed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Our experiments demonstrate that copper and gold partitioned strongly into the magmatic volatile phase(s) (MVP) (i.e., vapor or brine) relative to a silicate melt over the entire imposed range of aS2sys. Nernst style partition coefficients between coexisting brine (b) and melt (m), D b/m (±1 σ), range from 3.6(±2.2) × 10 1 to 4(±2) × 10 2 for copper and from 1.2(±0.6) × 10 2 to 2.4(±2.4) × 10 3 for gold. Partition coefficients between coexisting vapor (v) and melt, D v/m range from 2.1 ± 0.7 to 18 ± 5 and 7(±3) × 10 1 to 1.6(±1.6) × 10 2 for copper and gold, respectively. Partition coefficients for all experiments between coexisting brine and vapor, D b/v (±1 σ), range from 7(±2) to 1.0(±0.4) × 10 2 and 1.7(±0.2) to 15(±2) for copper and gold, respectively. Observed average D b/v at an aS2sys of 1.2 × 10 -4 were elevated, 95(±5) and 15 ± 1 for copper and gold, respectively, relative to those at the higher aS2sys of 3.5 × 10 -2 where D b/v were 10(±5) for copper and 7(±6) for gold. Thus, there is an inverse relationship between the aS2sys and the D b/v for both copper and gold with increasing aS2sys resulting in a decrease in the D b/v signifying increased importance of the vapor phase for copper and gold transport. This suggests that copper and gold may complex with volatile S-species as well as Cl-species at magmatic conditions, however, none of the experiments of our study at 800 °C and 100 MPa had a D b/v ⩽ 1. We did not directly determine speciation, but infer the existence of some metal-sulfur complexes based on the reported data. We suggest that copper and gold partition preferentially into the brine in most instances at or above the wet solidus. However, in most systems, the mass of vapor is greater than the mass of brine, and vapor transport of copper and gold may become more important in the magmatic environment at higher aS2sys, lower fO2sys, or near the critical point in a salt-water system. A D b/v ⩽ 1 at subsolidus hydrothermal conditions may also occur in response to changes in temperature, fO2sys, aS2sys, and/or acidity. Additionally, both copper and gold were observed to partition into intermediate solid solution and bornite much more strongly than into vapor, brine or silicate melt. This suggests that, although vapor and brine are both efficient at removing copper and gold from a silicate melt, the presence of Cu-Fe sulfides can sequester a substantial portion of the copper and gold contained within a silicate melt if the Cu-Fe sulfides are abundant.

[History of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with proximal dominant involvement (HMSN-P)].

PubMed

Takashima, Hiroshi

2013-01-01

We established a new disease autosomal dominant hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with proximal dominant involvement (HMSNP) in 1997, in Okinawa, Japan. This disease is characterized by proximal dominant neurogenic atrophy with fasciculations, painful muscle cramp, obvious sensory nerve involvement, areflexia, high incidence of elevated creatine kinase levels, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. (MIM %604484). HMSNP is so called or HMSNO (HMSN OKINAWA type),. These clinical features resembled those of Kennedy-Alter-Sung syndrome. Most HMSNP patients have severe muscle atrophy and finally the tracheostomy and artificial ventilation are required. Therefore, we initially thought to classify HMSNP into a subtype of motor neuron disease (MND) like familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) or spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, the general consensus for MND was no sensory involvement. Therefore, as the disease showed severe sensory involvement, we categorized HMSNP in subtype of HMSN at that time. We also reported the pathology of HMSNP, showing severely decreased anterior horn cells, decreased posterior horn cells, and loss of posterior funiculus in the spinal cord.

CO2calc: A User-Friendly Seawater Carbon Calculator for Windows, Mac OS X, and iOS (iPhone)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Robbins, L.L.; Hansen, M.E.; Kleypas, J.A.; Meylan, S.C.

2010-01-01

A user-friendly, stand-alone application for the calculation of carbonate system parameters was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey Florida Shelf Ecosystems Response to Climate Change Project in response to its Ocean Acidification Task. The application, by Mark Hansen and Lisa Robbins, USGS St. Petersburg, FL, Joanie Kleypas, NCAR, Boulder, CO, and Stephan Meylan, Jacobs Technology, St. Petersburg, FL, is intended as a follow-on to CO2SYS, originally developed by Lewis and Wallace (1998) and later modified for Microsoft Excel? by Denis Pierrot (Pierrot and others, 2006). Besides eliminating the need for using Microsoft Excel on the host system, CO2calc offers several improvements on CO2SYS, including: An improved graphical user interface for data entry and results Additional calculations of air-sea CO2 fluxes (for surface water calculations) The ability to tag data with sample name, comments, date, time, and latitude/longitude The ability to use the system time and date and latitude/ longitude (automatic retrieval of latitude and longitude available on iPhone? 3, 3GS, 4, and Windows? hosts with an attached National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA)-enabled GPS) The ability to process multiple files in a batch processing mode An option to save sample information, data input, and calculated results as a comma-separated value (CSV) file for use with Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS,? or other applications An option to export points with geographic coordinates as a KMZ file for viewing and editing in Google EarthTM

Smart Cities Intelligence System (SMACiSYS) Integrating Sensor Web with Spatial Data Infrastructures (sensdi)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharya, D.; Painho, M.

2017-09-01

The paper endeavours to enhance the Sensor Web with crucial geospatial analysis capabilities through integration with Spatial Data Infrastructure. The objective is development of automated smart cities intelligence system (SMACiSYS) with sensor-web access (SENSDI) utilizing geomatics for sustainable societies. There has been a need to develop automated integrated system to categorize events and issue information that reaches users directly. At present, no web-enabled information system exists which can disseminate messages after events evaluation in real time. Research work formalizes a notion of an integrated, independent, generalized, and automated geo-event analysing system making use of geo-spatial data under popular usage platform. Integrating Sensor Web With Spatial Data Infrastructures (SENSDI) aims to extend SDIs with sensor web enablement, converging geospatial and built infrastructure, and implement test cases with sensor data and SDI. The other benefit, conversely, is the expansion of spatial data infrastructure to utilize sensor web, dynamically and in real time for smart applications that smarter cities demand nowadays. Hence, SENSDI augments existing smart cities platforms utilizing sensor web and spatial information achieved by coupling pairs of otherwise disjoint interfaces and APIs formulated by Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) keeping entire platform open access and open source. SENSDI is based on Geonode, QGIS and Java, that bind most of the functionalities of Internet, sensor web and nowadays Internet of Things superseding Internet of Sensors as well. In a nutshell, the project delivers a generalized real-time accessible and analysable platform for sensing the environment and mapping the captured information for optimal decision-making and societal benefit.

CCSDS SOIS Subnetwork Services: A First Reference Implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunes-Lasnet, S.; Notebaert, O.; Farges, P.-Y.; Fowell, S.

2008-08-01

The CCSDS SOIS working groups are developing a range of standards for spacecraft onboard interfaces with the intention of promoting reuse of hardware and software designs across a range of missions while enabling interoperability of onboard systems from diverse sources. The CCSDS SOIS working groups released in June 2007 their red books for both Subnetwork and application support layers. In order to allow the verification of these recommended standards and to pave the way for future implementation onboard spacecrafts, it is essential for these standards to be prototyped on a representative spacecraft platform, to provide valuable feed back to the SOIS working group. A first reference implementation of both Subnetwork and Application Support SOIS services over SpaceWire and Mil-Std-1553 bus is thus being realised by SciSys Ltd and Astrium under an ESA contract.

Design Automation for Streaming Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-16

which are FIFO buffered channels. We develop a process network model for streaming sys - tems (TDFPN) and a hardware description language with built in...and may include an automatic address generator. A complete synthesis sys - tem would provide separate segment operator implementations for every...Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing (ICASSP ’89), pages 988– 991, 1989. [Luk et al., 1997] Wayne Luk, Nabeel Shirazi, and Peter Y. K. Cheung

Psychological Sciences Division 1979 Programs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-11-01

the potential for substantially improving the ONR effectiveness of Navy undersea manipulator sys- tems. Computer aided controls can be used to Report...OPERATOR VIEWING AND CONTROL OF the operator enters control orders) to determine UNDERSEA VEHICLE AND WORK SYS- ihe structure and mode of command inputs...efforts focus upon a class of control-display ele- Current Navy submersible work systems, such as ments common to general purpose undersea work CURV

Pandiculation: nature's way of maintaining the functional integrity of the myofascial system?

PubMed

Bertolucci, Luiz Fernando

2011-07-01

Pandiculation is the involuntary stretching of the soft tissues, which occurs in most animal species and is associated with transitions between cyclic biological behaviors, especially the sleep-wake rhythm (Walusinski, 2006). Yawning is considered a special case of pandiculation that affects the musculature of the mouth, respiratory system and upper spine (Baenninger, 1997). When, as often happens, yawning occurs simultaneously with pandiculation in other body regions (Bertolini and Gessa, 1981; Lehmann, 1979; Urba-Holmgren et al., 1977) the combined behavior is referred to as the stretch-yawning syndrome (SYS). SYS has been associated with the arousal function, as it seems to reset the central nervous system to the waking state after a period of sleep and prepare the animal to respond to environmental stimuli (Walusinski, 2006). This paper explores the hypothesis that the SYS might also have an auto-regulatory role regarding the locomotor system: to maintain the animal's ability to express coordinated and integrated movement by regularly restoring and resetting the structural and functional equilibrium of the myofascial system. It is now recognized that the myofascial system is integrative, linking body parts, as the force of a muscle is transmitted via the fascial structures well beyond the tendonous attachments of the muscle itself (Huijing and Jaspers, 2005). It is argued here that pandiculation might preserve the integrative role of the myofascial system by (a) developing and maintaining appropriate physiological fascial interconnections and (b) modulating the pre-stress state of the myofascial system by regularly activating the tonic musculature. The ideas presented here initially arose from clinical observations during the practice of a manual therapy called Muscular Repositioning (MR) (Bertolucci, 2008; Bertolucci and Kozasa, 2010a; Bertolucci, 2010b). These observations were supplemented by a review of the literature on the subject. A possible link between MR and SYS is presented: The neural reflexes characteristically evoked through MR are reminiscent of SYS, which both suggests that MR might stimulate parts of the SYS reaction, and also points to one of MR's possible mechanisms of action. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of W ± and Z-boson production cross sections in pp collisions at s = 13  TeV with the ATLAS detector

DOE PAGES

Aad, G.

2016-06-15

Measurements of the W ± → ℓ ±ν and Z → ℓ +ℓ - production cross sections (where ℓ ± = e ±, μ ± ) in proton–proton collisions at √s = 13 TeV are presented using data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 81 pb -1. The total inclusive W ±-boson production cross sections times the single-lepton-flavour branching ratios are σmore » $$tot\\atop{W+}$$ =11.83 ± 0.02 (stat)±0.32 (sys)±0.25 (lumi) nb and σ$$tot\\atop{W-}$$=8.79±0.02 (stat)±0.24 (sys)±0.18 (lumi) nb for W + and W -, respectively. The total inclusive Z-boson production cross section times leptonic branching ratio, within the invariant mass window 66 < m ℓℓ <116 GeV, is σ$$tot\\atop{Z}$$ = 1.981±0.007(stat)±0.038(sys)±0.042(lumi) nb. The W +, W ₋, and Z-boson production cross sections and cross-section ratios within a fiducial region defined by the detector acceptance are also measured. The cross-section ratios benefit from significant cancellation of experimental uncertainties, resulting in σ$$fid\\atop{W+}$$/$$fid\\atop{W-}$$ = 1.295 ±0.003(stat)±0.010(sys)and σ$$fid\\atop{W±}$$/σ$$fid\\atop{Z}$$ = 10.31±0.04(stat)±0.20(sys). Theoretical predictions, based on calculations accurate to next-to-next-to-leading order for quantum chromodynamics and to next-to-leading order for electroweak processes and which employ different parton distribution function sets, are compared to these measurements.« less

An assessment of efficient water heating options for an all-electric single family residence in a mixed-humid climate.

PubMed

Balke, Elizabeth C; Healy, William M; Ullah, Tania

2016-12-01

An evaluation of a variety of efficient water heating strategies for an all-electric single family home located in a mixed-humid climate is conducted using numerical modeling. The strategies considered include various combinations of solar thermal, heat pump, and electric resistance water heaters. The numerical model used in the study is first validated against a year of field data obtained on a dual-tank system with a solar thermal preheat tank feeding a heat pump water heater that serves as a backup. Modeling results show that this configuration is the most efficient of the systems studied over the course of a year, with a system coefficient of performance (COP sys ) of 2.87. The heat pump water heater alone results in a COP sys of 1.9, while the baseline resistance water heater has a COP sys of 0.95. Impacts on space conditioning are also investigated by considering the extra energy consumption required of the air source heat pump to remove or add heat from the conditioned space by the water heating system. A modified COP sys that incorporates the heat pump energy consumption shows a significant drop in efficiency for the dual tank configuration since the heat pump water heater draws the most heat from the space in the heating season while the high temperatures in the solar storage tank during the cooling season result in an added heat load to the space. Despite this degradation in the COP sys , the combination of the solar thermal preheat tank and the heat pump water heater is the most efficient option even when considering the impacts on space conditioning.

Value of tissue Doppler-derived Tei index and two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging derived longitudinal strain on predicting outcome of patients with light-chain cardiac amyloidosis.

PubMed

Liu, Dan; Hu, Kai; Herrmann, Sebastian; Cikes, Maja; Ertl, Georg; Weidemann, Frank; Störk, Stefan; Nordbeck, Peter

2017-06-01

Prognosis of patients with light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) is poor. Speckle tracking imaging (STI) derived longitudinal deformation parameters and Doppler-derived left ventricular (LV) Tei index are valuable predictors of outcome in patients with AL-CA. We estimated the prognostic utility of Tei index and deformation parameters in 58 comprehensively phenotyped patients with AL-CA after a median follow-up of 365 days (quartiles 121, 365 days). The primary end point was all-cause mortality. 19 (33%) patients died during follow-up. Tei index (0.89 ± 0.29 vs. 0.61 ± 0.16, p < 0.001) and E to global early diastolic strain rate ratio (E/GLSR dias ) were higher while global longitudinal systolic strain (GLS sys ) was lower in non-survivors than in survivors (all p < 0.05). Tei index, NYHA functional class, GLS sys and E/GLSR dias were independent predictors of all-cause mortality risk, and Tei index ≥0.9 (HR 7.01, 95% CI 2.43-20.21, p < 0.001) was the best predictor of poor outcome. Combining Tei index and GLS sys yielded the best results on predicting death within 1 year (100% with Tei index ≥0.9 and GLS sys ≤13%) or survival (95% with Tei index ≤0.9 and GLS sys ≥13%). We conclude that 1-year mortality risk in AL-CA patients can be reliably predicted using Tei index or deformation parameters, with combined analysis offering best performance.

Mars 2020 Model Based Systems Engineering Pilot

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dukes, Alexandra Marie

2017-01-01

The pilot study is led by the Integration Engineering group in NASA's Launch Services Program (LSP). The Integration Engineering (IE) group is responsible for managing the interfaces between the spacecraft and launch vehicle. This pilot investigates the utility of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) with respect to managing and verifying interface requirements. The main objectives of the pilot are to model several key aspects of the Mars 2020 integrated operations and interface requirements based on the design and verification artifacts from Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and to demonstrate how MBSE could be used by LSP to gain further insight on the interface between the spacecraft and launch vehicle as well as to enhance how LSP manages the launch service. The method used to accomplish this pilot started through familiarization of SysML, MagicDraw, and the Mars 2020 and MSL systems through books, tutorials, and NASA documentation. MSL was chosen as the focus of the model since its processes and verifications translate easily to the Mars 2020 mission. The study was further focused by modeling specialized systems and processes within MSL in order to demonstrate the utility of MBSE for the rest of the mission. The systems chosen were the In-Flight Disconnect (IFD) system and the Mass Properties process. The IFD was chosen as a system of focus since it is an interface between the spacecraft and launch vehicle which can demonstrate the usefulness of MBSE from a system perspective. The Mass Properties process was chosen as a process of focus since the verifications for mass properties occur throughout the lifecycle and can demonstrate the usefulness of MBSE from a multi-discipline perspective. Several iterations of both perspectives have been modeled and evaluated. While the pilot study will continue for another 2 weeks, pros and cons of using MBSE for LSP IE have been identified. A pro of using MBSE includes an integrated view of the disciplines, requirements, and verifications leading up to launch. The model allows IE to understand the relationships between disciplines throughout test activities and verifications. Additionally, the relationships between disciplines and integration tasks are generally consistent. The model allows for the generic relationships and tasks to be captured and used throughout multiple mission models should LSP further pursue MBSE. A con of MBSE is the amount of time it takes upfront to understand MBSE and create a useful model. The upfront time it takes to create a useful model is heavily discussed in MBSE literature and is a consistent con throughout the known applications of MBSE. The need to understand SysML and the software chosen also poses the possibility of a "bottleneck" or one person being the sole MBSE user for the working group. The utility of MBSE will continue to be evaluated through the remainder of the study. In conclusion, the original objectives of the pilot study were to use artifacts from MSL to model key aspects of Mars 2020 and demonstrate how MBSE could be used by LSP to gain insight into the spacecraft and launch vehicle interfaces. Progress has been made in modeling and identifying the utility of MBSE to LSP IE and will continue to be made until the pilot study's conclusion in mid-August. The results of this study will produce initial models, modeling instructions and examples, and a summary of MBSE's utility for future use by LSP.

Study of Exclusive Charmless Semileptonic B Decays and |Vub|

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, N. E.; Alexander, J. P.; Berkelman, K.; Cassel, D. G.; Duboscq, J. E.; Ehrlich, R.; Fields, L.; Gibbons, L.; Gray, R.; Gray, S. W.; Hartill, D. L.; Heltsley, B. K.; Hertz, D.; Jones, C. D.; Kandaswamy, J.; Kreinick, D. L.; Kuznetsov, V. E.; Mahlke-Krüger, H.; Meyer, T. O.; Onyisi, P. U. E.; Patterson, J. R.; Peterson, D.; Pivarski, J.; Riley, D.; Ryd, A.; Sadoff, A. J.; Schwarthoff, H.; Shi, X.; Stroiney, S.; Sun, W. M.; Wilksen, T.; Weinberger, M.; Athar, S. B.; Patel, R.; Potlia, V.; Yelton, J.; Rubin, P.; Cawlfield, C.; Eisenstein, B. I.; Karliner, I.; Kim, D.; Lowrey, N.; Naik, P.; Selen, M.; White, E. J.; Wiss, J.; Mitchell, R. E.; Shepherd, M. R.; Besson, D.; Pedlar, T. K.; Cronin-Hennessy, D.; Gao, K. Y.; Hietala, J.; Kubota, Y.; Klein, T.; Lang, B. W.; Poling, R.; Scott, A. W.; Smith, A.; Zweber, P.; Dobbs, S.; Metreveli, Z.; Seth, K. K.; Tomaradze, A.; Ernst, J.; Ecklund, K. M.; Severini, H.; Love, W.; Savinov, V.; Aquines, O.; Li, Z.; Lopez, A.; Mehrabyan, S.; Mendez, H.; Ramirez, J.; Huang, G. S.; Miller, D. H.; Pavlunin, V.; Sanghi, B.; Shipsey, I. P. J.; Xin, B.; Adams, G. S.; Anderson, M.; Cummings, J. P.; Danko, I.; Hu, D.; Moziak, B.; Napolitano, J.; He, Q.; Insler, J.; Muramatsu, H.; Park, C. S.; Thorndike, E. H.; Yang, F.; Coan, T. E.; Gao, Y. S.; Artuso, M.; Blusk, S.; Butt, J.; Li, J.; Menaa, N.; Mountain, R.; Nisar, S.; Randrianarivony, K.; Sia, R.; Skwarnicki, T.; Stone, S.; Wang, J. C.; Zhang, K.; Bonvicini, G.; Cinabro, D.; Dubrovin, M.; Lincoln, A.; Asner, D. M.; Edwards, K. W.; Briere, R. A.; Ferguson, T.; Tatishvili, G.; Vogel, H.; Watkins, M. E.; Rosner, J. L.

2007-07-01

We study semileptonic B decay to the exclusive charmless states π, ρ/ω, η, and η' using the 16fb-1 CLEO Υ(4S) data sample. We find B(B0→π-ℓ+ν)=(1.37±0.15stat±0.11sys)×10-4 and B(B0→ρ-ℓ+ν)=(2.93±0.37stat±0.37sys)×10-4 and find evidence for B+→η'ℓ+ν, with B(B+→η'ℓ+ν)=(2.66±0.80stat±0.56sys)×10-4. From our B→πℓν rate for q2>16GeV2 and lattice QCD, we find |Vub|=(3.6±0.4stat±0.2syst-0.4thy+0.6)×10-3.

A streamlined collecting and preparation protocol for DNA barcoding of Lepidoptera as part of large-scale rapid biodiversity assessment projects, exemplified by the Indonesian Biodiversity Discovery and Information System (IndoBioSys).

PubMed

Schmidt, Olga; Hausmann, Axel; Cancian de Araujo, Bruno; Sutrisno, Hari; Peggie, Djunijanti; Schmidt, Stefan

2017-01-01

Here we present a general collecting and preparation protocol for DNA barcoding of Lepidoptera as part of large-scale rapid biodiversity assessment projects, and a comparison with alternative preserving and vouchering methods. About 98% of the sequenced specimens processed using the present collecting and preparation protocol yielded sequences with more than 500 base pairs. The study is based on the first outcomes of the Indonesian Biodiversity Discovery and Information System (IndoBioSys). IndoBioSys is a German-Indonesian research project that is conducted by the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin and the Zoologische Staatssammlung München, in close cooperation with the Research Center for Biology - Indonesian Institute of Sciences (RCB-LIPI, Bogor).

Neural Stem Cell Delivery of Therapeutic Antibodies to Treat Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

brain tumors remains dismal. High-grade neoplasms , such as gliomas, are highly invasive and spawn widely disseminated microsatellites that have... myeloproliferative sarcoma virus long terminal repeat negative control region deleted (MND promoter), allows suffi- cient expression in some cell types at a level

Evaluation of Contractor Quality Control of Built-Up Roofing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-10-01

flood coat Mnd surfacing applied. 1144 - -- , -. .. - -. .. . J - - - - .- o 7. APLICATION OF ROOFrNG. 7.1. GKNERA REUIZNTS. The entire roofing...ATTN: Chief, HNDED-M USA-WES 39180 Mobile 36628 ATTN: Chief, HNDED-SR ATTN: C/Structures ATTN: Chief, SA14EN-D Lower Mississippi 39180 ATTN: Soils

Transition from the adiabatic to the sudden limit in core-electron photoemission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hedin, Lars; Michiels, John; Inglesfield, John

1998-12-01

Experimental results for core-electron photoemission Jk(ω) are often compared with the one-electron spectral function Ac(ɛk-ω), where ω is the photon energy, ɛk is the photoelectron energy, and the optical transition matrix elements are taken as constant. Since Jk(ω) is nonzero only for ɛk>0, we must actually compare it with Ac(ɛk-ω)θ(ɛk). For metals Ac(ω) is known to have a quasiparticle (QP) peak with an asymmetric power-law [theories of Mahan, Nozières, de Dominicis, Langreth, and others (MND)] singularity due to low-energy particle-hole excitations. The QP peak starts at the core-electron energy ɛc, and is followed by an extended satellite (shakeup) structure at smaller ω. For photon energies ω just above threshold, ωth=-ɛc, Ac(ɛk-ω)θ(ɛk) as a function of ɛk (ω constant) is cut just behind the quasiparticle peak, and neither the tail of the MND line nor the plasmon satellites are present. The sudden (high-energy) limit is given by a convolution of Ac(ω) and a loss function, i.e., by the Berglund-Spicer two-step expression. Thus Ac(ω) alone does not give the correct photoelectron spectrum, neither at low nor at high energies. We present an extension of the quantum-mechanical (QM) models developed earlier by Inglesfield, and by Bardyszewski and Hedin to calculate Jk(ω). It includes recoil and damping, as well as shakeup effects and extrinsic losses, is exact in the high-energy limit, and allows calculations of Jk(ω) including the MND line and multiple plasmon losses. The model, which involves electrons coupled to quasibosons, is motivated by detailed arguments. As an illustration we have made quantitative calculations for a semi-infinite jellium with the density of aluminum metal and an embedded atom. The coupling functions (fluctuation potentials) between the electron and the quasibosons are related to the random-phase-approximation dielectric function, and different levels of approximations are evaluated numerically. The differences in the predictions for the photoemission spectra are found small. We confirm the finding by Langreth that the BS limit is reached only in the keV range. At no photon energy are the plasmon satellites close to being either purely intrinsic or extrinsic. For photoelectron energies larger than a few times the plasmon energy, a semiclassical approximation gives results very close to our QM model. At lower energies the QM model gives a large peak in the ratio between the total intensity in the first plasmon satellite and the main peak, which is not reproduced by the SC expression. This maximum has a simple physical explanation in terms of different dampings of the electrons in the QP peak and in the satellite. For the MND peak Jk(ω) and Ac(ɛk-ω) agree well for a range of a few eV, and experimental data can thus be used to extract the MND singularity index. For an embedded atom at a small distance from the surface there are, however, substantial deviations from the large-distance limit. Our model is simple enough to perform quantitative calculations allowing for band-structure and surface details.

Reuse-Driven Software Processes Guidebook. Version 02.00.03

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-11-01

a required sys - tem without unduly constraining the details of the solution. The Naval Research Laboratory Software Cost Reduction project developed...conventional manner. The emphasis is still on the development of "one-of-a-kind" sys - tems and the phased completion and review of corresponding...Application Engineering to improve the life-cycle productivity of Sy - 21 OVM ftrdauntals of Syatbes the total software development enterprise. The

The United States Air Force Academy Solar Energy Research

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

controller, ir the solar sy .4tem, is malfunctioning. Put simply, the house will get cold. lf oh cUrs the occupant will notify civil engineering mainte...with this product has been Revere Copper Laminated Panel Sys - trial uses, condenser tubing, electrical of vital assistance in accumulating the tern...Laminated Panel require water temperatures near the additional components Include tubes,. Construction. In the Revere Panel Sys - boiling point,whereas

Response to Letter by Aaron Hanukoglu et al.

PubMed

Turan, Ihsan; Topaloglu, Ali Kemal; Yuksel, Bilgin

2018-05-17

We appreciate the valuable comments on our article by Hanukoglu and Hanukoglu. With regard to cutaneous involvement in systemic pseudohypoaldosteronism (sysPHA), we agree with Hanukoglu and Hanukoglu in that these co-occurrences are not rare. Indeed, in our study, three of four patients with sysPHA1 showed skin manifestations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Meeting the Challenge of Installing Canes During New Ship Construction on LPD 28

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

components making up the SWAN are enclosed in Raytheon-designed hardware systems that meet Military Specification MIL-S-901D Grade B shock...Connected Connected Connected, NRE Connected, Engr Control Sys (ECS), Integrated to segreg; tte NREto Condition Assmt Sys (I CAS) SWAN develop HM&E...Hull Mecllanical & Electrical (HM&E) - COA Connected NA Connected Connected, NRE Connected, Damage Control Action Management Dependent to segreg; tte

Improving SysSim's Planetary Occurrence Rate Estimates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashby, Keir; Ragozzine, Darin; Hsu, Danley; Ford, Eric B.

2017-10-01

Kepler's catalog of thousands of transiting planet candidates enables statistical characterization of the underlying planet occurrence rates as a function of period and radius. Due to geometric factors and general noise in measurements, we know that many planets--especially those with a small-radius and/or long-period--were not observed by Kepler.To account for Kepler's detection criteria, Hsu et al. 2017 expanded on work in Lissuaer et al. 2011 to develop the Planetary System Simulator or "SysSim". SysSim uses a forward model to generate simulated catalogs of exoplanet systems, determine which of those simulated planets would have been seen by Kepler in the presence of uncertainties, and then compares those “observed planets” to those actually seen by Kepler. It then uses Approximate Bayesian Computation to infer the posterior probability distributions of the input parameters used to generate the forward model. In Hsu et al. 2017, we focused on matching the observed frequency of planets by solving for the underlying occurrence rate for each bin in a 2-dimensional grid of radius and period. After summarizing the results of Hsu et al. 2017, we show new results that investigate the effect on occurrence rates from including more accurate completeness products (from the Kepler DR25 analysis) into SysSim.

Expression of tomato prosystemin gene in Arabidopsis reveals systemic translocation of its mRNA and confers necrotrophic fungal resistance.

PubMed

Zhang, Haiyan; Yu, Pengli; Zhao, Jiuhai; Jiang, Hongling; Wang, Haiyang; Zhu, Yingfang; Botella, Miguel A; Šamaj, Jozef; Li, Chuanyou; Lin, Jinxing

2018-01-01

Systemin (SYS), an octadecapeptide hormone processed from a 200-amino-acid precursor (prosystemin, PS), plays a central role in the systemic activation of defense genes in tomato in response to herbivore and pathogen attacks. However, whether PS mRNA is transferable and its role in systemic defense responses remain unknown. We created the transgenic tomato PS gene tagged with the green fluorescent protein (PS-GFP) using a shoot- or root-specific promoter, and the constitutive 35S promoter in Arabidopsis. Subcellular localization of PS-/SYS-GFP was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and gene transcripts were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. In Arabidopsis, PS protein can be processed and SYS is secreted. Shoot-/root-specific expression of PS-GFP in Arabidopsis, and grafting experiments, revealed that the PS mRNA moves in a bi-directional manner. We also found that ectopic expression of PS improves Arabidopsis resistance to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, consistent with substantial upregulation of the transcript levels of specific pathogen-responsive genes. Our results provide novel insights into the multifaceted mechanism of SYS signaling transport and its potential application in genetic engineering for increasing pathogen resistance across diverse plant families. © 2017 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trust.

Python Scripts for Automation of Current-Voltage Testing of Semiconductor Devices (FY17)

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

ARL-TR-7923 ● JAN 2017 US Army Research Laboratory Python Scripts for Automation of Current- Voltage Testing of Semiconductor...manual device-testing procedures is reduced or eliminated through automation. This technical report includes scripts written in Python , version 2.7, used ...nothing. 3.1.9 Exit Program The script exits the entire program. Line 505, sys.exit(), uses the sys package that comes with Python to exit system

GnoSys: Raising the Level of Discourse in Programming

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

slotting these results into their proper place in the unified whole is still ongoing as of the date of this final report. Approved for Public Release...static restrictions we place on type systems; they can be any computable property. This is in keep- ing with the general design philosophy of GnoSys...different languages. Because contracts are frequently placed on module boundaries, they ease the burden placed on our analysis and verification tools

JPRS Report, Soviet Union, Kommunist, No. 18, December 1988.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-03-27

in the republics of Central Asia and, particularly, Uzbekistan so great today? [Revaykin] According to the specialists within the sys - tem of the...traditional management sys - tem reliably duplicates the ASU. Management Paradoxes 18020006g Moscow KOMMUNIST in Russian No 18, Dec 88 (signed to press 5 Dec...even systems department of the casting plant in Nabe - the best in the country which, unfortunately, cannot be rezhnyye Chelny; reprinted from the house

Evaluation of the AFIT Teleteach Expanded Delivery System (TEDS) Method of Instruction for SYS 223 System Program Management.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-03-01

tasterls I4fhesis EIEY SYSTEM (TEDS) ZETHOD OF INSTRUC- ~ - ION FOR SYS 22 J3YSTEX PROGRAM MANAGEMEN .PrFOMN ,7WRWUME // John E.Aie Captain, USAF 3...Hypotheses .. .................. 13 II. METHODOLOGY. ................... 14 Sampling Plan. .................. 14 Student and Faculty Populations ...begins with a discussion of the sampling plan and student and faculty populations . This is followed by an explanation of the experimental design and

Army 86 Cost Sensitivity Analysis Verification.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

NIGHT VIS SI AN/TAS-6 11 P21220 (Z50154) P-A DET SYS AN/USQ-70 24 QUANTITY LINE ITEM NUMBER NOMENCLATURE 26 Q16110 RADAR SET AN/PPS- SALP 54 Q16173...4 W/IMG 48 N04982 NIGHT VIS SI AN/TAS-4 55 NOSOSO NIGHT VIS SI AN/TAS-6 13 P21220 (Z50154) P-A BET SYS AN/USQ-70 -6 Q16110 RADAR SET AN/PPS- SALP 36

Coherent magnon optics in a ferromagnetic spinor Bose-Einstein condensate.

PubMed

Marti, G Edward; MacRae, Andrew; Olf, Ryan; Lourette, Sean; Fang, Fang; Stamper-Kurn, Dan M

2014-10-10

We measure the dispersion relation, gap, and magnetic moment of a magnon in the ferromagnetic F = 1 spinor Bose-Einstein condensate of (87)Rb. From the dispersion relation we measure an average effective mass 1.033(2)(stat)(10)(sys) times the atomic mass, as determined by interfering standing and running coherent magnon waves within the dense and trapped condensed gas. The measured mass is higher than theoretical predictions of mean-field and beyond-mean-field Beliaev theory for a bulk spinor Bose gas with s-wave contact interactions. We observe a magnon energy gap of h × 2.5(1)(stat)(2)(sys) Hz, which is consistent with the predicted effect of magnetic dipole-dipole interactions. These dipolar interactions may also account for the high magnon mass. The effective magnetic moment of -1.04(2)(stat)(8)(sys) times the atomic magnetic moment is consistent with mean-field theory.

Modeling Off-Nominal Behavior in SysML

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Day, John C.; Donahue, Kenneth; Ingham, Michel; Kadesch, Alex; Kennedy, Andrew K.; Post, Ethan

2012-01-01

Specification and development of fault management functionality in systems is performed in an ad hoc way - more of an art than a science. Improvements to system reliability, availability, safety and resilience will be limited without infusion of additional formality into the practice of fault management. Key to the formalization of fault management is a precise representation of off-nominal behavior. Using the upcoming Soil Moisture Active-Passive (SMAP) mission for source material, we have modeled the off-nominal behavior of the SMAP system during its initial spin-up activity, using the System Modeling Language (SysML). In the course of developing these models, we have developed generic patterns for capturing off-nominal behavior in SysML. We show how these patterns provide useful ways of reasoning about the system (e.g., checking for completeness and effectiveness) and allow the automatic generation of typical artifacts (e.g., success trees and FMECAs) used in system analyses.

A streamlined collecting and preparation protocol for DNA barcoding of Lepidoptera as part of large-scale rapid biodiversity assessment projects, exemplified by the Indonesian Biodiversity Discovery and Information System (IndoBioSys)

PubMed Central

Hausmann, Axel; Cancian de Araujo, Bruno; Sutrisno, Hari; Peggie, Djunijanti; Schmidt, Stefan

2017-01-01

Abstract Here we present a general collecting and preparation protocol for DNA barcoding of Lepidoptera as part of large-scale rapid biodiversity assessment projects, and a comparison with alternative preserving and vouchering methods. About 98% of the sequenced specimens processed using the present collecting and preparation protocol yielded sequences with more than 500 base pairs. The study is based on the first outcomes of the Indonesian Biodiversity Discovery and Information System (IndoBioSys). IndoBioSys is a German-Indonesian research project that is conducted by the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin and the Zoologische Staatssammlung München, in close cooperation with the Research Center for Biology – Indonesian Institute of Sciences (RCB-LIPI, Bogor). PMID:29134041

Handwriting, Visuomotor Integration, and Neurological Condition at School Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Hoorn, Jessika F.; Maathuis, Carel G. B.; Peters, Lieke H. J.; Hadders-Algra, Mijna

2010-01-01

Aim: The study investigated the relationships between handwriting, visuomotor integration, and neurological condition. We paid particular attention to the presence of minor neurological dysfunction (MND). Method : Participants were 200 children (131 males, 69 females; age range 8-13y) of whom 118 received mainstream education (mean age 10y 5mo, SD…

An Exploratory Study of Software Cost Estimating at the Electronic Systems Division.

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-07-01

action’. to improve the software cost Sestimating proces., While thin research was limited to the M.nD onvironment, the same types of problema may exist...Methods in Social Science. Now York: Random House, 1969. 57. Smith, Ronald L. Structured Programming Series (Vol. XI) - Estimating Software Project

Effect of kinetic and electronic energy on the reactions of Mn + with H2, HD, and D2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elkind, J. L.; Armentrout, P. B.

1986-05-01

Reactions of several electronic states of Mn+ with H2, HD, and D2 have been examined using guided ion beam mass spectroscopy. The excitation function for the ground state of Mn+(7S) has two regions: one of very low reactivity at threshold and another more efficient pathway at higher energies. In contrast, the 5S and 5D states react efficiently at their thermodynamic thresholds. In reaction with HD, the 5S and 5D states produce ≊3 times as much MnH+ as MnD+ in the threshold region. This isotope effect is similar to that seen in previous studies of transition metal ion reactions. Reaction of Mn+(7S) with HD, on the other hand, exhibits an extreme isotope effect such that MnD+ is formed almost exclusively. The state dependence of the reactivity and reaction mechanisms is explained using simple molecular orbital concepts. The results are analyzed to yield a bond dissociation energy at 0 K for MnH+ of 2.06±0.15 eV (47.5±3.4 kcal/mol).

Structure and DNA-binding of meiosis-specific protein Hop2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Donghua; Moktan, Hem; Pezza, Roberto

2014-03-01

Here we report structure elucidation of the DNA binding domain of homologous pairing protein 2 (Hop2), which is important to gene diversity when sperms and eggs are produced. Together with another protein Mnd1, Hop2 enhances the strand invasion activity of recombinase Dmc1 by over 30 times, facilitating proper synapsis of homologous chromosomes. However, the structural and biochemical bases for the function of Hop2 and Mnd1 have not been well understood. As a first step toward such understanding, we recently solved the structure for the N-terminus of Hop2 (1-84) using solution NMR. This fragment shows a typical winged-head conformation with recognized DNA binding activity. DNA interacting sites were then investigated by chemical shift perturbations in a titration experiment. Information of these sites was used to guide protein-DNA docking with MD simulation, revealing that helix 3 is stably lodged in the DNA major groove and that wing 1 (connecting strands 2 and 3) transiently comes in contact with the minor groove in nanosecond time scale. Mutagenesis analysis further confirmed the DNA binding sites in this fragment of the protein.

Engineered 3D vascular and neuronal networks in a microfluidic platform.

PubMed

Osaki, Tatsuya; Sivathanu, Vivek; Kamm, Roger D

2018-03-26

Neurovascular coupling plays a key role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders including motor neuron disease (MND). In vitro models provide an opportunity to understand the pathogenesis of MND, and offer the potential for drug screening. Here, we describe a new 3D microvascular and neuronal network model in a microfluidic platform to investigate interactions between these two systems. Both 3D networks were established by co-culturing human embryonic stem (ES)-derived MN spheroids and endothelial cells (ECs) in microfluidic devices. Co-culture with ECs improves neurite elongation and neuronal connectivity as measured by Ca 2+ oscillation. This improvement was regulated not only by paracrine signals such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor secreted by ECs but also through direct cell-cell interactions via the delta-notch pathway, promoting neuron differentiation and neuroprotection. Bi-directional signaling was observed in that the neural networks also affected vascular network formation under perfusion culture. This in vitro model could enable investigations of neuro-vascular coupling, essential to understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including MNDs such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A GH-Based Ontology to Support Applications for Automating Decision Support

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-03-01

architecture for a decision support sys - tem. For this reason, it obtains data from, and updates, a database. IDA also wanted the prototype’s architecture...Chief In- formation Officer CoABS Control of Agent Based Sys - tems DBMS Database Management System DoD Department of Defense DTD Document Type...Generic Hub, the Moyeu Générique, and the Generische Nabe , specifying each as a separate service description with property names and values of the GH

Model-Based Verification and Validation of Spacecraft Avionics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khan, M. Omair; Sievers, Michael; Standley, Shaun

2012-01-01

Verification and Validation (V&V) at JPL is traditionally performed on flight or flight-like hardware running flight software. For some time, the complexity of avionics has increased exponentially while the time allocated for system integration and associated V&V testing has remained fixed. There is an increasing need to perform comprehensive system level V&V using modeling and simulation, and to use scarce hardware testing time to validate models; the norm for thermal and structural V&V for some time. Our approach extends model-based V&V to electronics and software through functional and structural models implemented in SysML. We develop component models of electronics and software that are validated by comparison with test results from actual equipment. The models are then simulated enabling a more complete set of test cases than possible on flight hardware. SysML simulations provide access and control of internal nodes that may not be available in physical systems. This is particularly helpful in testing fault protection behaviors when injecting faults is either not possible or potentially damaging to the hardware. We can also model both hardware and software behaviors in SysML, which allows us to simulate hardware and software interactions. With an integrated model and simulation capability we can evaluate the hardware and software interactions and identify problems sooner. The primary missing piece is validating SysML model correctness against hardware; this experiment demonstrated such an approach is possible.

