The Mount Wilson optical interferometer: The first automated instrument and the prospects for lunar interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, Ken J.; Mozurkewich, D.; Simon, R. S.; Shao, Michael; Colavita, M.

1992-01-01

Before contemplating an optical interferometer on the Moon one must first review the accomplishments achieved by this technology in scientific applications for astronomy. This will be done by presenting the technical status of optical interferometry as achieved by the Mount Wilson Optical Interferometer. The further developments needed for a future lunar-based interferometer are discussed.

Effects of using intravenous antibiotic only versus local intrawound vancomycin antibiotic powder application in addition to intravenous antibiotics on postoperative infection in spine surgery in 907 patients.

PubMed

Tubaki, Vijay Ramappa; Rajasekaran, S; Shetty, Ajoy Prasad

2013-12-01

A prospective randomized controlled trial. To assess the ability of local vancomycin powder in controlling postoperative infection in spine surgery. Despite improvements through the use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics, surgical site infections remain a significant problem in spine surgical procedures. Various retrospective and prospective studies have reported the efficacy of local application of vancomycin powder in reducing the infection in animal and human studies. However, there were no randomized control trials that reported on its efficacy. Prospective randomized controls of 907 patients with various spinal pathologies were treated surgically during a period of 18 months. The control group received standard systemic prophylaxis only, whereas the treatment group received vancomycin powder in the surgical wound in addition to systemic prophylaxis. Patient demographics, comorbidities, level of spinal pathology, estimated blood loss, nutritional status, and hemoglobin were recorded. Incidence of infection was the primary outcome evaluated. There were 8 infections (1.68%) in the control group (6 instrumented and 2 noninstrumented, 6 deep and 2 superficial) with bacteria cultured in 3 (1 Escherichia coli and 2 Staphylococcus aureus). In the treatment group, 7 infections (1.61%) were observed (6 instrumented and 1 noninstrumented surgical procedures, 6 deep and 1 superficial) with bacteria cultured in 3 (1 Staphylococcus aureus and 2 Klebsiella). No adverse effects were observed from the use of vancomycin powder. Statistically no significant difference was seen in infection rate between the treatment group and control group. The local application of vancomycin powder in surgical wounds did not significantly reduce the incidence of infection in patients with surgically treated spinal pathologies. The use of vancomycin powder may not be effective when incidence of infection is low.

Prospects on the application of HTS SQUID magnetometry to nondestructive evaluation (NDE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weinstock, H.

1993-04-01

In light of recent advances in the fabrication of low-noise HTS SQUIDs, a review is presented on the use of LTS SQUID magnetometry for nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Examples are given on applications relating to defects in steel, subsurface cracks in aircraft frames, and voids in non-metallic structures. HTS SQUIDs may make a significant difference in the acceptance of these applications because sensing coils will be closer to a sample under test, there will be greater instrument portability and the problem of bringing liquid helium to remote locations will be eliminated.

A new European small platform: Proteus and prospected optical application missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubois, J.-B.; Paoli, F.

2018-04-01

Progress in technology in recent years and new industrial approaches now make it possible to design valuable optical missions using a small-class satellite, like the PROTEUS multi mission platform. Some future space optical missions using existing or planned instruments, combined with the PROTEUS platform, have been assessed by AEROSPATIALE / SPACE and DEFENSE and/or the CNES (French National Space Agency).

Development of the teaching simulator based on animated film to strengthening pedagogical competencies of prospective teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fatimah, Siti; Setiawan, Wawan; Kusnendar, Jajang; Rasim, Junaeti, Enjun; Anggraeni, Ria

2017-05-01

Debriefing of pedagogical competence through both theory and practice which became a requirement for prospective teachers were through micro teaching and teaching practice program. But, some reports from the partner schools stated that the participants of teaching practice program have not well prepared on implementing the learning in the classroom because of lacking the debriefing. In line with the development of information technology, it is very possible to develop a media briefing of pedagogical competencies for prospective teachers through an application so that they can use it anytime and anywhere. This study was one answer to the problem of unpreparedness participants of the teaching practice program. This study developed a teaching simulator, which was an application for learning simulation with the animated film to enhance the professional pedagogical competence prospective teachers. By the application of this teaching simulator, students as prospective teacher could test their own pedagogic competence through learning models with different varied characteristics of students. Teaching Simulator has been equipped with features that allow users to be able to explore the quality of teaching techniques that they employ for the teaching and learning activities in the classroom. These features included the election approaches, the student's character, learning materials, questioning techniques, discussion, and evaluation. Teaching simulator application provided the ease of prospective teachers or teachers in implementing the development of lessons for practice in the classroom. Applications that have been developed to apply simulation models allow users to freely manage a lesson. Development of teaching simulator application was passed through the stages which include needs assessment, design, coding, testing, revision, improvement, grading, and packaging. The application of teaching simulator was also enriched with some real instructional video as a comparison for the user. Based on the two experts, the media expert and education expert, stated that the application of teaching simulator is feasible to be used as an instrument for the debriefing of students as potential participants of the teaching practice program. The results of the use of the application to the students as potential participants of teaching practice program, showed significant increases in the pedagogic competence. This study was presented at an international seminar and in the process of publishing in international reputated journals. Applications teaching simulator was in the process of registration to obtain the copyright of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. Debriefing for prospective teachers to use teaching simulator application could improve the mastery of pedagogy, give clear feedback, and perform repetitions at anytime.

An instrument measuring prospective mathematics teacher self-regulated learning: validity and reliability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nugroho, A. A.; Juniati, D.; Siswono, T. Y. E.

2018-03-01

Self Regulated Learning (SRL) is an individual's ability to achieve academic goals by controlling behavior, motivate yourself and use cognitive in learning, so it is important for a teacher especially teachers of mathematics related to the ability of management, design, implementation of learning and evaluation of learning outcomes. The purpose of the research is to develop an instrument to describe the SRL of a prospective mathematics teacher. Data were collected by (1) the study of the theory of SRL produced the indicator SRL used to design the questionnaire SRL; (2) analysis of the questionnaire SRL obtained from several References; and (3) development stage of the SRL questionnaire through validity test of content and empirical validation. The study involved 2 content experts in mathematics, 1 linguist, and 92 prospective mathematics teachers. The results of the research on content validity test based on Indonesian expert and 2 content experts indicate that the content can assess the indicator of the SRL and feasible to be used, in the test of legibility of two prospective mathematics teacher concluded that the instrument has a language that can be understood by the prospective teacher of mathematics and on empirical validation involving 92 prospective mathematics teacher generate data that of 65 statements there are 3 invalid statements. Reliability calculation shows high category that values 0,93. The conclusion is the SRL instrument developed for the prospective mathematics teacher.

Multi-component quantitation of meso/nanostructural surfaces and its application to local chemical compositions of copper meso/nanostructures self-organized on silica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Chun-Yi; Chang, Hsin-Wei; Chang, Che-Chen

2018-03-01

Knowledge about the chemical compositions of meso/nanomaterials is fundamental to development of their applications in advanced technologies. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is an effective analysis method for the characterization of meso/nanomaterial structures. Although a few studies have reported the use of AES for the analysis of the local composition of these structures, none have explored in detail the validity of the meso/nanoanalysis results generated by the AES instrument. This paper addresses the limitations of AES and the corrections necessary to offset them for this otherwise powerful meso/nanoanalysis tool. The results of corrections made to the AES multi-point analysis of high-density copper-based meso/nanostructures provides major insights into their local chemical compositions and technological prospects, which the primitive composition output of the AES instrument failed to provide.

[Application of isothermal amplification technology for pathogen detection in parasitic and other diseases].

PubMed

Ting, Li; Kun, Yang

2018-04-16

The in vitro nucleic acid amplification technique based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been successfully applied to scientific researches. In recent years, the emergence of isothermal amplification technology is increasingly applied in the molecular diagnosis and disease detection because of its advantages of constant temperature, high efficiency, short time-consuming, and less reliance on equipment and instruments. The principle, characteristics and application of the partial isothermal amplification technique in the pathogen detection in parasitic and other diseases are reviewed in this paper, and the prospects of the wide development of the technique are also discussed.

A Synthetic Teammate for UAV Applications: A Prospective Look

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

was facilitated by the use of digital readouts for the flight instruments (other than the horizon line and reticle) in the STE, such that the model ...ACT-R returns a digital value for pitch and bank to the model (as reflected in the orientation of the horizon line with respect to the reticle), even...the development of a Situation Model (Zwann & Radvansky , 1998) to ground the n Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) research contract

Application of particle accelerators in research.

PubMed

Mazzitelli, Giovanni

2011-07-01

Since the beginning of the past century, accelerators have started to play a fundamental role as powerful tools to discover the world around us, how the universe has evolved since the big bang and to develop fundamental instruments for everyday life. Although more than 15 000 accelerators are operating around the world only a very few of them are dedicated to fundamental research. An overview of the present high energy physics (HEP) accelerator status and prospectives is presented.

Prospect of space-based interferometry at EUV and soft X-ray wavelengths

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welsh, Barry Y.; Chakrabarti, Supriya

1992-01-01

We review the current capabilities of high-resolution, spectroscopic, space-borne instrumentation available for both solar and stellar observations in the EUV and soft X-ray wavelength regimes, and describe the basic design of a compact, all-reflection interferometer based on the spatial heterodyne technique; this is capable of producing a resolving power (lambda/Delta-lambda) of about 20,000 in the 100-200 A region using presently available multilayer optical components. Such an instrument can be readily constructed with existing technology. Due to its small size and lack of moving parts, it is ideally suited to spaceborne applications. Based on best estimates of the efficiency of this instrument at soft X-ray wavelengths, we review the possible use of this high-resolution interferometer in obtaining high-resolution full-disk spectroscopy of the sun. We also discuss its possible use for observations of diffuse sources such as the EUV interstellar background radiation.

Predicting inpatient violence using an extended version of the Brøset-Violence-Checklist: instrument development and clinical application.

PubMed

Abderhalden, Christoph; Needham, Ian; Dassen, Theo; Halfens, Ruud; Haug, Hans-Joachim; Fischer, Joachim

2006-04-25

Patient aggression is a common problem in acute psychiatric wards and calls for preventive measures. The timely use of preventive measures presupposes a preceded risk assessment. The Norwegian Brøset-Violence-Checklist (BVC) is one of the few instruments suited for short-time prediction of violence of psychiatric inpatients in routine care. Aims of our study were to improve the accuracy of the short-term prediction of violence in acute inpatient settings by combining the Brøset-Violence-Checklist (BVC) with an overall subjective clinical risk-assessment and to test the application of the combined measure in daily practice. We conducted a prospective cohort study with two samples of newly admitted psychiatric patients for instrument development (219 patients) and clinical application (300 patients). Risk of physical attacks was assessed by combining the 6-item BVC and a 6-point score derived from a Visual Analog Scale. Incidents were registered with the Staff Observation of Aggression Scale-Revised SOAS-R. Test accuracy was described as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCROC). The AUCROC of the new VAS-complemented BVC-version (BVC-VAS) was 0.95 in and 0.89 in the derivation and validation study respectively. The BVC-VAS is an easy to use and accurate instrument for systematic short-term prediction of violent attacks in acute psychiatric wards. The inclusion of the VAS-derived data did not change the accuracy of the original BVC.

Safety in GPR prospecting: a rarely-considered issue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Persico, Raffaele; Pajewski, Lara; Trela, Christiane; Carrick Utsi, Erica

2016-04-01

Safety issues (of people first of all, but also of the equipment and environment) are rarely considered in Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) prospecting and, more in general, in near-surface geophysical prospecting. As is right and fully understandable, the scientific community devotes greatest attention first of all to the theoretical and practical aspects of GPR technique, affecting the quality of attainable results, secondly to the efforts and costs needed to achieve them [1-2]. However, the (luckily) growing GPR market and range of applications make it worth giving serious consideration to safety issues, too. The existing manuals dealing with safety in geophysics are mainly concerned with applications requiring "deep" geophysical prospecting, for example the search for oilfields and other hydrocarbon resources [3]. Near-surface geophysics involves less dangers than deep geophysics, of course. Nevertheless, several accidents have already happened during GPR experimental campaigns. We have personally had critical experiences and collected reliable testimonies concerning occurred problems as mountain sicks, fractures of legs, stomach problems, allergic reactions, encounters with potentially-dangerous animals, and more. We have also noticed that much more attention is usually paid to safety issues during indoor experimental activities (in laboratory), rather than during outdoor fieldworks. For example, the Italian National research Council is conventioned with safety experts who hold periodical seminaries about safety aspects. Having taken part to some of them, to our experience we have never heard a "lecture" devoted to outdoor prospecting. Nowadays, any aspects associated to the use of the technologies should be considered. The increasing sensibility and sense of responsibility towards environmental matters impose GPR end-users to be careful not to damage the environment and also the cultural heritage. Near-surface prospecting should not compromise the flora and fauna (for example, the nesting of several species of birds should not be disturbed). No blaze should be caused or facilitated, no polluting substances should be improperly left in situ, no artworks should be damaged. Last but not least, the prospectors have to be protected (as far as possible) against injuries of their goods and work. For example, the safety of the equipment has to be ensured: in our experience things not always work as expected and instruments can get easily damaged. Advices related to the transportation of equipment are worth to be given. On the basis of these considerations, the COST (European COoperation in Science and Technology) Action TU1208 "Civil engineering applications of Ground Penetrating Radar" has undertaken the effort to prepare and issue a book on these topics [4], entitled "Recommendations for the Safety of People and Instruments in Ground-Penetrating Radar and Near-Surface Geophysical Prospecting." Several experts from all over the world contributed to the preparation of this volume, including Action's Members and other specialists. The book has been published by the European Association of Geophysicists and Engineers (EAGE) in 2015. The aim of this contribution is to present, disseminate and discuss, during the GI3.1 Session of the 2016 European Geosciences Union General Assembly, the most significant and interesting topics dealt within [4]. Acknowledgement This work has benefited from the networking activities of COST Action TU1208 "Civil engineering applications of Ground Penetrating Radar" (www.GPRadar.eu, www.cost.eu). The Authors wish to thank COST for funding the Action TU1208. References [1] R. Pierri, G. Leone, F. Soldovieri, R. Persico, "Electromagnetic inversion for subsurface applications under the distorted Born approximation" Nuovo Cimento, vol. 24C, N. 2, pp 245-261, March-April 2001. [2] R. Persico, F. Soldovieri, R. Pierri, "Convergence Properties of a Quadratic Approach to the Inverse Scattering Problem", Journal of Optical Society of America Part A, vol. 19, n. 12, pp. 2424-2428, December 2002. [3] IAGC Land Geophysical Safety Manual, Int. Association of Geophysical Contractors, 2012. [4] Recommendations for the Safety of People and Instruments in Ground-Penetrating Radar and Near-Surface Geophysical Prospecting, R.Persico, A. Provenzano, C. Trela, M. Sato, K. Takahashi, S. Arcone, S. Koppenjan, L. Stolarczyk, E. C. Utsi, S. Ebihara, K. Wada, E. Pettinelli, L. Pajewski, EAGE, 2015.

