Beyond Technology Transfer: Quality of Life Impacts from R&D Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stone, Vathsala I.; Lockett, Michelle; Usiak, Douglas J.; Arthanat, Sajay

2010-01-01

This paper presents methodology and findings from three product efficacy studies that verify the quality of life benefits resulting from prior research, development, and transfer activities. The paper then discusses key lessons learned with implications for product evaluation practice. The studies assessed the quality of three assistive technology…

Amazon plant diversity revealed by a taxonomically verified species list.

PubMed

Cardoso, Domingos; Särkinen, Tiina; Alexander, Sara; Amorim, André M; Bittrich, Volker; Celis, Marcela; Daly, Douglas C; Fiaschi, Pedro; Funk, Vicki A; Giacomin, Leandro L; Goldenberg, Renato; Heiden, Gustavo; Iganci, João; Kelloff, Carol L; Knapp, Sandra; Cavalcante de Lima, Haroldo; Machado, Anderson F P; Dos Santos, Rubens Manoel; Mello-Silva, Renato; Michelangeli, Fabián A; Mitchell, John; Moonlight, Peter; de Moraes, Pedro Luís Rodrigues; Mori, Scott A; Nunes, Teonildes Sacramento; Pennington, Terry D; Pirani, José Rubens; Prance, Ghillean T; de Queiroz, Luciano Paganucci; Rapini, Alessandro; Riina, Ricarda; Rincon, Carlos Alberto Vargas; Roque, Nádia; Shimizu, Gustavo; Sobral, Marcos; Stehmann, João Renato; Stevens, Warren D; Taylor, Charlotte M; Trovó, Marcelo; van den Berg, Cássio; van der Werff, Henk; Viana, Pedro Lage; Zartman, Charles E; Forzza, Rafaela Campostrini

2017-10-03

Recent debates on the number of plant species in the vast lowland rain forests of the Amazon have been based largely on model estimates, neglecting published checklists based on verified voucher data. Here we collate taxonomically verified checklists to present a list of seed plant species from lowland Amazon rain forests. Our list comprises 14,003 species, of which 6,727 are trees. These figures are similar to estimates derived from nonparametric ecological models, but they contrast strongly with predictions of much higher tree diversity derived from parametric models. Based on the known proportion of tree species in neotropical lowland rain forest communities as measured in complete plot censuses, and on overall estimates of seed plant diversity in Brazil and in the neotropics in general, it is more likely that tree diversity in the Amazon is closer to the lower estimates derived from nonparametric models. Much remains unknown about Amazonian plant diversity, but this taxonomically verified dataset provides a valid starting point for macroecological and evolutionary studies aimed at understanding the origin, evolution, and ecology of the exceptional biodiversity of Amazonian forests.

Amazon plant diversity revealed by a taxonomically verified species list

PubMed Central

Cardoso, Domingos; Särkinen, Tiina; Alexander, Sara; Amorim, André M.; Bittrich, Volker; Celis, Marcela; Daly, Douglas C.; Fiaschi, Pedro; Funk, Vicki A.; Giacomin, Leandro L.; Heiden, Gustavo; Iganci, João; Kelloff, Carol L.; Knapp, Sandra; Cavalcante de Lima, Haroldo; Machado, Anderson F. P.; dos Santos, Rubens Manoel; Mello-Silva, Renato; Michelangeli, Fabián A.; Mitchell, John; Moonlight, Peter; de Moraes, Pedro Luís Rodrigues; Mori, Scott A.; Nunes, Teonildes Sacramento; Pennington, Terry D.; Pirani, José Rubens; Prance, Ghillean T.; de Queiroz, Luciano Paganucci; Rapini, Alessandro; Rincon, Carlos Alberto Vargas; Roque, Nádia; Shimizu, Gustavo; Sobral, Marcos; Stehmann, João Renato; Stevens, Warren D.; Taylor, Charlotte M.; Trovó, Marcelo; van den Berg, Cássio; van der Werff, Henk; Viana, Pedro Lage; Zartman, Charles E.; Forzza, Rafaela Campostrini

2017-01-01

Recent debates on the number of plant species in the vast lowland rain forests of the Amazon have been based largely on model estimates, neglecting published checklists based on verified voucher data. Here we collate taxonomically verified checklists to present a list of seed plant species from lowland Amazon rain forests. Our list comprises 14,003 species, of which 6,727 are trees. These figures are similar to estimates derived from nonparametric ecological models, but they contrast strongly with predictions of much higher tree diversity derived from parametric models. Based on the known proportion of tree species in neotropical lowland rain forest communities as measured in complete plot censuses, and on overall estimates of seed plant diversity in Brazil and in the neotropics in general, it is more likely that tree diversity in the Amazon is closer to the lower estimates derived from nonparametric models. Much remains unknown about Amazonian plant diversity, but this taxonomically verified dataset provides a valid starting point for macroecological and evolutionary studies aimed at understanding the origin, evolution, and ecology of the exceptional biodiversity of Amazonian forests. PMID:28923966

JTAG-based remote configuration of FPGAs over optical fibers

DOE PAGES

Deng, B.; Xu, H.; Liu, C.; ...

2015-01-28

In this study, a remote FPGA-configuration method based on JTAG extension over optical fibers is presented. The method takes advantage of commercial components and ready-to-use software such as iMPACT and does not require any hardware or software development. The method combines the advantages of the slow remote JTAG configuration and the fast local flash memory configuration. The method has been verified successfully and used in the Demonstrator of Liquid-Argon Trigger Digitization Board (LTDB) for the ATLAS liquid argon calorimeter Phase-I trigger upgrade. All components on the FPGA side are verified to meet the radiation tolerance requirements.

Statistics of lattice animals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Hsiao-Ping; Nadler, Walder; Grassberger, Peter

2005-07-01

The scaling behavior of randomly branched polymers in a good solvent is studied in two to nine dimensions, modeled by lattice animals on simple hypercubic lattices. For the simulations, we use a biased sequential sampling algorithm with re-sampling, similar to the pruned-enriched Rosenbluth method (PERM) used extensively for linear polymers. We obtain high statistics of animals with up to several thousand sites in all dimension 2⩽d⩽9. The partition sum (number of different animals) and gyration radii are estimated. In all dimensions we verify the Parisi-Sourlas prediction, and we verify all exactly known critical exponents in dimensions 2, 3, 4, and ⩾8. In addition, we present the hitherto most precise estimates for growth constants in d⩾3. For clusters with one site attached to an attractive surface, we verify the superuniversality of the cross-over exponent at the adsorption transition predicted by Janssen and Lyssy.

Maths Circus: Boomerangs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Humble, Steve; Briarley, Derel; Mappouridou, Christina; Duncan, Gavin; Turner, David; Handley, Jodi

2006-01-01

This paper presents an example of boomerang motion in mathematical terms available to students studying A-level mathematics. The theory developed in the paper postulates possible mathematical models that are verified by experimental results. The paper centres on the three-wing boomerang invented by Professor Yutaka Nishiyama.

Verification and Validation of Requirements on the CEV Parachute Assembly System Using Design of Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schulte, Peter Z.; Moore, James W.

2011-01-01

The Crew Exploration Vehicle Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) project conducts computer simulations to verify that flight performance requirements on parachute loads and terminal rate of descent are met. Design of Experiments (DoE) provides a systematic method for variation of simulation input parameters. When implemented and interpreted correctly, a DoE study of parachute simulation tools indicates values and combinations of parameters that may cause requirement limits to be violated. This paper describes one implementation of DoE that is currently being developed by CPAS, explains how DoE results can be interpreted, and presents the results of several preliminary studies. The potential uses of DoE to validate parachute simulation models and verify requirements are also explored.

Arithmetic Circuit Verification Based on Symbolic Computer Algebra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Yuki; Homma, Naofumi; Aoki, Takafumi; Higuchi, Tatsuo

This paper presents a formal approach to verify arithmetic circuits using symbolic computer algebra. Our method describes arithmetic circuits directly with high-level mathematical objects based on weighted number systems and arithmetic formulae. Such circuit description can be effectively verified by polynomial reduction techniques using Gröbner Bases. In this paper, we describe how the symbolic computer algebra can be used to describe and verify arithmetic circuits. The advantageous effects of the proposed approach are demonstrated through experimental verification of some arithmetic circuits such as multiply-accumulator and FIR filter. The result shows that the proposed approach has a definite possibility of verifying practical arithmetic circuits.

Spin-dependent sum rules connecting real and virtual Compton scattering verified

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lensky, Vadim; Pascalutsa, Vladimir; Vanderhaeghen, Marc; Kao, Chung Wen

2017-04-01

We present a detailed derivation of the two sum rules relating the spin polarizabilities measured in real, virtual, and doubly virtual Compton scattering. For example, the polarizability δL T , accessed in inclusive electron scattering, is related to the spin polarizability γE 1 E 1 and the slope of generalized polarizabilities P(M 1 ,M 1 )1-P(L 1 ,L 1 )1 , measured in, respectively, the real and the virtual Compton scattering. We verify these sum rules in different variants of chiral perturbation theory, discuss their empirical verification for the proton, and prospect their use in studies of the nucleon spin structure.

Odontomas and Supernumerary Teeth: Is There a Common Origin?

PubMed Central

Pippi, Roberto

2014-01-01

The aim of the present work is to analyze all scientific evidence to verify whether similarities supporting a unified explanation for odontomas and supernumerary teeth exist. A literature search was first conducted for epidemiologic studies indexed by PubMed, to verify their worldwide incidence. The analysis of the literature data shows some interesting similarities between odontomas and supernumerary teeth concerning their topographic distribution and pathologic manifestations. There is also some indication of common genetic and immuno-histochemical factors. Although from a nosological point of view, odontomas and supernumeraries are classified as distinct entities, they seem to be the expression of the same pathologic process, either malformative or hamartomatous. PMID:25419174

Comparative Study of the Ride Quality of TRACV Suspension Alternatives

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-06-01

A linearized model of the pitch-heave dynamics of a Tracked Ram Air Cushion Vehicle is presented. This model is based on aerodynamic theory which has been verified by wind tunnel and towed model experiments. The vehicle is assumed to be equipped with...

Formal verification of medical monitoring software using Z language: a representative sample.

PubMed

Babamir, Seyed Morteza; Borhani, Mehdi

2012-08-01

Medical monitoring systems are useful aids assisting physicians in keeping patients under constant surveillance; however, taking sound decision by the systems is a physician concern. As a result, verification of the systems behavior in monitoring patients is a matter of significant. The patient monitoring is undertaken by software in modern medical systems; so, software verification of modern medial systems have been noticed. Such verification can be achieved by the Formal Languages having mathematical foundations. Among others, the Z language is a suitable formal language has been used to formal verification of systems. This study aims to present a constructive method to verify a representative sample of a medical system by which the system is visually specified and formally verified against patient constraints stated in Z Language. Exploiting our past experience in formal modeling Continuous Infusion Insulin Pump (CIIP), we think of the CIIP system as a representative sample of medical systems in proposing our present study. The system is responsible for monitoring diabetic's blood sugar.

Verify Module for Reporting A/C and Off-Cycle GHG Credits for Light-Duty Vehicle and Truck Manufacturers

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EPA presentation provides information on using the new Verify module, streamlining the process required to electronically submit annual reporting of air conditioning (A/C) and off-cycle GHG credits for light duty manufacturers.

Using Dynamic Geometry Software To Add Contrast to Geometric Situations--A Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holzl, Reinhard

2001-01-01

Uses of Dynamic Geometry Software (DGS) are often limited purely to a verifying role. Presents a case study that emerged from a project in which DGS formed an integral part of the pedagogical arrangement. The study demonstrates how the contrasting power of DGS might be utilized in a guided discovery setting. (Contains 17 references.) (Author/ASK)

Verification bias: an under-recognized source of error in assessing the efficacy of MRI of the meniscii.

PubMed

Richardson, Michael L; Petscavage, Jonelle M

2011-11-01

The sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis of meniscal tears has been studied extensively, with tears usually verified by surgery. However, surgically unverified cases are often not considered in these studies, leading to verification bias, which can falsely increase the sensitivity and decrease the specificity estimates. Our study suggests that such bias may be very common in the meniscal MRI literature, and illustrates techniques to detect and correct for such bias. PubMed was searched for articles estimating sensitivity and specificity of MRI for meniscal tears. These were assessed for verification bias, deemed potentially present if a study included any patients whose MRI findings were not surgically verified. Retrospective global sensitivity analysis (GSA) was performed when possible. Thirty-nine of the 314 studies retrieved from PubMed specifically dealt with meniscal tears. All 39 included unverified patients, and hence, potential verification bias. Only seven articles included sufficient information to perform GSA. Of these, one showed definite verification bias, two showed no bias, and four others showed bias within certain ranges of disease prevalence. Only 9 of 39 acknowledged the possibility of verification bias. Verification bias is underrecognized and potentially common in published estimates of the sensitivity and specificity of MRI for the diagnosis of meniscal tears. When possible, it should be avoided by proper study design. If unavoidable, it should be acknowledged. Investigators should tabulate unverified as well as verified data. Finally, verification bias should be estimated; if present, corrected estimates of sensitivity and specificity should be used. Our online web-based calculator makes this process relatively easy. Copyright © 2011 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Design of Remote Heat-Meter System Based on Trusted Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Changgeng; Lai, Liping

2018-03-01

This article presents a proposal of a heat meter and remote meter reading system for the disadvantages of the hackers very easily using eavesdropping, tampering, replay attack of traditional remote meter reading system. The system selects trusted technology such as, the identity authentication, integrity verifying, and data protection. By the experiments, it is proved that the remote meter reading system of the heat meter can be used to verify the feasibility of the technology, and verify the practicability and operability of data protection technology.

Verifying Safety Messages Using Relative-Time and Zone Priority in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks.

PubMed

Banani, Sam; Gordon, Steven; Thiemjarus, Surapa; Kittipiyakul, Somsak

2018-04-13

In high-density road networks, with each vehicle broadcasting multiple messages per second, the arrival rate of safety messages can easily exceed the rate at which digital signatures can be verified. Since not all messages can be verified, algorithms for selecting which messages to verify are required to ensure that each vehicle receives appropriate awareness about neighbouring vehicles. This paper presents a novel scheme to select important safety messages for verification in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). The proposed scheme uses location and direction of the sender, as well as proximity and relative-time between vehicles, to reduce the number of irrelevant messages verified (i.e., messages from vehicles that are unlikely to cause an accident). Compared with other existing schemes, the analysis results show that the proposed scheme can verify messages from nearby vehicles with lower inter-message delay and reduced packet loss and thus provides high level of awareness of the nearby vehicles.

Verifying Safety Messages Using Relative-Time and Zone Priority in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

PubMed Central

Banani, Sam; Thiemjarus, Surapa; Kittipiyakul, Somsak

2018-01-01

In high-density road networks, with each vehicle broadcasting multiple messages per second, the arrival rate of safety messages can easily exceed the rate at which digital signatures can be verified. Since not all messages can be verified, algorithms for selecting which messages to verify are required to ensure that each vehicle receives appropriate awareness about neighbouring vehicles. This paper presents a novel scheme to select important safety messages for verification in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). The proposed scheme uses location and direction of the sender, as well as proximity and relative-time between vehicles, to reduce the number of irrelevant messages verified (i.e., messages from vehicles that are unlikely to cause an accident). Compared with other existing schemes, the analysis results show that the proposed scheme can verify messages from nearby vehicles with lower inter-message delay and reduced packet loss and thus provides high level of awareness of the nearby vehicles. PMID:29652840

Doppler radar detection of vortex hazard indicators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nespor, Jerald D.; Hudson, B.; Stegall, R. L.; Freedman, Jerome E.

1994-01-01

Wake vortex experiments were conducted at White Sands Missile Range, NM using the AN/MPS-39 Multiple Object Tracking Radar (MOTR). The purpose of these experiments was twofold. The first objective was to verify that radar returns from wake vortex are observed for some time after the passage of an aircraft. The second objective was to verify that other vortex hazard indicators such as ambient wind speed and direction could also be detected. The present study addresses the Doppler characteristics of wake vortex and clear air returns based upon measurements employing MOTR, a very sensitive C-Band phased array radar. In this regard, the experiment was conducted so that the spectral characteristics could be determined on a dwell to-dwell basis. Results are presented from measurements of the backscattered power (equivalent structure constant), radial velocity and spectral width when the aircraft flies transverse and axial to the radar beam. The statistics of the backscattered power and spectral width for each case are given. In addition, the scan strategy, experimental test procedure and radar parameters are presented.

A Comparison of Semantic and Syntactic Event Related Potentials Generated by Children and Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atchley, Ruth Ann; Rice, Mabel L.; Betz, Stacy K.; Kwasny, Kristin M.; Sereno, Joan A.; Jongman, Allard

2006-01-01

The present study employs event related potentials (ERPs) to verify the utility of using electrophysiological measures to study developmental questions within the field of language comprehension. Established ERP components (N400 and P600) that reflect semantic and syntactic processing were examined. Fifteen adults and 14 children (ages 8-13)…

Adapting to Change: What Motivates Manitoban Schools to Learn

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lam, Y. L. Jack

2004-01-01

This study assesses the relative importance of environmental, intraorganizational, and contextual factors that explain the process and outcomes of organizational learning in six Manitoba schools. Based on the data provided by 265 teaching staff and their principals, the present findings verified that transformational leadership, supportive school…

GUIDANCE FOR OBTAINING REPRESENTATIVE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY SUBSAMPLES FROM PARTICULATE LABORATORY SAMPLES

EPA Science Inventory

An ongoing research program has been established to experimentally verify the application of the Gy theory to environmental samples, which serves as a supporting basis for -the material presented in this guidance. Research results from studies performed by the United
States E...

Peer-Assisted Leadership: Reducing Educational Managers' Professional Isolation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dussault, Marc; Barnett, Bruce G.

1996-01-01

Presents a study that verified the effects of the peer-assisted leadership program (PAL) on communication networks and professional isolation of 41 Quebec educational managers, using a one-group pretest posttest design. Results showed that PAL significantly reduced professional isolation without widening participants' communication networks. (34…

The development of methods for predicting and measuring distribution patterns of aerial sprays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ormsbee, A. I.; Bragg, M. B.; Maughmer, M. D.

1979-01-01

The capability of conducting scale model experiments which involve the ejection of small particles into the wake of an aircraft close to the ground is developed. A set of relationships used to scale small-sized dispersion studies to full-size results are experimentally verified and, with some qualifications, basic deposition patterns are presented. In the process of validating these scaling laws, the basic experimental techniques used in conducting such studies, both with and without an operational propeller, were developed. The procedures that evolved are outlined. The envelope of test conditions that can be accommodated in the Langley Vortex Research Facility, which were developed theoretically, are verified using a series of vortex trajectory experiments that help to define the limitations due to wall interference effects for models of different sizes.

Flight motor set 36OH005 (STS-28R). Volume 5: (Nozzle component)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Dan M., Jr.

1990-01-01

A review of the performance and post flight condition of the STS-28 redesigned solid rocket motor (RSRM) nozzles is presented in this document. Applicable discrepancy reports (DR's) and process departures (PD's) are presented in section 5.0. The nozzle component program team (NCPT) performance evaluation and the redesign program review board (RPRB) assessment is included in section 6.0. The STS-28 nozzle assemblies were flown on the RSRM fifth flight (Space Shuttle Columbia). The nozzles were a partially submerged convergent/divergent movable design with an aft pivot point flexible bearing. The nozzle assemblies incorporated the following features: (1) RSRM forward exit cone with snubber assembly; (2) RSRM fixed housing; (3) structural backup outer boot ring (OBR); (4) RSRM cowl ring; (5) RSRM nose inlet assembly; (6) RSRM throat assembly; (7) RSRM forward nose and aft inlet ring; (8) RSRM aft exit cone assembly with linear-shaped charge (LSC); (9) RTV backfill in joints 1, 3, and 4; (10) use of EA913 NA adhesive in place of EA913; (11) redesigned nozzle plug; and (12) carbon cloth phenolic (CCP) with 750 ppm sodium content. The RSRM fifth flight test objectives are as follows: (1) verify that flexible bearing seals operate within the specified temperature range; (2) verify that flexible bearing maintained a positive gas seal between its internal components; (3) inspect flexible bearing for damage due to water impact; (4) verify performance of the nozzle liner; (5) verify that nozzle parts are reusable; (6) verify through flight demonstration and a postflight inspection that the flexible bearing is reusable; (7) verify by inspection the remaining nozzle ablative thicknesses; and (8) verify the nozzle performance margins of safety.

Toxicological evaluation in silico and in vivo of secondary metabolites of Cissampelos sympodialis in Mus musculus mice following inhalation.

PubMed

Alves, Mateus Feitosa; Ferreira, Larissa Adilis Maria Paiva; Gadelha, Francisco Allysson Assis Ferreira; Ferreira, Laércia Karla Diega Paiva; Felix, Mayara Barbalho; Scotti, Marcus Tullius; Scotti, Luciana; de Oliveira, Kardilândia Mendes; Dos Santos, Sócrates Golzio; Diniz, Margareth de Fátima Formiga Melo

2017-12-04

The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Cissampelos sympodialis showed great pharmacological potential, with inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, however, it showed some toxicological effects. Therefore, this study aims to verify the toxicological potential of alkaloids of the genus Cissampelos through in silico methodologies, to develop a method in LC-MS/MS verifying the presence of alkaloids in the infusion and to evaluate the toxicity of the infusion of the leaves of C. sympodialis when inhaled by Swiss mice. Results in silico showed that alkaloid 93 presented high toxicological potential along with the products of its metabolism. LC-MS/MS results showed that the infusion of the leaves of this plant contained the alkaloids warifteine and methylwarifteine. Finally, the in vivo toxicological analysis of the C. sympodialis infusion showed results, both in biochemistry, organ weights and histological analysis, that the infusion of C. sympodialis leaves presents a low toxicity.

Associations between Inadequate Parenting Practices and Behavioral Problems in Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

PubMed Central

Triguero Veloz Teixeira, Maria Cristina; de Freitas Marino, Regina Luisa; Rodrigues Carreiro, Luiz Renato

2015-01-01

Children and adolescents with ADHD present behaviors such as impulsiveness, inattention, and difficulties with personal organization that represent an overload for parents. Moreover, it also increases their level of stress and leads them to resort to inadequate educational strategies. The present study verifies associations between inadequate parenting practices and behavioral profiles of children and adolescents with ADHD. The sample was composed of 22 children with ADHD (age range 6–16 years) and their mothers. Spearman correlation analyses were made with the scores of Parenting Style Inventory (PSI) and Child Behavior Checklist for ages 6–18 (CBCL/6–18). Results indicate statistically significant associations between behavioral problems and the use of punishment practices and negligence. When assessing a child with ADHD, it is important to verify the predominant types of parenting practices that can influence both immediate interventions and the prognosis of the disorder. PMID:26844292

Lithium-Ion Small Cell Battery Shorting Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearson, Chris; Curzon, David; Blackmore, Paul; Rao, Gopalakrishna

2004-01-01

AEA performed a hard short study on various cell configurations whilst monitoring voltage, current and temperature. Video recording was also done to verify the evidence for cell venting. The presentation summarizes the results of the study including video footage of typical samples. Need for the diode protection in manned applications is identified. The standard AEA approach of using fused connectors during AIT for unmanned applications is also described.

[Metabolic disorders and adiposity in a rural population].

PubMed

Silva, Daniele A; Felisbino-Mendes, Mariana S; Pimenta, Adriano M; Gazzinelli, Andrea; Kac, Gilberto; Velásquez-Meléndez, Gustavo

2008-04-01

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to verify the prevalence of overweight and central adiposity (CA) in a sample of 287 adult subjects that lived in a rural community of Minas Gerais State. Means lipids, lipoproteins, glucose and blood pressure levels were compared according adiposity categories using One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Prevalence of overweight was 24.8% (37.4% for female; 11.5% for male). CA was verified in 28.1% of the individuals (50.3% for female; 4.3% for male). The associations between CA and overweight with the metabolic disorders: arterial hypertension (AH), dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia were estimated. Subjects with CA presented higher mean values of blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and lower mean values of HDL. CA was associated with AH, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Associations between overweight and AH, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia were also verified. These results confirm the potential effect of body composition shifting, especially at the abdominal level, on lipids, glucose metabolism and on blood pressure levels in rural populations.

Recognizing Disguised Faces: Human and Machine Evaluation

PubMed Central

Dhamecha, Tejas Indulal; Singh, Richa; Vatsa, Mayank; Kumar, Ajay

2014-01-01

Face verification, though an easy task for humans, is a long-standing open research area. This is largely due to the challenging covariates, such as disguise and aging, which make it very hard to accurately verify the identity of a person. This paper investigates human and machine performance for recognizing/verifying disguised faces. Performance is also evaluated under familiarity and match/mismatch with the ethnicity of observers. The findings of this study are used to develop an automated algorithm to verify the faces presented under disguise variations. We use automatically localized feature descriptors which can identify disguised face patches and account for this information to achieve improved matching accuracy. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated on the IIIT-Delhi Disguise database that contains images pertaining to 75 subjects with different kinds of disguise variations. The experiments suggest that the proposed algorithm can outperform a popular commercial system and evaluates them against humans in matching disguised face images. PMID:25029188

Verification of the Cross Immunoreactivity of A60, a Mouse Monoclonal Antibody against Neuronal Nuclear Protein.

PubMed

Mao, Shanping; Xiong, Guoxiang; Zhang, Lei; Dong, Huimin; Liu, Baohui; Cohen, Noam A; Cohen, Akiva S

2016-01-01

A60, the mouse monoclonal antibody against the neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), is the most widely used neuronal marker in neuroscience research and neuropathological assays. Previous studies identified fragments of A60-immunoprecipitated protein as Synapsin I (Syn I), suggesting the antibody will demonstrate cross immunoreactivity. However, the likelihood of cross reactivity has never been verified by immunohistochemical techniques. Using our established tissue processing and immunofluorescent staining protocols, we found that A60 consistently labeled mossy fiber terminals in hippocampal area CA3. These A60-positive mossy fiber terminals could also be labeled by Syn I antibody. After treating brain slices with saponin in order to better preserve various membrane and/or vesicular proteins for immunostaining, we observed that A60 could also label additional synapses in various brain areas. Therefore, we used A60 together with a rabbit monoclonal NeuN antibody to confirm the existence of this cross reactivity. We showed that the putative band positive for A60 and Syn I could not be detected by the rabbit anti-NeuN in Western blotting. As efficient as Millipore A60 to recognize neuronal nuclei, the rabbit NeuN antibody demonstrated no labeling of synaptic structures in immunofluorescent staining. The present study successfully verified the cross reactivity present in immunohistochemistry, cautioning that A60 may not be the ideal biomarker to verify neuronal identity due to its cross immunoreactivity. In contrast, the rabbit monoclonal NeuN antibody used in this study may be a better candidate to substitute for A60.

The Impact on Vocational Training of Studies. Analysing and Forecasting Trends in Occupations. Case Studies in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. CEDEFOP Document.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, Thessaloniki (Greece).

This report describes a study to verify the impact on vocational training policies of research and development work carried out in the field of anticipation of educational and training needs, labor market forecasts, and skills analysis. Section I provides background. Section II presents the framework of the study. Section III includes the full…

Entanglement verification with detection efficiency mismatch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yanbao; Lütkenhaus, Norbert

Entanglement is a necessary condition for secure quantum key distribution (QKD). When there is an efficiency mismatch between various detectors used in the QKD system, it is still an open problem how to verify entanglement. Here we present a method to address this problem, given that the detection efficiency mismatch is characterized and known. The method works without assuming an upper bound on the number of photons going to each threshold detector. Our results suggest that the efficiency mismatch affects the ability to verify entanglement: the larger the efficiency mismatch is, the smaller the set of entangled states that can be verified becomes. When there is no mismatch, our method can verify entanglement even if the method based on squashing maps [PRL 101, 093601 (2008)] fails.

Adaptation and Validation of the Brazilian Version of the Hope Index

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pacico, Juliana Cerentini; Zanon, Cristian; Bastianello, Micheline Roat; Reppold, Caroline Tozzi; Hutz, Claudio Simon

2013-01-01

The objective of this study was to adapt and gather validity evidence for a Brazilian sample version of the Hope Index and to verify if cultural differences would produce different results than those found in the United States. In this study, we present a set of analyses that together comprise a comprehensive validity argument for the use of a…

Designing from Cinema: Film as Trigger of the Creative Process in Architecture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bergera, Iñaki

2018-01-01

The present paper examines, in a case study format, the use of films, short films and audiovisual documentaries as reasoning and references for design assignments during the first years of an architectural degree course. The aim of this fruitful and comparable experience is not so much to study and verify the well-known synergies between film and…

CADASTER QSPR Models for Predictions of Melting and Boiling Points of Perfluorinated Chemicals.

PubMed

Bhhatarai, Barun; Teetz, Wolfram; Liu, Tao; Öberg, Tomas; Jeliazkova, Nina; Kochev, Nikolay; Pukalov, Ognyan; Tetko, Igor V; Kovarich, Simona; Papa, Ester; Gramatica, Paola

2011-03-14

Quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) studies on per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) on melting point (MP) and boiling point (BP) are presented. The training and prediction chemicals used for developing and validating the models were selected from Syracuse PhysProp database and literatures. The available experimental data sets were split in two different ways: a) random selection on response value, and b) structural similarity verified by self-organizing-map (SOM), in order to propose reliable predictive models, developed only on the training sets and externally verified on the prediction sets. Individual linear and non-linear approaches based models developed by different CADASTER partners on 0D-2D Dragon descriptors, E-state descriptors and fragment based descriptors as well as consensus model and their predictions are presented. In addition, the predictive performance of the developed models was verified on a blind external validation set (EV-set) prepared using PERFORCE database on 15 MP and 25 BP data respectively. This database contains only long chain perfluoro-alkylated chemicals, particularly monitored by regulatory agencies like US-EPA and EU-REACH. QSPR models with internal and external validation on two different external prediction/validation sets and study of applicability-domain highlighting the robustness and high accuracy of the models are discussed. Finally, MPs for additional 303 PFCs and BPs for 271 PFCs were predicted for which experimental measurements are unknown. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Data Acquisition System for Water Heating and Cooling Experiments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perea Martins, J. E. M.

2017-01-01

This work presents a simple analogue waterproof temperature probe design and its electronic interfacing with a computer to compose a data acquisition system for water temperature measurement. It also demonstrates the system usage through an experiment to verify the water heating period with an electric heater and another to verify the Newton's law…

Appraising the value of independent EIA follow-up verifiers

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

Wessels, Jan-Albert, E-mail: janalbert.wessels@nwu.ac.za; Retief, Francois, E-mail: francois.retief@nwu.ac.za; Morrison-Saunders, Angus, E-mail: A.Morrison-Saunders@murdoch.edu.au

Independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) follow-up verifiers such as monitoring agencies, checkers, supervisors and control officers are active on various construction sites across the world. There are, however, differing views on the value that these verifiers add and very limited learning in EIA has been drawn from independent verifiers. This paper aims to appraise how and to what extent independent EIA follow-up verifiers add value in major construction projects in the developing country context of South Africa. A framework for appraising the role of independent verifiers was established and four South African case studies were examined through a mixture ofmore » site visits, project document analysis, and interviews. Appraisal results were documented in the performance areas of: planning, doing, checking, acting, public participating and integration with other programs. The results indicate that independent verifiers add most value to major construction projects when involved with screening EIA requirements of new projects, allocation of financial and human resources, checking legal compliance, influencing implementation, reporting conformance results, community and stakeholder engagement, integration with self-responsibility programs such as environmental management systems (EMS), and controlling records. It was apparent that verifiers could be more creatively utilized in pre-construction preparation, providing feedback of knowledge into assessment of new projects, giving input to the planning and design phase of projects, and performance evaluation. The study confirms the benefits of proponent and regulator follow-up, specifically in having independent verifiers that disclose information, facilitate discussion among stakeholders, are adaptable and proactive, aid in the integration of EIA with other programs, and instill trust in EIA enforcement by conformance evaluation. Overall, the study provides insight on how to harness the learning opportunities arising from EIA follow-up through the appointment of independent verifiers. - Highlights: • A framework for appraising the role of independent verifiers is established. • The value added to EIA follow-up by independent verifiers in South Africa is documented. • Verifiers add most value when involved with screening, checking compliance, influencing decisions and community engagement. • Verifiers could be more creatively utilized in pre-construction preparation, giving feedback, and performance evaluation.« less

Incentivizing Verifiable Privacy-Protection Mechanisms for Offline Crowdsensing Applications

PubMed Central

Sun, Jiajun; Liu, Ningzhong

2017-01-01

Incentive mechanisms of crowdsensing have recently been intensively explored. Most of these mechanisms mainly focus on the standard economical goals like truthfulness and utility maximization. However, enormous privacy and security challenges need to be faced directly in real-life environments, such as cost privacies. In this paper, we investigate offline verifiable privacy-protection crowdsensing issues. We firstly present a general verifiable privacy-protection incentive mechanism for the offline homogeneous and heterogeneous sensing job model. In addition, we also propose a more complex verifiable privacy-protection incentive mechanism for the offline submodular sensing job model. The two mechanisms not only explore the private protection issues of users and platform, but also ensure the verifiable correctness of payments between platform and users. Finally, we demonstrate that the two mechanisms satisfy privacy-protection, verifiable correctness of payments and the same revenue as the generic one without privacy protection. Our experiments also validate that the two mechanisms are both scalable and efficient, and applicable for mobile devices in crowdsensing applications based on auctions, where the main incentive for the user is the remuneration. PMID:28869574

Incentivizing Verifiable Privacy-Protection Mechanisms for Offline Crowdsensing Applications.

PubMed

Sun, Jiajun; Liu, Ningzhong

2017-09-04

Incentive mechanisms of crowdsensing have recently been intensively explored. Most of these mechanisms mainly focus on the standard economical goals like truthfulness and utility maximization. However, enormous privacy and security challenges need to be faced directly in real-life environments, such as cost privacies. In this paper, we investigate offline verifiable privacy-protection crowdsensing issues. We firstly present a general verifiable privacy-protection incentive mechanism for the offline homogeneous and heterogeneous sensing job model. In addition, we also propose a more complex verifiable privacy-protection incentive mechanism for the offline submodular sensing job model. The two mechanisms not only explore the private protection issues of users and platform, but also ensure the verifiable correctness of payments between platform and users. Finally, we demonstrate that the two mechanisms satisfy privacy-protection, verifiable correctness of payments and the same revenue as the generic one without privacy protection. Our experiments also validate that the two mechanisms are both scalable and efficient, and applicable for mobile devices in crowdsensing applications based on auctions, where the main incentive for the user is the remuneration.

Burnout, anxiety, depression, and social skills in medical residents.

PubMed

Pereira-Lima, K; Loureiro, S R

2015-01-01

The medical residency is recognized as a risk period for the development of burnout and mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, which have impact on the physician and clientele alike. There is a need for studies that address conditions of risk and protection for the development of such problems. This study aimed to verify the rates of burnout, anxiety, and depression presented by resident physicians, as well as the associations of these problems with social skills, as potential protective factors. The hypothesis was defined that the problems (burnout, anxiety, and depression) would be negatively associated with social skills. A total of 305 medical residents, of both genders, of different specialties, from clinical and surgical areas of a Brazilian university hospital were evaluated using the following standardized self-report instruments: Burnout Syndrome Inventory, Social Skills Inventory, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. High rates of burnout and mental health problems were verified and social skills were negatively associated with burnout dimensions such as emotional exhaustion, emotional detachment, and dehumanization, but positively associated with personal accomplishment. Furthermore, residents with indicators of problems presented significantly lower social skills means than those of residents without indicators of burnout, anxiety, or depression. More studies are needed, which include other types of instruments in addition to self-report ones and evaluate not only social skills but also social competence in the professional practice. These should adopt intervention and longitudinal designs that allow the continuity or overcoming of the problems to be verified. Since social skills can be learned, the results of the study highlight the importance of developing the interpersonal skills of the professionals during the training of resident physicians in order to improve their practice.

Verifying influenza and pneumococcal immunization status of children in 2009-2010 from primary care practice records and from the North Carolina Immunization Registry.

PubMed

Poehling, Katherine A; Vannoy, Lauren; Peters, Timothy R

2013-01-01

The North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR) has been available since 2004. We sought to measure its utilization among practices that provide primary care for children who are enrolled in a prospective influenza surveillance study. This study included children aged 0.5-17 years who presented with fever or acute respiratory symptoms to an emergency department or inpatient setting in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, from September 1, 2009, through May 19, 2010. Study team members verified influenza and pneumococcal immunization status by requesting records from each child's primary care practice and by independently reviewing the NCIR. We assessed agreement of nonregistry immunization medical records with NCIR data using the kappa statistic. Fifty-six practices confirmed the immunization status of 292 study-enrolled children. For most children (238/292, 82%), practices verified the child's immunizations by providing a copy of the NCIR record. For 54 children whose practices verified their immunizations by providing practice records alone, agreement with the NCIR by the kappa statistic was 0.6-0.7 for seasonal and monovalent H1N1 influenza vaccines and 0.8-0.9 for pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines. A total of 221 (98%) of 226 enrolled children younger than 6 years of age had 2 or more immunizations documented in the NCIR. NCIR usage may vary in other regions of North Carolina. More than 95% of children younger than 6 years of age had 2 or more immunizations documented in the NCIR; thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010 goal for immunization information systems was met in this population. We found substantial agreement between practice records and the NCIR for influenza and pneumococcal immunizations in children.

A Three-Dimensional Target Depth-Resolution Method with a Single-Vector Sensor

PubMed Central

Zhao, Anbang; Bi, Xuejie; Hui, Juan; Zeng, Caigao; Ma, Lin

2018-01-01

This paper mainly studies and verifies the target number category-resolution method in multi-target cases and the target depth-resolution method of aerial targets. Firstly, target depth resolution is performed by using the sign distribution of the reactive component of the vertical complex acoustic intensity; the target category and the number resolution in multi-target cases is realized with a combination of the bearing-time recording information; and the corresponding simulation verification is carried out. The algorithm proposed in this paper can distinguish between the single-target multi-line spectrum case and the multi-target multi-line spectrum case. This paper presents an improved azimuth-estimation method for multi-target cases, which makes the estimation results more accurate. Using the Monte Carlo simulation, the feasibility of the proposed target number and category-resolution algorithm in multi-target cases is verified. In addition, by studying the field characteristics of the aerial and surface targets, the simulation results verify that there is only amplitude difference between the aerial target field and the surface target field under the same environmental parameters, and an aerial target can be treated as a special case of a surface target; the aerial target category resolution can then be realized based on the sign distribution of the reactive component of the vertical acoustic intensity so as to realize three-dimensional target depth resolution. By processing data from a sea experiment, the feasibility of the proposed aerial target three-dimensional depth-resolution algorithm is verified. PMID:29649173

A Three-Dimensional Target Depth-Resolution Method with a Single-Vector Sensor.

PubMed

Zhao, Anbang; Bi, Xuejie; Hui, Juan; Zeng, Caigao; Ma, Lin

2018-04-12

This paper mainly studies and verifies the target number category-resolution method in multi-target cases and the target depth-resolution method of aerial targets. Firstly, target depth resolution is performed by using the sign distribution of the reactive component of the vertical complex acoustic intensity; the target category and the number resolution in multi-target cases is realized with a combination of the bearing-time recording information; and the corresponding simulation verification is carried out. The algorithm proposed in this paper can distinguish between the single-target multi-line spectrum case and the multi-target multi-line spectrum case. This paper presents an improved azimuth-estimation method for multi-target cases, which makes the estimation results more accurate. Using the Monte Carlo simulation, the feasibility of the proposed target number and category-resolution algorithm in multi-target cases is verified. In addition, by studying the field characteristics of the aerial and surface targets, the simulation results verify that there is only amplitude difference between the aerial target field and the surface target field under the same environmental parameters, and an aerial target can be treated as a special case of a surface target; the aerial target category resolution can then be realized based on the sign distribution of the reactive component of the vertical acoustic intensity so as to realize three-dimensional target depth resolution. By processing data from a sea experiment, the feasibility of the proposed aerial target three-dimensional depth-resolution algorithm is verified.

The advantage of being oneself: The role of applicant self-verification in organizational hiring decisions.

PubMed

Moore, Celia; Lee, Sun Young; Kim, Kawon; Cable, Daniel M

2017-11-01

In this paper, we explore whether individuals who strive to self-verify flourish or flounder on the job market. Using placement data from 2 very different field samples, we found that individuals rated by the organization as being in the top 10% of candidates were significantly more likely to receive a job offer if they have a stronger drive to self-verify. A third study, using a quasi-experimental design, explored the mechanism behind this effect and tested whether individuals who are high and low on this disposition communicate differently in a structured mock job interview. Text analysis (LIWC) of interview transcripts revealed systematic differences in candidates' language use as a function of their self-verification drives. These differences led an expert rater to perceive candidates with a strong drive to self-verify as less inauthentic and less misrepresentative than their low self-verifying peers, making her more likely to recommend these candidates for a job. Taken together, our results suggest that authentic self-presentation is an unidentified route to success on the job market, amplifying the chances that high-quality candidates can convert organizations' positive evaluations into tangible job offers. We discuss implications for job applicants, organizations, and the labor market. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

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

Turbat, A.; Deschanels, H.; Sperandio, M.

The leak before break (LBB) concept was not used at the design level for SUPERPHENIX (SPX), but different studies have been performed or are in progress concerning different components : Main Vessel (MV), pipings. These studies were undertaken to improve the defense in depth, an approach used in all French reactors. In a first study, the LBB approach has been applied to the MV of SPX plant to verify the absence of risk as regards the core supporting function and to help in the definition of in-service inspection (ISI) program. Defining a reference semi-elliptic defect located in the welds ofmore » the structure, it is verified that the crack growth is limited and that the end-of-life defect is smaller than the critical one. Then it is shown that the hoop welds (those which are the most important for safety) located between the roof and the triple point verify the leak-before-break criteria. However, generally speaking, the low level of membrane primary stresses which is favorable for the integrity of the vessel makes the application of the leak-before-break concept more difficult due to small crack opening areas. Finally, the extension of the methodology to the secondary pipings of SPX incorporating recent European works of DCRC is briefly presented.« less

An Evaluation of Integrated Curriculum as It Exists in Mathematics and Science SSS as Well as the Subsequent Supportive Presentation of Those Standards in Eighth Grade Mathematics and Science Textbooks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gill, Clara Joanne Schneberger

2010-01-01

This study attempted to verify points of intersection (POIs) between mathematics and science in the eighth grade Sunshine State Standards (SSS), and to develop a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate these POIs as they were presented in the respective mathematics and science textbooks approved for use in Florida public schools. Shannon and…

Expertise-Based Differences in Search and Option-Generation Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raab, Markus; Johnson, Joseph G.

2007-01-01

The current work builds on option-generation research using experts of various skill levels in a realistic task. We extend previous findings that relate an athlete's performance strategy to generated options and subsequent choices in handball. In a 2-year longitudinal study, we present eye-tracking data to independently verify decision strategies…

[Capillaroscopy in patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis].

PubMed

Teixeira, G P; de Alencar, R; Fonseca, M de O; Bernardini, E M

1996-01-01

The aim of this study was verify frequency and morphological presentations of microangiopathy in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, using nailfold capillaroscopy. All patients showed morphological and functional capillary abnormalities. None of them had a normal capillaroscopy. Our findings may suggest an important role of microcirculation in Alcoholic Chronic Pancreatitis pathogenesis and/or its course.

What Teachers Know and Do about Assessing Students' Self-Regulated Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Michalsky, Tova

2017-01-01

To foster their students' self-regulated learning (SRL), teachers' lesson goals should include not only SRL teaching but also assessment of students' SRL behaviors/processes to verify whether teachers achieved their goals. This article presents a study that sought to examine teachers' knowledge about SRL assessment, actual assessment of SRL in…

Dynamic modeling of porous heterogeneous micro/nanobeams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebrahimi, Farzad; Jafari, Ali; Reza Barati, Mohammad

2017-12-01

In the present paper, the thermo-mechanical vibration characteristics of a functionally graded (FG) porous microbeam subjected to various types of thermal loadings are investigated based on modified couple stress theory and exact position of neutral axis. The FG micro/nanobeam is modeled via a refined hyperbolic beam theory in which the shear deformation effect is verified without the shear correction factor. A modified power-law distribution which contains porosity volume fraction is used to describe the graded material properties of the FG micro/nanobeam. The temperature field has uniform, linear and nonlinear distributions across the thickness. The governing equations and the related boundary conditions are derived by Hamilton's principle and they are solved applying an analytical solution which satisfies various boundary conditions. A comparison study is performed to verify the present formulation with the known data in the literature and a good agreement is observed. The parametric study covered in this paper includes several parameters, such as thermal loadings, porosity volume fraction, power-law exponents, slenderness ratio, scale parameter and various boundary conditions on natural frequencies of porous FG micro/nanobeams in detail.

49 CFR 40.137 - On what basis does the MRO verify test results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? 40.137 Section 40.137 Transportation Office of the... results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? (a) As the MRO, you must verify a confirmed positive test result for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and/or PCP unless the employee presents a...

49 CFR 40.137 - On what basis does the MRO verify test results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? 40.137 Section 40.137 Transportation Office of the... results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? (a) As the MRO, you must verify a confirmed positive test result for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and/or PCP unless the employee presents a...

49 CFR 40.137 - On what basis does the MRO verify test results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? 40.137 Section 40.137 Transportation Office of the... results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? (a) As the MRO, you must verify a confirmed positive test result for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and/or PCP unless the employee presents a...

49 CFR 40.137 - On what basis does the MRO verify test results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? 40.137 Section 40.137 Transportation Office of the... results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? (a) As the MRO, you must verify a confirmed positive test result for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and/or PCP unless the employee presents a...

49 CFR 40.137 - On what basis does the MRO verify test results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? 40.137 Section 40.137 Transportation Office of the... results involving marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or PCP? (a) As the MRO, you must verify a confirmed positive test result for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and/or PCP unless the employee presents a...

Association between cotinine-verified smoking status and hypertension in 167,868 Korean adults.

PubMed

Kim, Byung Jin; Han, Ji Min; Kang, Jung Gyu; Kim, Bum Soo; Kang, Jin Ho

2017-10-01

Previous studies showed inconsistent results concerning the relationship between chronic smoking and blood pressure. Most of the studies involved self-reported smoking status. This study was performed to evaluate the association of urinary cotinine or self-reported smoking status with hypertension and blood pressure in Korean adults. Among individuals enrolled in the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study and Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study, 167,868 participants (men, 55.7%; age, 37.5 ± 6.9 years) between 2011 and 2013 who had urinary cotinine measurements were included. Individuals with urinary cotinine levels ≥50 ng/mL were defined as cotinine-verified current smokers. The prevalence of hypertension and cotinine-verified current smokers in the overall population was 6.8% and 22.7%, respectively (10.0% in men and 2.8% in women for hypertension: 37.7% in men and 3.9% in women for cotinine-verified current smokers). In a multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, alcohol drinking, vigorous exercise, and diabetes, cotinine-verified current smoking was associated with lower prevalence of hypertension compared with cotinine-verified never smoking (OR[95% CI], 0.79 [0.75, 0.84]). Log-transformed cotinine levels and unobserved smoking were negatively associated with hypertension, respectively (0.96 [0.96, 0.97] and 0.55 [0.39, 0.79]). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, the cotinine-verified current smoking was inversely associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (regression coefficient[95% CI], -1.23[-1.39, -1.07] for systolic BP and -0.71 [-0.84, -0.58] for diastolic BP). In subgroup analyses according to sex, the inverse associations between cotinine-verified current smoking and hypertension were observed only in men. This large observational study showed that cotinine-verified current smoking and unobserved smoking were inversely associated with hypertension in Korean adults, especially only in men.

Space Shuttle Orbiter Approach and Landing Test Evaluation Report. Captive-Active Flight Test Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Captive-active tests consisted of three mated carrier aircraft/Orbiter flights with an active manned Orbiter. The objectives of this series of flights were to (1) verify the separation profile, (2) verify the integrated structure, aerodynamics, and flight control system, (3) verify Orbiter integrated system operations, and (4) refine and finalize carrier aircraft, Orbiter crew, and ground procedures in preparation for free flight tests. A summary description of the flights is presented with assessments of flight test requirements, and of the performance operations, and of significant flight anomalies is included.

Wave Measurements Using GPS Velocity Signals

PubMed Central

Doong, Dong-Jiing; Lee, Beng-Chun; Kao, Chia Chuen

2011-01-01

This study presents the idea of using GPS-output velocity signals to obtain wave measurement data. The application of the transformation from a velocity spectrum to a displacement spectrum in conjunction with the directional wave spectral theory are the core concepts in this study. Laboratory experiments were conducted to verify the accuracy of the inversed displacement of the surface of the sea. A GPS device was installed on a moored accelerometer buoy to verify the GPS-derived wave parameters. It was determined that loss or drifting of the GPS signal, as well as energy spikes occurring in the low frequency band led to erroneous measurements. Through the application of moving average skill and a process of frequency cut-off to the GPS output velocity, correlations between GPS-derived, and accelerometer buoy-measured significant wave heights and periods were both improved to 0.95. The GPS-derived one-dimensional and directional wave spectra were in agreement with the measurements. Despite the direction verification showing a 10° bias, this exercise still provided useful information with sufficient accuracy for a number of specific purposes. The results presented in this study indicate that using GPS output velocity is a reasonable alternative for the measurement of ocean waves. PMID:22346618

Developing an Approach for Analyzing and Verifying System Communication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stratton, William C.; Lindvall, Mikael; Ackermann, Chris; Sibol, Deane E.; Godfrey, Sally

2009-01-01

This slide presentation reviews a project for developing an approach for analyzing and verifying the inter system communications. The motivation for the study was that software systems in the aerospace domain are inherently complex, and operate under tight constraints for resources, so that systems of systems must communicate with each other to fulfill the tasks. The systems of systems requires reliable communications. The technical approach was to develop a system, DynSAVE, that detects communication problems among the systems. The project enhanced the proven Software Architecture Visualization and Evaluation (SAVE) tool to create Dynamic SAVE (DynSAVE). The approach monitors and records low level network traffic, converting low level traffic into meaningful messages, and displays the messages in a way the issues can be detected.

The Career and Work Adaptability Questionnaire (CWAQ): a first contribution to its validation.

PubMed

Nota, Laura; Ginevra, Maria Cristina; Soresi, Salvatore

2012-12-01

Over the last decade, occupational changes have the rapidly changing job market has begun to demand that people more actively construct their professional lives and acquire career adaptability. The aim of the present study was to develop a specific, new instrument, "Career and Work Adaptability", to assess degree of adaptability in adolescents planning their futures. We conducted three studies, the first of which aimed to formulate the instrument's items and to verify its factor structure; the second study confirmed the instrument's multidimensional structure and evaluated its discriminant validity; the third study was conducted to verify the factorial structure's across-gender invariance and to evaluate its stability over time. Our results showed that the instrument is an effective and multidimensional instrument for accurately measuring career adaptability. Specifically, it can serve as a useful vocational guidance tool in analyzing adolescents' career adaptability. Copyright © 2012 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relationship of cotinine-verified and self-reported smoking status with metabolic syndrome in 116,094 Korean adults.

PubMed

Kim, Byung Jin; Han, Ji Min; Kang, Jung Gyu; Rhee, Eun Jung; Kim, Bum Soo; Kang, Jin Ho

No study has reported the relationship between cotinine-verified and self-reported smoking status with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between urinary cotinine-verified and self-reported smoking status with MetS and determine the effects of unobserved smokers on MetS in Korean adults. A total of 116,094 individuals (66,875 men and 49,219 women) with mean age of 36.7 ± 6.8 years included in Kangbuk Samsung Health Study and Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study between 2011 and 2013 who had urinary cotinine measurements were enrolled. Cotinine-verified current smoking was defined as urinary cotinine level of above 50 ng/mL. Unobserved smoking was defined as urinary cotinine level of above 50 ng/mL in self-reported never smokers. The overall prevalence rates of cotinine-verified current smokers and MetS were 22.9% and 10.5%, respectively. The misclassification rate to cotinine-verified current smokers among self-reported never smokers was 1.7%. A multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for variables with univariate relationship (model 1) showed that cotinine-verified current smokers significantly increased the odds ratio for MetS compared with cotinine-verified never smokers (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.30 [1.23, 1.37]). Log-transformed cotinine levels were also associated with MetS (1.04 [1.03, 1.05]). However, the association was not significant in the previously mentioned model including the traditional 5 components of MetS (model 2). Unobserved smokers significantly increased the ORs for MetS in both model 1 (1.43 [1.23, 1.67]) and model 2 (1.57 [1.06, 2.33]). This study shows that unobserved smoking and cotinine-verified current smoking are associated with MetS but urinary cotinine could be 1 conditional factor that interacts with traditional MetS components. Copyright © 2017 National Lipid Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A comparison of QuantStudio™ 3D Digital PCR and ARMS-PCR for measuring plasma EGFR T790M mutations of NSCLC patients.

