Memory and Energy Optimization Strategies for Multithreaded Operating System on the Resource-Constrained Wireless Sensor Node

PubMed Central

Liu, Xing; Hou, Kun Mean; de Vaulx, Christophe; Xu, Jun; Yang, Jianfeng; Zhou, Haiying; Shi, Hongling; Zhou, Peng

2015-01-01

Memory and energy optimization strategies are essential for the resource-constrained wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes. In this article, a new memory-optimized and energy-optimized multithreaded WSN operating system (OS) LiveOS is designed and implemented. Memory cost of LiveOS is optimized by using the stack-shifting hybrid scheduling approach. Different from the traditional multithreaded OS in which thread stacks are allocated statically by the pre-reservation, thread stacks in LiveOS are allocated dynamically by using the stack-shifting technique. As a result, memory waste problems caused by the static pre-reservation can be avoided. In addition to the stack-shifting dynamic allocation approach, the hybrid scheduling mechanism which can decrease both the thread scheduling overhead and the thread stack number is also implemented in LiveOS. With these mechanisms, the stack memory cost of LiveOS can be reduced more than 50% if compared to that of a traditional multithreaded OS. Not is memory cost optimized, but also the energy cost is optimized in LiveOS, and this is achieved by using the multi-core “context aware” and multi-core “power-off/wakeup” energy conservation approaches. By using these approaches, energy cost of LiveOS can be reduced more than 30% when compared to the single-core WSN system. Memory and energy optimization strategies in LiveOS not only prolong the lifetime of WSN nodes, but also make the multithreaded OS feasible to run on the memory-constrained WSN nodes. PMID:25545264

Review on open source operating systems for internet of things

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhengmin; Li, Wei; Dong, Huiliang

2017-08-01

Internet of Things (IoT) is an environment in which everywhere and every device became smart in a smart world. Internet of Things is growing vastly; it is an integrated system of uniquely identifiable communicating devices which exchange information in a connected network to provide extensive services. IoT devices have very limited memory, computational power, and power supply. Traditional operating systems (OS) have no way to meet the needs of IoT systems. In this paper, we thus analyze the challenges of IoT OS and survey applicable open source OSs.

The Human-Robot Interaction Operating System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fong, Terrence; Kunz, Clayton; Hiatt, Laura M.; Bugajska, Magda

2006-01-01

In order for humans and robots to work effectively together, they need to be able to converse about abilities, goals and achievements. Thus, we are developing an interaction infrastructure called the "Human-Robot Interaction Operating System" (HRI/OS). The HRI/OS provides a structured software framework for building human-robot teams, supports a variety of user interfaces, enables humans and robots to engage in task-oriented dialogue, and facilitates integration of robots through an extensible API.

Mini-Ckpts: Surviving OS Failures in Persistent Memory

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

Fiala, David; Mueller, Frank; Ferreira, Kurt Brian

Concern is growing in the high-performance computing (HPC) community on the reliability of future extreme-scale systems. Current efforts have focused on application fault-tolerance rather than the operating system (OS), despite the fact that recent studies have suggested that failures in OS memory are more likely. The OS is critical to a system's correct and efficient operation of the node and processes it governs -- and in HPC also for any other nodes a parallelized application runs on and communicates with: Any single node failure generally forces all processes of this application to terminate due to tight communication in HPC. Therefore,more » the OS itself must be capable of tolerating failures. In this work, we introduce mini-ckpts, a framework which enables application survival despite the occurrence of a fatal OS failure or crash. Mini-ckpts achieves this tolerance by ensuring that the critical data describing a process is preserved in persistent memory prior to the failure. Following the failure, the OS is rejuvenated via a warm reboot and the application continues execution effectively making the failure and restart transparent. The mini-ckpts rejuvenation and recovery process is measured to take between three to six seconds and has a failure-free overhead of between 3-5% for a number of key HPC workloads. In contrast to current fault-tolerance methods, this work ensures that the operating and runtime system can continue in the presence of faults. This is a much finer-grained and dynamic method of fault-tolerance than the current, coarse-grained, application-centric methods. Handling faults at this level has the potential to greatly reduce overheads and enables mitigation of additional fault scenarios.« less

Global Positioning System Disaster Notification Messaging Service

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

under AT&T service. Differing combinations of phone operating system types and versions (Android, iOS, Windows 8, Blackberry OS, et al.) service...streets, tunnels and subways. Substantial damage was incurred along the Atlantic coasts of both states with sustained power outages. As the storm’s

Addressing Small Computers in the First OS Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nutt, Gary

2006-01-01

Small computers are emerging as important components of the contemporary computing scene. Their operating systems vary from specialized software for an embedded system to the same style of OS used on a generic desktop or server computer. This article describes a course in which systems are classified by their hardware capability and the…

OS friendly microprocessor architecture: Hardware level computer security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jungwirth, Patrick; La Fratta, Patrick

2016-05-01

We present an introduction to the patented OS Friendly Microprocessor Architecture (OSFA) and hardware level computer security. Conventional microprocessors have not tried to balance hardware performance and OS performance at the same time. Conventional microprocessors have depended on the Operating System for computer security and information assurance. The goal of the OS Friendly Architecture is to provide a high performance and secure microprocessor and OS system. We are interested in cyber security, information technology (IT), and SCADA control professionals reviewing the hardware level security features. The OS Friendly Architecture is a switched set of cache memory banks in a pipeline configuration. For light-weight threads, the memory pipeline configuration provides near instantaneous context switching times. The pipelining and parallelism provided by the cache memory pipeline provides for background cache read and write operations while the microprocessor's execution pipeline is running instructions. The cache bank selection controllers provide arbitration to prevent the memory pipeline and microprocessor's execution pipeline from accessing the same cache bank at the same time. This separation allows the cache memory pages to transfer to and from level 1 (L1) caching while the microprocessor pipeline is executing instructions. Computer security operations are implemented in hardware. By extending Unix file permissions bits to each cache memory bank and memory address, the OSFA provides hardware level computer security.

Power consumption analysis of operating systems for wireless sensor networks.

PubMed

Lajara, Rafael; Pelegrí-Sebastiá, José; Perez Solano, Juan J

2010-01-01

In this paper four wireless sensor network operating systems are compared in terms of power consumption. The analysis takes into account the most common operating systems--TinyOS v1.0, TinyOS v2.0, Mantis and Contiki--running on Tmote Sky and MICAz devices. With the objective of ensuring a fair evaluation, a benchmark composed of four applications has been developed, covering the most typical tasks that a Wireless Sensor Network performs. The results show the instant and average current consumption of the devices during the execution of these applications. The experimental measurements provide a good insight into the power mode in which the device components are running at every moment, and they can be used to compare the performance of different operating systems executing the same tasks.

Managing U.S. Air Force Aircraft Operating and Support Costs: Insights from Recent RAND Analysis and Opportunities for the Future

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-01

operating and support (O&S) cost growth: Fuel costs drove 31 percent of overall O&S cost growth, unit-level personnel costs 30 percent, weapon system ...hours. • The root causes of weapon system sustainment costs are war-related effects and aging effects; while the former will diminish with the end of...the cost growth experienced for these large and costly fleets, with a particular focus on weapon system sustainment (WSS) costs.2 We focused on WSS

Project Teaches Students to Diagnose an Ailing Windows OS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Baijan

2007-01-01

Troubleshooting a corrupted Windows operating system (OS) is a must-learn experience for computer technology students. To teach OS troubleshooting, the simplest approach involves introducing the available tools followed by the "how-to's." But how does a teacher teach his or her students to apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios and help them…

Virtual System Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vallée, Geoffroy; Naughton, Thomas; Ong, Hong; Tikotekar, Anand; Engelmann, Christian; Bland, Wesley; Aderholdt, Ferrol; Scott, Stephen L.

Distributed and parallel systems are typically managed with “static” settings: the operating system (OS) and the runtime environment (RTE) are specified at a given time and cannot be changed to fit an application’s needs. This means that every time application developers want to use their application on a new execution platform, the application has to be ported to this new environment, which may be expensive in terms of application modifications and developer time. However, the science resides in the applications and not in the OS or the RTE. Therefore, it should be beneficial to adapt the OS and the RTE to the application instead of adapting the applications to the OS and the RTE.

Multitasking scheduler works without OS

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

Howard, D.M.

1982-09-15

Z80 control applications requiring parallel execution of multiple software tasks can use the executive routine described and listed in this article when multitasking is not available via an operating system (OS). Although the routine is not as capable or as transparent to software as the multitasking in a full-scale OS, it is simple to understand and use.

A Framework for Enterprise Operating Systems Based on Zachman Framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ostadzadeh, S. Shervin; Rahmani, Amir Masoud

Nowadays, the Operating System (OS) isn't only the software that runs your computer. In the typical information-driven organization, the operating system is part of a much larger platform for applications and data that extends across the LAN, WAN and Internet. An OS cannot be an island unto itself; it must work with the rest of the enterprise. Enterprise wide applications require an Enterprise Operating System (EOS). Enterprise operating systems used in an enterprise have brought about an inevitable tendency to lunge towards organizing their information activities in a comprehensive way. In this respect, Enterprise Architecture (EA) has proven to be the leading option for development and maintenance of enterprise operating systems. EA clearly provides a thorough outline of the whole information system comprising an enterprise. To establish such an outline, a logical framework needs to be laid upon the entire information system. Zachman Framework (ZF) has been widely accepted as a standard scheme for identifying and organizing descriptive representations that have prominent roles in enterprise-wide system development. In this paper, we propose a framework based on ZF for enterprise operating systems. The presented framework helps developers to design and justify completely integrated business, IT systems, and operating systems which results in improved project success rate.

Power Consumption Analysis of Operating Systems for Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Lajara, Rafael; Pelegrí-Sebastiá, José; Perez Solano, Juan J.

2010-01-01

In this paper four wireless sensor network operating systems are compared in terms of power consumption. The analysis takes into account the most common operating systems—TinyOS v1.0, TinyOS v2.0, Mantis and Contiki—running on Tmote Sky and MICAz devices. With the objective of ensuring a fair evaluation, a benchmark composed of four applications has been developed, covering the most typical tasks that a Wireless Sensor Network performs. The results show the instant and average current consumption of the devices during the execution of these applications. The experimental measurements provide a good insight into the power mode in which the device components are running at every moment, and they can be used to compare the performance of different operating systems executing the same tasks. PMID:22219688

Commanding and Controlling Satellite Clusters (IEEE Intelligent Systems, November/December 2000)

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-01

real - time operating system , a message-passing OS well suited for distributed...ground Flight processors ObjectAgent RTOS SCL RTOS RDMS Space command language Real - time operating system Rational database management system TS-21 RDMS...engineer with Princeton Satellite Systems. She is working with others to develop ObjectAgent software to run on the OSE Real Time Operating System .

The CHAT System: An OS/360 MVT Time-Sharing Subsystem for Displays and Teletype. Technical Progress Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schultz, Gary D.

The design and operation of a time-sharing monitor are described. It runs under OS/360 MVT that supports multiple application program interaction with operators of CRT (cathode ray tube) display stations and of a teletype. Key design features discussed include: 1) an interface allowing application programs to be coded in either PL/I or assembler…

Comparing Two Tools for Mobile-Device Forensics

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-09-01

baseline standard. 2.4 Mobile Operating Systems "A mobile operating system is an operating system that is specifically designed to run on mobile devices... run on mobile devices" [7]. There are many different types of mobile operating systems and they are constantly changing, which means an operating...to this is that the security features make forensic analysis more difficult [11]. 2.4.2 iPhone "The iPhone runs an operating system called iOS. It is a

MIROS: A Hybrid Real-Time Energy-Efficient Operating System for the Resource-Constrained Wireless Sensor Nodes

PubMed Central

Liu, Xing; Hou, Kun Mean; de Vaulx, Christophe; Shi, Hongling; Gholami, Khalid El

2014-01-01

Operating system (OS) technology is significant for the proliferation of the wireless sensor network (WSN). With an outstanding OS; the constrained WSN resources (processor; memory and energy) can be utilized efficiently. Moreover; the user application development can be served soundly. In this article; a new hybrid; real-time; memory-efficient; energy-efficient; user-friendly and fault-tolerant WSN OS MIROS is designed and implemented. MIROS implements the hybrid scheduler and the dynamic memory allocator. Real-time scheduling can thus be achieved with low memory consumption. In addition; it implements a mid-layer software EMIDE (Efficient Mid-layer Software for User-Friendly Application Development Environment) to decouple the WSN application from the low-level system. The application programming process can consequently be simplified and the application reprogramming performance improved. Moreover; it combines both the software and the multi-core hardware techniques to conserve the energy resources; improve the node reliability; as well as achieve a new debugging method. To evaluate the performance of MIROS; it is compared with the other WSN OSes (TinyOS; Contiki; SOS; openWSN and mantisOS) from different OS concerns. The final evaluation results prove that MIROS is suitable to be used even on the tight resource-constrained WSN nodes. It can support the real-time WSN applications. Furthermore; it is energy efficient; user friendly and fault tolerant. PMID:25248069

MIROS: a hybrid real-time energy-efficient operating system for the resource-constrained wireless sensor nodes.

PubMed

Liu, Xing; Hou, Kun Mean; de Vaulx, Christophe; Shi, Hongling; El Gholami, Khalid

2014-09-22

Operating system (OS) technology is significant for the proliferation of the wireless sensor network (WSN). With an outstanding OS; the constrained WSN resources (processor; memory and energy) can be utilized efficiently. Moreover; the user application development can be served soundly. In this article; a new hybrid; real-time; memory-efficient; energy-efficient; user-friendly and fault-tolerant WSN OS MIROS is designed and implemented. MIROS implements the hybrid scheduler and the dynamic memory allocator. Real-time scheduling can thus be achieved with low memory consumption. In addition; it implements a mid-layer software EMIDE (Efficient Mid-layer Software for User-Friendly Application Development Environment) to decouple the WSN application from the low-level system. The application programming process can consequently be simplified and the application reprogramming performance improved. Moreover; it combines both the software and the multi-core hardware techniques to conserve the energy resources; improve the node reliability; as well as achieve a new debugging method. To evaluate the performance of MIROS; it is compared with the other WSN OSes (TinyOS; Contiki; SOS; openWSN and mantisOS) from different OS concerns. The final evaluation results prove that MIROS is suitable to be used even on the tight resource-constrained WSN nodes. It can support the real-time WSN applications. Furthermore; it is energy efficient; user friendly and fault tolerant.

A General Provincial Situation Visualization System Based on iPhone Operating System of Shandong Province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Z.; Xiang, H.

2014-04-01

The paper discusses the basic principles and the problem solutions during the design and implementation of the mobile GIS system, and base on the research result, we developed the General Provincial Situation Visualization System Based on iOS of Shandong Province. The system is developed in the Objective-C programming language, and use the ArcGIS Runtime SDK for IOS as the development tool to call the "World-map Shandong" services to implement the development of the General Provincial Situation Visualization System Based on iOS devices. The system is currently available for download in the Appstore and is chosen as the typical application case of ESRI China ArcGIS API for iOS.

Users of the main smartphone operating systems (iOS, Android) differ only little in personality

PubMed Central

Stieger, Stefan; Reips, Ulf-Dietrich

2017-01-01

The increasingly widespread use of mobile phone applications (apps) as research tools and cost-effective means of vast data collection raises new methodological challenges. In recent years, it has become a common practice for scientists to design apps that run only on a single operating system, thereby excluding large numbers of users who use a different operating system. However, empirical evidence investigating any selection biases that might result thereof is scarce. Henceforth, we conducted two studies drawing from a large multi-national (Study 1; N = 1,081) and a German-speaking sample (Study 2; N = 2,438). As such Study 1 compared iOS and Android users across an array of key personality traits (i.e., well-being, self-esteem, willingness to take risks, optimism, pessimism, Dark Triad, and the Big Five). Focusing on Big Five personality traits in a broader scope, in addition to smartphone users, Study 2 also examined users of the main computer operating systems (i.e., Mac OS, Windows). In both studies, very few significant differences were found, all of which were of small or even tiny effect size mostly disappearing after sociodemographics had been controlled for. Taken together, minor differences in personality seem to exist, but they are of small to negligible effect size (ranging from OR = 0.919 to 1.344 (Study 1), ηp2 = .005 to .036 (Study 2), respectively) and may reflect differences in sociodemographic composition, rather than operating system of smartphone users. PMID:28467473

Users of the main smartphone operating systems (iOS, Android) differ only little in personality.

PubMed

Götz, Friedrich M; Stieger, Stefan; Reips, Ulf-Dietrich

2017-01-01

The increasingly widespread use of mobile phone applications (apps) as research tools and cost-effective means of vast data collection raises new methodological challenges. In recent years, it has become a common practice for scientists to design apps that run only on a single operating system, thereby excluding large numbers of users who use a different operating system. However, empirical evidence investigating any selection biases that might result thereof is scarce. Henceforth, we conducted two studies drawing from a large multi-national (Study 1; N = 1,081) and a German-speaking sample (Study 2; N = 2,438). As such Study 1 compared iOS and Android users across an array of key personality traits (i.e., well-being, self-esteem, willingness to take risks, optimism, pessimism, Dark Triad, and the Big Five). Focusing on Big Five personality traits in a broader scope, in addition to smartphone users, Study 2 also examined users of the main computer operating systems (i.e., Mac OS, Windows). In both studies, very few significant differences were found, all of which were of small or even tiny effect size mostly disappearing after sociodemographics had been controlled for. Taken together, minor differences in personality seem to exist, but they are of small to negligible effect size (ranging from OR = 0.919 to 1.344 (Study 1), ηp2 = .005 to .036 (Study 2), respectively) and may reflect differences in sociodemographic composition, rather than operating system of smartphone users.

A Fault-Oblivious Extreme-Scale Execution Environment (FOX)

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

Van Hensbergen, Eric; Speight, William; Xenidis, Jimi

IBM Research’s contribution to the Fault Oblivious Extreme-scale Execution Environment (FOX) revolved around three core research deliverables: • collaboration with Boston University around the Kittyhawk cloud infrastructure which both enabled a development and deployment platform for the project team and provided a fault-injection testbed to evaluate prototypes • operating systems research focused on exploring role-based operating system technologies through collaboration with Sandia National Labs on the NIX research operating system and collaboration with the broader IBM Research community around a hybrid operating system model which became known as FusedOS • IBM Research also participated in an advisory capacity with themore » Boston University SESA project, the core of which was derived from the K42 operating system research project funded in part by DARPA’s HPCS program. Both of these contributions were built on a foundation of previous operating systems research funding by the Department of Energy’s FastOS Program. Through the course of the X-stack funding we were able to develop prototypes, deploy them on production clusters at scale, and make them available to other researchers. As newer hardware, in the form of BlueGene/Q, came online, we were able to port the prototypes to the new hardware and release the source code for the resulting prototypes as open source to the community. In addition to the open source coded for the Kittyhawk and NIX prototypes, we were able to bring the BlueGene/Q Linux patches up to a more recent kernel and contribute them for inclusion by the broader Linux community. The lasting impact of the IBM Research work on FOX can be seen in its effect on the shift of IBM’s approach to HPC operating systems from Linux and Compute Node Kernels to role-based approaches as prototyped by the NIX and FusedOS work. This impact can be seen beyond IBM in follow-on ideas being incorporated into the proposals for the Exasacale Operating Systems/Runtime program.« less

Research on Separation of Three Powers Architecture for Trusted OS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yu; Zhao, Yong; Xin, Siyuan

The privilege in the operating system (OS) often results in the break of confidentiality and integrity of the system. To solve this problem, several security mechanisms are proposed, such as Role-based Access Control, Separation of Duty. However, these mechanisms can not eliminate the privilege in OS kernel layer. This paper proposes a Separation of Three Powers Architecture (STPA). The authorizations in OS are divided into three parts: System Management Subsystem (SMS), Security Management Subsystem (SEMS) and Audit Subsystem (AS). Mutual support and mutual checks and balances which are the design principles of STPA eliminate the administrator in the kernel layer. Furthermore, the paper gives the formal description for authorization division using the graph theory. Finally, the implementation of STPA is given. Proved by experiments, the Separation of Three Powers Architecture we proposed can provide reliable protection for the OS through authorization division.

Modeling Operations Costs for Human Exploration Architectures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shishko, Robert

2013-01-01

Operations and support (O&S) costs for human spaceflight have not received the same attention in the cost estimating community as have development costs. This is unfortunate as O&S costs typically comprise a majority of life-cycle costs (LCC) in such programs as the International Space Station (ISS) and the now-cancelled Constellation Program. Recognizing this, the Constellation Program and NASA HQs supported the development of an O&S cost model specifically for human spaceflight. This model, known as the Exploration Architectures Operations Cost Model (ExAOCM), provided the operations cost estimates for a variety of alternative human missions to the moon, Mars, and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) in architectural studies. ExAOCM is philosophically based on the DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) concepts of operational nodes, systems, operational functions, and milestones. This paper presents some of the historical background surrounding the development of the model, and discusses the underlying structure, its unusual user interface, and lastly, previous examples of its use in the aforementioned architectural studies.

Development and Implementation of GPS Correlator Structures in MATLAB and Simulink with Focus on SDR Applications: Implementation of a Standard GPS Correlator Architecture (Baseline) Implementation of the MIT Quicksynch Sparse Algorithm Development and Implementation of Parallel Circular Correlator Constructs

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-01

software is available for a wide variety of operating systems , including Unix, FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, Novell NetWare, OS X, Microsoft Windows, OS/2, TPF...Word for Xenix systems . Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS (1983), Apple Macintosh ...this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204

A customizable system for real-time image processing using the Blackfin DSProcessor and the MicroC/OS-II real-time kernel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coffey, Stephen; Connell, Joseph

2005-06-01

This paper presents a development platform for real-time image processing based on the ADSP-BF533 Blackfin processor and the MicroC/OS-II real-time operating system (RTOS). MicroC/OS-II is a completely portable, ROMable, pre-emptive, real-time kernel. The Blackfin Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), incorporating the Analog Devices/Intel Micro Signal Architecture (MSA), are a broad family of 16-bit fixed-point products with a dual Multiply Accumulate (MAC) core. In addition, they have a rich instruction set with variable instruction length and both DSP and MCU functionality thus making them ideal for media based applications. Using the MicroC/OS-II for task scheduling and management, the proposed system can capture and process raw RGB data from any standard 8-bit greyscale image sensor in soft real-time and then display the processed result using a simple PC graphical user interface (GUI). Additionally, the GUI allows configuration of the image capture rate and the system and core DSP clock rates thereby allowing connectivity to a selection of image sensors and memory devices. The GUI also allows selection from a set of image processing algorithms based in the embedded operating system.

Operating System Abstraction Layer (OSAL)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yanchik, Nicholas J.

2007-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the concept of the Operating System Abstraction Layer (OSAL) and its benefits. The OSAL is A small layer of software that allows programs to run on many different operating systems and hardware platforms It runs independent of the underlying OS & hardware and it is self-contained. The benefits of OSAL are that it removes dependencies from any one operating system, promotes portable, reusable flight software. It allows for Core Flight software (FSW) to be built for multiple processors and operating systems. The presentation discusses the functionality, the various OSAL releases, and describes the specifications.

An embedded EEG analyzing system based on muC/os-II.

PubMed

Liu, Boqiang; Zhang, Yanyan; Liu, Zhongguo; Yin, Cong

2007-01-01

An EEG analyzing system based on Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) and muC/os-II real time operating system is discussed in this paper. The detailed system design including the producing of event signals and the synchronization between event signals and EEG signals is described. The details of data acquisition, data preprocessing, data transmitting through USB and system configurations are also contained in the system design. In this paper the design of high capability amplifier and the software of embedded subsystem are discussed. Also the design of realizing multi-task system in muC/os-II, the definition of communicating protocols between PC and the equipment and the detail configurations of USB are given out. The final test shows that the filter behaviors of this equipment are feasible.

Design and Development of a Web-Based Interactive Software Tool for Teaching Operating Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garmpis, Aristogiannis

2011-01-01

Operating Systems (OS) is an important and mandatory discipline in many Computer Science, Information Systems and Computer Engineering curricula. Some of its topics require a careful and detailed explanation from the instructor as they often involve theoretical concepts and somewhat complex mechanisms, demanding a certain degree of abstraction…

Extreme Performance Scalable Operating Systems Final Progress Report (July 1, 2008 - October 31, 2011)

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

Malony, Allen D; Shende, Sameer

This is the final progress report for the FastOS (Phase 2) (FastOS-2) project with Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Oregon (UO). The project started at UO on July 1, 2008 and ran until April 30, 2010, at which time a six-month no-cost extension began. The FastOS-2 work at UO delivered excellent results in all research work areas: * scalable parallel monitoring * kernel-level performance measurement * parallel I/0 system measurement * large-scale and hybrid application performance measurement * onlne scalable performance data reduction and analysis * binary instrumentation

Use phase signals to promote lifetime extension for Windows PCs.

PubMed

Hickey, Stewart; Fitzpatrick, Colin; O'Connell, Maurice; Johnson, Michael

2009-04-01

This paper proposes a signaling methodology for personal computers. Signaling may be viewed as an ecodesign strategy that can positively influence the consumer to consumer (C2C) market process. A number of parameters are identified that can provide the basis for signal implementation. These include operating time, operating temperature, operating voltage, power cycle counts, hard disk drive (HDD) self-monitoring, and reporting technology (SMART) attributes and operating system (OS) event information. All these parameters are currently attainable or derivable via embedded technologies in modern desktop systems. A case study detailing a technical implementation of how the development of signals can be achieved in personal computers that incorporate Microsoft Windows operating systems is presented. Collation of lifetime temperature data from a system processor is demonstrated as a possible means of characterizing a usage profile for a desktop system. In addition, event log data is utilized for devising signals indicative of OS quality. The provision of lifetime usage data in the form of intuitive signals indicative of both hardware and software quality can in conjunction with consumer education facilitate an optimal remarketing strategy for used systems. This implementation requires no additional hardware.

Evaluating the operations capability of Freedom's Data Management System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sowizral, Henry A.

1990-01-01

Three areas of Data Management System (DMS) performance are examined: raw processor speed, the subjective speed of the Lynx OS X-Window system, and the operational capacity of the Runtime Object Database (RODB). It is concluded that the proposed processor will operate at its specified rate of speed and that the X-Window system operates within users' subjective needs. It is also concluded that the RODB cannot provide the required level of service, even with a two-order of magnitude (100 fold) improvement in speed.

KITTEN Lightweight Kernel 0.1 Beta

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

Pedretti, Kevin; Levenhagen, Michael; Kelly, Suzanne

2007-12-12

The Kitten Lightweight Kernel is a simplified OS (operating system) kernel that is intended to manage a compute node's hardware resources. It provides a set of mechanisms to user-level applications for utilizing hardware resources (e.g., allocating memory, creating processes, accessing the network). Kitten is much simpler than general-purpose OS kernels, such as Linux or Windows, but includes all of the esssential functionality needed to support HPC (high-performance computing) MPI, PGAS and OpenMP applications. Kitten provides unique capabilities such as physically contiguous application memory, transparent large page support, and noise-free tick-less operation, which enable HPC applications to obtain greater efficiency andmore » scalability than with general purpose OS kernels.« less

Operational Effectiveness of Smartphones and Apps for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations -- A Systems Engineering Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

BlackBerry .............................................................................. 30  b.  MONAX iPhone System...realms and the growing requirement for military forces around the world to conduct humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) operations. Two recent...iPhone OS and the BlackBerry . Regardless of their capabilities, they have all been used in some way or another to assist HADR operations in recent

The Double-System Architecture for Trusted OS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yong; Li, Yu; Zhan, Jing

With the development of computer science and technology, current secure operating systems failed to respond to many new security challenges. Trusted operating system (TOS) is proposed to try to solve these problems. However, there are no mature, unified architectures for the TOS yet, since most of them cannot make clear of the relationship between security mechanism and the trusted mechanism. Therefore, this paper proposes a double-system architecture (DSA) for the TOS to solve the problem. The DSA is composed of the Trusted System (TS) and the Security System (SS). We constructed the TS by establishing a trusted environment and realized related SS. Furthermore, we proposed the Trusted Information Channel (TIC) to protect the information flow between TS and SS. In a word, the double system architecture we proposed can provide reliable protection for the OS through the SS with the supports provided by the TS.

Integrating O/S models during conceptual design, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ebeling, Charles E.

1994-01-01

The University of Dayton is pleased to submit this report to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Langley Research Center, which integrates a set of models for determining operational capabilities and support requirements during the conceptual design of proposed space systems. This research provides for the integration of the reliability and maintainability (R&M) model, both new and existing simulation models, and existing operations and support (O&S) costing equations in arriving at a complete analysis methodology. Details concerning the R&M model and the O&S costing model may be found in previous reports accomplished under this grant (NASA Research Grant NAG1-1327). In the process of developing this comprehensive analysis approach, significant enhancements were made to the R&M model, updates to the O&S costing model were accomplished, and a new simulation model developed. This is the 1st part of a 3 part technical report.

Energy consumption estimation of an OMAP-based Android operating system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González, Gabriel; Juárez, Eduardo; Castro, Juan José; Sanz, César

2011-05-01

System-level energy optimization of battery-powered multimedia embedded systems has recently become a design goal. The poor operational time of multimedia terminals makes computationally demanding applications impractical in real scenarios. For instance, the so-called smart-phones are currently unable to remain in operation longer than several hours. The OMAP3530 processor basically consists of two processing cores, a General Purpose Processor (GPP) and a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The former, an ARM Cortex-A8 processor, is aimed to run a generic Operating System (OS) while the latter, a DSP core based on the C64x+, has architecture optimized for video processing. The BeagleBoard, a commercial prototyping board based on the OMAP processor, has been used to test the Android Operating System and measure its performance. The board has 128 MB of SDRAM external memory, 256 MB of Flash external memory and several interfaces. Note that the clock frequency of the ARM and DSP OMAP cores is 600 MHz and 430 MHz, respectively. This paper describes the energy consumption estimation of the processes and multimedia applications of an Android v1.6 (Donut) OS on the OMAP3530-Based BeagleBoard. In addition, tools to communicate the two processing cores have been employed. A test-bench to profile the OS resource usage has been developed. As far as the energy estimates concern, the OMAP processor energy consumption model provided by the manufacturer has been used. The model is basically divided in two energy components. The former, the baseline core energy, describes the energy consumption that is independent of any chip activity. The latter, the module active energy, describes the energy consumed by the active modules depending on resource usage.

Real time UNIX in embedded control-a case study within the context of LynxOS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleines, H.; Zwoll, K.

1996-02-01

Intelligent communication controllers for a layered protocol profile are a typical example of an embedded control application, where the classical approach for the software development is based on a proprietary real-time operating system kernel under which the individual layers are implemented as tasks. Based on the exemplary implementation of a derivative of MAP 3.0, an unusual and innovative approach is presented, where the protocol software is implemented under the UNIX-compatible real-time operating system LynxOS. The overall design of the embedded control application is presented under a more general view and economical implications as well as aspects of the development environment and performance are discussed

Tools for Large-Scale Mobile Malware Analysis

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

Bierma, Michael

Analyzing mobile applications for malicious behavior is an important area of re- search, and is made di cult, in part, by the increasingly large number of appli- cations available for the major operating systems. There are currently over 1.2 million apps available in both the Google Play and Apple App stores (the respec- tive o cial marketplaces for the Android and iOS operating systems)[1, 2]. Our research provides two large-scale analysis tools to aid in the detection and analysis of mobile malware. The rst tool we present, Andlantis, is a scalable dynamic analysis system capa- ble of processing over 3000more » Android applications per hour. Traditionally, Android dynamic analysis techniques have been relatively limited in scale due to the compu- tational resources required to emulate the full Android system to achieve accurate execution. Andlantis is the most scalable Android dynamic analysis framework to date, and is able to collect valuable forensic data, which helps reverse-engineers and malware researchers identify and understand anomalous application behavior. We discuss the results of running 1261 malware samples through the system, and provide examples of malware analysis performed with the resulting data. While techniques exist to perform static analysis on a large number of appli- cations, large-scale analysis of iOS applications has been relatively small scale due to the closed nature of the iOS ecosystem, and the di culty of acquiring appli- cations for analysis. The second tool we present, iClone, addresses the challenges associated with iOS research in order to detect application clones within a dataset of over 20,000 iOS applications.« less

The Advanced Gamma-ray Imaging System (AGIS) Telescope Optical System Designs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bugaev, V.; Buckley, J.; Diegel, S.; Falcone, A.; Fegan, S.; Finley, J.; Guarino, V.; Hanna, D.; Kaaret, P.; Konopelko, A.; Krawczynski, H.; Ramsey, B.; Romani, R.; Vassiliev, V.; Weekes, T.

2008-12-01

AGIS is a conceptual design for a future ground-based gamma-ray observatory operating in the energy range 25 GeV-100 TeV, which is based on an array of ~20-100 imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs). The desired improvement in sensitivity, angular resolution, and reliability of operation of AGIS imposes demanding technological and cost requirements on the design of the IACTs. We are considering several options for the optical system (OS) of the AGIS telescopes, which include the traditional Davies-Cotton design as well as novel two-mirror design. Emerging mirror production technologies based on replication processes such as cold and hot glass slumping, cured carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), and electroforming provide new opportunities for cost-effective solutions for the design of the OS.

Fuel cell on-site integrated energy system parametric analysis of a residential complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simons, S. N.

1977-01-01

A parametric energy-use analysis was performed for a large apartment complex served by a fuel cell on-site integrated energy system (OS/IES). The variables parameterized include operating characteristics for four phosphoric acid fuel cells, eight OS/IES energy recovery systems, and four climatic locations. The annual fuel consumption for selected parametric combinations are presented and a breakeven economic analysis is presented for one parametric combination. The results show fuel cell electrical efficiency and system component choice have the greatest effect on annual fuel consumption; fuel cell thermal efficiency and geographic location have less of an effect.

Expeditionary Oblong Mezzanine

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

Operating System OSI Open Systems Interconnection OS X Operating System Ten PDU Power Distribution Unit POE Power Over Ethernet xvii SAAS ...providing infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and software as a service ( SaaS ) cloud computing technologies. IaaS is a way of providing computing services...such as servers, storage, and network equipment services (Mell & Grance, 2009). SaaS is a means of providing software and applications as an on

Economic competitiveness of fuel cell onsite integrated energy systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bollenbacher, G.

1983-01-01

The economic competitiveness of fuel cell onsite integrated energy systems (OS/IES) in residential and commercial buildings is examined. The analysis is carried out for three different buildings with each building assumed to be at three geographic locations spanning a range of climatic conditions. Numerous design options and operating strategies are evaluated and two economic criteria are used to measure economic performance. In general the results show that fuel cell OS/IES's are competitive in most regions of the country if the OS/IES is properly designed. The preferred design is grid connected, makes effective use of the fuel cell's thermal output, and has a fuel cell powerplant sized for the building's base electrical load.

Program for creating an operating system generation cross reference index (SGINDEX)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barth, C. W.

1972-01-01

Computer program to collect key data from Stage Two input of OS/360 system and to prepare formatted listing of index entries collected is discussed. Program eliminates manual paging through system output by providing comprehensive cross reference.

Field Tests of a Tractor Rollover Detection and Emergency Notification System.

PubMed

Liu, B; Koc, A B

2015-04-01

The objective of this research was to assess the feasibility of a rollover detection and emergency notification system for farm tractors using field tests. The emergency notification system was developed based on a tractor stability model and implemented on a mobile electronic device with the iOS operating system. A complementary filter was implemented to combine the data from the accelerometer and gyroscope sensors to improve their accuracies in calculating the roll and pitch angles and the roll and pitch rates. The system estimates a stability index value during tractor operation, displays feedback messages when the stability index is lower than a preset threshold value, and transmits emergency notification messages when an overturn happens. Ten tractor rollover tests were conducted on a field track. The developed system successfully monitored the stability of the tractor during all of the tests. The iOS application was able to detect rollover accidents and transmit emergency notifications in the form of a phone call and email when an accident was detected. The system can be a useful tool for training and education in safe tractor operation. The system also has potential for stability monitoring and emergency notification of other on-road and off-road motorized vehicles.

Real time UNIX in embedded control -- A case study within context of LynxOS

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

Kleines, H.; Zwoll, K.

1996-02-01

Intelligent communication controllers for a layered protocol profile are a typical example of an embedded control application, where the classical approach for the software development is based on a proprietary real-time operating system kernel under which the individual layers are implemented as tasks. Based on the exemplary implementation of a derivative of MAP 3.0, an unusual and innovative approach is presented, where the protocol software is implemented under the UNIX-compatible real-time operating system LynxOS. The overall design of the embedded control application is presented under a more general view and economical implications as well as aspects of the development environmentmore » and performance are discussed.« less

Innovative sponge-based moving bed-osmotic membrane bioreactor hybrid system using a new class of draw solution for municipal wastewater treatment.

PubMed

Nguyen, Nguyen Cong; Chen, Shiao-Shing; Nguyen, Hau Thi; Ray, Saikat Sinha; Ngo, Huu Hao; Guo, Wenshan; Lin, Po-Hsun

2016-03-15

For the first time, an innovative concept of combining sponge-based moving bed (SMB) and an osmotic membrane bioreactor (OsMBR), known as the SMB-OsMBR hybrid system, were investigated using Triton X-114 surfactant coupled with MgCl2 salt as the draw solution. Compared to traditional activated sludge OsMBR, the SMB-OsMBR system was able to remove more nutrients due to the thick-biofilm layer on sponge carriers. Subsequently less membrane fouling was observed during the wastewater treatment process. A water flux of 11.38 L/(m(2) h) and a negligible reverse salt flux were documented when deionized water served as the feed solution and a mixture of 1.5 M MgCl2 and 1.5 mM Triton X-114 was used as the draw solution. The SMB-OsMBR hybrid system indicated that a stable water flux of 10.5 L/(m(2) h) and low salt accumulation were achieved in a 90-day operation. Moreover, the nutrient removal efficiency of the proposed system was close to 100%, confirming the effectiveness of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in the biofilm layer on sponge carriers. The overall performance of the SMB-OsMBR hybrid system using MgCl2 coupled with Triton X-114 as the draw solution demonstrates its potential application in wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Open-Source Automated Mapping Four-Point Probe.

PubMed

Chandra, Handy; Allen, Spencer W; Oberloier, Shane W; Bihari, Nupur; Gwamuri, Jephias; Pearce, Joshua M

2017-01-26

Scientists have begun using self-replicating rapid prototyper (RepRap) 3-D printers to manufacture open source digital designs of scientific equipment. This approach is refined here to develop a novel instrument capable of performing automated large-area four-point probe measurements. The designs for conversion of a RepRap 3-D printer to a 2-D open source four-point probe (OS4PP) measurement device are detailed for the mechanical and electrical systems. Free and open source software and firmware are developed to operate the tool. The OS4PP was validated against a wide range of discrete resistors and indium tin oxide (ITO) samples of different thicknesses both pre- and post-annealing. The OS4PP was then compared to two commercial proprietary systems. Results of resistors from 10 to 1 MΩ show errors of less than 1% for the OS4PP. The 3-D mapping of sheet resistance of ITO samples successfully demonstrated the automated capability to measure non-uniformities in large-area samples. The results indicate that all measured values are within the same order of magnitude when compared to two proprietary measurement systems. In conclusion, the OS4PP system, which costs less than 70% of manual proprietary systems, is comparable electrically while offering automated 100 micron positional accuracy for measuring sheet resistance over larger areas.

Using Virtualization and Automatic Evaluation: Adapting Network Services Management Courses to the EHEA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ros, S.; Robles-Gomez, A.; Hernandez, R.; Caminero, A. C.; Pastor, R.

2012-01-01

This paper outlines the adaptation of a course on the management of network services in operating systems, called NetServicesOS, to the context of the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA). NetServicesOS is a mandatory course in one of the official graduate programs in the Faculty of Computer Science at the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a…

Meeting the Challenge of Distributed Real-Time & Embedded (DRE) Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-10

IP RTOS Middleware Middleware Services DRE Applications Operating Sys & Protocols Hardware & Networks Middleware Middleware Services DRE...Services COTS & standards-based middleware, language, OS , network, & hardware platforms • Real-time CORBA (TAO) middleware • ADAPTIVE Communication...SPLs) F-15 product variant A/V 8-B product variant F/A 18 product variant UCAV product variant Software Produce-Line Hardware (CPU, Memory, I/O) OS

A Selection Methodology for the RTOS Market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melanson, P.; Tafazoli, S.

In past years, the market of Operating Systems (OS) has been quite active. One of those key markets is to support embedded real-time applications in which the OS must guarantee the timeliness as well as the correctness of the processing. Many OS claim to be Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), but often, it is only by reviewing the OS specifications or detailed information that one can truly identify the OS that enables real- time applications. Designers are faced with and impressive task when selecting an RTOS for their space mission. Whether for historical reasons or due to the rapid evolution of the RTOS market, it appears that RTOS are not evaluated for each mission but rather imposed. Although reasons for imposing this choice can be well justified, other times one is left to wonder if the lack of evaluation to mission requirements can lead to increased risks down the road. How does one select the proper RTOS for space missions, which will a) meet the requirements, b) correspond with the knowledge and expertise of the staff and c) continue to be a strategic choice for the future? The purpose of this paper is to compare commercially available RTOS that are suitable for space missions requiring hard real-time capabilities. It is our belief that this research identifies the important products for space missions and presents a methodology to select the appropriate RTOS that will meet design requirements and other relevant criteria. Lastly, the paper will present the volatility of the market in the past two years and determine the implications for embedded systems used in space missions. 1

The Southern Argentina Agile Meteor Radar Orbital System (SAAMER-OS): An Initial Sporadic Meteoroid Orbital Survey in the Southern Sky

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Janches, D.; Close, S.; Hormaechea, J. L.; Swarnalingam, N.; Murphy, A.; O'Connor, D.; Vandepeer, B.; Fuller, B.; Fritts, D. C.; Brunini, C.

2015-01-01

We present an initial survey in the southern sky of the sporadic meteoroid orbital environment obtained with the Southern Argentina Agile MEteor Radar (SAAMER) Orbital System (OS), in which over three-quarters of a million orbits of dust particles were determined from 2012 January through 2015 April. SAAMER-OS is located at the southernmost tip of Argentina and is currently the only operational radar with orbit determination capability providing continuous observations of the southern hemisphere. Distributions of the observed meteoroid speed, radiant, and heliocentric orbital parameters are presented, as well as those corrected by the observational biases associated with the SAAMER-OS operating parameters. The results are compared with those reported by three previous surveys performed with the Harvard Radio Meteor Project, the Advanced Meteor Orbit Radar, and the Canadian Meteor Orbit Radar, and they are in agreement with these previous studies. Weighted distributions for meteoroids above the thresholds for meteor trail electron line density, meteoroid mass, and meteoroid kinetic energy are also considered. Finally, the minimum line density and kinetic energy weighting factors are found to be very suitable for meteoroid applications. The outcomes of this work show that, given SAAMERs location, the system is ideal for providing crucial data to continuously study the South Toroidal and South Apex sporadic meteoroid apparent sources.

Research and design of smart grid monitoring control via terminal based on iOS system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Wei; Gong, Li; Chen, Heli; Pan, Guangji

2017-06-01

Aiming at a series of problems existing in current smart grid monitoring Control Terminal, such as high costs, poor portability, simple monitoring system, poor software extensions, low system reliability when transmitting information, single man-machine interface, poor security, etc., smart grid remote monitoring system based on the iOS system has been designed. The system interacts with smart grid server so that it can acquire grid data through WiFi/3G/4G networks, and monitor each grid line running status, as well as power plant equipment operating conditions. When it occurs an exception in the power plant, incident information can be sent to the user iOS terminal equipment timely, which will provide troubleshooting information to help the grid staff to make the right decisions in a timely manner, to avoid further accidents. Field tests have shown the system realizes the integrated grid monitoring functions, low maintenance cost, friendly interface, high security and reliability, and it possesses certain applicable value.

Flexible Control and Interprocess Communication on the Rogue GPS Receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blau, R.

1999-01-01

The Rogue receivers are a series of custom high-accuracy Global Positioning System receivers being developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This thesis describes two additions to the RogueOS, a custom operation system developed for these recievers.

[Computerized monitoring system in the operating center with UNIX and X-window].

PubMed

Tanaka, Y; Hashimoto, S; Chihara, E; Kinoshita, T; Hirose, M; Nakagawa, M; Murakami, T

1992-01-01

We previously reported the fully automated data logging system in the operating center. Presently, we revised the system using a highly integrated operating system, UNIX instead of OS/9. With this multi-task and multi-window (X-window) system, we could monitor all 12 rooms in the operating center at a time. The system in the operating center consists of 2 computers, SONY NEWS1450 (UNIX workstation) and Sord M223 (CP/M, data logger). On the bitmapped display of the workstation, using X-window, the data of all the operating rooms can be visualized. Furthermore, 2 other minicomputers (Fujitsu A50 in the conference room, and A60 in the ICU) and a workstation (Sun3-80 in the ICU) were connected with ethernet. With the remote login function (NFS), we could easily obtain the data during the operation from outside the operating center. This system works automatically and needs no routine maintenance.

Installation and management of the SPS and LEP control system computers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bland, Alastair

1994-12-01

Control of the CERN SPS and LEP accelerators and service equipment on the two CERN main sites is performed via workstations, file servers, Process Control Assemblies (PCAs) and Device Stub Controllers (DSCs). This paper describes the methods and tools that have been developed to manage the file servers, PCAs and DSCs since the LEP startup in 1989. There are five operational DECstation 5000s used as file servers and boot servers for the PCAs and DSCs. The PCAs consist of 90 SCO Xenix 386 PCs, 40 LynxOS 486 PCs and more than 40 older NORD 100s. The DSCs consist of 90 OS-968030 VME crates and 10 LynxOS 68030 VME crates. In addition there are over 100 development systems. The controls group is responsible for installing the computers, starting all the user processes and ensuring that the computers and the processes run correctly. The operators in the SPS/LEP control room and the Services control room have a Motif-based X window program which gives them, in real time, the state of all the computers and allows them to solve problems or reboot them.

Open-Source Automated Mapping Four-Point Probe

PubMed Central

Chandra, Handy; Allen, Spencer W.; Oberloier, Shane W.; Bihari, Nupur; Gwamuri, Jephias; Pearce, Joshua M.

2017-01-01

Scientists have begun using self-replicating rapid prototyper (RepRap) 3-D printers to manufacture open source digital designs of scientific equipment. This approach is refined here to develop a novel instrument capable of performing automated large-area four-point probe measurements. The designs for conversion of a RepRap 3-D printer to a 2-D open source four-point probe (OS4PP) measurement device are detailed for the mechanical and electrical systems. Free and open source software and firmware are developed to operate the tool. The OS4PP was validated against a wide range of discrete resistors and indium tin oxide (ITO) samples of different thicknesses both pre- and post-annealing. The OS4PP was then compared to two commercial proprietary systems. Results of resistors from 10 to 1 MΩ show errors of less than 1% for the OS4PP. The 3-D mapping of sheet resistance of ITO samples successfully demonstrated the automated capability to measure non-uniformities in large-area samples. The results indicate that all measured values are within the same order of magnitude when compared to two proprietary measurement systems. In conclusion, the OS4PP system, which costs less than 70% of manual proprietary systems, is comparable electrically while offering automated 100 micron positional accuracy for measuring sheet resistance over larger areas. PMID:28772471

The Advanced Gamma-ray Imaging System (AGIS): Telescope Optical System Designs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vassiliev, Vladimir; Buckley, Jim; Falcone, Abe; Fegan, Steven; Finley, John; Gaurino, Victor; Hanna, David; Kaaret, Philip; Konopelko, Alex; Krawczynski, Henric; Romani, Roger; Weekes, Trevor

2008-04-01

AGIS is a conceptual design for a future ground-based gamma-ray observatory based on an array of ˜100 imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) with a sensitivity to gamma-rays in the energy range 40 GeV-100 TeV. The anticipated improvement of AGIS sensitivity, angular resolution, and reliability of operation imposes demanding technological and cost requirements on the design of the IACTs. In this submission we focus on the optical system (OS) of the AGIS telescopes and consider options which include traditional Davies-Cotton and the other prime- focus telescope designs, as well as a novel two-mirror aplanatic OS originally proposed by Schwarzschild. Emerging new mirror production technologies based on replication processes such as cold and hot glass slumping, cured CFRP, and electroforming provide new opportunities for cost effective solutions for the design of the OS. We evaluate the capabilities of these mirror fabrication methods for the AGIS project.

The Advanced Gamma-ray Imaging System (AGIS): Telescope Optical System Designs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanna, David S.; Buckley, J. H.; Falcone, A.; Fegan, S.; Finley, J.; Guarino, V.; Kaaret, P.; Krawczynski, H.; Krennrich, F.; Konopelko, A.; Romani, R.; Vassilliev, V.; Optical System Working Group; AGIS Collaboration

2008-03-01

The concept of a future ground-based gamma-ray observatory, AGIS, in the energy range 20 GeV-200 TeV is based on an array of 50-200 imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs). The anticipated improvement of AGIS sensitivity, angular resolution, and reliability of operation imposes demanding technological and cost requirements on the design of IACTs. In this submission we will focus on the optical system (OS) of AGIS telescopes and consider options which include traditional Davies-Cotton and the other prime-focus telescope designs, as well as the novel two-mirror aplanatic OS originally proposed by Schwarzschild. The emerging new mirror production technologies based on replication processes, such as cold and hot glass slumping, cured CFRP, and electroforming, provide new opportunities for cost effective solutions for the design of the OS. We initially evaluate capabilities of these mirror fabrication methods for the AGIS project.

O/S analysis of conceptual space vehicles. Part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ebeling, Charles E.

1995-01-01

The application of recently developed computer models in determining operational capabilities and support requirements during the conceptual design of proposed space systems is discussed. The models used are the reliability and maintainability (R&M) model, the maintenance simulation model, and the operations and support (O&S) cost model. In the process of applying these models, the R&M and O&S cost models were updated. The more significant enhancements include (1) improved R&M equations for the tank subsystems, (2) the ability to allocate schedule maintenance by subsystem, (3) redefined spares calculations, (4) computing a weighted average of the working days and mission days per month, (5) the use of a position manning factor, and (6) the incorporation into the O&S model of new formulas for computing depot and organizational recurring and nonrecurring training costs and documentation costs, and depot support equipment costs. The case study used is based upon a winged, single-stage, vertical-takeoff vehicle (SSV) designed to deliver to the Space Station Freedom (SSF) a 25,000 lb payload including passengers without a crew.

Parametric CERs (Cost Estimate Relationships) for Replenishment Repair Parts (Selected U.S. Army Helicopters and Combat Vehicles)

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-31

Information System (OSMIS). The long-range objective is to develop methods to determine total operating and support (O&S) costs within life-cycle cost...objective was to assess the feasibility of developing cost estimating relationships (CERs) based on data from the Army Operating and Support Management

A new taxonomy for distributed computer systems based upon operating system structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foudriat, E. C.

1985-01-01

Characteristics of the resource structure found in the operating system are considered as a mechanism for classifying distributed computer systems. Since the operating system resources, themselves, are too diversified to provide a consistent classification, the structure upon which resources are built and shared are examined. The location and control character of this indivisibility provides the taxonomy for separating uniprocessors, computer networks, network computers (fully distributed processing systems or decentralized computers) and algorithm and/or data control multiprocessors. The taxonomy is important because it divides machines into a classification that is relevant or important to the client and not the hardware architect. It also defines the character of the kernel O/S structure needed for future computer systems. What constitutes an operating system for a fully distributed processor is discussed in detail.

SUMC/MPOS/HAL interface study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saponaro, J. A.; Kosmala, A. L.

1973-01-01

The implementation of the HAL/S language on the IBM-360, and in particular the mechanization of its real time, I/O, and error control statements within the OS-360 environment is described. The objectives are twofold: (1) An analysis and general description of HAL/S real time, I/O, and error control statements and the structure required to mechanize these statements. The emphasis is on describing the logical functions performed upon execution of each HAL statement rather than defining whether it is accomplished by the compiler or operating system. (2) An identification of the OS-360 facilities required during execution of HAL/S code as implemented for the current HAL/S-360 compiler; and an evaluation of the aspects involved with interfacing HAL/S with the SUMC operating system utilizing either the HAL/S-360 compiler or by designing a new HAL/S-SUMC compiler.

Influence of image-defined risk factors on the outcome of patients with localised neuroblastoma. A report from the LNESG1 study of the European International Society of Paediatric Oncology Neuroblastoma Group.

PubMed

Monclair, Tom; Mosseri, Véronique; Cecchetto, Giovanni; De Bernardi, Bruno; Michon, Jean; Holmes, Keith

2015-09-01

The European multicenter study LNESG1 was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgical treatment alone in patients with localised neuroblastoma. In a retrospective, observational study we examined the impact of image-defined risk factors (IDRF) on operative complications and survival (EFS and OS). 534 patients with localised, non-MYCN amplified neuroblastoma were recruited between 1995 and 1999. Group 1 consisted of 291 patients without IDRF (Stage L1 in the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) staging system), all treated with primary surgery. Group 2: 118 patients with IDRF (INRG Stage L2), also treated with primary surgery. Group 3: 125 patients in whom primary surgery was not attempted, 106 receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. In L1 patients (Group 1) 5-year EFS was 92% and OS 98%. In L2 patients (Group 2 and 3) EFS was 79% and OS 89%. The differences in both EFS and OS were significant. EFS and OS in Group 2 (86% and 95%) were significantly better than 73% and 83% in Group 3. In INSS stage 1, 2 and 3, EFS were respectively 94%, 81% and 76%. Except between stage 2 and 3 the differences were significant. OS were respectively 99%, 93% and 83%, all significantly different. The 17% operative complication rate in L2 patients was significantly higher than 5% in L1 patients. In localised neuroblastoma, IDRF at diagnosis are associated with worse survival rates and higher rates of operative complications. The impact of IDRF should become an integrated part of therapy planning. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Porting of EPICS to Real Time UNIX, and Usage Ported EPICS for FEL Automation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salikova, Tatiana

This article describes concepts and mechanisms used in porting of EPICS (Experimental Physical and Industrial Control System) codes to platform of operating system UNIX. Without destruction of EPICS architecture, new features of EPICS provides the support for real time operating system LynxOS/x86 and equipment produced by INP (Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics). Application of ported EPICS reduces the cost of software and hardware is used for automation of FEL (Free Electron Laser) complex.

Real-time operating system timing jitter and its impact on motor control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proctor, Frederick M.; Shackleford, William P.

2001-12-01

General-purpose microprocessors are increasingly being used for control applications due to their widespread availability and software support for non-control functions like networking and operator interfaces. Two classes of real-time operating systems (RTOS) exist for these systems. The traditional RTOS serves as the sole operating system, and provides all OS services. Examples include ETS, LynxOS, QNX, Windows CE and VxWorks. RTOS extensions add real-time scheduling capabilities to non-real-time OSes, and provide minimal services needed for the time-critical portions of an application. Examples include RTAI and RTL for Linux, and HyperKernel, OnTime and RTX for Windows NT. Timing jitter is an issue in these systems, due to hardware effects such as bus locking, caches and pipelines, and software effects from mutual exclusion resource locks, non-preemtible critical sections, disabled interrupts, and multiple code paths in the scheduler. Jitter is typically on the order of a microsecond to a few tens of microseconds for hard real-time operating systems, and ranges from milliseconds to seconds in the worst case for soft real-time operating systems. The question of its significance on the performance of a controller arises. Naturally, the smaller the scheduling period required for a control task, the more significant is the impact of timing jitter. Aside from this intuitive relationship is the greater significance of timing on open-loop control, such as for stepper motors, than for closed-loop control, such as for servo motors. Techniques for measuring timing jitter are discussed, and comparisons between various platforms are presented. Techniques to reduce jitter or mitigate its effects are presented. The impact of jitter on stepper motor control is analyzed.

Comparing genomes to computer operating systems in terms of the topology and evolution of their regulatory control networks

PubMed Central

Yan, Koon-Kiu; Fang, Gang; Bhardwaj, Nitin; Alexander, Roger P.; Gerstein, Mark

2010-01-01

The genome has often been called the operating system (OS) for a living organism. A computer OS is described by a regulatory control network termed the call graph, which is analogous to the transcriptional regulatory network in a cell. To apply our firsthand knowledge of the architecture of software systems to understand cellular design principles, we present a comparison between the transcriptional regulatory network of a well-studied bacterium (Escherichia coli) and the call graph of a canonical OS (Linux) in terms of topology and evolution. We show that both networks have a fundamentally hierarchical layout, but there is a key difference: The transcriptional regulatory network possesses a few global regulators at the top and many targets at the bottom; conversely, the call graph has many regulators controlling a small set of generic functions. This top-heavy organization leads to highly overlapping functional modules in the call graph, in contrast to the relatively independent modules in the regulatory network. We further develop a way to measure evolutionary rates comparably between the two networks and explain this difference in terms of network evolution. The process of biological evolution via random mutation and subsequent selection tightly constrains the evolution of regulatory network hubs. The call graph, however, exhibits rapid evolution of its highly connected generic components, made possible by designers’ continual fine-tuning. These findings stem from the design principles of the two systems: robustness for biological systems and cost effectiveness (reuse) for software systems. PMID:20439753

Comparing genomes to computer operating systems in terms of the topology and evolution of their regulatory control networks.

PubMed

Yan, Koon-Kiu; Fang, Gang; Bhardwaj, Nitin; Alexander, Roger P; Gerstein, Mark

2010-05-18

The genome has often been called the operating system (OS) for a living organism. A computer OS is described by a regulatory control network termed the call graph, which is analogous to the transcriptional regulatory network in a cell. To apply our firsthand knowledge of the architecture of software systems to understand cellular design principles, we present a comparison between the transcriptional regulatory network of a well-studied bacterium (Escherichia coli) and the call graph of a canonical OS (Linux) in terms of topology and evolution. We show that both networks have a fundamentally hierarchical layout, but there is a key difference: The transcriptional regulatory network possesses a few global regulators at the top and many targets at the bottom; conversely, the call graph has many regulators controlling a small set of generic functions. This top-heavy organization leads to highly overlapping functional modules in the call graph, in contrast to the relatively independent modules in the regulatory network. We further develop a way to measure evolutionary rates comparably between the two networks and explain this difference in terms of network evolution. The process of biological evolution via random mutation and subsequent selection tightly constrains the evolution of regulatory network hubs. The call graph, however, exhibits rapid evolution of its highly connected generic components, made possible by designers' continual fine-tuning. These findings stem from the design principles of the two systems: robustness for biological systems and cost effectiveness (reuse) for software systems.

PC-CUBE: A Personal Computer Based Hypercube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ho, Alex; Fox, Geoffrey; Walker, David; Snyder, Scott; Chang, Douglas; Chen, Stanley; Breaden, Matt; Cole, Terry

1988-01-01

PC-CUBE is an ensemble of IBM PCs or close compatibles connected in the hypercube topology with ordinary computer cables. Communication occurs at the rate of 115.2 K-band via the RS-232 serial links. Available for PC-CUBE is the Crystalline Operating System III (CrOS III), Mercury Operating System, CUBIX and PLOTIX which are parallel I/O and graphics libraries. A CrOS performance monitor was developed to facilitate the measurement of communication and computation time of a program and their effects on performance. Also available are CXLISP, a parallel version of the XLISP interpreter; GRAFIX, some graphics routines for the EGA and CGA; and a general execution profiler for determining execution time spent by program subroutines. PC-CUBE provides a programming environment similar to all hypercube systems running CrOS III, Mercury and CUBIX. In addition, every node (personal computer) has its own graphics display monitor and storage devices. These allow data to be displayed or stored at every processor, which has much instructional value and enables easier debugging of applications. Some application programs which are taken from the book Solving Problems on Concurrent Processors (Fox 88) were implemented with graphics enhancement on PC-CUBE. The applications range from solving the Mandelbrot set, Laplace equation, wave equation, long range force interaction, to WaTor, an ecological simulation.

Embedded System Implementation on FPGA System With μCLinux OS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fairuz Muhd Amin, Ahmad; Aris, Ishak; Syamsul Azmir Raja Abdullah, Raja; Kalos Zakiah Sahbudin, Ratna

2011-02-01

Embedded systems are taking on more complicated tasks as the processors involved become more powerful. The embedded systems have been widely used in many areas such as in industries, automotives, medical imaging, communications, speech recognition and computer vision. The complexity requirements in hardware and software nowadays need a flexibility system for further enhancement in any design without adding new hardware. Therefore, any changes in the design system will affect the processor that need to be changed. To overcome this problem, a System On Programmable Chip (SOPC) has been designed and developed using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). A softcore processor, NIOS II 32-bit RISC, which is the microprocessor core was utilized in FPGA system together with the embedded operating system(OS), μClinux. In this paper, an example of web server is explained and demonstrated

Lymph node density as a prognostic predictor in patients with betel nut-related oral squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Chang, Wei-Chin; Lin, Chun-Shu; Yang, Cheng-Yu; Lin, Chih-Kung; Chen, Yuan-Wu

2018-04-01

Lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a poor prognostic factor. The histopathologic stage (e.g., pN) is used to evaluate the severity of lymph node metastasis; however, the current staging system insufficiently predicts survival and recurrence. We investigated clinical outcomes and lymph node density (LND) in betel nut-chewing individuals. We retrospectively analyzed 389 betel nut-exposed patients with primary OSCC who underwent surgical resection in 2002-2015. The prognostic significance of LND was evaluated by overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) using the Kaplan-Meier method. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that the 5-year OS and DFS rates in all patients were 60.9 and 48.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that variables independently prognostic for OS were aged population (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.1-2.5; P = .025), and cell differentiation classification (HR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.4-4.2; P = .002). In pathologic N-positive patients, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for OS was used and indicated the best cutoff of 0.05, and the multivariate analysis showed that LND was an independent predictor of OS (HR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3-3.7; P = .004). Lymph node density, at a cutoff of 0.05, was an independent predictor of OS and DFS. OS and DFS underwent multiple analyses, and LND remained significant. The pathologic N stage had no influence in the OS analysis. LND is a more reliable predictor of survival in betel nut-chewing patients for further post operation adjuvant treatment, such as reoperation or adjuvant radiotherapy.

The Launch Systems Operations Cost Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prince, Frank A.; Hamaker, Joseph W. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

One of NASA's primary missions is to reduce the cost of access to space while simultaneously increasing safety. A key component, and one of the least understood, is the recurring operations and support cost for reusable launch systems. In order to predict these costs, NASA, under the leadership of the Independent Program Assessment Office (IPAO), has commissioned the development of a Launch Systems Operations Cost Model (LSOCM). LSOCM is a tool to predict the operations & support (O&S) cost of new and modified reusable (and partially reusable) launch systems. The requirements are to predict the non-recurring cost for the ground infrastructure and the recurring cost of maintaining that infrastructure, performing vehicle logistics, and performing the O&S actions to return the vehicle to flight. In addition, the model must estimate the time required to cycle the vehicle through all of the ground processing activities. The current version of LSOCM is an amalgamation of existing tools, leveraging our understanding of shuttle operations cost with a means of predicting how the maintenance burden will change as the vehicle becomes more aircraft like. The use of the Conceptual Operations Manpower Estimating Tool/Operations Cost Model (COMET/OCM) provides a solid point of departure based on shuttle and expendable launch vehicle (ELV) experience. The incorporation of the Reliability and Maintainability Analysis Tool (RMAT) as expressed by a set of response surface model equations gives a method for estimating how changing launch system characteristics affects cost and cycle time as compared to today's shuttle system. Plans are being made to improve the model. The development team will be spending the next few months devising a structured methodology that will enable verified and validated algorithms to give accurate cost estimates. To assist in this endeavor the LSOCM team is part of an Agency wide effort to combine resources with other cost and operations professionals to support models, databases, and operations assessments.

A Fault Oblivious Extreme-Scale Execution Environment

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

McKie, Jim

The FOX project, funded under the ASCR X-stack I program, developed systems software and runtime libraries for a new approach to the data and work distribution for massively parallel, fault oblivious application execution. Our work was motivated by the premise that exascale computing systems will provide a thousand-fold increase in parallelism and a proportional increase in failure rate relative to today’s machines. To deliver the capability of exascale hardware, the systems software must provide the infrastructure to support existing applications while simultaneously enabling efficient execution of new programming models that naturally express dynamic, adaptive, irregular computation; coupled simulations; and massivemore » data analysis in a highly unreliable hardware environment with billions of threads of execution. Our OS research has prototyped new methods to provide efficient resource sharing, synchronization, and protection in a many-core compute node. We have experimented with alternative task/dataflow programming models and shown scalability in some cases to hundreds of thousands of cores. Much of our software is in active development through open source projects. Concepts from FOX are being pursued in next generation exascale operating systems. Our OS work focused on adaptive, application tailored OS services optimized for multi → many core processors. We developed a new operating system NIX that supports role-based allocation of cores to processes which was released to open source. We contributed to the IBM FusedOS project, which promoted the concept of latency-optimized and throughput-optimized cores. We built a task queue library based on distributed, fault tolerant key-value store and identified scaling issues. A second fault tolerant task parallel library was developed, based on the Linda tuple space model, that used low level interconnect primitives for optimized communication. We designed fault tolerance mechanisms for task parallel computations employing work stealing for load balancing that scaled to the largest existing supercomputers. Finally, we implemented the Elastic Building Blocks runtime, a library to manage object-oriented distributed software components. To support the research, we won two INCITE awards for time on Intrepid (BG/P) and Mira (BG/Q). Much of our work has had impact in the OS and runtime community through the ASCR Exascale OS/R workshop and report, leading to the research agenda of the Exascale OS/R program. Our project was, however, also affected by attrition of multiple PIs. While the PIs continued to participate and offer guidance as time permitted, losing these key individuals was unfortunate both for the project and for the DOE HPC community.« less

Robotics On-Board Trainer (ROBoT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Genevieve; Alexander, Greg

2013-01-01

ROBoT is an on-orbit version of the ground-based Dynamics Skills Trainer (DST) that astronauts use for training on a frequent basis. This software consists of two primary software groups. The first series of components is responsible for displaying the graphical scenes. The remaining components are responsible for simulating the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), and the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Free Flyer Robotics Operations. The MSS simulation software includes: Robotic Workstation (RWS) simulation, a simulation of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), a simulation of the ISS Command and Control System (CCS), and a portion of the Portable Computer System (PCS) software necessary for MSS operations. These components all run under the CentOS4.5 Linux operating system. The JEMRMS simulation software includes real-time, HIL, dynamics, manipulator multi-body dynamics, and a moving object contact model with Tricks discrete time scheduling. The JEMRMS DST will be used as a functional proficiency and skills trainer for flight crews. The HTV Free Flyer Robotics Operations simulation software adds a functional simulation of HTV vehicle controllers, sensors, and data to the MSS simulation software. These components are intended to support HTV ISS visiting vehicle analysis and training. The scene generation software will use DOUG (Dynamic On-orbit Ubiquitous Graphics) to render the graphical scenes. DOUG runs on a laptop running the CentOS4.5 Linux operating system. DOUG is an Open GL-based 3D computer graphics rendering package. It uses pre-built three-dimensional models of on-orbit ISS and space shuttle systems elements, and provides realtime views of various station and shuttle configurations.

A Systems Engineering Framework for Implementing a Security and Critical Patch Management Process in Diverse Environments (Academic Departments' Workstations)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohammadi, Hadi

2014-01-01

Use of the Patch Vulnerability Management (PVM) process should be seriously considered for any networked computing system. The PVM process prevents the operating system (OS) and software applications from being attacked due to security vulnerabilities, which lead to system failures and critical data leakage. The purpose of this research is to…

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Habitable zones around main-sequence stars (Kopparapu+, 2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopparapu, R. K.; Ramirez, R. M.; Schottelkotte, J.; Kasting, J. F.; Domagal-Goldman, S.; Eymet, V.

2017-08-01

Language: Fortran 90 Code tested under the following compilers/operating systems: ifort/CentOS linux Description of input data: No input necessary. Description of output data: Output files: HZs.dat, HZ_coefficients.dat System requirements: No major system requirement. Fortran compiler necessary. Calls to external routines: None. Additional comments: None (1 data file).

Report on Medical Activities for the Automated AFEES Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-10

Systems Division, DRI, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731. esd, usaf ltr, 8 oct 1976 ’ OS o> OS © © >- CD UJ ESD-TR-76-I35 v/ REPORT ON MEDICAL ...StCUWITY CUAStlFICATION OF THIS PAGt(Whm, DM* Bmlmtt) chMging Mdioftl, mental and adainlatrativ« prooAdurea^Th« medical Intent of the above...direction ia farther amplified in Program Meririnndum dated 18 Oet 74, vhlch required a medical data base, printing of 8F 88 andW 95, and operational

A novel osmosis membrane bioreactor-membrane distillation hybrid system for wastewater treatment and reuse.

PubMed

Nguyen, Nguyen Cong; Nguyen, Hau Thi; Chen, Shiao-Shing; Ngo, Huu Hao; Guo, Wenshan; Chan, Wen Hao; Ray, Saikat Sinha; Li, Chi-Wang; Hsu, Hung-Te

2016-06-01

A novel approach was designed to simultaneously enhance nutrient removal and reduce membrane fouling for wastewater treatment using an attached growth biofilm (AGB) integrated with an osmosis membrane bioreactor (OsMBR) system for the first time. In this study, a highly charged organic compound (HEDTA(3-)) was employed as a novel draw solution in the AGB-OsMBR system to obtain a low reverse salt flux, maintain a healthy environment for the microorganisms. The AGB-OsMBR system achieved a stable water flux of 3.62L/m(2)h, high nutrient removal of 99% and less fouling during a 60-day operation. Furthermore, the high salinity of diluted draw solution could be effectively recovered by membrane distillation (MD) process with salt rejection of 99.7%. The diluted draw solution was re-concentrated to its initial status (56.1mS/cm) at recovery of 9.8% after 6h. The work demonstrated that novel multi-barrier systems could produce high quality potable water from impaired streams. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

[The health system of Argentina].

PubMed

Belló, Mariana; Becerril-Montekio, Victor M

2011-01-01

This paper describes the health system of Argentina.This system has three sectors: public, social security and private.The public sector includes the national and provincial ministries as well as the network of public hospitals and primary health care units which provide care to the poor and uninsured population. This sector is financed with taxes and payments made by social security beneficiaries that use public health care facilities. The social security sector or Obras Sociales (OS) covers all workers of the formal economy and their families. Most OS operate through contracts with private providers and are financed with payroll contributions of employers and employees. Finally, the private sector includes all those private providers offering services to individuals, OS beneficiaries and all those with private health insurance.This sector also includes private insurance agencies called Prepaid Medicine Enterprises, financed mostly through premiums paid by families and/or employers.This paper also discusses some of the recent innovations implemented in Argentina, including the program Remediar.

Sharing from Scratch: How To Network CD-ROM.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doering, David

1998-01-01

Examines common CD-ROM networking architectures: via existing operating systems (OS), thin server towers, and dedicated servers. Discusses digital video disc (DVD) and non-CD/DVD optical storage solutions and presents case studies of networks that work. (PEN)

Mac OS X for Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierfederici, F.; Pirzkal, N.; Hook, R. N.

Mac OS X is the new Unix based version of the Macintosh operating system. It combines a high performance DisplayPDF user interface with a standard BSD UNIX subsystem and provides users with simultaneous access to a broad range of applications which were not previously available on a single system such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop, as well as legacy X11-based scientific tools and packages like IRAF, SuperMongo, MIDAS, etc. The combination of a modern GUI layered on top of a familiar UNIX environment paves the way for new, more flexible and powerful astronomical tools to be developed while assuring compatibility with already existing, older programs. In this paper, we outline the strengths of the Mac OS X platform in a scientific environment, astronomy in particular, and point to the numerous astronomical software packages available for this platform; most notably the Scisoft collection which we have compiled.

Magnet measurement interfacing to the G-64 Euro standard bus and testing G-64 modules

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

Hogrefe, R.L.

1995-07-01

The Magnet Measurement system utilizes various modules with a G-64 Euro (Gespac) Standard Interface. All modules are designed to be software controlled, normally under the constraints of the OS-9 operating system with all data transfers to a host computer accomplished by a serial link.