Archaeological Evaluation of The Multi-frequency Electromagnetic Slingram Device Gem 300

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, A.; Bonsall, J.

Frequency-domain electromagnetic devices offer a great potential in geophysical prospection as they allow the simultaneous measurement of two parameters. Con- ventionally, in-phase and quadrature components of the return-signal are recorded. However the identification of these measurements with ground properties such as con- ductance or magnetic susceptibility are complicated and depend on instrument design, frequency and other parameters, such as magnetic viscosity. While in environmental applications a simple identification of strongly conductive features (e.g. oil drums) can be obtained, archaeological surveys pose much greater challenges due to the smaller contrast in conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. A very detailed analysis of mea- sured data and sophisticated computations are therefore required. The new GEM 300 Slingram device allows to measure in-phase and quadrature data at up to 16 frequencies simultaneously which could be used to calculate three inde- pendent soil parameters: conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and magnetic viscosity. Alternatively, the manufacturer claims that the different frequencies can be used for depth soundings. The instrument was tested on a number of sites for which prior geophysical and ar- chaeological investigations had revealed distinct features (e.g. a brick-built cest pit). The results were disappointing as large drift and undefined offsets made a quantitative analysis of data nearly impossible. It was therefore concluded that further develop- ments of the instrument are required before it can be used successfully for archaeo- logical prospection.

Designing Financial Instruments for Rapid Flood Response Using Remote Sensed and Archival Hazard and Exposure Information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lall, U.; Allaire, M.; Ceccato, P.; Haraguchi, M.; Cian, F.; Bavandi, A.

2017-12-01

Catastrophic floods can pose a significant challenge for response and recovery. A key bottleneck in the speed of response is the availability of funds to a country or regions finance ministry to mobilize resources. Parametric instruments, where the release of funs is tied to the exceedance of a specified index or threshold, rather than to loss verification are well suited for this purpose. However, designing and appropriate index, that is not subject to manipulation and accurately reflects the need is a challenge, especially in developing countries which have short hydroclimatic and loss records, and where rapid land use change has led to significant changes in exposure and hydrology over time. The use of long records of rainfall from climate re-analyses, flooded area and land use from remote sensing to design and benchmark a parametric index considering the uncertainty and representativeness of potential loss is explored with applications to Bangladesh and Thailand. Prospects for broader applicability and limitations are discussed.

Predicting inpatient violence using an extended version of the Brøset-Violence-Checklist: instrument development and clinical application

PubMed Central

Abderhalden, Christoph; Needham, Ian; Dassen, Theo; Halfens, Ruud; Haug, Hans-Joachim; Fischer, Joachim

2006-01-01

Background Patient aggression is a common problem in acute psychiatric wards and calls for preventive measures. The timely use of preventive measures presupposes a preceded risk assessment. The Norwegian Brøset-Violence-Checklist (BVC) is one of the few instruments suited for short-time prediction of violence of psychiatric inpatients in routine care. Aims of our study were to improve the accuracy of the short-term prediction of violence in acute inpatient settings by combining the Brøset-Violence-Checklist (BVC) with an overall subjective clinical risk-assessment and to test the application of the combined measure in daily practice. Method We conducted a prospective cohort study with two samples of newly admitted psychiatric patients for instrument development (219 patients) and clinical application (300 patients). Risk of physical attacks was assessed by combining the 6-item BVC and a 6-point score derived from a Visual Analog Scale. Incidents were registered with the Staff Observation of Aggression Scale-Revised SOAS-R. Test accuracy was described as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCROC). Results The AUCROC of the new VAS-complemented BVC-version (BVC-VAS) was 0.95 in and 0.89 in the derivation and validation study respectively. Conclusion The BVC-VAS is an easy to use and accurate instrument for systematic short-term prediction of violent attacks in acute psychiatric wards. The inclusion of the VAS-derived data did not change the accuracy of the original BVC. PMID:16638122

Testing for multigroup equivalence of a measuring instrument: a walk through the process.

PubMed

Byrne, Barbara M

2008-11-01

This article presents an overview and application of the steps taken in testing for the equivalence of a measuring instrument across one or more groups. Following a basic description of, and rationale underlying these steps, the process is illustrated with data comprising response scores to four nonacademic subscales (Physical SC [Ability], Physical SC [Appearance], Social SC [Peers], and Social SC [Parents]) of the Self Description Questionnaire-I for Australian (N = 497) and Nigerian (N = 439) adolescents. All tests for validity and equivalence are based on the analysis of covariance structures within the framework of CFA models using the EQS 6 program. Prospective impediments to equivalence are suggested and additional caveats proposed in the special case where the groups under study represent different cultures.

Present and Future Applications of Digital Electronics in Nuclear Science - a Commercial Prospective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Hui

2011-10-01

Digital readout electronics instrumenting radiation detectors have experienced significant advancements in the last decade or so. This on one hand can be attributed to the steady improvements in commercial digital processing components such as analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), field-programmable-gate-arrays (FPGAs), and digital-signal-processors (DSPs), and on the other hand can also be attributed to the increasing needs for improved time, position, and energy resolution in nuclear physics experiments, which have spurred the rapid development of commercial off-the-shelf high speed, high resolution digitizers or spectrometers. Absent from conventional analog electronics, the capability to record fast decaying pulses from radiation detectors in digital readout electronics has profoundly benefited nuclear physics researchers since they now can perform detailed pulse processing for applications such as gamma-ray tracking and decay-event selection and reconstruction. In this talk, present state-of-the-art digital readout electronics and its applications in a variety of nuclear science fields will be discussed, and future directions in hardware development for digital electronics will also be outlined, all from the prospective of a commercial manufacturer of digital electronics.

Instrumental and Reactive Functions and Overt and Relational Forms of Aggression: Developmental Trajectories and Prospective Associations during Middle School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ojanen, Tiina; Kiefer, Sarah

2013-01-01

This study examined the development of adolescent self-reported instrumental-overt, instrumental-relational, reactive-overt, and reactive-relational aggression during middle school ("N" = 384; 12-14 years; 53% boys). Growth modeling indicated average increases in instrumental-relational aggression, and decreases in reactive-overt and…

AIM - Agile Instrumented Monitoring for Improving User Experience of Participation in HealthIT Development.

PubMed

Pitkänen, Janne; Nieminen, Marko

2017-01-01

Participation of healthcare professionals in information technology development has emerged as an important challenge. As end-users, the professionals are willing to participate in the development activities, but their experiences on the current methods of participation remain mostly negative. There is lack of applicable methods for meeting the needs of agile development approach and scaling up to the largest implementation projects, while maintaining the interest of the professional users to participate in development activities and keeping up their ability to continue working in a productive manner. In this paper, we describe the Agile Instrumented Monitoring as a methodology, based on the methods of instrumented usability evaluation, for improving user experience in HealthIT development. The contribution of the proposed methodology is analyzed in relation to activities of whole iteration cycle and chosen usability evaluation methods, while the user experience of participation is addressed regarding healthcare professionals. Prospective weak and strong market tests for AIM are discussed in the conclusions for future work.

Test research of Surface Electromagnetic Prospecting (SEP) System in Yang-jia-zhang-zi of Liao Ning province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di, Q.

2013-12-01

In recent years, deep prospecting method such as magnetotelluric and controlled source audio-frequency magnetotelluric develop rapidly, but the instruments almost monopolized by several big geophysical companies from the United States, Canada and Germany. From prospecting practice, foreign equipment adaptation on complicated geological conditions in China is unsatisfactory. As increasing of national strength, electromagnetic exploration system development independently is on the agenda. In the year of 2010, the institute of geology and geophysics, Chinese academy of sciences, took on one subject of the SinoProbe project, the research of surface Electromagnetic Prospecting (SEP) System, and has achieved some achievements. SEP is an independent research instrumentation system, which is available for MT, AMT and CSAMT soundings. After laboratory testing, in order to test SEP's performance in field, the yang-jia-zhang-zi molybdenum deposit area is selected for SEP experiment. All modules and components of SEP system have been tested, and the field ability of the whole system also has been tested. The experimental results show that SEP performance has reached the level of commercial instruments.

The AMANDA neutrino telescope: Science prospects and performance at first light

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

Halzen, Francis

1998-02-05

We update the science prospects for the recently completed AMANDA South Pole neutrino detector. With an effective telescope area of order 10{sup 4} m{sup 2} and a threshold of {approx}50 GeV, it represents the first instrument of a new generation of high energy neutrino detectors, envisaged over 25 years ago. We describe the instrument and its performance, and map its expansion to a detector of kilometer dimension.

Evidence-based care bundles for preventing surgical site infections in spinal instrumentation surgery.

PubMed

Yamada, Koji; Abe, Hiroaki; Higashikawa, Akiro; Tonosu, Juichi; Kuniya, Takashi; Nakajima, Koji; Fujii, Haruko; Niwa, Kazuki; Shinozaki, Tomohiro; Watanabe, Kenichi; Sakae, Tanaka; Okazaki, Hiroshi

2018-05-22

Retrospective study, using prospectively collected data. To evaluate the impact of evidence-based care bundles for preventing surgical site infections (SSI) in spinal instrumentation surgery. About half of all SSIs are preventable via evidence-based methods. For successful SSI prevention, the bacterial load must be minimized, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) protection must be maximized. However, it is difficult to cover all of these requirements by single preventative method. We screened consecutive patients scheduled for spinal instrumentation surgeries at a single tertiary referral hospital for high surgical, SSI, and MRSA colonization risks. Evidence-based care bundles were implemented for high risk patients and included: 1) additional vancomycin prophylaxis, 2) diluted povidone-iodine irrigation, and 3) nasal and body decontamination. Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative features, and SSIs reported to the Japanese Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system were prospectively obtained in the same method by the same assessor and were used for the analyses. The results were compared before and after the application of the bundle. There were 1,042 spinal instrumentation surgeries (741 before and 301 after care bundles) performed from November 2010 to December 2015. Of 301 surgeries, 57 cases (18.9%) received care bundles. There were no significant differences in patient backgrounds before and after the intervention. The SSI rate decreased significantly from 3.8% to 0.7% (P < 0.01) after the intervention, with an overall 82% relative risk reduction. A significant protective effect was observed in the multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.04-0.77, P = 0.02). There were no MRSA-related SSIs among those that received care bundles, even though MRSA was the predominant pathogen in the study population. Evidence-based care bundles, applied in selected high-risk spinal instrumentation cases, minimized bacterial load, maximized MRSA protection, and significantly reduced SSI rates without topical vancomycin powder. 4.

Fluorescence detection, enumeration and characterization of single circulating cells in vivo: technology, applications and future prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, Carolin; Patil, Roshani; Lin, Charles P.; Niedre, Mark

2018-01-01

There are many diseases and biological processes that involve circulating cells in the bloodstream, such as cancer metastasis, immunology, reproductive medicine, and stem cell therapies. This has driven significant interest in new technologies for the study of circulating cells in small animal research models and clinically. Most currently used methods require drawing and enriching blood samples from the body, but these suffer from a number of limitations. In contrast, ‘in vivo flow cytometry’ (IVFC) refers to set of technologies that allow study of cells directly in the bloodstream of the organism in vivo. In recent years the IVFC field has grown significantly and new techniques have been developed, including fluorescence microscopy, multi-photon, photo-acoustic, and diffuse fluorescence IVFC. In this paper we review recent technical advances in IVFC, with emphasis on instrumentation, contrast mechanisms, and detection sensitivity. We also describe key applications in biomedical research, including cancer research and immunology. Last, we discuss future directions for IVFC, as well as prospects for broader adoption by the biomedical research community and translation to humans clinically.

Fluorescence detection, enumeration and characterization of single circulating cells in vivo: technology, applications and future prospects.