A practitioner-driven research agenda for syndromic surveillance

DOE PAGES

Hopkins, Richard S.; Gunn, Julia; Berezowski, John; ...

2017-05-02

The objective here is to obtain feedback and seek future directions for an ISDS initiative to establish and update research questions in Informatics, Analytics,Communications, and Systems Research with the greatest perceived impact for improving surveillance practice.Introduction Over the past fifteen years, syndromic surveillance (SyS) has evolved from a set of ad hoc methods used mostly in post-disaster settings, then expanded with broad support and development because of bioterrorism concerns, and subsequently evolved to a mature technology that runs continuously to detect and monitor a wide range of health issues. Continued enhancements needed to meet the challenges of novel health threatsmore » with increasingly complex information sources will require technical advances focused on day-to-day public health needs.Since its formation in 2005, the International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS) has sought to clarify and coordinate global priorities in surveillance research. As part of a practitioner-driven initiative to identify current research priorities in SyS, ISDS polled its members about capabilities needed by SyS practitioners that could be improved as a result of research efforts. A taskforce of the ISDS Research Committee, consisting of national and global subject matter experts (SMEs) in SyS and ISDS professional staff, carried out the project. This panel will discuss the results and the preferred means to determine and communicate priorities in the future.« less

Observation of Extended Very High Energy Emission from the Supernova Remnant IC 443 with VERITAS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acciari, V. A.; Aliu, E.; Arlen, T.; Aune, T.; Bautista, M.; Beilicke, M.; Benbow, W.; Bradbury, S. M.; Buckley, J. H.; Bugaev, V.; Butt, Y.; Byrum, K.; Cannon, A.; Celik, O.; Cesarini, A.; Chow, Y. C.; Ciupik, L.; Cogan, P.; Colin, P.; Cui, W.; Daniel, M. K.; Dickherber, R.; Duke, C.; Dwarkadas, V. V.; Ergin, T.; Fegan, S. J.; Finley, J. P.; Finnegan, G.; Fortin, P.; Fortson, L.; Furniss, A.; Gall, D.; Gibbs, K.; Gillanders, G. H.; Godambe, S.; Grube, J.; Guenette, R.; Gyuk, G.; Hanna, D.; Hays, E.; Holder, J.; Horan, D.; Hui, C. M.; Humensky, T. B.; Imran, A.; Kaaret, P.; Karlsson, N.; Kertzman, M.; Kieda, D.; Kildea, J.; Konopelko, A.; Krawczynski, H.; Krennrich, F.; Lang, M. J.; LeBohec, S.; Maier, G.; McCann, A.; McCutcheon, M.; Millis, J.; Moriarty, P.; Ong, R. A.; Otte, A. N.; Pandel, D.; Perkins, J. S.; Pohl, M.; Quinn, J.; Ragan, K.; Reyes, L. C.; Reynolds, P. T.; Roache, E.; Rose, H. J.; Schroedter, M.; Sembroski, G. H.; Smith, A. W.; Steele, D.; Swordy, S. P.; Theiling, M.; Toner, J. A.; Valcarcel, L.; Varlotta, A.; Vassiliev, V. V.; Vincent, S.; Wagner, R. G.; Wakely, S. P.; Ward, J. E.; Weekes, T. C.; Weinstein, A.; Weisgarber, T.; Williams, D. A.; Wissel, S.; Wood, M.; Zitzer, B.

2009-06-01

We present evidence that the very high energy (VHE, E > 100 GeV) gamma-ray emission coincident with the supernova remnant IC 443 is extended. IC 443 contains one of the best studied sites of supernova remnant/molecular cloud interaction and the pulsar wind nebula CXOU J061705.3+222127, both of which are important targets for VHE observations. VERITAS observed IC 443 for 37.9 hr during 2007 and detected emission above 300 GeV with an excess of 247 events, resulting in a significance of 8.3 standard deviations (σ) before trials and 7.5σ after trials in a point-source search. The emission is centered at 6h16m51s + 22°30'11'' (J2000) ±0fdg03stat ± 0fdg08sys, with an intrinsic extension of 0fdg16 ± 0fdg03stat ± 0fdg04sys. The VHE spectrum is well fit by a power law (dN/dE = N 0 × (E/TeV)-Γ) with a photon index of 2.99 ± 0.38stat ± 0.3sys and an integral flux above 300 GeV of (4.63 ± 0.90stat ± 0.93sys) × 10-12 cm-2 s-1. These results are discussed in the context of existing models for gamma-ray production in IC 443.

A practitioner-driven research agenda for syndromic surveillance

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

Hopkins, Richard S.; Gunn, Julia; Berezowski, John

The objective here is to obtain feedback and seek future directions for an ISDS initiative to establish and update research questions in Informatics, Analytics,Communications, and Systems Research with the greatest perceived impact for improving surveillance practice.Introduction Over the past fifteen years, syndromic surveillance (SyS) has evolved from a set of ad hoc methods used mostly in post-disaster settings, then expanded with broad support and development because of bioterrorism concerns, and subsequently evolved to a mature technology that runs continuously to detect and monitor a wide range of health issues. Continued enhancements needed to meet the challenges of novel health threatsmore » with increasingly complex information sources will require technical advances focused on day-to-day public health needs.Since its formation in 2005, the International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS) has sought to clarify and coordinate global priorities in surveillance research. As part of a practitioner-driven initiative to identify current research priorities in SyS, ISDS polled its members about capabilities needed by SyS practitioners that could be improved as a result of research efforts. A taskforce of the ISDS Research Committee, consisting of national and global subject matter experts (SMEs) in SyS and ISDS professional staff, carried out the project. This panel will discuss the results and the preferred means to determine and communicate priorities in the future.« less

A mixed methods evaluation of the maternal-newborn dashboard in Ontario: dashboard attributes, contextual factors, and facilitators and barriers to use: a study protocol.

PubMed

Dunn, Sandra; Sprague, Ann E; Grimshaw, Jeremy M; Graham, Ian D; Taljaard, Monica; Fell, Deshayne; Peterson, Wendy E; Darling, Elizabeth; Harrold, JoAnn; Smith, Graeme N; Reszel, Jessica; Lanes, Andrea; Truskoski, Carolyn; Wilding, Jodi; Weiss, Deborah; Walker, Mark

2016-05-04

There are wide variations in maternal-newborn care practices and outcomes across Ontario. To help institutions and care providers learn about their own performance, the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario has implemented an audit and feedback system, the Maternal-Newborn Dashboard (MND), for all hospitals providing maternal-newborn care. The dashboard provides (1) near real-time feedback, with site-specific and peer comparison data about six key performance indicators; (2) a visual display of evidence-practice gaps related to the indicators; and (3) benchmarks to provide direction for practice change. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the dashboard, dashboard attributes, contextual factors, and facilitation/support needs that influence the use of this audit and feedback system to improve performance. The objectives of this study are to (1) evaluate the effect of implementing the dashboard across Ontario; (2) explore factors that potentially explain differences in the use of the MND among hospitals; (3) measure factors potentially associated with differential effectiveness of the MND; and (4) identify factors that predict differences in hospital performance. A mixed methods design includes (1) an interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the effect of the intervention on six indicators, (2) key informant interviews with a purposeful sample of directors/managers from up to 20 maternal-newborn care hospitals to explore factors that influence the use of the dashboard, (3) a provincial survey of obstetrical directors/managers from all maternal-newborn hospitals in the province to measure factors that influence the use of the dashboard, and (4) a multivariable generalized linear mixed effects regression analysis of the indicators at each hospital to quantitatively evaluate the change in practice following implementation of the dashboard and to identify factors most predictive of use. Study results will provide essential data to develop knowledge translation strategies for facilitating practice change, which can be further evaluated through a future cluster randomized trial.

Vpx overcomes a SAMHD1-independent block to HIV reverse transcription that is specific to resting CD4 T cells.

PubMed

Baldauf, Hanna-Mari; Stegmann, Lena; Schwarz, Sarah-Marie; Ambiel, Ina; Trotard, Maud; Martin, Margarethe; Burggraf, Manja; Lenzi, Gina M; Lejk, Helena; Pan, Xiaoyu; Fregoso, Oliver I; Lim, Efrem S; Abraham, Libin; Nguyen, Laura A; Rutsch, Frank; König, Renate; Kim, Baek; Emerman, Michael; Fackler, Oliver T; Keppler, Oliver T

2017-03-07

Early after entry into monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and resting CD4 T cells, HIV encounters a block, limiting reverse transcription (RT) of the incoming viral RNA genome. In this context, dNTP triphosphohydrolase SAM domain and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) has been identified as a restriction factor, lowering the concentration of dNTP substrates to limit RT. The accessory lentiviral protein X (Vpx) proteins from the major simian immunodeficiency virus of rhesus macaque, sooty mangabey, and HIV-2 (SIVsmm/SIVmac/HIV-2) lineage packaged into virions target SAMHD1 for proteasomal degradation, increase intracellular dNTP pools, and facilitate HIV cDNA synthesis. We find that virion-packaged Vpx proteins from a second SIV lineage, SIV of red-capped mangabeys or mandrills (SIVrcm/mnd-2), increased HIV infection in resting CD4 T cells, but not in macrophages, and, unexpectedly, acted in the absence of SAMHD1 degradation, dNTP pool elevation, or changes in SAMHD1 phosphorylation. Vpx rcm/mnd-2 virion incorporation resulted in a dramatic increase of HIV-1 RT intermediates and viral cDNA in infected resting CD4 T cells. These analyses also revealed a barrier limiting HIV-1 infection of resting CD4 T cells at the level of nuclear import. Single amino acid changes in the SAMHD1-degrading Vpx mac239 allowed it to enhance early postentry steps in a Vpx rcm/mnd-2-like fashion. Moreover, Vpx enhanced HIV-1 infection of SAMHD1-deficient resting CD4 T cells of a patient with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. These results indicate that Vpx, in addition to SAMHD1, overcomes a previously unappreciated restriction for lentiviruses at the level of RT that acts independently of dNTP concentrations and is specific to resting CD4 T cells.

Identifying and addressing the support needs of family caregivers of people with motor neurone disease using the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool.

PubMed

Aoun, Samar M; Deas, Kathleen; Kristjanson, Linda J; Kissane, David W

2017-02-01

Family caregivers of people with motor neurone disease (MND) experience adverse health outcomes as a result of their caregiving experience. This may be alleviated if their support needs are identified and addressed in a systematic and timely manner. The objective of the present study was to assess the feasibility and relevance of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) in home-based care during the period of caregiving from the perspectives of the family caregivers of people with MND and their service providers. The study was conducted during 2014 in Western Australia. Some 30 family caregivers and 4 care advisors participated in trialing the CSNAT intervention, which involved two visits from care advisors (6-8 weeks apart) to identify and address support needs. The feedback from family caregivers was obtained via telephone interviews and that of care advisors via a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 24 caregivers completed the study (80% completion rate) and identified the highest support priorities as "knowing what to expect in the future," "knowing who to contact if concerned," and "equipment to help care." The majority found that this assessment process adequately addressed their needs and gave them a sense of validation, reassurance, and empowerment. Care advisors advocated the CSNAT approach as an improvement over standard practice, allowing them to more clearly assess needs, to offer a more structured follow-up, and to focus on the caregiver and family. The CSNAT approach for identifying and addressing family caregivers' support needs was found to be relevant and feasible by MND family caregivers and care advisors. The tool provided a formal structure to facilitate discussions with family caregivers and thus enable needs to be addressed. Such discussions can also inform an evidence base for the ongoing development of services, ensuring that new and improved services are designed to meet the explicit needs of the family caregivers of people with a motor neurone disease.

PSR J0007+7303 in the CTA1I Supenova Remnant: New Gamma-Ray Results from Two Years of Fermi Large Area Telescope Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abdo, A.; Wood, K.; DeCesar, M.; Gargano, F.; Giordano, F.; Ray, P. S.; Parent, D.; Harding, A.; Coleman, M.; Wood, D. L.;

Influence of human activities and organic matters on occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in marine sediment core: A case study in the Southern Yellow Sea, China.

PubMed

Wang, Guoguang; Feng, Lijuan; Qi, Jingshuai; Li, Xianguo

2017-12-01

The Southern Yellow Sea (SYS) is an important reservoir of anthropogenic organic contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). To reconstruct the historical records of PBDEs and examine their relationships with the human activities and organic matters, a 210 Pb-dated sediment core was collected from the central mud area in the SYS. The concentrations of tri-to hepta-BDEs (∑ 7 PBDEs) and BDE-209 ranged from 9.8 to 99.8 pg g -1 d.w. and from 12.1 to 855.4 pg g -1 d.w., respectively, both displaying the increasing trends from the bottom to the surface. More importantly, there was a faster increase for PBDEs since the 1990s, especially for BDE-209, which responded well with the rapid economic growth, and the increases of urbanization and industrialization in the local areas of the SYS. The analogously vertical patterns and significant relationships between PBDEs and total organic carbon (TOC) implied the TOC-dependent deposition of PBDEs in the core. Furthermore, multiple biomarker-based proxies of terrestrial organic matter (TOM) and marine organic matter (MOM) were introduced to systematically investigate the different effects of TOM and MOM on PBDE deposition in the SYS. The similarly down-core profiles and significant correlations were found between PBDEs and the MOM proxies (sum of rassicasterol, dinosterol and C 37 alkenones (∑A + B + D) and marine TOC) as well as the branched and isoprenoid tetraether (BIT), but not for TOM proxies (∑C 27 +C 29 +C 31 n-alkanes, terrestrial and marine biomarker ratio (TMBR) and terrestrial TOC), indicating that MOM was an important factor driving PBDE deposition in the sediment core from the SYS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Prospective, Randomized Trial of Intravenous Hydroxocobalamin Versus Whole Blood Transfusion Compared to No Treatment for Class III Hemorrhagic Shock Resuscitation in a Prehospital Swine Model

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

statistically significant increase in systemic vascular resistance compared to control, but not whole blood, with a concomitant decrease in cardiac...increasing blood pressure as well as sys- temic vascular resistance in a hypovolemic hemorrhagic swine model.18 The primary hypothesis of this study is...output, sys- temic vascular resistance , mixed venous oxygen satura- tion, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and core temperature. The

Complete Development and Implement AFIT/ENG Database Management System. Volume 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

graphic depiction of the sys - ten specification that identifies inputs, desired outputs, and data transformations. This usually leads to the definition and...DATA-SET-NAME-TLME DRIVE=01,5000,DUI DATA-SET-NAME=BLRM DRIVE=02,5000, DUI DATA-SET- NAbE =CPTY DRIVE=03,5000 ,DUI L-1 DATA-SET-NAME=DAYS DRIVE=-04...DEC), the Form Manageent Sys - tern (FMS). It is designed for ease of formulation and form simulation in order to collect and transmit data in an

The Preliminary Personnel Data Base Design for the Indonesian Navy.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

external, which influence the * validity and success of this planning. Internal factors include all the problems which relate to the personnel sys - ton...the SIP-TNI-AL (Navy MIS) [Ref. 10], sys - *l tea’s users include the following: 1. Headquarters level: a) Manager level, b) Staff level, c) Central...Angeles: universTy -| ofcalizoara, April 1970. 10. Nabes TNI-AL ZiIT1a 11. Malone Joh S and Robert P. Thor of he Hhi!brator esearch Report SRR7

Annual Report on Electronics Research at the University of Texas at Austin. Appendix-JSEP Sponsored Publications

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-02-14

screening and significantly larger than that of majority electrons. plasmon-phonon coupling in the two-band hole sys - C! Later, Monte-Carlo simulations of...potential application to other laser sys - versus drive current for three cases; a nonlasing device tems as well. with no gain saturation, gain saturation...SAKU1, K,, HASEGAWA, T., FUSE, T., SMITA. T., ARITOME, S., WATA- were identically processed as the type A devices except for a NABE , $., 0HUCHI. K

Organizational Implications of the U.S. Army’s Increasing Demand for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Capabilities

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-05-22

Washington D.C: Government Printing Office, 1976), 1-1 to 1-5. 43 Ibid, 2-1 to 2-32. 16 “orchestrated ballet of farm implements.”44 The Army’s...Orchestrated Ballet of Farm Implements”, Engineer Bulletin, August 1996, http://fas.org/man/dod 101/sys/land/docs /960800-greene2.htm (accessed 5 April...An Alternative to the Orchestrated Ballet of Farm Implements” Engineer Bulletin (August 1996), http://fas.org/man/dod_101/sys/land/docs/960800

The Effects of Motor Neurone Disease on Language: Further Evidence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bak, Thomas H.; Hodges, John R.

2004-01-01

It might sound surprising that Motor Neurone Disease (MND), regarded still by many as the very example of a neurodegenerative disease affecting selectively the motor system and sparing the sensory functions as well as cognition, can have a significant influence on language. In this article we hope to demonstrate that language dysfunction is not…

Measurement of the electron neutrino charged-current interaction rate on water with the T2K ND280 π0 detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, K.; Adam, J.; Aihara, H.; Andreopoulos, C.; Aoki, S.; Ariga, A.; Assylbekov, S.; Autiero, D.; Barbi, M.; Barker, G. J.; Barr, G.; Bartet-Friburg, P.; Bass, M.; Batkiewicz, M.; Bay, F.; Berardi, V.; Berger, B. E.; Berkman, S.; Bhadra, S.; Blaszczyk, F. d. M.; Blondel, A.; Bolognesi, S.; Bordoni, S.; Boyd, S. B.; Brailsford, D.; Bravar, A.; Bronner, C.; Buchanan, N.; Calland, R. G.; Caravaca Rodríguez, J.; Cartwright, S. L.; Castillo, R.; Catanesi, M. G.; Cervera, A.; Cherdack, D.; Chikuma, N.; Christodoulou, G.; Clifton, A.; Coleman, J.; Coleman, S. J.; Collazuol, G.; Connolly, K.; Cremonesi, L.; Dabrowska, A.; Das, R.; Davis, S.; de Perio, P.; De Rosa, G.; Dealtry, T.; Dennis, S. R.; Densham, C.; Dewhurst, D.; Di Lodovico, F.; Di Luise, S.; Dolan, S.; Drapier, O.; Duffy, K.; Dumarchez, J.; Dytman, S.; Dziewiecki, M.; Emery-Schrenk, S.; Ereditato, A.; Escudero, L.; Feusels, T.; Finch, A. J.; Fiorentini, G. A.; Friend, M.; Fujii, Y.; Fukuda, Y.; Furmanski, A. P.; Galymov, V.; Garcia, A.; Giffin, S.; Giganti, C.; Gilje, K.; Goeldi, D.; Golan, T.; Gonin, M.; Grant, N.; Gudin, D.; Hadley, D. R.; Haegel, L.; Haesler, A.; Haigh, M. D.; Hamilton, P.; Hansen, D.; Hara, T.; Hartz, M.; Hasegawa, T.; Hastings, N. C.; Hayashino, T.; Hayato, Y.; Helmer, R. L.; Hierholzer, M.; Hignight, J.; Hillairet, A.; Himmel, A.; Hiraki, T.; Hirota, S.; Holeczek, J.; Horikawa, S.; Hosomi, F.; Huang, K.; Ichikawa, A. K.; Ieki, K.; Ieva, M.; Ikeda, M.; Imber, J.; Insler, J.; Irvine, T. J.; Ishida, T.; Ishii, T.; Iwai, E.; Iwamoto, K.; Iyogi, K.; Izmaylov, A.; Jacob, A.; Jamieson, B.; Jiang, M.; Johnson, S.; Jo, J. H.; Jonsson, P.; Jung, C. K.; Kabirnezhad, M.; Kaboth, A. C.; Kajita, T.; Kakuno, H.; Kameda, J.; Kanazawa, Y.; Karlen, D.; Karpikov, I.; Katori, T.; Kearns, E.; Khabibullin, M.; Khotjantsev, A.; Kielczewska, D.; Kikawa, T.; Kilinski, A.; Kim, J.; King, S.; Kisiel, J.; Kitching, P.; Kobayashi, T.; Koch, L.; Koga, T.; Kolaceke, A.; Konaka, A.; Kopylov, A.; Kormos, L. L.; Korzenev, A.; Koshio, Y.; Kropp, W.; Kubo, H.; Kudenko, Y.; Kurjata, R.; Kutter, T.; Lagoda, J.; Lamont, I.; Larkin, E.; Laveder, M.; Lawe, M.; Lazos, M.; Lindner, T.; Lister, C.; Litchfield, R. P.; Longhin, A.; Lopez, J. P.; Ludovici, L.; Magaletti, L.; Mahn, K.; Malek, M.; Manly, S.; Marino, A. D.; Marteau, J.; Martin, J. F.; Martins, P.; Martynenko, S.; Maruyama, T.; Matveev, V.; Mavrokoridis, K.; Mazzucato, E.; McCarthy, M.; McCauley, N.; McFarland, K. S.; McGrew, C.; Mefodiev, A.; Metelko, C.; Mezzetto, M.; Mijakowski, P.; Miller, C. A.; Minamino, A.; Mineev, O.; Mine, S.; Missert, A.; Miura, M.; Moriyama, S.; Mueller, Th. A.; Murakami, A.; Murdoch, M.; Murphy, S.; Myslik, J.; Nakadaira, T.; Nakahata, M.; Nakamura, K. G.; Nakamura, K.; Nakayama, S.; Nakaya, T.; Nakayoshi, K.; Nantais, C.; Nielsen, C.; Nirkko, M.; Nishikawa, K.; Nishimura, Y.; Nowak, J.; O'Keeffe, H. M.; Ohta, R.; Okumura, K.; Okusawa, T.; Oryszczak, W.; Oser, S. M.; Ovsyannikova, T.; Owen, R. A.; Oyama, Y.; Palladino, V.; Palomino, J. L.; Paolone, V.; Payne, D.; Perevozchikov, O.; Perkin, J. D.; Petrov, Y.; Pickard, L.; Pinzon Guerra, E. S.; Pistillo, C.; Plonski, P.; Poplawska, E.; Popov, B.; Posiadala-Zezula, M.; Poutissou, J.-M.; Poutissou, R.; Przewlocki, P.; Quilain, B.; Radicioni, E.; Ratoff, P. N.; Ravonel, M.; Rayner, M. A. M.; Redij, A.; Reeves, M.; Reinherz-Aronis, E.; Riccio, C.; Rodrigues, P. A.; Rojas, P.; Rondio, E.; Roth, S.; Rubbia, A.; Ruterbories, D.; Rychter, A.; Sacco, R.; Sakashita, K.; Sánchez, F.; Sato, F.; Scantamburlo, E.; Scholberg, K.; Schoppmann, S.; Schwehr, J. D.; Scott, M.; Seiya, Y.; Sekiguchi, T.; Sekiya, H.; Sgalaberna, D.; Shah, R.; Shaikhiev, A.; Shaker, F.; Shaw, D.; Shiozawa, M.; Short, S.; Shustrov, Y.; Sinclair, P.; Smith, B.; Smy, M.; Sobczyk, J. T.; Sobel, H.; Sorel, M.; Southwell, L.; Stamoulis, P.; Steinmann, J.; Suda, Y.; Suzuki, A.; Suzuki, K.; Suzuki, S. Y.; Suzuki, Y.; Tacik, R.; Tada, M.; Takahashi, S.; Takeda, A.; Takeuchi, Y.; Tanaka, H. K.; Tanaka, H. A.; Tanaka, M. M.; Terhorst, D.; Terri, R.; Thompson, L. F.; Thorley, A.; Tobayama, S.; Toki, W.; Tomura, T.; Touramanis, C.; Tsukamoto, T.; Tzanov, M.; Uchida, Y.; Vacheret, A.; Vagins, M.; Vasseur, G.; Wachala, T.; Wakamatsu, K.; Walter, C. W.; Wark, D.; Warzycha, W.; Wascko, M. O.; Weber, A.; Wendell, R.; Wilkes, R. J.; Wilking, M. J.; Wilkinson, C.; Williamson, Z.; Wilson, J. R.; Wilson, R. J.; Wongjirad, T.; Yamada, Y.; Yamamoto, K.; Yanagisawa, C.; Yano, T.; Yen, S.; Yershov, N.; Yokoyama, M.; Yoo, J.; Yoshida, K.; Yuan, T.; Yu, M.; Zalewska, A.; Zalipska, J.; Zambelli, L.; Zaremba, K.; Ziembicki, M.; Zimmerman, E. D.; Zito, M.; Żmuda, J.; T2K Collaboration

2015-06-01

This paper presents a measurement of the charged current interaction rate of the electron neutrino beam component of the beam above 1.5 GeV using the large fiducial mass of the T2K π0 detector. The predominant portion of the νe flux (˜85 % ) at these energies comes from kaon decays. The measured ratio of the observed beam interaction rate to the predicted rate in the detector with water targets filled is 0.89 ±0.08 (stat)±0.11 (sys) , and with the water targets emptied is 0.90 ±0.09 (stat)±0.13 (sys) . The ratio obtained for the interactions on water only from an event subtraction method is 0.87 ±0.33 (stat)±0.21 (sys) . This is the first measurement of the interaction rate of electron neutrinos on water, which is particularly of interest to experiments with water Cherenkov detectors.

A concept for routine emergency-care data-based syndromic surveillance in Europe.

PubMed

Ziemann, A; Rosenkötter, N; Garcia-Castrillo Riesgo, L; Schrell, S; Kauhl, B; Vergeiner, G; Fischer, M; Lippert, F K; Krämer, A; Brand, H; Krafft, T

2014-11-01

We developed a syndromic surveillance (SyS) concept using emergency dispatch, ambulance and emergency-department data from different European countries. Based on an inventory of sub-national emergency data availability in 12 countries, we propose framework definitions for specific syndromes and a SyS system design. We tested the concept by retrospectively applying cumulative sum and spatio-temporal cluster analyses for the detection of local gastrointestinal outbreaks in four countries and comparing the results with notifiable disease reporting. Routine emergency data was available daily and electronically in 11 regions, following a common structure. We identified two gastrointestinal outbreaks in two countries; one was confirmed as a norovirus outbreak. We detected 1/147 notified outbreaks. Emergency-care data-based SyS can supplement local surveillance with near real-time information on gastrointestinal patients, especially in special circumstances, e.g. foreign tourists. It most likely cannot detect the majority of local gastrointestinal outbreaks with few, mild or dispersed cases.

Sonification of Climate Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, Katharina; Visda, Goudarzi

2013-04-01

Sonification is the acoustic analogue of data visualization and takes advantage of human perceptual and cognitive capabilities. The amount of data being processed today is steadily increasing, and both scientists and society need new ways to understand scientific data and their implications. Sonification is especially suited to the preliminary exploration of complex, dynamic, and multidimensional data sets, as can be found in climate science. In the research project SysSon (https://sysson.kug.ac.at/), we apply a systematic approach to design sonifications to climate data. In collaboration with the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change (http://www.wegcenter.at/) we assessed the metaphors climate scientists use and their typical workflows, and chose data sets where sonification has high potential revealing new phenomena. This background will be used to develop an audio interface which is directly linked to the visualization interfaces for data analysis the scientists use today. The protoype will be evaluated according to its functionality, intuitivity for climate scientists, and aesthetic criteria. In the current stage of the project, conceptual links between climate science and sound have been elaborated and first sonification designs have been developed. The research is mainly carried out at the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics (http://iem.kug.ac.at/), which has extensive experience in interactive sonification with multidimensional data sets.

Exploring model based engineering for large telescopes: getting started with descriptive models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karban, R.; Zamparelli, M.; Bauvir, B.; Koehler, B.; Noethe, L.; Balestra, A.

2008-07-01

Large telescopes pose a continuous challenge to systems engineering due to their complexity in terms of requirements, operational modes, long duty lifetime, interfaces and number of components. A multitude of decisions must be taken throughout the life cycle of a new system, and a prime means of coping with complexity and uncertainty is using models as one decision aid. The potential of descriptive models based on the OMG Systems Modeling Language (OMG SysMLTM) is examined in different areas: building a comprehensive model serves as the basis for subsequent activities of soliciting and review for requirements, analysis and design alike. Furthermore a model is an effective communication instrument against misinterpretation pitfalls which are typical of cross disciplinary activities when using natural language only or free-format diagrams. Modeling the essential characteristics of the system, like interfaces, system structure and its behavior, are important system level issues which are addressed. Also shown is how to use a model as an analysis tool to describe the relationships among disturbances, opto-mechanical effects and control decisions and to refine the control use cases. Considerations on the scalability of the model structure and organization, its impact on the development process, the relation to document-centric structures, style and usage guidelines and the required tool chain are presented.

The advanced EctoSys electrolysis as an integral part of a ballast water treatment system.

PubMed

Echardt, J; Kornmueller, A

2009-01-01

A full-scale 500 m(3)/h ballast water treatment system was tested according to the landbased type approval procedure of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The system consists of disc filters followed by the advanced EctoSys electrolysis as an integral part for disinfection. The test water quality exceeded by far the minimum requirements for type approval testing. Due to the properties of the special electrodes used together with the striking disinfection effect, the disinfectants assumed to be produced inline by the EctoSys cell in river water were hydroxyl radicals, while in brackish water additionally chlorine and consequently the more stable bromine were formed. In river water, no residual oxidants could be detected in accordance with the assumed production of not responding, highly-reactive and short-living hydroxyl radicals. Accordingly, disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation was very low and close to the limit of quantification in river water. While in brackish water, initial residual oxidant concentrations were maximum 2 mg/L as chlorine and mostly brominated DBP (especially bromoform and bromate) were found. Overall considering this worst case test approach, the DBP concentrations of the treated effluents were below or in the range of the WHO Drinking Water Guideline values and therefore evaluated as acceptable for discharge to the environment. The stringent discharge standard by IMO concerning viable organisms was fully met in river and brackish water, proving the disinfection efficiency of the EctoSys electrolysis against smaller plankton and bacteria.

[Spatial heterogeneity in body condition of small yellow croaker in Yellow Sea and East China Sea based on mixed-effects model and quantile regression analysis].

PubMed

Liu, Zun-Lei; Yuan, Xing-Wei; Yan, Li-Ping; Yang, Lin-Lin; Cheng, Jia-Hua

2013-09-01

By using the 2008-2010 investigation data about the body condition of small yellow croaker in the offshore waters of southern Yellow Sea (SYS), open waters of northern East China Sea (NECS), and offshore waters of middle East China Sea (MECS), this paper analyzed the spatial heterogeneity of body length-body mass of juvenile and adult small yellow croakers by the statistical approaches of mean regression model and quantile regression model. The results showed that the residual standard errors from the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and the linear mixed-effects model were similar, and those from the simple linear regression were the highest. For the juvenile small yellow croakers, their mean body mass in SYS and NECS estimated by the mixed-effects mean regression model was higher than the overall average mass across the three regions, while the mean body mass in MECS was below the overall average. For the adult small yellow croakers, their mean body mass in NECS was higher than the overall average, while the mean body mass in SYS and MECS was below the overall average. The results from quantile regression indicated the substantial differences in the allometric relationships of juvenile small yellow croakers between SYS, NECS, and MECS, with the estimated mean exponent of the allometric relationship in SYS being 2.85, and the interquartile range being from 2.63 to 2.96, which indicated the heterogeneity of body form. The results from ANCOVA showed that the allometric body length-body mass relationships were significantly different between the 25th and 75th percentile exponent values (F=6.38, df=1737, P<0.01) and the 25th percentile and median exponent values (F=2.35, df=1737, P=0.039). The relationship was marginally different between the median and 75th percentile exponent values (F=2.21, df=1737, P=0.051). The estimated body length-body mass exponent of adult small yellow croakers in SYS was 3.01 (10th and 95th percentiles = 2.77 and 3.1, respectively). The estimated body length-body mass relationships were significantly different from the lower and upper quantiles of the exponent (F=3.31, df=2793, P=0.01) and the median and upper quantiles (F=3.56, df=2793, P<0.01), while no significant difference was observed between the lower and median quantiles (F=0.98, df=2793, P=0.43).

Pasture-derived greenhouse gas emissions in cow-calf production systems.

PubMed

Chiavegato, M B; Powers, W J; Carmichael, D; Rowntree, J E

2015-03-01

There is a lack of information regarding carbon dioxide (CO), methane (CH), and nitrous oxide (NO) emissions from pasture soils and the effects of grazing. The objective of this study was to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes from pasture soils grazed with cow-calf pairs managed with different stocking rates and densities. The central hypothesis was that irrigated low-density stocking systems (SysB) would result in greater GHG emissions from pasture soils than nonirrigated high-density stocking systems (SysA) and grazing-exclusion (GRE) pasture sites. The nonirrigated high-density stocking systems consisted of 120 cow-calf pairs rotating on a total of 120 ha (stocking rate 1 cow/ha, stocking density 112,000 kg BW/ha, rest period of 60 to 90 d). The irrigated low-density stocking systems consisted of 64 cow-calf pairs rotating on a total of 26 ha of pasture (stocking rate 2.5 cows/ha, stocking density 32,700 kg BW/ha, rest period of 18 to 30 d). Both systems consisted of mixed cool-season grass-legume pastures. Static chambers were randomly placed for collection of CO, CH, and NO samples. Soil temperature (ST), ambient temperature (temperature inside the chamber; AT), and soil water content (WC) were monitored and considered explanatory variables for GHG emissions. GHG fluxes were monitored for 3 yr (2011 to 2013) at the beginning (P1) and at the end (P2) of the grazing season, always postgrazing. Paddock was the experimental unit (3 pseudoreplicates per treatment), and chambers (30 chambers per paddock) were considered multiple measurements of each experimental unit. A completely randomized design considered the term year × period as a repeated measure and chamber nested within paddock and treatment as the random term. Generally, SysB had greater CO emissions than SysA and GRE pasture sites across years and periods ( < 0.01). Soil temperature, AT, and WC had effects on CO emissions. Methane and NO emissions were observed from pasture sites of the 3 systems, but the effect of grazing was not constantly significant for CH and NO emissions. In addition, ST, AT, and WC did not conclusively explain CH and NO emissions. No clear trade-offs between GHG were observed; generally, GHG emissions increased from 2011 to 2013, which was likely associated with weather conditions, such as higher daily temperature and precipitation events. The central hypothesis that SysB would result in greater GHG emissions from pasture soils than SysA and GRE was not confirmed.

Analysis of Ticonderoga Class Cruiser Operating Targets for Other Consumables, Repair Parts, and Administrative Expenditures

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

ASSEMBLY 012219456 $27,221 3 0 3 $81,663 5.40 0.00 PUMP UNIT, CENTRIFUG 013622973 $7,614 14 5 9 $68,526 7.05 4.01 AMPLIFIER, AUDIO FRE 013173676...COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY 011979826 $6,335 13 6 2.36 1.35 PUMP UNIT, CENTRIFUGAL * 013622973 $25,830 9 8 6.65 7.32 DRUM, INNER 012510574 $60,789 1 2 1.74...CLOSE-IN WEAPON SYSTEM NOMENCLATURE NIIN UNIT COST PAC DMD LANT DMD % OF PAC SYS EXP % OF LANT SYS EXP PUMP UNIT, CENTRIFUG * 013622973

Baseline Design of a 5-7 kJ KrF Laser Facility for Direct Illumination ICF Experiments.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-12-31

energies of 5-7 kJ, pulsewidths 5 ns, and broadband (> 20 45) capabilities, the proposed sys - tem is intended primarily for laser-plasma experiments...optics with mounts and align- ment hardware, (3) building, (4) chamber system, (5) oscillator, (6) I.S.I. array, and (7) control sys - tem. Each component...hence, for a spherical mirror, 2 - COA 3pDG (B14) NABE - NOMA 16f2?( Astigmatisnr~ (78)MAx 2CID92 -- (VL8)mlN; hence, for either a spherical mirror or

The Simultaneous Additive and Relative SysRem Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ofir, A.

2011-02-01

We present the SARS algorithm, which is a generalization of the popular SysRem detrending technique. This generalization allows including multiple external parameters in a simultaneous solution with the unknown effects. Using SARS allowed us to show that the magnitude-dependant systematic effect discovered by Mazeh et al. (2009) in the CoRoT data is probably caused by an additive -rather than relative- noise source. A post-processing scheme based on SARS performs well and indeed allows for the detection of new transit-like signals that were not previously detected.

Process Based on SysML for New Launchers System and Software Developments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiron, Emmanuel; Miramont, Philippe

2010-08-01

The purpose of this paper is to present the Astrium-ST engineering process based on SysML. This process is currently set-up in the frame of common CNES /Astrium-ST R&T studies related to the Ariane 5 electrical system and flight software modelling. The tool used to set up this process is Rhapsody release 7.3 from IBM-Software firm [1]. This process focuses on the system engineering phase dedicated to Software with the objective to generate both System documents (sequential system design and flight control) and Software specifications.

Review of Indigenous Health Curriculum in Nutrition and Dietetics at One Australian University: An Action Research Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Annabelle M.; Mehta, Kaye; Miller, Jacqueline; Yaxley, Alison; Thomas, Jolene; Jackson, Kathryn; Wray, Amanda; Miller, Michelle D.

2015-01-01

This article describes a review undertaken in 2012-2013 by Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, to assess the Indigenous health curriculum of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (BND) and Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics (MND). An action research framework was used to guide and inform inquiry. This involved four stages, each of…

Optimal sampling design for estimating spatial distribution and abundance of a freshwater mussel population

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pooler, P.S.; Smith, D.R.

2005-01-01

We compared the ability of simple random sampling (SRS) and a variety of systematic sampling (SYS) designs to estimate abundance, quantify spatial clustering, and predict spatial distribution of freshwater mussels. Sampling simulations were conducted using data obtained from a census of freshwater mussels in a 40 X 33 m section of the Cacapon River near Capon Bridge, West Virginia, and from a simulated spatially random population generated to have the same abundance as the real population. Sampling units that were 0.25 m 2 gave more accurate and precise abundance estimates and generally better spatial predictions than 1-m2 sampling units. Systematic sampling with ???2 random starts was more efficient than SRS. Estimates of abundance based on SYS were more accurate when the distance between sampling units across the stream was less than or equal to the distance between sampling units along the stream. Three measures for quantifying spatial clustering were examined: Hopkins Statistic, the Clumping Index, and Morisita's Index. Morisita's Index was the most reliable, and the Hopkins Statistic was prone to false rejection of complete spatial randomness. SYS designs with units spaced equally across and up stream provided the most accurate predictions when estimating the spatial distribution by kriging. Our research indicates that SYS designs with sampling units equally spaced both across and along the stream would be appropriate for sampling freshwater mussels even if no information about the true underlying spatial distribution of the population were available to guide the design choice. ?? 2005 by The North American Benthological Society.

Getting a Cohesive Answer from a Common Start: Scalable Multidisciplinary Analysis through Transformation of a System Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cole, Bjorn; Chung, Seung H.

2012-01-01

One of the challenges of systems engineering is in working multidisciplinary problems in a cohesive manner. When planning analysis of these problems, system engineers must tradeoff time and cost for analysis quality and quantity. The quality is associated with the fidelity of the multidisciplinary models and the quantity is associated with the design space that can be analyzed. The tradeoff is due to the resource intensive process of creating a cohesive multidisciplinary system model and analysis. Furthermore, reuse or extension of the models used in one stage of a product life cycle for another is a major challenge. Recent developments have enabled a much less resource-intensive and more rigorous approach than handwritten translation scripts or codes of multidisciplinary models and their analyses. The key is to work from a core system model defined in a MOF-based language such as SysML and in leveraging the emerging tool ecosystem, such as Query-View- Transform (QVT), from the OMG community. SysML was designed to model multidisciplinary systems and analyses. The QVT standard was designed to transform SysML models. The Europa Hability Mission (EHM) team has begun to exploit these capabilities. In one case, a Matlab/Simulink model is generated on the fly from a system description for power analysis written in SysML. In a more general case, a symbolic mathematical framework (supported by Wolfram Mathematica) is coordinated by data objects transformed from the system model, enabling extremely flexible and powerful tradespace exploration and analytical investigations of expected system performance.