PubMed

Feng, Qin; Gai, Fei; Sang, Yaxiong; Zhang, Jie; Wang, Ping; Wang, Yue; Liu, Bing; Lin, Dongmei; Yu, Yang; Fang, Jian

2018-01-01

The AURA3 clinical trial has shown that advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR T790M mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could benefit from osimertinib. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of QuantStudio™ 3D Digital PCR System platform for the detection of plasma EGFR T790M mutations in NSCLC patients, and compare the performances of 3D Digital PCR and ARMS-PCR. A total of 119 Chinese patients were enrolled in this study. Mutant allele frequency of plasma EGFR T790M was detected by 3D Digital PCR, then 25 selected samples were verified by ARMS-PCR and four of them were verified by next generation sequencing (NGS). In total, 52.94% (69/119) had EGFR T790M mutations detected by 3D Digital PCR. In 69 positive samples, the median mutant allele frequency (AF) was 1.09% and three cases presented low concentration (AF <0.1%). Limited by the amount of plasma DNA, 17 samples (AF <2.5%) and eight samples (T790M-) were selected for verification by ARMS-PCR. Four of those samples were verified by NGS as a third verification method. Among the selected 17 positive cases, ten samples presented mutant allele frequency <0.5%, and seven samples presented intermediate mutant allele frequency (0.5% AF 2.5%). However, only three samples (3/17) were identified as positive by ARMS-PCR, namely, P6 (AF =1.09%), P7 (AF =2.09%), and P8 (AF =2.21%). It is worth mentioning that sample P9 (AF =2.05%, analyzed by 3D Digital PCR) was identified as T790M- by ARMS-PCR. Four samples were identified as T790M+ by both NGS and 3D Digital PCR, and typically three samples (3/4) presented at a low ratio (AF <0.5%). Our study demonstrated that 3D Digital PCR is a novel method with high sensitivity and specificity to detect EGFR T790M mutation in plasma.

A comparison of QuantStudio™ 3D Digital PCR and ARMS-PCR for measuring plasma EGFR T790M mutations of NSCLC patients

PubMed Central

Sang, Yaxiong; Zhang, Jie; Wang, Ping; Wang, Yue; Liu, Bing; Lin, Dongmei; Yu, Yang; Fang, Jian

2018-01-01

Background The AURA3 clinical trial has shown that advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR T790M mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could benefit from osimertinib. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of QuantStudio™ 3D Digital PCR System platform for the detection of plasma EGFR T790M mutations in NSCLC patients, and compare the performances of 3D Digital PCR and ARMS-PCR. Patients and methods A total of 119 Chinese patients were enrolled in this study. Mutant allele frequency of plasma EGFR T790M was detected by 3D Digital PCR, then 25 selected samples were verified by ARMS-PCR and four of them were verified by next generation sequencing (NGS). Results In total, 52.94% (69/119) had EGFR T790M mutations detected by 3D Digital PCR. In 69 positive samples, the median mutant allele frequency (AF) was 1.09% and three cases presented low concentration (AF <0.1%). Limited by the amount of plasma DNA, 17 samples (AF <2.5%) and eight samples (T790M-) were selected for verification by ARMS-PCR. Four of those samples were verified by NGS as a third verification method. Among the selected 17 positive cases, ten samples presented mutant allele frequency <0.5%, and seven samples presented intermediate mutant allele frequency (0.5% AF 2.5%). However, only three samples (3/17) were identified as positive by ARMS-PCR, namely, P6 (AF =1.09%), P7 (AF =2.09%), and P8 (AF =2.21%). It is worth mentioning that sample P9 (AF =2.05%, analyzed by 3D Digital PCR) was identified as T790M- by ARMS-PCR. Four samples were identified as T790M+ by both NGS and 3D Digital PCR, and typically three samples (3/4) presented at a low ratio (AF <0.5%). Conclusion Our study demonstrated that 3D Digital PCR is a novel method with high sensitivity and specificity to detect EGFR T790M mutation in plasma. PMID:29403309

[Leprosy reactions in discharged patients following cure by multidrug therapy].

PubMed

Souza, Linton Wallis Figueiredo

2010-01-01

Reactional states are the main cause of nerve lesions and incapacities provoked by leprosy. Retrospective study aimed at verifying the frequency of leprosy reactions in discharged patients following cure by multidrug therapy (MDT). Among patients who presented reactions during treatment, 35.5% continued after MDT; of those that did not present during treatment, only 12.7% presented after discharge; 63.4% multibacillary patients presented during and 31.7% after; 27.7% paucibacillary patients presented during and 8.3% after. A direct proportional relation exists between the presence of reactions during and after treatment. Multibacillary clinical forms present a greater frequency of reactions during and after cure.

Cross-modal integration of lexical-semantic features during word processing: evidence from oscillatory dynamics during EEG.

PubMed

van Ackeren, Markus J; Rueschemeyer, Shirley-Ann

2014-01-01

In recent years, numerous studies have provided converging evidence that word meaning is partially stored in modality-specific cortical networks. However, little is known about the mechanisms supporting the integration of this distributed semantic content into coherent conceptual representations. In the current study we aimed to address this issue by using EEG to look at the spatial and temporal dynamics of feature integration during word comprehension. Specifically, participants were presented with two modality-specific features (i.e., visual or auditory features such as silver and loud) and asked to verify whether these two features were compatible with a subsequently presented target word (e.g., WHISTLE). Each pair of features described properties from either the same modality (e.g., silver, tiny  =  visual features) or different modalities (e.g., silver, loud  =  visual, auditory). Behavioral and EEG data were collected. The results show that verifying features that are putatively represented in the same modality-specific network is faster than verifying features across modalities. At the neural level, integrating features across modalities induces sustained oscillatory activity around the theta range (4-6 Hz) in left anterior temporal lobe (ATL), a putative hub for integrating distributed semantic content. In addition, enhanced long-range network interactions in the theta range were seen between left ATL and a widespread cortical network. These results suggest that oscillatory dynamics in the theta range could be involved in integrating multimodal semantic content by creating transient functional networks linking distributed modality-specific networks and multimodal semantic hubs such as left ATL.

Promoting Preservice Teacher Reflectivity: Van Manen May Represent a Viable Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ballard, Kristy K.; McBride, Ron

2010-01-01

From Dewey (1933) to present, reflectivity is an important component of teacher education. Little information exists that specifically addresses when changes in reflectivity might occur. Therefore, the purpose of this study was: (a) to apply Van Manen's model to outcomes to examine levels of, and changes in, reflectivity and (b) to verify the…

Helping Adolescents with Health Problems to Become Socially Competent

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Drozdikova-Zaripova, Albina R.; Kostyunina, Nadezhda Yu.

2016-01-01

The purpose of the article is to present and analyze the results of experimental work to verify the efficiency of the developed and approved program aimed at the formation of social competence in adolescents with physical problems. The leading method in the study of this problem is a consequent version of the pedagogical experiment. The results of…

Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life of Professionals Caring for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nota, Laura; Ferrari, Lea; Soresi, Salvatore

2007-01-01

The quality of life experienced by social and healthcare professionals is among the factors that contribute to the definition of quality of service. Other factors seemingly in relation with experienced quality of life concern one's own efficacy, beliefs, and burnout. The present study intended to verify the relations that existed between these…

Regularity and/or Consistency in the Production of the Past Participle?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colombo, Lucia; Laudanna, Alessandro; De Martino, Maria; Brivio, Cristina

2004-01-01

In the present study we have investigated the acquisition of the past participle of Italian verbs of the second (including mostly irregular verbs) and third (including mostly regular verbs) conjugations in school age children, and with simulations with an artificial neural network. We aimed to verify the extent to which children are sensitive to…

Amelioration of pregnancy-associated osteoporosis after treatment with vitamin K₂: a report of four patients.

PubMed

Tsuchie, Hiroyuki; Miyakoshi, Naohisa; Hongo, Michio; Kasukawa, Yuji; Ishikawa, Yoshinori; Shimada, Yoichi

2012-08-01

Abstract We demonstrate for the first time therapeutic effects of vitamin K₂ (menatetrenone) on pregnancy-associated osteoporosis with multiple vertebral fractures in four cases. Due to its safety, vitamin K₂ presents itself as a treatment option for women with pregnancy-associated osteoporosis. Desirably, future controlled studies should verify these findings.

Adaptive optics without altering visual perception.

PubMed

Koenig, D E; Hart, N W; Hofer, H J

2014-04-01

Adaptive optics combined with visual psychophysics creates the potential to study the relationship between visual function and the retina at the cellular scale. This potential is hampered, however, by visual interference from the wavefront-sensing beacon used during correction. For example, we have previously shown that even a dim, visible beacon can alter stimulus perception (Hofer et al., 2012). Here we describe a simple strategy employing a longer wavelength (980nm) beacon that, in conjunction with appropriate restriction on timing and placement, allowed us to perform psychophysics when dark adapted without altering visual perception. The method was verified by comparing detection and color appearance of foveally presented small spot stimuli with and without the wavefront beacon present in 5 subjects. As an important caution, we found that significant perceptual interference can occur even with a subliminal beacon when additional measures are not taken to limit exposure. Consequently, the lack of perceptual interference should be verified for a given system, and not assumed based on invisibility of the beacon. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Decentralized event-triggered synchronization of uncertain Markovian jumping neutral-type neural networks with mixed delays.

PubMed

Senan, Sibel; Syed Ali, M; Vadivel, R; Arik, Sabri

2017-02-01

In this study, we present an approach for the decentralized event-triggered synchronization of Markovian jumping neutral-type neural networks with mixed delays. We present a method for designing decentralized event-triggered synchronization, which only utilizes locally available information, in order to determine the time instants for transmission from sensors to a central controller. By applying a novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, as well as using the reciprocal convex combination method and some inequality techniques such as Jensen's inequality, we obtain several sufficient conditions in terms of a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) under which the delayed neural networks are stochastically stable in terms of the error systems. Finally, we conclude that the drive systems synchronize stochastically with the response systems. We show that the proposed stability criteria can be verified easily using the numerically efficient Matlab LMI toolbox. The effectiveness and feasibility of the results obtained are verified by numerical examples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Software Safety Analysis of a Flight Guidance System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butler, Ricky W. (Technical Monitor); Tribble, Alan C.; Miller, Steven P.; Lempia, David L.

2004-01-01

This document summarizes the safety analysis performed on a Flight Guidance System (FGS) requirements model. In particular, the safety properties desired of the FGS model are identified and the presence of the safety properties in the model is formally verified. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the entire project, while Chapter 2 gives a brief overview of the problem domain, the nature of accidents, model based development, and the four-variable model. Chapter 3 outlines the approach. Chapter 4 presents the results of the traditional safety analysis techniques and illustrates how the hazardous conditions associated with the system trace into specific safety properties. Chapter 5 presents the results of the formal methods analysis technique model checking that was used to verify the presence of the safety properties in the requirements model. Finally, Chapter 6 summarizes the main conclusions of the study, first and foremost that model checking is a very effective verification technique to use on discrete models with reasonable state spaces. Additional supporting details are provided in the appendices.

Minimisation of the explosion shock wave load onto the occupants inside the vehicle during trinitrotoluene charge blast.

PubMed

Krzystała, Edyta; Mężyk, Arkadiusz; Kciuk, Sławomir

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to elaborate identification method of crew overload as a result of trinitrotoluene charge explosion under the military wheeled vehicle. During the study, an experimental military ground research was carried out. The aim of this research was to verify the mine blast resistance of the prototype wheeled vehicle according to STANG 4569 as well as the anti-explosive seat. Within the work, the original methodology was elaborated along with a prototype research statement. This article presents some results of the experimental research, thanks to which there is a possibility to estimate the crew's lives being endangered in an explosion through the measurement of acceleration as well as the pressure on the chest, head and internal organs. On the basis of our acceleration results, both effectiveness and infallibility of crew protective elements along with a blast mitigation seat were verified.

Pantheon 1.0, a manually verified dataset of globally famous biographies.

PubMed

Yu, Amy Zhao; Ronen, Shahar; Hu, Kevin; Lu, Tiffany; Hidalgo, César A

2016-01-05

We present the Pantheon 1.0 dataset: a manually verified dataset of individuals that have transcended linguistic, temporal, and geographic boundaries. The Pantheon 1.0 dataset includes the 11,341 biographies present in more than 25 languages in Wikipedia and is enriched with: (i) manually verified demographic information (place and date of birth, gender) (ii) a taxonomy of occupations classifying each biography at three levels of aggregation and (iii) two measures of global popularity including the number of languages in which a biography is present in Wikipedia (L), and the Historical Popularity Index (HPI) a metric that combines information on L, time since birth, and page-views (2008-2013). We compare the Pantheon 1.0 dataset to data from the 2003 book, Human Accomplishments, and also to external measures of accomplishment in individual games and sports: Tennis, Swimming, Car Racing, and Chess. In all of these cases we find that measures of popularity (L and HPI) correlate highly with individual accomplishment, suggesting that measures of global popularity proxy the historical impact of individuals.

Pantheon 1.0, a manually verified dataset of globally famous biographies

PubMed Central

Yu, Amy Zhao; Ronen, Shahar; Hu, Kevin; Lu, Tiffany; Hidalgo, César A.

2016-01-01

We present the Pantheon 1.0 dataset: a manually verified dataset of individuals that have transcended linguistic, temporal, and geographic boundaries. The Pantheon 1.0 dataset includes the 11,341 biographies present in more than 25 languages in Wikipedia and is enriched with: (i) manually verified demographic information (place and date of birth, gender) (ii) a taxonomy of occupations classifying each biography at three levels of aggregation and (iii) two measures of global popularity including the number of languages in which a biography is present in Wikipedia (L), and the Historical Popularity Index (HPI) a metric that combines information on L, time since birth, and page-views (2008–2013). We compare the Pantheon 1.0 dataset to data from the 2003 book, Human Accomplishments, and also to external measures of accomplishment in individual games and sports: Tennis, Swimming, Car Racing, and Chess. In all of these cases we find that measures of popularity (L and HPI) correlate highly with individual accomplishment, suggesting that measures of global popularity proxy the historical impact of individuals. PMID:26731133

Genetic Polymorphisms and Phenotypic Profiles of Sulfadiazine-Resistant and Sensitive Toxoplasma gondii Isolates Obtained from Newborns with Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

PubMed

Silva, Letícia Azevedo; Reis-Cunha, João Luís; Bartholomeu, Daniella Castanheira; Vítor, Ricardo Wagner Almeida

2017-01-01

Previous Toxoplasma gondii studies revealed that mutations in the dhps (dihydropteroate synthase) gene are associated with resistance to sulfonamides. Although Brazilian strains are genotypically different, very limited data are available regarding the susceptibility of strains obtained from human to sulfonamides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sulfadiazine (SDZ) against Brazilian isolates of T. gondii and verify whether isolates present polymorphisms in the dhps gene. We also investigated whether the virulence-phenotype and/or genotype were associated with the profile of susceptibility to SDZ. Five T. gondii isolates obtained from newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis were used to verify susceptibility. Mice were infected with 104 tachyzoites and orally treated with different doses of SDZ. The mortality curve was evaluated by the Log-rank test. The presence of polymorphisms in the dhps gene was verified using sequencing. A descriptive analysis for 11 Brazilian isolates was used to assess the association between susceptibility, genotype, and virulence-phenotype. Statistical analysis showed that TgCTBr03, 07, 08, and 16 isolates were susceptible to SDZ, whereas TgCTBr11 isolate presented a profile of resistance to SDZ. Nineteen polymorphisms were identified in dhps exons. Seven polymorphisms corresponded to non-synonymous mutations, with four being new mutations, described for the first time in this study. No association was found between the profile of susceptibility and the virulence-phenotype or genotype of the parasite. There is a high variability in the susceptibilities of Brazilian T. gondii strains to SDZ, with evidence of drug resistance. Despite the large number of polymorphisms identified, the profile of susceptibility to SDZ was not associated with any of the dhps variants identified in this study. Other genetic factors, not yet determined, may be associated with the resistance to SDZ; thus, further studies are needed as a basis for a more adequate toxoplasmosis treatment.

Genetic Polymorphisms and Phenotypic Profiles of Sulfadiazine-Resistant and Sensitive Toxoplasma gondii Isolates Obtained from Newborns with Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Minas Gerais, Brazil

PubMed Central

Silva, Letícia Azevedo; Reis-Cunha, João Luís; Bartholomeu, Daniella Castanheira; Vítor, Ricardo Wagner Almeida

2017-01-01

Background Previous Toxoplasma gondii studies revealed that mutations in the dhps (dihydropteroate synthase) gene are associated with resistance to sulfonamides. Although Brazilian strains are genotypically different, very limited data are available regarding the susceptibility of strains obtained from human to sulfonamides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sulfadiazine (SDZ) against Brazilian isolates of T. gondii and verify whether isolates present polymorphisms in the dhps gene. We also investigated whether the virulence-phenotype and/or genotype were associated with the profile of susceptibility to SDZ. Methods Five T. gondii isolates obtained from newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis were used to verify susceptibility. Mice were infected with 104 tachyzoites and orally treated with different doses of SDZ. The mortality curve was evaluated by the Log-rank test. The presence of polymorphisms in the dhps gene was verified using sequencing. A descriptive analysis for 11 Brazilian isolates was used to assess the association between susceptibility, genotype, and virulence-phenotype. Results Statistical analysis showed that TgCTBr03, 07, 08, and 16 isolates were susceptible to SDZ, whereas TgCTBr11 isolate presented a profile of resistance to SDZ. Nineteen polymorphisms were identified in dhps exons. Seven polymorphisms corresponded to non-synonymous mutations, with four being new mutations, described for the first time in this study. No association was found between the profile of susceptibility and the virulence-phenotype or genotype of the parasite. Conclusions There is a high variability in the susceptibilities of Brazilian T. gondii strains to SDZ, with evidence of drug resistance. Despite the large number of polymorphisms identified, the profile of susceptibility to SDZ was not associated with any of the dhps variants identified in this study. Other genetic factors, not yet determined, may be associated with the resistance to SDZ; thus, further studies are needed as a basis for a more adequate toxoplasmosis treatment. PMID:28118394

TrustGuard: A Containment Architecture with Verified Output

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

that the TrustGuard system has minimal performance decline, despite restrictions such as high communication latency and limited available bandwidth...design are the availability of high bandwidth and low delays between the host and the monitoring chip. 3-D integration provides an alternate way of...TRUSTGUARD: A CONTAINMENT ARCHITECTURE WITH VERIFIED OUTPUT SOUMYADEEP GHOSH A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY IN

Reasoning about knowledge: Children's evaluations of generality and verifiability.

PubMed

Koenig, Melissa A; Cole, Caitlin A; Meyer, Meredith; Ridge, Katherine E; Kushnir, Tamar; Gelman, Susan A

2015-12-01

In a series of experiments, we examined 3- to 8-year-old children's (N=223) and adults' (N=32) use of two properties of testimony to estimate a speaker's knowledge: generality and verifiability. Participants were presented with a "Generic speaker" who made a series of 4 general claims about "pangolins" (a novel animal kind), and a "Specific speaker" who made a series of 4 specific claims about "this pangolin" as an individual. To investigate the role of verifiability, we systematically varied whether the claim referred to a perceptually-obvious feature visible in a picture (e.g., "has a pointy nose") or a non-evident feature that was not visible (e.g., "sleeps in a hollow tree"). Three main findings emerged: (1) young children showed a pronounced reliance on verifiability that decreased with age. Three-year-old children were especially prone to credit knowledge to speakers who made verifiable claims, whereas 7- to 8-year-olds and adults credited knowledge to generic speakers regardless of whether the claims were verifiable; (2) children's attributions of knowledge to generic speakers was not detectable until age 5, and only when those claims were also verifiable; (3) children often generalized speakers' knowledge outside of the pangolin domain, indicating a belief that a person's knowledge about pangolins likely extends to new facts. Findings indicate that young children may be inclined to doubt speakers who make claims they cannot verify themselves, as well as a developmentally increasing appreciation for speakers who make general claims. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reasoning about knowledge: Children’s evaluations of generality and verifiability

PubMed Central

Koenig, Melissa A.; Cole, Caitlin A.; Meyer, Meredith; Ridge, Katherine E.; Kushnir, Tamar; Gelman, Susan A.

2015-01-01

In a series of experiments, we examined 3- to 8-year-old children’s (N = 223) and adults’ (N = 32) use of two properties of testimony to estimate a speaker’s knowledge: generality and verifiability. Participants were presented with a “Generic speaker” who made a series of 4 general claims about “pangolins” (a novel animal kind), and a “Specific speaker” who made a series of 4 specific claims about “this pangolin” as an individual. To investigate the role of verifiability, we systematically varied whether the claim referred to a perceptually-obvious feature visible in a picture (e.g., “has a pointy nose”) or a non-evident feature that was not visible (e.g., “sleeps in a hollow tree”). Three main findings emerged: (1) Young children showed a pronounced reliance on verifiability that decreased with age. Three-year-old children were especially prone to credit knowledge to speakers who made verifiable claims, whereas 7- to 8-year-olds and adults credited knowledge to generic speakers regardless of whether the claims were verifiable; (2) Children’s attributions of knowledge to generic speakers was not detectable until age 5, and only when those claims were also verifiable; (3) Children often generalized speakers’ knowledge outside of the pangolin domain, indicating a belief that a person’s knowledge about pangolins likely extends to new facts. Findings indicate that young children may be inclined to doubt speakers who make claims they cannot verify themselves, as well as a developmentally increasing appreciation for speakers who make general claims. PMID:26451884

Strategy for 90% autoverification of clinical chemistry and immunoassay test results using six sigma process improvement.

PubMed

Randell, Edward W; Short, Garry; Lee, Natasha; Beresford, Allison; Spencer, Margaret; Kennell, Marina; Moores, Zoë; Parry, David

2018-06-01

Six Sigma involves a structured process improvement strategy that places processes on a pathway to continued improvement. The data presented here summarizes a project that took three clinical laboratories from autoverification processes that allowed between about 40% to 60% of tests being auto-verified to more than 90% of tests and samples auto-verified. The project schedule, metrics and targets, a description of the previous system and detailed information on the changes made to achieve greater than 90% auto-verification is presented for this Six Sigma DMAIC (Design, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process improvement project.

Robust model predictive control for satellite formation keeping with eccentricity/inclination vector separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Yeerang; Jung, Youeyun; Bang, Hyochoong

2018-05-01

This study presents model predictive formation control based on an eccentricity/inclination vector separation strategy. Alternative collision avoidance can be accomplished by using eccentricity/inclination vectors and adding a simple goal function term for optimization process. Real-time control is also achievable with model predictive controller based on convex formulation. Constraint-tightening approach is address as well improve robustness of the controller, and simulation results are presented to verify performance enhancement for the proposed approach.

Rigorous high-precision enclosures of fixed points and their invariant manifolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wittig, Alexander N.

The well established concept of Taylor Models is introduced, which offer highly accurate C0 enclosures of functional dependencies, combining high-order polynomial approximation of functions and rigorous estimates of the truncation error, performed using verified arithmetic. The focus of this work is on the application of Taylor Models in algorithms for strongly non-linear dynamical systems. A method is proposed to extend the existing implementation of Taylor Models in COSY INFINITY from double precision coefficients to arbitrary precision coefficients. Great care is taken to maintain the highest efficiency possible by adaptively adjusting the precision of higher order coefficients in the polynomial expansion. High precision operations are based on clever combinations of elementary floating point operations yielding exact values for round-off errors. An experimental high precision interval data type is developed and implemented. Algorithms for the verified computation of intrinsic functions based on the High Precision Interval datatype are developed and described in detail. The application of these operations in the implementation of High Precision Taylor Models is discussed. An application of Taylor Model methods to the verification of fixed points is presented by verifying the existence of a period 15 fixed point in a near standard Henon map. Verification is performed using different verified methods such as double precision Taylor Models, High Precision intervals and High Precision Taylor Models. Results and performance of each method are compared. An automated rigorous fixed point finder is implemented, allowing the fully automated search for all fixed points of a function within a given domain. It returns a list of verified enclosures of each fixed point, optionally verifying uniqueness within these enclosures. An application of the fixed point finder to the rigorous analysis of beam transfer maps in accelerator physics is presented. Previous work done by Johannes Grote is extended to compute very accurate polynomial approximations to invariant manifolds of discrete maps of arbitrary dimension around hyperbolic fixed points. The algorithm presented allows for automatic removal of resonances occurring during construction. A method for the rigorous enclosure of invariant manifolds of continuous systems is introduced. Using methods developed for discrete maps, polynomial approximations of invariant manifolds of hyperbolic fixed points of ODEs are obtained. These approximations are outfit with a sharp error bound which is verified to rigorously contain the manifolds. While we focus on the three dimensional case, verification in higher dimensions is possible using similar techniques. Integrating the resulting enclosures using the verified COSY VI integrator, the initial manifold enclosures are expanded to yield sharp enclosures of large parts of the stable and unstable manifolds. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, we construct enclosures of the invariant manifolds of the Lorenz system and show pictures of the resulting manifold enclosures. To the best of our knowledge, these enclosures are the largest verified enclosures of manifolds in the Lorenz system in existence.

Calculation method for laser radar cross sections of rotationally symmetric targets.

PubMed

Cao, Yunhua; Du, Yongzhi; Bai, Lu; Wu, Zhensen; Li, Haiying; Li, Yanhui

2017-07-01

The laser radar cross section (LRCS) is a key parameter in the study of target scattering characteristics. In this paper, a practical method for calculating LRCSs of rotationally symmetric targets is presented. Monostatic LRCSs for four kinds of rotationally symmetric targets (cone, rotating ellipsoid, super ellipsoid, and blunt cone) are calculated, and the results verify the feasibility of the method. Compared with the results for the triangular patch method, the correctness of the method is verified, and several advantages of the method are highlighted. For instance, the method does not require geometric modeling and patch discretization. The method uses a generatrix model and double integral, and its calculation is concise and accurate. This work provides a theory analysis for the rapid calculation of LRCS for common basic targets.

Algorithms for computations of Loday algebras' invariants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussain, Sharifah Kartini Said; Rakhimov, I. S.; Basri, W.

2017-04-01

The paper is devoted to applications of some computer programs to study structural determination of Loday algebras. We present how these computer programs can be applied in computations of various invariants of Loday algebras and provide several computer programs in Maple to verify Loday algebras' identities, the isomorphisms between the algebras, as a special case, to describe the automorphism groups, centroids and derivations.

Ionizing laser propagation and spectral phase determination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mittelberger, D. E.; Nakamura, K.; Lehe, R.; Gonsalves, A. J.; Benedetti, C.; Mao, H.-S.; Daniels, J.; Dale, N.; Swanson, K. K.; Esarey, E.; Leemans, W. P.

2017-03-01

Ionization-induced blueshifting is investigated through INF&RNO simulations and experimental studies at the Berkeley Laboratory Laser Accelerator (BELLA) Center. The effects of spectral phase and optical compression are explored. An in-situ method for verifying the spectral phase of an intense laser pulse at focus is presented, based on the effects of optical compression on the morphology of the blueshifted laser spectra.

Involvement of the Lateral Septal Area in the Expression of Fear Conditioning to Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reis, Daniel G.; Scopinho, America A.; Guimaraes, Francisco S.; Correa, Fernando M. A.; Resstel, Leonardo B. M.

2010-01-01

Considering the evidence that the lateral septal area (LSA) modulates defensive responses, the aim of the present study is to verify if this structure is also involved in contextual fear conditioning responses. Neurotransmission in the LSA was reversibly inhibited by bilateral microinjections of cobalt chloride (CoCl[subscript 2], 1 mM) 10 min…

Adaptive optics without altering visual perception

PubMed Central

DE, Koenig; NW, Hart; HJ, Hofer

2014-01-01

Adaptive optics combined with visual psychophysics creates the potential to study the relationship between visual function and the retina at the cellular scale. This potential is hampered, however, by visual interference from the wavefront-sensing beacon used during correction. For example, we have previously shown that even a dim, visible beacon can alter stimulus perception (Hofer, H. J., Blaschke, J., Patolia, J., & Koenig, D. E. (2012). Fixation light hue bias revisited: Implications for using adaptive optics to study color vision. Vision Research, 56, 49-56). Here we describe a simple strategy employing a longer wavelength (980nm) beacon that, in conjunction with appropriate restriction on timing and placement, allowed us to perform psychophysics when dark adapted without altering visual perception. The method was verified by comparing detection and color appearance of foveally presented small spot stimuli with and without the wavefront beacon present in 5 subjects. As an important caution, we found that significant perceptual interference can occur even with a subliminal beacon when additional measures are not taken to limit exposure. Consequently, the lack of perceptual interference should be verified for a given system, and not assumed based on invisibility of the beacon. PMID:24607992

Analysis of the Variability of Therapeutic Indications of Medicinal Species in the Northeast of Brazil: Comparative Study

PubMed Central

Alves Ribeiro, Daiany; de Oliveira Santos, Maria; Gonçalves de Mâcedo, Delmacia; Ferreira Macêdo, Márcia Jordana; Vilar de Almeida, Bianca; Souza de Oliveira, Liana Geraldo; Pereira Leite, Catarina; de Almeida Souza, Marta Maria

2018-01-01

Ethnopharmacological Relevance This study aims to evaluate the versatility of these species and their agreement of use and/or the informants' knowledge and verify the variability of the information on the indicated medicinal species in comparison to other species from northeastern Brazilian areas. Materials and Methods Ethnobotanical information was acquired through interviews with 23 residents of the Quincuncá community, northeastern Brazil. From the obtained data, a comparative analysis of the therapeutic indications with other 40 areas in different biomes was conducted. For that, the relative importance index and informant consensus factor were calculated and compared to other indices evaluated in the literature. Results A total of 39 medicinal species were cited and twenty-six species showed similarities among their therapeutic indications; however, species as Geoffroea spinosa, Lantana camara, and others can be highlighted, present in community disease indications that were not verified for other areas. Myracrodruon urundeuva, Mimosa tenuiflora, Stryphnodendron rotundifolium, and Amburana cearensis had the greatest versatility. In the Quincuncá community, medicinal species were indicated for 49 diseases, which were grouped into 15 categories of body systems. Conclusion This study shows the presented divergence in relation to their therapeutic use; in this point, these divergences reinforce the importance of pharmacological research. PMID:29849720

[Verified maximum admissible intensity (MAI) values for the ultrasonic noise in work environment].

PubMed

Pawlaczyk-Łuszcyńska, M; Koton, J; Augustyńska, D; Sliwińska-Kowalska, M; Kameduła, M

2001-01-01

The measurement methods and occupational exposure limits for ultrasonic noise (airborne ultrasound) are described. Typical sources of ultrasonic noise and sound pressure levels measured at workplaces are discussed. The verified Polish regulations on maximum admissible intensity (MAI) values for ultrasonic noise in the work environment and proposals of exposure limits for workers at particular risk (i.e. pregnant women and juveniles) are presented.

10 CFR 26.161 - Cutoff levels for validity testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... aliquot; (5) The presence of glutaraldehyde is verified using either an aldehyde test (aldehyde present... glutaraldehyde is determined using the same aldehyde test (aldehyde present) or the characteristic immunoassay...

10 CFR 26.161 - Cutoff levels for validity testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... aliquot; (5) The presence of glutaraldehyde is verified using either an aldehyde test (aldehyde present... glutaraldehyde is determined using the same aldehyde test (aldehyde present) or the characteristic immunoassay...

10 CFR 26.161 - Cutoff levels for validity testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... aliquot; (5) The presence of glutaraldehyde is verified using either an aldehyde test (aldehyde present... glutaraldehyde is determined using the same aldehyde test (aldehyde present) or the characteristic immunoassay...

10 CFR 26.161 - Cutoff levels for validity testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... aliquot; (5) The presence of glutaraldehyde is verified using either an aldehyde test (aldehyde present... glutaraldehyde is determined using the same aldehyde test (aldehyde present) or the characteristic immunoassay...

10 CFR 26.161 - Cutoff levels for validity testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... aliquot; (5) The presence of glutaraldehyde is verified using either an aldehyde test (aldehyde present... glutaraldehyde is determined using the same aldehyde test (aldehyde present) or the characteristic immunoassay...

Simulations of lattice animals and trees

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Hsiao-Ping; Nadler, Walter; Grassberger, Peter

2005-01-01

The scaling behaviour of randomly branched polymers in a good solvent is studied in two to nine dimensions, using as microscopic models lattice animals and lattice trees on simple hypercubic lattices. As a stochastic sampling method we use a biased sequential sampling algorithm with re-sampling, similar to the pruned-enriched Rosenbluth method (PERM) used extensively for linear polymers. Essentially we start simulating percolation clusters (either site or bond), re-weigh them according to the animal (tree) ensemble, and prune or branch the further growth according to a heuristic fitness function. In contrast to previous applications of PERM, this fitness function is not the weight with which the actual configuration would contribute to the partition sum, but is closely related to it. We obtain high statistics of animals with up to several thousand sites in all dimension 2 <= d <= 9. In addition to the partition sum (number of different animals) we estimate gyration radii and numbers of perimeter sites. In all dimensions we verify the Parisi-Sourlas prediction, and we verify all exactly known critical exponents in dimensions 2, 3, 4 and >=8. In addition, we present the hitherto most precise estimates for growth constants in d >= 3. For clusters with one site attached to an attractive surface, we verify for d >= 3 the superuniversality of the cross-over exponent phgr at the adsorption transition predicted by Janssen and Lyssy, but not for d = 2. There, we find phgr = 0.480(4) instead of the conjectured phgr = 1/2. Finally, we discuss the collapse of animals and trees, arguing that our present version of the algorithm is also efficient for some of the models studied in this context, but showing that it is not very efficient for the 'classical' model for collapsing animals.

Evaluation of verifiability in HAL/S. [programming language for aerospace computers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, W. D.; Tripathi, A. R.; Good, D. I.; Browne, J. C.

1979-01-01

The ability of HAL/S to write verifiable programs, a characteristic which is highly desirable in aerospace applications, is lacking since many of the features of HAL/S do not lend themselves to existing verification techniques. The methods of language evaluation are described along with the means in which language features are evaluated for verifiability. These methods are applied in this study to various features of HAL/S to identify specific areas in which the language fails with respect to verifiability. Some conclusions are drawn for the design of programming languages for aerospace applications and ongoing work to identify a verifiable subset of HAL/S is described.

Verified Centers, Nonverified Centers or Other Facilities: A National Analysis of Burn Patient Treatment Location

PubMed Central

Zonies, David; Mack, Christopher; Kramer, Bradley; Rivara, Frederick; Klein, Matthew

2009-01-01

Background Although comprehensive burn care requires significant resources, patients may be treated at verified burn centers, non-verified burn centers, or other facilities due to a variety of factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between patient and injury characteristics and treatment location using a national database. Study Design We performed an analysis of all burn patients admitted to United States hospitals participating in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project over 2 years. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify patient and injury factors associated with the likelihood of treatment at designated burn care facilities. Definitve care facilities were categorized as American Burn Association verified centers, non-verified burn centers, or other facilities. Results Over the two years, 29,971 burn patients were treated in 1,376 hospitals located in 19 participating states. A total of 6,712 (22%) patients were treated at verified centers, with 26% and 52% treated at non-verified or other facilities, respectively. Patients treated at verified centers were younger than those at non-verified or other facilities (33.1 years vs. 33.7 years vs. 41.9 years, p<0.001) and had a higher rate of inhalation injury (3.4% vs. 3.2% vs. 2.2%, p<0.001). Independent factors associated with treatment at verified centers include burns to the head/neck (RR 2.4, CI 2.1-2.7), hand (RR 1.8, CI 1.6-1.9), electrical injury (RR 1.4, CI 1.4, CI 1.2-1.7), and fewer co-morbidities (RR 0.55, CI 0.5-0.6). Conclusions More than two-thirds of significantly burned patients are treated at non-verified burn centers in the U.S. Many patients meeting ABA criteria for transfer to a burn center are being treated at non-burn center facilities. PMID:20193892

The biomechanical analysis of three-dimensional distal radius fracture model with different fixed splints.

PubMed

Hua, Zhen; Wang, Jian-Wei; Lu, Zhen-Fei; Ma, Jian-Wei; Yin, Heng

2018-01-01

The distal radius fracture is one of the common clinical fractures. At present, there are no reports regarding application of the finite element method in studying the mechanism of Colles fracture and the biomechanical behavior when using splint fixation. To explore the mechanism of Colles fracture and the biomechanical behavior when using different fixed splints. Based on the CT scanning images of forearm for a young female volunteer, by using model construction technology combined with RPOE and ANSYS software, a 3-D distal radius fracture forearm finite element model with a real shape and bioactive materials is built. The material tests are performed to obtain the mechanical properties of the paper-based splint, the willow splint and the anatomical splint. The numerical results are compared with the experimental results to verify the correctness of the presented model. Based on the verified model, the stress distribution of different tissues are analyzed. Finally, the clinical tests are performed to observe and verify that the anatomical splint is the best fit for human body. Using the three kinds of splints, the transferred bone stress focus on the distal radius and ulna, which is helpful to maintain the stability of fracture. Also the stress is accumulated in the distal radius which may be attributed to flexion position. Such stress distribution may be helpful to maintain the ulnar declination. By comparing the simulation results with the experimental observations, the anatomical splint has the best fitting to the limb, which can effectively avoid the local compression. The anatomical splint is the most effective for fixing and curing the fracture. The presented model can provide theoretical basis and technical guide for further investigating mechanism of distal radius fracture and clinical application of anatomical splint.

Fibre-Reinforced Adhesive for Structure Anchoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barnat, J.; Bajer, M.

2015-11-01

The topic of this paper is the glue-concrete interface of bonded anchors loaded by tension force. The paper is closely focused on bond strength experiments using high strength concrete up to class C50/60 or higher together with pure epoxy resin and fibre-reinforced resin. The goal of this research is to find the limits of the effective use of such glue types in high performance concrete, and also to verify the most commonly used design methods for bonded anchors. The presented research includes experimental analysis of the glue-concrete interface and the influence of its parameters on anchor behaviour. The presented analysis shows some problems of the 'separated failure modes' approach and also presents experimentally verified bond strength values obtained for the currently most widespread glue types. Results of fibre reinforced epoxy resin are also presented in this paper.

Effectiveness of reactive oral cholera vaccination in rural Haiti: a case-control study

PubMed Central

Ivers, Louise C; Hilaire, Isabelle J; Teng, Jessica E; Almazor, Charles P; Jerome, J Gregory; Ternier, Ralph; Boncy, Jacques; Buteau, Josiane; Murray, Megan B; Harris, Jason B; Franke, Molly F

2015-01-01

Background Between April and June 2012, a reactive cholera vaccination campaign was conducted in Haiti using an oral inactivated bivalent whole-cell vaccine (BivWC). Methods We conducted a case-control study to estimate field effectiveness of the vaccine. Cases had acute watery diarrhea, sought treatment at one of three participating cholera treatment units from October 24, 2012 through March 9, 2014, and had a stool sample positive for cholera by culture. For each case, four controls (individuals who did not seek treatment for acute watery diarrhea) were matched by location of residence, calendar time, and age. We also conducted a bias-indicator case-control study to assess the likelihood of bias in the vaccine effectiveness (VE) study. Findings During the study period, 114 eligible individuals presented with acute watery diarrhea and were enrolled. 47 were analyzed as cases in the VE case-control study and 42 as cases in the bias-indicator study. In multivariable analyses, VE was 63% [95% confidence interval (CI): 8%–85%] by self-reported vaccination and 58% [95% CI: 13%–80%] for verified vaccination. Neither self-reported nor verified vaccination was significantly associated with non-cholera diarrhea (VE: 18% [95% CI: −208%–−78%] by self-report and −21% [95%CI: −238%–57%] for verified vaccination). Interpretation BivWC oral cholera vaccine was effective in protecting against cholera in Haiti during the study period –from 4 through 24 months after vaccination. Vaccination is an important component of epidemic cholera control efforts. Funding National Institutes of Health, Delivering Oral Vaccines Effectively project, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. PMID:25701994

Development and validation of a nursing professionalism evaluation model in a career ladder system.

PubMed

Kim, Yeon Hee; Jung, Young Sun; Min, Ja; Song, Eun Young; Ok, Jung Hui; Lim, Changwon; Kim, Kyunghee; Kim, Ji-Su

2017-01-01

The clinical ladder system categorizes the degree of nursing professionalism and rewards and is an important human resource tool for managing nursing. We developed a model to evaluate nursing professionalism, which determines the clinical ladder system levels, and verified its validity. Data were collected using a clinical competence tool developed in this study, and existing methods such as the nursing professionalism evaluation tool, peer reviews, and face-to-face interviews to evaluate promotions and verify the presented content in a medical institution. Reliability and convergent and discriminant validity of the clinical competence evaluation tool were verified using SmartPLS software. The validity of the model for evaluating overall nursing professionalism was also analyzed. Clinical competence was determined by five dimensions of nursing practice: scientific, technical, ethical, aesthetic, and existential. The structural model explained 66% of the variance. Clinical competence scales, peer reviews, and face-to-face interviews directly determined nursing professionalism levels. The evaluation system can be used for evaluating nurses' professionalism in actual medical institutions from a nursing practice perspective. A conceptual framework for establishing a human resources management system for nurses and a tool for evaluating nursing professionalism at medical institutions is provided.

Verification of Faulty Message Passing Systems with Continuous State Space in PVS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pilotto, Concetta; White, Jerome

2010-01-01

We present a library of Prototype Verification System (PVS) meta-theories that verifies a class of distributed systems in which agent commu nication is through message-passing. The theoretic work, outlined in, consists of iterative schemes for solving systems of linear equations , such as message-passing extensions of the Gauss and Gauss-Seidel me thods. We briefly review that work and discuss the challenges in formally verifying it.

Verifying AI Plan Models: Even the Best Laid Plans Need to be Verified

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Margaret; Cucullu, Gordon; Holzmann, Gerard; Smith, Benjamin

2004-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews work on model checking, and specifically the SPIN model checker. The goal of this work is to retire a significant class of risks associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence (Al) Planners on Missions. This effort must provide tangible testing results to a mission using Al technology. It is hoped that the work should be possible to leverage the technique and tools throughout NASA

Understanding heat and fluid flow in linear GTA welds

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

Zacharia, T.; David, S.A.; Vitek, J.M.

1992-01-01

A transient heat flow and fluid flow model was used to predict the development of gas tungsten arc (GTA) weld pools in 1.5 mm thick AISI 304 SS. The welding parameters were chosen so as to correspond to an earlier experimental study which produced high-resolution surface temperature maps. The motivation of the present study was to verify the predictive capability of the computational model. Comparison of the numerical predictions and experimental observations indicate good agreement.

Understanding heat and fluid flow in linear GTA welds

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

Zacharia, T.; David, S.A.; Vitek, J.M.

1992-12-31

A transient heat flow and fluid flow model was used to predict the development of gas tungsten arc (GTA) weld pools in 1.5 mm thick AISI 304 SS. The welding parameters were chosen so as to correspond to an earlier experimental study which produced high-resolution surface temperature maps. The motivation of the present study was to verify the predictive capability of the computational model. Comparison of the numerical predictions and experimental observations indicate good agreement.

The Comparative Power of "Type/Token" and "Hapax Legomena/Type" Ratios: A Corpus-Based Study of Authorial Differentiation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ali, Sundus Muhsin; Hussein, Khalid Shakir

2014-01-01

This paper presents an attempt to verify the comparative power of two statistical features: Type/Token, and Hapax legomena/Token ratios (henceforth TTR and HTR). A corpus of ten novels is compiled. Then sixteen samples (each is 5,000 tokens in length) are taken randomly out of these novels as representative blocks. The researchers observe the way…

Effectiveness of a Selective Advising Program in Reducing the Degree of Compulsive Buying Behavior among Umm Al-Qura Female Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Basyouni, Sawzan S.

2018-01-01

The present study is an attempt to investigate the effectiveness of a selective advising program in reducing the degree of Compulsive Buying Behavior among female students, Faculty of Education at Umm al-Qura University. The sample consisted of (200) female students to verify the validity and reliability of the tool. The quasi-experimental method…

The Role of L2 Learner Goal Differences in Task-Generated Oral Production

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ben Maad, Mohamed Ridha

2016-01-01

In light of the growing interest in the cognitive approach to task in second language (L2) research, comparatively little has been done to examine such effect over time and the role of individual differences (IDs). The present study was designed to verify some longitudinal evidence for the role of tasks in L2 production and whether IDs, in the…

Optical Alignment of the JWST ISIM to the OTE Simulator (OSIM): Current Concept and Design Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frey, Bradley J.; Davila, Pamela S.; Marsh, James M.; Ohl, Raymond G.; Sullivan, Joseph

2007-01-01

The James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) is the scientific payload of the observatory and contai ns four science instruments. During alignment and test of the integrated ISIM (i.e. ISIM + science instruments) at NASA's Goddard Space Fli ght Center (GSFC), the Optical telescope element SIMulator (OSIM) wil l be used to optically stimulate the science instruments to verify their operation and performance. In this paper we present the design of two cryogenic alignment fixtures that will be used to determine and verify the proper alignment of OSIM to ISIM during testing at GSFC. The se fixtures, the Master Alignment Target Fixture (MATF) and the ISIM Alignment Target Fixture (IATF), will provide continuous, 6 degree of freedom feedback to OSIM during initial ambient alignment as well as during cryogenic vacuum testing.

An annotated checklist of the chondrichthyans of Papua New Guinea.

PubMed

White, William T; Ko'ou, Alfred

2018-04-19

An annotated checklist of the chondrichthyan fishes (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) of Papua New Guinean waters is herein presented. The checklist is the result of a large biodiversity study on the chondrichthyan fauna of Papua New Guinea between 2013 and 2017. The chondrichthyan fauna of Papua New Guinea has historically been very poorly known due to a lack of baseline information and limited deepwater exploration. A total of 131 species, comprising 36 families and 68 genera, were recorded. The most speciose families are the Carcharhinidae with 29 species and the Dasyatidae with 23 species. Verified voucher material from various biological collections around the world are provided, with a total of 687 lots recorded comprising 574 whole specimens, 128 sets of jaws and 21 sawfish rostra. This represents the first detailed, verified checklist of chondrichthyans from Papua New Guinean waters.

Numerical Simulation of Bulging Deformation for Wide-Thick Slab Under Uneven Cooling Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Chenhui; Ji, Cheng; Zhu, Miaoyong

2018-06-01

In the present work, the bulging deformation of a wide-thick slab under uneven cooling conditions was studied using finite element method. The non-uniform solidification was first calculated using a 2D heat transfer model. The thermal material properties were derived based on a microsegregation model, and the water flux distribution was measured and applied to calculate the cooling boundary conditions. Based on the solidification results, a 3D bulging model was established. The 2D heat transfer model was verified by the measured shell thickness and the slab surface temperature, and the 3D bulging model was verified by the calculated maximum bulging deflections using formulas. The bulging deformation behavior of the wide-thick slab under uneven cooling condition was then determined, and the effect of uneven solidification, casting speed, and roll misalignment were investigated.

A Study of Neutron Leakage in Finite Objects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, John W.; Slaba, Tony C.; Badavi, Francis F.; Reddell, Brandon D.; Bahadori, Amir A.

2015-01-01

A computationally efficient 3DHZETRN code capable of simulating High charge (Z) and Energy (HZE) and light ions (including neutrons) under space-like boundary conditions with enhanced neutron and light ion propagation was recently developed for simple shielded objects. Monte Carlo (MC) benchmarks were used to verify the 3DHZETRN methodology in slab and spherical geometry, and it was shown that 3DHZETRN agrees with MC codes to the degree that various MC codes agree among themselves. One limitation in the verification process is that all of the codes (3DHZETRN and three MC codes) utilize different nuclear models/databases. In the present report, the new algorithm, with well-defined convergence criteria, is used to quantify the neutron leakage from simple geometries to provide means of verifying 3D effects and to provide guidance for further code development.

Terminal Sliding Mode Tracking Controller Design for Automatic Guided Vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hongbin

2018-03-01

Based on sliding mode variable structure control theory, the path tracking problem of automatic guided vehicle is studied, proposed a controller design method based on the terminal sliding mode. First of all, through analyzing the characteristics of the automatic guided vehicle movement, the kinematics model is presented. Then to improve the traditional expression of terminal sliding mode, design a nonlinear sliding mode which the convergence speed is faster than the former, verified by theoretical analysis, the design of sliding mode is steady and fast convergence in the limited time. Finally combining Lyapunov method to design the tracking control law of automatic guided vehicle, the controller can make the automatic guided vehicle track the desired trajectory in the global sense as well as in finite time. The simulation results verify the correctness and effectiveness of the control law.

Verification of the FtCayuga fault-tolerant microprocessor system. Volume 1: A case study in theorem prover-based verification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Srivas, Mandayam; Bickford, Mark

1991-01-01

The design and formal verification of a hardware system for a task that is an important component of a fault tolerant computer architecture for flight control systems is presented. The hardware system implements an algorithm for obtaining interactive consistancy (byzantine agreement) among four microprocessors as a special instruction on the processors. The property verified insures that an execution of the special instruction by the processors correctly accomplishes interactive consistency, provided certain preconditions hold. An assumption is made that the processors execute synchronously. For verification, the authors used a computer aided design hardware design verification tool, Spectool, and the theorem prover, Clio. A major contribution of the work is the demonstration of a significant fault tolerant hardware design that is mechanically verified by a theorem prover.

Numerical Simulation of Bulging Deformation for Wide-Thick Slab Under Uneven Cooling Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Chenhui; Ji, Cheng; Zhu, Miaoyong

2018-02-01

In the present work, the bulging deformation of a wide-thick slab under uneven cooling conditions was studied using finite element method. The non-uniform solidification was first calculated using a 2D heat transfer model. The thermal material properties were derived based on a microsegregation model, and the water flux distribution was measured and applied to calculate the cooling boundary conditions. Based on the solidification results, a 3D bulging model was established. The 2D heat transfer model was verified by the measured shell thickness and the slab surface temperature, and the 3D bulging model was verified by the calculated maximum bulging deflections using formulas. The bulging deformation behavior of the wide-thick slab under uneven cooling condition was then determined, and the effect of uneven solidification, casting speed, and roll misalignment were investigated.

Influence of ionization on the Gupta and on the Park chemical models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morsa, Luigi; Zuppardi, Gennaro

2014-12-01

This study is an extension of former works by the present authors, in which the influence of the chemical models by Gupta and by Park was evaluated on thermo-fluid-dynamic parameters in the flow field, including transport coefficients, related characteristic numbers and heat flux on two current capsules (EXPERT and Orion) during the high altitude re-entry path. The results verified that the models, even computing different air compositions in the flow field, compute only slight different compositions on the capsule surface, therefore the difference in the heat flux is not very relevant. In the above mentioned studies, ionization was neglected because the velocities of the capsules (about 5000 m/s for EXPERT and about 7600 m/s for Orion) were not high enough to activate meaningful ionization. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the incidence of ionization, linked to the chemical models by Gupta and by Park, on both heat flux and thermo fluid-dynamic parameters. The present computer tests were carried out by a direct simulation Monte Carlo code (DS2V) in the velocity interval 7600-12000 m/s, considering only the Orion capsule at an altitude of 85 km. The results verified what already found namely when ionization is not considered, the chemical models compute only a slight different gas composition in the core of the shock wave and practically the same composition on the surface therefore the same heat flux. On the opposite, the results verified that when ionization is considered, the chemical models compute different compositions in the whole shock layer and on the surface therefore different heat flux. The analysis of the results relies on a qualitative and a quantitative evaluation of the effects of ionization on both chemical models. The main result of the study is that when ionization is taken into account, the Park model is more reactive than the Gupta model; consequently, the heat flux computed by Park is lower than the one computed by Gupta; using the Gupta model, in the design of a thermal protection system, is recommended.

Portable Wireless LAN Device and Two-Way Radio Threat Assessment for Aircraft VHF Communication Radio Band

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Truong X.; Koppen, Sandra V.; Ely, Jay J.; Williams, Reuben A.; Smith, Laura J.; Salud, Maria Theresa P.

2004-01-01

This document summarizes the safety analysis performed on a Flight Guidance System (FGS) requirements model. In particular, the safety properties desired of the FGS model are identified and the presence of the safety properties in the model is formally verified. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the entire project, while Chapter 2 gives a brief overview of the problem domain, the nature of accidents, model based development, and the four-variable model. Chapter 3 outlines the approach. Chapter 4 presents the results of the traditional safety analysis techniques and illustrates how the hazardous conditions associated with the system trace into specific safety properties. Chapter 5 presents the results of the formal methods analysis technique model checking that was used to verify the presence of the safety properties in the requirements model. Finally, Chapter 6 summarizes the main conclusions of the study, first and foremost that model checking is a very effective verification technique to use on discrete models with reasonable state spaces. Additional supporting details are provided in the appendices.

Adaptability and stability of soybean cultivars for grain yield and seed quality.

PubMed

Silva, K B; Bruzi, A T; Zambiazzi, E V; Soares, I O; Pereira, J L A R; Carvalho, M L M

2017-05-10

This study aimed at verifying the adaptability and stability of soybean cultivars, considering the grain yield and quality of seeds, adopting univariate and multivariate approaches. The experiments were conducted in two crops, three environments, in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 crop seasons, in the county of Inconfidentes, Lavras, and Patos de Minas, in the Minas Gerais State, Brazil. We evaluated 17 commercial soybean cultivars. For adaptability and stability evaluations, the Graphic and GGE biplot methods were employed. Previously, a selection index was estimated based on the sum of the standardized variables (Z index). The data relative to grain yield, mass of one thousand grain, uniformity test (sieve retention), and germination test were standardized (Z ij ) per cultivar. With the sum of Z ij , we obtained the selection index for the four traits evaluated together. In the Graphic method evaluation, cultivars NA 7200 RR and CD 2737 RR presented the highest values for selection index Z. By the GGE biplot method, we verified that cultivar NA 7200 RR presented greater stability in both univariate evaluations, for grain yield, and for selection index Z.