PubMed

Hartmann, Carolin; Patil, Roshani; Lin, Charles P; Niedre, Mark

2017-12-14

There are many diseases and biological processes that involve circulating cells in the bloodstream, such as cancer metastasis, immunology, reproductive medicine, and stem cell therapies. This has driven significant interest in new technologies for the study of circulating cells in small animal research models and clinically. Most currently used methods require drawing and enriching blood samples from the body, but these suffer from a number of limitations. In contrast, 'in vivo flow cytometry' (IVFC) refers to set of technologies that allow study of cells directly in the bloodstream of the organism in vivo. In recent years the IVFC field has grown significantly and new techniques have been developed, including fluorescence microscopy, multi-photon, photo-acoustic, and diffuse fluorescence IVFC. In this paper we review recent technical advances in IVFC, with emphasis on instrumentation, contrast mechanisms, and detection sensitivity. We also describe key applications in biomedical research, including cancer research and immunology. Last, we discuss future directions for IVFC, as well as prospects for broader adoption by the biomedical research community and translation to humans clinically.

Can formal education and training improve the outcome of instrumental delivery?

PubMed

Cheong, Y C; Abdullahi, H; Lashen, H; Fairlie, F M

2004-04-15

The primary objective was to examine the effect of formal education and training on instrumental delivery with respect to its success rate and associated neonatal and maternal morbidity. The secondary objective was to determine factors that could influence the success rate of instrumental delivery. Prospective case-control study with historical controls set in a teaching hospital in Sheffield. The prospective group included all women who had instrumental deliveries between 1 November 1999 and 29 February 2000. The control group included all women who delivered between 1 February 1997 and 1 February 1998. An educational package involving formal postgraduate training and self-directed learning were introduced in the time period between the prospective and the control groups. Medical notes were reviewed in the historical controls. For both the control and prospective groups, the following patient characteristics were recorded: maternal age, parity, whether or not onset of labour was induced, use of oxytocin in the second stage of labour, delay in the second stage, operator grade, vaginal findings at delivery and the use of epidural analgesia. The overall failure rate was not different in the prospective group (16%) compared with the control group (18.5%). However, the introduction of an educational package was associated with significant decrease in maternal morbidity associated with cervical, severe labial and high vaginal tears (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.29, CI 0.09-0.97) and neonatal morbidity associated with admission to SCBU (OR 0.72, CI 0.02-0.60), severe neonatal scalp injury (OR 0.14, CI 0.02-0.98) and facial injuries (OR 0.02, CI 0.01-0.04). The factors identified to affect the success of instrumental deliveries were: OP and OT positions of the baby at delivery (OR 0.28, CI 0.17-0.44) and inexperienced operators (OR 0.11, CI 0.02-0.58). In this study, formal education and training of medical staff did not influence the success rate of instrumental delivery but was associated with improved safety for both mother and baby.

Perceptions of Prospective Teachers on Digital Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çam, Emre; Kiyici, Mübin

2017-01-01

The aim of the quantitative study is to identify the digital literacy levels of prospective teachers in terms of several variables. The sample consisted of 354 prospective teachers studying in different departments of Sakarya University College of Education. The 30-item instrument used to gather the data was the "Digital Literacy Scale"…

The AMANDA neutrino telescope: Science prospects and performance at first light

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

Halzen, F.

1998-02-01

We update the science prospects for the recently completed AMANDA South Pole neutrino detector. With an effective telescope area of order 10{sup 4}thinspm{sup 2} and a threshold of {approximately}50 GeV, it represents the first instrument of a new generation of high energy neutrino detectors, envisaged over 25 years ago. We describe the instrument and its performance, and map its expansion to a detector of kilometer dimension. {copyright} {ital 1998 American Institute of Physics.}

Development in electrophoresis: instrumentation for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of protein separation and application of capillary electrophoresis in micro-bioanalysis

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

Xu, Aoshuang

2008-01-01

This dissertation begins with a general introduction of topics related to this work. The following chapters contain three scientific manuscripts, each presented in a separate chapter with accompanying tables, figures, and literature citations. The final chapter summarizes the work and provides some prospective on this work. This introduction starts with a brief treatment of the basic principles of electrophoresis separation, followed by a discussion of gel electrophoresis and particularly polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for protein separation, a summary of common capillary electrophoresis separation modes, and a brief treatment of micro-bioanalysis application of capillary electrophoresis, and ends with an overview of proteinmore » conformation and dynamics.« less

Application of ionic liquids in liquid chromatography and electrodriven separation.

PubMed

Huang, Yi; Yao, Shun; Song, Hang

2013-08-01

Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts in the liquid state at ambient temperature, which are nonvolatile, nonflammable with high thermal stability and dissolve easily for a wide range of inorganic and organic materials. As a kind of potential green solvent, they show high efficiency and selectivity in the field of separation research, especially in instrumental analysis. Thus far, ILs have been successfully applied by many related researchers in high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis as chromatographic stationary phases, mobile phase additives or electroosmotic flow modifiers. This paper provides a detailed review of these applications in the study of natural products, foods, drugs and other fine chemicals. Furthermore, the prospects of ILs in liquid chromatographic and electrodriven techniques are discussed.

Structural and functional photoacoustic molecular tomography aided by emerging contrast agents

PubMed Central

Nie, Liming

2015-01-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) can offer structural, functional and molecular contrasts at scalable observation level. By ultrasonically overcoming the strong optical scattering, this imaging technology can reach centimeters penetration depth while retaining high spatial resolution in biological tissue. Recent extensive research has been focused on developing new contrast agents to improve the imaging sensitivity, specificity and efficiency. These emerging materials have substantially accelerated PAT applications in signal sensing, functional imaging, biomarker labeling and therapy monitoring etc. Here, the potentials of different optical probes as PAT contrast agents were elucidated. We first describe the instrumental embodiments and the measured functional parameters, then focus on emerging contrast agent-based PAT applications, and finally discuss the challenges and prospects. PMID:24967718

Instrument technology for remote-surface exploration, prospecting and assaying, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brereton, R. G.

1977-01-01

The capability to specify new instrument/mechanism technology needs, for effective remote surface exploration, prospecting and assaying (EPA), requires first, an understanding of the functions or major elements of such a task, and second an understanding of the scientific instruments and support mechanisms that may be involved. An analog or task model was developed from which the various functions, operational procedures, scientific instruments, and support mechanisms for an automated mission could be derived. The task model led to the definition of nine major functions or categories of discrete operational elements that may have to be accomplished on a mission of this type. Each major function may stand alone as an element of an EPA mission, but more probably a major function will require the support of other functions, so they are inter-related.

Advancing Cell Biology Through Proteomics in Space and Time (PROSPECTS)*

PubMed Central

Lamond, Angus I.; Uhlen, Mathias; Horning, Stevan; Makarov, Alexander; Robinson, Carol V.; Serrano, Luis; Hartl, F. Ulrich; Baumeister, Wolfgang; Werenskiold, Anne Katrin; Andersen, Jens S.; Vorm, Ole; Linial, Michal; Aebersold, Ruedi; Mann, Matthias

2012-01-01

The term “proteomics” encompasses the large-scale detection and analysis of proteins and their post-translational modifications. Driven by major improvements in mass spectrometric instrumentation, methodology, and data analysis, the proteomics field has burgeoned in recent years. It now provides a range of sensitive and quantitative approaches for measuring protein structures and dynamics that promise to revolutionize our understanding of cell biology and molecular mechanisms in both human cells and model organisms. The Proteomics Specification in Time and Space (PROSPECTS) Network is a unique EU-funded project that brings together leading European research groups, spanning from instrumentation to biomedicine, in a collaborative five year initiative to develop new methods and applications for the functional analysis of cellular proteins. This special issue of Molecular and Cellular Proteomics presents 16 research papers reporting major recent progress by the PROSPECTS groups, including improvements to the resolution and sensitivity of the Orbitrap family of mass spectrometers, systematic detection of proteins using highly characterized antibody collections, and new methods for absolute as well as relative quantification of protein levels. Manuscripts in this issue exemplify approaches for performing quantitative measurements of cell proteomes and for studying their dynamic responses to perturbation, both during normal cellular responses and in disease mechanisms. Here we present a perspective on how the proteomics field is moving beyond simply identifying proteins with high sensitivity toward providing a powerful and versatile set of assay systems for characterizing proteome dynamics and thereby creating a new “third generation” proteomics strategy that offers an indispensible tool for cell biology and molecular medicine. PMID:22311636

Improved alignment and operating room efficiency with patient-specific instrumentation for TKA.

PubMed

Renson, Luc; Poilvache, Pascal; Van den Wyngaert, Hans

2014-12-01

Achieving accurate alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a concern. Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) produced using preoperative 3D models was developed to offer surgeons a simplified, reliable, efficient and customised TKA procedure. In this prospective study, 60 patients underwent TKA with conventional instrumentation and 71 patients were operated on using PSI. The primary endpoint was surgical time. Secondary endpoints included operating room (OR) time, the number of instrument trays used and postoperative radiographic limb alignment. Compared to conventional instrumentation, PSI significantly reduced total surgical time by 8.9 ± 3.3 min (p=0.038), OR time by 8.6 ± 4.2 min (p=0.043), and the number of instrument trays by six trays (p<0.001). Mechanical axis malalignment of the lower limb of >3° was observed in 13% of PSI patients versus 29% with conventional instrumentation (p=0.043). PSI predicted the size of the femoral and tibial components actually used in 85.9% and 78.9% of cases, respectively. PSI improves alignment, surgical and OR time, reduces the number of instruments trays used compared to conventional instrumentation in patients undergoing TKA and results in fewer outliers in overall mechanical alignment in the coronal plane. Prospective comparative therapeutic study. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Field Trip to Kazdagi National Park: Views of Prospective Biology Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çetin, Gülcan

2014-01-01

The purpose of the study was to investigate the views of the prospective biology teachers about the field trip to Kazdagi National Park. Participants were 12 prospective Biology teachers studying in Necatibey Faculty of Education in Balikesir University, Turkey. A semi-structured interview form was used as a data collection instrument. Data were…

A Reconfigurable Instrument System for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sang, Ziru; Li, Feng; Jiang, Xiao; Jin, Ge

2014-04-01

We developed a reconfigurable nuclear instrument system (RNIS) that could satisfy the requirements of diverse nuclear and particle physics experiments, and the inertial confinement fusion diagnostic. Benefiting from the reconfigurable hardware structure and digital pulse processing technology, RNIS shakes off the restrictions of cumbersome crates and miscellaneous modules. It retains all the advantages of conventional nuclear instruments and is more flexible and portable. RNIS is primarily composed of a field programmable hardware board and relevant PC software. Separate analog channels are designed to provide different functions, such as amplifiers, ADC, fast discriminators and Schmitt discriminators for diverse experimental purposes. The high-performance field programmable gate array could complete high-precision time interval measurement, histogram accumulation, counting, and coincidence anticoincidence measurement. To illustrate the prospects of RNIS, a series of applications to the experiments are described in this paper. The first, for which RNIS was originally developed, involves nuclear energy spectrum measurement with a scintillation detector and photomultiplier. The second experiment applies RNIS to a G-M tube counting experiment, and in the third, it is applied to a quantum communication experiment through reconfiguration.

The development and validation of the Self-Efficacy Beliefs about Equitable Science Teaching and learning instrument for prospective elementary teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritter, Jennifer M.

1999-12-01

The purpose of this study was to develop, validate and establish the reliability of an instrument to assess the self-efficacy beliefs of prospective elementary teachers with regards to science teaching and learning for diverse learners. The study used Bandura's theoretical framework, in that the instrument would use the self-efficacy construct to explore the beliefs of prospective elementary science teachers with regards to science teaching and learning to diverse learners: specifically the two dimensions of self-efficacy beliefs defined by Bandura (1977): personal self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. A seven step plan was designed and followed in the process of developing the instrument, which was titled the Self-Efficacy Beliefs about Equitable Science Teaching or SEBEST. Diverse learners as recognized by Science for All Americans (1989) are "those who in the past who have largely been bypassed in science and mathematics education: ethnic and language minorities and girls" (p. xviii). That definition was extended by this researcher to include children from low socioeconomic backgrounds based on the research by Gomez and Tabachnick (1992). The SEBEST was administered to 226 prospective elementary teachers at The Pennsylvania State University. Using the results from factor analyses, Coefficient Alpha, and Chi-Square a 34 item instrument was found to achieve the greatest balance across the construct validity, reliability and item balance with the content matrix. The 34 item SEBEST was found to load purely on four factors across the content matrix thus providing evidence construct validity. The Coefficient Alpha reliability for the 34 item SEBEST was .90 and .82 for the PSE sub-scale and .78 for the OE sub-scale. A Chi-Square test (X2 = 2.7 1, df = 7, p > .05) was used to confirm that the 34 items were balanced across the Personal Self-Efficacy/Outcome Expectancy and Ethnicity/LanguageMinority/Gender Socioeconomic Status/dimensions of the content matrix. Based on the standardized development procedures used and the associated evidence, the SEBEST appears to be a content and construct valid instrument, with high internal reliability and moderate test-retest reliability qualities, for use with prospective elementary teachers to assess self-efficacy beliefs for teaching and learning science for diverse learners.

All-Optical Fibre Networks For Coal Mines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zientkiewicz, Jacek K.

1987-09-01

A topic of the paper is fiber-optic integrated network (FOIN) suited to the most hostile environments existing in coal mines. The use of optical fibres for transmission of mine instrumentation data offers the prospects of improved safety and immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI). The feasibility of optically powered sensors has opened up new opportunities for research into optical signal processing architectures. This article discusses a new fibre-optic sensor network involving a time domain multiplexing(TDM)scheme and optical signal processing techniques. The pros and cons of different FOIN topologies with respect to coal mine applications are considered. The emphasis has been placed on a recently developed all-optical fibre network using spread spectrum code division multiple access (COMA) techniques. The all-optical networks have applications in explosive environments where electrical isolation is required.