Toward a Proof of Concept Cloud Framework for Physics Applications on Blue Gene Supercomputers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dreher, Patrick; Scullin, William; Vouk, Mladen

2015-09-01

Traditional high performance supercomputers are capable of delivering large sustained state-of-the-art computational resources to physics applications over extended periods of time using batch processing mode operating environments. However, today there is an increasing demand for more complex workflows that involve large fluctuations in the levels of HPC physics computational requirements during the simulations. Some of the workflow components may also require a richer set of operating system features and schedulers than normally found in a batch oriented HPC environment. This paper reports on progress toward a proof of concept design that implements a cloud framework onto BG/P and BG/Q platforms at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility. The BG/P implementation utilizes the Kittyhawk utility and the BG/Q platform uses an experimental heterogeneous FusedOS operating system environment. Both platforms use the Virtual Computing Laboratory as the cloud computing system embedded within the supercomputer. This proof of concept design allows a cloud to be configured so that it can capitalize on the specialized infrastructure capabilities of a supercomputer and the flexible cloud configurations without resorting to virtualization. Initial testing of the proof of concept system is done using the lattice QCD MILC code. These types of user reconfigurable environments have the potential to deliver experimental schedulers and operating systems within a working HPC environment for physics computations that may be different from the native OS and schedulers on production HPC supercomputers.

Catalytic asymmetric dihydroxylation of olefins with reusable OsO(4)(2-) on ion-exchangers: the scope and reactivity using various cooxidants.

PubMed

Choudary, Boyapati M; Chowdari, Naidu S; Jyothi, Karangula; Kantam, Mannepalli L

2002-05-15

Exchanger-OsO(4) catalysts are prepared by an ion-exchange technique using layered double hydroxides and quaternary ammonium salts covalently bound to resin and silica as ion-exchangers. The ion-exchangers with different characteristics and opposite ion selectivities are specially chosen to produce the best heterogeneous catalyst that can operate using the various cooxidants in the asymmetric dihydroxylation reaction. LDH-OsO(4) catalysts composed of different compositions are evaluated for the asymmetric dihydroxylation of trans-stilbene. Resin-OsO(4) and SiO(2)-OsO(4) designed to overcome the problems associated with LDH-OsO(4) indeed show consistent activity and enantioselectivity in asymmetric dihydroxylation of olefins using K(3)Fe(CN)(6) and molecular oxygen as cooxidants. Compared to the Kobayashi heterogeneous systems, resin-OsO(4) is a very efficient catalyst for the dihydroxylation of a wide variety of aromatic, aliphatic, acyclic, cyclic, mono-, di-, and trisubstituted olefins to afford chiral vicinal diols with high yields and enantioselectivities irrespective of the cooxidant used. Resin-OsO(4) is recovered quantitatively by a simple filtration and reused for a number of cycles with consistent activity. The high binding ability of the heterogeneous osmium catalyst enables the use of an equimolar ratio of ligand to osmium to give excellent enantioselectives in asymmetric dihydroxylation in contrast to the homogeneous osmium system in which excess molar quantities of the expensive chiral ligand to osmium are invariably used. The complexation of the chiral ligand (DHQD)(2)PHAL, having very large dimension, a prerequisite to obtain higher ee, is possible only with the OsO(4)(2-) located on the surface of the supports.

UNIX-based operating systems robustness evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, Yu-Ming

1996-01-01

Robust operating systems are required for reliable computing. Techniques for robustness evaluation of operating systems not only enhance the understanding of the reliability of computer systems, but also provide valuable feed- back to system designers. This thesis presents results from robustness evaluation experiments on five UNIX-based operating systems, which include Digital Equipment's OSF/l, Hewlett Packard's HP-UX, Sun Microsystems' Solaris and SunOS, and Silicon Graphics' IRIX. Three sets of experiments were performed. The methodology for evaluation tested (1) the exception handling mechanism, (2) system resource management, and (3) system capacity under high workload stress. An exception generator was used to evaluate the exception handling mechanism of the operating systems. Results included exit status of the exception generator and the system state. Resource management techniques used by individual operating systems were tested using programs designed to usurp system resources such as physical memory and process slots. Finally, the workload stress testing evaluated the effect of the workload on system performance by running a synthetic workload and recording the response time of local and remote user requests. Moderate to severe performance degradations were observed on the systems under stress.

An Evaluation Methodology for Protocol Analysis Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

Main Memory Requirement NS: Needham-Schroeder NSL: Needham-Schroeder-Lowe OCaml : Objective Caml POSIX: Portable Operating System...methodology is needed. A. PROTOCOL ANALYSIS FIELD As with any field, there is a specialized language used within the protocol analysis community. Figure...ProVerif requires that Objective Caml ( OCaml ) be installed on the system, OCaml version 3.09.3 was installed. C. WINDOWS CONFIGURATION OS

Open Radio Communications Architecture Core Framework V1.1.0 Volume 1 Software Users Manual

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-02-01

on a PC utilizing the KDE desktop that comes with Red Hat Linux . The default desktop for most Red Hat Linux installations is the GNOME desktop. The...SCA) v2.2. The software was designed for a desktop computer running the Linux operating system (OS). It was developed in C++, uses ACE/TAO for CORBA...middleware, Xerces for the XML parser, and Red Hat Linux for the Operating System. The software is referred to as, Open Radio Communication

Microcomputer Decisions for the 1990s [and] Apple's Macintosh: A Viable Choice.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grosch, Audrey N.

1989-01-01

Discussion of the factors that should be considered when purchasing or upgrading a microcomputer focuses on the MS-DOS and OS/2 operating systems. Macintosh purchasing decisions are discussed in a sidebar. A glossary is provided. (CLB)

WASP8 Download

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

All of the WASP Installers are listed below. There is a 64 Bit Windows Installer, 64 Bit Mac OS X (Yosemite or Higher), 64 Bit Linux (Built on Ubuntu). You will need to have knowledge on how to install software on your target operating system.

An OS9-UNIX data acquisition system with ECL readout

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziem, P.; Beschorner, C.; Bohne, W.; Drescher, B.; Friese, T.; Kiehne, T.; Kluge, Ch.

1996-02-01

A new data acquisition system has been developed at the Hahn-Meitner-Institut to handle almost 550 parameters of nuclear physics experiments. The system combines a UNIX host running a portable data buffer router and a VME front-end based on the OS9 real time operating system. Different kinds of pulse analyzers are located in several CAMAC crates which are controlled by the VME system via a VICbus connection. Data readout is performed by means of an ECL daisy chain. Besides controlling CAMAC the main purpose of the VME front-end is event data formatting and histogramming. Using TCP/IP services, the UNIX host receives formatted data packages for data storage and display. During a beam time at the antiproton accelerator LEAR/CERN, the PS208 experiment has accumulated about 100 Gbyte of event data [2

An OS9-UNIX data acquisition system with ECL readout

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

Ziem, P.; Beschorner, C.; Bohne, W.

1996-02-01

A new data acquisition system has been developed at the Hahn-Meitner-Institut to handle almost 550 parameters of nuclear physics experiments. The system combines a UNIX host running a portable data buffer router and a VME front-end based on the OS9 real time operating system. Different kinds of pulse analyzers are located in several CAMAC crates which are controlled by the VME system via a VICbus connection. Data readout is performed by means of an ECL daisy chain. Besides controlling CAMAC the main purpose of the VME front-end is event data formatting and histogramming. Using TCP/IP services, the UNIX host receivesmore » formatted data packages for data storage and display. During a beam time at the antiproton accelerator LEAR/CERN, the PS208 experiment has accumulated about 100 Gbyte of event data.« less

Digital interface of electronic transformers based on embedded system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, Qiufeng; Qi, Yincheng

2008-10-01

Benefited from digital interface of electronic transformers, information sharing and system integration in substation can be realized. An embedded system-based digital output scheme of electronic transformers is proposed. The digital interface is designed with S3C44B0X 32bit RISC microprocessor as the hardware platform. The μCLinux operation system (OS) is transplanted on ARM7 (S3C44B0X). Applying Ethernet technology as the communication mode in the substation automation system is a new trend. The network interface chip RTL8019AS is adopted. Data transmission is realized through the in-line TCP/IP protocol of uClinux embedded OS. The application result and character analysis show that the design can meet the real-time and reliability requirements of IEC60044-7/8 electronic voltage/current instrument transformer standards.

Why not make a PC cluster of your own? 5. AppleSeed: A Parallel Macintosh Cluster for Scientific Computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decyk, Viktor K.; Dauger, Dean E.

We have constructed a parallel cluster consisting of Apple Macintosh G4 computers running both Classic Mac OS as well as the Unix-based Mac OS X, and have achieved very good performance on numerically intensive, parallel plasma particle-in-cell simulations. Unlike other Unix-based clusters, no special expertise in operating systems is required to build and run the cluster. This enables us to move parallel computing from the realm of experts to the mainstream of computing.

Agile and Adaptive IT Ecosystem, Results, Outlook, and Recommendations

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

http://netbeans.dzone.com/news/war-fighter- netbeans -platform 5 http://www.afei.org/events/4A07/Documents/1-DI2E%20Brochure%20ISA_10APR13.pdf 6...Client ( NetBeans ), and OSGI bundles (Karafe). DoD systems also use both the Android and iOS mobile operating systems. Each technology has a specific

HARE: Final Report

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

Mckie, Jim

2012-01-09

This report documents the results of work done over a 6 year period under the FAST-OS programs. The first effort was called Right-Weight Kernels, (RWK) and was concerned with improving measurements of OS noise so it could be treated quantitatively; and evaluating the use of two operating systems, Linux and Plan 9, on HPC systems and determining how these operating systems needed to be extended or changed for HPC, while still retaining their general-purpose nature. The second program, HARE, explored the creation of alternative runtime models, building on RWK. All of the HARE work was done on Plan 9. Themore » HARE researchers were mindful of the very good Linux and LWK work being done at other labs and saw no need to recreate it. Even given this limited funding, the two efforts had outsized impact: _ Helped Cray decide to use Linux, instead of a custom kernel, and provided the tools needed to make Linux perform well _ Created a successor operating system to Plan 9, NIX, which has been taken in by Bell Labs for further development _ Created a standard system measurement tool, Fixed Time Quantum or FTQ, which is widely used for measuring operating systems impact on applications _ Spurred the use of the 9p protocol in several organizations, including IBM _ Built software in use at many companies, including IBM, Cray, and Google _ Spurred the creation of alternative runtimes for use on HPC systems _ Demonstrated that, with proper modifications, a general purpose operating systems can provide communications up to 3 times as effective as user-level libraries Open source was a key part of this work. The code developed for this project is in wide use and available at many places. The core Blue Gene code is available at https://bitbucket.org/ericvh/hare. We describe details of these impacts in the following sections. The rest of this report is organized as follows: First, we describe commercial impact; next, we describe the FTQ benchmark and its impact in more detail; operating systems and runtime research follows; we discuss infrastructure software; and close with a description of the new NIX operating system, future work, and conclusions.« less

Mobile Device Management

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

password policies (or smart card authentication), disabling compo- nents of the operating system that were deemed unsafe, allowing users to only install...written nearly 100 applications for the iOS and Android platforms with over 1,500,000 downloads on iTunes and Google Play. CPT Braunstein is a

Interfacing the Experimenter to the Computer: Languages for Psychologists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, Ronald W.; And Others

1975-01-01

An examination and comparison of the computer languages which behavioral scientists are most likely to use: SCAT, INTERACT, SKED, OS/8 Fortran IV, RT11/Fortran, RSX-11M, Data General's Real-Time; Disk Operating System and its Fortran, and interpretative Languages. (EH)

VISIR: technological infrastructure of an operational service for safe and efficient navigation in the Mediterranean Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mannarini, Gianandrea; Turrisi, Giuseppe; D'Anca, Alessandro; Scalas, Mario; Pinardi, Nadia; Coppini, Giovanni; Palermo, Francesco; Carluccio, Ivano; Scuro, Matteo; Cretì, Sergio; Lecci, Rita; Nassisi, Paola; Tedesco, Luca

2016-08-01

VISIR (discoVerIng Safe and effIcient Routes) is an operational decision support system (DSS) for optimal ship routing designed and implemented in the frame of the TESSA (TEchnology for Situational Sea Awareness) project. The system is aimed to increase safety and efficiency of navigation through the use of forecast environmental fields and route optimization. VISIR can be accessed through a web interface (www.visir-nav.com) and mobile applications for both iOS and Android devices. This paper focuses on the technological infrastructure developed for operating VISIR as a DSS. Its main components are described, the performance of the operational system is assessed through experimental measurements, and a few case studies are presented.

Implementing Audio Digital Feedback Loop Using the National Instruments RIO System

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

Huang, G.; Byrd, J. M.

2006-11-20

Development of system for high precision RF distribution and laser synchronization at Berkeley Lab has been ongoing for several years. Successful operation of these systems requires multiple audio bandwidth feedback loops running at relatively high gains. Stable operation of the feedback loops requires careful design of the feedback transfer function. To allow for flexible and compact implementation, we have developed digital feedback loops on the National Instruments Reconfigurable Input/Output (RIO) platform. This platform uses an FPGA and multiple I/Os that can provide eight parallel channels running different filters. We present the design and preliminary experimental results of this system.

Small Interactive Image Processing System (SMIPS) system description

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moik, J. G.

1973-01-01

The Small Interactive Image Processing System (SMIPS) operates under control of the IBM-OS/MVT operating system and uses an IBM-2250 model 1 display unit as interactive graphic device. The input language in the form of character strings or attentions from keys and light pen is interpreted and causes processing of built-in image processing functions as well as execution of a variable number of application programs kept on a private disk file. A description of design considerations is given and characteristics, structure and logic flow of SMIPS are summarized. Data management and graphic programming techniques used for the interactive manipulation and display of digital pictures are also discussed.

Mobile Geospatial Information Systems for Land Force Operations: Analysis of Operational Needs and Research Opportunities

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

Dynamics Itronix Duo-Touch II SmartPhones 1. Apple iPhone 2. Blackberry Smartphone 3. Cassiopeia E-105 4. Hewlett Packard (HP) iPAQ 910 Smartphone...Mobile GIS Page 2-39 Blackberry Smartphone Housekeeping Functions (internal device functionality, status, and security) 1 Maintain awareness of...sensor status and alarms SW (comments) 2 Plan storage SW 3 Development Environment Blackberry OS Can additional programmable

Deployment of 802.15.4 Sensor Networks for C4ISR Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-01

43 Figure 20.MSP410CA Dense Grid Monitoring (Crossbow User’s Manual, 2005). ....................................44 Figure 21.(a)MICA2 without...Deployment of Sensor Grid (COASTS OPORD, 2006). ...56 Figure 27.Topology View of Two Nodes and Base Station .......57 Figure 28.Nodes Employing Multi...Random Access Memory TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol TinyOS Tiny Micro Threading Operating System UARTs Universal

Smartphone Applications for the Clinical Oncologist in UK Practice.

PubMed

Rozati, Hamoun; Shah, Sonya Pratik; Shah, Neha

2015-06-01

A number of medical smartphone applications have been developed to assist clinical oncology specialists. Concerns have arisen that the information provided may not be under sufficient scrutiny. This study aims to analyse the current applications available for clinical oncologists in the UK. Applications aimed specifically at physician clinical oncologists were searched for on the major smartphone operating systems: Apple iOS; Google Android; Microsoft Windows OS; and Blackberry OS. All applications were installed and analysed. The applications were scrutinised to assess the following information: cost; whether the information included was referenced; when the information was last updated; and whether they made any reference to UK guidelines. A novel rating score based on these criteria was applied to each application. Fifty applications were identified: 24 for Apple's iOS; 23 for Google's Android; 2 for Blackberry OS; and 1 for Windows OS. The categories of applications available were: drug reference; journal reference; learning; clinical calculators; decision support; guidelines; and dictionaries. Journal reference and guideline applications scored highly on our rating system. Drug reference application costs were prohibitive. Learning tools were poorly referenced and not up-to-date. Smartphones provide easy access to information. There are numerous applications devoted to oncology physicians, many of which are free and contain referenced, up-to-date data. The cost and quality of drug reference and learning applications have significant scope for improvement. A regulatory body is needed to ensure the presence of peer-reviewed, validated applications to ensure their reliability.

CIP Training Manual: Collaborative Information Portal Advance Training Information for Field Test Participants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schreiner, John; Clancy, Daniel (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The Collaborative Information Portal (CIP) is a web-based information management and retrieval system. Its purpose is to provide users at MER (Mars Exploration Rover) mission operations with easy access to a broad range of mission data and products and contextual information such as the current operations schedule. The CIP web-server provides this content in a user customizable web-portal environment. Since CIP is still under development, only a subset of the full feature set will be available for the EDO field test. The CIP web-portal will be accessed through a standard web browser. CIP is intended to be intuitive and simple to use, however, at the training session, users will receive a one to two page reference guide, which should aid them in using CIP. Users must provide their own computers for accessing CIP during the field test. These computers should be configured with Java 1.3 and a Java 2 enabled browser. Macintosh computers should be running OS 10.1.3 or later. Classic Mac OS (OS 9) is not supported. For more information please read section 7.3 in the FIASCO Rover Science Operations Test Mission Plan. Several screen shots of the Beta Release of CIP are shown on the following pages.

Evaluating the addition of oxaliplatin to single agent fluoropyrimidine in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Thavaneswaran, Subotheni; Kok, Peey Sei; Price, Timothy

2017-10-01

Multimodality treatment of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has significantly improved local disease control, however the unaltered overall survival (OS) implicates an inability to further control micrometastases, providing rationale for intensified systemic treatment. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of adding oxaliplatin to a fluoropyrimidine (intervention) compared with fluoropyrimidine alone (control) in the treatment of LARC. We searched CENTRAL, Medline Ovid, PubMed and EMBASE databases. Randomised trials comparing the intervention and control delivered either pre- or post-operatively were included. Seven trials involving 4444 patients were identified; five studies evaluated the intervention vs control preoperatively; one study peri-operatively; and one, post-operatively. There was no significant difference in OS with oxaliplatin addition, HR 0.89, 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.06. There was however an improvement in disease free survival, 3-year local and distant recurrence rates (RR) favouring oxaliplatin. Preoperative oxaliplatin improved pathological complete response (pCR), but with a greater toxicity and reduced compliance with radiation. There is no OS benefit with oxaliplatin, despite improved pCR, local and distant RR. Before drawing definitive conclusions, longer follow-up in included trials and availability of published data from other eligible studies, including the induction setting, are needed.

Mind Operational Semantics and Brain Operational Architectonics: A Putative Correspondence

PubMed Central

Benedetti, Giulio; Marchetti, Giorgio; Fingelkurts, Alexander A; Fingelkurts, Andrew A

2010-01-01

Despite allowing for the unprecedented visualization of brain functional activity, modern neurobiological techniques have not yet been able to provide satisfactory answers to important questions about the relationship between brain and mind. The aim of this paper is to show how two different but complementary approaches, Mind Operational Semantics (OS) and Brain Operational Architectonics (OA), can help bridge the gap between a specific kind of mental activity—the higher-order reflective thought or linguistic thought—and brain. The fundamental notion that allows the two different approaches to be jointly used under a common framework is that of operation. According to OS, which is based on introspection and linguistic data, the meanings of words can be analyzed in terms of elemental mental operations (EOMC), amongst which those of attention play a key role. Linguistic thought is made possible by special kinds of elements, which OS calls “correlators”, which have the function of tying together the other elements of thought, which OS calls “correlata” (a "correlational network” that is, a sentence, is so formed). Therefore, OS conceives of linguistic thought as a hierarchy of operations of increasing complexity. Likewise, according to OA, which is based on the joint analysis of cognitive and electromagnetic data (EEG and MEG), every conscious phenomenon is brought to existence by the joint operations of many functional and transient neuronal assemblies in the brain. According to OA, the functioning of the brain is always operational (made up of operations), and its structure is characterized by a hierarchy of operations of increasing complexity: single neurons, single assemblies of neurons, synchronized neuronal assemblies or Operational Modules (OM), integrated or complex OMs. The authors put forward the hypothesis that the whole level of OS’s description (EOMC, correlators, and correlational networks) corresponds to the level of OMs (or set of them) of different complexity within OA’s theory: EOMC could correspond to simple OMs, correlators to complex OMs and the correlational network to a set of simple and complex OMs. Finally, a set of experiments is proposed to verify the putative correspondence between OS and OA and prove the existence of an integrated continuum between brain and mind. PMID:21113277

A New Data Collection System for Ionospheric Modelling and Related Topics

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-15

Fluctuations of sgn, I strengt g d t1sr are cftcn os.;erved :,t utF frequencies in r ,:’i:- a t-e cayn r at r af’rer sunset. Marke d seasom c dependenc es in...Unfortunately there are few choices for real-time operating systems for PCs. The common alternate operating environments such as DeskView, MS Windows or...of the analog I/O and DMA support functions supplied by MetraByte. The processing module is where all the action is. After receiving a full data buffer

Device 2F112 (F-14A WST (Weapon System Trainers)) Instructor Console Review.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

Cockpit Section-Trainee Station, b. Instructor Operator Station (OS), c. Computer System, d. Wide-Angle Visual System (WAVS), e. Auxiliary Systems. The...relationship of the three stations can be seen in Figure 1. The stations will be reviewed in greater detail in following sections. Fhe computer system...d) Printer 2) TRAINEE AREA 3) HYDRAULIC POWFR ROOM 4) ELEC. POWER/AIR COMPRESSORS 5) COMPUTER /PERIPHERAL AREA Figure 1. Device 2FI12 general layout

Educational Technology: Transitioning from Business Continuity to Mission Continuity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mekdeci, Kelly Broyles

2011-01-01

United States schools and American Overseas (A/OS) schools depend upon educational technology (ET) to support business operations and student learning experiences. Schools rely upon administrative software, on-line course modules, information databases, digital communications systems, and many other ET processes. However, ET's fragility compared…

Implementing a High-Assurance Smart-Card OS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karger, Paul A.; Toll, David C.; Palmer, Elaine R.; McIntosh, Suzanne K.; Weber, Samuel; Edwards, Jonathan W.

Building a high-assurance, secure operating system for memory constrained systems, such as smart cards, introduces many challenges. The increasing power of smart cards has made their use feasible in applications such as electronic passports, military and public sector identification cards, and cell-phone based financial and entertainment applications. Such applications require a secure environment, which can only be provided with sufficient hardware and a secure operating system. We argue that smart cards pose additional security challenges when compared to traditional computer platforms. We discuss our design for a secure smart card operating system, named Caernarvon, and show that it addresses these challenges, which include secure application download, protection of cryptographic functions from malicious applications, resolution of covert channels, and assurance of both security and data integrity in the face of arbitrary power losses.

Advanced Operating System Technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cittolin, Sergio; Riccardi, Fabio; Vascotto, Sandro

In this paper we describe an R&D effort to define an OS architecture suitable for the requirements of the Data Acquisition and Control of an LHC experiment. Large distributed computing systems are foreseen to be the core part of the DAQ and Control system of the future LHC experiments. Neworks of thousands of processors, handling dataflows of several gigaBytes per second, with very strict timing constraints (microseconds), will become a common experience in the following years. Problems like distributyed scheduling, real-time communication protocols, failure-tolerance, distributed monitoring and debugging will have to be faced. A solid software infrastructure will be required to manage this very complicared environment, and at this moment neither CERN has the necessary expertise to build it, nor any similar commercial implementation exists. Fortunately these problems are not unique to the particle and high energy physics experiments, and the current research work in the distributed systems field, especially in the distributed operating systems area, is trying to address many of the above mentioned issues. The world that we are going to face in the next ten years will be quite different and surely much more interconnected than the one we see now. Very ambitious projects exist, planning to link towns, nations and the world in a single "Data Highway". Teleconferencing, Video on Demend, Distributed Multimedia Applications are just a few examples of the very demanding tasks to which the computer industry is committing itself. This projects are triggering a great research effort in the distributed, real-time micro-kernel based operating systems field and in the software enginering areas. The purpose of our group is to collect the outcame of these different research efforts, and to establish a working environment where the different ideas and techniques can be tested, evaluated and possibly extended, to address the requirements of a DAQ and Control System suitable for LHC. Our work started in the second half of 1994, with a research agreement between CERN and Chorus Systemes (France), world leader in the micro-kernel OS technology. The Chorus OS is targeted to distributed real-time applications, and it can very efficiently support different "OS personalities" in the same environment, like Posix, UNIX, and a CORBA compliant distributed object architecture. Projects are being set-up to verify the suitability of our work for LHC applications, we are building a scaled-down prototype of the DAQ system foreseen for the CMS experiment at LHC, where we will directly test our protocols and where we will be able to make measurements and benchmarks, guiding our development and allowing us to build an analytical model of the system, suitable for simulation and large scale verification.

Enhanced sensitivity for Os isotope ratios by magnetic sector ICP-MS with a capacitive decoupling Pt guard electrode.

PubMed

Townsend, A T

2000-08-01

A magnetic sector ICP-MS with enhanced sensitivity was used to measure Os isotope ratios in solutions of low Os concentration (approximately 1 ng g(-1) or less). Ratios with 192Os as the basis were determined, while the geologically useful 187Os/188Os ratio was also measured. Sample introduction was via the traditional nebuliser-spray chamber method. A capacitive decoupling Pt shield torch was developed "in-house" and was found to increase Os signals by approximately 5 x under "moderate" plasma conditions (1050 W) over that found during normal operation (1250 W). Sensitivity using the guard electrode for 192Os was approximately 250-350,000 counts s(-1) per ng g(-1) Os. For a I ng g(-1) Os solution with no guard electrode, precisions of the order of 0.2-0.3% (189Os/192Os and 190Os/192Os) to approximately 1% or greater (186Os/192Os, 187Os/192Os and 187Os/188Os) were found (values as 1 sigma for n = 10). With the guard electrode in use, ratio precisions were found to improve to 0.2 to 0.8%. The total amount of Os used in the acquisition of this data was approximately 2.5 ng per measurement per replicate. At the higher concentration of 10 ng g(-1), precisions of the order of 0.15-0.3% were measured (for all ratios), irrespective of whether the shield torch was used. Ratio accuracy was confirmed by comparison with independently obtained NTIMS data. For both Os concentrations considered, the improvement in precision offered by the guard electrode (if any) was small in comparison to calculated theoretical values based on Poisson counting statistics, suggesting noise contributions from other sources (such as the sample introduction system, plasma flicker etc). At lower Os concentrations (to 100 pg g(-1)) no appreciable loss of ratio accuracy was observed, although as expected based on counting statistics, poorer precisions of the order of 0.45-3% (1 sigma, n = 5) were noted. Re was found to have a detrimental effect on the precision of Os ratios involving 187Os, indicating that separation of Re and Os samples is a necessary pre-requisite for highly accurate and precise Os isotope ratio measurements.

Application-Defined Decentralized Access Control

PubMed Central

Xu, Yuanzhong; Dunn, Alan M.; Hofmann, Owen S.; Lee, Michael Z.; Mehdi, Syed Akbar; Witchel, Emmett

2014-01-01

DCAC is a practical OS-level access control system that supports application-defined principals. It allows normal users to perform administrative operations within their privilege, enabling isolation and privilege separation for applications. It does not require centralized policy specification or management, giving applications freedom to manage their principals while the policies are still enforced by the OS. DCAC uses hierarchically-named attributes as a generic framework for user-defined policies such as groups defined by normal users. For both local and networked file systems, its execution time overhead is between 0%–9% on file system microbenchmarks, and under 1% on applications. This paper shows the design and implementation of DCAC, as well as several real-world use cases, including sandboxing applications, enforcing server applications’ security policies, supporting NFS, and authenticating user-defined sub-principals in SSH, all with minimal code changes. PMID:25426493

Inflammation scores predict survival for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients after transarterial chemoembolization

PubMed Central

Zhou, Dong-Sheng; Xu, Li; Luo, Yao-Ling; He, Feng-Ying; Huang, Jun-Ting; Zhang, Yao-Jun; Chen, Min-Shan

2015-01-01

AIM: To compare the prognostic ability of inflammation scores for patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: Data of 224 consecutive patients who underwent TACE for unresectable HBV-related HCC from September 2009 to November 2011 were retrieved from a prospective database. The association of inflammation scores with clinicopathologic variables and overall survival (OS) were analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the discriminatory ability of each inflammation score and staging system, including tumor-node-metastasis, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer, and Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) scores. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 390 d, the one-, two-, and three-year OS were 38.4%, 18.3%, and 11.1%, respectively, and the median OS was 390 d. The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), modifed GPS, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and Prognostic Index were associated with OS. The GPS consistently had a higher AUC value at 6 mo (0.702), 12 mo (0.676), and 24 mo (0.687) in comparison with other inflammation scores. CLIP consistently had a higher AUC value at 6 mo (0.656), 12 mo (0.711), and 24 mo (0.721) in comparison with tumor-node-metastasis and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging systems. Multivariate analysis revealed that alanine aminotransferase, GPS, and CLIP were independent prognostic factors for OS. The combination of GPS and CLIP (AUC = 0.777) was superior to CLIP or GPS alone in prognostic ability for OS. CONCLUSION: The prognostic ability of GPS is superior to other inflammation scores for HCC patients undergoing TACE. Combining GPS and CLIP improved the prognostic power for OS. PMID:25987783

Surgical resection of synchronously metastatic adrenocortical cancer.

PubMed

Dy, Benzon M; Strajina, Veljko; Cayo, Ashley K; Richards, Melanie L; Farley, David R; Grant, Clive S; Harmsen, William S; Evans, Doug B; Grubbs, Elizabeth G; Bible, Keith C; Young, William F; Perrier, Nancy D; Que, Florencia G; Nagorney, David M; Lee, Jeffrey E; Thompson, Geoffrey B

2015-01-01

Metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is rapidly fatal, with few options for treatment. Patients with metachronous recurrence may benefit from surgical resection. The survival benefit in patients with hematogenous metastasis at initial presentation is unknown. A review of all patients undergoing surgery (European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors) stage IV ACC between January 2000 and December 2012 from two referral centers was performed. Kaplan-Meier estimates were analyzed for disease-free and overall survival (OS). We identified 27 patients undergoing surgery for stage IV ACC. Metastases were present in the lung (19), liver (11), and brain (1). A complete resection (R0) was achieved in 11 patients. The median OS was improved in patients undergoing R0 versus R2 resection (860 vs. 390 days; p = 0.02). The 1- and 2-year OS was also improved in patients undergoing R0 versus R2 resection (69.9 %, 46.9 % vs. 53.0 %, 22.1 %; p = 0.02). Patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy (eight patients) had a trend towards improved survival at 1, 2, and 5 years versus no neoadjuvant therapy (18 patients) [83.3 %, 62.5 %, 41.7 % vs. 56.8 %, 26.6 %, 8.9 %; p = 0.1]. Adjuvant therapy was associated with improved recurrence-free survival at 6 months and 1 year (67 %, 33 % vs. 40 %, 20 %; p = 0.04) but not improved OS (p = 0.63). Sex (p = 0.13), age (p = 0.95), and location of metastasis (lung, p = 0.51; liver, p = 0.67) did not correlate with OS after operative intervention. Symptoms of hormonal excess improved in 86 % of patients. Operative intervention, especially when an R0 resection can be achieved, following systemic therapy may improve outcomes, including OS, in select patients with stage IV ACC. Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be of use in defining which patients may benefit from surgical intervention. Adjuvant therapy was associated with decreased recurrence but did not improve OS.

Server-Based and Server-Less Byod Solutions to Support Electronic Learning

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

Knowledge Online NSD National Security Directive OS operating system OWA Outlook Web Access PC personal computer PED personal electronic device PDA...mobile devices, institute mobile device policies and standards, and promote the development and use of DOD mobile and web -enabled applications” (DOD...with an isolated BYOD web server, properly educated system administrators must carry out and execute the necessary, pre-defined network security

MultiSpec—a tool for multispectral hyperspectral image data analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biehl, Larry; Landgrebe, David

2002-12-01

MultiSpec is a multispectral image data analysis software application. It is intended to provide a fast, easy-to-use means for analysis of multispectral image data, such as that from the Landsat, SPOT, MODIS or IKONOS series of Earth observational satellites, hyperspectral data such as that from the Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and EO-1 Hyperion satellite system or the data that will be produced by the next generation of Earth observational sensors. The primary purpose for the system was to make new, otherwise complex analysis tools available to the general Earth science community. It has also found use in displaying and analyzing many other types of non-space related digital imagery, such as medical image data and in K-12 and university level educational activities. MultiSpec has been implemented for both the Apple Macintosh ® and Microsoft Windows ® operating systems (OS). The effort was first begun on the Macintosh OS in 1988. The GLOBE ( http://www.globe.gov) program supported the development of a subset of MultiSpec for the Windows OS in 1995. Since then most (but not all) of the features in the Macintosh OS version have been ported to the Windows OS version. Although copyrighted, MultiSpec with its documentation is distributed without charge. The Macintosh and Windows versions and documentation on its use are available from the World Wide Web at URL: http://dynamo.ecn.purdue.edu/˜biehl/MultiSpec/ MultiSpec is copyrighted (1991-2001) by Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.

THE SOUTHERN ARGENTINA AGILE METEOR RADAR ORBITAL SYSTEM (SAAMER-OS): AN INITIAL SPORADIC METEOROID ORBITAL SURVEY IN THE SOUTHERN SKY

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

Janches, D.; Swarnalingam, N.; Close, S.

2015-08-10

We present an initial survey in the southern sky of the sporadic meteoroid orbital environment obtained with the Southern Argentina Agile MEteor Radar (SAAMER) Orbital System (OS), in which over three-quarters of a million orbits of dust particles were determined from 2012 January through 2015 April. SAAMER-OS is located at the southernmost tip of Argentina and is currently the only operational radar with orbit determination capability providing continuous observations of the southern hemisphere. Distributions of the observed meteoroid speed, radiant, and heliocentric orbital parameters are presented, as well as those corrected by the observational biases associated with the SAAMER-OS operatingmore » parameters. The results are compared with those reported by three previous surveys performed with the Harvard Radio Meteor Project, the Advanced Meteor Orbit Radar, and the Canadian Meteor Orbit Radar, and they are in agreement with these previous studies. Weighted distributions for meteoroids above the thresholds for meteor trail electron line density, meteoroid mass, and meteoroid kinetic energy are also considered. Finally, the minimum line density and kinetic energy weighting factors are found to be very suitable for meteroid applications. The outcomes of this work show that, given SAAMER’s location, the system is ideal for providing crucial data to continuously study the South Toroidal and South Apex sporadic meteoroid apparent sources.« less

Comparative health technology assessment of robotic-assisted, direct manual laparoscopic and open surgery: a prospective study.

PubMed

Turchetti, Giuseppe; Pierotti, Francesca; Palla, Ilaria; Manetti, Stefania; Freschi, Cinzia; Ferrari, Vincenzo; Cuschieri, Alfred

2017-02-01

Despite many publications reporting on the increased hospital cost of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) compared to direct manual laparoscopic surgery (DMLS) and open surgery (OS), the reported health economic studies lack details on clinical outcome, precluding valid health technology assessment (HTA). The present prospective study reports total cost analysis on 699 patients undergoing general surgical, gynecological and thoracic operations between 2011 and 2014 in the Italian Public Health Service, during which period eight major teaching hospitals treated the patients. The study compared total healthcare costs of RAS, DMLS and OS based on prospectively collected data on patient outcome in addition to healthcare costs incurred by the three approaches. The cost of RAS operations was significantly higher than that of OS and DMLS for both gynecological and thoracic operations (p < 0.001). The study showed no significant difference in total costs between OS and DMLS. Total costs of general surgery RAS were significantly higher than those of OS (p < 0.001), but not against DMLS general surgery. Indirect costs were significantly lower in RAS compared to both DMLS general surgery and OS gynecological surgery due to the shorter length of hospital stay of RAS approach (p < 0.001). Additionally, in all specialties compared to OS, patients treated by RAS experienced a quicker recovery and significantly less pain during the hospitalization and after discharge. The present HTA while confirming higher total healthcare costs for RAS operations identified significant clinical benefits which may justify the increased expenditure incurred by this approach.

Proactive Fault Tolerance for HPC with Xen Virtualization

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

Nagarajan, Arun Babu; Mueller, Frank; Engelmann, Christian

2007-01-01

with thousands of processors. At such large counts of compute nodes, faults are becoming common place. Current techniques to tolerate faults focus on reactive schemes to recover from faults and generally rely on a checkpoint/restart mechanism. Yet, in today's systems, node failures can often be anticipated by detecting a deteriorating health status. Instead of a reactive scheme for fault tolerance (FT), we are promoting a proactive one where processes automatically migrate from “unhealthy” nodes to healthy ones. Our approach relies on operating system virtualization techniques exemplied by but not limited to Xen. This paper contributes an automatic and transparent mechanismmore » for proactive FT for arbitrary MPI applications. It leverages virtualization techniques combined with health monitoring and load-based migration. We exploit Xen's live migration mechanism for a guest operating system (OS) to migrate an MPI task from a health-deteriorating node to a healthy one without stopping the MPI task during most of the migration. Our proactive FT daemon orchestrates the tasks of health monitoring, load determination and initiation of guest OS migration. Experimental results demonstrate that live migration hides migration costs and limits the overhead to only a few seconds making it an attractive approach to realize FT in HPC systems. Overall, our enhancements make proactive FT a valuable asset for long-running MPI application that is complementary to reactive FT using full checkpoint/ restart schemes since checkpoint frequencies can be reduced as fewer unanticipated failures are encountered. In the context of OS virtualization, we believe that this is the rst comprehensive study of proactive fault tolerance where live migration is actually triggered by health monitoring.« less

CompactPCI/Linux Platform in FTU Slow Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iannone, F.; Wang, L.; Centioli, C.; Panella, M.; Mazza, G.; Vitale, V.

2004-12-01

In large fusion experiments, such as tokamak devices, there is a common trend for slow control systems. Because of complexity of the plants, the so-called `Standard Model' (SM) in slow control has been adopted on several tokamak machines. This model is based on a three-level hierarchical control: 1) High-Level Control (HLC) with a supervisory function; 2) Medium-Level Control (MLC) to interface and concentrate I/O field equipments; 3) Low-Level Control (LLC) with hard real-time I/O function, often managed by PLCs. FTU control system designed with SM concepts has underwent several stages of developments in its fifteen years duration of runs. The latest evolution was inevitable, due to the obsolescence of the MLC CPUs, based on VME-MOTOROLA 68030 with OS9 operating system. A large amount of C code was developed for that platform to route the data flow from LLC, which is constituted by 24 Westinghouse Numalogic PC-700 PLCs with about 8000 field-points, to HLC, based on a commercial Object-Oriented Real-Time database on Alpha/CompaqTru64 platform. Therefore, we have to look for cost-effective solutions and finally a CompactPCI-Intel x86 platform with Linux operating system was chosen. A software porting has been done, taking into account the differences between OS9 and Linux operating system in terms of Inter/Network Processes Communications and I/O multi-ports serial driver. This paper describes the hardware/software architecture of the new MLC system, emphasizing the reliability and the low costs of the open source solutions. Moreover, a huge amount of software packages available in open source environment will assure a less painful maintenance, and will open the way to further improvements of the system itself.

Addressing software security and mitigations in the life cycle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilliam, David; Powell, John; Haugh, Eric; Bishop, Matt

2003-01-01

Traditionally, security is viewed as an organizational and Information Technology (IIJ systems function comprising of Firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), system security settings and patches to the operating system (OS) and applications running on it. Until recently, little thought has been given to the importance of security as a formal approach in the software life cycle. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has approached the problem through the development of an integrated formal Software Security Assessment Instrument (SSAI) with six foci for the software life cycle.

Addressing software security and mitigations in the life cycle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilliam, David; Powell, John; Haugh, Eric; Bishop, Matt

2004-01-01

Traditionally, security is viewed as an organizational and Information Technology (IT) systems function comprising of firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), system security settings and patches to the operating system (OS) and applications running on it. Until recently, little thought has been given to the importance of security as a formal approach in the software life cycle. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has approached the problem through the development of an integrated formal Software Security Assessment Instrument (SSAI) with six foci for the software life cycle.

Hard Hitters!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dupont, Stephen

2000-01-01

Presents a selection of computers and peripherals designed to enhance the classroom. They include personal digital assistants (the AlphaSmart 30001R, CalcuScribe Duo, and DreamWriter IT); new Apple products (the iBook laptop, improved iMac, and OS 9 operating system); PC options (new Gateway and Compaq computers); and gadgets (imagiLab, the QX3…

eHealth Technologies as an intervention to improve adherence to topical antipsoriatics: a systematic review.

PubMed

Svendsen, Mathias Tiedemann; Andersen, Flemming; Andersen, Klaus Ejner

2018-03-01

Topical antipsoriatics are recommended first-line treatment of psoriasis, but rates of adherence are low. Patient support by use of electronic health (eHealth) services is suggested to improve medical adherence. To review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) testing eHealth interventions designed to improve adherence to topical antipsoriatics and to review applications for smartphones (apps) incorporating the word psoriasis. Literature review: Medline, Embase, Cochrane, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched using search terms for eHealth, psoriasis and topical antipsoriatics. General analysis of apps: The operating systems (OS) for smartphones, iOS, Google Play, Microsoft Store, Symbian OS and Blackberry OS were searched for apps containing the word psoriasis. Literature review: Only one RCT was included, reporting on psoriasis patients' Internet reporting their status of psoriasis over a 12-month period. The rate of adherence was measured by Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS ® ). An improvement in medical adherence and reduction of severity of psoriasis were reported. General analysis of apps: A total 184 apps contained the word psoriasis. There is a critical need for high-quality RCTs testing if the ubiquitous eHealth technologies, for example, some of the numerous apps, can improve psoriasis patients' rates of adherence to topical antipsoriatics.

Hardware, Languages, and Architectures for Defense Against Hostile Operating Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-14

Executive Service Directorate (0704-0188). Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to...in privileged system services . ExpressOS requires only a modest annotation burden (annotations were about 3% of code of the kernel), modest performance...INT benchmarks . In addition to enabling the development of an architecture- neutral instrumentation framework, our approach can take advantage of the

The medium is NOT the message or Indefinitely long-term file storage at Leeds University

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holdsworth, David

1996-01-01

Approximately 3 years ago we implemented an archive file storage system which embodies experiences gained over more than 25 years of using and writing file storage systems. It is the third in-house system that we have written, and all three systems have been adopted by other institutions. This paper discusses the requirements for long-term data storage in a university environment, and describes how our present system is designed to meet these requirements indefinitely. Particular emphasis is laid on experiences from past systems, and their influence on current system design. We also look at the influence of the IEEE-MSS standard. We currently have the system operating in five UK universities. The system operates in a multi-server environment, and is currently operational with UNIX (SunOS4, Solaris2, SGI-IRIX, HP-UX), NetWare3 and NetWare4. PCs logged on to NetWare can also archive and recover files that live on their hard disks.

A Review of Lightweight Thread Approaches for High Performance Computing

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

Castello, Adrian; Pena, Antonio J.; Seo, Sangmin

High-level, directive-based solutions are becoming the programming models (PMs) of the multi/many-core architectures. Several solutions relying on operating system (OS) threads perfectly work with a moderate number of cores. However, exascale systems will spawn hundreds of thousands of threads in order to exploit their massive parallel architectures and thus conventional OS threads are too heavy for that purpose. Several lightweight thread (LWT) libraries have recently appeared offering lighter mechanisms to tackle massive concurrency. In order to examine the suitability of LWTs in high-level runtimes, we develop a set of microbenchmarks consisting of commonlyfound patterns in current parallel codes. Moreover, wemore » study the semantics offered by some LWT libraries in order to expose the similarities between different LWT application programming interfaces. This study reveals that a reduced set of LWT functions can be sufficient to cover the common parallel code patterns and that those LWT libraries perform better than OS threads-based solutions in cases where task and nested parallelism are becoming more popular with new architectures.« less

A Framework for Adaptable Operating and Runtime Systems

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

Sterling, Thomas

The emergence of new classes of HPC systems where performance improvement is enabled by Moore’s Law for technology is manifest through multi-core-based architectures including specialized GPU structures. Operating systems were originally designed for control of uniprocessor systems. By the 1980s multiprogramming, virtual memory, and network interconnection were integral services incorporated as part of most modern computers. HPC operating systems were primarily derivatives of the Unix model with Linux dominating the Top-500 list. The use of Linux for commodity clusters was first pioneered by the NASA Beowulf Project. However, the rapid increase in number of cores to achieve performance gain throughmore » technology advances has exposed the limitations of POSIX general-purpose operating systems in scaling and efficiency. This project was undertaken through the leadership of Sandia National Laboratories and in partnership of the University of New Mexico to investigate the alternative of composable lightweight kernels on scalable HPC architectures to achieve superior performance for a wide range of applications. The use of composable operating systems is intended to provide a minimalist set of services specifically required by a given application to preclude overheads and operational uncertainties (“OS noise”) that have been demonstrated to degrade efficiency and operational consistency. This project was undertaken as an exploration to investigate possible strategies and methods for composable lightweight kernel operating systems towards support for extreme scale systems.« less

BPcontrol

PubMed Central

Carrera, Adrián; Pifarré, Marc; Vilaplana, Jordi; Cuadrado, Josep; Solsona, Sara; Mateo, Jordi

2016-01-01

Summary Background Hypertension or high blood pressure is on the rise. Not only does it affect the elderly but is also increasingly spreading to younger sectors of the population. Treating this condition involves exhaustive monitoring of patients. The current mobile health services can be improved to perform this task more effectively. Objective To develop a useful, user-friendly, robust and efficient app, to monitor hypertensive patients and adapted to the particular requirements of hypertension. Methods This work presents BPcontrol, an Android and iOS app that allows hypertensive patients to communicate with their health-care centers, thus facilitating monitoring and diagnosis. Usability, robustness and efficiency factors for BPcontrol were evaluated for different devices and operating systems (Android, iOS and system-aware). Furthermore, its features were compared with other similar apps in the literature. Results BPcontrol is robust and user-friendly. The respective start-up efficiency of the Android and iOS versions of BPcontrol were 2.4 and 8.8 times faster than a system-aware app. Similar values were obtained for the communication efficiency (7.25 and 11.75 times faster for the Android and iOS respectively). When comparing plotting performance, BPcontrol was on average 2.25 times faster in the Android case. Most of the apps in the literature have no communication with a server, thus making it impossible to compare their performance with BPcontrol. Conclusions Its optimal design and the good behavior of its facilities make BPcontrol a very promising mobile app for monitoring hypertensive patients. PMID:27924346

BPcontrol. A Mobile App to Monitor Hypertensive Patients.

PubMed

Carrera, Adrian; Pifarré, Marc; Vilaplana, Jordi; Cuadrado, Josep; Solsona, Sara; Mateo, Jordi; Solsona, Francesc

2016-12-07

Hypertension or high blood pressure is on the rise. Not only does it affect the elderly but is also increasingly spreading to younger sectors of the population. Treating this condition involves exhaustive monitoring of patients. The current mobile health services can be improved to perform this task more effectively. To develop a useful, user-friendly, robust and efficient app, to monitor hypertensive patients and adapted to the particular requirements of hypertension. This work presents BPcontrol, an Android and iOS app that allows hypertensive patients to communicate with their health-care centers, thus facilitating monitoring and diagnosis. Usability, robustness and efficiency factors for BPcontrol were evaluated for different devices and operating systems (Android, iOS and system-aware). Furthermore, its features were compared with other similar apps in the literature. BPcontrol is robust and user-friendly. The respective start-up efficiency of the Android and iOS versions of BPcontrol were 2.4 and 8.8 times faster than a system-aware app. Similar values were obtained for the communication efficiency (7.25 and 11.75 times faster for the Android and iOS respectively). When comparing plotting performance, BPcontrol was on average 2.25 times faster in the Android case. Most of the apps in the literature have no communication with a server, thus making it impossible to compare their performance with BPcontrol. Its optimal design and the good behavior of its facilities make BPcontrol a very promising mobile app for monitoring hypertensive patients.

Multi-Robot Systems in Military Domains (Les Systemes Multi-Robots Dans les Domaines Militaires)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

to allow him to react quickly to improve his personal safety , it is mandatory to shorten the current very long delay needed for the human operator to...Hard RT tasks 2 OS / API Process monitoring 3 H / API Flexible communication medium 4 H / API Networking capabilities 5 H / API Safety 6 API...also be considered between high level services and legacy systems. 4) This is the one of the basic requirement for CoRoDe. 5) Safety : CRC, Timeouts

HAL/S-360 compiler system specification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, A. E.; Newbold, P. N.; Schulenberg, C. W.; Avakian, A. E.; Varga, S.; Helmers, P. H.; Helmers, C. T., Jr.; Hotz, R. L.

1974-01-01

A three phase language compiler is described which produces IBM 360/370 compatible object modules and a set of simulation tables to aid in run time verification. A link edit step augments the standard OS linkage editor. A comprehensive run time system and library provide the HAL/S operating environment, error handling, a pseudo real time executive, and an extensive set of mathematical, conversion, I/O, and diagnostic routines. The specifications of the information flow and content for this system are also considered.

Develop and test fuel cell powered on-site integrated total energy system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Test results are given for a 5 kW stack and initial results for an integrated, grid connected system operating from methanol fuel. Site selection criteria are presented for future demonstration of a 50 or 100 kW OS/IES. Preliminary results are also given with approximate internal rates of return to the building owner. Progress in development and construction of a 50 kW modular methanol/steam reformer is reported.

Manufacturing Methods and Technology Program Plan, CY 1980.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

AD-A092 2Ii3 &RMY INDUSTRIAL BASE ENGINEERING ACTIVITY ROCK ISLAND IL FIG 1346 ..ANIJPACTRItd METH4OS AND TECNOLOGY PROGRAM PLAN. CY 1960. (U) %EP 60... innovative solutions. For example, material handling, process tools and inspection systems must be computerized to achieve the desired operating economics and...to decrease expensive direct labor; however, the new systems must also be capable of economic layaway for periods of ten years or more, a situation

Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) for Time Varying Toxic Plumes

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-12

Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway...into the EAGLE system based on a single EPA table given as a 5 x 3 array of real density values (units mg/m3). These routines share the required...and Y. Jin, (2011), Development and testing of a Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale ensemble Prediction System COAMPS- OS). Ocean Dynamics, 61, 1937

Framework for Evaluating Loop Invariant Detection Games in Relation to Automated Dynamic Invariant Detectors

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

Detectability ...............................................................................................37 Figure 20. Excel VBA Codes for Checker...National Vulnerability Database OS Operating System SQL Structured Query Language VC Verification Condition VBA Visual Basic for Applications...checks each of these assertions for detectability by Daikon. The checker is an Excel Visual Basic for Applications ( VBA ) script that checks the

Evaluation of the Applicability of HTML5 for Mobile Applications in Resource-Constrained Edge Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

iOS, Blackberry , Windows Phone) and installed directly onto the device itself. CMU/SEI-2014-TN-002 | 2 2 Background 2.1 Edge Applications We...since this research started and adoption of HTML5 is growing . There are entire operating systems currently being developed in HTML5, such as Firefox

Continued Development of Internet Protocols under the IBM OS/MVS Operating System

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-01-25

developed a prototype TCP/IP implementation for an IBM MVS host under a previous DARPA contract’ as part of the Internet research effort on the design of...participated in the DARPA Internet research program which led to the present TCP and IP protocols. Development of a prototype implementation of TCP/IP

Asbestos: Securing Untrusted Software with Interposition

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-09-01

consistent intelligible interfaces to different types of resource. Message-based operating systems, such as Accent, Amoeba, Chorus, L4 , Spring...control on self-authenticating capabilities, precluding policies that restrict delegation. L4 uses a strict hierarchy of interpositions, useful for...the OS de- sign space amenable to secure application construction. Similar effects might be possible with message-passing microkernels , or unwieldy

Data management applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Kennedy Space Center's primary institutional computer is a 4 megabyte IBM 4341 with 3.175 billion characters of IBM 3350 disc storage. This system utilizes the Software AG product known as ADABAS with the on line user oriented features of NATURAL and COMPLETE as a Data Base Management System (DBMS). It is operational under the OS/VSI and is currently supporting batch/on line applications such as Personnel, Training, Physical Space Management, Procurement, Office Equipment Maintenance, and Equipment Visibility. A third and by far the largest DBMS application is known as the Shuttle Inventory Management System (SIMS) which is operational on a Honeywell 6660 (dedicated) computer system utilizing Honeywell Integrated Data Storage I (IDSI) as the DBMS. The SIMS application is designed to provide central supply system acquisition, inventory control, receipt, storage, and issue of spares, supplies, and materials.

Next Generation Security for the 10,240 Processor Columbia System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinke, Thomas; Kolano, Paul; Shaw, Derek; Keller, Chris; Tweton, Dave; Welch, Todd; Liu, Wen (Betty)

2005-01-01

This presentation includes a discussion of the Columbia 10,240-processor system located at the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) division at the NASA Ames Research Center which supports each of NASA's four missions: science, exploration systems, aeronautics, and space operations. It is comprised of 20 Silicon Graphics nodes, each consisting of 512 Itanium II processors. A 64 processor Columbia front-end system supports users as they prepare their jobs and then submits them to the PBS system. Columbia nodes and front-end systems use the Linux OS. Prior to SC04, the Columbia system was used to attain a processing speed of 51.87 TeraFlops, which made it number two on the Top 500 list of the world's supercomputers and the world's fastest "operational" supercomputer since it was fully engaged in supporting NASA users.

Delta clipper lessons learned for increased operability in reusable space vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charette, Ray O.; Steinmeyer, Don A.; Smiljanic, Ray R.

1998-01-01

Important lessons were learned from the design, development, and test (DD&T), and operation of the Delta Clipper Experimental (DC-X/XA) Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) which apply to increased operability for the operational Reusable Space Vehicles (RSVs). Boeing maintains a continuous process improvement program that provides the opportunity to ``institutionalize'' the results from projects such as Delta Clipper for application to product improvement in future programs. During the design phase, operations and supportability (O&S) were emphasized to ensure aircraft-like operations, traceable to an operational RSV. The operations personnel, flight, and ground crew and crew chief were actively involved in the design, manufacture, and checkout of the systems. Changes and additions to capability were implemented as they evolved from knowledge gained in each phase of development. This paper presents key lessons learned with respect to design and implementation of flight systems, propulsion, airframe, hydraulics, avionics, and ground operations. Information was obtained from discussions with personnel associated with this program concerning their experience and lessons learned. Additionally, field process records and operations timelines were evaluated for applicability to RSVs. The DC-X program pursued reusability in all aspects of the design, a unique approach in rocket system development.

Upgrading NASA/DOSE laser ranging system control computers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ricklefs, Randall L.; Cheek, Jack; Seery, Paul J.; Emenheiser, Kenneth S.; Hanrahan, William P., III; Mcgarry, Jan F.

1993-01-01

Laser ranging systems now managed by the NASA Dynamics of the Solid Earth (DOSE) and operated by the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Texas have produced a wealth on interdisciplinary scientific data over the last three decades. Despite upgrades to the most of the ranging station subsystems, the control computers remain a mix of 1970's vintage minicomputers. These encompass a wide range of vendors, operating systems, and languages, making hardware and software support increasingly difficult. Current technology allows replacement of controller computers at a relatively low cost while maintaining excellent processing power and a friendly operating environment. The new controller systems are now being designed using IBM-PC-compatible 80486-based microcomputers, a real-time Unix operating system (LynxOS), and X-windows/Motif IB, and serial interfaces have been chosen. This design supports minimizing short and long term costs by relying on proven standards for both hardware and software components. Currently, the project is in the design and prototyping stage with the first systems targeted for production in mid-1993.

Managing and Controlling Stress Using mHealth: Systematic Search in App Stores.

PubMed

Blázquez Martín, David; De La Torre, Isabel; Garcia-Zapirain, Begonya; Lopez-Coronado, Miguel; Rodrigues, Joel

2018-05-09

Traditional stress management techniques have been proven insufficient to tackle the needs of today's population. Computational-based techniques and now mobile health (mHealth) apps are showing promise to enable ease of use and access while educating end users on self-management. The main aim of this paper was to put forward a systematic review of mHealth apps for stress management. The scenario chosen for this study consists of a sample of the most relevant mHealth apps found on the British and Spanish online stores of the two main mobile operating systems: iOS and Android. The apps have been categorized and scored base on their impact, presence, number of results, language, and operating system. A total of 433 different mobile apps for stress management was analyzed. Of these apps, 21.7% (94/433) belonged to the "relaxing music" category, 10.9% (47/433) were in the "draw and paint" category, 1.2% (5/433) belonged to the "heart rate control" category, and 1.2% (5/433) fell under "integral methodology." Only 2.0% (8/433) of the apps qualified as high or medium interest while 98.0% were low interest. Furthermore, 2.0% (8/433) of the apps were available on both iOS and Android, and 98% of apps ran on only one platform (iOS or Android). There are many low-value apps available at the moment, but the analysis shows that they are adding new functionalities and becoming fully integrated self-management systems with extra capabilities such as professional assistance services and online support communities. ©David Blázquez Martín, Isabel De La Torre, Begonya Garcia-Zapirain, Miguel Lopez-Coronado, Joel Rodrigues. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 09.05.2018.

Deceased Slabs Drive Oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stein, H. J.; Hannah, J. L.

2017-12-01

The application of Re-Os isotope geochemistry to dating single oils is a nascent field [1,2]. Challenges include dissection of oils into asphaltene-maltene (ASPH-MALT) components in a way that preserves meaningful chronologic and source information. Significantly, oil-water mixing rapidly transfers Os to the oil, while Re exchange is sluggish [3]. The Os initial ratio of the oil is shifted in the direction of Os carried in the aqueous fluid, whereas the Re-Os isotopic age is preserved. We show that this phenomenon is operative in natural systems. Further, we show that deserpentinization of old oceanic slabs [4], may be linked to expulsion of Os-enriched waters into overlying sedimentary sections - a process that may be of fundamental importance for oil generation. This conclusion does not diminish the role of traditional organic-rich shales as source rocks for the hydrocarbon, but shows that external fluids are essential to petroleum generation. Moreover, the external fluids may be an important driver for expulsion and migration of oils. We have taken apart several petroleum systems from source rock, to residual oil, to tar mat development, to in situ live oil, through to produced oil. In many cases, a fluid with low 187Os/188Os - unlike that of normal basinal brines - provides a critical component to the oil-water mixture. Funding - CHRONOS project supported by Norwegian petroleum industry (Eni-Norge, Lundin, Aker BP) Acknowledgement - Christine Fichler [4], who first queried us on old slabs and oil, and stimulated ideas. [1] Georgiev, S.V., Stein, H.J., Hannah, J.L., Galimberti, R., Nali, M., Yang, G., and Zimmerman, A. (2016) Re-Os dating of maltenes and asphaltenes within single samples of crude oil: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 179: 53-75. [doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2016.01.016] [2] DiMarzio, J., Georgiev, S.V., Stein, H.J., and Hannah, J.L. (in press) Residency of rhenium and osmium in a heavy crude oil: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. [3] Hurtig, N.C., Georgiev, S.V., Stein, H.J., and Hannah, J.L. (in review) Re-Os in oil - in the company of water. [4] Fichler, C., Odinsen, T., Rueslåtten, H., Olesen, O., Vingstad, J.-E., Wienecke, S. (2011) Crustal inhomogenities in the northern North Sea from potential field modeling: inherited structure and serpentinites: Tectonophysics 510: 172-185. [doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2011.06.026

Re-Os geochronology and Os isotope fingerprinting of petroleum sourced from a Type I lacustrine kerogen: Insights from the natural Green River petroleum system in the Uinta Basin and hydrous pyrolysis experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cumming, Vivien M.; Selby, David; Lillis, Paul G.; Lewan, Michael D.

2014-08-01

Rhenium-osmium (Re-Os) geochronology of marine petroleum systems has allowed the determination of the depositional age of source rocks as well as the timing of petroleum generation. In addition, Os isotopes have been applied as a fingerprinting tool to correlate oil to its source unit. To date, only classic marine petroleum systems have been studied. Here we present Re-Os geochronology and Os isotope fingerprinting of different petroleum phases (oils, tar sands and gilsonite) derived from the lacustrine Green River petroleum system in the Uinta Basin, USA. In addition we use an experimental approach, hydrous pyrolysis experiments, to compare to the Re-Os data of naturally generated petroleum in order to further understand the mechanisms of Re and Os transfer to petroleum. The Re-Os geochronology of petroleum from the lacustrine Green River petroleum system (19 ± 14 Ma - all petroleum phases) broadly agrees with previous petroleum generation basin models (∼25 Ma) suggesting that Re-Os geochronology of variable petroleum phases derived from lacustrine Type I kerogen has similar systematics to Type II kerogen (e.g., Selby and Creaser, 2005a,b; Finlay et al., 2010). However, the large uncertainties (over 100% in some cases) produced for the petroleum Re-Os geochronology are a result of multiple generation events occurring through a ∼3000-m thick source unit that creates a mixture of initial Os isotope compositions in the produced petroleum phases. The 187Os/188Os values for the petroleum and source rocks at the time of oil generation vary from 1.4 to 1.9, with the mode at ∼1.6. Oil-to-source correlation using Os isotopes is consistent with previous correlation studies in the Green River petroleum system, and illustrates the potential utility of Os isotopes to characterize the spatial variations within a petroleum system. Hydrous pyrolysis experiments on the Green River Formation source rocks show that Re and Os transfer are mimicking the natural system. This transfer from source to bitumen to oil does not affect source rock Re-Os systematics or Os isotopic compositions. This confirms that Os isotope compositions are transferred intact from source to petroleum during petroleum generation and can be used as a powerful correlation tool. These experiments further confirm that Re-Os systematics in source rocks are not adversely affected by petroleum maturation. Overall this study illustrates that the Re-Os petroleum geochronometer and Os isotope fingerprinting tools can be used on a wide range of petroleum types sourced from variable kerogen types.

Re-Os geochronology and Os isotope fingerprinting of petroleum sourced from a Type I lacustrine kerogen: insights from the natural Green River petroleum system in the Uinta Basin and hydrous pyrolysis experiments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cumming, Vivien M.; Selby, David; Lillis, Paul G.; Lewan, Michael D.

2014-01-01

Rhenium–osmium (Re–Os) geochronology of marine petroleum systems has allowed the determination of the depositional age of source rocks as well as the timing of petroleum generation. In addition, Os isotopes have been applied as a fingerprinting tool to correlate oil to its source unit. To date, only classic marine petroleum systems have been studied. Here we present Re–Os geochronology and Os isotope fingerprinting of different petroleum phases (oils, tar sands and gilsonite) derived from the lacustrine Green River petroleum system in the Uinta Basin, USA. In addition we use an experimental approach, hydrous pyrolysis experiments, to compare to the Re–Os data of naturally generated petroleum in order to further understand the mechanisms of Re and Os transfer to petroleum. The Re–Os geochronology of petroleum from the lacustrine Green River petroleum system (19 ± 14 Ma – all petroleum phases) broadly agrees with previous petroleum generation basin models (∼25 Ma) suggesting that Re–Os geochronology of variable petroleum phases derived from lacustrine Type I kerogen has similar systematics to Type II kerogen (e.g., Selby and Creaser, 2005a, Selby and Creaser, 2005b and Finlay et al., 2010). However, the large uncertainties (over 100% in some cases) produced for the petroleum Re–Os geochronology are a result of multiple generation events occurring through a ∼3000-m thick source unit that creates a mixture of initial Os isotope compositions in the produced petroleum phases. The 187Os/188Os values for the petroleum and source rocks at the time of oil generation vary from 1.4 to 1.9, with the mode at ∼1.6. Oil-to-source correlation using Os isotopes is consistent with previous correlation studies in the Green River petroleum system, and illustrates the potential utility of Os isotopes to characterize the spatial variations within a petroleum system. Hydrous pyrolysis experiments on the Green River Formation source rocks show that Re and Os transfer are mimicking the natural system. This transfer from source to bitumen to oil does not affect source rock Re–Os systematics or Os isotopic compositions. This confirms that Os isotope compositions are transferred intact from source to petroleum during petroleum generation and can be used as a powerful correlation tool. These experiments further confirm that Re–Os systematics in source rocks are not adversely affected by petroleum maturation. Overall this study illustrates that the Re–Os petroleum geochronometer and Os isotope fingerprinting tools can be used on a wide range of petroleum types sourced from variable kerogen types.

Continued Development of Internet Protocols under the IBM OS/MVS operating System

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-03-10

this contract, the UCLA Office of Academic Computing (OAC) continued its participation in the Internet research effort of * DARPA. OAC’s effort has...is adapted and condensed from TR51. 1.2 NAME RESOLVER The Internet research community is installing a system of name resolvers and name servers...several attributes favoring their use within the ACP. • The "C" language is heavily used within the DARPA Internet research community, giving it an

Efficient Tracking, Logging, and Blocking of Accesses to Digital Objects

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services , Directorate for Information Operations and Reports...4.3.1 Initial User Feedback ................................................................................... 33 4.4 Objective Benchmarks of the System...used and, that we can trap guest OS page faults. Shadow paging is a technique that creates a copy of guest page tables, sanitizes and propagates the

Linux OS Jitter Measurements at Large Node Counts using a BlueGene/L

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

Jones, Terry R; Tauferner, Mr. Andrew; Inglett, Mr. Todd

2010-01-01

We present experimental results for a coordinated scheduling implementation of the Linux operating system. Results were collected on an IBM Blue Gene/L machine at scales up to 16K nodes. Our results indicate coordinated scheduling was able to provide a dramatic improvement in scaling performance for two applications characterized as bulk synchronous parallel programs.

KC-46A Tanker Modernization (KC-46A)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-01

LRIP - Low Rate Initial Production $M - Millions of Dollars MILCON - Military Construction N /A - Not Applicable O&S - Operating and Support Oth - Other...Related Qty - Quantity RDT&E - Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation SAR - Selected Acquisition Report Sch - Schedule Spt - Support TBD - To Be...attributes, data correctness , data availability, and consistent data processing specified in the applicable joint and system integrated

Comparison of minimally invasive spine surgery using intraoperative computed tomography integrated navigation, fluoroscopy, and conventional open surgery for lumbar spondylolisthesis: a prospective registry-based cohort study.

PubMed

Wu, Meng-Huang; Dubey, Navneet Kumar; Li, Yen-Yao; Lee, Ching-Yu; Cheng, Chin-Chang; Shi, Chung-Sheng; Huang, Tsung-Jen

2017-08-01

To date, the surgical approaches for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis by transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using minimally invasive spine surgery assisted with intraoperative computed tomography image-integrated navigation (MISS-iCT), fluoroscopy (MISS-FS), and conventional open surgery (OS) are debatable. This study compared TLIF using MISS-iCT, MISS-FS, and OS for treatment of one-level lumbar spondylolisthesis. This is a prospective, registry-based cohort study that compared surgical approaches for patients who underwent surgical treatment for one-level lumbar spondylolisthesis. One hundred twenty-four patients from January 2010 to March 2012 in a medical center were recruited. The outcome measures were clinical assessments, including Short-Form 12, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index, Core Outcome Measurement Index, and patient satisfaction, and blood loss, hospital stay, operation time, postoperative pedicle screw accuracy, and superior-level facet violation. All surgeries were performed by two senior surgeons together. Ninety-nine patients (40M, 59F) who had at least 2 years' follow-up were divided into three groups according to the operation methods: MISS-iCT (N=24), MISS-FS (N=23), and OS (N=52) groups. Charts and surgical records along with postoperative CT images were assessed. MISS-iCT and MISS-FS demonstrated a significantly lowered blood loss and hospital stay compared with OS group (p<.01). Operation time was significantly lower in the MISS-iCT and OS groups compared with the MISS-FS group (p=.002). Postoperatively, VAS scores at 1 year and 2 years were significantly improved in the MISS-iCT and MISS-FS groups compared with the OS groups. No significant difference in the number of pedicle screw breach (>2 mm) was found. However, a lower superior-level facet violation rate was observed in the MISS-iCT and OS groups (p=.049). MISS-iCT TLIF demonstrated reduced operation time, blood loss, superior-level facet violation, hospital stay, and improved functional outcomes compared with the MISS-FS and OS approaches. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spacecraft On-Board Information Extraction Computer (SOBIEC)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eisenman, David; Decaro, Robert E.; Jurasek, David W.

1994-01-01

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the Technical Monitor on an SBIR Program issued for Irvine Sensors Corporation to develop a highly compact, dual use massively parallel processing node known as SOBIEC. SOBIEC couples 3D memory stacking technology provided by nCUBE. The node contains sufficient network Input/Output to implement up to an order-13 binary hypercube. The benefit of this network, is that it scales linearly as more processors are added, and it is a superset of other commonly used interconnect topologies such as: meshes, rings, toroids, and trees. In this manner, a distributed processing network can be easily devised and supported. The SOBIEC node has sufficient memory for most multi-computer applications, and also supports external memory expansion and DMA interfaces. The SOBIEC node is supported by a mature set of software development tools from nCUBE. The nCUBE operating system (OS) provides configuration and operational support for up to 8000 SOBIEC processors in an order-13 binary hypercube or any subset or partition(s) thereof. The OS is UNIX (USL SVR4) compatible, with C, C++, and FORTRAN compilers readily available. A stand-alone development system is also available to support SOBIEC test and integration.

A Systems Engineering Framework for Implementing a Security and Critical Patch Management Process in Diverse Environments (Academic Departments' Workstations)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammadi, Hadi

Use of the Patch Vulnerability Management (PVM) process should be seriously considered for any networked computing system. The PVM process prevents the operating system (OS) and software applications from being attacked due to security vulnerabilities, which lead to system failures and critical data leakage. The purpose of this research is to create and design a Security and Critical Patch Management Process (SCPMP) framework based on Systems Engineering (SE) principles. This framework will assist Information Technology Department Staff (ITDS) to reduce IT operating time and costs and mitigate the risk of security and vulnerability attacks. Further, this study evaluates implementation of the SCPMP in the networked computing systems of an academic environment in order to: 1. Meet patch management requirements by applying SE principles. 2. Reduce the cost of IT operations and PVM cycles. 3. Improve the current PVM methodologies to prevent networked computing systems from becoming the targets of security vulnerability attacks. 4. Embed a Maintenance Optimization Tool (MOT) in the proposed framework. The MOT allows IT managers to make the most practicable choice of methods for deploying and installing released patches and vulnerability remediation. In recent years, there has been a variety of frameworks for security practices in every networked computing system to protect computer workstations from becoming compromised or vulnerable to security attacks, which can expose important information and critical data. I have developed a new mechanism for implementing PVM for maximizing security-vulnerability maintenance, protecting OS and software packages, and minimizing SCPMP cost. To increase computing system security in any diverse environment, particularly in academia, one must apply SCPMP. I propose an optimal maintenance policy that will allow ITDS to measure and estimate the variation of PVM cycles based on their department's requirements. My results demonstrate that MOT optimizes the process of implementing SCPMP in academic workstations.

Mobile healthcare information management utilizing Cloud Computing and Android OS.

PubMed

Doukas, Charalampos; Pliakas, Thomas; Maglogiannis, Ilias

2010-01-01

Cloud Computing provides functionality for managing information data in a distributed, ubiquitous and pervasive manner supporting several platforms, systems and applications. This work presents the implementation of a mobile system that enables electronic healthcare data storage, update and retrieval using Cloud Computing. The mobile application is developed using Google's Android operating system and provides management of patient health records and medical images (supporting DICOM format and JPEG2000 coding). The developed system has been evaluated using the Amazon's S3 cloud service. This article summarizes the implementation details and presents initial results of the system in practice.

SPring-8 beamline control system.

PubMed

Ohata, T; Konishi, H; Kimura, H; Furukawa, Y; Tamasaku, K; Nakatani, T; Tanabe, T; Matsumoto, N; Ishii, M; Ishikawa, T

1998-05-01

The SPring-8 beamline control system is now taking part in the control of the insertion device (ID), front end, beam transportation channel and all interlock systems of the beamline: it will supply a highly standardized environment of apparatus control for collaborative researchers. In particular, ID operation is very important in a third-generation synchrotron light source facility. It is also very important to consider the security system because the ID is part of the storage ring and is therefore governed by the synchrotron ring control system. The progress of computer networking systems and the technology of security control require the development of a highly flexible control system. An interlock system that is independent of the control system has increased the reliability. For the beamline control system the so-called standard model concept has been adopted. VME-bus (VME) is used as the front-end control system and a UNIX workstation as the operator console. CPU boards of the VME-bus are RISC processor-based board computers operated by a LynxOS-based HP-RT real-time operating system. The workstation and the VME are linked to each other by a network, and form the distributed system. The HP 9000/700 series with HP-UX and the HP 9000/743rt series with HP-RT are used. All the controllable apparatus may be operated from any workstation.