Industrial methodology for process verification in research (IMPROVER): toward systems biology verification

PubMed Central

Meyer, Pablo; Hoeng, Julia; Rice, J. Jeremy; Norel, Raquel; Sprengel, Jörg; Stolle, Katrin; Bonk, Thomas; Corthesy, Stephanie; Royyuru, Ajay; Peitsch, Manuel C.; Stolovitzky, Gustavo

2012-01-01

Motivation: Analyses and algorithmic predictions based on high-throughput data are essential for the success of systems biology in academic and industrial settings. Organizations, such as companies and academic consortia, conduct large multi-year scientific studies that entail the collection and analysis of thousands of individual experiments, often over many physical sites and with internal and outsourced components. To extract maximum value, the interested parties need to verify the accuracy and reproducibility of data and methods before the initiation of such large multi-year studies. However, systematic and well-established verification procedures do not exist for automated collection and analysis workflows in systems biology which could lead to inaccurate conclusions. Results: We present here, a review of the current state of systems biology verification and a detailed methodology to address its shortcomings. This methodology named ‘Industrial Methodology for Process Verification in Research’ or IMPROVER, consists on evaluating a research program by dividing a workflow into smaller building blocks that are individually verified. The verification of each building block can be done internally by members of the research program or externally by ‘crowd-sourcing’ to an interested community. www.sbvimprover.com Implementation: This methodology could become the preferred choice to verify systems biology research workflows that are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated in industrial and academic settings. Contact: gustavo@us.ibm.com PMID:22423044

Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia: Validity evidence and norms for adolescents in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

PubMed Central

Nunes-Silva, Marília; Haase, Vitor Geraldi

2012-01-01

The Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA) is a battery of tests that assesses six music processing components: scale, contour, interval, rhythm, metric, and music memory. The present study sought to verify the psychometric characteristics of the MBEA in a sample of 150 adolescents aged 14-18 years in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and to develop specific norms for this population. We used statistical procedures that explored the dimensional structure of the MBEA and its items, evaluating their adequacy from empirical data, verifying their reliability, and providing evidence of validity. The results for the difficult levels for each test indicated a trend toward higher scores, corroborating previous studies. From the analysis of the criterion groups, almost all of the items were considered discriminatory. The global score of the MBEA was shown to be valid and reliable (rK-R20=0.896) for assessing the musical ability of normal teenagers. Based on the analysis of the items, we proposed a short version of the MBEA. Further studies with larger samples and amusic individuals are necessary to provide evidence of the validity of the MBEA in the Brazilian milieu. The present study brings to the Brazilian context a tool for diagnosing deficits in musical skills and will serve as a basis for comparisons with single case studies and studies of populations with specific neuropsychological syndromes. PMID:29213804

Attitude-referenced radiometer study. Part 2: Primary calibration system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williamson, W. R.; Otte, A. A.

1971-01-01

A primary calibration system, PCS, for infrared radiometers has been developed, built, and tested. The system allows radiometers to be calibrated with less than 1 percent error for use in earth coverage horizon measurements, earth resources surveys, and synoptic meteorological measurement. The final design, fabrication and test of the PCS are reported. A detailed description of the PCS construction is presented, along with the results of a complete series of functional tests. Test to verify the source thermal characteristics, collimator reflectance, and output beam characteristics are described and their results presented.

Gas flow calculation method of a ramjet engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kostyushin, Kirill; Kagenov, Anuar; Eremin, Ivan; Zhiltsov, Konstantin; Shuvarikov, Vladimir

2017-11-01

At the present study calculation methodology of gas dynamics equations in ramjet engine is presented. The algorithm is based on Godunov`s scheme. For realization of calculation algorithm, the system of data storage is offered, the system does not depend on mesh topology, and it allows using the computational meshes with arbitrary number of cell faces. The algorithm of building a block-structured grid is given. Calculation algorithm in the software package "FlashFlow" is implemented. Software package is verified on the calculations of simple configurations of air intakes and scramjet models.

State trajectories used to observe and control dc-to-dc converters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, W. W., III; Wilson, T. G.

1976-01-01

State-plane analysis techniques are employed to study the voltage stepup energy-storage dc-to-dc converter. Within this framework, an example converter operating under the influence of a constant on-time and a constant frequency controller is examined. Qualitative insight gained through this approach is used to develop a conceptual free-running control law for the voltage stepup converter which can achieve steady-state operation in one on/off cycle of control. Digital computer simulation data are presented to illustrate and verify the theoretical discussions presented.

Deciding Full Branching Time Logic by Program Transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pettorossi, Alberto; Proietti, Maurizio; Senni, Valerio

We present a method based on logic program transformation, for verifying Computation Tree Logic (CTL*) properties of finite state reactive systems. The finite state systems and the CTL* properties we want to verify, are encoded as logic programs on infinite lists. Our verification method consists of two steps. In the first step we transform the logic program that encodes the given system and the given property, into a monadic ω -program, that is, a stratified program defining nullary or unary predicates on infinite lists. This transformation is performed by applying unfold/fold rules that preserve the perfect model of the initial program. In the second step we verify the property of interest by using a proof method for monadic ω-programs.

Improving recruitment and retention for an online randomized controlled trial: experience from the Youthnet study.

PubMed

Bull, S S; Vallejos, D; Levine, D; Ortiz, C

2008-09-01

The objective of the study was to present recruitment and retention findings for an Internet based HIV prevention trial evaluated using a randomized controlled design among 15-25-year-olds accessing a website on the Internet. We used a combination of automated electronic and personalized approaches to increase and diversify recruitment, verify participant eligibility and increase retention. We posted 3.5 million banner advertisements, 9354 individuals clicked on the advertisement, 8950 completed an eligibility screener and 3298 a baseline survey; we flagged 675 of these as suspicious and enrolled 2623 individuals. Of these, 2082 (79%) completed a follow-up at one-month and 1398 (53%) completed a two-month follow-up. This retention rate is the highest we have seen for an Internet-based HIV-prevention trial. Our procedures can be replicated in other trials. We stress the importance of using a combination of automated and personalized techniques to increase enrollment, verify eligibility and promote retention.

Tulane/Xavier Vaccine Development/Engineering Project

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-01

spectroscopic studies with polar dyes (e.g. proflavine ) have verified these compounds’ ability to encapsulate and solvate small polar dye molecules in...systems. Fluorescent microscopy studies verify that they significantly enhance the transport of polar small molecules ( proflavin dye) through

Formal Validation of Fault Management Design Solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

2013-01-01

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

The association between self-reported versus nicotine metabolite-confirmed smoking status and coronary artery calcification.

PubMed

Kim, Byung Jin; Han, Ji Min; Kang, Jung Gyu; Kim, Bum Soo; Kang, Jin Ho

2018-05-01

There are no data comparing the relationship between coronary artery calcification and self-reported and cotinine-verified smoking. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between coronary artery calcium (CAC) and urinary cotinine or self-reported smoking status in Korean adults. Study participants included 22 797 individuals (19 181 men; mean age±SD 39.2±7.1 years) who were enrolled in the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study and Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study between 2011 and 2013, and who had urinary cotinine and CAC measurements. Cotinine-verified current smokers were defined as having a urinary cotinine level of above 50 ng/ml. The prevalence of never smokers, former smokers, and current smokers according to the self-reported questionnaires was 44.6, 24.2, and 31.2%, respectively, and that of cotinine-verified current smokers was 30.2%. The prevalence of the presence of CAC in self-reported current smokers was higher than that in self-reported never/former smokers (13.7 vs. 10.2%, P<0.001), and that in cotinine-verified current smokers was higher than that in cotinine-verified never smokers (14.0 vs. 10.2%, P<0.001). A multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for the variables with univariate relationships showed that self-reported former smokers and current smokers had significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for the presence of CAC compared with self-reported never smokers [OR (95% confidence interval): 1.20 (1.03-1.40) in former smokers and 1.29 (1.11-1.50) in current smokers]. Cotinine-verified current smokers also showed a significant association with the presence of CAC [1.23 (1.12-1.35)]. Furthermore, log-transformed cotinine levels increased the OR for the presence of CAC [1.03 (1.01-1.05)]. This study is the first large cohort study to show that both self-reported and cotinine-verified smoking is associated independently with the presence of CAC in Korean adults.

Verifiability of diagnostic categories and work ability in the context of disability pension award: A survey on "gatekeeping" among general practitioners in Norway

PubMed Central

Overland, Rein; Overland, Simon; Johansen, Kristian Nyborg; Mykletun, Arnstein

2008-01-01

Background Disability benefits exist to redeem social and financial consequences of reduced work ability from medical conditions. Physicians are responsible for identifying the medical grounds for benefit claims. The aim of this study was to explore physicians' views on verifiability of medical conditions and related work ability in this context. Methods Information on verifiability of diagnostic categories and work ability was obtained from a survey among a representative sample of general practitioners (GPs) in Norway (n = 500, 25.2% response rate). Verifiability was defined as to what extent the assessment is based on objective criteria versus on information from the patient. We enquired about the diagnostic categories used in official statistics on main disability benefit causes in Norway and elsewhere. Results On a scale from 0 (low verifiability) to 5 (high verifiability), the mean level of verifiability across all diagnostic categories was 3.7 (SD = 0.42). Degree of verifiability varied much between diagnostic categories, and was low in e.g. unspecified rheumatism/myalgia and dorsopathies, and high in neoplasms and congenital malformations, deformation and chromosomal abnormalities. Verifiability of work ability was reported to be more problematic than that of diagnostic categories. The diagnostic categories rated as the least verifiable, are also the most common in disability pension awards. Conclusion Verifiability of both diagnostic categories and work ability in disability assessments are reported to be moderate by GPs. We suggest that the low verifiability of diagnostic categories and related work ability assessments in the majority of disability pension awards is important in explaining why GPs find the gatekeeping-function problematic. PMID:18439251

Agricultural irrigated land-use inventory for Jackson, Calhoun, and Gadsden Counties in Florida, and Houston County in Alabama, 2014

USGS Publications Warehouse

Marella, Richard L.; Dixon, Joann F.

2015-09-18

The irrigated acreage estimated for Jackson County in 2014 (31,608) is about 47 percent higher than the 2012 estimated acreage published by the USDA (21,508 acres). The estimates of irrigated acreage field verified during 2014 for Calhoun and Gadsden Counties are also higher than those published by the USDA for 2012 (86 percent and 71 percent, respectively). In Calhoun County the USDA reported 1,647 irrigated acres while the current study estimated 3,060 acres, and in Gadsden County the USDA reported 2,650 acres while the current study estimated 4,547 acres. For Houston County the USDA-reported value of 9,138 acres in 2012 was 13 percent below the 10,333 acres field verified in the current study. Differences between the USDA 2012 values and 2014 field verified estimates in these two datasets may occur because (1) irrigated acreage for some specific crops increased or decreased substantially during the 2-year interval due to commodity prices or economic changes, (2) irrigated acreage calculated for the current study may be estimated high because irrigation was assumed if an irrigation system was present and therefore the acreage was counted as irrigated, when in fact that may not have been the case as some farmers may not have used their irrigation systems during this growing period even if they had a crop in the field, or (3) the amount of irrigated acreages published by the USDA for selected crops may be underestimated in some cases.

Using Concept Space to Verify Hyponymy in Building a Hyponymy Lexicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lei; Zhang, Sen; Diao, Lu Hong; Yan, Shu Ying; Cao, Cun Gen

Verification of hyponymy relations is a basic problem in knowledge acquisition. We present a method of hyponymy verification based on concept space. Firstly, we give the definition of concept space about a group of candidate hyponymy relations. Secondly we analyze the concept space and define a set of hyponymy features based on the space structure. Then we use them to verify candidate hyponymy relations. Experimental results show that the method can provide adequate verification of hyponymy.

Social and cultural sustainability: criteria, indicators, verifier variables for measurement and maps for visualization to support planning.

PubMed

Axelsson, Robert; Angelstam, Per; Degerman, Erik; Teitelbaum, Sara; Andersson, Kjell; Elbakidze, Marine; Drotz, Marcus K

2013-03-01

Policies on economic use of natural resources require considerations to social and cultural values. In order to make those concrete in a planning context, this paper aims to interpret social and cultural criteria, identify indicators, match these with verifier variables and visualize them on maps. Indicators were selected from a review of scholarly work and natural resource policies, and then matched with verifier variables available for Sweden's 290 municipalities. Maps of the spatial distribution of four social and four cultural verifier variables were then produced. Consideration of social and cultural values in the studied natural resource use sectors was limited. The spatial distribution of the verifier variables exhibited a general divide between northwest and south Sweden, and regional rural and urban areas. We conclude that it is possible to identify indicators and match them with verifier variables to support inclusion of social and cultural values in planning.

Study program for design improvements of the X-3060 klystron. Phase 3: Electron gun fabrication and beam analyzer evaluation. Phase 4: Klystron prototype fabrication and testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldfinger, A.

1981-01-01

A full scale model was produced to verify suggested design changes. Through beam analyzer study, the correct electron beam diameter and cross sectional profile were established in conjunction with the desired confining magnetic field. Comparative data on the performance of the X-3060 klystron, design predictions for the improved klystron, and performance data taken during acceptance testing of the prototype VKS-8274 JPL are presented.

Study of the dijet invariant mass in w + 2 jet events

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

Sekaric, Jadranka; /Kansas U.

2011-11-01

The D0 Collaboration presents a study of the dijet invariant mass spectrum, M{sub jj}, in events with two jets produced in association with a W {yields} {ell}{nu} boson. The goal is to verify a claim from the CDF Collaboration about the possible existence of an anomalous dijet resonance at M{sub jj} {approx} 145 GeV. Thus, we investigate the 110 GeV < M{sub jj} < 170 GeV mass range and report our results.

Stability analysis and application of a mathematical cholera model.

PubMed

Liao, Shu; Wang, Jin

2011-07-01

In this paper, we conduct a dynamical analysis of the deterministic cholera model proposed in [9]. We study the stability of both the disease-free and endemic equilibria so as to explore the complex epidemic and endemic dynamics of the disease. We demonstrate a real-world application of this model by investigating the recent cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, we present numerical simulation results to verify the analytical predictions.

Synthesis and anti-fungal activity of acetylated glycosides of 1,4-naphthoquinone

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

Polonik, S.G.; Tolkach, A.M.; Uvarova, N.I.

1986-12-01

The authors synthesize a series of glycoside derivatives of 1,4-naphthoquinones (VIII-XXII) and study their anti-fungal activity in a search for more effective preparations for the medical and food industries. The structures of the newly prepared glycosides were verified by IR and /sup 1/H and /sup 13/C NMR spectroscopy. The properties of acetylated 1,4-naphthoquinone glycosides are presented.

Orbital operations study. Appendix A: Interactivity analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Supplemental analyses conducted to verify that safe, feasible, design concepts exist for accomplishing the attendant interface activities of the orbital operations mission are presented. The data are primarily concerned with functions and concepts common to more than one of the interfacing activities or elements. Specific consideration is given to state vector update, payload deployment, communications links, jet plume impingement, attached element operations, docking and structural interface assessment, and propellant transfer.

Long term radiocesium contamination of fruit trees following the Chernobyl accident.

PubMed

Antonopoulos-Domis, M; Clouvas, A; Gagianas, A

1996-12-01

Radiocesium contamination from the Chernobyl accident of fruits and leaves from various fruit trees was systematically studied from 1990 to 1995 on two agricultural experimentation farms in Northern Greece. The results are discussed in the framework of a previously published model describing the long-term radiocesium contamination mechanism of deciduous fruit trees after a nuclear accident. The results of the present work qualitatively verify the model predictions.

Verifying visual properties in sentence verification facilitates picture recognition memory.

PubMed

Pecher, Diane; Zanolie, Kiki; Zeelenberg, René

2007-01-01

According to the perceptual symbols theory (Barsalou, 1999), sensorimotor simulations underlie the representation of concepts. We investigated whether recognition memory for pictures of concepts was facilitated by earlier representation of visual properties of those concepts. During study, concept names (e.g., apple) were presented in a property verification task with a visual property (e.g., shiny) or with a nonvisual property (e.g., tart). Delayed picture recognition memory was better if the concept name had been presented with a visual property than if it had been presented with a nonvisual property. These results indicate that modality-specific simulations are used for concept representation.

Comparative Behaviour of Nitrite and Nitrate for the Protection of Rebar Corrosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Altaf; Kumar, Anil

2017-10-01

Corrosion of rebar steel due to environmental causes has been studied through various approaches, and among the protection techniques use of inhibitors has gained encouragement. Nitrites and nitrates of sodium have gained sufficient scientific coverage. Recently, nitrites and nitrates of calcium have been verified in some studies, which, however, needs further experimentation through different angles. Simple polarization technique has been utilized in the present study to compare inhibitive efficiency of these salts of sodium and calcium, which indicate that calcium salts are more efficient.

Spatial pattern of Baccharis platypoda shrub as determined by sex and life stages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fonseca, Darliana da Costa; de Oliveira, Marcio Leles Romarco; Pereira, Israel Marinho; Gonzaga, Anne Priscila Dias; de Moura, Cristiane Coelho; Machado, Evandro Luiz Mendonça

2017-11-01

Spatial patterns of dioecious species can be determined by their nutritional requirements and intraspecific competition, apart from being a response to environmental heterogeneity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the spatial pattern of populations of a dioecious shrub reporting to sex and reproductive stage patterns of individuals. Sampling was carried out in three areas located in the meridional portion of Serra do Espinhaço, where in individuals of the studied species were mapped. The spatial pattern was determined through O-ring analysis and Ripley's K-function and the distribution of individuals' frequencies was verified through x2 test. Populations in two areas showed an aggregate spatial pattern tending towards random or uniform according to the observed scale. Male and female adults presented an aggregate pattern at smaller scales, while random and uniform patterns were verified above 20 m for individuals of both sexes of the areas A2 and A3. Young individuals presented an aggregate pattern in all areas and spatial independence in relation to adult individuals, especially female plants. The interactions between individuals of both genders presented spatial independence with respect to spatial distribution. Baccharis platypoda showed characteristics in accordance with the spatial distribution of savannic and dioecious species, whereas the population was aggregated tending towards random at greater spatial scales. Young individuals showed an aggregated pattern at different scales compared to adults, without positive association between them. Female and male adult individuals presented similar characteristics, confirming that adult individuals at greater scales are randomly distributed despite their distinct preferences for environments with moisture variation.

Passive isolation/damping system for the Hubble space telescope reaction wheels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hasha, Martin D.

1987-01-01

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope contain large, diffraction limited optics with extraordinary resolution and performance for surpassing existing observatories. The need to reduce structural borne vibration and resultant optical jitter from critical Pointing Control System components, Reaction Wheels, prompted the feasibility investigation and eventual development of a passive isolation system. Alternative design concepts considered were required to meet a host of stringent specifications and pass rigid tests to be successfully verified and integrated into the already built flight vehicle. The final design employs multiple arrays of fluid damped springs that attenuate over a wide spectrum, while confining newly introduced resonances to benign regions of vehicle dynamic response. Overall jitter improvement of roughly a factor of 2 to 3 is attained with this system. The basis, evolution, and performance of the isolation system, specifically discussing design concepts considered, optimization studies, development lessons learned, innovative features, and analytical and ground test verified results are presented.

Verifying detailed fluctuation relations for discrete feedback-controlled quantum dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camati, Patrice A.; Serra, Roberto M.

2018-04-01

Discrete quantum feedback control consists of a managed dynamics according to the information acquired by a previous measurement. Energy fluctuations along such dynamics satisfy generalized fluctuation relations, which are useful tools to study the thermodynamics of systems far away from equilibrium. Due to the practical challenge to assess energy fluctuations in the quantum scenario, the experimental verification of detailed fluctuation relations in the presence of feedback control remains elusive. We present a feasible method to experimentally verify detailed fluctuation relations for discrete feedback control quantum dynamics. Two detailed fluctuation relations are developed and employed. The method is based on a quantum interferometric strategy that allows the verification of fluctuation relations in the presence of feedback control. An analytical example to illustrate the applicability of the method is discussed. The comprehensive technique introduced here can be experimentally implemented at a microscale with the current technology in a variety of experimental platforms.

Towards the Formal Verification of a Distributed Real-Time Automotive System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Endres, Erik; Mueller, Christian; Shadrin, Andrey; Tverdyshev, Sergey

2010-01-01

We present the status of a project which aims at building, formally and pervasively verifying a distributed automotive system. The target system is a gate-level model which consists of several interconnected electronic control units with independent clocks. This model is verified against the specification as seen by a system programmer. The automotive system is implemented on several FPGA boards. The pervasive verification is carried out using combination of interactive theorem proving (Isabelle/HOL) and model checking (LTL).

Verus: A Tool for Quantitative Analysis of Finite-State Real-Time Systems.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-08-12

Symbolic model checking is a technique for verifying finite-state concurrent systems that has been extended to handle real - time systems . Models with...up to 10(exp 30) states can often be verified in minutes. In this paper, we present a new tool to analyze real - time systems , based on this technique...We have designed a language, called Verus, for the description of real - time systems . Such a description is compiled into a state-transition graph and

Formal mechanization of device interactions with a process algebra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schubert, E. Thomas; Levitt, Karl; Cohen, Gerald C.

1992-01-01

The principle emphasis is to develop a methodology to formally verify correct synchronization communication of devices in a composed hardware system. Previous system integration efforts have focused on vertical integration of one layer on top of another. This task examines 'horizontal' integration of peer devices. To formally reason about communication, we mechanize a process algebra in the Higher Order Logic (HOL) theorem proving system. Using this formalization we show how four types of device interactions can be represented and verified to behave as specified. The report also describes the specification of a system consisting of an AVM-1 microprocessor and a memory management unit which were verified in previous work. A proof of correct communication is presented, and the extensions to the system specification to add a direct memory device are discussed.

Brief time course of trait anxiety-related attentional bias to fear-conditioned stimuli: Evidence from the dual-RSVP task.

PubMed

Booth, Robert W

2017-03-01

Attentional bias to threat is a much-studied feature of anxiety; it is typically assessed using response time (RT) tasks such as the dot probe. Findings regarding the time course of attentional bias have been inconsistent, possibly because RT tasks are sensitive to processes downstream of attention. Attentional bias was assessed using an accuracy-based task in which participants detected a single digit in two simultaneous rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) streams of letters. Before the target, two coloured shapes were presented simultaneously, one in each RSVP stream; one shape had previously been associated with threat through Pavlovian fear conditioning. Attentional bias was indicated wherever participants identified targets in the threat's RSVP stream more accurately than targets in the other RSVP stream. In 87 unselected undergraduates, trait anxiety only predicted attentional bias when the target was presented immediately following the shapes, i.e. 160 ms later; by 320 ms the bias had disappeared. This suggests attentional bias in anxiety can be extremely brief and transitory. This initial study utilised an analogue sample, and was unable to physiologically verify the efficacy of the conditioning. The next steps will be to verify these results in a sample of diagnosed anxious patients, and to use alternative threat stimuli. The results of studies using response time to assess the time course of attentional bias may partially reflect later processes such as decision making and response preparation. This may limit the efficacy of therapies aiming to retrain attentional biases using response time tasks. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Upwind MacCormack Euler solver with non-equilibrium chemistry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sherer, Scott E.; Scott, James N.

1993-01-01

A computer code, designated UMPIRE, is currently under development to solve the Euler equations in two dimensions with non-equilibrium chemistry. UMPIRE employs an explicit MacCormack algorithm with dissipation introduced via Roe's flux-difference split upwind method. The code also has the capability to employ a point-implicit methodology for flows where stiffness is introduced through the chemical source term. A technique consisting of diagonal sweeps across the computational domain from each corner is presented, which is used to reduce storage and execution requirements. Results depicting one dimensional shock tube flow for both calorically perfect gas and thermally perfect, dissociating nitrogen are presented to verify current capabilities of the program. Also, computational results from a chemical reactor vessel with no fluid dynamic effects are presented to check the chemistry capability and to verify the point implicit strategy.

Automated survey of 8000 plan checks at eight facilities.

PubMed

Halabi, Tarek; Lu, Hsiao-Ming; Bernard, Damian A; Chu, James C H; Kirk, Michael C; Hamilton, Russell J; Lei, Yu; Driewer, Joseph

2016-09-01

To identify policy and system related weaknesses in treatment planning and plan check work-flows. The authors' web deployed plan check automation solution, PlanCheck, which works with all major planning and record and verify systems (demonstrated here for mosaiq only), allows them to compute violation rates for a large number of plan checks across many facilities without requiring the manual data entry involved with incident filings. Workflows and failure modes are heavily influenced by the type of record and verify system used. Rather than tackle multiple record and verify systems at once, the authors restricted the present survey to mosaiq facilities. Violations were investigated by sending inquiries to physicists running the program. Frequent violations included inadequate tracking in the record and verify system of total and prescription doses. Infrequent violations included incorrect setting of patient orientation in the record and verify system. Peaks in the distribution, over facilities, of violation frequencies pointed to suboptimal policies at some of these facilities. Correspondence with physicists often revealed incomplete knowledge of settings at their facility necessary to perform thorough plan checks. The survey leads to the identification of specific and important policy and system deficiencies that include: suboptimal timing of initial plan checks, lack of communication or agreement on conventions surrounding prescription definitions, and lack of automation in the transfer of some parameters.

Pilot study on effectiveness of simulation for surgical robot design using manipulability.

PubMed

Kawamura, Kazuya; Seno, Hiroto; Kobayashi, Yo; Fujie, Masakatsu G

2011-01-01

Medical technology has advanced with the introduction of robot technology, which facilitates some traditional medical treatments that previously were very difficult. However, at present, surgical robots are used in limited medical domains because these robots are designed using only data obtained from adult patients and are not suitable for targets having different properties, such as children. Therefore, surgical robots are required to perform specific functions for each clinical case. In addition, the robots must exhibit sufficiently high movability and operability for each case. In the present study, we focused on evaluation of the mechanism and configuration of a surgical robot by a simulation based on movability and operability during an operation. We previously proposed the development of a simulator system that reproduces the conditions of a robot and a target in a virtual patient body to evaluate the operability of the surgeon during an operation. In the present paper, we describe a simple experiment to verify the condition of the surgical assisting robot during an operation. In this experiment, the operation imitating suturing motion was carried out in a virtual workspace, and the surgical robot was evaluated based on manipulability as an indicator of movability. As the result, it was confirmed that the robot was controlled with low manipulability of the left side manipulator during the suturing. This simulation system can verify the less movable condition of a robot before developing an actual robot. Our results show the effectiveness of this proposed simulation system.

THE DEVELOPMENT AND INTER-LABORATORY VERIFICATION OF LC-MS LIBRARIES FOR ORGANIC CHEMICALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

EPA Science Inventory

The development, verification, and comparison study between LC-MS libraries for two manufacturers’ instruments and a verified protocol are discussed. The LC-MS library protocol was verified through an inter-laboratory study that involved Federal, State, and private laboratories. ...

A Comprehensive Study of the Development of Physics in Cuba from 1959

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baracca, Angelo; Fajer Avila, Víctor Luis; Rodríguez Castellanos, Carlos

The present paper aims to reconstruct the main stages of the above-mentioned process from the Cuban Revolution (1959) to the present time. A general premise is necessary on the documentary sources used and the method adopted in this research. The written documents available on the development of physics in Cuba related to the early two decades are quite scarce, so that the reconstruction presented here is based mainly on oral history research. Most of the information presented in this study is sourced from interviews with Cuban colleagues who played leading roles in the events described here. This approach obviously implies drawbacks since the information obtained relies on the personal memories and views of the interviewees, and in some cases uncertain or controversial aspects arise. Despite this drawback, every effort has been made to verify the information.

Types of gambling and levels of harm: A UK study to assess severity of presentation in a treatment-seeking population

PubMed Central

Ronzitti, Silvia; Soldini, Emiliano; Lutri, Vittorio; Smith, Neil; Clerici, Massimo; Bowden-Jones, Henrietta

2016-01-01

Background and aim Previous international research emphasized that some forms of gambling are more “addictive” than others. More recently, research has shown that we should shift our attention from the type of gambling activity to the level of involvement in a number of different gambling activities. The aim of our study was to verify whether a higher Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score was associated with particular gambling activities and evaluate the impact of involvement on gambling behavior. Methods A total of 736 treatment-seeking individuals with gambling disorder were assessed at the National Problem Gambling Clinic in London. First, the independent two-sample t-test and the Mann–Whitney test were used to verify if the PGSI score changed significantly according to the gambling activity at a bivariate level. Second, we conducted a cluster analysis and finally, we fitted a linear regression model in order to verify if some variables are useful to predict gambling addiction severity. Results The PGSI score was significantly higher for lower stakes gaming machine gamblers (1% significance level) and for fixed-odds betting terminal (FOBT) gamblers (5% significance level) at a bivariate level. Moreover, such finding was confirmed by cluster and linear regression analyses. Conclusions The results of this study indicated that gambling addiction severity was related to gambling involvement and, for a given level of gambling involvement, gambling addiction severity may vary according to gambling type, with a particularly significant increase for FOBT and gaming machine gambling. PMID:27677350

Types of gambling and levels of harm: A UK study to assess severity of presentation in a treatment-seeking population.

PubMed

Ronzitti, Silvia; Soldini, Emiliano; Lutri, Vittorio; Smith, Neil; Clerici, Massimo; Bowden-Jones, Henrietta

2016-09-01

Background and aim Previous international research emphasized that some forms of gambling are more "addictive" than others. More recently, research has shown that we should shift our attention from the type of gambling activity to the level of involvement in a number of different gambling activities. The aim of our study was to verify whether a higher Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score was associated with particular gambling activities and evaluate the impact of involvement on gambling behavior. Methods A total of 736 treatment-seeking individuals with gambling disorder were assessed at the National Problem Gambling Clinic in London. First, the independent two-sample t-test and the Mann-Whitney test were used to verify if the PGSI score changed significantly according to the gambling activity at a bivariate level. Second, we conducted a cluster analysis and finally, we fitted a linear regression model in order to verify if some variables are useful to predict gambling addiction severity. Results The PGSI score was significantly higher for lower stakes gaming machine gamblers (1% significance level) and for fixed-odds betting terminal (FOBT) gamblers (5% significance level) at a bivariate level. Moreover, such finding was confirmed by cluster and linear regression analyses. Conclusions The results of this study indicated that gambling addiction severity was related to gambling involvement and, for a given level of gambling involvement, gambling addiction severity may vary according to gambling type, with a particularly significant increase for FOBT and gaming machine gambling.

Application of a new laser Doppler imaging system in planning and monitoring of surgical flaps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlosser, Stefan; Wirth, Raphael; Plock, Jan A.; Serov, Alexandre; Banic, Andrej; Erni, Dominique

2010-05-01

There is a demand for technologies able to assess the perfusion of surgical flaps quantitatively and reliably to avoid ischemic complications. The aim of this study is to test a new high-speed high-definition laser Doppler imaging (LDI) system (FluxEXPLORER, Microvascular Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland) in terms of preoperative mapping of the vascular supply (perforator vessels) and postoperative flow monitoring. The FluxEXPLORER performs perfusion mapping of an area 9×9 cm with a resolution of 256×256 pixels within 6 s in high-definition imaging mode. The sensitivity and predictability to localize perforators is expressed by the coincidence of preoperatively assessed LDI high flow spots with intraoperatively verified perforators in nine patients. 18 free flaps are monitored before, during, and after total ischemia. 63% of all verified perforators correspond to a high flow spot, and 38% of all high flow spots correspond to a verified perforator (positive predictive value). All perfused flaps reveal a value of above 221 perfusion units (PUs), and all values obtained in the ischemic flaps are beneath 187 PU. In summary, we conclude that the present LDI system can serve as a reliable, fast, and easy-to-handle tool to detect ischemia in free flaps, whereas perforator vessels cannot be detected appropriately.

Brazilian version of the Protocole Montréal d'Evaluation de la Communication (Protocole MEC): normative and reliability data.

PubMed

Fonseca, Rochele Paz; Joanette, Yves; Côté, Hélène; Ska, Bernadette; Giroux, Francine; Fachel, Jandyra Maria Guimarães; Damasceno Ferreira, Gabriela; Parente, Maria Alice de Mattos Pimenta

2008-11-01

The lack of standardized instruments to evaluate communication disorders related to the right hemisphere was verified. A new evaluation tool was developed: Protocole Montréal d'Evaluation de la Communication--Protocole MEC, adapted to Brazilian Portuguese--Bateria Montreal de Avaliação da Comunicação--Bateria MAC (Montreal Evaluation of Communication Battery). The purpose was to present stratified normative data by age and educational level, and to verify the reliability parameters of the MEC Battery. 300 individuals, between the ages of 19 and 75 years, and levels of formal education between 2 and 35 years, participated in this study. They were divided equally into six normative groups, according to three age categories (young adults, intermediary age, and seniors) and two educational levels (low and high). Two procedures were used to check reliability: Cronbach alpha and reliability between evaluators, Results were established at the 10th percentile, and an alert point per task for each normative group. Cronbach's alpha was, in general, between .70 and .90 and the average rate of agreement between evaluators varied from .62 to .94. Standards of age and education were established. The reliability of this instrument was verified. The psychometric legitimization of the MEC Battery will contribute to the diagnostic process for communicative disorders.

Model Checking A Self-Stabilizing Synchronization Protocol for Arbitrary Digraphs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malekpour, Mahyar R.

2012-01-01

This report presents the mechanical verification of a self-stabilizing distributed clock synchronization protocol for arbitrary digraphs in the absence of faults. This protocol does not rely on assumptions about the initial state of the system, other than the presence of at least one node, and no central clock or a centrally generated signal, pulse, or message is used. The system under study is an arbitrary, non-partitioned digraph ranging from fully connected to 1-connected networks of nodes while allowing for differences in the network elements. Nodes are anonymous, i.e., they do not have unique identities. There is no theoretical limit on the maximum number of participating nodes. The only constraint on the behavior of the node is that the interactions with other nodes are restricted to defined links and interfaces. This protocol deterministically converges within a time bound that is a linear function of the self-stabilization period. A bounded model of the protocol is verified using the Symbolic Model Verifier (SMV) for a subset of digraphs. Modeling challenges of the protocol and the system are addressed. The model checking effort is focused on verifying correctness of the bounded model of the protocol as well as confirmation of claims of determinism and linear convergence with respect to the self-stabilization period.

Verification of a Byzantine-Fault-Tolerant Self-stabilizing Protocol for Clock Synchronization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malekpour, Mahyar R.

2008-01-01

This paper presents the mechanical verification of a simplified model of a rapid Byzantine-fault-tolerant self-stabilizing protocol for distributed clock synchronization systems. This protocol does not rely on any assumptions about the initial state of the system except for the presence of sufficient good nodes, thus making the weakest possible assumptions and producing the strongest results. This protocol tolerates bursts of transient failures, and deterministically converges within a time bound that is a linear function of the self-stabilization period. A simplified model of the protocol is verified using the Symbolic Model Verifier (SMV). The system under study consists of 4 nodes, where at most one of the nodes is assumed to be Byzantine faulty. The model checking effort is focused on verifying correctness of the simplified model of the protocol in the presence of a permanent Byzantine fault as well as confirmation of claims of determinism and linear convergence with respect to the self-stabilization period. Although model checking results of the simplified model of the protocol confirm the theoretical predictions, these results do not necessarily confirm that the protocol solves the general case of this problem. Modeling challenges of the protocol and the system are addressed. A number of abstractions are utilized in order to reduce the state space.

Quantum proofs can be verified using only single-qubit measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morimae, Tomoyuki; Nagaj, Daniel; Schuch, Norbert

2016-02-01

Quantum Merlin Arthur (QMA) is the class of problems which, though potentially hard to solve, have a quantum solution that can be verified efficiently using a quantum computer. It thus forms a natural quantum version of the classical complexity class NP (and its probabilistic variant MA, Merlin-Arthur games), where the verifier has only classical computational resources. In this paper, we study what happens when we restrict the quantum resources of the verifier to the bare minimum: individual measurements on single qubits received as they come, one by one. We find that despite this grave restriction, it is still possible to soundly verify any problem in QMA for the verifier with the minimum quantum resources possible, without using any quantum memory or multiqubit operations. We provide two independent proofs of this fact, based on measurement-based quantum computation and the local Hamiltonian problem. The former construction also applies to QMA1, i.e., QMA with one-sided error.

Development of pulsating twin jets mechanism for mixing flow heat transfer analysis.

PubMed

Gitan, Ali Ahmed; Zulkifli, Rozli; Abdullah, Shahrir; Sopian, Kamaruzzaman

2014-01-01

Pulsating twin jets mechanism (PTJM) was developed in the present work to study the effect of pulsating twin jets mixing region on the enhancement of heat transfer. Controllable characteristics twin pulsed jets were the main objective of our design. The variable nozzle-nozzle distance was considered to study the effect of two jets interaction at the mixing region. Also, the phase change between the frequencies of twin jets was taken into account to develop PTJM. All of these factors in addition to the ability of producing high velocity pulsed jet led to more appropriate design for a comprehensive study of multijet impingement heat transfer problems. The performance of PTJM was verified by measuring the pulse profile at frequency of 20 Hz, where equal velocity peak of around 64 m/s for both jets was obtained. Moreover, the jet velocity profile at different pulsation frequencies was tested to verify system performance, so the results revealed reasonable velocity profile configuration. Furthermore, the effect of pulsation frequency on surface temperature of flat hot plate in the midpoint between twin jets was studied experimentally. Noticeable enhancement in heat transfer was obtained with the increasing of pulsation frequency.

Development of Pulsating Twin Jets Mechanism for Mixing Flow Heat Transfer Analysis

PubMed Central

Abdullah, Shahrir

2014-01-01

Pulsating twin jets mechanism (PTJM) was developed in the present work to study the effect of pulsating twin jets mixing region on the enhancement of heat transfer. Controllable characteristics twin pulsed jets were the main objective of our design. The variable nozzle-nozzle distance was considered to study the effect of two jets interaction at the mixing region. Also, the phase change between the frequencies of twin jets was taken into account to develop PTJM. All of these factors in addition to the ability of producing high velocity pulsed jet led to more appropriate design for a comprehensive study of multijet impingement heat transfer problems. The performance of PTJM was verified by measuring the pulse profile at frequency of 20 Hz, where equal velocity peak of around 64 m/s for both jets was obtained. Moreover, the jet velocity profile at different pulsation frequencies was tested to verify system performance, so the results revealed reasonable velocity profile configuration. Furthermore, the effect of pulsation frequency on surface temperature of flat hot plate in the midpoint between twin jets was studied experimentally. Noticeable enhancement in heat transfer was obtained with the increasing of pulsation frequency. PMID:24672370

Towards a Best Practice Approach in PBPK Modeling: Case Example of Developing a Unified Efavirenz Model Accounting for Induction of CYPs 3A4 and 2B6

PubMed Central

Ke, A; Barter, Z; Rowland‐Yeo, K

2016-01-01

In this study, we present efavirenz physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model development as an example of our best practice approach that uses a stepwise approach to verify the different components of the model. First, a PBPK model for efavirenz incorporating in vitro and clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) data was developed to predict exposure following multiple dosing (600 mg q.d.). Alfentanil i.v. and p.o. drug‐drug interaction (DDI) studies were utilized to evaluate and refine the CYP3A4 induction component in the liver and gut. Next, independent DDI studies with substrates of CYP3A4 (maraviroc, atazanavir, and clarithromycin) and CYP2B6 (bupropion) verified the induction components of the model (area under the curve [AUC] ratios within 1.0–1.7‐fold of observed). Finally, the model was refined to incorporate the fractional contribution of enzymes, including CYP2B6, propagating autoinduction into the model (Racc 1.7 vs. 1.7 observed). This validated mechanistic model can now be applied in clinical pharmacology studies to prospectively assess both the victim and perpetrator DDI potential of efavirenz. PMID:27435752

[The controversy regarding the cause of death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (28 January 1756-5 May 1791)].

PubMed

Ludewig, R

1991-09-01

All since two hundred years closely contested hypotheses about the causes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's death are to be verified and to be made credible by the same "original sources" in spite of considerable contrasts. In the present study it is tried to indicate the reasons for the multifariousness of the opinions and to represent Mozart's death as the consequence of a multifactorial process.

Numerical investigation of optimal layout of rockbolts for ground structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, Junji; Ishi, Keiichiro; Terada, Kenjiro; Kyoya, Takashi

Due to difficulty to obtain reliable ground data, layout of rockbolts is determined entirely in a classical way assuming an isotropic rock stress condition. The present study assumes anisotropic stress condition and optimizes layout of rockbolts in order to maximize the stiffness of unstable ground of tunnels and slopes by applying multiphase layout optimization. It was verified that this method has a certain possibility to improve the stiffness of unstable ground.

Laser geodynamic satellite thermal/optical/ vibrational analyses and testing. Volume 2: Technical report, book 1. [retroreflector design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The results of the LAGEOS thermal/optical/vibrational analysis and test program are reported. Through analyses and tests it is verified that the MSFC LAGEOS design provides a retroreflector thermal environment which maintains acceptable retroflector internal thermal gradients. The technical results of the study, organized by the major task areas are presented. The interrelationships of the major tasks are described and the major decisions are identified.

An experimental method to verify soil conservation by check dams on the Loess Plateau, China.

PubMed

Xu, X Z; Zhang, H W; Wang, G Q; Chen, S C; Dang, W Q

2009-12-01

A successful experiment with a physical model requires necessary conditions of similarity. This study presents an experimental method with a semi-scale physical model. The model is used to monitor and verify soil conservation by check dams in a small watershed on the Loess Plateau of China. During experiments, the model-prototype ratio of geomorphic variables was kept constant under each rainfall event. Consequently, experimental data are available for verification of soil erosion processes in the field and for predicting soil loss in a model watershed with check dams. Thus, it can predict the amount of soil loss in a catchment. This study also mentions four criteria: similarities of watershed geometry, grain size and bare land, Froude number (Fr) for rainfall event, and soil erosion in downscaled models. The efficacy of the proposed method was confirmed using these criteria in two different downscaled model experiments. The B-Model, a large scale model, simulates watershed prototype. The two small scale models, D(a) and D(b), have different erosion rates, but are the same size. These two models simulate hydraulic processes in the B-Model. Experiment results show that while soil loss in the small scale models was converted by multiplying the soil loss scale number, it was very close to that of the B-Model. Obviously, with a semi-scale physical model, experiments are available to verify and predict soil loss in a small watershed area with check dam system on the Loess Plateau, China.

Spherical cloaking using nonlinear transformations for improved segmentation into concentric isotropic coatings.

PubMed

Qiu, Cheng-Wei; Hu, Li; Zhang, Baile; Wu, Bae-Ian; Johnson, Steven G; Joannopoulos, John D

2009-08-03

Two novel classes of spherical invisibility cloaks based on nonlinear transformation have been studied. The cloaking characteristics are presented by segmenting the nonlinear transformation based spherical cloak into concentric isotropic homogeneous coatings. Detailed investigations of the optimal discretization (e.g., thickness control of each layer, nonlinear factor, etc.) are presented for both linear and nonlinear spherical cloaks and their effects on invisibility performance are also discussed. The cloaking properties and our choice of optimal segmentation are verified by the numerical simulation of not only near-field electric-field distribution but also the far-field radar cross section (RCS).

Time-stable boundary conditions for finite-difference schemes solving hyperbolic systems: Methodology and application to high-order compact schemes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, Mark H.; Gottlieb, David; Abarbanel, Saul

1993-01-01

We present a systematic method for constructing boundary conditions (numerical and physical) of the required accuracy, for compact (Pade-like) high-order finite-difference schemes for hyperbolic systems. First, a roper summation-by-parts formula is found for the approximate derivative. A 'simultaneous approximation term' (SAT) is then introduced to treat the boundary conditions. This procedure leads to time-stable schemes even in the system case. An explicit construction of the fourth-order compact case is given. Numerical studies are presented to verify the efficacy of the approach.

State-plane trajectories used to observe and control the behavior of a voltage step-up dc-to-dc converter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, W. W., III; Wilson, T. G.

1976-01-01

State-plane analysis techniques are employed to study the voltage step up energy storage dc-to-dc converter. Within this framework, an example converter operating under the influence of a constant on time and a constant frequency controller is examined. Qualitative insight gained through this approach is used to develop a conceptual free running control law for the voltage step up converter which can achieve steady state operation in one on/off cycle of control. Digital computer simulation data is presented to illustrate and verify the theoretical discussions presented.

Image design and replication for image-plane disk-type multiplex holograms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chih-Hung; Cheng, Yih-Shyang

2017-09-01

The fabrication methods and parameter design for both real-image generation and virtual-image display in image-plane disk-type multiplex holography are introduced in this paper. A theoretical model of a disk-type hologram is also presented and is then used in our two-step holographic processes, including the production of a non-image-plane master hologram and optical replication using a single-beam copying system for the production of duplicated holograms. Experimental results are also presented to verify the possibility of mass production using the one-shot holographic display technology described in this study.

NASA software specification and evaluation system design, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

A survey and analysis of the existing methods, tools and techniques employed in the development of software are presented along with recommendations for the construction of reliable software. Functional designs for software specification language, and the data base verifier are presented.

Positron annihilation processes update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guessoum, Nidhal; Skibo, Jeffrey G.; Ramaty, Reuven

1997-01-01

The present knowledge concerning the positron annihilation processes is reviewed, with emphasis on the data of the cross sections of the various processes of interest in astrophysical applications. Recent results are presented including results on reaction rates and line widths, the validity of which is verified.

Hybrid power system intelligent operation and protection involving distributed architectures and pulsed loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed, Ahmed

Efficient and reliable techniques for power delivery and utilization are needed to account for the increased penetration of renewable energy sources in electric power systems. Such methods are also required for current and future demands of plug-in electric vehicles and high-power electronic loads. Distributed control and optimal power network architectures will lead to viable solutions to the energy management issue with high level of reliability and security. This dissertation is aimed at developing and verifying new techniques for distributed control by deploying DC microgrids, involving distributed renewable generation and energy storage, through the operating AC power system. To achieve the findings of this dissertation, an energy system architecture was developed involving AC and DC networks, both with distributed generations and demands. The various components of the DC microgrid were designed and built including DC-DC converters, voltage source inverters (VSI) and AC-DC rectifiers featuring novel designs developed by the candidate. New control techniques were developed and implemented to maximize the operating range of the power conditioning units used for integrating renewable energy into the DC bus. The control and operation of the DC microgrids in the hybrid AC/DC system involve intelligent energy management. Real-time energy management algorithms were developed and experimentally verified. These algorithms are based on intelligent decision-making elements along with an optimization process. This was aimed at enhancing the overall performance of the power system and mitigating the effect of heavy non-linear loads with variable intensity and duration. The developed algorithms were also used for managing the charging/discharging process of plug-in electric vehicle emulators. The protection of the proposed hybrid AC/DC power system was studied. Fault analysis and protection scheme and coordination, in addition to ideas on how to retrofit currently available protection concepts and devices for AC systems in a DC network, were presented. A study was also conducted on the effect of changing the distribution architecture and distributing the storage assets on the various zones of the network on the system's dynamic security and stability. A practical shipboard power system was studied as an example of a hybrid AC/DC power system involving pulsed loads. Generally, the proposed hybrid AC/DC power system, besides most of the ideas, controls and algorithms presented in this dissertation, were experimentally verified at the Smart Grid Testbed, Energy Systems Research Laboratory. All the developments in this dissertation were experimentally verified at the Smart Grid Testbed.

Verification of CFD model of plane jet used for smoke free zone separation in case of fire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krajewski, Grzegorz; Suchy, Przemysław

2018-01-01

This paper presents the basic information about the use of air curtains in fire safety, as a barrier for heat and smoke. Mathematical model of an air curtain presented hereallows estimation of velocity of air in various points of space, including the velocity of air from an angled air curtain. Presented equations show how various parameters influence the performance of air curtain. Further, authors present results of their air curtain performance. Authors of that article have done tests in a real scale model. Tests results were used to verify chosen turbulence model and boundary conditions. Results of new studies are presented with regards to the performance of air curtain in case of fire, and final remarks on its design are given.

An Exploration of College Students' Problem Solving Behaviors While Verifying Trigonometric Identities: A Mixed Methods Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wescoatt, Benjamin Mark

2013-01-01

Topics in trigonometry have not been well-studied, especially with college-level students. Thus, despite providing a venue for important concepts such as notions of proof and algebraic skill, the process of verifying trigonometric identities, or VTI, has not been thoroughly explored. This study attempts to remedy this gap in the literature by…

An integrated study of structures, aerodynamics and controls on the forward swept wing X-29A and the oblique wing research aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dawson, Kenneth S.; Fortin, Paul E.

1987-01-01

The results of an integrated study of structures, aerodynamics, and controls using the STARS program on two advanced airplane configurations are presented. Results for the X-29A include finite element modeling, free vibration analyses, unsteady aerodynamic calculations, flutter/divergence analyses, and an aeroservoelastic controls analysis. Good correlation is shown between STARS results and various other verified results. The tasks performed on the Oblique Wing Research Aircraft include finite element modeling and free vibration analyses.

NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SCANNING AND VERIFYING FORMS AND QUESTIONNAIRES (UA-D-34.0)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to define the implementation steps for scanning and verifying forms and questionnaires used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; scanning.

The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interag...

Experimental extractions of particle position from inline holograms using single coefficient of Wigner-Ville analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Widjaja, Joewono; Dawprateep, Saowaros; Chuamchaitrakool, Porntip

2017-07-01

Extractions of particle positions from inline holograms using a single coefficient of Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) are experimentally verified. WVD analysis of holograms gives local variation of fringe frequency. Regardless of an axial position of particles, one of the WVD coefficients has the unique characteristics of having the lowest amplitude and being located on a line with a slope inversely proportional to the particle position. Experimental results obtained using two image sensors with different resolutions verify the feasibility of the present method.

Sambot II: A self-assembly modular swarm robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yuchao; Wei, Hongxing; Yang, Bo; Jiang, Cancan

2018-04-01

The new generation of self-assembly modular swarm robot Sambot II, based on the original generation of self-assembly modular swarm robot Sambot, adopting laser and camera module for information collecting, is introduced in this manuscript. The visual control algorithm of Sambot II is detailed and feasibility of the algorithm is verified by the laser and camera experiments. At the end of this manuscript, autonomous docking experiments of two Sambot II robots are presented. The results of experiments are showed and analyzed to verify the feasibility of whole scheme of Sambot II.

Measurement with verification of stationary signals and noise in extremely quiet environments: Measuring below the noise floor

PubMed Central

Ellingson, Roger M.; Gallun, Frederick J.; Bock, Guillaume

2015-01-01

It can be problematic to measure stationary acoustic sound pressure level in any environment when the target level approaches or lies below the minimum measureable sound pressure level of the measurement system itself. This minimum measureable level, referred to as the inherent measurement system noise floor, is generally established by noise emission characteristics of measurement system components such as microphones, preamplifiers, and other system circuitry. In this paper, methods are presented and shown accurate measuring stationary levels within 20 dB above and below this system noise floor. Methodology includes (1) measuring inherent measurement system noise, (2) subtractive energy based, inherent noise adjustment of levels affected by system noise floor, and (3) verifying accuracy of inherent noise adjustment technique. While generalizable to other purposes, the techniques presented here were specifically developed to quantify ambient noise levels in very quiet rooms used to evaluate free-field human hearing thresholds. Results obtained applying the methods to objectively measure and verify the ambient noise level in an extremely quiet room, using various measurement system noise floors and analysis bandwidths, are presented and discussed. The verified results demonstrate the adjustment method can accurately extend measurement range to 20 dB below the measurement system noise floor, and how measurement system frequency bandwidth can affect accuracy of reported noise levels. PMID:25786932

Specification and Verification of Medical Monitoring System Using Petri-nets.

PubMed

Majma, Negar; Babamir, Seyed Morteza

2014-07-01

To monitor the patient behavior, data are collected from patient's body by a medical monitoring device so as to calculate the output using embedded software. Incorrect calculations may endanger the patient's life if the software fails to meet the patient's requirements. Accordingly, the veracity of the software behavior is a matter of concern in the medicine; moreover, the data collected from the patient's body are fuzzy. Some methods have already dealt with monitoring the medical monitoring devices; however, model based monitoring fuzzy computations of such devices have been addressed less. The present paper aims to present synthesizing a fuzzy Petri-net (FPN) model to verify behavior of a sample medical monitoring device called continuous infusion insulin (INS) because Petri-net (PN) is one of the formal and visual methods to verify the software's behavior. The device is worn by the diabetic patients and then the software calculates the INS dose and makes a decision for injection. The input and output of the infusion INS software are not crisp in the real world; therefore, we present them in fuzzy variables. Afterwards, we use FPN instead of clear PN to model the fuzzy variables. The paper follows three steps to synthesize an FPN to deal with verification of the infusion INS device: (1) Definition of fuzzy variables, (2) definition of fuzzy rules and (3) design of the FPN model to verify the software behavior.

BARTTest: Community-Standard Atmospheric Radiative-Transfer and Retrieval Tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrington, Joseph; Himes, Michael D.; Cubillos, Patricio E.; Blecic, Jasmina; Challener, Ryan C.