Fluorescence detection, enumeration and characterization of single circulating cells in vivo: technology, applications and future prospects.

PubMed

Hartmann, Carolin; Patil, Roshani; Lin, Charles P; Niedre, Mark J

2017-11-08

There are many diseases and biological processes that involve circulating cells in the bloodstream, such as cancer metastasis, immune reaction/inflammation, reproductive medicine, and stem cell therapies. This has driven significant interest in new technologies for the study of circulating cells in small animal research models and clinically. Most currently used methods require drawing and enriching blood samples from the body, but these suffer from a number of limitations. In contrast, "in vivo flow cytometry" (IVFC) refers to set of technologies that allow study of cells directly in the bloodstream of the organism in vivo. In recent years the IVFC field has grown significantly and new techniques have been developed, including fluorescence microscopy, multi-photon, photo-acoustic, and diffuse fluorescence IVFC. In this paper we review recent technical advances in IVFC, with emphasis on instrumentation, contrast mechanisms, and detection sensitivity. We also describe key applications in biomedical research, including cancer research and immunology. Last, we discuss future directions for IVFC, as well as prospects for broader adoption by the biomedical research community and translation to humans clinically. © 2017 Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.

Advancements in Chinese Geomagnetism and Aeronomy during the Last Thirty Years,

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-02-09

movements of charged particles in geomagnetic fields and neutral line magnetic fields and they vigorously initiated simulated tests. References (120-121... telluric prospecting and related probems; (6) Magnetic prospecting and interpretation of data; (7) Some research on geomagnetic instruments; (8

From Present Surveying to Future Prospecting of the Asteroid Belt

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, P. E.; Curtis, S. A.; Rilee, M.; Cheung, C.

2004-01-01

We have applied a future mission architecture, the Autonomous Nano-Technology Swarm (ANTS), to a proposed mission for in situ survey, or prospecting, of the asteroid belt, the Prospecting Asteroid Mission (PAM) as part of a NASA 2003 Revolutionary Aerospace Concept (RASC) study. ANTS architecture builds on and advances recent trends in robotics, artificial intelligence, and materials processing to minimize costs and maximize effectiveness of space operations. PAM and other applications have been proposed for the survey of inaccessible, high surface area populations of great interest from the standpoint of resources and/or solar system origin. The ANTS architecture is inspired by the success of social insect colonies, a success based on the division of labor within the colonies in two key ways: 1) within their specialties, individual specialists generally outperform generalists, and 2) with sufficiently efficient social interaction and coordination, the group of specialists generally outperforms the group of generalists. Thus systems designed as ANTS are built from potentially very large numbers of highly autonomous, yet socially interactive, elements. The architecture is self-similar in that elements and sub-elements of the system may also be recursively structured as ANTS on scales ranging from microscopic to interplanetary distances. Here, we analyze requirements for the mission application at the low gravity target end of the spectrum, the Prospecting Asteroid Mission (PAM), and for specialized autonomous operations which would support this mission. ANTS as applied to PAM involves the activities of hundreds of individual specialist 'sciencecraft'. Most of them, called Workers, carry and operate eight to nine different scientific instruments, as listed in the table, including spectrometers, ranging and radio science devices, and imagers. The remaining specialists, Messenger/Rulers, provide communication and coordination functions among specialists operating autonomously as individuals, team members, and subswarms.

Listening to Shells: Galaxy Masses from Disrupted Satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westfall, Kyle; Sanderson, R.

2014-01-01

Our ability to measure the dynamical mass of an individual galaxy is limited by the radial extent of the luminous tracers of its potential. For elliptical galaxies, it is difficult to go much beyond two effective radii using integrated light. Appealing to particle tracers like globular clusters has allowed for mass measurements out to ten effective radii. The extended atomic-gas disks of spiral galaxies allow one to measure rotation curves well beyond the optical disk to a few effective radii; however, such mass measurements are limited to a single plane and can often be confused by warps. As surface-brightness limits have pushed ever deeper, the revealed abundance of disrupted satellites in galaxy halos may present a unique opportunity for determining the enclosed mass at very large radii (more than five effective radii), provided our technology is up to the challenge. Here, we discuss the prospect of using integrated light spectroscopy of tidal shells to measure the masses of individual galaxies at redshifts of up to 0.1. Our study considers the limitations of current and projected instrumentation on 4-, 10-, and 30-meter class telescopes. The observational constraints are indeed very stringent, requiring both high sensitivity (with V-band surface brightness limits below 25 mag per square arsecond) and high spectral resolution (R>10k), whereas spatial resolution is effectively irrelevant. Bigger is not necessarily better for our application because of the limited field-of-view (FOV) of large telescopes, which dramatically limits their total grasp. We find the two most-promising setups are (1) a large FOV (1 square arcminute) integral-field unit (IFU) on a 4-meter class telescope and (2) a multiplexed suite of small FOV (10 square arcseconds) IFUs on a 10- or 30-meter class telescope. Two prospective instruments that may meet these requirements are WEAVE, an instrument currently planned for the William Herschel Telescope at La Palma, and an OPTIMOS-EVE-like instrument on the E-ELT.

Regolith Volatile Recovery at Simulated Lunar Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinhenz, Julie; Paulsen, Gale; Zacny, Kris; Schmidt, Sherry; Boucher, Dale

2016-01-01

Lunar Polar Volatiles: Permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles contain water, 5 wt according to LCROSS. Interest in water for ISRU applications. Desire to ground truth water using surface prospecting e.g. Resource Prospector and RESOLVE. How to access subsurface water resources and accurately measure quantity. Excavation operations and exposure to lunar environment may affect the results. Volatile capture tests: A series a ground based dirty thermal vacuum tests are being conducted to better understand the subsurface sampling operations. Sample removal and transfer. Volatiles loss during sampling operations. Concept of operations, Instrumentation. This presentation is a progress report on volatiles capture results from these tests with lunar polar drill prototype hardware.

Ca2+-Regulated Photoproteins: Effective Immunoassay Reporters

PubMed Central

Frank, Ludmila A.

2010-01-01

Ca2+-regulated photoproteins of luminous marine coelenterates are of interest and a challenge for researchers as a unique bioluminescent system and as a promising analytical instrument for both in vivo and in vitro applications. The proteins are comprehensively studied as to biochemical properties, tertiary structures, bioluminescence mechanism, etc. This knowledge, along with available recombinant proteins serves the basis for development of unique bioluminescent detection systems that are “self-contained”, triggerable, fast, highly sensitive, and non-hazardous. In the paper, we focus on the use of photoproteins as reporters in binding assays based on immunological recognition element—bioluminescent immunoassay and hybridization immunoassay, their advantages and prospects. PMID:22163526

Current practice of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in metabolomics and metabonomics.

PubMed

Gika, Helen G; Theodoridis, Georgios A; Plumb, Robert S; Wilson, Ian D

2014-01-01

Based on publication and citation numbers liquid chromatography (LC-MS) has become the major analytical technology in the field of global metabolite profiling. This dominance reflects significant investments from both the research community and instrument manufacturers. Here an overview of the approaches taken for LC-MS-based metabolomics research is given, describing critical steps in the realisation of such studies: study design and its needs, specific technological problems to be addressed and major obstacles in data treatment and biomarker identification. The current state of the art for LC-MS-based analysis in metabonomics/metabolomics is described including recent developments in liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and data treatment as these are applied in metabolomics underlining the challenges, limitations and prospects for metabolomics research. Examples of the application of metabolite profiling in the life sciences focusing on disease biomarker discovery are highlighted. In addition, new developments and future prospects are described. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Arthroscopic cartilage debridement by excimer laser in chondromalacia of the knee joint. A prospective randomized clinical study.

PubMed

Raunest, J; Löhnert, J

1990-01-01

A new operative technique in arthroscopic treatment of chondromalacia using ultraviolet laser systems is introduced. The postoperative results are evaluated in a prospective and randomized clinical trial. One hundred and forty patients stage II or III chondromalacia according to Outerbridge were randomly assigned to arthroscopic operation using either laser or mechanical instruments. After a 6-month follow-up period the clinical results were compared, guided by a specially designed modification of the Lysholm scoring scale. In the short-term follow-up laser surgery gave superior results in regard to reducing pain (P less than 0.05) and leading to a lower incidence of reactive synovitis (P less than 0.01). No difference was found in respect of disability and functional impairment. Our results lead to the conclusion that arthroscopic laser application seems to be a successful procedure in the treatment of degenerative cartilage disorders, providing precise ablation of tissue without significant thermal damage to the remaining cartilage.

Capabilities and prospects of the East Asia Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, T.; Sohn, B. W.; Imai, H.

2018-02-01

The very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) technique offers angular resolutions superior to any other instruments at other wavelengths, enabling unique science applications of high-resolution imaging of radio sources and high-precision astrometry. The East Asia VLBI Network (EAVN) is a collaborative effort in the East Asian region. The EAVN currently consists of 21 telescopes with diverse equipment configurations and frequency setups, allowing flexible subarrays for specific science projects. The EAVN provides the highest resolution of 0.5 mas at 22 GHz, allowing the fine imaging of jets in active galactic nuclei, high-accuracy astrometry of masers and pulsars, and precise spacecraft positioning. The soon-to-be-operational Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) will open a new era for the EAVN. This state-of-the-art VLBI array also provides easy access to and crucial training for the burgeoning Asian astronomical community. This Perspective summarizes the status, capabilities and prospects of the EAVN.

Mobile geophysics for searching and exploration of Domanic hydrocarbon deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borovsky, M. Ya; Uspensky, B. V.; Valeeva, S. E.; Borisov, A. S.

2018-05-01

There are noted features of shale hydrocarbons occurrence. It is shown the role of geophysical prospecting in the geological prospecting process for non-traditional sources of hydrocarbon. There are considered the possibilities of non-seismic methods for forecasting, prospecting, exploration and preparation of Domanikovian hydrocarbons accumulations for exploration. It is emphasized the need for geophysical studies of tectonic disturbances. Modern aerogeophysical instrumentation and methodological support allows to combine high-precision magneto-prospecting with gravimetric and gamma spectrometry. This combination of geophysical methods contributes to the diagnosis of active and latent faults.

Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride Focal Plane Array Performance Under Non-Standard Operating Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richardson, Brandon S.; Eastwood, Michael L.; Bruce, Carl F.; Green, Robert O.; Coles, J. B.

2011-01-01

This paper highlights a new technique that allows the Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC TCM6604A Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (MCT) Focal Plane Array (FPA) to operate at room temperature. The Teledyne MCT FPA has been a standard in Imaging Spectroscopy since its creation in the 1980's. This FPA has been used in applications ranging from space instruments such as CRISM, M3 and ARTEMIS to airborne instruments such as MaRS and the Next Generation AVIRIS Instruments1. Precise focal plane alignment is always a challenge for such instruments. The current FPA alignment process results in multiple cold cycles requiring week-long durations, thereby increasing the risk and cost of a project. These alignment cycles are necessary because optimal alignment is approached incrementally and can only be measured with the FPA and Optics at standard operating conditions, requiring a cold instrument. Instruments using this FPA are normally cooled to temperatures below 150K for the MCT FPA to properly function. When the FPA is run at higher temperatures the dark current increases saturating the output. This paper covers the prospect of warm MCT FPA operation from a theoretical and experimental perspective. We discuss the empirical models and physical laws that govern MCT material properties and predict the optimal settings that will result in the best MCT PA performance at 300K. Theoretical results are then calculated for the proposed settings. We finally present the images and data obtained using the actual system with the warm MCT FPA settings. The paper concludes by emphasizing the strong positive correlation between the measured values and the theoretical results.

The development and validation of an instrument to measure preservice teachers' self-efficacy in regard to the teaching of science as inquiry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dira-Smolleck, Lori

The purpose of this study was to develop, validate and establish the reliability of an instrument that measures preservice teachers' self-efficacy in regard to the teaching of science as inquiry. The instrument (TSI) is based upon the work of Bandura, Riggs, and Enochs & Riggs (1990). The study used Bandura's theoretical framework in that the instrument uses the self-efficacy construct to explore the beliefs of prospective elementary science teachers with regards to the teaching of science through inquiry: specifically, the two dimensions of self-efficacy beliefs defined by Bandura: personal self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. Self-efficacy in regard to the teaching of science as inquiry was measured through the use of a 69-item Likert scale instrument designed by the author of the study. A 13-step plan was designed and followed in the process of developing the instrument. Using the results from Chronbach Alpha and Analysis of Variance, a 69-item instrument was found to achieve the greatest balance across the construct validity, reliability and item balance with the Essential Elements of Classroom Inquiry content matrix. Based on the standardized development processes used and the associated evidence, the TSI appears to be a content and construct valid instrument, with high internal reliability for use with prospective elementary teachers to assess self-efficacy beliefs in regard to the teaching of science as inquiry. Implications for research, policy and practice are also discussed.

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery: implementation of an operative and perioperative checklist.

PubMed

Christian, Eisha; Harris, Brianna; Wrobel, Bozena; Zada, Gabriel

2014-01-01

Endoscopic endonasal surgery relies heavily on specialized operative instrumentation and optimization of endocrinological and other critical adjunctive intraoperative factors. Several studies and worldwide initiatives have previously established that intraoperative and perioperative surgical checklists can minimize the incidence of and prevent adverse events. The aim of this article was to outline some of the most common considerations in the perioperative and intraoperative preparation for endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. The authors implemented and prospectively evaluated a customized checklist at their institution in 25 endoscopic endonasal operations for a variety of sellar and skull base pathological entities. Although no major errors were detected, near misses pertaining primarily to missing components of surgical equipment or instruments were identified in 9 cases (36%). The considerations in the checklist provided in this article can serve as a basic template for further customization by centers performing endoscopic endonasal surgery, where their application may reduce the incidence of adverse or preventable errors associated with surgical treatment of sellar and skull base lesions.