Semi-Automated Identification of Rocks in Images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bornstein, Benjamin; Castano, Andres; Anderson, Robert

2006-01-01

Rock Identification Toolkit Suite is a computer program that assists users in identifying and characterizing rocks shown in images returned by the Mars Explorer Rover mission. Included in the program are components for automated finding of rocks, interactive adjustments of outlines of rocks, active contouring of rocks, and automated analysis of shapes in two dimensions. The program assists users in evaluating the surface properties of rocks and soil and reports basic properties of rocks. The program requires either the Mac OS X operating system running on a G4 (or more capable) processor or a Linux operating system running on a Pentium (or more capable) processor, plus at least 128MB of random-access memory.

The Department of Defense Should Avoid a Joint Acquisition Approach to the Sixth-Generation Fighter

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) efforts and by achieving econo - mies of scale in procurement and operations and support (O&S).1 Yet, the need...subcomponents. • We assumed that single-service programs conduct com- pletely separate O&S and therefore do not enjoy econo - mies of scale in O&S. • We

A Resource Service Model in the Industrial IoT System Based on Transparent Computing.

PubMed

Li, Weimin; Wang, Bin; Sheng, Jinfang; Dong, Ke; Li, Zitong; Hu, Yixiang

2018-03-26

The Internet of Things (IoT) has received a lot of attention, especially in industrial scenarios. One of the typical applications is the intelligent mine, which actually constructs the Six-Hedge underground systems with IoT platforms. Based on a case study of the Six Systems in the underground metal mine, this paper summarizes the main challenges of industrial IoT from the aspects of heterogeneity in devices and resources, security, reliability, deployment and maintenance costs. Then, a novel resource service model for the industrial IoT applications based on Transparent Computing (TC) is presented, which supports centralized management of all resources including operating system (OS), programs and data on the server-side for the IoT devices, thus offering an effective, reliable, secure and cross-OS IoT service and reducing the costs of IoT system deployment and maintenance. The model has five layers: sensing layer, aggregation layer, network layer, service and storage layer and interface and management layer. We also present a detailed analysis on the system architecture and key technologies of the model. Finally, the efficiency of the model is shown by an experiment prototype system.

A Resource Service Model in the Industrial IoT System Based on Transparent Computing

PubMed Central

Wang, Bin; Sheng, Jinfang; Dong, Ke; Li, Zitong; Hu, Yixiang

2018-01-01

The Internet of Things (IoT) has received a lot of attention, especially in industrial scenarios. One of the typical applications is the intelligent mine, which actually constructs the Six-Hedge underground systems with IoT platforms. Based on a case study of the Six Systems in the underground metal mine, this paper summarizes the main challenges of industrial IoT from the aspects of heterogeneity in devices and resources, security, reliability, deployment and maintenance costs. Then, a novel resource service model for the industrial IoT applications based on Transparent Computing (TC) is presented, which supports centralized management of all resources including operating system (OS), programs and data on the server-side for the IoT devices, thus offering an effective, reliable, secure and cross-OS IoT service and reducing the costs of IoT system deployment and maintenance. The model has five layers: sensing layer, aggregation layer, network layer, service and storage layer and interface and management layer. We also present a detailed analysis on the system architecture and key technologies of the model. Finally, the efficiency of the model is shown by an experiment prototype system. PMID:29587450

Simultaneous real-time data collection methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klincsek, Thomas

1992-01-01

This paper describes the development of electronic test equipment which executes, supervises, and reports on various tests. This validation process uses computers to analyze test results and report conclusions. The test equipment consists of an electronics component and the data collection and reporting unit. The PC software, display screens, and real-time data-base are described. Pass-fail procedures and data replay are discussed. The OS2 operating system and Presentation Manager user interface system were used to create a highly interactive automated system. The system outputs are hardcopy printouts and MS DOS format files which may be used as input for other PC programs.

Learning to Decode Nonverbal Cues in Cross-Cultural Interactions

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-01

iPhones support Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later operating system, as well as Windows Vista and XP, and iTunes 7.5 or later. Apple has designed the iPhones to be...Processor; 1G RAM, 1G HD, Direct X9/ATI Radeon 9800 card with dedicated memory; Noise-canceling headset w/ microphone. Apple video iPod (can be

Full-Authority Fault-Tolerant Electronic Engine Control System for Variable Cycle Engines.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-04-01

single internally self-checked VLSI micro - processor . The selected configuration is an externally checked pair of com- mercially available...Electronic Engine Control FPMH Failures per Million Hours FTMP Fault Tolerant Multi- Processor FTSC Fault Tolerant Spaceborn Computer GRAMP Generalized...Removal * MTBR Mean Time Between Repair MTTF Mean Time to Failure xiii List of Abbreviations (continued) - NH High Pressure Rotor Speed O&S Operating

Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-01

Initial Production $M - Millions of Dollars MILCON - Military Construction N /A - Not Applicable O&S - Operating and Support Oth - Other PAUC - Program...RDT&E - Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation SAR - Selected Acquisition Report Sch - Schedule Spt - Support TBD - To Be Determined TY - Then...completion, assess test results, correct short comings/deficiencies, and develop documentation to track and assess program status. On January 31

The Empathic Operating System (emOS)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-15

contextual data, including phone calls, locations, and events, to help mitigate the effects of stress on daily life. This approach offers novel...with their contextual data, including phone calls, locations, and events, to help mitigate the effects of stress on daily life. This approach offers...incorporates users’ physiology with their contextual data, including phone calls, locations, and events, to help mitigate the effects of stress on

FTDD973: A multimedia knowledge-based system and methodology for operator training and diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hekmatpour, Amir; Brown, Gary; Brault, Randy; Bowen, Greg

1993-01-01

FTDD973 (973 Fabricator Training, Documentation, and Diagnostics) is an interactive multimedia knowledge based system and methodology for computer-aided training and certification of operators, as well as tool and process diagnostics in IBM's CMOS SGP fabrication line (building 973). FTDD973 is an example of what can be achieved with modern multimedia workstations. Knowledge-based systems, hypertext, hypergraphics, high resolution images, audio, motion video, and animation are technologies that in synergy can be far more useful than each by itself. FTDD973's modular and object-oriented architecture is also an example of how improvements in software engineering are finally making it possible to combine many software modules into one application. FTDD973 is developed in ExperMedia/2; and OS/2 multimedia expert system shell for domain experts.

Sandbox for Mac Malware v 1.0

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

Walkup, Elizabeth

This software is an analyzer for automated sandbox analysis of malware on the OS X operating system. It runs inside an OS X virtual machine to collect data about what happens when a given file is opened or run. As of August 2014, there was no sandbox software for Mac OS X malware, as it requires different methods from those used on the Windows OS (which most sandboxes are written for). This software adds OS X analysis capabilities to an existing open-source sandbox, Cuckoo Sandbox (http://cuckoosandbox.org/), which previously only worked for Windows. The analyzer itself can take many different typesmore » of files as input: the traditional Mach-O and FAT executables, .app files, zip files, Python scripts, Java archives, and web pages, as well as PDFs and other documents. While the file is running, the analyzer also simulates rudimentary human interaction with clicks and mouse movements in order to bypass the tests some malware use to see if they are being analyzed. The analyzer outputs several different kinds of data: function call traces, network captures, screenshots, and all created and modified files. This work also includes a static analysis Cuckoo module for Mach-O binary files. It extracts file structures, code library imports and exports, and signatures. This data can be used along with the analyzer results to create signatures for malware.« less

Radical Surgery Improves Survival in Patients with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.

PubMed

Vollmer, Katherin; Gfroerer, Stefan; Theilen, Till-Martin; Bochennek, Konrad; Klingebiel, Thomas; Rolle, Udo; Fiegel, Henning

2018-06-01

Neuroblastoma (NBL) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Despite a good overall prognosis in NBL patients, the outcome of children with stage 4 disease, even with multimodal intensive therapy, remains poor. The role of extended surgical resection of the primary tumor is in numerous studies controversial. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the impact of radical surgical resection on the overall- and event-free survival of stage 4 NBL patients. We retrospectively analyzed patient charts of 40 patients with stage 4 NBL treated in our institution between January 1990 and May 2012. All clinical and pathological findings of stage 4 NBL patients were included. Extent of surgery was assessed from the operation records and was classified as non-radical (tumor biopsy, partial 50-90% resection) or radical (near-complete >90% resection, complete resection). Overall- (OS) and event-free (EFS) survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to demonstrate independency. In total, 29/40 patients were operated radically (>90% resection), whereas 11 patients received subtotal resection or biopsy only. OS and EFS were significantly increased in patients with radical operation compared with non-radical resection (p = 0.0003 for OS, p = 0.004 for EFS; log-rank test). A multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed radical operation as a significant and independent parameter for OS and EFS. Our data indicate that radical (over 90% resection) surgery improves OS and EFS in stage 4 NBL patients.

Surgery in adrenocortical carcinoma: Importance of national cooperation and centralized surgery.

PubMed

Hermsen, Ilse G C; Kerkhofs, Thomas M A; den Butter, Gijsbert; Kievit, Job; van Eijck, Casper H J; Nieveen van Dijkum, Els J M; Haak, Harm R

2012-07-01

The low incidence rate of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) requires a multidisciplinary approach in which surgery plays an essential role because complete resection of the primary tumor is the only chance of cure. To improve patient care, insight into operative results within the ACC population is essential. In 2007, a Dutch Adrenal Network Registry was created covering care and outcome of patients treated for ACC in the Netherlands since 1965. Using this database, we performed a study (1) to gain insight into surgical performance in the Netherlands and (2) to compare operative data with international literature. Data on patients treated from 1965 until January 2008 were studied. The following data were collected: age, gender, functionality of the tumor, stage at diagnosis, operative procedure, completeness of surgery, disease recurrence, adjuvant mitotane therapy, and recurrence-free and overall survival (OS). A total of 175 patients were studied, of whom 149 underwent surgery. Patients with complete resection had significantly longer OS times than patients with incomplete resection (P = .010). Patients operated on in a Dutch Adrenal Network center had significantly longer duration of OS in both univariate (P = .011) and multivariate analysis (P = .014). A significantly greater OS was observed for operated stage IV patients compared with nonoperated patients (P = .002). Our data suggest the relevance of national cooperation and centralized surgery in ACC. For selected patients with stage IV disease, surgery can be beneficial in extending survival. On the basis of the retrospective analysis, operative ACC in the Netherlands can and will be improved. Copyright © 2012. Published by Mosby, Inc.

Optimizing Survival of Patients With Marginally Operable Stage IIIA Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Chemoradiotherapy With or Without Surgery.

PubMed

Yang, Kai-Lin; Chang, Yih-Chen; Ko, Hui-Ling; Chi, Mau-Shin; Wang, Hsin-Ell; Hsu, Pei-Sung; Lin, Chen-Chun; Yeh, Diana Yu-Wung; Kao, Shang-Jyh; Jiang, Jiunn-Song; Chi, Kwan-Hwa

2016-11-01

For marginally operable stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgery might not be done as planned after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for reasons (unresectable or medically inoperable conditions, or patient refusal). This study aims to investigate the outcomes of a phased CCRT protocol established to maximize the operability of marginally operable stage IIIA NSCLC and to care for reassessed inoperable patients, in comparison with continuous-course definitive CCRT. Forty-seven patients with marginally operable stage IIIA NSCLC receiving CCRT were included. Twenty-eight patients were treated with our phased CCRT protocol, including neoadjuvant CCRT followed by surgery (group A, n = 16) or, for reassessed inoperable patients, maintenance chemotherapy and split-course CCRT boost (group B, n = 12). The other 19 were treated with continuous-course definitive CCRT (group C). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Among all, median OS and PFS were 35.6 and 12.8 months, respectively (median follow-up, 22.3 months). The median OS of group A (not reached) was better than that of group B (34.4 months) and group C (15.2 months) (P = .009). On multivariate analysis, performance status 0 to 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.026; P < .001), adenocarcinoma (HR, 0.156; P = .003), and group A (HR, 0.199; P = .033) were independent prognostic factors. The OS of group B (HR, 0.450; 95% confidence interval, 0.118-1.717; P = .243) was not statistically different from that of group C. For marginally operable stage IIIA NSCLC, our phased CCRT strategy may optimize survival by maximizing operability and maintain an acceptable survival for reassessed inoperable patients by split-course CCRT boost following maintenance chemotherapy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pattern of tumour growth of the primary colon cancer predicts long-term outcome after resection of liver metastases.

PubMed

Spelt, Lidewij; Sasor, Agata; Ansari, Daniel; Andersson, Roland

2016-10-01

To identify significant predictive factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) after liver resection for colon cancer metastases, with special focus on features of the primary colon cancer, such as lymph node ratio (LNR), vascular invasion, and perineural invasion. Patients operated for colonic cancer liver metastases between 2006 and 2014 were included. Details on patient characteristics, the primary colon cancer operation and metastatic disease were collected. Multivariate analysis was performed to select predictive variables for OS and DFS. Median OS and DFS were 67 and 20 months, respectively. 1-, 3- and 5-year OS were 97, 76, and 52%. 1-, 3- and 5-year DFS were 65, 42, and 37%. Multivariate analysis showed LNR to be an independent predictive factor for DFS but not for OS. Other identified predictive factors were vascular and perineural invasion of the primary colon cancer, size of the largest metastasis and severe complications after liver surgery for OS, and perineural invasion, number of liver metastases and preoperative CEA-level for DFS. Traditional N-stage was also considered to be an independent predictive factor for DFS in a separate multivariate analysis. LNR and perineural invasion of the primary colon cancer can be used as a prognostic variable for DFS after a concomitant liver resection for colon cancer metastases. Vascular and perineural invasion of the primary colon cancer are predictive for OS.

Proceedings of the Ship Control Systems Symposium (9th) Held in Bethesda, Maryland on 10-14 September 1990. Theme: Automation in Surface Ship Control Systems, Today’s Applications and Future Trends. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-14

transmission of detected variations through sound lines of communication to centrally located standard Navy computers . These computers would be programmed to...have been programmed in C language. The program runs under the operating system ,OS9 on a VME-bus computer with a 68000 microprocessor. A number of full...present practice of"add-on" supervisory controls during ship design and construction,and "fix-it" R&D programs implemented after the ship isoperational

The Art of Selection: Command Selection Failures, and a Better Way to Select Army Senior Leaders

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-12

and Effects ( MFE ), Force Sustainment (FS), and Operations Support (OS). Board members review board files in accordance with the instructions given to...Fires, and Effects ( MFE ), Operations Support (OS), and Force Sustainment (FS). The exact composition of a command selection board is governed by a...policy updated annually by the Military Personnel Management Directorate. For example, the MFE lieutenant colonel command board will be made up of one

The Systemic Acquired Resistance Regulator OsNPR1 Attenuates Growth by Repressing Auxin Signaling through Promoting IAA-Amido Synthase Expression1[OPEN

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Systemic acquired resistance is a long-lasting and broad-spectrum disease resistance to pathogens. Our previous study demonstrated that overexpression of NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES1 (OsNPR1), a master gene for systemic acquired resistance in rice (Oryza sativa), greatly enhanced resistance to bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae. However, the growth and development of the OsNPR1 overexpression (OsNPR1-OX) plants were restrained, and the mechanism remained elusive. In this study, we dissected the OsNPR1-induced growth inhibition. We found that the OsNPR1-OX lines displayed phenotypes mimicking auxin-defective mutants, with decreases in root system, seed number and weight, internode elongation, and tiller number. Whole-genome expression analysis revealed that genes related to the auxin metabolism and signaling pathway were differentially expressed between the OsNPR1-OX and wild-type plants. Consistently, the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content was decreased and the auxin distribution pattern was altered in OsNPR1-OX plants. Importantly, we found that some GH3 family members, in particular OsGH3.8 coding IAA-amido synthetase, were constitutively up-regulated in OsNPR1-OX plants. Decreased OsGH3.8 expression by RNA interference could partially restore IAA level and largely rescue the restrained growth and development phenotypes but did not affect the disease resistance of OsNPR1-OX plants. Taken together, we revealed that OsNPR1 affects rice growth and development by disrupting the auxin pathway at least partially through indirectly up-regulating OsGH3.8 expression. PMID:27378815

NASA's spacecraft data system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cudmore, Alan; Flanegan, Mark

1993-01-01

The NASA Small Explorer Data System (SEDS), a space flight data system developed to support the Small Explorer (SMEX) project, is addressed. The system was flown on the Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) SMEX mission, and with reconfiguration for different requirements will fly on the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). SEDS is also foreseen for the Hubble repair mission. Its name was changed to Spacecraft Data System (SDS) in view of expansions. Objectives, SDS hardware, and software are described. Each SDS box contains two computers, data storage memory, uplink (command) reception circuitry, downlink (telemetry) encoding circuitry, Instrument Telemetry Controller (ITC), and spacecraft timing circuitry. The SDS communicates with other subsystems over the MIL-STD-1773 data bus. The SDS software uses a real time Operating System (OS) and the C language. The OS layer, communications and scheduling layer, application task layer, and diagnostic software, are described. Decisions on the use of advanced technologies, such as ASIC's (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and fiber optics, led to technical improvements, such as lower power and weight, without increasing the risk associated with the data system. The result was a successful SAMPEX development, integration and test, and mission using SEDS, and the upgrading of that system to SDS for TRMM and XTE.

Ada/POSIX binding: A focused Ada investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Legrand, Sue

1988-01-01

NASA is seeking an operating system interface definition (OSID) for the Space Station Program (SSP) in order to take advantage of the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products available today and the many that are expected in the future. NASA would also like to avoid the reliance on any one source for operating systems, information system, communication system, or instruction set architecture. The use of the Portable Operating System Interface for Computer Environments (POSIX) is examined as a possible solution to this problem. Since Ada is already the language of choice for SSP, the question of an Ada/POSIX binding is addressed. The intent of the binding is to provide access to the POSIX standard operation system (OS) interface and environment, by which application portability of Ada applications will be supported at the source code level. A guiding principle of Ada/POSIX binding development is a clear conformance of the Ada interface with the functional definition of POSIX. The interface is intended to be used by both application developers and system implementors. The objective is to provide a standard that allows a strictly conforming application source program that can be compiled to execute on any conforming implementation. Special emphasis is placed on first providing those functions and facilities that are needed in a wide variety of commercial applications

Size distribution and coating thickness of black carbon from the Canadian oil sands operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Yuan; Li, Shao-Meng; Gordon, Mark; Liu, Peter

2018-02-01

Black carbon (BC) plays an important role in the Earth's climate system. However, parameterizations of BC size and mixing state have not been well addressed in aerosol-climate models, introducing substantial uncertainties into the estimation of radiative forcing by BC. In this study, we focused on BC emissions from the oil sands (OS) surface mining activities in northern Alberta, based on an aircraft campaign conducted over the Athabasca OS region in 2013. A total of 14 flights were made over the OS source area, in which the aircraft was typically flown in a four- or five-sided polygon pattern along flight tracks encircling an OS facility. Another 3 flights were performed downwind of the OS source area, each of which involved at least three intercepting locations where the well-mixed OS plume was measured along flight tracks perpendicular to the wind direction. Comparable size distributions were observed for refractory black carbon (rBC) over and downwind of the OS facilities, with rBC mass median diameters (MMDs) between ˜ 135 and 145 nm that were characteristic of fresh urban emissions. This MMD range corresponded to rBC number median diameters (NMDs) of ˜ 60-70 nm, approximately 100 % higher than the NMD settings in some aerosol-climate models. The typical in- and out-of-plume segments of a flight, which had different rBC concentrations and photochemical ages, showed consistent rBC size distributions in terms of MMD, NMD and the corresponding distribution widths. Moreover, rBC size distributions remained unchanged at different downwind distances from the source area, suggesting that atmospheric aging would not necessarily change rBC size distribution. However, aging indeed influenced rBC mixing state. Coating thickness for rBC cores in the diameter range of 130-160 nm was nearly doubled (from ˜ 20 to 40 nm) within 3 h when the OS plume was transported over a distance of 90 km from the source area.

Distributed computer taxonomy based on O/S structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foudriat, Edwin C.

1985-01-01

The taxonomy considers the resource structure at the operating system level. It compares a communication based taxonomy with the new taxonomy to illustrate how the latter does a better job when related to the client's view of the distributed computer. The results illustrate the fundamental features and what is required to construct fully distributed processing systems. The problem of using network computers on the space station is addressed. A detailed discussion of the taxonomy is not given here. Information is given in the form of charts and diagrams that were used to illustrate a talk.

New phases of osmium carbide from evolutionary algorithm and ab initio computations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fadda, Alessandro; Fadda, Giuseppe

2017-09-01

New crystal phases of osmium carbide are presented in this work. These results were found with the CA code, an evolutionary algorithm (EA) presented in a previous paper which takes full advantage of crystal symmetry by using an ad hoc search space and genetic operators. The new OsC2 and Os2C structures have a lower enthalpy than any known so far. Moreover, the layered pattern of OsC2 serves as a blueprint for building new crystals by adding or removing layers of carbon and/or osmium and generating many other Os  +  C structures like Os2C, OsC, OsC2 and OsC4. These again have a lower enthalpy than all the investigated structures, including those of the present work. The mechanical, vibrational and electronic properties are discussed as well.

Recurrent glioblastoma: Current patterns of care in an Australian population.

PubMed

Parakh, Sagun; Thursfield, Vicky; Cher, Lawrence; Dally, Michael; Drummond, Katharine; Murphy, Michael; Rosenthal, Mark A; Gan, Hui K

2016-02-01

This retrospective population-based survey examined current patterns of care for patients with recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) who had previously undergone surgery and post-operative therapy at original diagnosis. The patients were identified from the Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) from 2006 to 2008. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics and oncological management were extracted using a standardised survey by the treating clinicians/VCR staff and results analysed by the VCR. Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival (OS) at diagnosis and progression were calculated. A total of 95 patients (48%) received treatment for first recurrence; craniotomy and post-operative treatment (38), craniotomy only (34) and non-surgical treatment (23). Patients receiving treatment at first progression had a higher median OS than those who did not (7 versus 3 months, p<0.0001). All patients progressed after treatment for first progression with 43 patients (45%) receiving treatment at second progression. To our knowledge this is the first population-based pattern of care survey of treatment for rGBM in an era where post-operative "Stupp" chemo-radiation is standard. First and second line therapy for rGBM is common and associated with significant benefit. Treatment generally includes re-resection and/or systemic therapy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Survey Software Evaluation

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

Oracle 9i, 10g  MySQL  MS SQL Server MS SQL Server Operating System Supported Windows 2003 Server  Windows 2000 Server (32 bit...WebStar (Mac OS X)  SunOne Internet Information Services (IIS) Database Server Supported MS SQL Server  MS SQL Server  Oracle 9i, 10g...challenges of Web-based surveys are: 1) identifying the best Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Web-based survey packages to serve the particular

A Scalable and Dynamic Testbed for Conducting Penetration-Test Training in a Laboratory Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

entry point through which to execute a payload to accomplish a higher-level goal: executing arbitrary code, escalating privileges , pivoting...Mobile Ad Hoc Network Emulator (EMANE)26 can emulate the entire network stack (physical to application -layer protocols). 2. Methodology To build a...to host Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android , and other operating systems without much effort. 4 E. A simple and automatic “restore” function: Many

Performance measurements of the first RAID prototype

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chervenak, Ann L.

1990-01-01

The performance is examined of Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) the First, a prototype disk array. A hierarchy of bottlenecks was discovered in the system that limit overall performance. The most serious is the memory system contention on the Sun 4/280 host CPU, which limits array bandwidth to 2.3 MBytes/sec. The array performs more successfully on small random operations, achieving nearly 300 I/Os per second before the Sun 4/280 becomes CPU limited. Other bottlenecks in the system are the VME backplane, bandwidth on the disk controller, and overheads associated with the SCSI protocol. All are examined in detail. The main conclusion is that to achieve the potential bandwidth of arrays, more powerful CPU's alone will not suffice. Just as important are adequate host memory bandwidth and support for high bandwidth on disk controllers. Current disk controllers are more often designed to achieve large numbers of small random operations, rather than high bandwidth. Operating systems also need to change to support high bandwidth from disk arrays. In particular, they should transfer data in larger blocks, and should support asynchronous I/O to improve sequential write performance.

A Novel Online Sequential Extreme Learning Machine for Gas Utilization Ratio Prediction in Blast Furnaces.

PubMed

Li, Yanjiao; Zhang, Sen; Yin, Yixin; Xiao, Wendong; Zhang, Jie

2017-08-10

Gas utilization ratio (GUR) is an important indicator used to measure the operating status and energy consumption of blast furnaces (BFs). In this paper, we present a soft-sensor approach, i.e., a novel online sequential extreme learning machine (OS-ELM) named DU-OS-ELM, to establish a data-driven model for GUR prediction. In DU-OS-ELM, firstly, the old collected data are discarded gradually and the newly acquired data are given more attention through a novel dynamic forgetting factor (DFF), depending on the estimation errors to enhance the dynamic tracking ability. Furthermore, we develop an updated selection strategy (USS) to judge whether the model needs to be updated with the newly coming data, so that the proposed approach is more in line with the actual production situation. Then, the convergence analysis of the proposed DU-OS-ELM is presented to ensure the estimation of output weight converge to the true value with the new data arriving. Meanwhile, the proposed DU-OS-ELM is applied to build a soft-sensor model to predict GUR. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed DU-OS-ELM obtains better generalization performance and higher prediction accuracy compared with a number of existing related approaches using the real production data from a BF and the created GUR prediction model can provide an effective guidance for further optimization operation.

A Novel Online Sequential Extreme Learning Machine for Gas Utilization Ratio Prediction in Blast Furnaces

PubMed Central

Li, Yanjiao; Yin, Yixin; Xiao, Wendong; Zhang, Jie

2017-01-01

Gas utilization ratio (GUR) is an important indicator used to measure the operating status and energy consumption of blast furnaces (BFs). In this paper, we present a soft-sensor approach, i.e., a novel online sequential extreme learning machine (OS-ELM) named DU-OS-ELM, to establish a data-driven model for GUR prediction. In DU-OS-ELM, firstly, the old collected data are discarded gradually and the newly acquired data are given more attention through a novel dynamic forgetting factor (DFF), depending on the estimation errors to enhance the dynamic tracking ability. Furthermore, we develop an updated selection strategy (USS) to judge whether the model needs to be updated with the newly coming data, so that the proposed approach is more in line with the actual production situation. Then, the convergence analysis of the proposed DU-OS-ELM is presented to ensure the estimation of output weight converge to the true value with the new data arriving. Meanwhile, the proposed DU-OS-ELM is applied to build a soft-sensor model to predict GUR. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed DU-OS-ELM obtains better generalization performance and higher prediction accuracy compared with a number of existing related approaches using the real production data from a BF and the created GUR prediction model can provide an effective guidance for further optimization operation. PMID:28796187

Integrating Xgrid into the HENP distributed computing model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hajdu, L.; Kocoloski, A.; Lauret, J.; Miller, M.

2008-07-01

Modern Macintosh computers feature Xgrid, a distributed computing architecture built directly into Apple's OS X operating system. While the approach is radically different from those generally expected by the Unix based Grid infrastructures (Open Science Grid, TeraGrid, EGEE), opportunistic computing on Xgrid is nonetheless a tempting and novel way to assemble a computing cluster with a minimum of additional configuration. In fact, it requires only the default operating system and authentication to a central controller from each node. OS X also implements arbitrarily extensible metadata, allowing an instantly updated file catalog to be stored as part of the filesystem itself. The low barrier to entry allows an Xgrid cluster to grow quickly and organically. This paper and presentation will detail the steps that can be taken to make such a cluster a viable resource for HENP research computing. We will further show how to provide to users a unified job submission framework by integrating Xgrid through the STAR Unified Meta-Scheduler (SUMS), making tasks and jobs submission effortlessly at reach for those users already using the tool for traditional Grid or local cluster job submission. We will discuss additional steps that can be taken to make an Xgrid cluster a full partner in grid computing initiatives, focusing on Open Science Grid integration. MIT's Xgrid system currently supports the work of multiple research groups in the Laboratory for Nuclear Science, and has become an important tool for generating simulations and conducting data analyses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Applications of the 190Pt-186Os isotope system to geochemistry and cosmochemistry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Walker, R.J.; Morgan, J.W.; Beary, E.S.; Smoliar, M.I.; Czamanske, G.K.; Horan, M.F.

1997-01-01

Platinum is fractionated from osmium primarily as a consequence of processes involving sulfide and metal crystallization. Consequently, the 190Pt-186Os isotope system (190Pt ??? 186Os + ??) shows promise for dating some types of magmatic sulfide ores and evolved iron meteorites. The first 190Pt-186Os isochrons are presented here for ores from the ca. 251 Ma Noril'sk, Siberia plume, and for group IIAB magmatic iron meteorites. Given the known age of the Noril'sk system, a decay constant for 190Pt is determined to be 1.542 ?? 10-12a-1, with ??1% uncertainty. The isochron generated for the IIAB irons is consistent with this decay constant and the known age of the group. The 186Os/188Os ratios of presumably young, mantle-derived osmiridiums and also the carbonaceous chondrite Allende were measured to high-precision to constrain the composition of the modern upper mantle. These compositions overlap, indicating that the upper mantle is chondritic within the level of resolution now available. Our best estimate for this 186Os/188Os ratio is 0.119834 ?? 2 (2??M). The 190Pt/186Os ratios determined for six enstatite chondrites average 0.001659 ?? 75, which is very similar to published values for carbonaceous chondrites. Using this ratio and the presumed composition of the modern upper mantle and chondrites, a solar system initial 186Os/188Os ratio of 0.119820 is calculated. In comparison to the modern upper mantle composition, the 186Os/188Os ratio of the Noril'sk plume was approximately 0.012% enriched in 186Os. Possible reasons for this heterogeneity include the recycling of Pt-rich crust into the mantle source of the plume and derivation of the osmium from the outer core. Derivation of the osmium from the outer core is our favored model. Copyright ?? 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Reducing audio stimulus presentation latencies across studies, laboratories, and hardware and operating system configurations.

PubMed

Babjack, Destiny L; Cernicky, Brandon; Sobotka, Andrew J; Basler, Lee; Struthers, Devon; Kisic, Richard; Barone, Kimberly; Zuccolotto, Anthony P

2015-09-01

Using differing computer platforms and audio output devices to deliver audio stimuli often introduces (1) substantial variability across labs and (2) variable time between the intended and actual sound delivery (the sound onset latency). Fast, accurate audio onset latencies are particularly important when audio stimuli need to be delivered precisely as part of studies that depend on accurate timing (e.g., electroencephalographic, event-related potential, or multimodal studies), or in multisite studies in which standardization and strict control over the computer platforms used is not feasible. This research describes the variability introduced by using differing configurations and introduces a novel approach to minimizing audio sound latency and variability. A stimulus presentation and latency assessment approach is presented using E-Prime and Chronos (a new multifunction, USB-based data presentation and collection device). The present approach reliably delivers audio stimuli with low latencies that vary by ≤1 ms, independent of hardware and Windows operating system (OS)/driver combinations. The Chronos audio subsystem adopts a buffering, aborting, querying, and remixing approach to the delivery of audio, to achieve a consistent 1-ms sound onset latency for single-sound delivery, and precise delivery of multiple sounds that achieves standard deviations of 1/10th of a millisecond without the use of advanced scripting. Chronos's sound onset latencies are small, reliable, and consistent across systems. Testing of standard audio delivery devices and configurations highlights the need for careful attention to consistency between labs, experiments, and multiple study sites in their hardware choices, OS selections, and adoption of audio delivery systems designed to sidestep the audio latency variability issue.

Smartphones and dental trauma: the current availability of apps for managing traumatic dental injuries.

PubMed

Djemal, Serpil; Singh, Parmjit

2016-02-01

There is a general consensus regarding the lack of awareness regarding the emergency management of traumatic dental injuries amongst laypersons and dental professionals. This article aims to provide an overview of the apps available for traumatic dental injuries using smartphones. These apps may serve as a gateway for raising awareness of traumatic dental injuries. Three smartphone devices were used to access their respective app stores (Nokia Lumia 635 with Windows Phone OS 8.1; iPhone 5 with iOS 8.1; Samsung Galaxy Ace II with Android OS v2.3.6 Gingerbread). Nine phrases were searched: broken tooth/teeth; chipped tooth/teeth; dental emergency; dental injury; dental trauma; fractured tooth/teeth; knocked-out tooth/teeth; tooth/teeth injury; and tooth/teeth trauma. Seven apps for the Android and one app for the Apple operating system were relevant. The only Apple iOS app retrieved (Dental Trauma) was also found for the Android OS (Dental Trauma First Aid) and had the endorsement of the International Association of Dental Traumatology. AcciDent was the only app dedicated to traumatic dental injuries targeted solely towards dental professionals. Five other apps (Chipped Tooth Solution, Dental Crown Repair, Fixing Cracked Tooth, Repairing the Front Tooth and Solution to Broken Tooth) appeared to come from the same source (KBES). No traumatic dental injury apps were found for the Windows Phone OS. There are apps available for both patients and dentists that range in quality and on the whole lack real-life photographs. Future apps should continue to provide good quality, evidence-based and validated material. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Analysis of a fuel cell on-site integrated energy system for a residential complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simons, S. N.; Maag, W. L.

1979-01-01

The energy use and costs of the on-site integrated energy system (OS/IES) which provides electric power from an on-site power plant and recovers heat that would normally be rejected to the environment is compared to a conventional system purchasing electricity from a utility and a phosphoric acid fuel cell powered system. The analysis showed that for a 500-unit apartment complex a fuel OS/IES would be about 10% more energy conservative in terms of total coal consumption than a diesel OS/IES system or a conventional system. The fuel cell OS/IES capital costs could be 30 to 55% greater than the diesel OS/IES capital costs for the same life cycle costs. The life cycle cost of a fuel cell OS/IES would be lower than that for a conventional system as long as the cost of electricity is greater than $0.05 to $0.065/kWh. An analysis of several parametric combinations of fuel cell power plant and state-of-art energy recovery systems and annual fuel requirement calculations for four locations were made. It was shown that OS/IES component choices are a major factor in fuel consumption, with the least efficient system using 25% more fuel than the most efficient. Central air conditioning and heat pumps result in minimum fuel consumption while individual air conditioning units increase it, and in general the fuel cell of highest electrical efficiency has the lowest fuel consumption.

DeoR repression at-a-distance only weakly responds to changes in interoperator separation and DNA topology.

PubMed Central

Dandanell, G

1992-01-01

The interoperator distance between a synthetic operator Os and the deoP2O2-galK fusion was varied between 46 and 176 bp. The repression of the deoP2 directed galK expression as a function of the interoperator distance (center-to-center) was measured in vivo in a single-copy system. The results show that the DeoR repressor efficiently can repress transcription at all the interoperator distances tested. The degree of repression depends very little on the spacing between the operators, however, a weak periodic dependency of 8-11 bp may exist. PMID:1437558

An operating system for future aerospace vehicle computer systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foudriat, E. C.; Berman, W. J.; Will, R. W.; Bynum, W. L.

1984-01-01

The requirements for future aerospace vehicle computer operating systems are examined in this paper. The computer architecture is assumed to be distributed with a local area network connecting the nodes. Each node is assumed to provide a specific functionality. The network provides for communication so that the overall tasks of the vehicle are accomplished. The O/S structure is based upon the concept of objects. The mechanisms for integrating node unique objects with node common objects in order to implement both the autonomy and the cooperation between nodes is developed. The requirements for time critical performance and reliability and recovery are discussed. Time critical performance impacts all parts of the distributed operating system; e.g., its structure, the functional design of its objects, the language structure, etc. Throughout the paper the tradeoffs - concurrency, language structure, object recovery, binding, file structure, communication protocol, programmer freedom, etc. - are considered to arrive at a feasible, maximum performance design. Reliability of the network system is considered. A parallel multipath bus structure is proposed for the control of delivery time for time critical messages. The architecture also supports immediate recovery for the time critical message system after a communication failure.

Evolution of open radical retropubic prostatectomy--how have open surgeons responded to the challenge of minimally invasive surgery?

PubMed

Acharya, Sujeet S; Zorn, Kevin C; Shikanov, Sergey; Thong, Alan; Zagaja, Gregory P; Shalhav, Arieh L; Steinberg, Gary D

2009-11-01

With the advent of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for treating urologic malignancies, emphasis has been placed on reducing patient morbidity and resuming normal activity. We sought to clarify whether open surgeons (OS) have modified their techniques, surgical equipment, and perioperative management in response to this trend. A survey sent to all members of the Society of Urologic Oncology assessed changes that OS performing radical retropubic prostatectomy have made in analgesia, operative technique, perioperative management, and follow-up patterns. We also assessed OS sense of competition from MIS. Surgeon perception of the influence MIS had on these changes was scored from 0 to 4 (0 = not at all, 1 = slightly, 2 = moderately, 3 = greatly, 4 =completely). Overall and major influence by MIS included scores 1-4 and 3-4, respectively. Reduced radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) case volume because of MIS competition was reported by 20 OS (24%), with 27 OS (32%) starting to perform MIS, and 20 (24%) doing mostly/exclusively MIS. MIS has influenced OS to reduce incision length (overall influence 56%/major influence 33%), operative time (40%/12%), blood loss (31%/17%), and transfusion rate (33%/14%). MIS has influenced OS to use new instruments (48%/44%) or loupes (20%/9%), modify dissection (45%/31%) or anastomotic technique (14%/12%), and increase the use of hemostatic agents (48%/19%). MIS has reduced convalescence in OS patients by reducing length of stay (52%/28%), time to a regular diet (40%/18%), duration of drain (21%/16%) and Foley (32%/15%), time to return to work (49%/25%), and exercise (44%/21%). MIS has changed follow-up of OS patients by increasing the use of clinical pathways (14%/9%) and validated questionnaires (22%/13%). To date, the influence of MIS on the OS has not been comprehensively assessed. This survey finds that OS report that MIS serves as major competition to the open technique and that it has influenced them to modify their surgical technique, reduce convalescence, and alter follow-up recommendations.

Final Report: Non-Visible, Automated Target Acquisition and Tracking

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

Ziock, Klaus-Peter; Fabris, Lorenzo; Goddard, James K.

The Roadside Tracker (RST) represents a new approach to radiation portal monitors. It uses a combination of gamma-ray and visible-light imaging to localize gamma-ray radiation sources to individual vehicles in free-flowing, multi-lane traffic. Deployed as two trailers that are parked on either side of the roadway (Fig. 1); the RST scans passing traffic with two large gamma-ray imagers, one mounted in each trailer. The system compensates for vehicle motion through the imager’s fields of view by using automated target acquisition and tracking (TAT) software applied to a stream of video images. Once a vehicle has left the field of view,more » the radiation image of that vehicle is analyzed for the presence of a source, and if one is found, an alarm is sounded. The gamma-ray image is presented to the operator together with the video image of the traffic stream when the vehicle was approximately closest to the system (Fig. 2). The offending vehicle is identified with a bounding box to distinguish it from other vehicles that might be present at the same time. The system was developed under a previous grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). This report documents work performed with follow-on funding from DNDO to further advance the development of the RST. Specifically, the primary thrust was to extend the performance envelope of the system by replacing the visible-light video cameras used by the TAT software with sensors that would allow operation at night and during inclement weather. In particular, it was desired to allow operation after dark without requiring external lighting. As part of this work, the system software was also upgraded to allow the use of 64-bit computers, the current generation operating system (OS), software development environment (Windows 7 vs. Windows XP, and current Visual Studio.Net), and improved software version controls (GIT vs. Source Safe.) With the upgraded performance allowed by new computers, and the additional memory available in a 64-bit OS, the system was able to handle greater traffic densities, and this also allowed addition of the ability to handle stop-and-go traffic.« less

The study and design of tension controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jun, G.; Lamei, X.

2018-02-01

Tension control is a wide used technology in areas such as textiles, paper and plastic films. In this article, the tension control system release and winding process is analyzed and the mathematical model of tension control system is established, and a high performance tension controller is designed. In hardware design, STM32F130 single chip microcomputer is used as the control core, which has the characteristics of fast running speed and rich peripheral features. In software design, μC/OS-II operating system is introduced to improve the efficiency of single chip microcomputer, and enhance the independence of each module, and make development and maintenance more convenient. The taper tension control is adopted in the winding part, which can effectively solve the problem of rolling shrinkage. The results show that the tension controller has the characteristics of simple structure, easy operation and stable performance.

Provenance Datasets Highlighting Capture Disparities

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

Vistrails [20], Taverna [21] or Kepler [6], and an OS -observing system like PASS [18]. In less granular workflow systems, the data files, scripts...run, etc. are capturable as long as they are executed within the workflow system. In more granular OS -observing systems, the actual reads, writes...rolling up” very granular information to less granular information. OS -level capture knows that a socket was opened and that data was sent to a foreign

High Capacity Single Table Performance Design Using Partitioning in Oracle or PostgreSQL

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

Indicators ( KPIs ) 13  5.  Conclusion 14  List of Symbols, Abbreviations, and Acronyms 15  Distribution List 16 iv List of Figures Figure 1. Oracle...Figure 7. Time to seek and return one record. 4. Additional Key Performance Indicators ( KPIs ) In addition to pure response time, there are other...Laboratory ASM Automatic Storage Management CPU central processing unit I/O input/output KPIs key performance indicators OS operating system

A Framework for Evaluating Common Operating Environments: Piloting, Lessons Learned, and Opportunities

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-01

run a Microsoft OS. Apple iTunes Online sales and distribution of streaming and stored entertain- ment content www.itunes.com Apple provides the...Apple iTunes Online sales and distribu- tion of streaming and stored entertainment con- tent PodCast Creator Podcast Creator provides integrated...Commercial examples of software system COEs include Cisco WebEx, Microsoft NetMeet- CMU/SEI-2010-SR-025 | 16 ing, and Apple iTunes . Example Problem Space

Airborne Warning and Control System Block 40/45 Upgrade (AWACS Blk 40/45 Upgrade)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-01

MILCON - Military Construction N /A - Not Applicable O&S - Operating and Support Oth - Other PAUC - Program Acquisition Unit Cost PB - President’s...and Evaluation SAR - Selected Acquisition Report Sch - Schedule Spt - Support TBD - To Be Determined TY - Then Year UCR - Unit Cost Reporting AWACS Blk...Objective and Threshold, and Current Estimate for IOT&E milestone have been corrected from June 2011 to June 2012, to reflect the actual date of

ADA Implementation Issues as Discovered through a Literature Survey of Applications Outside the United States

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-03-01

compile time, ensuring that operations conducted are appropriate for the object type. Each implementation requires a database known as the program...Finnish bank being developed by Nokia • Oil drilling control system managed by Sedco- Forex * Vigile - an industrial installation supervisor project by...user interface and Oracle database backend control. The software is being developed in Ada under DOD-STD-2167 under OS/2. BELGIUM BATS S.A. Project title

Re–Os geochronology of the lacustrine Green River Formation: Insights into direct depositional dating of lacustrine successions, Re–Os systematics and paleocontinental weathering

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cumming, Vivien M.; Selby, David; Lillis, Paul G.

2012-01-01

Lacustrine sedimentary successions provide exceptionally high-resolution records of continental geological processes, responding to tectonic, climatic and magmatic influences. These successions are therefore essential for correlating geological and climatic phenomena across continents and furthermore the globe. Producing accurate geochronological frameworks within lacustrine strata is challenging because the stratigraphy is often bereft of biostratigraphy and directly dateable tuff horizons. The rhenium–osmium (Re–Os) geochronometer is a well-established tool for determining precise and accurate depositional ages of marine organic-rich rocks. Lake systems with stratified water columns are predisposed to the preservation of organic-rich rocks and thus should permit direct Re–Os geochronology of lacustrine strata. We present Re–Os systematics from one of the world's best documented lacustrine systems, the Eocene Green River Formation, providing accurate Re–Os depositional dates that are supported by Ar–Ar and U–Pb ages of intercalated tuff horizons. Precision of the Green River Formation Re–Os dates is controlled by the variation in initial 187Os/188Os and the range of 187Re/188Os ratios, as also documented in marine systems. Controls on uptake and fractionation of Re and Os are considered to relate mainly to depositional setting and the type of organic matter deposited, with the need to further understand the chelating precursors of Re and Os in organic matter highlighted. In addition to geochronology, the Re–Os data records the 187Os/188Os composition of lake water (1.41–1.54) at the time of deposition, giving an insight into continental runoff derived from weathering of the geological hinterland of the Green River Formation. Such insights enable us to evaluate fluctuations in continental climatic, tectonic and magmatic processes and provide the ability for chemostratigraphic correlation combined with direct depositional dates. Furthermore, initial 187Os/188Os values can be used as a diagnostic tool to distinguish between lacustrine and marine depositional settings when compared to known oceanic 187Os/188Os values.

Osmium Isotopic Evolution of the Mantle Sources of Precambrian Ultramafic Rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gangopadhyay, A.; Walker, R. J.

2006-12-01

The Os isotopic composition of the modern mantle, as recorded collectively by ocean island basalts, mid- oceanic ridge basalts (MORB) and abyssal peridotites, is evidently highly heterogeneous (γ Os(I) ranging from <-10 to >+25). One important question, therefore, is how and when the Earth's mantle developed such large-scale Os isotopic heterogeneities. Previous Os isotopic studies of ancient ultramafic systems, including komatiites and picrites, have shown that the Os isotopic heterogeneity of the terrestrial mantle can be traced as far back as the late-Archean (~ 2.7-2.8 Ga). This observation is based on the initial Os isotopic ratios obtained for the mantle sources of some of the ancient ultramafic rocks determined through analyses of numerous Os-rich whole-rock and/or mineral samples. In some cases, the closed-system behavior of these ancient ultramafic rocks was demonstrated via the generation of isochrons of precise ages, consistent with those obtained from other radiogenic isotopic systems. Thus, a compilation of the published initial ^{187}Os/^{188}Os ratios reported for the mantle sources of komatiitic and picritic rocks is now possible that covers a large range of geologic time spanning from the Mesozoic (ca. 89 Ma Gorgona komatiites) to the Mid-Archean (e.g., ca. 3.3 Ga Commondale komatiites), which provides a comprehensive picture of the Os isotopic evolution of their mantle sources through geologic time. Several Precambrian komatiite/picrite systems are characterized by suprachondritic initial ^{187}Os/^{188}Os ratios (e.g., Belingwe, Kostomuksha, Pechenga). Such long-term enrichments in ^{187}Os of the mantle sources for these rocks may be explained via recycling of old mafic oceanic crust or incorporation of putative suprachondritic outer core materials entrained into their mantle sources. The relative importance of the two processes for some modern mantle-derived systems (e.g., Hawaiian picrites) is an issue of substantial debate. Importantly, however, the high-precision initial Os isotopic compositions of the majority of ultramafic systems show strikingly uniform initial ^{187}Os/^{188}Os ratios, consistent with their derivation from sources that had Os isotopic evolution trajectory very similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites. In addition, the Os isotopic evolution trajectories of the mantle sources for most komatiites show resolvably lower average Re/Os than that estimated for the Primitive Upper Mantle (PUM), yet significantly higher than that obtained in some estimates for the modern convecting upper mantle, as determined via analyses of abyssal peridotites. One possibility is that most of the komatiites sample mantle sources that are unique relative to the sources of abyssal peridotites and MORB. Previous arguments that komatiites originate via large extents of partial melting of relatively deep upper mantle, or even lower mantle materials could, therefore, implicate a source that is different from the convecting upper mantle. If so, this source is remarkably uniform in its long-term Re/Os, and it shows moderate depletion in Re relative to the PUM. Alternatively, if the komatiites are generated within the convective upper mantle through relatively large extents of partial melting, they may provide a better estimate of the Os isotopic composition of the convective upper mantle than that obtained via analyses of MORB, abyssal peridotites and ophiolites.

Development for equipment of the milk macromolecules content detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Guochao; Li, Weimin; Shang, Tingyi; Xi, Yang; Gao, Yunli; Zhou, Zhen

Developed an experimental device for rapid and accurate detection of milk macromolecular content. This device developed based on laser scattered through principle, the principle use of the ingredients of the scattered light and transmitted light ratio characterization of macromolecules. Peristaltic pump to achieve automatic input and output of the milk samples, designing weak signal detection amplifier circuit for detecting the ratio with ICL7650. Real-time operating system μC / OS-II is the core design of the software part of the whole system. The experimental data prove that the device can achieve a fast real-time measurement of milk macromolecules.

Rhenium-osmium systematics of calcium-aluminium-rich inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites

USGS Publications Warehouse

Becker, H.; Morgan, J.W.; Walker, R.J.; MacPherson, G.J.; Grossman, J.N.

2001-01-01

The Re-Os isotopic systematics of calcium-aluminium-rich inclusions (CAIs) in chondrites were investigated in order to shed light on the behavior of the Re-Os system in bulk chondrites, and to constrain the timing of chemical fractionation in primitive chondrites. CAIs with relatively unfractionated rare earth element (REE) patterns (groups I, III, V, VI) define a narrow range of 187Re/188Os (0.3764-0.4443) and 187Os/188Os (0.12599-0.12717), and high but variable Re and Os abundances (3209-41,820 ppb Os). In contrast, CAIs that show depletions in highly refractory elements and strongly fractionated REE patterns (group II) also show a much larger range in 187Re/188Os (0.409-0.535) and 187Os/188Os (0.12695-0.13770), and greater than an order of magnitude lower Re and Os abundances than other groups (e.g., 75.7-680.2 ppb Os). Sixteen bulk CAIs and CAI splits plot within analytical uncertainty of a 4558 Ga reference isochron, as is expected for materials of this antiquity. Eight samples, however, plot off the isochron. Several possible reasons for these deviations are discussed. Data for multiple splits of one CAI indicate that the nonisochronous behavior for at least this CAI is the result of Re-Os reequilibration at approximately 1.6 Ga. Thus, the most likely explanation for the deviations of most of the nonisochronous CAIs is late-stage open-system behavior of Re and Os in the asteroidal environment. The 187Os/188Os-Os systematics of CAIs are consistent with previous models that indicate group II CAIs are mixtures of components that lost the bulk of their highly refractory elements in a previous condensation event and a minor second component that provided refractory elements at chondritic relative proportions. The high Re/Os of group II CAIs relative to other CAIs and chondrite bulk rocks may have been caused by variable mobilization of Re and Os during medium- to low-temperature parent body alteration ??4.5 Ga ago. This model is favored over nebular models, which pose several difficulties. The narrow range of 187Os/188Os in group I, III, V, and VI bulk CAIs, and the agreement with 187Os/188Os of whole rock carbonaceous chondrites suggest that on a bulk inclusion scale, secondary alteration only modestly fractionated Re/Os in these CAIs. The average of 187Os/188Os for group I, III, V, and VI CAIs is indistinguishable from average CI chondrites, indicating a modern solar system value for 187Os/188Os of 0.12650, corresponding to a 187Re/188Os of 0.3964. Copyright ?? 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Hybrid Operations in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

PubMed Central

Murakami, Atsubumi

2018-01-01

In this seminar, I would like to discuss the recent hybrid operations in patients with peripheral arterial diseases. Hybrid is generally defined as combinations of different types of things. In the surgical community, it is loosely defined as therapy combining open surgery (OS) and endovascular therapy (EVT). In practice, combination surgery of diseased inflow vessels by EVT and outflow vessels by OS is a typical example, namely, the combination therapy of thromboendarterectomy (TEA) for common femoral artery and EVT (PTA and stenting) for iliac artery in patients with PAD (ilio-femoral lesions). Also, there is the potential of various combinations of OS and EVT for complex lesions. Unfortunately, we do not have specific guidelines for hybrid therapy of PAD, but in clinical practices, justified decision-making for surgical indication is strictly required. I emphasize that the cardiovascular surgeon (or vascular specialist) must have the ability of decision-making for suitable combination therapy of OS and EVT which adheres to existing specific guidelines. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2017; 26: 275–283.) PMID:29682108

COPYCAT; IBM OS system catalog utility routine. [IBM360,370; Assembly language

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

Engert, D.E.

COPYCAT is an OS utility program designed to produce an efficient system-wide catalog which may reside on many volumes. Substantial improvement in performance may also be obtained on a system with only a single catalog. First, catalog entries from many different catalogs may be redistributed to equalize the load on each catalog. Second, each individual catalog is restructured in a way designed to minimize the I/O time required for searching and updating. Redistribution and restructuring parameters are under user control. Model DSCB's for generation data groups and alias entries are also processed. Catalogs on all direct access devices, including datamore » cells, are supported. Backup copies may also be made.IBM360,370; Assembly language; OS/MVT, OS/MFT, OS/VS1 and OS/VS2 Release 1; A large region size is recommended since COPYCAT will use all of the core available to it for buffers..« less

osFP: a web server for predicting the oligomeric states of fluorescent proteins.

PubMed

Simeon, Saw; Shoombuatong, Watshara; Anuwongcharoen, Nuttapat; Preeyanon, Likit; Prachayasittikul, Virapong; Wikberg, Jarl E S; Nantasenamat, Chanin

2016-01-01

Currently, monomeric fluorescent proteins (FP) are ideal markers for protein tagging. The prediction of oligomeric states is helpful for enhancing live biomedical imaging. Computational prediction of FP oligomeric states can accelerate the effort of protein engineering efforts of creating monomeric FPs. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first computational model for predicting and analyzing FP oligomerization directly from the amino acid sequence. After data curation, an exhaustive data set consisting of 397 non-redundant FP oligomeric states was compiled from the literature. Results from benchmarking of the protein descriptors revealed that the model built with amino acid composition descriptors was the top performing model with accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in excess of 80% and MCC greater than 0.6 for all three data subsets (e.g. training, tenfold cross-validation and external sets). The model provided insights on the important residues governing the oligomerization of FP. To maximize the benefit of the generated predictive model, it was implemented as a web server under the R programming environment. osFP affords a user-friendly interface that can be used to predict the oligomeric state of FP using the protein sequence. The advantage of osFP is that it is platform-independent meaning that it can be accessed via a web browser on any operating system and device. osFP is freely accessible at http://codes.bio/osfp/ while the source code and data set is provided on GitHub at https://github.com/chaninn/osFP/.Graphical Abstract.

Os isotopes in SNC meteorites and their implications to the early evolution of Mars and Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jagoutz, E.; Luck, J. M.; Othman, D. Ben; Wanke, H.

1993-01-01

A new development on the measurement of the Os isotopic composition by mass spectrometry using negative ions opened a new field of applications. The Re-Os systematic provides time information on the differentiation of the nobel metals. The nobel metals are strongly partitioned into metal and sulphide phases, but also the generation of silicate melts might fractionate the Re-Os system. Compared to the other isotopic systems which are mainly dating the fractionation of the alkalis and alkali-earth elements, the Re-Os system is expected to disclose entirely new information about the geochemistry. Especially the differentiation and early evolution of the planets such as the formation of the core will be elucidated with this method.

Validation of post-operative residual contrast enhancing tumor volume as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

PubMed

Ellingson, Benjamin M; Abrey, Lauren E; Nelson, Sarah J; Kaufmann, Timothy J; Garcia, Josep; Chinot, Olivier; Saran, Frank; Nishikawa, Ryo; Henriksson, Roger; Mason, Warren P; Wick, Wolfgang; Butowski, Nicholas; Ligon, Keith L; Gerstner, Elizabeth R; Colman, Howard; de Groot, John; Chang, Susan; Mellinghoff, Ingo; Young, Robert J; Alexander, Brian M; Colen, Rivka; Taylor, Jennie W; Arrillaga-Romany, Isabel; Mehta, Arnav; Huang, Raymond Y; Pope, Whitney B; Reardon, David; Batchelor, Tracy; Prados, Michael; Galanis, Evanthia; Wen, Patrick Y; Cloughesy, Timothy F

2018-04-05

In the current study, we pooled imaging data in newly diagnosed GBM patients from international multicenter clinical trials, single institution databases, and multicenter clinical trial consortiums to identify the relationship between post-operative residual enhancing tumor volume and overall survival (OS). Data from 1,511 newly diagnosed GBM patients from 5 data sources were included in the current study: 1) a single institution database from UCLA (N=398; Discovery); 2) patients from the Ben and Cathy Ivy Foundation for Early Phase Clinical Trials Network Radiogenomics Database (N=262 from 8 centers; Confirmation); 3) the chemoradiation placebo arm from an international phase III trial (AVAglio; N=394 from 120 locations in 23 countries; Validation); 4) the experimental arm from AVAglio examining chemoradiation plus bevacizumab (N=404 from 120 locations in 23 countries; Exploratory Set 1); and 5) an Alliance (N0874) Phase I/II trial of vorinostat plus chemoradiation (N=53; Exploratory Set 2). Post-surgical, residual enhancing disease was quantified using T1 subtraction maps. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to determine influence of clinical variables, MGMT status, and residual tumor volume on OS. A log-linear relationship was observed between post-operative, residual enhancing tumor volume and OS in newly diagnosed GBM treated with standard chemoradiation. Post-operative tumor volume is a prognostic factor for OS (P<0.01), regardless of therapy, age, and MGMT promoter methylation status. Post-surgical, residual contrast-enhancing disease significantly negatively influences survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with chemoradiation with or without concomitant experimental therapy.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for operable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Eriguchi, Takahisa; Takeda, Atsuya; Sanuki, Naoko; Tsurugai, Yuichiro; Aoki, Yousuke; Oku, Yohei; Hara, Yu; Akiba, Takeshi; Shigematsu, Naoyuki

2017-07-01

To analyze outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for operable patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate factors associated with outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed operable patients with NSCLC, staged as cT1-2N0M0, treated with SBRT between 2006 and 2015. Both biopsy-proven and clinically diagnosed NSCLC were included. Local control and survival rates were calculated and compared between subsets of patients. We investigated factors associated with outcomes. We identified 88 operable patients among 661 patients with cT1-2N0M0 NSCLC. The median age was 79 years (range: 55-88). The median follow-up time after SBRT was 40 months (range: 4-121). Fifty-nine patients had been pathologically diagnosed and the other 29 had been clinically diagnosed as having NSCLC. Local control, cause-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) at 3 years were 91%, 97% and 90% for T1, and 100%, 82% and 74% for T2, respectively. The CSS and OS at 3 years were 100% and 100% for GGO and 83% and 59% for solid tumors, respectively (p=0.005). On univariate analysis, age and T stage were significantly associated with CSS, and age, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and opacity were significantly associated with OS. On multivariate analysis, age and CCI were significantly associated with OS. As for toxicities, Grades 0, 1, 2 and 3 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 37.5%, 47.7%, 13.6% and 1.1% of patients, respectively. No Grade 4 or 5 radiation pneumonitis occurred, and no other toxicities of Grade 2 or above were observed. Outcomes of SBRT for operable early stage NSCLC were as good as previous SBRT and surgery studies. Further investigation for selecting good SBRT candidates is warranted in high-risk operable patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Authomatization of Digital Collection Access Using Mobile and Wireless Data Terminals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leontiev, I. V.

Information technologies become vital due to information processing needs, database access, data analysis and decision support. Currently, a lot of scientific projects are oriented on database integration of heterogeneous systems. The problem of on-line and rapid access to large integrated systems of digital collections is also very important. Usually users move between different locations, either at work or at home. In most cases users need an efficient and remote access to information, stored in integrated data collections. Desktop computers are unable to fulfill the needs, so mobile and wireless devices become helpful. Handhelds and data terminals are nessessary in medical assistance (they store detailed information about each patient, and helpful for nurses), immediate access to data collections is used in a Highway patrol services (databanks of cars, owners, driver licences). Using mobile access, warehouse operations can be validated. Library and museum items cyclecounting will speed up using online barcode-scanning and central database access. That's why mobile devices - cell phones, PDA, handheld computers with wireless access, WindowsCE and PalmOS terminals become popular. Generally, mobile devices have a relatively slow processor, and limited display capabilities, but they are effective for storing and displaying textual data, recognize user hand-writing with stylus, support GUI. Users can perform operations on handheld terminal, and exchange data with the main system (using immediate radio access, or offline access during syncronization process) for update. In our report, we give an approach for mobile access to data collections, which raises an efficiency of data processing in a book library, helps to control available books, books in stock, validate service charges, eliminate staff mistakes, generate requests for book delivery. Our system uses mobile devices Symbol RF (with radio-channel access), and data terminals Symbol Palm Terminal for batch-processing and synchronization with remote library databases. We discuss the use of PalmOS-compatible devices, and WindowsCE terminals. Our software system is based on modular, scalable three-tier architecture. Additional functionality can be easily customized. Scalability is also supplied by Internet / Intranet technologies, and radio-access points. The base module of the system supports generic warehouse operations: cyclecounting with handheld barcode-scanners, efficient items delivery and issue, item movement, reserving, report generating on finished and in-process operations. Movements are optimized using worker's current location, operations are sorted in a priority order and transmitted to mobile and wireless worker's terminals. Mobile terminals improve of tasks processing control, eliminate staff mistakes, display actual information about main processes, provide data for online-reports, and significantly raise the efficiency of data exchange.

An Unsupervised Online Spike-Sorting Framework.

PubMed

Knieling, Simeon; Sridharan, Kousik S; Belardinelli, Paolo; Naros, Georgios; Weiss, Daniel; Mormann, Florian; Gharabaghi, Alireza

2016-08-01

Extracellular neuronal microelectrode recordings can include action potentials from multiple neurons. To separate spikes from different neurons, they can be sorted according to their shape, a procedure referred to as spike-sorting. Several algorithms have been reported to solve this task. However, when clustering outcomes are unsatisfactory, most of them are difficult to adjust to achieve the desired results. We present an online spike-sorting framework that uses feature normalization and weighting to maximize the distinctiveness between different spike shapes. Furthermore, multiple criteria are applied to either facilitate or prevent cluster fusion, thereby enabling experimenters to fine-tune the sorting process. We compare our method to established unsupervised offline (Wave_Clus (WC)) and online (OSort (OS)) algorithms by examining their performance in sorting various test datasets using two different scoring systems (AMI and the Adamos metric). Furthermore, we evaluate sorting capabilities on intra-operative recordings using established quality metrics. Compared to WC and OS, our algorithm achieved comparable or higher scores on average and produced more convincing sorting results for intra-operative datasets. Thus, the presented framework is suitable for both online and offline analysis and could substantially improve the quality of microelectrode-based data evaluation for research and clinical application.

Biomechanical ToolKit: Open-source framework to visualize and process biomechanical data.

PubMed

Barre, Arnaud; Armand, Stéphane

2014-04-01

C3D file format is widely used in the biomechanical field by companies and laboratories to store motion capture systems data. However, few software packages can visualize and modify the integrality of the data in the C3D file. Our objective was to develop an open-source and multi-platform framework to read, write, modify and visualize data from any motion analysis systems using standard (C3D) and proprietary file formats (used by many companies producing motion capture systems). The Biomechanical ToolKit (BTK) was developed to provide cost-effective and efficient tools for the biomechanical community to easily deal with motion analysis data. A large panel of operations is available to read, modify and process data through C++ API, bindings for high-level languages (Matlab, Octave, and Python), and standalone application (Mokka). All these tools are open-source and cross-platform and run on all major operating systems (Windows, Linux, MacOS X). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance of Distributed CFAR Processors in Pearson Distributed Clutter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Messali, Zoubeida; Soltani, Faouzi

2006-12-01

This paper deals with the distributed constant false alarm rate (CFAR) radar detection of targets embedded in heavy-tailed Pearson distributed clutter. In particular, we extend the results obtained for the cell averaging (CA), order statistics (OS), and censored mean level CMLD CFAR processors operating in positive alpha-stable (P&S) random variables to more general situations, specifically to the presence of interfering targets and distributed CFAR detectors. The receiver operating characteristics of the greatest of (GO) and the smallest of (SO) CFAR processors are also determined. The performance characteristics of distributed systems are presented and compared in both homogeneous and in presence of interfering targets. We demonstrate, via simulation results, that the distributed systems when the clutter is modelled as positive alpha-stable distribution offer robustness properties against multiple target situations especially when using the "OR" fusion rule.

The equipment access software for a distributed UNIX-based accelerator control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trofimov, Nikolai; Zelepoukine, Serguei; Zharkov, Eugeny; Charrue, Pierre; Gareyte, Claire; Poirier, Hervé

1994-12-01

This paper presents a generic equipment access software package for a distributed control system using computers with UNIX or UNIX-like operating systems. The package consists of three main components, an application Equipment Access Library, Message Handler and Equipment Data Base. An application task, which may run in any computer in the network, sends requests to access equipment through Equipment Library calls. The basic request is in the form Equipment-Action-Data and is routed via a remote procedure call to the computer to which the given equipment is connected. In this computer the request is received by the Message Handler. According to the type of the equipment connection, the Message Handler either passes the request to the specific process software in the same computer or forwards it to a lower level network of equipment controllers using MIL1553B, GPIB, RS232 or BITBUS communication. The answer is then returned to the calling application. Descriptive information required for request routing and processing is stored in the real-time Equipment Data Base. The package has been written to be portable and is currently available on DEC Ultrix, LynxOS, HPUX, XENIX, OS-9 and Apollo domain.

Detection of Spoofed MAC Addresses in 802.11 Wireless Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Kai; Li, Jing; Sampalli, Srinivas

Medium Access Control (MAC) address spoofing is considered as an important first step in a hacker's attempt to launch a variety of attacks on 802.11 wireless networks. Unfortunately, MAC address spoofing is hard to detect. Most current spoofing detection systems mainly use the sequence number (SN) tracking technique, which has drawbacks. Firstly, it may lead to an increase in the number of false positives. Secondly, such techniques cannot be used in systems with wireless cards that do not follow standard 802.11 sequence number patterns. Thirdly, attackers can forge sequence numbers, thereby causing the attacks to go undetected. We present a new architecture called WISE GUARD (Wireless Security Guard) for detection of MAC address spoofing on 802.11 wireless LANs. It integrates three detection techniques - SN tracking, Operating System (OS) fingerprinting & tracking and Received Signal Strength (RSS) fingerprinting & tracking. It also includes the fingerprinting of Access Point (AP) parameters as an extension to the OS fingerprinting for detection of AP address spoofing. We have implemented WISE GUARD on a test bed using off-the-shelf wireless devices and open source drivers. Experimental results show that the new design enhances the detection effectiveness and reduces the number of false positives in comparison with current approaches.

Peroneus longus tears associated with pathology of the os peroneum.

PubMed

Stockton, Kristopher G; Brodsky, James W

2014-04-01

There is a range of different types of tears and pathology of the peroneal tendons. One of the least common types is the tear of the peroneus longus associated with fracture, enlargement, or entrapment at the cuboid tunnel of the os peroneum. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pathologic patterns of these uncommon peroneal tendon tears, to review the treatment, and to report the patient outcomes following treatment with excision of the os peroneum, debridement, and tenodesis of the peroneus longus to the peroneus brevis. A 5-year retrospective review of all patients with peroneal tendon tears identified 12 patients operatively treated for peroneus longus tendon tears with associated pathology of the os peroneum, and in whom there was a viable peroneus brevis. All patients were treated with an operative procedure consisting of excision of the os peroneum, debridement, and tenodesis of the peroneus longus to the peroneus brevis. Mean age was 51.5 (range, 33 to 73) years, including 7 males and 5 females. Operative and radiographic records were reviewed to characterize the nature of the peroneus longus tears and associated pathology. Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS hindfoot, SF-36 questionnaires, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores were compiled and patient records were reviewed for complications. Mean follow-up after surgery was 63.3 (range, 12 to 114) months. All of the patients had an os peroneum associated with a complex, irreparable tear of the peroneus longus tendon. The peroneus longus was typically enlarged, fibrotic, and adhered to the surrounding tissues. In 8 patients, the peroneus longus tendon tear was associated with a fracture of the os peroneum, and in 4 patients with an enlarged and entrapped os peroneum which prevented movement at the cuboid tunnel. Of the 12 patients, 9 had partial tears of the peroneus brevis, which were treated with debridement and suture repair. AOFAS hindfoot scores increased from a preoperative mean of 61 (range, 46 to 75) to a postoperative mean of 91.7 (range, 60 to 100). Mean preoperative SF-36 Physical Component Scores (PCS) increased from 36 to 52 postoperatively. Mean VAS pain scores decreased from a preoperative mean of 6.3 (range, 4 to 8) to a postoperative mean of 1.0 (range, 0 to 4). Complications included 2 patients with sural neuritis and 3 with superficial delayed wound healing successfully treated nonoperatively. Tears of the distal peroneus longus tendon, which are much less commonly reported than tears of the peroneus brevis, can be associated with pathology of the os peroneum. Excision of the os peroneum, tendon debridement, and tenodesis of the longus to brevis was an effective surgical technique. Level IV, case series.

Lessons Learned From Developing Three Generations of Remote Sensing Science Data Processing Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tilmes, Curt; Fleig, Albert J.

2005-01-01

The Biospheric Information Systems Branch at NASA s Goddard Space Flight Center has developed three generations of Science Investigator-led Processing Systems for use with various remote sensing instruments. The first system is used for data from the MODIS instruments flown on NASA s Earth Observing Systems @OS) Terra and Aqua Spacecraft launched in 1999 and 2002 respectively. The second generation is for the Ozone Measuring Instrument flying on the EOS Aura spacecraft launched in 2004. We are now developing a third generation of the system for evaluation science data processing for the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) to be flown by the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) in 2006. The initial system was based on large scale proprietary hardware, operating and database systems. The current OMI system and the OMPS system being developed are based on commodity hardware, the LINUX Operating System and on PostgreSQL, an Open Source RDBMS. The new system distributes its data archive across multiple server hosts and processes jobs on multiple processor boxes. We have created several instances of this system, including one for operational processing, one for testing and reprocessing and one for applications development and scientific analysis. Prior to receiving the first data from OMI we applied the system to reprocessing information from the Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV) and Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instruments flown from 1978 until now. The system was able to process 25 years (108,000 orbits) of data and produce 800,000 files (400 GiB) of level 2 and level 3 products in less than a week. We will describe the lessons we have learned and tradeoffs between system design, hardware, operating systems, operational staffing, user support and operational procedures. During each generational phase, the system has become more generic and reusable. While the system is not currently shrink wrapped we believe it is to the point where it could be readily adopted, with substantial cost savings, for other similar tasks.

Development of Data Processing Software for NBI Spectroscopic Analysis System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiaodan; Hu, Chundong; Sheng, Peng; Zhao, Yuanzhe; Wu, Deyun; Cui, Qinglong

2015-04-01

A set of data processing software is presented in this paper for processing NBI spectroscopic data. For better and more scientific managment and querying these data, they are managed uniformly by the NBI data server. The data processing software offers the functions of uploading beam spectral original and analytic data to the data server manually and automatically, querying and downloading all the NBI data, as well as dealing with local LZO data. The set software is composed of a server program and a client program. The server software is programmed in C/C++ under a CentOS development environment. The client software is developed under a VC 6.0 platform, which offers convenient operational human interfaces. The network communications between the server and the client are based on TCP. With the help of this set software, the NBI spectroscopic analysis system realizes the unattended automatic operation, and the clear interface also makes it much more convenient to offer beam intensity distribution data and beam power data to operators for operation decision-making. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11075183), the Chinese Academy of Sciences Knowledge Innovation

The Epidemiology of Operation Stress during Continuing Promise 2011: A Humanitarian Response and Disaster Relief Mission aboard a US Navy Hospital Ship.

PubMed

Scouten, William T; Mehalick, Melissa L; Yoder, Elizabeth; McCoy, Andrea; Brannock, Tracy; Riddle, Mark S

2017-08-01

Introduction Operational stress describes individual behavior in response to the occupational demands and tempo of a mission. The stress response of military personnel involved in combat and peace-keeping missions has been well-described. The spectrum of effect on medical professionals and support staff providing humanitarian assistance, however, is less well delineated. Research to date concentrates mainly on shore-based humanitarian missions. Problem The goal of the current study was to document the pattern of operational stress, describe factors responsible for it, and the extent to which these factors impact job performance in military and civilian participants of Continuing Promise 2011 (CP11), a ship-based humanitarian medical mission. This was a retrospective study of Disease Non-Battle Injury (DNBI) data from the medical sick-call clinic and from weekly self-report questionnaires for approximately 900 US military and civilian mission participants aboard the USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20). The incidence rates and job performance impact of reported Operational Stress/Mental Health (OS/MH) issues and predictors (age, rank, occupation, service branch) of OS/MH issues (depression, anxiety) were analyzed over a 22-week deployment period. Incidence rates of OS/MH complaints from the sick-call clinic were 3.7% (4.5/1,000 persons) and 12.0% (53/1,000 persons) from the self-report questionnaire. The rate of operational stress increased as the mission progressed and fluctuated during the mission according to ship movement. Approximately 57% of the responders reported no impact on job performance. Younger individuals (enlisted ranks E4-6, officer ranks O1-3), especially Air Force service members, those who had spent only one day off ship, and those who were members of specific directorates, reported the highest rates of operational stress. The overall incidence of OS/MH complaints was low in participants of CP11 but was under-estimated by clinic-based reporting. The OS/MH complaints increased as the mission progressed, were more prevalent in certain groups, and appeared to be related to ship's movement. These findings document the pattern of operational stress in a ship-based medical humanitarian mission and confirm unique ship-based stressors. This information may be used by planners of similar missions to develop mitigation strategies for known stressors and by preventive medicine, behavioral health specialists, and mission leaders to develop sensitive surveillance tools to better detect and manage operational stress while on mission. Scouten WT , Mehalick ML , Yoder E , McCoy A , Brannock T , Riddle MS . The epidemiology of operation stress during Continuing Promise 2011: a humanitarian response and disaster relief mission aboard a US Navy hospital ship. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(4):393-402.