2018-01-01

Atmospheric radiative transfer (RT) codes are used both to predict planetary and brown-dwarf spectra and in retrieval algorithms to infer atmospheric chemistry, clouds, and thermal structure from observations. Observational plans, theoretical models, and scientific results depend on the correctness of these calculations. Yet, the calculations are complex and the codes implementing them are often written without modern software-verification techniques. The community needs a suite of test calculations with analytically, numerically, or at least community-verified results. We therefore present the Bayesian Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Test Suite, or BARTTest. BARTTest has four categories of tests: analytically verified RT tests of simple atmospheres (single line in single layer, line blends, saturation, isothermal, multiple line-list combination, etc.), community-verified RT tests of complex atmospheres, synthetic retrieval tests on simulated data with known answers, and community-verified real-data retrieval tests.BARTTest is open-source software intended for community use and further development. It is available at https://github.com/ExOSPORTS/BARTTest. We propose this test suite as a standard for verifying atmospheric RT and retrieval codes, analogous to the Held-Suarez test for general circulation models. This work was supported by NASA Planetary Atmospheres grant NX12AI69G, NASA Astrophysics Data Analysis Program grant NNX13AF38G, and NASA Exoplanets Research Program grant NNX17AB62G.

Study of Carbide Evolution During Thermo-Mechanical Processing of AISI D2 Tool Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bombac, D.; Fazarinc, M.; Podder, A. Saha; Kugler, G.

2013-03-01

The microstructure of a cold-worked tool steel (AISI D2) with various thermo-mechanical treatments was examined in the current study to identify the effects of these treatments on phases. X-ray diffraction was used to identify phases. Microstructural changes such as spheroidization and coarsening of carbides were studied. Thermodynamic calculations were used to verify the results of the differential thermal analysis. It was found that soaking temperature and time have a large influence on dissolution, precipitation, spheroidization, and coalescence of carbides present in the steel. This consequently influences the hot workability and final properties.

Baselining the New GSFC Information Systems Center: The Foundation for Verifiable Software Process Improvement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parra, A.; Schultz, D.; Boger, J.; Condon, S.; Webby, R.; Morisio, M.; Yakimovich, D.; Carver, J.; Stark, M.; Basili, V.;

Fatigue and fracture mechanical behavior for Chinese A508-3 steel at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, K. K.; Xie, H.; Zheng, B.; Fu, X. L.

2018-06-01

Material, A508-3 steel, has been used in nuclear reactor vessels. In the present study, fatigue and fracture mechanical behavior of Chinese A5083 steel at room temperature are studied by mechanical material testing machine (MTS). Test data of material’s mechanical behavior including uniaxial tension, low cycle fatigue (LCF), threshold value of stress intensity factor (SIF) range, fatigue crack growth (FCG), and fracture toughness is generated and given for further study. It is worth noting that the model in predicting FCG of material from LCF parameters is verified and discussed.

Chaotification of complex networks with impulsive control.

PubMed

Guan, Zhi-Hong; Liu, Feng; Li, Juan; Wang, Yan-Wu

2012-06-01

This paper investigates the chaotification problem of complex dynamical networks (CDN) with impulsive control. Both the discrete and continuous cases are studied. The method is presented to drive all states of every node in CDN to chaos. The proposed impulsive control strategy is effective for both the originally stable and unstable CDN. The upper bound of the impulse intervals for originally stable networks is derived. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results is verified by numerical examples.

Activities of Tannins--From In Vitro Studies to Clinical Trials.

PubMed

Sieniawska, Elwira

2015-11-01

Tannins are considered as valuable plant secondary metabolites providing many benefits for human health. In this review information was gathered about bioactivity in vitro and in vivo, as well as about conducted clinical trials. The literature research was based on ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane databases and presents a wide range of tested activities of tannins. The described clinical trials verify laboratory tests and show the effective health benefits taken from supplementation with tannins.

Subharmonic mechanism of the mode C instability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheard, G. J.; Thompson, M. C.; Hourigan, K.

2005-11-01

The perturbation field of the recently discovered subharmonic mode C instability in the wake behind a ring is compared via a side-by-side comparison to the perturbation fields of the modes A and B instabilities familiar from past studies of the vortex street behind a circular cylinder. Snapshots of the wake are presented over a full shedding cycle, along with evidence from a linear stability analysis, to verify and better understand how the subharmonic instability is sustained.

Holographic nondestructive testing in bone biomechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silvennoinen, Raimo V. J.; Nygren, Kaarlo; Karna, Markku

1992-08-01

Holographic nondestructive testing (HNDT) is used to investigate the complex structures of bones of various shapes and sizes subjected to forces. During the course of the present study three antlered deer skulls of different species were investigated, and significant species- specific differences were observed. The HNDT method was also used to verify the advanced healing of an osteosynthetized sheep jawbone. Radioulnar bones of normal and orphaned moose calves were subjected to the bending test. Different bending dynamics were observed.

Fabrication and Qualification of Coated Chip-on-Board Technology for Miniaturized Space Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maurer, R. H.; Le, B. Q.; Nhan, E.; Lew, A. L.; Darrin, M. Ann Garrison

1997-01-01

The results of a study carried out in order to manufacture and verify the quality of chip-on-board (COB) packaging technology are presented. The COB, designed for space applications, was tested under environmental stresses, temperature cycling, and temperature-humidity-bias. Both robustness in space applications and in environmental protection on the ground-complete reliability without hermeticity were searched for. The epoxy-parylene combinations proved to be superior to other materials tested.

The Role of Subtropical Intrusion in the Development of Typhoon Usagi (5W) 2007

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

THE MARSUPIAL PARADIGM Summarizing the DMW08 theory, the relevant theoretical paradigm is the formation of a closed proto-vortex or “ embryo ...and begins control its own destiny . By correlating the marsupial analogy for TC formation in this study, we can verify in theory that the remnants...The hurricane embryo . Talk presented at short program workshop entitled Small scale and extreme events: The Hurricane, NSF Institute for Pure and

Verifying Operational and Developmental Air Force Weather Cloud Analysis and Forecast Products Using Lidar Data from Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hildebrand, E. P.

2017-12-01

Air Force Weather has developed various cloud analysis and forecast products designed to support global Department of Defense (DoD) missions. A World-Wide Merged Cloud Analysis (WWMCA) and short term Advected Cloud (ADVCLD) forecast is generated hourly using data from 16 geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites. Additionally, WWMCA and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) data are used in a statistical long-term (out to five days) cloud forecast model known as the Diagnostic Cloud Forecast (DCF). The WWMCA and ADVCLD are generated on the same polar stereographic 24 km grid for each hemisphere, whereas the DCF is generated on the same grid as its parent NWP model. When verifying the cloud forecast models, the goal is to understand not only the ability to detect cloud, but also the ability to assign it to the correct vertical layer. ADVCLD and DCF forecasts traditionally have been verified using WWMCA data as truth, but this might over-inflate the performance of those models because WWMCA also is a primary input dataset for those models. Because of this, in recent years, a WWMCA Reanalysis product has been developed, but this too is not a fully independent dataset. This year, work has been done to incorporate data from external, independent sources to verify not only the cloud forecast products, but the WWMCA data itself. One such dataset that has been useful for examining the 3-D performance of the cloud analysis and forecast models is Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) data from various sites around the globe. This presentation will focus on the use of the Department of Energy (DoE) ARM data to verify Air Force Weather cloud analysis and forecast products. Results will be presented to show relative strengths and weaknesses of the analyses and forecasts.

A generalised porous medium approach to study thermo-fluid dynamics in human eyes.

PubMed

Mauro, Alessandro; Massarotti, Nicola; Salahudeen, Mohamed; Romano, Mario R; Romano, Vito; Nithiarasu, Perumal

2018-03-22

The present work describes the application of the generalised porous medium model to study heat and fluid flow in healthy and glaucomatous eyes of different subject specimens, considering the presence of ocular cavities and porous tissues. The 2D computational model, implemented into the open-source software OpenFOAM, has been verified against benchmark data for mixed convection in domains partially filled with a porous medium. The verified model has been employed to simulate the thermo-fluid dynamic phenomena occurring in the anterior section of four patient-specific human eyes, considering the presence of anterior chamber (AC), trabecular meshwork (TM), Schlemm's canal (SC), and collector channels (CC). The computational domains of the eye are extracted from tomographic images. The dependence of TM porosity and permeability on intraocular pressure (IOP) has been analysed in detail, and the differences between healthy and glaucomatous eye conditions have been highlighted, proving that the different physiological conditions of patients have a significant influence on the thermo-fluid dynamic phenomena. The influence of different eye positions (supine and standing) on thermo-fluid dynamic variables has been also investigated: results are presented in terms of velocity, pressure, temperature, friction coefficient and local Nusselt number. The results clearly indicate that porosity and permeability of TM are two important parameters that affect eye pressure distribution. Graphical abstract Velocity contours and vectors for healthy eyes (top) and glaucomatous eyes (bottom) for standing position.

A Note on Inconsistent Axioms in Rushby's Systematic Formal Verification for Fault-Tolerant Time-Triggered Algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pike, Lee

2005-01-01

I describe some inconsistencies in John Rushby s axiomatization of time-triggered algorithms that he presents in these transactions and that he formally specifies and verifies in a mechanical theorem-prover. I also present corrections for these inconsistencies.

Noise limitations in optical linear algebra processors.

PubMed

Batsell, S G; Jong, T L; Walkup, J F; Krile, T F

1990-05-10

A general statistical noise model is presented for optical linear algebra processors. A statistical analysis which includes device noise, the multiplication process, and the addition operation is undertaken. We focus on those processes which are architecturally independent. Finally, experimental results which verify the analytical predictions are also presented.

The ways parents cope with stress in difficult parenting situations: the structural equation modeling approach

PubMed Central

Dobrenko, Kamila Anna

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to verify a theoretical model of parents’ responses to difficulties they experienced with their child. The model presents relationships between seven variables: (a) discrepancy between parental goal and the child’s current level of development, (b) parental experience of a difficulty, (c) representation of the child in the parent’s mind, (d) parent’s withdrawal from the parenting situation, (e) seeking help, (f) distancing oneself from the situation, and (g) applying pressure on the child. The study involved 319 parents of preschool children: 66 parents of three-year-olds, 85 parents of four-year-olds, 99 parents of five-year-olds and 69 parents of six-year-old children. Structural equations modeling (SEM) was used to verify the compounds described in the theoretical model. The studies revealed that when a parent is experiencing difficulties, the probability increases that the parent will have one of two reactions towards that type of stress: withdrawal from the situation or applying pressure on the child. Experiencing difficulties has no connection with searching for help and is negatively related to distancing oneself from the situation. PMID:28626606

Dual optimization method of radiofrequency and quasistatic field simulations for reduction of eddy currents generated on 7T radiofrequency coil shielding.

PubMed

Zhao, Yujuan; Zhao, Tiejun; Raval, Shailesh B; Krishnamurthy, Narayanan; Zheng, Hai; Harris, Chad T; Handler, William B; Chronik, Blaine A; Ibrahim, Tamer S

2015-11-01

To optimize the design of radiofrequency (RF) shielding of transmit coils at 7T and reduce eddy currents generated on the RF shielding when imaging with rapid gradient waveforms. One set of a four-element, 2 × 2 Tic-Tac-Toe head coil structure was selected and constructed to study eddy currents on the RF coil shielding. The generated eddy currents were quantitatively studied in the time and frequency domains. The RF characteristics were studied using the finite difference time domain method. Five different kinds of RF shielding were tested on a 7T MRI scanner with phantoms and in vivo human subjects. The eddy current simulation method was verified by the measurement results. Eddy currents induced by solid/intact and simple-structured slotted RF shielding significantly distorted the gradient fields. Echo-planar images, B1+ maps, and S matrix measurements verified that the proposed slot pattern suppressed the eddy currents while maintaining the RF characteristics of the transmit coil. The presented dual-optimization method could be used to design RF shielding and reduce the gradient field-induced eddy currents while maintaining the RF characteristics of the transmit coil. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunopositive neurons in cat claustrum--a light and electron microscopic study.

PubMed

Hinova-Palova, Dimka; Edelstein, Lawrence; Paloff, Adrian; Hristov, Stanislav; Papantchev, Vassil; Ovtscharoff, Wladimir

2008-08-01

Nitric oxide is a unique neurotransmitter, which participates in many physiological and pathological processes in the organism. Nevertheless there are little data about the neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase immunoreactive (nNOS-ir) neurons and fibers in the dorsal claustrum (DC) of a cat. In this respect the aims of this study were: (1) to demonstrate nNOS-ir in the neurons and fibers of the DC; (2) to describe their light microscopic morphology and distribution; (3) to investigate and analyze the ultrastructure of the nNOS-ir neurons, fibers and synaptic terminals; (4) to verify whether the nNOS-ir neurons consist a specific subpopulation of claustral neurons; (5) to verify whether the nNOS-ir neurons have a specific pattern of organization throughout the DC. For demonstration of the nNOS-ir the Avidin-Biotin-Peroxidase Complex method was applied. Immunopositive for nNOS neurons and fibers were present in all parts of DC. On the light microscope level nNOS-ir neurons were different in shape and size. According to the latter they were divided into three groups-small (with diameter under 15 microm), medium-sized (with diameter from 16 to 20 microm) and large (with diameter over 21 microm). Some of nNOS-ir neurons were lightly-stained while others were darkly-stained. On the electron microscope level the immunoproduct was observed in neurons, dendrites and terminal boutons. Different types of nNOS-ir neurons differ according to their ultrastructural features. Three types of nNOS-ir synaptic boutons were found. As a conclusion we hope that the present study will contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of the DC in cat and that some of the data presented could be extrapolated to other mammals, including human.

Alcohol cues impair learning inhibitory signals in beer drinkers

PubMed Central

Laude, Jennifer R.; Fillmore, Mark T.

2015-01-01

Background Models of drug addiction emphasize the reciprocal influence of incentive-motivational properties of drug-related cues and poor impulse control resulting in drug use. Recent studies have shown that alcohol-related cues can impair response inhibition. What is unknown is whether these cues also disrupt learning of inhibitory associations. Methods Participants performed a Conditioned Inhibition (CI) task and were required to learn that a neutral image was a conditioned inhibitor when presented in the context of either an alcohol image intended to draw their attention away from the to-be-trained inhibitor, or a control condition in which the alcohol image was absent. After training, subjects in each condition rated the likelihood that the neutral image would signal the outcome. Eye tracking was used to verify that attention to the neutral image was in fact reduced when the alcohol image was present. Results Compared with controls those trained in the alcohol image condition reported a greater likelihood that the presence of the inhibitor would be followed by the outcome and thus were less able to acquire CI. Measures of eye-tracking verified that attention to the alcohol cue was associated with this maladaptive behavior. Conclusions When alcohol cues are present, there is a reduced ability to learn that such information is irrelevant to an outcome, and this impairs ones’ ability to inhibit perseveration of a response. This has implications for persistence of a drinking episode. PMID:25872597

Cryptococcosis in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Patients Clinically Confirmed and/or Diagnosed at Necropsy in a Teaching Hospital in Brazil

PubMed Central

Garcia Torres, Rafael; Etchebehere, Renata Margarida; Adad, Sheila Jorge; Micheletti, Adilha Rua; Ribeiro, Barbara de Melo; Silva, Leonardo Eurípedes Andrade; Mora, Delio Jose; Paim, Kennio Ferreira; Silva-Vergara, Mario León

2016-01-01

Cryptococcosis occurs in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with poor compliance to antiretroviral therapy or unaware of their human immunodeficiency virus status who present severe immunosuppression at admission. Consequently, high mortality rates are observed due to disseminated fungal infection. This report presents clinical and postmortem data of AIDS patients with cryptococcosis in a teaching hospital in Brazil. Retrospectively, medical and necropsy records of AIDS patients with cryptococcosis clinically confirmed and/or postmortem verified were reviewed. Clinical data were compared with those of patients presenting a good outcome to evaluate disseminated fungal infection and the agreement between clinical and postmortem diagnosis. At admission, most of the 45 patients with cryptococcal meningitis who died, presented more altered consciousness (P = 0.0047), intracranial increased pressure (P = 0.047), and severe malnutrition (P = 0.0006) than the survivors. Of 29 (64.4%) patients with cryptococcal meningitis, 23 died before week 2 on antifungal therapy, and the other six during the next 3 months. The remaining 16 (35.6%) cases had other diagnoses and died soon after. At necropsy, 31 (68.9%) presented disseminated infection involving two or more organs, whereas 14 (31.1%) cases had meningeal or pulmonary localized infection. The agreement of 64.4% between clinical and postmortem diagnosis was similar to some studies. However, other reports have shown figures ranging from 34% to 95%. Currently, a progressive worldwide decrease of autopsies is worrying because the role of postmortem examination is pivotal to verify or identify the death causes, which contributes to improve the quality of clinical diagnosis and medical training. PMID:27458037

Transcriptomic analysis of rice aleurone cells identified a novel abscisic acid response element.

PubMed

Watanabe, Kenneth A; Homayouni, Arielle; Gu, Lingkun; Huang, Kuan-Ying; Ho, Tuan-Hua David; Shen, Qingxi J

2017-09-01

Seeds serve as a great model to study plant responses to drought stress, which is largely mediated by abscisic acid (ABA). The ABA responsive element (ABRE) is a key cis-regulatory element in ABA signalling. However, its consensus sequence (ACGTG(G/T)C) is present in the promoters of only about 40% of ABA-induced genes in rice aleurone cells, suggesting other ABREs may exist. To identify novel ABREs, RNA sequencing was performed on aleurone cells of rice seeds treated with 20 μM ABA. Gibbs sampling was used to identify enriched elements, and particle bombardment-mediated transient expression studies were performed to verify the function. Gene ontology analysis was performed to predict the roles of genes containing the novel ABREs. This study revealed 2443 ABA-inducible genes and a novel ABRE, designated as ABREN, which was experimentally verified to mediate ABA signalling in rice aleurone cells. Many of the ABREN-containing genes are predicted to be involved in stress responses and transcription. Analysis of other species suggests that the ABREN may be monocot specific. This study also revealed interesting expression patterns of genes involved in ABA metabolism and signalling. Collectively, this study advanced our understanding of diverse cis-regulatory sequences and the transcriptomes underlying ABA responses in rice aleurone cells. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Identification of forgeries in handwritten petitions for ballot propositions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srihari, Sargur; Ramakrishnan, Veshnu; Malgireddy, Manavender; Ball, Gregory R.

2009-01-01

Many governments have some form of "direct democracy" legislation procedure whereby individual citizens can propose various measures creating or altering laws. Generally, such a process is started with the gathering of a large number of signatures. There is interest in whether or not there are fraudulent signatures present in such a petition, and if so what percentage of the signatures are indeed fraudulent. However, due to the large number of signatures (tens of thousands), it is not feasible to have a document examiner verify the signatures directly. Instead, there is interest in creating a subset of signatures where there is a high probability of fraud that can be verified. We present a method by which a pairwise comparison of signatures can be performed and subsequent sorting can generate such subsets.

DAIDALUS: Detect and Avoid Alerting Logic for Unmanned Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Munoz, Cesar; Narkawicz, Anthony; Hagen, George; Upchurch, Jason; Dutle, Aaron; Consiglio, Maria; Chamberlain, James

2015-01-01

This paper presents DAIDALUS (Detect and Avoid Alerting Logic for Unmanned Systems), a reference implementation of a detect and avoid concept intended to support the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into civil airspace. DAIDALUS consists of self-separation and alerting algorithms that provide situational awareness to UAS remote pilots. These algorithms have been formally specified in a mathematical notation and verified for correctness in an interactive theorem prover. The software implementation has been verified against the formal models and validated against multiple stressing cases jointly developed by the US Air Force Research Laboratory, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and NASA. The DAIDALUS reference implementation is currently under consideration for inclusion in the appendices to the Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Unmanned Aircraft Systems presently being developed by RTCA Special Committee 228.

U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SCANNING AND VERIFYING FORMS AND QUESTIONNAIRES (UA-D-34.0)

EPA Science Inventory

The purpose of this SOP is to define the implementation steps for scanning and verifying forms and questionnaires used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; scanning.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health Workg...

Modeling ready biodegradability of fragrance materials.

PubMed

Ceriani, Lidia; Papa, Ester; Kovarich, Simona; Boethling, Robert; Gramatica, Paola

2015-06-01

In the present study, quantitative structure activity relationships were developed for predicting ready biodegradability of approximately 200 heterogeneous fragrance materials. Two classification methods, classification and regression tree (CART) and k-nearest neighbors (kNN), were applied to perform the modeling. The models were validated with multiple external prediction sets, and the structural applicability domain was verified by the leverage approach. The best models had good sensitivity (internal ≥80%; external ≥68%), specificity (internal ≥80%; external 73%), and overall accuracy (≥75%). Results from the comparison with BIOWIN global models, based on group contribution method, show that specific models developed in the present study perform better in prediction than BIOWIN6, in particular for the correct classification of not readily biodegradable fragrance materials. © 2015 SETAC.

Device Data Ingestion for Industrial Big Data Platforms with a Case Study †

PubMed Central

Ji, Cun; Shao, Qingshi; Sun, Jiao; Liu, Shijun; Pan, Li; Wu, Lei; Yang, Chenglei

2016-01-01

Despite having played a significant role in the Industry 4.0 era, the Internet of Things is currently faced with the challenge of how to ingest large-scale heterogeneous and multi-type device data. In response to this problem we present a heterogeneous device data ingestion model for an industrial big data platform. The model includes device templates and four strategies for data synchronization, data slicing, data splitting and data indexing, respectively. We can ingest device data from multiple sources with this heterogeneous device data ingestion model, which has been verified on our industrial big data platform. In addition, we present a case study on device data-based scenario analysis of industrial big data. PMID:26927121

Study of techniques for redundancy verification without disrupting systems, phases 1-3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1970-01-01

The problem of verifying the operational integrity of redundant equipment and the impact of a requirement for verification on such equipment are considered. Redundant circuits are examined and the characteristics which determine adaptability to verification are identified. Mutually exclusive and exhaustive categories for verification approaches are established. The range of applicability of these techniques is defined in terms of signal characteristics and redundancy features. Verification approaches are discussed and a methodology for the design of redundancy verification is developed. A case study is presented which involves the design of a verification system for a hypothetical communications system. Design criteria for redundant equipment are presented. Recommendations for the development of technological areas pertinent to the goal of increased verification capabilities are given.

An Identity Based Key Exchange Protocol in Cloud Computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molli, Venkateswara Rao; Tiwary, Omkar Nath

2012-10-01

Workflow systems often use delegation to enhance the flexibility of authorization; delegation transfers privileges among users across different administrative domains and facilitates information sharing. We present an independently verifiable delegation mechanism, where a delegation credential can be verified without the participation of domain administrators. This protocol, called role-based cascaded delegation (RBCD), supports simple and efficient cross-domain delegation of authority. RBCD enables a role member to create delegations based on the dynamic needs of collaboration; in the meantime, a delegation chain canbe verified by anyone without the participation of role administrators. We also propose the Measurable Risk Adaptive decentralized Role-based Delegation framework to address this problem. Describe an efficient realization of RBCD by using aggregate signatures, where the authentication information for an arbitrarily long role-based delegation chain is captured by one short signature of constant size. RBCD enables a role member to create delegations based on the need of collaboration; in the meantime anyone can verify a delegation chain without the participation of role administrators. The protocol is general and can be realized by any signature scheme. We have described a specific realization with a hierarchical certificate-based encryption scheme that gives delegation compact credentials.

[Nursing personnel downsizing in a teaching hospital].

PubMed

Fakih, Flávio Trevisan; Carmagnani, Maria Isabel Sampaio; Cunha, Isabel Cristina Kowal Olm

2006-01-01

The objective of this study was to adjust the downsizing of nursing personnel in a teaching hospital to the resolution of Federal Nursing Council no. 293/2004. The classification of patients in levels of complexity care was done and the required time for the nurse care also was verified. The present number of employees was compared to the measured one. The outcomes showed the levels of patients'care complexity is on intermediate care (42%), and the required time to the nurse care was greater on intensive care patients (42%). The present staff has a deficit of 205 nurses and an exceding of 284 professionals of techinical college level.

A study on thermal characteristics analysis model of high frequency switching transformer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, Jin-Hyung; Jung, Tae-Uk

2015-05-01

Recently, interest has been shown in research on the module-integrated converter (MIC) in small-scale photovoltaic (PV) generation. In an MIC, the voltage boosting high frequency transformer should be designed to be compact in size and have high efficiency. In response to the need to satisfy these requirements, this paper presents a coupled electromagnetic analysis model of a transformer connected with a high frequency switching DC-DC converter circuit while considering thermal characteristics due to the copper and core losses. A design optimization procedure for high efficiency is also presented using this design analysis method, and it is verified by the experimental result.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF IBS (INTRA-BEAM SCATTERING) IN RHIC AND COMPARISON WITH THEORY.

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

FEDOTOV, A.V.; FISCHER, W.; TEPIKIAN, S.

A high-energy electron cooling system is presently being developed to overcome emittance growth due to Intra-beam Scattering (IBS) in RHIC. A critical item for choosing appropriate parameters of the cooler is an accurate description of the IBS. The analytic models were verified vs dedicated IBS measurements. Analysis of the 2004 data with the Au ions showed very good agreement for the longitudinal growth rates but significant disagreement with exact IBS models for the transverse growth rates. Experimental measurements were improved for the 2005 run with the Cu ions. Here, we present comparison of the 2005 data with theoretical models.

Synesthesia affects verification of simple arithmetic equations.

PubMed

Ghirardelli, Thomas G; Mills, Carol Bergfeld; Zilioli, Monica K C; Bailey, Leah P; Kretschmar, Paige K

2010-01-01

To investigate the effects of color-digit synesthesia on numerical representation, we presented a synesthete, called SE, in the present study, and controls with mathematical equations for verification. In Experiment 1, SE verified addition equations made up of digits that either matched or mismatched her color-digit photisms or were in black. In Experiment 2A, the addends were presented in the different color conditions and the solution was presented in black, whereas in Experiment 2B the addends were presented in black and the solutions were presented in the different color conditions. In Experiment 3, multiplication and division equations were presented in the same color conditions as in Experiment 1. SE responded significantly faster to equations that matched her photisms than to those that did not; controls did not show this effect. These results suggest that photisms influence the processing of digits in arithmetic verification, replicating and extending previous findings.

Technical note: A new wedge-shaped ionization chamber component module for BEAMnrc to model the integral quality monitoring system®

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oderinde, Oluwaseyi Michael; du Plessis, FCP

2017-12-01

The purpose of this study was to develop a new component module (CM) namely IQM to accurately model the integral quality monitoring (IQM) system® to be used in the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo (MC) code. The IQM is essentially a double wedge ionization chamber with the central electrode plate bisecting the wedge. The IQM CM allows the user to characterize the double wedge of this ionization chamber and BEAMnrc can then accurately calculate the dose in this CM including its enclosed air regions. This has been verified against measured data. The newly created CM was added into the standard BEAMnrc CMs, and it will be made available through the NRCC website. The BEAMnrc graphical user interface (GUI) and particle ray-tracing techniques were used to validate the IQM geometry. In subsequent MC simulations, the dose scored in the IQM was verified against measured data over a range of square fields ranging from 1 × 1-30 × 30 cm2. The IQM system is designed for the present day need for a device that could verify beam output in real-time during treatment. This CM is authentic, and it can serve as a basis for researchers that have an interest in real-time beam delivery checking using wedge-shaped ionization chamber based instruments like the IQM.

Verification of a Schumann Resonance Inversion Method for Global Lightning Activity in Absolute Units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, E. R.; Guha, A.; Liu, Y.; Boldi, R. A.; Pracser, E.; Said, R.; Satori, G.; Bozoki, T.; Bor, J.; Atkinson, M.; Beggan, C.; Cummer, S.; Lyu, F.; Fain, B.; Hobara, Y.; Alexander, K.; Kulak, A.; McCraty, R.; Mlynarczyk, J.; Montanya, J.; Moore, R. C.; Neska, M.; Ortega, P.; Price, C. G.; Rawat, R.; Sato, M.; Sinha, A. K.; Yampolski, Y.

2017-12-01

The global reach of single, calibrated ELF receivers operating in the Schumann resonance (SR) band (3-50 Hz) has been verified by global maps of energetic Q-burst locations and vertical charge moment change, and by locations of independently verified transient luminous events in a wide variety of locations worldwide. It has also been previously shown that with as few as six ELF receivers in widely separated locations, multi-station, multi-modal SR parameters extracted from the SR "background" signal can be inverted to provide the centroid locations of continental lightning "chimneys" (Asia, Africa, Americas) and their respective lightning activities in absolute units (coul2 km2/sec). This inversion method involves a propagation model for the Earth-ionosphere cavity with day-night asymmetry. The Earth is now populated with more than 30 calibrated ELF receivers making continuous time series observations. This circumstance is exploited in the present study to verify the findings of the ELF inversion method. During the period May 17-20 and 23-24, 2015, two independent sets of nine ELF receivers each, in widely-separated geographical locations (first set: Antarctica (3 sites), Hungary, Japan (2 sites), Poland, Spitzbergen, and USA; second set: Antarctica, Canada, Cape Verde Island, Lithuania, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Tahiti, and USA), are used to compare the locations and source strengths of lightning chimneys. Detailed comparisons will be shown over Universal Time for selected days.

Model Checking a Byzantine-Fault-Tolerant Self-Stabilizing Protocol for Distributed Clock Synchronization Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malekpour, Mahyar R.

2007-01-01

This report presents the mechanical verification of a simplified model of a rapid Byzantine-fault-tolerant self-stabilizing protocol for distributed clock synchronization systems. This protocol does not rely on any assumptions about the initial state of the system. This protocol tolerates bursts of transient failures, and deterministically converges within a time bound that is a linear function of the self-stabilization period. A simplified model of the protocol is verified using the Symbolic Model Verifier (SMV) [SMV]. The system under study consists of 4 nodes, where at most one of the nodes is assumed to be Byzantine faulty. The model checking effort is focused on verifying correctness of the simplified model of the protocol in the presence of a permanent Byzantine fault as well as confirmation of claims of determinism and linear convergence with respect to the self-stabilization period. Although model checking results of the simplified model of the protocol confirm the theoretical predictions, these results do not necessarily confirm that the protocol solves the general case of this problem. Modeling challenges of the protocol and the system are addressed. A number of abstractions are utilized in order to reduce the state space. Also, additional innovative state space reduction techniques are introduced that can be used in future verification efforts applied to this and other protocols.

Model Checking Degrees of Belief in a System of Agents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raimondi, Franco; Primero, Giuseppe; Rungta, Neha

2014-01-01

Reasoning about degrees of belief has been investigated in the past by a number of authors and has a number of practical applications in real life. In this paper we present a unified framework to model and verify degrees of belief in a system of agents. In particular, we describe an extension of the temporal-epistemic logic CTLK and we introduce a semantics based on interpreted systems for this extension. In this way, degrees of beliefs do not need to be provided externally, but can be derived automatically from the possible executions of the system, thereby providing a computationally grounded formalism. We leverage the semantics to (a) construct a model checking algorithm, (b) investigate its complexity, (c) provide a Java implementation of the model checking algorithm, and (d) evaluate our approach using the standard benchmark of the dining cryptographers. Finally, we provide a detailed case study: using our framework and our implementation, we assess and verify the situational awareness of the pilot of Air France 447 flying in off-nominal conditions.

Development and comparison of advanced reduced-basis methods for the transient structural analysis of unconstrained structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgowan, David M.; Bostic, Susan W.; Camarda, Charles J.

1993-01-01

The development of two advanced reduced-basis methods, the force derivative method and the Lanczos method, and two widely used modal methods, the mode displacement method and the mode acceleration method, for transient structural analysis of unconstrained structures is presented. Two example structural problems are studied: an undamped, unconstrained beam subject to a uniformly distributed load which varies as a sinusoidal function of time and an undamped high-speed civil transport aircraft subject to a normal wing tip load which varies as a sinusoidal function of time. These example problems are used to verify the methods and to compare the relative effectiveness of each of the four reduced-basis methods for performing transient structural analyses on unconstrained structures. The methods are verified with a solution obtained by integrating directly the full system of equations of motion, and they are compared using the number of basis vectors required to obtain a desired level of accuracy and the associated computational times as comparison criteria.

Neural differences in the processing of true and false sentences: insights into the nature of 'truth' in language comprehension.

PubMed

Marques, J Frederico; Canessa, Nicola; Cappa, Stefano

2009-06-01

The inquiry on the nature of truth in language comprehension has a long history of opposite perspectives. These perspectives either consider that there are qualitative differences in the processing of true and false statements, or that these processes are fundamentally the same and only differ in quantitative terms. The present study evaluated the processing nature of true and false statements in terms of patterns of brain activity using event-related functional-Magnetic-Resonance-Imaging (fMRI). We show that when true and false concept-feature statements are controlled for relation strength/ambiguity, their processing is associated to qualitatively different processes. Verifying true statements activates the left inferior parietal cortex and the caudate nucleus, a neural correlate compatible with an extended search and matching process for particular stored information. In contrast, verifying false statements activates the fronto-polar cortex and is compatible with a reasoning process of finding and evaluating a contradiction between the sentence information and stored knowledge.

Simulation of three-phase induction motor drives using indirect field oriented control in PSIM environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aziri, Hasif; Patakor, Fizatul Aini; Sulaiman, Marizan; Salleh, Zulhisyam

2017-09-01

This paper presents the simulation of three-phase induction motor drives using Indirect Field Oriented Control (IFOC) in PSIM environment. The asynchronous machine is well known about natural limitations fact of highly nonlinearity and complexity of motor model. In order to resolve these problems, the IFOC is applied to control the instantaneous electrical quantities such as torque and flux component. As FOC is controlling the stator current that represented by a vector, the torque component is aligned with d coordinate while the flux component is aligned with q coordinate. There are five levels of the incremental system are gradually built up to verify and testing the software module in the system. Indeed, all of system build levels are verified and successfully tested in PSIM environment. Moreover, the corresponding system of five build levels are simulated in PSIM environment which is user-friendly for simulation studies in order to explore the performance of speed responses based on IFOC algorithm for three-phase induction motor drives.

Dynamics of unforced and vertically forced rocking elliptical and semi-elliptical disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xue-She; Mazzoleni, Michael J.; Mann, Brian P.

2018-03-01

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the dynamics of unforced and vertically forced rocking elliptical and semi-elliptical disks. The full equation of motion for both rocking disks is derived from first principles. For unforced behavior, Lamb's method is used to derive the linear natural frequency of both disks, and harmonic balance is used to determine their amplitude-dependent rocking frequencies. A stability analysis then reveals that the equilibria and stability of the two disks are considerably different, as the semi-elliptical disk has a super-critical pitchfork bifurcation that enables it to exhibit bistable rocking behavior. Experimental studies were conducted to verify the trends. For vertically forced behavior, numerical investigations show the disk's responses to forward and reverse frequency sweeps. Three modes of periodicity were observed for the steady state behavior. Experiments were performed to verify the frequency responses and the presence of the three rocking modes. Comparisons between the experiments and numerical investigations show good agreement.

Thermal Pollution Mathematical Model. Volume 2; Verification of One-Dimensional Numerical Model at Lake Keowee

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, S. S.; Sengupta, S.; Nwadike, E. V.

1980-01-01

A one dimensional model for studying the thermal dynamics of cooling lakes was developed and verified. The model is essentially a set of partial differential equations which are solved by finite difference methods. The model includes the effects of variation of area with depth, surface heating due to solar radiation absorbed at the upper layer, and internal heating due to the transmission of solar radiation to the sub-surface layers. The exchange of mechanical energy between the lake and the atmosphere is included through the coupling of thermal diffusivity and wind speed. The effects of discharge and intake by power plants are also included. The numerical model was calibrated by applying it to Cayuga Lake. The model was then verified through a long term simulation using Lake Keowee data base. The comparison between measured and predicted vertical temperature profiles for the nine years is good. The physical limnology of Lake Keowee is presented through a set of graphical representations of the measured data base.

Development, optimization, and single laboratory validation of an event-specific real-time PCR method for the detection and quantification of Golden Rice 2 using a novel taxon-specific assay.

PubMed

Jacchia, Sara; Nardini, Elena; Savini, Christian; Petrillo, Mauro; Angers-Loustau, Alexandre; Shim, Jung-Hyun; Trijatmiko, Kurniawan; Kreysa, Joachim; Mazzara, Marco

2015-02-18

In this study, we developed, optimized, and in-house validated a real-time PCR method for the event-specific detection and quantification of Golden Rice 2, a genetically modified rice with provitamin A in the grain. We optimized and evaluated the performance of the taxon (targeting rice Phospholipase D α2 gene)- and event (targeting the 3' insert-to-plant DNA junction)-specific assays that compose the method as independent modules, using haploid genome equivalents as unit of measurement. We verified the specificity of the two real-time PCR assays and determined their dynamic range, limit of quantification, limit of detection, and robustness. We also confirmed that the taxon-specific DNA sequence is present in single copy in the rice genome and verified its stability of amplification across 132 rice varieties. A relative quantification experiment evidenced the correct performance of the two assays when used in combination.

A systematic study of Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering in air, N₂, and O₂ gases.

PubMed

Gu, Ziyu; Ubachs, Wim

2014-09-14

Spontaneous Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering experiments in air, N2, and O2 have been performed for a wide range of temperatures and pressures at a wavelength of 403 nm and at a 90° scattering angle. Measurements of the Rayleigh-Brillouin spectral scattering profile were conducted at high signal-to-noise ratio for all three species, yielding high-quality spectra unambiguously showing the small differences between scattering in air, and its constituents N2 and O2. Comparison of the experimental spectra with calculations using the Tenti S6 model, developed in the 1970s based on linearized kinetic equations for molecular gases, demonstrates that this model is valid to high accuracy for N2 and O2, as well as for air. After previous measurements performed at 366 nm, the Tenti S6 model is here verified for a second wavelength of 403 nm, and for the pressure-temperature parameter space covered in the present study (250-340 K and 0.6-3 bars). In the application of the Tenti S6 model, based on the transport coefficients of the gases, such as thermal conductivity κ, internal specific heat capacity c(int) and shear viscosity η, as well as their temperature dependencies taken as inputs, values for the more elusive bulk viscosity η(b) for the gases are derived by optimizing the model to the measurements. It is verified that the bulk viscosity parameters obtained from previous experiments at 366 nm are valid for wavelengths of 403 nm. Also for air, which is treated as a single-component gas with effective gas transport coefficients, the Tenti S6 treatment is validated for 403 nm as for the previously used wavelength of 366 nm, yielding an accurate model description of the scattering profiles for a range of temperatures and pressures, including those of relevance for atmospheric studies. It is concluded that the Tenti S6 model, further verified in the present study, is applicable to LIDAR applications for exploring the wind velocity and the temperature profile distributions of the Earth's atmosphere. Based on the present findings at 90° scattering and the determination of η(b) values, predictions can be made on the spectral profiles for a typical LIDAR backscatter geometry. These Tenti S6 predictions for Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering deviate by some 7% from purely Gaussian profiles at realistic sub-atmospheric pressures occurring at 3-5 km altitude in the Earth's atmosphere.

Modulation of localized solutions in a system of two coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations.

PubMed

Cardoso, W B; Avelar, A T; Bazeia, D

2012-08-01

In this work we study localized solutions of a system of two coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations, with the linear (potential) and nonlinear coefficients engendering spatial and temporal dependencies. Similarity transformations are used to convert the nonautonomous coupled equations into autonomous ones and we use the trial orbit method to help us solving them, presenting solutions in a general way. Numerical experiments are then used to verify the stability of the localized solutions.

Optical contacting for gravity probe star tracker

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, J. J.; Zissa, D. E.

1984-01-01

A star-tracker telescope, constructed entirely of fused silica elements optically contacted together, has been proposed to provide submilliarc-second pointing accuracy for Gravity Probe. A bibliography and discussion on optical contacting (the bonding of very flat, highly polished surfaces without the use of adhesives) are presented. Then results from preliminary experiments on the strength of optical contacts including a tensile strength test in liquid helium are discussed. Suggestions are made for further study to verify an optical contacting method for the Gravity Probe star-tracker telescope.

Symmetric splitting of very light systems

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

Grotowski, K.; Majka, Z.; Planeta, R.

1984-10-01

Inclusive and coincidence measurements have been performed to study symmetric products from the reactions 74--186 MeV /sup 12/C+ /sup 40/Ca, 141 MeV /sup 9/Be+ /sup 40/Ca, and 153 MeV /sup 6/Li+ /sup 40/Ca. The binary decay of the composite system has been verified. Energy spectra, angular distributions, and fragment correlations are presented. The total kinetic energies for the symmetric products from these very light composite systems are compared to liquid drop model calculations and fission systematics.

Analytic, empirical and delta method temperature derivatives of D-D and D-T fusion reactivity formulations, as a means of verification

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

Langenbrunner, James R.; Booker, Jane M.

We examine the derivatives with respect to temperature, for various deuterium-tritium (DT) and deuterium-deuterium (D-D) fusion-reactivity formulations. Langenbrunner and Makaruk [1] had studied this as a means of understanding the time and temperature domain of reaction history measured in dynamic fusion experiments. Presently, we consider the temperature derivative dependence of fusion reactivity as a means of exercising and verifying the consistency of the various reactivity formulations.

Implicit treatment of diffusion terms in lower-upper algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, T. I.-P.; Steinthorsson, E.; Chyu, W. J.

1993-01-01

A method is presented which allows diffusion terms to be treated implicitly in the lower-upper (LU) algorithm (which is a commonly used method for solving 'compressible' Euler and Navier-Stokes equations) so that the algorithm's good stability properties will not be impaired. The new method generalizes the concept of LU factorization from that associated with the sign of eigenvalues to that associated with backward- and forward-difference operators without regard to eigenvalues. The method is verified in a turbulent boundary layer study.

Structural Optimization Methodology for Rotating Disks of Aircraft Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armand, Sasan C.

1995-01-01

In support of the preliminary evaluation of various engine technologies, a methodology has been developed for structurally designing the rotating disks of an aircraft engine. The structural design methodology, along with a previously derived methodology for predicting low-cycle fatigue life, was implemented in a computer program. An interface computer program was also developed that gathers the required data from a flowpath analysis program (WATE) being used at NASA Lewis. The computer program developed for this study requires minimum interaction with the user, thus allowing engineers with varying backgrounds in aeropropulsion to successfully execute it. The stress analysis portion of the methodology and the computer program were verified by employing the finite element analysis method. The 10th- stage, high-pressure-compressor disk of the Energy Efficient Engine Program (E3) engine was used to verify the stress analysis; the differences between the stresses and displacements obtained from the computer program developed for this study and from the finite element analysis were all below 3 percent for the problem solved. The computer program developed for this study was employed to structurally optimize the rotating disks of the E3 high-pressure compressor. The rotating disks designed by the computer program in this study were approximately 26 percent lighter than calculated from the E3 drawings. The methodology is presented herein.

Determining localized garment insulation values from manikin studies: computational method and results.

PubMed

Nelson, D A; Curlee, J S; Curran, A R; Ziriax, J M; Mason, P A

2005-12-01

The localized thermal insulation value expresses a garment's thermal resistance over the region which is covered by the garment, rather than over the entire surface of a subject or manikin. The determination of localized garment insulation values is critical to the development of high-resolution models of sensible heat exchange. A method is presented for determining and validating localized garment insulation values, based on whole-body insulation values (clo units) and using computer-aided design and thermal analysis software. Localized insulation values are presented for a catalog consisting of 106 garments and verified using computer-generated models. The values presented are suitable for use on volume element-based or surface element-based models of heat transfer involving clothed subjects.

Vector wind profile gust model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adelfang, S. I.

1981-01-01

To enable development of a vector wind gust model suitable for orbital flight test operations and trade studies, hypotheses concerning the distributions of gust component variables were verified. Methods for verification of hypotheses that observed gust variables, including gust component magnitude, gust length, u range, and L range, are gamma distributed and presented. Observed gust modulus has been drawn from a bivariate gamma distribution that can be approximated with a Weibull distribution. Zonal and meridional gust components are bivariate gamma distributed. An analytical method for testing for bivariate gamma distributed variables is presented. Two distributions for gust modulus are described and the results of extensive hypothesis testing of one of the distributions are presented. The validity of the gamma distribution for representation of gust component variables is established.

Atomization simulations using an Eulerian-VOF-Lagrangian method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Yen-Sen; Shang, Huan-Min; Liaw, Paul; Chen, C. P.

1994-01-01

This paper summarizes the technical development and validation of a multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical method using the volume-of-fluid (VOF) model and a Lagrangian tracking model which can be employed to analyze general multiphase flow problems with free surface mechanism. The gas-liquid interface mass, momentum and energy conservations are modeled by continuum surface mechanisms. A new solution method is developed such that the present VOF model can be applied for all-speed flow regimes. The objectives of the present study are to develop and verify the fractional volume-of-fluid cell partitioning approach into a predictor-corrector algorithm and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present innovative approach by simulating benchmark problems including the coaxial jet atomization.

Evaluation of shuttle turbopump bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dufrane, K. F.; Kannel, J. W.

1978-01-01

Because the high pressure turbopumps used on the space shuttle main engine (SSME) are high speed machines and rotor dynamics analysis of these units is very complicated, it was considered necessary to verify calculated turbomachinery shaft bearing loads by analysis of ball bearing load tracks. This report presents the methods used and the results of load track analysis on one set of bearings removed from a high pressure liquid oxygen turbopump which had been subjected to SSME static firing tests. This type of analysis was found useful in determining bearing operating conditions and for verifying rotor dynamics computer models.

Provably trustworthy systems.

PubMed

Klein, Gerwin; Andronick, June; Keller, Gabriele; Matichuk, Daniel; Murray, Toby; O'Connor, Liam

2017-10-13

We present recent work on building and scaling trustworthy systems with formal, machine-checkable proof from the ground up, including the operating system kernel, at the level of binary machine code. We first give a brief overview of the seL4 microkernel verification and how it can be used to build verified systems. We then show two complementary techniques for scaling these methods to larger systems: proof engineering, to estimate verification effort; and code/proof co-generation, for scalable development of provably trustworthy applications.This article is part of the themed issue 'Verified trustworthy software systems'. © 2017 The Author(s).

Dengue Fever Occurrence and Vector Detection by Larval Survey, Ovitrap and MosquiTRAP: A Space-Time Clusters Analysis

PubMed Central

de Melo, Diogo Portella Ornelas; Scherrer, Luciano Rios; Eiras, Álvaro Eduardo

2012-01-01

The use of vector surveillance tools for preventing dengue disease requires fine assessment of risk, in order to improve vector control activities. Nevertheless, the thresholds between vector detection and dengue fever occurrence are currently not well established. In Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brazil), dengue has been endemic for several years. From January 2007 to June 2008, the dengue vector Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti was monitored by ovitrap, the sticky-trap MosquiTRAP™ and larval surveys in an study area in Belo Horizonte. Using a space-time scan for clusters detection implemented in SaTScan software, the vector presence recorded by the different monitoring methods was evaluated. Clusters of vectors and dengue fever were detected. It was verified that ovitrap and MosquiTRAP vector detection methods predicted dengue occurrence better than larval survey, both spatially and temporally. MosquiTRAP and ovitrap presented similar results of space-time intersections to dengue fever clusters. Nevertheless ovitrap clusters presented longer duration periods than MosquiTRAP ones, less acuratelly signalizing the dengue risk areas, since the detection of vector clusters during most of the study period was not necessarily correlated to dengue fever occurrence. It was verified that ovitrap clusters occurred more than 200 days (values ranged from 97.0±35.35 to 283.0±168.4 days) before dengue fever clusters, whereas MosquiTRAP clusters preceded dengue fever clusters by approximately 80 days (values ranged from 65.5±58.7 to 94.0±14. 3 days), the former showing to be more temporally precise. Thus, in the present cluster analysis study MosquiTRAP presented superior results for signaling dengue transmission risks both geographically and temporally. Since early detection is crucial for planning and deploying effective preventions, MosquiTRAP showed to be a reliable tool and this method provides groundwork for the development of even more precise tools. PMID:22848729

Introduction to the Navigation Team: Johnson Space Center EG6 Internship

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gualdoni, Matthew

2017-01-01

The EG6 navigation team at NASA Johnson Space Center, like any team of engineers, interacts with the engineering process from beginning to end; from exploring solutions to a problem, to prototyping and studying the implementations, all the way to polishing and verifying a final flight-ready design. This summer, I was privileged enough to gain exposure to each of these processes, while also getting to truly experience working within a team of engineers. My summer can be broken up into three projects: i) Initial study and prototyping: investigating a manual navigation method that can be utilized onboard Orion in the event of catastrophic failure of navigation systems; ii) Finalizing and verifying code: altering a software routine to improve its robustness and reliability, as well as designing unit tests to verify its performance; and iii) Development of testing equipment: assisting in developing and integrating of a high-fidelity testbed to verify the performance of software and hardware.

A review of dynamic inflow and its effect on experimental correlations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaonkar, G. H.; Peters, D. A.

1985-01-01

A review is given of the relationship between experimental data and the development of modern dynamic-inflow theory. Some of the most interesting data, first presented 10 years ago at the Dynamic Specialist's Meeting, is now reviewed in light of the newer theories. These pure blade-flapping data correlate very well with analyses that include the new dynamic inflow theory, thus verifying the theory. Experimental data are also presented for damping with coupled inplane and body motions. Although inclusion of dynamic inflow is often required to correlate this coupled data, the data cannot be used to verify any particular dynamic inflow theory due to the uncertainties in modeling the inplane degree of freedom. For verification, pure flapping is required. However, the coupled data do show that inflow is often important in such computations.

A Self-Stabilizing Distributed Clock Synchronization Protocol for Arbitrary Digraphs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malekpour, Mahyar R.

2011-01-01

This report presents a self-stabilizing distributed clock synchronization protocol in the absence of faults in the system. It is focused on the distributed clock synchronization of an arbitrary, non-partitioned digraph ranging from fully connected to 1-connected networks of nodes while allowing for differences in the network elements. This protocol does not rely on assumptions about the initial state of the system, other than the presence of at least one node, and no central clock or a centrally generated signal, pulse, or message is used. Nodes are anonymous, i.e., they do not have unique identities. There is no theoretical limit on the maximum number of participating nodes. The only constraint on the behavior of the node is that the interactions with other nodes are restricted to defined links and interfaces. We present an outline of a deductive proof of the correctness of the protocol. A model of the protocol was mechanically verified using the Symbolic Model Verifier (SMV) for a variety of topologies. Results of the mechanical proof of the correctness of the protocol are provided. The model checking results have verified the correctness of the protocol as they apply to the networks with unidirectional and bidirectional links. In addition, the results confirm the claims of determinism and linear convergence. As a result, we conjecture that the protocol solves the general case of this problem. We also present several variations of the protocol and discuss that this synchronization protocol is indeed an emergent system.

A Self-Stabilizing Hybrid Fault-Tolerant Synchronization Protocol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malekpour, Mahyar R.

2015-01-01

This paper presents a strategy for solving the Byzantine general problem for self-stabilizing a fully connected network from an arbitrary state and in the presence of any number of faults with various severities including any number of arbitrary (Byzantine) faulty nodes. The strategy consists of two parts: first, converting Byzantine faults into symmetric faults, and second, using a proven symmetric-fault tolerant algorithm to solve the general case of the problem. A protocol (algorithm) is also present that tolerates symmetric faults, provided that there are more good nodes than faulty ones. The solution applies to realizable systems, while allowing for differences in the network elements, provided that the number of arbitrary faults is not more than a third of the network size. The only constraint on the behavior of a node is that the interactions with other nodes are restricted to defined links and interfaces. The solution does not rely on assumptions about the initial state of the system and no central clock nor centrally generated signal, pulse, or message is used. Nodes are anonymous, i.e., they do not have unique identities. A mechanical verification of a proposed protocol is also present. A bounded model of the protocol is verified using the Symbolic Model Verifier (SMV). The model checking effort is focused on verifying correctness of the bounded model of the protocol as well as confirming claims of determinism and linear convergence with respect to the self-stabilization period.

On adaptive modified projective synchronization of a supply chain management system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tirandaz, Hamed

2017-12-01

In this paper, the synchronization problem of a chaotic supply chain management system is studied. A novel adaptive modified projective synchronization method is introduced to control the behaviour of the leader supply chain system by a follower chaotic system and to adjust the leader system parameters until the measurable errors of the system parameters converge to zero. The stability evaluation and convergence analysis are carried out by the Lyapanov stability theorem. The proposed synchronization and antisynchronization techniques are studied for identical supply chain chaotic systems. Finally, some numerical simulations are presented to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical discussions.

Status of 'HIMES' reentry flight test project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inatani, Yoshifumi; Kawaguchi, Jun'ichiro; Yonemoto, Koichi

1990-10-01

The salient features of the Highly Maneuverable Experimental Space (HIMES) vehicle which is being developed by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of Japan are discussed together with the results of tests conducted. Analytical studies carried out so far include system analyses, aerodynamic design, the navigation/guidance and control systems, the propulsion system, and structural studies. Results of flight tests conducted to verify these analyses include the low-speed gliding flight test and the atmospheric reentry flight test, as well as a ground firing test of the hydrogen-fueled propulsion system. Diagrams are presented of the HIMES vehicle and its propulsion engines.

Error floor behavior study of LDPC codes for concatenated codes design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Weigang; Yin, Liuguo; Lu, Jianhua

2007-11-01

Error floor behavior of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes using quantized decoding algorithms is statistically studied with experimental results on a hardware evaluation platform. The results present the distribution of the residual errors after decoding failure and reveal that the number of residual error bits in a codeword is usually very small using quantized sum-product (SP) algorithm. Therefore, LDPC code may serve as the inner code in a concatenated coding system with a high code rate outer code and thus an ultra low error floor can be achieved. This conclusion is also verified by the experimental results.