An Analysis of Prospective Science Teachers' Understanding of the Nature of Science.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ogunniyi, M. B.

1982-01-01

An instrument was developed to measure conceptions of the language of science held by prospective Nigerian science teachers (N=106) relative to conceptions held by seven selected science philosophers (Carnap, Frank, Hempel, Kemeny, Nagel, Nash, and Popper). Subjects did not endorse the language of science associated with a particular philosopher.…

Developing Historical Consciousness and a Community of History Practitioners: A Survey of Prospective History Teachers across Canada

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lévesque, Stéphane G.; Zanazanian, Paul

2015-01-01

This paper looks at the historical consciousness of prospective history teachers in Canada. Using a bilingual online survey instrument inspired by the pan-Canadian research "Canadians and their Pasts" with volunteer participants (N = 233), the study investigates their background knowledge, their perceptions of the trustworthiness of…

Relationship of Self-Efficacy and Teacher Knowledge for Prospective Elementary Education Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharp, Ann C.; Brandt, Lorilynn; Tuft, Elaine A.; Jay, Sandy

2016-01-01

This research investigates relationships between prospective teachers' self-efficacy of literacy instruction and their growing knowledge of literacy essentials. An instrument was used that is one part self-ratings of confidence levels in teaching specific literacy skills and one part assessment of literacy knowledge required to teach those skills.…

Motivation Mining: Prospecting the Web.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Small, Ruth V.; Arnone, Marilyn P.

1999-01-01

Describes WebMAC instruments, which differ from other Web-evaluation instruments because they have a theoretical base, are user-centered, are designed for students in grades 7 through 12, and assess the motivational quality of Web sites. Examples are given of uses of WebMAC Middle and WebMAC Senior in activities to promote evaluation and…

The Efficacy of Problem-Based Learning in an Instrumental Analyse Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seyhan, Hatice Güngör

2016-01-01

In the context of the study, an instrumental analysis laboratory course offering Problem-Based Learning (PBL) was designed as an alternative to traditional laboratory practices. The study was conducted with a total of 36 volunteer, prospective chemistry teachers consisting of fourth year undergraduates and graduates. While PBL activities were…

Relationship between Parental PODCI Questionnaire and School Function Assessment in Measuring Performance in Children with CP

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gates, Philip E.; Otsuka, Norman Y.; Sanders, James O.; McGee-Brown, Jeanie

2008-01-01

Little data exists assessing the relationship between functional limitations in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their participation in everyday activities. This prospective study evaluates the relationship between the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), a functional health-related quality of life instrument for children…

Formative Evaluation of the Early Development Instrument: Progress and Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keating, Daniel P.

2007-01-01

This article is a commentary for the special issue on the Early Development Instrument (EDI), a community tool to assess children's school readiness and developmental outcomes at a group level. The EDI is administered by kindergarten teachers, who assess their kindergarten students on 5 developmental domains: physical health and well-being, social…

Higher Education as an Instrument of Social Integration in Tanzania: Challenges and Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mkude, Daniel

2011-01-01

In developing countries, higher education is a powerful instrument for social mobility and economic prosperity. An in-depth study of the relationship between higher education and certain equity issues has revealed that in Ghana and Tanzania there is inadequate effort to widen higher education participation to include traditionally disadvantaged…

Single-use instruments, cutting blocks, and trials increase efficiency in the operating room during total knee arthroplasty: a prospective comparison of navigated and non-navigated cases.

PubMed

Mont, Michael A; McElroy, Mark J; Johnson, Aaron J; Pivec, Robert

2013-08-01

The purpose of this prospective controlled trial was to determine if efficiency increases could be achieved in non-navigated and navigated total knee arthroplasties by replacing traditional saws, cutting blocks, and trials with specialized saws and single-use cutting blocks and trials. Various timing metrics during total knee arthroplasty, including operating room preparation times and specific intra-operative times, were measured in 400 procedures performed by eight different surgeons at 6 institutions. Efficiency increases were the result of statistically significant reductions in combined instrument setup and cleanup times as well as in adjusted surgical episode times in navigated total knee arthroplasties. Single-use instruments show promising benefits, but adequate patient follow-up is needed to confirm safety and efficacy before they can be widely adopted. Nevertheless, the authors believe that the use of single-use instruments, cutting guides, and trial implants for total knee arthroplasty will play an increasing role in improving operating room efficiency. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Navigated versus conventional total knee arthroplasty: A prospective study at three years follow-up.

PubMed

Martín-Hernández, C; Sanz-Sainz, M; Revenga-Giertych, C; Hernández-Vaquero, D; Fernández-Carreira, J M; Albareda-Albareda, J; Castillo-Palacios, A; Ranera-Garcia, M

2018-03-28

Computer-assisted surgery application in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has shown more accurate implant alignment compared with conventional instrumentation and is associated with more homogeneous alignment results. Although longer implant survival and superior clinical outcomes should be expected from navigated TKA, currently available evidence does not support this hypothesis. The aim of this study was to compare navigated TKA with conventional TKA regarding clinical and radiological outcomes after a 3-year follow-up under the hypothesis that navigated TKA would provide better outcomes than conventional TKA. In a prospective multicentre study, 119 patients underwent navigated TKA and 80 patients received conventional instrumentation. Patients were evaluated at the baseline and at postoperative months 3, 12, 24, and 36. Analysis included the American Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short Form-12 (SF12) Health Survey, and radiographic assessment. All clinical scores improved significantly for all patients during the follow-up but were significantly better in the navigation group. The percentage of patients showing a mechanical axis between 3° of varus and 3° of valgus was significantly higher in the ATR group (93%) than in the conventional TKA group (71%) (P<.01). The use of computer-assisted surgery in TKA provides more accurate mechanical alignment and superior short-term functional outcomes compared to conventional TKA. Copyright © 2018 SECOT. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

The future scientific CCD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Janesick, J. R.; Elliott, T.; Collins, S.; Marsh, H.; Blouke, M. M.

1984-01-01

Since the first introduction of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) in 1970, CCDs have been considered for applications related to memories, logic circuits, and the detection of visible radiation. It is pointed out, however, that the mass market orientation of CCD development has left largely untapped the enormous potential of these devices for advanced scientific instrumentation. The present paper has, therefore, the objective to introduce the CCD characteristics to the scientific community, taking into account prospects for further improvement. Attention is given to evaluation criteria, a summary of current CCDs, CCD performance characteristics, absolute calibration tools, quantum efficiency, aspects of charge collection, charge transfer efficiency, read noise, and predictions regarding the characteristics of the next generation of silicon scientific CCD imagers.

[Research advances in water quality monitoring technology based on UV-Vis spectrum analysis].

PubMed

Wei, Kang-Lin; Wen, Zhi-yu; Wu, Xin; Zhang, Zhong-Wei; Zeng, Tian-Ling

2011-04-01

The application of spectral analysis to water quality monitoring is an important developing trend in the field of modern environment monitoring technology. The principle and characteristic of water quality monitoring technology based on UV-Vis spectrum analysis are briefly reviewed. And the research status and advances are introduced from two aspects, on-line monitoring and in-situ monitoring. Moreover, the existent key technical problems are put forward. Finally, the technology trends of multi-parameter water quality monitoring microsystem and microsystem networks based on microspectrometer are prospected, which has certain reference value for the research and development of environmental monitoring technology and modern scientific instrument in the authors' country.

Detectors for Tomorrow's Instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moseley, Harvey

2009-01-01

Cryogenically cooled superconducting detectors have become essential tools for a wide range of measurement applications, ranging from quantum limited heterodyne detection in the millimeter range to direct searches for dark matter with superconducting phonon detectors operating at 20 mK. Superconducting detectors have several fundamental and practical advantages which have resulted in their rapid adoption by experimenters. Their excellent performance arises in part from reductions in noise resulting from their low operating temperatures, but unique superconducting properties provide a wide range of mechanisms for detection. For example, the steep dependence of resistance with temperature on the superconductor/normal transition provides a sensitive thermometer for calorimetric and bolometric applications. Parametric changes in the properties of superconducting resonators provides a mechanism for high sensitivity detection of submillimeter photons. From a practical point of view, the use of superconducting detectors has grown rapidly because many of these devices couple well to SQUID amplifiers, which are easily integrated with the detectors. These SQUID-based amplifiers and multiplexers have matured with the detectors; they are convenient to use, and have excellent noise performance. The first generation of fully integrated large scale superconducting detection systems are now being deployed. I will discuss the prospects for a new generation of instruments designed to take full advantage of the revolution in detector technology.

A portable helium sniffer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Friedman, Irving; Denton, E.H.

1976-01-01

A portable helium sniffer has been developed for field use. The instrument is mounted in a four-wheel-drive pickup truck and can detect 50 parts per billion of helium in soil gas. The usefulness of helium sniffing in soil is being investigated as a prospecting tool in gas, oil, uranium, and geothermal prospecting as well as in earthquake prediction.

Beliefs of Applied Studio Faculty on Desirable Traits of Prospective Music Education Majors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Royston, Natalie Steele; Springer, D. Gregory

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the beliefs of applied music faculty on desirable traits of prospective music education majors. Respondents (N = 326), who were sampled from 73 National Association of Schools of Music-accredited institutions in the United States, completed a survey instrument developed to determine the characteristics of…

The Science Teaching Self-Efficacy of Prospective Elementary Education Majors Enrolled in Introductory Geology Lab Sections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baldwin, Kathryn A.

2014-01-01

This study examined prospective elementary education majors' science teaching self-efficacy while they were enrolled in an introductory geology lab course for elementary education majors. The Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument Form B (STEBI-B) was administered during the first and last lab class sessions. Additionally, students were…

Next generation of spaceborne rain radars: science rationales and technology status

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Im, Eastwood; Durden, Stephen L.; Kakar, Ramesh K.; Kummerow, Christian D.; Smith, Eric A.

2003-04-01

Global rainfall is the primary distributor of latent heat through atmospheric circulation. This important atmospheric parameter can only be measured reliably from space. The on-going Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is the first space based mission dedicated to advance our understanding of tropical precipitation patterns and their implications on global climate and its change. The Precipitation Radar (PR) aboard the satellite is the first radar ever flown in space and has provided exciting, new data on the 3-D rain structures for a variety of scientific applications. The continuous success of TRMM has led to new development of the next generation of spaceborne satellites and sensors for global rainfall and hydrological parameter measurements. From science and cost efficiency prospective, these new sensing instruments are expected to provide enhanced capabilities and reduced consumption on the spacecraft resources. At NASA, the Earth Science Enterprise has strengthened its investment on instrument technologies to help achieving these two main goals and to obtain the best science values from the new earth science instruments. It is with this spirit that a notional instrument concept, using a dual-frequency rain radar with a deployable 5-meter electronically-scanned membrane antenna and real-time digital signal processing, is developed. This new system, the Second Generation Precipitation Radar (PR-2), has the potential of offering greatly enhanced performance accuracy while using only a fraction of the mass of the current TRMM PR. During the last two years, several of the technology items associated with this notional instrument have also been prototyped. In this paper, the science rationales, the instrument design concept, and the technology status for the PR-2 notional system will be presented.

The Influence of Instrumentality Beliefs on Intrinsic Motivation: A Study of High-Achieving Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kover, David J.; Worrell, Frank C.

2010-01-01

For many students, school is a forward-looking endeavor, with implications for future educational opportunity, job prospects, and financial success. How does believing that school is linked to a desired future outcome--known as an instrumentality belief--influence motivation? A number of studies have indicated that rewards, or other concerns that…

Predicting Institutional Aggression in Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities Using the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pouls, Claudia; Jeandarme, Inge

2018-01-01

Background: One of the most extensively tested risk assessment instruments in offenders with an intellectual disability (OIDs) is the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (VRAG). The purpose of this prospective study was to test the ability of this instrument to predict institutional aggression in OIDs. Method: VRAG scores were collected for 52 OIDs, and…

Examination of Cognitive and Instrumental Functional Performance as Indicators for Driving Cessation Risk across 3 Years

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ackerman, Michelle L.; Edwards, Jerri D.; Ross, Lesley A.; Ball, Karlene K.; Lunsman, Melissa

2008-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the role of cognitive and instrumental functional performance in driving cessation while simultaneously accounting for any contributions of demographics, vision, physical performance, and health among a sample of older adults without dementia. Design and Methods: Included in the…

Jordanian Prospective and Experienced Chemistry Teachers' Beliefs about Teaching and Learning and Their Potential Role for Educational Reform

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Amoush, Siham A.; Markic, Silvija; Abu-Hola, Imfadi; Eilks, Ingo

2011-01-01

This paper presents an exploratory study of Jordanian chemistry student teachers' and experienced teachers' beliefs about teaching and learning. Different instruments were used, focusing on different aspects of teaching and learning. The first instrument is based on teachers' and students' drawings of teaching situations. It includes open…

21 CFR 888.5980 - Manual cast application and removal instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Manual cast application and removal instrument... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.5980 Manual cast application and removal instrument. (a) Identification. A manual cast application and removal instrument is a...

[Prediction instrument for obesity in adolescents at the Policlínico Universitario "Manuel González Díaz", 2013-2014].