Getting a Cohesive Answer from a Common Start: Scalable Multidisciplinary Analysis through Transformation of a Systems Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cole, Bjorn; Chung, Seung

2012-01-01

One of the challenges of systems engineering is in working multidisciplinary problems in a cohesive manner. When planning analysis of these problems, system engineers must trade between time and cost for analysis quality and quantity. The quality often correlates with greater run time in multidisciplinary models and the quantity is associated with the number of alternatives that can be analyzed. The trade-off is due to the resource intensive process of creating a cohesive multidisciplinary systems model and analysis. Furthermore, reuse or extension of the models used in one stage of a product life cycle for another is a major challenge. Recent developments have enabled a much less resource-intensive and more rigorous approach than hand-written translation scripts between multi-disciplinary models and their analyses. The key is to work from a core systems model defined in a MOF-based language such as SysML and in leveraging the emerging tool ecosystem, such as Query/View/Transformation (QVT), from the OMG community. SysML was designed to model multidisciplinary systems. The QVT standard was designed to transform SysML models into other models, including those leveraged by engineering analyses. The Europa Habitability Mission (EHM) team has begun to exploit these capabilities. In one case, a Matlab/Simulink model is generated on the fly from a system description for power analysis written in SysML. In a more general case, symbolic analysis (supported by Wolfram Mathematica) is coordinated by data objects transformed from the systems model, enabling extremely flexible and powerful design exploration and analytical investigations of expected system performance.

Treatment of initial parenchymal central nervous system involvement in systemic aggressive B-cell lymphoma.

PubMed

Nijland, Marcel; Jansen, Anne; Doorduijn, Jeanette K; Enting, Roelien H; Bromberg, Jacoline E C; Kluin-Nelemans, Hanneke C

2017-09-01

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in systemic B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) at diagnosis (sysCNS) is rare. We investigated the outcome of 21 patients with sysCNS, most commonly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, treated with high dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) and R-CHOP. The median number of cycles of HD-MTX and R-CHOP was 4 (range 1-8) and 6 (range 0-8), respectively. Consolidative whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) was given to 33% (7/21) patients. With a median follow-up of 44 months the 3-year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 45% (95%CI 34-56%) and 49% (95%CI 38-60%), respectively. Over 90% of patients had an unfavorable international prognostic index score, reflected by treatment-related mortality of 19% (4/21) and relapse-related mortality of 28% (6/21). The outcome of these patients was, however, unexpectedly good when compared to secondary CNS relapses. Prospective studies are needed to define the optimal treatment for patients with sysCNS, but its rarity might be challenging.

Pollution levels of DDTs and their spatiotemporal trend from sediment records in the Southern Yellow Sea, China.

PubMed

Zhao, Zongshan; Jia, Jiaojiao; Wang, Jiaokai; Liu, Aifeng; Lan, Jing; Zhang, Hailong; Zhao, Meixun

2018-02-01

In order to study the pollution levels and spatiotemporal trend of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) in the Southern Yellow Sea (SYS), thirty-two surface sediment samples and a sediment core have been analyzed, and our results have been compared with previous reports. DDTs contents in our samples ranged from below detection limit to 5.1ng/gdry weight (d.w.), which presented lower ecological risks in the SYS. Surface sediment results show a seaward increasing trend with high values in the northern region of the central basin of the SYS. Our reconstructed core record and historical data from previous reports reveal an increasing trend from 1905 to 1955 but a decline trend since 1985 for DDTs, which is consistent of the production, usage and banning of DDTs in China. The source identification, based on (DDE+DDD)/DDTs, suggested that aged DDTs were the major contributor, though there were some inputs of fresh DDTs from the usage of 1,1-bis(p-Chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanol (dicofol). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

US Army Medical Bioengineering Research and Development Laboratory Annual Progress Report for FY 82.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-10-01

DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED. US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND Fort Detrick Frederick, MD 21701 r-. , -. , 4 .. %! NOTICE Disclaimer The findings...CMPLTINGORM .REPORT 4UER 2. P3. RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER MEDDH-28 (RI) _____________ 4 . TITLE (mnd ,bu .*o) S. TYPE OF REPORT A PERIOD COVERED US Army Medical...21 Trihalomethane (THM) Degradation ......................... 23 Silver Chloride Photovoltaic Cell

Mode Medium Interaction. A Theoretical Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

Report) 10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES I9. KEY WORDS (Conrlfnue on reverse side II necessary mnd Identify by block rumber) CO, Laser Transfer Function...Chemical Laser Unstable Resonator Brillouin Scattering Instability Supersonic Laser Modes Acoustic Noise Acoustic Instability Perturbed Resonator Gain...end Identify by block number) An instability in the output of a high-power unstable-resonator cw CO2 laser is analyzed in terms of the perturbative

Investigation of Magnetic Field Measurements.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-28

Report) Ill. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES IS. KEY WORDS (CoEntnue on revere side I necoseer mnd Identify by block mamber) AFGL Magnetometer Network Fluxgate ... Magnetometer Induction Coil Magnetometer Temperature Dependency of Fluxgate Automation of Testing 20. ABSTRACT (Coniniue an reverse aide If neeeeey and...data collection platforms. Support was also provided to AFGL to process the fluxgate magnetometer archive tapes in order to make the data available to

Application of DIVWAG at Rodman Laboratory

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

Continue on reveree eide It neceaemry mnd identify by block number) DIVWAG War Game Simulation Mathematical Model 20. ABSTRACT (Continue on...parameters. Rodman Laboratory is using DIVWAG in a simulation mode. In this model of operation, once a game has been completed, a representative...a period of play by a blue (red) artillery battery as a function of range and game time). t Ü UNCLASSIFIED SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS

Reconnaissance Report on Coastal Erosion at Fort Ord, California.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

Granite Construction Company Monterey, Calif. Dr. Asbury Sallenger, Jr. U. S . Geological Survey Menlo Park, Calif. Yuchuek Hsia County of Monterey...Coastal Engineering Research Center U. S . Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station P. 0. Box 631, Vicksburg, Miss. 39180 December 1983 Final Report...mnd Subettlo) S . TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED RECONNAISSANCE REPORT ON COASTAL EROSION AT FORT Final Report ORD, CALIFORNIA 6. PERFORMING ORG

Metal Alkoxides - Models for Metal Oxides.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-29

molybdenum, tungsten, pi-donor ligands, carbon-monoxide, hydride, alkyne, catalysis V 20. ABSTRACT (Continue an reverve side it neceser mnd identify by... heterobimetallic activation of small but "tough" molecules such as CO has gained much attention in homogeneous organometallic chemistry within the last...34Organometallic Mechanisms and Catalysis " Academic Press: New York, 1974. 3. Catalytic Activation of Carbon Monoxide, ACS Sym. Ser. 1981, 152. Ford, P.C

Model based systems engineering for astronomical projects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karban, R.; Andolfato, L.; Bristow, P.; Chiozzi, G.; Esselborn, M.; Schilling, M.; Schmid, C.; Sommer, H.; Zamparelli, M.

2014-08-01

Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is an emerging field of systems engineering for which the System Modeling Language (SysML) is a key enabler for descriptive, prescriptive and predictive models. This paper surveys some of the capabilities, expectations and peculiarities of tools-assisted MBSE experienced in real-life astronomical projects. The examples range in depth and scope across a wide spectrum of applications (for example documentation, requirements, analysis, trade studies) and purposes (addressing a particular development need, or accompanying a project throughout many - if not all - its lifecycle phases, fostering reuse and minimizing ambiguity). From the beginnings of the Active Phasing Experiment, through VLT instrumentation, VLTI infrastructure, Telescope Control System for the E-ELT, until Wavefront Control for the E-ELT, we show how stepwise refinements of tools, processes and methods have provided tangible benefits to customary system engineering activities like requirement flow-down, design trade studies, interfaces definition, and validation, by means of a variety of approaches (like Model Checking, Simulation, Model Transformation) and methodologies (like OOSEM, State Analysis)

Fermi large area telescope study of cosmic rays and the interstellar medium in nearby molecular clouds

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

Ackermann, M.; Ajello, M.; Allafort, A.

Here, we report an analysis of the interstellar γ-ray emission from the Chamaeleon, R Coronae Australis (R CrA), and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions with the Fermi Large Area Telescope. They are among the nearest molecular cloud complexes, within ~300 pc from the solar system. The γ-ray emission produced by interactions of cosmic rays (CRs) and interstellar gas in those molecular clouds is useful to study the CR densities and distributions of molecular gas close to the solar system. The obtained γ-ray emissivities above 250 MeV are (5.9 ± 0.1stat +0.9 –1.0sys) × 10 –27 photons s –1 sr –1more » H-atom –1, (10.2 ± 0.4 stat +1.2 –1.7sys) × 10 –27 photons s –1 sr –1 H-atom –1, and (9.1 ± 0.3 stat +1.5 –0.6sys) × 10 –27 photons s –1 sr–1 H-atom–1 for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively. Whereas the energy dependences of the emissivities agree well with that predicted from direct CR observations at the Earth, the measured emissivities from 250 MeV to 10 GeV indicate a variation of the CR density by ~20% in the neighborhood of the solar system, even if we consider systematic uncertainties. Furthermore, we found that the molecular mass calibrating ratio, X CO = N(H 2)/W CO, was (0.96 ± 0.06 stat +0.15 –0.12sys) × 10 20 H 2-molecule cm –2 (K km s –1) –1, (0.99 ± 0.08 stat +0.18 –0.10sys) × 10 20 H 2-molecule cm –2 (K km s –1) –1, and (0.63 ± 0.02 stat +0.09 –0.07sys) × 10 20 H 2-molecule cm –2 (K km s –1) –1 for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively, suggesting a variation of X CO in the vicinity of the solar system. The obtained values of X CO, the masses of molecular gas traced by W CO in the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions are estimated to be ~5 × 10 3 M ,⊙ ~10 3 M ,⊙ and ~3.3 × 10 4 M ,⊙ respectively. A comparable amount of gas not traced well by standard H I and CO surveys is found in the regions investigated.« less

Fermi large area telescope study of cosmic rays and the interstellar medium in nearby molecular clouds

DOE PAGES

Ackermann, M.; Ajello, M.; Allafort, A.; ...

2012-07-23

Here, we report an analysis of the interstellar γ-ray emission from the Chamaeleon, R Coronae Australis (R CrA), and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions with the Fermi Large Area Telescope. They are among the nearest molecular cloud complexes, within ~300 pc from the solar system. The γ-ray emission produced by interactions of cosmic rays (CRs) and interstellar gas in those molecular clouds is useful to study the CR densities and distributions of molecular gas close to the solar system. The obtained γ-ray emissivities above 250 MeV are (5.9 ± 0.1stat +0.9 –1.0sys) × 10 –27 photons s –1 sr –1more » H-atom –1, (10.2 ± 0.4 stat +1.2 –1.7sys) × 10 –27 photons s –1 sr –1 H-atom –1, and (9.1 ± 0.3 stat +1.5 –0.6sys) × 10 –27 photons s –1 sr–1 H-atom–1 for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively. Whereas the energy dependences of the emissivities agree well with that predicted from direct CR observations at the Earth, the measured emissivities from 250 MeV to 10 GeV indicate a variation of the CR density by ~20% in the neighborhood of the solar system, even if we consider systematic uncertainties. Furthermore, we found that the molecular mass calibrating ratio, X CO = N(H 2)/W CO, was (0.96 ± 0.06 stat +0.15 –0.12sys) × 10 20 H 2-molecule cm –2 (K km s –1) –1, (0.99 ± 0.08 stat +0.18 –0.10sys) × 10 20 H 2-molecule cm –2 (K km s –1) –1, and (0.63 ± 0.02 stat +0.09 –0.07sys) × 10 20 H 2-molecule cm –2 (K km s –1) –1 for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively, suggesting a variation of X CO in the vicinity of the solar system. The obtained values of X CO, the masses of molecular gas traced by W CO in the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions are estimated to be ~5 × 10 3 M ,⊙ ~10 3 M ,⊙ and ~3.3 × 10 4 M ,⊙ respectively. A comparable amount of gas not traced well by standard H I and CO surveys is found in the regions investigated.« less

Comparison of two LES codes for wind turbine wake studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarlak, H.; Pierella, F.; Mikkelsen, R.; Sørensen, J. N.

2014-06-01

For the third time a blind test comparison in Norway 2013, was conducted comparing numerical simulations for the rotor Cp and Ct and wake profiles with the experimental results. As the only large eddy simulation study among participants, results of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) using their in-house CFD solver, EllipSys3D, proved to be more reliable among the other models for capturing the wake profiles and the turbulence intensities downstream the turbine. It was therefore remarked in the workshop to investigate other LES codes to compare their performance with EllipSys3D. The aim of this paper is to investigate on two CFD solvers, the DTU's in-house code, EllipSys3D and the open-sourse toolbox, OpenFoam, for a set of actuator line based LES computations. Two types of simulations are performed: the wake behind a signle rotor and the wake behind a cluster of three inline rotors. Results are compared in terms of velocity deficit, turbulence kinetic energy and eddy viscosity. It is seen that both codes predict similar near-wake flow structures with the exception of OpenFoam's simulations without the subgrid-scale model. The differences begin to increase with increasing the distance from the upstream rotor. From the single rotor simulations, EllipSys3D is found to predict a slower wake recovery in the case of uniform laminar flow. From the 3-rotor computations, it is seen that the difference between the codes is smaller as the disturbance created by the downstream rotors causes break down of the wake structures and more homogenuous flow structures. It is finally observed that OpenFoam computations are more sensitive to the SGS models.

Daily Monitoring of TeV Gamma-Ray Emission from Mrk 421, Mrk 501, and the Crab Nebula with HAWC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abeysekara, A. U.; Albert, A.; Alfaro, R.; Alvarez, C.; Álvarez, J. D.; Arceo, R.; Arteaga-Velázquez, J. C.; Avila Rojas, D.; Ayala Solares, H. A.; Barber, A. S.; Bautista-Elivar, N.; Becerra Gonzalez, J.; Becerril, A.; Belmont-Moreno, E.; BenZvi, S. Y.; Bernal, A.; Braun, J.; Brisbois, C.; Caballero-Mora, K. S.; Capistrán, T.; Carramiñana, A.; Casanova, S.; Castillo, M.; Cotti, U.; Cotzomi, J.; Coutiño de León, S.; De León, C.; De la Fuente, E.; Diaz Hernandez, R.; Dingus, B. L.; DuVernois, M. A.; Díaz-Vélez, J. C.; Ellsworth, R. W.; Engel, K.; Fiorino, D. W.; Fraija, N.; García-González, J. A.; Garfias, F.; Gerhardt, M.; González Muñoz, A.; González, M. M.; Goodman, J. A.; Hampel-Arias, Z.; Harding, J. P.; Hernandez, S.; Hernandez-Almada, A.; Hona, B.; Hui, C. M.; Hüntemeyer, P.; Iriarte, A.; Jardin-Blicq, A.; Joshi, V.; Kaufmann, S.; Kieda, D.; Lara, A.; Lauer, R. J.; Lee, W. H.; Lennarz, D.; León Vargas, H.; Linnemann, J. T.; Longinotti, A. L.; Raya, G. Luis; Luna-García, R.; López-Coto, R.; Malone, K.; Marinelli, S. S.; Martinez, O.; Martinez-Castellanos, I.; Martínez-Castro, J.; Matthews, J. A.; Miranda-Romagnoli, P.; Moreno, E.; Mostafá, M.; Nellen, L.; Newbold, M.; Nisa, M. U.; Noriega-Papaqui, R.; Pretz, J.; Pérez-Pérez, E. G.; Ren, Z.; Rho, C. D.; Rivière, C.; Rosa-González, D.; Rosenberg, M.; Ruiz-Velasco, E.; Salesa Greus, F.; Sandoval, A.; Schneider, M.; Schoorlemmer, H.; Sinnis, G.; Smith, A. J.; Springer, R. W.; Surajbali, P.; Taboada, I.; Tibolla, O.; Tollefson, K.; Torres, I.; Ukwatta, T. N.; Vianello, G.; Weisgarber, T.; Westerhoff, S.; Wisher, I. G.; Wood, J.; Yapici, T.; Younk, P. W.; Zepeda, A.; Zhou, H.

2017-06-01

We present results from daily monitoring of gamma-rays in the energy range from ˜0.5 to ˜100 TeV with the first 17 months of data from the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory. Its wide field of view of 2 steradians and duty cycle of > 95% are unique features compared to other TeV observatories that allow us to observe every source that transits over HAWC for up to ˜6 hr each sidereal day. This regular sampling yields unprecedented light curves from unbiased measurements that are independent of seasons or weather conditions. For the Crab Nebula as a reference source, we find no variability in the TeV band. Our main focus is the study of the TeV blazars Markarian (Mrk) 421 and Mrk 501. A spectral fit for Mrk 421 yields a power-law index {{Γ }}=2.21+/- {0.14}{stat}+/- {0.20}{sys} and an exponential cut-off {E}0=5.4+/- {1.1}{stat}+/- {1.0}{sys} TeV. For Mrk 501, we find an index {{Γ }}=1.60+/- {0.30}{stat}+/- {0.20}{sys} and exponential cut-off {E}0=5.7+/- {1.6}{stat}+/- {1.0}{sys} TeV. The light curves for both sources show clear variability and a Bayesian analysis is applied to identify changes between flux states. The highest per-transit fluxes observed from Mrk 421 exceed the Crab Nebula flux by a factor of approximately five. For Mrk 501, several transits show fluxes in excess of three times the Crab Nebula flux. In a comparison to lower energy gamma-ray and X-ray monitoring data with comparable sampling, we cannot identify clear counterparts for the most significant flaring features observed by HAWC.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediments from the Southern Yellow Sea: Concentration, composition profile, source identification and mass inventory.

PubMed

Wang, Guoguang; Peng, Jialin; Xu, Xiang; Zhang, Dahai; Li, Xianguo

2016-02-01

The Southern Yellow Sea (SYS) is believed to be influenced by the contaminants from mainland China and the Korean peninsula. Here we report the first record about concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the sediments of the SYS. The concentrations of ∑(7)PBDEs (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183) and BDE-209 were 0.064-0.807 ng g(-1) (dry weight) and 0.067-1.961 ng g(-1) with a mean value of 0.245 ng g(-1) and 0.652 ng g(-1), respectively. These are distinctively low compared with the PBDE levels previously reported in other regions of the world. PBDE concentrations gradually increased from the coastal areas to the central mud area. BDE-209 was the dominant congener, accounting for 70.2-91.6% of the total PBDEs. Congener profiles of PBDEs were similar to those in sediments from the Bohai Sea (BS), Laizhou Bay and modern Yellow River, which might be a tentative indication that they shared similar sources. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that PBDEs in the SYS were mainly from continental runoff (69.0%) and atmospheric deposition (31.0%). Depth profile of PBDEs in a sediment core collected from the edge of the central mud area showed that concentration of BDE-209 rapidly increased in recent years, which is in accordance with the replacement in demand and consumption of Penta- and Octa-BDEs by the Deca-BDE. Compared with BS, East China Sea, Erie and Ontario, the SYS was a relatively weak sink of PBDEs (0.102-1.288 t yr(-1) for ∑(7)PBDEs and 0.107-3.129 t yr(-1) for BDE-209) in the world. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discovery of high and very high-energy emission from the BL Lacertae object SHBL J001355.9-185406

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

H.E.S.S. Collaboration; Abramowski, A.; Acero, F.; Aharonian, F.; Akhperjanian, A. G.; Angüner, E.; Anton, G.; Balenderan, S.; Balzer, A.; Barnacka, A.; Becherini, Y.; Becker Tjus, J.; Bernlöhr, K.; Birsin, E.; Bissaldi, E.; Biteau, J.; Boisson, C.; Bolmont, J.; Bordas, P.; Brucker, J.; Brun, F.; Brun, P.; Bulik, T.; Carrigan, S.; Casanova, S.; Cerruti, M.; Chadwick, P. M.; Chalme-Calvet, R.; Chaves, R. C. G.; Cheesebrough, A.; Chrétien, M.; Colafrancesco, S.; Cologna, G.; Conrad, J.; Couturier, C.; Dalton, M.; Daniel, M. K.; Davids, I. D.; Degrange, B.; Deil, C.; deWilt, P.; Dickinson, H. J.; Djannati-Ataï, A.; Domainko, W.; O'C. Drury, L.; Dubus, G.; Dutson, K.; Dyks, J.; Dyrda, M.; Edwards, T.; Egberts, K.; Eger, P.; Espigat, P.; Farnier, C.; Fegan, S.; Feinstein, F.; Fernandes, M. V.; Fernandez, D.; Fiasson, A.; Fontaine, G.; Förster, A.; Füßling, M.; Gajdus, M.; Gallant, Y. A.; Garrigoux, T.; Gast, H.; Giebels, B.; Glicenstein, J. F.; Göring, D.; Grondin, M.-H.; Grudzińska, M.; Häffner, S.; Hague, J. D.; Hahn, J.; Harris, J.; Heinzelmann, G.; Henri, G.; Hermann, G.; Hervet, O.; Hillert, A.; Hinton, J. A.; Hofmann, W.; Hofverberg, P.; Holler, M.; Horns, D.; Jacholkowska, A.; Jahn, C.; Jamrozy, M.; Janiak, M.; Jankowsky, F.; Jung, I.; Kastendieck, M. A.; Katarzyński, K.; Katz, U.; Kaufmann, S.; Khélifi, B.; Kieffer, M.; Klepser, S.; Klochkov, D.; Kluźniak, W.; Kneiske, T.; Kolitzus, D.; Komin, Nu.; Kosack, K.; Krakau, S.; Krayzel, F.; Krüger, P. P.; Laffon, H.; Lamanna, G.; Lefaucheur, J.; Lemoine-Goumard, M.; Lenain, J.-P.; Lennarz, D.; Lohse, T.; Lopatin, A.; Lu, C.-C.; Marandon, V.; Marcowith, A.; Maurin, G.; Maxted, N.; Mayer, M.; McComb, T. J. L.; Medina, M. C.; Méhault, J.; Menzler, U.; Meyer, M.; Moderski, R.; Mohamed, M.; Moulin, E.; Murach, T.; Naumann, C. L.; de Naurois, M.; Nedbal, D.; Niemiec, J.; Nolan, S. J.; Oakes, L.; Ohm, S.; de Oña Wilhelmi, E.; Opitz, B.; Ostrowski, M.; Oya, I.; Panter, M.; Parsons, R. D.; Paz Arribas, M.; Pekeur, N. W.; Pelletier, G.; Perez, J.; Petrucci, P.-O.; Peyaud, B.; Pita, S.; Poon, H.; Pühlhofer, G.; Punch, M.; Quirrenbach, A.; Raab, S.; Raue, M.; Reimer, A.; Reimer, O.; Renaud, M.; de los Reyes, R.; Rieger, F.; Rob, L.; Rosier-Lees, S.; Rowell, G.; Rudak, B.; Rulten, C. B.; Sahakian, V.; Sanchez, D. A.; Santangelo, A.; Schlickeiser, R.; Schüssler, F.; Schulz, A.; Schwanke, U.; Schwarzburg, S.; Schwemmer, S.; Sol, H.; Spengler, G.; Spieß, F.; Stawarz, Ł.; Steenkamp, R.; Stegmann, C.; Stinzing, F.; Stycz, K.; Sushch, I.; Szostek, A.; Tavernet, J.-P.; Terrier, R.; Tluczykont, M.; Trichard, C.; Valerius, K.; van Eldik, C.; Vasileiadis, G.; Venter, C.; Viana, A.; Vincent, P.; Völk, H. J.; Volpe, F.; Vorster, M.; Wagner, S. J.; Wagner, P.; Ward, M.; Weidinger, M.; White, R.; Wierzcholska, A.; Willmann, P.; Wörnlein, A.; Wouters, D.; Zacharias, M.; Zajczyk, A.; Zdziarski, A. A.; Zech, A.; Zechlin, H.-S.

2013-06-01

The detection of the high-frequency peaked BL Lac object (HBL) SHBL J001355.9-185406 (z = 0.095) at high (HE; 100 MeV < E < 300 GeV) and very high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) is reported. Dedicated observations were performed with the H.E.S.S. telescopes, leading to a detection at the 5.5σ significance level. The measured flux above 310 GeV is (8.3 ± 1.7stat ± 1.7sys) × 10-13 photons cm-2 s-1 (about 0.6% of that of the Crab Nebula), and the power-law spectrum has a photon index of Γ = 3.4 ± 0.5stat ± 0.2sys. Using 3.5 years of publicly available Fermi-LAT data, a faint counterpart has been detected in the LAT data at the 5.5σ significance level, with an integrated flux above 300 MeV of (9.3 ± 3.4stat ± 0.8sys) × 10-10 photons cm-2 s-1 and a photon index of Γ = 1.96 ± 0.20stat ± 0.08sys. X-ray observations with Swift-XRT allow the synchrotron peak energy in νFν representation to be located at ~1.0 keV. The broadband spectral energy distribution is modelled with a one-zone synchrotronself-Compton (SSC) model and the optical data by a black-body emission describing the thermal emission of the host galaxy. The derived parameters are typical of HBLs detected at VHE, with a particle-dominated jet.

Tubular system volume changes in twitch fibres from toad and rat skeletal muscle assessed by confocal microscopy

PubMed Central

Launikonis, Bradley S; Stephenson, D George

2002-01-01

The volume of the extracellular compartment (tubular system) within intact muscle fibres from cane toad and rat was measured under various conditions using confocal microscopy. Under physiological conditions at rest, the fractional volume of the tubular system (t-sysVol) was 1.38 ± 0.09 % (n = 17), 1.41 ± 0.09 % (n = 12) and 0.83 ± 0.07 % (n = 12) of the total fibre volume in the twitch fibres from toad iliofibularis muscle, rat extensor digitorum longus muscle and rat soleus muscle, respectively. In toad muscle fibres, the t-sysVol decreased by 30 % when the tubular system was fully depolarized and decreased by 15 % when membrane cholesterol was depleted from the tubular system with methyl-β-cyclodextrin but did not change as the sarcomere length was changed from 1.93 to 3.30 μm. There was also an increase by 30 % and a decrease by 25 % in t-sysVol when toad fibres were equilibrated in solutions that were 2.5-fold hypertonic and 50 % hypotonic, respectively. When the changes in total fibre volume were taken into consideration, the t-sysVol expressed as a percentage of the isotonic fibre volume did actually decrease as tonicity increased, revealing that the tubular system in intact fibres cannot be compressed below 0.9 % of the isotonic fibre volume. The results can be explained in terms of forces acting at the level of the tubular wall. These observations have important physiological implications showing that the tubular system is a dynamic membrane structure capable of changing its volume in response to the membrane potential, cholesterol depletion and osmotic stress but not when the sarcomere length is changed in resting muscle. PMID:11790823

Discovery of high and very high-energy emission from the BL Lacertae object SHBL J001355.9–185406

DOE PAGES

Abramowski, A.; Acero, F.; Aharonian, F.; ...

2013-06-05

In this paper, the detection of the high-frequency peaked BL Lac object (HBL) SHBL J001355.9–185406 (z = 0.095) at high (HE; 100 MeV < E < 300 GeV) and very high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) is reported. Dedicated observations were performed with the H.E.S.S. telescopes, leading to a detection at the 5.5σ significance level. The measured flux above 310 GeV is (8.3 ± 1.7 stat ± 1.7 sys) × 10 -13 photons cm -2 s -1 (about 0.6% of that of the Crab Nebula), andmore » the power-law spectrum has a photon index of Γ = 3.4 ± 0.5 stat ± 0.2 sys. Using 3.5 years of publicly available Fermi-LAT data, a faint counterpart has been detected in the LAT data at the 5.5σ significance level, with an integrated flux above 300 MeV of (9.3 ± 3.4 stat ± 0.8 sys) × 10 -10 photons cm -2 s -1 and a photon index of Γ = 1.96 ± 0.20 stat ± 0.08 sys. X-ray observations with Swift-XRT allow the synchrotron peak energy in νF ν representation to be located at ~1.0 keV. The broadband spectral energy distribution is modelled with a one-zone synchrotronself-Compton (SSC) model and the optical data by a black-body emission describing the thermal emission of the host galaxy. Lastly, the derived parameters are typical of HBLs detected at VHE, with a particle-dominated jet.« less

Association of Apical Longitudinal Rotation with Right Ventricular Performance in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: Insights into Overestimation of Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion.

PubMed

Motoji, Yoshiki; Tanaka, Hidekazu; Fukuda, Yuko; Sano, Hiroyuki; Ryo, Keiko; Sawa, Takuma; Miyoshi, Tatsuya; Imanishi, Junichi; Mochizuki, Yasuhide; Tatsumi, Kazuhiro; Matsumoto, Kensuke; Emoto, Noriaki; Hirata, Ken-ichi

2016-02-01

Current guidelines recommend the routine use of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) as a simple method for estimating right ventricular (RV) function. However, when ventricular apical longitudinal rotation (apical-LR) occurs in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients, it may result in overestimated TAPSE. We studied 105 patients with PH defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mmHg at rest measured by right heart cardiac catheterization. TAPSE was defined as the maximum displacement during systole in the RV-focused apical four-chamber view. RV free-wall longitudinal speckle tracking strain (RV-free) was calculated by averaging 3 regional peak systolic strains. The apical-LR was measured at the peak rotation in the apical region including both left and right ventricle. The eccentricity index (EI) was defined as the ratio of the length of 2 perpendicular minor-axis diameters, one of which bisected and was perpendicular to the interventricular septum, and was obtained at end-systole (EI-sys) and end-diastole (EI-dia). Twenty age-, gender-, and left ventricular ejection fraction-matched normal controls were studied for comparison. The apical-LR in PH patients was significantly lower than that in normal controls (-3.4 ± 2.7° vs. -1.3 ± 1.9°, P = 0.001). Simple linear regression analysis showed that gender, TAPSE, EI-sys, and EI-dia/EI-sys were associated with apical-LR, but RV-free was not. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that gender, EI-dia/EI-sys, and TAPSE were independent determinants of apical-LR. TAPSE may be overestimated in PH patients with clockwise rotation resulting from left ventricular compression. TAPSE should thus be evaluated carefully in PH patients with marked apical rotation. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aeroelastic Airworthiness Assesment of the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flaps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herrera, Claudia Y.; Spivey, Natalie D.; Lung, Shun-fat; Ervin, Gregory; Flick, Peter

2015-01-01

The Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) demonstrator is a joint task under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory and FlexSys, Inc. (Ann Arbor, Michigan). The project goal is to develop advanced technologies that enable environmentally friendly aircraft, such as adaptive compliant technologies. The ACTE demonstrator flight-test program encompassed replacing the Fowler flaps on the SubsoniC Aircraft Testbed, a modified Gulfstream III (Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Georgia) aircraft, with control surfaces developed by FlexSys. The control surfaces developed by FlexSys are a pair of uniquely-designed unconventional flaps to be used as lifting surfaces during flight-testing to validate their structural effectiveness. The unconventional flaps required a multidisciplinary airworthiness assessment to prove they could withstand the prescribed flight envelope. Several challenges were posed due to the large deflections experienced by the structure, requiring non-linear analysis methods. The aeroelastic assessment necessitated both conventional and extensive testing and analysis methods. A series of ground vibration tests (GVTs) were conducted to provide modal characteristics to validate and update finite element models (FEMs) used for the flutter analyses for a subset of the various flight configurations. Numerous FEMs were developed using data from FlexSys and the ground tests. The flap FEMs were then attached to the aircraft model to generate a combined FEM that could be analyzed for aeroelastic instabilities. The aeroelastic analysis results showed the combined system of aircraft and flaps were predicted to have the required flutter margin to successfully demonstrate the adaptive compliant technology. This paper documents the details of the aeroelastic airworthiness assessment described, including the ground testing and analyses, and subsequent flight-testing performed on the unconventional ACTE flaps.

Lifetimes of low-lying excited states in 50 36 86Kr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henderson, J.; Chester, A.; Ball, G. C.; Caballero-Folch, R.; Domingo, T.; Drake, T. E.; Evitts, L. J.; Garnsworthy, A. B.; Hackman, G.; Hallam, S.; Moukaddam, M.; Ruotsalainen, P.; Smallcombe, J.; Smith, J. K.; Starosta, K.; Svensson, C. E.; Williams, J.

2018-04-01

Background: The evolution of nuclear magic numbers at extremes of isospin is a topic at the forefront of contemporary nuclear physics. N =50 is a prime example, with increasing experimental data coming to light on potentially doubly magic 100Sn and 78Ni at the proton-rich and proton-deficient extremes, respectively; however, experimental discrepancies exist in the data for less exotic systems. Purpose: In 86Kr the B (E 2 ;21+→01+) value—a key indicator of shell evolution—has been experimentally determined by two different methodologies, with the results deviating by 3 σ . Here, we report on a new high-precision measurement of this value, as well as the first measured lifetimes and hence transition strengths for the 22+ and 3(2) - states in the nucleus. Methods: The Doppler-shift attenuation method was implemented using the TRIUMF-ISAC γ -ray escape-suppressed spectrometer (TIGRESS) γ -ray spectrometer and the TIGRESS integrated plunger device. High-statistics Monte Carlo simulations were utilized to extract lifetimes in accordance with state-of-the-art methodologies. Results: Lifetimes of τ (21+)=336 ±4 (stat.)±20 (sys.) fs, τ (22+)=263 ±9 (stat.)±19 (sys.) fs, and τ (3(2) -)=73 ±6 (stat.)±32 (sys.) fs were extracted. This yields a transition strength for the first-excited state of B (E 2 ;21+→01+)=259 ±3 (stat.)±16 (sys.) e2 fm4. Conclusions: The measured lifetime disagrees with the previous Doppler-shift attenuation method measurement by more than 3 σ , while agreeing well with a previous value extracted from Coulomb excitation. The newly extracted B (E 2 ;21+→01+) value indicates a more significant reduction in the N =50 isotones approaching Z =40 .

A Framework for Failure? The Impact of Short Tour Lengths and Separate National Command and Control on British Operational Art and Coalition Warfare in Iraq, 2003-2009

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-10

frame the problem.54 This is a clear example of cognitive dissonance and highlights the intellectual confusion that had emerged in senior British...to explicitly express complete satisfaction with PJHQ and the command and control framework) came from LTG Riley, CG MND (SE) from Dec 04-Jun 05: LTG

Screening Smokes

DTIC Science & Technology

1942-03-15

It should be capable of being readily dispersed . 6. It would be desirable to use a material which reacts with the atmosphere to edd weight. (White...experimental unit handling 15 gip.m. at 5000 lbs. (equivalent in liquid volume dispersed to well over 1000 small Tweedales) has a theoretical...of real promise. "> - 9 - Solid Smokes It has bt»an suggested that various a*mnd8ntly-avallable solid materials might be dispersed as

Comparative Racial Analysis of Enlisted Advancement Exams: Item- Difficulty.

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-07-01

11cm-ana lysis Promotion Racial comparison Equal opportunity 1 20. ABSTRACT (Continue on reveree aide 11 neceeemry mnd Identity by block...improving equal oppor- tunity in career growth for minority groups. The study of exam item- difficulty levels is the first of a series of technical reports...under Exploratory Development Task Area PF55.521.032 (Contemporary Social Issues). J. J. CLARKIN Commanding Officer SUMMARY Purpose A number of

Negotiating the Nation in History: the Swedish State Approval Scheme for Textbooks and Teaching Aids from 1945 to 1983

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elmersjö, Henrik Åström

2016-01-01

This article explores the discussions concerning history textbooks that occurred within the Swedish State Approval Scheme for Textbooks (Statens läroboksnämnd) from 1945 to 1983. By focusing on the negotiation of nationhood and the process of textbook approval as an arena for the renegotiation of ways in which history was taught in schools, the…

Finding Effective Responses Against Cyber Attacks for Divided Nations

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

Coordination Center LTE Long Term Evolution MAC Media Access Control MCRC Master Control and Reporting Center MEI Ministry of Electronics...satellites that aid Internet connections. Individual users can access the Internet via not only a wired connection up to 1 Gbps, but also by 4G LTE ...operate air-gapped intranets with security measures such as cryptographic modules that correspond to security levels. The MND does maintain the public

Core x-ray spectra in semiconductors and the Mahan-Nozieres-De Dominicis model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livins, Peteris

1998-10-01

The Mahan-Nozières-De Dominicis (MND) model of core x-ray spectra is examined for semiconductors. Due to the finite band gap, the Anderson orthogonality does not occur, and thus spectra near the band edge can be calculated without the shakeup contribution. For semiconductors, and not only for metals, we investigate whether the remaining many-particle dynamic exchange effect of the MND model, or so-called replacement, can significantly alter x-ray spectral shapes near the band edge from those obtained from a straightforward final-state rule. For both emission and absorption, in the absence of shakeup, an exact formulation suitable for materials with band structure is discussed. A numerical model for a semiconductor with a 1-eV band gap demonstrates the band-edge modifications, and shows a 50% effect at the band edge, indicating that this dynamic exchange effect can be significant and should be considered in any specific emission or absorption calculation for a semiconductor. Although the ineffectiveness of the orthogonality theorem in semiconductors is emphasized, a suppression near the band edge also remains a possibility. Included is a discussion on the breakdown of the final-state rule. In addition, connection is made to the determinantal approach of Ohtaka and Tanabe.

Systematic review of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for chronic respiratory failure.

PubMed

Hannan, Liam M; Dominelli, Giulio S; Chen, Yi-Wen; Darlene Reid, W; Road, Jeremy

2014-02-01

This systematic review examined the effect of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) on patient reported outcomes (PROs) and survival for individuals with or at risk of chronic respiratory failure (CRF). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective non-randomised studies in those treated with NIPPV for CRF were identified from electronic databases, reference lists and grey literature. Diagnostic groups included in the review were amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), restrictive thoracic disease (RTD) and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). Eighteen studies were included and overall study quality was weak. Those with ALS/MND had improved somnolence and fatigue as well as prolonged survival with NIPPV. For OHS, improvements in somnolence and fatigue, dyspnoea and sleep quality were demonstrated, while for RTD, measures of dyspnoea, sleep quality, physical function and health, mental and emotional health and social function improved. There was insufficient evidence to form conclusions regarding the effect of NIPPV for those with DMD. This review has demonstrated that NIPPV influences PROs differently depending on the underlying cause of CRF. These findings may provide assistance to patients and clinicians to determine the relative costs and benefits of NIPPV therapy and also highlight areas in need of further research. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Outcomes of physical therapy, speech pathology, and occupational therapy for people with motor neuron disease: a systematic review.

PubMed

Morris, Meg E; Perry, Alison; Bilney, Belinda; Curran, Andrea; Dodd, Karen; Wittwer, Joanne E; Dalton, Gregory W

2006-09-01

This article describes a systematic review and critical evaluation of the international literature on the effects of physical therapy, speech pathology, and occupational therapy for people with motor neuron disease (PwMND). The results were interpreted using the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. This enabled us to summarize therapy outcomes at the level of body structure and function, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and quality of life. Databases searched included MEDLINE, PUBMED, CINAHL, PSYCInfo, Data base of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), The Physiotherapy Evidence data base (PEDro), Evidence Based Medicine Reviews (EMBASE), the Cochrane database of systematic reviews, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Evidence was graded according to the Harbour and Miller classification. Most of the evidence was found to be at the level of "clinical opinion" rather than of controlled clinical trials. Several nonrandomized small group and "observational studies" provided low-level evidence to support physical therapy for improving muscle strength and pulmonary function. There was also some evidence to support the effectiveness of speech pathology interventions for dysarthria. The search identified a small number of studies on occupational therapy for PwMND, which were small, noncontrolled pre-post-designs or clinical reports.

New trace element determinations in the fingernails of ALS patients

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

Van Dalsem, D.J.; Ehmann, W.D.; Robinson, L.

1996-12-31

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) afflicts 2 of every 100,000 people in the United States each year. A well-known example of ALS today is Stephen Hawking. He is a theoretical physicist, the author of A Brief History of Time, and is virtually immobilized by ALS. Diseases that cause progressive paralysis because of motor neuron degeneration in the central nervous system are termed motor neuron disorders (MND). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a common form of MND. Pain-free, progressive muscular weakness is the most common clinical symptom. There is chronic weakness with atrophy of the affected muscles by the time the disease ismore » diagnosed. Atrophy eventually results in wheelchair confinement and then only bed without the ability to speak or swallow. Death often occurs as a result of respiratory problems. Unlike other neurodegenerative diseases, in ALS the patient`s bladder and bowel control, eye movement, and mental faculties are preserved. The question today is whether or not certain trace elements are involved in the etiology or pathogenesis of ALS. A collaborative study was undertaken by the University of Kentucky and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) using neutron activation analysis (NAA) to study trace element concentrations in ALS patients fingernails to determine if there existed statistically significant imbalances.« less

Comparison of OpenFOAM and EllipSys3D actuator line methods with (NEW) MEXICO results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nathan, J.; Meyer Forsting, A. R.; Troldborg, N.; Masson, C.