[Use of fertility drugs and risk of breast cancer].

PubMed

Pomeranz, Meir

2013-10-01

The strong desire to bring children into the world is the foundation of human existence. Fertility problems arise in approximately 10% of the population. The literature presents controversies regarding whether fertility treatment and ovarian hyperstimulation can be harmful to the patient. Can high estrogen levels that accompany the treatment cause or promote breast cancer? Dr. Riskin-Mashiach in her article: "Infertility, fertility treatment and breast cancer risk", reviews recent articles on the subject and concludes that most studies do not indicate a direct link but larger studies are needed to verify the safety of these treatments for patients.

Studies of the air plasma spraying of zirconia powder

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

Varacalle, D.J. Jr.; Wilson, G.C.; Crawmer, D.E.

As part of an investigation of the dynamics that occur in the air plasma spray process, an experimental and analytical study has been accomplished for the deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia powder using argon-hydrogen and argon-helium working gases. Numerical models of the plasma dynamics and the related plasma-particle interaction are presented. The analytical studies were conducted to determine the parameter space for the empirical studies. Experiments were then conducted using a Box statistical design-of-experiment approach. A substantial range of plasma processing conditions and their effect on the resultant coating is presented. The coatings were characterized by hardness tests and optical metallographymore » (i.e., image analysis). Coating qualities are discussed with respect to hardness, porosity, surface roughness, deposition efficiency, and microstructure. Attributes of the coatings are correlated with the changes in operating parameters. An optimized coating design predicted by the SDE analysis and verified by the calculations is also presented.« less

Condition assessment of reinforced concrete beams using dynamic data measured with distributed long-gage macro-strain sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, W.; Wu, Z. S.; Yang, C. Q.; Wan, C. F.; Wu, G.; Zhang, Y. F.

2012-06-01

A new condition assessment strategy of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is proposed in this paper. This strategy is based on frequency analysis of the dynamic data measured with distributed long-gage macro-stain sensors. After extracting modal macro-strain, the reference-based damage index is theoretically deducted in which the variations of modal flexural rigidity and modal neutral axis height are considered. The reference-free damage index is also presented for comparison. Both finite element simulation and experiment investigations were carried out to verify the proposed method. The manufacturing procedure of long-gage fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor chosen in the experiment is firstly presented, followed by an experimental study on the essential sensing properties of the long-gage macro-strain sensors and the results verify the excellent sensing properties, in particular the measurement accuracy and dynamic measuring capacity. Modal analysis results of a concrete beam show that the damage appearing in the beam can be well identified by the damage index while the vibration testing results of a RC beam show that the proposed method can not only capture small crack initiation but its propagation. It can be concluded that distributed long-gage dynamic macro-strain sensing technique has great potential for the condition assessment of RC structures subjected to dynamic loading.

Cleaning and other control and validation strategies to prevent allergen cross-contact in food-processing operations.

PubMed

Jackson, Lauren S; Al-Taher, Fadwa M; Moorman, Mark; DeVries, Jonathan W; Tippett, Roger; Swanson, Katherine M J; Fu, Tong-Jen; Salter, Robert; Dunaif, George; Estes, Susan; Albillos, Silvia; Gendel, Steven M

2008-02-01

Food allergies affect an estimated 10 to 12 million people in the United States. Some of these individuals can develop life-threatening allergic reactions when exposed to allergenic proteins. At present, the only successful method to manage food allergies is to avoid foods containing allergens. Consumers with food allergies rely on food labels to disclose the presence of allergenic ingredients. However, undeclared allergens can be inadvertently introduced into a food via cross-contact during manufacturing. Although allergen removal through cleaning of shared equipment or processing lines has been identified as one of the critical points for effective allergen control, there is little published information on the effectiveness of cleaning procedures for removing allergenic materials from processing equipment. There also is no consensus on how to validate or verify the efficacy of cleaning procedures. The objectives of this review were (i) to study the incidence and cause of allergen cross-contact, (ii) to assess the science upon which the cleaning of food contact surfaces is based, (iii) to identify best practices for cleaning allergenic foods from food contact surfaces in wet and dry manufacturing environments, and (iv) to present best practices for validating and verifying the efficacy of allergen cleaning protocols.

Artificial induction of mito-gynogenetic diploids in large yellow croaker ( Pseudosciaena crocea) by hydrostatic pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Mingyi; Wu, Qingming; Liu, Xiande; Yao, Cuiluan; Chen, Qingkai; Wang, Zhiyong

2010-07-01

The present study investigated conditions for inducing mito-gynogenetic (endomitosis) diploids by hydrostatic pressure in the large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea. In haploid control groups, the development of eggs was activated with ultraviolet radiated semen. All fry presented typical haploid syndrome in the haploid control groups, and were verified as haploids using cytometry. After hydrostatic pressure treatment, morphologically normal fry reappeared at different frequencies according to the intensity and time of pressure shock. Fry with normal appearance in the pressure treated groups were verified as gynogenetic double haploids (GDHs), containing only one allele from the female parent at all four diagnostic microsatellite loci. For a fixed duration of 3 min, the optimal intensity of blocking the first mitosis was determined to be 40 Mpa, which was similar to that of blocking the second meiosis. There was a “window” of starting time, from 36.1 min to 38.1 min post-insemination at 25.0±1.0°C, within which the production of GDHs was not significantly different. Maximum production of morphologically normal fries, 9.36%±2.97% of developed eggs, was found when the eggs were shocked with hydrostatic pressure at 40 Mpa for 3 min, starting from 38.1 min post insemination at 25.0±1.0°C.

Improved omit set displacement recoveries in dynamic analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Tom; Cook, Greg; Walls, Bill

1993-01-01

Two related methods for improving the dependent (OMIT set) displacements after performing a Guyan reduction are presented. The theoretical bases for the methods are derived. The NASTRAN DMAP ALTERs used to implement the methods in a NASTRAN execution are described. Data are presented that verify the methods and the NASTRAN DMAP ALTERs.

Thermal Design, Tvac Testing, and Lessons Learned for Critical GSE of ATLAS and the ICESat-2 Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradshaw, Heather

2016-01-01

This presentation describes the thermal design of the three main of optical components which comprise the Bench Checkout Equipment (BCE) for the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument, which is flying on the ICESat-2 mission. Thermal vacuum testing of these components is also described in this presentation, as well as a few lessons learned. These BCE components serve as critical GSE for the mission; their purpose is to verify ATLAS is performing well. It has been said that, in one light, the BCE is the most important part of ATLAS, since, without it, ATLAS cannot be aligned properly or its performance verified before flight. Therefore, careful attention was paid to the BCEs thermal design, development, and component-level Tvac testing prior to its use in instrument-level and spacecraft-level Tvac tests with ATLAS. This presentation describes that thermal design, development, and testing, as well as a few lessons learned.

Teaching Optics Topics in College Physics Laboratory*

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kezerashvili, Roman Y.

2006-12-01

We propose a list of designed experiments that could be presented at the laboratory class in the second semester of College and University Physics courses to study properties of light. The study of light can be organized into three domains: geometric optics, wave optics and quantum optics. These domains are not strictly disjoint. In the sets of experiments for the first domain students study the laws of reflection and refraction of light by measuring the dependence of the angles of reflection and refraction on the angle of incident, spherical mirrors and lenses, geometric optics of human eye. In the sets of experiments for the second domain students study the wave properties of light: dispersion, interference, diffraction and polarization. Experiments designed to verify the Malus's law and measure the Brewster's angle, determine the wavelength of laser light and study the interference on a transmission and reflection diffraction grating, diffraction on the different size slits and wires. The purposes of experiments for the third domain are to study the spectral lines of different gases, determine the Rydberg's constant from the spectrum of hydrogen atom, and verify the laws of the photoelectric effect and Einstein's quantum idea. The objectives of all experiments are to show the real action of physics laws, help students better understand and visualize the subject of the lecture. *Supported by US Department of Education grant P120A060052

A Self-Stabilizing Hybrid-Fault Tolerant Synchronization Protocol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malekpour, Mahyar R.

2014-01-01

In this report we present a strategy for solving the Byzantine general problem for self-stabilizing a fully connected network from an arbitrary state and in the presence of any number of faults with various severities including any number of arbitrary (Byzantine) faulty nodes. Our solution applies to realizable systems, while allowing for differences in the network elements, provided that the number of arbitrary faults is not more than a third of the network size. The only constraint on the behavior of a node is that the interactions with other nodes are restricted to defined links and interfaces. Our solution does not rely on assumptions about the initial state of the system and no central clock nor centrally generated signal, pulse, or message is used. Nodes are anonymous, i.e., they do not have unique identities. We also present a mechanical verification of a proposed protocol. A bounded model of the protocol is verified using the Symbolic Model Verifier (SMV). The model checking effort is focused on verifying correctness of the bounded model of the protocol as well as confirming claims of determinism and linear convergence with respect to the self-stabilization period. We believe that our proposed solution solves the general case of the clock synchronization problem.

What are the ultimate limits to computational techniques: verifier theory and unverifiability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yampolskiy, Roman V.

2017-09-01

Despite significant developments in proof theory, surprisingly little attention has been devoted to the concept of proof verifiers. In particular, the mathematical community may be interested in studying different types of proof verifiers (people, programs, oracles, communities, superintelligences) as mathematical objects. Such an effort could reveal their properties, their powers and limitations (particularly in human mathematicians), minimum and maximum complexity, as well as self-verification and self-reference issues. We propose an initial classification system for verifiers and provide some rudimentary analysis of solved and open problems in this important domain. Our main contribution is a formal introduction of the notion of unverifiability, for which the paper could serve as a general citation in domains of theorem proving, as well as software and AI verification.

Does endoscopy diagnose early gastrointestinal cancer in patients with uncomplicated dyspepsia?

PubMed Central

Sundar, N; Muraleedharan, V; Pandit, J; Green, J T; Crimmins, R; Swift, G L

2006-01-01

Background Recent guidelines from NICE have proposed that open access gastroscopy is largely limited to patients with “alarm” symptoms. Aims and methods This study reviewed the outcome of all our patients with verified oesophageal or gastric carcinoma who presented with uncomplicated dyspepsia to see if endoscopic investigation is warranted in this group. All patients with histologically verified upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers who presented over a period from 1998 to 2002 were identified. Their presenting symptoms, treatment, and outcome were analysed. Results 228 upper GI cancers (119 oesophageal, 109 gastric; mean age 72 years (29–99 years); 130 male, 82 female) were identified in 11 145 endoscopies performed. Only 14 patients (6.2%) presented without alarm symptoms; three patients were under 55 years of age and all had gastric carcinoma—one of these had chronic diarrhoea only. Eleven had dyspepsia or reflux symptoms only, and two were under surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus. Only five patients had a curative surgical resection and are still alive two—six years from diagnosis. A sixth patient had a curative operation but died of a cerebrovascular accident one year later. The remaining eight patients unfortunately had either metastatic disease or comorbidity, which precluded surgery. All of these died within two years of diagnosis, mean survival 10 months. Conclusion Only five patients with dyspepsia and no alarm symptoms had resectable upper GI malignancies over a four year period. Limiting open access gastroscopy to those with alarm features only would “miss” a small number of patients who have curable upper GI malignancy. PMID:16397081

Implicit Self-Importance in an Interpersonal Pronoun Categorization Task.

PubMed

Fetterman, Adam K; Robinson, Michael D; Gilbertson, Elizabeth P

2014-06-01

Object relations theories emphasize the manner in which the salience/importance of implicit representations of self and other guide interpersonal functioning. Two studies and a pilot test (total N = 304) sought to model such representations. In dyadic contexts, the self is a "you" and the other is a "me", as verified in a pilot test. Study 1 then used a simple categorization task and found evidence for implicit self-importance: The pronoun "you" was categorized more quickly and accurately when presented in a larger font size, whereas the pronoun "me" was categorized more quickly and accurately when presented in a smaller font size. Study 2 showed that this pattern possesses value in understanding individual differences in interpersonal functioning. As predicted, arrogant people scored higher in implicit self-importance in the paradigm. Findings are discussed from the perspective of dyadic interpersonal dynamics.

Free vibration investigation of nano mass sensor using differential transformation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zarepour, Misagh; Hosseini, S. Amirhosein; Ghadiri, Majid

2017-03-01

In the present study, transverse vibration of nano-cantilever beam with attached mass and two rotational and transverse springs at its end is studied. Resonance frequency of vibrating system is influenced by changing mass particle and stiffness coefficients. Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, nonlocal constitutive equations of Eringen, and Hamilton's principle are used to develop equations of motion. Differential transformation method (DTM) is applied to solve the governing equations of the nanobeam with attached mass particle. Accurate results with minimum mathematical calculation are the advantages of DTM. A detailed parametric study is conducted to investigate the influences of nonlocal parameter. The results can be used in designing of nanoelectromechanical systems. To verify the results, some comparisons are presented between differential transform method results and open literature to show the accuracy of this new approach.

Semantic Importance Sampling for Statistical Model Checking

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-18

we implement SIS in a tool called osmosis and use it to verify a number of stochastic systems with rare events. Our results indicate that SIS reduces...background definitions and concepts. Section 4 presents SIS, and Section 5 presents our tool osmosis . In Section 6, we present our experiments and results...Syntactic Extraction ∗( ) dReal + Refinement ∗ |∗| , Monte-Carlo , Fig. 5. Architecture of osmosis

Economic Evaluation of the Production Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles via Liquid-Phase Route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandiyanto, A. B. D.; Fariansyah, R.; Ramadhan, M. F.; Abdullah, A. G.; Widiaty, I.

2018-02-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the production of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. The evaluation was done in two perspectives: engineering and economic evaluation. The engineering perspective concerned about the analysis of the production rate based on the available apparatuses and raw materials, completed with mass balance calculation. The economic analysis was conducted based on several economic parameters: gross profit margin (GPM), internal return rate (IRR), payback period (PBP), cumulative net present value (CNPV), break even point (BEP), and profit to investment (PI). The engineering perspective showed that the production of MgO is feasibly done in small scale industry. This is verified by the potential production using current available apparatuses and raw materials in the market. Economic analysis obtained that the present project is profitable. But, for some cases, further studies must be done to get the present production process is attractive for investor.

Space Suit Thermal Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Anthony B.; Nair, Satish S.; Miles, John B.; Iovine, John V.; Lin, Chin H.

1998-01-01

The present NASA space suit (the Shuttle EMU) is a self-contained environmental control system, providing life support, environmental protection, earth-like mobility, and communications. This study considers the thermal dynamics of the space suit as they relate to astronaut thermal comfort control. A detailed dynamic lumped capacitance thermal model of the present space suit is used to analyze the thermal dynamics of the suit with observations verified using experimental and flight data. Prior to using the model to define performance characteristics and limitations for the space suit, the model is first evaluated and improved. This evaluation includes determining the effect of various model parameters on model performance and quantifying various temperature prediction errors in terms of heat transfer and heat storage. The observations from this study are being utilized in two future design efforts, automatic thermal comfort control design for the present space suit and design of future space suit systems for Space Station, Lunar, and Martian missions.

Cryptococcosis in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Patients Clinically Confirmed and/or Diagnosed at Necropsy in a Teaching Hospital in Brazil.

PubMed

Torres, Rafael Garcia; Etchebehere, Renata Margarida; Adad, Sheila Jorge; Micheletti, Adilha Rua; Ribeiro, Barbara de Melo; Silva, Leonardo Eurípedes Andrade; Mora, Delio Jose; Paim, Kennio Ferreira; Silva-Vergara, Mario León

2016-10-05

Cryptococcosis occurs in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with poor compliance to antiretroviral therapy or unaware of their human immunodeficiency virus status who present severe immunosuppression at admission. Consequently, high mortality rates are observed due to disseminated fungal infection. This report presents clinical and postmortem data of AIDS patients with cryptococcosis in a teaching hospital in Brazil. Retrospectively, medical and necropsy records of AIDS patients with cryptococcosis clinically confirmed and/or postmortem verified were reviewed. Clinical data were compared with those of patients presenting a good outcome to evaluate disseminated fungal infection and the agreement between clinical and postmortem diagnosis. At admission, most of the 45 patients with cryptococcal meningitis who died, presented more altered consciousness (P = 0.0047), intracranial increased pressure (P = 0.047), and severe malnutrition (P = 0.0006) than the survivors. Of 29 (64.4%) patients with cryptococcal meningitis, 23 died before week 2 on antifungal therapy, and the other six during the next 3 months. The remaining 16 (35.6%) cases had other diagnoses and died soon after. At necropsy, 31 (68.9%) presented disseminated infection involving two or more organs, whereas 14 (31.1%) cases had meningeal or pulmonary localized infection. The agreement of 64.4% between clinical and postmortem diagnosis was similar to some studies. However, other reports have shown figures ranging from 34% to 95%. Currently, a progressive worldwide decrease of autopsies is worrying because the role of postmortem examination is pivotal to verify or identify the death causes, which contributes to improve the quality of clinical diagnosis and medical training. © The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

The Effect of Online Systems Analysis Training on Aerospace Industry Business Performance: A Qualitative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burk, Erlan

2012-01-01

Aerospace companies needed additional research on technology-based training to verify expectations when enhancing human capital through online systems analysis training. The research for online systems analysis training provided aerospace companies a means to verify expectations for systems analysis technology-based training on business…

Numerical method for accessing the universal scaling function for a multiparticle discrete time asymmetric exclusion process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chia, Nicholas; Bundschuh, Ralf

2005-11-01

In the universality class of the one-dimensional Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) surface growth, Derrida and Lebowitz conjectured the universality of not only the scaling exponents, but of an entire scaling function. Since and Derrida and Lebowitz’s original publication [Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 209 (1998)] this universality has been verified for a variety of continuous-time, periodic-boundary systems in the KPZ universality class. Here, we present a numerical method for directly examining the entire particle flux of the asymmetric exclusion process (ASEP), thus providing an alternative to more difficult cumulant ratios studies. Using this method, we find that the Derrida-Lebowitz scaling function (DLSF) properly characterizes the large-system-size limit (N→∞) of a single-particle discrete time system, even in the case of very small system sizes (N⩽22) . This fact allows us to not only verify that the DLSF properly characterizes multiple-particle discrete-time asymmetric exclusion processes, but also provides a way to numerically solve for quantities of interest, such as the particle hopping flux. This method can thus serve to further increase the ease and accessibility of studies involving even more challenging dynamics, such as the open-boundary ASEP.

TRPV4 Stimulation Induced Melatonin Secretion by Increasing Arylalkymine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) Protein Level.

PubMed

Alkozi, Hanan Awad; Perez de Lara, Maria J; Sánchez-Naves, Juan; Pintor, Jesús

2017-04-01

Melatonin is a molecule which has gained a great deal of interest in many areas of science; its synthesis was classically known to be in the pineal gland. However, many organs synthesize melatonin, such as several ocular structures. Melatonin is known to participate in many functions apart from its main action regulating the circadian rhythm. It is synthesized from serotonin in two steps, with a rate-limiting step carried out by arylalkymine N -acetyltransferase (AANAT). In this report, the role of TRPV4 channel present in human ciliary body epithelial cells in AANAT production was studied. Several experiments were undertaken to verify the adequate time to reach the maximal effect by using the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A, together with a dose-response study. An increase of 2.4 folds in AANAT was seen after 18 h of incubation with 10 nM of GSK1016790A ( p < 0.001, n = 6). This increment was verified by antagonist assays. In summary, AANAT levels and therefore melatonin synthesis change after TRPV4 channel stimulation. Using this cell model together with human ciliary body tissue it is possible to suggest that AANAT plays an important role in pathologies related to intraocular pressure.

Analytical and experimental studies on detection of longitudinal, L and inverted T cracks in isotropic and bi-material beams based on changes in natural frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravi, J. T.; Nidhan, S.; Muthu, N.; Maiti, S. K.

2018-02-01

An analytical method for determination of dimensions of longitudinal crack in monolithic beams, based on frequency measurements, has been extended to model L and inverted T cracks. Such cracks including longitudinal crack arise in beams made of layered isotropic or composite materials. A new formulation for modelling cracks in bi-material beams is presented. Longitudinal crack segment sizes, for L and inverted T cracks, varying from 2.7% to 13.6% of length of Euler-Bernoulli beams are considered. Both forward and inverse problems have been examined. In the forward problems, the analytical results are compared with finite element (FE) solutions. In the inverse problems, the accuracy of prediction of crack dimensions is verified using FE results as input for virtual testing. The analytical results show good agreement with the actual crack dimensions. Further, experimental studies have been done to verify the accuracy of the analytical method for prediction of dimensions of three types of crack in isotropic and bi-material beams. The results show that the proposed formulation is reliable and can be employed for crack detection in slender beam like structures in practice.

A Virtual Reality-Cycling Training System for Lower Limb Balance Improvement.

PubMed

Yin, Chieh; Hsueh, Ya-Hsin; Yeh, Chun-Yu; Lo, Hsin-Chang; Lan, Yi-Ting

2016-01-01

Stroke survivors might lose their walking and balancing abilities, but many studies pointed out that cycling is an effective means for lower limb rehabilitation. However, during cycle training, the unaffected limb tends to compensate for the affected one, which resulted in suboptimal rehabilitation. To address this issue, we present a Virtual Reality-Cycling Training System (VRCTS), which senses the cycling force and speed in real-time, analyzes the acquired data to produce feedback to patients with a controllable VR car in a VR rehabilitation program, and thus specifically trains the affected side. The aim of the study was to verify the functionality of the VRCTS and to verify the results from the ten stroke patients participants and to compare the result of Asymmetry Ratio Index (ARI) between the experimental group and the control group, after their training, by using the bilateral pedal force and force plate to determine any training effect. The results showed that after the VRCTS training in bilateral pedal force it had improved by 0.22 (p = 0.046) and in force plate the stand balance has also improved by 0.29 (p = 0.031); thus both methods show the significant difference.

Study on soil-pile-structure-TMD interaction system by shaking table model test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lou, Menglin; Wang, Wenjian

2004-06-01

The success of the tuned mass damper (TMD) in reducing wind-induced structural vibrations has been well established. However, from most of the recent numerical studies, it appears that for a structure situated on very soft soil, soil-structure interaction (SSI) could render a damper on the structure totally ineffective. In order to experimentally verify the SSI effect on the seismic performance of TMD, a series of shaking table model tests have been conducted and the results are presented in this paper. It has been shown that the TMD is not as effective in controlling the seismic responses of structures built on soft soil sites due to the SSI effect. Some test results also show that a TMD device might have a negative impact if the SSI effect is neglected and the structure is built on a soft soil site. For structures constructed on a soil foundation, this research verifies that the SSI effect must be carefully understood before a TMD control system is designed to determine if the control is necessary and if the SSI effect must be considered when choosing the optimal parameters of the TMD device.

High energy flux thermo-mechanical test of 1D-carbon-carbon fibre composite prototypes for the SPIDER diagnostic calorimeter

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

De Muri, M., E-mail: michela.demuri@igi.cnr.it; Pasqualotto, R.; Dalla Palma, M.

2014-02-15

Operation of the thermonuclear fusion experiment ITER requires additional heating via injection of neutral beams from accelerated negative ions. In the SPIDER test facility, under construction in Padova, the production of negative ions will be studied and optimised. STRIKE (Short-Time Retractable Instrumented Kalorimeter Experiment) is a diagnostic used to characterise the SPIDER beam during short pulse operation (several seconds) to verify if the beam meets the ITER requirements about the maximum allowed beam non-uniformity (below ±10%). The major components of STRIKE are 16 1D-CFC (Carbon-Carbon Fibre Composite) tiles, observed at the rear side by a thermal camera. This contribution givesmore » an overview of some tests under high energy particle flux, aimed at verifying the thermo-mechanical behaviour of several CFC prototype tiles. The tests were performed in the GLADIS facility at IPP (Max-Plank-Institut für Plasmaphysik), Garching. Dedicated linear and nonlinear simulations were carried out to interpret the experiments and a comparison of the experimental data with the simulation results is presented. The results of some morphological and structural studies on the material after exposure to the GLADIS beam are also given.« less

Non-anthropocentric Reasoning in Children: Its incidence when they are confronted with ecological dilemmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almeida, António; Vasconcelos, Clara Maria; Strecht-Ribeiro, Orlando; Torres, Joana

2013-01-01

This study used an individual structured interview to (1) verify the incidence of non-anthropocentric reasoning in 123 children attending the 3rd and 4th years in three primary schools in the Lisbon area (Portugal), when they are confronted with ecological dilemmas and (2) establish those places they frequented which permit animal contact. The results show a greater incidence of non-anthropocentric reasoning than that obtained in other international studies. This may be related to the focus of the questions asked, which invited children to imagine themselves as another animal or to present situations where human interaction is unfair. This incidence was found independently of gender, school origin and whether or not pets were owned, even with the more biologically complex animals. School year was the only variable proven to make a difference in conceptually more demanding questions. We also verified that the children's general past experience of nature is essentially aligned to 'controlled environments depending on ongoing human management', confirming a decline in direct contact with 'natural and semi-natural environments'. However, this type of experience does not seem to exert a negative influence on their non-anthropocentric reasoning.

Computational knee ligament modeling using experimentally determined zero-load lengths.

PubMed

Bloemker, Katherine H; Guess, Trent M; Maletsky, Lorin; Dodd, Kevin

2012-01-01

This study presents a subject-specific method of determining the zero-load lengths of the cruciate and collateral ligaments in computational knee modeling. Three cadaver knees were tested in a dynamic knee simulator. The cadaver knees also underwent manual envelope of motion testing to find their passive range of motion in order to determine the zero-load lengths for each ligament bundle. Computational multibody knee models were created for each knee and model kinematics were compared to experimental kinematics for a simulated walk cycle. One-dimensional non-linear spring damper elements were used to represent cruciate and collateral ligament bundles in the knee models. This study found that knee kinematics were highly sensitive to altering of the zero-load length. The results also suggest optimal methods for defining each of the ligament bundle zero-load lengths, regardless of the subject. These results verify the importance of the zero-load length when modeling the knee joint and verify that manual envelope of motion measurements can be used to determine the passive range of motion of the knee joint. It is also believed that the method described here for determining zero-load length can be used for in vitro or in vivo subject-specific computational models.

Simple Numerical Modelling for Gasdynamic Design of Wave Rotors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okamoto, Koji; Nagashima, Toshio

The precise estimation of pressure waves generated in the passages is a crucial factor in wave rotor design. However, it is difficult to estimate the pressure wave analytically, e.g. by the method of characteristics, because the mechanism of pressure-wave generation and propagation in the passages is extremely complicated as compared to that in a shock tube. In this study, a simple numerical modelling scheme was developed to facilitate the design procedure. This scheme considers the three dominant factors in the loss mechanism —gradual passage opening, wall friction and leakage— for simulating the pressure waves precisely. The numerical scheme itself is based on the one-dimensional Euler equations with appropriate source terms to reduce the calculation time. The modelling of these factors was verified by comparing the results with those of a two-dimensional numerical simulation, which were previously validated by the experimental data in our previous study. Regarding wave rotor miniaturization, the leakage flow effect, which involves the interaction between adjacent cells, was investigated extensively. A port configuration principle was also examined and analyzed in detail to verify the applicability of the present numerical modelling scheme to the wave rotor design.

Nanostructure Formation by controlled dewetting on patterned substrates: A combined theoretical, modeling and experimental study.

PubMed

Lu, Liang-Xing; Wang, Ying-Min; Srinivasan, Bharathi Madurai; Asbahi, Mohamed; Yang, Joel K W; Zhang, Yong-Wei

2016-09-01

We perform systematic two-dimensional energetic analysis to study the stability of various nanostructures formed by dewetting solid films deposited on patterned substrates. Our analytical results show that by controlling system parameters such as the substrate surface pattern, film thickness and wetting angle, a variety of equilibrium nanostructures can be obtained. Phase diagrams are presented to show the complex relations between these system parameters and various nanostructure morphologies. We further carry out both phase field simulations and dewetting experiments to validate the analytically derived phase diagrams. Good agreements between the results from our energetic analyses and those from our phase field simulations and experiments verify our analysis. Hence, the phase diagrams presented here provide guidelines for using solid-state dewetting as a tool to achieve various nanostructures.

The effect of bottom boundary condition type on the behavior of adhesive contact of spherical probe on an elastic film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, X.; Xu, W.

2017-11-01

This study presents an investigation on the behavior of adhesive contact between a rigid sphere and an elastic film which is either perfectly bonded (case I) or in frictionless contact (case II) with a rigid substrate. By using linear fracture mechanics, we formulate an convenient semi-analytical approach to develop relations between the applied force, penetration depth and contact radius. Finite element analysis (FEA) is used to verify the relationships. Our results reveal that the interfacial boundary conditions between the film and substrate have distinct effects on the adhesive contact behavior between the sphere and the film. The aim of the present study is to provide an instructive inspiration for controlling adhesion strength of the thin film subject to adhesive contact.

Monitoring platelet inhibition after clopidogrel with the VerifyNow-P2Y12(R) rapid analyzer: the VERIfy Thrombosis risk ASsessment (VERITAS) study.

PubMed

Malinin, Alex; Pokov, Alex; Spergling, Malcolm; Defranco, Anthony; Schwartz, Kenneth; Schwartz, Dianne; Mahmud, Ehtisham; Atar, Dan; Serebruany, Victor

2007-01-01

Clopidogrel inhibits platelet P2Y12 ADP receptors, while ADP, as an inductor of aggregation, stimulates both P2Y12 and P2Y1 platelet receptors. Despite a clinical loading dose routine with clopidogrel, some patients still experience coronary stent thrombosis suggesting persistent platelet activation. The VerifyNow-P2Y12 is a rapid assay that test platelet activity over 3 min and uses of the combination of ADP and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to directly measure the effects of clopidogrel on the P2Y12 receptor. ADP is used to maximally activate the platelets by binding to the P2Y1 and P2Y12 platelet receptors, while PGE1 is used to suppress the ADP-induced P2Y1-mediated increase in intracellular calcium levels. The VERIfy Thrombosis risk ASsessment (VERITAS) was a prospective study designed to measure platelet response to clopidogrel therapy in subjects with multiple risk factors or history of vascular disease using this novel point-of-care assay. 166 participants were enrolled in 4 participating sites. Data from 147 participants were analyzed after exclusion of 19 patients due to protocol violations. Platelets were assessed twice at baseline (before clopidogrel) and at 24 h post-loading 450 mg (110 participants) or 7 days after chronic clopidogrel treatment (75 mg/day) (37 patients). All participants received aspirin 81-325 mg for at least 2 days before the study enrollment. Results from the VerifyNow-P2Y12 assay are reported in P2Y12 reaction units (PRU). Clopidogrel therapy resulted in a mean 64.0+/-25.3% PRU reduction. No participant reached PRU inhibition below 10% of baseline. Distribution of PRU values for the VerifyNow-P2Y12 assay shows a separation from baseline to post-clopidogrel assay values with some overlap due to high inter-individual variations in response. VerifyNow-P2Y12 is a reliable, fast and sensitive device suitable for monitoring of platelet inhibition during clopidogrel therapy.

The inverted Batman incision: a new incision in transcolumellar incision for open rhinoplasty.

PubMed

Nakanishi, Yuji; Nagasao, Tomohisa; Shimizu, Yusuke; Miyamoto, Junpei; Fukuta, Keizo; Kishi, Kazuo

2013-12-01

Columellar and nostril shapes often present irregularity after transcolumellar incision for open rhinoplasty, because of the contracture of the incised wound. The present study introduces a new technique to prevent this complication, and verifies its efficacy in improving cosmetic appearance. In our new method, a zig-zag incision with three small triangular flaps is made on the columella and in the pericolumellar regions of the bilateral nostril rims. Since the shape of the incision resembles the contour of an inverted "batman", we term our new method the "Inverted Batman" incision. To verify the effectiveness of the Inverted Batman incision, aesthetic evaluation was conducted for 21 patients operated on using the conventional transcolumellar incision (Conventional Group) and 19 patients operated on using the Inverted Batman incision (Inverted Batman Group). The evaluation was performed by three plastic surgeons, using a four-grade scale to assess three separate items: symmetry of bilateral soft triangles, symmetry of bilateral margins of the columella, and evenness of the columellar surface. The scores of the two groups for these three items were compared using a non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U-test). With all three items, the Inverted Batman group patients present higher scores than Conventional Group patients. The Inverted Batman incision is effective in preserving the correct anatomical structure of the columella, soft triangle, and nostril rims. Hence, we recommend the Inverted Batman incision as a useful technique for open rhinoplasty.

Tongue corticospinal modulation during attended verbal stimuli: priming and coarticulation effects.

PubMed

D'Ausilio, Alessandro; Jarmolowska, Joanna; Busan, Pierpaolo; Bufalari, Ilaria; Craighero, Laila

2011-11-01

Humans perceive continuous speech through interruptions or brief noise bursts cancelling entire phonemes. This robust phenomenon has been classically associated with mechanisms of perceptual restoration. In parallel, recent experimental evidence suggests that the motor system may actively participate in speech perception, even contributing to phoneme discrimination. In the present study we intended to verify if the motor system has a specific role in speech perceptual restoration as well. To this aim we recorded tongue corticospinal excitability during phoneme expectation induced by contextual information. Results showed that phoneme expectation determines an involvement of the individual's motor system specifically implicated in the production of the attended phoneme, exactly as it happens during actual listening of that phoneme, suggesting the presence of a speech imagery-like process. Very interestingly, this motoric phoneme expectation is also modulated by subtle coarticulation cues of which the listener is not consciously aware. Present data indicate that the rehearsal of a specific phoneme requires the contribution of the motor system exactly as it happens during the rehearsal of actions executed by the limbs, and that this process is abolished when an incongruent phonemic cue is presented, as similarly occurs during observation of anomalous hand actions. We propose that altogether these effects indicate that during speech listening an attentional-like mechanism driven by the motor system, based on a feed-forward anticipatory mechanism constantly verifying incoming information, is working allowing perceptual restoration. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cancer mortality in Brazil

PubMed Central

Barbosa, Isabelle R.; de Souza, Dyego L.B.; Bernal, María M.; Costa, Íris do C.C.

2015-01-01

Abstract Cancer is currently in the spotlight due to their heavy responsibility as main cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Analysis of the epidemiological situation is required as a support tool for the planning of public health measures for the most vulnerable groups. We analyzed cancer mortality trends in Brazil and geographic regions in the period 1996 to 2010 and calculate mortality predictions for the period 2011 to 2030. This is an epidemiological, demographic-based study that utilized information from the Mortality Information System on all deaths due to cancer in Brazil. Mortality trends were analyzed by the Joinpoint regression, and Nordpred was utilized for the calculation of predictions. Stability was verified for the female (annual percentage change [APC] = 0.4%) and male (APC = 0.5%) sexes. The North and Northeast regions present significant increasing trends for mortality in both sexes. Until 2030, female mortality trends will not present considerable variations, but there will be a decrease in mortality trends for the male sex. There will be increases in mortality rates until 2030 for the North and Northeast regions, whereas reductions will be verified for the remaining geographic regions. This variation will be explained by the demographic structure of regions until 2030. There are pronounced regional and sex differences in cancer mortality in Brazil, and these discrepancies will continue to increase until the year 2030, when the Northeast region will present the highest cancer mortality rates in Brazil. PMID:25906105

The Impact of a Year-Long, Same School Social Skills Instruction Program on Students' with Verified Behavioral Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Perceptions of Program Effectiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gaden, Gregory G.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a year-long, same school classroom social skills instruction program on students' with verified Emotional Behavior Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders perceptions of program effectiveness. This study indicated that youth can demonstrate…

Starshades for Exoplanet Imaging and Characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasdin, N. J.; Vanderbei, R. J.; Shaklan, S.; Lisman, D.; Thomson, M.; Cady, E.; Macintosh, B.; Sirbu, D.; Lo, A.

2014-01-01

An external occulter is a satellite employing a large screen, or starshade, that flies in formation with a spaceborne telescope to provide the starlight suppression needed for detecting and characterizing exoplanets. Among the advantages of using an occulter are the broadband allowed for characterization and the removal of light before entering the observatory, greatly relaxing the requirements on the telescope and instrument. In this presentation I will explain how star shades achieve high contrast through precise design and control of their shape and how we develop an error budget to establish requirements on the manufacturing and control. Raising the technology readiness level of starshades requires a sequence of activities to verify approaches to manufacturing, deployment, test, and analysis. The SAT-TDEM program has been instrumental in raising the readiness level of the most critical technology. In particular, I will show the results of our first TDEM in 2010-2012 that verified a full scale petal could be built and measured to the needed accuracy for 10 orders of magnitude of contrast. Our second TDEM in 2012-2014 verified that a starshade could be deployed and the petals could be placed to the required position to better than 1 mm. Finally, laboratory experiments have verified the optical modeling used to predict starshade performance to better than 1e-10.

Development of a point-kinetic verification scheme for nuclear reactor applications

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

Demazière, C., E-mail: demaz@chalmers.se; Dykin, V.; Jareteg, K.

In this paper, a new method that can be used for checking the proper implementation of time- or frequency-dependent neutron transport models and for verifying their ability to recover some basic reactor physics properties is proposed. This method makes use of the application of a stationary perturbation to the system at a given frequency and extraction of the point-kinetic component of the system response. Even for strongly heterogeneous systems for which an analytical solution does not exist, the point-kinetic component follows, as a function of frequency, a simple analytical form. The comparison between the extracted point-kinetic component and its expectedmore » analytical form provides an opportunity to verify and validate neutron transport solvers. The proposed method is tested on two diffusion-based codes, one working in the time domain and the other working in the frequency domain. As long as the applied perturbation has a non-zero reactivity effect, it is demonstrated that the method can be successfully applied to verify and validate time- or frequency-dependent neutron transport solvers. Although the method is demonstrated in the present paper in a diffusion theory framework, higher order neutron transport methods could be verified based on the same principles.« less

Tests of Exoplanet Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrington, Joseph; Challener, Ryan; DeLarme, Emerson; Cubillos, Patricio; Blecic, Jasmina; Foster, Austin; Garland, Justin

2016-10-01

Atmospheric radiative transfer codes are used both to predict planetary spectra and in retrieval algorithms to interpret data. Observational plans, theoretical models, and scientific results thus depend on the correctness of these calculations. Yet, the calculations are complex and the codes implementing them are often written without modern software-verification techniques. In the process of writing our own code, we became aware of several others with artifacts of unknown origin and even outright errors in their spectra. We present a series of tests to verify atmospheric radiative-transfer codes. These include: simple, single-line line lists that, when combined with delta-function abundance profiles, should produce a broadened line that can be verified easily; isothermal atmospheres that should produce analytically-verifiable blackbody spectra at the input temperatures; and model atmospheres with a range of complexities that can be compared to the output of other codes. We apply the tests to our own code, Bayesian Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (BART) and to several other codes. The test suite is open-source software. We propose this test suite as a standard for verifying current and future radiative transfer codes, analogous to the Held-Suarez test for general circulation models. This work was supported by NASA Planetary Atmospheres grant NX12AI69G and NASA Astrophysics Data Analysis Program grant NNX13AF38G.

Solid-state studies and antioxidant properties of the γ-cyclodextrin·fisetin inclusion compound.

PubMed

Pais, Joana M; Barroca, Maria João; Marques, Maria Paula M; Almeida Paz, Filipe A; Braga, Susana S

2017-01-01

Fisetin is a natural antioxidant with a wide range of nutraceutical properties, including antidiabetic, neuroprotecting, and suppression or prevention of tumors. The present work describes the preparation of a water-soluble, solid inclusion compound of fisetin with gamma-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), a cyclic oligosaccharide approved for human consumption. A detailed physicochemical analysis of the product is carried out using elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman, infrared and 13 C{ 1 H} CP-MAS NMR spectroscopies, and thermal analysis (TGA) to verify fisetin inclusion and to present a hypothetical structural arrangement for the host-guest units. The antioxidant activity of the γ-CD·fisetin inclusion compound is evaluated by the DPPH assay.

LISA pathfinder optical interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braxmaier, Claus; Heinzel, Gerhard; Middleton, Kevin F.; Caldwell, Martin E.; Konrad, W.; Stockburger, H.; Lucarelli, S.; te Plate, Maurice B.; Wand, V.; Garcia, A. C.; Draaisma, F.; Pijnenburg, J.; Robertson, D. I.; Killow, Christian; Ward, Harry; Danzmann, Karsten; Johann, Ulrich A.

2004-09-01

The LISA Technology Package (LTP) aboard of LISA pathfinder mission is dedicated to demonstrate and verify key technologies for LISA, in particular drag free control, ultra-precise laser interferometry and gravitational sensor. Two inertial sensor, the optical interferometry in between combined with the dimensional stable Glass ceramic Zerodur structure are setting up the LTP. The validation of drag free operation of the spacecraft is planned by measuring laser interferometrically the relative displacement and tilt between two test masses (and the optical bench) with a noise levels of 10pm/√Hz and 10 nrad/√Hz between 3mHz and 30mHz. This performance and additionally overall environmental tests was currently verified on EM level. The OB structure is able to support two inertial sensors (≍17kg each) and to withstand 25 g design loads as well as 0...40°C temperature range. Optical functionality was verified successfully after environmental tests. The engineering model development and manufacturing of the optical bench and interferometry hardware and their verification tests will be presented.

Formally Verified Practical Algorithms for Recovery from Loss of Separation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butler, Ricky W.; Munoz, Caesar A.

2009-01-01

In this paper, we develop and formally verify practical algorithms for recovery from loss of separation. The formal verification is performed in the context of a criteria-based framework. This framework provides rigorous definitions of horizontal and vertical maneuver correctness that guarantee divergence and achieve horizontal and vertical separation. The algorithms are shown to be independently correct, that is, separation is achieved when only one aircraft maneuvers, and implicitly coordinated, that is, separation is also achieved when both aircraft maneuver. In this paper we improve the horizontal criteria over our previous work. An important benefit of the criteria approach is that different aircraft can execute different algorithms and implicit coordination will still be achieved, as long as they all meet the explicit criteria of the framework. Towards this end we have sought to make the criteria as general as possible. The framework presented in this paper has been formalized and mechanically verified in the Prototype Verification System (PVS).

Prediction of Winter Storm Tracks and Intensities Using the GFDL fvGFS Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rees, S.; Boaggio, K.; Marchok, T.; Morin, M.; Lin, S. J.

2017-12-01

The GFDL Finite-Volume Cubed-Sphere Dynamical core (FV3) is coupled to a modified version of the Global Forecast System (GFS) physics and initial conditions, to form the fvGFS model. This model is similar to the one being implemented as the next-generation operational weather model for the NWS, which is also FV3-powered. Much work has been done to verify fvGFS tropical cyclone prediction, but little has been done to verify winter storm prediction. These costly and dangerous storms impact parts of the U.S. every year. To verify winter storms we ran the NCEP operational cyclone tracker, developed at GFDL, on semi-real-time 13 km horizontal resolution fvGFS forecasts. We have found that fvGFS compares well to the operational GFS in storm track and intensity, though often predicts slightly higher intensities. This presentation will show the track and intensity verification from the past two winter seasons and explore possible reasons for bias.

The space shuttle launch vehicle aerodynamic verification challenges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, R. O.; Austin, L. D.; Hondros, J. G.; Surber, T. E.; Gaines, L. M.; Hamilton, J. T.

1985-01-01

The Space Shuttle aerodynamics and performance communities were challenged to verify the Space Shuttle vehicle (SSV) aerodynamics and system performance by flight measurements. Historically, launch vehicle flight test programs which faced these same challenges were unmanned instrumented flights of simple aerodynamically shaped vehicles. However, the manned SSV flight test program made these challenges more complex because of the unique aerodynamic configuration powered by the first man-rated solid rocket boosters (SRB). The analyses of flight data did not verify the aerodynamics or performance preflight predictions of the first flight of the Space Transportation System (STS-1). However, these analyses have defined the SSV aerodynamics and verified system performance. The aerodynamics community also was challenged to understand the discrepancy between the wind tunnel and flight defined aerodynamics. The preflight analysis challenges, the aerodynamic extraction challenges, and the postflight analyses challenges which led to the SSV system performance verification and which will lead to the verification of the operational ascent aerodynamics data base are presented.

Specification and verification of gate-level VHDL models of synchronous and asynchronous circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russinoff, David M.

1995-01-01

We present a mathematical definition of hardware description language (HDL) that admits a semantics-preserving translation to a subset of VHDL. Our HDL includes the basic VHDL propagation delay mechanisms and gate-level circuit descriptions. We also develop formal procedures for deriving and verifying concise behavioral specifications of combinational and sequential devices. The HDL and the specification procedures have been formally encoded in the computational logic of Boyer and Moore, which provides a LISP implementation as well as a facility for mechanical proof-checking. As an application, we design, specify, and verify a circuit that achieves asynchronous communication by means of the biphase mark protocol.

Model Checking the Remote Agent Planner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khatib, Lina; Muscettola, Nicola; Havelund, Klaus; Norvig, Peter (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

This work tackles the problem of using Model Checking for the purpose of verifying the HSTS (Scheduling Testbed System) planning system. HSTS is the planner and scheduler of the remote agent autonomous control system deployed in Deep Space One (DS1). Model Checking allows for the verification of domain models as well as planning entries. We have chosen the real-time model checker UPPAAL for this work. We start by motivating our work in the introduction. Then we give a brief description of HSTS and UPPAAL. After that, we give a sketch for the mapping of HSTS models into UPPAAL and we present samples of plan model properties one may want to verify.

A MIMO radar quadrature and multi-channel amplitude-phase error combined correction method based on cross-correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yun, Lingtong; Zhao, Hongzhong; Du, Mengyuan

2018-04-01

Quadrature and multi-channel amplitude-phase error have to be compensated in the I/Q quadrature sampling and signal through multi-channel. A new method that it doesn't need filter and standard signal is presented in this paper. And it can combined estimate quadrature and multi-channel amplitude-phase error. The method uses cross-correlation and amplitude ratio between the signal to estimate the two amplitude-phase errors simply and effectively. And the advantages of this method are verified by computer simulation. Finally, the superiority of the method is also verified by measure data of outfield experiments.

Associations of Urinary Cotinine-Verified Active and Passive Smoking with Thyroid Function: Analysis of Population-Based Nationally Representative Data.

PubMed

Kang, Jihun; Kong, Eunhee; Choi, Jongsoon

2018-05-01

The effects of active and passive smoking on thyroid function in the Korean population have not been determined. Furthermore, related research is based on self-reported smoking status, which may be inaccurate, especially among women. The present study aimed at evaluating the association between biochemically verified smoking status and thyroid function in a nationally representative Korean population. This population-based cross-sectional study included 3404 subjects without thyroid disease who were not taking thyroid medication. Smoking status was identified using self-reported data and urinary cotinine levels. Kruskal-Wallis and Jonckheere-Terpstra trend tests were performed to evaluate the association between smoking exposure and thyroid function. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of smoking on subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Biochemically verified active and passive smoking rates were 43.4% and 23.3% among men and 10.0% and 22.9% among women, respectively. Active smokers had significantly lower iodine levels than passive smokers and nonsmokers. Active smoking was associated with decreased serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels among both sexes, although only men exhibited a dose-response relationship between increasing smoking exposure and decreasing TSH levels. Passive smoking slightly decreased TSH levels, but the decrease was not statistically significant. The risk of SCH decreased with increasing smoking exposure in the multivariate-adjusted analysis (p for trend = 0.027 among men and 0.042 among women). Active and passive smoking were associated with decreasing serum TSH levels and a lower risk of SCH in a Korean population. These associations might be related to lower urinary iodine levels in active smokers.

One-Dimensional Ablation with Pyrolysis Gas Flow Using a Full Newton's Method and Finite Control Volume Procedure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amar, Adam J.; Blackwell, Ben F.; Edwards, Jack R.

2007-01-01

The development and verification of a one-dimensional material thermal response code with ablation is presented. The implicit time integrator, control volume finite element spatial discretization, and Newton's method for nonlinear iteration on the entire system of residual equations have been implemented and verified for the thermochemical ablation of internally decomposing materials. This study is a continuation of the work presented in "One-Dimensional Ablation with Pyrolysis Gas Flow Using a Full Newton's Method and Finite Control Volume Procedure" (AIAA-2006-2910), which described the derivation, implementation, and verification of the constant density solid energy equation terms and boundary conditions. The present study extends the model to decomposing materials including decomposition kinetics, pyrolysis gas flow through the porous char layer, and a mixture (solid and gas) energy equation. Verification results are presented for the thermochemical ablation of a carbon-phenolic ablator which involves the solution of the entire system of governing equations.

Non-contact optical sensor for detection of glucose concentration using a magneto-optic effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozana, Nisan; Beiderman, Yevgeny; Anand, Arun; Javidi, Baharam; Polani, Sagi; Schwarz, Ariel; Shemer, Amir; García, Javier; Zalevsky, Zeev

2016-03-01

In this paper we aim to experimentally verify a speckle based technique for non-contact measurement of glucose concentration in blood stream while the vision for the final device aims to contain a single wristwatch-style device containing an AC (alternating) electro-magnet generated by a solenoid, a laser and a camera. The experiments presented in work are performed in-vitro in order to verify the effects that are responsible for the operation principle. When a glucose substance is inserted into a solenoid generating an alternating magnetic field it exhibits Faraday rotation which affects the temporal changes of the secondary speckle patterns distribution. The temporal frequency resulting from the AC magnetic field was found to have a lock-in amplification role which increased the observability of the relatively small magneto-optic effect. Experimental results to support the proposed concept are presented.

Using incident response trees as a tool for risk management of online financial services.

PubMed

Gorton, Dan

2014-09-01

The article introduces the use of probabilistic risk assessment for modeling the incident response process of online financial services. The main contribution is the creation of incident response trees, using event tree analysis, which provides us with a visual tool and a systematic way to estimate the probability of a successful incident response process against the currently known risk landscape, making it possible to measure the balance between front-end and back-end security measures. The model is presented using an illustrative example, and is then applied to the incident response process of a Swedish bank. Access to relevant data is verified and the applicability and usability of the proposed model is verified using one year of historical data. Potential advantages and possible shortcomings are discussed, referring to both the design phase and the operational phase, and future work is presented. © 2014 Society for Risk Analysis.

Experimental measurement-device-independent verification of quantum steering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kocsis, Sacha; Hall, Michael J. W.; Bennet, Adam J.; Saunders, Dylan J.; Pryde, Geoff J.

2015-01-01

Bell non-locality between distant quantum systems—that is, joint correlations which violate a Bell inequality—can be verified without trusting the measurement devices used, nor those performing the measurements. This leads to unconditionally secure protocols for quantum information tasks such as cryptographic key distribution. However, complete verification of Bell non-locality requires high detection efficiencies, and is not robust to typical transmission losses over long distances. In contrast, quantum or Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering, a weaker form of quantum correlation, can be verified for arbitrarily low detection efficiencies and high losses. The cost is that current steering-verification protocols require complete trust in one of the measurement devices and its operator, allowing only one-sided secure key distribution. Here we present measurement-device-independent steering protocols that remove this need for trust, even when Bell non-locality is not present. We experimentally demonstrate this principle for singlet states and states that do not violate a Bell inequality.

Experimental measurement-device-independent verification of quantum steering.

PubMed

Kocsis, Sacha; Hall, Michael J W; Bennet, Adam J; Saunders, Dylan J; Pryde, Geoff J

2015-01-07

Bell non-locality between distant quantum systems--that is, joint correlations which violate a Bell inequality--can be verified without trusting the measurement devices used, nor those performing the measurements. This leads to unconditionally secure protocols for quantum information tasks such as cryptographic key distribution. However, complete verification of Bell non-locality requires high detection efficiencies, and is not robust to typical transmission losses over long distances. In contrast, quantum or Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering, a weaker form of quantum correlation, can be verified for arbitrarily low detection efficiencies and high losses. The cost is that current steering-verification protocols require complete trust in one of the measurement devices and its operator, allowing only one-sided secure key distribution. Here we present measurement-device-independent steering protocols that remove this need for trust, even when Bell non-locality is not present. We experimentally demonstrate this principle for singlet states and states that do not violate a Bell inequality.

Global stability of plane Couette flow beyond the energy stability limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuentes, Federico; Goluskin, David

2017-11-01

This talk will present computations verifying that the laminar state of plane Couette flow is nonlinearly stable to all perturbations. The Reynolds numbers up to which this globally stability is verified are larger than those at which stability can be proven by the energy method, which is the typical method for demonstrating nonlinear stability of a fluid flow. This improvement is achieved by constructing Lyapunov functions that are more general than the energy. These functions are not restricted to being quadratic, and they are allowed to depend explicitly on the spectrum of the velocity field in the eigenbasis of the energy stability operator. The optimal choice of such a Lyapunov function is a convex optimization problem, and it can be constructed with computer assistance by solving a semidefinite program. This general method will be described in a companion talk by David Goluskin; the present talk focuses on its application to plane Couette flow.

Aversive and non-aversive memory impairment in the mucopolysaccharidosis II mouse model.

PubMed

Azambuja, Amanda Stapenhorst; Correa, Lilian; Gabiatti, Bernardo Pappi; Martins, Giselle Renata; de Oliveira Franco, Álvaro; Ribeiro, Maria Flávia Marques; Baldo, Guilherme

2018-02-01

Hunter syndrome (MPS II, OMIM 309900) is a lysosomal storage disorder due to deficient iduronate sulphatase activity. Patients present multiple cognitive alterations, and the aim of this work was to verify if MPS II mice also present some progressive cognitive alterations. For that, MPS II mice from 2 to 6 months of age were submitted to repeated open field and inhibitory avoidance tests to evaluate memory parameters. MPS II mice presented impaired memory at 6 months evaluated by open field test. They also performed poorly in the inhibitory avoidance test from 4 months. We conclude that MPS II mice develop cognitive alterations as the disease progresses. These tests can be used in the future to study the efficacy of therapeutic approaches in the central nervous system.