PubMed

Piña Borrego, Carlos Enrique; Fernández Fernández, María de Lourdes; Fonte Rodríguez, Norge; Piña Rodríguez, Lorena Karla

Obesity is one of the principal non declarable diseases affecting children and adolescents. With the objective of developing a predictive instrument to identify high-risk adolescents with obesity, a cohort prospective study was carried out at the Policlinic "Manuel González Díaz", Bahía Honda City from 2013-2014. It was developed in three stages. In the first stage, 1800 adolescents from 10-19 years of age were included. The prevalence was identified and the most relevant characteristics of obesity were described (defined as body mass index >97 th percentile according to age and sex). In the second stage we identified the possibility of the diagnosis of factors that increase the probability of obesity. The third stage elaborated and validated an obesity predictor instrument from the results of the initial stages. To apply the instrument to sample A for internal elaboration and validation, sensitivity was 77.78% and specificity was 86.11%. Area under the curve (AUC) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was 0.86, whereas for sample B the sensitivity was 79.63% and specificity was 92.13%. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 83.5% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 90.05%. The instrument allows predicting the risk for developing obesity in adolescents with acceptable sensitivity and high specificity. Its routine application will be interesting in pediatric health consultations. Copyright © 2014 Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

Prospective study on laser-assisted laparascopic partial nephrectomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sroka, Ronald; Hennig, Georg; Zilinberg, Katja; Khoder, Wael Y.

2012-02-01

Introduction: Developments in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) opened a demand for surgical tools compatible with laparoscopic manipulations to make laser assisted technique safe, feasible and reproducible. Warm ischemia and bleeding during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy place technical constraints on surgeons. Therefore it was the aim to develop a safe and effective laser assisted partial nephrectomy technique without need for ischemia. Patients and methods: A diode laser emitting light at 1318nm in cw mode was coupled into a bare fibre (core diameter 600 μm) thus able to transfer up to 100W to the tissue. After dry lab experience, a total of 10 patients suffering from kidney malformations underwent laparoscopic/retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy. Clinically, postoperative renal function and serum c-reactive protein (CRP) were monitored. Laser induced coagulation depth and effects on resection margins were evaluated. Demographic, clinical and follow-up data are presented. Using a commercial available fibre guidance instrument for lanringeal intervention, the demands on an innovative laser fibre guidance instrument for the laser assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LLPN) are summarized. Results: Overall, all laparascopic intervention were succesfull and could be performed without conversion to open surgery. Mean operative time and mean blood loss were comparable to conventional open and laparascopic approaches. Laser assisted resection of the kidney tissue took max 15min. After extirpation of the tumours all patients showed clinical favourable outcome during follow up period. Tumour sizes were measured to be up 5cm in diameter. The depth of the coagulation on the removed tissue ranged between <1 to 2mm without effect on histopathological evaluation of tumours or resection margin. As the surface of the remaining kidney surface was laser assisted coagulated after removal. The sealing of the surface was induced by a slightly larger coagulation margin, but could not measured so far. Based on this experiences a simple and easy to use instrument described serving also for suction and rinsing. Conclusion: This prospective in-vivo feasibility study shows that laser assisted partial nephrectomy seems to be a safe and promising medical technique which could be provided either during open surgery as well as laparascopically. This application showed good haemostasis and minimal parenchymal damage. Further investigations and development are needed for on-line detection of the remain coagulation margin. An optimised treatment equipment will support the applicability of laser assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Present and future prospects of accelerator mass spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kutschera, Walter

1988-05-01

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has become a powerful technique for measuring extremely low abundances (10 -10 to 10 -15 relative to stable isotopes) of long-lived radioisotopes with half-lives in the range from 10 2 to 10 8 years. With a few exceptions, tandem accelerators turned out to be the most useful instruments for AMS measurements. Both natural (mostly cosmogenic) and manmade (anthropogenic) radioisotopes are studied with this technique. In some cases very low concentrations of stable isotopes are also measured. Applications of AMS cover a large variety of fields including anthropology, archaeology, oceanography, hydrology, climatology, volcanology, mineral exploration, cosmochemistry, meteoritics, glaciology, sedimentary processes, geochronology, environmental physics, astrophysics, nuclear and particle physics. Present and future prospects of AMS will be discussed as an interplay between the continuous development of new techniques and the investigation of problems in the above mentioned fields. Depending on the specific problem to be investigated, different aspects of an AMS system are of importance. Typical factors to be considered are energy range and type of accelerator, and the possibilities of dedicated versus partial use of new or existing accelerators.

Surgical infection in a videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy when using peracetic acid for the sterilization of instruments.

PubMed

de Melo, Edluza Maria Viana Bezerra; Leão, Cristiano de Souza; Andreto, Luciana Marques; de Mello, Maria Júlia Gonçalves

2013-01-01

To determine the frequency of surgical site infection in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with instruments sterilized by peracetic acid. We conducted a retrospective, cohort, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Peracetic acid has been used for sterilization following the protocol recommended by the manufacturer. We observed the criteria and indicators of process and structure for preventing surgical site infection pre and intraoperatively. For epidemiological surveillance, outpatient visits were scheduled for the 15th and between the 30th and 45th days after discharge. Among the 247 patients, there were two cases of surgical site infection (0.8%). One patient was readmitted to systemic antibiotic therapy and percutaneous puncture; in the other the infection was superficial and followed at the clinic. Ethical issues prevent the conduction of a prospective study because of peracetic acid have been banned for the sterilization of instruments that penetrate organs and cavities. Nevertheless, these results encourage prospective case-control studies comparing its use (historical control) with ethylene oxide sterilization.

The Systems Approach to Assessment and Evaluation of Post-Secondary Vocational Education Programs. Final Report. October 1, 1976-June 30, 1978.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hartz, John D.

A project was conducted to improve the employability and employment prospects for students by (1) identifying non-job task skills and characteristics important to job acquisition and retention, (2) constructing an instrument to assess the identified skills and characteristics, (3) pilot testing the instrument with graduates from two postsecondary…

Onboard Data Compression of Synthetic Aperture Radar Data: Status and Prospects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klimesh, Matthew A.; Moision, Bruce

2008-01-01

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments on spacecraft are capable of producing huge quantities of data. Onboard lossy data compression is commonly used to reduce the burden on the communication link. In this paper an overview is given of various SAR data compression techniques, along with an assessment of how much improvement is possible (and practical) and how to approach the problem of obtaining it. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments on spacecraft are capable of acquiring huge quantities of data. As a result, the available downlink rate and onboard storage capacity can be limiting factors in mission design for spacecraft with SAR instruments. This is true both for Earth-orbiting missions and missions to more distant targets such as Venus, Titan, and Europa. (Of course for missions beyond Earth orbit downlink rates are much lower and thus potentially much more limiting.) Typically spacecraft with SAR instruments use some form of data compression in order to reduce the storage size and/or downlink rate necessary to accommodate the SAR data. Our aim here is to give an overview of SAR data compression strategies that have been considered, and to assess the prospects for additional improvements.

ELISA test for anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies detection evaluated by a computer screen photo-assisted technique.

PubMed

Filippini, D; Tejle, K; Lundström, I

2005-08-15

The computer screen photo-assisted technique (CSPT), a method for substance classification based on spectral fingerprinting, which involves just a computer screen and a web camera as measuring platform is used here for the evaluation of a prospective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA-ELISA) test, typically used for diagnosing patients suffering from chronic inflammatory disorders in the skin, joints, blood vessels and other tissues is comparatively tested with a standard microplate reader and CSPT, yielding equivalent results at a fraction of the instrumental costs. The CSPT approach is discussed as a distributed measuring platform allowing decentralized measurements in routine applications, whereas keeping centralized information management due to its natural network embedded operation.

Dual-sided electrosurgery handpiece for simultaneous tissue cutting and coagulation: first report on a conceptual design validated by an animal experiment.

PubMed

Tawfik, Hatem A; Fouad, Yousef A; Hafez, Rashad

2015-01-01

To introduce and evaluate the safety of a novel dual-sided electrosurgery handpiece design for simultaneous tissue cutting and coagulation. We designed a prototype double-sided handpiece allowing automatic switching between two electrodes with a simple handpiece flip. The concept of the system as a surgical instrument was assessed by an animal experiment. The skin of 15 Wistar albino white rats could be successfully incised and coagulated using both ends of the handpiece, thereby confirming the prospects and clinical applications of the system. The dual-sided electrosurgery handpiece is a simple and safe alternative to the traditional electrosurgery pencil, allowing the simultaneous use of two electrodes without the hassle of frequent electrode replacement.

INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF INVESTIGATION: Positron annihilation spectroscopy in materials structure studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grafutin, Viktor I.; Prokop'ev, Evgenii P.

2002-01-01

A relatively new method of materials structure analysis — positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) — is reviewed. Measurements of positron lifetimes, the determination of positron 3γ- and 2γ-annihilation probabilities, and an investigation of the effects of different external factors on the fundamental characteristics of annihilation constitute the basis for this promising method. The ways in which the positron annihilation process operates in ionic crystals, semiconductors, metals and some condensed matter systems are analyzed. The scope of PAS is described and its prospects for the study of the electronic and defect structures are discussed. The applications of positron annihilation spectroscopy in radiation physics and chemistry of various substances as well as in physics and chemistry of solutions are exemplified.

KrioBlast TM as a New Technology of Hyper-fast Cryopreservation of Cells and Tissues. Part I. Thermodynamic Aspects and Potential Applications in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine.

PubMed

Katkov, I I; Bolyukh, V F; Sukhikh, G T

2018-03-01

Kinetic (dynamic) vitrification is a promising trend in cryopreservation of biological materials because it allows avoiding the formation of lethal intracellular ice and minimizes harmful effects of highly toxic penetrating cryoprotectants. A uniform cooling protocol and the same instruments can be used for practically all types of cells. In modern technologies, the rate of cooling is essentially limited by the Leidenfrost effect. We describe a novel platform for kinetic vitrification of biological materials KrioBlast TM that realizes hyper-fast cooling and allows overcoming the Leidenfrost effect. This opens prospects for creation of a novel technology of cell cryopreservation for reproductive and regenerative medicine.

Training With Curved Laparoscopic Instruments in Single-Port Setting Improves Performance Using Straight Instruments: A Prospective Randomized Simulation Study.

PubMed

Lukovich, Peter; Sionov, Valery Ben; Kakucs, Timea

2016-01-01

Lately single-port surgery is becoming a widespread procedure, but it is more difficult than conventional laparoscopy owing to the lack of triangulation. Although, these operations are also possible with standard laparoscopic instruments, curved instruments are being developed. The aims of the study were to identify the effect of training on a box trainer in single-port setting on the quality of acquired skills, and transferred with the straight and curved instruments for the basic laparoscopic tasks, and highlight the importance of a special laparoscopic training curriculum. A prospective study on a box trainer in single-port setting was conducted using 2 groups. Each group performed 2 tasks on the box trainer in single-port setting. Group-S used conventional straight laparoscopic instruments, and Group-C used curved laparoscopic instruments. Learning curves were obtained by daily measurements recorded in 7-day sessions. On the last day, the 2 groups changed instruments between each other. 1st Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University of Medicine from Budapest, Hungary, a university teaching hospital. In all, 20 fifth-year medical students were randomized into 2 groups. None of them had any laparoscopic or endoscopic experience. Participation was voluntary. Although Group-S performed all tasks significantly faster than Group-C on the first day, the difference proved to be nonsignificant on the last day. All participants achieved significantly shorter task completion time on the last day than on the first day, regardless of the instrument they used. Group-S showed improvement of 63.5%, and Group-C 69.0% improvement by the end of the session. After swapping the instruments, Group-S reached significantly higher task completion time with curved instruments, whereas Group-C showed further progression of 8.9% with straight instruments. Training with curved instruments in a single-port setting allows for a better acquisition of skills in a shorter period. For this reason, there is a need for proficiency-based conventional, but also for a single-port, laparoscopic training curriculum in general surgery residency education. Copyright © 2015 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Successful short-segment instrumentation and fusion for thoracolumbar spine fractures: a consecutive 41/2-year series.

PubMed

Parker, J W; Lane, J R; Karaikovic, E E; Gaines, R W

2000-05-01

A retrospective review of all the surgically managed spinal fractures at the University of Missouri Medical Center during the 41/2-year period from January 1989 to July 1993 was performed. Of the 51 surgically managed patients, 46 were instrumented by short-segment technique (attachment of one level above the fracture to one level below the fracture). The other 5 patients in this consecutive series had multiple trauma. These patients were included in the review because this was a consecutive series. However, they were grouped separately because they were instrumented by long-segment technique because of their multiple organ system injuries. The choice of the anterior or posterior approach for short-segment instrumentation was based on the Load-Sharing Classification published in a 1994 issue of Spine. The purpose of this review was to demonstrate that grading comminution by use of the Load-Sharing Classification for approach selection and the choice of patients with isolated fractures who are cooperative with spinal bracing for 4 months provide the keys to successful short-segment treatment of isolated spinal fractures. The current literature implies that the use of pedicle screws for short-segment instrumentation of spinal fracture is dangerous and inappropriate because of the high screw fracture rate. Charts, operative notes, preoperative and postoperative radiographs, computed tomography scans, and follow-up records of all patients were reviewed carefully from the time of surgery until final follow-up assessment. The Load-Sharing Classification had been used prospectively for all patients before their surgery to determine the approach for short-segment instrumentation. Denis' Pain Scale and Work Scales were obtained during follow-up evaluation for all patients. All patients were observed over 40 months except for 1 patient who died of unrelated causes after 35 months. The mean follow-up period was 66 months (51/2 years). No patient was lost to follow-up evaluation. Prospective application of the Load-Sharing Classification to the patients' injury and restriction of the short-segment approach to cooperative patients with isolated spinal fractures (excluding multisystem trauma patients) allowed 45 of 46 patients instrumented by the short-segment technique to proceed to successful healing in virtual anatomic alignment. The Load-Sharing Classification is a straightforward way to describe the amount of bony comminution in a spinal fracture. When applied to patients with isolated spine fractures who are cooperative with 3 to 4 months of spinal bracing, it can help the surgeon select short-segment pedicle-screw-based fixation using the posterior approach for less comminuted injuries and the anterior approach for those more comminuted. The choice of which fracture-dislocations should be strut grafted anteriorly and which need only posterior short-segment pedicle-screw-based instrumentation also can be made using the Load-Sharing Classification.