2017-05-01

The Actuator Line Method exists for more than a decade and has become a well established choice for simulating wind rotors in computational fluid dynamics. Numerous implementations exist and are used in the wind energy research community. These codes were verified by experimental data such as the MEXICO experiment. Often the verification against other codes were made on a very broad scale. Therefore this study attempts first a validation by comparing two different implementations, namely an adapted version of SOWFA/OpenFOAM and EllipSys3D and also a verification by comparing against experimental results from the MEXICO and NEW MEXICO experiments.

Automated Analysis Workstation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Information from NASA Tech Briefs of work done at Langley Research Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory assisted DiaSys Corporation in manufacturing their first product, the R/S 2000. Since then, the R/S 2000 and R/S 2003 have followed. Recently, DiaSys released their fourth workstation, the FE-2, which automates the process of making and manipulating wet-mount preparation of fecal concentrates. The time needed to read the sample is decreased, permitting technologists to rapidly spot parasites, ova and cysts, sometimes carried in the lower intestinal tract of humans and animals. Employing the FE-2 is non-invasive, can be performed on an out-patient basis, and quickly provides confirmatory results.

Search for Quadrupole Strength in the Electroexcitation of the Delta+ (1232)

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

C. Mertz; C. Vellidis; Ricardo Alarcon

2001-04-01

High precision 1H(e, e'p)pi0 measurements at Q2 = 0.126. (GeV/c)2 are reported, which allow the determination of quadrupole amplitudes in the gamma*N --> Delta transition; they simultaneously test the reliability of electroproduction models. The derived quadrupole-to-dipole (I = 3/2) amplitude ratios, RSM = (-6.5 +/- 0.2stat+sys+/-2.5mod)% and REM = 9-2.1 +/-0.2stat+sys +/-2.0mod)%, are dominated by model error. Previous RSM and REM results should be reconsidered after the model uncertainties associated with the method of their extraction are taken into account.

SysML: A Language for Space System Engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzini, S.; Strangapede, A.

2008-08-01

This paper presents the results of an ESA/ESTEC internal study, performed with the support of INTECS, about modeling languages to support Space System Engineering activities and processes, with special emphasis on system requirements identification and analysis. The study was focused on the assessment of dedicated UML profiles, their positioning alongside the system and software life cycles and associated methodologies. Requirements for a Space System Requirements Language were identified considering the ECSS-E-10 and ECSS-E_40 processes. The study has identified SysML as a very promising language, having as theoretical background the reference system processes defined by the ISO15288, as well as industrial practices.

Short-range test of the universality of gravitational constant G at the millimeter scale using a digital image sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ninomiya, K.; Akiyama, T.; Hata, M.; Hatori, M.; Iguri, T.; Ikeda, Y.; Inaba, S.; Kawamura, H.; Kishi, R.; Murakami, H.; Nakaya, Y.; Nishio, H.; Ogawa, N.; Onishi, J.; Saiba, S.; Sakuta, T.; Tanaka, S.; Tanuma, R.; Totsuka, Y.; Tsutsui, R.; Watanabe, K.; Murata, J.

2017-09-01

The composition dependence of gravitational constant G is measured at the millimeter scale to test the weak equivalence principle, which may be violated at short range through new Yukawa interactions such as the dilaton exchange force. A torsion balance on a turning table with two identical tungsten targets surrounded by two different attractor materials (copper and aluminum) is used to measure gravitational torque by means of digital measurements of a position sensor. Values of the ratios \\tilde{G}_Al-W/\\tilde{G}_Cu-W -1 and \\tilde{G}_Cu-W/GN -1 were (0.9 +/- 1.1sta +/- 4.8sys) × 10-2 and (0.2 +/- 0.9sta +/- 2.1sys) × 10-2 , respectively; these were obtained at a center to center separation of 1.7 cm and surface to surface separation of 4.5 mm between target and attractor, which is consistent with the universality of G. A weak equivalence principle (WEP) violation parameter of η_Al-Cu(r∼ 1 cm)=(0.9 +/- 1.1sta +/- 4.9sys) × 10-2 at the shortest range of around 1 cm was also obtained.

Accelerating Acceptance of Fuel Cell Backup Power Systems - Final Report

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

Petrecky, James; Ashley, Christopher

2014-07-21

Since 2001, Plug Power has installed more than 800 stationary fuel cell systems worldwide. Plug Power’s prime power systems have produced approximately 6.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity and have accumulated more than 2.5 million operating hours. Intermittent, or backup, power products have been deployed with telecommunications carriers and government and utility customers in North and South America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Africa. Some of the largest material handling operations in North America are currently using the company’s motive power units in fuel cell-powered forklifts for their warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities. The low-temperature GenSys fuelmore » cell system provides remote, off-grid and primary power where grid power is unreliable or nonexistent. Built reliable and designed rugged, low- temperature GenSys delivers continuous or backup power through even the most extreme conditions. Coupled with high-efficiency ratings, low-temperature GenSys reduces operating costs making it an economical solution for prime power requirements. Currently, field trials at telecommunication and industrial sites across the globe are proving the advantages of fuel cells—lower maintenance, fuel costs and emissions, as well as longer life—compared with traditional internal combustion engines.« less

Effect of 25(OH) vitamin D reference method procedure (RMP) alignment on clinical measurements obtained with the IDS-iSYS chemiluminescent-based automated analyzer.

PubMed

Simpson, Christine A; Cusano, Anna Maria; Bihuniak, Jessica; Walker, Joanne; Insogna, Karl L

2015-04-01

The Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) has identified ID-LC/MS/MS as the reference method procedure (RMP) for 25(OH) vitamin D and NIST Standard SRM2972 as the standard reference material (SRM). As manufacturers align their products to the RMP and NIST standard, a concern is that results obtained in aligned assays will be divergent from those obtained with pre-alignment assays. The Immunodiagnostic Systems Ltd., chemiluminescent, 25(OH) vitamin D iSYS platform assay, was recently harmonized to the RMP. To determine the impact of standardization on results obtained with iSYS reagents, 119 single donor serum samples from eight different disease categories were analyzed in four non-standardized and two standardized iSYS assays. There were strong correlations between the four non-standardized and two standardized assays with Spearman's rank r values between 0.975 and 0.961 and four of the eight r values were >0.97. R(2) values for the eight best-fit linear regression equations ranging between 0.947 and 0.916. None of the slopes were found to be significantly different from one another. Bland-Altman plots showed that the bias was comparable when each of the four non-standardized assays was compared to either of the standardized assays. When the data were segregated in values between 6 and 49ng/mL (15-122nmol/L) or between 50 and 100ng/mL (125-250nmol/L) significant associations remained between results obtained with non-standardized and standardized calibrators regardless of the absolute value. When five recent DEQAS unknowns were analyzed in one non-standardized and one standardized assay the mean percent difference from the NIST target in values obtained using standardized vs. non-standardized calibrators were not significantly different. Finally, strong and statistically significant associations between the results were obtained using non-standardized and standardized assays for six of eight clinical conditions. The only exceptions were hypocalcemia and breast cancer, which likely reflect the small sample sizes for each of these diseases. These initial data provide confidence that the move to a NIST standardized assay will have little impact on results obtained with the iSYS platform. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled '17th Vitamin D Workshop'. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Correlations of volcanic ash texture with explosion earthquakes from vulcanian eruptions at Sakurajima volcano, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miwa, T.; Toramaru, A.; Iguchi, M.

2009-07-01

We compare the texture of volcanic ash with the maximum amplitude of explosion earthquakes ( Aeq) for vulcanian eruptions from Sakurajima volcano. We analyze the volcanic ash emitted by 17 vulcanian eruptions from 1974 to 1987. Using a stereoscopic microscope, we classify the glassy particles into smooth surface particles (S-type particles) and non-smooth surface particles (NS-type particles) according to their surface conditions—gloss or non-gloss appearance—as an indicator of the freshness of the particles. S-type particles are further classified into V-type particles (those including vesicles) and NV-type particles (those without vesicles) by means of examinations under a polarized microscopic of polished thin sections. Cross-correlated examinations against seismological data show that: 1) the number fraction of S-type particles (S-fraction) has a positive correlation with Aeq, 2) the number ratio of NV-type particles to V-type particles (the N/V number ratio) has a positive correlation with Aeq, and 3) for explosions accompanied with BL-type earthquake swarms, the N/V number ratio has a negative correlation with the duration of the BL-Swarms. BL-Swarms refer to the phenomenon of numerous BL-type earthquakes occurring within a few days, prior to an increase in explosive activity [Kamo, K., 1978. Some phenomena before the summit crater eruptions at Sakura-zima volcano. Bull. Volcanol. Soc. Japan., 23, 53-64]. The positive correlation between the N/V number ratio and Aeq could indicate that a large amount of separated gas from fresh magma results in a large Aeq. Plagioclase microlite textual analysis of NV-type particles from five explosive events without BL-Swarms shows that the plagioclase microlite number density (MND) and the L/ W (length/width) ratio have a positive correlation with Aeq. A comparison between textural data (MND, L/ W ratio, crystallinity) and the result of a decompression-induced crystallization experiment [Couch, S., Sparks, R.S.J., Carroll, M.R., 2003. The kinetics of degassing-induced crystallization at Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat. J. Petrol., 44, 1477-1502.] suggests that a plagioclase microlite texture of volcanic ash from eruptions without BL-Swarms could be generated by a decompression of 100-160 MPa. If the MND is controlled by the water exsolution rate from melt, the positive correlation between the MND and Aeq may suggest that Aeq becomes large when the effective decompression is large and the water exsolution rate is high (from 6.2 × 10 - 5 to 1.9 × 10 - 4 wt.%/s). The estimated magma ascent rate ranges from 0.11 to 0.35 m/s, which is one order of magnitude faster than that of an effusive eruption, and one to three orders slower than those for a (sub-) plinian eruption. This suggests that the ascent rate of magma plays an important role in the occurrence of vulcanian eruptions. We propose a simple model for vulcanian eruptions at Sakurajima volcano that takes into account the correlation between the S-fraction and Aeq.

FERMI LARGE AREA TELESCOPE STUDY OF COSMIC RAYS AND THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM IN NEARBY MOLECULAR CLOUDS

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

Ackermann, M.; Ajello, M.; Allafort, A.

We report an analysis of the interstellar {gamma}-ray emission from the Chamaeleon, R Coronae Australis (R CrA), and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions with the Fermi Large Area Telescope. They are among the nearest molecular cloud complexes, within {approx}300 pc from the solar system. The {gamma}-ray emission produced by interactions of cosmic rays (CRs) and interstellar gas in those molecular clouds is useful to study the CR densities and distributions of molecular gas close to the solar system. The obtained {gamma}-ray emissivities above 250 MeV are (5.9 {+-} 0.1{sub stat}{sup +0.9}{sub -1.0sys}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -27} photons s{sup -1} sr{sup -1}more » H-atom{sup -1}, (10.2 {+-} 0.4{sub stat}{sup +1.2}{sub -1.7sys}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -27} photons s{sup -1} sr{sup -1} H-atom{sup -1}, and (9.1 {+-} 0.3{sub stat}{sup +1.5}{sub -0.6sys}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -27} photons s{sup -1} sr{sup -1} H-atom{sup -1} for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively. Whereas the energy dependences of the emissivities agree well with that predicted from direct CR observations at the Earth, the measured emissivities from 250 MeV to 10 GeV indicate a variation of the CR density by {approx}20% in the neighborhood of the solar system, even if we consider systematic uncertainties. The molecular mass calibrating ratio, X{sub CO} = N(H{sub 2})/W{sub CO}, is found to be (0.96 {+-} 0.06{sub stat}{sup +0.15}{sub -0.12sys}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 20} H{sub 2}-molecule cm{sup -2} (K km s{sup -1}){sup -1}, (0.99 {+-} 0.08{sub stat}{sup +0.18}{sub -0.10sys}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 20} H{sub 2}-molecule cm{sup -2} (K km s{sup -1}){sup -1}, and (0.63 {+-} 0.02{sub stat}{sup +0.09}{sub -0.07sys}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 20} H{sub 2}-molecule cm{sup -2} (K km s{sup -1}){sup -1} for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively, suggesting a variation of X{sub CO} in the vicinity of the solar system. From the obtained values of X{sub CO}, the masses of molecular gas traced by W{sub CO} in the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions are estimated to be {approx}5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 3} M{sub Sun }, {approx}10{sup 3} M{sub Sun }, and {approx}3.3 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 4} M{sub Sun }, respectively. A comparable amount of gas not traced well by standard H I and CO surveys is found in the regions investigated.« less

Topical Meeting on Optical Bistability Held at Rochester, New York on 15-17 June 1983.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-01

distortion of their initial directions of polarization : both of the beams are linearly polarized , with their electric vectors either (i)parallel to...New Zealand. ChSAM aIB ct Multistability, self-oscillation, and chaos in a model for polarization I Chas mnd Optlcal Bltabillty: Blfuraton...second circularly polarized pumping beam has been observed, transition sequence arises that is consistent with recent observ- Sense of response

High Power Magnetohydrodynamic System; Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-07-01

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMPLETING FORM REPORT NUMBER 2. GOVT ACCESSION NO. 3 . RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER AFAPL-TR-78-51 Vol 1[ 4. TITLE (mnd Subtitle) 5. TYPE... 3 . To achieve these performance requirements, the required characteristic velocity efficiency of the combustion system was greater than 99%. During...Introduction 355 2. General Description 356 3 . Design Criteria 358 4. Design Specifications 362 5. Design Analysis 365 6. Design Details 369 7. Fabrication 375 a

Growth and Doping of Al(x)Ga(1-x)N Films by Electron Cyclotron Resonance Assisted Molecular Beam

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-08-31

nonuniformity of the film. All of the contacts doped differently than the bulk material, and the accuracy measured have specific contact resistances in the 10-7...titihe1d mnd IIIi silne \\ -it esaiple. one1 inis"oteelc itrain 11natkect 1" *\\In \\01101i is e\\p~etcti dueC (1 tie lair ~c Llatic niustmitct !;,; It IL i close

Nonlinear Real-Time Optical Signal Processing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-07-01

Principal Investigator B. K. Jenkins Signal and Image Processing Institute University of Southern California Mail Code 0272 Los Angeles, California...ADDRESS (09% SteW. Mnd ZIP Code ) 10. SOURC OF FUNONG NUMBERS Bldg. 410, Bolling AFB PROGAM CT TASK WORK UNIT Washington, D.C. 20332 EEETP.aso o 11...TAB Unmnnncced Justification By Distribution/ I O’ Availablility Codes I - ’_ ji and/or 2 I Summary During the period 1 July 1987 - 30 June 1988, the

Model-Based Systems Engineering Pilot Program at NASA Langley

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vipavetz, Kevin G.; Murphy, Douglas G.; Infeld, Samatha I.

2012-01-01

NASA Langley Research Center conducted a pilot program to evaluate the benefits of using a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach during the early phase of the Materials International Space Station Experiment-X (MISSE-X) project. The goal of the pilot was to leverage MBSE tools and methods, including the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), to understand the net gain of utilizing this approach on a moderate size flight project. The System Requirements Review (SRR) success criteria were used to guide the work products desired from the pilot. This paper discusses the pilot project implementation, provides SysML model examples, identifies lessons learned, and describes plans for further use on MBSE on MISSE-X.

Extended Abstracts. International Symposium on Halide Glasses (2nd), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA, 2-5 August 1983.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-08-02

Research and Development in ’" T. Miyashita and i.. . nabe 34 "Environmental Effects on the Strength of Fluoride Glass Fibers" A. Nakata, J. Lau, and J...continuous optical window. Ujnfortunately YVP3 ony permit’s thin samiples (1 mm) to be synthesized. Vitrco&us domnain ina the ternary sys ~tem TIT "Zni - YbF 4...synthesis methods, quenched glasses have been obtained in the CdF2-ZnF 2-BaF2 and CdF2-MnF2-BaF 2 ternary sys - tems. Binary glasses (Cd0 .5Ba0 .5 )F2 have

Systems metabolic engineering as an enabling technology in accomplishing sustainable development goals.

PubMed

Yang, Dongsoo; Cho, Jae Sung; Choi, Kyeong Rok; Kim, Hyun Uk; Lee, Sang Yup

2017-09-01

With pressing issues arising in recent years, the United Nations proposed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an agenda urging international cooperations for sustainable development. In this perspective, we examine the roles of systems metabolic engineering (SysME) and its contribution to improving the quality of life and protecting our environment, presenting how this field of study offers resolutions to the SDGs with relevant examples. We conclude with offering our opinion on the current state of SysME and the direction it should move forward in the generations to come, explicitly focusing on addressing the SDGs. © 2017 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.

Study of the Rare Decay K L → π 0γγ at KTeV

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

Wang, Jianbo

2007-01-01

The authors study on the rare decay K L → π 0γγ, measure a V, and branching ratio by analyzing 96, 97 and 99 data. The measurements were taken by KTeV at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. After all cuts, they have 1982 K L → π 0γγ candidate. The background level is estimated as 30%. K L → π 0γγ branching ratio is measured as (1.29 ± 0.03(stat) ± 0.04(sys)) x 10 -6. By using D'Ambrosio's theory to fit a V, a V = -(-0.31 ± 0.05(stat) ± 0.07(sys)).

Rapid Capability Fielding Toolbox Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

templates derived from best  practices.  The Object Management Group (OMG) is incorporating emerging standards for W3C, SysML, RDF, OWL,  and  BPMN ...capabilities to the  warfighter. 33  Glossary  Acronyms    BPMN   Business Process Modeling Notation  CAD  Computer‐Aided Design  CAE  Computer‐Aided...deployed  on  standards‐based  run‐time  environments.    The  trend  is  that  the  emerging  standards  for  W3C,  SysML,  RDF,  OWL,  and  BPMN   are

[The study of chronic partial denervation and quality of life in patients with motor neuron disease treated with semax].

PubMed

Serdiuk, A V; Levitskiĭ, G N; Miasoedov, N F; Skvortsova, V I

2007-01-01

The study of chronic partial denervation (CPD) and quality of life was carried out in 27 patients with definite, probable and possible diagnosis of motor neuron disease (MND) treated with semax (1% solution). The needle electromyography (EMG) was performed thrice with short-term 2 month interval (60 days before enrollment and on day 1 and day 48 of the study) in three muscles on bulbar, cervical and lumbosacral levels on the less affected side. According to Revised El-Escorial Criteria (1998) the needle EMG for diagnostic purposes was also performed in two muscles on the cervical and lumbosacral levels on the more affected side along with stimulation electroneuronmyography of motor and sensory fibers of the peripheral nerves of neck, upper and lower extremities. The open-label clinical trial of Semax (1% solution) was conducted in sequential groups of patients. The drug was administered intranasally in two 10-day-long courses with 2-weeks break in daily dose of 12 mg. Sixty days before enrollment, and on days 1, 10, 24, 34 and 48, patients were assessed by the Norris ALS, the ALS Functioning Rating Scale and the ALSAQ-40 quality of life in the ALS scale. It was shown that CPD on the early as well as on the late stages was characterized by forward-backward, but not unidirectional course, that did not allow to recommend the follow-up needle EMG with short-term interval for evaluation of drug efficacy monitoring. Early CPD stages were characterized by forward-backwards fluctuations reflecting the compensatory reinnervation process (a phenomenon of exchange of muscle fibers, more rational in view of reinnervation, between adjacent motor units) whereas on the late CPD stages these forward-backwards CPD fluctuations reflected the processes of progressive deterioration of muscle fibers and secondary demyelination of large motor axons. Semax (1% solution) does not influence either the course of CPD or the dynamics of clinical estimates, in particular the terms of ensuing marked functional deficits on bulbar, cervical and lumbosacral levels of segmental innervation. However, 1% semax significantly improves the total estimate of life quality due to the improvement of emotional state and motivation in MND patients with the maximal effect on day 10. This finding suggests that it is feasible to administer 1% semax in complex MND palliative therapy.

Σ0 production in proton nucleus collisions near threshold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adamczewski-Musch, J.; Agakishiev, G.; Arnold, O.; Atomssa, E. T.; Behnke, C.; Berger-Chen, J. C.; Biernat, J.; Blanco, A.; Blume, C.; Böhmer, M.; Bordalo, P.; Chernenko, S.; Deveaux, C.; Dybczak, A.; Epple, E.; Fabbietti, L.; Fateev, O.; Fonte, P.; Franco, C.; Friese, J.; Fröhlich, I.; Galatyuk, T.; Garzón, J. A.; Gernhäuser, R.; Gill, K.; Golubeva, M.; Guber, F.; Gumberidze, M.; Harabasz, S.; Hennino, T.; Hlavac, S.; Höhne, C.; Holzmann, R.; Ierusalimov, A.; Ivashkin, A.; Jurkovic, M.; Kämpfer, B.; Karavicheva, T.; Kardan, B.; Koenig, I.; Koenig, W.; Kolb, B. W.; Korcyl, G.; Kornakov, G.; Kotte, R.; Krása, A.; Krebs, E.; Kuc, H.; Kugler, A.; Kunz, T.; Kurepin, A.; Kurilkin, A.; Kurilkin, P.; Ladygin, V.; Lalik, R.; Lapidus, K.; Lebedev, A.; Lopes, L.; Lorenz, M.; Mahmoud, T.; Maier, L.; Maurus, S.; Mangiarotti, A.; Markert, J.; Metag, V.; Michel, J.; Müntz, C.; Münzer, R.; Naumann, L.; Palka, M.; Parpottas, Y.; Pechenov, V.; Pechenova, O.; Petousis, V.; Pietraszko, J.; Przygoda, W.; Ramos, S.; Ramstein, B.; Rehnisch, L.; Reshetin, A.; Rost, A.; Rustamov, A.; Sadovsky, A.; Salabura, P.; Scheib, T.; Schmidt-Sommerfeld, K.; Schuldes, H.; Sellheim, P.; Siebenson, J.; Silva, L.; Sobolev, Yu. G.; Spataro, S.; Ströbele, H.; Stroth, J.; Strzempek, P.; Sturm, C.; Svoboda, O.; Tarantola, A.; Teilab, K.; Tlusty, P.; Traxler, M.; Tsertos, H.; Vasiliev, T.; Wagner, V.; Wendisch, C.; Wirth, J.; Wüstenfeld, J.; Zanevsky, Y.; Zumbruch, P.; Hades Collaboration

2018-06-01

The production of Σ0 baryons in the nuclear reaction p (3.5 GeV) + Nb (corresponding to √{sNN } = 3.18 GeV) is studied with the detector set-up HADES at GSI, Darmstadt. Σ0s were identified via the decay Σ0 → Λγ with subsequent decays Λ → pπ- in coincidence with a e+e- pair from either external (γ →e+e-) or internal (Dalitz decay γ* →e+e-) gamma conversions. The differential Σ0 cross section integrated over the detector acceptance, i.e. the rapidity interval 0.5 < y < 1.1, has been extracted as ΔσΣ0 = 2.3 ±(0.2) stat ±(-0.6+0.6)sys ±(0.2) norm mb, yielding the inclusive production cross section in full phase space σΣ0total = 5.8 ±(0.5) stat ± (-1.4+1.4)sys ±(0.6) norm ±(1.7) extrapol mb by averaging over different extrapolation methods. The Λall/Σ0 ratio within the HADES acceptance is equal to 2.3 ±(0.2) stat ± (-0.6+0.6)sys. The obtained rapidity and momentum distributions are compared to transport model calculations. The Σ0 yield agrees with the statistical model of particle production in nuclear reactions.

Tactisch Optreden van kleine eenheden (Small Unit Tactics)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-01

Marechaussee KTS Knock, Talk and Search MB Mercedes Benz MND(SE) Multinational Division (South East) NAVO Noord Atlantische Verdrag Organisatie NGO Non...patrouilles had men de beschikking over Mercedes Benz (MB) soft top wielvoertuigen, met een mitrailleur MAG 7.62 mm op affuit. Als extra bescherming was het... Mercedes Benz 5 IkN/ 7.5 kN soft top) voorzien van een voertuigaffuit met een mitrailleur MAG 7,62mm, uitgevoerd (zie Figuur 8). Bij verhoogde dreiging

Terrorism and the Pursuit of Conciliatory Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

to majestic Allah and establishes a caliphate according to the prophecy.‖ 67 EXPANDED INSURGENCY It is common to hear Americans speak of...Broadly speaking , fence-sitters are the members of the broader Islamic community or ―Ummah.‖ They are not just the COG for MND-B but also the Strategic...up the bedding on which you have slept. 3. Be courteous . 4. Be honest in your transactions. 5. Return what you borrow. AU/ACSC/WILLIAMSON/AY09 22

Estimating the ROI on Implementation of RFID at the Ammunition Storage Warehouse and the 40th Supply Depot: KVA as a Methodology

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

Balanced Scorecard CAPM Capital Asset Pricing Model DIS Defense Information System DoD Department of...Measurement Tool (PMT) is the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) based on critical success factors and key performance indicators. The MND has referred to Jung’s...authors can replicate the methodology for multiple projects to generate a portfolio of projects. Similar to the Capital Asset Pricing Model ( CAPM ) or

We Will Find A Way: Understanding the Legacy of Canadian Special Operations Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-01

and numerous contemporary English accounts conceded that the Canadian raiders “are well known to be the most dangerous enemy of any... reckoned...of the 1st Canadian Parachute Bat- talion, at great cost and personal sacrifice, pioneered a new innovative form of warfare and demonstrated agility...The MND quickly realized the strategic impact at a relatively low cost , that even a small SOF task force could achieve. As such, he pushed for

The Infant Motor Profile: a standardized and qualitative method to assess motor behaviour in infancy.

PubMed

Heineman, Kirsten R; Bos, Arend F; Hadders-Algra, Mijna

2008-04-01

A reliable and valid instrument to assess neuromotor condition in infancy is a prerequisite for early detection of developmental motor disorders. We developed a video-based assessment of motor behaviour, the Infant Motor Profile (IMP), to evaluate motor abilities, movement variability, ability to select motor strategies, movement symmetry, and fluency. The IMP consists of 80 items and is applicable in children from 3 to 18 months. The present study aimed to test intra- and interobserver reliability and concurrent validity of the IMP with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Touwen neurological examination. The study group consisted of 40 low-risk term (median gestational age [GA] 40 wks, range 38-42 wks) and 40 high-risk preterm infants (median GA 29.6 wks, range 26-33 wks) with corrected ages 4 to 18 months (31 females, 49 males). Intra- and interobserver agreement of the IMP were satisfactory (Spearman's rho=0.9). Concurrent validity of IMP and AIMS was good (Spearman's rho=0.8, p<0.005). The IMP was able to differentiate between infants with normal neurological condition, simple minor neurological dysfunction (MND), complex MND, and abnormal neurological condition (p<0.005). This means that the IMP may be a promising tool to evaluate neurological integrity during infancy, a suggestion that needs confirmation by means of assessment of larger groups of infants with heterogeneous neurological conditions.

Balance evaluation in haemophilic preadolescent patients using Nintendo Wii Balance Board®.

PubMed

Pérez-Alenda, S; Carrasco, J J; Aguilar-Rodríguez, M; Martínez-Gómez, L; Querol-Giner, M; Cuesta-Barriuso, R; Torres-Ortuño, A; Querol, F

2017-01-01

Alterations in the musculoskeletal system, especially in the lower limbs, limit physical activity and affect balance and walking. Postural impairments in haemophilic preteens could increase the risk of bleeding events and deteriorate the physical condition, promoting the progression of haemophilic arthropathy. This study aims to evaluate static postural balance in haemophilic children, assessed by means of the Wii Balance Board ® (WBB). Nineteen children with haemophilia and 19 without haemophilia aged 9-10 years, have participated in this study. Postural balance was assessed by performing four tests, each one lasting 15 s: bipodal eyes open (BEO), bipodal eyes closed (BEC), monopodal dominant leg (MD) and monopodal non-dominant leg (MND). Two balance indices, standard deviation of amplitude (SDA) and standard deviation of velocity (SDV) were calculated in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions. Index values were higher in haemophilic group and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in only six (SDAAP in BEO, BEC and MD conditions, SDAML in BEO, SDVAP in BEO and SDVML in MND condition) of 16 parameters analysed. Tests performed indicate a poorer static postural balance in the haemophilic cohort compared to the control group. Accordingly, physiotherapy programmes, physical activity and sports should be designed to improve the postural balance with the aim of preventing joint deterioration and improving quality of life. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Theory of Auger core-valence-valence processes in simple metals. II. Dynamical and surface effects on Auger line shapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almbladh, C.-O.; Morales, A. L.

1989-02-01

Auger CVV spectra of simple metals are generally believed to be well described by one-electron-like theories in the bulk which account for matrix elements and, in some cases, also static core-hole screening effects. We present here detailed calculations on Li, Be, Na, Mg, and Al using self-consistent bulk wave functions and proper matrix elements. The resulting spectra differ markedly from experiment and peak at too low energies. To explain this discrepancy we investigate effects of the surface and dynamical effects of the sudden disappearance of the core hole in the final state. To study core-hole effects we solve Mahan-Nozières-De Dominicis (MND) model numerically over the entire band. The core-hole potential and other parameters in the MND model are determined by self-consistent calculations of the core-hole impurity. The results are compared with simpler approximations based on the final-state rule due to von Barth and Grossmann. To study surface and mean-free-path effects we perform slab calculations for Al but use a simpler infinite-barrier model in the remaining cases. The model reproduces the slab spectra for Al with very good accuracy. In all cases investigated either the effects of the surface or the effects of the core hole give important modifications and a much improved agreement with experiment.

The impact of perceived lack of support provided by health and social care services to caregivers of people with motor neuron disease.

PubMed

Peters, Michele; Fitzpatrick, Ray; Doll, Helen; Playford, E Diane; Jenkinson, Crispin

2012-02-01

Our objective was to investigate the relationship between support by health and social care services and caregiver well-being. A survey, including a generic health status measure (SF-12), a disease-specific measure for patients (ALSAQ-40), the Carer Strain Index (CSI) for caregivers and questions on experiences of health and social care services, was sent to patient members of the MND Association (UK) and their caregivers. A single 'problem score' was calculated from the experience questions and the relationship between the problem score with caregiver and patient well-being was analysed. Most caregivers reported at least one problem with support from services. The most common problems were services not valuing caregivers' experiences, and caregivers not feeling sufficiently involved in planning care. The problem score significantly increased with increasing caregiver strain and worsening mental health. The problem score was also increased as patient well-being decreased. The results suggest that caregiver strain was higher and mental health lower as the number of problems reported increased. A higher perceived lack of caregiver support was also related to a decrease in patient well-being, suggesting that caregivers' needs increase as the disease progresses. This emphasizes the importance of MND caregivers being appropriately supported by health and social care services in their caregiving role.

Adult-onset Alexander disease, associated with a mutation in an alternative GFAP transcript, may be phenotypically modulated by a non-neutral HDAC6 variant.

PubMed

Melchionda, Laura; Fang, Mingyan; Wang, Hairong; Fugnanesi, Valeria; Morbin, Michela; Liu, Xuanzhu; Li, Wenyan; Ceccherini, Isabella; Farina, Laura; Savoiardo, Mario; D'Adamo, Pio; Zhang, Jianguo; Costa, Alfredo; Ravaglia, Sabrina; Ghezzi, Daniele; Zeviani, Massimo

2013-05-01

We studied a family including two half-siblings, sharing the same mother, affected by slowly progressive, adult-onset neurological syndromes. In spite of the diversity of the clinical features, characterized by a mild movement disorder with cognitive impairment in the elder patient, and severe motor-neuron disease (MND) in her half-brother, the brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features were compatible with adult-onset Alexander's disease (AOAD), suggesting different expression of the same, genetically determined, condition. Since mutations in the alpha isoform of glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP-α, the only cause so far known of AOAD, were excluded, we applied exome Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify gene variants, which were then functionally validated by molecular characterization of recombinant and patient-derived cells. Exome-NGS revealed a mutation in a previously neglected GFAP isoform, GFAP-ϵ, which disrupts the GFAP-associated filamentous cytoskeletal meshwork of astrocytoma cells. To shed light on the different clinical features in the two patients, we sought for variants in other genes. The male patient had a mutation, absent in his half-sister, in X-linked histone deacetylase 6, a candidate MND susceptibility gene. Exome-NGS is an unbiased approach that not only helps identify new disease genes, but may also contribute to elucidate phenotypic expression.

A mutation in human VAP-B--MSP domain, present in ALS patients, affects the interaction with other cellular proteins.

PubMed

Mitne-Neto, M; Ramos, C R R; Pimenta, D C; Luz, J S; Nishimura, A L; Gonzales, F A; Oliveira, C C; Zatz, M

2007-09-01

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult-onset Motor Neuron Disease (MND), characterized by motor neurons death in the cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. Ten loci linked to Familial ALS have been mapped. ALS8 is caused by a substitution of a proline by a serine in the Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein-Associated protein-B/C (VAP-B/C). VAP-B belongs to a highly conserved family of proteins implicated in Endoplasmic Reticulum-Golgi and intra-Golgi transport and microtubules stabilization. Previous studies demonstrated that the P56S mutation disrupts the subcellular localization of VAP-B and that this position would be essential for Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) induced by VAP-B. In the present work we expressed and purified recombinant wild-type and P56S mutant VAP-B-MSP domain for the analysis of its interactions with other cellular proteins. Our findings suggest that the P56S mutation may lead to a less stable interaction of this endoplasmic reticulum protein with at least two other proteins: tubulin and GAPDH. These two proteins have been previously related to other forms of neurodegenerative diseases and are potential key points to understand ALS8 pathogenesis and other forms of MND. Understanding the role of these protein interactions may help the treatment of this devastating disease in the future.

NASA Integrated Network Monitor and Control Software Architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shames, Peter; Anderson, Michael; Kowal, Steve; Levesque, Michael; Sindiy, Oleg; Donahue, Kenneth; Barnes, Patrick

2012-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Communications and Navigation office (SCaN) has commissioned a series of trade studies to define a new architecture intended to integrate the three existing networks that it operates, the Deep Space Network (DSN), Space Network (SN), and Near Earth Network (NEN), into one integrated network that offers users a set of common, standardized, services and interfaces. The integrated monitor and control architecture utilizes common software and common operator interfaces that can be deployed at all three network elements. This software uses state-of-the-art concepts such as a pool of re-programmable equipment that acts like a configurable software radio, distributed hierarchical control, and centralized management of the whole SCaN integrated network. For this trade space study a model-based approach using SysML was adopted to describe and analyze several possible options for the integrated network monitor and control architecture. This model was used to refine the design and to drive the costing of the four different software options. This trade study modeled the three existing self standing network elements at point of departure, and then described how to integrate them using variations of new and existing monitor and control system components for the different proposed deployments under consideration. This paper will describe the trade space explored, the selected system architecture, the modeling and trade study methods, and some observations on useful approaches to implementing such model based trade space representation and analysis.

Absolute prompt-gamma yield measurements for ion beam therapy monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinto, M.; Bajard, M.; Brons, S.; Chevallier, M.; Dauvergne, D.; Dedes, G.; De Rydt, M.; Freud, N.; Krimmer, J.; La Tessa, C.; Létang, J. M.; Parodi, K.; Pleskač, R.; Prieels, D.; Ray, C.; Rinaldi, I.; Roellinghoff, F.; Schardt, D.; Testa, E.; Testa, M.

2015-01-01

Prompt-gamma emission detection is a promising technique for hadrontherapy monitoring purposes. In this regard, obtaining prompt-gamma yields that can be used to develop monitoring systems based on this principle is of utmost importance since any camera design must cope with the available signal. Herein, a comprehensive study of the data from ten single-slit experiments is presented, five consisting in the irradiation of either PMMA or water targets with lower and higher energy carbon ions, and another five experiments using PMMA targets and proton beams. Analysis techniques such as background subtraction methods, geometrical normalization, and systematic uncertainty estimation were applied to the data in order to obtain absolute prompt-gamma yields in units of prompt-gamma counts per incident ion, unit of field of view, and unit of solid angle. At the entrance of a PMMA target, where the contribution of secondary nuclear reactions is negligible, prompt-gamma counts per incident ion, per millimetre and per steradian equal to (124 ± 0.7stat ± 30sys) × 10-6 for 95 MeV u-1 carbon ions, (79 ± 2stat ± 23sys) × 10-6 for 310 MeV u-1 carbon ions, and (16 ± 0.07stat ± 1sys) × 10-6 for 160 MeV protons were found for prompt gammas with energies higher than 1 MeV. This shows a factor 5 between the yields of two different ions species with the same range in water (160 MeV protons and 310 MeV u-1 carbon ions). The target composition was also found to influence the prompt-gamma yield since, for 300/310 MeV u-1 carbon ions, a 42% greater yield ((112 ± 1stat ± 22sys) × 10-6 counts ion-1 mm-1 sr-1) was obtained with a water target compared to a PMMA one.

Lifetimes of low-lying excited states in Kr 50 36 86

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

Henderson, J.; Chester, A.; Ball, G. C.

b>Bmore » The evolution of nuclear magic numbers at extremes of isospin is a topic at the forefront of contemporary nuclear physics. N = 50 is a prime example, with increasing experimental data coming to light on potentially doubly magic Sn 100 and Ni 78 at the proton-rich and proton-deficient extremes, respectively; however, experimental discrepancies exist in the data for less exotic systems. Purpose: In Kr 86 the B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 1 + ) value—a key indicator of shell evolution—has been experimentally determined by two different methodologies, with the results deviating by 3 σ . Here, we report on a new high-precision measurement of this value, as well as the first measured lifetimes and hence transition strengths for the 2 2 + and 3 ( 2 ) - states in the nucleus. Methods: The Doppler-shift attenuation method was implemented using the TRIUMF-ISAC γ -ray escape-suppressed spectrometer (TIGRESS) γ -ray spectrometer and the TIGRESS integrated plunger device. High-statistics Monte Carlo simulations were utilized to extract lifetimes in accordance with state-of-the-art methodologies. Results: Lifetimes of τ ( 2 1 + ) = 336 ± 4 (stat.) ± 20 (sys.) fs, τ ( 2 2 + ) = 263 ± 9 (stat.) ± 19 (sys.) fs, and τ ( 3 ( 2 ) - ) = 73 ± 6 (stat.) ± 32 (sys.) fs were extracted. This yields a transition strength for the first-excited state of B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 1 + ) = 259 ± 3 (stat.) ± 16 (sys.) e 2 fm 4 . Conclusions: Finally, the measured lifetime disagrees with the previous Doppler-shift attenuation method measurement by more than 3 σ , while agreeing well with a previous value extracted from Coulomb excitation. The newly extracted B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 1 + ) value indicates a more significant reduction in the N = 50 isotones approaching Z = 40 .« less

Lifetimes of low-lying excited states in Kr 50 36 86

DOE PAGES

Henderson, J.; Chester, A.; Ball, G. C.; ...

2018-04-16

b>Bmore » The evolution of nuclear magic numbers at extremes of isospin is a topic at the forefront of contemporary nuclear physics. N = 50 is a prime example, with increasing experimental data coming to light on potentially doubly magic Sn 100 and Ni 78 at the proton-rich and proton-deficient extremes, respectively; however, experimental discrepancies exist in the data for less exotic systems. Purpose: In Kr 86 the B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 1 + ) value—a key indicator of shell evolution—has been experimentally determined by two different methodologies, with the results deviating by 3 σ . Here, we report on a new high-precision measurement of this value, as well as the first measured lifetimes and hence transition strengths for the 2 2 + and 3 ( 2 ) - states in the nucleus. Methods: The Doppler-shift attenuation method was implemented using the TRIUMF-ISAC γ -ray escape-suppressed spectrometer (TIGRESS) γ -ray spectrometer and the TIGRESS integrated plunger device. High-statistics Monte Carlo simulations were utilized to extract lifetimes in accordance with state-of-the-art methodologies. Results: Lifetimes of τ ( 2 1 + ) = 336 ± 4 (stat.) ± 20 (sys.) fs, τ ( 2 2 + ) = 263 ± 9 (stat.) ± 19 (sys.) fs, and τ ( 3 ( 2 ) - ) = 73 ± 6 (stat.) ± 32 (sys.) fs were extracted. This yields a transition strength for the first-excited state of B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 1 + ) = 259 ± 3 (stat.) ± 16 (sys.) e 2 fm 4 . Conclusions: Finally, the measured lifetime disagrees with the previous Doppler-shift attenuation method measurement by more than 3 σ , while agreeing well with a previous value extracted from Coulomb excitation. The newly extracted B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 1 + ) value indicates a more significant reduction in the N = 50 isotones approaching Z = 40 .« less

Turbulent Kinetic Energy Assessed by Multipoint 4-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging Provides Additional Information Relative to Echocardiography for the Determination of Aortic Stenosis Severity.