Proposed color workflow solution from mobile and website to printing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, Mu; Wyse, Terry

2015-03-01

With the recent introduction of mobile devices and development in client side application technologies, there is an explosion of the parameter matrix for color management: hardware platform (computer vs. mobile), operating system (Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS), client application (Flesh, IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome), and file format (JPEG, TIFF, PDF of various versions). In a modern digital print shop, multiple print solutions are used: digital presses, wide format inkjet, dye sublimation inkjet are used to produce a wide variety of customizable products from photo book, personalized greeting card, canvas, mobile phone case and more. In this paper, we outline a strategy spans from client side application, print file construction, to color setup on printer to manage consistency and also achieve what-you-see-is-what-you-get for customers who are using a wide variety of technologies in viewing and ordering product.

Mushu, a free- and open source BCI signal acquisition, written in Python.

PubMed

Venthur, Bastian; Blankertz, Benjamin

2012-01-01

The following paper describes Mushu, a signal acquisition software for retrieval and online streaming of Electroencephalography (EEG) data. It is written, but not limited, to the needs of Brain Computer Interfacing (BCI). It's main goal is to provide a unified interface to EEG data regardless of the amplifiers used. It runs under all major operating systems, like Windows, Mac OS and Linux, is written in Python and is free- and open source software licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

Operating Systems Standards Working Group (OSSWG) Next Generation Computer Resources (NGCR) Program First Annual Report - October 1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-04-01

Rich Bergman NOSC Dale Brouhard NOSC Stephen Cecil CRANE Tom Conrad NUSC Linda Elderhorst NATC Karen Gordon IDA Daniel Green NSWC Steve Howell NSWC Phil...dictate. Some mods for SAFENET have been 22 acceptable to joint WG, some not. 23 o Vendors make prototype and these are evaluated for 24 conformance by...Need to make 13 recommendation to NGCR concern what is feasible for I 34 O.S. 15 o Language binding and/or language independent? Make 16

Semantic Overlays in Educational Content Networks--The hylOs Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Engelhardt, Michael; Hildebrand, Arne; Lange, Dagmar; Schmidt, Thomas C.

2006-01-01

Purpose: The paper aims to introduce an educational content management system, Hypermedia Learning Objects System (hylOs), which is fully compliant to the IEEE LOM eLearning object metadata standard. Enabled through an advanced authoring toolset, hylOs allows the definition of instructional overlays of a given eLearning object mesh.…

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

Nauntofte, B.; Poulsen, J.H.

Stimulation-induced changes in Cl content and O2 consumption of collagenase-isolated rat parotid acini were measured. In <10 s, carbachol caused a net Cl efflux, corresponding to approx.50% of the Cl content, and increased the O2 uptake by 100%. The increase was inhibitable by ouabain and was dependent on the presence of extracellular CaS . Furosemide reduced the unstimulated TWCl uptake and prevented the reuptake of Cl after carbachol-induced release. This suggests that a cotransport system is operating in both the unstimulated and stimulated states. Furthermore, furosemide inhibited the stimulated ouabain-sensitive OS uptake. Raising intracellular CaS by the calcium ionophore A23187more » evoked the same pattern of Cl loss and O2 uptake as carboachol. Our results ae compatible with the following hypothesis. Carbachol raises intracellular CaS , causing an increased Cl permeability of the luminal membrane, resulting in a net Cl efflux. A subsequently enhanced influx of Cl and Na via a furosemide-sensitive cotransport system increases intracellular Na . This stimulates the Na -K -ATPase and thereby the OS consumption.« less

Surrogate endpoints for overall survival in lung cancer trials: a review.

PubMed

Fiteni, Frédéric; Westeel, Virginie; Bonnetain, Franck

2017-05-01

Intermediate endpoints are often used as primary endpoints instead of overall survival (OS) in lung cancer trials but they are not systematically validated as surrogate endpoints for OS. Areas covered: The aim of the study was to review the studies which assessed potential surrogate endpoints for OS in lung cancer trials. Expert commentary: Twenty studies were identified. In operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (adjuvant trials) and locally advanced NSCLC (radiotherapy trials), one individual-patient data meta-analysis found a high correlation of disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with OS at patient and trial level. In trials of adjuvant chemotherapy, correlation between disease-free survival DFS and OS were 0.83 at the individual level (95% CI 0.83-0.83) and 0.92 at trial level (95% CI 0.88-0.95). In locally advanced disease, correlation between PFS and OS was 0.77 to 0.85 at the individual level, and 0.89 to 0.97 at trial level. This study provides a 'proof' of the surrogacy of PFS and DFS on OS according to the IQWiG framework and the surrogacy of PFS and DFS on OS was classified level 2 according to Fleming hierarchy. In all the other setting, no endpoint was judged to be valid surrogate for OS.

A new transgenic rice line exhibiting enhanced ferric iron reduction and phytosiderophore production confers tolerance to low iron availability in calcareous soil.

PubMed

Masuda, Hiroshi; Shimochi, Erika; Hamada, Tatsuro; Senoura, Takeshi; Kobayashi, Takanori; Aung, May Sann; Ishimaru, Yasuhiro; Ogo, Yuko; Nakanishi, Hiromi; Nishizawa, Naoko K

2017-01-01

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a critical agricultural problem, especially in calcareous soil, which is distributed worldwide. Rice plants take up Fe(II) from soil through a OsIRT1 transporter (Strategy I-related system) and also take up Fe(III) via a phytosiderophore-based system (Strategy II system). However, rice plants are susceptible to low-Fe conditions because they have low Fe(III) reduction activity and low-level phytosiderophore secretion. Previously, we produced transgenic rice plants expressing a mutationally reconstructed yeast ferric chelate reductase, refre1/372, under the control of the OsIRT1 promoter. This transgenic rice line exhibited higher Fe(III) chelate reductase activity and tolerance to Fe deficiency. In addition, we produced transgenic rice overexpressing the Fe deficiency-inducible transcription factor, OsIRO2, which regulates the expression of various genes involved in the strategy II Fe(III) uptake system, including OsNAS1, OsNAAT1, OsDMAS1, OsYSL15, and TOM1. This transgenic rice exhibited improved phytosiderophore secretion ability and tolerance to Fe deficiency. In the present research, transgenic rice plants that possess both the OsIRT1 promoter-refre1/372 and the 35S promoter-OsIRO2 (RI lines) were produced to enhance both Strategy I Fe(II) reductase ability and Strategy II phytosiderophore productivity. RI lines exhibited enhanced tolerance to Fe-deficient conditions at the early and middle-late stages of growth in calcareous soil, compared to both the non-transgenic line and lines harboring either OsIRT1 promoter-refre1/372 or 35S promoter-OsIRO2 alone. RI lines also exhibited a 9-fold higher yield than the non-transgenic line. Moreover, we successfully produced Fe-deficiency-tolerant Tachisugata rice, which is a high-biomass variety used as fodder. Collectively, our results demonstrate that combined enhancement of two Fe uptake systems in rice is highly effective in conferring tolerance to low Fe availability in calcareous soil.

Performance analysis of sliding window filtering of two dimensional signals based on stream data processing systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazanskiy, Nikolay; Protsenko, Vladimir; Serafimovich, Pavel

2016-03-01

This research article contains an experiment with implementation of image filtering task in Apache Storm and IBM InfoSphere Streams stream data processing systems. The aim of presented research is to show that new technologies could be effectively used for sliding window filtering of image sequences. The analysis of execution was focused on two parameters: throughput and memory consumption. Profiling was performed on CentOS operating systems running on two virtual machines for each system. The experiment results showed that IBM InfoSphere Streams has about 1.5 to 13.5 times lower memory footprint than Apache Storm, but could be about 2.0 to 2.5 slower on a real hardware.

Pre-Treatment Anemia Is a Poor Prognostic Factor in Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients

PubMed Central

Szkandera, Joanna; Gerger, Armin; Liegl-Atzwanger, Bernadette; Stotz, Michael; Samonigg, Hellmut; Ploner, Ferdinand; Stojakovic, Tatjana; Leithner, Andreas; Pichler, Martin

2014-01-01

Background Anemia refers to low hemoglobin (Hb) levels, represents a common symptom and complication in cancer patients and was reported to negatively influence survival in patients with various malignancies. In the present study, we aimed to explore the prognostic impact of pre-operative Hb levels on clinical outcome in a large cohort of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients after curative surgery. Methods Retrospective data from 367 STS patients, which were operated between 1998 and 2013, were included in the study. Cut-off levels for anemia were defined as Hb<13 g/dl in males and Hb<12 g/dl in females according to the current WHO guidelines. The impact of pre-operative Hb levels on cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Additionally, Hb levels were compared for the prognostic influence on CSS and OS applying univariate and multivariate Cox proportional models. Results Hb level was associated with established prognostic factors, including age, tumor grade, size and depth (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that low Hb levels were significantly associated with decreased CSS and OS in STS patients (p<0.001 for both endpoints, log-rank test). In multivariate analysis, we found an independent association between low Hb levels and poor CSS and OS (HR = 0.46, Cl 95% = 0.25–0.85, p = 0.012; HR = 0.34, Cl 95% = 0.23–0.51, p<0.001). Conclusion The present data underline a negative prognostic impact of low pre-operative Hb levels on clinical outcome in STS patients. Thus, Hb levels may provide an additional and cost-effective tool to discriminate between STS patients that are at high risk of mortality. PMID:25207808

Nutlin-3 Treatment Spares Cisplatin-Induced Inhibition of Bone Healing While Maintaining Osteosarcoma Toxicity

PubMed Central

Stine, Kimo C.; Wahl, Elizabeth C.; Liu, Lichu; Skinner, Robert A.; VanderSchilden, Jaclyn; Bunn, Robert C.; Montgomery, Corey O.; Aronson, James; Becton, David L.; Nicholas, Richard W.; Swearingen, Christopher J.; Suva, Larry J.; Lumpkin, Charles K.

2017-01-01

The majority of Osteosarcoma (OS) patients are treated with a combination of chemotherapy, resection, and limb salvage protocols. These protocols include distraction osteogenesis (DO), which is characterized by direct new bone formation. Cisplatin (CDP) is extensively used for OS chemotherapy and recent studies, using a mouse DO model, have demonstrated that CDP has profound negative effects on bone repair. Recent oncological therapeutic strategies are based on the use of standard cytotoxic drugs plus an assortment of biologic agents. Here we demonstrate that the previously reported CDP-associated inhibition of bone repair can be modulated by the administration of a small molecule p53 inducer (nutlin-3). The effects of nutlin-3 on CDP osteotoxicity were studied using both pre- and post-operative treatment models. In both cases the addition of nutlin-3, bracketing CDP exposure, demonstrated robust and significant bone sparing activity (p < 0.01–0.001). In addition the combination of nutlin-3 and CDP induced equivalent OS tumor killing in a xenograft model. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the induction of p53 peri-operatively protects bone healing from the toxic effects of CDP, while maintaining OS toxicity. PMID:26867804

Embedded mobile farm robot for identification of diseased plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadistap, S. S.; Botre, B. A.; Pandit, Harshavardhan; Chandrasekhar; Rao, Adesh

2013-07-01

This paper presents the development of a mobile robot used in farms for identification of diseased plants. It puts forth two of the major aspects of robotics namely automated navigation and image processing. The robot navigates on the basis of the GPS (Global Positioning System) location and data obtained from IR (Infrared) sensors to avoid any obstacles in its path. It uses an image processing algorithm to differentiate between diseased and non-diseased plants. A robotic platform consisting of an ARM9 processor, motor drivers, robot mechanical assembly, camera and infrared sensors has been used. Mini2440 microcontroller has been used wherein Embedded linux OS (Operating System) is implemented.

Optical Frequency Measurements Relying on a Mid-Infrared Frequency Standard

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rovera, G. Daniele; Acef, Ouali

Only a small number of groups are capable of measuring optical frequencies throughout the world. In this contribution we present some of the underlying philosophy of such frequency measurement systems, including some important theoretical hints. In particular, we concentrate on the approach that has been used with the BNM-LPTF frequency chain, where a separate secondary frequency standard in the mid-infrared has been used. The low-frequency section of the chain is characterized by a measurement of the phase noise spectral density Sφ at 716GHz.Most of the significant measurements performed in the last decade are briefly presented, together with a report on the actual stability and reproducibility of the CO2/ OsO4 frequency standard.Measuring the frequency of an optical frequency standard by direct comparison with the signal available at the output of a primary frequency standard (usually between 5MHz and 100MHz) requires a multiplication factor greater than 107. A number of possible configurations, using harmonic generation, sum or difference frequency generation, have been proposed and realized in the past [1,2,3,4,5,6] and in more recent times [7]. A new technique, employing a femtosecond laser, is presently giving its first impressive results [8].All of the classical frequency chains require a large amount of manpower, together with a great deal of simultaneously operating hardware. This has the consequence that only a very few systems are actually in an operating condition throughout the world.

Lessons learned from the development of health applications in a tertiary hospital.

PubMed

Park, Joong-Yeol; Lee, Guna; Shin, Soo-Yong; Kim, Jeong Hun; Han, Hye-Won; Kwon, Tae-Wan; Kim, Woo Sung; Lee, Jae Ho

2014-03-01

Adoption of smart devices for hospital use has been increasing with the development of health applications (apps) for patient point-of-care and hospital management. To promote the use of health apps, we describe the lessons learned from developing 12 health apps in the largest tertiary hospital in Korea. We reviewed and analyzed 12 routinely used apps in three categories-Smart Clinic, Smart Patient, and Smart Hospital-based on target users and functions. The log data for each app were collected from the date of release up until December 2012. Medical personnel accessed a mobile electronic medical record app classified as Smart Clinic an average of 452 times per day. Smart Hospital apps are actively used to communicate with each other. Patients logged on to a mobile personal health record app categorized as Smart Patient an average of 222 times per day. As the mobile trend, the choice of supporting operating system (OS) is more difficult. By developing these apps, a monitoring system is needed for evaluation. We described the lessons learned regarding OS support, device choice, and developmental strategy. The OS can be chosen according to market share or hospital strategic plan. Smartphones were favored compared with tablets. Alliance with an information technology company can be the best way to develop apps. Health apps designed for smart devices can be used to improve healthcare. However, to develop health apps, hospitals must define their future goals and carefully consider all the aspects.

A TinyOS-based wireless neural interface.

PubMed

Farshchi, Shahin; Mody, Istvan; Judy, Jack W

2004-01-01

The overlay of a neural interface upon a TinyOS-based sensing and communication platform is described. The system amplifies, digitally encodes, and transmits two EEG channels of neural signals from an un-tethered subject to a remote gateway, which routes the signals to a client PC. This work demonstrates the viability of the TinyOS-based sensor technology as a foundation for chronic remote biological monitoring applications, and thus provides an opportunity to create a system that can leverage from the frequent networking and communications advancements being made by the global TinyOS-development community.

A survey of quality assurance practices in biomedical open source software projects.

PubMed

Koru, Günes; El Emam, Khaled; Neisa, Angelica; Umarji, Medha

2007-05-07

Open source (OS) software is continuously gaining recognition and use in the biomedical domain, for example, in health informatics and bioinformatics. Given the mission critical nature of applications in this domain and their potential impact on patient safety, it is important to understand to what degree and how effectively biomedical OS developers perform standard quality assurance (QA) activities such as peer reviews and testing. This would allow the users of biomedical OS software to better understand the quality risks, if any, and the developers to identify process improvement opportunities to produce higher quality software. A survey of developers working on biomedical OS projects was conducted to examine the QA activities that are performed. We took a descriptive approach to summarize the implementation of QA activities and then examined some of the factors that may be related to the implementation of such practices. Our descriptive results show that 63% (95% CI, 54-72) of projects did not include peer reviews in their development process, while 82% (95% CI, 75-89) did include testing. Approximately 74% (95% CI, 67-81) of developers did not have a background in computing, 80% (95% CI, 74-87) were paid for their contributions to the project, and 52% (95% CI, 43-60) had PhDs. A multivariate logistic regression model to predict the implementation of peer reviews was not significant (likelihood ratio test = 16.86, 9 df, P = .051) and neither was a model to predict the implementation of testing (likelihood ratio test = 3.34, 9 df, P = .95). Less attention is paid to peer review than testing. However, the former is a complementary, and necessary, QA practice rather than an alternative. Therefore, one can argue that there are quality risks, at least at this point in time, in transitioning biomedical OS software into any critical settings that may have operational, financial, or safety implications. Developers of biomedical OS applications should invest more effort in implementing systemic peer review practices throughout the development and maintenance processes.

Closeout Report ARRA supplement to DE-FG02-08ER41546, 03/15/2010 to 03/14/2011 - Advanced Transfer Map Methods for the Description of Particle Beam Dynamics

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

Berz, Martin; Makino, Kyoko

The ARRA funds were utilized to acquire a cluster of high performance computers, consisting of one Altus 2804 Server based on a Quad AMD Opteron 6174 12C with 4 2.2 GHz nodes of 12 cores each, resulting in 48 directly usable cores; as well as a Relion 1751 Server using an Intel Xeon X5677 consisting of 4 3.46 GHz cores supporting 8 threads. Both systems run the Unix flavor CentOS, which is designed for use without need of updates, which greatly enhances their reliability. The systems are used to operate our COSY INFINITY environment which supports MPI parallelization. The unitsmore » arrived at MSU in September 2010, and were taken into operation shortly thereafter.« less

Software platform virtualization in chemistry research and university teaching

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background Modern chemistry laboratories operate with a wide range of software applications under different operating systems, such as Windows, LINUX or Mac OS X. Instead of installing software on different computers it is possible to install those applications on a single computer using Virtual Machine software. Software platform virtualization allows a single guest operating system to execute multiple other operating systems on the same computer. We apply and discuss the use of virtual machines in chemistry research and teaching laboratories. Results Virtual machines are commonly used for cheminformatics software development and testing. Benchmarking multiple chemistry software packages we have confirmed that the computational speed penalty for using virtual machines is low and around 5% to 10%. Software virtualization in a teaching environment allows faster deployment and easy use of commercial and open source software in hands-on computer teaching labs. Conclusion Software virtualization in chemistry, mass spectrometry and cheminformatics is needed for software testing and development of software for different operating systems. In order to obtain maximum performance the virtualization software should be multi-core enabled and allow the use of multiprocessor configurations in the virtual machine environment. Server consolidation, by running multiple tasks and operating systems on a single physical machine, can lead to lower maintenance and hardware costs especially in small research labs. The use of virtual machines can prevent software virus infections and security breaches when used as a sandbox system for internet access and software testing. Complex software setups can be created with virtual machines and are easily deployed later to multiple computers for hands-on teaching classes. We discuss the popularity of bioinformatics compared to cheminformatics as well as the missing cheminformatics education at universities worldwide. PMID:20150997

Software platform virtualization in chemistry research and university teaching.

PubMed

Kind, Tobias; Leamy, Tim; Leary, Julie A; Fiehn, Oliver

2009-11-16

Modern chemistry laboratories operate with a wide range of software applications under different operating systems, such as Windows, LINUX or Mac OS X. Instead of installing software on different computers it is possible to install those applications on a single computer using Virtual Machine software. Software platform virtualization allows a single guest operating system to execute multiple other operating systems on the same computer. We apply and discuss the use of virtual machines in chemistry research and teaching laboratories. Virtual machines are commonly used for cheminformatics software development and testing. Benchmarking multiple chemistry software packages we have confirmed that the computational speed penalty for using virtual machines is low and around 5% to 10%. Software virtualization in a teaching environment allows faster deployment and easy use of commercial and open source software in hands-on computer teaching labs. Software virtualization in chemistry, mass spectrometry and cheminformatics is needed for software testing and development of software for different operating systems. In order to obtain maximum performance the virtualization software should be multi-core enabled and allow the use of multiprocessor configurations in the virtual machine environment. Server consolidation, by running multiple tasks and operating systems on a single physical machine, can lead to lower maintenance and hardware costs especially in small research labs. The use of virtual machines can prevent software virus infections and security breaches when used as a sandbox system for internet access and software testing. Complex software setups can be created with virtual machines and are easily deployed later to multiple computers for hands-on teaching classes. We discuss the popularity of bioinformatics compared to cheminformatics as well as the missing cheminformatics education at universities worldwide.

Central nervous system diseases of organic solvents exposed workers based on nationwide medical surveillance-data in Korea.

PubMed

Min, Young-Sun; Ahn, Yeon-Soon

2016-05-01

New light is being shed on the relationship between chronic neurotoxicity of the central nervous system (CNS) and exposure to low-level organic solvents (OS). However, there are few longitudinal studies with a large sample size. A cohort of OS-exposed male workers was selected who had undergone an OS-associated specialized medical check-up at least once between 2000 and 2004 in Korea. The standardized admission ratios (SAR) for CNS diseases were calculated with reference to the Korean adult male population. Adjusted relative risks (ARR) were also estimated in comparison to noise-exposed male workers. There were 238,574 OS-exposed workers, yielding 954,772 person-years of exposure. OS-exposed workers were at elevated risk of "other extrapyramidal and movement disorders" (G25) with a SAR = 2.95 (95% CI: 1.41-5.42) and "systemic atrophies primarily affecting the CNS" (G10-G13) SAR = 2.08 (95% CI: 1.03-3.74). There were no significant differences between the OS-exposed workers and noise-exposed workers. A limited number of CNS diseases identified through hospital admissions data and short observation periods reduced statistical power to determine effect size. OS exposure was positively associated with "other extrapyramidal and movement disorder and systemic atrophies primarily affecting the CNS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Oxygen atom transfer reactions of iridium and osmium complexes: theoretical study of characteristic features and significantly large differences between these two complexes.

PubMed

Ishikawa, Atsushi; Nakao, Yoshihide; Sato, Hirofumi; Sakaki, Shigeyoshi

2009-09-07

Oxygen atom transfer reaction between ML(3)=O and ML(3) (L = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (Mes) for M = Ir and L = 2,6-diisopropylphenylimide (NAr) for M = Os) was theoretically investigated by DFT method. The optimized geometry of (Mes)(3)Ir-O-Ir(Mes)(3) agrees well with the experimental one, although those of (CH(3))(3)Ir-O-Ir(CH(3))(3) and Ph(3)Ir-O-IrPh(3) are much different from the experimental one of the Mes complex. These results indicate that the bulky ligand plays important roles to determine geometry of the mu-oxo dinuclear Ir complex. Theoretical study of the real systems presents clear pictures of these oxygen atom transfer reactions, as follows: In the Ir reaction system, (i) the mu-oxo bridged dinuclear complex is more stable than the infinite separation system in potential energy surface, indicating this is incomplete oxygen atom transfer reaction which does not occur at very low temperature, (ii) unsymmetrical transition state is newly found, in which one Ir-O distance is longer than the other one, (iii) unsymmetrical local minimum is also newly found between the transition state and the infinite separation system, and (iv) activation barrier (E(a)) is very small. In the Os reaction system, (v) the transition state is symmetrical, while no intermediate is observed unlike the Ir reaction system, and (vi) E(a) is very large. These results are consistent with the experimental results that the reaction rapidly occurs in the Ir system but very slowly in the Os system, and that the mu-oxo bridged dinuclear intermediate is detected in the Ir system but not in the Os system. To elucidate the reasons of these differences between Ir and Os systems, the E(a) value is decomposed into the nuclear and electronic factors. The former is the energy necessary to distort ML(3) and ML(3)=O moieties from their equilibrium geometries to those in the transition state. The latter depends on donor-acceptor interaction between ML(3)=O and ML(3). The nuclear factor is much larger in the Os system than in the Ir system and it contributes to about 70% of the difference in E(a). The energy gap between the donor orbital of ML(3) and the acceptor orbital of ML(3)=O is much larger in the Os system than in the Ir system, which also contributes to the lower E(a) value of the Ir system than that of the Os system.

Efficient acquisition of iron confers greater tolerance to saline-alkaline stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

PubMed

Li, Qian; Yang, An; Zhang, Wen-Hao

2016-12-01

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying tolerance to saline-alkaline stress in two rice genotypes, Dongdao-4 and Jigeng-88, we exposed them to medium supplemented with 10 mM Na 2 CO 3 and 40 mM NaCl (pH 8.5). Dongdao-4 plants displayed higher biomass, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rates, and a larger root system than Jigeng-88 under saline-alkaline conditions. Dongdao-4 had a higher shoot Na + /K + ratio than Jigeng-88 under both control and saline-alkaline conditions. Dongdao-4 exhibited stronger rhizospheric acidification than Jigeng-88 under saline-alkaline conditions, resulting from greater up-regulation of H + -ATPases at the transcriptional level. Moreover, Fe concentrations in shoots and roots of Dongdao-4 were higher than those in Jigeng-88, and a higher rate of phytosiderophore exudation was detected in Dongdao-4 versus Jigeng-88 under saline-alkaline conditions. The Fe-deficiency-responsive genes OsIRO2, OsIRT1, OsNAS1, OsNAS2, OsYSL2, and OsYSL15 were more strongly up-regulated in Dongdao-4 than Jigeng-88 plants in saline-alkaline medium, implying greater tolerance of Dongdao-4 plants to Fe deficiency. To test this hypothesis, we compared the effects of Fe deficiency on the two genotypes, and found that Dongdao-4 was more tolerant to Fe deficiency. Exposure to Fe-deficient medium led to greater rhizospheric acidification and phytosiderophore exudation in Dongdao-4 than Jigeng-88 plants. Expression levels of OsIRO2, OsIRT1, OsNAS1, OsNAS2, OsYSL2, and OsYSL15 were higher in Dongdao-4 than Jigeng-88 plants under Fe-deficient conditions. These results demonstrate that a highly efficient Fe acquisition system together with a large root system may underpin the greater tolerance of Dongdao-4 plants to saline-alkaline stress. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

Efficient acquisition of iron confers greater tolerance to saline-alkaline stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

PubMed Central

Li, Qian; Yang, An; Zhang, Wen-Hao

2016-01-01

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying tolerance to saline-alkaline stress in two rice genotypes, Dongdao-4 and Jigeng-88, we exposed them to medium supplemented with 10 mM Na2CO3 and 40 mM NaCl (pH 8.5). Dongdao-4 plants displayed higher biomass, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rates, and a larger root system than Jigeng-88 under saline-alkaline conditions. Dongdao-4 had a higher shoot Na+/K+ ratio than Jigeng-88 under both control and saline-alkaline conditions. Dongdao-4 exhibited stronger rhizospheric acidification than Jigeng-88 under saline-alkaline conditions, resulting from greater up-regulation of H+-ATPases at the transcriptional level. Moreover, Fe concentrations in shoots and roots of Dongdao-4 were higher than those in Jigeng-88, and a higher rate of phytosiderophore exudation was detected in Dongdao-4 versus Jigeng-88 under saline-alkaline conditions. The Fe-deficiency-responsive genes OsIRO2, OsIRT1, OsNAS1, OsNAS2, OsYSL2, and OsYSL15 were more strongly up-regulated in Dongdao-4 than Jigeng-88 plants in saline-alkaline medium, implying greater tolerance of Dongdao-4 plants to Fe deficiency. To test this hypothesis, we compared the effects of Fe deficiency on the two genotypes, and found that Dongdao-4 was more tolerant to Fe deficiency. Exposure to Fe-deficient medium led to greater rhizospheric acidification and phytosiderophore exudation in Dongdao-4 than Jigeng-88 plants. Expression levels of OsIRO2, OsIRT1, OsNAS1, OsNAS2, OsYSL2, and OsYSL15 were higher in Dongdao-4 than Jigeng-88 plants under Fe-deficient conditions. These results demonstrate that a highly efficient Fe acquisition system together with a large root system may underpin the greater tolerance of Dongdao-4 plants to saline-alkaline stress. PMID:27811002

A comparative approach for the investigation of biological information processing: An examination of the structure and function of computer hard drives and DNA

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background The robust storage, updating and utilization of information are necessary for the maintenance and perpetuation of dynamic systems. These systems can exist as constructs of metal-oxide semiconductors and silicon, as in a digital computer, or in the "wetware" of organic compounds, proteins and nucleic acids that make up biological organisms. We propose that there are essential functional properties of centralized information-processing systems; for digital computers these properties reside in the computer's hard drive, and for eukaryotic cells they are manifest in the DNA and associated structures. Methods Presented herein is a descriptive framework that compares DNA and its associated proteins and sub-nuclear structure with the structure and function of the computer hard drive. We identify four essential properties of information for a centralized storage and processing system: (1) orthogonal uniqueness, (2) low level formatting, (3) high level formatting and (4) translation of stored to usable form. The corresponding aspects of the DNA complex and a computer hard drive are categorized using this classification. This is intended to demonstrate a functional equivalence between the components of the two systems, and thus the systems themselves. Results Both the DNA complex and the computer hard drive contain components that fulfill the essential properties of a centralized information storage and processing system. The functional equivalence of these components provides insight into both the design process of engineered systems and the evolved solutions addressing similar system requirements. However, there are points where the comparison breaks down, particularly when there are externally imposed information-organizing structures on the computer hard drive. A specific example of this is the imposition of the File Allocation Table (FAT) during high level formatting of the computer hard drive and the subsequent loading of an operating system (OS). Biological systems do not have an external source for a map of their stored information or for an operational instruction set; rather, they must contain an organizational template conserved within their intra-nuclear architecture that "manipulates" the laws of chemistry and physics into a highly robust instruction set. We propose that the epigenetic structure of the intra-nuclear environment and the non-coding RNA may play the roles of a Biological File Allocation Table (BFAT) and biological operating system (Bio-OS) in eukaryotic cells. Conclusions The comparison of functional and structural characteristics of the DNA complex and the computer hard drive leads to a new descriptive paradigm that identifies the DNA as a dynamic storage system of biological information. This system is embodied in an autonomous operating system that inductively follows organizational structures, data hierarchy and executable operations that are well understood in the computer science industry. Characterizing the "DNA hard drive" in this fashion can lead to insights arising from discrepancies in the descriptive framework, particularly with respect to positing the role of epigenetic processes in an information-processing context. Further expansions arising from this comparison include the view of cells as parallel computing machines and a new approach towards characterizing cellular control systems. PMID:20092652

A comparative approach for the investigation of biological information processing: an examination of the structure and function of computer hard drives and DNA.

PubMed

D'Onofrio, David J; An, Gary

2010-01-21

The robust storage, updating and utilization of information are necessary for the maintenance and perpetuation of dynamic systems. These systems can exist as constructs of metal-oxide semiconductors and silicon, as in a digital computer, or in the "wetware" of organic compounds, proteins and nucleic acids that make up biological organisms. We propose that there are essential functional properties of centralized information-processing systems; for digital computers these properties reside in the computer's hard drive, and for eukaryotic cells they are manifest in the DNA and associated structures. Presented herein is a descriptive framework that compares DNA and its associated proteins and sub-nuclear structure with the structure and function of the computer hard drive. We identify four essential properties of information for a centralized storage and processing system: (1) orthogonal uniqueness, (2) low level formatting, (3) high level formatting and (4) translation of stored to usable form. The corresponding aspects of the DNA complex and a computer hard drive are categorized using this classification. This is intended to demonstrate a functional equivalence between the components of the two systems, and thus the systems themselves. Both the DNA complex and the computer hard drive contain components that fulfill the essential properties of a centralized information storage and processing system. The functional equivalence of these components provides insight into both the design process of engineered systems and the evolved solutions addressing similar system requirements. However, there are points where the comparison breaks down, particularly when there are externally imposed information-organizing structures on the computer hard drive. A specific example of this is the imposition of the File Allocation Table (FAT) during high level formatting of the computer hard drive and the subsequent loading of an operating system (OS). Biological systems do not have an external source for a map of their stored information or for an operational instruction set; rather, they must contain an organizational template conserved within their intra-nuclear architecture that "manipulates" the laws of chemistry and physics into a highly robust instruction set. We propose that the epigenetic structure of the intra-nuclear environment and the non-coding RNA may play the roles of a Biological File Allocation Table (BFAT) and biological operating system (Bio-OS) in eukaryotic cells. The comparison of functional and structural characteristics of the DNA complex and the computer hard drive leads to a new descriptive paradigm that identifies the DNA as a dynamic storage system of biological information. This system is embodied in an autonomous operating system that inductively follows organizational structures, data hierarchy and executable operations that are well understood in the computer science industry. Characterizing the "DNA hard drive" in this fashion can lead to insights arising from discrepancies in the descriptive framework, particularly with respect to positing the role of epigenetic processes in an information-processing context. Further expansions arising from this comparison include the view of cells as parallel computing machines and a new approach towards characterizing cellular control systems.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with systemic treatment versus systemic treatment alone in patients with non-resectable colorectal liver metastases: a randomized EORTC Intergroup phase II study (EORTC 40004).

PubMed

Ruers, T; Punt, C; Van Coevorden, F; Pierie, J P E N; Borel-Rinkes, I; Ledermann, J A; Poston, G; Bechstein, W; Lentz, M A; Mauer, M; Van Cutsem, E; Lutz, M P; Nordlinger, B

2012-10-01

This study investigates the possible benefits of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with non-resectable colorectal liver metastases. This phase II study, originally started as a phase III design, randomly assigned 119 patients with non-resectable colorectal liver metastases between systemic treatment (n = 59) or systemic treatment plus RFA ( ± resection) (n = 60). Primary objective was a 30-month overall survival (OS) rate >38% for the combined treatment group. The primary end point was met, 30-month OS rate was 61.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 48.2-73.9] for combined treatment. However, 30-month OS for systemic treatment was 57.6% (95% CI 44.1-70.4), higher than anticipated. Median OS was 45.3 for combined treatment and 40.5 months for systemic treatment (P = 0.22). PFS rate at 3 years for combined treatment was 27.6% compared with 10.6% for systemic treatment only (hazard ratio = 0.63, 95% CI 0.42-0.95, P = 0.025). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.8 months (95% CI 11.7-22.1) and 9.9 months (95% CI 9.3-13.7), respectively. This is the first randomized study on the efficacy of RFA. The study met the primary end point on 30-month OS; however, the results in the control arm were in the same range. RFA plus systemic treatment resulted in significant longer PFS. At present, the ultimate effect of RFA on OS remains uncertain.

Evaluation of the Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) scoring system in elderly patients with pressure sores undergoing fasciocutaneous flap-reconstruction.

PubMed

Mizumoto, Kazuo; Morita, Eishin

2009-01-01

The aim of the present study was to predict operative morbidity in elderly patients with deep pressure sores by using the Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) scoring system. Fifteen patients over 70 years old were retrospectively reviewed who had undergone gluteus maximus fasciocutaneous flap-reconstruction for pressure sores of the sacral region from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2007. Complications were seen in six cases (40%) after operation. Four were wound infection, one was chest infection and another was septicemia. The subjects were divided into two groups by the presence (complicated group) or absence (non-complicated group) of postoperative complications. Each item of physiological scores, physiological score (PS), operative severity score (OS) and predicted morbidity rate (R) were calculated and compared between two groups. As a result, hemoglobin (P = 0.0276), PS (P = 0.0023) and R (P = 0.0078) differed significantly between the two groups. It is noteworthy that the PS were over 25 in all of the complicated group, but in only one of nine in the non-complicated group (P = 0.0014). Our study suggests that, for pressure sores in the sacral region in elderly patients, gluteus maximus fasciocutaneous flap-reconstruction can be employed in patients whose PS are under 24 in the POSSUM scoring system.

Installing and Setting Up the Git Software Tool on OS X | High-Performance

Science.gov Websites

Computing | NREL the Git Software Tool on OS X Installing and Setting Up the Git Software Tool on OS X Learn how to install the Git software tool on OS X for use with the Peregrine system. You can . Binary Installer for OS X - Easiest! You can download the latest version of git from http://git-scm.com

A Distributed Synchronization and Timing System on the EAST Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Jiarong; Wu, Yichun; Shu, Yantai

2008-08-01

A key requirement for the EAST distributed control system (EASTDCS) is time synchronization to an accuracy of <1 mus. In 2006 a Distributed Synchronization and Timing System (DSTS) was set up, which is based on the ATmega128 AVR microcontroller and the Nut/OS embedded Real Time Operating System (RTOS). The DSTS provides the control and the data acquisition systems with reference clocks (0.01 Hz 10 MHz) and delayed trigger times ( 1 mus 4294 s). These are produced by a Core Module Unit (CMU) connected by optical fibres to many Local Synchronized Node Units (LSNU). The fibres provide immunity from electrical noise and are of equal length to match clock and trigger delays between systems. This paper describes the architecture of the DSTS on the EAST tokamak and provides an overview of the characteristics of the main and local units.

Application of the informational reference system OZhUR to the automated processing of data from satellites of the Kosmos series

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pokras, V. M.; Yevdokimov, V. P.; Maslov, V. D.

1978-01-01

The structure and potential of the information reference system OZhUR designed for the automated data processing systems of scientific space vehicles (SV) is considered. The system OZhUR ensures control of the extraction phase of processing with respect to a concrete SV and the exchange of data between phases.The practical application of the system OZhUR is exemplified in the construction of a data processing system for satellites of the Cosmos series. As a result of automating the operations of exchange and control, the volume of manual preparation of data is significantly reduced, and there is no longer any need for individual logs which fix the status of data processing. The system Ozhur is included in the automated data processing system Nauka which is realized in language PL-1 in a binary one-address system one-state (BOS OS) electronic computer.

32 CFR 1630.17 - Class 1-O-S: Conscientious objector to all military service (separated).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 32 National Defense 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Class 1-O-S: Conscientious objector to all... National Defense SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION RULES § 1630.17 Class 1-O-S: Conscientious... and noncombatant training and service in the Armed Forces shall be classified in Class 1-O-S unless...

Digital Plasma Control System for Alcator C-Mod

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrara, M.; Wolfe, S.; Stillerman, J.; Fredian, T.; Hutchinson, I.

2004-11-01

A digital plasma control system (DPCS) has been designed to replace the present C-Mod system, which is based on hybrid analog-digital computer. The initial implementation of DPCS comprises two 64 channel, 16 bit, low-latency cPCI digitizers, each with 16 analog outputs, controlled by a rack-mounted single-processor Linux server, which also serves as the compute engine. A prototype system employing three older 32 channel digitizers was tested during the 2003-04 campaign. The hybrid's linear PID feedback system was emulated by IDL code executing a synchronous loop, using the same target waveforms and control parameters. Reliable real-time operation was accomplished under a standard Linux OS (RH9) by locking memory and disabling interrupts during the plasma pulse. The DPCS-computed outputs agreed to within a few percent with those produced by the hybrid system, except for discrepancies due to offsets and non-ideal behavior of the hybrid circuitry. The system operated reliably, with no sample loss, at more than twice the 10kHz design specification, providing extra time for implementing more advanced control algorithms. The code is fault-tolerant and produces consistent output waveforms even with 10% sample loss.

Operability score: an innovative tool for quantitative assessment of operability in comparative studies on surgical anatomy.

PubMed

Gagliardi, Filippo; Boari, Nicola; Roberti, Fabio; Caputy, Anthony J; Mortini, Pietro

2014-09-01

Comparative anatomical studies have proved to be invaluable in the evaluation of advantages and drawbacks of single approaches to access established target areas. Approach-related exposed areas do not necessarily represent useful areas when performing surgical manoeuvres. Accordingly the concept of "operability" has recently been introduced as a qualitative assessment of the ability to execute surgical manoeuvres. The authors propose an innovative model for the quantitative assessment of the operability, defined as "operability score" (OS), which can be effectively and easily applied to comparative studies on surgical anatomy. A microanatomical study was conducted on six cadaveric heads. Morphometric measurements were collected and operability scores in selected target points of the surgical field were calculated. As illustrative example, the operability score was applied to the extradural subtemporal transzygomatic approach (ESTZ). The operability score is effective in grading system of surgical operability, and instruments manipulation capability. It is a useful tool to evaluate, in a single approach, areas that can be exposed, and to quantify how those areas are suitable for surgical manoeuvres. Copyright © 2014 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two years of experience with the [ 18F]FDG production module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sang Wook; Hur, Min Goo; Chai, Jong-Seo; Park, Jeong Hoon; Yu, Kook Hyun; Jeong, Cheol Ki; Lee, Goung Jin; Min, Young Don; Yang, Seung Dae

2007-08-01

Chemistry module for a conventional [18F]FDG production by using tetrabutylammonium bicarbonate (TBA) and an acidic hydrolysis has been manufactured and evaluated. In this experiment, 75 mM (pH 7.5-7.8) of TBA solution and a ca. 2-curies order of [18F]-fluoride have been used for the evaluation. The commercial acidic purification cartridge was purchased from GE or UKE. The operation system (OS) was programmed with Lab-View which was selected because of its easy customization of the OS. Small sized solenoid valves (Burkert; type 6124) were selected to reduce the module dimensions (W 350 × D 270 × H 250). The total time for the synthesis of [18F]FDG was 30 ± 3 min. The production yield of [18F]FDG was 60 ± 2% on an average at EOS, with the decay uncorrected. This experimental data show that the traditional chemistry module can provide a good [18F]FDG production yield by optimizing the operational conditions. The radiochemical purity, radionuclidic purity, acidity, residual solvent, osmolality and endotoxin were determined to assess the quality of [18F]FDG. The examined contents for the quality control of [18F]FDG were found to be suitable for a clinical application.

A System Approach to Navy Medical Education and Training. Appendix 3. Task Inventory Booklet (Form N22-Dentists).

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-08-31

E.G. FOR ALL ROUTINE 1ADMISSION OR PRE -CP ORDERS 43 IVERIFY THAT DOCTOR’S CROERS ARE UP-TO-DATE, E.G. TREATMENT, IMEDICATIONt DIET 44 IFULLOW UP...IASSEMBLE PATIENT CHART, RECORDS, PAPERWORK FOR NEW I AOMISSION/OISCHARGE/TRANSFER 47 JASSE49LE PATIENT CHART, RECOFkOS, X-RAYS FCR PRE -OP 48 IOBTAIN...IDETERMINE TYPE9O0SE AND SCHEDULE FOR PRE -OPERATIVE MEDICATIONS 46 1APPLY TOPICAL ANESTHESIA 47 IADMINISTER TISSUE INFILTRATION/LOCAL ANESTHESIA 48

Multitasking OS manages a team of processors

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

Ripps, D.L.

1983-07-21

MTOS-68k is a real-time multitasking operating system designed for the popular MC68000 microprocessors. It aproaches task coordination and synchronization in a fashion that matches uniquely the structural simplicity and regularity of the 68000 instruction set. Since in many 68000 applications the speed and power of one CPU are not enough, MTOS-68k has been designed to support multiple processors, as well as multiple tasks. Typically, the devices are tightly coupled single-board computers, that is they share a backplane and parts of global memory.

Voroprot: an interactive tool for the analysis and visualization of complex geometric features of protein structure.

PubMed

Olechnovic, Kliment; Margelevicius, Mindaugas; Venclovas, Ceslovas

2011-03-01

We present Voroprot, an interactive cross-platform software tool that provides a unique set of capabilities for exploring geometric features of protein structure. Voroprot allows the construction and visualization of the Apollonius diagram (also known as the additively weighted Voronoi diagram), the Apollonius graph, protein alpha shapes, interatomic contact surfaces, solvent accessible surfaces, pockets and cavities inside protein structure. Voroprot is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X operating systems and can be downloaded from http://www.ibt.lt/bioinformatics/voroprot/.

Estimating aquifer transmissivity from specific capacity using MATLAB.

PubMed

McLin, Stephen G

2005-01-01

Historically, specific capacity information has been used to calculate aquifer transmissivity when pumping test data are unavailable. This paper presents a simple computer program written in the MATLAB programming language that estimates transmissivity from specific capacity data while correcting for aquifer partial penetration and well efficiency. The program graphically plots transmissivity as a function of these factors so that the user can visually estimate their relative importance in a particular application. The program is compatible with any computer operating system running MATLAB, including Windows, Macintosh OS, Linux, and Unix. Two simple examples illustrate program usage.

Highly anisotropic exchange interactions in a trigonal bipyramidal cyanide-bridged Ni(II)3Os(III)2 cluster.

PubMed

Palii, Andrei V; Reu, Oleg S; Ostrovsky, Sergei M; Klokishner, Sophia I; Tsukerblat, Boris S; Hilfiger, Matthew; Shatruk, Michael; Prosvirin, Andrey; Dunbar, Kim R

2009-06-25

This article is a part of our efforts to control the magnetic anisotropy in cyanide-based exchange-coupled systems with the eventual goal to obtain single-molecule magnets with higher blocking temperatures. We give the theoretical interpretation of the magnetic properties of the new pentanuclear complex {[Ni(II)(tmphen)(2)](3)[Os(III)(CN)(6)](2)} x 6 CH(3)CN (Ni(II)(3)Os(III)(2) cluster). Because the system contains the heavy Os(III) ions, spin-orbit coupling considerably exceeds the contributions from the low-symmetry crystal field and exchange coupling. The magnetic properties of the Ni(II)(3)Os(III)(2) cluster are described in the framework of a highly anisotropic pseudo-spin Hamiltonian that corresponds to the limit of strong spin-orbital coupling and takes into account the complex molecular structure. The model provides a good fit to the experimental data and allows the conclusion that the trigonal axis of the bipyramidal Ni(II)(3)Os(III)(2) cluster is a hard axis of magnetization. This explains the fact that in contrast with the isostructural trigonal bipyramidal Mn(III)(2)Mn(II)(3) cluster, the Ni(II)(3)Os(III)(2) system does not exhibit the single-molecule magnetic behavior.

A new bioluminescent imaging technology for studying oxidative stress in the testis and its impacts on fertility.

PubMed

Ma, Qixiang; Shao, Haozhen; Feng, Yanyan; Zhang, Linpeng; Li, Pengshou; Hu, Xiaowei; Ma, Zhitao; Lou, Hua; Zeng, Xianwei; Luo, Guangbin

2018-05-24

Excessive oxidative stress (OS) leads to cellular dysfunctions and cell death and constitutes a major cause of male infertility. However, the etiologies of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in male infertility is not fully understood. One major limitation is the lack of an in vivo imaging system that can be used to effectively study the impact of excessive ROS in the testis. Recently, we discovered that the hepatocellular carcinoma reporter (HCR) mice previously generated in our laboratory also expressed luciferase in the spermatids of the testis. The goal of the current study is to use the HCR mice to detect OS in the testis and to investigate the potential use of this new system in studying OS-induced male infertility. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was performed in HCR mice that were treated with peroxy caged luciferin-1 (PCL-1), an OS reporter, to establish a new mouse model for in vivo monitoring of the OS status inside the male reproductive tract. Subsequently, the effect of acetaminophen (APAP) overdose on the OS inside the testis and male fertility were determined. Lastly, APAP was co-administered with glutathione, an antioxidant reagent, to test if the HCR mice can serve as a model for the effective and rapid assessment of the potency of individual agents in modifying the OS inside the mouse testis. The OS level in the testis in the HCR mice was readily detected by BLI. The use of this new model led to the discovery that APAP caused a sudden rise of OS in the testis and was a potent toxicant for the male reproductive system. Moreover, administration of glutathione was effective in preventing the APAP-induced elevation of OS and in ameliorating all of the OS-induced anomalies in the testis. The HCR mice represent an excellent model for monitoring OS change in the mouse testis by real time BLI. APAP is a potent male reproductive toxicant and APAP-treated mice represent a valid model for OS-induced male infertility. This model can be used to study OS-induced damage in male reproductive tract and in assessing the effects of therapeutic agents on the relative levels of OS and male fertility. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A UNIX SVR4-OS 9 distributed data acquisition for high energy physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drouhin, F.; Schwaller, B.; Fontaine, J. C.; Charles, F.; Pallares, A.; Huss, D.

1998-08-01

The distributed data acquisition (DAQ) system developed by the GRPHE (Groupe de Recherche en Physique des Hautes Energies) group is a combination of hardware and software dedicated to high energy physics. The system described here is used in the beam tests of the CMS tracker. The central processor of the system is a RISC CPU hosted in a VME card, running a POSIX compliant UNIX system. Specialized real-time OS9 VME cards perform the instrumentation control. The main data flow goes over a deterministic high speed network. The UNIX system manages a list of OS9 front-end systems with a synchronisation protocol running over a TCP/IP layer.

Investments and costs of oral health care for Family Health Care.

PubMed

Macêdo, Márcia Stefânia Ribeiro; Chaves, Sônia Cristina Lima; Fernandes, Antônio Luis de Carvalho

2016-07-21

To estimate the investments to implement and operational costs of a type I Oral Health Care Team in the Family Health Care Strategy. This is an economic assessment study, for analyzing the investments and operational costs of an oral health care team in the city of Salvador, BA, Northeastern Brazil. The amount worth of investments for its implementation was obtained by summing up the investments in civil projects and shared facilities, in equipments, furniture, and instruments. Regarding the operational costs, the 2009-2012 time series was analyzed and the month of December 2012 was adopted for assessing the monetary values in effect. The costs were classified as direct variable costs (consumables) and direct fixed costs (salaries, maintenance, equipment depreciation, instruments, furniture, and facilities), besides the indirect fixed costs (cleaning, security, energy, and water). The Ministry of Health's share in funding was also calculated, and the factors that influence cost behavior were described. The investment to implement a type I Oral Health Care Team was R$29,864.00 (US$15,236.76). The operational costs of a type I Oral Health Care Team were around R$95,434.00 (US$48,690.82) a year. The Ministry of Health's financial incentives for investments accounted for 41.8% of the implementation investments, whereas the municipality contributed with a 59.2% share of the total. Regarding operational costs, the Ministry of Health contributed with 33.1% of the total, whereas the municipality, with 66.9%. Concerning the operational costs, the element of heaviest weight was salaries, which accounted for 84.7%. Problems with the regularity in the supply of inputs and maintenance of equipment greatly influence the composition of costs, besides reducing the supply of services to the target population, which results in the service probably being inefficient. States are suggested to partake in funding, especially to cover the team's operational cost. Estimar os investimentos para implantação e os custos operacionais de uma Equipe de Saúde Bucal modalidade tipo I na Estratégia Saúde da Família. Estudo de avaliação econômica, tipo análise de investimentos e custos operacionais de uma equipe de saúde bucal no município de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil. O cálculo dos investimentos para implantação foi obtido pela soma dos investimentos em obras civis e instalações em rateio, equipamentos, móveis e instrumentais. Para os custos operacionais, foi analisada a série histórica de 2009 a 2012 e adotou-se o mês de dezembro de 2012 para levantamento dos valores monetários vigentes. Os custos foram classificados em custos diretos variáveis (materiais de consumo) e custos fixos diretos (salários, manutenção, depreciação do capital fixo dos equipamentos, instrumentais, móveis e edificações), além dos custos fixos indiretos (higienização, segurança, energia e água). Foi também calculada a participação do Ministério da Saúde no financiamento e descritos os fatores que influenciam o comportamento dos custos. O investimento para implantação de uma Equipe de Saúde Bucal modalidade tipo I foi de R$29.864,00. Os custos operacionais de uma Equipe de Saúde Bucal modalidade tipo I situaram-se em torno de R$95.434,00 por ano. Os incentivos financeiros do Ministério da Saúde para investimentos cobriram 41,8% dos investimentos com implantação, enquanto o município participou com 59,2% do total. Para os custos operacionais, a participação do Ministério da Saúde foi de 33,1%, enquanto o município participou com 66,9%. Dentro dos custos operacionais, o elemento de maior peso foram os salários, representando 84,7%. Problemas com a regularidade no abastecimento dos insumos e manutenção de equipamentos influenciam sobremaneira na composição dos custos, além de reduzir a oferta de serviços à população-alvo, resultando em provável ineficiência do serviço. Sugere-se o cofinanciamento estadual, especialmente para cobrir o custo operacional da equipe.

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2015-12-01

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

Profex: a graphical user interface for the Rietveld refinement program BGMN.

PubMed

Doebelin, Nicola; Kleeberg, Reinhard

2015-10-01

Profex is a graphical user interface for the Rietveld refinement program BGMN . Its interface focuses on preserving BGMN 's powerful and flexible scripting features by giving direct access to BGMN input files. Very efficient workflows for single or batch refinements are achieved by managing refinement control files and structure files, by providing dialogues and shortcuts for many operations, by performing operations in the background, and by providing import filters for CIF and XML crystal structure files. Refinement results can be easily exported for further processing. State-of-the-art graphical export of diffraction patterns to pixel and vector graphics formats allows the creation of publication-quality graphs with minimum effort. Profex reads and converts a variety of proprietary raw data formats and is thus largely instrument independent. Profex and BGMN are available under an open-source license for Windows, Linux and OS X operating systems.

Profex: a graphical user interface for the Rietveld refinement program BGMN

PubMed Central

Doebelin, Nicola; Kleeberg, Reinhard

2015-01-01

Profex is a graphical user interface for the Rietveld refinement program BGMN. Its interface focuses on preserving BGMN’s powerful and flexible scripting features by giving direct access to BGMN input files. Very efficient workflows for single or batch refinements are achieved by managing refinement control files and structure files, by providing dialogues and shortcuts for many operations, by performing operations in the background, and by providing import filters for CIF and XML crystal structure files. Refinement results can be easily exported for further processing. State-of-the-art graphical export of diffraction patterns to pixel and vector graphics formats allows the creation of publication-quality graphs with minimum effort. Profex reads and converts a variety of proprietary raw data formats and is thus largely instrument independent. Profex and BGMN are available under an open-source license for Windows, Linux and OS X operating systems. PMID:26500466

A scoring system to guide the decision for a new systemic treatment after at least two lines of palliative chemotherapy for metastatic cancers: a prospective study.

PubMed

Chanez, Brice; Bertucci, François; Gilabert, Marine; Madroszyk, Anne; Rousseau, Frédérique; Perrot, Delphine; Viens, Patrice; Raoul, Jean-Luc

2017-09-01

A four-parameter score has been identified as associated with overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced cancer with an estimated survival inferior to 6 months. Here, we tested its prognostic value for OS in patients who had received more than two lines of systemic therapy. We prospectively enrolled patients with advanced cancer who were going to receive a third or more therapeutic line outside classical clinical guidelines. The four parameters (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, number of metastatic sites, serum LDH, and serum albumin) were collected at baseline, allowing to calculate the score, which sorted the patients in three groups, A, B, and C (low, intermediate, and high score, respectively). We then searched for correlations between this grouping and clinicopathological features particularly OS. From August 2013 to March 2014, 65 patients were enrolled and corresponded after determining their score to 26 patients in group A, 30 in B, and 9 in C. The median OS of the cohort was 4.4 months, and the 6-month OS was 42%. Overall survival was different between the three groups, with respective 6-month OS equal to 80% in group A, 17% in group B, and 0% in group C and respective median OS of 9, 2.3, and 1.6 months. Such prognostic value persisted in multivariate analysis. Similar OS differences were observed in patients with PS ≤2. This simple scoring should help oncologists identify which patients, after at least two lines of systemic therapy, might benefit from best supportive care alone.

Modeling and evaluation of the oil-spill emergency response capability based on linguistic variables.

PubMed

Kang, Jian; Zhang, Jixin; Bai, Yongqiang

2016-12-15

An evaluation of the oil-spill emergency response capability (OS-ERC) currently in place in modern marine management is required to prevent pollution and loss accidents. The objective of this paper is to develop a novel OS-ERC evaluation model, the importance of which stems from the current lack of integrated approaches for interpreting, ranking and assessing OS-ERC performance factors. In the first part of this paper, the factors influencing OS-ERC are analyzed and classified to generate a global evaluation index system. Then, a semantic tree is adopted to illustrate linguistic variables in the evaluation process, followed by the application of a combination of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to construct and calculate the weight distribution. Finally, considering that the OS-ERC evaluation process is a complex system, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) is employed to calculate the OS-ERC level. The entire evaluation framework obtains the overall level of OS-ERC, and also highlights the potential major issues concerning OS-ERC, as well as expert opinions for improving the feasibility of oil-spill accident prevention and protection. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with systemic treatment versus systemic treatment alone in patients with non-resectable colorectal liver metastases: a randomized EORTC Intergroup phase II study (EORTC 40004)

PubMed Central

Ruers, T.; Punt, C.; Van Coevorden, F.; Pierie, J. P. E. N.; Borel-Rinkes, I.; Ledermann, J. A.; Poston, G.; Bechstein, W.; Lentz, M. A.; Mauer, M.; Van Cutsem, E.; Lutz, M. P.; Nordlinger, B.

2012-01-01

Background This study investigates the possible benefits of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with non-resectable colorectal liver metastases. Methods This phase II study, originally started as a phase III design, randomly assigned 119 patients with non-resectable colorectal liver metastases between systemic treatment (n = 59) or systemic treatment plus RFA ( ± resection) (n = 60). Primary objective was a 30-month overall survival (OS) rate >38% for the combined treatment group. Results The primary end point was met, 30-month OS rate was 61.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 48.2–73.9] for combined treatment. However, 30-month OS for systemic treatment was 57.6% (95% CI 44.1–70.4), higher than anticipated. Median OS was 45.3 for combined treatment and 40.5 months for systemic treatment (P = 0.22). PFS rate at 3 years for combined treatment was 27.6% compared with 10.6% for systemic treatment only (hazard ratio = 0.63, 95% CI 0.42–0.95, P = 0.025). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.8 months (95% CI 11.7–22.1) and 9.9 months (95% CI 9.3–13.7), respectively. Conclusions This is the first randomized study on the efficacy of RFA. The study met the primary end point on 30-month OS; however, the results in the control arm were in the same range. RFA plus systemic treatment resulted in significant longer PFS. At present, the ultimate effect of RFA on OS remains uncertain. PMID:22431703

Set Up of an Automatic Water Quality Sampling System in Irrigation Agriculture

PubMed Central

Heinz, Emanuel; Kraft, Philipp; Buchen, Caroline; Frede, Hans-Georg; Aquino, Eugenio; Breuer, Lutz

2014-01-01

We have developed a high-resolution automatic sampling system for continuous in situ measurements of stable water isotopic composition and nitrogen solutes along with hydrological information. The system facilitates concurrent monitoring of a large number of water and nutrient fluxes (ground, surface, irrigation and rain water) in irrigated agriculture. For this purpose we couple an automatic sampling system with a Wavelength-Scanned Cavity Ring Down Spectrometry System (WS-CRDS) for stable water isotope analysis (δ2H and δ18O), a reagentless hyperspectral UV photometer (ProPS) for monitoring nitrate content and various water level sensors for hydrometric information. The automatic sampling system consists of different sampling stations equipped with pumps, a switch cabinet for valve and pump control and a computer operating the system. The complete system is operated via internet-based control software, allowing supervision from nearly anywhere. The system is currently set up at the International Rice Research Institute (Los Baños, The Philippines) in a diversified rice growing system to continuously monitor water and nutrient fluxes. Here we present the system's technical set-up and provide initial proof-of-concept with results for the isotopic composition of different water sources and nitrate values from the 2012 dry season. PMID:24366178

Online Systems for Oversize and Overweight Freight Permitting and Motor Carrier Credentialing : Transportation Research Synthesis.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-09-01

MnDOT uses two online systems implemented in the 1990s to issue and manage permits for oversize/overweight (OS/OW) freight and motor carrier credentials: - RouteBuilder, an OS/OW permitting system with a routing component. - Motor Carrier Information...

Analysis of the spectrum of the (5d6+5d56s) -(5d56p+5d46s6p) transitions of two times ionized osmium (Os III)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azarov, Vladimir I.; Tchang-Brillet, W.-Ü. Lydia; Gayasov, Robert R.

2018-05-01

The spectrum of osmium was observed in the (225-2100) Å wavelength region. The (5d6 + 5d56s) - (5d56p + 5d46s6p) transition array of two times ionized osmium, Os III, has been investigated and 1039 spectral lines have been classified in the region. The analysis has led to the determination of the 5d6, 5d56s, 5d56p and 5d46s6p configurations. Fifty-eight levels of the 5d6 and 5d56s configurations in the even system and 142 levels of the 5d56p and 5d46s6p configurations in the odd system have been established. The orthogonal operators technique was used to calculate the level structure and transition probabilities. The energy parameters have been determined by the least squares fit to the observed levels. Calculated transition probability and energy values, as well as LS-compositions obtained from the fitted parameters are presented.

Small Interactive Image Processing System (SMIPS) users manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moik, J. G.

1973-01-01

The Small Interactive Image Processing System (SMIP) is designed to facilitate the acquisition, digital processing and recording of image data as well as pattern recognition in an interactive mode. Objectives of the system are ease of communication with the computer by personnel who are not expert programmers, fast response to requests for information on pictures, complete error recovery as well as simplification of future programming efforts for extension of the system. The SMIP system is intended for operation under OS/MVT on an IBM 360/75 or 91 computer equipped with the IBM-2250 Model 1 display unit. This terminal is used as an interface between user and main computer. It has an alphanumeric keyboard, a programmed function keyboard and a light pen which are used for specification of input to the system. Output from the system is displayed on the screen as messages and pictures.

Oxidation-reduction potential as a new marker for oxidative stress: Correlation to male infertility

PubMed Central

Bui, Albert Danh

2017-01-01

Male infertility affects men worldwide. Oxidative stress (OS), characterized by an overabundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or a deficiency of antioxidants, is one of the major causes of male infertility. OS causes damage at the molecular level, which impairs lipids, proteins, and DNA. The cyclic cascade of redox reactions weakens sperm function which leads to poor semen parameters and eventual sterility. There is a need for advanced diagnostic tests that can quickly and accurately detect OS. Most commonly used assays can only measure single constituents of OS. However, the MiOXSYS System introduces a new strategy to detect OS by measuring the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP)--a direct evaluation of the redox balance between ROS and antioxidants. The MiOXSYS System has shown promise as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of male infertility. This review explores the concept of ORP, details the principle of the MiOXSYS System, and summarizes the findings in clinical studies that support ORP measurement in semen. PMID:29124237

The two-component signal system in rice (Oryza sativa L.): a genome-wide study of cytokinin signal perception and transduction.

PubMed

Du, Liming; Jiao, Fangchan; Chu, Jun; Jin, Gulei; Chen, Ming; Wu, Ping

2007-06-01

In this report we define the genes of two-component regulatory systems in rice through a comprehensive computational analysis of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genome sequence databases. Thirty-seven genes were identified, including 5 HKs (cytokinin-response histidine protein kinase) (OsHK1-4, OsHKL1), 5 HPs (histidine phosphotransfer proteins) (OsHP1-5), 15 type-A RRs (response regulators) (OsRR1-15), 7 type B RR genes (OsRR16-22), and 5 predicted pseudo-response regulators (OsPRR1-5). Protein motif organization, gene structure, phylogenetic analysis, chromosomal location, and comparative analysis between rice, maize, and Arabidopsis are described. Full-length cDNA clones of each gene were isolated from rice. Heterologous expression of each of the OsHKs in yeast mutants conferred histidine kinase function in a cytokinin-dependent manner. Nonconserved regions of individual cDNAs were used as probes in expression profiling experiments. This work provides a foundation for future functional dissection of the rice cytokinin two-component signaling pathway.

Analysis of a fuel cell on-site integrated energy system for a residential complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simons, S. N.; Maag, W. L.

1979-01-01

Declining supplies of domestic oil and gas and the increased cost of energy resulted in a renewed emphasis in utilizing available resources in the most efficient manner possible. This, in turn, brought about a reassessment of a number of methods for converting fossil fuels to end uses at the highest practical efficiency. One of these is the on-site integrated energy system (OS/IES). This system provides electric power from an on-site power plant and recovers heat from the power plant that would normally be rejected to the environment. An OS/IES is potentially useful in any application that requires both electricity and heat. Several OS/IES are analyzed for a residential complex. The paper is divided into two sections; the first compares three energy supply systems, the second compares various designs for fuel cell OS/IES.

Rhenium-osmium isotope systematics of Group 2A and Group 4A iron meteorites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Creaser, R. A.; Papanastassiou, D. A.; Wasserburg, G. J.

1993-01-01

We are investigating the Re-Os isotope systematics of two groups of magmatic iron meteorites (2A, 4A) in an attempt to establish precise 'total rock' isochrons by the Re-Os system. The Re-187/Os-187 isotope system is recognized as a method by which the ages of iron meteorites can be directly determined and that can provide information on the timing of FeNi segregation and core formation in planetesimals. The Re-Os isotope system permits the direct absolute dating of the metal phase in iron meteorites. Indirect dating of iron meteorites has been achieved in the past through the Rb-Sr, K-Ar, and most recently, Sm-Nd for silicate inclusions, where present. Relative dating has been obtained directly by extensive studies of the short-lived system Pd-107/Ag-107 for the metal and sulfide phases and indirectly using I-129/Xe-129 in silicate and sulfide inclusions.

Modeling malware propagation using a carrier compartment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernández Guillén, J. D.; Martín del Rey, A.

2018-03-01

The great majority of mathematical models proposed to simulate malware spreading are based on systems of ordinary differential equations. These are compartmental models where the devices are classified according to some types: susceptible, exposed, infectious, recovered, etc. As far as we know, there is not any model considering the special class of carrier devices. This type is constituted by the devices whose operative systems is not targeted by the malware (for example, iOS devices for Android malware). In this work a novel mathematical model considering this new compartment is considered. Its qualitative study is presented and a detailed analysis of the efficient control measures is shown by studying the basic reproductive number.

Adobe acrobat: an alternative electronic teaching file construction methodology independent of HTML restrictions.

PubMed

Katzman, G L

2001-03-01

The goal of the project was to create a method by which an in-house digital teaching file could be constructed that was simple, inexpensive, independent of hypertext markup language (HTML) restrictions, and appears identical on multiple platforms. To accomplish this, Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat were used in succession to assemble digital teaching files in the Acrobat portable document file format. They were then verified to appear identically on computers running Windows, Macintosh Operating Systems (OS), and the Silicon Graphics Unix-based OS as either a free-standing file using Acrobat Reader software or from within a browser window using the Acrobat browser plug-in. This latter display method yields a file viewed through a browser window, yet remains independent of underlying HTML restrictions, which may confer an advantage over simple HTML teaching file construction. Thus, a hybrid of HTML-distributed Adobe Acrobat generated WWW documents may be a viable alternative for digital teaching file construction and distribution.

Mobile Videoconferencing Apps for Telemedicine

PubMed Central

Liu, Wei-Li; Locatis, Craig; Ackerman, Michael

2016-01-01

Abstract Introduction: The quality and performance of several videoconferencing applications (apps) tested on iOS (Apple, Cupertino, CA) and Android™ (Google, Mountain View, CA) mobile platforms using Wi-Fi (802.11), third-generation (3G), and fourth-generation (4G) cellular networks are described. Materials and Methods: The tests were done to determine how well apps perform compared with videoconferencing software installed on computers or with more traditional videoconferencing using dedicated hardware. The rationale for app assessment and the testing methodology are described. Results: Findings are discussed in relation to operating system platform (iOS or Android) for which the apps were designed and the type of network (Wi-Fi, 3G, or 4G) used. The platform, network, and apps interact, and it is impossible to discuss videoconferencing experienced on mobile devices in relation to one of these factors without referencing the others. Conclusions: Apps for mobile devices can vary significantly from other videoconferencing software or hardware. App performance increased over the testing period due to improvements in network infrastructure and how apps manage bandwidth. PMID:26204322

Mobile Videoconferencing Apps for Telemedicine.

PubMed

Zhang, Kai; Liu, Wei-Li; Locatis, Craig; Ackerman, Michael

2016-01-01

The quality and performance of several videoconferencing applications (apps) tested on iOS (Apple, Cupertino, CA) and Android (Google, Mountain View, CA) mobile platforms using Wi-Fi (802.11), third-generation (3G), and fourth-generation (4G) cellular networks are described. The tests were done to determine how well apps perform compared with videoconferencing software installed on computers or with more traditional videoconferencing using dedicated hardware. The rationale for app assessment and the testing methodology are described. Findings are discussed in relation to operating system platform (iOS or Android) for which the apps were designed and the type of network (Wi-Fi, 3G, or 4G) used. The platform, network, and apps interact, and it is impossible to discuss videoconferencing experienced on mobile devices in relation to one of these factors without referencing the others. Apps for mobile devices can vary significantly from other videoconferencing software or hardware. App performance increased over the testing period due to improvements in network infrastructure and how apps manage bandwidth.

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the two polymorphs of novel S=1 osmate; Li{sub 4}MgOsO{sub 6}

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

Nguyen, Phoung-Hieu T.; Kemei, Moureen C.; Tan, Malinda S.

2016-10-15

Li{sub 4}MgOsO{sub 6} was synthesized by two different solid-state reaction procedures. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray powder diffraction technique and it was revealed that Li{sub 4}MgOsO{sub 6} crystallizes in two different crystal symmetries in ordered rock salt structure type, namely monoclinic C2/m and orthorhombic Fddd. The unit cell constants for the monoclinic system are a=5.1074(4) Å, b=8.8182(4) Å, c=5.0902(2) Å, and β=109.845(4)° and those of the orthorhombic structure are a=5.8485(1) Å, b=8.3821(1) Å, and c=17.6212(3) Å. In both systems, Os{sup 6+} ions reside exclusively in a specific crystallographic position while Li{sup +} and Mg{sup 2+} ions exhibit mixmore » occupancy. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility data for both S=1 osmate systems do not support the occurrence of any magnetic transition down to 2 K. The Curie–Weiss fit to the paramagnetic regime of the magnetic susceptibility data reveal highly negative θ value (−114.81 K and −121.87 K for C2/m and for Fddd systems, respectively), which are indicative of predominant antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions in both systems. The experimental effective magnetic moment (μ{sub eff}) value for the monoclinic phase is 2.13 μB and that of the orthorhombic system is 2.34 μB. Due to the rather strong AFM interactions and lack of magnetic transition down to 2 K, both of these novel osmates are placed in the class of highly frustrated magnets. Low temperature magnetic susceptibility (below 2 K) and dynamic magnetic properties studies (μsr studies) are in order to better understand the magnetic ground states of these two polymorphs of Li{sub 4}MgOsO{sub 6}. - Graphical abstract: The structural transformation between two modifications of highly frustrated Li{sub 4}MgOsO{sub 6}. - Highlights: • Li4MgOsO{sub 6} was synthesized in two different crystal systems. • The monoclinic variant crystallizes in C2/m space group, while the orthorhombic version forms in Fddd space group. • The Os{sup 6+} ions are fully ordered while Li{sup +} and Mg{sup 2+} are mixed occupied. • These systems are the first Os{sup 6+} compounds in ordered NaCl structure type. • Both compounds exhibit high degree of geometric magnetic frustration.« less

OpenStereo: Open Source, Cross-Platform Software for Structural Geology Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grohmann, C. H.; Campanha, G. A.