Modular multiplication in GF(p) for public-key cryptography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olszyna, Jakub

Modular multiplication forms the basis of modular exponentiation which is the core operation of the RSA cryptosystem. It is also present in many other cryptographic algorithms including those based on ECC and HECC. Hence, an efficient implementation of PKC relies on efficient implementation of modular multiplication. The paper presents a survey of most common algorithms for modular multiplication along with hardware architectures especially suitable for cryptographic applications in energy constrained environments. The motivation for studying low-power and areaefficient modular multiplication algorithms comes from enabling public-key security for ultra-low power devices that can perform under constrained environments like wireless sensor networks. Serial architectures for GF(p) are analyzed and presented. Finally proposed architectures are verified and compared according to the amount of power dissipated throughout the operation.

Numerical modeling of spray combustion with an advanced VOF method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Yen-Sen; Shang, Huan-Min; Shih, Ming-Hsin; Liaw, Paul

1995-01-01

This paper summarizes the technical development and validation of a multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical method using the volume-of-fluid (VOF) model and a Lagrangian tracking model which can be employed to analyze general multiphase flow problems with free surface mechanism. The gas-liquid interface mass, momentum and energy conservation relationships are modeled by continuum surface mechanisms. A new solution method is developed such that the present VOF model can be applied for all-speed flow regimes. The objectives of the present study are to develop and verify the fractional volume-of-fluid cell partitioning approach into a predictor-corrector algorithm and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present approach by simulating benchmark problems including laminar impinging jets, shear coaxial jet atomization and shear coaxial spray combustion flows.

Comparison between a new platelet count drop method PL-11, light transmission aggregometry, VerifyNow aspirin system and thromboelastography for monitoring short-term aspirin effects in healthy individuals.

PubMed

Guan, Jie; Cong, Yulong; Ren, Junwei; Zhu, Yuan; Li, Li; Deng, Xinli; Bai, Jie

2015-01-01

Platelet function has been described by many laboratory assays, and PL-11 is a new point-of-care platelet function analyzer based on platelet count drop method, which counts platelet before and after the addition of agonists in the citrated whole blood samples. The present study sought to compare PL-11 with other three major more established assays, light transmission aggregometry (LTA), VerifyNow™ aspirin system and thromboelastography (TEG), for monitoring the short-term aspirin responses in healthy individuals. Ten healthy young men took 100 mg/d aspirin for 3-day treatment. Platelet function was measured via PL-11, LTA, VerifyNow and TEG, respectively. The blood samples were collected at baseline, 2 hour, 1 day during the aspirin treatment and 1 day, 5 ± 1 days, 8 ± 1 days after the aspirin withdrawal. Moreover, 90 additional healthy subjects were recruited to establish a reference range for PL-11. Platelet function of healthy subjects decreased significantly 2 hours after 100 mg/d aspirin intake and began to recover during 4-6 days after the aspirin withdrawal. Correlations between methods were PL-11 vs. LTA (r = 0.614, p < 0.01); PL-11 vs. VerifyNow (r = 0.829, p < 0.01); PL-11 vs. TEG (r = 0.697, p < 0.001). There was no significant bias between PL-11 and LTA at baseline (bias = 1.94%, p = 0.804) using Bland-Altman analysis, while the data of PL-11 were significantly higher than LTA (bias = 24.02%, p < 0.001) during the aspirin therapy. The reference range for PL-11 in healthy young individuals was from 66.8 to 90.5% (95%CI). When aspirin low-responsiveness was defined as LTA > 20%, the cut-off values for each method were, respectively: PL-11 > 50%, VerifyNow > 533 ARU, TEG > 60.2%. The results of different platelet function assays were uninterchangeable for monitoring aspirin response and correlations among them were also varied. Correlations among PL-11 and other three major assays suggested the ability of PL-11 to assess the treatment effects of aspirin. But a large cohort study is needed to confirm the cut-off value of aspirin response detected by PL-11.

Verifying Sediment Fingerprinting Results with Known Mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gellis, A.; Gorman-Sanisaca, L.; Cashman, M. J.

2017-12-01

Sediment fingerprinting is a widely used approach to determine the specific sources of fluvial sediment within a watershed. It relies on the principle that potential sediment sources can be identified using a set of chemical tracers (or fingerprints), and comparison of these source fingerprints with fluvial (target) sediment allows for source apportionment of the fluvial sediment. There are numerous source classifications, fingerprints, and statistical approaches used in the literature to apportion sources of sediment. However, few of these studies have sought to test the method by creating controls on the ratio of sources in the target sediment. Without a controlled environment for inputs and outputs, such verification of results is ambiguous. Here, we generated artificial mixtures of source sediment from an agricultural/forested watershed in Virginia, USA (Smith Creek, 246 km2) to verify the apportionment results. Target samples were established from known mixtures of the four major sediment sources in the watershed (forest, pasture, cropland, and streambanks). The target samples were sieved to less than 63 microns and analyzed for elemental and isotopic chemistry. The target samples and source samples were run through the Sediment Source Assessment Tool (Sed_SAT) to verify if the statistical operations provided the correct apportionment. Sed_SAT uses a multivariate parametric approach to identify the minimum suite of fingerprints that discriminate the source areas and applies these fingerprints through an unmixng model to apportion sediment. The results of this sediment fingerprinting verification experiment will be presented in this session.

Why Verifying Diagnostic Decisions with a Checklist Can Help: Insights from Eye Tracking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sibbald, Matthew; de Bruin, Anique B. H.; Yu, Eric; van Merrienboer, Jeroen J. G.

2015-01-01

Making a diagnosis involves ratifying or verifying a proposed answer. Formalizing this verification process with checklists, which highlight key variables involved in the diagnostic decision, is often advocated. However, the mechanisms by which a checklist might allow clinicians to improve their verification process have not been well studied. We…

76 FR 1620 - Trials to Verify and Describe Clinical Benefit of Midodrine Hydrochloride; Establishment of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-11

... a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit or based on a clinical endpoint other than survival or irreversible morbidity. Approval of PROAMATINE was based on trials... surrogate endpoints are ``subject to the requirement that the applicant study the drug further to verify and...

Phantom publications among applicants to a colorectal surgery residency program.

PubMed

Nasseri, Yosef; Kohanzadeh, Som; Murrell, Zuri; Berel, Dror; Melmed, Gil; Fleshner, Phillip

2011-02-01

Previous studies have reported that as many as one third of applicants misrepresent their publication record on residency or fellowship applications. To determine the incidence of potentially fraudulent (or "phantom") research publications among applicants to a colorectal surgery residency program. Electronic Residency Application Services applications were reviewed. All listed publications were tabulated and checked whether they were published using various search engines. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Applicants from 2006 to 2008. We searched for phantom publications, defined as peer review journal citations that could not be verified. Demographics and other academic factors were compared between applicants with phantom publications and applicants with verifiable publications. Of the 133 study group applicants, there were 91 (68%) males and 58 (44%) whites. Median age of the study cohort was 32 years (range, 27-48 y). Eight-seven of 130 applicants (65%) listed a total of 392 publications. Thirty-six (9%) of these 392 citations could not be verified and were considered to be phantom publications. The 36 phantom publications were identified in 21 applicants, representing 16% (21/133) of all applicants and 24% (21/87) of all applicants who cited publications. We found no significant difference in any demographic or other studied variable between applicants with phantom publications and those with verifiable publications. When comparing applicants with 3 or more phantom publications with applicants with verifiable publications, the former group had a significantly higher rate of individuals over age 35 (50% vs 24%; P = .02), foreign medical school graduates (75% vs 20%; P = .03), and individuals with 5 or more publications (100% vs 30%; P = .01). Publications may simply have been missed in our search. We specifically may have failed to find publications in foreign journals. The significance of professionalism and ethical behavior must be emphasized in surgery training programs.

Sample Acquisition and Analytical Chemistry Challenges to Verifying Compliance to Aviators Breathing Oxygen (ABO) Purity Specification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Graf, John

2015-01-01

NASA has been developing and testing two different types of oxygen separation systems. One type of oxygen separation system uses pressure swing technology, the other type uses a solid electrolyte electrochemical oxygen separation cell. Both development systems have been subjected to long term testing, and performance testing under a variety of environmental and operational conditions. Testing these two systems revealed that measuring the product purity of oxygen, and determining if an oxygen separation device meets Aviator's Breathing Oxygen (ABO) specifications is a subtle and sometimes difficult analytical chemistry job. Verifying product purity of cryogenically produced oxygen presents a different set of analytical chemistry challenges. This presentation will describe some of the sample acquisition and analytical chemistry challenges presented by verifying oxygen produced by an oxygen separator - and verifying oxygen produced by cryogenic separation processes. The primary contaminant that causes gas samples to fail to meet ABO requirements is water. The maximum amount of water vapor allowed is 7 ppmv. The principal challenge of verifying oxygen produced by an oxygen separator is that it is produced relatively slowly, and at comparatively low temperatures. A short term failure that occurs for just a few minutes in the course of a 1 week run could cause an entire tank to be rejected. Continuous monitoring of oxygen purity and water vapor could identify problems as soon as they occur. Long term oxygen separator tests were instrumented with an oxygen analyzer and with an hygrometer: a GE Moisture Monitor Series 35. This hygrometer uses an aluminum oxide sensor. The user's manual does not report this, but long term exposure to pure oxygen causes the aluminum oxide sensor head to bias dry. Oxygen product that exceeded the 7 ppm specification was improperly accepted, because the sensor had biased. The bias is permanent - exposure to air does not cause the sensor to return to its original response - but the bias can be accounted for by recalibrating the sensor. After this issue was found, continuous measurements of water vapor in the oxygen product were made using an FTIR. The FTIR cell is relatively large, so response time is slow - but moisture measurements were repeatable and accurate. Verifying ABO compliance for oxygen produced by commercial cryogenic processes has a different set of sample acquisition and analytical chemistry challenges. Customers want analytical chemists to conserve as much as possible. Hygrometers are not exposed to hours of continuous flow of oxygen, so they don't bias, but small amounts of contamination in valves can cause a "fail". K bottles are periodically cleaned and recertified - after cleaning residual moisture can cause a "fail". Operators let bottle pressure drop to room pressure, introduce outside air into the bottle, and the subsequent fill will "fail". Outside storage of K-bottles has allowed enough in-leakage, so contents will "fail".

Family dynamics, hopelessness and psychiatric disturbance in parasuicidal adolescents.

PubMed

Pillay, A L; Wassenaar, D R

1997-04-01

Adolescent parasuicide has often has been associated with family disturbance, hopelessness and psychiatric disturbance, but little empirical work has been done to verify these clinical impressions. The present study compares matched groups of hospitalised parasuicidal adolescents, non-psychiatric medically hospitalised adolescents and a control group on measures of family disturbance, hopelessness and psychopathology. The findings reveal significantly higher levels of family disturbance, hopelessness and depressive symptoms in the parasuicidal group. The results suggest that prevention and treatment of adolescent parasuicide should focus on both individual and family dynamics.

Dermatoglyphic characters and physique: a correlation study.

PubMed

Rothhammer, F; Llop, E; Neel, J V

1982-01-01

The association of anthropometrics, particularly hand measurements, with dermatoglyphic characters is quantified. Children with square hands exhibit higher main line indices, a-b ridge counts, and more open atd angles. Adults with broader hands have more arches. Taller individuals with larger hands present higher a-b ridge counts and leaner subjects with long narrow hands, closer atd angles. The correlation of physique and dermatoglyphics is small but if verified, suggests that at early fetal stages, factors responsible for the establishment of dermatoglyphic patterns interact with genetic determinants of adult shape that are already active.

A computational study of low-head direct chill slab casting of aluminum alloy AA2024

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasan, Mainul; Begum, Latifa

2016-04-01

The steady state casting of an industrial-sized AA2024 slab has been modeled for a vertical low-head direct chill caster. The previously verified 3-D CFD code is used to investigate the solidification phenomena of the said long-range alloy by varying the pouring temperature, casting speed and the metal-mold contact heat transfer coefficient from 654 to 702 °C, 60-180 mm/min, and 1.0-4.0 kW/(m2 K), respectively. The important predicted results are presented and thoroughly discussed.

Synchronization and anti-synchronization of a fractional order delayed memristor-based chaotic system using active control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Dawei; Qian, Xin; Wang, Nian; Liang, Dong

2018-05-01

In this paper, the issue of synchronization and anti-synchronization for fractional-delayed memristor-based chaotic system is studied by using active control strategy. Firstly, some explicit conditions are proposed to guarantee the synchronization and anti-synchronization of the proposed system. Secondly, the influence of order and time delay on the synchronization (anti-synchronization) is discussed. It reveals that synchronization (anti-synchronization) is faster as the order increases or the time delay decreases. Finally, some numerical simulations are presented to verify the validity of our theoretical analysis.

Analytical and experimental study of control effort associated with model reference adaptive control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Messer, R. S.; Haftka, R. T.; Cudney, H. H.

1992-01-01

Numerical simulation results presently obtained for the performance of model reference adaptive control (MRAC) are experimentally verified, with a view to accounting for differences between the plant and the reference model after the control function has been brought to bear. MRAC is both experimentally and analytically applied to a single-degree-of-freedom system, as well as analytically to a MIMO system having controlled differences between the reference model and the plant. The control effort is noted to be sensitive to differences between the plant and the reference model.

Omnidirectional-view three-dimensional display system based on cylindrical selective-diffusing screen.

PubMed

Xia, Xinxing; Zheng, Zhenrong; Liu, Xu; Li, Haifeng; Yan, Caijie

2010-09-10

We utilized a high-frame-rate projector, a rotating mirror, and a cylindrical selective-diffusing screen to present a novel three-dimensional (3D) omnidirectional-view display system without the need for any special viewing aids. The display principle and image size are analyzed, and the common display zone is proposed. The viewing zone for one observation place is also studied. The experimental results verify this method, and a vivid color 3D scene with occlusion and smooth parallax is also demonstrated with the system.

Analysis of a Possible Future Degradation in the DORIS Geodetic Results Related to Changes in the Satellite Constellation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willis, Pascal

2006-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the consequences of losing one or more of the 4 remaining Doppler & Ranging Information System (DORIS) satellites and any impact such a loss might have on geodesy. The goals of this program are to analyze the sensitivity of the current DORIS geodetic results (station position and polar motion) to the size of the DORIS constellation and to verify if some satellites are most important or less important than others. The conclusions of the study are summarized.

Validation of a three-dimensional viscous analysis of axisymmetric supersonic inlet flow fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benson, T. J.; Anderson, B. H.

1983-01-01

A three-dimensional viscous marching analysis for supersonic inlets was developed. To verify this analysis several benchmark axisymmetric test configurations were studied and are compared to experimental data. Detailed two-dimensional results for shock-boundary layer interactions are presented for flows with and without boundary layer bleed. Three dimensional calculations of a cone at angle of attack and a full inlet at attack are also discussed and evaluated. Results of the calculations demonstrate the code's ability to predict complex flow fields and establish guidelines for future calculations using similar codes.

SU-E-T-361: Energy Dependent Radiation/light-Field Misalignment On Truebeam Linear Accelerator

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

Sperling, N; Tanny, S; Parsai, E

2015-06-15

Purpose: Verifying the co-incidence of the radiation and light field is recommended by TG-142 for monthly and annual checks. On a digital accelerator, it is simple to verify that beam steering settings are consistent with accepted and commissioned values. This fact should allow for physicists to verify radiation-light-field co-incidence for a single energy and accept that Result for all energies. We present a case where the radiation isocenter deviated for a single energy without any apparent modification to the beam steering parameters. Methods: The radiation isocenter was determined using multiple Methods: Gafchromic film, a BB test, and radiation profiles measuredmore » with a diode. Light-field borders were marked on Gafchromic film and then irradiated for all photon energies. Images of acceptance films were compared with films taken four months later. A phantom with a radio-opaque BB was aligned to isocenter using the light-field and imaged using the EPID for all photon energies. An unshielded diode was aligned using the crosshairs and then beam profiles of multiple field sizes were obtained. Field centers were determined using Omni-Pro v7.4 software, and compared to similar scans taken during commissioning. Beam steering parameter files were checked against backups to determine that the steering parameters were unchanged. Results: There were no differences between the configuration files from acceptance. All three tests demonstrated that a single energy had deviated from accepted values by 0.8 mm in the inline direction. The other two energies remained consistent with previous measurements. The deviated energy was re-steered to be within our clinical tolerance. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that radiation-light-field coincidence is an energy dependent effect for modern linacs. We recommend that radiation-light-field coincidence be verified for all energies on a monthly basis, particularly for modes used to treat small fields, as these may drift without influencing results from other tests.« less

Verifying a Computer Algorithm Mathematically.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olson, Alton T.

1986-01-01

Presents an example of mathematics from an algorithmic point of view, with emphasis on the design and verification of this algorithm. The program involves finding roots for algebraic equations using the half-interval search algorithm. The program listing is included. (JN)

Prediction of fog/visibility over India using NWP Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Aditi; George, John P.; Iyengar, Gopal Raman

2018-03-01

Frequent occurrence of fog in different parts of northern India is common during the winter months of December and January. Low visibility conditions due to fog disrupt normal public life. Visibility conditions heavily affect both surface and air transport. A number of flights are either diverted or cancelled every year during the winter season due to low visibility conditions, experienced at different airports of north India. Thus, fog and visibility forecasts over plains of north India become very important during winter months. This study aims to understand the ability of a NWP model (NCMRWF, Unified Model, NCUM) with a diagnostic visibility scheme to forecast visibility over plains of north India. The present study verifies visibility forecasts obtained from NCUM against the INSAT-3D fog images and visibility observations from the METAR reports of different stations in the plains of north India. The study shows that the visibility forecast obtained from NCUM can provide reasonably good indication of the spatial extent of fog in advance of one day. The fog intensity is also predicted fairly well. The study also verifies the simple diagnostic model for fog which is driven by NWP model forecast of surface relative humidity and wind speed. The performance of NWP model forecast of visibility is found comparable to that from simple fog model driven by NWP forecast of relative humidity and wind speed.

Prediction of Drug-Drug Interactions with Crizotinib as the CYP3A Substrate Using a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model.

PubMed

Yamazaki, Shinji; Johnson, Theodore R; Smith, Bill J

2015-10-01

An orally available multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor, crizotinib (Xalkori), is a CYP3A substrate, moderate time-dependent inhibitor, and weak inducer. The main objectives of the present study were to: 1) develop and refine a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of crizotinib on the basis of clinical single- and multiple-dose results, 2) verify the crizotinib PBPK model from crizotinib single-dose drug-drug interaction (DDI) results with multiple-dose coadministration of ketoconazole or rifampin, and 3) apply the crizotinib PBPK model to predict crizotinib multiple-dose DDI outcomes. We also focused on gaining insights into the underlying mechanisms mediating crizotinib DDIs using a dynamic PBPK model, the Simcyp population-based simulator. First, PBPK model-predicted crizotinib exposures adequately matched clinically observed results in the single- and multiple-dose studies. Second, the model-predicted crizotinib exposures sufficiently matched clinically observed results in the crizotinib single-dose DDI studies with ketoconazole or rifampin, resulting in the reasonably predicted fold-increases in crizotinib exposures. Finally, the predicted fold-increases in crizotinib exposures in the multiple-dose DDI studies were roughly comparable to those in the single-dose DDI studies, suggesting that the effects of crizotinib CYP3A time-dependent inhibition (net inhibition) on the multiple-dose DDI outcomes would be negligible. Therefore, crizotinib dose-adjustment in the multiple-dose DDI studies could be made on the basis of currently available single-dose results. Overall, we believe that the crizotinib PBPK model developed, refined, and verified in the present study would adequately predict crizotinib oral exposures in other clinical studies, such as DDIs with weak/moderate CYP3A inhibitors/inducers and drug-disease interactions in patients with hepatic or renal impairment. Copyright © 2015 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Case study of flexure and shear strengthening of RC beams by CFRP using FEA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jankowiak, Iwona

2018-01-01

In the paper the preliminary results of study on strengthening RC beams by means of CFRP materials under mixed shear-flexural work condition are presented. The Finite Element Method analyses were performed using numerical models proposed and verified earlier by the results of laboratory tests [4, 5] for estimation of effectiveness of CFRP strengthening of RC beams under flexure. The currently conducted analyses deal with 3D models of RC beams under mixed shear-flexural loading conditions. The symmetry of analyzed beams was taken into account (in both directions). The application of Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model of RC beam allowed to predict a layout and propagation of cracks leading to failure. Different cases of strengthening were analyzed: with the use of CFRP strip or CFRP closed hoops as well as with the combination of above mentioned. The preliminary study was carried out and the first results were presented.

A Novel Computer-Aided Approach for Parametric Investigation of Custom Design of Fracture Fixation Plates.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaozhong; He, Kunjin; Chen, Zhengming

2017-01-01

The present study proposes an integrated computer-aided approach combining femur surface modeling, fracture evidence recover plate creation, and plate modification in order to conduct a parametric investigation of the design of custom plate for a specific patient. The study allows for improving the design efficiency of specific plates on the patients' femur parameters and the fracture information. Furthermore, the present approach will lead to exploration of plate modification and optimization. The three-dimensional (3D) surface model of a detailed femur and the corresponding fixation plate were represented with high-level feature parameters, and the shape of the specific plate was recursively modified in order to obtain the optimal plate for a specific patient. The proposed approach was tested and verified on a case study, and it could be helpful for orthopedic surgeons to design and modify the plate in order to fit the specific femur anatomy and the fracture information.

Implicit Self-Importance in an Interpersonal Pronoun Categorization Task

PubMed Central

Fetterman, Adam K.; Robinson, Michael D.; Gilbertson, Elizabeth P.

2014-01-01

Object relations theories emphasize the manner in which the salience/importance of implicit representations of self and other guide interpersonal functioning. Two studies and a pilot test (total N = 304) sought to model such representations. In dyadic contexts, the self is a “you” and the other is a “me”, as verified in a pilot test. Study 1 then used a simple categorization task and found evidence for implicit self-importance: The pronoun “you” was categorized more quickly and accurately when presented in a larger font size, whereas the pronoun “me” was categorized more quickly and accurately when presented in a smaller font size. Study 2 showed that this pattern possesses value in understanding individual differences in interpersonal functioning. As predicted, arrogant people scored higher in implicit self-importance in the paradigm. Findings are discussed from the perspective of dyadic interpersonal dynamics. PMID:25419089

Atmosphere behavior in gas-closed mouse-algal systems - An experimental and modelling study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Averner, M. M.; Moore, B., III; Bartholomew, I.; Wharton, R.

1984-01-01

A NASA-sponsored research program initiated using mathematical modelling and laboratory experimentation aimed at examining the gas-exchange characteristics of artificial animal/plant systems closed to the ambient atmosphere is studied. The development of control techniques and management strategies for maintaining the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen at physiological levels is considered. A mathematical model simulating the behavior of a gas-closed mouse-algal system under varying environmental conditions is described. To verify and validate the model simulations, an analytical system with which algal growth and gas exchange characteristics can be manipulated and measured is designed, fabricated, and tested. The preliminary results are presented.

Investigation of the surface sensitivity of positron-annihilation-induced Auger-electron spectroscopy

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

Mehl, D.R.

1990-01-01

The first surface sensitivity studies of positron-annihilation-induced Auger-electron spectroscopy (PAES) are presented. Preliminary measurements on polycrystalline Al with adsorbates indicate that PAES is more selective of the surface than conventional electron-induced Auger electron spectroscopy (EAES). PAES and EAES studies of well-defined overlayer-metal systems of Cu(110)+S and Cu(110)+Cs verify that PAES is selective of the top atomic layer. This surface selectivity is accounted for by theoretical calculations which indicate that the positron surface state is displaced away from the substrate by the over-layer, decreasing the annihilation rate of positrons with substrate core electrons.

Requirements and Sizing Investigation for the Constellation Space Suit Portable Life Support System Trace Contaminant Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jennings, Mallory A.; Paul, Heather L.; Waguespack, Glenn M.

2010-01-01

This presentation summarized the results of a trade study that evaluated whether trace contaminant control within the Constellation Spacesuit PLSS could be achieved without a Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) by relying on suit leakage, ullage loss from the carbon dioxide and humidity control system, and other factors. Mallory Jennings and Dr. Glenn Waguespack studied trace contaminant generation rates to verify that values reflected the latest designs for Constellation spacesuit system pressure garment materials and PLSS hardware. They also calculated TCCS sizing and conducted a literature survey to review the latest developments in trace contaminant technologies.

Antimicrobial Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Using Water Extract of Arnicae anthodium.

PubMed

Dobrucka, Renata; Długaszewska, Jolanta

2015-06-01

Green synthesis of nanoparticles has gained significant importance in recent years and has become the one of the most preferred methods. Also, green synthesis of nanoparticles is valuable branch of nanotechnology. Plant extracts are eco-friendly and can be an economic option for synthesis of nanoparticles. This study presents method the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using water extract of Arnicae anthodium. Formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-visble spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis. The morphology of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was verified by SEM-EDS. The obtained silver nanoparticles were used to study their antimicrobial activity.

Dynamic deformation of soft soil media: Experimental studies and mathematical modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balandin, V. V.; Bragov, A. M.; Igumnov, L. A.; Konstantinov, A. Yu.; Kotov, V. L.; Lomunov, A. K.

2015-05-01

A complex experimental-theoretical approach to studying the problem of high-rate strain of soft soil media is presented. This approach combines the following contemporary methods of dynamical tests: the modified Hopkinson-Kolsky method applied tomedium specimens contained in holders and the method of plane wave shock experiments. The following dynamic characteristics of sand soils are obtained: shock adiabatic curves, bulk compressibility curves, and shear resistance curves. The obtained experimental data are used to study the high-rate strain process in the system of a split pressure bar, and the constitutive relations of Grigoryan's mathematical model of soft soil medium are verified by comparing the results of computational and natural test experiments of impact and penetration.

Pilot study and evaluation of a SMMR-derived sea ice data base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barry, R. G.; Anderson, M. R.; Crane, R. G.; Troisi, V. J.; Weaver, R. L.

1984-01-01

Data derived from the Nimbus 7 scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR) are discussed and the types of problems users have with satellite data are documented. The development of software for assessing the SMMR data is mentioned. Two case studies were conducted to verify the SMMR-derived sea ice concentrations and multi-year ice fractions. The results of a survey of potential users of SMMR data are presented, along with SMMR-derived sea ice concentration and multiyear ice fraction maps. The interaction of the Arctic atmosphere with the ice was studied using the Nimbus 7 SMMR. In addition, the characteristics of ice in the Arctic ocean were determined from SMMR data.

Composite Socio-Technical Systems: A Method for Social Energy Systems

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

Zhang, Yingchen; He, Fulin; Hao, Jun

In order to model and study the interactions between social on technical systems, a systemic method, namely the composite socio-technical systems (CSTS), is proposed to incorporate social systems, technical systems and the interaction mechanism between them. A case study on University of Denver (DU) campus grid is presented in paper to demonstrate the application of the proposed method. In the case study, the social system, technical system, and the interaction mechanism are defined and modelled within the framework of CSTS. Distributed and centralized control and management schemes are investigated, respectively, and numerical results verifies the feasibility and performance of themore » proposed composite system method.« less

A PERFECT MATCH CONDITION FOR POINT-SET MATCHING PROBLEMS USING THE OPTIMAL MASS TRANSPORT APPROACH

PubMed Central

CHEN, PENGWEN; LIN, CHING-LONG; CHERN, I-LIANG

2013-01-01

We study the performance of optimal mass transport-based methods applied to point-set matching problems. The present study, which is based on the L2 mass transport cost, states that perfect matches always occur when the product of the point-set cardinality and the norm of the curl of the non-rigid deformation field does not exceed some constant. This analytic result is justified by a numerical study of matching two sets of pulmonary vascular tree branch points whose displacement is caused by the lung volume changes in the same human subject. The nearly perfect match performance verifies the effectiveness of this mass transport-based approach. PMID:23687536

Determination of Acreage Thermal Protection Foam Loss From Ice and Foam Impacts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carney, Kelly S.; Lawrence, Charles

2015-01-01

A parametric study was conducted to establish Thermal Protection System (TPS) loss from foam and ice impact conditions similar to what might occur on the Space Launch System. This study was based upon the large amount of testing and analysis that was conducted with both ice and foam debris impacts on TPS acreage foam for the Space Shuttle Project External Tank. Test verified material models and modeling techniques that resulted from Space Shuttle related testing were utilized for this parametric study. Parameters varied include projectile mass, impact velocity and impact angle (5 degree and 10 degree impacts). The amount of TPS acreage foam loss as a result of the various impact conditions is presented.

Conceptual Design of Low-Boom Aircraft with Flight Trim Requirement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ordaz, Irian; Geiselhart, Karl A.; Fenbert, James W.

2014-01-01

A new low-boom target generation approach is presented which allows the introduction of a trim requirement during the early conceptual design of supersonic aircraft. The formulation provides an approximation of the center of pressure for a presumed aircraft configuration with a reversed equivalent area matching a low-boom equivalent area target. The center of pressure is approximated from a surrogate lift distribution that is based on the lift component of the classical equivalent area. The assumptions of the formulation are verified to be sufficiently accurate for a supersonic aircraft of high fineness ratio through three case studies. The first two quantify and verify the accuracy and the sensitivity of the surrogate center of pressure corresponding to shape deformation of lifting components. The third verification case shows the capability of the approach to achieve a trim state while maintaining the low-boom characteristics of a previously untrimmed configuration. Finally, the new low-boom target generation approach is demonstrated through the early conceptual design of a demonstrator concept that is low-boom feasible, trimmed, and stable in cruise.

[Evaluation of the incidence of dental caries in patients with Down syndrome after their insertion in a preventive program].

PubMed

Castilho, Aline Rogéria Freire de; Marta, Sara Nader

2010-10-01

The objective of this work was to verify the incidence of dental caries by means of the CPO-D, CPO-S, ceo-d and ceo-s indexes in patients with Down syndrome regularly enrolled in a preventive program. Twenty four Down syndrome patients of both sexes age range of one to 48 years were examined. The prevalence (initial experimental situation) and incidence (final experimental situation) of dental caries were verified using of the initial and final CPO-D, CPO-S, ceo-d and ceo-s indexes of the participants. From 24 individual examined, 10 (42.0%) were free of caries. The prevalence of dental caries showed values of CPO-D= 2.33; CPO-S= 3.60; ceo-d= 1.75 e ceo-s= 2.80; while the incidence of caries showed values of 2.33; 3.80; 1.10 e 1.90, respectively. Down syndrome individuals evaluated in this study presented low level of caries and small incidence of new lesions, emphasizing the importance of the maintenance of these patients at preventive programs.

Liver melanomacrophage centres and CYP1A expression as response biomarkers to environmental pollution in European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) from the western Mediterranean Sea.

PubMed

Basilone, Gualtiero; Gargano, Antonella; Corriero, Aldo; Zupa, Rosa; Santamaria, Nicoletta; Mangano, Salvatore; Ferreri, Rosalia; Pulizzi, Maurizio; Mazzola, Salvatore; Bonanno, Angelo; Passantino, Letizia

2018-06-01

The goal of the present study was to verify the suitability of using melanomacrophage centres (MMCs) as response biomarkers of marine pollution in European anchovy, which are short-lived, migratory, small pelagic fish. This suitability was verified by analysing the MMC density and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 1A (CYP1A) expression in livers of anchovies from four areas of southern Italy. Age 2 anchovies sampled from three areas exposed to pollutants of industrial/agricultural origin (Gulf of Gela, Mazara del Vallo and Gulf of Naples) showed liver areas occupied by MMCs and numbers of MMCs that were significantly higher than those in the anchovies from Pozzallo, which is a marine area not subjected to any source of pollution. Anti-CYP1A immunoreactivity was observed in the hepatocytes of all specimens sampled from the Gulf of Gela. These findings suggest the utility of liver MMCs as biomarkers of exposure to pollutants in this small pelagic fish. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling Belt-Servomechanism by Chebyshev Functional Recurrent Neuro-Fuzzy Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Yuan-Ruey; Kang, Yuan; Chu, Ming-Hui; Chang, Yeon-Pun

A novel Chebyshev functional recurrent neuro-fuzzy (CFRNF) network is developed from a combination of the Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) fuzzy model and the Chebyshev recurrent neural network (CRNN). The CFRNF network can emulate the nonlinear dynamics of a servomechanism system. The system nonlinearity is addressed by enhancing the input dimensions of the consequent parts in the fuzzy rules due to functional expansion of a Chebyshev polynomial. The back propagation algorithm is used to adjust the parameters of the antecedent membership functions as well as those of consequent functions. To verify the performance of the proposed CFRNF, the experiment of the belt servomechanism is presented in this paper. Both of identification methods of adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and recurrent neural network (RNN) are also studied for modeling of the belt servomechanism. The analysis and comparison results indicate that CFRNF makes identification of complex nonlinear dynamic systems easier. It is verified that the accuracy and convergence of the CFRNF are superior to those of ANFIS and RNN by the identification results of a belt servomechanism.

ERP Modulation during Observation of Abstract Paintings by Franz Kline

PubMed Central

Sbriscia-Fioretti, Beatrice; Berchio, Cristina; Freedberg, David; Gallese, Vittorio; Umiltà, Maria Alessandra

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to test the involvement of sensorimotor cortical circuits during the beholding of the static consequences of hand gestures devoid of any meaning.In order to verify this hypothesis we performed an EEG experiment presenting to participants images of abstract works of art with marked traces of brushstrokes. The EEG data were analyzed by using Event Related Potentials (ERPs). We aimed to demonstrate a direct involvement of sensorimotor cortical circuits during the beholding of these selected works of abstract art. The stimuli consisted of three different abstract black and white paintings by Franz Kline. Results verified our experimental hypothesis showing the activation of premotor and motor cortical areas during stimuli observation. In addition, abstract works of art observation elicited the activation of reward-related orbitofrontal areas, and cognitive categorization-related prefrontal areas. The cortical sensorimotor activation is a fundamental neurophysiological demonstration of the direct involvement of the cortical motor system in perception of static meaningless images belonging to abstract art. These results support the role of embodied simulation of artist’s gestures in the perception of works of art. PMID:24130693

Identifying the 'right patient': nurse and consumer perspectives on verifying patient identity during medication administration.

PubMed

Kelly, Teresa; Roper, Cath; Elsom, Stephen; Gaskin, Cadeyrn

2011-10-01

Accurate verification of patient identity during medication administration is an important component of medication administration practice. In medical and surgical inpatient settings, the use of identification aids, such as wristbands, is common. In many psychiatric inpatient units in Victoria, Australia, however, standardized identification aids are not used. The present paper outlines the findings of a qualitative research project that employed focus groups to examine mental health nurse and mental health consumer perspectives on the identification of patients during routine medication administration in psychiatric inpatient units. The study identified a range of different methods currently employed to verify patient identity, including technical methods, such as wristband and photographs, and interpersonal methods, such as patient recognition. There were marked similarities in the perspectives of mental health nurses and mental health consumers regarding their opinions and preferences. Technical aids were seen as important, but not as a replacement for the therapeutic nurse-patient encounter. © 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing © 2011 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.

Warhead verification as inverse problem: Applications of neutron spectrum unfolding from organic-scintillator measurements

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

Lawrence, Chris C.; Flaska, Marek; Pozzi, Sara A.

2016-08-14

Verification of future warhead-dismantlement treaties will require detection of certain warhead attributes without the disclosure of sensitive design information, and this presents an unusual measurement challenge. Neutron spectroscopy—commonly eschewed as an ill-posed inverse problem—may hold special advantages for warhead verification by virtue of its insensitivity to certain neutron-source parameters like plutonium isotopics. In this article, we investigate the usefulness of unfolded neutron spectra obtained from organic-scintillator data for verifying a particular treaty-relevant warhead attribute: the presence of high-explosive and neutron-reflecting materials. Toward this end, several improvements on current unfolding capabilities are demonstrated: deuterated detectors are shown to have superior response-matrixmore » condition to that of standard hydrogen-base scintintillators; a novel data-discretization scheme is proposed which removes important detector nonlinearities; and a technique is described for re-parameterizing the unfolding problem in order to constrain the parameter space of solutions sought, sidestepping the inverse problem altogether. These improvements are demonstrated with trial measurements and verified using accelerator-based time-of-flight calculation of reference spectra. Then, a demonstration is presented in which the elemental compositions of low-Z neutron-attenuating materials are estimated to within 10%. These techniques could have direct application in verifying the presence of high-explosive materials in a neutron-emitting test item, as well as other for treaty verification challenges.« less

Warhead verification as inverse problem: Applications of neutron spectrum unfolding from organic-scintillator measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawrence, Chris C.; Febbraro, Michael; Flaska, Marek; Pozzi, Sara A.; Becchetti, F. D.

2016-08-01

Verification of future warhead-dismantlement treaties will require detection of certain warhead attributes without the disclosure of sensitive design information, and this presents an unusual measurement challenge. Neutron spectroscopy—commonly eschewed as an ill-posed inverse problem—may hold special advantages for warhead verification by virtue of its insensitivity to certain neutron-source parameters like plutonium isotopics. In this article, we investigate the usefulness of unfolded neutron spectra obtained from organic-scintillator data for verifying a particular treaty-relevant warhead attribute: the presence of high-explosive and neutron-reflecting materials. Toward this end, several improvements on current unfolding capabilities are demonstrated: deuterated detectors are shown to have superior response-matrix condition to that of standard hydrogen-base scintintillators; a novel data-discretization scheme is proposed which removes important detector nonlinearities; and a technique is described for re-parameterizing the unfolding problem in order to constrain the parameter space of solutions sought, sidestepping the inverse problem altogether. These improvements are demonstrated with trial measurements and verified using accelerator-based time-of-flight calculation of reference spectra. Then, a demonstration is presented in which the elemental compositions of low-Z neutron-attenuating materials are estimated to within 10%. These techniques could have direct application in verifying the presence of high-explosive materials in a neutron-emitting test item, as well as other for treaty verification challenges.

Spawning by lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Detroit River

USGS Publications Warehouse

Caswell, N.M.; Peterson, D.L.; Manny, B.A.; Kennedy, G.W.

2004-01-01

Overfishing and habitat destruction in the early 1900s devastated lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations in the Great Lakes. Although a comprehensive restoration strategy for this species was recently drafted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, a lack of current data on Great Lakes sturgeon stocks has hindered rehabilitation efforts. Historically, the Detroit River supported one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in the Great Lakes; however, little is known about the current population or its habitat use. The main objective of this study was to determine if lake sturgeon spawns in the Detroit River. As part of a larger study, baited setlines were used to capture lake sturgeon in the Detroit River in the spring and summer of 2000 and 2001. In each year of the study, ultrasonic transmitters were surgically implanted in 10 adult fish to track their movements, evaluate habitat use and identify possible spawning sites. Using telemetry and egg mats to verify spawning activity, one spawning site was located and verified in the Detroit River. Spawning was verified by recovering sturgeon eggs deposited on egg collection mats anchored at the site. Telemetry data suggested that several other possible spawning sites also may exist, however, spawning activity was not verified at these sites.

Magnetic pumping as a source of particle heating in the solar wind

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lichko, E. R.; Egedal, J.; Daughton, W. S.; Kasper, J. C.

2017-12-01

Magnetic pumping is a means of heating plasmas for both fusion and astrophysical applications. In this study a magnetic pumping model is developed as a possible explanation for the heating and the generation of power-law distribution functions observed in the solar wind plasma. In most previous studies turbulent energy is only dissipated at microscopic kinetic scales. In contrast, magnetic pumping energizes the particles through the largest scale turbulent fluctuations, thus bypassing the energy cascade. Kinetic simulations are applied to verify these analytic predictions. Previous results for the one-dimensional model, as well as initial results for a two-dimensional model which includes the effects of trapped and passing particles are presented. Preliminary results of the presence of this mechanism in the bow shock region, using spacecraft data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, are presented as well.

Nanostructure Formation by controlled dewetting on patterned substrates: A combined theoretical, modeling and experimental study

PubMed Central

Lu, Liang-Xing; Wang, Ying-Min; Srinivasan, Bharathi Madurai; Asbahi, Mohamed; Yang, Joel K. W.; Zhang, Yong-Wei

2016-01-01

We perform systematic two-dimensional energetic analysis to study the stability of various nanostructures formed by dewetting solid films deposited on patterned substrates. Our analytical results show that by controlling system parameters such as the substrate surface pattern, film thickness and wetting angle, a variety of equilibrium nanostructures can be obtained. Phase diagrams are presented to show the complex relations between these system parameters and various nanostructure morphologies. We further carry out both phase field simulations and dewetting experiments to validate the analytically derived phase diagrams. Good agreements between the results from our energetic analyses and those from our phase field simulations and experiments verify our analysis. Hence, the phase diagrams presented here provide guidelines for using solid-state dewetting as a tool to achieve various nanostructures. PMID:27580943

Systematic cavity design approach for a multi-frequency gyrotron for DEMO and study of its RF behavior

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

Kalaria, P. C., E-mail: parth.kalaria@partner.kit.edu; Avramidis, K. A.; Franck, J.

High frequency (>230 GHz) megawatt-class gyrotrons are planned as RF sources for electron cyclotron resonance heating and current drive in DEMOnstration fusion power plants (DEMOs). In this paper, for the first time, a feasibility study of a 236 GHz DEMO gyrotron is presented by considering all relevant design goals and the possible technical limitations. A mode-selection procedure is proposed in order to satisfy the multi-frequency and frequency-step tunability requirements. An effective systematic design approach for the optimal design of a gradually tapered cavity is presented. The RF-behavior of the proposed cavity is verified rigorously, supporting 920 kW of stable output power withmore » an interaction efficiency of 36% including the considerations of realistic beam parameters.« less

Axially grooved heat pipe study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

A technology evaluation study on axially grooved heat pipes is presented. The state-of-the-art is reviewed and present and future requirements are identified. Analytical models, the Groove Analysis Program (GAP) and a closed form solution, were developed to facilitate parametric performance evaluations. GAP provides a numerical solution of the differential equations which govern the hydrodynamic flow. The model accounts for liquid recession, liquid/vapor shear interaction, puddle flow as well as laminar and turbulent vapor flow conditions. The closed form solution was developed to reduce computation time and complexity in parametric evaluations. It is applicable to laminar and ideal charge conditions, liquid/vapor shear interaction, and an empirical liquid flow factor which accounts for groove geometry and liquid recession effects. The validity of the closed form solution is verified by comparison with GAP predictions and measured data.

Crucibleless crystal growth and Radioluminescence study of calcium tungstate single crystal fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, M. S.; Jesus, L. M.; Barbosa, L. B.; Ardila, D. R.; Andreeta, J. P.; Silva, R. S.

2014-11-01

In this article, single phase and high optical quality scheelite calcium tungstate single crystal fibers were grown by using the crucibleless laser heated pedestal growth technique. The as-synthesized calcium tungstate powders used for shaping seed and feed rods were investigated by X-ray diffraction technique. As-grown crystals were studied by Raman spectroscopy and Radioluminescence measurements. The results indicate that in both two cases, calcined powder and single crystal fiber, only the expected scheelite CaWO4 phase was observed. It was verified large homogeneity in the crystal composition, without the presence of secondary phases. The Radioluminescence spectra of the as-grown single crystal fibers are in agreement with that present in Literature for bulk single crystals, presented a single emission band centered at 420 nm when irradiated with β-rays.

Magnetic studies of nickel hydride nanoparticles embedded in chitosan matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araújo-Barbosa, S.; Morales, M. A.

2017-11-01

In this work we present a method to produce NiH (β-NiH phase) nanoparticles from Ni-Cu solid solution. The reduction of Ni2+ and Cu2+ occurred at high temperatures and in presence of glutaraldehyde, citric acid and chitosan biopolymer. The samples are mainly composed of Ni and NiH phases with particles sizes ranging from 9 to 27 nm. DC magnetization studies reveal the presence of hydrogen-poor nickel hydride phase (α-NiH phase) which enhances the saturation magnetization at temperatures below 50 K. Stability of samples stored in air after 8 months was verified, and thermal treatment at 350 oC in presence of air transformed the samples to Ni and Cu oxides. Furthermore, we present a discussion regarding the mechanism of Ni2+ and Cu2+ chemical reduction.

Verification of Small Hole Theory for Application to Wire Chaffing Resulting in Shield Faults

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schuet, Stefan R.; Timucin, Dogan A.; Wheeler, Kevin R.

2011-01-01

Our work is focused upon developing methods for wire chafe fault detection through the use of reflectometry to assess shield integrity. When shielded electrical aircraft wiring first begins to chafe typically the resulting evidence is small hole(s) in the shielding. We are focused upon developing algorithms and the signal processing necessary to first detect these small holes prior to incurring damage to the inner conductors. Our approach has been to develop a first principles physics model combined with probabilistic inference, and to verify this model with laboratory experiments as well as through simulation. Previously we have presented the electromagnetic small-hole theory and how it might be applied to coaxial cable. In this presentation, we present our efforts to verify this theoretical approach with high-fidelity electromagnetic simulations (COMSOL). Laboratory observations are used to parameterize the computationally efficient theoretical model with probabilistic inference resulting in quantification of hole size and location. Our efforts in characterizing faults in coaxial cable are subsequently leading to fault detection in shielded twisted pair as well as analysis of intermittent faulty connectors using similar techniques.

Research and emulation of ranging in BPON system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Guangxiang; Tao, Dexin; He, Yan

2005-12-01

Ranging is one of the key technologies in Broadband Passive Optical Network based on the ATM (BPON) system. It is complex for software designers and difficult to test. In order to simplify the ranging procedure, enhance its efficiency, and find an appropriate method to verify it, a new ranging procedure that completely satisfies the requirements specified in ITU-T G.983.1 and one verifying method is proposed in this paper. A kind of ranging procedure without serial number (SN) searching function, called one-by-one ranging are developed under the condition of cold PON, cold Optical Network Termination (ONU). The ranging procedure includes the use of OLT and ONU flow charts respectively. By using the network emulation software OPNET, the BPON system is modeled and the ranging procedure is simulated. The emulation experimental results show that the presented ranging procedure can effectively eliminate the collision of burst mode signals between ONUs, which can be ranged one-by-one under the controlling of OLT, while also enhancing the ranging efficiency. As all of the message formats used in this research conform with the ITU-T G.983.1, the ranging procedure can meet the protocol specifications with good interoperability, and is very compatible with products of other manufacturer. According to the present study of ranging procedures, guidelines and principles are provided, Also some design difficulties are eliminated in the software design.

Immediate Reactions to More Than 1 NSAID Must Not Be Considered Cross-Hypersensitivity Unless Tolerance to ASA Is Verified.

PubMed

Pérez-Alzate, D; Cornejo-García, J A; Pérez-Sánchez, N; Andreu, I; García-Moral, A; Agúndez, J A; Bartra, J; Doña, I; Torres, M J; Blanca, M; Blanca-López, N; Canto, G

Individuals who develop drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) to chemically unrelated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered cross-hypersensitive. The hallmark for this classification is that the patient presents a reaction after intake of or challenge with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Whether patients react to 2 or more NSAIDs while tolerating ASA remains to be studied (selective reactions, SRs). Objective: To identify patients with SRs to 2 or more NSAIDs including strong COX-1 inhibitors. Patients who attended the Allergy Service of Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain with DHRs to NSAIDs between January 2011 and December 2014 were evaluated. Those with 2 or more immediate reactions occurring in less than 1 hour after intake were included. After confirming tolerance to ASA, the selectivity of the response to 2 or more NSAIDs was demonstrated by in vivo and/or in vitro testing or by controlled administration. From a total of 203 patients with immediate DHRs to NSAIDs, 16 (7.9%) met the inclusion criteria. The patients presented a total of 68 anaphylactic or cutaneous reactions (mean [SD], 4.2 [2.1]). Most reactions were to ibuprofen and other arylpropionic acid derivatives and to metamizole. Two different NSAIDs were involved in 11 patients and 3 in 5 patients. Patients with NSAID-induced anaphylaxis or urticaria/angioedema should not be considered cross-hypersensitive unless tolerance to ASA is verified.

Disturbed holistic processing in autism spectrum disorders verified by two cognitive tasks requiring perception of complex visual stimuli.

PubMed

Nakahachi, Takayuki; Yamashita, Ko; Iwase, Masao; Ishigami, Wataru; Tanaka, Chitaru; Toyonaga, Koji; Maeda, Shizuyo; Hirotsune, Hideto; Tei, Yosyo; Yokoi, Koichi; Okajima, Shoji; Shimizu, Akira; Takeda, Masatoshi

2008-06-30

Central coherence is a key concept in research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It refers to the process in which diverse information is integrated and higher meaning is constructed in context. A malfunction in this process could result in abnormal attention to partial information in preference to the whole. To verify this hypothesis, we studied the performance of two visual tasks by 10 patients with autistic disorder or Asperger's disorder and by 26 (experiment 1) or 25 (experiment 2) normal subjects. In experiment 1, the subjects memorized pictures, some pictures with a change related to the main theme (D1) and others with a change not related to the main theme (D2); then the same pictures were randomly presented to the subjects who were asked to find the change. In experiment 2, the subjects were presented pictures of a normal (N) or a Thatcherized (T) face arranged side by side inversely (I) or uprightly (U) and to judge them as the same or different. In experiment 1, ASD subjects exhibited significantly lower rates of correct responses in D1 but not in D2. In experiment 2, ASD subjects exhibited significantly longer response times in NT-U but not in TN-I. These results showed a deficit in holistic processing, which is consistent with weak central coherence in ASD.

Protein kinase C restricts transport of carnitine by amino acid transporter ATB(0,+) apically localized in the blood-brain barrier.

PubMed

Michalec, Katarzyna; Mysiorek, Caroline; Kuntz, Mélanie; Bérézowski, Vincent; Szczepankiewicz, Andrzej A; Wilczyński, Grzegorz M; Cecchelli, Roméo; Nałęcz, Katarzyna A

2014-07-15

Carnitine (3-hydroxy-4-trimethylammoniobutyrate) is necessary for transfer of fatty acids through the inner mitochondrial membrane. Carnitine, not synthesized in the brain, is delivered there through the strongly polarized blood-brain barrier (BBB). Expression and presence of two carnitine transporters - organic cation/carnitine transporter (OCTN2) and amino acid transporter B(0,+) (ATB(0,+)) have been demonstrated previously in an in vitro model of the BBB. Due to potential protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation sites within ATB(0,+) sequence, the present study verified effects of this kinase on transporter function and localization in the BBB. ATB(0,+) can be regulated by estrogen receptor α and up-regulated in vitro, therefore its presence in vivo was verified with the transmission electron microscopy. The analyses of brain slices demonstrated ATB(0,+) luminal localization in brain capillaries, confirmed by biotinylation experiments in an in vitro model of the BBB. Brain capillary endothelial cells were shown to control carnitine gradient. ATB(0,+) was phosphorylated by PKC, what correlated with inhibition of carnitine transport. PKC activation did not change the amount of ATB(0,+) present in the apical membrane of brain endothelial cells, but resulted in transporter exclusion from raft microdomains. ATB(0,+) inactivation by a lateral movement in plasma membrane after transporter phosphorylation has been postulated. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modeling of coronal mass ejections with the STEREO heliospheric imagers verified with in situ observations by the Heliophysics System Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Möstl, Christian; Isavnin, Alexey; Kilpua, Emilia; Bothmer, Volker; Mrotzek, Nicolas; Boakes, Peter; Rodriguez, Luciano; Krupar, Vratislav; Eastwood, Jonathan; Davies, Jackie; Harrison, Richard; Barnes, David; Winslow, Reka; Helcats Team

2017-04-01

We present the first study to verify modeling of CMEs as observed by the heliospheric imagers on the two STEREO spacecraft with a large scale dataset of in situ plasma and magnetic field observations from the Heliophysics System Observatory, including MESSENGER, VEX, Wind, and the in situ measurements on the two STEREO spacecraft. To this end, we have established a new interplanetary CME catalog (ICMECAT) for these spacecraft by gathering and updating individual ICME lists. In addition, we have re-calculated the in situ parameters in a consistent way, resulting in 668 events observed between 2007-2015. We then calculated the efficacy of the STEREO/HI instruments for predicting (in hindsight) with the SSEF30 model the arrival time and speed of CMEs as well as hit/miss ratios. We also show how ICMECAT gives decent statistics concerning CME impacts on all of the terrestrial planets, including Mars. The results show some major implications for future heliospheric imagers which may be used for space weather forecasting. Our effort should also serve as a baseline for the upcoming new era in heliospheric science with Solar Orbiter, Solar Probe Plus, BepiColombo returning partly comparable observations in the next decade. The presented work has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/ 2007-2013) under grant agreement No. 606692 [HELCATS].

A Prototype Embedding of Bluespec System Verilog in the PVS Theorem Prover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richards, Dominic; Lester, David

2010-01-01

Bluespec SystemVerilog (BSV) is a Hardware Description Language based on the guarded action model of concurrency. It has an elegant semantics, which makes it well suited for formal reasoning. To date, a number of BSV designs have been verified with hand proofs, but little work has been conducted on the application of automated reasoning. We present a prototype shallow embedding of BSV in the PVS theorem prover. Our embedding is compatible with the PVS model checker, which can automatically prove an important class of theorems, and can also be used in conjunction with the powerful proof strategies of PVS to verify a broader class of properties than can be achieved with model checking alone.