PubMed

Binter, Christian; Gotschy, Alexander; Sündermann, Simon H; Frank, Michelle; Tanner, Felix C; Lüscher, Thomas F; Manka, Robert; Kozerke, Sebastian

2017-06-01

Turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), assessed by 4-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging, is a measure of energy loss in disturbed flow as it occurs, for instance, in aortic stenosis (AS). This work investigates the additional information provided by quantifying TKE for the assessment of AS severity in comparison to clinical echocardiographic measures. Fifty-one patients with AS (67±15 years, 20 female) and 10 healthy age-matched controls (69±5 years, 5 female) were prospectively enrolled to undergo multipoint 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were split into 2 groups (severe and mild/moderate AS) according to their echocardiographic mean pressure gradient. TKE values were integrated over the aortic arch to obtain peak TKE. Integrating over systole yielded total TKE sys and by normalizing for stroke volume, normalized TKE sys was obtained. Mean pressure gradient and TKE correlated only weakly ( R 2 =0.26 for peak TKE and R 2 =0.32 for normalized TKE sys ) in the entire study population including control subjects, while no significant correlation was observed in the AS patient group. In the patient population with dilated ascending aorta, both peak TKE and total TKE sys were significantly elevated ( P <0.01), whereas mean pressure gradient was significantly lower ( P <0.05). Patients with bicuspid aortic valves also showed significantly increased TKE metrics ( P <0.01), although no significant difference was found for mean pressure gradient. Elevated TKE levels imply higher energy losses associated with bicuspid aortic valves and dilated ascending aortic geometries that are not assessable by current echocardiographic measures. These findings indicate that TKE may provide complementary information to echocardiography, helping to distinguish within the heterogeneous population of patients with moderate to severe AS. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Effects of leaf area index on the coupling between water table, land surface energy fluxes, and planetary boundary layer at the regional scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Y.; Rihani, J.; Langensiepen, M.; Simmer, C.

2013-12-01

Vegetation plays an important role in the exchange of moisture and energy at the land surface. Previous studies indicate that vegetation increases the complexity of the feedbacks between the atmosphere and subsurface through processes such as interception, root water uptake, leaf surface evaporation, and transpiration. Vegetation cover can affect not only the interaction between water table depth and energy fluxes, but also the development of the planetary boundary layer. Leaf Area Index (LAI) is shown to be a major factor influencing these interactions. In this work, we investigate the sensitivity of water table, surface energy fluxes, and atmospheric boundary layer interactions to LAI as a model input. We particularly focus on the role LAI plays on the location and extent of transition zones of strongest coupling and how this role changes over seasonal timescales for a real catchment. The Terrestrial System Modelling Platform (TerrSysMP), developed within the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 32 (TR32), is used in this study. TerrSysMP consists of the variably saturated groundwater model ParFlow, the land surface model Community Land Model (CLM), and the regional climate and weather forecast model COSMO (COnsortium for Small-scale Modeling). The sensitivity analysis is performed over a range of LAI values for different vegetation types as extracted from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) dataset for the Rur catchment in Germany. In the first part of this work, effects of vegetation structure on land surface energy fluxes and their connection to water table dynamics are studied using the stand-alone CLM and the coupled subsurface-surface components of TerrSysMP (ParFlow-CLM), respectively. The interconnection between LAI and transition zones of strongest coupling are investigated and analyzed through a subsequent set of subsurface-surface-atmosphere coupled simulations implementing the full TerrSysMP model system.

The Wettzell System Monitoring Concept and First Realizations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ettl, Martin; Neidhardt, Alexander; Muehlbauer, Matthias; Ploetz, Christian; Beaudoin, Christopher

2010-01-01

Automated monitoring of operational system parameters for the geodetic space techniques is becoming more important in order to improve the geodetic data and to ensure the safety and stability of automatic and remote-controlled observations. Therefore, the Wettzell group has developed the system monitoring software, SysMon, which is based on a reliable, remotely-controllable hardware/software realization. A multi-layered data logging system based on a fanless, robust industrial PC with an internal database system is used to collect data from several external, serial, bus, or PCI-based sensors. The internal communication is realized with Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) and uses generative programming with the interface software generator idl2rpc.pl developed at Wettzell. Each data monitoring stream can be configured individually via configuration files to define the logging rates or analog-digital-conversion parameters. First realizations are currently installed at the new laser ranging system at Wettzell to address safety issues and at the VLBI station O Higgins as a meteorological data logger. The system monitoring concept should be realized for the Wettzell radio telescope in the near future.

Earth Science Data for a Mobile Age

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oostra, D.; Chambers, L. H.; Lewis, P. M.; Baize, R.; Oots, P.; Rogerson, T.; Crecelius, S.; Coleman, T.

2012-12-01

Earth science data access needs to be interoperable and automatic. Recently, increasingly savvy data users combined with more complex web and mobile applications have placed increasing demands on how this Earth science data is being delivered to educators and students. The MY NASA DATA (MND) and S'COOL projects are developing a strategy to interact with the education community in the age of mobile devices and platforms. How can we provide data and meaningful scientific experiences to educational users through mobile technologies? This initiative will seek out existing technologies and stakeholders within the Earth Science community to identify datasets that are relevant and appropriate for mobile application development and use by the educational community. Targeting efforts within the educational community will give the project a better understanding of the previous attempts at data/mobile application use in the classroom and its problems. In addition, we will query developers and data providers on what successes and failures they've experienced in trying to provide data for applications designed on mobile platforms. This feedback will be implemented in new websites, applications and lessons that will provide authentic scientific experiences for students and end users. We want to create tools that help sort through the vast amounts of NASA data, and deliver it to users automatically. NASA provides millions of gigabytes of data that is publicly available through a large number of services spread across the World Wide Web. Accessing and navigating this data can be time consuming and problematic with variety of file types and methods for accessing this data. The MND project, through its' Live Access Server system, provides selected datasets that are relevant and targets National Standards of Learning for educators to easily integrate into existing curricula. In the future, we want to provide desired data to users with automatic updates, anticipate future data queries/needs and generate new data combinations--targeting users with a web 3.0 methodology. We will examine applications that give users direct access to data in near real-time and find solutions for the educational community. MND and S'COOL will identify trends in the mobile and web application sectors to provide the greatest effect upon relevant audiences within the science and educational communities. Greater access is the goal, with an acute focus on educating our future explorers and scientists with tools and data that will provide the most efficacy, use, and enriching science experiences. Current trends point to cross-platform web applications as being the most effective and efficient means of delivering content, data, and ideas to end users. Universal availability of key datasets on any device will encourage users to continue to use data and attract potential data users and providers. Projected Outcomes Initially, the outcome for this work is to increase the effectiveness of the MND and S'COOL projects by learning more about our users needs and anticipating how data will be used in the future. Through our work we will increase exposure and ease of access to NASA datasets relevant to our communities. Our goal is to focus on our participants mobile usage in the classroom, thereby gaining a greater understanding on how data is being used to teach students about the Earth and begin to develop better tools and technologies.

Radiative decays of the Σ0(1385) and Λ(1520) hyperons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, S.; Mutchler, G. S.; Adams, G.; Ambrozewicz, P.; Anciant, E.; Anghinolfi, M.; Asavapibhop, B.; Asryan, G.; Audit, G.; Avakian, H.; Bagdasaryan, H.; Ball, J. P.; Barrow, S.; Batourine, V.; Battaglieri, M.; Beard, K.; Bektasoglu, M.; Bellis, M.; Benmouna, N.; Berman, B. L.; Bianchi, N.; Biselli, A. S.; Boiarinov, S.; Bonner, B. E.; Bouchigny, S.; Bradford, R.; Branford, D.; Briscoe, W. J.; Brooks, W. K.; Bültmann, S.; Burkert, V. D.; Butuceanu, C.; Calarco, J. R.; Carman, D. S.; Carnahan, B.; Chen, S.; Cole, P. L.; Cords, D.; Corvisiero, P.; Crabb, D.; Crannell, H.; Cummings, J. P.; Sanctis, E. De; Devita, R.; Degtyarenko, P. V.; Denizli, H.; Dennis, L.; Deur, A.; Dharmawardane, K. V.; Djalali, C.; Dodge, G. E.; Doughty, D.; Dragovitsch, P.; Dugger, M.; Dytman, S.; Dzyubak, O. P.; Egiyan, H.; Egiyan, K. S.; Elouadrhiri, L.; Empl, A.; Eugenio, P.; Fatemi, R.; Feldman, G.; Fersch, R. G.; Feuerbach, R. J.; Forest, T. A.; Funsten, H.; Garçon, M.; Gavalian, G.; Gilfoyle, G. P.; Giovanetti, K. L.; Golovatch, E.; Gordon, C. I.; Gothe, R. W.; Griffioen, K. A.; Guidal, M.; Guillo, M.; Guler, N.; Guo, L.; Gyurjyan, V.; Hadjidakis, C.; Hakobyan, R. S.; Hardie, J.; Heddle, D.; Hersman, F. W.; Hicks, K.; Hleiqawi, I.; Holtrop, M.; Hu, J.; Huertas, M.; Hyde-Wright, C. E.; Ilieva, Y.; Ireland, D. G.; Ito, M. M.; Jenkins, D.; Joo, K.; Juengst, H. G.; Kellie, J. D.; Khandaker, M.; Kim, K. Y.; Kim, K.; Kim, W.; Klein, A.; Klein, F. J.; Klimenko, A. V.; Klusman, M.; Kossov, M.; Koubarovski, V.; Kramer, L. H.; Kuhn, S. E.; Kuhn, J.; Lachniet, J.; Laget, J. M.; Langheinrich, J.; Lawrence, D.; Lee, T.; Li, Ji; Lima, A. C.; Livingston, K.; Lukashin, K.; Manak, J. J.; Marchand, C.; McAleer, S.; McNabb, J. W.; Mecking, B. A.; Melone, J. J.; Mestayer, M. D.; Meyer, C. A.; Mikhailov, K.; Mirazita, M.; Miskimen, R.; Mokeev, V.; Morand, L.; Morrow, S. A.; Muccifora, V.; Mueller, J.; Napolitano, J.; Nasseripour, R.; Niccolai, S.; Niculescu, G.; Niculescu, I.; Niczyporuk, B. B.; Niyazov, R. A.; Nozar, M.; O'Rielly, G. V.; Osipenko, M.; Ostrovidov, A. I.; Park, K.; Pasyuk, E.; Philips, S. A.; Pivnyuk, N.; Pocanic, D.; Pogorelko, O.; Polli, E.; Pozdniakov, S.; Preedom, B. M.; Price, J. W.; Prok, Y.; Protopopescu, D.; Qin, L. M.; Raue, B. S.; Riccardi, G.; Ricco, G.; Ripani, M.; Ritchie, B. G.; Ronchetti, F.; Rosner, G.; Rossi, P.; Rowntree, D.; Rubin, P. D.; Sabatié, F.; Salgado, C.; Santoro, J. P.; Sapunenko, V.; Schumacher, R. A.; Serov, V. S.; Shafi, A.; Sharabian, Y. G.; Shaw, J.; Simionatto, S.; Skabelin, A. V.; Smith, E. S.; Smith, L. C.; Sober, D. I.; Spraker, M.; Stavinsky, A.; Stepanyan, S.; Stepanyan, S. S.; Stokes, B. E.; Stoler, P.; Strakovsky, I. I.; Strauch, S.; Suleiman, R.; Taiuti, M.; Tedeschi, D. J.; Thoma, U.; Thompson, R.; Tkabladze, A.; Todor, L.; Tur, C.; Ungaro, M.; Vineyard, M. F.; Vlassov, A. V.; Wang, K.; Weinstein, L. B.; Weller, H.; Weygand, D. P.; Whisnant, C. S.; Williams, M.; Wolin, E.; Wood, M. H.; Yegneswaran, A.; Yun, J.; Zana, L.

2005-05-01

The electromagnetic decays of the Σ0(1385) and Λ(1520) hyperons were studied in photon-induced reactions γp→K+Λ(1116)γ in the Large Acceptance Spectrometer detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. We report the first observation of the radiative decay of the Σ0(1385) and a measurement of the Λ(1520) radiative decay width. For the Σ0(1385)→Λ(1116)γ transition, we measured a partial width of 479±120(stat)+81-100(sys)keV, larger than all of the existing model predictions. For the Λ(1520)→Λ(1116)γ transition, we obtained a partial width of 167±43(stat)+26-12(sys)keV.

An International Survey of Maintenance Human Factors Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

50 countres. not surprsngly, g en the orgn of the surey, many respondents (39.8%) worked wthn the unted States. howeer, respondents from...National Aviation Authority (O-NAA) 72 17.8 Transport Canada (TC) 36 8.9 Civil Aviation Safety Authority ( CASA )(Australia) 19 4.7 Airline Maint 35.0...results are splt by regulatory author- ty model (.e., cASA , eASA, FAA, Tc, and o-nAA). Keep n mnd that ths was the regulatory body that ther

Band of Brothers or Dysfunctional Family? A Military Perspective on Coalition Challenges During Stability Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

vehicle LCT landing craft, tank LO liaison officer LOO line of operation MIS Military Intelligence Service MND (SE) Multi-National Division South East...23, 2000. Their units then fell under the command of the peace- keeping force (PKF) commander, Lt Gen Jaime de los Santos of the Philippines, who was...rather than instantaneous transition of responsibility between his command and the PKF. He suggested to General de los Santos that the UNTAET staff

Tribology of Langmuir-Blodgett Films

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-03-01

poly - meric systems and the use of Langmuir - Blodgett films as lubricants. An, 1473 ESWnoW’oP’-oVsS osOLe UNCLASSIFIED SECUlRTV CLASSIFICATIONi O r ThIS...N/A N/A 4. TITLE (and Subtitle) S. TyPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED Tribology of Langmuir - Blodgett Films Interim Technical Report 6. PERFORMING ORO...Co . - e o If neceesea mnd Identily by block number) Tribology, Langmuir - Blodgett Films 2 AerNACT t 44 Pem.e s* I peminp and tdolvart by block niber

HESS and Fermi-LAT discovery of γ-rays from the blazar 1ES 1312-423

DOE PAGES

Abramowski, A.; Acero, F.; Aharonian, F.; ...

2013-08-01

In this study, a deep observation campaign carried out by the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) on Centaurus A enabled the discovery of γ-rays from the blazar 1ES 1312-423, 2° away from the radio galaxy. With a differential flux at 1 TeV of (Φ1 TeV) = (1.9 ± 0.6stat ± 0.4sys) × 10 -13 cm -2 s -1 TeV -1 corresponding to 0.5 percent of the Crab nebula differential flux and a spectral index Γ = 2.9 ± 0.5stat ± 0.2sys, 1ES 1312-423 is one of the faintest sources ever detected in the very high energy (E > 100 GeV)more » extragalactic sky. A careful analysis using three and a half years of Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) data allows the discovery at high energies (E > 100 MeV) of a hard spectrum (Γ = 1.4 ± 0.4stat ± 0.2sys) source coincident with 1ES 1312-423. Radio, optical, UV and X-ray observations complete the spectral energy distribution of this blazar, now covering 16 decades in energy. Lastly, the emission is successfully fitted with a synchrotron self-Compton model for the non-thermal component, combined with a blackbody spectrum for the optical emission from the host galaxy.« less

The Centre of High-Performance Scientific Computing, Geoverbund, ABC/J - Geosciences enabled by HPSC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kollet, Stefan; Görgen, Klaus; Vereecken, Harry; Gasper, Fabian; Hendricks-Franssen, Harrie-Jan; Keune, Jessica; Kulkarni, Ketan; Kurtz, Wolfgang; Sharples, Wendy; Shrestha, Prabhakar; Simmer, Clemens; Sulis, Mauro; Vanderborght, Jan

2016-04-01

The Centre of High-Performance Scientific Computing (HPSC TerrSys) was founded 2011 to establish a centre of competence in high-performance scientific computing in terrestrial systems and the geosciences enabling fundamental and applied geoscientific research in the Geoverbund ABC/J (geoscientfic research alliance of the Universities of Aachen, Cologne, Bonn and the Research Centre Jülich, Germany). The specific goals of HPSC TerrSys are to achieve relevance at the national and international level in (i) the development and application of HPSC technologies in the geoscientific community; (ii) student education; (iii) HPSC services and support also to the wider geoscientific community; and in (iv) the industry and public sectors via e.g., useful applications and data products. A key feature of HPSC TerrSys is the Simulation Laboratory Terrestrial Systems, which is located at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) and provides extensive capabilities with respect to porting, profiling, tuning and performance monitoring of geoscientific software in JSC's supercomputing environment. We will present a summary of success stories of HPSC applications including integrated terrestrial model development, parallel profiling and its application from watersheds to the continent; massively parallel data assimilation using physics-based models and ensemble methods; quasi-operational terrestrial water and energy monitoring; and convection permitting climate simulations over Europe. The success stories stress the need for a formalized education of students in the application of HPSC technologies in future.

Creel survey sampling designs for estimating effort in short-duration Chinook salmon fisheries

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCormick, Joshua L.; Quist, Michael C.; Schill, Daniel J.

2013-01-01

Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha sport fisheries in the Columbia River basin are commonly monitored using roving creel survey designs and require precise, unbiased catch estimates. The objective of this study was to examine the relative bias and precision of total catch estimates using various sampling designs to estimate angling effort under the assumption that mean catch rate was known. We obtained information on angling populations based on direct visual observations of portions of Chinook Salmon fisheries in three Idaho river systems over a 23-d period. Based on the angling population, Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate the properties of effort and catch estimates for each sampling design. All sampling designs evaluated were relatively unbiased. Systematic random sampling (SYS) resulted in the most precise estimates. The SYS and simple random sampling designs had mean square error (MSE) estimates that were generally half of those observed with cluster sampling designs. The SYS design was more efficient (i.e., higher accuracy per unit cost) than a two-cluster design. Increasing the number of clusters available for sampling within a day decreased the MSE of estimates of daily angling effort, but the MSE of total catch estimates was variable depending on the fishery. The results of our simulations provide guidelines on the relative influence of sample sizes and sampling designs on parameters of interest in short-duration Chinook Salmon fisheries.

Charged kaon ratios and yields measured with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunz, Christopher Lee

The mid-rapidity charged kaon ratios and yields are reported for the 200 AGeV Au+Au, 130 AGeV Au+Au, and 200 GeV pp data sets. The K -/K+ ratios are shown to be flat as a function of rapidity, transverse momentum, and centrality for the ranges investigated. The integrated ratios are 0.928 +/- 0.0028 (stat.) +/- 0.03 (sys.), 0.953 +/- 0.0.0012 (stat.) +/- 0.01 (sys.), and 0.964 +/- 0.0039 (stat.) +/- 0.01 (sys.) for 130 AGeV Au+Au, 200 AGeV Au+Au, and 200 GeV pp respectively. Thermal fits are applied to the ratios to extract the baryo-chemical potential and chemical freeze-out temperature. The baryo-chemical potential, as well as the kaon ratio, suggest that the net-baryon density at mid-rapidity is approaching zero at RHIC energies. A quark coalescence model suggests quark degrees of freedom are important in the formation of the ratios. The corrected yields are fit with an exponential in mt and the dN/dy and inverse slope parameter are extracted. The inverse slope parameter is used along with the average collective flow velocity in a simple relationship to extract the thermal freeze-out temperature. A more sophisticated hydrodynamically motivated fit, using pion, kaon, and proton data, shows agreement with the trend from this simple relationship.

Improved regional-scale groundwater representation by the coupling of the mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM v5.7) to the groundwater model OpenGeoSys (OGS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jing, Miao; Heße, Falk; Kumar, Rohini; Wang, Wenqing; Fischer, Thomas; Walther, Marc; Zink, Matthias; Zech, Alraune; Samaniego, Luis; Kolditz, Olaf; Attinger, Sabine

2018-06-01

Most large-scale hydrologic models fall short in reproducing groundwater head dynamics and simulating transport process due to their oversimplified representation of groundwater flow. In this study, we aim to extend the applicability of the mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM v5.7) to subsurface hydrology by coupling it with the porous media simulator OpenGeoSys (OGS). The two models are one-way coupled through model interfaces GIS2FEM and RIV2FEM, by which the grid-based fluxes of groundwater recharge and the river-groundwater exchange generated by mHM are converted to fixed-flux boundary conditions of the groundwater model OGS. Specifically, the grid-based vertical reservoirs in mHM are completely preserved for the estimation of land-surface fluxes, while OGS acts as a plug-in to the original mHM modeling framework for groundwater flow and transport modeling. The applicability of the coupled model (mHM-OGS v1.0) is evaluated by a case study in the central European mesoscale river basin - Nägelstedt. Different time steps, i.e., daily in mHM and monthly in OGS, are used to account for fast surface flow and slow groundwater flow. Model calibration is conducted following a two-step procedure using discharge for mHM and long-term mean of groundwater head measurements for OGS. Based on the model summary statistics, namely the Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE), the mean absolute error (MAE), and the interquartile range error (QRE), the coupled model is able to satisfactorily represent the dynamics of discharge and groundwater heads at several locations across the study basin. Our exemplary calculations show that the one-way coupled model can take advantage of the spatially explicit modeling capabilities of surface and groundwater hydrologic models and provide an adequate representation of the spatiotemporal behaviors of groundwater storage and heads, thus making it a valuable tool for addressing water resources and management problems.

Smashing the Stovepipe: Leveraging the GMSEC Open Architecture and Advanced IT Automation to Rapidly Prototype, Develop and Deploy Next-Generation Multi-Mission Ground Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swenson, Paul

2017-01-01

Satellite/Payload Ground Systems - Typically highly-customized to a specific mission's use cases - Utilize hundreds (or thousands!) of specialized point-to-point interfaces for data flows / file transfers Documentation and tracking of these complex interfaces requires extensive time to develop and extremely high staffing costs Implementation and testing of these interfaces are even more cost-prohibitive, and documentation often lags behind implementation resulting in inconsistencies down the road With expanding threat vectors, IT Security, Information Assurance and Operational Security have become key Ground System architecture drivers New Federal security-related directives are generated on a daily basis, imposing new requirements on current / existing ground systems - These mandated activities and data calls typically carry little or no additional funding for implementation As a result, Ground System Sustaining Engineering groups and Information Technology staff continually struggle to keep up with the rolling tide of security Advancing security concerns and shrinking budgets are pushing these large stove-piped ground systems to begin sharing resources - I.e. Operational / SysAdmin staff, IT security baselines, architecture decisions or even networks / hosting infrastructure Refactoring these existing ground systems into multi-mission assets proves extremely challenging due to what is typically very tight coupling between legacy components As a result, many "Multi-Mission" ops. environments end up simply sharing compute resources and networks due to the difficulty of refactoring into true multi-mission systems Utilizing continuous integration / rapid system deployment technologies in conjunction with an open architecture messaging approach allows System Engineers and Architects to worry less about the low-level details of interfaces between components and configuration of systems GMSEC messaging is inherently designed to support multi-mission requirements, and allows components to aggregate data across multiple homogeneous or heterogeneous satellites or payloads - The highly-successful Goddard Science and Planetary Operations Control Center (SPOCC) utilizes GMSEC as the hub for it's automation and situational awareness capability Shifts focus towards getting GS to a final configuration-managed baseline, as well as multi-mission / big-picture capabilities that help increase situational awareness, promote cross-mission sharing and establish enhanced fleet management capabilities across all levels of the enterprise.

Dietary mineral supplies in Africa

PubMed Central

Joy, Edward J M; Ander, E Louise; Young, Scott D; Black, Colin R; Watts, Michael J; Chilimba, Allan D C; Chilima, Benson; Siyame, Edwin W P; Kalimbira, Alexander A; Hurst, Rachel; Fairweather-Tait, Susan J; Stein, Alexander J; Gibson, Rosalind S; White, Philip J; Broadley, Martin R

2014-01-01

Dietary micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) are widespread, yet their prevalence can be difficult to assess. Here, we estimate MND risks due to inadequate intakes for seven minerals in Africa using food supply and composition data, and consider the potential of food-based and agricultural interventions. Food Balance Sheets (FBSs) for 46 countries were integrated with food composition data to estimate per capita supply of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), and also phytate. Deficiency risks were quantified using an estimated average requirement (EAR) ‘cut-point’ approach. Deficiency risks are highest for Ca (54% of the population), followed by Zn (40%), Se (28%) and I (19%, after accounting for iodized salt consumption). The risk of Cu (1%) and Mg (<1%) deficiency are low. Deficiency risks are generally lower in the north and west of Africa. Multiple MND risks are high in many countries. The population-weighted mean phytate supply is 2770 mg capita−1 day−1. Deficiency risks for Fe are lower than expected (5%). However, ‘cut-point’ approaches for Fe are sensitive to assumptions regarding requirements; e.g. estimates of Fe deficiency risks are 43% under very low bioavailability scenarios consistent with high-phytate, low-animal protein diets. Fertilization and breeding strategies could greatly reduce certain MNDs. For example, meeting harvestplus breeding targets for Zn would reduce dietary Zn deficiency risk by 90% based on supply data. Dietary diversification or direct fortification is likely to be needed to address Ca deficiency risks. PMID:24524331

A micromechanical interpretation of the temperature dependence of Beremin model parameters for french RPV steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathieu, Jean-Philippe; Inal, Karim; Berveiller, Sophie; Diard, Olivier

2010-11-01

Local approach to brittle fracture for low-alloyed steels is discussed in this paper. A bibliographical introduction intends to highlight general trends and consensual points of the topic and evokes debatable aspects. French RPV steel 16MND5 (equ. ASTM A508 Cl.3), is then used as a model material to study the influence of temperature on brittle fracture. A micromechanical modelling of brittle fracture at the elementary volume scale already used in previous work is then recalled. It involves a multiscale modelling of microstructural plasticity which has been tuned on experimental inter-phase and inter-granular stresses heterogeneities measurements. Fracture probability of the elementary volume can then be computed using a randomly attributed defect size distribution based on realistic carbides repartition. This defect distribution is then deterministically correlated to stress heterogeneities simulated within the microstructure using a weakest-link hypothesis on the elementary volume, which results in a deterministic stress to fracture. Repeating the process allows to compute Weibull parameters on the elementary volume. This tool is then used to investigate the physical mechanisms that could explain the already experimentally observed temperature dependence of Beremin's parameter for 16MND5 steel. It is showed that, assuming that the hypothesis made in this work about cleavage micro-mechanisms are correct, effective equivalent surface energy (i.e. surface energy plus plastically dissipated energy when blunting the crack tip) for propagating a crack has to be temperature dependent to explain Beremin's parameters temperature evolution.

Assessment of general movements and heart rate variability in prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants.

PubMed

Dimitrijević, Lidija; Bjelaković, Bojko; Čolović, Hristina; Mikov, Aleksandra; Živković, Vesna; Kocić, Mirjana; Lukić, Stevo

2016-08-01

Adverse neurologic outcome in preterm infants could be associated with abnormal heart rate (HR) characteristics as well as with abnormal general movements (GMs) in the 1st month of life. To demonstrate to what extent GMs assessment can predict neurological outcome in preterm infants in our clinical setting; and to assess the clinical usefulness of time-domain indices of heart rate variability (HRV) in improving predictive value of poor repertoire (PR) GMs in writhing period. Qualitative assessment of GMs at 1 and 3 months corrected age; 24h electrocardiography (ECG) recordings and analyzing HRV at 1 month corrected age. Seventy nine premature infants at risk of neurodevelopmental impairments were included prospectively. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at the age of 2 years corrected. Children were classified as having normal neurodevelopmental status, minor neurologic dysfunction (MND), or cerebral palsy (CP). We found that GMs in writhing period (1 month corrected age) predicted CP at 2 years with sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 72.1%. Our results demonstrated the excellent predictive value of cramped synchronized (CS) GMs, but not of PR pattern. Analyzing separately a group of infants with PR GMs we found significantly lower values of HRV parameters in infants who later developed CP or MND vs. infants with PR GMs who had normal outcome. The quality of GMs was predictive for neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years. Prediction of PR GMs was significantly enhanced with analyzing HRV parameters. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nuclear morphometry in histological specimens of canine prostate cancer: Correlation with histological subtypes, Gleason score, methods of collection and survival time.

PubMed

Di Donato, Guido; Laufer-Amorim, Renée; Palmieri, Chiara

2017-10-01

Ten normal prostates, 22 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 29 prostate cancer (PC) were morphometrically analyzed with regard to mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (MND), coefficient of variation of the nuclear area (NACV), mean nuclear diameter maximum (MDx), mean nuclear diameter minimum (MDm), mean nuclear form ellipse (MNFe) and form factor (FF). The relationship between nuclear morphometric parameters and histological type, Gleason score, methods of sample collection, presence of metastases and survival time of canine PC were also investigated. Overall, nuclei from neoplastic cells were larger, with greater variation in nuclear size and shape compared to normal and hyperplastic cells. Significant differences were found between more (small acinar/ductal) and less (cribriform, solid) differentiated PCs with regard to FF (p<0.05). MNA, MNP, MND, MDx, and MDm were significantly correlated with the Gleason score of PC (p<0.05). MNA, MNP, MDx and MNFe may also have important prognostic implications in canine prostatic cancer since negatively correlated with the survival time. Biopsy specimens contained nuclei that were smaller and more irregular in comparison to those in prostatectomy and necropsy specimens and therefore factors associated with tissue sampling and processing may influence the overall morphometric evaluation. The results indicate that nuclear morphometric analysis in combination with Gleason score can help in canine prostate cancer grading, thus contributing to the establishment of a more precise prognosis and patient's management. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A quantitative description of tubular system Ca(2+) handling in fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibres.

PubMed

Cully, Tanya R; Edwards, Joshua N; Murphy, Robyn M; Launikonis, Bradley S

2016-06-01

Current methods do not allow a quantitative description of Ca(2+) movements across the tubular (t-) system membrane without isolating the membranes from their native skeletal muscle fibre. Here we present a fluorescence-based method that allows determination of the t-system [Ca(2+) ] transients and derivation of t-system Ca(2+) fluxes in mechanically skinned skeletal muscle fibres. Differences in t-system Ca(2+) -handling properties between fast- and slow-twitch fibres from rat muscle are resolved for the first time using this new technique. The method can be used to study Ca(2+) handling of the t-system and allows direct comparisons of t-system Ca(2+) transients and Ca(2+) fluxes between groups of fibres and fibres from different strains of animals. The tubular (t-) system of skeletal muscle is an internalization of the plasma membrane that maintains a large Ca(2+) gradient and exchanges Ca(2+) between the extracellular and intracellular environments. Little is known of the Ca(2+) -handling properties of the t-system as the small Ca(2+) fluxes conducted are difficult to resolve with conventional methods. To advance knowledge in this area we calibrated t-system-trapped rhod-5N inside skinned fibres from rat and [Ca(2+) ]t-sys , allowing confocal measurements of Ca(2+) -dependent changes in rhod-5N fluorescence during rapid changes in the intracellular ionic environment to be converted to [Ca(2+) ] transients in the t-system ([Ca(2+) ]t-sys (t)). Furthermore, t-system Ca(2+) -buffering power was determined so that t-system Ca(2+) fluxes could be derived from [Ca(2+) ]t-sys (t). With this new approach, we show that rapid depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) induced a robust store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) in fast- and slow-twitch fibres, reducing [Ca(2+) ]t-sys to < 0.1 mm. The rapid activation of SOCE upon Ca(2+) release was consistent with the presence of STIM1L in both fibre types. Abruptly introducing internal solutions with 1 mm Mg(2+) and [Ca(2+) ]cyto (28 nm-1.3 μm) to Ca(2+) -depleted fibres generated t-system Ca(2+) uptake rates dependent on [Ca(2+) ]cyto with [Ca(2+) ]t-sys reaching final plateaus in the millimolar range. For the same [Ca(2+) ]cyto , t-system Ca(2+) fluxes of fast-twitch fibres were greater than that in slow-twitch fibres. In addition, simultaneous imaging of t-system and SR Ca(2+) signals indicated that both membrane compartments accumulated Ca(2+) at similar rates and that SOCE was activated early during SR Ca(2+) depletion. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2016 The Physiological Society.

A quantitative description of tubular system Ca2+ handling in fast‐ and slow‐twitch muscle fibres

PubMed Central

Cully, Tanya R.; Edwards, Joshua N.; Murphy, Robyn M.

2016-01-01

Key points Current methods do not allow a quantitative description of Ca2+ movements across the tubular (t‐) system membrane without isolating the membranes from their native skeletal muscle fibre.Here we present a fluorescence‐based method that allows determination of the t‐system [Ca2+] transients and derivation of t‐system Ca2+ fluxes in mechanically skinned skeletal muscle fibres. Differences in t‐system Ca2+‐handling properties between fast‐ and slow‐twitch fibres from rat muscle are resolved for the first time using this new technique.The method can be used to study Ca2+ handling of the t‐system and allows direct comparisons of t‐system Ca2+ transients and Ca2+ fluxes between groups of fibres and fibres from different strains of animals. Abstract The tubular (t‐) system of skeletal muscle is an internalization of the plasma membrane that maintains a large Ca2+ gradient and exchanges Ca2+ between the extracellular and intracellular environments. Little is known of the Ca2+‐handling properties of the t‐system as the small Ca2+ fluxes conducted are difficult to resolve with conventional methods. To advance knowledge in this area we calibrated t‐system‐trapped rhod‐5N inside skinned fibres from rat and [Ca2+]t‐sys, allowing confocal measurements of Ca2+‐dependent changes in rhod‐5N fluorescence during rapid changes in the intracellular ionic environment to be converted to [Ca2+] transients in the t‐system ([Ca2+]t‐sys (t)). Furthermore, t‐system Ca2+‐buffering power was determined so that t‐system Ca2+ fluxes could be derived from [Ca2+]t‐sys (t). With this new approach, we show that rapid depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ induced a robust store‐operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) in fast‐ and slow‐twitch fibres, reducing [Ca2+]t‐sys to < 0.1 mm. The rapid activation of SOCE upon Ca2+ release was consistent with the presence of STIM1L in both fibre types. Abruptly introducing internal solutions with 1 mm Mg2+ and [Ca2+]cyto (28 nm–1.3 μm) to Ca2+‐depleted fibres generated t‐system Ca2+ uptake rates dependent on [Ca2+]cyto with [Ca2+]t‐sys reaching final plateaus in the millimolar range. For the same [Ca2+]cyto, t‐system Ca2+ fluxes of fast‐twitch fibres were greater than that in slow‐twitch fibres. In addition, simultaneous imaging of t‐system and SR Ca2+ signals indicated that both membrane compartments accumulated Ca2+ at similar rates and that SOCE was activated early during SR Ca2+ depletion. PMID:26775687

ITS physical architecture.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-04-01

The Physical Architecture identifies the physical subsystems and, architecture flows between subsystems that will implement the processes and support the data flows of the ITS Logical Architecture. The Physical Architecture further identifies the sys...

Rapid Ca2+ flux through the transverse tubular membrane, activated by individual action potentials in mammalian skeletal muscle

PubMed Central

Launikonis, Bradley S; Stephenson, D George; Friedrich, Oliver

2009-01-01

Periods of low frequency stimulation are known to increase the net Ca2+ uptake in skeletal muscle but the mechanism responsible for this Ca2+ entry is not known. In this study a novel high-resolution fluorescence microscopy approach allowed the detection of an action potential-induced Ca2+ flux across the tubular (t-) system of rat extensor digitorum longus muscle fibres that appears to be responsible for the net uptake of Ca2+ in working muscle. Action potentials were triggered in the t-system of mechanically skinned fibres from rat by brief field stimulation and t-system [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]t-sys) and cytoplasmic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]cyto) were simultaneously resolved on a confocal microscope. When initial [Ca2+]t-sys was ≥ 0.2 mm a Ca2+ flux from t-system to the cytoplasm was observed following a single action potential. The action potential-induced Ca2+ flux and associated t-system Ca2+ permeability decayed exponentially and displayed inactivation characteristics such that further Ca2+ entry across the t-system could not be observed after 2–3 action potentials at 10 Hz stimulation rate. When [Ca2+]t-sys was closer to 0.1 mm, a transient rise in [Ca2+]t-sys was observed almost concurrently with the increase in [Ca2+]cyto following the action potential. The change in direction of Ca2+ flux was consistent with changes in the direction of the driving force for Ca2+. This is the first demonstration of a rapid t-system Ca2+ flux associated with a single action potential in mammalian skeletal muscle. The properties of this channel are inconsistent with a flux through the L-type Ca2+ channel suggesting that an as yet unidentified t-system protein is conducting this current. This action potential-activated Ca2+ flux provides an explanation for the previously described Ca2+ entry and accumulation observed with prolonged, intermittent muscle activity. PMID:19332499

Area-Efficient VLSI Computation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-10-01

to the bus of a computer system. 5 Table 1-2: Definition of the three- sorter . 7 Figure 1-3: A real-time systolic priority queue. 7 Figure 1-4: The...ca.pable of sorting three elements. The iree- sorter has three inputs X, Y, and Z and prduccs tlicc oitputs X’. Y’, and Z’ which are the miniumn, median. Mnd...in Section L4. Figure 1-3 shows how three- sorters are interconnected to make a systolic priority queue. In the figure, the outputs from the top. middle

Special Data Collection System (SDCS) Northern Sinkiang Province, China, 20 March 1976

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-05-28

i /1^^ rAvv ^^y^-^^- ■O^^VWVVA^V^^A U^nrJ\\/^\\/\\A/\\l^/^V/^ 13C 128.’» TIME 04« 42140.0 i ...RFClPlENT". CATAL^ i ’’. N’/MflFP B CONTBACT O» GRANT MuMBf.B^, F^86^6-74-C-^,)13 / II CONTROLLING OEElCE NAME AND...mh.irmi I tnltfd In Block 30, II dlllmrtnl Irom Roporl) IB SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 19 KEY WORDS (Conllnum on rovtf »Id» II nocmttmry mnd Idtnllly

National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. Lovejoy Pond Dam ME-00022, Androscoggin River Basin, North Wayne, Maine. Phase I Inspection Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-04-01

programs for non-Federal dams. (3) To update, verify and complete the National Inventory of Dams. 1.2 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT a. Location. The Lovejoy Pond...BUREAU OF STANDARDS- 1963-A 41 ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER BASIN NORTH WAYNE ,MAINE LOVEJOY POND DAM ME-00022 0 PHASE I INSPECTION REPORT NATIONAL DAM INSPECTION...side of necessar mnd idenifIr bioc Sigmmber) DAMS, INSPECTION, DAM SAFETY, * Androscoggin River Basin North Wayne, Maine Lovejoy Pond * 20. ABSTRACT

An Overview of Transportation Data

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2018-01-01

Transportation data is the foundation for informed policy decision making. Transportation data is collected and managed as an asset. These data provide insight into many different aspects of the transportation system, including: 1. Transportation sys...

Model Based Document and Report Generation for Systems Engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delp, Christopher; Lam, Doris; Fosse, Elyse; Lee, Cin-Young

2013-01-01

As Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices gain adoption, various approaches have been developed in order to simplify and automate the process of generating documents from models. Essentially, all of these techniques can be unified around the concept of producing different views of the model according to the needs of the intended audience. In this paper, we will describe a technique developed at JPL of applying SysML Viewpoints and Views to generate documents and reports. An architecture of model-based view and document generation will be presented, and the necessary extensions to SysML with associated rationale will be explained. A survey of examples will highlight a variety of views that can be generated, and will provide some insight into how collaboration and integration is enabled. We will also describe the basic architecture for the enterprise applications that support this approach.