2010-12-01

Free and open source software (FOSS) are increasingly seen as synonyms of innovation and progress. Freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software (through access to the source code) assure a high level of positive feedback between users and developers, which results in stable, secure and constantly updated systems. Several software packages for structural geology analysis are available to the user, with commercial licenses or that can be downloaded at no cost from the Internet. Some provide basic tools of stereographic projections such as plotting poles, great circles, density contouring, eigenvector analysis, data rotation etc, while others perform more specific tasks, such as paleostress or geotechnical/rock stability analysis. This variety also means a wide range of data formating for input, Graphical User Interface (GUI) design and graphic export format. The majority of packages is built for MS-Windows and even though there are packages for the UNIX-based MacOS, there aren't native packages for *nix (UNIX, Linux, BSD etc) Operating Systems (OS), forcing the users to run these programs with emulators or virtual machines. Those limitations lead us to develop OpenStereo, an open source, cross-platform software for stereographic projections and structural geology. The software is written in Python, a high-level, cross-platform programming language and the GUI is designed with wxPython, which provide a consistent look regardless the OS. Numeric operations (like matrix and linear algebra) are performed with the Numpy module and all graphic capabilities are provided by the Matplolib library, including on-screen plotting and graphic exporting to common desktop formats (emf, eps, ps, pdf, png, svg). Data input is done with simple ASCII text files, with values of dip direction and dip/plunge separated by spaces, tabs or commas. The user can open multiple file at the same time (or the same file more than once), and overlay different elements of each dataset (poles, great circles etc). The GUI shows the opened files in a tree structure, similar to “layers” of many illustration software, where the vertical order of the files in the tree reflects the drawing order of the selected elements. At this stage, the software performs plotting operations of poles to planes, lineations, great circles, density contours and rose diagrams. A set of statistics is calculated for each file and its eigenvalues and eigenvectors are used to suggest if the data is clustered about a mean value or distributed along a girdle. Modified Flinn, Triangular and histograms plots are also available. Next step of development will focus on tools as merging and rotation of datasets, possibility to save 'projects' and paleostress analysis. In its current state, OpenStereo requires Python, wxPython, Numpy and Matplotlib installed in the system. We recommend installing PythonXY or the Enthought Python Distribution on MS-Windows and MacOS machines, since all dependencies are provided. Most Linux distributions provide an easy way to install all dependencies through software repositories. OpenStereo is released under the GNU General Public License. Programmers willing to contribute are encouraged to contact the authors directly. FAPESP Grant #09/17675-5

Assessment of different bedding systems for lactating cows in freestall housing

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The objective of this study was to compare different bedding systems for lactating cows in freestall housing. Bedding systems included new sand (NS), recycled byproducts of manure separation (organic solids [OS] and recycled sand [RS]), and foam-core mattresses with a shallow layer of OS (MS). The e...

A Unix SVR-4-OS9 distributed data acquisition for high energy physics

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

Drouhin, F.; Schwaller, B.; Fontaine, J.C.

1998-08-01

The distributed data acquisition (DAQ) system developed by the GRPHE (Groupe de Recherche en Physique des Hautes Energies) group is a combination of hardware and software dedicated to high energy physics. The system described here is used in the beam tests of the CMs tracker. The central processor of the system is a RISC CPU hosted in a VME card, running a POSIX compliant UNIX system. Specialized real-time OS9 VME cards perform the instrumentation control. The main data flow goes over a deterministic high speed network. The Unix system manages a list of OS9 front-end systems with a synchronization protocolmore » running over a TCP/IP layer.« less

The Omaha System: a systematic review of the recent literature

PubMed Central

Topaz, Maxim; Golfenshtein, Nadya; Bowles, Kathryn H

2014-01-01

Background The Omaha System (OS) is one of the oldest of the American Nurses Association recognized standardized terminologies describing and measuring the impact of healthcare services. This systematic review presents the state of science on the use of the OS in practice, research, and education. Aims (1) To identify, describe and evaluate the publications on the OS between 2004 and 2011, (2) to identify major trends in the use of the OS in research, practice, and education, and (3) to suggest areas for future research. Methods Systematic search in the largest online healthcare databases (PUBMED, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, Ovid) from 2004 to 2011. Methodological quality of the reviewed research studies was evaluated. Results 56 publications on the OS were identified and analyzed. The methodological quality of the reviewed research studies was relatively high. Over time, publications’ focus shifted from describing clients’ problems toward outcomes research. There was an increasing application of advanced statistical methods and a significant portion of authors focused on classification and interoperability research. There was an increasing body of international literature on the OS. Little research focused on the theoretical aspects of the OS, the effective use of the OS in education, or cultural adaptations of the OS outside the USA. Conclusions The OS has a high potential to provide meaningful and high quality information about complex healthcare services. Further research on the OS should focus on its applicability in healthcare education, theoretical underpinnings and international validity. Researchers analyzing the OS data should address how they attempted to mitigate the effects of missing data in analyzing their results and clearly present the limitations of their studies. PMID:23744786

Hydroponic system design with real time OS based on ARM Cortex-M microcontroller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atmadja, Wiedjaja; Liawatimena, Suryadiputra; Lukas, Jonathan; Nata, Eka Putra Leo; Alexander, Ivan

2017-12-01

Hydroponic is the process of growing plants without soil, plant root flooded or moist with nutrient-rich solutions in inert material. Hydroponics has become a reality for greenhouse growers in virtually all climates. Large hydroponic installations exist throughout the world for growing flowers, vegetables and some short period fruit like tomato and cucumber. In soilless culture, we must maintain stable pH and conductivity level of nutrient solution to make plant grow well, large variation of pH of certain time will poisoned plant. This paper describes development complete automation hydroponic system, from maintaining stable nutrient composition (conductivity and pH), grow light, and monitor plant environment such as CO2, temperature and humidity. The heart of our automation is ARM Cortex-M4 from ST Microelectronic running ARM mbed OS, the official Real Time Operating System (RTOS) for ARM Cortex-M microcontroller. Using RTOS gives us flexibility to have multithreaded process. Results show that system capable to control desired concentration level with variation of less than 3%, pH sensor show good accuracy 5.83% from pH value 3.23-10. Growing light intensity measurement show result 105 μmol/m2/s therefore we need turn on the light at least 17 hours/day to fulfil plant light requirement. RTOS give good performance with latency and jitter less than 15 us, system overall show good performance and accuracy for automating hydroponic plant in vegetative phase of growth.

Re-Os Systematics and HSE Distribution in Metal from Ochansk (H4) Chondrite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smoliar, M. I.; Horan, M. F.; Alexander, C. M. OD.; Walker, R. J.

2003-01-01

Previous studies of the Re-Os systematics of chondrites have documented considerable variation in the Re/Os ratios of whole rock samples. For some whole rock chondrites, Re-Os systematics display large deviations from the primitive isochron that are considerably larger than deviations in other isotope systems. Possible interpretation of these facts is that the Re-Os system in chondrites is particularly sensitive to post-formation alteration processes, thus providing a useful tool to examine such processes. Significant variations that have been detected in highly siderophile element (HSE) patterns for ordinary chondrites support this conclusion. We report Re-Os isotope data for metal separates from the Ochansk H4 chondrite coupled with abundance data for Ru, Pd, Ir, and Pt, determined in the same samples by isotope dilution. We chose this meteorite mainly because it is an observed fall with minimal signs of weathering, and its low metamorphic grade (H4) and shock stage (S3).

Evaluation of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic indicator in a European cohort of patients with prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy.

PubMed

Langsenlehner, Tanja; Pichler, Martin; Thurner, Eva-Maria; Krenn-Pilko, Sabine; Stojakovic, Tatjana; Gerger, Armin; Langsenlehner, Uwe

2015-05-01

Recent evidence suggests that the presence of a systemic inflammatory response plays an important role in the progression of several solid tumors. The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been proposed as an easily assessable marker of systemic inflammation and has been shown to represent a prognostic marker in different cancer entities. To evaluate the prognostic value of the PLR in prostate cancer, we performed the present study. Data from 374 consecutive patients with prostate cancer, treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy from 1999 to 2007, were analyzed. Distant metastases-free survival (MFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), biochemical disease-free survival, and time to salvage systemic therapy were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to adjust for other covariates. Using receiver operating characteristics analysis, the optimal cutoff level for the PLR was 190. Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that PLR≥190 was a prognostic factor for decreased MFS (P = 0.004), CSS (P = 0.004), and OS (P = 0.024) whereas a significant association of an elevated PLR with biochemical disease-free survival (P = 0.740) and time to salvage systemic therapy (P = 0.063) was not detected. In multivariate analysis, an increased PLR remained a significant prognostic factor for poor MFS (HR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.06-4.76, P = 0.036), CSS (HR = 3.99, 95% CI: 1.19-13.4, P = 0.025), and OS (HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.02-3.42, P = 0.044). Our findings indicate that the PLR may predict prognosis in patients with prostate cancer and may contribute to future individual risk assessment in them. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Behavior of Re and Os during contact between an aqueous solution and oil: Consequences for the application of the Re-Os geochronometer to petroleum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahdaoui, Fatima; Michels, Raymond; Reisberg, Laurie; Pujol, Magali; Poirier, Yannick

2015-06-01

Several recent studies have raised the exciting possibility that oils can be dated using the Re-Os radioisotope system. However the exact nature of the events dated by this technique often remains unclear. Geochronologic interpretation of Re-Os data for oils is hampered by our limited knowledge of how these metals behave in petroleum systems. In particular, it is difficult to understand how isotopic homogenization, an essential prerequisite for the development of an isochronal relationship, can be achieved at the scale of a petroleum basin. The mechanisms capable of fractionating the Re/Os ratio in a suite of oils are also poorly understood. For this reason, we have performed an experimental study aimed at investigating the behavior of Re and Os during a particularly widespread phenomenon in petroleum systems, the interaction of formation waters with oils during migration. Contact experiments between natural oils and aqueous solutions enriched in Re and/or Os were carried out for varying lengths of time (6 h to 5 months), at different temperatures (25-150 °C), over a wide range of metal concentrations in the enriched solution (0.001-100 μg/g for Re; 1 and 10 ng/g for Os). In addition, the effect of oil composition on Re-Os exchange at the water-oil interface was examined by testing two oils with very different properties. All of our results demonstrate that Re and Os are transferred massively and very rapidly from the aqueous solution to the organic phase. This is true regardless of temperature or oil composition. It is also true for a very wide range of metal concentrations in the aqueous solution, up to an apparent saturation level that exceeds natural concentrations in oils by several orders of magnitude. Given the efficiency of Re and Os transfer from water to oil demonstrated here, and assuming that our findings are applicable to natural conditions, water/oil ratios of only about 250 would be needed to explain the Re and Os contents of most oils, based on the measured concentrations of Re and Os in groundwaters. Thus transfer of Re and Os from formation waters could plausibly provide a source for these metals in oils. Waters from a given basin may have roughly homogeneous Os isotopic compositions, approximating the average value of the source rocks. On the other hand, variable Re/Os ratios might be expected to develop, as a result of interaction with various phases (e.g. Fe-Mn oxides or authigenic pyrite) encountered by the water as it flows through the reservoir. If homogeneous 187Os/188Os ratios coupled with variable Re/Os ratios are transferred to the oils with which the waters come in contact, the isotopic geochronometer could be reset.

Bond deformation paths and electronic instabilities of ultraincompressible transition metal diborides: Case study of OsB2 and IrB2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, R. F.; Legut, D.; Wen, X. D.; Veprek, S.; Rajan, K.; Lookman, T.; Mao, H. K.; Zhao, Y. S.

2014-09-01

The energetically most stable orthorhombic structure of OsB2 and IrB2 is dynamically stable for OsB2 but unstable for IrB2. Both diborides have substantially lower shear strength in their easy slip systems than their metal counterparts. This is attributed to an easy sliding facilitated by out-of-plane weakening of metallic Os-Os bonds in OsB2 and by an in-plane bond splitting instability in IrB2. A much higher shear resistance of Os-B and B-B bonds than Os-Os ones is found, suggesting that the strengthened Os-B and B-B bonds are responsible for hardness enhancement in OsB2. In contrast, an in-plane electronic instability in IrB2 limits its strength. The electronic structure of deformed diborides suggests that the electronic instabilities of 5d orbitals are their origin of different bond deformation paths. Neither IrB2 nor OsB2 can be intrinsically superhard.

Comparing pre-operative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to post-operative whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) for resectable brain metastases: a multi-institutional analysis.

PubMed

Patel, Kirtesh R; Burri, Stuart H; Boselli, Danielle; Symanowski, James T; Asher, Anthony L; Sumrall, Ashley; Fraser, Robert W; Press, Robert H; Zhong, Jim; Cassidy, Richard J; Olson, Jeffrey J; Curran, Walter J; Shu, Hui-Kuo G; Crocker, Ian R; Prabhu, Roshan S

2017-02-01

Pre-operative stereotactic radiosurgery (pre-SRS) has been shown as a viable treatment option for resectable brain metastases (BM). The aim of this study is to compare oncologic outcomes and toxicities for pre-SRS and post-operative WBRT (post-WBRT) for resectable BM. We reviewed records of consecutive patients who underwent resection of BM and either pre-SRS or post-WBRT between 2005 and 2013 at two institutions. Overall survival (OS) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cumulative incidence was used for intracranial outcomes. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was performed using the Cox and Fine and Gray models, respectively. Overall, 102 patients underwent surgical resection of BM; 66 patients with 71 lesions received pre-SRS while 36 patients with 42 cavities received post-WBRT. Baseline characteristics were similar except for the pre-SRS cohort having more single lesions (65.2% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.001) and smaller median lesion volume (8.3 cc vs. 15.3 cc, p = 0.006). 1-year OS was similar between cohorts (58% vs. 56%, respectively) (p = 0.43). Intracranial outcomes were also similar (2-year outcomes, pre-SRS vs. post-WBRT): local recurrence: 24.5% vs. 25% (p = 0.81), distant brain failure (DBF): 53.2% vs. 45% (p = 0.66), and leptomeningeal disease (LMD) recurrence: 3.5% vs. 9.0% (p = 0.66). On MVA, radiation cohort was not independently associated with OS or any intracranial outcome. Crude rates of symptomatic radiation necrosis were 5.6 and 0%, respectively. OS and intracranial outcomes were similar for patients treated with pre-SRS or post-WBRT for resected BM. Pre-SRS is a viable alternative to post-WBRT for resected BM. Further confirmatory studies with neuro-cognitive outcomes comparing these two treatment paradigms are needed.

Defense Management Education and Training

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-01

loading, stowing, and discharge of a cargo ship . This course is intended for ocean cargo specialists and military marine terminal operations...stowage planning. The student prepares a cargo prestowage plan, the USNS ALGOL (T- AKR 287). Mathematical ability is critical. PREREQUISITES: Personnel...AFIT/LS Performance Measurement Data (JT) QMT 372 Reliability (AF) OS/R/15 days AFIT/LS 0 2- A -24 DoD ",010.16-C QMT 540 Advanced Contract Pricing OS/R/10

Alzheimer-associated Aβ oligomers impact the central nervous system to induce peripheral metabolic deregulation

PubMed Central

Clarke, Julia R; Lyra e Silva, Natalia M; Figueiredo, Claudia P; Frozza, Rudimar L; Ledo, Jose H; Beckman, Danielle; Katashima, Carlos K; Razolli, Daniela; Carvalho, Bruno M; Frazão, Renata; Silveira, Marina A; Ribeiro, Felipe C; Bomfim, Theresa R; Neves, Fernanda S; Klein, William L; Medeiros, Rodrigo; LaFerla, Frank M; Carvalheira, Jose B; Saad, Mario J; Munoz, Douglas P; Velloso, Licio A; Ferreira, Sergio T; De Felice, Fernanda G

2015-01-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with peripheral metabolic disorders. Clinical/epidemiological data indicate increased risk of diabetes in AD patients. Here, we show that intracerebroventricular infusion of AD-associated Aβ oligomers (AβOs) in mice triggered peripheral glucose intolerance, a phenomenon further verified in two transgenic mouse models of AD. Systemically injected AβOs failed to induce glucose intolerance, suggesting AβOs target brain regions involved in peripheral metabolic control. Accordingly, we show that AβOs affected hypothalamic neurons in culture, inducing eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α phosphorylation (eIF2α-P). AβOs further induced eIF2α-P and activated pro-inflammatory IKKβ/NF-κB signaling in the hypothalamus of mice and macaques. AβOs failed to trigger peripheral glucose intolerance in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) receptor 1 knockout mice. Pharmacological inhibition of brain inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress prevented glucose intolerance in mice, indicating that AβOs act via a central route to affect peripheral glucose homeostasis. While the hypothalamus has been largely ignored in the AD field, our findings indicate that AβOs affect this brain region and reveal novel shared molecular mechanisms between hypothalamic dysfunction in metabolic disorders and AD. PMID:25617315

Implementing a distributed intranet-based information system.

PubMed

O'Kane, K C; McColligan, E E; Davis, G A

1996-11-01

The article discusses Internet and intranet technologies and describes how to install an intranet-based information system using the Merle language facility and other readily available components. Merle is a script language designed to support decentralized medical record information retrieval applications on the World Wide Web. The goal of this work is to provide a script language tool to facilitate construction of efficient, fully functional, multipoint medical record information systems that can be accessed anywhere by low-cost Web browsers to search, retrieve, and analyze patient information. The language allows legacy MUMPS applications to function in a Web environment and to make use of the Web graphical, sound, and video presentation services. It also permits downloading of script applets for execution on client browsers, and it can be used in standalone mode with the Unix, Windows 95, Windows NT, and OS/2 operating systems.

Prognostic nutritional index as a prognostic biomarker for survival in digestive system carcinomas.

PubMed

Zhao, Yang; Xu, Peng; Kang, Huafeng; Lin, Shuai; Wang, Meng; Yang, Pengtao; Dai, Cong; Liu, Xinghan; Liu, Kang; Zheng, Yi; Dai, Zhijun

2016-12-27

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been reported to correlate with the prognosis in patients with various malignancies. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the predictive potential of PNI in digestive system cancers. Twenty-three studies with a total of 7,384 patients suffering from digestive system carcinomas were involved in this meta-analysis. A lower PNI was significantly associated with the shorter overall survival (OS) [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.83, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.62-2.07], the poorer disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.19-2.89), and the higher rate of post-operative complications (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.63-3.28). In conclusion, PNI was allowed to function as an efficient indicator for the prognosis of patients with digestive system carcinomas.

Heterogeneity of Systemic Oxidative Stress Profiles in COPD: A Potential Role of Gender.

PubMed

Maury, Jonathan; Gouzi, Farés; De Rigal, Philippe; Heraud, Nelly; Pincemail, Joël; Molinari, Nicolas; Pomiès, Pascal; Laoudj-Chenivesse, Dalila; Mercier, Jacques; Préfaut, Christian; Hayot, Maurice

2015-01-01

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key role in the muscle impairment and exercise capacity of COPD patients. However, the literature reveals that systemic OS markers show great heterogeneity, which may hinder the prescription of effective antioxidant supplementation. This study therefore aimed to identify OS markers imbalance of COPD patients, relative to validated normal reference values, and to investigate the possibility of systemic OS profiles. We measured systemic enzymatic/nonenzymatic antioxidant and lipid peroxidation (LP) levels in 54 stable COPD patients referred for a rehabilitation program. The main systemic antioxidant deficits in these patients concerned vitamins and trace elements. Fully 89% of the COPD patients showed a systemic antioxidant imbalance which may have caused the elevated systemic LP levels in 69% of them. Interestingly, two patient profiles (clusters 3 and 4) had a more elevated increase in LP combined with increased copper and/or decreased vitamin C, GSH, and GPx. Further analysis revealed that the systemic LP level was higher in COPD women and associated with exercise capacity. Our present data therefore support future supplementations with antioxidant vitamins and trace elements to improve exercise capacity, but COPD patients will probably show different positive responses.

Sources of osmium to the modern oceans: New evidence from the 190Pt-186Os system

USGS Publications Warehouse

McDaniel, D.K.; Walker, R.J.; Hemming, S.R.; Horan, M.F.; Becker, H.; Grauch, R.I.

2004-01-01

High precision Os isotope analysis of young marine manganese nodules indicate that whereas the composition of modern seawater is radiogenic with respect to 187Os/188Os, it has 186Os/188Os that is within uncertainty of the chondritic value. Marine Mn nodule compositions thus indicate that the average continental source of Os to modern seawater had long-term high Re/Os compared to Pt/Os. Analyses of loess and freshwater Mn nodules support existing evidence that average upper continental crust (UCC) has resolvably suprachondritic 186Os/188Os, as well as radiogenic 187Os/188Os. Modeling the composition of seawater as a two-component mixture of oceanic/cosmic Os with chondritic Os compositions and continentally-derived Os demonstrates that, insofar as estimates for the composition of average UCC are accurate, congruently weathered average UCC cannot be the sole continental source of Os to seawater. Our analysis of four Cambrian black shales confirm that organic-rich sediments can have 187Os/188Os ratios that are much higher than average UCC, but 186Os/188Os compositions that are generally between those of chondrites and average-UCC. Preferential weathering of black shales can result in dissolved Os discharged to the ocean basins that has a much lower 186Os/188Os than does average upper crust. Modeling the available data demonstrates that augmentation of estimated average UCC compositions with less than 0.1% additional black shale and 1.4% additional ultramafic rock can produce a continental end-member Os isotopic composition that satisfies the requirements imposed by the marine Mn nodule data. The interplay of these two sources provides a mechanism by which the 187Os/188Os of seawater can change as sources and weathering conditions change, yet seawater 186Os/188Os varies only minimally. ?? 2004 Elsevier Ltd.

[Outcome of laparoscopic radical right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic resection and D3 lymphadenectomy].

PubMed

Xiao, Yi; Qiu, Huizhong; Wu, Bin; Lin, Guole; Xiong, Guangbing; Niu, Beizhan; Sun, Xiyu

2014-04-01

To investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic approach for totally mesocolic resection and D3 lymphadenectomy in right colectomy. A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the operating time, blood loss, lymph node retrieval, postoperative complications and converting rate. The relationships of 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), 3-year overall survival (OS) to gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, body mass index (BMI), T-staging, N-staging and TNM classification were also analyzed by Kaplan-Meier surviving curve and Log-rank test. A total of 111 patients were enrolled in present study. There were 50 male and 61 female patients. The average operating time was (168 ± 42) minutes, blood loss was (81 ± 63) ml, lymph node retrieval was (30 ± 12). The converting rate to open surgery was 1.8%. There was no death within 30 days after operation. The 3-year DFS and 3-year OS was 86.5% and 93.7% respectively. The short-term complications occurred in 17.1% of the patients, including diarrhea (7 cases), ileus (3 cases), urinary infection (3 cases), wound dehiscence (2 cases) and so on. With the T staging progress, DFS and OS in patients showed a gradual decline, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). TNM classification had relation to DFS (χ(2) = 6.985, P = 0.030), while N-staging showed significant relations both to DFS and OS (χ(2) = 14.397, P = 0.001; χ(2) = 16.699, P = 0.000). Laparascopic approach to right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic resection and D3 lymphadenectomy is safe and has satisfied oncological outcome.

Osmium-Iridium Correlation and Osmium Isotopic Composition in Some Geological Boundaries and Meteorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Y. Z.; Wang, J. X.; Mao, X. Y.; Chai, C. F.

1992-07-01

Since the pioneering study of Alvarez et al. on K/T boundary event, Ir has long been considered to be the main indicator of extraterrestrial materials in boundaries, while little work about Os and its isotopic composition have been done. In this work a sophisticated radiochemical separation procedure together with neutron activation analsis (NAA) method was established for the determination of Os in some geological boundaries (P epsilon/epsilon, K/T, D/C, O/S, P/T). Combined with our early work--determination of Ir abundances [1], the sources of boundary events were deciphered by using the Os/Ir ratios. Simultaneously ^184Os/^190Os ratios in K/T boundaries, as well as inclusions of Allende chondrite and acid-insoluble residues of iron meteorites (Nandan, Jianshi, Longchang) were determined to search for the Os isotopic composition anomalies resulted from the extrasolar components by RNAA. The results show that the Os abundances exhibit a positive correlation with the Ir abundances for overall K/T boundary samples, but only the Os/Ir ratios of K/T boundaries, with the average of 0.98 +- 0.55, are in excellent agreement with 1.01 of the solar system [2], Accordingly, it provides new evidence for an extraterrestrial source of the K/T event. The results of ^184Os/^190Os ratios, with uncertainties of less than 1%, indicate there is no remarkable ^184Os/^190Os ratio anomaly in the K/T boundary samples, which implies the impacting matter may be from the solar system not the extrasolar, while no anomaly exists in the inclusions of Allende chondrite and acid-insoluble residues of iron meteorites, which disagree with the results obtained by Goel [3]. REFERENCES [1] Chai Chifang (1988) Isotopenpraxis 24, pp. 257-272. [2] Anders E. and Grevesse N. (l989) Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 53, 197-214. [3] Goel P.S.(1987) Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Earth Planet. Sci), 96, pp. 81-102.

Adaptive optics optical coherence tomography for measuring phase and reflectance dynamics of photoreceptors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kocaoglu, Omer P.; Jonnal, Ravi S.; Lee, Sangyeol; Wang, Qiang; Liu, Zhuolin; Miller, Donald T.

2012-03-01

Optical coherence tomography with adaptive optics (AO-OCT) is a noninvasive method for imaging the living retina at the microscopic level. We used AO-OCT technology to follow changes in cone photoreceptor outer segment (OS) length and reflectance. To substantially increase sensitivity of the length measurements, a novel phase retrieval technique was demonstrated, capable of detecting changes on a nanometer scale. We acquired volume videos of 0.65°x0.65° retinal patches at 1.5° temporal to the fovea over 75 and 105 minutes in two subjects. Volumes were dewarped and registered, after which the cone intensity, OS length, and referenced phase difference were tracked over time. The reflections from inner segment/OS junction (IS/OS) and posterior tips of OS (PT) showed significant intensity variations over time. In contrast, the OS length as measured from the intensity images did not change, indicative of a highly stable OS length at least down to the level of the system's axial resolution (3μm). Smaller axial changes, however, were detected with our phase retrieval technique. Specifically, the PT-IS/OS phase difference for the same cones showed significant variation, suggesting real sub-wavelength changes in OS length of 125+/-46 nm/hr for the 22 cones followed. We believe these length changes are due to the normal renewal process of the cone OS that elongate the OS at a rate of about 100 nm/hr. The phase difference measurements were strongly correlated among Alines within the same cone (0.65 radians standard deviation) corresponding to a length sensitivity of 31 nm, or ~100 times smaller than the axial resolution of our system.

The influence of melt flux and crustal processing on Re-Os isotope systematics of ocean island basalts: Constraints from Galápagos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibson, S. A.; Dale, C. W.; Geist, D. J.; Day, J. A.; Brügmann, G.; Harpp, K. S.

2016-09-01

New rhenium-osmium data for high-MgO (>9 wt.%) basalts from the Galápagos Archipelago reveal a large variation in 187Os/188Os (0.1304 to 0.173), comparable with the range shown by primitive global ocean island basalts (OIBs). Basalts with the least radiogenic 187Os/188Os occur closest to the Galápagos plume stem: those in western Galápagos have low 187Os/188Os, moderate 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd, 206Pb/204Pb and high 3He/4He whereas basalts in the south also have low 187Os/188Os but more radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd, 206Pb/204Pb and 3He/4He. Our new Os isotope data are consistent with the previously established spatial zonation of the common global isotopic mantle reservoir ;C; and ancient recycled oceanic crust in the mantle plume beneath western and southern parts of Galápagos, respectively. Galápagos basalts with the most radiogenic 187Os/188Os (up to 0.1875) typically have moderate MgO (7-9 wt.%) and low Os (<50 pg g-1) but have contrastingly unenriched Sr, Nd and Pb isotope signatures. We interpret this decoupling of chalcophile and lithophile isotopic systems as due to assimilation of young Pacific lower crust during crystal fractionation. Mixing models show the assimilated crust must have higher contents of Re and Os, and more radiogenic 187Os/188Os (0.32), than previously proposed for oceanic gabbros. We suggest the inferred, exceptionally-high radiogenic 187Os of the Pacific crust may be localised and due to sulfides precipitated from hydrothermal systems established at the Galápagos Spreading Centre. High 187Os/188Os Galápagos basalts are found where plume material is being dispersed laterally away from the plume stem to the adjacent spreading centre (i.e. in central and NE parts of the archipelago). The extent to which crustal processing influences 187Os/188Os appears to be primarily controlled by melt flux: as distance from the stem of the Galápagos plume increases, the melt flux decreases and crustal assimilation becomes proportionally greater, accounting for co-variations in Os and 187Os/188Os. The Os concentration threshold below which the 187Os/188Os of Galápagos basalts are contaminated (100 pg g-1) is higher than the canonical value (<50 pg g-1) assumed for many other global OIBs (e.g. for Iceland, Grande Comore and Hawaii). This most likely reflects the low overall melt flux to the crust from the Galápagos plume, which has only a moderate excess temperature and buoyancy flux. Our findings have implications for the interpretation of 187Os/188Os ratios in other ocean island settings, especially those where large variations in 187Os/188Os have been linked to heterogeneity in mantle lithology or sulfide populations: the effect of crustal contamination on 187Os/188Os may be greater than previously recognised, particularly for basalts associated with weak, low melt flux mantle plumes, such as Tristan, Bouvet, Crozet and St Helena.

Comparative 187Re-187Os systematics of chondrites: Implications regarding early solar system processes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Walker, R.J.; Horan, M.F.; Morgan, J.W.; Becker, H.; Grossman, J.N.; Rubin, A.E.

2002-01-01

A suite of 47 carbonaceous, enstatite, and ordinary chondrites are examined for Re-Os isotopic systematics. There are significant differences in the 187Re/188Os and 187Os/188Os ratios of carbonaceous chondrites compared with ordinary and enstatite chondrites. The average 187Re/188Os for carbonaceous chondrites is 0.392 ?? 0.015 (excluding the CK chondrite, Karoonda), compared with 0.422 ?? 0.025 and 0.421 ?? 0.013 for ordinary and enstatite chondrites (1?? standard deviations). These ratios, recast into elemental Re/Os ratios, are as follows: 0.0814 ?? 0.0031, 0.0876 ?? 0.0052 and 0.0874 ?? 0.0027 respectively. Correspondingly, the 187Os/188Os ratios of carbonaceous chondrites average 0.1262 ?? 0.0006 (excluding Karoonda), and ordinary and enstatite chondrites average 0.1283 ?? 0.0017 and 0.1281 ?? 0.0004, respectively (1?? standard deviations). The new results indicate that the Re/Os ratios of meteorites within each group are, in general, quite uniform. The minimal overlap between the isotopic compositions of ordinary and enstatite chondrites vs. carbonaceous chondrites indicates long-term differences in Re/Os for these materials, most likely reflecting chemical fractionation early in solar system history. A majority of the chondrites do not plot within analytical uncertainties of a 4.56-Ga reference isochron. Most of the deviations from the isochron are consistent with minor, relatively recent redistribution of Re and/or Os on a scale of millimeters to centimeters. Some instances of the redistribution may be attributed to terrestrial weathering; others are most likely the result of aqueous alteration or shock events on the parent body within the past 2 Ga. The 187Os/188Os ratio of Earth's primitive upper mantle has been estimated to be 0.1296 ?? 8. If this composition was set via addition of a late veneer of planetesimals after core formation, the composition suggests the veneer was dominated by materials that had Re/Os ratios most similar to ordinary and enstatite chondrites. ?? 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

CuMnOS Nanoflowers with Different Cu+/Cu2+ Ratios for the CO2-to-CH3OH and the CH3OH-to-H2 Redox Reactions

PubMed Central

Chen, Xiaoyun; Abdullah, Hairus; Kuo, Dong-Hau

2017-01-01

A conservative CO2-Methanol (CH3OH) regeneration cycle, to capture and reutilize the greenhouse gas of CO2 by aqueous hydrogenation for industry-useful CH3OH and to convert aqueous CH3OH solution by dehydrogenation for the clean energy of hydrogen (H2), is demonstrated at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) with two kinds of CuMnOS nanoflower catalysts. The [Cu+]-high CuMnOS led to a CH3OH yield of 21.1 mmol·g−1catal.·h−1 in the CuMnOS-CO2-H2O system and the other [Cu+]-low one had a H2 yield of 7.65 mmol·g−1catal.·h−1 in the CuMnOS-CH3OH-H2O system. The successful redox reactions at NTP rely on active lattice oxygen of CuMnOS catalysts and its charge (hole or electron) transfer ability between Cu+ and Cu2+. The CO2-hydrogenated CH3OH in aqueous solution is not only a fuel but also an ideal liquid hydrogen storage system for transportation application. PMID:28117456

CuMnOS Nanoflowers with Different Cu+/Cu2+ Ratios for the CO2-to-CH3OH and the CH3OH-to-H2 Redox Reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiaoyun; Abdullah, Hairus; Kuo, Dong-Hau

2017-01-01

A conservative CO2-Methanol (CH3OH) regeneration cycle, to capture and reutilize the greenhouse gas of CO2 by aqueous hydrogenation for industry-useful CH3OH and to convert aqueous CH3OH solution by dehydrogenation for the clean energy of hydrogen (H2), is demonstrated at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) with two kinds of CuMnOS nanoflower catalysts. The [Cu+]-high CuMnOS led to a CH3OH yield of 21.1 mmol·g-1catal.·h-1 in the CuMnOS-CO2-H2O system and the other [Cu+]-low one had a H2 yield of 7.65 mmol·g-1catal.·h-1 in the CuMnOS-CH3OH-H2O system. The successful redox reactions at NTP rely on active lattice oxygen of CuMnOS catalysts and its charge (hole or electron) transfer ability between Cu+ and Cu2+. The CO2-hydrogenated CH3OH in aqueous solution is not only a fuel but also an ideal liquid hydrogen storage system for transportation application.

CuMnOS Nanoflowers with Different Cu+/Cu2+ Ratios for the CO2-to-CH3OH and the CH3OH-to-H2 Redox Reactions.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaoyun; Abdullah, Hairus; Kuo, Dong-Hau

2017-01-24

A conservative CO 2 -Methanol (CH 3 OH) regeneration cycle, to capture and reutilize the greenhouse gas of CO 2 by aqueous hydrogenation for industry-useful CH 3 OH and to convert aqueous CH 3 OH solution by dehydrogenation for the clean energy of hydrogen (H 2 ), is demonstrated at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) with two kinds of CuMnOS nanoflower catalysts. The [Cu + ]-high CuMnOS led to a CH 3 OH yield of 21.1 mmol·g -1 catal.·h -1 in the CuMnOS-CO 2 -H 2 O system and the other [Cu + ]-low one had a H 2 yield of 7.65 mmol·g -1 catal.·h -1 in the CuMnOS-CH 3 OH-H 2 O system. The successful redox reactions at NTP rely on active lattice oxygen of CuMnOS catalysts and its charge (hole or electron) transfer ability between Cu + and Cu 2+ . The CO 2 -hydrogenated CH 3 OH in aqueous solution is not only a fuel but also an ideal liquid hydrogen storage system for transportation application.

Proposal and Implementation of SSH Client System Using Ajax

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosuda, Yusuke; Sasaki, Ryoichi

Technology called Ajax gives web applications the functionality and operability of desktop applications. In this study, we propose and implement a Secure Shell (SSH) client system using Ajax, independent of the OS or Java execution environment. In this system, SSH packets are generated on a web browser by using JavaScript and a web server works as a proxy in communication with an SSH server to realize end-to-end SSH communication. We implemented a prototype program and confirmed by experiment that it runs on several web browsers and mobile phones. This system has enabled secure SSH communication from a PC at an Internet cafe or any mobile phone. By measuring the processing performance, we verified satisfactory performance for emergency use, although the speed was unsatisfactory in some cases with mobile phone. The system proposed in this study will be effective in various fields of E-Business.

Programs To Optimize Spacecraft And Aircraft Trajectories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brauer, G. L.; Petersen, F. M.; Cornick, D.E.; Stevenson, R.; Olson, D. W.

1994-01-01

POST/6D POST is set of two computer programs providing ability to target and optimize trajectories of powered or unpowered spacecraft or aircraft operating at or near rotating planet. POST treats point-mass, three-degree-of-freedom case. 6D POST treats more-general rigid-body, six-degree-of-freedom (with point masses) case. Used to solve variety of performance, guidance, and flight-control problems for atmospheric and orbital vehicles. Applications include computation of performance or capability of vehicle in ascent, or orbit, and during entry into atmosphere, simulation and analysis of guidance and flight-control systems, dispersion-type analyses and analyses of loads, general-purpose six-degree-of-freedom simulation of controlled and uncontrolled vehicles, and validation of performance in six degrees of freedom. Written in FORTRAN 77 and C language. Two machine versions available: one for SUN-series computers running SunOS(TM) (LAR-14871) and one for Silicon Graphics IRIS computers running IRIX(TM) operating system (LAR-14869).

Incorporating Externalities and Uncertainty into Life-Cycle Cost Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

operating, maintaining, and (eventually) disposing of the building system( s ) over a given study period (usually related to the life of the project...which is rarely the case with environmental decisions that are often irreversible. For example, the extinction of a species, the authors argue, is...O x So ci al C os t o f S O 2 U H H Z1 10 22 5 $1 12 ,0 00 38 76 0 10 0. 0% $1 $4 ,7 07 $1 10 SG BP 12 00 38 $3 75 ,0 67 47 72 4 10 0. 0% $3 $1 1, 42

Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. Control of Air Strikes in SEA 1961-1966

DTIC Science & Technology

1967-03-01

such use. By the end of December there were 30 F-lOO’s at Da Nang, ten B-57’s at 66/ Bien Hoa, and eighteen F-105’s at Korat .-- One notable...Phanom, Ubon, I Korat , and Phitsanulok with a CRC at Don Muangc There were, in effect, I three control systems operating for airpower in Southeast...much more 21/ efficiently. Strike forces in Thailand were building up. Four squadrons ofF-lOS’s, two each at Takhli and Korat , were in Thailand by

Multiple-Purpose Project: Platte River Basin, Little Platte River, Missouri, Smithville Lake; Operation and Maintenance Manual. Appendix 5. Embankment Criteria and Performance Report. Supplement 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-03-01

etctagrsa seta forth inor AR1 3515 n udr h ft. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I& AmTUACYIC" 0~~a - -( id n.ee IejDIbNboc mbr he pur os DS RB TO ST T N(of this Re’i p...along Crows Creek was submerged , permitting saturation of the basal layer and subjecting the confined aquifer system to a hydrostatic pressure head...along the banks of Crows Creek became submerged . The discharge area became the recharge area initially, completing saturation of the aquifer and then

HeatmapGenerator: high performance RNAseq and microarray visualization software suite to examine differential gene expression levels using an R and C++ hybrid computational pipeline.

PubMed

Khomtchouk, Bohdan B; Van Booven, Derek J; Wahlestedt, Claes

2014-01-01

The graphical visualization of gene expression data using heatmaps has become an integral component of modern-day medical research. Heatmaps are used extensively to plot quantitative differences in gene expression levels, such as those measured with RNAseq and microarray experiments, to provide qualitative large-scale views of the transcriptonomic landscape. Creating high-quality heatmaps is a computationally intensive task, often requiring considerable programming experience, particularly for customizing features to a specific dataset at hand. Software to create publication-quality heatmaps is developed with the R programming language, C++ programming language, and OpenGL application programming interface (API) to create industry-grade high performance graphics. We create a graphical user interface (GUI) software package called HeatmapGenerator for Windows OS and Mac OS X as an intuitive, user-friendly alternative to researchers with minimal prior coding experience to allow them to create publication-quality heatmaps using R graphics without sacrificing their desired level of customization. The simplicity of HeatmapGenerator is that it only requires the user to upload a preformatted input file and download the publicly available R software language, among a few other operating system-specific requirements. Advanced features such as color, text labels, scaling, legend construction, and even database storage can be easily customized with no prior programming knowledge. We provide an intuitive and user-friendly software package, HeatmapGenerator, to create high-quality, customizable heatmaps generated using the high-resolution color graphics capabilities of R. The software is available for Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X. HeatmapGenerator is released under the GNU General Public License and publicly available at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/heatmapgenerator/. The Mac OS X direct download is available at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/heatmapgenerator/files/HeatmapGenerator_MAC_OSX.tar.gz/download. The Windows OS direct download is available at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/heatmapgenerator/files/HeatmapGenerator_WINDOWS.zip/download.

Performances of OsO(4) stabilized CO(2) lasers as optical frequency standards near 29 THz.

PubMed

Daussy, C; Ducos, F; Rovera, G D; Acef, O

2000-01-01

In this paper, we report on the metrological capabilities of CO (2)/OsO(4) optical frequency standards operating around 29 THz. Those frequency standards are currently involved in various fields, such as frequency metrology, high resolution spectroscopy, and Rydberg constant measurements. The most impressive features of the standards lies in the 10(-15) level frequency stability allied to a long-term reproducibility (1 yr) of 1.3x10 (-13).

One hundred cases of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy using the PK and Lap Loop systems.

PubMed

Erian, John; El-Toukhy, Tarek; Chandakas, Stefanos; Theodoridis, Theo; Hill, Nicholas

2005-01-01

To evaluate the safety and short-term outcomes of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy using the PK and Lap Loop systems. Prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Princess Royal University and Chelsfield Park Hospitals, Kent, UK. One hundred women who underwent laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy for menorrhagia from February 2003 through July 2004. The procedure was performed using the Plasma Kinetic (PK) system to seal the vascular pedicles and the Lap Loop system to separate the uterus at the level of the internal os. The uterus was removed from the abdominal cavity mainly by morcellation or posterior colpotomy. Of 100 patients, 59 were operated on as outpatients. Mean patient age was 44.6 years, median parity was 2, mean body mass index was 26.8, and mean duration of symptoms was 4 years. Clinically, the uterus was enlarged in 70 patients, and preoperative ultrasound scanning suggested the presence of uterine myomas in 42 patients. In addition to hysterectomy, 47 patients had concomitant pelvic surgery. The mean total operating time was 45.5 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was 114 mL. The overall major complication rate was 2%; two patients required blood transfusion after surgery. There were no bowel or urinary tract injuries, unintended laparotomy, return to operating room, or anesthetic complications. At follow-up, all patients were satisfied with surgery. Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy using the PK and Lap Loop systems for treatment of therapy-resistant menorrhagia is safe, can be performed as an outpatient procedure, and is associated with reduced operating time and high patient satisfaction.

Terra Harvest Open Source Environment (THOSE): a universal unattended ground sensor controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gold, Joshua; Klawon, Kevin; Humeniuk, David; Landoll, Darren

2011-06-01

Under the Terra Harvest Program, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has the objective of developing a universal Controller for the Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) community. The mission is to define, implement, and thoroughly document an open architecture that universally supports UGS missions, integrating disparate systems, peripherals, etc. The Controller's inherent interoperability with numerous systems enables the integration of both legacy and future Unattended Ground Sensor System (UGSS) components, while the design's open architecture supports rapid third-party development to ensure operational readiness. The successful accomplishment of these objectives by the program's Phase 3b contractors is demonstrated via integration of the companies' respective plug-'n-play contributions that include various peripherals, such as sensors, cameras, etc., and their associated software drivers. In order to independently validate the Terra Harvest architecture, L-3 Nova Engineering, along with its partner, the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), is developing the Terra Harvest Open Source Environment (THOSE), a Java based system running on an embedded Linux Operating System (OS). The Use Cases on which the software is developed support the full range of UGS operational scenarios such as remote sensor triggering, image capture, and data exfiltration. The Team is additionally developing an ARM microprocessor evaluation platform that is both energyefficient and operationally flexible. The paper describes the overall THOSE architecture, as well as the implementation strategy for some of the key software components. Preliminary integration/test results and the Team's approach for transitioning the THOSE design and source code to the Government are also presented.

A new superhard material: Osmium diboride OsB 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hebbache, M.; Stuparević, L.; Živković, D.

2006-08-01

Superhard materials have many industrial applications, wherever resistance to abrasion and wear are important. The synthesis of new superhard materials is one of the great challenges to scientists. We re-examined the phase diagram of the binary osmium-boron system and confirmed the existence of two hexagonal phases, OsB 1.1, Os 2B 3, and an orthorhombic phase, OsB 2. Almost nothing is known about the physical properties of osmium borides. Microhardness measurements show that OsB 2 is extremely hard. Ab initio calculations show that this is due to formation of covalent bonds between boron atoms. OsB 2 is also a low compressibility material. It can be used as hard coating.

Osmium Isotope Compositions of Komatiite Sources Through Time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, R. J.

2001-12-01

Extending Os isotopic measurements to ancient plume sources may help to constrain how and when the well-documented isotopic heterogeneities in modern systems were created. Komatiites and picrites associated with plume-related volcanism are valuable tracers of the Os isotopic composition of plumes because of their typically high Os concentrations and relatively low Re/Os. Re-Os data are now available for a variety of Phanerozoic, Proterozoic and Archean komatiites and picrites. As with modern plumes, the sources of Archean and Proterozoic komatiites exhibit a large range of initial 187Os/188Os ratios. Most komatiites are dominated by sources with chondritic Os isotopic compositions (e.g. Song La; Norseman-Wiluna; Pyke Hill; Alexo), though some (e.g. Gorgona) derive from heterogeneous sources. Of note, however, two ca. 2.7 Ga systems, Kostomuksha (Russia) and Belingwe (Zimbabwe), have initial ratios enriched by 2-3% relative to the contemporary convecting upper mantle. These results suggest that if the 187Os enrichment was due to the incorporation of minor amounts of recycled crust into the mantle source of the rocks, the crust formed very early in Earth history. Thus, the Os results could reflect derivation of melt from hybrid mantle whose composition was modified by the addition of mafic crustal material that would most likely have formed between 4.2 and 4.5 Ga. Alternately, the mantle sources of these komatiites may have derived a portion of their Os from the putative 187Os - and 186Os -enriched outer core. For this hypothesis to be applicable to Archean rocks, an inner core of sufficient mass would have to have crystallized sufficiently early in Earth history to generate an outer core with 187Os enriched by at least 3% relative to the chondritic average. Using the Pt-Re-Os partition coefficients espoused by our earlier work, and assuming linear growth of the inner core started at 4.5 Ga and continued to present, would yield an outer core at 2.7 Ga with a gamma Os value of only +1.2 and a 186Os/188Os enrichment relative to the contemporary upper mantle of only +13 ppm. Greater isotopic enrichments could have been achieved by 2.7 Ga if either the inner core comprised >2.8% of the mass of the core by 2.7 Ga, or if Re and Os solid metal-liquid metal D's for core crystallization were greater that those applied in the initial calculation.

Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Splenectomy Versus Open Splenectomy for Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

PubMed Central

Qu, Yikun; Xu, Jian; Jiao, Chengbin; Cheng, Zhuoxin; Ren, Shiyan

2014-01-01

The long-term outcomes of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) versus open splenectomy (OS) in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are not known. A retrospective analysis of 73 patients who underwent splenectomy (32 LS and 41 OS) for refractory ITP between April 2003 and June 2012 was conducted. LS was associated with shorter hospital stay (P = 0.01), less blood loss and blood transfusion during surgery, quicker resumption of oral diet (P < 0.0001), and earlier drain removal (P < 0.01). Conversion to OS was required in 4 patients (12.5%). Operation time was significantly longer in LS (P < 0.0001). Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was observed in 1 patient after LS and in 4 patients after OS (P = 0.52). One patient died from intraperitoneal bleeding after OS, another patient developed pulmonary embolism. Median follow-up of 36 months was performed in LS group (29 of 32, 91%) and of 46 months in OS group (35 of 41, 85%), 25 patients (86%) in LS group and 32 (91%) in OS group reached sustained complete response (P = 0.792). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the relapse-free survival rate between the groups (P = 0.777). In conclusion, the long-term outcome of laparoscopic splenectomy is not different from that of open splenectomy for patients with ITP. PMID:24833154

Scoring Systems to Estimate Intracerebral Control and Survival Rates of Patients Irradiated for Brain Metastases;Brain metastases; Radiation therapy; Local control; Survival; Prognostic scores

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

Rades, Dirk, E-mail: Rades.Dirk@gmx.net; Dziggel, Liesa; Haatanen, Tiina

2011-07-15

Purpose: To create and validate scoring systems for intracerebral control (IC) and overall survival (OS) of patients irradiated for brain metastases. Methods and Materials: In this study, 1,797 patients were randomly assigned to the test (n = 1,198) or the validation group (n = 599). Two scoring systems were developed, one for IC and another for OS. The scores included prognostic factors found significant on multivariate analyses. Age, performance status, extracerebral metastases, interval tumor diagnosis to RT, and number of brain metastases were associated with OS. Tumor type, performance status, interval, and number of brain metastases were associated with IC.more » The score for each factor was determined by dividing the 6-month IC or OS rate (given in percent) by 10. The total score represented the sum of the scores for each factor. The score groups of the test group were compared with the corresponding score groups of the validation group. Results: In the test group, 6-month IC rates were 17% for 14-18 points, 49% for 19-23 points, and 77% for 24-27 points (p < 0.0001). IC rates in the validation group were 19%, 52%, and 77%, respectively (p < 0.0001). In the test group, 6-month OS rates were 9% for 15-19 points, 41% for 20-25 points, and 78% for 26-30 points (p < 0.0001). OS rates in the validation group were 7%, 39%, and 79%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Patients irradiated for brain metastases can be given scores to estimate OS and IC. IC and OS rates of the validation group were similar to the test group demonstrating the validity and reproducibility of both scores.« less

DNAApp: a mobile application for sequencing data analysis

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Phi-Vu; Verma, Chandra Shekhar; Gan, Samuel Ken-En

2014-01-01

Summary: There have been numerous applications developed for decoding and visualization of ab1 DNA sequencing files for Windows and MAC platforms, yet none exists for the increasingly popular smartphone operating systems. The ability to decode sequencing files cannot easily be carried out using browser accessed Web tools. To overcome this hurdle, we have developed a new native app called DNAApp that can decode and display ab1 sequencing file on Android and iOS. In addition to in-built analysis tools such as reverse complementation, protein translation and searching for specific sequences, we have incorporated convenient functions that would facilitate the harnessing of online Web tools for a full range of analysis. Given the high usage of Android/iOS tablets and smartphones, such bioinformatics apps would raise productivity and facilitate the high demand for analyzing sequencing data in biomedical research. Availability and implementation: The Android version of DNAApp is available in Google Play Store as ‘DNAApp’, and the iOS version is available in the App Store. More details on the app can be found at www.facebook.com/APDLab; www.bii.a-star.edu.sg/research/trd/apd.php The DNAApp user guide is available at http://tinyurl.com/DNAAppuser, and a video tutorial is available on Google Play Store and App Store, as well as on the Facebook page. Contact: samuelg@bii.a-star.edu.sg PMID:25095882

A Lymph Node Ratio of 10% Is Predictive of Survival in Stage III Colon Cancer: A French Regional Study

PubMed Central

Sabbagh, Charles; Mauvais, François; Cosse, Cyril; Rebibo, Lionel; Joly, Jean-Paul; Dromer, Didier; Aubert, Christine; Carton, Sophie; Dron, Bernard; Dadamessi, Innocenti; Maes, Bernard; Perrier, Guillaume; Manaouil, David; Fontaine, Jean-François; Gozy, Michel; Panis, Xavier; Foncelle, Pierre Henri; de Fresnoy, Hugues; Leroux, Fabien; Vaneslander, Pierre; Ghighi, Caroline; Regimbeau, Jean-Marc

2014-01-01

Lymph node ratio (LNR) (positive lymph nodes/sampled lymph nodes) is predictive of survival in colon cancer. The aim of the present study was to validate the LNR as a prognostic factor and to determine the optimum LNR cutoff for distinguishing between “good prognosis” and “poor prognosis” colon cancer patients. From January 2003 to December 2007, patients with TNM stage III colon cancer operated on with at least of 3 years of follow-up and not lost to follow-up were included in this retrospective study. The two primary endpoints were 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) as a function of the LNR groups and the cutoff. One hundred seventy-eight patients were included. There was no correlation between the LNR group and 3-year OS (P = 0.06) and a significant correlation between the LNR group and 3-year DFS (P = 0.03). The optimal LNR cutoff of 10% was significantly correlated with 3-year OS (P = 0.02) and DFS (P = 0.02). The LNR was not an accurate prognostic factor when fewer than 12 lymph nodes were sampled. Clarification and simplification of the LNR classification are prerequisites for use of this system in randomized control trials. An LNR of 10% appears to be the optimal cutoff. PMID:25058763

A lymph node ratio of 10% is predictive of survival in stage III colon cancer: a French regional study.

PubMed

Sabbagh, Charles; Mauvais, François; Cosse, Cyril; Rebibo, Lionel; Joly, Jean-Paul; Dromer, Didier; Aubert, Christine; Carton, Sophie; Dron, Bernard; Dadamessi, Innocenti; Maes, Bernard; Perrier, Guillaume; Manaouil, David; Fontaine, Jean-François; Gozy, Michel; Panis, Xavier; Foncelle, Pierre Henri; de Fresnoy, Hugues; Leroux, Fabien; Vaneslander, Pierre; Ghighi, Caroline; Regimbeau, Jean-Marc

2014-01-01

Lymph node ratio (LNR) (positive lymph nodes/sampled lymph nodes) is predictive of survival in colon cancer. The aim of the present study was to validate the LNR as a prognostic factor and to determine the optimum LNR cutoff for distinguishing between "good prognosis" and "poor prognosis" colon cancer patients. From January 2003 to December 2007, patients with TNM stage III colon cancer operated on with at least of 3 years of follow-up and not lost to follow-up were included in this retrospective study. The two primary endpoints were 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) as a function of the LNR groups and the cutoff. One hundred seventy-eight patients were included. There was no correlation between the LNR group and 3-year OS (P=0.06) and a significant correlation between the LNR group and 3-year DFS (P=0.03). The optimal LNR cutoff of 10% was significantly correlated with 3-year OS (P=0.02) and DFS (P=0.02). The LNR was not an accurate prognostic factor when fewer than 12 lymph nodes were sampled. Clarification and simplification of the LNR classification are prerequisites for use of this system in randomized control trials. An LNR of 10% appears to be the optimal cutoff.

DNAApp: a mobile application for sequencing data analysis.

PubMed

Nguyen, Phi-Vu; Verma, Chandra Shekhar; Gan, Samuel Ken-En

2014-11-15

There have been numerous applications developed for decoding and visualization of ab1 DNA sequencing files for Windows and MAC platforms, yet none exists for the increasingly popular smartphone operating systems. The ability to decode sequencing files cannot easily be carried out using browser accessed Web tools. To overcome this hurdle, we have developed a new native app called DNAApp that can decode and display ab1 sequencing file on Android and iOS. In addition to in-built analysis tools such as reverse complementation, protein translation and searching for specific sequences, we have incorporated convenient functions that would facilitate the harnessing of online Web tools for a full range of analysis. Given the high usage of Android/iOS tablets and smartphones, such bioinformatics apps would raise productivity and facilitate the high demand for analyzing sequencing data in biomedical research. The Android version of DNAApp is available in Google Play Store as 'DNAApp', and the iOS version is available in the App Store. More details on the app can be found at www.facebook.com/APDLab; www.bii.a-star.edu.sg/research/trd/apd.php The DNAApp user guide is available at http://tinyurl.com/DNAAppuser, and a video tutorial is available on Google Play Store and App Store, as well as on the Facebook page. samuelg@bii.a-star.edu.sg. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press.

187Os-186Os and He Isotope Systematics of Iceland Picrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandon, A. D.; Brandon, A. D.; Graham, D.; Gautason, B.

2001-12-01

Iceland is one of the longest-lived modern plumes, and seismic imaging supports a model where the roots of this plume are at the base of the lower mantle. Hence, Os isotopic data for lavas from this plume are ideal for further testing the role of core-mantle chemical exchange at the site of plume generation in the lower mantle, and for addressing the origin of Os-He isotopic variation in plumes. Recent work has shown that lavas from some plume systems (Hawaii, Noril'sk-Siberia, Gorgona) show coupled enrichments in 186Os/188Os and 187Os/188Os, not observed in upper mantle materials including abyssal peridotites. Picrites from Hawaii display a positive correlation between 186Os/188Os and He isotopes (R/Ra), where range in 186Os/188Os of 0.119834+/-28 to 0.1198475+/-29 and corresponding R/Ra from +7 to +25. These systematics are consistent with a lower mantle source for the radiogenic 186Os signal in the Hawaiian plume. The coupled Os enrichments in these plumes has been attributed to core-mantle chemical exchange, consistent with generation of the Hawaiian plume at the base of the lower mantle in D". Other potentially viable models await additional scrutiny. New He isotope and high precision 186Os/188Os and 187Os/188Os measurements for Iceland picrites show unique systematics compared to Hawaii. These picrites have 187Os/188Os ranging from 0.1297 to 0.1381 and R/Ra of +9 to +18, with generally higher R/Ra correlating with higher 187Os/188Os. Unlike the Hawaiian picrites from Hualalai and Loihi, which have coupled enrichments in 186Os/188Os and 187Os/188Os, the Iceland picrites show no enrichment 186Os/188Os - 0.1198363+/-28 (2s, n=14). Such Os-He isotopic variations require one end-member source that has high R/Ra, coupled with a long term elevated Re/Os and Pt/Os similar to that of the upper mantle. These systematics are inconsistent with either known upper mantle materials or those purported for ancient recycled slabs and may be a previously unidentified component in the lower mantle.

Position of modifying groups on starch chains of octenylsuccinic anhydride-modified waxy maize starch

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Octenylsuccinic anhydride (OSA)-modified starches with degree of substitution of 0.018 (OS-S-L) and 0.092 (OS-S-H) were prepared from granular native waxy maize starch in an aqueous slurry system. The substitution distribution of OS groups was investigated by enzyme hydrolysis followed by chromatogr...

Absolute timing of sulfide and gold mineralization: A comparison of Re-Os molybdenite and Ar-Ar mica methods from the Tintina Gold Belt, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Selby, D.; Creaser, R.A.; Hart, C.J.R.; Rombach, C.S.; Thompson, J.F.H.; Smith, Moira T.; Bakke, A.A.; Goldfarb, R.J.

2002-01-01

New Re-Os molybdenite dates from two lode gold deposits of the Tintina Gold Belt, Alaska, provide direct timing constraints for sulfide and gold mineralization. At Fort Knox, the Re-Os molybdenite date is identical to the U-Pb zircon age for the host intrusion, supporting an intrusive-related origin for the deposit. However, 40Ar/39Ar dates from hydrothermal and igneous mica are considerably younger. At the Pogo deposit, Re-Os molybdenite dates are also much older than 40Ar/39Ar dates from hydrothermal mica, but dissimilar to the age of local granites. These age relationships indicate that the Re-Os molybdenite method records the timing of sulfide and gold mineralization, whereas much younger 40Ar/39Ar dates are affected by post-ore thermal events, slow cooling, and/or systemic analytical effects. The results of this study complement a growing body of evidence to indicate that the Re-Os chronometer in molybdenite can be an accurate and robust tool for establishing timing relations in ore systems.

Re-187-Os-187, Pt-190-Os-186 Isotopic and Highly Siderophile Element Systematics of Group IVA Irons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, R. J.; McCoy, T. J.; Schulte, R. F.; McDonough, W. F.; Ash, R. D.

2005-01-01

We have recently completed Re-187-Os-187 and Pt-190-Os-186 isotopic and elemental studies of the two largest magmatic iron meteorite groups, IIAB and IIIAB [1]. These studies revealed closed-system behavior of both isotopic systems, but complex trace element behavior for Re, Pt and Os in group IIIAB. Here we examine isotopic and trace elemental systematics of group IVA irons. The IVA irons are not as extensively fractionated as IIAB and IIIAB and their apparently less complex crystallization history may make for more robust interpretation of the relative partitioning behavior of Re, Pt and Os, as well as the other highly siderophile elements (HSE) measured here; Pd, Ru and Ir [e.g. 2]. An additional goal of our continuing research plan for iron meteorites is to assess the possibility of relating certain ungrouped irons with major groups via trace element modeling. Here, the isotopic and trace element systematics of the ungrouped irons Nedagolla and EET 83230 are compared with the IVA irons.

Five novel transcription factors as potential regulators of OsNHX1 gene expression in a salt tolerant rice genotype.

PubMed

Almeida, Diego M; Gregorio, Glenn B; Oliveira, M Margarida; Saibo, Nelson J M

2017-01-01

This manuscript reports the identification and characterization of five transcription factors binding to the promoter of OsNHX1 in a salt stress tolerant rice genotype (Hasawi). Although NHX1 encoding genes are known to be highly regulated at the transcription level by different abiotic stresses, namely salt and drought stress, until now only one transcription factor (TF) binding to its promoter has been reported. In order to unveil the TFs regulating NHX1 gene expression, which is known to be highly induced under salt stress, we have used a Y1H system to screen a salt induced rice cDNA expression library from Hasawi. This approach allowed us to identify five TFs belonging to three distinct TF families: one TCP (OsPCF2), one CPP (OsCPP5) and three NIN-like (OsNIN-like2, OsNIN-like3 and OsNIN-like4) binding to the OsNHX1 gene promoter. We have also shown that these TFs act either as transcriptional activators (OsPCF2, OsNIN-like4) or repressors (OsCPP5, OsNIN-like2) and their encoding genes are differentially regulated by salt and PEG-induced drought stress in two rice genotypes, Nipponbare (salt-sensitive) and Hasawi (salt-tolerant). The transactivation activity of OsNIN-like3 was not possible to determine. Increased soil salinity has a direct impact on the reduction of plant growth and crop yield and it is therefore fundamental to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying gene expression regulation under adverse environmental conditions. OsNHX1 is the most abundant K + -Na + /H + antiporter localized in the tonoplast and its gene expression is induced by salt, drought and ABA. To investigate how OsNHX1 is transcriptionally regulated in response to salt stress in a salt-tolerant rice genotype (Hasawi), a salt-stress-induced cDNA expression library was constructed and subsequently screened using the yeast one-hybrid system and the OsNHX1 promoter as bait. Five transcription factors (TFs) belonging to three distinct TF families: one TCP (OsPCF2), one CPP (OsCPP5) and three NIN-like (OsNIN-like2, OsNIN-like3 and OsNIN-like4) were identified as binding to OsNHX1 promoter. Transactivation activity assays performed in Arabidopsis and rice protoplasts showed that OsPCF2 and OsNIN-like4 are activators of the OsNHX1 gene expression, while OsCPP5 and OsNIN-like2 act as repressors. The transactivation activity of OsNIN-like3 needs to be further investigated. Gene expression studies showed that OsNHX1 transcript level is highly induced by salt and PEG-induced drought stress in both shoots and roots in both Nipponbare and Hasawi rice genotypes. Nevertheless, OsNHX1 seems to play a particular role in shoots in response to drought. Most of the TFs binding to OsNHX1 promoter showed a modest transcriptional regulation under stress conditions, however, in response to most of the conditions studied, the OsPCF2 was induced earlier than OsNHX1, indicating that OsPCF2 may activate OsNHX1 gene expression. In addition, although the OsNHX1 response to salt and PEG-induced drought stress in either shoots or roots was quite similar in both rice genotypes, the expression of OsPCF2 in roots under salt stress and the OsNIN-like4 in roots subjected to PEG was mainly up-regulated in Hasawi, indicating that these TFs may be associated with the salt and drought stress tolerance observed for this genotype.

Nucleosynthetic osmium isotope anomalies in acid leachates of the Murchison meteorite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reisberg, L.; Dauphas, N.; Luguet, A.; Pearson, D. G.; Gallino, R.; Zimmermann, C.

2009-01-01

We present osmium isotopic results obtained by sequential leaching of the Murchison meteorite, which reveal the existence of very large internal anomalies of nucleosynthetic origin (ɛ 184Os from - 108 to 460; ɛ 186Os from - 14.1 to 12.6; ɛ 188Os from - 2.6 to 1.6; ɛ 190Os from - 1.7 to 1.1). Despite these large variations, the isotopic composition of the total leachable osmium (weighted average of the leachates) is close to that of bulk chondrites. This is consistent with efficient large-scale mixing of Os isotopic anomalies in the protosolar nebula. The Os isotopic anomalies are correlated, and can be explained by the variable contributions of components derived from the s, r and p-processes of nucleosynthesis. Surprisingly, much of the s-process rich osmium is released by relatively mild leaching, suggesting the existence of an easily leachable s-process rich presolar phase, or alternatively, of a chemically resistant r-process rich phase. Taken together with previous evidence for a highly insoluble s-process rich carrier, such as SiC, these results argue for the presence of several presolar phases with anomalous nucleosynthetic compositions in the Murchison meteorite. The s-process composition of Os released by mild leaching diverges slightly from that released by aggressive digestion techniques, perhaps suggesting that the presolar phases attacked by these differing procedures condensed in different stellar environments. The correlation between ɛ 190Os and ɛ 188Os can be used to constrain the s-process 190Os/ 188Os ratio to be 1.275 ± 0.043. Such a ratio can be reproduced in a nuclear reaction network for a MACS value for 190Os of ~ 200 ± 22 mbarn at 30 keV. More generally, these results can help refine predictions of the s-process in the Os mass region, which can be used in turn to constrain the amount of cosmoradiogenic 187Os in the solar system and hence the age of the Galaxy. We also present evidence for extensive internal variation of 184Os abundances in the Murchison meteorite. A steep anti-correlation is observed between ɛ 184Os and ɛ 188Os. Since 184Os is formed uniquely by the p-process, this anti-correlation cannot be explained by variable addition or subtraction of s-process Os to average solar system material. Instead, this suggests that p-process rich presolar grains (e.g., supernova condensates) may be present in meteorites in sufficient quantities to influence the Os isotopic compositions of the leachates. Nevertheless, 184Os is a low abundance isotope and we cannot exclude the possibility that the measured anomalies for this isotope reflect unappreciated analytical artifacts.

186Os- 187Os systematics of Gorgona Island komatiites: implications for early growth of the inner core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandon, Alan D.; Walker, Richard J.; Puchtel, Igor S.; Becker, Harry; Humayun, Munir; Revillon, Sidonie

2003-02-01

The presence of coupled enrichments in 186Os/ 188Os and 187Os/ 188Os in some mantle-derived materials reflects long-term elevation of Pt/Os and Re/Os relative to the primitive upper mantle. New Os data for the 89 Ma Gorgona Island, Colombia komatiites indicate that these lavas are also variably enriched in 186Os and 187Os, with 186Os/ 188Os ranging between 0.1198397±22 and 0.1198470±38, and with γOs correspondingly ranging from +0.15 to +4.4. These data define a linear trend that converges with the previously reported linear trend generated from data for modern Hawaiian picritic lavas and a sample from the ca. 251 Ma Siberian plume, to a common component with a 186Os/ 188Os of approximately 0.119870 and γOs of +17.5. The convergence of these data to this Os isotopic composition may imply a single ubiquitous source in the Earth's interior that mixes with a variety of different mantle compositions distinguished by variations in γOs. The 187Os- and 186Os-enriched component may have been generated via early crystallization of the solid inner core and consequent increases in Pt/Os and Re/Os in the liquid outer core, with time leading to suprachondritic 186Os/ 188Os and γOs in the outer core. The presence of Os from the outer core in certain portions of the mantle would require a mechanism that could transfer Os from the outer core to the lower mantle, and thence to the surface. If this is the process that generated the isotopic enrichments in the mantle sources of these plume-derived systems, then the current understanding of solid metal-liquid metal partitioning of Pt, Re and Os requires that crystallization of the inner core began prior to 3.5 Ga. Thus, the Os isotopic data reported here provide a new source of data to better constrain the timing of inner core formation, complementing magnetic field paleo-intensity measurements as data sources that constrain models based on secular cooling of the Earth.

Disease Extent at Secondary Cytoreductive Surgery is Predictive of Progression-free and Overall Survival in Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer: an NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study

PubMed Central

Rose, Peter G.; Java, James J.; Morgan, Mark A.; Secord, Angeles Alvarez; Kesterson, Joshua P.; Stehman, Frederick B.; Warshal, David P.; Creasman, William T.; Hanjani, Parviz; Morris, Robert T.; Copeland, Larry J.

2017-01-01

Purpose GOG 152 was a randomized trial of secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) in patients with suboptimal residual disease (residual tumor nodule >1 cm in greatest diameter) following primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced stage ovarian cancer. The current analysis was undertaken to evaluate the impact of disease findings at SCS on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Methods Among the 550 patients enrolled on GOG-152, two-hundred-sixteen patients were randomly assigned following 3 cycles of cisplatin and paclitaxel to receive SCS. In 15 patients (7%) surgery was declined or contraindicated. In the remaining 201 patients the operative and pathology reports were utilized to classify their disease status at the beginning of SCS as; no gross disease/microscopically negative N= 40 (19.9%), no gross disease/microscopically positive N= 8 (4.0%), and gross disease N=153 (76.1%). Results The median PFS for patients with no gross disease/microscopically negative was 16.1 months, no gross disease/microscopically positive was 13.5 months and for gross disease was 11.7 months, p=0.002. The median OS for patients with no gross disease/microscopically negative was 51.5 months, no gross disease/microscopically positive was 42.6 months and for gross disease was 34.9 months, p=0.018. Conclusion Although as previously reported SCS did not change PFS or OS, for those who underwent the procedure, their operative and pathologic findings were predictive of PFS and OS. Surgical/pathological residual disease is a biomarker of response to chemotherapy and predictive of PFS and OS. PMID:27692669

Evaluations of laparoscopic proctocolectomy versus traditional technique in patients with rectal cancer.

PubMed

Koulas, Spyridon G; Pappas-Gogos, George; Spirou, Spyridon; Roustanis, Evangelos; Tsimogiannis, Konstantinos E; Tsirves, Georgios; Tsimoyiannis, Evangelos C

2009-01-01

This was a retrospective study that evaluated the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery (LS) for rectal cancer, in comparison with a case control series of open surgery (OS), during an 8-year period. Between October 1998 and December 2006, 203 patients with rectal malignancies underwent colectomy; 146 of them had colectomy with the traditional technique (OS), while 57 underwent resection of rectal cancer laparoscopically (LS). The LS group was compared with 60 patients from the OS group (selected from the 146 OS group patients), matched by size, sex, age, anatomical location of the tumor, type, extent of resection, and pathological stage. Data were obtained from patients' medical records. Statistical analysis was performed with the t test and chi-square test. All data are expressed as mean +/- standard error of the mean (SEM). Mean age of the LS group was 63.7+/-12 years versus 69+/-12 years in the OS group. There were more men than women in both the laparoscopic (33 males, 24 females) and OS groups (35 men, 25 women). The mean follow-up period was 38 months and 78 months for LS and OS groups, respectively. The procedure included low anterior resection (43 in LS and 45 in OS), and 13 patients in both groups underwent abdominoperineal resection and 3 transanal resections (2 in OS and 1 in LS). Mean tumor size was 4.2+/-2.12cm in the LS versus 5.2+/-2.02cm in the OS group. Conversion to an open procedure occurred in 4 patients (6.7%), all in the first 20 cases. Postoperative complications developed in 28 patients (11.7%), 13 in the LS group and 15 in the OS group. Median operative time was longer, but median blood loss was significantly lower in the LS group. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter for the LS group. Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe for patients with rectal cancer and provides benefits during the postoperative period without increased morbidity or mortality.

Electronic prescribing: criteria for evaluating handheld prescribing systems and an evaluation of a new, handheld, wireless wide area network (WWAN) prescribing system.

PubMed

Goldblum, O M

2001-02-01

The objectives of this study were: 1) to establish criteria for evaluating handheld computerized prescribing systems; and 2) to evaluate out-of-box performance and features of a new, Palm Operating System (OS)-based, handheld, wireless wide area network (WWAN) prescribing system. The system consisted of a Palm Vx handheld organizer, a Novatel Minstrel V wireless modem, OmniSky wireless internet access and ePhysician ePad 1.1, the Palm OS electronic prescribing software program. A dermatologist familiar with healthcare information technology conducted an evaluation of the performance and features of a new, handheld, WWAN electronic prescribing system in an office practice during a three-month period in 2000. System performance, defined as transmission success rate, was determined from data collected during the three-month trial. Evaluation criteria consisted of an analysis of features found in electronic prescribing systems. All prescriptions written for all patients seen during a three-month period (August - November, 2000) were eligible for inclusion. Prescriptions written for patients who intended to fill them at pharmacies without known facsimile receiving capabilities were excluded from the study. The performance of the system was evaluated using data collected during the study. Criteria for evaluating features of electronic prescribing systems were developed and used to analyze the system employed in this study. During this three-month trial, 200 electronic prescriptions were generated for 132 patients included in the study. Of these prescriptions, 92.5 percent were successfully transmitted to pharmacies. Transmission failures resulted from incorrect facsimile numbers and non-functioning facsimile machines. Criteria established for evaluation of electronic prescribing systems included System (Hardware & Software), Costs, System Features, Printing & Transmission, Formulary & Insurance, Customization, Drug Safety and Security. This study is the first effort to establish comprehensive criteria for evaluating handheld prescribing systems and to evaluate the performance and features of a handheld, electronic prescribing system. The results demonstrated that the evaluated system: 1) was simple to install; 2) successfully interfaced with a commonly used practice management system; 3) was user-friendly and easy to operate; 4) offered a robust variety of standard features; and, 5) resulted in a high rate of success for transmitting electronic prescriptions. The criteria established for the evaluation of features of an electronic prescribing system can be used to critically evaluate the performance and features of other handheld and personal computer-based electronic prescribing systems.