Orbital maneuvering engine feed system coupled stability investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kahn, D. R.; Schuman, M. D.; Hunting, J. K.; Fertig, K. W.

1975-01-01

A digital computer model used to analyze and predict engine feed system coupled instabilities over a frequency range of 10 to 1000 Hz was developed and verified. The analytical approach to modeling the feed system hydrodynamics, combustion dynamics, chamber dynamics, and overall engineering model structure is described and the governing equations in each of the technical areas are presented. This is followed by a description of the generalized computer model, including formulation of the discrete subprograms and their integration into an overall engineering model structure. The operation and capabilities of the engineering model were verified by comparing the model's theoretical predictions with experimental data from an OMS-type engine with a known feed system/engine chugging history.

Verification of a Viscous Computational Aeroacoustics Code using External Verification Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingraham, Daniel; Hixon, Ray

2015-01-01

The External Verification Analysis approach to code verification is extended to solve the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with constant properties, and is used to verify a high-order computational aeroacoustics (CAA) code. After a brief review of the relevant literature, the details of the EVA approach are presented and compared to the similar Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS). Pseudocode representations of EVA's algorithms are included, along with the recurrence relations needed to construct the EVA solution. The code verification results show that EVA was able to convincingly verify a high-order, viscous CAA code without the addition of MMS-style source terms, or any other modifications to the code.

Verification of a Viscous Computational Aeroacoustics Code Using External Verification Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingraham, Daniel; Hixon, Ray

2015-01-01

The External Verification Analysis approach to code verification is extended to solve the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with constant properties, and is used to verify a high-order computational aeroacoustics (CAA) code. After a brief review of the relevant literature, the details of the EVA approach are presented and compared to the similar Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS). Pseudocode representations of EVA's algorithms are included, along with the recurrence relations needed to construct the EVA solution. The code verification results show that EVA was able to convincingly verify a high-order, viscous CAA code without the addition of MMS-style source terms, or any other modifications to the code.

Verifying Architectural Design Rules of the Flight Software Product Line

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ganesan, Dharmalingam; Lindvall, Mikael; Ackermann, Chris; McComas, David; Bartholomew, Maureen

2009-01-01

This paper presents experiences of verifying architectural design rules of the NASA Core Flight Software (CFS) product line implementation. The goal of the verification is to check whether the implementation is consistent with the CFS architectural rules derived from the developer's guide. The results indicate that consistency checking helps a) identifying architecturally significant deviations that were eluded during code reviews, b) clarifying the design rules to the team, and c) assessing the overall implementation quality. Furthermore, it helps connecting business goals to architectural principles, and to the implementation. This paper is the first step in the definition of a method for analyzing and evaluating product line implementations from an architecture-centric perspective.

Machine-Checkable Timed CSP

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goethel, Thomas; Glesner, Sabine

2009-01-01

The correctness of safety-critical embedded software is crucial, whereas non-functional properties like deadlock-freedom and real-time constraints are particularly important. The real-time calculus Timed Communicating Sequential Processes (CSP) is capable of expressing such properties and can therefore be used to verify embedded software. In this paper, we present our formalization of Timed CSP in the Isabelle/HOL theorem prover, which we have formulated as an operational coalgebraic semantics together with bisimulation equivalences and coalgebraic invariants. Furthermore, we apply these techniques in an abstract specification with real-time constraints, which is the basis for current work in which we verify the components of a simple real-time operating system deployed on a satellite.

Modelling carbon and water fluxes at global scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balzarolo, M.; Balsamo, G.; Barbu, A.; Boussetta, S.; Calvet, J.-C.; Chevallier, F.; de Vries, J.; Kullmann, L.; Lafont, S.; Maignan, F.; Papale, D.; Poulter, B.

2012-04-01

Modelling and predicting seasonal and inter-annual variability of terrestrial carbon and water fluxes play an important role in understanding processes and interactions between plant-atmosphere and climate. Testing the model's capability to simulate fluxes across and within the ecosystems against eddy covariance data is essential. Thanks to the existing eddy covariance (EC) networks (e.g FLUXNET), where CO2 and water exchanges are continuously measured, it is now possible to verify the model's goodness at global scale. This paper reports the outcomes of the verification activities of the Land Carbon Core Information Service (LC-CIS) of the Geoland2 European project. The three used land surface models are C-TESSEL from ECMWF, SURFEX from CNRM and ORCHIDEE from IPSL. These models differ in their hypotheses used to describe processes and the interactions between ecological compartments (plant, soil and atmosphere) and climate and environmental conditions. Results of the verification and model benchmarking are here presented. Surface fluxes of the models are verified against FLUXNET sites representing main worldwide Plant Functional Types (PFTs: forest, grassland and cropland). The quality and accuracy of the EC data is verified using the CarboEurope database methodology. Modelled carbon and water fluxes magnitude, daily and annual cycles, inter-annual anomalies are verified against eddy covariance data using robust statistical analysis (r, RMSE, E, BE). We also verify the performance of the models in predicting the functional responses of Gross Primary Production (GPP) and RE (Ecosystem Respiration) to the environmental driving variables (i.e. temperature, soil water content and radiation) by comparing the functional relationships obtained from the outputs and observed data. Obtained results suggest some ways of improving such models for global carbon modelling.

Flight motor set 360L008 (STS-32R). Volume 1: System overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garecht, D. M.

1990-01-01

Flight motor set 360L008 was launched as part of NASA space shuttle mission STS-32R. As with all previous redesigned solid rocket motor launches, overall motor performance was excellent. All ballistic contract end item specification parameters were verified with the exception of ignition interval and rise rates, which could not be verified due to elimination of developmental flight instrumentation. But the available low sample rate data showed nominal propulsion performance. All ballistic and mass property parameters closely matched the predicted values and were well within the required contract end item specification levels that could be assessed. All field joint heaters and igniter joint heaters performed without anomalies. Redesigned field joint heaters and the redesigned left-hand igniter heater were used on this flight. The changes to the heaters were primarily to improve durability and reducing handling damage. Evaluation of the ground environment instrumentation measurements again verified thermal mode analysis data and showed agreement with predicted environmental effects. No launch commit criteria violation occurred. Postflight inspection again verified superior performance of the insulation, phenolics, metal parts, and seals. Postflight evaluation indicated both nozzles performed as expected during flight. All combustion gas was contained by insulation in the field and case-to-nozzle joints. Recommendations were made concerning improved thermal modeling and measurements. The rationale for these recommendations and complete result details are presented.

Verification of Compartmental Epidemiological Models using Metamorphic Testing, Model Checking and Visual Analytics

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

Ramanathan, Arvind; Steed, Chad A; Pullum, Laura L

Compartmental models in epidemiology are widely used as a means to model disease spread mechanisms and understand how one can best control the disease in case an outbreak of a widespread epidemic occurs. However, a significant challenge within the community is in the development of approaches that can be used to rigorously verify and validate these models. In this paper, we present an approach to rigorously examine and verify the behavioral properties of compartmen- tal epidemiological models under several common modeling scenarios including birth/death rates and multi-host/pathogen species. Using metamorphic testing, a novel visualization tool and model checking, we buildmore » a workflow that provides insights into the functionality of compartmental epidemiological models. Our initial results indicate that metamorphic testing can be used to verify the implementation of these models and provide insights into special conditions where these mathematical models may fail. The visualization front-end allows the end-user to scan through a variety of parameters commonly used in these models to elucidate the conditions under which an epidemic can occur. Further, specifying these models using a process algebra allows one to automatically construct behavioral properties that can be rigorously verified using model checking. Taken together, our approach allows for detecting implementation errors as well as handling conditions under which compartmental epidemiological models may fail to provide insights into disease spread dynamics.« less

76 FR 45843 - Agency Information Collection Activities: E-Verify Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-01

...-0092] Agency Information Collection Activities: E-Verify Program ACTION: 60-Day Notice: Correction... it should read ``E-Verify Program.'' Second, comments are not requested on the E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding as previously published. Instead, comments are requested on the burden for enrolling in E-Verify...

Electromagnetic compatibility and safety design of a patient compliance-free, inductive implant charger.

PubMed

Theodoridis, Michael P; Mollov, Stefan V

2014-10-01

This article presents the design of a domestic, radiofrequency induction charger for implants toward compliance with the Federal Communications Commission safety and electromagnetic compatibility regulations. The suggested arrangement does not impose any patient compliance requirements other than the use of a designated bed for night sleep, and therefore can find a domestic use. The method can be applied to a number of applications; a rechargeable pacemaker is considered as a case study. The presented work has proven that it is possible to realize a fully compliant inductive charging system with minimal patient interaction, and has generated important information for consideration by the designers of inductive charging systems. Experimental results have verified the validity of the theoretical findings.

A direct numerical method for predicting concentration profiles in a turbulent boundary layer over a flat plate. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dow, J. W.

1972-01-01

A numerical solution of the turbulent mass transport equation utilizing the concept of eddy diffusivity is presented as an efficient method of investigating turbulent mass transport in boundary layer type flows. A FORTRAN computer program is used to study the two-dimensional diffusion of ammonia, from a line source on the surface, into a turbulent boundary layer over a flat plate. The results of the numerical solution are compared with experimental data to verify the results of the solution. Several other solutions to diffusion problems are presented to illustrate the versatility of the computer program and to provide some insight into the problem of mass diffusion as a whole.

Scaled position-force tracking for wireless teleoperation of miniaturized surgical robotic system.

PubMed

Guo, Jing; Liu, Chao; Poignet, Philippe

2014-01-01

Miniaturized surgical robotic system presents promising trend for reducing invasiveness during operation. However, cables used for power and communication may affect its performance. In this paper we chose Zigbee wireless communication as a means to replace communication cables for miniaturized surgical robot. Nevertheless, time delay caused by wireless communication presents a new challenge to performance and stability of the teleoperation system. We proposed a bilateral wireless teleoperation architecture taking into consideration of the effect of position-force scaling between operator and slave. Optimal position-force tracking performance is obtained and the overall system is shown to be passive with a simple condition on the scaling factors satisfied. Simulation studies verify the efficiency of the proposed scaled wireless teleoperation scheme.

Simultaneous measurement of absolute strain and differential strain based on fiber Bragg grating Fabry-Perot sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kuiru; Wang, Bo; Yan, Binbin; Sang, Xinzhu; Yuan, Jinhui; Peng, Gang-Ding

2013-10-01

We present a fiber Bragg grating Fabry-Perot (FBG-FP) sensor using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) demodulation for measuring the absolute strain and differential strain simultaneously. The amplitude and phase characteristics of Fourier transform spectrum have been studied. The relation between the amplitude of Fourier spectrum and the differential strain has been presented. We fabricate the fiber grating FP cavity sensor, and carry out the experiment on the measurement of absolute strain and differential strain. Experimental results verify the demodulation method, and show that this sensor has a good accuracy in the scope of measurement. The demodulating method can expand the number of multiplexed sensors combining with wavelength division multiplexing and time division multiplexing.

The development of an explicit thermochemical nonequilibrium algorithm and its application to compute three dimensional AFE flowfields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palmer, Grant

1989-01-01

This study presents a three-dimensional explicit, finite-difference, shock-capturing numerical algorithm applied to viscous hypersonic flows in thermochemical nonequilibrium. The algorithm employs a two-temperature physical model. Equations governing the finite-rate chemical reactions are fully-coupled to the gas dynamic equations using a novel coupling technique. The new coupling method maintains stability in the explicit, finite-rate formulation while allowing relatively large global time steps. The code uses flux-vector accuracy. Comparisons with experimental data and other numerical computations verify the accuracy of the present method. The code is used to compute the three-dimensional flowfield over the Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE) vehicle at one of its trajectory points.

Reply to Discussion by Zekai Șen on "Modeling karst spring hydrograph recession based on head drop at sinkholes"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Field, Malcolm S.; Goldscheider, Nico; Li, Guangquan

2018-02-01

We are pleased to learn that the model presented in our paper dealing with the "modeling karst spring hydrograph recession based on head drop at sinkholes," published in the Journal of Hydrology in 2016 (Li et al., 2016), is of interest to readers of this journal. Our study presented a new non-exponential model for assessing spring hydrographs in terms of head drop at flooded sinkholes, as an extension of an earlier model proposed by Li and Field (2014). In both papers, we used two spring hydrographs measured in the St. Marks Karst Watershed in northwest Florida to test the applicability and to verify the validity of our models.

Kinematics Control and Analysis of Industrial Robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Tongbo; Cai, Fan; Li, Yongmei; Liu, Wei

2018-03-01

The robot’s development present situation, basic principle and control system are introduced briefly. Research is mainly focused on the study of the robot’s kinematics and motion control. The structural analysis of a planar articulated robot (SCARA) robot is presented,the coordinate system is established to obtain the position and orientation matrix of the end effector,a method of robot kinematics analysis based on homogeneous transformation method is proposed, and the kinematics solution of the robot is obtained.Establishment of industrial robot’s kinematics equation and formula for positive kinematics by example. Finally,the kinematic analysis of this robot was verified by examples.It provides a basis for structural design and motion control.It has active significance to promote the motion control of industrial robot.

Proposals for Changes in Surveying-Legal Procedures for the Needs of Cadastre in Poland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mika, Monika

2016-12-01

The aim of this paper is to present the need for changes of geodetic-legal procedures for the cadastre and real estate management. This problem was analyzed both in theoretical and practical terms. In order to better present the analyzed technical and legal procedures, a study of several cases of surveying documentation was made. On their example the problems associated with the surveying services were shows and the formal and legal procedures, on the basis of which described surveying works were done were verified. The problem presented is current and valid not only for the comfort of the surveyor's work, but also from the point of view of the structure and modernization of the real estate cadastre, constituting the backbone of the real estate management. The article emphasized the need to unify the databases of state registers and the digitization of the National Geodetic and Cartographic Resources (PZDGiK). Research has shown that despite the continuous changes of legislation, there are still many shortcomings and gaps, which often complicate the surveying works. The surveyor must analyze and verify all materials he uses, including those obtained from the Centre of Geodetic and Cartographic Documentation (ODGiK). The quality of the geodetic and cartographic elaboration depends largely on the work of the Centre of Geodetic and Cartographic Documentation. The need of modernization of the Land and Buildings Registry, which acts as a cadastre in Poland, has been demonstrated. Furthermore, the unification of data used as reference systems both for plane coordinates and elevation has been proposed.

Control-Structure-Interaction (CSI) technologies and trends to future NASA missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Control-structure-interaction (CSI) issues which are relevant for future NASA missions are reviewed. This goal was achieved by: (1) reviewing large space structures (LSS) technologies to provide a background and survey of the current state of the art (SOA); (2) analytically studying a focus mission to identify opportunities where CSI technology may be applied to enhance or enable future NASA spacecraft; and (3) expanding a portion of the focus mission, the large antenna, to provide in-depth trade studies, scaling laws, and methodologies which may be applied to other NASA missions. Several sections are presented. Section 1 defines CSI issues and presents an overview of the relevant modeling and control issues for LLS. Section 2 presents the results of the three phases of the CSI study. Section 2.1 gives the results of a CSI study conducted with the Geostationary Platform (Geoplat) as the focus mission. Section 2.2 contains an overview of the CSI control design methodology available in the technical community. Included is a survey of the CSI ground-based experiments which were conducted to verify theoretical performance predictions. Section 2.3 presents and demonstrates a new CSI scaling law methodology for assessing potential CSI with large antenna systems.

Determination of the Chronic Mammalian Toxicological Effects of RDX. Acute Dermal Toxicity Test of Hexehydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazine (RDX) in Rabbits

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-08-01

Typist B. Letica Verified: L_. Pathologist - Date 20 Study Nlumnber L6121.10 Dose (mg/1) Test Animal Number 15 * Accession Number 81-7176 Microscopic...Diffusemoderate necrosis of mucosal epithelium. Mild, diffuse accumulation of inflammatory cells in mucosa and submucosa Typist B. Letica Verified: tk

Theoretical and experimental study on the magnetic fluid seal of reciprocating shaft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Decai; Xu, Haiping; He, Xinzhi; Lan, Huiqing

2005-03-01

The authors obtain anti-pressure formula of reciprocating shaft magnetic fluid seal from general Navier-Stokes equation. In order to verify the correctness of the anti-pressure formula, the authors set up a magnetic fluid anti-pressure experiment rig for a reciprocating seal. Finally, the authors have verified influence of speed and stroke on the seal anti-pressure.

76 FR 21225 - Documents Acceptable for Employment Eligibility Verification

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-15

... identity and employment authorization documents (EADs) and receipts that employees may present to employers... \\1\\ (hereinafter collectively referred to as ``employer(s)'') are required to verify the identity and... as acceptable for establishing identity and employment authorization. The employer must examine the...

SIMS prototype system 3 test results: Engineering analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

The results obtained during testing of a closed hydronic drain down solar system designed for space and hot water heating is presented. Data analysis is included which documents the system performance and verifies the suitability of SIMS Prototype System 3 for field installation.

Fatigue Life Methodology for Bonded Composite Skin/Stringer Configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krueger, Ronald; Paris, Isabelle L.; OBrien, T. Kevin

2000-01-01

A methodology is presented for determining the fatigue life of bonded composite skin/stringer structures based on delamination fatigue characterization data and geometric nonlinear finite element analyses. Results were compared to fatigue tests on stringer flange/skin specimens to verify the approach.

Computational Knee Ligament Modeling Using Experimentally Determined Zero-Load Lengths

PubMed Central

Bloemker, Katherine H; Guess, Trent M; Maletsky, Lorin; Dodd, Kevin

2012-01-01

This study presents a subject-specific method of determining the zero-load lengths of the cruciate and collateral ligaments in computational knee modeling. Three cadaver knees were tested in a dynamic knee simulator. The cadaver knees also underwent manual envelope of motion testing to find their passive range of motion in order to determine the zero-load lengths for each ligament bundle. Computational multibody knee models were created for each knee and model kinematics were compared to experimental kinematics for a simulated walk cycle. One-dimensional non-linear spring damper elements were used to represent cruciate and collateral ligament bundles in the knee models. This study found that knee kinematics were highly sensitive to altering of the zero-load length. The results also suggest optimal methods for defining each of the ligament bundle zero-load lengths, regardless of the subject. These results verify the importance of the zero-load length when modeling the knee joint and verify that manual envelope of motion measurements can be used to determine the passive range of motion of the knee joint. It is also believed that the method described here for determining zero-load length can be used for in vitro or in vivo subject-specific computational models. PMID:22523522

Advanced techniques for determining long term compatibility of materials with propellants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, R. L.; Stebbins, J. P.; Smith, A. W.; Pullen, K. E.

1973-01-01

A method for the prediction of propellant-material compatibility for periods of time up to ten years is presented. Advanced sensitive measurement techniques used in the prediction method are described. These include: neutron activation analysis, radioactive tracer technique, and atomic absorption spectroscopy with a graphite tube furnace sampler. The results of laboratory tests performed to verify the prediction method are presented.

Computing Quantitative Characteristics of Finite-State Real-Time Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-04

Current methods for verifying real - time systems are essentially decision procedures that establish whether the system model satisfies a given...specification. We present a general method for computing quantitative information about finite-state real - time systems . We have developed algorithms that...our technique can be extended to a more general representation of real - time systems , namely, timed transition graphs. The algorithms presented in this

The unrealized potential for heavy balloon payloads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winker, J. A.

1993-02-01

Knowing that properties of new polyethylene films are superior to previous types, one would believe that heavier payloads can now be safely carried. Some experimentation has already been done to verify that assumption. Future expectations are discussed. We believe that with present-day materials, and with only limited changes in design philosophies, maximum payload weights can be increased by 50 to 75% from presently accepted maxima.

Current and desired competency levels of secondary agricultural teachers in Pennsylvania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elbert, Chanda Dehron

The purpose of this study was to identify the competencies needed by secondary agricultural teachers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Specifically, this study identified competencies needed to help make teachers more effective while working with special needs students. The objectives of the study were to: (1) determine, verify, and evaluate competencies needed by secondary teachers of agriculture to work with handicapped students enrolled in agricultural and vocational education programs; (2) determine, verify, and evaluate competencies needed by secondary teachers of agriculture to work with economically disadvantaged students enrolled in agricultural and vocational education programs; (3) determine, verify, and evaluate competencies needed by secondary teachers of agriculture to work with academically challenged students enrolled in agricultural and vocational programs; and (4) evaluate the self-perceived competency levels of secondary agricultural education teachers and their desired competency levels. A 50% simple random sample of secondary agricultural teachers from the Directory for Agricultural Education in Pennsylvania, 1999--2000 was used. The design for the study was a descriptive study. The data collection instrument used was divided into five different areas: personal characteristics, professional role and development, instructional role, knowledge statements, and student leadership and organization. Subjects were asked to rate their present and desired levels of competency in the categories using a Likert-type scale. The competency scale was as follows: 1 = not competent; 2 = slightly competent, 3 = competent; 4 = very competent; 5 = extremely competent. There were 153 questionnaires mailed to the secondary agricultural education teachers. A total of 96 teachers responded to the questionnaire. Frequencies and distributions were used to describe demographic variables. T-test and analysis of variance were used to determine relationships between nominal variables. A paired t-test was used to conduct an analysis of each competency area identified. Repeated measures were used to compare differences among categories. The data suggested that all teachers rated their desired level of competencies higher than their current competency levels. It was recommended that teachers be given the opportunity to attend additional professional development programs which will increase their knowledge base while working with special needs students.

Performance testing of a 50 kW VAWT in a built-up environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schienbein, L. A.

1981-01-01

The results of performance tests of a DAF Indal 50 kW vertical axis wind turbine are presented. Results of limited free stream turbulence and vertical wind shear measurements at the site are also presented. The close agreement between measured and predicted energy outputs, required to verify the wind turbine power output performance relationship, was not attained. A discussion is presented of factors that may have contributed to the lack of better agreement.

Semantic Importance Sampling for Statistical Model Checking

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-16

SMT calls while maintaining correctness. Finally, we implement SIS in a tool called osmosis and use it to verify a number of stochastic systems with...2 surveys related work. Section 3 presents background definitions and concepts. Section 4 presents SIS, and Section 5 presents our tool osmosis . In...which I∗M|=Φ(x) = 1. We do this by first randomly selecting a cube c from C∗ with uniform probability since each cube has equal probability 9 5. OSMOSIS

Genes essential for phototrophic growth by a purple alphaproteobacterium: Genes for phototrophic growth

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

Yang, Jianming; Yin, Liang; Lessner, Faith H.

Anoxygenic purple phototrophic bacteria have served as important models for studies of photophosphorylation. The pigment-protein complexes responsible for converting light energy to ATP are relatively simple and these bacteria can grow heterotrophically under aerobic conditions, thus allowing for the study of mutants defective in photophosphorylation. In the past, genes responsible for anoxygenic phototrophic growth have been identified in a number of different bacterial species. Here we systematically studied the genetic basis for this metabolism by using Tn-seq to identify genes essential for the anaerobic growth of the purple bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris on acetate in light. We identified 171 genes requiredmore » for growth in this condition, 35 of which are annotated as photosynthesis genes. Among these are a few new genes not previously shown to be essential for phototrophic growth. We verified the essentiality of many of the genes we identified by analyzing the phenotypes of mutants we generated by Tn mutagenesis that had altered pigmentation. We used directed mutagenesis to verify that the R. palustris NADH:quinone oxidoreductase complex IE is essential for phototrophic growth. As a complement to the genetic data, we carried out proteomics experiments in which we found that 429 proteins were present in significantly higher amounts in cells grown anaerobically in light compared to aerobically. Among these were proteins encoded by subset of the phototrophic growth-essential genes.« less

Does cannabis use moderate smoking cessation outcomes in treatment-seeking tobacco smokers? Analysis from a large multi-center trial.

PubMed

Rabin, Rachel A; Ashare, Rebecca L; Schnoll, Robert A; Cinciripini, Paul M; Hawk, Larry W; Lerman, Caryn; Tyndale, Rachel F; George, Tony P

2016-06-01

Tobacco and cannabis are frequently used in combination and cannabis co-use may lead to poor tobacco cessation outcomes. Therefore, it is important to explore if cannabis co-use is associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving successful tobacco abstinence among treatment-seeking tobacco smokers. The present study examined whether current cannabis use moderated tobacco cessation outcomes after 12 weeks of pharmacological treatment (varenicline vs. nicotine patch vs. placebo) with adjunctive behavioral counseling. Treatment-seeking tobacco smokers (N = 1,246) were enrolled in an intent-to-treat study, of which 220 were current cannabis users. Individuals were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of placebo (placebo pill plus placebo patch), nicotine patch (active patch plus placebo pill), or varenicline (active pill plus placebo patch), plus behavioral counseling. The primary endpoint was biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment. Controlling for rate of nicotine metabolism, treatment arm, age, sex, alcohol, and level of nicotine dependence, cannabis users were as successful at achieving biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence compared to tobacco-only smokers. Findings suggest that cannabis use does not hinder the ability to quit tobacco smoking. Future tobacco cessation studies should employ prospective, longitudinal designs investigating cannabis co-use over time and at different severity levels. (Am J Addict 2016;25:291-296). © 2016 American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

The morphological changes of optically cleared cochlea using optical coherence tomography (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jaeyul; Song, Jaewon; Jeon, Mansik; Kim, Jeehyun

2017-02-01

In this study, we monitored the optical clearing effects by immersing ex vivo guinea pig cochlea samples in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to study the internal microstructures in the morphology of guinea pig cochlea. The imaging limitations due to the guinea pig cochlea structures were overcome by optical clearing technique. Subsequently, the study was carried out to confirm the required approximate immersing duration of cochlea in EDTA-based optical clearing to obtain the best optimal depth visibility for guinea pig cochlea samples. Thus, we implemented a decalcification-based optical clearing effect to guinea pig cochlea samples to enhance the depth visualization of internal microstructures using swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT). The obtained nondestructive two-dimensional OCT images successfully illustrated the feasibility of the proposed method by providing clearly visible microstructures in the depth direction as a result of decalcification. The most optimal clearing outcomes for the guinea pig cochlea were obtained after 14 consecutive days. The quantitative assessment results verified the increase of the intensity as well as the thickness measurements of the internal microstructures. Following this method, difficulties in imaging of internal cochlea microstructures of guinea pigs could be avoided. The obtained results verified that the depth visibility of the decalcified ex vivo guinea pig cochlea samples was enhanced. Therefore, the proposed EDTA-based optical clearing method for guinea pig can be considered as a potential application for depth-enhanced OCT visualization.

Controlling state explosion during automatic verification of delay-insensitive and delay-constrained VLSI systems using the POM verifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Probst, D.; Jensen, L.

1991-01-01

Delay-insensitive VLSI systems have a certain appeal on the ground due to difficulties with clocks; they are even more attractive in space. We answer the question, is it possible to control state explosion arising from various sources during automatic verification (model checking) of delay-insensitive systems? State explosion due to concurrency is handled by introducing a partial-order representation for systems, and defining system correctness as a simple relation between two partial orders on the same set of system events (a graph problem). State explosion due to nondeterminism (chiefly arbitration) is handled when the system to be verified has a clean, finite recurrence structure. Backwards branching is a further optimization. The heart of this approach is the ability, during model checking, to discover a compact finite presentation of the verified system without prior composition of system components. The fully-implemented POM verification system has polynomial space and time performance on traditional asynchronous-circuit benchmarks that are exponential in space and time for other verification systems. We also sketch the generalization of this approach to handle delay-constrained VLSI systems.

Health literacy and self-rated health in adults primary care patients.

PubMed

Marques, Suzana Raquel Lopes; Escarce, Andrezza Gonzalez; Lemos, Stela Maris Aguiar

2018-01-01

Purpose To verify the association between health literacy, social determinants and self-rated health in adult's primary health care patients. Methods this is an Observational cross-sectional study in which a total of 380 patients of the Unified Health System in the context of primary health care were interviewed. The sample was probabilistic, stratified by gender, age, and Basic Health Unit. Health literacy was evaluated by an instrument of analysis of the perception of adults about the understanding of health orientations and possible difficulties in this process (Health Literacy Scale). Descriptive and association analyses were performed (Pearson's chi-square test, p≤0.05). Results It was verified that the majority of the interviewees belongs to classes C1 and C2 and attended high school (complete or incomplete). Regarding self-rated health, to be considered healthy and with good health were the predominant perceptions. In the Health Literacy Scale, it was verified that most patients reported never presenting difficulties in the situations of this instrument, except understanding written orientations. It was observed the association with a statistical significance of the better perception of health literacy with higher educational level and economic classification, as well as with self-rated of good health. Conclusion There was a statistical association between health literacy, social determinants, and self-rated health in the analyzed adults. It is noteworthy the contribution of the Health Literacy Scale for emphasizing the perception of difficulties in everyday health situations. It is necessary to develop dialogic relationships that build more robust communication processes between professionals and healthcare patients to favor health literacy skills.

Three-dimensional dose verification of the clinical application of gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery using polymer gel and MRI.

PubMed

Papagiannis, P; Karaiskos, P; Kozicki, M; Rosiak, J M; Sakelliou, L; Sandilos, P; Seimenis, I; Torrens, M

2005-05-07

This work seeks to verify multi-shot clinical applications of stereotactic radiosurgery with a Leksell Gamma Knife model C unit employing a polymer gel-MRI based experimental procedure, which has already been shown to be capable of verifying the precision and accuracy of dose delivery in single-shot gamma knife applications. The treatment plan studied in the present work resembles a clinical treatment case of pituitary adenoma using four 8 mm and one 14 mm collimator helmet shots to deliver a prescription dose of 15 Gy to the 50% isodose line (30 Gy maximum dose). For the experimental dose verification of the treatment plan, the same criteria as those used in the clinical treatment planning evaluation were employed. These included comparison of measured and GammaPlan calculated data, in terms of percentage isodose contours on axial, coronal and sagittal planes, as well as 3D plan evaluation criteria such as dose-volume histograms for the target volume, target coverage and conformity indices. Measured percentage isodose contours compared favourably with calculated ones despite individual point fluctuations at low dose contours (e.g., 20%) mainly due to the effect of T2 measurement uncertainty on dose resolution. Dose-volume histogram data were also found in a good agreement while the experimental results for the percentage target coverage and conformity index were 94% and 1.17 relative to corresponding GammaPlan calculations of 96% and 1.12, respectively. Overall, polymer gel results verified the planned dose distribution within experimental uncertainties and uncertainty related to the digitization process of selected GammaPlan output data.

A Multi-year Search for Transits of Proxima Centauri. I. Light Curves Corresponding to Published Ephemerides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blank, David L.; Feliz, Dax; Collins, Karen A.; White, Graeme L.; Stassun, Keivan G.; Curtis, Ivan A.; Hart, Rhodes; Kielkopf, John F.; Nelson, Peter; Relles, Howard; Stockdale, Christopher; Jayawardene, Bandupriya; Pennypacker, Carlton R.; Shankland, Paul; Reichart, Daniel E.; Haislip, Joshua B.; Kouprianov, Vladimir V.

2018-06-01

Proxima Centauri has become the subject of intense study since the radial-velocity (RV) discovery by Anglada-Escudé et al. of a planet orbiting this nearby M dwarf every ∼11.2 days. If Proxima Centauri b transits its host star, independent confirmation of its existence is possible, and its mass and radius can be measured in units of the stellar host mass and radius. To date, there have been three independent claims of possible transit-like event detections in light curve observations obtained by the MOST satellite (in 2014–15), the Bright Star Survey Telescope telescope in Antarctica (in 2016), and the Las Campanas Observatory (in 2016). The claimed possible detections are tentative, due in part to the variability intrinsic to the host star, and in the case of the ground-based observations, also due to the limited duration of the light curve observations. Here, we present preliminary results from an extensive photometric monitoring campaign of Proxima Centauri, using telescopes around the globe and spanning from 2006 to 2017, comprising a total of 329 observations. Considering our data that coincide directly and/or phased with the previously published tentative transit detections, we are unable to independently verify those claims. We do, however, verify the previously reported ubiquitous and complex variability of the host star. We discuss possible interpretations of the data in light of the previous claims, and we discuss future analyses of these data that could more definitively verify or refute the presence of transits associated with the RV-discovered planet.

[Immunoexpression of c-erbB-2 in intraductal proliferative lesions of the female breast].

PubMed

Oliveira, Agliberto Barbosa de; De Luca, Laurival Antônio; Carvalho, Grigna Teixeira; Arias, Victor Eduardo Arua; Carvalho, Lídia Raquel de; Assunção, Maria do Carmo

2004-01-01

Genetic modifications are related to genesis and development of cancer. Neoplasias in various organs express the c-erbB-2 oncogene. In intraductal proliferations of the breast it has been assessed as a risk factor for subsequent development of carcinoma. The c-erbB-2 immunoexpression in intraductal epithelial proliferations and the relationship with histopathological characteristics of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were evaluated. File material from 88 women, which were tissue samples formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks, was used. Of these 51 presented with DCIS and 37 with ductal hyperplasia without atypia. Ages of the women ranged from 35 to 76 years. All cases were reviewed and nuclear grade, presence of necrosis, preponderance of histological subtype and its extension were verified. Specimens were obtained for the c-erB-2 immunohistochemical study of 84 of the women in question. No expression of the oncogene was verified in the hyperplasias without atypias and in tissues adjacent to all tissue samples. Expression of c-erbB-2 was verified in 9 (19.1%) of the DCIS (p = 0.0001). Immunoexpression was not related to the extension of the lesions. The c-erbB-2 immunoexpression in DCIS was correlated to the histological subtype (p = 0.019), necrosis (p = 0.0066), nuclear grade (p = 0.0084) and Van Nuys Classification (p = 0.039). Expression of c-erbB-2 was significant in proliferative lesions with risk (DCIS) and was correlated to histopathological characteristics: high nuclear grade, presence of necrosis and comedy subtype. There was no expression in the hyperplasias without atypias and adjacent tissues.

Actinomyces israelii in radicular cysts: a molecular study.

PubMed

Gomes, Nathália Rodrigues; Diniz, Marina Gonçalves; Pereira, Thais Dos Santos Fontes; Estrela, Carlos; de Macedo Farias, Luiz; de Andrade, Bruno Augusto Benevenuto; Gomes, Carolina Cavaliéri; Gomez, Ricardo Santiago

2017-05-01

To investigate whether the microscopic filamentous aggregates observed in radicular cysts are associated with the molecular identification of Actinomyces israelii. Moreover, to verify whether this bacterium can be detected in radicular cyst specimens not presenting aggregates. Microscopic colonies suggestive of Actinomyces were found in 8 out of 279 radicular cyst samples (case group). The case and control groups (n = 12; samples without filamentous colonies) were submitted to the semi-nested polymerase chain reaction to test the presence of A israelii. DNA sequencing was performed to validate polymerase chain reaction results. Two and 3 samples in the case and control groups, respectively, did not present a functional genomic DNA template and were excluded from the study. A israelii was identified in all samples of the case group and in 3 out of 9 samples of the control group. Although A israelii is more commonly identified in radicular cysts presenting filamentous aggregates, it also appears to be detected in radicular cysts without this microscopic finding. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identifiability and identification of trace continuous pollutant source.

PubMed

Qu, Hongquan; Liu, Shouwen; Pang, Liping; Hu, Tao

2014-01-01

Accidental pollution events often threaten people's health and lives, and a pollutant source is very necessary so that prompt remedial actions can be taken. In this paper, a trace continuous pollutant source identification method is developed to identify a sudden continuous emission pollutant source in an enclosed space. The location probability model is set up firstly, and then the identification method is realized by searching a global optimal objective value of the location probability. In order to discuss the identifiability performance of the presented method, a conception of a synergy degree of velocity fields is presented in order to quantitatively analyze the impact of velocity field on the identification performance. Based on this conception, some simulation cases were conducted. The application conditions of this method are obtained according to the simulation studies. In order to verify the presented method, we designed an experiment and identified an unknown source appearing in the experimental space. The result showed that the method can identify a sudden trace continuous source when the studied situation satisfies the application conditions.

Measurement-only verifiable blind quantum computing with quantum input verification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morimae, Tomoyuki

2016-10-01

Verifiable blind quantum computing is a secure delegated quantum computing where a client with a limited quantum technology delegates her quantum computing to a server who has a universal quantum computer. The client's privacy is protected (blindness), and the correctness of the computation is verifiable by the client despite her limited quantum technology (verifiability). There are mainly two types of protocols for verifiable blind quantum computing: the protocol where the client has only to generate single-qubit states and the protocol where the client needs only the ability of single-qubit measurements. The latter is called the measurement-only verifiable blind quantum computing. If the input of the client's quantum computing is a quantum state, whose classical efficient description is not known to the client, there was no way for the measurement-only client to verify the correctness of the input. Here we introduce a protocol of measurement-only verifiable blind quantum computing where the correctness of the quantum input is also verifiable.

Experimental Verification of Entanglement Generated in a Plasmonic System.

PubMed

Dieleman, F; Tame, M S; Sonnefraud, Y; Kim, M S; Maier, S A

2017-12-13

A core process in many quantum tasks is the generation of entanglement. It is being actively studied in a variety of physical settings-from simple bipartite systems to complex multipartite systems. In this work we experimentally study the generation of bipartite entanglement in a nanophotonic system. Entanglement is generated via the quantum interference of two surface plasmon polaritons in a beamsplitter structure, i.e., utilizing the Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) effect, and its presence is verified using quantum state tomography. The amount of entanglement is quantified by the concurrence and we find values of up to 0.77 ± 0.04. Verifying entanglement in the output state from HOM interference is a nontrivial task and cannot be inferred from the visibility alone. The techniques we use to verify entanglement could be applied to other types of photonic system and therefore may be useful for the characterization of a range of different nanophotonic quantum devices.

String Things.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mesa Public Schools, AZ.

Designed for music educators instructing grades 4 through 8 in string instruments, this Mesa (Arizona) public schools guide presents information on the string curriculum, orchestras, and practicing. The goals and objectives for string instruments delineate grade levels and how student skills will be verified. Following 17 curriculum goal tests,…

Constructions with Obstructions Involving Arcs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, Dick A.

1993-01-01

Presents six construction problems in which key parts of the figure are made inaccessible, that is, a lake or an obstruction is inserted. Encourages creative thinking while improving problem-solving skills. Students are to show the construction, describe the solution, and verify correctness of the solution. (LDR)

On the energy integral for first post-Newtonian approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Leary, Joseph; Hill, James M.; Bennett, James C.

2018-07-01

The post-Newtonian approximation for general relativity is widely adopted by the geodesy and astronomy communities. It has been successfully exploited for the inclusion of relativistic effects in practically all geodetic applications and techniques such as satellite/lunar laser ranging and very long baseline interferometry. Presently, the levels of accuracy required in geodetic techniques require that reference frames, planetary and satellite orbits and signal propagation be treated within the post-Newtonian regime. For arbitrary scalar W and vector gravitational potentials W^j (j=1,2,3), we present a novel derivation of the energy associated with a test particle in the post-Newtonian regime. The integral so obtained appears not to have been given previously in the literature and is deduced through algebraic manipulation on seeking a Jacobi-like integral associated with the standard post-Newtonian equations of motion. The new integral is independently verified through a variational formulation using the post-Newtonian metric components and is subsequently verified by numerical integration of the post-Newtonian equations of motion.

Prediction of explosive yield and other characteristics of liquid rocket propellant explosions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farber, E. A.; Smith, J. H.; Watts, E. H.

1973-01-01

Work which has been done at the University of Florida in arriving at credible explosive yield values for liquid rocket propellants is presented. The results are based upon logical methods which have been well worked out theoretically and verified through experimental procedures. Three independent methods to predict explosive yield values for liquid rocket propellants are described. All three give the same end result even though they utilize different parameters and procedures. They are: (1) mathematical model; (2) seven chart approach; and (3) critical mass method. A brief description of the methods, how they were derived, how they were applied, and the results which they produced are given. The experimental work used to support and verify the above methods both in the laboratory and in the field with actually explosive mixtures are presented. The methods developed are used and their value demonstrated in analyzing real problems, among them the destruct system of the Saturn 5, and the early configurations of the space shuttle.

Towards Verifying National CO2 Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fung, I. Y.; Wuerth, S. M.; Anderson, J. L.

2017-12-01

With the Paris Agreement, nations around the world have pledged their voluntary reductions in future CO2 emissions. Satellite observations of atmospheric CO2 have the potential to verify self-reported emission statistics around the globe. We present a carbon-weather data assimilation system, wherein raw weather observations together with satellite observations of the mixing ratio of column CO2 from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 are assimilated every 6 hours into the NCAR carbon-climate model CAM5 coupled to the Ensemble Kalman Filter of DART. In an OSSE, we reduced the fossil fuel emissions from a country, and estimated the emissions innovations demanded by the atmospheric CO2 observations. The uncertainties in the innovation are analyzed with respect to the uncertainties in the meteorology to determine the significance of the result. The work follows from "On the use of incomplete historical data to infer the present state of the atmosphere" (Charney et al. 1969), which maps the path for continuous data assimilation for weather forecasting and the five decades of progress since.

Novel Arch Bar Fabricated With a Computer-Aided Design and Three-Dimensional Printing: A Feasibility Study.

PubMed

He, Wei; Sun, Yuchun; Tian, Kaiyue; Xie, Xiaoyan; Wang, Xiaoxia; Li, Zili

2015-11-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of the design and fabrication of a novel arch bar using 3-dimensional printing. Furthermore, the study assessed its use in a preliminary clinical study of intermaxillary fixation. Seven patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the present study. Plaster dental casts were created of each patient and scanned using cone-beam computed tomography to obtain digital casts. Computer-aided design software was then used to complete the virtual building of the arch bars, which were manufactured using 3-dimensional printing and a cobalt-chrome alloy. The clinical results were observed after the arch bars were fixed to the dentition with steel wires. The arch bar contacted the dentition with a "surface-to-surface" pattern. The utility of these novel arch bars was verified by successfully fitting them to the dental arches of the patients. All the patients achieved their desired occlusion. The results of the present study have illustrated that this digital method is feasible for constructing a novel arch bar, showing promise for clinical use. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An approach for verifying biogenic greenhouse gas emissions inventories with atmospheric CO 2 concentration data

DOE PAGES

Ogle, Stephen; Davis, Kenneth J.; Lauvaux, Thomas; ...

2015-03-10

Verifying national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories is a critical step to ensure that reported emissions data to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are accurate and representative of a country’s contribution to GHG concentrations in the atmosphere. Verification could include a variety of evidence, but arguably the most convincing verification would be confirmation of a change in GHG concentrations in the atmosphere that is consistent with reported emissions to the UNFCCC. We report here on a case study evaluating this option based on a prototype atmospheric CO2 measurement network deployed in the Mid-Continent Region of themore » conterminous United States. We found that the atmospheric CO2 measurement data did verify the accuracy of the emissions inventory within the confidence limits of the emissions estimates, suggesting that this technology could be further developed and deployed more widely in the future for verifying reported emissions.« less

Conservation of hot regions in protein-protein interaction in evolution.

PubMed

Hu, Jing; Li, Jiarui; Chen, Nansheng; Zhang, Xiaolong

2016-11-01

The hot regions of protein-protein interactions refer to the active area which formed by those most important residues to protein combination process. With the research development on protein interactions, lots of predicted hot regions can be discovered efficiently by intelligent computing methods, while performing biology experiments to verify each every prediction is hardly to be done due to the time-cost and the complexity of the experiment. This study based on the research of hot spot residue conservations, the proposed method is used to verify authenticity of predicted hot regions that using machine learning algorithm combined with protein's biological features and sequence conservation, though multiple sequence alignment, module substitute matrix and sequence similarity to create conservation scoring algorithm, and then using threshold module to verify the conservation tendency of hot regions in evolution. This research work gives an effective method to verify predicted hot regions in protein-protein interactions, which also provides a useful way to deeply investigate the functional activities of protein hot regions. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Optimal dental age estimation practice in United Arab Emirates' children.

PubMed

Altalie, Salem; Thevissen, Patrick; Fieuws, Steffen; Willems, Guy

2014-03-01

The aim of the study was to detect whether the Willems model, developed on a Belgian reference sample, can be used for age estimations in United Arab Emirates (UAE) children. Furthermore, it was verified that if added third molars development information in children provided more accurate age predictions. On 1900 panoramic radiographs, the development of left mandibular permanent teeth (PT) and third molars (TM) was registered according the Demirjian and the Kohler technique, respectively. The PT data were used to verify the Willems model and to develop a UAE model and to verify it. Multiple regression models with PT, TM, and PT + TM scores as independent and age as dependent factor were developed. Comparing the verified Willems- and the UAE model revealed differences in mean error of -0.01 year, mean absolute error of 0.01 year and root mean squared error of 0.90 year. Neglectable overall decrease in RMSE was detected combining PM and TM developmental information. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Nonequilibrium quantum thermodynamics in Coulomb crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cosco, F.; Borrelli, M.; Silvi, P.; Maniscalco, S.; De Chiara, G.

2017-06-01

We present an in-depth study of the nonequilibrium statistics of the irreversible work produced during sudden quenches in proximity to the structural linear-zigzag transition of ion Coulomb crystals in 1+1 dimensions. By employing both an analytical approach based on a harmonic expansion and numerical simulations, we show the divergence of the average irreversible work in proximity to the transition. We show that the nonanalytic behavior of the work fluctuations can be characterized in terms of the critical exponents of the quantum Ising chain. Due to the technological advancements in trapped-ion experiments, our results can be readily verified.

Study on beam geometry and image reconstruction algorithm in fast neutron computerized tomography at NECTAR facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, J.; Bücherl, T.; Zou, Y.; Guo, Z.

2011-09-01

Investigations on the fast neutron beam geometry for the NECTAR facility are presented. The results of MCNP simulations and experimental measurements of the beam distributions at NECTAR are compared. Boltzmann functions are used to describe the beam profile in the detection plane assuming the area source to be set up of large number of single neutron point sources. An iterative algebraic reconstruction algorithm is developed, realized and verified by both simulated and measured projection data. The feasibility for improved reconstruction in fast neutron computerized tomography at the NECTAR facility is demonstrated.

Study on improved Ip-iq APF control algorithm and its application in micro grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Xifeng; Shi, Hua; Deng, Haiyingv

2018-01-01

In order to enhance the tracking velocity and accuracy of harmonic detection by ip-iq algorithm, a novel ip-iq control algorithm based on the Instantaneous reactive power theory is presented, the improved algorithm adds the lead correction link to adjust the zero point of the detection system, the Fuzzy Self-Tuning Adaptive PI control is introduced to dynamically adjust the DC-link Voltage, which meets the requirement of the harmonic compensation of the micro grid. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed method is feasible and effective in micro grid.

Aerial applications dispersal systems control requirements study. [agriculture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauchspies, J. S.; Cleary, W. L.; Rogers, W. F.; Simpson, W.; Sanders, G. S.

1980-01-01

Performance deficiencies in aerial liquid and dry dispersal systems are identified. Five control system concepts are explored: (1) end of field on/off control; (2) manual control of particle size and application rate from the aircraft; (3) manual control of deposit rate on the field; (4) automatic alarm and shut-off control; and (5) fully automatic control. Operational aspects of the concepts and specifications for improved control configurations are discussed in detail. A research plan to provide the technology needed to develop the proposed improvements is presented along with a flight program to verify the benefits achieved.

[A research on real-time ventricular QRS classification methods for single-chip-microcomputers].

PubMed

Peng, L; Yang, Z; Li, L; Chen, H; Chen, E; Lin, J

1997-05-01

Ventricular QRS classification is key technique of ventricular arrhythmias detection in single-chip-microcomputer based dynamic electrocardiogram real-time analyser. This paper adopts morphological feature vector including QRS amplitude, interval information to reveal QRS morphology. After studying the distribution of QRS morphology feature vector of MIT/BIH DB ventricular arrhythmia files, we use morphological feature vector cluster to classify multi-morphology QRS. Based on the method, morphological feature parameters changing method which is suitable to catch occasional ventricular arrhythmias is presented. Clinical experiments verify missed ventricular arrhythmia is less than 1% by this method.

Micellar systems: Novel family for drug carriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rana, Meenakshi; Chowdhury, Papia

2016-05-01

Micellar systems have attracted a great deal of interest, especially in the field of biomedical sciences. The paper deals with the encapsulation behavior of Pyrrole-2-carboxyldehyde (PCL) an anti-cancer drug in different micellar systems. The inculsion capability of PCL is verified experimentally (UV-Vis, Photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy) in polymer matrix. Two-micellar systems sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Polysorbate 80 (TWEEN 80) have been studied with a poorly water soluble PCL. The present work provides the effects of biocompatible organic PCL molecule entrap in micellar system in polymer phase due to its vast applicability in drug industry.

Technological Prospection on Nanotechnologies Applied to the Petroleum Industry.

PubMed

Parreiras, Viviane M A; de S Antunes, Adelaide M

2015-01-01

This paper presents a technological prospection on nanotechnologies applied to the petroleum industry through the creation of a worldwide overview regarding scientific paper publications and patents concerning that business, with the purpose of identifying the main trends on research and development (R&D), the annual evolution, as well as the key agents and countries involved. In this research, it was possible to verify the presence of services oil companies, like Baker, Schlumberger and Halliburton. In scientific paper publications, it was possible to observe university departments, related to petroleum studies, from different countries, as Thailand, China, USA, Iran.

Synthetic polymers as substrates for a DNA-sliding clamp protein.

PubMed

van Dongen, S F M; Clerx, J; van den Boomen, O I; Pervaiz, M; Trakselis, M A; Ritschel, T; Schoonen, L; Schoenmakers, D C; Nolte, R J M

2018-04-26

The clamp protein (gp45) of the DNA polymerase III of the bacteriophage T4 is known to bind to DNA and stay attached to it in order to facilitate the process of DNA copying by the polymerase. As part of a project aimed at developing new biomimetic data-encoding systems we have investigated the binding of gp45 to synthetic polymers, that is, rigid, helical polyisocyanopeptides. Molecular modelling studies suggest that the clamp protein may interact with the latter polymers. Experiments aimed at verifying these interactions are presented and discussed. © 2018 The Authors Biopolymers Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Atmospheric science facility pallet-only mode space transportation system payload (feasibility study), Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

The economic and technical feasibility is assessed of employing a pallet-only mode for conducting Atmospheric Magnetospheric Plasmas-in-Space experiments. A baseline design incorporating the experiment and instrument descriptions is developed. The prime instruments are packaged into four pallets in a physical and functional manner compatible with the Space Transportation System capabilities and/or constraints and an orbiter seven-day mission timeline. Operational compatibility is verified between the orbiter/payload and supporting facilities. The development status and the schedule requirements applicable to the Atmospheric Science Facility mission are identified. Conclusions and recommendations are presented and discussed.

Analog simulation of flux-summing servo-model, phases 1 and 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hriber, E. J.

1984-01-01

The analog simulation was developed for a closed-loop system having an electrohydraulic flux-summing servo valve and actuator with associated inertial load. One-fourth of the system's total forward gain is carried by each of four channels. The present study successfully applied failure mode management techniques to the problem of channel failure. Digital logic circuitry was developed to maintain the overall forward gain of the system at a constant value, in the presence of channel failure. Finally, the stability of the system was verified, and performance characteristics were determined through the use of frequency response methods.

Genetic study of KIR and HLA ligands in 235 individuals from Northeastern Thailand.

PubMed

Chaisri, Suwit; Leelayuwat, Chanvit; Romphruk, Amornrat

The diversity of 17 KIR and HLA ligands (HLA-C1, C2, Bw4, A11) were investigated in two hundred and thirty-five unrelated healthy donors in Northeastern Thais (NETs) by the polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method. The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) was used to verify genotyping method for dimorphic KIR and HLA. They were in HWE (p>0.05). KIR and HLA ligands frequencies, genotypes, haplotypes and linkage disequilibrium (LD) were presented. The genetic data are available in allele Frequencies Net Database. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Application Of Numerical Modelling To Ribbed Wire Rod Dimensions Precision Increase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szota, Piotr; Mróz, Sebastian; Stefanik, Andrzej

2007-05-01

The paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental investigations of the process of rolling square ribbed wire rod designed for concrete reinforcement. Numerical modelling of the process of rolling in the finishing and pre-finishing grooves was carried out using the Forge2005® software. In the investigation, particular consideration was given to the analysis of the effect of pre-finished band shape on the formation of ribs on the finished wire rod in the finishing groove. The results of theoretical studies were verified in experimental tests, which were carried out in a wire rolling mill.

Radiative recombination and photon recycling in gallium arsenide solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundstrom, M. S.; Melloch, M. R.; Lush, G. B.; Patkar, M. P.; Young, M.; Durbin, S. M.; Gray, J. L.; MacMillan, H. F.; Keyes, B. M.; Levi, D. H.; Ahrenkiel, R. K.

1992-12-01

This talk reviews experimental work to develop a detailed understanding of radiative recombination in n-GaAs. Photoluminescence decay studies of minority carrier lifetimes versus doping in n-GaAs are presented. We show that when the substrate is removed by etching, photon recycling is enhanced, and lifetimes increase by nearly a factor of 10. The doping-dependent absorption coefficient is measured, and detailed balance arguments are used to relate absorption and recombination. Modeling surfaces, verified by comparison with experiments, are used to examine the effects of recycling in conventional solar cells and to explore new design options.

[Hotels and sanatoria: the influence of tuberculosis on mass tourism architecture].