Word Criticality Analysis. MOS: 57H. Skill Levels 1 & 2.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

systul 642 SYSUOIJMP 641 * VSLTI 2’.1l 0 32 3136 FR Ps 140 UATAK3 SYS 711 0 -A4 n 01-9ni17 *yul PASJ1 0 a 111 131 F PS f%44 SYS97DII.7O?5A45.Rtvnnmf.𔃾FF...1- 21, 2 1-191, 1o slip S G 3- 131 , I c, 3- 12. 1 - SSt.IticlINr. 3- 68,7 3- 7,1 t Sw ITL - 3- 9,2 0o 41 I I 1-111 1 , W 3- )0:3 TILF 3A 11,1 1- 7, 1...4 1 r *,*9 4HASP-11.z,,-+I...Z ..END JCI 1 ..... 1.12.54 +,M 7 FEA 07 .... ROOM 540 .... TMERC1I7 .... L I5’.’T~jF .............. " r

Spectroscopy of the neutron-rich hypernucleus He7Λ from electron scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gogami, T.; Chen, C.; Kawama, D.; Achenbach, P.; Ahmidouch, A.; Albayrak, I.; Androic, D.; Asaturyan, A.; Asaturyan, R.; Ates, O.; Baturin, P.; Badui, R.; Boeglin, W.; Bono, J.; Brash, E.; Carter, P.; Chiba, A.; Christy, E.; Danagoulian, S.; De Leo, R.; Doi, D.; Elaasar, M.; Ent, R.; Fujii, Y.; Fujita, M.; Furic, M.; Gabrielyan, M.; Gan, L.; Garibaldi, F.; Gaskell, D.; Gasparian, A.; Han, Y.; Hashimoto, O.; Horn, T.; Hu, B.; Hungerford, Ed. V.; Jones, M.; Kanda, H.; Kaneta, M.; Kato, S.; Kawai, M.; Khanal, H.; Kohl, M.; Liyanage, A.; Luo, W.; Maeda, K.; Margaryan, A.; Markowitz, P.; Maruta, T.; Matsumura, A.; Maxwell, V.; Mkrtchyan, A.; Mkrtchyan, H.; Nagao, S.; Nakamura, S. N.; Narayan, A.; Neville, C.; Niculescu, G.; Niculescu, M. I.; Nunez, A.; Nuruzzaman, Okayasu, Y.; Petkovic, T.; Pochodzalla, J.; Qiu, X.; Reinhold, J.; Rodriguez, V. M.; Samanta, C.; Sawatzky, B.; Seva, T.; Shichijo, A.; Tadevosyan, V.; Tang, L.; Taniya, N.; Tsukada, K.; Veilleux, M.; Vulcan, W.; Wesselmann, F. R.; Wood, S. A.; Yamamoto, T.; Ya, L.; Ye, Z.; Yokota, K.; Yuan, L.; Zhamkochyan, S.; Zhu, L.; HKS JLab E05-115 Collaboration

2016-08-01

The missing mass spectroscopy of the He7Λ hypernucleus was performed using the 7Li(e ,e'K+) He7Λ reaction at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility Hall C. The Λ -binding energy of the ground-state (1 /2+ ) was determined with a smaller error than that of the previous measurement, being BΛ=5.55 ±0 .10stat .±0 .11sys .MeV . The experiment also provided new insight into charge symmetry breaking in p -shell hypernuclear systems. Finally, a peak at BΛ=3.65 ±0 .20stat .±0 .11sys .MeV was observed and assigned as a mixture of 3 /2+ and 5 /2+ states, confirming the "gluelike" behavior of Λ , which makes an unstable state in 6He stable against neutron emission.

Model based document and report generation for systems engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delp, C.; Lam, D.; Fosse, E.; Lee, Cin-Young

As Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices gain adoption, various approaches have been developed in order to simplify and automate the process of generating documents from models. Essentially, all of these techniques can be unified around the concept of producing different views of the model according to the needs of the intended audience. In this paper, we will describe a technique developed at JPL of applying SysML Viewpoints and Views to generate documents and reports. An architecture of model-based view and document generation will be presented, and the necessary extensions to SysML with associated rationale will be explained. A survey of examples will highlight a variety of views that can be generated, and will provide some insight into how collaboration and integration is enabled. We will also describe the basic architecture for the enterprise applications that support this approach.

Requirements Analysis and Modeling with Problem Frames and SysML: A Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colombo, Pietro; Khendek, Ferhat; Lavazza, Luigi

Requirements analysis based on Problem Frames is getting an increasing attention in the academic community and has the potential to become of relevant interest also for industry. However the approach lacks an adequate notational support and methodological guidelines, and case studies that demonstrate its applicability to problems of realistic complexity are still rare. These weaknesses may hinder its adoption. This paper aims at contributing towards the elimination of these weaknesses. We report on an experience in analyzing and specifying the requirements of a controller for traffic lights of an intersection using Problem Frames in combination with SysML. The analysis was performed by decomposing the problem, addressing the identified sub-problems, and recomposing them while solving the identified interferences. The experience allowed us to identify certain guidelines for decomposition and re-composition patterns.

A Model-Driven Visualization Tool for Use with Model-Based Systems Engineering Projects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trase, Kathryn; Fink, Eric

2014-01-01

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) promotes increased consistency between a system's design and its design documentation through the use of an object-oriented system model. The creation of this system model facilitates data presentation by providing a mechanism from which information can be extracted by automated manipulation of model content. Existing MBSE tools enable model creation, but are often too complex for the unfamiliar model viewer to easily use. These tools do not yet provide many opportunities for easing into the development and use of a system model when system design documentation already exists. This study creates a Systems Modeling Language (SysML) Document Traceability Framework (SDTF) for integrating design documentation with a system model, and develops an Interactive Visualization Engine for SysML Tools (InVEST), that exports consistent, clear, and concise views of SysML model data. These exported views are each meaningful to a variety of project stakeholders with differing subjects of concern and depth of technical involvement. InVEST allows a model user to generate multiple views and reports from a MBSE model, including wiki pages and interactive visualizations of data. System data can also be filtered to present only the information relevant to the particular stakeholder, resulting in a view that is both consistent with the larger system model and other model views. Viewing the relationships between system artifacts and documentation, and filtering through data to see specialized views improves the value of the system as a whole, as data becomes information

Characterization and Validation of the LT-SYS Copper Assay on a Roche Cobas 8000 c502 Analyzer.

PubMed

Kraus, F Bernhard; Mischereit, Marlies; Eller, Christoph; Ludwig-Kraus, Beatrice

2017-02-01

Validation of the LT-SYS quantitative in vitro copper assay on a Roche Cobas 8000 c502 analyzer and comparison with a BIOMED assay on a Roche Cobas Mira analyzer. Imprecision and bias were quantified at different concentration levels (serum and plasma) over a 20-day period. Linearity was assessed covering a range from 4.08 µmol/L to 33.8 µmol/L. Limit of blank (LoB) and limit of detection (LoD) were established based on a total of 120 blank and low-level samples. The method comparison was based on 58 plasma samples. Within-run imprecision ranged from 0.7% to 1.2% and within-laboratory imprecision from 1.4% to 3.3%. Relative bias for the 2 serum pools with known target values was less than 2.5%. The assay did not deviate from linearity over the tested measuring range. LoB and LoD were 0.12 µmol/L and 0.23 µmol/L, respectively. The method comparison revealed an average deviation of 11.5% (2.016 µmol/L), and the linear regression fit was y = 1.464 + 0.795x. The LT-SYS copper assay characterized in this study showed a fully acceptable performance with good degrees of imprecision and bias, no deviation from linearity in the relevant measuring rangem, and very low LoB and LoD. © American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Exploring the Efficacy and Limitations of Shock-cooling Models: New Analysis of Type II Supernovae Observed by the Kepler Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubin, Adam; Gal-Yam, Avishay

2017-10-01

Modern transient surveys have begun discovering and following supernovae (SNe) shortly after first light—providing systematic measurements of the rise of Type II SNe. We explore how analytic models of early shock-cooling emission from core-collapse SNe can constrain the progenitor’s radius, explosion velocity, and local host extinction. We simulate synthetic photometry in several realistic observing scenarios; assuming the models describe the typical explosions well, we find that ultraviolet observations can constrain the progenitor’s radius to a statistical uncertainty of ±10%-15%, with a systematic uncertainty of ±20%. With these observations the local host extinction (A V ) can be constrained to a factor of two and the shock velocity to ±5% with a systematic uncertainty of ±10%. We also reanalyze the SN light curves presented by Garnavich et al. (2016) and find that KSN 2011a can be fit by a blue supergiant model with a progenitor radius of {R}s< 7.7+8.8({stat})+1.9({sys}) {R}⊙ , while KSN 2011d can be fit with a red supergiant model with a progenitor radius of {R}s={111}-21({stat)-1({sys})}+89({stat)+49({sys})} {R}⊙ . Our results do not agree with those of Garnavich et al. Moreover, we re-evaluate their claims and find that there is no statistically significant evidence for a shock-breakout flare in the light curve of KSN 2011d.

Concepts for VLBI Station Control as Part of NEXPReS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ettl, M.; Neidhardt, A.; Schönberger, M.; Alef, W.; Himwich, E.; Beaudoin, C.; Plötz, C.; Lovell, J.; Hase, H.

2012-12-01

In the Novel EXploration Pushing Robust e-VLBI Services-project (NEXPReS) the Technische Universität München (TUM) realizes concepts for continuous quality monitoring and station remote control in cooperation with the Max-Planck-Institute for Radio Astronomy, Bonn. NEXPReS is a three-year project, funded within the European Seventh Framework program. It is aimed to develop e-VLBI services for the European VLBI Network (EVN), which can also support the IVS observations (VLBI2010). Within this project, the TUM focuses on developments of an operational remote control system (e-RemoteCtrl) with authentication and authorization. It includes an appropriate role management with different remote access states for future observation strategies. To allow a flexible control of different systems in parallel, sophisticated graphical user interfaces are designed and realized. The software is currently under test in the new AuScope network, Australia/New Zealand. Additional system parameters and information are collected with a new system monitoring (SysMon) for a higher degree of automation, which is currently under preparation for standardization within the IVS Monitoring and Control Infrastructure (MCI) Collaboration Group. The whole system for monitoring and control is fully compatible with the NASA Field System and extends it.

H.E.S.S. observations of the binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 around the 2010/2011 periastron passage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

H.E.S.S. Collaboration; Abramowski, A.; Acero, F.; Aharonian, F.; Akhperjanian, A. G.; Anton, G.; Balenderan, S.; Balzer, A.; Barnacka, A.; Becherini, Y.; Becker Tjus, J.; Bernlöhr, K.; Birsin, E.; Biteau, J.; Boisson, C.; Bolmont, J.; Bordas, P.; Brucker, J.; Brun, F.; Brun, P.; Bulik, T.; Carrigan, S.; Casanova, S.; Cerruti, M.; Chadwick, P. M.; Chaves, R. C. G.; Cheesebrough, A.; Colafrancesco, S.; Cologna, G.; Conrad, J.; Couturier, C.; Dalton, M.; Daniel, M. K.; Davids, I. D.; Degrange, B.; Deil, C.; deWilt, P.; Dickinson, H. J.; Djannati-Ataï, A.; Domainko, W.; Drury, L. O'C.; Dubus, G.; Dutson, K.; Dyks, J.; Dyrda, M.; Egberts, K.; Eger, P.; Espigat, P.; Fallon, L.; Farnier, C.; Fegan, S.; Feinstein, F.; Fernandes, M. V.; Fernandez, D.; Fiasson, A.; Fontaine, G.; Förster, A.; Füßling, M.; Gajdus, M.; Gallant, Y. A.; Garrigoux, T.; Gast, H.; Giebels, B.; Glicenstein, J. F.; Glück, B.; Göring, D.; Grondin, M.-H.; Grudzińska, M.; Häer, S.; Hague, J. D.; Hahn, J.; Hampf, D.; Harris, J.; Heinz, S.; Heinzelmann, G.; Henri, G.; Hermann, G.; Hillert, A.; Hinton, J. A.; Hofmann, W.; Hofverberg, P.; Holler, M.; Horns, D.; Jacholkowska, A.; Jahn, C.; Jamrozy, M.; Jung, I.; Kastendieck, M. A.; Katarzyński, K.; Katz, U.; Kaufmann, S.; Khélifi, B.; Klepser, S.; Klochkov, D.; Kluźniak, W.; Kneiske, T.; Kolitzus, D.; Komin, Nu.; Kosack, K.; Kossakowski, R.; Krayzel, F.; Krüger, P. P.; Lan, H.; Lamanna, G.; Lefaucheur, J.; Lemoine-Goumard, M.; Lenain, J.-P.; Lennarz, D.; Lohse, T.; Lopatin, A.; Lu, C.-C.; Marandon, V.; Marcowith, A.; Masbou, J.; Maurin, G.; Maxted, N.; Mayer, M.; McComb, T. J. L.; Medina, M. C.; Méhault, J.; Menzler, U.; Moderski, R.; Mohamed, M.; Moulin, E.; Naumann, C. L.; Naumann-Godo, M.; de Naurois, M.; Nedbal, D.; Nguyen, N.; Niemiec, J.; Nolan, S. J.; Oakes, L.; Ohm, S.; de Oña Wilhelmi, E.; Opitz, B.; Ostrowski, M.; Oya, I.; Panter, M.; Parsons, R. D.; Paz Arribas, M.; Pekeur, N. W.; Pelletier, G.; Perez, J.; Petrucci, P.-O.; Peyaud, B.; Pita, S.; Pühlhofer, G.; Punch, M.; Quirrenbach, A.; Raab, S.; Raue, M.; Reimer, A.; Reimer, O.; Renaud, M.; de los Reyes, R.; Rieger, F.; Ripken, J.; Rob, L.; Rosier-Lees, S.; Rowell, G.; Rudak, B.; Rulten, C. B.; Sahakian, V.; Sanchez, D. A.; Santangelo, A.; Schlickeiser, R.; Schulz, A.; Schwanke, U.; Schwarzburg, S.; Schwemmer, S.; Sheidaei, F.; Skilton, J. L.; Sol, H.; Spengler, G.; Stawarz, Ł.; Steenkamp, R.; Stegmann, C.; Stinzing, F.; Stycz, K.; Sushch, I.; Szostek, A.; Tavernet, J.-P.; Terrier, R.; Tluczykont, M.; Trichard, C.; Valerius, K.; van Eldik, C.; Vasileiadis, G.; Venter, C.; Viana, A.; Vincent, P.; Völk, H. J.; Volpe, F.; Vorobiov, S.; Vorster, M.; Wagner, S. J.; Ward, M.; White, R.; Wierzcholska, A.; Willmann, P.; Wouters, D.; Zacharias, M.; Zajczyk, A.; Zdziarski, A. A.; Zech, A.; Zechlin, H.-S.

2013-03-01

Aims: We present very high energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) data from the γ-ray binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 taken around its periastron passage on 15th of December 2010 with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) of Cherenkov Telescopes. We aim to search for a possible TeV counterpart of the GeV flare detected by the Fermi LAT. In addition, we aim to study the current periastron passage in the context of previous observations taken at similar orbital phases, testing the repetitive behaviour of the source. Methods: Observations at VHEs were conducted with H.E.S.S. from 9th to 16th of January 2011. The total dataset amounts to ~6 h of observing time. The data taken around the 2004 periastron passage were also re-analysed with the current analysis techniques in order to extend the energy spectrum above 3 TeV to fully compare observation results from 2004 and 2011. Results: The source is detected in the 2011 data at a significance level of 11.5σ revealing an averaged integral flux above 1 TeV of (1.01 ± 0.18stat ± 0.20sys) × 10-12 cm-2 s-1. The differential energy spectrum follows a power-law shape with a spectral index Γ = 2.92 ± 0.30stat ± 0.20sys and a flux normalisation at 1 TeV of N0 = (1.95 ± 0.32stat ± 0.39sys) × 10-12 TeV-1 cm-2 s-1. The measured light curve does not show any evidence for variability of the source on the daily scale. The re-analysis of the 2004 data yields results compatible with the published ones. The differential energy spectrum measured up to ~10 TeV is consistent with a power law with a spectral index Γ = 2.81 ± 0.10stat ± 0.20sys and a flux normalisation at 1 TeV of N0 = (1.29 ± 0.08stat ± 0.26sys) × 10-12 TeV-1 cm-2 s-1. Conclusions: The measured integral flux and the spectral shape of the 2011 data are compatible with the results obtained around previous periastron passages. The absence of variability in the H.E.S.S. data indicates that the GeV flare observed by Fermi LAT in the time period covered also by H.E.S.S. observations originates in a different physical scenario than the TeV emission. Moreover, the comparison of the new results to the results from the 2004 observations made at a similar orbital phase provides a stronger evidence of the repetitive behaviour of the source.

Hormone replacement therapy improves contractile function and myonuclear organization of single muscle fibres from postmenopausal monozygotic female twin pairs.

PubMed

Qaisar, Rizwan; Renaud, Guillaume; Hedstrom, Yvette; Pöllänen, Eija; Ronkainen, Paula; Kaprio, Jaakko; Alen, Markku; Sipilä, Sarianna; Artemenko, Konstantin; Bergquist, Jonas; Kovanen, Vuokko; Larsson, Lars

2013-05-01

Ageing is associated with a decline in muscle mass and strength leading to increased physical dependency in old age. Postmenopausal women experience a greater decline than men of similar age in parallel with the decrease in female sex steroid hormone production. We recruited six monozygous female twin pairs (55-59 years old) where only one twin pair was on hormone replacement therapy (HRT use = 7.8 ± 4.3 years) to investigate the association of HRT with the cytoplasmic volume supported by individual myonuclei (myonuclear domain (MND) size,) together with specific force at the single fibre level. HRT use was associated with a significantly smaller (∼27%; P < 0.05) mean MND size in muscle fibres expressing the type I but not the IIa myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform. In comparison to non-users, higher specific force was recorded in HRT users both in muscle fibres expressing type I (∼27%; P < 0.05) and type IIa (∼23%; P < 0.05) MyHC isoforms. These differences were fibre-type dependent, i.e. the higher specific force in fast-twitch muscle fibres was primarily caused by higher force per cross-bridge while slow-twitch fibres relied on both a higher number and force per cross-bridge. HRT use had no effect on fibre cross-sectional area (CSA), velocity of unloaded shortening (V0) and relative proportion of MyHC isoforms. In conclusion, HRT appears to have significant positive effects on both regulation of muscle contraction and myonuclei organization in postmenopausal women.

[Personalizing the reference level: gold standard to evaluate the quality of service perceived].

PubMed

Rodrigo-Rincón, I; Reyes-Pérez, M; Martínez-Lozano, M E

2014-01-01

To know the cutoff point at which in-house Nuclear Medicine Department (MND) customers consider that the quality of service is good (personalized cutoff). We conducted a survey of the professionals who had requested at least 5 tests to the Nuclear Medicine Department. A total of 71 doctors responded (response rate: 30%). A question was added to the questionnaire for the user to establish a cutoff point for which they would consider the quality of service as good. The quality non-conformities, areas of improvement and strong points of the six questions measuring the quality of service (Likert scale 0 to 10) were compared with two different thresholds: personalized cutoff and one proposed by the service itself a priori. Test statistics: binomial and Student's t-test for paired data. A cutoff value of 7 was proposed by the service as a reference while 68.1% of respondents suggested a cutoff above 7 points (mean 7.9 points). The 6 elements of perceived quality were considered strong points with the cutoff proposed by the MND, while there were 3 detected with the personalized threshold. Thirteen percent of the answers were nonconformities with the service cutoff versus 19.2% with the personalized one, the differences being statistically significant (difference 95% CI 6.44%:0,83-12.06). The final image of the perceived quality of an in-house customer is different when using the cutoff established by the Department versus the personalized cutoff given by the respondent. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

Family history of frontotemporal lobar degeneration in Asia--an international multi-center research.

PubMed

Fukuhara, Ryuji; Ghosh, Amitabha; Fuh, Jong-Ling; Dominguez, Jacqueline; Ong, Paulus Anam; Dutt, Aparna; Liu, Yi-Chien; Tanaka, Hibiki; Ikeda, Manabu

2014-12-01

Previous studies in western countries have shown that about 30%-50% of patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) have a positive family history, whereas the few epidemiological studies on FTLD done in Asia reported much lower frequencies. It is not clear the reason why the frequencies of FTLD with positive family history were lower in Asia. Furthermore, these findings were not from studies focused on family history. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further studies on the family history of FTLD in Asia. This international multi-center research aims to investigate the family histories in patients with FTLD and related neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and motor neuron diseases in a larger Asian cohort. Participants were collected from five countries: India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, and Philippines. All patients were diagnosed with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), semantic dementia (SD), progressive non-fluent aphasia (PA), frontotemporal dementia with motor neuron disease (FTD/MND), PSP, and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) according to international consensus criteria. Family histories of FTLD and related neurodegenerative diseases were investigated in each patient. Ninety-one patients were included in this study. Forty-two patients were diagnosed to have bvFTD, two patients had FTD/MND, 22 had SD, 15 had PA, one had PA/CBS, five had CBS and four patients had PSP. Family history of any FTLD spectrum disorder was reported in 9.5% in bvFTD patients but in none of the SD or PA. In contrast to patients of the western countries, few Asian FTLD patients have positive family histories of dementia.

Mortality from multiple sclerosis in British military personnel.

PubMed

Harris, E Clare; Palmer, Keith T; Cox, Vanessa; Darnton, Andrew; Osman, John; Coggon, David

2017-08-01

While analysing trends in occupational mortality in England and Wales, we noticed an unexpectedly elevated proportion of deaths from multiple sclerosis (MS) among men in the armed forces. To document and explore possible explanations for the observed excess. We analysed data on underlying cause of death and last full-time occupation for 3,688,916 deaths among men aged 20-74 years in England and Wales during 1979-2010, calculating proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) standardised for age. We compared PMRs for MS in the armed forces with those for each main social class, and in selected other occupations. We also compared PMRs for MS with those for motor neurone disease (MND). The overall PMR for MS in the armed forces during 1979-2010 was 243 (95%CI 203-288). The excess was apparent in each of three separate decades of study (PMRs, ranging from 220 to 259), and across the entire age range. PMRs for MS were not elevated to the same extent in comparator occupations, nor in any of the main social classes. There was no parallel increase in PMRs for MND. These findings suggest that the high proportional mortality from MS in British military personnel is unlikely to have occurred by chance, or as an artefact of the method of investigation. However, the only military cohort study with published results on MS does not support an increased risk. It would be useful to analyse data on MS from other established military cohorts, to check for evidence of a hazard. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine.

Evacuation and rescue in automated guideway transit. Volume 2 : guidebook

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-12-01

Evacuation and rescue are significant problems in all transportation systems. : Serious injuries and loss of life can result from situations in which inadequate : means of evacuating and rescuing passengers exist. In conventional transporlation : sys...

Avian influenza control strategies

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Control strategies for avian influenza in poultry vary depending on whether the goal is prevention, management, or eradication. Components used in control programs include: 1) education which includes communication, public awareness, and behavioral change, 2) changes to production and marketing sys...

Separation of the 1+ /1- parity doublet in 20Ne

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beller, J.; Stumpf, C.; Scheck, M.; Pietralla, N.; Deleanu, D.; Filipescu, D. M.; Glodariu, T.; Haxton, W.; Idini, A.; Kelley, J. H.; Kwan, E.; Martinez-Pinedo, G.; Raut, R.; Romig, C.; Roth, R.; Rusev, G.; Savran, D.; Tonchev, A. P.; Tornow, W.; Wagner, J.; Weller, H. R.; Zamfir, N.-V.; Zweidinger, M.

2015-02-01

The (J , T) = (1 , 1) parity doublet in 20Ne at 11.26 MeV is a good candidate to study parity violation in nuclei. However, its energy splitting is known with insufficient accuracy for quantitative estimates of parity violating effects. To improve on this unsatisfactory situation, nuclear resonance fluorescence experiments using linearly and circularly polarized γ-ray beams were used to determine the energy difference of the parity doublet ΔE = E (1-) - E (1+) = - 3.2(± 0.7) stat(-1.2+0.6)sys keV and the ratio of their integrated cross sections Is,0(+) /Is,0(-) = 29(± 3) stat(-7+14)sys. Shell-model calculations predict a parity-violating matrix element having a value in the range 0.46-0.83 eV for the parity doublet. The small energy difference of the parity doublet makes 20Ne an excellent candidate to study parity violation in nuclear excitations.

Spectroscopy of the neutron-rich hypernucleus He Λ 7 from electron scattering

DOE PAGES

Gogami, T.; Chen, C.; Kawama, D.; ...

2016-08-12

Here, the missing mass spectroscopy of themore » $$^{7}_{\\Lambda}$$He hypernucleus was performed, using the $$^{7}$$Li$$(e,e^{\\prime}K^{+})^{7}_{\\Lambda}$$He reaction at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility Hall C. The $$\\Lambda$$ binding energy of the ground state (1/2$$^{+}$$) was determined with a smaller error than that of the previous measurement, being $$B_{\\Lambda}$$ = 5.55 $$\\pm$$ 0.10(stat.) $$\\pm$$ 0.11(sys.) MeV. The experiment also provided new insight into charge symmetry breaking in p-shell hypernuclear systems. Finally, a peak at $$B_{\\Lambda}$$ = 3.65 $$\\pm$$ 0.20(stat.) $$\\pm$$ 0.11(sys.) MeV was observed and assigned as a mixture of 3/2$$^{+}$$ and 5/2$$^{+}$$ states, confirming the "gluelike" behavior of $$\\Lambda$$, which makes an unstable state in $$^{6}$$He stable against neutron emission.« less

Study of a Narrow {pi}{sup +{pi}-} Peak at about 755 MeV/c{sup 2} in p-barn{yields}2{pi}{sup +}3{pi}{sup -} Annihilation at Rest

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

Gaspero, Mario

2010-08-05

A narrow peak in the {pi}{sup +{pi}-} mass distribution was seen by the Rome-Syracuse Collaboration in p-barn{yields}2{pi}{sup +}3{pi}{sup -} annihilation at rest in 1970. It was ignored for 40 years. The reanalysis of this peak finds that it has the mass 757.4{+-}2.8{sub stat{+-}}1.2{sub sys} MeV/c{sup 2} and a width consistent with the experimental resolution. The evidence of the peak is 5.2 standard deviations. The peak is generated in (1.03{+-}0.21{sub stat{+-}}0.21{sub sys})% of the p-barn annihilations at rest. No spin analysis is possible with the statistics of the experiment but there are arguments suggesting that it has J{sup p} = 0{supmore » +}.« less

Effect of material constants on power output in piezoelectric vibration-based generators.

PubMed

Takeda, Hiroaki; Mihara, Kensuke; Yoshimura, Tomohiro; Hoshina, Takuya; Tsurumi, Takaaki

2011-09-01

A possible power output estimation based on material constants in piezoelectric vibration-based generators is proposed. A modified equivalent circuit model of the generator was built and was validated by the measurement results in the generator fabricated using potassium sodium niobate-based and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics. Subsequently, generators with the same structure using other PZT-based and bismuth-layered structure ferroelectrics ceramics were fabricated and tested. The power outputs of these generators were expressed as a linear functions of the term composed of electromechanical coupling coefficients k(sys)(2) and mechanical quality factors Q*(m) of the generator. The relationship between device constants (k(sys)(2) and Q*(m)) and material constants (k(31)(2) and Q(m)) was clarified. Estimation of the power output using material constants is demonstrated and the appropriate piezoelectric material for the generator is suggested.

A precise measurement of the left-right cross section asymmetry in Z boson production

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

Lath, A.

1994-09-01

The thesis presents a measurement of the left-right asymmetry, A{sub LR}, n the production cross section of Z Bosons produced by e{sup +}e{sup -} annihilations, using polarized electrons, at a center of mass energy of 91.26 Gev. The data presented was recorded by the SLD detector at the SLAC Linear Collider during the 1993 run. The mean luminosity-weighted polarization of the electron beam was {rho}{sup lum} = (63.0{+-}1.1)%. Using a sample of 49,392 Z events, we measure A{sub LR} to be 0.1626{+-}0.0071(stat){+-}0.0030(sys.), which determined the effective weak mixing angle to be sin{sup 2} {theta}{sub W}{sup eff} = 0.2292{+-}0.0009(stat.){+-}0.0004(sys.). This resultmore » differs from that expected by the Standard Model of Particles and Fields by 2.5 standard deviations.« less

ππ P-wave resonant scattering from lattice QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Srijit; Alexandrou, Constantia; Leskovec, Luka; Meinel, Stefan; Negele, John W.; Petschlies, Marcus; Pochinsky, Andrew; Rendon Suzuki, Jesus Gumaro; Syritsyn, Sergey

2018-03-01

We present a high-statistics analysis of the ρ resonance in ππ scattering, using 2 + 1 flavors of clover fermions at a pion mass of approximately 320 MeV and a lattice size of approximately 3:6 fm. The computation of the two-point functions are carried out using combinations of forward, sequential, and stochastic propagators. For the extraction of the ρ-resonance parameters, we compare different fit methods and demonstrate their consistency. For the ππ scattering phase shift, we consider different Breit-Wigner parametrizations and also investigate possible nonresonant contributions. We find that the minimal Breit-Wigner model is suffcient to describe our data, and obtain amρ = 0:4609(16)stat(14)sys and gρππ = 5:69(13)stat(16)sys. In our comparison with other lattice QCD results, we consider the dimensionless ratios amρ/amN and amπ/amN to avoid scale setting ambiguities.

Dynamic detailed model of a molten salt tower receiver, with ThermoSysPro library: Impacts of several failures or operational transients on the receiver dynamic behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hefni, Baligh El; Bourdil, Charles

2017-06-01

Molten salt technology represents nowadays the most cost-effective technology for electricity generation for solar power plant. The molten salt tower receiver is based on a field of individually sun-tracking mirrors (heliostats) that reflect the incident sunshine to a receiver at the top of a centrally located tower. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of several transients issued from different scenarios (failure or normal operation mode) on the receiver dynamic behavior. A dynamic detailed model of Solar Two molten salt central receiver has been developed. The component model is meant to be used for receiver modeling with the ThermoSysPro library, developed by EDF. The paper also gives the results of the dynamic simulation for the selected scenarios on Solar Two receiver.

Enhanced collectivity in 12Be

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morse, C.; McCutchan, E. A.; Iwasaki, H.; Lister, C. J.; Bader, V. M.; Bazin, D.; Beceiro Novo, S.; Chowdhury, P.; Gade, A.; Johnson, T. D.; Loelius, C.; Lunderberg, E.; Merchan, E.; Prasher, V. S.; Recchia, F.; Sonzogni, A. A.; Weisshaar, D.; Whitmore, K.

2018-05-01

Electromagnetic quadrupole transition strength is a sensitive probe of the evolution of the structure of nuclei, particularly the competition between collectivity and magicity. We have performed a new lifetime measurement of the 21+ state of 12Be to study the interplay of these phenomena. The lifetime was measured with the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method using the γ-ray detector GRETINA. Excited states of 12Be were produced via inelastic scattering at 55 MeV/nucleon, using several different targets to control for systematic uncertainties in the stopping powers. The lifetime is determined to be τ = 1.38 ± 0.10(stat) ± 0.19(sys) ps, which is about half the previously reported value at twice the precision. The reduced transition strength deduced from this result is B (E 2 ;21+ → 01+) = 14.2 ± 1.0(stat) ± 2.0(sys) e2fm4, which supports the quenching of the N = 8 shell gap in 12Be.

Discovery of an extended source of gamma-ray emission in the Southern hemisphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araya, Miguel

2018-02-01

We report the discovery of a ˜3.4°-wide region of high-energy emission in data from the Fermi LAT satellite. The centroid of the emission is located in the Southern hemisphere sky, a few degrees away from the plane of the Galaxy at the Galactic coordinates l = 350.6°, b = -4.7°. It shows a hard spectrum that is compatible with a simple power law, dN/dE∝ E^{-Γ }, in the energy range 0.7-500 GeV, with a spectral index Γ = 1.68 ± 0.04stat ± 0.1sys. The integrated source photon flux above 0.7 GeV is (4.71 ± 0.49stat ± 2.13sys) × 10-9 cm-2 s-1. We discuss several hypotheses for the nature of the source, particularly that the emission comes from the shell of an unknown supernova remnant.

Observation of the Top Quark

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Kim, S. B.

1995-08-01

Top quark production is observed in{bar p}p collisions at{radical}s= 1.8 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron. The Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) and D{O} observe signals consistent with t{bar t} to WWb{bar b}, but inconsistent with the background prediction by 4.8{sigma} (CDF), 4.6a (D{O}). Additional evidence for the top quark Is provided by a peak in the reconstructed mass distribution. The kinematic properties of the excess events are consistent with the top quark decay. They measure the top quark mass to be 176{plus_minus}8(stat.){plus_minus}10(sys.) GeV/c{sup 2} (CDF), 199{sub -21}{sup+19}(stat.){plus_minus}22(sys.) GeV/c{sup 2} (D{O}), and the t{bar t} production cross section to be 6.8{sub -2.4}{sup+3.6}pb (CDF), 6.4{plus_minus}2.2 pb (D{O}).

Increased time to pregnancy is associated with less optimal neurological condition in 4-year-old singletons, in vitro fertilization itself is not.

PubMed

Schendelaar, P; Van den Heuvel, E R; Heineman, M J; La Bastide-Van Gemert, S; Middelburg, K J; Seggers, J; Hadders-Algra, M

2014-12-01

Does ovarian hyperstimulation, the in vitro procedures required for in vitro fertilization (IVF)/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection or the combination of both, affect the neurological outcome of 4-year-old singletons? Ovarian hyperstimulation, the in vitro procedure and the combination of both, were not associated with the worse neurological outcome in 4-year-old singletons. Assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) are not associated with neurological dysfunction during the first post-natal years; however, effects on the long-term neurological outcome are still inconclusive. An increased time to pregnancy (TTP, a proxy for the severity of subfertility) has been associated with a less optimal neurological condition at age 2. The present study focuses on the neurodevelopmental outcome of 4-year-old ART-offspring. Longitudinal, prospective follow-up study. Four-year-old singletons born to subfertile parents (subfertile group, n = 195), including singletons born after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation IVF (COH-IVF, n = 63), modified natural cycle IVF (MNC-IVF, n = 53) and natural conception (Sub-NC, n = 79). Data on underlying cause of subfertility and TTP were present. In addition, we assessed newly recruited 4-year-old singletons born to fertile parents after natural conception (reference group, n = 98). Neurological development was evaluated with the neurological examination according to Hempel, resulting in a neurological optimality score (NOS), a fluency score and the occurrence of the clinically relevant form of minor neurological dysfunction (complex MND). The primary outcome was the fluency score, as fluency of movements is easily reduced by subtle brain dysfunction. Data were analysed with univariable and multivariable regression analyses, in which special attention was paid to sex differences in the neurological outcome. The fluency score, NOS and the prevalence of complex MND were similar in COH-IVF, MNC-IVF and Sub-NC children. The neurological condition of children born to subfertile parents was similar to that of children of fertile parents and was independent of the underlying cause of subfertility. No statistically significant associations were found between TTP and the fluency score and NOS. However, a positive correlation was found between TTP and the prevalence of complex MND (TTP in years, adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval, CI]: 1.207 [1.038 to 1.404], P = 0.014); a correlation which could be attributed to girls, in whom an evident positive correlation was present (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.542 [1.161 to 2.047], P = 0.003). A similar association was absent in boys. The prospective design of our study and small post-natal attrition rate (9.3%) reduced potential selection bias based on the child's development or health. The assessors were blind to the mode of conception, except for the group of children born to fertile parents, which was newly recruited. The study lacks sufficient power to conclude firmly that increased TTP is associated with a higher prevalence of complex MND. Our study suggests that the severity of subfertility, rather than its simple presence or components of IVF treatment, affects the neurological outcome. Moreover, girls may be neurologically more vulnerable for the effect of severity of subfertility. The finding that the severity of subfertility may be the decisive factor rather than the presence of a history of subfertility per se corroborates previous reports. Our results cannot be generalized to multiples, as we studied singletons only. The study was financially supported by the University Medical Center Groningen, grant number: 754510, the Junior Scientific Masterclass, the Postgraduate School Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences and the Cornelia Foundation, Groningen, The Netherlands. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Measurements of ψ(2S) and X(3872) → J/ψπ +π – production in pp collisions at $$ \\sqrt{s}=8 $$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

DOE PAGES

Aaboud, M.; Aad, G.; Abbott, B.; ...

2017-01-26

Differential cross sections are presented for the prompt and non-prompt production of the hidden-charm states X(3872) and ψ(2S), in the decay mode J/ψπ +π –, measured using 11.4 fb –1 of pp collisions at √s = 8 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The ratio of cross-sections X(3872)/ψ(2S) is also given, separately for prompt and non-prompt components, as well as the non-prompt fractions of X(3872) and ψ(2S). Assuming independent single effective lifetimes for non-prompt X(3872) and ψ(2S) production gives R B = B(B→X(3872)+any)B(X(3872)→J/ψπ+π–)/B(B→ψ(2S)+any)B(ψ(2S)→J/ψπ+π–)=(3.95±0.32(stat)±0.08(sys))×10 –2 separating short- and long-lived contributions, assuming that the short-lived component is due to Bmore » c decays, gives R B = (3.57 ± 0.33(stat) ± 0.11(sys)) × 10 –2, with the fraction of non-prompt X(3872) produced via B c decays for p T(X(3872)) > 10 GeV being (25 ± 13(stat) ± 2(sys) ± 5(spin))%. The distributions of the dipion invariant mass in the X(3872) and ψ(2S) decays are also measured and compared to theoretical predictions.« less

Measurements of ψ(2S) and X(3872) → J/ψπ +π – production in pp collisions at $$ \\sqrt{s}=8 $$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

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

Aaboud, M.; Aad, G.; Abbott, B.

Differential cross sections are presented for the prompt and non-prompt production of the hidden-charm states X(3872) and ψ(2S), in the decay mode J/ψπ +π –, measured using 11.4 fb –1 of pp collisions at √s = 8 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The ratio of cross-sections X(3872)/ψ(2S) is also given, separately for prompt and non-prompt components, as well as the non-prompt fractions of X(3872) and ψ(2S). Assuming independent single effective lifetimes for non-prompt X(3872) and ψ(2S) production gives R B = B(B→X(3872)+any)B(X(3872)→J/ψπ+π–)/B(B→ψ(2S)+any)B(ψ(2S)→J/ψπ+π–)=(3.95±0.32(stat)±0.08(sys))×10 –2 separating short- and long-lived contributions, assuming that the short-lived component is due to Bmore » c decays, gives R B = (3.57 ± 0.33(stat) ± 0.11(sys)) × 10 –2, with the fraction of non-prompt X(3872) produced via B c decays for p T(X(3872)) > 10 GeV being (25 ± 13(stat) ± 2(sys) ± 5(spin))%. The distributions of the dipion invariant mass in the X(3872) and ψ(2S) decays are also measured and compared to theoretical predictions.« less

Relationship between inter-arm blood pressure difference and severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Park, Se-Jun; Son, Jung-Woo; Park, Sang-Min; Choi, Hyun-Hee; Hong, Kyung-Soon

2017-08-01

A greater inter-arm blood pressure difference (IABPD) is associated with atherosclerosis, but its association with coronary artery disease is unknown. We investigated the relationship between IABPD and coronary atherosclerosis. We retrospectively reviewed blood pressure (BP) data that was measured simultaneously in both arms of patients who underwent initial coronary angiography. Coronary atherosclerosis was assessed using the Gensini score, based on quantitative coronary angiography findings. To adjust for the effect of baseline BP, the percentages of systolic IABPD to higher mean BP (cIABPD sys ), diastolic IABPD to higher mean BP (cIABPD dia ), and mean IABPD to higher mean BP (cIABPD mean ) were calculated as BP-adjusted IABPDs. We examined the records of 816 patients (516 males, mean age: 65.5 ± 11.8 years). The mean Gensini score was 33.4 ± 30.4, and the median was 25. All cIAPBDs had positive correlations with the Gensini score (cIABPD sys : r = 0.208, p < 0.001; cIABPD dia : r = 0.123, p < 0.001; cIABPD mean : r = 0.120, p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that cIABPD sys was associated with the Gensini score, independently of age, gender, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia (B = 0.031, p < 0.001). The BP-adjusted IABPD parameters are related to the severity of coronary artery disease. Further studies should investigate the use of the IABPD to improve management of coronary atherosclerosis. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Multiwavelength Observations of the AGN 1ES 0414+009 with VERITAS, Fermi-LAT, Swift-XRT, and MDM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aliu, E.; Archambault, S.; Arlen, T.; Aune, T.; Beilicke, M.; Benbow, W.; Böttcher, M.; Bouvier, A.; Bugaev, V.; Cannon, A.; Cesarini, A.; Ciupik, L.; Collins-Hughes, E.; Connolly, M. P.; Cui, W.; Dickherber, R.; Dumm, J.; Errando, M.; Falcone, A.; Federici, S.; Feng, Q.; Finley, J. P.; Finnegan, G.; Fortson, L.; Furniss, A.; Galante, N.; Gall, D.; Godambe, S.; Griffin, S.; Grube, J.; Gyuk, G.; Hanna, D.; Holder, J.; Huan, H.; Hughes, G.; Hui, C. M.; Imran, A.; Jameil, O.; Kaaret, P.; Karlsson, N.; Kertzman, M.; Kerr, J.; Khassen, Y.; Kieda, D.; Krawczynski, H.; Krennrich, F.; Lang, M. J.; Lee, K.; Madhavan, A. S.; Majumdar, P.; McArthur, S.; McCann, A.; Moriarty, P.; Mukherjee, R.; Nelson, T.; O'Faoláin de Bhróithe, A.; Ong, R. A.; Orr, M.; Otte, A. N.; Park, N.; Perkins, J. S.; Pichel, A.; Pohl, M.; Quinn, J.; Ragan, K.; Reynolds, P. T.; Roache, E.; Ruppel, J.; Saxon, D. B.; Schroedter, M.; Sembroski, G. H.; Şentürk, G. D.; Smith, A. W.; Staszak, D.; Stroh, M.; Telezhinsky, I.; Tešić, G.; Theiling, M.; Thibadeau, S.; Tsurusaki, K.; Varlotta, A.; Vassiliev, V. V.; Vivier, M.; Wakely, S. P.; Ward, J. E.; Weinstein, A.; Welsing, R.; Williams, D. A.; Zitzer, B.