Determination of osmium concentrations and (187)Os/(188)Os of crude oils and source rocks by coupling high-pressure, high-temperature digestion with sparging OsO(4) into a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer.

PubMed

Sen, Indra S; Peucker-Ehrenbrink, Bernhard

2014-03-18

The (187)Os/(188)Os ratio that is based on the β(-)-decay of (187)Re to (187)Os (t1/2 = 41.6 billion years) is widely used to investigate petroleum system processes. Despite its broad applicability to studies of hydrocarbon deposits worldwide, a suitable matrix-matched reference material for Os analysis does not exist. In this study, a method that enables Os isotope measurement of crude oil with in-line Os separation and purification from the sample matrix is proposed. The method to analyze Os concentration and (187)Os/(187)Os involves sample digestion under high pressure and high temperature using a high pressure asher (HPA-S, Anton Paar), sparging of volatile osmium tetroxide from the sample solution, and measurements using multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). This methods significantly reduced the total procedural time compared to conventional Carius tube digestion followed by Os separation and purification using solvent extraction, microdistillation and N-TIMS analysis. The method yields Os concentration (28 ± 4 pg g(-1)) and (187)Os/(188)Os (1.62 ± 0.15) of commercially available crude oil reference material NIST 8505 (1 S.D., n = 6). The reference material NIST 8505 is homogeneous with respect to Os concentration at a test portion size of 0.2 g. Therefore, (187)Os/(188)Os composition and Os concentration of NIST 8505 can serve as a matrix-matched reference material for Os analysis. Data quality was assessed by repeated measurements of the USGS shale reference material SCo-1 (sample matrix similar to petroleum source rock) and the widely used Liquid Os Standard solution (LOsSt). The within-laboratory reproducibility of (187)Os/(188)Os for a 5 pg of LOsSt solution, analyzed with this method over a period of 12 months was ∼1.4% (1 S.D., n = 26), respectively.

Mobile Food Ordering Application using Android OS Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yosep Ricky, Michael

2014-03-01

The purpose of this research is making an ordering food application based on Android with New Order, Order History, Restaurant Profile, Order Status, Tracking Order, and Setting Profile features. The research method used in this research is water model of System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) method with following phases: requirement definition, analyzing and determining the features needed in developing application and making the detail definition of each features, system and software design, designing the flow of developing application by using storyboard design, user experience design, Unified Modeling Language (UML) design, and database structure design, implementation an unit testing, making database and translating the result of designs to programming language code then doing unit testing, integration and System testing, integrating unit program to one unit system then doing system testing, operation and maintenance, operating the result of system testing and if any changes and reparations needed then the previous phases could be back. The result of this research is an ordering food application based on Android for customer and courier user, and a website for restaurant and admin user. The conclusion of this research is to help customer in making order easily, to give detail information needed by customer, to help restaurant in receiving order, and to help courier while doing delivery.

First-principle study of single TM atoms X (X=Fe, Ru or Os) doped monolayer WS2 systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yuan-Yan; Zhang, Jian-Min

2018-05-01

We report the structural, magnetic and electronic properties of the pristine and single TM atoms X (X = Fe, Ru or Os) doped monolayer WS2 systems based on first-principle calculations. The results show that the W-S bond shows a stronger covalent bond, but the covalency is obviously weakened after the substitution of W atom with single X atoms, especially for Ru (4d75s1) with the easily lost electronic configuration. The smaller total energies of the doped systems reveal that the spin-polarized states are energetically favorable than the non-spin-polarized states, and the smallest total energy of -373.918 eV shows the spin-polarized state of the Os doped monolayer WS2 system is most stable among three doped systems. In addition, although the pristine monolayer WS2 system is a nonmagnetic-semiconductor with a direct band gap of 1.813 eV, single TM atoms Fe and Ru doped monolayer WS2 systems transfer to magnetic-HM with the total moments Mtot of 1.993 and 1.962 μB , while single TM atom Os doped monolayer WS2 systems changes to magnetic-metal with the total moments Mtot of 1.569 μB . Moreover, the impurity states with a positive spin splitting energies of 0.543, 0.276 and 0.1999 eV near the Fermi level EF are mainly contributed by X-dxy and X-dx2-y2 states hybridized with its nearest-neighbor atom W-dz2 states for Fe, Ru and Os doped monolayer WS2 system, respectively. Finally, we hope that the present study on monolayer WS2 will provide a useful theoretical guideline for exploring low-dimensional spintronic materials in future experiments.

Strengthening DoD Cyber Security with the Vulnerability Market

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

50,000 – $100,000 Windows $60,000 – $120,000 Firefox or Safari $60,000 – $150,000 Chrome or Internet Explorer $80,000 – $200,000 iOS $100,000...the CTB metric for the Google Chrome OS at $110,000. Accordingly, this metric could be used by Google to compare its security to other operating...Mozilla Foundation. (n.d.). Mozilla. Retrieved from https://www.mozilla. org/en-US/foundation/ Thomson, I. (2013, March 8). Pwn2Own: IE10, Firefox

Developing infrared array controller with software real time operating system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sako, Shigeyuki; Miyata, Takashi; Nakamura, Tomohiko; Motohara, Kentaro; Uchimoto, Yuka Katsuno; Onaka, Takashi; Kataza, Hirokazu

2008-07-01

Real-time capabilities are required for a controller of a large format array to reduce a dead-time attributed by readout and data transfer. The real-time processing has been achieved by dedicated processors including DSP, CPLD, and FPGA devices. However, the dedicated processors have problems with memory resources, inflexibility, and high cost. Meanwhile, a recent PC has sufficient resources of CPUs and memories to control the infrared array and to process a large amount of frame data in real-time. In this study, we have developed an infrared array controller with a software real-time operating system (RTOS) instead of the dedicated processors. A Linux PC equipped with a RTAI extension and a dual-core CPU is used as a main computer, and one of the CPU cores is allocated to the real-time processing. A digital I/O board with DMA functions is used for an I/O interface. The signal-processing cores are integrated in the OS kernel as a real-time driver module, which is composed of two virtual devices of the clock processor and the frame processor tasks. The array controller with the RTOS realizes complicated operations easily, flexibly, and at a low cost.

(−)-Epicatechin rich cocoa mediated modulation of oxidative stress regulators in skeletal muscle of heart failure and type 2 diabetes patients

PubMed Central

Ciaraldi, Theodore P.; Nogueira, Leonardo; Coe, Taylor; Perkins, Guy; Hogan, Michael; Maisel, Alan S.; Henry, Robert R.; Ceballos, Guillermo; Villarreal, Francisco

2013-01-01

Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and heart failure (HF) are associated with high levels of skeletal muscle (SkM) oxidative stress (OS). Health benefits attributed to flavonoids have been ascribed to antioxidation. However, for flavonoids with similar antioxidant potential, end-biological effects vary widely suggesting other mechanistic venues for reducing OS. Decreases in OS may follow the modulation of key regulatory pathways including antioxidant levels (e.g. glutathione) and enzymes such as mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and catalase. Methods We examined OS-related alterations in SkM in T2D/HF patients (as compared vs. healthy controls) and evaluated the effects of three-month treatment with (−)-epicatechin (Epi) rich cocoa (ERC). To evidence Epi as the mediator of the improved OS profile we examined the effects of pure Epi (vs. water) on SkM OS regulatory systems in a mouse model of insulin resistance and contrasted results vs. normal mice. Results There were severe alterations in OS regulatory systems in T2D/HF SkM as compared with healthy controls. Treatment with ERC induced recovery in glutathione levels and decreases in the nitrotyrosilation and carbonylation of proteins. With treatment, key transcriptional factors translocate into the nucleus leading to increases in SOD2 and catalase protein expression and activity levels. In insulin resistant mice, there were alterations in muscle OS and pure Epi replicated the beneficial effects of ERC found in humans. Conclusions Major perturbations in SkM OS can be reversed with ERC in T2D/HF patients. Epi likely mediates such effects and may provide an effective means to treat conditions associated with tissue OS. PMID:23870648

Reconstructing the evolution of the submarine Monterey Canyon System from Os, Nd, and Pb isotopes in hydrogenetic Fe-Mn crusts

USGS Publications Warehouse

Conrad, T.A.; Nielsen, S.G.; Peucker-Ehrenbrink, Bernhard; Blusztajn, J.; Winslow, D.; Hein, James; Paytan, A.

2017-01-01

The sources of terrestrial material delivered to the California margin over the past 7 Myr were assessed using 187Os/188Os, Nd, and Pb isotopes in hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts from three seamounts along the central and southern California margin. From 6.8 to 4.5 (± 0.5) Ma, all three isotope systems show more radiogenic values at Davidson Seamount, located near the base of the Monterey Canyon System, than in Fe-Mn crusts from the more remote Taney and Hoss seamounts. At the Taney seamounts, approximately 225 km farther offshore from Davidson Seamount, 187Os/188Os values, but not Pb and Nd isotope ratios, also deviate from the Cenozoic seawater curve towards more radiogenic values from 6.8 to 4.5 (± 0.5) Ma. However, none of the isotope systems in Fe-Mn crusts deviate from seawater at Hoss Seamount located approximately 450 km to the south. The regional gradients in isotope ratios indicate that substantial input of dissolved and particulate terrestrial material into the Monterey Canyon System is responsible for the local deviations in the seawater Nd, Pb, and Os isotope compositions from 6.8 to 4.5 (± 0.5) Ma. The isotope ratios recorded in Fe-Mn crusts are consistent with a southern Sierra Nevada or western Basin and Range provenance of the terrestrial material which was delivered by rivers to the canyon. The exhumation of the modern Monterey Canyon must have begun between 10 and 6.8 ± 0.5 Ma, as indicated by our data, the age of incised strata, and paleo-location of the Monterey Canyon relative to the paleo-coastline.

Reconstructing the Evolution of the Submarine Monterey Canyon System From Os, Nd, and Pb Isotopes in Hydrogenetic Fe-Mn Crusts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conrad, T. A.; Nielsen, S. G.; Peucker-Ehrenbrink, B.; Blusztajn, J.; Winslow, D.; Hein, J. R.; Paytan, A.

2017-11-01

The sources of terrestrial material delivered to the California margin over the past 7 Myr were assessed using 187Os/188Os, Nd, and Pb isotopes in hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts from three seamounts along the central and southern California margin. From 6.8 to 4.5 (±0.5) Ma, all three isotope systems show more radiogenic values at Davidson Seamount, located near the base of the Monterey Canyon System, than in Fe-Mn crusts from the more remote Taney and Hoss Seamounts. At the Taney Seamounts, approximately 225 km farther offshore from Davidson Seamount, 187Os/188Os values, but not Pb and Nd isotope ratios, also deviate from the Cenozoic seawater curve toward more radiogenic values from 6.8 to 4.5 (±0.5) Ma. However, none of the isotope systems in Fe-Mn crusts deviate from seawater at Hoss Seamount located approximately 450 km to the south. The regional gradients in isotope ratios indicate that substantial input of dissolved and particulate terrestrial material into the Monterey Canyon System is responsible for the local deviations in the seawater Nd, Pb, and Os isotope compositions from 6.8 to 4.5 (±0.5) Ma. The isotope ratios recorded in Fe-Mn crusts are consistent with a southern Sierra Nevada or western Basin and Range provenance of the terrestrial material which was delivered by rivers to the canyon. The exhumation of the modern Monterey Canyon must have begun between 10 and 6.8 ± 0.5 Ma, as indicated by our data, the age of incised strata, and paleo-location of the Monterey Canyon relative to the paleo-coastline.

Surgical outcomes of post chemoradiotherapy unresectable locally advanced rectal cancers improve with interim chemotherapy, is FOLFIRINOX better than CAPOX?

PubMed Central

Engineer, Reena; Ramaswamy, Anant; Sahu, Arvind; Zanwar, Saurabh; Arya, Suprita; Chopra, Supriya; Bal, Munita; Patil, Prachi; Desouza, Ashwin; Saklani, Avanish

2016-01-01

Background Role of chemotherapy in patients who continue to have unresectable disease after pre-operative chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) remains largely unaddressed. Methods Patients with LA rectal cancer from January 2013 to June 2015 were evaluated. Post-CRT, patients, who were deemed unresectable, were considered for further interim chemotherapy (i-CT). Results Seventy six patients (15%) with median age of 38.5 years received i-CT after CRT. About 61.8% patients receiving i-CT managed to undergo a definitive surgery and the extent of surgery was reduced in 48.7% patients. With the median follow up of 19 months, the estimated 2-year event free survival (EFS) of 48% and OS was 56%. The estimated 2-year OS was 81% in mucinous tumors whereas it was 44.4% in signet ring pathology (P=0.045). The 2-year OS of 86% for whom surgery was done vs. 38% (2-year OS) in whom surgery was not done (P=0.011). Survival was better in conservative surgery group vs. total pelvic exenteration (TPE) vs. no surgery (2-year OS: 84% vs. 59.1% vs. 38%; P=0.033). In the CAPE-OX group, 71.4% (14/23) underwent surgery whereas 75.9% (29/47) in the 5-FU plus irinotecan plus oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) group with EFS (P=0.570) and OS (P=0.120). In conservative surgery group, OS was better in FOLFIRINOX (2-year OS: 95.7%) vs. capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) (2-year OS: 70%) (P=0.012). Conclusions i-CT can lead to improved resection rates, improved survivals and downstaging with acceptable toxicity. FOLFIRINOX appears to better over CAPOX, specifically in whom conservative surgery is feasible. PMID:28078119

[The deregulation of health care organizations in Argentina: what is next?].

PubMed

Medici, Andre Cezar

2002-01-01

This article presents the historical evolution of the main heath system in Argentina - The Social Works System (System de Obras Sociais - OS) focusing in the nineties, when were realized the main intents to reform this system. The article point out the difficulties on the health reforms implementation and the interest conflicts that emerged on the negotiation among government and trade unions who managed the system since its creation. The article also analyze the near future perspectives regarding the OS system.

Economic impact of switching from an open to a closed enteral nutrition feeding system in an acute care setting.

PubMed

Phillips, Wendy; Roman, Brandis; Glassman, Kendra

2013-08-01

This study compared an open-system (OS) enteral nutrition (EN) delivery system with a closed system (CS). Factors evaluated included nursing time for administration, patient safety factors, and cost of formula and supplies. This study analyzed the cost of formula and supplies in 1 major academic medical center. Data were collected on patients requiring EN in acute care settings. Information collected included formula type and amount of formula ordered and delivered. The average daily cost to feed each adult patient using delivered volume with the OS was $3.84 compared with $4.31 if the patient had been receiving EN from a CS. Considering waste costs, the average cost to feed increased to $4.21 compared with $4.80, respectively. After factoring in increased nursing time with the OS, the cost increased to $9.83. For pediatric patients, formula delivery reached 1 L in only 2% of patient days. The average cost to feed each patient each day using actual delivered volume was $1.89 in the OS and $1.94 in the CS. When factoring in the cost of waste, those costs increased to $2.12 and $3.30, respectively. After factoring in increased nursing time with the OS, the cost increased to $8.92. Due to the higher contract price and increased waste of the CS formulas compared with the OS formulas, a higher daily average cost for formula delivered may be incurred by switching to a CS. However, the CS is more cost-effective when factoring in nursing time.

Towards Scalable Graph Computation on Mobile Devices.

PubMed

Chen, Yiqi; Lin, Zhiyuan; Pienta, Robert; Kahng, Minsuk; Chau, Duen Horng

2014-10-01

Mobile devices have become increasingly central to our everyday activities, due to their portability, multi-touch capabilities, and ever-improving computational power. Such attractive features have spurred research interest in leveraging mobile devices for computation. We explore a novel approach that aims to use a single mobile device to perform scalable graph computation on large graphs that do not fit in the device's limited main memory, opening up the possibility of performing on-device analysis of large datasets, without relying on the cloud. Based on the familiar memory mapping capability provided by today's mobile operating systems, our approach to scale up computation is powerful and intentionally kept simple to maximize its applicability across the iOS and Android platforms. Our experiments demonstrate that an iPad mini can perform fast computation on large real graphs with as many as 272 million edges (Google+ social graph), at a speed that is only a few times slower than a 13″ Macbook Pro. Through creating a real world iOS app with this technique, we demonstrate the strong potential application for scalable graph computation on a single mobile device using our approach.

Object tracking on mobile devices using binary descriptors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savakis, Andreas; Quraishi, Mohammad Faiz; Minnehan, Breton

2015-03-01

With the growing ubiquity of mobile devices, advanced applications are relying on computer vision techniques to provide novel experiences for users. Currently, few tracking approaches take into consideration the resource constraints on mobile devices. Designing efficient tracking algorithms and optimizing performance for mobile devices can result in better and more efficient tracking for applications, such as augmented reality. In this paper, we use binary descriptors, including Fast Retina Keypoint (FREAK), Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF (ORB), Binary Robust Independent Features (BRIEF), and Binary Robust Invariant Scalable Keypoints (BRISK) to obtain real time tracking performance on mobile devices. We consider both Google's Android and Apple's iOS operating systems to implement our tracking approach. The Android implementation is done using Android's Native Development Kit (NDK), which gives the performance benefits of using native code as well as access to legacy libraries. The iOS implementation was created using both the native Objective-C and the C++ programing languages. We also introduce simplified versions of the BRIEF and BRISK descriptors that improve processing speed without compromising tracking accuracy.

Forensic Investigation of Cooperative Storage Cloud Service: Symform as a Case Study.

PubMed

Teing, Yee-Yang; Dehghantanha, Ali; Choo, Kim-Kwang Raymond; Dargahi, Tooska; Conti, Mauro

2017-05-01

Researchers envisioned Storage as a Service (StaaS) as an effective solution to the distributed management of digital data. Cooperative storage cloud forensic is relatively new and is an under-explored area of research. Using Symform as a case study, we seek to determine the data remnants from the use of cooperative cloud storage services. In particular, we consider both mobile devices and personal computers running various popular operating systems, namely Windows 8.1, Mac OS X Mavericks 10.9.5, Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS, iOS 7.1.2, and Android KitKat 4.4.4. Potential artefacts recovered during the research include data relating to the installation and uninstallation of the cloud applications, log-in to and log-out from Symform account using the client application, file synchronization as well as their time stamp information. This research contributes to an in-depth understanding of the types of terrestrial artifacts that are likely to remain after the use of cooperative storage cloud on client devices. © 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Towards Scalable Graph Computation on Mobile Devices

PubMed Central

Chen, Yiqi; Lin, Zhiyuan; Pienta, Robert; Kahng, Minsuk; Chau, Duen Horng

2015-01-01

Mobile devices have become increasingly central to our everyday activities, due to their portability, multi-touch capabilities, and ever-improving computational power. Such attractive features have spurred research interest in leveraging mobile devices for computation. We explore a novel approach that aims to use a single mobile device to perform scalable graph computation on large graphs that do not fit in the device's limited main memory, opening up the possibility of performing on-device analysis of large datasets, without relying on the cloud. Based on the familiar memory mapping capability provided by today's mobile operating systems, our approach to scale up computation is powerful and intentionally kept simple to maximize its applicability across the iOS and Android platforms. Our experiments demonstrate that an iPad mini can perform fast computation on large real graphs with as many as 272 million edges (Google+ social graph), at a speed that is only a few times slower than a 13″ Macbook Pro. Through creating a real world iOS app with this technique, we demonstrate the strong potential application for scalable graph computation on a single mobile device using our approach. PMID:25859564

Complete surgical resection improves outcome in INRG high-risk patients with localized neuroblastoma older than 18 months.

PubMed

Fischer, Janina; Pohl, Alexandra; Volland, Ruth; Hero, Barbara; Dübbers, Martin; Cernaianu, Grigore; Berthold, Frank; von Schweinitz, Dietrich; Simon, Thorsten

2017-08-04

Although several studies have been conducted on the role of surgery in localized neuroblastoma, the impact of surgical timing and extent of primary tumor resection on outcome in high-risk patients remains controversial. Patients from the German neuroblastoma trial NB97 with localized neuroblastoma INSS stage 1-3 age > 18 months were included for retrospective analysis. Imaging reports were reviewed by two independent physicians for Image Defined Risk Factors (IDRF). Operation notes and corresponding imaging reports were analyzed for surgical radicality. The extent of tumor resection was classified as complete resection (95-100%), gross total resection (90-95%), incomplete resection (50-90%), and biopsy (<50%) and correlated with local control rate and outcome. Patients were stratified according to the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) staging system. Survival curves were estimated according to the method of Kaplan and Meier and compared by the log-rank test. A total of 179 patients were included in this study. 77 patients underwent more than one primary tumor operation. After best surgery, 68.7% of patients achieved complete resection of the primary tumor, 16.8% gross total resection, 14.0% incomplete surgery, and 0.5% biopsy only. The cumulative complication rate was 20.3% and the surgery associated mortality rate was 1.1%. Image defined risk factors (IDRF) predicted the extent of resection. Patients with complete resection had a better local-progression-free survival (LPFS), event-free survival (EFS) and OS (overall survival) than the other groups. Subgroup analyses showed better EFS, LPFS and OS for patients with complete resection in INRG high-risk patients. Multivariable analyses revealed resection (complete vs. other), and MYCN (non-amplified vs. amplified) as independent prognostic factors for EFS, LPFS and OS. In patients with localized neuroblastoma age 18 months or older, especially in INRG high-risk patients harboring MYCN amplification, extended surgery of the primary tumor site improved local control rate and survival with an acceptable risk of complications.

Molecular dissection of the response of the rice Systemic Acquired Resistance Deficient 1 (SARD1) gene to different types of ionizing radiation.

PubMed

Jung, In Jung; Hwang, Jung Eun; Han, Sung Min; Kim, Dong Sub; Ahn, Joon-Woo; Choi, Hong-Il; Kwon, Soon-Jae; Kang, Si-Yong; Kim, Jin-Baek

2017-07-01

Exposure to ionizing radiation induces plant defenses by regulating the expression of response genes. The systemic acquired resistance deficient 1 (SARD1) is a key gene in plant defense response. In this study, the function of Oryza sativa SARD1 (OsSARD1) was investigated after exposure of seeds/plants to ionizing radiation, jasmonic acid (JA) or salicylic acid (SA). Rice seeds exposed to two types of ionizing radiations (gamma ray [GR] and ion beam [IB]) were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) to identify the genes that are altered in response to ionizing radiation. Then, OsSARD1-overexpressing homozygous Arabidopsis plants were generated to assess the effects of OsSARD1 in the response to irradiation. The phenotypes of these transgenic plants, as well as control plants, were monitored after GR irradiation at doses of 200 and 300 Gray (Gy). The OsSARD1 transcript was strongly downregulated after exposure to GR and IB irradiation. Previous phylogenetic analysis showed that the Arabidopsis SARD1 (AtSARD1) protein is closely related to Arabidopsis calmodulin-binding protein 60g (AtCBP60g), which is known to be required for activation of SA biosynthesis. In this study, phylogenetic analysis showed that OsSARD1 was grouped with AtSARD1. The OsSARD1 gene was induced after exposure to SA and JA. The biological phenotype of OsSARD1-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants was examined. OsSARD1-overexpressing plants displayed resistance to GR; in comparison with wild-type plants, the height and weight of OsSARD1-overexpressing plants were significantly greater after GR irradiation. In addition, OsSARD1 protein was abundantly accumulated in the nucleus. The results indicate that OsSARD1 plays an important role in the regulation of the defense responses to GR and IB irradiation and exhibits phytohormone induced expression.

Re-Os Isotopic Characteristics of the Earth's Oldest Preserved Oceanic Crustal Fragments (Isua Supracrustals Belt, W Greenland); A Vastly Disturbed System.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frei, R.; Frei, R.; Jensen, B. K.

2001-12-01

Variably preserved pillow lavas from the Isua Supracrustals Belt (ISB; Western Greenland) exhibit strongly supra-chondritic Re/Os (range from 2 to 45) and highly radiogenic 187Os/188Os isotopic compositions (range from 0.3 to 20.5). Re-Os model ages are geologically meaningless and reflect the disturbances invoked by post-formational metamorphic overprinting and by metasomatic events that were associated with the intrusion of various generations of the precursors of tonalitic gneisses into the ISB. Most prominently, a late Archean (c. 2.8 Ga) tectono-metamorphic event has locally reset the Re-Os clock in high strain domains of the ISB. Disturbance of the Re-Os system was initially caused by Re addition in connection with metasomatic fluid flow during the early Archean (3.65 to 3.81 Ga) emplacement of central dome gneiss precursors and tonalite sheets into the supracrustals sequences. The effects of open system behaviour of the Re-Os system are similarly recorded by the U-Pb and Sm-Nd systems of these meta-basalts, principally revealing the influx of U, Th, Re; LREE and alkaline-rich fluids from the gneisses into the oceanic crustal sequences preserved at Isua (Blichert-Toft and Frei, 2001; Frei et al., in press; Frei and Rosing, in press). Ultramafic lenses with komatiitic chemical affinities within the ISB are equally affected by early addition of Re, but the very much higher Os concentrations (more than an order of magnitude higher than those of the meta-basalts with values ranging from 30 to 150 ppt) did efficiently mask the disturbances in the Os isotope compositions, so that reasonable Re depletion ages (TRD) can still be deduced. The least altered of these ultramafic lenses revealed a TRD) of 3725 Ma and a mantle extraction (TMA) age of 3807 Ma, dates which are compatible with independent U-Pb zircon ages from intrusive tonaltic gneisses (Nutman et al., 1997) and Pb-Pb age constraints from metasomatic minerals of strongly altered meta-basalts (Frei and Rosing, in press). They can be regarded as minimum ages of deposition of the supracrustals. The complexity of post-formational overprinting however makes it difficult to investigate and explore the Earth's mantle geochemical evolution before this time. Blichert-Toft, J. and Frei, R. (2001) Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 65, 3177-3187. Frei, R., Rosing, M.T., Waight, T.E., and Ulfbeck, D.G. (in press) Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Frei,R. and Rosing, M.T. (in press) Chem. Geol. Nutman, A.P., Bennett, V.C., Friend, C.R.L., and Rosing, M.T. (1997) Chem. Geol., 141, 271-287.

Layer-oriented total pelvic exenteration for locally advanced primary colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Koda, Keiji; Shuto, Kiyohiko; Matsuo, Kenichi; Kosugi, Chihiro; Mori, Mikito; Hirano, Atsushi; Hiroshima, Yukihiko; Tanaka, Kuniya

2016-01-01

The clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for locally advanced primary colorectal cancer have not been satisfactory. For the last 13 years, we have performed layer-oriented, en bloc resection of tumor for which TPE is indicated, in the hope of improving postoperative outcomes. The clinical outcomes of these cases were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 54 patients who underwent TPE from 1986 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Since 2002, a layer-oriented removal for clinical T4 colorectal cancer, as in T3 or less invasive tumors removed by total mesorectal excision, was applied to 23 cases for which TPE was indicated. Postoperative mortality, morbidity, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated. On univariate analysis, good postoperative OS and DFS were associated with the layer-oriented operative maneuver, blood loss less than 2000 mL, negative nodal metastasis, and no preoperative radiation therapy. Male sex was the marginal determinant correlated with good OS and DFS. Depth of invasion to T3 was the marginal determinant correlated with good DFS. On multivariate analysis using the 4 factors identified on univariate analyses, the layer-oriented operative procedure was a significant determinant for both good OS and DFS, together with negative nodal metastases. Postoperative mortality and morbidity in the layer-oriented excision were acceptable. For primary colorectal cancers for which TPE is indicated, layer-oriented excision was a safe and effective procedure, and it may be recommended as one of the standard surgical approaches in TPE.

Long-term survival in laparoscopic vs open resection for colorectal liver metastases: inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores.

PubMed

Lewin, Joel W; O'Rourke, Nicholas A; Chiow, Adrian K H; Bryant, Richard; Martin, Ian; Nathanson, Leslie K; Cavallucci, David J

2016-02-01

This study compares long-term outcomes between intention-to-treat laparoscopic and open approaches to colorectal liver metastases (CLM), using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity scores to control for selection bias. Patients undergoing liver resection for CLM by 5 surgeons at 3 institutions from 2000 to early 2014 were analysed. IPTW based on propensity scores were generated and used to assess the marginal treatment effect of the laparoscopic approach via a weighted Cox proportional hazards model. A total of 298 operations were performed in 256 patients. 7 patients with planned two-stage resections were excluded leaving 284 operations in 249 patients for analysis. After IPTW, the population was well balanced. With a median follow up of 36 months, 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) for the cohort were 59% and 38%. 146 laparoscopic procedures were performed in 140 patients, with weighted 5-year OS and RFS of 54% and 36% respectively. In the open group, 138 procedures were performed in 122 patients, with a weighted 5-year OS and RFS of 63% and 38% respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of OS or RFS. In the Brisbane experience, after accounting for bias in treatment assignment, long term survival after LLR for CLM is equivalent to outcomes in open surgery. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Long-term survival in laparoscopic vs open resection for colorectal liver metastases: inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores

PubMed Central

Lewin, Joel W.; O'Rourke, Nicholas A.; Chiow, Adrian K.H.; Bryant, Richard; Martin, Ian; Nathanson, Leslie K.; Cavallucci, David J.

2015-01-01

Background This study compares long-term outcomes between intention-to-treat laparoscopic and open approaches to colorectal liver metastases (CLM), using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity scores to control for selection bias. Method Patients undergoing liver resection for CLM by 5 surgeons at 3 institutions from 2000 to early 2014 were analysed. IPTW based on propensity scores were generated and used to assess the marginal treatment effect of the laparoscopic approach via a weighted Cox proportional hazards model. Results A total of 298 operations were performed in 256 patients. 7 patients with planned two-stage resections were excluded leaving 284 operations in 249 patients for analysis. After IPTW, the population was well balanced. With a median follow up of 36 months, 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) for the cohort were 59% and 38%. 146 laparoscopic procedures were performed in 140 patients, with weighted 5-year OS and RFS of 54% and 36% respectively. In the open group, 138 procedures were performed in 122 patients, with a weighted 5-year OS and RFS of 63% and 38% respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of OS or RFS. Conclusion In the Brisbane experience, after accounting for bias in treatment assignment, long term survival after LLR for CLM is equivalent to outcomes in open surgery. PMID:26902138

Utilization of and charges for robotic versus laparoscopic versus open surgery for endometrial cancer.

PubMed

Yu, Xinhua; Lum, Deirdre; Kiet, Tuyen K; Fuh, Katherine C; Orr, James; Brooks, Rebecca A; Ueda, Stefanie M; Chen, Lee-May; Kapp, Daniel S; Chan, John K

2013-05-01

To analyze the utilization and hospital charges associated with robotic (RS) versus laparoscopic (LS) versus open surgery (OS) in endometrial cancer patients. Hospital discharge data were extracted from Florida Agency for Health Care Administration between October 2008 and December 2009. Of 2,247 patients (median age: 64 years), 29% had RS, 10% had LS, and 61% had OS. The mean length of hospital stay was 1.6, 1.8, and 3.9 days for RS, LS, and OS, respectively (P < 0.001). The median hospital charge was $51,569, $37,202, and $36,492, for RS, LS, and OS (P < 0.001), with operating room charges ($22,600, $13,684, and $11,272) accounting for the major difference. Robotic surgery utilization increased by 11% (23-34%) over time. In this statewide analysis of endometrial cancer patients, the utilization of robotic surgery increased and is associated with higher hospital charges compared to laparoscopic and open procedures. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Organic cotton systems improved soil properties vis-a-vis the modern systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blaise, D.; Venugopalan, M. V.; Singh, J. V.; Narkhedkar, N. G.; Velmourougane, K.

2012-04-01

India is the largest cotton growing country in the world. Traditionally, cotton in India was grown with minimal inputs and resources available on farm were put to efficient use. Advent of hybrids and Bt cotton revolutionized cotton production in the country and lead to heavy reliance on external inputs. However, there is a growing awareness of the detrimental effects of excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers. This is leading to growing interest in organic cultivation of crops. An organic system (OS) was compared with the modern systems (MS) for changes in the soil physical, chemical and biological properties in field experiments conducted both on station and farmers fields in Maharashtra, India on rain dependent cotton grown on Vertisols. Soil samples of the organic plots had significantly greater C content than the MS plots relying on mineral fertilizers and pesticides. Similarly, other nutrients were also greater in the OS than the MS across locations. Most of the increases were noticed in the top 30 cm of the soil profile. Interestingly, enrichment of the soil at lower depths was noticed in the OS which could be due to the surface creep of soils through the cracks in the Vertisols. With regard to the physical properties, water-stable aggregates and mean weight diameter in the MS were significantly lesser than the OS. Differences were restricted to the top 20 cm. Soil biological properties of the two systems were compared through the enzyme assays such as the dehydrogenase, glucosidase, phosphatase, sulfatase periodically during the crop growing season. All the enzyme assays indicated greater activities in the OS than the MS. Further, microfauna (nematodes) monitored indicated less of plant parasitic nematodes in the OS than the MS. Excessive tillage followed in the MS did bring about a reduction in the nematode numbers. But the systems had more parasitic nematodes.

Histologic prognosticators in feline osteosarcoma: a comparison with phenotypically similar canine osteosarcoma.

PubMed

Dimopoulou, Maria; Kirpensteijn, Jolle; Moens, Hester; Kik, Marja

2008-07-01

To investigate the histologic characteristics of feline osteosarcoma (OS) and compare the histologic data with phenotypically comparable canine OS. The effects of histologic and clinical variables on survival statistics were evaluated. Retrospective study. Cats (n=62) and dogs (22). Medical records of 62 cats with OS were reviewed for clinically relevant data. Clinical outcome was obtained by telephone interview. Histologic characteristics of OS were classified using a standardized grading system. Histologic characteristics in 22 feline skeletal OS were compared with 22 canine skeletal OS of identical location and subtype. Prognostic variables for clinical outcome were determined using multivariate analysis. Feline OS was characterized by moderate to abundant cellular pleomorphism, low mitotic index, small to moderate amounts of matrix, high cellularity, and a moderate amount of necrosis. There was no significant difference between histologic variables in feline and canine OS. Histologic grade, surgery, and mitotic index significantly influenced clinical outcome as determined by multivariate analysis. Tumor invasion into vessels was not identified as a significant prognosticator. Feline and canine skeletal OS have similar histologic but different prognostic characteristics. Prognosis for cats with OS is related to histologic grade and mitotic index of the tumor.

OsSLI1, a homeodomain containing transcription activator, involves abscisic acid related stress response in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

PubMed

Huang, Xi; Duan, Min; Liao, Jiakai; Yuan, Xi; Chen, Hui; Feng, Jiejie; Huang, Ji; Zhang, Hong-Sheng

2014-01-01

Homeodomain-leucine zipper type I (HD-Zip I) proteins are involved in the regulation of plant development and response to environmental stresses. In this study, OsSLI1 (Oryza sativa stress largely induced 1), encoding a member of the HD-Zip I subfamily, was isolated from rice. The expression of OsSLI1 was dramatically induced by multiple abiotic stresses and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). In silico sequence analysis discovered several cis-acting elements including multiple ABREs (ABA-responsive element binding factors) in the upstream promoter region of OsSLI1. The OsSLI1-GFP fusion protein was localized in the nucleus of rice protoplast cells and the transcriptional activity of OsSLI1 was confirmed by the yeast hybrid system. Further, it was found that OsSLI1 expression was enhanced in an ABI5-Like1 (ABL1) deficiency rice mutant abl1 under stress conditions, suggesting that ABL1 probably negatively regulates OsSLI1 gene expression. Moreover, it was found that OsSLI1 was regulated in panicle development. Taken together, OsSLI1 may be a transcriptional activator regulating stress-responsive gene expression and panicle development in rice.

Data threats analysis and prevention on iOS platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Bo; Wang, Yi; Chen, Zhou; Tang, Jiqiang

2015-12-01

Background: The rapid growth of mobile internet has driven the rapid popularity of smart mobiles. iOS device is chosen by more and more people for its humanity, stability and excellent industrial design, and the data security problem that followed it has gradually attracted the researchers' attention. Method & Result: This thesis focuses on the analysis of current situation of data security on iOS platform, from both security mechanism and data risk, and proposes countermeasures. Conclusion: From practical work, many problems of data security mechanism on iOS platform still exist. At present, the problem of malicious software towards iOS system has not been severe, but how to ensure the security of data on iOS platform will inevitably become one of the directions for our further study.

Spin-orbit coupling control of anisotropy, ground state and frustration in 5d 2Sr 2MgOsO 6

DOE PAGES

Morrow, Ryan; Taylor, Alice E.; Singh, D. J.; ...

2016-08-30

The influence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) on the physical properties of the 5d 2 system Sr 2MgOsO 6 is probed via a combination of magnetometry, specific heat measurements, elastic and inelastic neutron scattering, and density functional theory calculations. Although a significant degree of frustration is expected, we find that Sr 2MgOsO 6 orders in a type I antiferromagnetic structure at the remarkably high temperature of 108 K. The measurements presented allow for the first accurate quantification of the size of the magnetic moment in a 5d 2 system of 0.60(2) μ B a significantly reduced moment from the expected valuemore » for such a system. Furthermore, significant anisotropy is identified via a spin excitation gap, and we confirm by first principles calculations that SOC not only provides the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, but also plays a crucial role in determining both the ground state magnetic order and the moment size in this compound. In conclusion, through comparison to Sr 2ScOsO 6, it is demonstrated that SOC-induced anisotropy has the ability to relieve frustration in 5d 2 systems relative to their 5d 3 counterparts, providing an explanation of the high TN found in Sr 2MgOsO 6.« less

Spin-orbit coupling control of anisotropy, ground state and frustration in 5d2 Sr2MgOsO6

PubMed Central

Morrow, Ryan; Taylor, Alice E.; Singh, D. J.; Xiong, Jie; Rodan, Steven; Wolter, A. U. B.; Wurmehl, Sabine; Büchner, Bernd; Stone, M. B.; Kolesnikov, A. I.; Aczel, Adam A.; Christianson, A. D.; Woodward, Patrick M.

2016-01-01

The influence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) on the physical properties of the 5d2 system Sr2MgOsO6 is probed via a combination of magnetometry, specific heat measurements, elastic and inelastic neutron scattering, and density functional theory calculations. Although a significant degree of frustration is expected, we find that Sr2MgOsO6 orders in a type I antiferromagnetic structure at the remarkably high temperature of 108 K. The measurements presented allow for the first accurate quantification of the size of the magnetic moment in a 5d2 system of 0.60(2) μB –a significantly reduced moment from the expected value for such a system. Furthermore, significant anisotropy is identified via a spin excitation gap, and we confirm by first principles calculations that SOC not only provides the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, but also plays a crucial role in determining both the ground state magnetic order and the size of the local moment in this compound. Through comparison to Sr2ScOsO6, it is demonstrated that SOC-induced anisotropy has the ability to relieve frustration in 5d2 systems relative to their 5d3 counterparts, providing an explanation of the high TN found in Sr2MgOsO6. PMID:27571715

Spin-orbit coupling control of anisotropy, ground state and frustration in 5d(2) Sr2MgOsO6.

PubMed

Morrow, Ryan; Taylor, Alice E; Singh, D J; Xiong, Jie; Rodan, Steven; Wolter, A U B; Wurmehl, Sabine; Büchner, Bernd; Stone, M B; Kolesnikov, A I; Aczel, Adam A; Christianson, A D; Woodward, Patrick M

2016-08-30

The influence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) on the physical properties of the 5d(2) system Sr2MgOsO6 is probed via a combination of magnetometry, specific heat measurements, elastic and inelastic neutron scattering, and density functional theory calculations. Although a significant degree of frustration is expected, we find that Sr2MgOsO6 orders in a type I antiferromagnetic structure at the remarkably high temperature of 108 K. The measurements presented allow for the first accurate quantification of the size of the magnetic moment in a 5d(2) system of 0.60(2) μB -a significantly reduced moment from the expected value for such a system. Furthermore, significant anisotropy is identified via a spin excitation gap, and we confirm by first principles calculations that SOC not only provides the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, but also plays a crucial role in determining both the ground state magnetic order and the size of the local moment in this compound. Through comparison to Sr2ScOsO6, it is demonstrated that SOC-induced anisotropy has the ability to relieve frustration in 5d(2) systems relative to their 5d(3) counterparts, providing an explanation of the high TN found in Sr2MgOsO6.

Influence of Body Mass Index and Albumin on Perioperative Morbidity and Clinical Outcomes in Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Hendifar, Andrew; Osipov, Arsen; Khanuja, Jasleen; Nissen, Nicholas; Naziri, Jason; Yang, Wensha; Li, Quanlin; Tuli, Richard

2016-01-01

Obesity is a known risk factor for PDA and recent reports suggest obesity has a negative impact on clinical outcomes in patients with PDA. Pretreatment body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin (SA) have been shown to be associated with worse overall survival in patients with advanced and metastatic PDA. However, minimal data exists on the impact of BMI and SA on perioperative and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage resected PDA. Herein, we report on the impact of these variables on perioperative clinical outcomes, overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) in patients with resected PDA. With IRB approval, we evaluated 1,545 patients with PDA treated at a single institution from 2007–2013 and identified 106 patients who underwent upfront resection with curative intent. BMI and SA were calculated preoperatively and at the time of last clinical evaluation. Influence of preoperative BMI, SA, change in either variable, and influence of other clinical and pathologic variables on perioperative morbidity and mortality was assessed. The impact of these variables on DFS and OS was assessed with cox regression modeling and ANOVA. Actuarial estimates for DFS and OS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Median follow up time was 16 months (3–89). Mean age was 68 years. Median survival was 14 months (3–65) and median time to recurrence was 11 months (1–79). Length of hospital stay was associated with BMI (p = .023), change in BMI (p = .003) and SA (p = .004). Post-operative transfusion rate was associated with SA (p = .021). There was a strong correlation between BMI change and positive margin (p = .04) and lymph node status (p = .01). On multivariate analysis, change in SA (p = .03) and node positivity (p = .008) were associated with decreased DFS. Additionally, preoperative SA (p = .023), node positivity (p = .026) and poor differentiation (p = .045) were associated with worse OS on multivariate analysis. Low preoperative SA was associated with worse DFS and OS in patients with resected PDA. Lower BMI and SA were associated with longer post-operative hospital stay. Our study is one of the first to describe how pre-operative BMI and SA and post-operative changes in these variables impact clinical and perioperative outcomes. This data supports nutritional status and weight loss as predictors of outcome in resected pancreatic cancer patients and warrants further prospective investigation. PMID:27015568

Influence of Body Mass Index and Albumin on Perioperative Morbidity and Clinical Outcomes in Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Hendifar, Andrew; Osipov, Arsen; Khanuja, Jasleen; Nissen, Nicholas; Naziri, Jason; Yang, Wensha; Li, Quanlin; Tuli, Richard

2016-01-01

Obesity is a known risk factor for PDA and recent reports suggest obesity has a negative impact on clinical outcomes in patients with PDA. Pretreatment body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin (SA) have been shown to be associated with worse overall survival in patients with advanced and metastatic PDA. However, minimal data exists on the impact of BMI and SA on perioperative and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage resected PDA. Herein, we report on the impact of these variables on perioperative clinical outcomes, overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) in patients with resected PDA. With IRB approval, we evaluated 1,545 patients with PDA treated at a single institution from 2007-2013 and identified 106 patients who underwent upfront resection with curative intent. BMI and SA were calculated preoperatively and at the time of last clinical evaluation. Influence of preoperative BMI, SA, change in either variable, and influence of other clinical and pathologic variables on perioperative morbidity and mortality was assessed. The impact of these variables on DFS and OS was assessed with cox regression modeling and ANOVA. Actuarial estimates for DFS and OS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Median follow up time was 16 months (3-89). Mean age was 68 years. Median survival was 14 months (3-65) and median time to recurrence was 11 months (1-79). Length of hospital stay was associated with BMI (p = .023), change in BMI (p = .003) and SA (p = .004). Post-operative transfusion rate was associated with SA (p = .021). There was a strong correlation between BMI change and positive margin (p = .04) and lymph node status (p = .01). On multivariate analysis, change in SA (p = .03) and node positivity (p = .008) were associated with decreased DFS. Additionally, preoperative SA (p = .023), node positivity (p = .026) and poor differentiation (p = .045) were associated with worse OS on multivariate analysis. Low preoperative SA was associated with worse DFS and OS in patients with resected PDA. Lower BMI and SA were associated with longer post-operative hospital stay. Our study is one of the first to describe how pre-operative BMI and SA and post-operative changes in these variables impact clinical and perioperative outcomes. This data supports nutritional status and weight loss as predictors of outcome in resected pancreatic cancer patients and warrants further prospective investigation.

Osmium isotope evidence for uniform distribution of s- and r-process components in the early solar system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yokoyama, Tetsuya; Rai, Vinai K.; Alexander, Conel M. O'D.; Lewis, Roy S.; Carlson, Richard W.; Shirey, Steven B.; Thiemens, Mark H.; Walker, Richard J.

2007-07-01

We have precisely measured Os isotopic ratios in bulk samples of five carbonaceous, two enstatite and two ordinary chondrites, as well as the acid-resistant residues of three carbonaceous chondrites. All bulk meteorite samples have uniform 186Os/ 188Os, 188Os/ 189Os and 190Os/ 189Os ratios, when decomposed by an alkaline fusion total digestion technique. These ratios are also identical to estimates for Os in the bulk silicate Earth. Despite Os isotopic homogeneity at the bulk meteorite scale, acid insoluble residues of three carbonaceous chondrites are enriched in 186Os, 188Os and 190Os, isotopes with major contributions from stellar s-process nucleosynthesis. Conversely, these isotopes are depleted in acid soluble portions of the same meteorites. The complementary enriched and depleted fractions indicate the presence of at least two types of Os-rich components in these meteorites, one enriched in Os isotopes produced by s-process nucleosynthesis, the other enriched in isotopes produced by the r-process. Presolar silicon carbide is the most probable host for the s-process-enriched Os present in the acid insoluble residues. Because the enriched and depleted components present in these meteorites are combined in proportions resulting in a uniform chondritic/terrestrial composition, it requires that disparate components were thoroughly mixed within the solar nebula at the time of the initiation of planetesimal accretion. This conclusion contrasts with evidence from the isotopic compositions of some other elements (e.g., Sm, Nd, Ru, Mo) that suggests heterogeneous distribution of matter with disparate nucleosynthetic sources within the nebula.

An FPGA- Based General-Purpose Data Acquisition Controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robson, C. C. W.; Bousselham, A.; Bohm

2006-08-01

System development in advanced FPGAs allows considerable flexibility, both during development and in production use. A mixed firmware/software solution allows the developer to choose what shall be done in firmware or software, and to make that decision late in the process. However, this flexibility comes at the cost of increased complexity. We have designed a modular development framework to help to overcome these issues of increased complexity. This framework comprises a generic controller that can be adapted for different systems by simply changing the software or firmware parts. The controller can use both soft and hard processors, with or without an RTOS, based on the demands of the system to be developed. The resulting system uses the Internet for both control and data acquisition. In our studies we developed the embedded system in a Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA, where we used both PowerPC and MicroBlaze cores, http, Java, and LabView for control and communication, together with the MicroC/OS-II and OSE operating systems

Three-dimensional alginate spheroid culture system of murine osteosarcoma.

PubMed

Akeda, Koji; Nishimura, Akinobu; Satonaka, Haruhiko; Shintani, Ken; Kusuzaki, Katsuyuki; Matsumine, Akihiko; Kasai, Yuichi; Masuda, Koichi; Uchida, Atsumasa

2009-11-01

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the bone and often forms pulmonary metastases, which are the most important prognostic factor. For further elucidation of the mechanism underlying the progression and metastasis of human OS, a culture system mimicking the microenvironment of the tumor in vivo is needed. We report a novel three-dimensional (3D) alginate spheroid culture system of murine osteosarcoma. Two different metastatic clones, the parental Dunn and its derivative line LM8, which has a higher metastatic potential to the lungs, were encapsulated in alginate beads to develop the 3D culture system. The beads containing murine OS cells were also transplanted into mice to determine their metastatic potential in vivo. In this culture system, murine OS cells encapsulated in alginate beads were able to grow in a 3D structure with cells detaching from the alginate environment. The number of detaching cells was higher in the LM8 cell line than the Dunn cell line. In the in vivo alginate bead transplantation model, the rate of pulmonary metastasis was higher with LM8 cells compared with that of Dunn cells. The cell characteristics and kinetics in this culture system closely reflect the original malignant potential of the cells in vivo.

Integrating O/S models during conceptual design, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ebeling, Charles E.

1994-01-01

This report documents the procedures for utilizing and maintaining the Reliability & Maintainability Model (RAM) developed by the University of Dayton for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) under NASA research grant NAG-1-1327. The purpose of the grant is to provide support to NASA in establishing operational and support parameters and costs of proposed space systems. As part of this research objective, the model described here was developed. Additional documentation concerning the development of this model may be found in Part 1 of this report. This is the 2nd part of a 3 part technical report.

PyFDAP: automated analysis of fluorescence decay after photoconversion (FDAP) experiments.

PubMed

Bläßle, Alexander; Müller, Patrick

2015-03-15

We developed the graphical user interface PyFDAP for the fitting of linear and non-linear decay functions to data from fluorescence decay after photoconversion (FDAP) experiments. PyFDAP structures and analyses large FDAP datasets and features multiple fitting and plotting options. PyFDAP was written in Python and runs on Ubuntu Linux, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows operating systems. The software, a user guide and a test FDAP dataset are freely available for download from http://people.tuebingen.mpg.de/mueller-lab. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

How to Build an AppleSeed: A Parallel Macintosh Cluster for Numerically Intensive Computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decyk, V. K.; Dauger, D. E.

We have constructed a parallel cluster consisting of a mixture of Apple Macintosh G3 and G4 computers running the Mac OS, and have achieved very good performance on numerically intensive, parallel plasma particle-incell simulations. A subset of the MPI message-passing library was implemented in Fortran77 and C. This library enabled us to port code, without modification, from other parallel processors to the Macintosh cluster. Unlike Unix-based clusters, no special expertise in operating systems is required to build and run the cluster. This enables us to move parallel computing from the realm of experts to the main stream of computing.

The 190Pt-186Os Decay System Applied to Dating Platinum-Group Element Mineralization in Layered Intrusions, Ophiolites and Detrital Deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coggon, J. A.; Nowell, G.; Pearson, G.; Oberthür, T.; Lorand, J.; Melcher, F.; Parman, S. W.

2010-12-01

Discrete platinum-group minerals (PGM) occur as accessory phases in mafic-ultamafic intrusions and ophiolitic chromitites, as well as numerous detrital deposits globally. The 190Pt-186Os decay system, measured by laser ablation MC-ICPMS (LA-MC-ICPMS) provides a useful geochronometric tool for direct dating of PGM. Here we present two examples that verify the accuracy of the technique in geologically well constrained situations and demonstrate the potential for using the 190Pt-186Os PGM method to accurately date layered mafic intrusions, ophiolitic chromitites and detrital PGM deposits. Fifty PGM grains from three different horizons within the Bushveld complex yield a Pt-Os isochron age of 2012 ± 47 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.19, 186Os/188Osi = 0.119818 ± 0.000006). This is consistent with the published U-Pb zircon age of 2054 Ma (Scoates and Friedman, 2008). The younger PGM isochron age is not likely to be a function of difference in blocking temperatures in the different systems. Pt-Os model ages are possible in high pt grains because initial 186Os/188Os can be well constrained. Using this approach we obtained Pt-Os model ages of 2113 ± 106 Ma and 2042 ± 102 Ma for a Bushveld Pt-Fe alloy and sperrylite respectively. Detrital PGM derived from the Meratus ophiolite, southeast Borneo yield a 190Pt-186Os isochron age of 202.5 Ma ± 8.3 Ma (2σ, n = 260, MSWD = 0.90, 186Os/188Osi = 0.119830 ± 0.000003), consistent with radiometric and biostratigraphic age constraints (Wakita et al., 1998). We interpret this as the age of formation of the PGM grains in during chromitite genesis in the lower oceanic lithosphere. Our combined data demonstrate the utility of the LA-MC-ICPMS method as a tool for accurate Pt-Os dating of detrital PGM as well as their igneous parent bodies. We can constrain Pt/Os fractionation at the ablation site as being < 2.5%, while within-grain heterogeneity is ultimately one of the strongest controls on isochron and single-grain ages given the partial sampling represented by laser ablation. Scoates, J.S. and Friedman, R.M. 2008. Precise age of the platiniferous Merensky reef, Bushveld Complex, South Africa, by the U-Pb zircon chemical abrasion ID-TIMS technique; Economic Geology 103, p. 465-471. Wakita, K., Miyazaki, K., Zulkarnain, I., Sopaheluwakan, J. and Sanyoto, P. 1998. Tectonic implications of new age data for the Meratus complex of south Kalimantan, Indonesia; Island Arc 7, p. 202-222.

Rice cyclophilin OsCYP18-2 is translocated to the nucleus by an interaction with SKIP and enhances drought tolerance in rice and Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Sook; Park, Hyun Ji; Yoon, Dae Hwa; Kim, Beom-Gi; Ahn, Jun Cheul; Luan, Sheng; Cho, Hye Sun

2015-10-01

Cyclophilin 18-2 (CYP18-2) genes, homologues of human peptidyl-prolyl isomerase-like 1 (PPiL1), are conserved across multicellular organisms and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Although PPiL1 is known to interact with ski-interacting protein (SKIP), a transcriptional co-regulator and spliceosomal component, there have been no functional analyses of PPiL1 homologues in plants. Rice cyclophilin 18-2 (OsCYP18-2) bound directly to amino acids 56-95 of OsSKIP and its binding was independent of cyclosporin A, a cyclophilin-binding drug. Moreover, OsCYP18-2 exhibited PPIase activity regardless of its interaction with OsSKIP. Therefore, the binding site for OsCYP18-2's interaction with SKIP was distinct from the PPIase active site. OsCYP18-2's interaction with SKIP full-length protein enabled OsCYP18-2's translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus and AtSKIP interacted in planta with both AtCYP18-2 and OsCYP18-2. Drought and salt stress induced similar expression of OsCYP18-2 and OsSKIP. Overexpression of OsCYP18-2 in transgenic rice and Arabidopsis thaliana plants enhanced drought tolerance and altered expression and pre-mRNA splicing patterns of stress-related genes in Arabidopsis under drought conditions. Furthermore, OsCYP18-2 caused transcriptional activation with/without OsSKIP in the GAL4 system of yeast; thus the OsSKIP-OsCYP18-2 interaction has an important role in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of stress-related genes and increases tolerance to drought stress. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Web-Based Dissemination System for the Trusted Computing Exemplar Project

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

6 3. Fiasco Microkernel ..............................................................................6 4. Apache Web Server...Fiasco Microkernel The next project examined was the Fiasco Microkernel developed by the Dresden University of Technology. This dissemination...System,” 1999, http://www.eros-os.org, Accessed: May 2005. [5] “The Fiasco Microkernel ,” February 2004, http://os.inf.tu-dresden.de/fiasco/, Accessed

A Potential Bone-Targeting Hypotoxic Platinum(II) Complex with an Unusual Cytostatic Mechanism toward Osteosarcoma Cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhenqin; Zhu, Zhenzhu; Luo, Cheng; Zhu, Chengcheng; Zhang, Changli; Guo, Zijian; Wang, Xiaoyong

2018-03-19

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary pediatric bone tumor lethal to children and adolescents. Chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin are not effective for OS because of their poor accessibility to this cancer and severe systemic toxicity. In this study, a lipophilic platinum(II) complex bearing a bisphosphonate bone-targeting moiety, cis-[PtL(NH 3 ) 2 Cl]NO 3 {BPP; L = tetraethyl [2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethane-1,1-diyl]bisphosphonate}, was prepared and characterized by NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The cytotoxicity of BPP toward OS cell lines U2OS and MG-63 was tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. BPP exhibits moderate inhibition against U2OS cells through a mechanism involving both DNA binding and a mevalonate pathway. The acute toxicity of BPP to mice is 7-fold lower than that of cisplatin. The relative low systemic toxicity may result from the steric hindrance of the ligand, which blocks BPP approaching the bases of DNA. The results suggest that incorporating bisphosphonates into a platinum complex not only enhances its bone-targeting property but also minimizes its reactivity toward DNA and thereby lowers the systematic toxicity of the complex. The diminished cytotoxicity of BPP could be compensated for by increasing the therapeutic dose with marginal harm. This strategy provides a new possibility for overcoming the ineffectiveness and systemic toxicity of platinum drugs in the treatment of OS.

Care production for tuberculosis cases:analysis according to the elements of the Chronic Care Model.

PubMed

Silva, Daiane Medeiros da; Farias, Hérika Brito Gomes de; Villa, Tereza Cristina Scatena; Sá, Lenilde Duarte de; Brunello, Maria Eugênia Firmino; Nogueira, Jordana de Almeida

2016-04-01

To analyze the care provided to tuberculosis cases in primary health care services according to the elements of the Chronic Care Model. Cross-sectional study conducted in a capital city of the northeastern region of Brazil involving 83 Family Health Strategy professionals.A structured tool adapted to tuberculosis-related care in Brazil was applied.Analysis was based on the development of indicators with capacity to produce care varying between limited and optimum. The organization of care for tuberculosis and supported self-care presented reasonable capacity.In the coordination with the community, the presence of the community agent presented optimum capacity.Partnership with organizations of the community and involvement of experts presented limited capacity.The qualification of professionals, the system for scheduling and monitoring tuberculosis in the community, and the clinical information system presented basic capacity. The capacity of the primary health care services to produce tuberculosis-related care according to the elements of the Chronic Care Model is still limited.Overcoming the fragmentation of care and prioritizing a systemic operation between actions and services of the health care network remains as a major challenge. Analisar,segundo os elementos doChronicCareModel,a produção do cuidado aos casos de tuberculose nos serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde. Estudo transversal, realizado em capital do nordeste brasileiro, envolvendo 83 profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Aplicou-se um instrumento estruturado, adaptado para atenção à tuberculose no Brasil. A análise pautou-se na construção de indicadores, cujacapacidade para produção de cuidados variou entre limitada a ótima. A organização da atenção à tuberculose e o autocuidado apoiado apresentaram capacidade razoável. Na articulação com a comunidade, a presençadoagente comunitário de saúde apresentou capacidade ótima. A parceria com organizações da comunidade e o envolvimento de especialistas obtiveram capacidade limitada. A capacitação dos profissionais, o sistema de agendamento e monitoramento da tuberculose na comunidade e o sistema de informação clínica alcançaram capacidade básica. A capacidade dos serviços da Atenção Primária à Saúde para produção do cuidado aos casos de tuberculose,segundo os elementos doChronicCareModel,ainda é limitada.Superar a fragmentação do cuidado e priorizar um funcionamento sistêmico entre ações e serviços da rede de atenção à saúde é ainda um grande desafio.

Systemic Therapy in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC): The Roswell Park Experience and a Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Jarkowski, Anthony; Hare, Ryan; Loud, Peter; Skitzki, Joseph J; Kane, John M; May, Kilian S; Zeitouni, Nathalie C; Nestico, Jill; Vona, Karen L; Groman, Adrienne; Khushalani, Nikhil I

2016-12-01

Treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mCSCC) is suboptimal with a paucity of robust data on systemic therapy. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of patients with locally advanced unresectable or mCSCC treated with systemic therapy. Records of patients with CSCC treated with systemic therapy from January 2001 to January 2011 were reviewed. Response was assessed using WHO criteria. Descriptive results were assessed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test for ordinal responses and Pearson χ test for categorical responses. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Of 28 patients identified, 25 patients (M:F=18:7), median age 66 years (range, 39 to 85 y), had the required data for final analysis. Partial response was 44% and stable disease (SD) was 24%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.5 months (2.3, 13.2) and 10.9 months (5.3, 21.3) respectively; 3-year OS was 22%. Patients with WHO response had improved PFS (20.8 mo; 4.4, NR) and OS (37.5 mo; 10.3, NR) compared with patients with SD/PD (PFS 2.7 mo; OS 5.9 mo). Use of platinum-based therapy significantly improved PFS and OS, whereas taxanes and cetuximab had no impact in this small cohort. There was no difference in PFS or OS with multiagent versus single-agent therapy. Platinum-based therapy remains as one of the standard options in advanced CSCC management. Agents to improve response rates are needed and future trials should address the use of novel targeted and new chemotherapy combinations in CSCC.

Significance of the whole rock Re-Os ages in cryptically and modally metasomatised cratonic peridotites: Constraints from HSE-Se-Te systematics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luguet, Ambre; Behrens, Melanie; Pearson, D. Graham; König, Stephan; Herwartz, Daniel

2015-09-01

The Re-Os isotopic system is the geochronometer of choice to constrain the timing of lithospheric mantle root formation and reconstruct the evolution of Earth's dynamics from the "mantle" perspective. In order to constrain the effects of metasomatic processes on the Re-Os isotopic system, eleven peridotites from the Letlhakane kimberlite pipe were investigated for whole rock major and trace elements, highly siderophile elements (HSE), Se, Te and 187Os/188Os signatures. These spinel peridotites (SP), garnet peridotites (GP), garnet-phlogopite peridotites (GPP) and phlogopite peridotites (PP) experienced cryptic metasomatism and the GP-GPP-PP additionally constitute a sequence of increasing modal metasomatism. The cryptically metasomatised SP appear devoid of base metal sulphides (BMS) and show suprachondritic Se/Te ratios (15-40) and extremely Pd- and Pt-depleted HSE patterns. These features are characteristic of high-degree partial melting residues. Their 187Os/188Os signatures are thus considered to be inherited from the partial melting event. This implies a Neoarchean (2.5-2.8 Ga, TRD eruption) stabilisation of the Letlhakane mantle root and supports the Letlhakane mantle root being a westerly extension of the Zimbabwe cratonic root. The modally metasomatised peridotites contain BMS whose abundance significantly increases from the GPP to the GP and PP. The BMS-poor GPP are only slightly richer in Pt and Pd than the BMS-free SP but have similarly high Se/Te ratios. The BMS-rich GP and PP exhibit significant enrichments in Pt, Pd, Se, Te resulting in HSE-Se-Te signatures similar to that of the Primitive Upper Mantle (PUM). Addition of 0.001-0.05 wt.% metasomatic BMS ± PGM (platinum group minerals, i.e., Pt-tellurides) to highly refractory residues, such as the Letlhakane SP, reproduce well the HSE-Se-Te systematics observed in the BMS-poor and BMS-rich modally metasomatised peridotites. In the GPP, the negligible addition of metasomatic BMS ± PGM did not disturb the 187Os/188Os signatures, indicating TRD eruption ages identical with those of the SP. By contrast, the PP and GP, which suffered significant BMS ± PGM addition, have 187Os/188Os considerably shifted toward more radiogenic values. As a result, unrealistically young TRD eruption ages are obtained that cannot be used to constrain the time frame of the stabilisation of the cratonic roots and the mechanisms of craton formation. The Se-Te and incompatible HSE (i.e., Pt, Pd) are powerful geochemical tools to assess the robustness of the Re-Os isotopic system in mantle peridotites. Specifically, Se/Te and Pd/Ir ratios provide complementary insights into the complex metasomatic history of mantle peridotites. The Se/Te ratio is very sensitive to Os-free PGM metasomatism producing highly variable Se/Te >15 at low, relatively constant Pd/Ir< 0.4 but does not affect the 187Os/188Os systematics. This contrasts with BMS metasomatism, where Pd/Ir becomes more variable (>0.4), at constant but low Se/Te <10 and which is accompanied by modification of the Os isotopic composition of the host peridotite. As they are sensitive indicators of BMS ± PGM metasomatism, HSE, Se and Te should be systematically considered when investigating the timing of stabilisation of lithospheric mantle and its petrogenetic history. This would allow a more robust assessment of the Re-Os ages obtained and provide firmer constraints on the evolution and formation of Archean cratons and early Earth dynamics.

Effects of chemical pressure on the magnetic ground states of the osmate double perovskites SrCaCoOs 6 and Ca 2CoOsO 6

DOE PAGES

Morrow, Ryan; Yan, Jiaqiang; McGuire, Michael A.; ...

2015-09-21

The magnetic ground state in the double perovskite system Sr 2-xCa xCoOsO 6 changes from an antiferromagnet (x=0), to a spin glass (x=1), to a ferrimagnet (x=2) as the Ca content increases. Moreover, this crossover is driven by chemical pressure effects that control the relative strength of magnetic exchange interactions. The synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetism of SrCaCoOsO 6 and Ca 2CoOsO 6 are investigated and compared with Sr 2CoOsO 6. Both compounds adopt a monoclinic crystal structure with rock-salt ordering of Co 2+ and Os 6+ and a -a -b + octahedral tilting, but the average Co–O–Os bond anglemore » evolves from 158.0(3) in SrCaCoOsO 6 to 150.54(9)° in Ca 2CoOsO 6 as the smaller Ca 2+ ion replaces Sr 2+. And while this change may seem minor, it has a profound effect on the magnetism, changing the magnetic ground state from antiferromagnetic in Sr 2CoOsO 6 (TN1=108K, T N2=70K), to a spin glass in SrCaCoOsO 6 (T f1=32K, T f2=13K), to ferrimagnetic in Ca 2CoOsO 6 (T C=145K). Finally, in the first two compounds the observation of two transitions is consistent with weak coupling between the Co and Os sublattices.« less

Basic principles of a flexible astronomical data processing system in UNIX environment.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verkhodanov, O. V.; Erukhimov, B. L.; Monosov, M. L.; Chernenkov, V. N.; Shergin, V. S.

Methods of construction of a flexible system for astronomical data processing (FADPS) are described. An example of construction of such a FADPS for continuum radiometer data of the RATAN-600 is presented. The Job Control Language of this system is the Job Control Language of OS UNIX. It is shown that using basic commands of the data processing system (DPS) a user, knowing basic principles of Job in OS UNIX, can create his own mini-DPS. Examples of such mini-DPSs are presented.

Resection of Concomitant Hepatic and Extrahepatic Metastases from Colorectal Cancer - A Worthwhile Operation?

PubMed

Diaconescu, Andrei; Alexandrescu, Sorin; Ionel, Zenaida; Zlate, Cristian; Grigorie, Razvan; Brasoveanu, Vladislav; Hrehoret, Doina; Ciurea, Silviu; Botea, Florin; Tomescu, Dana; Droc, Gabriela; Croitoru, Adina; Herlea, Vlad; Boros, Mirela; Grasu, Mugur; Dumitru, Radu; Toma, Mihai; Ionescu, Mihnea; Vasilescu, Catalin; Popescu, Irinel

2017-01-01

Background: The benefit of hepatic resection in case of concomitant colorectal hepatic and extrahepatic metastases (CHEHMs) is still debatable. The purpose of this study is to assess the results of resection of hepatic and extrahepatic metastases in patients with CHEHMs in a high-volume center for both hepatobiliary and colorectal surgery and to identify prognostic factors that correlate with longer survival in these patients. It was performed a retrospective analysis of 678 consecutive patients with liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases operated in a single Centre between April 1996 and March 2016. Among these, 73 patients presented CHEHMs. Univariate analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for overall survival (OS) in these patients. Results: There were 20 CHMs located at the lymphatic node level, 20 at the peritoneal level, 12 at the ovary and lung level, 12 presenting as local relapses and 9 other sites. 53 curative resections (R0) were performed. The difference in overall survival between the CHEHMs group and the CHMs group is statistically significant for the entire groups (p 0.0001), as well as in patients who underwent R0 resection (p 0.0001). In CHEHMs group, the OS was statistically significant higher in patients who underwent R0 resection vs. those with R1/R2 resection (p=0.004). Three variables were identified as prognostic factors for poor OS following univariate analysis: 4 or more hepatic metastases, major hepatectomy and the performance of operation during first period of the study (1996 - 2004). There was a tendency toward better OS in patients with ovarian or pulmonary location of extrahepatic disease, although the difference was not statistically significant. In patients with concomitant hepatic and extrahepatic metastases, complete resection of metastatic burden significantly prolong survival. The patients with up to 4 liver metastases, resectable by minor hepatectomy benefit the most from this aggressive onco-surgical management. Celsius.

Wormhole: A Powerful Data Mashup

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Widen, David

2011-01-01

The mobile platform is quickly becoming the standard way that users interact with online resources. The iOS operating system allows iPhone and iPad users to seamlessly access highly interactive web applications that until recently were only available via a desktop or laptop. Wormhole is an AJAX application implemented as a smart web widget that allows users to easily supplement web pages with data directly from the Instrument Operations Subsystems division (IOS) at JPL. It creates an interactive mashup using a website's core content enhanced by dynamically retrieved image and metadata supplied by IOS using the webification API. Currently, this technology is limited in scope to NASA data; however, it can easily be augmented to serve many other needs. This web widget can be delivered in various ways, including as a bookmarklet. The underlying technology that powers Wormhole also has applications to other divisions while they are running current missions.

Combined microwave ablation and systemic chemotherapy for liver metastases from oesophageal cancer: Preliminary results and literature review.

PubMed

Zhou, Fubo; Yu, Xiaoling; Liang, Ping; Cheng, Zhigang; Han, Zhiyu; Yu, Jie; Liu, Fangyi; Tan, Shuilian; Dai, Guanghai; Bai, Li

2016-08-01

Oesophageal cancer is a highly aggressive disease with about 50% of patients presenting with advanced or metastatic disease at initial diagnosis. In this study we assessed combined microwave ablation (MWA) and systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of liver metastases arising from oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Between February 2009 and June 2014, OSCC patients who underwent percutaneous MWA + concurrent systemic chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy alone for liver metastases were enrolled in this study. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were recorded and compared between groups. In total 15 patients with 25 liver metastases who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA and chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Technical success was achieved in 96% (24/25) of metastatic liver tumours. No major or minor complications associated with MWA procedures were observed. The median OS and PFS from initial MWA were 13 months and 4 months. The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-year OS rates after MWA were 53.3%, 26.7%, 13.3%, and 13.3%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year PFS rates after MWA were 26.7% and 13.3%. The OS and PFS of the MWA + systemic chemotherapy group were superior than those of patients who received systemic chemotherapy alone (P = 0.011 and 0.030, respectively). Combined MWA with systemic chemotherapy is a feasible, safe and effective treatment for liver metastases from OSCC.

Induction of phytic acid synthesis by abscisic acid in suspension-cultured cells of rice.

PubMed

Matsuno, Koya; Fujimura, Tatsuhito

2014-03-01

A pathway of phytic acid (PA) synthesis in plants has been revealed via investigations of low phytic acid mutants. However, the regulation of this pathway is not well understood because it is difficult to control the environments of cells in the seeds, where PA is mainly synthesized. We modified a rice suspension culture system in order to study the regulation of PA synthesis. Rice cells cultured with abscisic acid (ABA) accumulate PA at higher levels than cells cultured without ABA, and PA accumulation levels increase with ABA concentration. On the other hand, higher concentrations of sucrose or inorganic phosphorus do not affect PA accumulation. Mutations in the genes RINO1, OsMIK, OsIPK1 and OsLPA1 have each been reported to confer low phytic acid phenotypes in seeds. Each of these genes is upregulated in cells cultured with ABA. OsITPK4 and OsITPK6 are upregulated in cells cultured with ABA and in developing seeds. These results suggest that the regulation of PA synthesis is similar between developing seeds and cells in this suspension culture system. This system will be a powerful tool for elucidating the regulation of PA synthesis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Herbivory Rapidly Activates MAPK Signaling in Attacked and Unattacked Leaf Regions but Not between Leaves of Nicotiana attenuata[W

PubMed Central

Wu, Jianqiang; Hettenhausen, Christian; Meldau, Stefan; Baldwin, Ian T.