A comparison of the VHI, VHI-10, and V-RQOL for measuring the effect of botox therapy in adductor spasmodic dysphonia.

PubMed

Morzaria, Sanjay; Damrose, Edward J

2012-05-01

Although disease-specific quality-of-life (QOL) instruments are an invaluable outcome measure in spasmodic dysphonia, there is no consensus on which QOL instrument should be used. To determine the responsiveness of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) to the treatment effect of botulinum toxin (Botox) in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD). Stanford University Voice and Swallowing Center. Prospective case series (level of evidence=4). Consecutive ADSD patients with a stable Botox dose-response relationship were recruited prospectively. VHI, VHI-10, and V-RQOL scores were obtained pretreatment and during the middle third of the posttreatment injection cycle. Thrity-seven patients completed the follow-up. The average total Botox dose was 0.88 units. The average follow-up time after injection was 7.84 weeks. The pretreatment QOL scores reflected the burden of the disease. All the three instruments were highly correlated in subscale and total scores. After treatment, all three instruments showed significant improvement. The VHI, VHI-10, and V-RQOL all reflected the morbidity associated with ADSD and were significantly responsive to the effect of Botox therapy. The choice of instrument should be based on physician preference. Copyright © 2012 The Voice Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Exploring PCK ability of prospective science teachers in reflective learning on heat and transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurmatin, S.; Rustaman, N. Y.

2016-02-01

Learning can be planned by the person him/herself when he or she tries to reflect his/her learning. A study involving prospective science teachers in junior secondary schools was carried out to analyze their ability on Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in reflective learning after teaching practice. The study was focused especially in creating Pedagogical and Professional Repertoires (PaP-eRs) as part of resource-folios. PaP-eRs as a narrative writing in the learning activities are created by prospective science teachers after lesson plan implementation. Making the narrative writing is intended that prospective science teachers can reflect their learning in teaching. Research subjects are six prospective science teachers who are implementing "Program Pengalaman Lapangan" (PPL) in two junior secondary schools in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. All of them were assigned by supervisor teachers to teach VII grade students on certain topic "heat and its transfer". Instruments used as a means of collecting data in this study is PaP-eRs. Collected PaP-eRs were then analyzed using PaP-eRs analysis format as instruments for analysis. The result of analyzing PaP-eRs indicates that learning activities, which narrated, involve initial activities, core activities and final activities. However, any activity, which is narrated just superficial as its big line so the narration cannot be, used as reflective learning. It indicates that PCK ability of prospective science teachers in creating narrative writing (PaP-eRs) for reflective learning is still low.

Fluorescence lifetime endoscopy using TCSPC for the measurement of FRET in live cells

PubMed Central

Fruhwirth, Gilbert O.; Ameer-Beg, Simon; Cook, Richard; Watson, Timothy; Ng, Tony; Festy, Frederic

2010-01-01

Development of remote imaging for diagnostic purposes has progressed dramatically since endoscopy began in the 1960’s. The recent advent of a clinically licensed intensity-based fluorescence micro-endoscopic instrument has offered the prospect of real-time cellular resolution imaging. However, interrogating protein-protein interactions deep inside living tissue requires precise fluorescence lifetime measurements to derive the Förster resonance energy transfer between two tagged fluorescent markers. We developed a new instrument combining remote fiber endoscopic cellular-resolution imaging with TCSPC-FLIM technology to interrogate and discriminate mixed fluorochrome labeled beads and expressible GFP/TagRFP tags within live cells. Endoscopic-FLIM (e-FLIM) data was validated by comparison with data acquired via conventional FLIM and e-FLIM was found to be accurate for both bright bead and dim live cell samples. The fiber based micro-endoscope allowed remote imaging of 4 µm and 10 µm beads within a thick Matrigel matrix with confident fluorophore discrimination using lifetime information. More importantly, this new technique enabled us to reliably measure protein-protein interactions in live cells embedded in a 3D matrix, as demonstrated by the dimerization of the fluorescent protein-tagged membrane receptor CXCR4. This cell-based application successfully demonstrated the suitability and great potential of this new technique for in vivo pre-clinical biomedical and possibly human clinical applications. PMID:20588974

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer mission - Overview and initial results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haisch, B.; Bowyer, S.; Malina, R. F.

1993-01-01

The history of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) astronomy is briefly reviewed, and an overview of the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer mission, launched into a near-earth (550 km) orbit on June 7, 1992, is presented. First, the principal objective of the mission are summarized. The instrumentation and operation of the mission are then described, with particular attention given to the sky survey instruments, the deep survey instrument, and the spectrometers. The discussion also covers the current view of the interstellar medium, early results from the mission, and future prospects for EUV astronomy.

15 CFR 301.3 - Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... scientific instruments. 301.3 Section 301.3 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and... REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.3 Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments. (a) Who may apply. An applicant for duty-free entry of an...

15 CFR 301.3 - Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... scientific instruments. 301.3 Section 301.3 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and... REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.3 Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments. (a) Who may apply. An applicant for duty-free entry of an...

15 CFR 301.3 - Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... scientific instruments. 301.3 Section 301.3 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and... REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.3 Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments. (a) Who may apply. An applicant for duty-free entry of an...

15 CFR 301.3 - Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... scientific instruments. 301.3 Section 301.3 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and... REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.3 Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments. (a) Who may apply. An applicant for duty-free entry of an...

15 CFR 301.3 - Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... scientific instruments. 301.3 Section 301.3 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and... REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.3 Application for duty-free entry of scientific instruments. (a) Who may apply. An applicant for duty-free entry of an...

ODISEES: A New Paradigm in Data Access

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huffer, E.; Little, M. M.; Kusterer, J.

2013-12-01

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve access to data, the Atmospheric Science Data Center has developed a high-precision Earth Science domain ontology (the 'ES Ontology') implemented in a graph database ('the Semantic Metadata Repository') that is used to store detailed, semantically-enhanced, parameter-level metadata for ASDC data products. The ES Ontology provides the semantic infrastructure needed to drive the ASDC's Ontology-Driven Interactive Search Environment for Earth Science ('ODISEES'), a data discovery and access tool, and will support additional data services such as analytics and visualization. The ES ontology is designed on the premise that naming conventions alone are not adequate to provide the information needed by prospective data consumers to assess the suitability of a given dataset for their research requirements; nor are current metadata conventions adequate to support seamless machine-to-machine interactions between file servers and end-user applications. Data consumers need information not only about what two data elements have in common, but also about how they are different. End-user applications need consistent, detailed metadata to support real-time data interoperability. The ES ontology is a highly precise, bottom-up, queriable model of the Earth Science domain that focuses on critical details about the measurable phenomena, instrument techniques, data processing methods, and data file structures. Earth Science parameters are described in detail in the ES Ontology and mapped to the corresponding variables that occur in ASDC datasets. Variables are in turn mapped to well-annotated representations of the datasets that they occur in, the instrument(s) used to create them, the instrument platforms, the processing methods, etc., creating a linked-data structure that allows both human and machine users to access a wealth of information critical to understanding and manipulating the data. The mappings are recorded in the Semantic Metadata Repository as RDF-triples. An off-the-shelf Ontology Development Environment and a custom Metadata Conversion Tool comprise a human-machine/machine-machine hybrid tool that partially automates the creation of metadata as RDF-triples by interfacing with existing metadata repositories and providing a user interface that solicits input from a human user, when needed. RDF-triples are pushed to the Ontology Development Environment, where a reasoning engine executes a series of inference rules whose antecedent conditions can be satisfied by the initial set of RDF-triples, thereby generating the additional detailed metadata that is missing in existing repositories. A SPARQL Endpoint, a web-based query service and a Graphical User Interface allow prospective data consumers - even those with no familiarity with NASA data products - to search the metadata repository to find and order data products that meet their exact specifications. A web-based API will provide an interface for machine-to-machine transactions.

Is hospital information system relevant to detect surgical site infection? Findings from a prospective surveillance study in posterior instrumented spinal surgery.

PubMed

Boetto, J; Chan-Seng, E; Lonjon, G; Pech, J; Lotthé, A; Lonjon, N

2015-11-01

Spinal instrumentation has a high rate of surgical site infection (SSI), but results greatly vary depending on surveillance methodology, surgical procedures, or quality of follow-up. Our aim was to study true incidence of SSI in spinal surgery by significant data collection, and to compare it with the results obtained through the hospital information system. This work is a single center prospective cohort study that included all patients consecutively operated on for spinal instrumentation by posterior approach over a six-month period regardless the etiology. For all patients, a "high definition" prospective method of surveillance was performed by the infection control (IC) department during at least 12 months after surgery. Results were then compared with findings from automatic surveillance though the hospital information system (HIS). One hundred and fifty-four patients were included. We found no hardly difference between "high definition" and automatic surveillance through the HIS, even if HIS tended to under-estimate the infection rate: rate of surgical site infection was 2.60% and gross SSI incidence rate via the hospital information system was 1.95%. Smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly related to a SSI. Our SSI rates to reflect the true incidence of infectious complications in posterior instrumented adult spinal surgery in our hospital and these results were consistent with the lower levels of published infection rate. In-house surveillance by surgeons only is insufficiently sensitive. Further studies with more patients and a longer inclusion time are needed to conclude if SSI case detection through the HIS could be a relevant and effective alternative method. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the Cognitive Structures of Prospective Preschool Teachers on the Concepts of Circle, Disk and Annulus with the Word Association Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gok Colak, Feride; Tugluk, Mehmet Nur

2017-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the cognitive structures of prospective preschool teachers and to identify their misconceptions about the concepts of circle, disk and annulus. In the study, the Word Association Test was used as the data collection instrument. The study was conducted in the fall semester of the 2014-2015 academic year with the…

Application and design of solar photovoltaic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tianze, Li; Hengwei, Lu; Chuan, Jiang; Luan, Hou; Xia, Zhang

2011-02-01

Solar modules, power electronic equipments which include the charge-discharge controller, the inverter, the test instrumentation and the computer monitoring, and the storage battery or the other energy storage and auxiliary generating plant make up of the photovoltaic system which is shown in the thesis. PV system design should follow to meet the load supply requirements, make system low cost, seriously consider the design of software and hardware, and make general software design prior to hardware design in the paper. To take the design of PV system for an example, the paper gives the analysis of the design of system software and system hardware, economic benefit, and basic ideas and steps of the installation and the connection of the system. It elaborates on the information acquisition, the software and hardware design of the system, the evaluation and optimization of the system. Finally, it shows the analysis and prospect of the application of photovoltaic technology in outer space, solar lamps, freeways and communications.

Application Prospects of Multilayer Film Shields for Space Research Instrumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nyunt, P. W.; Vlasik, K. F.; Grachev, V. M.; Dmitrenko, V. V.; Novikov, A. S.; Petrenko, D. V.; Ulin, S. E.; Uteshev, Z. M.; Chernysheva, I. V.; Shustov, A. E.

We have studied the magnetic properties of multilayer film cylindrical configuration shields (MFS) based on NiFe / Cu. The studied samples were prepared by electrode position. MFS were constituted by alternating layers of NiFe and Cu, deposited on an aluminum cylinder with diameter of 4 cm, length of 13 cm and 0.5 cm thickness. The thickness of each ferromagnetic layer varied from 10 to 150 μm, and the thickness of Cu layers was 5 μm. Five-samples in which the number of ferromagnetic layers varied from 3 to 45 and copper - from 2 to 44 were tested. The best shielding efficiency was achieved at the maximum number of layers and comprised about 102. Permalloy multilayer foil shield at the same total thickness has several times less efficiency in comparison with MFS. The description of a prototype of the charged particles telescope for space application is presented. Results of its testing regarding sensitivity to the constant magnetic field are described.

A Parent-Report Instrument for Identifying One-Year-Olds at Risk for an Eventual Diagnosis of Autism: The First Year Inventory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reznick, J. Steven; Baranek, Grace T.; Reavis, Shaye; Watson, Linda R.; Crais, Elizabeth R.

2007-01-01

A parent-report instrument, the First Year Inventory (FYI), was developed to assess behaviors in 12-month-old infants that suggest risk for an eventual diagnosis of autism. The target behaviors were identified from retrospective and prospective studies. FYIs were mailed to 5,941 families and 25% (N = 1,496) were returned, with higher return rates…

Reliability of patient specific instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Jennart, Harold; Ngo Yamben, Marie-Ange; Kyriakidis, Theofylaktos; Zorman, David

2015-12-01

The aim of this study was to compare the precision between Patient Specific Instrumentation (PSI) and Conventional Instrumentation (CI) as determined intra-operatively by a pinless navigation system. Eighty patients were included in this prospective comparative study and they were divided into two homogeneous groups. We defined an original score from 6 to 30 points to evaluate the accuracy of the position of the cutting guides. This score is based on 6 objective criteria. The analysis indicated that PSI was not superior to conventional instrumentation in the overall score (p = 0.949). Moreover, no statistically significant difference was observed for any individual criteria of our score. Level of evidence II.