2012-08-01

We present observations of the BL Lac object 1ES 0414+009 in the >200 GeV gamma-ray band by the VERITAS array of Cherenkov telescopes. 1ES 0414+009 was observed by VERITAS between 2008 January and 2011 February, resulting in 56.2 hr of good quality pointed observations. These observations resulted in a detection of 822 events from the source corresponding to a statistical significance of 6.4 standard deviations (6.4σ) above the background. The source flux, showing no evidence for variability, is measured as (5.2 ± 1.1stat ± 2.6sys) × 10-12 photons cm-2 s-1 above 200 GeV, equivalent to approximately 2% of the Crab Nebula flux above this energy. The differential photon spectrum from 230 GeV to 850 GeV is well fit by a power law with a photon index of Γ = 3.4 ± 0.5stat ± 0.3sys and a flux normalization of (1.6 ± 0.3stat ± 0.8sys) × 10-11 photons cm-2 s-1 at 300 GeV. We also present multiwavelength results taken in the optical (MDM), x-ray (Swift-XRT), and GeV (Fermi-LAT) bands and use these results to construct a broadband spectral energy distribution (SED). Modeling of this SED indicates that homogenous one-zone leptonic scenarios are not adequate to describe emission from the system, with a lepto-hadronic model providing a better fit to the data.

Middle Holocene Organic Carbon and Biomarker Records from the South Yellow Sea: Relationship to the East Asian Monsoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Liang; Hu, Bangqi; Li, Jun; Dou, Yanguang; Xie, Luhua; Dong, Liang

2018-03-01

The East Asian monsoon system influences the sedimentation and transport of organic matter in East Asian marginal seas that is derived from both terrestrial and marine sources. In this study, we determined organic carbon (OC) isotope values, concentrations of marine biomarkers, and levels of OC and total nitrogen (TN) in core YSC-1 from the central South Yellow Sea (SYS). Our objectives were to trace the sources of OC and variations in palaeoproductivity since the middle Holocene, and their relationships with the East Asian monsoon system. The relative contributions of terrestrial versus marine organic matter in core sediments were estimated using a two-end-member mixing model of OC isotopes. Results show that marine organic matter has been the main sediment constituent since the middle Holocene. The variation of terrestrial organic carbon concentration (OCter) is similar to the EASM history. However, the variation of marine organic carbon concentration (OCmar) is opposite to that of the EASM curve, suggesting OCmar is distinctly influenced by terrestrial material input. Inputs of terrestrial nutrients into the SYS occur in the form of fluvial and aeolian dust, while concentrations of nutrients in surface water are derived mainly from bottom water via the Yellow Sea circulation system, which is controlled by the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM). Variations in palaeoproductivity represented by marine organic matter and biomarker records are, in general, consistent with the recent EAWM intensity studies, thus, compared with EASM, EAWM may play the main role to control the marine productivity variations in the SYS.

Hydraulic Characteristics Of Two Bicycle-Safe Grate Inlet Designs

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1988-12-01

Expert Systems are computer programs designed to include a simulation of the reasoning and decision-making processes of human experts. This report provides a set of general guidelines for the development and distribution of highway related expert sys...

Sustainable streets and highways : an analysis of green roads rating systems.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-05-01

As sustainability increasingly becomes a concern to society, it is in state transportation : agencies best interests to embrace and adopt initiatives that will both educate their : employees and the communities they serve on how transportation sys...

City of Leavenworth, KS - Clean Water Act Public Notice

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The EPA is providing notice of a proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment against the City of Leavenworth, Kansas, a municipality located at 100 N. 5th Street, Leavenworth, Kansas for alleged violations of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Sys

Cost Experience of Automated Transit. Supplement III

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1981-07-01

This report summarizes operations and maintenance (O&M) cost experience for the following AGT systems for the period 1976-1980: Airtrans, Sea-Tac, Tampa, Disneyworld (WEDway), Pearl Ridge, Minnesota Zoo, and Morgantown. O&M data on the Morgantown sys...

75 FR 28294 - Notice Pursuant to the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993-PXI Systems...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-20

... Instruments GmbH, Landshut-Altdorf, GERMANY; Keithly Instruments, Solon, OH; Elektrobit Austria GmbH, Vienna, AUSTRIA; DiagnoSYS Systems Ltd., Hampshire, UNITED KINGDOM; and Elma Electronic Inc., Fremont, CA, have...

Evaluation of noise impact mitigation protocols to support CSS : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-03-01

This research project developed and evaluated practical ways of involving the public in context sensitive sound mitigation strategies. The integrated use of photo montage, PowerPoint presentation, linked traffic sound files, and audience response sys...

Renal Replacement Therapy in Support of Combat Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

potentially cardiotoxic electro- lyte abnormalities ( hyperkalemia , hyper- phosphatemia, hypocalcemia). AKI is ex- acerbated further by hypovolemia...and is inefficient at providing metabolic control for highly catabolic or hyperkalemia pa- tients. Conventional single-pass dialysis sys- tems are the

Graphical CONOPS Prototype to Demonstrate Emerging Methods, Processes, and Tools at ARDEC

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-17

Concept Engineering Framework (ICEF), an extensive literature review was conducted to discover metrics that exist for evaluating concept engineering...language to ICEF to SysML ................................................ 34 Table 5 Artifact metrics ...50 Table 6 Collaboration metrics

Site preparation savings through better utilization standards

Treesearch

W.F. Watson; B.J. Stokes; I.W. Savelle

1984-01-01

This reports preliminary paper results of a study to determine the savings in the cost of site preparation that can be accomplished by the intensive utiliiation of understory biomass. mechanized sys terns can potentially be used for recovering this material.

Rail Transit System Maintenance Practices for Automatic Fare Collection Equipment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1984-05-01

A review of rail transit system maintenance practices for automatic fare collection (AFC) equipment was performed. This study supports an UMTA sponsored program to improve the reliability of AFC equipment. The maintenance practices of the transit sys...

Spectral Analysis and Interpretation of the γ-Ray Emission from the Starburst Galaxy NGC 253

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abramowski, A.; Acero, F.; Aharonian, F.; Akhperjanian, A. G.; Anton, G.; Balzer, A.; Barnacka, A.; Becherini, Y.; Becker, J.; Bernlöhr, K.; Birsin, E.; Biteau, J.; Bochow, A.; Boisson, C.; Bolmont, J.; Bordas, P.; Brucker, J.; Brun, F.; Brun, P.; Bulik, T.; Büsching, I.; Carrigan, S.; Casanova, S.; Cerruti, M.; Chadwick, P. M.; Charbonnier, A.; Chaves, R. C. G.; Cheesebrough, A.; Cologna, G.; Conrad, J.; Couturier, C.; Dalton, M.; Daniel, M. K.; Davids, I. D.; Degrange, B.; Deil, C.; Dickinson, H. J.; Djannati-Ataï, A.; Domainko, W.; Drury, L. O'C.; Dubus, G.; Dutson, K.; Dyks, J.; Dyrda, M.; Egberts, K.; Eger, P.; Espigat, P.; Fallon, L.; Fegan, S.; Feinstein, F.; Fernandes, M. V.; Fiasson, A.; Fontaine, G.; Förster, A.; Füßling, M.; Gajdus, M.; Gallant, Y. A.; Garrigoux, T.; Gast, H.; Gérard, L.; Giebels, B.; Glicenstein, J. F.; Glück, B.; Göring, D.; Grondin, M.-H.; Häffner, S.; Hague, J. D.; Hahn, J.; Hampf, D.; Harris, J.; Hauser, M.; Heinz, S.; Heinzelmann, G.; Henri, G.; Hermann, G.; Hillert, A.; Hinton, J. A.; Hofmann, W.; Hofverberg, P.; Holler, M.; Horns, D.; Jacholkowska, A.; Jahn, C.; Jamrozy, M.; Jung, I.; Kastendieck, M. A.; Katarzyński, K.; Katz, U.; Kaufmann, S.; Khélifi, B.; Klochkov, D.; Kluźniak, W.; Kneiske, T.; Komin, Nu.; Kosack, K.; Kossakowski, R.; Krayzel, F.; Laffon, H.; Lamanna, G.; Lenain, J.-P.; Lennarz, D.; Lohse, T.; Lopatin, A.; Lu, C.-C.; Marandon, V.; Marcowith, A.; Masbou, J.; Maurin, G.; Maxted, N.; Mayer, M.; McComb, T. J. L.; Medina, M. C.; Méhault, J.; Moderski, R.; Mohamed, M.; Moulin, E.; Naumann, C. L.; Naumann-Godo, M.; de Naurois, M.; Nedbal, D.; Nekrassov, D.; Nguyen, N.; Nicholas, B.; Niemiec, J.; Nolan, S. J.; Ohm, S.; de Oña Wilhelmi, E.; Opitz, B.; Ostrowski, M.; Oya, I.; Panter, M.; Paz Arribas, M.; Pekeur, N. W.; Pelletier, G.; Perez, J.; Petrucci, P.-O.; Peyaud, B.; Pita, S.; Pühlhofer, G.; Punch, M.; Quirrenbach, A.; Raue, M.; Reimer, A.; Reimer, O.; Renaud, M.; de los Reyes, R.; Rieger, F.; Ripken, J.; Rob, L.; Rosier-Lees, S.; Rowell, G.; Rudak, B.; Rulten, C. B.; Sahakian, V.; Sanchez, D. A.; Santangelo, A.; Schlickeiser, R.; Schulz, A.; Schwanke, U.; Schwarzburg, S.; Schwemmer, S.; Sheidaei, F.; Skilton, J. L.; Sol, H.; Spengler, G.; Stawarz, Ł.; Steenkamp, R.; Stegmann, C.; Stinzing, F.; Stycz, K.; Sushch, I.; Szostek, A.; Tavernet, J.-P.; Terrier, R.; Tluczykont, M.; Valerius, K.; van Eldik, C.; Vasileiadis, G.; Venter, C.; Viana, A.; Vincent, P.; Völk, H. J.; Volpe, F.; Vorobiov, S.; Vorster, M.; Wagner, S. J.; Ward, M.; White, R.; Wierzcholska, A.; Zacharias, M.; Zajczyk, A.; Zdziarski, A. A.; Zech, A.; Zechlin, H.-S.; H. E. S. S. Collaboration

2012-10-01

Very high energy (VHE; E >= 100 GeV) and high-energy (HE; 100 MeV <= E <= 100 GeV) data from γ-ray observations performed with the H.E.S.S. telescope array and the Fermi-LAT instrument, respectively, are analyzed in order to investigate the non-thermal processes in the starburst galaxy NGC 253. The VHE γ-ray data can be described by a power law in energy with differential photon index Γ = 2.14 ± 0.18stat ± 0.30sys and differential flux normalization at 1 TeV of F 0 = (9.6 ± 1.5stat(+ 5.7, -2.9)sys) × 10-14 TeV-1 cm-2 s-1. A power-law fit to the differential HE γ-ray spectrum reveals a photon index of Γ = 2.24 ± 0.14stat ± 0.03sys and an integral flux between 200 MeV and 200 GeV of F(0.2-200 GeV) = (4.9 ± 1.0stat ± 0.3sys) × 10-9 cm-2 s-1. No evidence for a spectral break or turnover is found over the dynamic range of both the LAT instrument and the H.E.S.S. experiment: a combined fit of a power law to the HE and VHE γ-ray data results in a differential photon index Γ = 2.34 ± 0.03 with a p-value of 30%. The γ-ray observations indicate that at least about 20% of the energy of the cosmic rays (CRs) capable of producing hadronic interactions is channeled into pion production. The smooth alignment between the spectra in the HE and VHE γ-ray domain suggests that the same transport processes dominate in the entire energy range. Advection is most likely responsible for charged particle removal from the starburst nucleus from GeV to multiple TeV energies. In a hadronic scenario for the γ-ray production, the single overall power-law spectrum observed would therefore correspond to the mean energy spectrum produced by the ensemble of CR sources in the starburst region. We dedicate this paper to the memory of our colleague Dalibor Nedbal, who died on 2012 May 15 at the age of 31. Dalibor was universally liked and respected as a scientist and colleague and will be greatly missed.

Multi-purpose presentation techniques for geoscientific data in various media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rink, Karsten; Bilke, Lars

2014-05-01

The intuitive presentation of the progression of complex geoscientific phenomena is often an underrated part of the modelling- and simulation workflow. Compiling such a presentation allows to easily communicate progress in joint research projects between participants with different backgrounds. Also, adequate 3D visualisations are usually easier to understand when presenting research results to stakeholders as well as the general public and critical information is conveyed in a more comprehensible manner. We established a workflow that is based on integration and preprocessing of multiple geoscientific data sets in a suitable framework such as the OpenGeoSys Data Explorer or ParaView. After choosing an adequate visual representation of the data in these frameworks, custom-made interfaces are employed to export the data to presentation frameworks. For instance, using the Unity 3D Engine allows to implement interaction techniques such as adding camera paths, concentrating on specific subsets of the data or scene, blending multiple data sets, etc. While a general sequence of the presentation can be predefined, interactive navigation is still possible and allows to focus on particular interests of the audience. Established interfaces and frameworks allow to display existing presentations in multiple ways, including virtual reality environments, novel hardware such as head-mounted displays like the Occulus Rift, or even websites presenting 3D content. Furthermore, the content can be redistributed as an executable for use on arbitrary machines. This versatility enables the use of prepared presentations for a multitude of occasions including exchange of intermediary result to partners in cooperate projects, reports at conferences, the defense of research projects, or use in training courses or for tutorials.

Two distinct STLV-1 subtypes infecting Mandrillus sphinx follow the geographic distribution of their hosts.

PubMed

Makuwa, M; Souquière, S; Clifford, S L; Telfer, P T; Sallé, B; Bourry, O; Onanga, R; Mouinga-Ondeme, A; Wickings, E J; Abernethy, K A; Rouquet, P; Simon, F; Roques, P

2004-10-01

The mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) has been shown to be infected with an STLV-1 closely related to HTLV-1. Two distinct STLV-1 subtypes (D and F) infect wild mandrills with high overall prevalence (27.0%) but are different with respect to their phylogenetic relationship and parallel to the mandrills' geographic range. The clustering of these new STLV-1mnd sequences with HTLV-1 subtype D and F suggests first, past simian-to-human transmissions in Central Africa and second, that species barriers are easier to cross over than geographic barriers.

Frontotemporal Dementia

PubMed Central

Olney, Nicholas T.; Spina, Salvatore; Miller, Bruce L.

2017-01-01

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a heterogeneous disorder with distinct clinical phenotypes associated with multiple neuropathologic entities. Presently, the term FTD encompasses clinical disorders that include changes in behavior, language, executive control and often motor symptoms. The core FTD spectrum disorders include: behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD), nonfluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA), and semantic variant PPA (svPPA). Related FTD disorders include frontotemporal dementia with motor neuron disease (FTD-MND), progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome (PSP-S) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS). In this chapter we will discuss the clinic presentation, diagnostic criteria, neuropathology, genetics and treatments of these disorders. PMID:28410663

Saving lives through advanced vehicle safety technology : intelligent vehicle initiative

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-09-01

This final report provides an overview of the intelligent vehicle initiative's (IVI) progress and accomplishments. Authorized in the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) as part of the U.S. DOT's Intelligent Transportation Sys...

Vehicle noise source heights & sub-source spectra

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-12-01

This report describes a turn-key system that was developed and implemented to collect the vehicle source height database for incorporation into the new Traffic Noise Model (TNM). A total of 2500 individual vehicle pass-bys were measured with this sys...

Design of inclined loaded drilled shafts in high-plasticity clay environment.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-05-01

Drilled shaft foundations are principally used to support many structures such as bridge piers, towers, : buildings, transmission towers, and roadway cable barriers. This research focuses on the use of drilled shafts : in the cable median barrier sys...

Seat belt use-inducing system effectiveness

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-04-01

Seat belt use inducing system effectiveness was measured in fleet automobiles of a private business and in rental automobiles at a large airport. There were three parts to the activity: 1. Seat belt use inducing systems and seat belt use counting sys...

Growing evidence for human health benefits of boron

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Growing evidence from numerous laboratories using a variety of experimental models shows that boron is a bioactive beneficial, perhaps essential, element for humans. Reported beneficial actions of boron include arthritis alleviation or risk reduction; bone growth and maintenance; central nervous sys...

Generating Atomistic Slab Surfaces with Adsorbates

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE. from six.moves import range import os import sys import math import copy import numpy as np from...import StructureMatcher from math import acos from mpinterfaces.utils import align_axis, add_vacuum from pymatgen.analysis.structure_matcher import

Smart Water: Energy-Water Optimization in Drinking Water Systems

EPA Science Inventory

This project aims to develop and commercialize a Smart Water Platform – Sensor-based Data-driven Energy-Water Optimization technology in drinking water systems. The key technological advances rely on cross-platform data acquisition and management system, model-based real-time sys...

Automatic safety belt systems owner usage and attitudes in GM Chevettes and VW Rabbits

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1980-05-01

Author's abstract: The study was designed to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of automatic restraint systems in increasing belt usage, and (2) determine owner attitudes toward the system. Information gathered from owners of vehicles with automatic sys...

US EPA CSO CAPSTONE REPORT: THE CSO PROBLEM

EPA Science Inventory

The history of combined sewer systems (CSS) and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the US provides unique insights into the complex challenge faced in reducing and eliminating their adverse environmental effects. The evolution of the "modern" CSS shows how early urban drainag sys...

Integration of M&S (Modeling and Simulation), Software Design and DoDAF (Department of Defense Architecture Framework (RT 24)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-09

between BPMN , SysML, and Arena ........................................... 16 Capabilities, Activities, Resources, Performers...Proof of Concept ................................................................ 22 BPMN 2.0 XML to Arena Converter...21 Figure 5: BPMN 2.0 XML StartEvent (Excerpt

Genetic and physical mapping at the limb-girdle muscular dystrophy locus (LGMD2B) on chromosome 2p

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

Bashir, R.; Keers, S.; Strachan, T.

1996-04-01

The limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD) are a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders, different forms of which have been mapped to at least six distinct genetic loci. We have mapped to at least six distinct genetic loci. We have mapped an autosomal recessive form of LGMD (LGMD2B) to chromosome 2p13. Two other conditions have been shown to map to this region or to the homologous region in mouse: a gene for a form of autosomal recessive distal muscular dystrophy, Miyoshi myopathy, shows linkage to the same markers on chromosome 2p as LGMD2B, and an autosomal recessive mouse mutation mnd2, in whichmore » there is rapidly progressive paralysis and muscle atrophy, has been mapped to mouse chromosome 6 to a region showing conserved synteny with human chromosome 2p12-p13. We have assembled a 6-cM YAC contig spanning the LGMD2B locus and have mapped seven genes and 13 anonymous polymorphic microsatellites to it. Using haplotype analysis in the linked families, we have narrowed our region of interest to a 0-cM interval between D2S2113 and D2S145, which does not overlap with the critical region for mnd2 in mouse. Use of these most closely linked markers will help to determine the relationship between LGMD2B and Miyoshi myopathy. YACs selected from our contig will be the starting point for the cloning of the LGMD2B gene and thereby establish the biological basis for this form of muscular dystrophy and its relationship with the other limb-girdle muscular dystrophies. 26 refs., 6 figs.« less

A Stabilization Device That Promotes the Efficiency of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation during Ambulance Transportation to the Level as under Non-Moving Conditions

PubMed Central

Foo, Ning-Ping; Chang, Jer-Hao; Su, Shih-Bin; Chen, Kow-Tong; Cheng, Ching-Fa; Chen, Pei-Chung

2014-01-01

Background The survival rate of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is low, and measures to improve the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during ambulance transportation are desirable. We designed a stabilization device, and in a randomized crossover trial we found performing CPR in a moving ambulance with the device (MD) could achieve better efficiency than that without the device (MND), but the efficiency was lower than that in a non-moving ambulance (NM). Purpose To evaluate whether a modified version of the stabilization device, can promote further the quality of CPR during ambulance transportation. Methods Participants of the previous study were recruited, and they performed CPR for 10 minutes in a moving ambulance with the modified version of the stabilization device (MVSD). The primary outcomes were effective chest compressions and no-flow fraction recorded by a skill-reporter manikin. The secondary outcomes included back pain, physiological parameters, and the participants' rating about the device after performing CPR. Results The overall effective compressions in 10 minutes were 86.4±17.5% for NM, 60.9±14.6% for MND, 69.7±22.4% for MD, and 86.6%±13.2% for MVSD (p<0.001). Whereas changes in back pain severity and physiology parameters were similar under all conditions, MVSD had the lowest no-flow fraction. Differences in effective compressions and the no-flow fraction between MVSD and NM did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions The use of the modified device can improve quality of CPR in a moving ambulance to a level similar to that in a non-moving condition without increasing the severity of back pain. PMID:25329643

Quantum many-body effects in x-ray spectra efficiently computed using a basic graph algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Yufeng; Prendergast, David

2018-05-01

The growing interest in using x-ray spectroscopy for refined materials characterization calls for an accurate electronic-structure theory to interpret the x-ray near-edge fine structure. In this work, we propose an efficient and unified framework to describe all the many-electron processes in a Fermi liquid after a sudden perturbation (such as a core hole). This problem has been visited by the Mahan-Noziéres-De Dominicis (MND) theory, but it is intractable to implement various Feynman diagrams within first-principles calculations. Here, we adopt a nondiagrammatic approach and treat all the many-electron processes in the MND theory on an equal footing. Starting from a recently introduced determinant formalism [Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 096402 (2017), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.096402], we exploit the linear dependence of determinants describing different final states involved in the spectral calculations. An elementary graph algorithm, breadth-first search, can be used to quickly identify the important determinants for shaping the spectrum, which avoids the need to evaluate a great number of vanishingly small terms. This search algorithm is performed over the tree-structure of the many-body expansion, which mimics a path-finding process. We demonstrate that the determinantal approach is computationally inexpensive even for obtaining x-ray spectra of extended systems. Using Kohn-Sham orbitals from two self-consistent fields (ground and core-excited state) as input for constructing the determinants, the calculated x-ray spectra for a number of transition metal oxides are in good agreement with experiments. Many-electron aspects beyond the Bethe-Salpeter equation, as captured by this approach, are also discussed, such as shakeup excitations and many-body wave function overlap considered in Anderson's orthogonality catastrophe.

Materials Selection Criteria for Nuclear Power Applications: A Decision Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez-Prieto, Álvaro; Camacho, Ana María; Sebastián, Miguel Ángel

2016-02-01

An innovative methodology based on stringency levels is proposed in this paper and improves the current selection method for structural materials used in demanding industrial applications. This paper describes a new approach for quantifying the stringency of materials requirements based on a novel deterministic algorithm to prevent potential failures. We have applied the new methodology to different standardized specifications used in pressure vessels design, such as SA-533 Grade B Cl.1, SA-508 Cl.3 (issued by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers), DIN 20MnMoNi55 (issued by the German Institute of Standardization) and 16MND5 (issued by the French Nuclear Commission) specifications and determine the influence of design code selection. This study is based on key scientific publications on the influence of chemical composition on the mechanical behavior of materials, which were not considered when the technological requirements were established in the aforementioned specifications. For this purpose, a new method to quantify the efficacy of each standard has been developed using a deterministic algorithm. The process of assigning relative weights was performed by consulting a panel of experts in materials selection for reactor pressure vessels to provide a more objective methodology; thus, the resulting mathematical calculations for quantitative analysis are greatly simplified. The final results show that steel DIN 20MnMoNi55 is the best material option. Additionally, more recently developed materials such as DIN 20MnMoNi55, 16MND5 and SA-508 Cl.3 exhibit mechanical requirements more stringent than SA-533 Grade B Cl.1. The methodology presented in this paper can be used as a decision tool in selection of materials for a wide range of applications.

How integrated are neurology and palliative care services? Results of a multicentre mapping exercise.

PubMed

van Vliet, Liesbeth M; Gao, Wei; DiFrancesco, Daniel; Crosby, Vincent; Wilcock, Andrew; Byrne, Anthony; Al-Chalabi, Ammar; Chaudhuri, K Ray; Evans, Catherine; Silber, Eli; Young, Carolyn; Malik, Farida; Quibell, Rachel; Higginson, Irene J

2016-05-10

Patients affected by progressive long-term neurological conditions might benefit from specialist palliative care involvement. However, little is known on how neurology and specialist palliative care services interact. This study aimed to map the current level of connections and integration between these services. The mapping exercise was conducted in eight centres with neurology and palliative care services in the United Kingdom. The data were provided by the respective neurology and specialist palliative care teams. Questions focused on: i) catchment and population served; ii) service provision and staffing; iii) integration and relationships. Centres varied in size of catchment areas (39-5,840 square miles) and population served (142,000-3,500,000). Neurology and specialist palliative care were often not co-terminus. Service provisions for neurology and specialist palliative care were also varied. For example, neurology services varied in the number and type of provided clinics and palliative care services in the settings they work in. Integration was most developed in Motor Neuron Disease (MND), e.g., joint meetings were often held, followed by Parkinsonism (made up of Parkinson's Disease (PD), Multiple-System Atrophy (MSA) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), with integration being more developed for MSA and PSP) and least in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), e.g., most sites had no formal links. The number of neurology patients per annum receiving specialist palliative care reflected these differences in integration (range: 9-88 MND, 3-25 Parkinsonism, and 0-5 MS). This mapping exercise showed heterogeneity in service provision and integration between neurology and specialist palliative care services, which varied not only between sites but also between diseases. This highlights the need and opportunities for improved models of integration, which should be rigorously tested for effectiveness.

Efficient modification of CCR5 in primary human hematopoietic cells using a megaTAL nuclease and AAV donor template.

PubMed

Sather, Blythe D; Romano Ibarra, Guillermo S; Sommer, Karen; Curinga, Gabrielle; Hale, Malika; Khan, Iram F; Singh, Swati; Song, Yumei; Gwiazda, Kamila; Sahni, Jaya; Jarjour, Jordan; Astrakhan, Alexander; Wagner, Thor A; Scharenberg, Andrew M; Rawlings, David J

2015-09-30

Genetic mutations or engineered nucleases that disrupt the HIV co-receptor CCR5 block HIV infection of CD4(+) T cells. These findings have motivated the engineering of CCR5-specific nucleases for application as HIV therapies. The efficacy of this approach relies on efficient biallelic disruption of CCR5, and the ability to efficiently target sequences that confer HIV resistance to the CCR5 locus has the potential to further improve clinical outcomes. We used RNA-based nuclease expression paired with adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of a CCR5-targeting donor template to achieve highly efficient targeted recombination in primary human T cells. This method consistently achieved 8 to 60% rates of homology-directed recombination into the CCR5 locus in T cells, with over 80% of cells modified with an MND-GFP expression cassette exhibiting biallelic modification. MND-GFP-modified T cells maintained a diverse repertoire and engrafted in immune-deficient mice as efficiently as unmodified cells. Using this method, we integrated sequences coding chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) into the CCR5 locus, and the resulting targeted CAR T cells exhibited antitumor or anti-HIV activity. Alternatively, we introduced the C46 HIV fusion inhibitor, generating T cell populations with high rates of biallelic CCR5 disruption paired with potential protection from HIV with CXCR4 co-receptor tropism. Finally, this protocol was applied to adult human mobilized CD34(+) cells, resulting in 15 to 20% homologous gene targeting. Our results demonstrate that high-efficiency targeted integration is feasible in primary human hematopoietic cells and highlight the potential of gene editing to engineer T cell products with myriad functional properties. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Prevalence and predictors of post-stroke mood disorders: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of depression, anxiety and adjustment disorder.

PubMed

Mitchell, Alex J; Sheth, Bhavisha; Gill, John; Yadegarfar, Motahare; Stubbs, Brendon; Yadegarfar, Mohammad; Meader, Nick

2017-07-01

To ascertain the prevalence and predictors of mood disorders, determined by structured clinical interviews (ICD or DSM criteria) in people after stroke. Major electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2016 for studies involving major depression (MDD), minor depression (MnD), dysthymia, adjustment disorder, any depressive disorder (any depressive disorder) and anxiety disorders. Studies were combined using both random and fixed effects meta-analysis and results were stratified as appropriate. Depression was examined on 147 occasions from 2days to 7years after stroke (mean 6.87months, N=33 in acute, N=43 in rehabilitation and N=69 in the community/outpatients). Across 128 analyses involving 15,573 patients assessed for major depressive disorder (MDD), the point prevalence of depression was 17.7% (95% CI=15.6% to 20.0%) 0.65 analyses involving 9720 patients determined MnD was present in 13.1% in all settings (95% CI=10.9% to 15.8%). Dysthymia was present in 3.1% (95% CI=2.1% to 5.3%), adjustment disorder in 6.9% (95% CI=4.6 to 9.7%) and anxiety in 9.8% (95% CI=5.9% to 14.8%). Any depressive disorder was present in 33.5% (95% CI=30.3% to 36.8%). The relative risk of any depressive disorder was higher following left (dominant) hemisphere stroke, aphasia, and among people with a family history and past history of mood disorders. Depression, adjustment disorder and anxiety are common after stroke. Risk factors are aphasia, dominant hemispheric lesions and past personal/family history of depression but not time since stroke. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

A stabilization device that promotes the efficiency of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during ambulance transportation to the level as under non-moving conditions.

PubMed

Foo, Ning-Ping; Chang, Jer-Hao; Su, Shih-Bin; Chen, Kow-Tong; Cheng, Ching-Fa; Chen, Pei-Chung; Lin, Tsung-Yi; Guo, How-Ran

2014-01-01

The survival rate of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is low, and measures to improve the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during ambulance transportation are desirable. We designed a stabilization device, and in a randomized crossover trial we found performing CPR in a moving ambulance with the device (MD) could achieve better efficiency than that without the device (MND), but the efficiency was lower than that in a non-moving ambulance (NM). To evaluate whether a modified version of the stabilization device, can promote further the quality of CPR during ambulance transportation. Participants of the previous study were recruited, and they performed CPR for 10 minutes in a moving ambulance with the modified version of the stabilization device (MVSD). The primary outcomes were effective chest compressions and no-flow fraction recorded by a skill-reporter manikin. The secondary outcomes included back pain, physiological parameters, and the participants' rating about the device after performing CPR. The overall effective compressions in 10 minutes were 86.4±17.5% for NM, 60.9±14.6% for MND, 69.7±22.4% for MD, and 86.6%±13.2% for MVSD (p<0.001). Whereas changes in back pain severity and physiology parameters were similar under all conditions, MVSD had the lowest no-flow fraction. Differences in effective compressions and the no-flow fraction between MVSD and NM did not reach statistical significance. The use of the modified device can improve quality of CPR in a moving ambulance to a level similar to that in a non-moving condition without increasing the severity of back pain.

The ellipticity of galaxy cluster haloes from satellite galaxies and weak lensing

DOE PAGES

Shin, Tae-hyeon; Clampitt, Joseph; Jain, Bhuvnesh; ...

2018-01-04

Here, we study the ellipticity of galaxy cluster haloes as characterized by the distribution of cluster galaxies and as measured with weak lensing. We use Monte Carlo simulations of elliptical cluster density profiles to estimate and correct for Poisson noise bias, edge bias and projection effects. We apply our methodology to 10 428 Sloan Digital Sky Survey clusters identified by the redMaPPer algorithm with richness above 20. We find a mean ellipticity =0.271 ± 0.002 (stat) ±0.031 (sys) corresponding to an axis ratio = 0.573 ± 0.002 (stat) ±0.039 (sys). We compare this ellipticity of the satellites to the halomore » shape, through a stacked lensing measurement using optimal estimators of the lensing quadrupole based on Clampitt and Jain (2016). We find a best-fitting axis ratio of 0.56 ± 0.09 (stat) ±0.03 (sys), consistent with the ellipticity of the satellite distribution. Thus, cluster galaxies trace the shape of the dark matter halo to within our estimated uncertainties. Finally, we restack the satellite and lensing ellipticity measurements along the major axis of the cluster central galaxy's light distribution. From the lensing measurements, we infer a misalignment angle with an root-mean-square of 30° ± 10° when stacking on the central galaxy. We discuss applications of halo shape measurements to test the effects of the baryonic gas and active galactic nucleus feedback, as well as dark matter and gravity. The major improvements in signal-to-noise ratio expected with the ongoing Dark Energy Survey and future surveys from Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Euclid, and Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope will make halo shapes a useful probe of these effects.« less

A Detection of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation Features in the SDSS BOSS DR12 Galaxy Bispectrum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearson, David W.; Samushia, Lado

2018-05-01

We present the first high significance detection (4.1σ) of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) feature in the galaxy bispectrum of the twelfth data release (DR12) of the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) CMASS sample (0.43 ≤ z ≤ 0.7). We measured the scale dilation parameter, α, using the power spectrum, bispectrum, and both simultaneously for DR12, plus 2048 MultiDark-PATCHY mocks in the North and South Galactic Caps (NGC and SGC, respectively), and the volume weighted averages of those two samples (N+SGC). The fitting to the mocks validated our analysis pipeline, yielding values consistent with the mock cosmology. By fitting to the power spectrum and bispectrum separately, we tested the robustness of our results, finding consistent values from the NGC, SGC and N+SGC in all cases. We found DV = 2032 ± 24(stat.) ± 15(sys.) Mpc, DV = 2038 ± 55(stat.) ± 15(sys.) Mpc, and DV = 2031 ± 22(stat.) ± 10(sys.) Mpc from the N+SGC power spectrum, bispectrum and simultaneous fitting, respectively. Our bispectrum measurement precision was mainly limited by the size of the covariance matrix. Based on the fits to the mocks, we showed that if a less noisy estimator of the covariance were available, from either a theoretical computation or a larger suite of mocks, the constraints from the bispectrum and simultaneous fits would improve to 1.1 per cent (1.3 per cent with systematics) and 0.7 per cent (0.9 per cent with systematics), respectively, with the latter being slightly more precise than the power spectrum only constraints from the reconstructed field.

EPIC Muon Cooling Simulations using COSY INFINITY

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

J.A. Maloney, B. Erdelyi, A. Afanasev, R.P. Johnson, S.A. Bogacz, Y.S. Derbenev, V.S. Morozov

2011-03-01

Next gen­er­a­tion mag­net sys­tems need­ed for cool­ing chan­nels in both neu­tri­no fac­to­ries and muon col­lid­ers will be in­no­va­tive and com­pli­cat­ed. De­sign­ing, sim­u­lat­ing and op­ti­miz­ing these sys­tems is a chal­lenge. Using COSY IN­FIN­I­TY, a dif­fer­en­tial al­ge­bra-based code, to sim­u­late com­pli­cat­ed el­e­ments can allow the com­pu­ta­tion and cor­rec­tion of a va­ri­ety of high­er order ef­fects, such as spher­i­cal and chro­mat­ic aber­ra­tions, that are dif­fi­cult to ad­dress with other sim­u­la­tion tools. As an ex­am­ple, a he­li­cal dipole mag­net has been im­ple­ment­ed and sim­u­lat­ed, and the per­for­mance of an epicyclic para­met­ric ion­iza­tion cool­ing sys­tem for muons is stud­ied and com­pared to sim­u­la­tions made usingmore » G4Beam­line, a GEAN­T4 toolk­it.« less

QERx- A Faster than Real-Time Emulator for Space Processors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carvalho, B.; Pidgeon, A.; Robinson, P.

2012-08-01

Developing software for space systems is challenging. Especially because, in order to be sure it can cope with the harshness of the environment and the imperative requirements and constrains imposed by the platform were it will run, it needs to be tested exhaustively. Software Validation Facilities (SVF) are known to the industry and developers, and provide the means to run the On-Board Software (OBSW) in a realistic environment, allowing the development team to debug and test the software.But the challenge is to be able to keep up with the performance of the new processors (LEON2 and LEON3), which need to be emulated within the SVF. Such processor emulators are also used in Operational Simulators, used to support mission preparation and train mission operators. These simulators mimic the satellite and its behaviour, as realistically as possible. For test/operational efficiency reasons and because they will need to interact with external systems, both these uses cases require the processor emulators to provide real-time, or faster, performance.It is known to the industry that the performance of previously available emulators is not enough to cope with the performance of the new processors available in the market. SciSys approached this problem with dynamic translation technology trying to keep costs down by avoiding a hardware solution and keeping the integration flexibility of full software emulation.SciSys presented “QERx: A High Performance Emulator for Software Validation and Simulations” [1], in a previous DASIA event. Since then that idea has evolved and QERx has been successfully validated. SciSys is now presenting QERx as a product that can be tailored to fit different emulation needs. This paper will present QERx latest developments and current status.

Time course of changes in tear meniscus radius and blink rate after instillation of artificial tears.

PubMed

Bandlitz, Stefan; Purslow, Christine; Murphy, Paul J; Pult, Heiko

2014-08-26

Using a novel digital meniscometer (PDM), alterations in tear meniscus radius (TMR) were measured simultaneously with blink rate (BR) following the instillation of artificial tears. Central TMR and BR of 22 subjects (11 male and 11 female; mean age, 24.3 ± 2.6 SD years) were measured at baseline, and 0, 1, 5, 10, and 30 minutes after instillation of an artificial tear containing hydroxypropyl-guar and glycol (SYS) or saline (SAL). A dose of 35 μL was applied in one eye in a randomized order with a washout period between each drop. For SAL, compared to baseline TMR (0.33 ± 0.08 mm), TMR significantly increased with drop instillation (1.55 ± 0.69 mm) and at 1 minute (0.66 ± 0.36 mm; P < 0.05), but returned to baseline after 5 minutes. For SYS, TMR (0.32 ± 0.07 mm) remained significantly increased after application (1.62 ± 0.81 mm), and at 1 minute (0.81 ± 0.43 mm) and 5 minutes (0.39 ± 0.08 mm; P < 0.05). Compared to baseline BR with SAL (14.8 ± 7.7) and SYS (14.9 ± 9.4), values were significantly increased upon drop instillation (22.5 ± 11.8; 21.3 ± 11.8; P < 0.05), but returned to baseline after 1 minute. Dry eye symptoms were correlated with baseline BR (r = 0.550, P = 0.008). Results indicate that PDM can detect changes in TMR following instillation of artificial tears. Difference in residence time reflects the different viscosity of each drop. An overload with a large drop may result in an initially increased BR. Copyright 2014 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

Performance of a Highly Sensitive, 19-element, Dual-polarization, Cryogenic L-band Phased-array Feed on the Green Bank Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roshi, D. Anish; Shillue, W.; Simon, B.; Warnick, K. F.; Jeffs, B.; Pisano, D. J.; Prestage, R.; White, S.; Fisher, J. R.; Morgan, M.; Black, R.; Burnett, M.; Diao, J.; Ruzindana, M.; van Tonder, V.; Hawkins, L.; Marganian, P.; Chamberlin, T.; Ray, J.; Pingel, N. M.; Rajwade, K.; Lorimer, D. R.; Rane, A.; Castro, J.; Groves, W.; Jensen, L.; Nelson, J. D.; Boyd, T.; Beasley, A. J.

2018-05-01

A new 1.4 GHz, 19-element, dual-polarization, cryogenic phased-array feed (PAF) radio astronomy receiver has been developed for the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) as part of the Focal L-band Array for the GBT (FLAG) project. Commissioning observations of calibrator radio sources show that this receiver has the lowest reported beam-formed system temperature (T sys) normalized by aperture efficiency (η) of any phased-array receiver to date. The measured T sys/η is 25.4 ± 2.5 K near 1350 MHz for the boresight beam, which is comparable to the performance of the current 1.4 GHz cryogenic single-feed receiver on the GBT. The degradation in T sys/η at ∼4‧ (required for Nyquist sampling) and ∼8‧ offsets from the boresight is, respectively, ∼1% and ∼20% of the boresight value. The survey speed of the PAF with seven formed beams is larger by a factor between 2.1 and 7 compared to a single-beam system, depending on the observing application. The measured performance, both in frequency and offset from the boresight, qualitatively agrees with predictions from a rigorous electromagnetic model of the PAF. The astronomical utility of the receiver is demonstrated by observations of the pulsar B0329+54 and an extended H II region, the Rosette Nebula. The enhanced survey speed with the new PAF receiver will enable the GBT to carry out exciting new science, such as more efficient observations of diffuse, extended neutral hydrogen emission from galactic inflows and searches for fast radio bursts.