2007-01-01

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling plays a central role in transducing extracellular stimuli into intracellular responses, but its role in mediating plant responses to herbivore attack remains largely unexplored. When Manduca sexta larvae attack their host plant, Nicotiana attenuata, the plant's wound response is reconfigured at transcriptional, phytohormonal, and defensive levels due to the introduction of oral secretions (OS) into wounds during feeding. We show that OS dramatically amplify wound-induced MAPK activity and that fatty acid–amino acid conjugates in M. sexta OS are the elicitors. Virus-induced gene silencing of salicylic acid–induced protein kinase (SIPK) and wound-induced protein kinase revealed their importance in mediating wound and OS-elicited hormonal responses and transcriptional regulation of defense-related genes. We found that after applying OS to wounds created in one portion of a leaf, SIPK is activated in both wounded and specific unwounded regions of the leaf but not in phylotactically connected adjacent leaves. We propose that M. sexta attack elicits a mobile signal that travels to nonwounded regions of the attacked leaf where it activates MAPK signaling and, thus, downstream responses; subsequently, a different signal is transported by the vascular system to systemic leaves to initiate defense responses without activating MAPKs in systemic leaves. PMID:17400894

Planetary Protection Considerations in EVA System Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eppler, Dean B.; Kosmo, Joseph J.

2011-01-01

To better constrain their origin, we have performed systematic studies of the siderophile element distribution in metal from Enstatite achondrites and iron-rich meteorites linked to Enstatite achondrites. Humayun (2010) reported 20 siderophile elements in the metal of Horse Creek, Mt. Egerton and Tucson, three iron meteorites known for their high Si content in their metal. The Horse Creek and Mt. Egerton irons have elemental patterns identical to metallic solids derived from partially molten enstatite chondrites. Tucson has an unusual siderophile element pattern that is reminiscent of IVA irons, except for the most volatile siderophiles with condensation temperatures below that of Cu (Sb, Ge, Sn) which are more depleted. The origin of Tucson metal is likely linked to an impact involving a reduced chondritic body that provided the silicates, and IVA iron. In a related study, van Acken et al. (2010) reported siderophile element abundances in metal and sulfides from aubrites, chondritic inclusions in aubrites, and other enstatite achondrites (including a separate section of Mt. Egerton). They found that aubrite metal was linked to metal in enstatite chondrites by low degree partial melting forming sulfur-rich metallic liquids. A restite origin of aubrites is not consistent with these metal compositions. The link between the metal compositions and cumulate silicates is not simple. The metal must have been incorporated from enstatite chondritic material that was assimilated by the aubrite magma. A manuscript is in preparation (van Acken et al., 2010). In a related study, van Acken et al. (2010, submitted) reported new precise Os isotope ratios and highly siderophile element abundances in Enstatite chondrites, Enstatite achondrites, Rumurutite chondrites to explore the range of nucleosynthetic variation in s-process Os. They observed nucleosynthetic anomalies, deficiencies of s-process Os, in most primitive enstatite chondrites, but showed the Rumurutite chondrites have very little expression of these anomalies. hardware from the human-occupied area may limit (although not likely eliminate) external materials in the human habitat. Definition of design-to requirements is critical to understanding technical feasibility and costs. The definition of Planetary Protection needs in relation to EVA mission and system element development cost impacts should be considered and interpreted in terms of Plausible Protection criteria. Since EVA operations will have the most direct physical interaction with the Martian surface, PP needs should be considered in the terms of mitigating hardware and operations impacts and costs.

Integration of virtualized worker nodes in standard batch systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Büge, Volker; Hessling, Hermann; Kemp, Yves; Kunze, Marcel; Oberst, Oliver; Quast, Günter; Scheurer, Armin; Synge, Owen

2010-04-01

Current experiments in HEP only use a limited number of operating system flavours. Their software might only be validated on one single OS platform. Resource providers might have other operating systems of choice for the installation of the batch infrastructure. This is especially the case if a cluster is shared with other communities, or communities that have stricter security requirements. One solution would be to statically divide the cluster into separated sub-clusters. In such a scenario, no opportunistic distribution of the load can be achieved, resulting in a poor overall utilization efficiency. Another approach is to make the batch system aware of virtualization, and to provide each community with its favoured operating system in a virtual machine. Here, the scheduler has full flexibility, resulting in a better overall efficiency of the resources. In our contribution, we present a lightweight concept for the integration of virtual worker nodes into standard batch systems. The virtual machines are started on the worker nodes just before jobs are executed there. No meta-scheduling is introduced. We demonstrate two prototype implementations, one based on the Sun Grid Engine (SGE), the other using Maui/Torque as a batch system. Both solutions support local job as well as Grid job submission. The hypervisors currently used are Xen and KVM, a port to another system is easily envisageable. To better handle different virtual machines on the physical host, the management solution VmImageManager is developed. We will present first experience from running the two prototype implementations. In a last part, we will show the potential future use of this lightweight concept when integrated into high-level (i.e. Grid) work-flows.

Design and implementation of a UNIX based distributed computing system

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

Love, J.S.; Michael, M.W.

1994-12-31

We have designed, implemented, and are running a corporate-wide distributed processing batch queue on a large number of networked workstations using the UNIX{reg_sign} operating system. Atlas Wireline researchers and scientists have used the system for over a year. The large increase in available computer power has greatly reduced the time required for nuclear and electromagnetic tool modeling. Use of remote distributed computing has simultaneously reduced computation costs and increased usable computer time. The system integrates equipment from different manufacturers, using various CPU architectures, distinct operating system revisions, and even multiple processors per machine. Various differences between the machines have tomore » be accounted for in the master scheduler. These differences include shells, command sets, swap spaces, memory sizes, CPU sizes, and OS revision levels. Remote processing across a network must be performed in a manner that is seamless from the users` perspective. The system currently uses IBM RISC System/6000{reg_sign}, SPARCstation{sup TM}, HP9000s700, HP9000s800, and DEC Alpha AXP{sup TM} machines. Each CPU in the network has its own speed rating, allowed working hours, and workload parameters. The system if designed so that all of the computers in the network can be optimally scheduled without adversely impacting the primary users of the machines. The increase in the total usable computational capacity by means of distributed batch computing can change corporate computing strategy. The integration of disparate computer platforms eliminates the need to buy one type of computer for computations, another for graphics, and yet another for day-to-day operations. It might be possible, for example, to meet all research and engineering computing needs with existing networked computers.« less

Oil Sands Operations in Alberta, Canada: A large source of secondary organic aerosol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liggio, J.; Li, S. M.; Hayden, K.; Taha, Y. M.; Stroud, C.; Darlington, A. L.; Drollette, B.; Gordon, M.; Lee, P.; Liu, P.; Leithead, A.; Moussa, S.; Wang, D.; O'Brien, J.; Mittermeier, R. L.; Brook, J.; Lu, G.; Staebler, R. M.; Han, Y.; Tokarek, T. W.; Osthoff, H. D.; Makar, P.; Zhang, J.; Plata, D.; Gentner, D. R.

2015-12-01

Little is known of the reaction products of emissions to the atmosphere from extraction of oil from unconventional sources in the oil sands (OS) region of Alberta, Canada. This study examines these reaction products, and in particular, the extent to which they form secondary organic aerosol (SOA), which can significantly contribute to regional particulate matter formation. An aircraft measurement campaign was conducted over the Athabasca oil sands region between August 13 and September 7, 2013. A broad suite of measurements were made during 22 flights, including organic aerosol mass and composition with a High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) and organic aerosol gas-phase precursors by Proton Transfer Reaction (PTR) and off-line gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Large concentrations of organic aerosol were measured downwind of the OS region, which we show to be entirely secondary in nature. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that bitumen (the mined product) contains semi-volatile vapours in the C12-C18 range that will be emitted at ambient temperatures. When oxidized, these vapours form SOA with highly similar HR-ToF-AMS spectra to the SOA measured in the flights. Box modelling of the OS plume evolution indicated that the measured levels of traditional volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not capable of accounting for the amount of SOA formed in OS plumes. This discrepancy is only reconciled in the model by including bitumen vapours along with their oxidation and condensation into the model. The concentration of bitumen vapours required to produce SOA matching observations is similar to that of traditional VOC precursors of SOA. It was further estimated that the cumulative SOA mass formation approximately 100 km downwind of the OS during these flights, and under these meteorological conditions was up to 82 tonnes/day. The combination of airborne measurements, laboratory experiments and box modelling indicated that semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) are emitted from OS operations which accounted for >85% of the formed SOA mass in these plumes. Implications of this SOA formation will be discussed.

What Is the Ideal Tumor Regression Grading System in Rectal Cancer Patients after Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy?

PubMed Central

Kim, Soo Hee; Chang, Hee Jin; Kim, Dae Yong; Park, Ji Won; Baek, Ji Yeon; Kim, Sun Young; Park, Sung Chan; Oh, Jae Hwan; Yu, Ami; Nam, Byung-Ho

2016-01-01

Purpose Tumor regression grade (TRG) is predictive of therapeutic response in rectal cancer patients after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by curative resection. However, various TRG systems have been suggested, with subjective categorization, resulting in interobserver variability. This study compared the prognostic validity of four different TRG systems in order to identify the most ideal TRG system. Materials and Methods This study included 933 patients who underwent preoperative CRT and curative resection. Primary tumors alone were graded according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), Dworak, and Ryan TRG systems, and both primary tumors and regional lymph nodes were graded according to a modified Dworak TRG system. The ability of each TRG system to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed using chi-square and C statistics. Results All four TRG systems were significantly predictive of both RFS and OS (p < 0.001 each), however none was a better predictor of prognosis than ypStage. Among the four TRGs, the mDworak TRG system was a better predictor of RFS and OS than the AJCC, Dworak, and Ryan TRG systems, and both the chi-square and C statistics were higher for the former, although the differences were not statistically significant. The combination of ypStage and the modified Dworak TRG better predicted RFS and OS than ypStage alone. Conclusion The modified Dworak TRG system for evaluation of entire tumors including regional lymph nodes is a better predictor of survival than current TRG systems for evaluation of the primary tumor alone. PMID:26511803

Implications of 187Os isotopic heterogeneities in a mantle plume: evidence from Gorgona Island and Curaçao

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, Richard J.; Storey, Michael; Kerr, Andrew C.; Tarney, John; Arndt, Nicholas T.

1999-03-01

Recent work has suggested that the mafic-ultramafic volcanism in evidence throughout portions of the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America, including the islands of Gorgona and Curaçao, was generated as part of a middle-Cretaceous, large igneous province. New Re-Os isochron results for tholeiitic basalts from Gorgona and Curaçao indicate crystallization ages of 89.2 ± 5.2 and 85.6 ± 8.1 Ma, respectively, consistent with reported Ar ages. The Gorgona ultramafic suite shows a large range in initial Os isotopic composition, with γ Os values ranging from -0.5 to +12.4. This large range reflects isotopic heterogeneities in the mantle source similar to those observed for modern ocean island basalts. In contrast to ocean island basalts, however, Os isotopic compositions do not correlate with variations in Nd, Sr, or Pb isotopic compositions, which are within the range of depleted mid-ocean ridge basalts. The processes that produced these rocks evidently resulted in the decoupling of Os isotopes from the Nd, Sr, and Pb isotopic systems. Picrites from Curaçao have very uniform, chondritic initial Os isotopic compositions, with initial γ Os values ranging only from -0.4 to ±1.4. Basalts from Curaçao, however, define an isochron with a 187Os-enriched initial isotopic composition (γ Os = +9.5). In contrast to the 187Os-enriched ultramafic rocks from Gorgona, the enrichment in these basalts could have resulted from lithospheric contamination. If the Gorgona and Curaçao rocks were derived from the same plume, Os results, combined with Sr, Nd, and Pb data indicate a heterogeneous plume, with multiple compositionally and isotopically distinct domains. The Os isotopic results require derivation of Os from a minimum of two distinct reservoirs, one with a composition very similar to the chondritic average and one with long-term enriched Re/Os. Oceanic crustal recycling has been invoked to explain most of the 187Os enrichments that have been observed in ocean island basalt sources and could potentially apply to the Gorgona suite. Crustal recycling, however, requires large proportions of very ancient recycled basaltic crust in the sources of the 187Os-enriched ultramafic rocks to explain the magnitude of 187Os enrichments observed. For example, addition of 20% oceanic crust to fertile mantle, and nearly 3 billion years are necessary to generate a reservoir with the Os isotopic composition of the most radiogenic komatiites. If the recycled oceanic crust was added to basalt-depleted mantle, as may be indicated by ɛ Nd values for the komatiites averaging about +10, even larger proportions of older crust are required. Large proportions of oceanic mafic crust in the sources of the 187Os-enriched komatiites, although petrologically conceivable under certain melting conditions, is unlikely here given the limited trace element and lithophile isotope system variations. These results raise questions about the efficacy of using Os isotopes to constrain the proportion of recycled oceanic crust in other plumes. Other possible mechanisms for generating 187Os-enriched mantle include invoking the existence of a 187Os-enriched lower mantle, and minor outer core-lower mantle interactions.

Barium-Dispenser Thermionic Cathode

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wintucky, Edwin G.; Green, M.; Feinleib, M.

1989-01-01

Improved reservoir cathode serves as intense source of electrons required for high-frequency and often high-output-power, linear-beam tubes, for which long operating lifetime important consideration. High emission-current densities obtained through use of emitting surface of relatively-low effective work function and narrow work-function distribution, consisting of coat of W/Os deposited by sputtering. Lower operating temperatures and enhanced electron emission consequently possible.

Millisecond timing on PCs and Macs.

PubMed

MacInnes, W J; Taylor, T L

2001-05-01

A real-time, object-oriented solution for displaying stimuli on Windows 95/98, MacOS and Linux platforms is presented. The program, written in C++, utilizes a special-purpose window class (GLWindow), OpenGL, and 32-bit graphics acceleration; it avoids display timing uncertainty by substituting the new window class for the default window code for each system. We report the outcome of tests for real-time capability across PC and Mac platforms running a variety of operating systems. The test program, which can be used as a shell for programming real-time experiments and testing specific processors, is available at http://www.cs.dal.ca/~macinnwj. We propose to provide researchers with a sense of the usefulness of our program, highlight the ability of many multitasking environments to achieve real time, as well as caution users about systems that may not achieve real time, even under optimal conditions.

A new synthesis route for Os-complex modified redox polymers for potential biofuel cell applications.

PubMed

Pöller, Sascha; Beyl, Yvonne; Vivekananthan, Jeevanthi; Guschin, Dmitrii A; Schuhmann, Wolfgang

2012-10-01

A new synthesis route for Os-complex modified redox polymers was developed. Instead of ligand exchange reactions for coordinative binding of suitable precursor Os-complexes at the polymer, Os-complexes already exhibiting the final ligand shell containing a suitable functional group were bound to the polymer via an epoxide opening reaction. By separation of the polymer synthesis from the ligand exchange reaction at the Os-complex, the modification of the same polymer backbone with different Os-complexes or the binding of the same Os-complex to a number of different polymer backbones becomes feasible. In addition, the Os-complex can be purified and characterized prior to its binding to the polymer. In order to further understand and optimize suitable enzyme/redox polymer systems concerning their potential application in biosensors or biofuel cells, a series of redox polymers was synthesized and used as immobilization matrix for Trametes hirsuta laccase. The properties of the obtained biofuel cell cathodes were compared with similar biocatalytic interfaces derived from redox polymers obtained via ligand exchange reaction of the parent Os-complex with a ligand integrated into the polymer backbone during the polymer synthesis. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Re-Os, Sm-Nd, U-Pb, and stepwise lead leaching isotope systematics in shear-zone hosted gold mineralization: genetic tracing and age constraints of crustal hydrothermal activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frei, R.; Nägler, Th. F.; Schönberg, R.; Kramers, J. D.

1998-06-01

A combined Re-Os, Sm-Nd, U-Pb, and stepwise Pb leaching (PbSL) isotope study of hydrothermal (Mo-W)-bearing minerals and base metal sulfides from two adjacent shear zone hosted gold deposits (RAN, Kimberley) in the Harare-Shamva greenstone belt (Zimbabwe) constrain the timing of the mineralizing events to two periods. During an initial Late Archean event (2.60 Ga) a first molybdenite-scheelite bearing paragenesis was deposited in both shear zone systems, followed by a local reactivation of the shear systems during an Early Proterozoic (1.96 Ga) tectono-thermal overprint, during which base metal sulfides and most of the gold was (re-)deposited. While PbSL has revealed an open-system behavior of the U-Pb systematics in molybdenite and wolframite from the RAN mine, initial Archean Re-Os ages are still preserved implying that this system in these minerals was more resistant to the overprint. A similar retentivity could be shown for the Sm-Nd system in scheelite and powellite associated with the above ore minerals. Re-Os isotopic data from the Proterozoic mineralization in the Kimberley mine point to a recent gain of Re, most pronouncedly affecting Fe-rich sulfides such as pyrrhotite. A significant Re-loss in powellitic scheelite (an alteration phase of molybdenite-bearing scheelite), coupled with a marked loss of U in W-Mo ore minerals, complements the observation of a major Re uptake in Fe-sulfides during oxidizing conditions in a weathering environment. Pyrrhotite under these conditions behaves as an efficient Re-sink. Lead isotope signatures from PbSL residues of molybdenite, powellite, and quartz indicate a continental crustal source and/or contamination for the mineralizing fluid by interaction of the fluids with older sedimentary material as represented by the direct host country rocks. Our investigation reveals the potential of the Re-Os isotopic system applied to crustal hydrothermal ore minerals for genetic tracing and dating purposes. The simplified chemical separation of Re and Os from geological material used in this study, together with improvements of chemical yields, will enable high precision data to be collected rapidly on crustal material with low Os concentrations in the future.

Highly siderophile elements in chondrites

USGS Publications Warehouse

Horan, M.F.; Walker, R.J.; Morgan, J.W.; Grossman, J.N.; Rubin, A.E.

2003-01-01

The abundances of the highly siderophile elements (HSE), Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Pt and Pd, were determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry for bulk samples of 13 carbonaceous chondrites, 13 ordinary chondrites and 9 enstatite chondrites. These data are coupled with corresponding 187Re-187Os isotopic data reported by Walker et al. [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 2002] in order to constrain the nature and timing of chemical fractionation relating to these elements in the early solar system. The suite of chondrites examined displays considerable variations in absolute abundances of the HSE, and in the ratios of certain HSE. Absolute abundances of the HSE vary by nearly a factor of 80 among the chondrite groups, although most vary within a factor of only 2. Variations in concentration largely reflect heterogeneities in the sample aliquants. Different aliquants of the same chondrite may contain variable proportions of metal and/or refractory inclusions that are HSE-rich, and sulfides that are HSE-poor. The relatively low concentrations of the HSE in CI1 chondrites likely reflect dilution by the presence of volatile components. Carbonaceous chondrites have Re/Os ratios that are, on average, approximately 8% lower than ratios for ordinary and enstatite chondrites. This is also reflected in 187Os/188Os ratios that are approximately 3% lower for carbonaceous chondrites than for ordinary and enstatite chondrites. Given the similarly refractory natures of Re and Os, this fractionation may have occurred within a narrow range of high temperatures, during condensation of these elements from the solar nebula. Superimposed on this major fractionation are more modest movements of Re or Os that occurred within the last 0-2 Ga, as indicated by minor open-system behavior of the Re-Os isotope systematics of some chondrites. The relative abundances of other HSE can also be used to discriminate among the major classes of chondrites. For example, in comparison to the enstatite chondrites, carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites have distinctly lower ratios of Pd to the more refractory HSE (Re, Os, Ir, Ru and Pt). Differences are particularly well resolved for the EH chondrites that have Pd/Ir ratios that average more than 40% higher than for carbonaceous and ordinary chondrite classes. This fractionation probably occurred at lower temperatures, and may be associated with fractionation processes that also affected the major refractory lithophile elements. Combined, 187Os/188Os ratios and HSE ratios reflect unique early solar system processing of HSE for each major chondrite class. ?? 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Using Behavior Change Techniques to Guide Selections of Mobile Applications to Promote Fluid Consumption.

PubMed

Conroy, David E; Dubansky, Alexandra; Remillard, Joshua; Murray, Robert; Pellegrini, Christine A; Phillips, Siobhan M; Streeper, Necole M

2017-01-01

To determine the extent to which validated techniques for behavior change have been infused in commercially available fluid consumption applications (apps). Coders evaluated behavior change techniques represented in online descriptions for 50 fluid consumption apps and the latest version of each app. Apps incorporated a limited range of behavior change techniques (<20% of taxonomy). The number of techniques varied by operating system but not as a function of whether apps were free or paid. Limitations include the lack of experimental evidence establishing the efficacy of these apps. Patients with urolithiasis can choose from many apps to support the recommended increase in fluid intake. Apps for iOS devices incorporate more behavior change techniques compared to apps for the Android operating system. Free apps are likely to expose patients to a similar number of techniques as paid apps. Physicians and patients should screen app descriptions for features to promote self-monitoring and provide feedback on discrepancies between behavior and a fluid consumption goal. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Through-the-wall surveillance for homeland security and law enforcement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borek, Stanley E.; Clarke, Bernard J.; Costianes, Peter J.

2005-05-01

The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/IF), under sponsorship of the Department of Justice's (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Office of Science and Technology (OS&T), is currently developing and evaluating advanced Through the Wall Surveillance (TWS) technologies. These technologies are partitioned into two categories: inexpensive, handheld systems for locating an individual(s) behind a wall or door; and portable, personal computer (PC) based standoff systems to enable the determination of events during critical incident situations. The technologies utilized are primarily focused on active radars operating in the UHF, L, S (ultra wideband (UWB)), X, and Ku Bands. The data displayed by these systems is indicative of range (1 Dimension), or range and azimuth (2 Dimensions) to the moving individual(s). This paper will highlight the technologies employed in five (5) prototype TWS systems delivered to NIJ and AFRL/IF for test and evaluation. It will discuss the systems backgrounds, applications, current states of evolution, and future plans for enhanced assessment.

System on a chip with MPEG-4 capability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yassa, Fathy; Schonfeld, Dan

2002-12-01

Current products supporting video communication applications rely on existing computer architectures. RISC processors have been used successfully in numerous applications over several decades. DSP processors have become ubiquitous in signal processing and communication applications. Real-time applications such as speech processing in cellular telephony rely extensively on the computational power of these processors. Video processors designed to implement the computationally intensive codec operations have also been used to address the high demands of video communication applications (e.g., cable set-top boxes and DVDs). This paper presents an overview of a system-on-chip (SOC) architecture used for real-time video in wireless communication applications. The SOC specifications answer to the system requirements imposed by the application environment. A CAM-based video processor is used to accelerate data intensive video compression tasks such as motion estimations and filtering. Other components are dedicated to system level data processing and audio processing. A rich set of I/Os allows the SOC to communicate with other system components such as baseband and memory subsystems.

AdA Compiler Validation Summary Report: Certificate Number: 910920W1. 11211 Verdix Corporation, VADS Sun4 SunOS= 68020/30 ARTX, VAda-110-40120, Version 6.0, SPAECstation 2 (Host) to Motorola MVME147 (Target)

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-20

SunOS Release 4.1.1) Target Computer System: Motorola MVME147 (Motorola 68030 Bare Board) Customer Agreement Number: 91-07-16- VRX See section 3.1 for...AVF-VSR-504.0292 18 February 1992 91-07-1 6- VRX Ada COMPILER VALIDATION SUMMARY REPORT: Certificate Number: 910920W1.11211 VERDIX Corporation VADS...SunOS Release 4.1.1) Target Computer System: Motorola MVME147 (Motorola 68030 Bare Board) Customer Agreement Number: 91-07-16- VRX See section 3.1 for

Construction of Weak and Strong Similarity Measures for Ordered Sets of Documents Using Fuzzy Set Techniques.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Egghe, L.; Michel, C.

2003-01-01

Ordered sets (OS) of documents are encountered more and more in information distribution systems, such as information retrieval systems. Classical similarity measures for ordinary sets of documents need to be extended to these ordered sets. This is done in this article using fuzzy set techniques. The practical usability of the OS-measures is…

Space Shuttle Usage of z/OS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, Jan

2009-01-01

This viewgraph presentation gives a detailed description of the avionics associated with the Space Shuttle's data processing system and its usage of z/OS. The contents include: 1) Mission, Products, and Customers; 2) Facility Overview; 3) Shuttle Data Processing System; 4) Languages and Compilers; 5) Application Tools; 6) Shuttle Flight Software Simulator; 7) Software Development and Build Tools; and 8) Fun Facts and Acronyms.

Human Factors Feedback: Brain Acoustic Monitor

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-01

Microsoft Office Excel .................................................................12  iv 4.  Conclusions 13  5.  References 15  Appendix A...Panasonic Toughbook system. †Toughbook is registered trademark of Panasonic Corporation. ‡Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. 4...was preloaded with Microsoft Windows XP service pack 2 OS. This OS is widely used on IBM-style personal computers, and the BAM system did not

Novel immunological and nutritional-based prognostic index for gastric cancer.

PubMed

Sun, Kai-Yu; Xu, Jian-Bo; Chen, Shu-Ling; Yuan, Yu-Jie; Wu, Hui; Peng, Jian-Jun; Chen, Chuang-Qi; Guo, Pi; Hao, Yuan-Tao; He, Yu-Long

2015-05-21

To assess the prognostic significance of immunological and nutritional-based indices, including the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio in gastric cancer. We retrospectively reviewed 632 gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy between 1998 and 2008. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated to compare the predictive ability of the indices, together with estimating the sensitivity, specificity and agreement rate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for overall survival (OS). Propensity score analysis was performed to adjust variables to control for selection bias. Each index could predict OS in gastric cancer patients in univariate analysis, but only PNI had independent prognostic significance in multivariate analysis before and after adjustment with propensity scoring (hazard ratio, 1.668; 95% confidence interval: 1.368-2.035). In subgroup analysis, a low PNI predicted a significantly shorter OS in patients with stage II-III disease (P = 0.019, P < 0.001), T3-T4 tumors (P < 0.001), or lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). Canton score, a combination of PNI, NLR, and platelet, was a better indicator for OS than PNI, with the largest area under the curve for 12-, 36-, 60-mo OS and overall OS (P = 0.022, P = 0.030, P < 0.001, and P = 0.024, respectively). The maximum sensitivity, specificity, and agreement rate of Canton score for predicting prognosis were 84.6%, 34.9%, and 70.1%, respectively. PNI is an independent prognostic factor for OS in gastric cancer. Canton score can be a novel preoperative prognostic index in gastric cancer.

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

Martel, Laura; Smith, Paul; Rizea, Steven

The Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Life Cycle Cost Assessment (OLCCA) is a study performed by members of the Lockheed Martin (LM) OTEC Team under funding from the Department of Energy (DOE), Award No. DE-EE0002663, dated 01/01/2010. OLCCA objectives are to estimate procurement, operations and maintenance, and overhaul costs for two types of OTEC plants: -Plants moored to the sea floor where the electricity produced by the OTEC plant is directly connected to the grid ashore via a marine power cable (Grid Connected OTEC plants) -Open-ocean grazing OTEC plant-ships producing an energy carrier that is transported to designated ports (Energymore » Carrier OTEC plants) Costs are developed using the concept of levelized cost of energy established by DOE for use in comparing electricity costs from various generating systems. One area of system costs that had not been developed in detail prior to this analysis was the operations and sustainment (O&S) cost for both types of OTEC plants. Procurement costs, generally referred to as capital expense and O&S costs (operations and maintenance (O&M) costs plus overhaul and replacement costs), are assessed over the 30 year operational life of the plants and an annual annuity calculated to achieve a levelized cost (constant across entire plant life). Dividing this levelized cost by the average annual energy production results in a levelized cost of electricity, or LCOE, for the OTEC plants. Technical and production efficiency enhancements that could result in a lower value of the OTEC LCOE were also explored. The thermal OTEC resource for Oahu, Hawaii and projected build out plan were developed. The estimate of the OTEC resource and LCOE values for the planned OTEC systems enable this information to be displayed as energy supplied versus levelized cost of the supplied energy; this curve is referred to as an Energy Supply Curve. The Oahu Energy Supply Curve represents initial OTEC deployment starting in 2018 and demonstrates the predicted economies of scale as technology and efficiency improvements are realized and larger more economical plants deployed. Utilizing global high resolution OTEC resource assessment from the Ocean Thermal Extractable Energy Visualization (OTEEV) project (an independent DOE project), Global Energy Supply Curves were generated for Grid Connected and Energy Carrier OTEC plants deployed in 2045 when the predicted technology and efficiencies improvements are fully realized. The Global Energy Supply Curves present the LCOE versus capacity in ascending order with the richest, lowest cost resource locations being harvested first. These curves demonstrate the vast ocean thermal resource and potential OTEC capacity that can be harvested with little change in LCOE.« less

Rice OsMYB5P improves plant phosphate acquisition by regulation of phosphate transporter

PubMed Central

Yun, Dae-Jin; Lee, Kwang Sik; Hong, So Yeon; Bae, Ki Deuk; Chung, Young Soo; Kwon, Yong Sham; Kim, Du Hyun; Jung, Ki Hong

2018-01-01

Myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factors play central roles in plant developmental processes and in responses to nutrient deficiency. In this study, OsMYB5P, an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, was isolated and identified from rice (Oryza sativa L. ‘Dongjin’) under inorganic phosphate (Pi)-deficient conditions. OsMYB5P protein is localized to the nucleus and functions as a transcription activator in plant development. Overexpression of OsMYB5P in rice and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0) increases tolerance to phosphate starvation, whereas OsMYB5P knock-out through RNA interference increases sensitivity to Pi depletion in rice. Furthermore, shoots and roots of transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsMYB5P were longer than those of wild plants under both normal and Pi-deficient conditions. These results indicate that OsMYB5P is associated with the regulation of shoot development and root- system architecture. Overexpression of OsMYB5P led to increased Pi accumulation in shoots and roots. Interestingly, OsMYB5P directly bound to MBS (MYB binding site) motifs on the OsPT5 promoter and induced transcription of OsPT5 in rice. In addition, overexpression of OsMYB5P in Arabidopsis triggered increased expression of AtPht1;3, an Arabidopsis Pi transporter, in shoots and roots under normal and Pi-deficient conditions. Together, these results demonstrate that overexpression of OsMYB5P increases tolerance to Pi deficiency in plants by modulating Pi transporters at the transcriptional level in monocots and dicots. PMID:29566032

Reply to the comment by Wu et al. (2016) on "Behavior of Re and Os during contact between an aqueous solution and oil: Consequences for the application of the Re-Os geochronometer to petroleum" [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 158 (2015) 1-21

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reisberg, Laurie; Michels, Raymond; Mahdaoui, Fatima

2016-08-01

We reply here to the questions raised by Wu et al. concerning the results published by Mahdaoui et al. (2015). This paper describes experiments in which aqueous solutions containing ReO4- and OsCl62- were brought in contact with natural oils at various ranges of concentration, time and temperature. The main observation is that the transfer of Re and Os to oils is very efficient under all experimental conditions. Wu et al. argue that thermodynamic equilibrium was not achieved in these experiments as apparent partition coefficients are inconsistent. They conclude that the experiments were flawed by possible leaking of reactors and that the conclusions by Mahdaoui et al. (2015) were not justified. In the following reply we explain that Mahdaoui et al. (2015) never claimed that thermodynamic equilibrium was achieved. Any calculations or considerations in this context are therefore meaningless. We recall the objectives of our publication, which were to experimentally test the behavior of ReO4- and OsCl6- (two plausible chemical forms of Re and Os in deep aquifers of petroleum systems) in aqueous solution-oil systems. To our knowledge these are the first experiments of their kind. The parameters that could influence the precision and reproducibility of our results were discussed in detail in Mahdaoui et al. (2015). The essential point is that all 60 of the experiments provide evidence of substantial transfer of Re and Os from water to oil. In contrast to what was mistakenly understood by Wu et al., the paper does not challenge the use of Re-Os to date geological events affecting petroleum. Instead, by providing a mechanism that might allow Os isotopic homogenization on a basin-wide scale, a critical step missing from most current models, it offers a possible explanation of how Re-Os geochronology in oils could potentially work. More generally, our study suggests that transfer of Re and Os from waters to oil may be an important phenomenon that should not be overlooked.

Predictive factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib therapy using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis.

PubMed

Nishikawa, Hiroki; Nishijima, Norihiro; Enomoto, Hirayuki; Sakamoto, Azusa; Nasu, Akihiro; Komekado, Hideyuki; Nishimura, Takashi; Kita, Ryuichi; Kimura, Toru; Iijima, Hiroko; Nishiguchi, Shuhei; Osaki, Yukio

2017-01-01

To investigate variables before sorafenib therapy on the clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving sorafenib and to further assess and compare the predictive performance of continuous parameters using time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. A total of 225 HCC patients were analyzed. We retrospectively examined factors related to overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) using univariate and multivariate analyses. Subsequently, we performed time-dependent ROC analysis of continuous parameters which were significant in the multivariate analysis in terms of OS and PFS. Total sum of area under the ROC in all time points (defined as TAAT score) in each case was calculated. Our cohort included 175 male and 50 female patients (median age, 72 years) and included 158 Child-Pugh A and 67 Child-Pugh B patients. The median OS time was 0.68 years, while the median PFS time was 0.24 years. On multivariate analysis, gender, body mass index (BMI), Child-Pugh classification, extrahepatic metastases, tumor burden, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were identified as significant predictors of OS and ECOG-performance status, Child-Pugh classification and extrahepatic metastases were identified as significant predictors of PFS. Among three continuous variables (i.e., BMI, AST and AFP), AFP had the highest TAAT score for the entire cohort. In subgroup analyses, AFP had the highest TAAT score except for Child-Pugh B and female among three continuous variables. In continuous variables, AFP could have higher predictive accuracy for survival in HCC patients undergoing sorafenib therapy.

Diagnostic accuracy of the InBiOS AMD rapid diagnostic test for the detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei antigen in grown blood culture broth.

PubMed

Peeters, Marjan; Chung, Panha; Lin, Hua; Mortelmans, Kristien; Phe, Chhundy; San, Chentha; Kuijpers, Laura Maria Francisca; Teav, Syna; Phe, Thong; Jacobs, Jan

2018-06-01

To assess the diagnostic and operational performance of the InBiOS AMD rapid diagnostic test (RDT) (Seattle, USA) for the detection of B. pseudomallei in grown blood culture broth. The InBiOS RDT is a lateral flow immunoassay in a strip format detecting B. pseudomallei capsular polysaccharide in culture fluids, marketed for research only. Broth of blood culture bottles (BacT/Alert, bioMérieux, Marcy L'Etoile, France) sampled in adult patients at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during 2010-2017 and stored at - 80 °C was tested. They included samples grown with B. pseudomallei (n = 114), samples with no growth (n = 12), and samples with growth of other pathogens (n = 139, among which Burkholderia cepacia (n = 5)). Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 96.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 91.3-98.6%] and 100% [CI: 97.5-100%] respectively. Background clearance and line intensities were good and very good. The RDT's test strip, not housed in a cassette, caused difficulties in manipulation and biosafety. The centrifugation step prescribed by the procedure challenged biosafety, but processing of 19 B. pseudomallei samples without centrifugation showed similar results for line intensity and background clearance, compared to centrifugation. The InBiOS RDT showed excellent accuracy for detection of B. pseudomallei in grown blood culture broth. Provided operational adaptations such as cassette housing, it has the potential to reduce time to diagnosis of melioidosis.

Characteristics and geological significance of Re-Os isotopic system of evaporites in Mboukoumassi deposit, the Republic of Congo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xianfu; Wang, Zongqi; Liu, Chenglin; Li, Chao; Jiao, Pengcheng; Zhao, Yanjun; Zhang, Fan

2018-02-01

Evaporite dating has been an open problem. The study investigates the Re-Os isotopic system in the organic-rich sedimentary rocks to constrain the infilling of sedimentary basin and related geological events. In the Mboukoumassi potash deposit in the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) in West Africa, several layers of organic-rich dark shale were found in the evaporite series. Through drilling core, the dark shale in the evaporite is found to satisfy the requirements of Re-Os isotope test. The result shows that the Re-Os isochron age of the dark shale in the study area ranges from 78.7 ± 1.1 to 96 ± 7 Ma, which is the first precise age of the Mboukoumassi potash deposit in the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), West Africa. Therefore, the age of deposition of this set of evaporite may be Cenomanian-Turonian, which is younger than the age previously thought (around 113-125Ma, Aptian). The Re-Os isotopic dating technique used for the pioneering study on the precise dating of the Mboukoumassi potash deposit provides a new approach to the study of the sedimentary age of ancient evaporite deposits. The initial 187Os/188Os value decreasing from 2.02 ± 0.21 to 0.982 ± 0.03 for the core sample reflects the source rock chang along the core, and this is consistent with the geological evolution of the basin.

Comparison of the prognostic utility of the revised International Prognostic Scoring System and the French Prognostic Scoring System in azacitidine-treated patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

PubMed

Zeidan, Amer M; Lee, Ju-Whei; Prebet, Thomas; Greenberg, Peter; Sun, Zhuoxin; Juckett, Mark; Smith, Mitchell R; Paietta, Elisabeth; Gabrilove, Janice; Erba, Harry P; Tallman, Martin S; Gore, Steven D

2014-08-01

The revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) was developed in a cohort of untreated myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. A French Prognostic Scoring System (FPSS) was recently reported to identify differential survival among azacitidine-treated patients with high-risk MDS. We applied the FPSS and IPSS-R to 150 patients previously randomized to azacitidine monotherapy or a combination of azacitidine with entinostat (a histone deacetylase inhibitor). Neither score predicted response but both discriminated patients with different overall survival (OS; median OS, FPSS: 9·7, 14·7, and 25·3 months, P = 0·018; IPSS-R: 12·5, 11·3, 20·8, and 36 months, P = 0·005). Statistical analysis suggested no improvement in OS prediction for the FPSS over the IPSS-R in azacitidine-treated patients. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Clinical impact of targeted therapies in patients with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

PubMed Central

Nerich, Virginie; Hugues, Marion; Paillard, Marie Justine; Borowski, Laëtitia; Nai, Thierry; Stein, Ulrich; Nguyen Tan Hon, Thierry; Montcuquet, Philippe; Maurina, Tristan; Mouillet, Guillaume; Kleinclauss, François; Pivot, Xavier; Limat, Samuel; Thiery-Vuillemin, Antoine

2014-01-01

Introduction The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to assess, in the context of the recent evolution of systemic therapies, the potential effect of targeted therapies on overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) in daily practice. Patients and methods All consecutive patients with histologically confirmed mccRCC who received systemic therapy between January 2000 and December 2010 in two oncology treatment centers in our Franche-Comté region in eastern France were included in the analysis. The primary end point was OS. The analysis of prognostic factors was performed using a two-step approach: univariate then multivariate analysis with a stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results For the entire cohort of 111 patients, the median OS was 17 months (95% confidence interval [CI]; 13–22 months) and the two-year OS was 39%. Three prognostic factors were independent predictors of long survival: prior nephrectomy (hazard ratio =0.38 [0.22–0.64], P<0.0001); systemic therapy by targeted therapy (hazard ratio =0.50 [0.31–0.80], P=0.005); and lack of liver metastasis (hazard ratio =0.43 [0.22–0.82], P=0.002). Median OS was 21 months [14–29 months] for patients who received at least one targeted therapy compared with 12 months [7–15 months] for patients who were treated only by immunotherapy agents (P=0.003). Conclusion Our results suggest that targeted therapies are associated with improved OS in comparison with cytokines, which is in line with other publications. PMID:24600236

Identification of rice cornichon as a possible cargo receptor for the Golgi-localized sodium transporter OsHKT1;3

PubMed Central

Rosas-Santiago, Paul; Lagunas-Gómez, Daniel; Barkla, Bronwyn J.; Vera-Estrella, Rosario; Lalonde, Sylvie; Jones, Alexander; Frommer, Wolf B.; Zimmermannova, Olga; Sychrová, Hana; Pantoja, Omar

2015-01-01

Membrane proteins are synthesized and folded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and continue their path to their site of residence along the secretory pathway. The COPII system has been identified as a key player for selecting and directing the fate of membrane and secretory cargo proteins. Selection of cargo proteins within the COPII vesicles is achieved by cargo receptors. The cornichon cargo receptor belongs to a conserved protein family found in eukaryotes that has been demonstrated to participate in the selection of integral membrane proteins as cargo for their correct targeting. Here it is demonstrated at the cellular level that rice cornichon OsCNIH1 interacts with OsHKT1;3 and, in yeast cells, enables the expression of the sodium transporter to the Golgi apparatus. Physical and functional HKT–cornichon interactions are confirmed by the mating-based split ubiquitin system, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and Xenopus oocyte and yeast expression systems. The interaction between the two proteins occurs in the ER of plant cells and their co-expression in oocytes leads to the sequestration of the transporter in the ER. In the yeast cornichon mutant erv14, OsHKT1;3 is mistargeted, preventing the toxic effects of sodium transport in the cell observed in wild-type cells or in the erv14 mutant that co-expressed OsHKT1;3 with either OsCNIH1 or Erv14p. Identification and characterization of rice cornichon as a possible cargo receptor opens up the opportunity to improve our knowledge on membrane protein targeting in plant cells. PMID:25750424

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the skull base: results with an aggressive multidisciplinary approach.

PubMed

Ramakrishna, Rohan; Raza, Shaan M; Kupferman, Michael; Hanna, Ehab; DeMonte, Franco

2016-01-01

OBJECT Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a locally aggressive tumor of salivary gland origin. Little data exist to guide treatment when this tumor extends to involve the structures of the skull base. METHODS Fifty-one patients with a diagnosis of ACC affecting the skull base were identified from a prospective database at MD Anderson Cancer Center (from 1992 to 2010). RESULTS Median follow-up for study patients was 6.75 years. The 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 78% and 50%, respectively. Sixty-six percent of patients had progression of their disease. The 5- and 10-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 46.7% and 21.0%, respectively. Gross-total resection was achieved in 75% of patients, with 49% having microscopically negative margins at the time of first operation. On univariate analysis, resections with microscopically negative margins were associated with a significant OS advantage (20.1 ± 3.3 years) compared with resections that left residual disease, even if microscopic (10.3 ± 1.6 years, p = 0.035). In patients who underwent reoperation, the effect persisted, with improved OS in those with negative margins (21.4 ± 0.0 vs 16.7 ± 4.0 years, p = 0.06). The use of adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with an OS advantage (16.2 ± 2.5 vs 5.5 ± 2.2 years, p = 0.03) at initial diagnosis and improved PFS (7.8 ± 1.0 vs 2.1 ± 0.62 years, p = 0.005), whereas repeat irradiation provided no benefit. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy at diagnosis or at recurrence was not associated with any significant advantage. Multivariate analysis revealed margin-negative resection at initial operation and at recurrence retained OS significance, even after controlling for age, radiation therapy, and T stage. CONCLUSIONS ACC of the skull base is best treated with a multidisciplinary approach aimed at maximal, safe resection. Adjuvant radiotherapy should be offered, whereas chemotherapy does not confer benefit.

Osmium mass balance in peridotite and the effects of mantle-derived sulphides on basalt petrogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harvey, J.; Dale, C. W.; Gannoun, A.; Burton, K. W.

2011-10-01

Analyses of enriched mantle (EM)-basalts, using lithophile element-based isotope systems, have long provided evidence for discrete mantle reservoirs with variable composition. Upon partial melting, the mantle reservoir imparts its isotopic fingerprint upon the partial melt produced. However, it has increasingly been recognised that it may not be simple to delimit these previously well-defined mantle reservoirs; the "mantle zoo" may contain more reservoirs than previously envisaged. Here we demonstrate that a simple model with varying contributions from two populations of compositionally distinct mantle sulphides can readily account for the observed heterogeneities in Os isotope systematics of such basalts without additional mantle reservoirs. Osmium elemental and isotopic analyses of individual sulphide grains separated from spinel lherzolites from Kilbourne Hole, New Mexico, USA demonstrate that two discrete populations of mantle sulphide exist in terms of both Re-Os systematics and textural relationship with co-existing silicates. One population, with a rounded morphology, is preserved in silicate grains and typically possesses high [Os] and low [Re] with unradiogenic, typically sub-chondritic 187Os/ 188Os attributable to long term isolation in a low-Re environment. By contrast, irregular-shaped sulphides, preserved along silicate grain boundaries, possess low [Os], higher [Re] and a wider range of, but generally supra-chondritic 187Os/ 188Os ([Os] typically ⩽ 1-2 ppm, 187Os/ 188Os ⩽ 0.3729; this study). This population is thought to represent metasomatic sulphide. Uncontaminated silicate phases contain negligible Os (<100 ppt) therefore the Os elemental and isotope composition of basalts is dominated by volumetrically insignificant sulphide ([Os] ⩽ 37 ppm; this study). During the early stages of partial melting, supra-chondritic interstitial sulphides are mobilised and incorporated into the melt, adding their radiogenic 187Os/ 188Os signature. Only when sulphides armoured within silicates are exposed to the melt through continued partial melting will enclosed sulphides add their high [Os] and unradiogenic 187Os/ 188Os to the aggregate melt. Platinum-group element data for whole rocks are also consistent with this scenario. The sequence of (i) addition of all of the metasomatic sulphide, followed by (ii) the incorporation of small amounts of armoured sulphide can thus account for the range of both [Os] and 187Os/ 188Os of EM-basalts worldwide without the need for contributions from additional silicate mantle reservoirs.

Mesoarchean melting and Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic metasomatism during the formation of the cratonic mantle keel beneath West Greenland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Acken, D.; Luguet, A.; Pearson, D. G.; Nowell, G. M.; Fonseca, R. O. C.; Nagel, T. J.; Schulz, T.

2017-04-01

Highly siderophile element (HSE) concentration and 187Os/188Os isotopic heterogeneity has been observed on various scales in the Earth's mantle. Interaction of residual mantle peridotite with infiltrating melts has been suggested to overprint primary bulk rock HSE signatures originating from partial melting, contributing to the heterogeneity seen in the global peridotite database. Here we present a detailed study of harzburgitic xenolith 474527 from the Kangerlussuaq suite, West Greenland, coupling the Re-Os isotope geochemistry with petrography of both base metal sulfides (BMS) and silicates to assess the impact of overprint induced by melt-rock reaction on the Re-Os isotope system. Garnet harzburgite sample 474527 shows considerable heterogeneity in the composition of its major phases, most notably olivine and Cr-rich garnet, suggesting formation through multiple stages of partial melting and subsequent metasomatic events. The major BMS phases show a fairly homogeneous pentlandite-rich composition typical for BMS formed via metasomatic reaction, whereas the 187Os/188Os compositions determined for 17 of these BMS are extremely heterogeneous ranging between 0.1037 and 0.1981. Analyses by LA-ICP-MS reveal at least two populations of BMS grains characterized by contrasting HSE patterns. One type of pattern is strongly enriched in the more compatible HSE Os, Ir, and Ru over the typically incompatible Pt, Pd, and Re, while the other type shows moderate enrichment of the more incompatible HSE and has overall lower compatible HSE/incompatible HSE composition. The small-scale heterogeneity observed in these BMS highlights the need for caution when utilizing the Re-Os system to date mantle events, as even depleted harzburgite samples such as 474527 are likely to have experienced a complex history of metasomatic overprinting, with uncertain effects on the HSE.

Heterotypic mouse models of canine osteosarcoma recapitulate tumor heterogeneity and biological behavior

PubMed Central

Tomiyasu, Hirotaka; Garbe, John R.; Cornax, Ingrid; Amaya, Clarissa; O'Sullivan, M. Gerard; Subramanian, Subbaya

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Osteosarcoma (OS) is a heterogeneous and rare disease with a disproportionate impact because it mainly affects children and adolescents. Lamentably, more than half of patients with OS succumb to metastatic disease. Clarification of the etiology of the disease, development of better strategies to manage progression, and methods to guide personalized treatments are among the unmet health needs for OS patients. Progress in managing the disease has been hindered by the extreme heterogeneity of OS; thus, better models that accurately recapitulate the natural heterogeneity of the disease are needed. For this study, we used cell lines derived from two spontaneous canine OS tumors with distinctly different biological behavior (OS-1 and OS-2) for heterotypic in vivo modeling that recapitulates the heterogeneous biology and behavior of this disease. Both cell lines demonstrated stability of the transcriptome when grown as orthotopic xenografts in athymic nude mice. Consistent with the behavior of the original tumors, OS-2 xenografts grew more rapidly at the primary site and had greater propensity to disseminate to lung and establish microscopic metastasis. Moreover, OS-2 promoted formation of a different tumor-associated stromal environment than OS-1 xenografts. OS-2-derived tumors comprised a larger percentage of the xenograft tumors than OS-1-derived tumors. In addition, a robust pro-inflammatory population dominated the stromal cell infiltrates in OS-2 xenografts, whereas a mesenchymal population with a gene signature reflecting myogenic signaling dominated those in the OS-1 xenografts. Our studies show that canine OS cell lines maintain intrinsic features of the tumors from which they were derived and recapitulate the heterogeneous biology and behavior of bone cancer in mouse models. This system provides a resource to understand essential interactions between tumor cells and the stromal environment that drive the progression and metastatic propensity of OS. PMID:27874835

Heterotypic mouse models of canine osteosarcoma recapitulate tumor heterogeneity and biological behavior.

PubMed

Scott, Milcah C; Tomiyasu, Hirotaka; Garbe, John R; Cornax, Ingrid; Amaya, Clarissa; O'Sullivan, M Gerard; Subramanian, Subbaya; Bryan, Brad A; Modiano, Jaime F

2016-12-01

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a heterogeneous and rare disease with a disproportionate impact because it mainly affects children and adolescents. Lamentably, more than half of patients with OS succumb to metastatic disease. Clarification of the etiology of the disease, development of better strategies to manage progression, and methods to guide personalized treatments are among the unmet health needs for OS patients. Progress in managing the disease has been hindered by the extreme heterogeneity of OS; thus, better models that accurately recapitulate the natural heterogeneity of the disease are needed. For this study, we used cell lines derived from two spontaneous canine OS tumors with distinctly different biological behavior (OS-1 and OS-2) for heterotypic in vivo modeling that recapitulates the heterogeneous biology and behavior of this disease. Both cell lines demonstrated stability of the transcriptome when grown as orthotopic xenografts in athymic nude mice. Consistent with the behavior of the original tumors, OS-2 xenografts grew more rapidly at the primary site and had greater propensity to disseminate to lung and establish microscopic metastasis. Moreover, OS-2 promoted formation of a different tumor-associated stromal environment than OS-1 xenografts. OS-2-derived tumors comprised a larger percentage of the xenograft tumors than OS-1-derived tumors. In addition, a robust pro-inflammatory population dominated the stromal cell infiltrates in OS-2 xenografts, whereas a mesenchymal population with a gene signature reflecting myogenic signaling dominated those in the OS-1 xenografts. Our studies show that canine OS cell lines maintain intrinsic features of the tumors from which they were derived and recapitulate the heterogeneous biology and behavior of bone cancer in mouse models. This system provides a resource to understand essential interactions between tumor cells and the stromal environment that drive the progression and metastatic propensity of OS. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

An Examination of the Relationship between Usage and Operating and Support Costs for Air Force Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

usage and O&S costs hours will inform Air Force leadership on how to better allocate its budget resources. We provide an overview of issues related...the Relationship Between Usage and Operating and Support Costs for Air Force Aircraft 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT...An Examination of the Relationship Between Usage and Operating and Support Costs for Air Force Aircraft Eric J. Unger This document was submitted as

Local Treatment of Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: Results of a Randomized Phase II Trial

PubMed Central

Van Coevorden, Frits; Punt, Cornelis J. A.; Pierie, Jean-Pierre E. N.; Borel-Rinkes, Inne; Ledermann, Jonathan A.; Poston, Graeme; Bechstein, Wolf; Lentz, Marie-Ange; Mauer, Murielle; Folprecht, Gunnar; Van Cutsem, Eric; Ducreux, Michel; Nordlinger, Bernard

2017-01-01

Background: Tumor ablation is often employed for unresectable colorectal liver metastases. However, no survival benefit has ever been demonstrated in prospective randomized studies. Here, we investigate the long-term benefits of such an aggressive approach. Methods: In this randomized phase II trial, 119 patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (n < 10 and no extrahepatic disease) received systemic treatment alone or systemic treatment plus aggressive local treatment by radiofrequency ablation ± resection. Previously, we reported that the primary end point (30-month overall survival [OS] > 38%) was met. We now report on long-term OS results. All statistical tests were two-sided. The analyses were according to intention to treat. Results: At a median follow up of 9.7 years, 92 of 119 (77.3%) patients had died: 39 of 60 (65.0%) in the combined modality arm and 53 of 59 (89.8%) in the systemic treatment arm. Almost all patients died of progressive disease (35 patients in the combined modality arm, 49 patients in the systemic treatment arm). There was a statistically significant difference in OS in favor of the combined modality arm (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38 to 0.88, P = .01). Three-, five-, and eight-year OS were 56.9% (95% CI = 43.3% to 68.5%), 43.1% (95% CI = 30.3% to 55.3%), 35.9% (95% CI = 23.8% to 48.2%), respectively, in the combined modality arm and 55.2% (95% CI = 41.6% to 66.9%), 30.3% (95% CI = 19.0% to 42.4%), 8.9% (95% CI = 3.3% to 18.1%), respectively, in the systemic treatment arm. Median OS was 45.6 months (95% CI = 30.3 to 67.8 months) in the combined modality arm vs 40.5 months (95% CI = 27.5 to 47.7 months) in the systemic treatment arm. Conclusions: This phase II trial is the first randomized study demonstrating that aggressive local treatment can prolong OS in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases. PMID:28376151

Local Treatment of Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: Results of a Randomized Phase II Trial.

PubMed

Ruers, Theo; Van Coevorden, Frits; Punt, Cornelis J A; Pierie, Jean-Pierre E N; Borel-Rinkes, Inne; Ledermann, Jonathan A; Poston, Graeme; Bechstein, Wolf; Lentz, Marie-Ange; Mauer, Murielle; Folprecht, Gunnar; Van Cutsem, Eric; Ducreux, Michel; Nordlinger, Bernard

2017-09-01

Tumor ablation is often employed for unresectable colorectal liver metastases. However, no survival benefit has ever been demonstrated in prospective randomized studies. Here, we investigate the long-term benefits of such an aggressive approach. In this randomized phase II trial, 119 patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (n < 10 and no extrahepatic disease) received systemic treatment alone or systemic treatment plus aggressive local treatment by radiofrequency ablation ± resection. Previously, we reported that the primary end point (30-month overall survival [OS] > 38%) was met. We now report on long-term OS results. All statistical tests were two-sided. The analyses were according to intention to treat. At a median follow up of 9.7 years, 92 of 119 (77.3%) patients had died: 39 of 60 (65.0%) in the combined modality arm and 53 of 59 (89.8%) in the systemic treatment arm. Almost all patients died of progressive disease (35 patients in the combined modality arm, 49 patients in the systemic treatment arm). There was a statistically significant difference in OS in favor of the combined modality arm (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38 to 0.88, P = .01). Three-, five-, and eight-year OS were 56.9% (95% CI = 43.3% to 68.5%), 43.1% (95% CI = 30.3% to 55.3%), 35.9% (95% CI = 23.8% to 48.2%), respectively, in the combined modality arm and 55.2% (95% CI = 41.6% to 66.9%), 30.3% (95% CI = 19.0% to 42.4%), 8.9% (95% CI = 3.3% to 18.1%), respectively, in the systemic treatment arm. Median OS was 45.6 months (95% CI = 30.3 to 67.8 months) in the combined modality arm vs 40.5 months (95% CI = 27.5 to 47.7 months) in the systemic treatment arm. This phase II trial is the first randomized study demonstrating that aggressive local treatment can prolong OS in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

Perioperative chemotherapy more of a benefit for overall survival than adjuvant chemotherapy for operable gastric cancer: an updated Meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Yang, Ya’nan; Yin, Xue; Sheng, Lei; Xu, Shan; Dong, Lingling; Liu, Lian

2015-01-01

To clarify the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on the survival outcomes of operable gastric cancers, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomized clinical trials published until June 2014 that compared NAC-containing strategies with NAC-free strategies in patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach or the esophagogastric junction, who had undergone potentially curative resection. The adjusted pooled hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS) was insignificant when comparing the NAC-containing arm with the NAC-free arm. Subgroup analysis showed that the OS of the treatment arm that involved both adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) and NAC was significantly improved over the control arm (AC only) (HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.35–0.67; P < 0.001). While NAC alone plus surgery did not show any survival benefit over surgery alone. Perioperative chemotherapy (PC) also showed a significant increase in PFS and a significant reduction in distant metastasis compared to surgery alone. Therefore, in patients with resectable gastric cancer, NAC alone is not enough and AC alone is not good enough to definitely improve their OS. Collectively, PC combined with surgery could maximize the survival benefit for patients with resectable gastric cancer. PMID:26242393

Surrogacy of progression free survival for overall survival in metastatic breast cancer studies: Meta-analyses of published studies.

PubMed

Kundu, Madan G; Acharyya, Suddhasatta

2017-02-01

PFS is often used as a surrogate endpoint for OS in metastatic breast cancer studies. We have evaluated the association of treatment effect on PFS with significant HR OS (and how this association is affected by other factors) in published prospective metastatic breast cancer studies. A systematic literature search in PubMed identified prospective metastatic breast cancer studies. Treatment effects on PFS were determined using hazard ratio (HR PFS ), increase in median PFS (ΔMED PFS ) and % increase in median PFS (%ΔMED PFS ). Diagnostic accuracy of PFS measures (HR PFS , ΔMED PFS and %ΔMED PFS ) in predicting significant HR OS was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and classification tree approach (CART). Seventy-four cases (i.e., treatment to control comparisons) from 65 individual publications were identified for the analyses. Of these, 16 cases reported significant treatment effect on HR OS at 5% level of significance. Median number of deaths reported in these cases were 153. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) for diagnostic measures as HR PFS , ΔMED PFS and %ΔMED PFS were 0.69, 0.70 and 0.75, respectively. Classification tree results identified %ΔMED PFS and number of deaths as diagnostic measure for significant HR OS . Only 7.9% (3/39) cases with ΔMED PFS shorter than 48.27% reported significant HR OS . There were 7 cases with ΔMED PFS of 48.27% or more and number of deaths reported as 227 or more - of these 5 cases reported significant HR OS . %ΔMED PFS was found to be a better diagnostic measure for predicting significant HR OS . Our analysis results also suggest that consideration of total number of deaths may further improve its diagnostic performance. Based on our study results, the studies with 50% improvement in median PFS are more likely to produce significant HR OS if the total number of OS events at the time of analysis is 227 or more. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Leukocytosis and neutrophilia predict outcome in locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with definitive chemoradiation

PubMed Central

Schernberg, Antoine; Moureau-Zabotto, Laurence; Del Campo, Eleonor Rivin; Escande, Alexandre; Ducreux, Michel; Nguyen, France; Goere, Diane; Chargari, Cyrus; Deutsch, Eric

2017-01-01

Purpose To investigate the prognostic value of leukocyte and neutrophil count as biomarkers in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) undergoing exclusive chemoradiation. Results A total of 126 patients were identified. Respectively, 33% and 35% displayed baseline leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Estimated 3-year OS and PFS from chemoradiation completion were 31% and 25%, respectively. In univariate analysis, both leukocytosis and neutrophilia were associated with worse OS, PFS, and LRC (p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, leukocytosis remained an independent risk factor associated with poorer OS, PFS and LRC (p < 0.05), independently from tumor stage and length, with higher prognostic value for OS compared with patients’ performance status (PS). Materials and Methods Bi-institutional clinical records from consecutive non-operable patients treated between 2003 and 2015 with definitive chemoradiation for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma were reviewed. Leukocytosis and neutrophilia were defined as a leukocyte or neutrophil count over 10 G/L and 7 G/L, respectively. These parameters were studied for their potential correlation with overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), locoregional control (LRC) and distant metastases control (DMC). Conclusions Leukocytosis and neutrophilia were independent prognostic factors of poor OS, PFS, and LRC in this bi-institutional series of locally advanced esophageal SCC treated with definitive chemoradiation. Although prospective confirmation is warranted, it is suggested that the leukocyte and neutrophil count parameters might be clinically relevant biomarkers to be considered for further clinical investigations. PMID:28086222

Recommendation for incorporation of a different lymph node scoring system in future AJCC N category for oral cancer.

PubMed

Lee, Ching-Chih; Su, Yu-Chieh; Hung, Shih-Kai; Chen, Po-Chun; Huang, Chung-I; Huang, Wei-Lun; Lin, Yu-Wei; Yang, Ching-Chieh

2017-10-26

To compare the prognostic value of 3 different lymph node scoring systems " log odds of positive nodes (LODDS), lymph node ratio (rN), and lymph node yield " in an effort to improve the staging of oral cancer. We identified 3958 oral cancer patients from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2007 to 2013. In univariate analysis, LODDS, pN, rN, and lymph node yield were prognostic factors for 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis indicated that patients with LODDS 4 had worst 5-year DSS and OS. Stage migration occurred in pN1 and pN2 patients with LODDS 4. In pN1 patients, those with LODDS 4 had the worst 5-year DSS (41.2%) and OS (31.6%) than patients with pN1 and LODDS 2-3. In pN2 patients, those with LODDS4 had the worst 5-year DSS (34.5%) and OS (27.4%) than patients with pN2 and LODDS 2-3. The proposed staging system, which incorporates LODDS with AJCC pN, had better discriminability and prediction accuracy for predicting survival. We also noted that patients with LODDS 4 given adjuvant radiotherapy had better 5-year DSS and OS. The LODDS should be considered as a future candidate measurement for N category in oral cancer.

An XA21-Associated Kinase (OsSERK2) Regulates Immunity Mediated by the XA21 and XA3 Immune Receptors

PubMed Central

Chen, Xuewei; Zuo, Shimin; Schwessinger, Benjamin; Chern, Mawsheng; Canlas, Patrick E.; Ruan, Deling; Zhou, Xiaogang; Wang, Jing; Daudi, Arsalan; Petzold, Christopher J.; Heazlewood, Joshua L.; Ronald, Pamela C.

2014-01-01

The rice XA21 immune receptor kinase and the structurally related XA3 receptor confer immunity to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the causal agent of bacterial leaf blight. Here we report the isolation of OsSERK2 (rice somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase 2) and demonstrate that OsSERK2 positively regulates immunity mediated by XA21 and XA3 as well as the rice immune receptor FLS2 (OsFLS2). Rice plants silenced for OsSerk2 display altered morphology and reduced sensitivity to the hormone brassinolide. OsSERK2 interacts with the intracellular domains of each immune receptor in the yeast two-hybrid system in a kinase activity-dependent manner. OsSERK2 undergoes bidirectional transphosphorylation with XA21 in vitro and forms a constitutive complex with XA21 in vivo. These results demonstrate an essential role for OsSERK2 in the function of three rice immune receptors and suggest that direct interaction with the rice immune receptors is critical for their function. Taken together, our findings suggest that the mechanism of OsSERK2-meditated regulation of rice XA21, XA3, and FLS2 differs from that of AtSERK3/BAK1-mediated regulation of Arabidopsis FLS2 and EFR. PMID:24482436

Comprehensive Locoregional Treatment and Systemic Therapy for Postmastectomy Isolated Locoregional Recurrence

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

Kuo, S.-H.; Cancer Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan

2008-12-01

Purpose: To assess the impact of comprehensive locoregional therapy and systemic therapy on disease control and survival for postmastectomy patients with isolated locoregional recurrence (ILRR). Methods and Materials: A total of 115 postmastectomy breast cancer patients treated for ILRR were included. Of the patients, 98 underwent comprehensive locoregional treatment (local tumor excision plus postoperative radiotherapy), and 17 received definitive radiotherapy alone. Involved-field radiotherapy was given to 69 patients, whereas entire-field radiotherapy (both involved-field and elective-field, involving the chest wall and regional lymphatics) was given to 46 patients. Systemic therapy consisting of hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or both was given to 69%more » of patients. Results: Patients treated with comprehensive locoregional treatment had a significantly better 5-year invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and overall survival (OS) after ILRR than patients treated with definitive radiotherapy alone (IDFS rate, 51% vs. 16%, p = 0.006; OS rate, 62% vs. 37%, p = 0.017). Patients with the most comprehensive locoregional treatment (recurrent tumor excision and entire-field radiotherapy) and systemic therapy had a significantly better 5-year IDFS and OS than patients given either treatment or neither treatment (IDFS rate, 52% vs. 39%, p = 0.011; OS rate, 63% vs. 50%, p = 0.026). Multivariate analysis revealed that positive axillary lymph nodes, Grade III tumor, negative estrogen and progesterone receptor status at primary diagnosis, disease-free interval of less than 2 years, and less comprehensive locoregional treatment were significantly associated with worse IDFS and OS. Conclusions: Use of comprehensive locoregional therapy and systemic therapy can achieve good survival outcome in a substantial proportion of postmastectomy patients with ILRR.« less

Intrusion detection system using Online Sequence Extreme Learning Machine (OS-ELM) in advanced metering infrastructure of smart grid.

PubMed

Li, Yuancheng; Qiu, Rixuan; Jing, Sitong

2018-01-01

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) realizes a two-way communication of electricity data through by interconnecting with a computer network as the core component of the smart grid. Meanwhile, it brings many new security threats and the traditional intrusion detection method can't satisfy the security requirements of AMI. In this paper, an intrusion detection system based on Online Sequence Extreme Learning Machine (OS-ELM) is established, which is used to detecting the attack in AMI and carrying out the comparative analysis with other algorithms. Simulation results show that, compared with other intrusion detection methods, intrusion detection method based on OS-ELM is more superior in detection speed and accuracy.

Develop and test fuel cell powered on-site integrated total energy systems: Phase 3: Full-scale power plant development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

The development of a commercially viable and cost-effective phospheric acid fuel cell powered on-site integrated energy system (OS/IES) is described. The fuel cell offers energy efficients in the range of 35-40% of the higher heating value of available fuels in the form of electrical energy. In addition, by utilizing the thermal energy generated for heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC), a fuel cell OS/IES could provide total energy efficiencies in the neighborhood of 80%. Also, the Engelhard fuel cell OS/IES offers the important incentive of replacing imported oil with domestically produced methanol, including coal-derived methanol.

Rhenium-osmium isotope and highly-siderophile-element abundance systematics of angrite meteorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riches, Amy J. V.; Day, James M. D.; Walker, Richard J.; Simonetti, Antonio; Liu, Yang; Neal, Clive R.; Taylor, Lawrence A.

2012-11-01

Coupled 187Os/188Os compositions and highly-siderophile-element (HSE: Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, and Re) abundance data are reported for eight angrite achondrite meteorites that include quenched- and slowly-cooled textural types. These data are combined with new major- and trace-element concentrations determined for bulk-rock powder fractions and constituent mineral phases, to assess angrite petrogenesis. Angrite meteorites span a wide-range of HSE abundances from <0.005 ppb Os (e.g., Northwest Africa [NWA] 1296; Angra dos Reis) to >100 ppb Os (NWA 4931). Chondritic to supra-chondritic 187Os/188Os (0.1201-0.2127) measured for Angra dos Reis and quenched-angrites correspond to inter- and intra-sample heterogeneities in Re/Os and HSE abundances. Quenched-angrites have chondritic-relative rare-earth-element (REE) abundances at 10-15×CI-chondrite, and their Os-isotope and HSE abundance variations represent mixtures of pristine uncontaminated crustal materials that experienced addition (<0.8%) of exogenous chondritic materials during or after crystallization. Slowly-cooled angrites (NWA 4590 and NWA 4801) have fractionated REE-patterns, chondritic to sub-chondritic 187Os/188Os (0.1056-0.1195), as well as low-Re/Os (0.03-0.13), Pd/Os (0.071-0.946), and relatively low-Pt/Os (0.792-2.640). Sub-chondritic 187Os/188Os compositions in NWA 4590 and NWA 4801 are unusual amongst planetary basalts, and their HSE and REE characteristics may be linked to melting of mantle sources that witnessed prior basaltic melt depletion. Angrite HSE-Yb systematics suggest that the HSE behaved moderately-incompatibly during angrite magma crystallization, implying the presence of metal in the crystallizing assemblage. The new HSE abundance and 187Os/188Os compositions indicate that the silicate mantle of the angrite parent body(ies) (APB) had HSE abundances in chondritic-relative proportions but at variable abundances at the time of angrite crystallization. The HSE systematics of angrites are consistent with protracted post-core formation accretion of materials with chondritic-relative abundances of HSE to the APB, and these accreted materials were rapidly, yet inefficiently, mixed into angrite magma source regions early in Solar System history.

Genomic Heterogeneity of Osteosarcoma - Shift from Single Candidates to Functional Modules

PubMed Central

Maugg, Doris; Eckstein, Gertrud; Baumhoer, Daniel; Nathrath, Michaela; Korsching, Eberhard

2015-01-01

Osteosarcoma (OS), a bone tumor, exhibit a complex karyotype. On the genomic level a highly variable degree of alterations in nearly all chromosomal regions and between individual tumors is observable. This hampers the identification of common drivers in OS biology. To identify the common molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of OS, we follow the hypothesis that all the copy number-associated differences between the patients are intercepted on the level of the functional modules. The implementation is based on a network approach utilizing copy number associated genes in OS, paired expression data and protein interaction data. The resulting functional modules of tightly connected genes were interpreted regarding their biological functions in OS and their potential prognostic significance. We identified an osteosarcoma network assembling well-known and lesser-known candidates. The derived network shows a significant connectivity and modularity suggesting that the genes affected by the heterogeneous genetic alterations share the same biological context. The network modules participate in several critical aspects of cancer biology like DNA damage response, cell growth, and cell motility which is in line with the hypothesis of specifically deregulated but functional modules in cancer. Further, we could deduce genes with possible prognostic significance in OS for further investigation (e.g. EZR, CDKN2A, MAP3K5). Several of those module genes were located on chromosome 6q. The given systems biological approach provides evidence that heterogeneity on the genomic and expression level is ordered by the biological system on the level of the functional modules. Different genomic aberrations are pointing to the same cellular network vicinity to form vital, but already neoplastically altered, functional modules maintaining OS. This observation, exemplarily now shown for OS, has been under discussion already for a longer time, but often in a hypothetical manner, and can here be exemplified for OS. PMID:25848766

AESS: Accelerated Exact Stochastic Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jenkins, David D.; Peterson, Gregory D.

2011-12-01

The Stochastic Simulation Algorithm (SSA) developed by Gillespie provides a powerful mechanism for exploring the behavior of chemical systems with small species populations or with important noise contributions. Gene circuit simulations for systems biology commonly employ the SSA method, as do ecological applications. This algorithm tends to be computationally expensive, so researchers seek an efficient implementation of SSA. In this program package, the Accelerated Exact Stochastic Simulation Algorithm (AESS) contains optimized implementations of Gillespie's SSA that improve the performance of individual simulation runs or ensembles of simulations used for sweeping parameters or to provide statistically significant results. Program summaryProgram title: AESS Catalogue identifier: AEJW_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEJW_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: University of Tennessee copyright agreement No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 10 861 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 394 631 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: C for processors, CUDA for NVIDIA GPUs Computer: Developed and tested on various x86 computers and NVIDIA C1060 Tesla and GTX 480 Fermi GPUs. The system targets x86 workstations, optionally with multicore processors or NVIDIA GPUs as accelerators. Operating system: Tested under Ubuntu Linux OS and CentOS 5.5 Linux OS Classification: 3, 16.12 Nature of problem: Simulation of chemical systems, particularly with low species populations, can be accurately performed using Gillespie's method of stochastic simulation. Numerous variations on the original stochastic simulation algorithm have been developed, including approaches that produce results with statistics that exactly match the chemical master equation (CME) as well as other approaches that approximate the CME. Solution method: The Accelerated Exact Stochastic Simulation (AESS) tool provides implementations of a wide variety of popular variations on the Gillespie method. Users can select the specific algorithm considered most appropriate. Comparisons between the methods and with other available implementations indicate that AESS provides the fastest known implementation of Gillespie's method for a variety of test models. Users may wish to execute ensembles of simulations to sweep parameters or to obtain better statistical results, so AESS supports acceleration of ensembles of simulation using parallel processing with MPI, SSE vector units on x86 processors, and/or using NVIDIA GPUs with CUDA.

[Oncological outcomes of combined therapy in patients with cervical carcinoma FIGO stage IIB].