PubMed

Morales, Eduardo Jiménez; Díaz, Ingrid Carolina Vargas

2017-01-01

The aim of this article is to verify the influence of tuberculosis on mass tourism architecture. To achieve this, the paper analyses the typological evolution of the hotel since the middle of the nineteenth century, when the first sanatoria appeared in the alpine resorts. A study that creates links between the progress in architecture and the medical therapy advances. The goal is to highlight the hybridisation process between both architectural typologies. Although this overlapping is developed until the Second World War, the influence of its mixture is still present in contemporary mass tourism architecture.

A virtual reality assessment and training system for unilateral neglect.

PubMed

Kim, Kwanguk; Kim, Jaehun; Ku, Jeonghun; Kim, Deog Young; Chang, Won Hyek; Shin, Dong Ik; Lee, Jang Han; Kim, In Young; Kim, Sun I

2004-12-01

Patients with unilateral neglect have problems reporting, responding, or orienting to novel or meaningful stimuli that is presented to the side opposite to that of a brain lesion. This creates a serous problem in regards to daily living activities. However, the established methods for assessing and training of unilateral neglect patients have several deficits. Recently, virtual reality (VR) technologies have been used as an assessment and treatment tool for rehabilitation. Hence, this study designed a VR system to assess and train unilateral neglect patients. In addition, the suitability and feasibility of our VR system for unilateral neglect patients was verified.

An improved cylindrical FDTD method and its application to field-tissue interaction study in MRI.

PubMed

Chi, Jieru; Liu, Feng; Xia, Ling; Shao, Tingting; Mason, David G; Crozier, Stuart

2010-01-01

This paper presents a three dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) scheme in cylindrical coordinates with an improved algorithm for accommodating the numerical singularity associated with the polar axis. The regularization of this singularity problem is entirely based on Ampere's law. The proposed algorithm has been detailed and verified against a problem with a known solution obtained from a commercial electromagnetic simulation package. The numerical scheme is also illustrated by modeling high-frequency RF field-human body interactions in MRI. The results demonstrate the accuracy and capability of the proposed algorithm.

Strength Analysis and Process Simulation of Subway Contact Rail Support Bracket of Composite Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedulov, Boris N.; Safonov, Alexander A.; Sergeichev, Ivan V.; Ushakov, Andrey E.; Klenin, Yuri G.; Makarenko, Irina V.

2016-10-01

An application of composites for construction of subway brackets is a very effective approach to extend their lifetime. However, this approach involves the necessity to prevent process-induced distortions of the bracket due to thermal deformation and chemical shrinkage. At present study, a process simulation has been carried out to support the design of the production tooling. The simulation was based on the application of viscoelastic model for the resin. Simulation results were verified by comparison with results of manufacturing experiments. To optimize the bracket structure the strength analysis was carried out as well.

Design, fabrication and systems integration of a satellite tracked, free-drifting ocean data buoy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, J. W.; Cox, J. W.

1976-01-01

Engineering details are presented of a small free-drifting buoy configuration designed for use in the study of continental shelf water circulation patterns in the Chesapeake Bight of the Western North Atlantic Ocean. The buoy incoporated French instrumentation and was interrogated by the French EOLE satellite to provide position and four channels of temperature data. The buoy design included a variable depth drogue and a power supply sufficient for six weeks of continuous operations. Proof tests of the configuration indicated an adequate design and subsequent field experiments verified the proper functioning of the system.

Persuasion in school-aged children: How does it change if the persuadee is the mother or the peer?

PubMed

Lonigro, Antonia; Baiocco, Roberto; Baumgartner, Emma; Sette, Stefania; Laghi, Fiorenzo

2017-02-01

The present study was designed to verify how school-aged children's persuasive tactics changed if the persuadee was the mother or the peer. One hundred and forty-nine children at two grade levels (4th and 5th) were enrolled in the study. Persuasive strategies were investigated using pictures representing two common situations in which each child had to convince his/her playmate and his/her mother to obtain a toy. As predicted, with mothers children engaged more frequently in strategies aimed at encouraging cognitive reappraisal of the situation and offering guarantees. Conversely, with the peers, children adopted a greater variety of persuasive strategies, engaging in lower-order tactics. Implications and limitations of the study were discussed.

Optimal Experiment Design for Thermal Characterization of Functionally Graded Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cole, Kevin D.

2003-01-01

The purpose of the project was to investigate methods to accurately verify that designed , materials meet thermal specifications. The project involved heat transfer calculations and optimization studies, and no laboratory experiments were performed. One part of the research involved study of materials in which conduction heat transfer predominates. Results include techniques to choose among several experimental designs, and protocols for determining the optimum experimental conditions for determination of thermal properties. Metal foam materials were also studied in which both conduction and radiation heat transfer are present. Results of this work include procedures to optimize the design of experiments to accurately measure both conductive and radiative thermal properties. Detailed results in the form of three journal papers have been appended to this report.

Experimental evaluation of high performance base course and road base asphalt concrete with electric arc furnace steel slags.

PubMed

Pasetto, Marco; Baldo, Nicola

2010-09-15

The paper presents the results of a laboratory study aimed at verifying the use of two types of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slags as substitutes for natural aggregates, in the composition of base course and road base asphalt concrete (BBAC) for flexible pavements. The trial was composed of a preliminary study of the chemical, physical, mechanical and leaching properties of the EAF steel slags, followed by the mix design and performance characterization of the bituminous mixes, through gyratory compaction tests, permanent deformation tests, stiffness modulus tests at various temperatures, fatigue tests and indirect tensile strength tests. All the mixtures with EAF slags presented better mechanical characteristics than those of the corresponding asphalts with natural aggregate and satisfied the requisites for acceptance in the Italian road sector technical standards, thus resulting as suitable for use in road construction. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Note: Radial-thrust combo metal mesh foil bearing for microturbomachinery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Cheol Hoon; Choi, Sang Kyu; Hong, Doo Euy; Yoon, Tae Gwang; Lee, Sung Hwi

2013-10-01

This Note proposes a novel radial-thrust combo metal mesh foil bearing (MMFB). Although MMFBs have advantages such as higher stiffness and damping over conventional air foil bearings, studies related to MMFBs have been limited to radial MMFBs. The novel combo MMFB is composed of a radial top foil, thrust top foils, and a ring-shaped metal mesh damper—fabricated by compressing a copper wire mesh—with metal mesh thrust pads for the thrust bearing at both side faces. In this study, the combo MMFB was fabricated in half-split type to support the rotor for a micro gas turbine generator. The manufacture and assembly process for the half-split-type combo MMFB is presented. In addition, to verify the proposed combo MMFB, motoring test results up to 250 000 rpm and axial displacements as a function of rotational speed are presented.

Note: Radial-thrust combo metal mesh foil bearing for microturbomachinery.

PubMed

Park, Cheol Hoon; Choi, Sang Kyu; Hong, Doo Euy; Yoon, Tae Gwang; Lee, Sung Hwi

2013-10-01

This Note proposes a novel radial-thrust combo metal mesh foil bearing (MMFB). Although MMFBs have advantages such as higher stiffness and damping over conventional air foil bearings, studies related to MMFBs have been limited to radial MMFBs. The novel combo MMFB is composed of a radial top foil, thrust top foils, and a ring-shaped metal mesh damper--fabricated by compressing a copper wire mesh--with metal mesh thrust pads for the thrust bearing at both side faces. In this study, the combo MMFB was fabricated in half-split type to support the rotor for a micro gas turbine generator. The manufacture and assembly process for the half-split-type combo MMFB is presented. In addition, to verify the proposed combo MMFB, motoring test results up to 250,000 rpm and axial displacements as a function of rotational speed are presented.

Conceptual design of a multiple cable crane for planetary surface operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.; Yang, Li-Farn

1991-01-01

A preliminary design study is presented of a mobile crane suitable for conducting remote, automated construction operations on planetary surfaces. A cursory study was made of earth based mobile cranes and the needs for major improvements were identified. Current earth based cranes have a single cable supporting the payload, and precision positioning is accomplished by the use of construction workers controlling the payload by the use of tethers. For remote, autonomous operations on planetary surfaces it will be necessary to perform the precision operations without the use of humans. To accomplish this the payload must be stabilized relative to the crane. One approach for accomplishing this is to suspend the payload on multiple cable. A 3-cable suspension system crane concept is discussed. An analysis of the natural frequency of the system is presented which verifies the legitimacy of the concept.

Mathematical Modeling of Decarburization in Levitated Fe-Cr-C Droplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Lei; Shi, Zhe; Yang, Yindong; Li, Donghui; Zhang, Guifang; McLean, Alexander; Chattopadhyay, Kinnor

2018-04-01

Using carbon dioxide to replace oxygen as an alternative oxidant gas has proven to be a viable solution in the decarburization process, with potential for industrial applications. In a recent study, the transport phenomena governing the carbon dioxide decarburization process through the use of electromagnetic levitation (EML) was examined. CO2/CO mass transfer was found to be the principal reaction rate control step, as a result gas diffusion has gained significant attention. In the present study, gas diffusion during decarburization process was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling coupled with chemical reactions. The resulting model was verified through experimental data in a published paper, and employed to provide insights on phenomena typically unobservable through experiments. Based on the results, a new correction of the Frössling equation was presented which better represents the mass transfer phenomena at the metal-gas interface within the range of this research.

Effects of lighting and air-conditioning systems on growth weight and functional composition of frill-lettuce produced in plant factory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Atsumasa; Okamura, Nobuya; Furukawa, Hajime; Myojin, Chiho; Moriuchi, Koji; Kinoshita, Shinichi

2017-06-01

The aim of the present study was to develop optimal air-conditioning systems for plant factories. To verify the effect of particular air-conditioning and lighting systems, cultivation experiments were performed with frill-lettuce for two weeks. In the present study, the relationship between the cultivation condition, the yield (i.e., increase in edible portion weight), and the functional components were discussed. Based on the measured data, increased photosynthetic photon flux density increased antioxidative activity and edible portion weight, possibly because high light intensities are stressful for frill lettuce. Antioxidative activity also increased under conditions of low CO2 concentration, weak and strong winds, and high air temperature because these conditions became stresses for the plants. However, a decrease in edible portion weight was observed under these conditions, implying there is a negative correlation between antioxidative activity and edible portion weight.

AMPS data management concepts. [Atmospheric, Magnetospheric and Plasma in Space experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Metzelaar, P. N.

1975-01-01

Five typical AMPS experiments were formulated to allow simulation studies to verify data management concepts. Design studies were conducted to analyze these experiments in terms of the applicable procedures, data processing and displaying functions. Design concepts for AMPS data management system are presented which permit both automatic repetitive measurement sequences and experimenter-controlled step-by-step procedures. Extensive use is made of a cathode ray tube display, the experimenters' alphanumeric keyboard, and the computer. The types of computer software required by the system and the possible choices of control and display procedures available to the experimenter are described for several examples. An electromagnetic wave transmission experiment illustrates the methods used to analyze data processing requirements.

Design of a verifiable subset for HAL/S

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Browne, J. C.; Good, D. I.; Tripathi, A. R.; Young, W. D.

1979-01-01

An attempt to evaluate the applicability of program verification techniques to the existing programming language, HAL/S is discussed. HAL/S is a general purpose high level language designed to accommodate the software needs of the NASA Space Shuttle project. A diversity of features for scientific computing, concurrent and real-time programming, and error handling are discussed. The criteria by which features were evaluated for inclusion into the verifiable subset are described. Individual features of HAL/S with respect to these criteria are examined and justification for the omission of various features from the subset is provided. Conclusions drawn from the research are presented along with recommendations made for the use of HAL/S with respect to the area of program verification.

A Secure and Efficient Threshold Group Signature Scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yansheng; Wang, Xueming; Qiu, Gege

The paper presents a secure and efficient threshold group signature scheme aiming at two problems of current threshold group signature schemes: conspiracy attack and inefficiency. Scheme proposed in this paper takes strategy of separating designed clerk who is responsible for collecting and authenticating each individual signature from group, the designed clerk don't participate in distribution of group secret key and has his own public key and private key, designed clerk needs to sign part information of threshold group signature after collecting signatures. Thus verifier has to verify signature of the group after validating signature of the designed clerk. This scheme is proved to be secure against conspiracy attack at last and is more efficient by comparing with other schemes.

HOW OLD IS IT? - 241PU/241AM NUCLEAR FORENSIC CHRONOLOGY REFERENCE MATERIALS

PubMed Central

Fitzgerald, Ryan; Inn, Kenneth G.W.; Horgan, Christopher

2018-01-01

One material attribute for nuclear forensics is material age. 241Pu is almost always present in uranium- and plutonium-based nuclear weapons, which pose the greatest threat to our security. The in-growth of 241Am due to the decay of 241Pu provides an excellent chronometer of the material. A well-characterized 241Pu/241Am standard is needed to validate measurement capability, as a basis for between-laboratory comparability, and as material for verifying laboratory performance. This effort verifies the certification of a 38 year old 241Pu Standard Reference Material (SRM4340) through alpha-gamma anticoincidence counting, and also establishes the separation date to two weeks of the documented date. PMID:29720779

Flight prototype CO2 and humidity control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rudy, K. M.

1979-01-01

A regenerable CO2 and humidity control system is presently being developed for potential use on shuttle as an alternative to the baseline lithium hydroxide system. The system utilizes a sorbent material (designated HS-C) to adsorb CO2 and the latent heat load from the cabin atmosphere and desorb the CO2 and water vapor overboard when exposed to a space vacuum, thus reducing the overall vehicle heat rejection load. Continuous operation is achieved by utilizing two beds which are alternatively cycled between adsorption and desorption. The HS-C material process was verified. Design concepts for the auxiliary components for the HS-C prototype system were generated. Performance testing verified system effectiveness in controlling CO2 partial pressure and humidity.

Design Strategy for a Formally Verified Reliable Computing Platform

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butler, Ricky W.; Caldwell, James L.; DiVito, Ben L.

1991-01-01

This paper presents a high-level design for a reliable computing platform for real-time control applications. The design tradeoffs and analyses related to the development of a formally verified reliable computing platform are discussed. The design strategy advocated in this paper requires the use of techniques that can be completely characterized mathematically as opposed to more powerful or more flexible algorithms whose performance properties can only be analyzed by simulation and testing. The need for accurate reliability models that can be related to the behavior models is also stressed. Tradeoffs between reliability and voting complexity are explored. In particular, the transient recovery properties of the system are found to be fundamental to both the reliability analysis as well as the "correctness" models.

Thermal Pollution Mathematical Model. Volume 6; Verification of Three-Dimensional Free-Surface Model at Anclote Anchorage; [environment impact of thermal discharges from power plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, S. S.; Sengupta, S.; Tuann, S. Y.; Lee, C. R.

1980-01-01

The free-surface model presented is for tidal estuaries and coastal regions where ambient tidal forces play an important role in the dispersal of heated water. The model is time dependent, three dimensional, and can handle irregular bottom topography. The vertical stretching coordinate is adopted for better treatment of kinematic condition at the water surface. The results include surface elevation, velocity, and temperature. The model was verified at the Anclote Anchorage site of Florida Power Company. Two data bases at four tidal stages for winter and summer conditions were used to verify the model. Differences between measured and predicted temperatures are on an average of less than 1 C.

Effect of bed characters on the direct synthesis of dimethyldichlorosilane in fluidized bed reactor.

PubMed

Zhang, Pan; Duan, Ji H; Chen, Guang H; Wang, Wei W

2015-03-06

This paper presents the numerical investigation of the effects of the general bed characteristics such as superficial gas velocities, bed temperature, bed heights and particle size, on the direct synthesis in a 3D fluidized bed reactor. A 3D model for the gas flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer was coupled to the direct synthesis reaction mechanism verified in the literature. The model was verified by comparing the simulated reaction rate and dimethyldichlorosilane (M2) selectivity with the experimental data in the open literature and real production data. Computed results indicate that superficial gas velocities, bed temperature, bed heights, and particle size have vital effect on the reaction rates and/or M2 selectivity.

Effect of Bed Characters on the Direct Synthesis of Dimethyldichlorosilane in Fluidized Bed Reactor

PubMed Central

Zhang, Pan; Duan, Ji H.; Chen, Guang H.; Wang, Wei W.

2015-01-01

This paper presents the numerical investigation of the effects of the general bed characteristics such as superficial gas velocities, bed temperature, bed heights and particle size, on the direct synthesis in a 3D fluidized bed reactor. A 3D model for the gas flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer was coupled to the direct synthesis reaction mechanism verified in the literature. The model was verified by comparing the simulated reaction rate and dimethyldichlorosilane (M2) selectivity with the experimental data in the open literature and real production data. Computed results indicate that superficial gas velocities, bed temperature, bed heights, and particle size have vital effect on the reaction rates and/or M2 selectivity. PMID:25742729

Video measurement of the muzzle velocity of a potato gun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jasperson, Christopher; Pollman, Anthony

2011-09-01

Using first principles, a theoretical equation for the maximum and actual muzzle velocities for a pneumatic cannon was recently derived. For a fixed barrel length, this equation suggests that the muzzle velocity can be enhanced by maximizing the product of the initial pressure and the volume of the propellant gas and decreasing the projectile mass. The present paper describes the results of experiments conducted to verify the validity of this theoretical equation. A high-speed video camera was used to quantify muzzle velocity for potatoes of varying mass exiting a pneumatic cannon for gauge pressures ranging from 310 to 830 kPa. The experiments verified that a friction modified version of the theoretical equation is qualitatively and quantitatively accurate for potato masses above 100 g.

[NDVI difference rate recognition model of deciduous broad-leaved forest based on HJ-CCD remote sensing data].

PubMed

Wang, Yan; Tian, Qing-Jiu; Huang, Yan; Wei, Hong-Wei

2013-04-01

The present paper takes Chuzhou in Anhui Province as the research area, and deciduous broad-leaved forest as the research object. Then it constructs the recognition model about deciduous broad-leaved forest was constructed using NDVI difference rate between leaf expansion and flowering and fruit-bearing, and the model was applied to HJ-CCD remote sensing image on April 1, 2012 and May 4, 2012. At last, the spatial distribution map of deciduous broad-leaved forest was extracted effectively, and the results of extraction were verified and evaluated. The result shows the validity of NDVI difference rate extraction method proposed in this paper and also verifies the applicability of using HJ-CCD data for vegetation classification and recognition.

10 CFR 781.66 - Third-party termination proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... sent to the Secretary, ATTN: Invention Licensing Appeal Board, and shall be verified and accompanied by... steps, necessary to accomplish substantial utilization of the invention. (b) Upon receipt of such a... utilization of the invention and has presented sufficent proof, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this...

Jamming protection of spread spectrum RFID system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazurek, Gustaw

2006-10-01

This paper presents a new transform-domain processing algorithm for rejection of narrowband interferences in RFID/DS-CDMA systems. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been verified via computer simulations. Implementation issues have been discussed. The algorithm can be implemented in the FPGA or DSP technology.

DIESEL ENGINE RETROFIT TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION (POSTER)

EPA Science Inventory

ETV is presenting a poster at the EPA's 2005 Science Forum from May 16-18, 2005 in Washington, DC. This poster will contain a summary of the performance results realized by the six verified diesel retrofit technologies, as well as potential impacts that could be realized if sigi...

28 CFR 25.54 - Responsibilities of the States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Section 25.54 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) § 25.54 Responsibilities of the States. (a) Each... reported as such, to compare and verify the odometer information presented with that reported in the system...

Creating Constructivist Environments and Constructing Creative Mathematics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pirie, Susan; Kieren, Thomas

1992-01-01

Proposes and describes four teachers' beliefs necessary in creating constructivist classroom environments. Presents the background, description, and analysis of seven teaching episodes that examine the mathematical understanding actions of pupils in classrooms in which teachers exhibit these beliefs in an effort to verify the necessity of the…

Robust Approach to Verifying the Weak Form of the Efficient Market Hypothesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Střelec, Luboš

2011-09-01

The weak form of the efficient markets hypothesis states that prices incorporate only past information about the asset. An implication of this form of the efficient markets hypothesis is that one cannot detect mispriced assets and consistently outperform the market through technical analysis of past prices. One of possible formulations of the efficient market hypothesis used for weak form tests is that share prices follow a random walk. It means that returns are realizations of IID sequence of random variables. Consequently, for verifying the weak form of the efficient market hypothesis, we can use distribution tests, among others, i.e. some tests of normality and/or some graphical methods. Many procedures for testing the normality of univariate samples have been proposed in the literature [7]. Today the most popular omnibus test of normality for a general use is the Shapiro-Wilk test. The Jarque-Bera test is the most widely adopted omnibus test of normality in econometrics and related fields. In particular, the Jarque-Bera test (i.e. test based on the classical measures of skewness and kurtosis) is frequently used when one is more concerned about heavy-tailed alternatives. As these measures are based on moments of the data, this test has a zero breakdown value [2]. In other words, a single outlier can make the test worthless. The reason so many classical procedures are nonrobust to outliers is that the parameters of the model are expressed in terms of moments, and their classical estimators are expressed in terms of sample moments, which are very sensitive to outliers. Another approach to robustness is to concentrate on the parameters of interest suggested by the problem under this study. Consequently, novel robust testing procedures of testing normality are presented in this paper to overcome shortcomings of classical normality tests in the field of financial data, which are typical with occurrence of remote data points and additional types of deviations from normality. This study also discusses some results of simulation power studies of these tests for normality against selected alternatives. Based on outcome of the power simulation study, selected normality tests were consequently used to verify weak form of efficiency in Central Europe stock markets.

General Reynolds analogy on curved surfaces in hypersonic rarefied gas flows with non-equilibrium chemical reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xingxing, Chen; Zhihui, Wang; Yongliang, Yu

2016-11-01

Hypersonic chemical non-equilibrium gas flows around blunt nosed bodies are studied in the present paper to investigate the Reynolds analogy relation on curved surfaces. With a momentum and energy transfer model being applied through boundary layers, influences of molecular dissociations and recombinations on skin frictions and heat fluxes are separately modeled. Expressions on the ratio of Cf / Ch (skin friction coefficient to heat flux) are presented along the surface of circular cylinders under the ideal dissociation gas model. The analysis indicates that molecular dissociations increase the linear distribution of Cf / Ch, but the nonlinear Reynolds analogy relation could ultimately be obtained in flows with larger Reynolds numbers and Mach numbers, where the decrease of wall heat flux by molecular recombinations signifies. The present modeling and analyses are also verified by the DSMC calculations on nitrogen gas flows.

A Bivariate Chebyshev Spectral Collocation Quasilinearization Method for Nonlinear Evolution Parabolic Equations

PubMed Central

Motsa, S. S.; Magagula, V. M.; Sibanda, P.

2014-01-01

This paper presents a new method for solving higher order nonlinear evolution partial differential equations (NPDEs). The method combines quasilinearisation, the Chebyshev spectral collocation method, and bivariate Lagrange interpolation. In this paper, we use the method to solve several nonlinear evolution equations, such as the modified KdV-Burgers equation, highly nonlinear modified KdV equation, Fisher's equation, Burgers-Fisher equation, Burgers-Huxley equation, and the Fitzhugh-Nagumo equation. The results are compared with known exact analytical solutions from literature to confirm accuracy, convergence, and effectiveness of the method. There is congruence between the numerical results and the exact solutions to a high order of accuracy. Tables were generated to present the order of accuracy of the method; convergence graphs to verify convergence of the method and error graphs are presented to show the excellent agreement between the results from this study and the known results from literature. PMID:25254252

A bivariate Chebyshev spectral collocation quasilinearization method for nonlinear evolution parabolic equations.

PubMed

Motsa, S S; Magagula, V M; Sibanda, P

2014-01-01

This paper presents a new method for solving higher order nonlinear evolution partial differential equations (NPDEs). The method combines quasilinearisation, the Chebyshev spectral collocation method, and bivariate Lagrange interpolation. In this paper, we use the method to solve several nonlinear evolution equations, such as the modified KdV-Burgers equation, highly nonlinear modified KdV equation, Fisher's equation, Burgers-Fisher equation, Burgers-Huxley equation, and the Fitzhugh-Nagumo equation. The results are compared with known exact analytical solutions from literature to confirm accuracy, convergence, and effectiveness of the method. There is congruence between the numerical results and the exact solutions to a high order of accuracy. Tables were generated to present the order of accuracy of the method; convergence graphs to verify convergence of the method and error graphs are presented to show the excellent agreement between the results from this study and the known results from literature.

Analysis of the chemiluminescence from electronically excited lead oxide generated in a flow tube reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorko, E. A.; Glessner, J. W.; Ritchey, C. M.; Rutger, L. L.; Pow, J. J.; Brasure, L. D.; Duray, J. P.; Snyder, S. R.

1986-03-01

The chemiluminescence from electronically excited lead oxide formed during the reaction between lead vapor and either 3Σ O 2 or 1Δ O 2 has been studied. The reactions were accomplished in a flow tube reactor. A microwave discharge was used to generate 1Δ O 2. The vibronic spectrum was analyzed and the band head assignments were used in a linear least-squares calculation to obtain the vibronic molecular constants for the X, a, b, A, B, C, C', D, and E electronic states of lead oxide. Based on these and other molecular constants, Franck-Condon factors were calculated for the transitions to the ground state and also for the A-a and D-a transitions. Evidence was presented to support a kinetic analysis of the mechanism leading to chemiluminescence under the experimental conditions encountered in the flow tube reactor. Mechanisms presented earlier were verified by the present data.

Neuromechanical evidence of improved neuromuscular control around knee joint in volleyball players.

PubMed

Masci, Ilaria; Vannozzi, Giuseppe; Gizzi, Leonardo; Bellotti, Pasquale; Felici, Francesco

2010-02-01

The aim of the present work was to verify that skilled volleyball players present specific adaptations in both neuromuscular control and movement biomechanics, showing an improved neuromuscular control around the knee joint than in non-jumper athletes. Seven male volleyball players and seven male non-jumper athletes were recruited for this study. The following tests were performed in a random order: single countermovement jump (CMJ), single squat jump. At the end of the series, subjects performed a repetitive CMJ test. Electromyographic signals were recorded from vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles on both sides. Ground reaction forces and moments were measured with a force plate. Volleyball athletes performed better in all tests and were more resistant to fatigue than non-jumper athletes. Furthermore, volleyball athletes showed a reduced co-activation of knee flexor/extensor muscles. The present results seem to stand for a neural adaptation of the motor control scheme to training.

Cross-stream diffusion under pressure-driven flow in microchannels with arbitrary aspect ratios: a phase diagram study using a three-dimensional analytical model

PubMed Central

Song, Hongjun; Wang, Yi; Pant, Kapil

2011-01-01

This article presents a three-dimensional analytical model to investigate cross-stream diffusion transport in rectangular microchannels with arbitrary aspect ratios under pressure-driven flow. The Fourier series solution to the three-dimensional convection–diffusion equation is obtained using a double integral transformation method and associated eigensystem calculation. A phase diagram derived from the dimensional analysis is presented to thoroughly interrogate the characteristics in various transport regimes and examine the validity of the model. The analytical model is verified against both experimental and numerical models in terms of the concentration profile, diffusion scaling law, and mixing efficiency with excellent agreement (with <0.5% relative error). Quantitative comparison against other prior analytical models in extensive parameter space is also performed, which demonstrates that the present model accommodates much broader transport regimes with significantly enhanced applicability. PMID:22247719

Cross-stream diffusion under pressure-driven flow in microchannels with arbitrary aspect ratios: a phase diagram study using a three-dimensional analytical model.

PubMed

Song, Hongjun; Wang, Yi; Pant, Kapil

2012-01-01

This article presents a three-dimensional analytical model to investigate cross-stream diffusion transport in rectangular microchannels with arbitrary aspect ratios under pressure-driven flow. The Fourier series solution to the three-dimensional convection-diffusion equation is obtained using a double integral transformation method and associated eigensystem calculation. A phase diagram derived from the dimensional analysis is presented to thoroughly interrogate the characteristics in various transport regimes and examine the validity of the model. The analytical model is verified against both experimental and numerical models in terms of the concentration profile, diffusion scaling law, and mixing efficiency with excellent agreement (with <0.5% relative error). Quantitative comparison against other prior analytical models in extensive parameter space is also performed, which demonstrates that the present model accommodates much broader transport regimes with significantly enhanced applicability.

Study of chromatic adaptation via neutral white matches on different viewing media.

PubMed

Zhai, Qiyan; Luo, Ming R

2018-03-19

Two experiments were carried out to study the neutral white and the chromatic adaptation in human vision and color science. After matching neutral whites under different illuminants using both surface and self-luminous colors, the result were used to verify the previous study about the chromatic adaptation. Not all the white illuminants were found neutral even the adaptation time is long. The baseline illuminant of the two-step chromatic adaptation transform was found as the illuminant with the same chromaticity of the neutral white under it and depended on viewing medium in the present study. The results were also used as corresponding colors to derive models of the effective degree of chromatic adaptation, which were found highly associated with the chromaticity of the adapting illuminant.

HPC in a HEP lab: lessons learned from setting up cost-effective HPC clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Husejko, Michal; Agtzidis, Ioannis; Baehler, Pierre; Dul, Tadeusz; Evans, John; Himyr, Nils; Meinhard, Helge

2015-12-01

In this paper we present our findings gathered during the evaluation and testing of Windows Server High-Performance Computing (Windows HPC) in view of potentially using it as a production HPC system for engineering applications. The Windows HPC package, an extension of Microsofts Windows Server product, provides all essential interfaces, utilities and management functionality for creating, operating and monitoring a Windows-based HPC cluster infrastructure. The evaluation and test phase was focused on verifying the functionalities of Windows HPC, its performance, support of commercial tools and the integration with the users work environment. We describe constraints imposed by the way the CERN Data Centre is operated, licensing for engineering tools and scalability and behaviour of the HPC engineering applications used at CERN. We will present an initial set of requirements, which were created based on the above constraints and requests from the CERN engineering user community. We will explain how we have configured Windows HPC clusters to provide job scheduling functionalities required to support the CERN engineering user community, quality of service, user- and project-based priorities, and fair access to limited resources. Finally, we will present several performance tests we carried out to verify Windows HPC performance and scalability.

Automated measurement and control of concrete properties in a ready mix truck with VERIFI.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-02-01

In this research, twenty batches of concrete with six different mixture proportions were tested with VERIFI to evaluate 1) accuracy : and repeatability of VERIFI measurements, 2) ability of VERIFI to adjust slump automatically with water and admixtur...

Evidence of the no-slip boundary condition of water flow between hydrophilic surfaces using atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Maali, Abdelhamid; Wang, Yuliang; Bhushan, Bharat

2009-10-20

In this study we present measurements of the hydrodynamic force exerted on a glass sphere glued to an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever approaching a mica surface in water. A large sphere was used to reduce the impact of the cantilever beam on the measurement. An AFM cantilever with large stiffness was used to accurately determine the actual contact position between the sphere and the sample surface. The measured hydrodynamic force with different approach velocities is in good agreement with the Taylor force calculated in the lubrication theory with the no-slip boundary conditions, which verifies that there is no boundary slip on the glass and mica surfaces. Moreover, a detailed procedure of how to subtract the electrostatic double-layer force is presented.

Accommodation training in foreign workers.

PubMed

Takada, Masumi; Miyao, Masaru; Matsuura, Yasuyuki; Takada, Hiroki

2013-01-01

By relaxing the contracted focus-adjustment muscles around the eyeball, known as the ciliary and extraocular muscles, the degree of pseudomyopia can be reduced. This understanding has led to accommodation training in which a visual target is presented in stereoscopic video clips. However, it has been pointed out that motion sickness can be induced by viewing stereoscopic video clips. In Measurement 1 of the present study, we verified whether the new 3D technology reduced the severity of motion sickness in accordance with stabilometry. We then evaluated the short-term effects of accommodation training using new stereoscopic video clips on foreign workers (11 females) suffering from eye fatigue in Measurement 2. The foreign workers were trained for three days. As a result, visual acuity was statistically improved by continuous accommodation training, which will help promote ciliary muscle stretching.

Leptin expression in human mammary epithelial cells and breast milk.

PubMed

Smith-Kirwin, S M; O'Connor, D M; De Johnston, J; Lancey, E D; Hassink, S G; Funanage, V L

1998-05-01

Leptin has recently been shown to be produced by the human placenta and potentially plays a role in fetal and neonatal growth. Many functions of the placenta are replaced by the mammary gland in terms of providing critical growth factors for the newborn. In this study, we show that leptin is produced by human mammary epithelial cells as revealed by RT/PCR analysis of total RNA from mammary gland and immunohistochemical staining of breast tissue, cultured mammary epithelial cells, and secretory epithelial cells present in human milk. We also verify that immunoreactive leptin is present in whole milk at 30- to 150-fold higher concentrations than skim milk. We propose that leptin is secreted by mammary epithelial cells in milk fat globules, which partition into the lipid portion of breast milk.

A concept for reducing oceanic separation minima through the use of a TCAS-derived CDTI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Love, W. D.; Mcfarland, A. L.; Ludwick, J. S.

1984-01-01

A concept for using a cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI), as derived from a modified version of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System 2 (TCAS 2), to support reductions in air traffic separation minima for an oceanic track system is presented. The concept, and the TCAS modifications required to support it, are described. The feasibility of the concept is examined from a number of standpoints, including expected benefits, maximum alert rates, and possible transition strategies. Various implementation issues are analyzed. Pilot procedures are suggested for dealing with alert situations. Possible variations of the concept are also examined. Finally, recommendations are presented for other studies and simulation experiments which can be used to further verify the feasibility of the concept.

Reaction time for trimolecular reactions in compartment-based reaction-diffusion models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Fei; Chen, Minghan; Erban, Radek; Cao, Yang

2018-05-01

Trimolecular reaction models are investigated in the compartment-based (lattice-based) framework for stochastic reaction-diffusion modeling. The formulae for the first collision time and the mean reaction time are derived for the case where three molecules are present in the solution under periodic boundary conditions. For the case of reflecting boundary conditions, similar formulae are obtained using a computer-assisted approach. The accuracy of these formulae is further verified through comparison with numerical results. The presented derivation is based on the first passage time analysis of Montroll [J. Math. Phys. 10, 753 (1969)]. Montroll's results for two-dimensional lattice-based random walks are adapted and applied to compartment-based models of trimolecular reactions, which are studied in one-dimensional or pseudo one-dimensional domains.

Development of a Whole-Body Haptic Sensor with Multiple Supporting Points and Its Application to a Manipulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanyu, Ryosuke; Tsuji, Toshiaki

This paper proposes a whole-body haptic sensing system that has multiple supporting points between the body frame and the end-effector. The system consists of an end-effector and multiple force sensors. Using this mechanism, the position of a contact force on the surface can be calculated without any sensor array. A haptic sensing system with a single supporting point structure has previously been developed by the present authors. However, the system has drawbacks such as low stiffness and low strength. Therefore, in this study, a mechanism with multiple supporting points was proposed and its performance was verified. In this paper, the basic concept of the mechanism is first introduced. Next, an evaluation of the proposed method, performed by conducting some experiments, is presented.

On the design and optimisation of new fractal antenna using PSO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rani, Shweta; Singh, A. P.

2013-10-01

An optimisation technique for newly shaped fractal structure using particle swarm optimisation with curve fitting is presented in this article. The aim of particle swarm optimisation is to find the geometry of the antenna for the required user-defined frequency. To assess the effectiveness of the presented method, a set of representative numerical simulations have been done and the results are compared with the measurements from experimental prototypes built according to the design specifications coming from the optimisation procedure. The proposed fractal antenna resonates at the 5.8 GHz industrial, scientific and medical band which is suitable for wireless telemedicine applications. The antenna characteristics have been studied using extensive numerical simulations and are experimentally verified. The antenna exhibits well-defined radiation patterns over the band.

[Evaluation of fundus autofluorescence in hereditary retinal diseases using Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2].

PubMed

Côco, Monique; Baba, Natalia Tamie; Sallum, Juliana Maria Ferraz

2007-01-01

To define characteristics of the fundus autofluorescence examination, verifying usefulness in the diagnosis and care of hereditary retinal diseases. 28 patients, adults, divided equally into four groups with diagnoses of Stargardt macular dystrophy, cone dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa and healthy volunteers for the establishment of the normality pattern. An average of nine images with the filter for fluorescein angiography was obtained for the formation of the image autofluorescence using Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2. The images of each group of patients were analyzed to verify common characteristics. The fundus autofluorescence of healthy volunteers showed the foveal area darker than the surrounding retina. The images of Stargardt macular dystrophy, in general, presented an oval central lesion, with reduced autofluorescence. The main alterations of the autofluorescence in patients with cone dystrophy were reduced foveal autofluorescence with a parafoveal ring of increased autofluorescence. In general, the images of retinitis pigmentosa showed outlying pigments with reduced autofluorescence, and of the foveal area, in some cases disorganization or reduced autofluorescence. The study showed the existence of patterns of fundus autofluorescence in the hereditary retinal diseases that allow the diagnosis and better interpretation of the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Low-power laser effects in equine traumatology and postsurgically

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antikas, Theo G.

1991-05-01

The present field study on 800 cases of LPL treatments in situ using a preset `blind code' was designed to verify previously published field results; and to check whether a practicing equine vet, trainer, horse owner or rider may obtain beneficial therapeutic effects in traumatology and/or post-surgery, two of the most prevailing modalities in equine sportsmedicine. With the exception of chronic infected traumas, the positive/beneficial response to LPL treatment was verified in a range of 33.3% (infected) to 100% (non-infected, surgical) of the traumas under investigation. The administration of antibiotics, a modality compatible with LPL treatment in infected injuries, increased the beneficial effects of LPL irradiation to 66.7%. This fact indicates that laser irradiation should not be considered a replacement of common therapeutic routine but simply an efficient follow up or parallel treatment that may act synergistically to the benefit of an injured equine athlete. In the case of non-infected surgical trauma, LPL-treatment was additionally found to shorten the post-surgical `inactive' time period or `comeback time' (CBT), thus bringing the horse back into its sportive capacity considerably faster than without LPL irradiation, and at a statistically significant level (p < 0.001).

Diagrammatic Monte Carlo study of Fröhlich polaron dispersion in two and three dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hahn, Thomas; Klimin, Sergei; Tempere, Jacques; Devreese, Jozef T.; Franchini, Cesare

2018-04-01

We present results for the solution of the large polaron Fröhlich Hamiltonian in 3 dimensions (3D) and 2 dimensions (2D) obtained via the diagrammatic Monte Carlo (DMC) method. Our implementation is based on the approach by Mishchenko [A. S. Mishchenko et al., Phys. Rev. B 62, 6317 (2000), 10.1103/PhysRevB.62.6317]. Polaron ground state energies and effective polaron masses are successfully benchmarked with data obtained using Feynman's path integral formalism. By comparing 3D and 2D data, we verify the analytically exact scaling relations for energies and effective masses from 3 D →2 D , which provides a stringent test for the quality of DMC predictions. The accuracy of our results is further proven by providing values for the exactly known coefficients in weak- and strong-coupling expansions. Moreover, we compute polaron dispersion curves which are validated with analytically known lower and upper limits in the small-coupling regime and verify the first-order expansion results for larger couplings, thus disproving previous critiques on the apparent incompatibility of DMC with analytical results and furnishing useful reference for a wide range of coupling strengths.

Evaluation of a wave-vector-frequency-domain method for nonlinear wave propagation

PubMed Central

Jing, Yun; Tao, Molei; Clement, Greg T.

2011-01-01

A wave-vector-frequency-domain method is presented to describe one-directional forward or backward acoustic wave propagation in a nonlinear homogeneous medium. Starting from a frequency-domain representation of the second-order nonlinear acoustic wave equation, an implicit solution for the nonlinear term is proposed by employing the Green’s function. Its approximation, which is more suitable for numerical implementation, is used. An error study is carried out to test the efficiency of the model by comparing the results with the Fubini solution. It is shown that the error grows as the propagation distance and step-size increase. However, for the specific case tested, even at a step size as large as one wavelength, sufficient accuracy for plane-wave propagation is observed. A two-dimensional steered transducer problem is explored to verify the nonlinear acoustic field directional independence of the model. A three-dimensional single-element transducer problem is solved to verify the forward model by comparing it with an existing nonlinear wave propagation code. Finally, backward-projection behavior is examined. The sound field over a plane in an absorptive medium is backward projected to the source and compared with the initial field, where good agreement is observed. PMID:21302985

Laser-assisted heating of a plasmonic nanofluid in a microchannel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Timothy

The work presented in this study analyses the theoretical modeling and experimentation of laser-assisted heating of plasmonic nanofluids (PNFs) in a microchannel for accurate, efficient, and ultra-fast heating of a microdroplet. Suspended plasmonic nanoparticles exhibit strong light absorption and scattering upon the excitation of localized surface plasmons (LSPs), resulting in intense and rapid photothermal heating. Several multi-stepped computational models were utilized to theoretically characterize and verify the laser-assisted heating behavior of gold nanoshells (GNS) and gold nanorod (GNR) plasmonic nanofluid droplets in a microchannel. From the experimental investigation, a full range of controllable steady-state temperatures, room temperature to 100°C, are confirmed to be achievable for the 780-nm-tuned plasmonic nanofluid. Droplet fluid heating is verified to occur as a result of LSP excitation, in time scales of milliseconds, and to be repeatable over many cycles. Additionally, the significance and effects of parameters in the process, such as nanoparticle structure, volumetric concentration, microchannel depth, and laser power density are established. The obtained results in this research may be integrated into other existing microfluidic technologies and biological techniques, such as the polymerase chain reaction, where accurate and ultra-fast heating of microdroplets in a microchannel can greatly improve efficiency.

Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modeling of particle uptake by an occupational air sampler using manually-scaled and adaptive grids

PubMed Central

Landázuri, Andrea C.; Sáez, A. Eduardo; Anthony, T. Renée

2016-01-01

This work presents fluid flow and particle trajectory simulation studies to determine the aspiration efficiency of a horizontally oriented occupational air sampler using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Grid adaption and manual scaling of the grids were applied to two sampler prototypes based on a 37-mm cassette. The standard k–ε model was used to simulate the turbulent air flow and a second order streamline-upwind discretization scheme was used to stabilize convective terms of the Navier–Stokes equations. Successively scaled grids for each configuration were created manually and by means of grid adaption using the velocity gradient in the main flow direction. Solutions were verified to assess iterative convergence, grid independence and monotonic convergence. Particle aspiration efficiencies determined for both prototype samplers were undistinguishable, indicating that the porous filter does not play a noticeable role in particle aspiration. Results conclude that grid adaption is a powerful tool that allows to refine specific regions that require lots of detail and therefore better resolve flow detail. It was verified that adaptive grids provided a higher number of locations with monotonic convergence than the manual grids and required the least computational effort. PMID:26949268

Diet of the lizard Liolaemus occipitalis in the coastal sand dunes of southern Brazil (Squamata-Liolaemidae).

PubMed

Verrastro, L; Ely, I

2015-05-01

Knowledge of a species' diet provides important information on adaptation and the relationship between the organism and its environment. The genus Liolaemus occurs in the southern region of South America and is an excellent model to investigate the adaptive processes of vertebrate ecology in ecosystems of this region of the world. Liolaemus occipitalis is an endangered species that inhabits the coastal sand dunes of southern Brazil. This species is the most abundant vertebrate in this environment, and it presents unique adaptation characteristics to the restinga environment. The present study analyzed this lizard's diet to verify similarities or differences between this species and other species of the same genus. Specimens were collected monthly from January 1996 to December 1997. The number of items, frequency of occurrence and volume of each prey taxon were determined. Arthropods were identified to the order level, and plant material was identified as flower, fruit, seed and leaves. Variations in the diet of males and females, adults and juveniles and seasons were also analyzed. The data indicate that Liolaemus occipitalis is a generalist, "sit-and-wait" or ambush predator as well as omnivorous, feeding on both arthropods and plant material. Significant ontogenetic differences were verified. Juveniles are more carnivorous, and the intake of plant material increases with size and age. Seasonal differences in diet composition were also observed. In the spring, arthropod and plant materials were more diversified and, therefore, consumed more often.

Clinical evaluation of a mobile digital specimen radiography system for intraoperative specimen verification.

PubMed

Wang, Yingbing; Ebuoma, Lilian; Saksena, Mansi; Liu, Bob; Specht, Michelle; Rafferty, Elizabeth

2014-08-01

Use of mobile digital specimen radiography systems expedites intraoperative verification of excised breast specimens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a such a system for verifying targets. A retrospective review included 100 consecutive pairs of breast specimen radiographs. Specimens were imaged in the operating room with a mobile digital specimen radiography system and then with a conventional digital mammography system in the radiology department. Two expert reviewers independently scored each image for image quality on a 3-point scale and confidence in target visualization on a 5-point scale. A target was considered confidently verified only if both reviewers declared the target to be confidently detected. The 100 specimens contained a total of 174 targets, including 85 clips (49%), 53 calcifications (30%), 35 masses (20%), and one architectural distortion (1%). Although a significantly higher percentage of mobile digital specimen radiographs were considered poor quality by at least one reviewer (25%) compared with conventional digital mammograms (1%), 169 targets (97%), were confidently verified with mobile specimen radiography; 172 targets (98%) were verified with conventional digital mammography. Three faint masses were not confidently verified with mobile specimen radiography, and conventional digital mammography was needed for confirmation. One faint mass and one architectural distortion were not confidently verified with either method. Mobile digital specimen radiography allows high diagnostic confidence for verification of target excision in breast specimens across target types, despite lower image quality. Substituting this modality for conventional digital mammography can eliminate delays associated with specimen transport, potentially decreasing surgical duration and increasing operating room throughput.

[Auditory training in workshops: group therapy option].

PubMed

Santos, Juliana Nunes; do Couto, Isabel Cristina Plais; Amorim, Raquel Martins da Costa

2006-01-01

auditory training in groups. to verify in a group of individuals with mental retardation the efficacy of auditory training in a workshop environment. METHOD a longitudinal prospective study with 13 mentally retarded individuals from the Associação de Pais e Amigos do Excepcional (APAE) of Congonhas divided in two groups: case (n=5) and control (n=8) and who were submitted to ten auditory training sessions after verifying the integrity of the peripheral auditory system through evoked otoacoustic emissions. Participants were evaluated using a specific protocol concerning the auditory abilities (sound localization, auditory identification, memory, sequencing, auditory discrimination and auditory comprehension) at the beginning and at the end of the project. Data (entering, processing and analyses) were analyzed by the Epi Info 6.04 software. the groups did not differ regarding aspects of age (mean = 23.6 years) and gender (40% male). In the first evaluation both groups presented similar performances. In the final evaluation an improvement in the auditory abilities was observed for the individuals in the case group. When comparing the mean number of correct answers obtained by both groups in the first and final evaluations, a statistically significant result was obtained for sound localization (p=0.02), auditory sequencing (p=0.006) and auditory discrimination (p=0.03). group auditory training demonstrated to be effective in individuals with mental retardation, observing an improvement in the auditory abilities. More studies, with a larger number of participants, are necessary in order to confirm the findings of the present research. These results will help public health professionals to reanalyze the theory models used for therapy, so that they can use specific methods according to individual needs, such as auditory training workshops.

Effects of Weight Loss on Acoustic Parameters After Bariatric Surgery.

PubMed

de Souza, Lourdes Bernadete Rocha; Dos Santos, Marquiony Marques; Pernambuco, Leandro Araújo; de Almeida Godoy, Cynthia Meira; da Silva Lima, Deysianne Meire

2018-05-01

Patients with morbid obesity may present vocal alterations, since large accumulation of fat in the vocal tract may interfere with voice production of these individuals. Verify the neck circumference and the acoustic parameters of voice in obese women, before and after the bariatric surgery, and compare the results with a control group, with normal weight. Observational, longitudinal, descriptive study with patients referred to the SCODE (Obesity Surgery and Related Disorders Center) in a university hospital. The sample consisted of 25 morbidly obese women, age range 28-43 years and 23 non-obese women, aged 21-41 years control group. To measure the neck circumference, a tape measure was used and all participants were seated upright with the head positioned in the Frankfort horizontal plane. The fundamental frequency was calculated through the sustained emission of vowel [a] at usual intensity and pitch, to measure the fundamental frequency of the voice, that is, how much the vocal fold vibrates per second. After the recording, participants were prompted to produce vowels [a], [i], and [u] sustained at usual intensity and pitch, and a stopwatch was used to measure the maximum phonation time, to verify the balance between myoelastic and dynamic forces of the larynx. After 8 months post-surgery, the patients were recruited to be re-evaluated using the same pre-surgical data collection procedures. There was an increase in the mean value of f0. The maximum phonation time of all vowels increased after surgery. Obese individuals with post-surgery weight loss may present neck circumference, fundamental frequency, and maximum phonation time values closer to the mean values of normal weight individuals. In this study, weight loss was sufficient to adjust the acoustic parameter measurements.

Analysis of field-aligned structure of compressional Pc 5 waves and associated energetic ion modulations observed by Polar at L~9.5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capman, E.; Engebretson, M. J.; Pilipenko, V.; Russell, C. T.; Peterson, W. K.

2012-12-01

Nearly all previous studies of storm-time compressional Pc 5 waves have used data from low-inclination satellites, so the field-aligned structure of these waves could be determined only statistically or by inference. However, the high inclination of the Polar satellite's orbit allowed it to approximately follow a flux tube across the equator. In this study we present examples of compressional Pc 5 events identified during Polar's 2001-02 and 2002-03 duskside passages. The focus of this presentation is on exploring the field-aligned structure of the observed waves near the geomagnetic equator. At least two frequencies were identified in each event. In many cases these are a 1st (fundamental) harmonic with a node in the field-aligned (Bz) component near the geomagnetic equator, and a 2nd harmonic with an anti-node near the equator. To verify this assumption we applied the analytical signal method, verified by manual hodogram analysis, to monitor the amplitude and phase variations of the radial (Bx) and compressional (Bz) components at certain frequencies. The following transitions occurred near the time when Polar crossed the geomagnetic equator: The phase difference was 0° in the southern hemisphere and then 180° out of phase in the northern hemisphere. The waves were often linearly polarized, and the inclination angle of the polarization ellipse in the Bx-Bz plane was negative in the southern hemisphere and positive in the northern hemisphere. The ellipticity still had a slight positive bias in the southern hemisphere and a slight negative bias in the northern hemisphere. These observational results are compared with the results of modeling of coupled MHD Alfven and slow magnetosonic modes.

Satellite-based monitoring of grassland: assessment of harvest dates and frequency using SAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siegmund, R.; Grant, K.; Wagner, M.; Hartmann, S.

2016-10-01

Grasslands are among the largest ecosystems worldwide and according to the FAO they contribute to the livelihoods of more than 800 million people. Harvest dates and frequency can be utilised for an improved estimation of grassland yields. In the presented project a highly automatised methodology for detecting harvest dates and frequency using SARamplitude data was developed based on an amplitude change detection techniques. This was achieved by evaluating spatial statistics over field boundaries provided by the European Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) to identify changes between pre- and post-harvest acquisitions. The combination of this method with a grassland yield model will result in more reliable and regional-wide numbers of grassland yields. In our contribution we will focus on SAR-remote sensing for monitoring harvest frequencies, discuss the requirements concerning the acquisition system, present the technical approach and analyse the verified results. In terms of the acquisition system a high temporal acquisition rate is required, which is generally met by using SARsatellite constellations providing a revisit time of few days. COSMO-SkyMed data were utilised for the pilot study for developing and prototyping a monitoring system. Subsequently the approach was adapted to the use of the C-Band system Sentinel-1A becoming fully operational with the availability of Sentinal-1B. The study area is situated northeast of Munich, Germany, extending to an area of approx. 40km to 40km and covering major verification sites and in-situ data provided by research farms or continuously surveyed in-situ campaigns. An extended time series of SAR data was collected during the cultivation and vegetation cycles between March 2014 and March 2016. All data were processed and harmonised in a GIS database to be analysed and verified according to corresponding in-situ data.

We've Got the "HOTS" for Foreign Languages: Higher Order Thinking Skills.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harper, Jane; Lively, Madeleine

Five units of instruction for teaching vocabulary and higher order thinking skills in foreign language classes are presented. Introductory material considers the differences between language fluency and communication, and lists higher order thinking skills as: (1) classifying, verifying, hypothesizing; (2) making associations and generalizing; (3)…

42 CFR 431.980 - Eligibility review procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... plan during the month under review. (vi) Elements of eligibility in which State policy allows for self-declaration or self-certification are considered to be verified with a self-declaration or self-certification statement. The self-declaration or self-certification must be— (A) Present in the record; (B) Not outdated...

Verification of IEEE Compliant Subtractive Division Algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miner, Paul S.; Leathrum, James F., Jr.

1996-01-01

A parameterized definition of subtractive floating point division algorithms is presented and verified using PVS. The general algorithm is proven to satisfy a formal definition of an IEEE standard for floating point arithmetic. The utility of the general specification is illustrated using a number of different instances of the general algorithm.

24 CFR 180.635 - Written testimony.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Written testimony. 180.635 Section... § 180.635 Written testimony. The ALJ may accept and enter into the record direct testimony of witnesses made by verified written statement rather than by oral presentation at the hearing. Unless the ALJ...

Capacitance discharge system for ignition of Single Bridge Apollo Standard Initiators (SBASI)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ward, R. D.

1974-01-01

The design support data developed during the single bridge Apollo standard initiator (SBASI) program are presented. A circuit was designed and bread-board tested to verify operational capabilities of the circuit. Test data, design criteria, weight, and reliability trade-off considerations, and final design recommendations are reported.