Evidence for neutrino oscillations in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

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

Marino, Alysia Diane

2004-01-01

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) is a large-volume heavy water Cerenkov detector designed to resolve the solar neutrino problem. SNO observes charged-current interactions with electron neutrinos, neutral-current interactions with all active neutrinos, and elastic-scattering interactions primarily with electron neutrinos with some sensitivity to other flavors. This dissertation presents an analysis of the solar neutrino flux observed in SNO in the second phase of operation, while ~2 tonnes of salt (NaCl) were dissolved in the heavy water. The dataset here represents 391 live days of data. Only the events above a visible energy threshold of 5.5 MeV and inside a fiducial volume within 550 cm of the center of the detector are studied. The neutrino flux observed via the charged-current interaction is [1.71 ± 0.065(stat.)±more » $$0.065\\atop{0.068}$$(sys.)±0.02(theor.)] x 10 6cm -2s -1, via the elastic-scattering interaction is [2.21±0.22(stat.)±$$0.12\\atop{0.11}$$(sys.)±0.01(theor.)] x 10 6cm -2s -1, and via the neutral-current interaction is [5.05±0.23(stat.)±$$0.31\\atop{0.37}$$(sys.)±0.06(theor.)] x 10 6cm -2s -1. The electron-only flux seen via the charged-current interaction is more than 7σ below the total active flux seen via the neutral-current interaction, providing strong evidence that neutrinos are undergoing flavor transformation as they travel from the core of the Sun to the Earth. The most likely origin of the flavor transformation is matter-induced flavor oscillation.« less

The ellipticity of galaxy cluster haloes from satellite galaxies and weak lensing

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

Shin, Tae-hyeon; Clampitt, Joseph; Jain, Bhuvnesh

Here, we study the ellipticity of galaxy cluster haloes as characterized by the distribution of cluster galaxies and as measured with weak lensing. We use Monte Carlo simulations of elliptical cluster density profiles to estimate and correct for Poisson noise bias, edge bias and projection effects. We apply our methodology to 10 428 Sloan Digital Sky Survey clusters identified by the redMaPPer algorithm with richness above 20. We find a mean ellipticity =0.271 ± 0.002 (stat) ±0.031 (sys) corresponding to an axis ratio = 0.573 ± 0.002 (stat) ±0.039 (sys). We compare this ellipticity of the satellites to the halomore » shape, through a stacked lensing measurement using optimal estimators of the lensing quadrupole based on Clampitt and Jain (2016). We find a best-fitting axis ratio of 0.56 ± 0.09 (stat) ±0.03 (sys), consistent with the ellipticity of the satellite distribution. Thus, cluster galaxies trace the shape of the dark matter halo to within our estimated uncertainties. Finally, we restack the satellite and lensing ellipticity measurements along the major axis of the cluster central galaxy's light distribution. From the lensing measurements, we infer a misalignment angle with an root-mean-square of 30° ± 10° when stacking on the central galaxy. We discuss applications of halo shape measurements to test the effects of the baryonic gas and active galactic nucleus feedback, as well as dark matter and gravity. The major improvements in signal-to-noise ratio expected with the ongoing Dark Energy Survey and future surveys from Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Euclid, and Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope will make halo shapes a useful probe of these effects.« less

The Carnegie–Chicago Hubble Program. III. The Distance to NGC 1365 via the Tip of the Red Giant Branch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, In Sung; Hatt, Dylan; Beaton, Rachael L.; Lee, Myung Gyoon; Freedman, Wendy L.; Madore, Barry F.; Hoyt, Taylor J.; Monson, Andrew J.; Rich, Jeffrey A.; Scowcroft, Victoria; Seibert, Mark

2018-01-01

The Carnegie–Chicago Hubble Program (CCHP) seeks to anchor the distance scale of Type Ia supernovae via the Tip of the Red Giant Branch (TRGB) method. Based on deep Hubble Space Telescope ACS/WFC imaging, we present an analysis of the TRGB for the metal-poor halo of NGC 1365, a giant spiral galaxy in the Fornax cluster that was host to the Type Ia supernova SN 2012fr. We have measured the extinction-corrected TRGB magnitude of NGC 1365 to be F814W = 27.34 ± 0.03stat ± 0.04sys mag. In advance of future direct calibration by Gaia, we adopt a provisional I-band TRGB luminosity set at the Large Magellanic Cloud and find a true distance modulus μ 0 = 31.29 ± 0.04stat ± 0.06sys mag or D = 18.1 ± 0.3stat ± 0.5sys Mpc. This measurement is in excellent agreement with recent Cepheid-based distances to NGC 1365 and reveals no significant difference in the distances derived from stars of Populations I and II for this galaxy. We revisit the error budget for the CCHP path to the Hubble constant based on the analysis presented here, i.e., that for one of the most distant Type Ia supernova hosts within our Program, and find that a 2.5% measurement is feasible with the current sample of galaxies and TRGB absolute calibration. Based in part on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555. These observations are associated with program #13691.

Analyzing the variability of sediment yield: A case study from paired watersheds in the Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebabu, Kindiye; Tsunekawa, Atsushi; Haregeweyn, Nigussie; Adgo, Enyew; Meshesha, Derege Tsegaye; Aklog, Dagnachew; Masunaga, Tsugiyuki; Tsubo, Mitsuru; Sultan, Dagnenet; Fenta, Ayele Almaw; Yibeltal, Mesenbet

2018-02-01

Improved knowledge of watershed-scale spatial and temporal variability of sediment yields (SY) is needed to design erosion control strategies, particularly in the most severely eroded areas. The present study was conducted to provide this knowledge for the humid tropical highlands of Ethiopia using the Akusity and Kasiry paired watersheds in the Guder portion of the Upper Blue Nile basin. Discharge and suspended sediment concentration data were monitored during the rainy season of 2014 and 2015 using automatic flow stage sensors, manual staff gauges and a depth-integrated sediment sampler. The SY was calculated using empirical discharge-sediment curves for different parts of each rainy season. The measured mean daily sediment concentration differed greatly between years and watersheds (0.51 g L- 1 in 2014 and 0.92 g L- 1 in 2015 for Kasiry, and 1.04 g L- 1 in 2014 and 2.20 g L- 1 in 2015 for Akusity). Sediment concentrations at both sites decreased as the rainy season progressed, regardless of the rainfall pattern, owing to depletion of the sediment supply and limited transport capacity of the flows caused by increased vegetation cover. Rainy season SYs for Kasiry were 7.6 t ha- 1 in 2014 and 27.2 t ha- 1 in 2015, while in Akusity SYs were 25.7 t ha- 1 in 2014 and 71.2 t ha- 1 in 2015. The much larger values in 2015 can be partly explained by increased rainfall and larger peak flow events. The magnitude and timing of peak flow events are major determinants of the amount and variability of SYs. Thus, site-specific assessment of such events is crucial to reveal SY dynamics of small watersheds in tropical highland environments.

Multiwavelength Observations of the AGN 1ES 0414+009 with Veritas, Fermi-LAT, Swift-XRT, and MDM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aliu, E.; Archambault, S.; Arlen, T.; Aune, T.; Beilicke, M.; Benbow, W.; Boettcher, M.; Bouvier, A.; Bugaev, V.; Cannon, A.;

The ellipticity of galaxy cluster haloes from satellite galaxies and weak lensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Tae-hyeon; Clampitt, Joseph; Jain, Bhuvnesh; Bernstein, Gary; Neil, Andrew; Rozo, Eduardo; Rykoff, Eli

2018-04-01

We study the ellipticity of galaxy cluster haloes as characterized by the distribution of cluster galaxies and as measured with weak lensing. We use Monte Carlo simulations of elliptical cluster density profiles to estimate and correct for Poisson noise bias, edge bias and projection effects. We apply our methodology to 10 428 Sloan Digital Sky Survey clusters identified by the redMaPPer algorithm with richness above 20. We find a mean ellipticity =0.271 ± 0.002 (stat) ±0.031 (sys) corresponding to an axis ratio = 0.573 ± 0.002 (stat) ±0.039 (sys). We compare this ellipticity of the satellites to the halo shape, through a stacked lensing measurement using optimal estimators of the lensing quadrupole based on Clampitt and Jain (2016). We find a best-fitting axis ratio of 0.56 ± 0.09 (stat) ±0.03 (sys), consistent with the ellipticity of the satellite distribution. Thus, cluster galaxies trace the shape of the dark matter halo to within our estimated uncertainties. Finally, we restack the satellite and lensing ellipticity measurements along the major axis of the cluster central galaxy's light distribution. From the lensing measurements, we infer a misalignment angle with an root-mean-square of 30° ± 10° when stacking on the central galaxy. We discuss applications of halo shape measurements to test the effects of the baryonic gas and active galactic nucleus feedback, as well as dark matter and gravity. The major improvements in signal-to-noise ratio expected with the ongoing Dark Energy Survey and future surveys from Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Euclid, and Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope will make halo shapes a useful probe of these effects.

Using SysML for verification and validation planning on the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Selvy, Brian M.; Claver, Charles; Angeli, George

2014-08-01

This paper provides an overview of the tool, language, and methodology used for Verification and Validation Planning on the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) Project. LSST has implemented a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach as a means of defining all systems engineering planning and definition activities that have historically been captured in paper documents. Specifically, LSST has adopted the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) standard and is utilizing a software tool called Enterprise Architect, developed by Sparx Systems. Much of the historical use of SysML has focused on the early phases of the project life cycle. Our approach is to extend the advantages of MBSE into later stages of the construction project. This paper details the methodology employed to use the tool to document the verification planning phases, including the extension of the language to accommodate the project's needs. The process includes defining the Verification Plan for each requirement, which in turn consists of a Verification Requirement, Success Criteria, Verification Method(s), Verification Level, and Verification Owner. Each Verification Method for each Requirement is defined as a Verification Activity and mapped into Verification Events, which are collections of activities that can be executed concurrently in an efficient and complementary way. Verification Event dependency and sequences are modeled using Activity Diagrams. The methodology employed also ties in to the Project Management Control System (PMCS), which utilizes Primavera P6 software, mapping each Verification Activity as a step in a planned activity. This approach leads to full traceability from initial Requirement to scheduled, costed, and resource loaded PMCS task-based activities, ensuring all requirements will be verified.

The introduction of the IDS-iSYS total IGF-1 assay may have far-reaching consequences for diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency.

PubMed

Varewijck, A J; Lamberts, S W J; van der Lely, A J; Neggers, S J C M M; Hofland, L J; Janssen, J A M J L

2015-01-01

IGF-1 measurements are used for screening and monitoring GH deficiency (GHD) and acromegaly. Our objective was to study whether the introduction of the IDS-iSYS IGF-1 assay would lead to different clinical interpretations in GHD and acromegaly. In 106 GHD subjects and in 15 acromegalic subjects visiting our university hospital, total IGF-1 levels were measured before and during therapy by using the Immulite (IM) assay and IDS-iSYS (ID) assay. Z-scores were calculated by using assay-specific age-specific normative range values. All treatment decisions were based upon results obtained by the IM assay. In GHD subjects, absolute IGF-1 concentrations differed significantly between both IGF-1 assays before treatment (P < .001) but not during GH treatment (P = .32), and mean Z-scores for IGF-1 differed significantly before starting (IM, -2.23, vs ID, -1.43; P < .001) and during GH treatment (IM, -0.60, vs ID, +0.21; P < .001). In acromegalic subjects, absolute IGF-1 concentrations did not differ between both IGF-1 assays before treatment (P = .18) but were significantly different during treatment (P = 0.009), and mean Z-scores for IGF-1 were not different before starting (IM, 10.93, vs ID, 10.78; P = .41) or during treatment (IM, 3.60, vs ID, 3.18; P = .23). In GHD subjects, mean IGF-1 Z-scores significantly differed when measured by the IM assay compared with the ID assay irrespective of treatment. In contrast, in acromegaly, mean IGF-1 Z-scores did not differ significantly between both assays. Our study suggests that replacement of the IM assay by the ID assay may have far-reaching consequences for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of GHD.

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

Mitchell, Dean J.; Harding, Lee T.

Isotope identification algorithms that are contained in the Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS) can be used for real-time stationary measurement and search applications on platforms operating under Linux or Android operating sys-tems. Since the background radiation can vary considerably due to variations in natu-rally-occurring radioactive materials (NORM), spectral algorithms can be substantial-ly more sensitive to threat materials than search algorithms based strictly on count rate. Specific isotopes or interest can be designated for the search algorithm, which permits suppression of alarms for non-threatening sources, such as such as medical radionuclides. The same isotope identification algorithms that are usedmore » for search ap-plications can also be used to process static measurements. The isotope identification algorithms follow the same protocols as those used by the Windows version of GADRAS, so files that are created under the Windows interface can be copied direct-ly to processors on fielded sensors. The analysis algorithms contain provisions for gain adjustment and energy lineariza-tion, which enables direct processing of spectra as they are recorded by multichannel analyzers. Gain compensation is performed by utilizing photopeaks in background spectra. Incorporation of this energy calibration tasks into the analysis algorithm also eliminates one of the more difficult challenges associated with development of radia-tion detection equipment.« less

EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION REMEDIES - VOLUME III

EPA Science Inventory

This volume is the third of a three-volume report documenting the results of an evaluation of ground-water extraction remedies at hazardous waste sites. It consists of a collection of 112 data base reports presenting general information on sites where ground-water extraction sys...

Improved Concrete Crosstie and Fastening Systems for US High Speed Passenger Rail and Joint Corridors : Volume 1, Project Summary Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-11-01

Rail corridors often experience a wide variety of passenger and freight train loads, track geometry characteristics, and environmental conditions. These factors must be considered when developing an optimized concrete crosstie and fastening sys...

Decision Support for Renewal of Wastewater Collections and Water Distribution Systems

EPA Science Inventory

The decision of how to accomplish the renewal of existing wastewater collection and water distribution systems involves the evaluation of many criteria and parameters. These criteria must be evaluated thoroughly to determine the best way of rehabilitating or replacing these sys...

Effects of Fluid Environment on Microbial Uptake Kinetics

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-26

Marine snow parti- is crucial for the performance of all biological wastewater cles, large amorphous aggregates that form in marine sys - treatment...particle trajectories in computer models (Tambo and Wata- nabe 1979). These computer-generated aggregates, de- the %%ater column (Table 2). This analysis

Federated Simulations for Systems of Systems Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

coordination of the other SysHub research areas. A more comprehensive systems engineering process has been proposed in (Tolk, Litwin , and Kewley 2008...missions and means framework. Technical Report TR-756, Army Material Systems Analysis Activity. Tolk, A., T. Litwin , and R. Kewley. 2008, December. A

REAL-TIME ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING: APPLICATIONS FOR HOMELAND SECURITY

EPA Science Inventory

Real-time monitoring technology developed as part of the EMPACT program has a variety of potential applications. These tools can measure a variety of potential contaminants in the air, water, in buildings, or in the soil. Real-time monitoring technology allows these detection sys...

Applying Modeling Tools to Ground System Procedures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Di Pasquale, Peter

2012-01-01

As part of a long-term effort to revitalize the Ground Systems (GS) Engineering Section practices, Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) have been used to model existing GS products and the procedures GS engineers use to produce them.

Electrical Interactions between Mammalian Cortical Neutons

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-05-24

direct responses to acetyl- the entire mammalian central nervous sys- choline and nicotine. Deadvyler and col- teni (19, 32).’The development of...BERT J. (1985) Neurotoxic lesion ; of the athmic neurons recorded near the par-anterior hypothalamus disrupt the JoSentricular in vitro. Brain Res. Bull

Tracking state deployments of commercial vehicle information systems and networks : 1998 Arkansas state report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-12-01

This final report is a synthesis of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of a series of task reports prepared under a major study that addresses how to overcome the institutional barriers to the deployment of Advanced Traffic Management Sys...

Branching ratio of the electromagnetic decay of the Σ+(1385)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keller, D.; Hicks, K.; Adhikari, K. P.; Adikaram, D.; Amaryan, M. J.; Anghinolfi, M.; Baghdasaryan, H.; Ball, J.; Battaglieri, M.; Bedlinskiy, I.; Biselli, A. S.; Bookwalter, C.; Boiarinov, S.; Branford, D.; Briscoe, W. J.; Brooks, W. K.; Burkert, V. D.; Carman, D. S.; Celentano, A.; Chandavar, S.; Cole, P. L.; Contalbrigo, M.; Crede, V.; D'Angelo, A.; Daniel, A.; Dashyan, N.; de Vita, R.; de Sanctis, E.; Djalali, C.; Doughty, D.; Dupre, R.; El Alaoui, A.; El Fassi, L.; Elouadrhiri, L.; Eugenio, P.; Fedotov, G.; Gabrielyan, M. Y.; Gevorgyan, N.; Gilfoyle, G. P.; Giovanetti, K. L.; Gohn, W.; Golovatch, E.; Gothe, R. W.; Graham, L.; Griffioen, K. A.; Guidal, M.; Guler, N.; Guo, L.; Hafidi, K.; Hakobyan, H.; Holtrop, M.; Ilieva, Y.; Ireland, D. G.; Ishkhanov, B. S.; Isupov, E. L.; Jo, H. S.; Joo, K.; Khandaker, M.; Khetarpal, P.; Kim, A.; Kim, W.; Klein, F. J.; Kubarovsky, A.; Kubarovsky, V.; Kuleshov, S. V.; Lu, H. Y.; MacGregor, I. J. D.; Mao, Y.; Markov, N.; Mayer, M.; McKinnon, B.; Meyer, C. A.; Mineeva, T.; Mirazita, M.; Mokeev, V.; Moutarde, H.; Munevar, E.; Nadel-Turonski, P.; Nasseripour, R.; Niccolai, S.; Niculescu, G.; Niculescu, I.; Osipenko, M.; Ostrovidov, A. I.; Paolone, M.; Pappalardo, L.; Paremuzyan, R.; Park, K.; Park, S.; Pasyuk, E.; Anefalos Pereira, S.; Pisano, S.; Pogorelko, O.; Pozdniakov, S.; Procureur, S.; Prok, Y.; Protopopescu, D.; Raue, B. A.; Ricco, G.; Rimal, D.; Ripani, M.; Ritchie, B. G.; Rosner, G.; Rossi, P.; Sabatié, F.; Saini, M. S.; Salgado, C.; Schott, D.; Schumacher, R. A.; Seraydaryan, H.; Sharabian, Y. G.; Smith, E. S.; Smith, G. D.; Sober, D. I.; Sokhan, D.; Stepanyan, S. S.; Stepanyan, S.; Stoler, P.; Strauch, S.; Taiuti, M.; Tang, W.; Taylor, C. E.; Tkachenko, S.; Vernarsky, B.; Vineyard, M. F.; Vlassov, A. V.; Voskanyan, H.; Voutier, E.; Watts, D. P.; Wood, M. H.; Zachariou, N.; Zana, L.; Zhao, B.; Zhao, Z. W.

2012-03-01

The CLAS detector was used to obtain the first ever measurement of the electromagnetic decay of the Σ*+(1385) from the reaction γp→K0Σ*+(1385). A real photon beam with a maximum energy of 3.8 GeV was incident on a liquid-hydrogen target, resulting in the photoproduction of the kaon and Σ* hyperon. Kinematic fitting was used to separate the reaction channel from the background processes. The fitting algorithm exploited a new method to kinematically fit neutrons in the CLAS detector, leading to the measured decay widths ratio Σ+(1385)→Σ+γ/Σ+(1385)→Σ+π0=11.95±2.21(stat)-1.21+0.53(sys)% and a deduced partial width of 250.0±56.9(stat)-41.2+34.3(sys)keV. A U-spin symmetry test using the SU(3) flavor-multiplet representation yields predictions for the Σ*+(1385)→Σ+γ and Σ*0(1385)→Λγ partial widths that agree with the experimental measurements.

Integrated Internet based tools for learning and evaluating the International Classification of Nursing Practice.

PubMed

Alecu, C S; Jitaru, E; Moisil, I

2000-01-01

This paper presents some tools designed and implemented for learning-related purposes; these tools can be downloaded or run on the TeleNurse web site. Among other facilities, TeleNurse web site is hosting now the version 1.2 of SysTerN (terminology system for nursing) which can be downloaded on request and also the "Evaluation of Translation" form which has been designed in order to improve the Romanian translation of the ICNP (the International Classification of Nursing Practice). SysTerN has been developed using the framework of the TeleNurse ID--ENTITY Telematics for Health EU project. This version is using the beta version of ICNP containing Phenomena and Actions classification. This classification is intended to facilitate documentation of nursing practice, by providing a terminology or vocabulary for use in the description of the nursing process. The TeleNurse site is bilingual, Romanian-English, in order to enlarge the discussion forum with members from other CEE (or Non-CEE) countries.

The Value of Successful MBSE Adoption

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parrott, Edith

2016-01-01

The value of successful adoption of Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) practices is hard to quantify. Most engineers and project managers look at the success in terms of cost. But there are other ways to quantify the value of MBSE and the steps necessary to achieve adoption. The Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been doing Model-Based Engineering (design, structural, etc.) for years, but the system engineering side has not. Since 2010, GRC has been moving from documents centric to MBSE/SysML. Project adoption of MBSE has been slow, but is steadily increasing in both MBSE usage and complexity of generated products. Sharing of knowledge of lessons learned in the implementation of MBSE/SysML is key for others who want to be successful. Along with GRC's implementation, NASA is working hard to increase the successful implementation of MBSE across all the other centers by developing guidelines, templates and libraries for projects to utilize. This presentation will provide insight into recent GRC and NASA adoption efforts, lessons learned and best practices.

Exploring Synthetic and Systems Biology at the University of Edinburgh.

PubMed

Fletcher, Liz; Rosser, Susan; Elfick, Alistair

2016-06-15

The Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology ('SynthSys') was originally established in 2007 as the Centre for Integrative Systems Biology, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Today, SynthSys embraces an extensive multidisciplinary community of more than 200 researchers from across the University with a common interest in synthetic and systems biology. Our research is broad and deep, addressing a diversity of scientific questions, with wide ranging impact. We bring together the power of synthetic biology and systems approaches to focus on three core thematic areas: industrial biotechnology, agriculture and the environment, and medicine and healthcare. In October 2015, we opened a newly refurbished building as a physical hub for our new U.K. Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology funded by the BBSRC/EPSRC/MRC as part of the U.K. Research Councils' Synthetic Biology for Growth programme. © 2016 The Author(s). published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.

Spectrum of Very High Energy Gamma-Rays from the blazar 1ES 1959+650 during Flaring Activity in 2002

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daniel, M. K.; Badran, H. M.; Bond, I. H.; Boyle, P. J.; Bradbury, S. M.; Buckley, J. H.; Carter-Lewis, D. A.; Catanese, M.; Celik, O.; Cogan, P.; Cui, W.; D'Vali, M.; de la Calle Perez, I.; Duke, C.; Falcone, A.; Fegan, D. J.; Fegan, S. J.; Finley, J. P.; Fortson, L. F.; Gaidos, J. A.; Gammell, S.; Gibbs, K.; Gillanders, G. H.; Grube, J.; Hall, J.; Hall, T. A.; Hanna, D.; Hillas, A. M.; Holder, J.; Horan, D.; Humensky, T. B.; Jarvis, A.; Jordan, M.; Kenny, G. E.; Kertzman, M.; Kieda, D.; Kildea, J.; Knapp, J.; Kosack, K.; Krawczynski, H.; Krennrich, F.; Lang, M. J.; Le Bohec, S.; Linton, E.; Lloyd-Evans, J.; Milovanovic, A.; Moriarty, P.; Müller, D.; Nagai, T.; Nolan, S.; Ong, R. A.; Pallassini, R.; Petry, D.; Power-Mooney, B.; Quinn, J.; Quinn, M.; Ragan, K.; Rebillot, P.; Reynolds, P. T.; Rose, H. J.; Schroedter, M.; Sembroski, G. H.; Swordy, S. P.; Syson, A.; Vassiliev, V. V.; Wakely, S. P.; Walker, G.; Weekes, T. C.; Zweerink, J.

2005-03-01

The blazar 1ES 1959+650 was observed in a flaring state with the Whipple 10 m Imaging Atmospheric Cerenkov Telescope in 2002 May. A spectral analysis has been carried out on the data from that time period, and the resulting very high energy gamma-ray spectrum (E>=316 GeV) can be well fitted by a power law of differential spectral index α=2.78+/-0.12stat+/-0.21sys. On 2002 June 4, the source flared dramatically in the gamma-ray range without any coincident increase in the X-ray emission, providing the first unambiguous example of an ``orphan'' gamma-ray flare from a blazar. The gamma-ray spectrum for these data can also be described by a simple power-law fit with α=2.82+/-0.15stat+/-0.30sys. There is no compelling evidence for spectral variability or for any cutoff to the spectrum.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION REPORT " ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The EnSys Petro Test System developed by Strategic Diagnostics Inc. (SDI), was demonstrated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation Program in June 2000 at the Navy Base Ventura County site in Port Hueneme, California. The purpose of the demonstration was to collect reliable performance and cost data for the EnSys Petro Test System and six other field measurement devices for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil. In addition to assessing ease of device operation, the key objectives of the demonstration included determining the (1) method detection limit, (2) accuracy and precision, (3) effects of interferents and soil moisture content on TPH measurement, (4) sample throughput, and (5) TPH measurement costs for each device. The demonstration involved analysis of both performance evaluation samples and environmental samples collected in four areas contaminated with gasoline, diesel, or other petroleum products. The performance and cost results for a given field measurement device were compared to those for an off-site laboratory reference method,

Comparison of results of an obstacle resolving microscale model with wind tunnel data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grawe, David; Schlünzen, K. Heinke; Pascheke, Frauke

2013-11-01

The microscale transport and stream model MITRAS has been improved and a new technique has been implemented to improve numerical stability for complex obstacle configurations. Results of the updated version have been compared with wind tunnel data using an evaluation method that has been established for simple obstacle configurations. MITRAS is a part of the M-SYS model system for the assessment of ambient air quality. A comparison of model results for the flow field against quality ensured wind tunnel data has been carried out for both idealised and realistic test cases. Results of the comparison show a very good agreement of the wind field for most test cases and identify areas of possible improvement of the model. The evaluated MITRAS results can be used as input data for the M-SYS microscale chemistry model MICTM. This paper describes how such a comparison can be carried out for simple as well as realistic obstacle configurations and what difficulties arise.

Barents-Kara sea ice and the winter NAO in the DePreSys3 Met Office Seasonal forecast model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warner, J.; Screen, J.

2017-12-01

Accurate seasonal forecasting leads to a wide range of socio-economic benefits and increases resilience to prolonged bouts of extreme weather. This work looks at how November Barents-Kara sea ice may affect the winter northern hemisphere atmospheric circulation, using various compositing methods in the DePreSys3 ensemble model, with lag to argue better a relationship between the two. In particular, the NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) is focused on given its implications on European weather. Using this large hindcast dataset comprised of 35 years with 30 available ensemble members, it is found that low Barents-Kara sea ice leads to a negative NAO tendency in all composite methods, with increased mean sea level pressure in higher latitudes. The significance of this varies between composites. This is preliminary analysis of a larger PhD project to further understand how Arctic Sea ice may play a role in seasonal forecasting skill through its connection/influence on mid-latitude weather.

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10 18 eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

DOE PAGES

Aab, Alexander

2015-08-26

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding 4×10 18 eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than 60° detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above 5.3×10 18 eV, the ``ankle'', the flux can be described by a power law E –γ with index γ=2.70 ± 0.02 (stat) ± 0.1 (sys) followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy (E s) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half ofmore » its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find E s=(5.12±0.25 (stat) +1.0 –1.2 (sys))×10 19 eV.« less

Data management and data enrichment for systems biology projects.

PubMed

Wittig, Ulrike; Rey, Maja; Weidemann, Andreas; Müller, Wolfgang

2017-11-10

Collecting, curating, interlinking, and sharing high quality data are central to de.NBI-SysBio, the systems biology data management service center within the de.NBI network (German Network for Bioinformatics Infrastructure). The work of the center is guided by the FAIR principles for scientific data management and stewardship. FAIR stands for the four foundational principles Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability which were established to enhance the ability of machines to automatically find, access, exchange and use data. Within this overview paper we describe three tools (SABIO-RK, Excemplify, SEEK) that exemplify the contribution of de.NBI-SysBio services to FAIR data, models, and experimental methods storage and exchange. The interconnectivity of the tools and the data workflow within systems biology projects will be explained. For many years we are the German partner in the FAIRDOM initiative (http://fair-dom.org) to establish a European data and model management service facility for systems biology. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Computerized intrapartum electronic fetal monitoring: analysis of the decision to deliver for fetal distress.

PubMed

Georgieva, Antoniya; Payne, Stephen J; Moulden, Mary; Redman, Christopher W G

2011-01-01

We applied computerized methods to assess the Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) in labor. We analyzed retrospectively the last hour of EFM for 1,370 babies, delivered by emergency Cesarean sections before the onset of pushing (data collected at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK). There were two cohorts according to the reason for intervention: (a) fetal distress, n(1) = 524 and (b) failure to progress and/or malpresentation, n(2) = 846. The cohorts were compared in terms of classical EFM features (baseline, decelerations, variability and accelerations), computed by a dedicated Oxford system for automated analysis--OxSys. In addition, OxSys was employed to simulate current clinical guidelines for the classification of fetal monitoring, i.e. providing in real time a three-tier grading system of the EFM (normal, indeterminate, or abnormal). The computerized features and the simulated guidelines corresponded well to the clinical management and to the actual labor outcome (measured by umbilical arterial pH).

Final test report for ITS standards testing of ATC 2070 and its cabinet as deployed in Harris County, TX.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-06-27

This Final Report includes all of the findings and recommendations resulting from Battelles static review, detailed interviews and onsite testing activity related to the ITS Standards deployed and currently in use for transportation management sys...

TEx-Sys Model for Building Intelligent Tutoring Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stankov, Slavomir; Rosic, Marko; Zitko, Branko; Grubisic, Ani

2008-01-01

Special classes of asynchronous e-learning systems are the intelligent tutoring systems which represent an advanced learning and teaching environment adaptable to individual student's characteristics. Authoring shells have an environment that enables development of the intelligent tutoring systems. In this paper we present, in entirety, for the…

Big agronomic data validates an oxymoron: Sustainable intensification under climate change

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Crop science is increasingly embracing big data to reconcile the apparent rift between intensification of food production and sustainability of a steadily stressed production base. A strategy based on long-term agroecosystem research and modeling simulation of crops, crop rotations and cropping sys...

Landslide hazard rating matrix and database : vol. 2 of 2, a manual for landslide inventory.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-12-01

The rehabilitation decision for highway slope failure is one of the many important tasks : to be tackled by Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). A rational approach to : manage the unsafe or failed slopes/embankments should ideally include a sys...

CAEDS--Computer-Aided Engineering and Architectural Design System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

elements " Annotation " Points " Lines " Polygons " Polyhedron " Group of elements Modification of above (changes or deletions) Line-weighting, cross...Research Laboratory, Champaign, IL, CERL-TR-E-153, June 1979. (4) "ARCH:MODEL, Version 1-2, Geometric Modeling Relational Database Sys- tem

Assessment of the risks associated with the use of carbon fibers in surface transportation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1980-06-01

This report presents the results of an assessment of the potential risks associated with the use of carbon-fiber composites in the surface transportation system and the development of a data base on the vulnerability of the surface transportation sys...

Advances in Inhalation Gas Dosimetry for Derivation of a Reference Concentration (RfC) and Use in Risk Assessment

EPA Science Inventory

This status report provides a review of advances in the state of the science for interspecies inhalation gas dosimetry related to extrathoracic (ET) or upper respiratory tract (URT), tracheobronchial (TB), pulmonary (PU), and extrarespiratory (systemic, SYS) effects.

Resistor Susceptibility Survey

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-11-01

SATIN IV ATTN: DCKE, L. Staples ATTN. YWES ATTN XRE-Surv. ATTN- MCAE, Lt Col Sparks ATTN: XRP , Maj Gingrich Sandia Lab. ATTN 3141 ATTN E...Diamond Lab. ATTN: Lib. HQ USAF ATTN: XOOWD AFSC Tech. Lib. ATTN: DLCAW ATTN: XRP ! Sperry Rand Fit. Sys. Div. ATTN: Tech. Lib. ATTN: D

RT-25: Requirements Management for Net-Centric Enterprises. Phase 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-28

software systems. These include Business Process Modeling Notation ( BPMN ) (White and Miers 2008) and Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) (Sarang...Engineering with SysML/UML: Modeling, Analysis, Design, Morgan Kaufmann/The OMG Press. White, S. A. and D. Miers (2008). BPMN Modeling and Reference

Improving nitrogen management for corn in southern Idaho and southwest Oregon

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Funding is being sought from multiple sources to update nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for irrigated corn in southern Idaho and southwest Oregon. This paper summarizes the justifications and main objectives of this proposed research. Nitrogen needs to be correctly managed in corn production sys...

Phase II, Compact AMS System for Biological Tracer Detection Final Report CRADA No. TSV-1533-96

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

Brown, T. A.; Hamm, R. W.

2017-11-01

The objective of this collaboration between LLNL and AccSys Technology, Inc. of Pleasanton, California was to build and demonstrate a low cost, compact tritium (3H) Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) system matched to the requirements of biomedical research.

A WISE Measurement of the 2:4 mum Galaxy Luminosity Function and its Implications for the Extragalactic Background Light at 3:4 mum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lake, Sean Earl

2017-05-01

The measurement of the the Extragalactic Background Light (EBL) has seen some controversy in recent works, with direct and indirect measures conflicting. Specifi- cally, upper limits based on analyzing the plausible opacity obscuring TeV spectra of blazars suggests that the density of radiation with wavelengths near 3.4 mum is onethirdtoonehalfasintenseasdirectmeasuresofthesame(forexample: Aharonian et al., 2006; Levenson et al., 2007; Matsumoto et al., 2005). The dominant contributor of the EBL at 3.4mum is expected to be ordinary starlight from relatively local, z < 1, galaxies, so an estimate of the amount of light emitted by galaxies based on the galaxy Luminosity Function (LF) should provide a useful lower limit to the EBL. While analyses of this sort have been done by others (Dominguez et al., 2011; Helgason et al., 2012), the full sky coverage of the AllWISE database has made it possible for us to improve the measurement of both the LF at 2.4 mum and the EBL using the large public spectroscopic redshift surveys. In order to do so, we had to develop a mathematical model for the measurement of a generalization of the LF, which is the density of galaxies per unit comoving volume per unit luminosity, to the Spectro-Luminosity Functional (SLF), which replaces the density per unit single luminosity, dL, with the density per luminosi- ii ties at all frequencies, DL nu. Our best combined analysis of the data yields present day Shechter Function LF parameters of: L⋆ = 6.4+/-[0.1 stat, 0.3sys]x1010 L2.4mum [solar mass](M⋆ = -21.67+/-[0.02 stat, 0.05sys] AB mag), φ⋆ = 5.8+/-[0.3stat, 0.3sys]x10 -3 Mpc-3, and alpha = -1.050 +/- [0.004stat, 0.03sys]; this implies a present day density of galaxies of 0.08 Mpc-3 brighter that 106 L2.4mum [solar mass] (10-3 Mpc-3 brighter than L⋆) and a luminosity density equivalent to 3.8 x 108 L2.4mum [solar mass] Mpc-3. The net EBL at 3.4mum that our synthesis model produces from galaxies closer than z = 5 is Inu = 9.0 +/- 0.5 kJy sr-1 (nuInu = 8.0 +/- 0.4 nW m-2 sr -1), largely in agreement with similar LF based estimates of the EBL.

Sharing and Empathy in Digital Spaces: Qualitative Study of Online Health Forums for Breast Cancer and Motor Neuron Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

PubMed

Hargreaves, Sarah; Bath, Peter A; Duffin, Suzanne; Ellis, Julie

2018-06-14

The availability of an increasing number of online health forums has altered the experience of living with a health condition, as more people are now able to connect and support one another. Empathy is an important component of peer-to-peer support, although little is known about how empathy develops and operates within online health forums. The aim of this paper is to explore how empathy develops and operates within two online health forums for differing health conditions: breast cancer and motor neuron disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This qualitative study analyzed data from two sources: interviews with forum users and downloaded forum posts. Data were collected from two online health forums provided by UK charities: Breast Cancer Care and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. We analyzed 84 threads from the breast cancer forum and 52 from the MND forum. Threads were purposively sampled to reflect varied experiences (eg, illness stages, topics of conversation, and user characteristics). Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 Breast Cancer Care forum users and five users of the MND forum. All datasets were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach and combined to triangulate the analysis. We found that empathy develops and operates through shared experiences and connections. The development of empathy begins outside the forum with experiences of illness onset and diagnosis, creating emotional and informational needs. Users came to the forum and found their experiences and needs were shared and understood by others, setting the empathetic tone and supportive ethos of the forum. The forum was viewed as both a useful and meaningful space in which they could share experiences, information, and emotions, and receive empathetic support within a supportive and warm atmosphere. Empathy operated through connections formed within this humane space based on similarity, relationships, and shared feelings. Users felt a need to connect to users who they felt were like themselves (eg, people sharing the same specific diagnosis). They formed relationships with other users. They connected based on the emotional understanding of ill health. Within these connections, empathic communication flourished. Empathy develops and operates within shared experiences and connections, enabled by structural possibilities provided by the forums giving users the opportunity and means to interact within public, restricted, and more private spaces, as well as within groups and in one-to-one exchanges. The atmosphere and feeling of both sites and perceived audiences were important facilitators of empathy, with users sharing a perception of virtual communities of caring and supportive people. Our findings are of value to organizations hosting health forums and to health professionals signposting patients to additional sources of support. ©Sarah Hargreaves, Peter A Bath, Suzanne Duffin, Julie Ellis. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 14.06.2018.

Catalytic and thermal depolymerization of low value post-consumer high density polyethylene plastic

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The feasibility of catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolytic conversion of low value post-consumer high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic into crude oil and subsequent distillation was explored. Translation of optimized conditions for catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis from TGA to a bench-scale sys...

Accuracy Sampling Design Bias on Coarse Spatial Resolution Land Cover Data in the Great Lakes Region (United States and Canada)

EPA Science Inventory

A number of articles have investigated the impact of sampling design on remotely sensed landcover accuracy estimates. Gong and Howarth (1990) found significant differences for Kappa accuracy values when comparing purepixel sampling, stratified random sampling, and stratified sys...

A Tool Chain for the V and V of NASA Cryogenic Fuel Loading Health Management

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-02

Here, K. (2011). Formal testing for separation assurance. Ann. Math. Artif . Intell., 63(1), 5–30. Goodrich, C., Narasimhan, S., Daigle, M...Probabilistic Reasoning in Intelligent Sys- tems: Networks of plausible inference Morgan Kauf- mann: . Reed, E., Schumann, J., & Mengshoel, O. (2011

Ethanol production from food waste at high solid contents with vacuum recovery technology

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Ethanol production from food wastes does not only solve the environmental issues but also provide renewable biofuel to partially substitute fossil fuels. This study investigated the feasibility of utilization of food wastes for producing ethanol at high solid contents (35%, w/w). Vacuum recovery sys...

JPRS Report, Science & Technology, Europe, EC Commissioners Evaluate Electronics, Computer Industries

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-14

American firms of foreign origin as regards R&TD is being practised by the Department of Defense, and Sematech is one example here. As negotiations... taxation measures. Training schemes for staff in the banking sector encom- passing both the financial side and computerized sys- tems applications

XAFS SPECTROSCOPY ANALYSIS OF SELECTED HAP ELEMENTS IN FINE PM DERIVED FROM COAL COMBUSTION

EPA Science Inventory

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy has been used to investigate the valence states and molecular structures of sulfur (S), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and zinc (Zn) in fine particulate matter (PM) separated from coal flyash produced in a realistic combustion sys...

Anaerobic soil disinfestation reduces survival and infectivity of Phytophthora nicotianae chlamydospores in pepper

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Phytophthora nicotianae is the principal causal agent of root and crown rot disease of pepper plants in Extremadura (western Spain), a spring-summer crop in this region. Preplant soil treatment by anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) may effectively control plant pathogens in many crop production sys...