PubMed

Kornovski, Y; Ismail, E; Kaneva, M

2012-01-01

To establish the overall and disease-free survival and the role of surgery as well as in cervical cancer stage IIB (FIGO) patients submitted to combined radiotherapy and surgery. Between 2003-2011 86 patients with cervical cancer stage IIB had been operated on. Five patients were operated on after neoajuvant chemotherapy. Thirty one women (group 3) had primary pelvic surgery (radical hysterectomy class III and lymphonodulectomy) and adjuvant RT until 52 Gy and 50 women were operated on after preoperative RT (30 Gy) and were submitted to adjuvant RT until 52 Gy (group 4). After median follow of 45 months the acturial overall and disease-free survival (OS and DFS) were estimated as 75.6% and 77.9% respectively for all patients staged IIB (FIGO). In group 3 the incidence of local relapses and distant metastases was 9.7% and 12.9%, respectively and in group 4--local and distant recurrences were 6% and 14%, respectively. The acturial OS and DFS for group 3 were 80.6% and 77.5%, respectively and for group 4--76% and 80% (NS). Combinated treatment (RT and pelvic surgery) produce reliable local control of the disease (cervical cancer IIB stage) but is ineffective for metastases outside the small pelvis which is the cause of worse survival of patients with cervical cancer stage IIB (FIGO). Preoperative RT (group 4) doesn't change the OS and DFS significantly. The main indication for surgery in patients with cervical cancer stage IIB is the surgical staging (pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection) which enables the appropriate individual treatment planning.

PRay - A graphical user interface for interactive visualization and modification of rayinvr models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fromm, T.

2016-01-01

PRay is a graphical user interface for interactive displaying and editing of velocity models for seismic refraction. It is optimized for editing rayinvr models but can also be used as a dynamic viewer for ray tracing results from other software. The main features are the graphical editing of nodes and fast adjusting of the display (stations and phases). It can be extended by user-defined shell scripts and links to phase picking software. PRay is open source software written in the scripting language Perl, runs on Unix-like operating systems including Mac OS X and provides a version controlled source code repository for community development (https://sourceforge.net/projects/pray-plot-rayinvr/).

WOD - Weather On Demand forecasting system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rognvaldsson, Olafur; Ragnarsson, Logi; Stanislawska, Karolina

2017-04-01

The backbone of the Belgingur forecasting system (called WOD - Weather On Demand) is the WRF-Chem atmospheric model, with a number of in-house customisations. Initial and boundary data are taken from the Global Forecasting System, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Operational forecasts use cycling of a number of parameters, mainly deep soil and surface fields. This is done to minimise spin-up effects and to ensure proper book-keeping of hydrological fields such as snow accumulation and runoff, as well as the constituents of various chemical parameters. The WOD system can be used to create conventional short- to medium-range weather forecasts for any location on the globe. The WOD system can also be used for air quality purposes (e.g. dispersion forecasts from volcanic eruptions) and as a tool to provide input to other modelling systems, such as hydrological models. A wide variety of post-processing options are also available, making WOD an ideal tool for creating highly customised output that can be tailored to the specific needs of individual end-users. The most recent addition to the WOD system is an integrated verification system where forecasts can be compared to surface observations from chosen locations. Forecast visualisation, such as weather charts, meteograms, weather icons and tables, is done via number of web components that can be configured to serve the varying needs of different end-users. The WOD system itself can be installed in an automatic way on hardware running a range of Linux based OS. System upgrades can also be done in semi-automatic fashion, i.e. upgrades and/or bug-fixes can be pushed to the end-user hardware without system downtime. Importantly, the WOD system requires only rudimentary knowledge of the WRF modelling, and the Linux operating systems on behalf of the end-user, making it an ideal NWP tool in locations with limited IT infrastructure.

Lymph node density vs. the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM nodal staging system in node-positive bladder cancer in patients undergoing extended or super-extended pelvic lymphadenectomy.

PubMed

Lee, Donghyun; Yoo, Sangjun; You, Dalsan; Hong, Bumsik; Cho, Yong Mee; Hong, Jun Hyuk; Kim, Choung-Soo; Ahn, Hanjonh; Ro, Jae Y; Jeong, In Gab

2017-04-01

We compared the prognostic value of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM nodal staging system with that of lymph node (LN) density in patients with LN-positive bladder cancer who received extended or super-extended pelvic lymphadenectomy. Of the 1,018 patients, who underwent radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy between February 2005 and August 2014, 110 patients with LN metastases with extended (n = 68) or super-extended (n = 42) pelvic lymphadenectomy were included. All patients were staged using the 2002 (sixth edition) and 2010 (seventh edition) AJCC TNM staging systems. The association of several variables with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. The median number of total LNs removed was 29 (6-118) and the median LN density was 12.5% (1.6%-100%). RFS and OS were not significantly different between the 2002 (pN1-pM1) and 2010 (pN1-N3) AJCC TNM nodal staging systems (sixth edition: P = 0.512 and P = 0.519; seventh edition: P = 0.676 and P = 0.671, respectively). The 2-year RFS and OS rates according to the LN density quartiles were 58.5% and 76.9% in Q1, 39.1% and 70.8% in Q2, 28.8% and 50.1% in Q3, and 12.7% and 20.8% in Q4 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis adjusted for the 2010 AJCC TNM staging system showed that LN density was associated with a decreased OS (HR = 1.024; 95% CI: 1.010-1.039; P = 0.001). The nodal staging system (2002 or 2010) was not associated with the RFS and OS. LN density shows a better prognostic value than the AJCC TNM nodal staging system in patients with LN-positive bladder cancer receiving extended or super-extended pelvic lymphadenectomy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Effect of NUMA Tunings on CPU Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hollowell, Christopher; Caramarcu, Costin; Strecker-Kellogg, William; Wong, Antonio; Zaytsev, Alexandr

2015-12-01

Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) is a memory architecture for symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) systems where each processor is directly connected to separate memory. Indirect access to other CPU's (remote) RAM is still possible, but such requests are slower as they must also pass through that memory's controlling CPU. In concert with a NUMA-aware operating system, the NUMA hardware architecture can help eliminate the memory performance reductions generally seen in SMP systems when multiple processors simultaneously attempt to access memory. The x86 CPU architecture has supported NUMA for a number of years. Modern operating systems such as Linux support NUMA-aware scheduling, where the OS attempts to schedule a process to the CPU directly attached to the majority of its RAM. In Linux, it is possible to further manually tune the NUMA subsystem using the numactl utility. With the release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3, the numad daemon became available in this distribution. This daemon monitors a system's NUMA topology and utilization, and automatically makes adjustments to optimize locality. As the number of cores in x86 servers continues to grow, efficient NUMA mappings of processes to CPUs/memory will become increasingly important. This paper gives a brief overview of NUMA, and discusses the effects of manual tunings and numad on the performance of the HEPSPEC06 benchmark, and ATLAS software.

Investigating an API for resilient exascale computing.

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

Stearley, Jon R.; Tomkins, James; VanDyke, John P.

2013-05-01

Increased HPC capability comes with increased complexity, part counts, and fault occurrences. In- creasing the resilience of systems and applications to faults is a critical requirement facing the viability of exascale systems, as the overhead of traditional checkpoint/restart is projected to outweigh its bene ts due to fault rates outpacing I/O bandwidths. As faults occur and propagate throughout hardware and software layers, pervasive noti cation and handling mechanisms are necessary. This report describes an initial investigation of fault types and programming interfaces to mitigate them. Proof-of-concept APIs are presented for the frequent and important cases of memory errors and nodemore » failures, and a strategy proposed for lesystem failures. These involve changes to the operating system, runtime, I/O library, and application layers. While a single API for fault handling among hardware and OS and application system-wide remains elusive, the e ort increased our understanding of both the mountainous challenges and the promising trailheads. 3« less

Trusted Computing Technologies, Intel Trusted Execution Technology.

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

Guise, Max Joseph; Wendt, Jeremy Daniel

2011-01-01

We describe the current state-of-the-art in Trusted Computing Technologies - focusing mainly on Intel's Trusted Execution Technology (TXT). This document is based on existing documentation and tests of two existing TXT-based systems: Intel's Trusted Boot and Invisible Things Lab's Qubes OS. We describe what features are lacking in current implementations, describe what a mature system could provide, and present a list of developments to watch. Critical systems perform operation-critical computations on high importance data. In such systems, the inputs, computation steps, and outputs may be highly sensitive. Sensitive components must be protected from both unauthorized release, and unauthorized alteration: Unauthorizedmore » users should not access the sensitive input and sensitive output data, nor be able to alter them; the computation contains intermediate data with the same requirements, and executes algorithms that the unauthorized should not be able to know or alter. Due to various system requirements, such critical systems are frequently built from commercial hardware, employ commercial software, and require network access. These hardware, software, and network system components increase the risk that sensitive input data, computation, and output data may be compromised.« less

Evaluation Metrics for the Paragon XP/S-15

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Traversat, Bernard; McNab, David; Nitzberg, Bill; Fineberg, Sam; Blaylock, Bruce T. (Technical Monitor)

1993-01-01

On February 17th 1993, the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation (NAS) facility located at the NASA Ames Research Center installed a 224 node Intel Paragon XP/S-15 system. After its installation, the Paragon was found to be in a very immature state and was unable to support a NAS users' workload, composed of a wide range of development and production activities. As a first step towards addressing this problem, we implemented a set of metrics to objectively monitor the system as operating system and hardware upgrades were installed. The metrics were designed to measure four aspects of the system that we consider essential to support our workload: availability, utilization, functionality, and performance. This report presents the metrics collected from February 1993 to August 1993. Since its installation, the Paragon availability has improved from a low of 15% uptime to a high of 80%, while its utilization has remained low. Functionality and performance have improved from merely running one of the NAS Parallel Benchmarks to running all of them faster (between 1 and 2 times) than on the iPSC/860. In spite of the progress accomplished, fundamental limitations of the Paragon operating system are restricting the Paragon from supporting the NAS workload. The maximum operating system message passing (NORMA IPC) bandwidth was measured at 11 Mbytes/s, well below the peak hardware bandwidth (175 Mbytes/s), limiting overall virtual memory and Unix services (i.e. Disk and HiPPI I/O) performance. The high NX application message passing latency (184 microns), three times than on the iPSC/860, was found to significantly degrade performance of applications relying on small message sizes. The amount of memory available for an application was found to be approximately 10 Mbytes per node, indicating that the OS is taking more space than anticipated (6 Mbytes per node).

Lisbon Emoji and Emoticon Database (LEED): Norms for emoji and emoticons in seven evaluative dimensions.

PubMed

Rodrigues, David; Prada, Marília; Gaspar, Rui; Garrido, Margarida V; Lopes, Diniz

2018-02-01

The use of emoticons and emoji is increasingly popular across a variety of new platforms of online communication. They have also become popular as stimulus materials in scientific research. However, the assumption that emoji/emoticon users' interpretations always correspond to the developers'/researchers' intended meanings might be misleading. This article presents subjective norms of emoji and emoticons provided by everyday users. The Lisbon Emoji and Emoticon Database (LEED) comprises 238 stimuli: 85 emoticons and 153 emoji (collected from iOS, Android, Facebook, and Emojipedia). The sample included 505 Portuguese participants recruited online. Each participant evaluated a random subset of 20 stimuli for seven dimensions: aesthetic appeal, familiarity, visual complexity, concreteness, valence, arousal, and meaningfulness. Participants were additionally asked to attribute a meaning to each stimulus. The norms obtained include quantitative descriptive results (means, standard deviations, and confidence intervals) and a meaning analysis for each stimulus. We also examined the correlations between the dimensions and tested for differences between emoticons and emoji, as well as between the two major operating systems-Android and iOS. The LEED constitutes a readily available normative database (available at www.osf.io/nua4x ) with potential applications to different research domains.

Introducing the Precision Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer: Novel Innovations in Multi-Collector Arrays for Isotopologues and Isotopomers in Organic Molecule Gas Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasson, A.

2016-12-01

In January 2016, elementar Analysensysteme, GmbH (Germany), in conjunction with their daughter company, Isoprime Ltd. (United Kingdom) released the Precision isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The Precision is the newest light element IRMS on the market and adds some unique hardware and software functionalities to the basic core of stable isotopic research previously unseen. Although this system is designed to make the typical bulk and compound specific measurements that functioning stable isotope laboratories have been accustomed to, it has been designed to make complicated measurements of isotopologues, isotopomers and clumped isotopes much more turnkey and user friendly. Here we focus on some datasets that have been collected from three different beta test sites and highlight the functional use of the new hardware in conjunction with ionOS operating software. As part of those highlights, the improved precision, accuracy and ion optics of the Precision IRMS will be demonstrated. In addition, we intend to show that the reprocessing functions on the ionOS software package are not only beneficial to users of just the Precision IRMS, but to the entire stable isotope community as a whole.

Residency of rhenium and osmium in a heavy crude oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DiMarzio, Jenna M.; Georgiev, Svetoslav V.; Stein, Holly J.; Hannah, Judith L.

2018-01-01

Rhenium-osmium (Re-Os) isotope geochemistry is an emerging tool for the study of oil formation and migration processes, and a new technology for petroleum exploration. Little is known, however, about the residency of Re and Os within asphaltene and maltene sub-fractions of crude oil. This information is crucial for understanding the 187Re-187Os radiometric clock held in petroleum systems and for interpreting geochronology for key processes such as oil formation, migration, and biodegradation. In this study, a heavy crude oil was separated into soluble (maltene, MALT) and insoluble (asphaltene, ASPH) fractions using n-heptane as the asphaltene-precipitating agent. The asphaltenes were separated sequentially into sub-fractions using two different solvent pairs (heptane-dichloromethane and acetone-toluene), and the bulk maltenes were separated into saturate, aromatic, and resin (SAR) fractions using open column chromatography. Each asphaltene and maltene sub-fraction was analyzed for Re and Os. The asphaltene sub-fractions and the bulk ASPH, MALT, and crude oil were analyzed for a suite of trace metals by ICP-MS. Our results show that Re and Os concentrations co-vary between the asphaltene sub-fractions, and that both elements are found mostly in the more polar and aromatic sub-fractions. Significant Re and Os are also present in the aromatic and resin fractions of the maltenes. However, each asphaltene and maltene sub-fraction has a distinct isotopic composition, and sub-fractions are not isochronous. This suggests that asphaltene sub-fractionation separates Re-Os complexes to the point where the isotopic integrity of the geochronometer is compromised. The mobility of individual Re and Os isotopes and the decoupling possibilities between radiogenic 187Os produced from 187Re remain elusive, but their recognition in this study is a critical first step. Re and Os correlate strongly with Mo and Cd in the asphaltene sub-fractions, suggesting that these metals occupy similar sites. Re-Os and Ni-V budgets also show some similarities, indicating that at least some Re (and possibly Os) could be present in metalloporphyrin form. We conclude that progressive asphaltene precipitation during migration and mixing of oils can change the isotopic ratios of the resultant oil. A sense of process is key to interpretation of Re-Os data for tar mats and live oils, whether isochronous or scattered datasets result. Optimally, by combining data from source rocks, oils, and asphaltenes generated along the migration pathway, we can construct temporal histories for whole petroleum systems.

Supra-optimal expression of the cold-regulated OsMyb4 transcription factor in transgenic rice changes the complexity of transcriptional network with major effects on stress tolerance and panicle development.

PubMed

Park, Myoung-Ryoul; Yun, Kil-Young; Mohanty, Bijayalaxmi; Herath, Venura; Xu, Fuyu; Wijaya, Edward; Bajic, Vladimir B; Yun, Song-Joong; De Los Reyes, Benildo G

2010-12-01

The R2R3-type OsMyb4 transcription factor of rice has been shown to play a role in the regulation of osmotic adjustment in heterologous overexpression studies. However, the exact composition and organization of its underlying transcriptional network has not been established to be a robust tool for stress tolerance enhancement by regulon engineering. OsMyb4 network was dissected based on commonalities between the global chilling stress transcriptome and the transcriptome configured by OsMyb4 overexpression. OsMyb4 controls a hierarchical network comprised of several regulatory sub-clusters associated with cellular defense and rescue, metabolism and development. It regulates target genes either directly or indirectly through intermediary MYB, ERF, bZIP, NAC, ARF and CCAAT-HAP transcription factors. Regulatory sub-clusters have different combinations of MYB-like, GCC-box-like, ERD1-box-like, ABRE-like, G-box-like, as1/ocs/TGA-like, AuxRE-like, gibberellic acid response element (GARE)-like and JAre-like cis-elements. Cold-dependent network activity enhanced cellular antioxidant capacity through radical scavenging mechanisms and increased activities of phenylpropanoid and isoprenoid metabolic processes involving various abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), ethylene and reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive genes. OsMyb4 network is independent of drought response element binding protein/C-repeat binding factor (DREB/CBF) and its sub-regulons operate with possible co-regulators including nuclear factor-Y. Because of its upstream position in the network hierarchy, OsMyb4 functions quantitatively and pleiotrophically. Supra-optimal expression causes misexpression of alternative targets with costly trade-offs to panicle development. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Tumor cell-targeted delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 by aptamer-functionalized lipopolymer for therapeutic genome editing of VEGFA in osteosarcoma.

PubMed

Liang, Chao; Li, Fangfei; Wang, Luyao; Zhang, Zong-Kang; Wang, Chao; He, Bing; Li, Jie; Chen, Zhihao; Shaikh, Atik Badshah; Liu, Jin; Wu, Xiaohao; Peng, Songlin; Dang, Lei; Guo, Baosheng; He, Xiaojuan; Au, D W T; Lu, Cheng; Zhu, Hailong; Zhang, Bao-Ting; Lu, Aiping; Zhang, Ge

2017-12-01

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer, characterized by frequent lung metastasis and pathologic bone destruction. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), highly expressed in OS, not only contributes to angiogenesis within the tumor microenvironment via paracrine stimulation of vascular endothelial cells, but also acts as an autocrine survival factor for tumor cell themselves, thus making it a promising therapeutic target for OS. CRISPR/Cas9 is a versatile genome editing technology and holds tremendous promise for cancer treatment. However, a major bottleneck to achieve the therapeutic potential of the CRISPR/Cas9 is the lack of in vivo tumor-targeted delivery systems. Here, we screened an OS cell-specific aptamer (LC09) and developed a LC09-functionalized PEG-PEI-Cholesterol (PPC) lipopolymer encapsulating CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids encoding VEGFA gRNA and Cas9. Our results demonstrated that LC09 facilitated selective distribution of CRISPR/Cas9 in both orthotopic OS and lung metastasis, leading to effective VEGFA genome editing in tumor, decreased VEGFA expression and secretion, inhibited orthotopic OS malignancy and lung metastasis, as well as reduced angiogenesis and bone lesion with no detectable toxicity. The delivery system simultaneously restrained autocrine and paracrine VEGFA signaling in tumor cells and could facilitate translating CRISPR-Cas9 into clinical cancer treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Rice Gene Homologous to Arabidopsis AGD2-LIKE DEFENSE1 Participates in Disease Resistance Response against Infection with Magnaporthe oryzae.

PubMed

Jung, Ga Young; Park, Ju Yeon; Choi, Hyo Ju; Yoo, Sung-Je; Park, Jung-Kwon; Jung, Ho Won

2016-08-01

ALD1 (ABERRANT GROWTH AND DEATH2 [AGD2]-LIKE DEFENSE1) is one of the key defense regulators in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana. In these model plants, ALD1 is responsible for triggering basal defense response and systemic resistance against bacterial infection. As well ALD1 is involved in the production of pipecolic acid and an unidentified compound(s) for systemic resistance and priming syndrome, respectively. These previous studies proposed that ALD1 is a potential candidate for developing genetically modified (GM) plants that may be resistant to pathogen infection. Here we introduce a role of ALD1-LIKE gene of Oryza sativa, named as OsALD1, during plant immunity. OsALD1 mRNA was strongly transcribed in the infected leaves of rice plants by Magnaporthe oryzae, the rice blast fungus. OsALD1 proteins predominantly localized at the chloroplast in the plant cells. GM rice plants over-expressing OsALD1 were resistant to the fungal infection. The stable expression of OsALD1 also triggered strong mRNA expression of PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEIN1 genes in the leaves of rice plants during infection. Taken together, we conclude that OsALD1 plays a role in disease resistance response of rice against the infection with rice blast fungus.

Overexpression of OsEXPA8, a Root-Specific Gene, Improves Rice Growth and Root System Architecture by Facilitating Cell Extension

PubMed Central

Ma, Nana; Wang, Ying; Qiu, Shichun; Kang, Zhenhui; Che, Shugang; Wang, Guixue; Huang, Junli

2013-01-01

Expansins are unique plant cell wall proteins that are involved in cell wall modifications underlying many plant developmental processes. In this work, we investigated the possible biological role of the root-specific α-expansin gene OsEXPA8 in rice growth and development by generating transgenic plants. Overexpression of OsEXPA8 in rice plants yielded pleiotropic phenotypes of improved root system architecture (longer primary roots, more lateral roots and root hairs), increased plant height, enhanced leaf number and enlarged leaf size. Further study indicated that the average cell length in both leaf and root vascular bundles was enhanced, and the cell growth in suspension cultures was increased, which revealed the cellular basis for OsEXPA8-mediated rice plant growth acceleration. Expansins are thought to be a key factor required for cell enlargement and wall loosening. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) technology revealed that average wall stiffness values for 35S::OsEXPA8 transgenic suspension-cultured cells decreased over six-fold compared to wild-type counterparts during different growth phases. Moreover, a prominent change in the wall polymer composition of suspension cells was observed, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed a relative increase in the ratios of the polysaccharide/lignin content in cell wall compositions of OsEXPA8 overexpressors. These results support a role for expansins in cell expansion and plant growth. PMID:24124527

Os-187/Os-188 and Highly Siderophile Element Systematics of Apollo 17 Aphanitic Melt Rocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Puchtel, I. S.; Walker, R. J.; James, O. B.

2005-01-01

Introduction: Generally chondritic relative abundances and high absolute abundances of the highly siderophile elements (HSE: Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au) in Earth s upper mantle provide strong evidence that these elements were added to the Earth following the last major interaction between its metallic core and silicate fraction. So called "late accretion" may have added materials comprising as much as 0.8% of the total mass of the Earth and possibly a similar proportion of mass to the Moon. We have begun to study the chemical nature of late accreted materials to the Earth - Moon system by examining the HSE contained in lunar impact-melt rocks. The HSE contained in melt rocks were largely added to the Moon during the period of time from the origin of the lunar highlands crust (4.4- 4.5 Ga) to the end of the late bombardment period (ca. 3.9 Ga). These materials provide the only direct chemical link to the late accretionary period. The chemical fingerprints of the HSE in late accreted materials may enable us to ascertain under what conditions and where in the solar system the late accreted materials formed. The Os-187/Os-188 ratios (reflecting long-term Re/Os), coupled with ratios of other HSE, can be diagnostic for identifying the nature of the impactor. A critical issue, however, will be deconvolving the exogenous from indigenous components.

Review of image defined risk factors in localized neuroblastoma patients: Results of the GPOH NB97 trial.

PubMed

Simon, Thorsten; Hero, Barbara; Benz-Bohm, Gabriele; von Schweinitz, Dietrich; Berthold, Frank

2008-05-01

Recently, an international expert group proposed revision of the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS). Localized disease can be classified as L1 without and as L2 with image defined risk factors (IDRF published in JCO 2005; 23:8483-8489). Our aim was to evaluate IDRF for the prediction of resectability, complications, and outcome. Records of 520 localized neuroblastoma patients of the NB97 trial were reviewed. Patients were retrospectively classified as having IDRF or not. A total of 366 evaluable patients were then analyzed for extent and complications of surgery and the prognostic value of IDRF. Any IDRF was present in 26/160 of stage 1, 49/113 of stage 2, and 64/93 of stage 3 patients. Complete primary resection was achieved in 156/227 patients without IDRF and 43/139 patients with IDRF (P < 0.001). The frequency of complications was higher if any IDRF was present: 37/139 versus 33/227 (P = 0.006). Lack of IDRF was associated with better event free survival (3-year-EFS 86 +/- 2% vs. 75 +/- 4%, P = 0.010), whereas overall survival was similar (3-year-OS 98 +/- 1% vs. 96 +/- 2%, P = 0.462). EFS clearly depended on INSS stage (3-year-EFS 93 +/- 2% in stage 1, 78 +/- 4% in stage 2, and 69 +/- 5% in stage 3, P < 0.001). OS was not different (3-year-OS 98 +/- 1% vs. 99 +/- 1% vs. 94 +/- 2%, P = 0.056). Multivariate analysis demonstrated an impact of INSS stage on EFS only. IDRF were not shown to be significant for predicting EFS or OS. IDRF were useful in predicting risk and completeness of operation. IDRF failed as independent risk predictors in localized neuroblastoma. INSS more precisely identified patients with poor prognosis. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cardiac Aging - Benefits of Exercise, Nrf2 Activation and Antioxidant Signaling.

PubMed

Narasimhan, Madhusudhanan; Rajasekaran, Namakkal-Soorappan

2017-01-01

Cardiovascular dysfunction and heart failure associated with aging not only impairs the cardiac function but also the quality of life eventually decreasing the life expectancy of the elderly. Notably, cardiac tissue can prematurely age under certain conditions such as genetic mutation, persistent redox stress and overload, aberrant molecular signaling, DNA damage, telomere attrition, and other pathological insults. While cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality is on the rise and remains a global health threat, there has been only little to moderate improvements in its medical management. This is due to the fact that the lifestyle changes to molecular mechanisms underlying age-related myocardial structure and functional remodeling are multifactorial and intricately operate at different levels. Along these lines, the intrinsic redox mechanisms and oxidative stress (OS) are widely studied in the myocardium. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with age and the resultant oxidative damage has been shown to increase the susceptibility of the myocardium to multiple complications such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac myopathy, and heart failure. There has been growing interest in trying to enhance the mechanisms that neutralize the ROS and curtailing OS as a possible anti-aging intervention and as a treatment for age-related disorders. Natural defense system to fight against OS involves a master transcription factor named nuclear erythroid-2-p45-related factor-2 (Nrf2) that regulates several antioxidant genes. Compelling evidence exists on the Nrf2 gain of function through pharmacological interventions in counteracting the oxidative damage and affords cytoprotection in several organs including but not limited to lung, liver, kidney, brain, etc. Nevertheless, thus far, only a few studies have described the potential role of Nrf2 and its non-pharmacological induction in cardiac aging. This chapter explores the effects of various modes of exercise on Nrf2 signaling along with its responses and ramifications on the cascade of OS in the aging heart.

MedAd-AppQ: A quality assessment tool for medication adherence apps on iOS and android platforms.

PubMed

Ali, Eskinder Eshetu; Teo, Amanda Kai Sin; Goh, Sherlyn Xue Lin; Chew, Lita; Yap, Kevin Yi-Lwern

2018-02-02

With the recent proliferation of smartphone medication adherence applications (apps), it is increasingly more difficult for patients and clinicians to identify the most useful app. To develop a quality assessment tool for medication adherence apps, and evaluate the quality of such apps from the major app stores. In this study, a Medication Adherence App Quality assessment tool (MedAd-AppQ) was developed and two evaluators independently assessed apps that fulfilled the following criteria: availability in English, had at least a medication reminder feature, non-specific to certain disease conditions (generic apps), free of technical malfunctions and availability on both the iPhone Operating System (iOS) and Android platforms. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson product moment correlation and Spearman rank-order correlation were used for statistical analysis. MedAd-AppQ was designed to have 24 items (total 43 points) categorized under three sections: content reliability (11 points), feature usefulness (29 points) and feature convenience (3 points). The three sections of MedAd-AppQ were found to have inter-rater correlation coefficients of 0.801 (p-value < .001) or higher. Based on analysis of 52 apps (27 iOS and 25 Android), quality scores ranged between 7/43 (16.3%) and 28/43 (65.1%). There was no significant difference between the quality scores of the Android and iOS versions. None of the apps had features for self-management of side effects. Only two apps in each platform provided disease-related and/or medication information. MedAd-AppQ can be used to reliably assess the quality of adherence apps. Clinicians can use the tool in selecting apps for use by patients. Developers of adherence apps should consider features that provide therapy-related information and help patients in medications and side-effects management. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sulfide and whole rock Re-Os systematics of eclogite and pyroxenite xenoliths from the Slave Craton, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aulbach, Sonja; Creaser, Robert A.; Pearson, Norm J.; Simonetti, Stefanie S.; Heaman, Larry M.; Griffin, William L.; Stachel, Thomas

2009-06-01

We characterized single sulfides in eclogite and pyroxenite xenoliths from the Diavik kimberlites (central Slave Craton, Canada) with regard to their petrography, major-element composition and Re-Os isotope systematics. Together with trace-element and Re-Os isotope compositions of whole rocks, these data allow identification of the major Re-Os host phases and provide constraints on the origin(s) of sulfides in these samples. The majority of sulfide minerals contain 8 to 28 at.% Ni, with intragranular sulfides having on average significantly lower contents (~ 6 at.%) than intergranular sulfides (~ 12 at.%). These high Ni-sulfides are not in equilibrium with an eclogitic assemblage and were likely introduced from a peridotitic source subsequent to eclogite formation. In contrast, their Re-Os abundances and Re/Os ratios (average ~ 825 ppb, 190 ppb and 10, respectively) overlap those of primary eclogitic sulfides. These conflicting compositional characteristics may document open-system disequilibrium processes accompanying the introduction of sulfides into eclogites. The general association of high 187Os/ 188Os with high 187Re/ 188Os of sulfides in three low-temperature eclogite xenoliths suggests that the addition is not young. In contrast, sulfides in a high-temperature eclogite plot on a ~ 90 Ma errorchron with radiogenic initial 187Os/ 188Os, perhaps indicative of young introduction of sulfides from a deep enriched source. Sulfides in a single pyroxenite xenolith have Ni, Re and Os contents intermediate between pristine eclogitic and peridotitic sulfides, and correlated Re-Os isotope systematics defining an age of 1.84 ± 0.14 Ga with a radiogenic 187Os/ 188Os i (0.16 ± 0.01). The age and 187Os/ 188Os i are identical to those obtained for eclogitic sulfide inclusions in diamonds from Diavik, thus supporting a link between eclogite and pyroxenite formation. Several eclogite and pyroxenite whole rocks show evidence for addition of secondary sulfides, but many plot on Paleoproterozoic Re-Os age arrays - particularly so at low Re/Os - coincident with previously determined ages using Lu-Hf and Pb-Pb techniques. They may represent sulfide-poor varieties that did not suffer secondary sulfide addition and that may be best suited to yielding meaningful Re-Os ages.

CrxOS maintains the self-renewal capacity of murine embryonic stem cells

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

Saito, Ryota; Yamasaki, Tokiwa; Nagai, Yoko

2009-12-25

Embryonic stem (ES) cells maintain pluripotency by self-renewal. Several homeoproteins, including Oct3/4 and Nanog, are known to be key factors in maintaining the self-renewal capacity of ES cells. However, other genes required for the mechanisms underlying this process are still unclear. Here we report the identification by in silico analysis of a homeobox-containing gene, CrxOS, that is specifically expressed in murine ES cells and is essential for their self-renewal. ES cells mainly express the short isoform of endogenous CrxOS. Using a polyoma-based episomal expression system, we demonstrate that overexpression of the CrxOS short isoform is sufficient for maintaining the undifferentiatedmore » morphology of ES cells and stimulating their proliferation. Finally, using RNA interference, we show that CrxOS is essential for the self-renewal of ES cells, and provisionally identify foxD3 as a downstream target gene of CrxOS. To our knowledge, ours is the first delineation of the physiological role of CrxOS in ES cells.« less

A TinyOS-enabled MICA2-based wireless neural interface.

PubMed

Farshchi, Shahin; Nuyujukian, Paul H; Pesterev, Aleksey; Mody, Istvan; Judy, Jack W

2006-07-01

Existing approaches used to develop compact low-power multichannel wireless neural recording systems range from creating custom-integrated circuits to assembling commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) PC-based components. Custom-integrated-circuit designs yield extremely compact and low-power devices at the expense of high development and upgrade costs and turn-around times, while assembling COTS-PC-technology yields high performance at the expense of large system size and increased power consumption. To achieve a balance between implementing an ultra-compact custom-fabricated neural transceiver and assembling COTS-PC-technology, an overlay of a neural interface upon the TinyOS-based MICA2 platform is described. The system amplifies, digitally encodes, and transmits neural signals real-time at a rate of 9.6 kbps, while consuming less than 66 mW of power. The neural signals are received and forwarded to a client PC over a serial connection. This data rate can be divided for recording on up to 6 channels, with a resolution of 8 bits/sample. This work demonstrates the strengths and limitations of the TinyOS-based sensor technology as a foundation for chronic remote biological monitoring applications and, thus, provides an opportunity to create a system that can leverage from the frequent networking and communications advancements being made by the global TinyOS-development community.

Identification of rice cornichon as a possible cargo receptor for the Golgi-localized sodium transporter OsHKT1;3.

PubMed

Rosas-Santiago, Paul; Lagunas-Gómez, Daniel; Barkla, Bronwyn J; Vera-Estrella, Rosario; Lalonde, Sylvie; Jones, Alexander; Frommer, Wolf B; Zimmermannova, Olga; Sychrová, Hana; Pantoja, Omar

2015-05-01

Membrane proteins are synthesized and folded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and continue their path to their site of residence along the secretory pathway. The COPII system has been identified as a key player for selecting and directing the fate of membrane and secretory cargo proteins. Selection of cargo proteins within the COPII vesicles is achieved by cargo receptors. The cornichon cargo receptor belongs to a conserved protein family found in eukaryotes that has been demonstrated to participate in the selection of integral membrane proteins as cargo for their correct targeting. Here it is demonstrated at the cellular level that rice cornichon OsCNIH1 interacts with OsHKT1;3 and, in yeast cells, enables the expression of the sodium transporter to the Golgi apparatus. Physical and functional HKT-cornichon interactions are confirmed by the mating-based split ubiquitin system, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and Xenopus oocyte and yeast expression systems. The interaction between the two proteins occurs in the ER of plant cells and their co-expression in oocytes leads to the sequestration of the transporter in the ER. In the yeast cornichon mutant erv14, OsHKT1;3 is mistargeted, preventing the toxic effects of sodium transport in the cell observed in wild-type cells or in the erv14 mutant that co-expressed OsHKT1;3 with either OsCNIH1 or Erv14p. Identification and characterization of rice cornichon as a possible cargo receptor opens up the opportunity to improve our knowledge on membrane protein targeting in plant cells. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

[Surgical treatment of metastases and its impact on prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma].

PubMed

Sevčíková, K; Ušáková, V; Bartošová, Z; Sabol, M; Ondrušová, M; Ondruš, D; Spánik, S

2014-01-01

Approximately one quarter of patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) have distant metastases at initial dia-gnosis and almost 50% will develop them during the disease course. Only radical surgical resection of metastases improves clinical outcome and offers a chance of longterm survival. Initially unresectable metastases can become resectable after downsizing with systemic therapy. Retrospective analysis included 21 patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) who were treated from 2006 to 2012 and underwent resection/ ablation of metastases. Fourteen patients had resection at initial dia-gnosis of metastatic disease and seven patients achieved operability of metastases after systemic treatment. The aim of the analysis was to evaluate surgical treatment of metastases and its impact on prognosis in patients with mCRC in correlation with clinical pathological  genetic factors. The median age of patients was 59 years. Fourteen patients had metastases in the liver, one patient had metastases in the lungs, two patients had combination of hepatic and extrahepatic metastases and four patients had metastases in other regions. During median followup of 47 months, 17 patients experienced disease progression and 13 patients died. Median progression free survival (PFS) after surgical resection/ ablation of metastases was 17 months (95% CI 13.8820.12), and median overall survival (OS) was 48 months (95% CI 38.7757.23). KRAS mutation was detected in 47.6% of patients and BRAF mutation in 9.5% of patients. Patients with BRAF mutation had worse PFS (median = 10 months vs 17 months; p = 0.523) and OS (median = 22 months vs 51 months; p = 0.05) compared to patients with BRAF wildtype. No difference was observed in PFS and OS between the patients with one or more metastatic lesions and between the patients who underwent resection/ ablation of metastases initially or after systemic treatment. These data suggest that resection/ ablation of metastases significantly improves prognosis of patients with mCRC and support the notion that mutated BRAF has a strong negative prognostic significance also in the group of patients, who undergo surgical resection/ ablation of metastatic lesions.

LSI-based amperometric sensor for bio-imaging and multi-point biosensing.

PubMed

Inoue, Kumi Y; Matsudaira, Masahki; Kubo, Reyushi; Nakano, Masanori; Yoshida, Shinya; Matsuzaki, Sakae; Suda, Atsushi; Kunikata, Ryota; Kimura, Tatsuo; Tsurumi, Ryota; Shioya, Toshihito; Ino, Kosuke; Shiku, Hitoshi; Satoh, Shiro; Esashi, Masayoshi; Matsue, Tomokazu

2012-09-21

We have developed an LSI-based amperometric sensor called "Bio-LSI" with 400 measurement points as a platform for electrochemical bio-imaging and multi-point biosensing. The system is comprised of a 10.4 mm × 10.4 mm CMOS sensor chip with 20 × 20 unit cells, an external circuit box, a control unit for data acquisition, and a DC power box. Each unit cell of the chip contains an operational amplifier with a switched-capacitor type I-V converter for in-pixel signal amplification. We successfully realized a wide dynamic range from ±1 pA to ±100 nA with a well-organized circuit design and operating software. In particular, in-pixel signal amplification and an original program to control the signal read-out contribute to the lower detection limit and wide detection range of Bio-LSI. The spacial resolution is 250 μm and the temporal resolution is 18-125 ms/400 points, which depends on the desired current detection range. The coefficient of variance of the current for 400 points is within 5%. We also demonstrated the real-time imaging of a biological molecule using Bio-LSI. The LSI coated with an Os-HRP film was successfully applied to the monitoring of the changes of hydrogen peroxide concentration in a flow. The Os-HRP-coated LSI was spotted with glucose oxidase and used for bioelectrochemical imaging of the glucose oxidase (GOx)-catalyzed oxidation of glucose. Bio-LSI is a promising platform for a wide range of analytical fields, including diagnostics, environmental measurements and basic biochemistry.

Reusable Reentry Satellite (RRS) system design study: System cost estimates document

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

The Reusable Reentry Satellite (RRS) program was initiated to provide life science investigators relatively inexpensive, frequent access to space for extended periods of time with eventual satellite recovery on earth. The RRS will provide an on-orbit laboratory for research on biological and material processes, be launched from a number of expendable launch vehicles, and operate in Low-Altitude Earth Orbit (LEO) as a free-flying unmanned laboratory. SAIC's design will provide independent atmospheric reentry and soft landing in the continental U.S., orbit for a maximum of 60 days, and will sustain three flights per year for 10 years. The Reusable Reentry Vehicle (RRV) will be 3-axis stabilized with artificial gravity up to 1.5g's, be rugged and easily maintainable, and have a modular design to accommodate a satellite bus and separate modular payloads (e.g., rodent module, general biological module, ESA microgravity botany facility, general botany module). The purpose of this System Cost Estimate Document is to provide a Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) for a NASA RRS Program using SAIC's RRS design. The estimate includes development, procurement, and 10 years of operations and support (O&S) costs for NASA's RRS program. The estimate does not include costs for other agencies which may track or interface with the RRS program (e.g., Air Force tracking agencies or individual RRS experimenters involved with special payload modules (PM's)). The life cycle cost estimate extends over the 10 year operation and support period FY99-2008.

OsIRO2 is responsible for iron utilization in rice and improves growth and yield in calcareous soil.

PubMed

Ogo, Yuko; Itai, Reiko N; Kobayashi, Takanori; Aung, May Sann; Nakanishi, Hiromi; Nishizawa, Naoko K

2011-04-01

Iron (Fe) deficiency, a worldwide agricultural problem on calcareous soil with low Fe availability, is also a major human nutritional deficit. Plants induce Fe acquisition systems under conditions of low Fe availability. Previously, we reported that an Fe-deficiency-inducible basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, OsIRO2, is responsible for regulation of the genes involved in Fe homeostasis in rice. Using promoter-GUS transformants, we showed that OsIRO2 is expressed throughout a plant's lifetime in a spatially and temporally similar manner to the genes OsNAS1, OsNAS2 and TOM1, which is involved in Fe absorption and translocation. During germination, OsIRO2 expression was detected in embryos. OsIRO2 expression in vegetative tissues was restricted almost exclusively to vascular bundles of roots and leaves, and to the root exodermis under Fe-sufficient conditions, and expanded to all tissues of roots and leaves in response to Fe deficiency. OsIRO2 expression was also detected in flowers and developing seeds. Plants overexpressing OsIRO2 grew better, and OsIRO2-repressed plants showed poor growth compared to non-transformant rice after germination. OsIRO2 overexpression also resulted in improved tolerance to low Fe availability in calcareous soil. In addition to increased Fe content in shoots, the overexpression plants accumulated higher amounts of Fe in seeds than non-transformants when grown on calcareous soil. These results suggest that OsIRO2 is synchronously expressed with genes involved in Fe homeostasis, and performs a crucial function in regulation not only of Fe uptake from soil but also Fe transport during germination and Fe translocation to grain during seed maturation.

The design, development, and implementation of a data acquisition and handling system at Basin Electric Power Cooperative

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

Baranowski, S.T.; Culp, L.R.; Jonas, T.S.

1995-12-31

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 require all Phase 1 and 2 utilities to install Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), which can consist of instrumentation including analyzers and a Data Acquisition and Handling System (DAHS). To meet these requirements, Basin Electric Power Cooperative contracted with Black and Veatch to design and develop a DAHS which would meet all 40 CFR Part 75 requirements. Basin Electric provided the specifications for the DAHS and the graphical user interface, and B and V designed, developed, and installed a DAHS at 3 units at Laramie River Station, 2 units at Antelope Valley Station,more » and 2 units at Leland Olds Station. B and V utilized the existing equipment, adding to it a unique DAHS design. B and V designed and implemented the DAHS which operates in the OS/2 environment to interface with multiple programmable logic controllers. This unique software was written in modular form so that multiple programs run in unison, monitoring each other for errors to ensure continuous operation. The reporting structure is flexible to allow for a variety of formats, including those specifically required by the state to meet CAAA guidelines. Today, these seven units are in operation and comply with the CAAA. This paper describes the issues faced during specification, general design, compliance, and implementation of the DAHS at BEPC, including the lessons learned. The continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) system for each unit at BEPC consisted of a set of dilution probe analyzers for measuring SO{sub 2}, NO{sub x}, and CO{sub 2}.« less

Primary central nervous system lymphoma in immunocompetent individuals: a single center experience.

PubMed

Aki, Hilal; Uzunaslan, Didem; Saygin, Caner; Batur, Sebnem; Tuzuner, Nukhet; Kafadar, Ali; Ongoren, Seniz; Oz, Buge

2013-01-01

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is defined as the involvement of brain, leptomeninges, eyes or spinal cord by non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The role of various prognostic markers in predicting adverse outcome is debated. To investigate the clinical and immunohistochemical findings of immunocompetent PCNSL cases (39 cases) diagnosed at the study center, and evaluate the influence of potential prognostic factors on overall survival (OS) of patients. Data regarding patient characteristics, neuroimaging, pathological and immunohistochemical features and follow-up were obtained from patient records. The influence of potential prognostic parameters on OS was investigated by log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. Patients who received combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy had a significantly better OS when compared to chemotherapy alone. Other variables included in this study were not associated with a significant survival advantage. In this study, we failed to demonstrate a relationship between different clinicopathological variables and OS of patients. Prospective studies with large patient series are needed to investigate other potential prognostic factors.

Chronological changes in lung cancer surgery in a single Japanese institution

PubMed Central

Nakamura, Haruhiko; Sakai, Hiroki; Kimura, Hiroyuki; Miyazawa, Tomoyuki; Marushima, Hideki; Saji, Hisashi

2017-01-01

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the chronological changes in epidemiological factors and surgical outcomes in patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery in a single Japanese institution. Patients and methods A clinicopathological database of patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery with curative intent from January 1974 to December 2014 was reviewed. The chronological changes in various factors, including patient’s age, sex, histological type, tumor size, pathological stage (p-stage), surgical method, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, 30-day mortality, and postoperative overall survival (OS), were evaluated. Results A total of 1,616 patients were included. The numbers of resected patients, females, adenocarcinomas, p-stage IA patients, and age at the time of surgery increased with time, but tumor size decreased (all P<0.0001). Concerning surgical methods, the number of sublobar resections increased, but that of pneumonectomies decreased (P<0.0001). The mean operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and the postoperative 30-day mortality rate decreased (all P<0.0001). When the patients were divided into two groups (1974–2004 and 2005–2014), the 5-year OS rates for all patients and for p-stage IA patients improved from 44% to 79% and from 73% to 89%, respectively (all P<0.0001). The best 5-year OS rate was obtained for sublobar resection (73%), followed by lobectomy (60%), combined resection (22%), and pneumonectomy (21%; P<0.0001). Conclusion Changes in epidemiological factors, a trend toward less invasive surgery, and a remarkably improved postoperative OS were confirmed, which demonstrated the increasingly important role of surgery in therapeutic strategies for lung cancer. PMID:28331339

Rice phytochrome-interacting factor-like protein OsPIL1 functions as a key regulator of internode elongation and induces a morphological response to drought stress

PubMed Central

Todaka, Daisuke; Nakashima, Kazuo; Maruyama, Kyonoshin; Kidokoro, Satoshi; Osakabe, Yuriko; Ito, Yusuke; Matsukura, Satoko; Fujita, Yasunari; Yoshiwara, Kyouko; Ohme-Takagi, Masaru; Kojima, Mikiko; Sakakibara, Hitoshi; Shinozaki, Kazuo; Yamaguchi-Shinozaki, Kazuko

2012-01-01

The mechanisms for plant growth restriction during stress conditions remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a phytochrome-interacting factor-like protein, OsPIL1/OsPIL13, acts as a key regulator of reduced internode elongation in rice under drought conditions. The level of OsPIL1 mRNA in rice seedlings grown under nonstressed conditions with light/dark cycles oscillated in a circadian manner with peaks in the middle of the light period. Under drought stress conditions, OsPIL1 expression was inhibited during the light period. We found that OsPIL1 was highly expressed in the node portions of the stem using promoter-glucuronidase analysis. Overexpression of OsPIL1 in transgenic rice plants promoted internode elongation. In contrast, transgenic rice plants with a chimeric repressor resulted in short internode sections. Alteration of internode cell size was observed in OsPIL1 transgenic plants, indicating that differences in cell size cause the change in internode length. Oligoarray analysis revealed OsPIL1 downstream genes, which were enriched for cell wall-related genes responsible for cell elongation. These data suggest that OsPIL1 functions as a key regulatory factor of reduced plant height via cell wall-related genes in response to drought stress. This regulatory system may be important for morphological stress adaptation in rice under drought conditions. PMID:22984180

Unravelling the effects of melt depletion and secondary infiltration on mantle Re-Os isotopes beneath the French Massif Central

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harvey, J.; Gannoun, A.; Burton, K. W.; Schiano, P.; Rogers, N. W.; Alard, O.

2010-01-01

Spinel lherzolite xenoliths from Mont Briançon, French Massif Central, retain evidence for multiple episodes of melt depletion and melt/fluid infiltration (metasomatism). Evidence for primary melt depletion is still preserved in the co-variation of bulk-rock major elements (MgO 38.7-46.1 wt.%; CaO 0.9-3.6 wt.%), and many samples yield unradiogenic bulk-rock Os isotope ratios ( 187Os/ 188Os = 0.11541-0.12626). However, many individual xenoliths contain interstitial glasses and melt inclusions that are not in equilibrium with the major primary minerals. Incompatible trace element mass balance calculations demonstrate that metasomatic components comprise a significant proportion of the bulk-rock budget for these elements in some rocks, ranging to as much as 25% of Nd and 40% of Sr Critically, for Re-Os geochronology, melt/fluid infiltration is accompanied by the mobilisation of sulfide. Consequently, bulk-rock isotope measurements, whether using lithophile (e.g. Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd) or siderophile (Re-Os) based isotope systems, may only yield a perturbed and/or homogenised average of these multiple events. Osmium mass balance calculations demonstrate that bulk-rock Os in peridotite is dominated by contributions from two populations of sulfide grain: (i) interstitial, metasomatic sulfide with low [Os] and radiogenic 187Os/ 188Os, and (ii) primary sulfides with high [Os] and unradiogenic 187Os/ 188Os, which have been preserved within host silicate grains and shielded from interaction with transient melts and fluid. The latter can account for >97% of bulk-rock Os and preserve geochronological information of the melt from which they originally precipitated as an immiscible liquid. The Re-depletion model ages of individual primary sulfide grains preserve evidence for melt depletion beneath the Massif Central from at least 1.8 Gyr ago despite the more recent metasomatic event(s).

Ancient impactor components preserved and reworked in martian regolith breccia Northwest Africa 7034

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goderis, Steven; Brandon, Alan D.; Mayer, Bernhard; Humayun, Munir

2016-10-01

Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 and paired stones represent unique samples of martian polymict regolith breccia. Multiple breccia subsamples characterized in this work confirm highly siderophile element (HSE: Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd) contents that are consistently elevated (e.g., Os ∼9.3-18.4 ppb) above indigenous martian igneous rocks (mostly <5 ppb Os), equivalent to ∼3 wt% of admixed CI-type carbonaceous chondritic material, and occur in broadly chondrite-relative proportions. However, a protracted history of impactor component (metal and sulfide) breakdown and redistribution of the associated HSE has masked the original nature of the admixed meteorite signatures. The present-day 187Os/188Os ratios of 0.119-0.136 record a wider variation than observed for all major chondrite types. Combined with the measured 187Re/188Os ratios of 0.154-0.994, the range in Os isotope ratios indicates redistribution of Re and Os from originally chondritic components early in the history of the regolith commencing at ∼4.4 Ga. Superimposed recent Re mobility reflects exposure and weathering at or near the martian and terrestrial surfaces. Elevated Os concentrations (38.0 and 92.6 ppb Os), superchondritic Os/HSE ratios, and 187Os/188Os of 0.1171 and 0.1197 measured for two subsamples of the breccia suggest the redistribution of impactor material at ∼1.5-1.9 Ga, possibly overlapping with a (partial) resetting event at ∼1.4 Ga recorded by U-Pb isotope systematics in the breccia. Martian alteration of the originally chondritic HSE host phases, to form Os-Ir-rich nuggets and Ni-rich pyrite, implies the influence of potentially impact-driven hydrothermal systems. Multiple generations of impactor component admixture, redistribution, and alteration mark the formation and evolution of the martian regolith clasts and matrix of NWA 7034 and paired meteorites, from the pre-Noachian until impact ejection to Earth.

Validation of the CPS+EG and Neo-Bioscore staging systems after preoperative systemic therapy for breast cancer in a single center in China.

PubMed

Xu, Ling; Duan, Xuening; Zhou, Bin; Liu, Yinhua; Ye, Jingming; Liu, Zhaorui; Ma, Chao; Zhang, Hong; Zhang, Shuang; Zhang, Lanbo; Zhao, Jianxin; Cheng, Yuanjia

2018-04-17

Prognostic assessment after preoperative systemic therapy (PST) plays a vital role in determining treatment in breast cancer patients. Many researchers have sought to develop a system to quantitate residual tumor and its correlation with prognosis after PST. This retrospective study validated the CPS + EG staging system and Neo-Bioscore in a single center in China. Data from patients with non-metastatic primary breast cancer who were treated with PST and surgery from Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2014 at the Breast Disease Center of Peking University First Hospital, China, were reviewed. DFS, DSS and OS were calculated using the K-M curve and AUC. Multivariate analysis was used for a Cox proportional hazards model. All calculations were performed with SAS 9.4. A total of 403 patients were enrolled in this study. The median follow-up period was 45 (range 11-107) months. The five-year DFS, DSS and OS rates were 86.4%, 91.2% and 90.5%, respectively. The CS, PS, CPS + EG staging system and Neo-Bioscore stratified patients according to DFS, DSS, and OS after PST, with all P values < 0.0001. The CPS + EG staging system and Neo-Bioscore stratified prognosis after PST better than CS. HER2-positive patients without trastuzumab treatment had obviously worse DFS and OS than other subgroups with different HER2 statuses that scored a 3 in the Neo-Bioscore system. The CPS + EG staging system and Neo-Bioscore can improve prognostic prediction in non-pCR breast cancer patients after PST and, provided unfavorable prognostic factors such as insufficient treatment are incorporated, will have broader clinical applicability. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy in patients with gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Shen, Dong; Liu, Zhi-Hao; Xu, Jia-Ning; Xu, Fang; Lin, Qin-Feng; Lin, Feng; Mao, Wei-Dong

2016-07-01

To systemically evaluate the efficacy and safety of adoptive cellular therapy for the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). We performed a systemic review and meta-analysis of nine eligible trials with GC and evaluated the effect of adoptive cellular therapy on the overall survival (OS) rate, T-cell subsets and adverse events. Overall, 829 patients were involved in the analysis. Adoptive cellular therapy significantly improved the OS rate compared with the control group. Meanwhile, we observed greatly increased percentages of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD4(+)/CD8(+) in cellular therapy groups. Adoptive cellular therapy combined with adjuvant therapy resulted in significantly better OS rates, progression-free survival and T-lymphocyte responses in patients with GC.

Intrusion detection system using Online Sequence Extreme Learning Machine (OS-ELM) in advanced metering infrastructure of smart grid

PubMed Central

Li, Yuancheng; Jing, Sitong

2018-01-01

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) realizes a two-way communication of electricity data through by interconnecting with a computer network as the core component of the smart grid. Meanwhile, it brings many new security threats and the traditional intrusion detection method can’t satisfy the security requirements of AMI. In this paper, an intrusion detection system based on Online Sequence Extreme Learning Machine (OS-ELM) is established, which is used to detecting the attack in AMI and carrying out the comparative analysis with other algorithms. Simulation results show that, compared with other intrusion detection methods, intrusion detection method based on OS-ELM is more superior in detection speed and accuracy. PMID:29485990

The Prognostic Value of the 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System in HER2-Enriched Subtype Breast Cancer, a Retrospective Analysis.

PubMed

Zhou, Bin; Xu, Ling; Ye, Jingming; Xin, Ling; Duan, Xuening; Liu, Yinhua

2017-08-01

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) released its 8th edition of tumor staging which is to be implemented in early 2018. The present study aimed to analyze the prognostic value of AJCC 8th edition Cancer Staging System in HER2-enriched breast cancer, on a retrospective cohort. This study was a retrospective single-center study of HER2-enriched breast cancer cases diagnosed from January 2008 to December 2014. Clinicopathological features and follow up data including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed to explore prognostic factors for disease outcome. We restaged patients based on the 8th edition of the AJCC cancer staging system and analyzed prognostic value of the Anatomic Stage Group and the Prognostic Stage Group. The study enrolled 170 HER2-enriched subtype breast cancer patients with 5-year disease free survival (DFS) of 85.1% and 5-year overall survival (OS) of 86.8%. Prognostic stages of 117 cases (68.8%) changed compared with anatomic stages, with 116 upstaged cases and 1 downstaged case. The Anatomic Stage Groups had a significant prognostic impact on DFS (χ 2 =16.752, p<0.001) and OS (χ 2 =25.038, p<0.001). The Prognostic Staging Groups had a significant prognostic impact on DFS (χ 2 =6.577, p=0.037) and OS (χ 2 =21.762, p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, both stage groups were independent predictors of OS. Both Anatomic and Prognostic Stage Groups in the 8th edition of the AJCC breast cancer staging system had prognostic value in HER2-enriched subtype breast cancer. The Prognostic Stage system was a breakthrough on the basis of anatomic staging system. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Suppression of OsRAD51D results in defects in reproductive development in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

PubMed

Byun, Mi Young; Kim, Woo Taek

2014-07-01

The cellular roles of RAD51 paralogs in somatic and reproductive growth have been extensively described in a wide range of animal systems and, to a lesser extent, in Arabidopsis, a dicot model plant. Here, the OsRAD51D gene was identified and characterized in rice (Oryza sativa L.), a monocot model crop. In the rice genome, three alternative OsRAD51D mRNA splicing variants, OsRAD51D.1, OsRAD51D.2, and OsRAD51D.3, were predicted. Yeast two-hybrid studies, however, showed that only OsRAD51D.1 interacted with OsRAD51B and OsRAD51C paralogs, suggesting that OsRAD51D.1 is a functional OsRAD51D protein in rice. Loss-of-function osrad51d mutant rice plants displayed normal vegetative growth. However, the mutant plants were defective in reproductive growth, resulting in sterile flowers. Homozygous osrad51d mutant flowers exhibited impaired development of lemma and palea and contained unusual numbers of stamens and stigmas. During early meiosis, osrad51d pollen mother cells (PMCs) failed to form normal homologous chromosome pairings. In subsequent meiotic progression, mutant PMCs represented fragmented chromosomes. The osrad51d pollen cells contained numerous abnormal micro-nuclei that resulted in malfunctioning pollen. The abnormalities of heterozygous mutant and T2 Ubi:RNAi-OsRAD51D RNAi-knock-down transgenic plants were intermediate between those of wild type and homozygous mutant plants. The osrad51d and Ubi:RNAi-OsRAD51D plants contained longer telomeres compared with wild type plants, indicating that OsRAD51D is a negative factor for telomere lengthening. Overall, these results suggest that OsRAD51D plays a critical role in reproductive growth in rice. This essential function of OsRAD51D is distinct from Arabidopsis, in which AtRAD51D is not an essential factor for meiosis or reproductive development. © 2014 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Prospective randomized trial of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FAC) versus paclitaxel and FAC (TFAC) in patients with operable breast cancer: impact of taxane chemotherapy on locoregional control.

PubMed

Albert, Jeffrey M; Buzdar, Aman U; Guzman, Reina; Allen, Pamela K; Strom, Eric A; Perkins, George H; Woodward, Wendy A; Hoffman, Karen E; Tereffe, Welela; Hunt, Kelly K; Buchholz, Thomas A; Oh, Julia L

2011-07-01

A previous randomized trial (CALGB 9344/Intergroup 0148) compared four cycles of adjuvant doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) to four cycles of AC plus four cycles of paclitaxel (AC + T) and demonstrated that the addition of paclitaxel improved locoregional control (LRC) in patients with node-positive breast cancer. However, it could not be determined whether it was the paclitaxel or the increased duration of chemotherapy that led to this improvement. The present study aimed to analyze whether the addition of paclitaxel to a doxorubicin-based regimen improves LRC in a cohort of patients who all received eight total cycles of chemotherapy. Five hundred eleven women with operable breast cancer were randomized on a single-institution prospective trial to receive 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (FAC) × 8 cycles (n = 252) or FAC × 4 cycles plus paclitaxel × 4 cycles (TFAC) (n = 259). Rates of LRC and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Median follow-up was 124 months (range 5-167 months). The 10-year LRC rate was 92.6 versus 93.1% in the FAC versus TFAC arms, respectively (P = 0.26). The LRC between treatment arms did not differ when analyzed by locoregional treatment group: breast conservation therapy (BCT), mastectomy alone (M), and mastectomy + radiation (M + RT). The 10-year LRC rates were 95.1% (FAC) versus 91.2% (TFAC) after BCT (P = 0.98), 89.5% (FAC) versus 93.4% (TFAC) after M (P = 0.24), and 94.7% (FAC) versus 96.5% (TFAC) after M + RT (P = 0.59). Additionally, there was no difference in OS between the treatment arms, with 10-year OS rates of 78.4% (FAC) versus 81.7% (TFAC) (P = 0.93). The addition of paclitaxel to a doxorubicin-based regimen had no impact on LRC, regardless of the type of local therapy received. Historically inferior LRC with AC chemotherapy alone versus AC + T may have been due to an inadequate duration of systemic therapy and not due to the absence of paclitaxel.

Favorable versus unfavorable prognostic groups by post-chemoradiation FDG-PET imaging in node-positive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

PubMed

Yap, Wing-Keen; Chang, Yu-Chuan; Hsieh, Chia-Hsun; Chao, Yin-Kai; Chen, Chien-Cheng; Shih, Ming-Chieh; Hung, Tsung-Min

2018-05-01

Our purpose was to examine the prognostic value of post-CRT PET based on the presence or absence of FDG-avid metastatic lymph node(s) and metabolic response of the primary tumor in patients with clinically node-positive ESCC treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). We identified 108 eligible patients treated by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with or without resection from our prospectively collected database. Absence of FDG-avid metastatic lymph node with at least partial response of the primary tumor on PET scan after initial CRT was defined as the Post-CRT PET favorable group (yPET-F), and otherwise as unfavorable group (yPET-U). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were performed for survival analyses and multivariable analysis, respectively. The study cohort was comprised of 59 patients receiving dCRT. Forty-five patients receiving trimodality therapy (TMT) comprised the comparative group and four patients were excluded from further analyses for developing interval distant metastasis detected on post-CRT PET scan. The median follow-up for the study cohort was 41 months. On K-M analysis of the study cohort, yPET-F was found to have significantly better OS (2-year: 72.5% vs 13.7%, p < 0.01) and DMFS (2-year: 71.6% vs 36.6%, p = 0.01) than yPET-U. In multivariable analysis, yPET-F remained as a strong independent favorable prognosticator on both OS (HR 0.08, p < 0.01) and DMFS (HR 0.14, p = 0.02) for the dCRT cohort. Compared with TMT cohort, for yPET-U patients, TMT had better OS (p = 0.03) than dCRT-Operable and dCRT-Operable had superior OS (p = 0.04) than dCRT-Unresectable. For yPET-F patients, there was no difference in both OS (p > 0.99) and DMFS (p = 0.92) between these three groups. Absence of FDG-avid metastatic lymph node with at least partial response of the primary tumor on PET scan after CRT (i.e., yPET-F status) prognosticate for excellent OS and DMFS in cN+ ESCC patients treated with dCRT, and might be comparable to TMT.

YAMM - YET ANOTHER MENU MANAGER

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mazer, A. S.

1994-01-01

One of the most time-consuming yet necessary tasks of writing any piece of interactive software is the development of a user interface. Yet Another Menu Manager, YAMM, is an application independent menuing package, designed to remove much of the difficulty and save much of the time inherent in the implementation of the front ends for large packages. Written in C for UNIX-based operating systems, YAMM provides a complete menuing front end for a wide variety of applications, with provisions for terminal independence, user-specific configurations, and dynamic creation of menu trees. Applications running under the menu package consists of two parts: a description of the menu configuration and the body of application code. The menu configuration is used at runtime to define the menu structure and any non-standard keyboard mappings and terminal capabilities. Menu definitions define specific menus within the menu tree. The names used in a definition may be either a reference to an application function or the name of another menu defined within the menu configuration. Application parameters are entered using data entry screens which allow for required and optional parameters, tables, and legal-value lists. Both automatic and application-specific error checking are available. Help is available for both menu operation and specific applications. The YAMM program was written in C for execution on a Sun Microsystems workstation running SunOS, based on the Berkeley (4.2bsd) version of UNIX. During development, YAMM has been used on both 68020 and SPARC architectures, running SunOS versions 3.5 and 4.0. YAMM should be portable to most other UNIX-based systems. It has a central memory requirement of approximately 232K bytes. The standard distribution medium for this program is one .25 inch streaming magnetic tape cartridge in UNIX tar format. It is also available on a 3.5 inch diskette in UNIX tar format. YAMM was developed in 1988 and last updated in 1990. YAMM is a copyrighted work with all copyright vested in NASA.

Environmental Control and Life Support Integration Strategy for 6-Crew Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duchesne, Stephanie M.; Tressler, Chad H.

2010-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) crew complement has increased in size from 3 to 6 crew members. In order to support this increase in crew on ISS, the United States on-orbit Segment (USOS) has been outfitted with a suite of regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) hardware including an Oxygen Generation System (OGS), Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC), and a Water Recovery System (WRS). The WRS includes the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) and the Water Processor Assembly (WPA). With this additional life support hardware, the ISS has achieved full redundancy in its on-orbit life support system between the t OS and Russian Segment (RS). The additional redundancy created by the Regenerative ECLS hardware creates the opportunity for independent support capabilities between segments, and for the first time since the start of ISS, the necessity to revise Life Support strategy agreements. Independent operating strategies coupled with the loss of the Space Shuttle supply and return capabilities in 2010 offer new and unique challenges. This paper will discuss the evolution of the ISS Life Support hardware strategy in support of 6-Crew on ISS, as well as the continued work that is necessary to ensure the support of crew and ISS Program objectives through the life of station

75 FR 5330 - Agency Information Collection Request. 60-Day Public Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-02

... officials and healthcare systems to ensure effective integration of Federal public health and medical assets... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES [Document Identifier: OS-0990-0344 Extension] Agency... of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary...

The Carnegie Mellon University Insert Project

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-02-01

Real - Time Systems (INSERT) project under the DARPA Evolutionary Design for Complex Software (EDCS) Program. The INSERT team has completed an initial API definition and ported the existing real-time publication subscription group communication software to LynxOS 2.4, a POSIX.1b compliant OS. The distributed real-time publisher/subscriber communication model is now supported by a processor membership protocol which allows a node in the system to fail, or to rejoin the system later. When a node fails, all the publishers and subscribers on that node have to be

The influence of different classification standards of age groups on prognosis in high-grade hemispheric glioma patients.

PubMed

Chen, Jian-Wu; Zhou, Chang-Fu; Lin, Zhi-Xiong

2015-09-15

Although age is thought to correlate with the prognosis of glioma patients, the most appropriate age-group classification standard to evaluate prognosis had not been fully studied. This study aimed to investigate the influence of age-group classification standards on the prognosis of patients with high-grade hemispheric glioma (HGG). This retrospective study of 125 HGG patients used three different classification standards of age-groups (≤ 50 and >50 years old, ≤ 60 and >60 years old, ≤ 45 and 45-65 and ≥ 65 years old) to evaluate the impact of age on prognosis. The primary end-point was overall survival (OS). The Kaplan-Meier method was applied for univariate analysis and Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis. Univariate analysis showed a significant correlation between OS and all three classification standards of age-groups as well as between OS and pathological grade, gender, location of glioma, and regular chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that the only independent predictors of OS were classification standard of age-groups ≤ 50 and > 50 years old, pathological grade and regular chemotherapy. In summary, the most appropriate classification standard of age-groups as an independent prognostic factor was ≤ 50 and > 50 years old. Pathological grade and chemotherapy were also independent predictors of OS in post-operative HGG patients. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Exposure-response analysis of alectinib in crizotinib-resistant ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Morcos, Peter N; Nueesch, Eveline; Jaminion, Felix; Guerini, Elena; Hsu, Joy C; Bordogna, Walter; Balas, Bogdana; Mercier, Francois

2018-05-10

Alectinib is a selective and potent anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor that is active in the central nervous system (CNS). Alectinib demonstrated robust efficacy in a pooled analysis of two single-arm, open-label phase II studies (NP28673, NCT01801111; NP28761, NCT01871805) in crizotinib-resistant ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): median overall survival (OS) 29.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.3-39.0) for alectinib 600 mg twice daily (BID). We investigated exposure-response relationships from final pooled phase II OS and safety data to assess alectinib dose selection. A semi-parametric Cox proportional hazards model analyzed relationships between individual median observed steady-state trough concentrations (C trough,ss ) for combined exposure of alectinib and its major metabolite (M4), baseline covariates (demographics and disease characteristics) and OS. Univariate logistic regression analysis analyzed relationships between C trough,ss and incidence of adverse events (AEs: serious and Grade ≥ 3). Overall, 92% of patients (n = 207/225) had C trough,ss data and were included in the analysis. No statistically significant relationship was found between C trough,ss and OS following alectinib treatment. The only baseline covariates that statistically influenced OS were baseline tumor size and prior crizotinib treatment duration. Larger baseline tumor size and shorter prior crizotinib treatment were both associated with shorter OS. Logistic regression confirmed no significant relationship between C trough,ss and AEs. Alectinib 600 mg BID provides systemic exposures at plateau of response for OS while maintaining a well-tolerated safety profile. This analysis confirms alectinib 600 mg BID as the recommended global dose for patients with crizotinib-resistant ALK-positive NSCLC.

Prognostic risk stratification derived from individual patient level data for men with advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma receiving first-line systemic therapy.

PubMed

Pond, Gregory R; Di Lorenzo, Giuseppe; Necchi, Andrea; Eigl, Bernhard J; Kolinsky, Michael P; Chacko, Raju T; Dorff, Tanya B; Harshman, Lauren C; Milowsky, Matthew I; Lee, Richard J; Galsky, Matthew D; Federico, Piera; Bolger, Graeme; DeShazo, Mollie; Mehta, Amitkumar; Goyal, Jatinder; Sonpavde, Guru

2014-05-01

Prognostic factors in men with penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) receiving systemic therapy are unknown. A prognostic classification system in this disease may facilitate interpretation of outcomes and guide rational drug development. We performed a retrospective analysis to identify prognostic factors in men with PSCC receiving first-line systemic therapy for advanced disease. Individual patient level data were obtained from 13 institutions to study prognostic factors in the context of first-line systemic therapy for advanced PSCC. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted to examine the prognostic effect of these candidate factors on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS): age, stage, hemoglobin, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, albumin, site of metastasis (visceral or nonvisceral), smoking, circumcision, regimen, ECOG performance status (PS), lymphovascular invasion, precancerous lesion, and surgery following chemotherapy. The effect of different treatments was then evaluated adjusting for factors in the prognostic model. The study included 140 eligible men. Mean age across all men was 57.0 years. Among them, 8.6%, 21.4%, and 70.0% of patients had stage 2, 3, and 4 diseases, respectively; 40.7% had ECOG PS ≥ 1, 47.4% had visceral metastases, and 73.6% received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The multivariate model of poor prognostic factors included visceral metastases (P<0.001) and ECOG PS ≥ 1 (P<0.001) for both PFS and OS. A risk stratification model constructed with 0, 1, and both poor prognostic factors was internally validated and demonstrated moderate discriminatory ability (c-statistic of 0.657 and 0.677 for OS and PFS, respectively). The median OS for the entire population was 9 months. Median OS was not reached, 8, and 7 months for those with 0, 1, and both risk factors, respectively. Cisplatin-based regimens were associated with better OS (P = 0.017) but not PFS (P = 0.37) compared with noncisplatin-based regimens after adjusting for the 2 prognostic factors. In men with advanced PSCC receiving first-line systemic therapy, visceral metastases and ECOG PS ≥ 1 were poor prognostic factors. A prognostic model including these factors exhibited moderate discriminatory ability for outcomes and warrants external validation. Patients receiving cisplatin-based regimens exhibited better outcomes compared with noncisplatin-based regimens after adjusting for prognostic factors. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.

The Prognostic Role of Cancer Stem Cell Markers for Long-term Outcome After Resection of Colonic Liver Metastases.

PubMed

Spelt, Lidewij; Sasor, Agata; Ansari, Daniel; Hilmersson, Katarzyna Said; Andersson, Roland

2018-01-01

To assess the expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers CD44, CD133 and CD24 in colon cancer liver metastases and analyse their predictive value for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) after liver resection. Patients operated on for colon cancer liver metastases were included. CSC marker expression was determined through immunohistochemistry analysis. OS and DFS were compared between marker-positive and marker-negative patients. Multivariate analysis was performed to select predictive variables for OS and DFS. CD133-positive patients had a worse DFS than CD133-negative patients, with a median DFS of 12 and 25 months (p=0.051). Multivariate analysis selected CD133 expression as a significant predictor for DFS. CD44 and CD24 were not found to predict OS or DFS. CD133 expression in colonic liver metastases is a negative prognostic factor for DFS after liver resection. In the future, CD133 could be used as a biomarker for risk stratification, and possibly for developing novel targeted therapy. Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Body mass index and cholesterol level predict surgical outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan - a cohort study.

PubMed

Lee, Ya-Ling; Li, Wan-Chun; Tsai, Tung-Hu; Chiang, Hsin-Yu; Ting, Chin-Tsung

2016-04-19

Curative surgical resection (CSR) remains the most effective therapeutic intervention for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, frequent post-surgical recurrence leads to high cancer related mortality. This study aimed to clarify the role of body mass index (BMI) and serum cholesterol level in predicting post-surgical outcomes in HCC patients after CSR. A total of 484 HCC patients including 213 BMIhigh and 271 BMIlow patients were included. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were examined in patients with differential BMI and serum cholesterol level. The analysis showed that significant different 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative OS rates (P-value=0.015) and RFS rate (P-value=0.010) between BMIlow and BMIhigh patients. Further analysis in groups with differential serum cholesterol levels among BMIlow and BMIhigh patients indicated that the BMIlow/Chollow patients exhibited the significant lower cumulative OS and RFS rates in comparison with the remaining subjects (P-value=0.007 and 0.039 for OS and RFS rates, respectively). In conclusion, the coexistence of low BMI and low serum cholesterol level could serve as prognostic factors to predict post-operative outcomes in HCC patients undergoing surgical hepatectomy.