Calibration of space instruments at the Metrology Light Source

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

Klein, R., E-mail: roman.klein@ptb.de; Fliegauf, R.; Gottwald, A.

2016-07-27

PTB has more than 20 years of experience in the calibration of space-based instruments using synchrotron radiation to cover the UV, VUV and X-ray spectral range. New instrumentation at the electron storage ring Metrology Light Source (MLS) opens up extended calibration possibilities within this framework. In particular, the set-up of a large vacuum vessel that can accommodate entire space instruments opens up new prospects. Moreover, a new facility for the calibration of radiation transfer source standards with a considerably extended spectral range has been put into operation. Besides, characterization and calibration of single components like e.g. mirrors, filters, gratings, andmore » detectors is continued.« less

Development of a Transportable Gravity Gradiometer Based on Atom Interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, N.; Kohel, J. M.; Aveline, D. C.; Kellogg, J. R.; Thompson, R. J.; Maleki, L.

2007-12-01

JPL is developing a transportable gravity gradiometer based on light-pulse atom interferometers for NASA's Earth Science Technology Office's Instrument Incubator Program. The inertial sensors in this instrument employ a quantum interference measurement technique, analogous to the precise phase measurements in atomic clocks, which offers increased sensitivity and improved long-term stability over traditional mechanical devices. We report on the implementation of this technique in JPL's gravity gradiometer, and on the current performance of the mobile instrument. We also discuss the prospects for satellite-based gravity field mapping, including high-resolution monitoring of time-varying fields from a single satellite platform and multi-component measurements of the gravitational gradient tensor, using atom interferometer-based instruments.

Laser light scattering instrument advanced technology development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, J. F.

1993-01-01

The objective of this advanced technology development (ATD) project has been to provide sturdy, miniaturized laser light scattering (LLS) instrumentation for use in microgravity experiments. To do this, we assessed user requirements, explored the capabilities of existing and prospective laser light scattering hardware, and both coordinated and participated in the hardware and software advances needed for a flight hardware instrument. We have successfully breadboarded and evaluated an engineering version of a single-angle glove-box instrument which uses solid state detectors and lasers, along with fiber optics, for beam delivery and detection. Additionally, we have provided the specifications and written verification procedures necessary for procuring a miniature multi-angle LLS instrument which will be used by the flight hardware project which resulted from this work and from this project's interaction with the laser light scattering community.

[Ultrasonic scissors. New vs resterilized instruments].

PubMed

Gärtner, D; Münz, K; Hückelheim, E; Hesse, U

2008-02-01

The aim of this study was to compare reliability in handling and function of resterilized and single-use disposable ultrasonic scissors. In a prospective randomized study, the surgeon blindly tested new and resterilized ultrasonographic scissors. The parameters were force of activation, cutting effect, coagulation effect, error messages, and disturbing generator noise. Fifty-one new and 49 resterilized instruments in 94 operations were evaluated. The differences in force of activation, cutting effect, and coagulation were not significant. Error messages and disturbing noises were rare in both groups. Six new instruments and two resterilized instruments had to be exchanged because of problems during surgery. This study demonstrates comparable reliability in function and handling of resterilized and new ultrasonic scissors. The use of resterilized instruments leads to distinctly reduced costs and could contribute to efficiency in laparoscopic surgery.

Simulation technology used for risky assessment in deep exploration project in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

jiao, J.; Huang, D.; Liu, J.

2013-12-01

Deep exploration has been carried out in China for five years in which various heavy duty instruments and equipments are employed for gravity, magnetic, seismic and electromagnetic data prospecting as well as ultra deep drilling rig established for obtaining deep samples, and so on. The deep exploration is a large and complex system engineering crossing multiple subjects with great investment. It is necessary to employ advanced technical means technology for verification, appraisal, and optimization of geographical prospecting equipment development. To reduce risk of the application and exploration, efficient and allegeable management concept and skills have to be enhanced in order to consolidate management measure and workflow to benefit the ambitious project. Therefore, evidence, prediction, evaluation and related decision strategies have to be taken into accouter simultaneously to meet practical scientific requests and technique limits and extendable attempts. Simulation technique is then proposed as a tool that can be used to carry out dynamic test on actual or imagined system. In practice, it is necessary to combine the simulation technique with the instruments and equipment to accomplish R&D tasks. In this paper, simulation technique is introduced into the R&D process of heavy-duty equipment and high-end engineering project technology. Based on the information provided by a drilling group recently, a digital model is constructed by combination of geographical data, 3d visualization, database management, and visual reality technologies together. It result in push ahead a R&D strategy, in which data processing , instrument application, expected result and uncertainty, and even operation workflow effect environment atmosphere are simulated systematically or simultaneously, in order to obtain an optimal consequence as well as equipment updating strategy. The simulation technology is able to adjust, verify, appraise and optimize the primary plan due to changing in the real world or process, which can provide new insight to the equipment to meet requests from application and construction process and facilitates by means of direct perception and understanding of installation, debugging and experimental process of key equipment for deep exploration. Finally, the objective of project cost conservation and risk reduction can be reasonably approached. Risk assessment can be used to quantitatively evaluate the possible degree of the impact. During the research and development stage, information from the installation, debugging and simulation demonstration of the experiment process of the key instrument and equipment are used to evaluate the fatigue and safety of the device. It needs fully understanding the controllable and uncontrollable risk factors during the process, and then adjusting and improving the unsafe risk factors in the risk assessment and prediction. With combination with professional Geo software to process and interpret the environment to obtain evaluation parameters, simulation modeling is more likely close to exploration target which need more details of evaluations. From micro and macro comprehensive angles to safety and risk assessment can be achieved to satisfy the purpose of reducing the risk of equipment development, and to avoid unnecessary loss on the way of the development.

Applying Propensity Score Methods in Medical Research: Pitfalls and Prospects

PubMed Central

Luo, Zhehui; Gardiner, Joseph C.; Bradley, Cathy J.

2012-01-01

The authors review experimental and nonexperimental causal inference methods, focusing on assumptions for the validity of instrumental variables and propensity score (PS) methods. They provide guidance in four areas for the analysis and reporting of PS methods in medical research and selectively evaluate mainstream medical journal articles from 2000 to 2005 in the four areas, namely, examination of balance, overlapping support description, use of estimated PS for evaluation of treatment effect, and sensitivity analyses. In spite of the many pitfalls, when appropriately evaluated and applied, PS methods can be powerful tools in assessing average treatment effects in observational studies. Appropriate PS applications can create experimental conditions using observational data when randomized controlled trials are not feasible and, thus, lead researchers to an efficient estimator of the average treatment effect. PMID:20442340

[Psychophysiological selection: status and prospects].

PubMed

Gurovskiĭ, N N; Novikov, M A

1981-01-01

The major stages in the development of psychophysiological selection of cosmonauts in the USSR are discussed. The psychophysiological selection was originally based on the data of psychoneurological expertise of the flight personnel and achievements of aviation psychology in the USSR. This was followed by the development of psychophysiological research, using instrumentation and simulation flights. Further complication of flight programs and participation of non-pilot cosmonauts (engineers, scientists) necessitated detailed study of personality properties and application of personality tests. At the present stage in the development of psychophysiological selection great importance is attached to the biorhythmological selection and methods for studying man's capabilities to control his own emotional, behavioral and autonomic reactions as well as environmental parameters. The review also discusses in detail methods of group selection and problems of rational selection of space crews.

Long Reads: their Purpose and Place.

PubMed

Pollard, Martin O; Gurdasani, Deepti; Mentzer, Alexander J; Porter, Tarryn; Sandhu, Manjinder S

2018-05-14

In recent years long read technologies have moved from being a niche and specialist field to a point of relative maturity likely to feature frequently in the genomic landscape. Analogous to next generation sequencing (NGS), the cost of sequencing using long read technologies has materially dropped whilst the instrument throughput continues to increase. Together these changes present the prospect of sequencing large numbers of individuals with the aim of fully characterising genomes at high resolution. In this article, we will endeavour to present an introduction to long read technologies showing: what long reads are; how they are distinct from short reads; why long reads are useful; and how they are being used. We will highlight the recent developments in this field, and the applications and potential of these technologies in medical research, and clinical diagnostics and therapeutics.

Validation of a clinical screening instrument for tumour predisposition syndromes in patients with childhood cancer (TuPS): protocol for a prospective, observational, multicentre study

PubMed Central

Postema, Floor A M; Hopman, Saskia M J; de Borgie, Corianne A J M; Hammond, Peter; Hennekam, Raoul C; Merks, Johannes H M; Aalfs, Cora M; Anninga, Jakob K; Berger, Lieke PV; Bleeker, Fonnet E; de Bont, Eveline SJM; de Borgie, Corianne AJM; Dommering, Charlotte J; van Eijkelenburg, Natasha KA; Hammond, Peter; Hennekam, Raoul C; van den Heuvel-Eibrink, Marry M; Hopman, Saskia MJ; Jongmans, Marjolijn CJ; Kors, Wijnanda A; Letteboer, Tom GW; Loeffen, Jan LCM; Merks, Johannes HM; Olderode-Berends, Maran JW; Postema, Floor AM; Wagner, Anja

2017-01-01

Introduction Recognising a tumour predisposition syndrome (TPS) in patients with childhood cancer is of significant clinical relevance, as it affects treatment, prognosis and facilitates genetic counselling. Previous studies revealed that only half of the known TPSs are recognised during standard paediatric cancer care. In current medical practice it is impossible to refer every patient with childhood cancer to a clinical geneticist, due to limited capacity for routine genetic consultation. Therefore, we have developed a screening instrument to identify patients with childhood cancer with a high probability of having a TPS. The aim of this study is to validate the clinical screening instrument for TPS in patients with childhood cancer. Methods and analysis This study is a prospective nationwide cohort study including all newly diagnosed patients with childhood cancer in the Netherlands. The screening instrument consists of a checklist, two- and three-dimensional photographic series of the patient. 2 independent clinical geneticists will assess the content of the screening instrument. If a TPS is suspected based on the instrument data and thus further evaluation is indicated, the patient will be invited for full genetic consultation. A negative control group consists of 20% of the patients in whom a TPS is not suspected based on the instrument; they will be randomly invited for full genetic consultation. Primary outcome measurement will be sensitivity of the instrument. Ethics and dissemination The Medical Ethical Committee of the Academic Medical Centre stated that the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act does not apply to this study and that official approval of this study by the Committee was not required. The results will be offered for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presented at International Conferences on Oncology and Clinical Genetics. The clinical data gathered in this study will be available for all participating centres. Trial registration number NTR5605. PMID:28110285

Neurologic examination and instrument-based measurements in the evaluation of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.

PubMed

Omejec, Gregor; Podnar, Simon

2018-06-01

The aim of the study was to compare the utility of instrument-based assessment of peripheral nerve function with the neurologic examination in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). We prospectively recruited consecutive patients with suspected UNE, performed a neurologic examination, and performed instrument-based measurements (muscle cross-sectional area by ultrasonography, muscle strength by dynamometry, and sensation using monofilaments). We found good correlations between clinical estimates and corresponding instrument-based measurements, with similar ability to diagnose UNE and predict UNE pathophysiology. Although instrument-based methods provide quantitative evaluation of peripheral nerve function, we did not find them to be more sensitive or specific in the diagnosis of UNE than the standard neurologic examination. Likewise, instrument-based methods were not better able to differentiate between groups of UNE patients with different pathophysiologies. Muscle Nerve 57: 951-957, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Designing communication and remote controlling of virtual instrument network system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Lin; Wang, Houjun; Zhou, Xue; Zhou, Wenjian

2005-01-01

In this paper, a virtual instrument network through the LAN and finally remote control of virtual instruments is realized based on virtual instrument and LabWindows/CVI software platform. The virtual instrument network system is made up of three subsystems. There are server subsystem, telnet client subsystem and local instrument control subsystem. This paper introduced virtual instrument network structure in detail based on LabWindows. Application procedure design of virtual instrument network communication, the Client/the programming mode of the server, remote PC and server communication far realizing, the control power of the workstation is transmitted, server program and so on essential technical were introduced. And virtual instruments network may connect to entire Internet on. Above-mentioned technology, through measuring the application in the electronic measurement virtual instrument network that is already built up, has verified the actual using value of the technology. Experiment and application validate that this design is resultful.

Prospective cohort study of a new vacuum delivery device to assist with complicated labour in low-resource settings.

PubMed

Khan, Mishal; Hashmani, Farah Naz; Ahmed, Sajjad; Ahmed, Owais; Asim, Shabnam S; Wajahat, Yasmin; Sobani, Shoaib; Syed, Shershah; Qazi, Fahad

2015-02-01

Currently available vacuum devices used to assist women undergoing complicated labour are unsuitable for use in low-resource settings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a new low-cost vacuum device, named Koohi Goth Vacuum Delivery System (KGVDS), designed for use in low-resource settings. A hospital-based, multicentre, prospective cohort study with no control group was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. After training, KGVDS devices were made available for use by labour room staff at their discretion when instrumental delivery was indicated. Women to whom KGVDS was applied were followed from the start of labour until discharge. Feasibility was assessed in terms of successful expulsion of the foetal head following application of KGVDS and ease of use ratings. Safety was assessed by observing maternal and newborn post-delivery outcomes prior to discharge. Koohi Goth Vacuum Delivery System was applied to 137 women requiring instrumental delivery, of whom 111 (81%; 95% CI = 74-88%) successfully expelled the foetal head assisted by KGVDS and 103 (75%) stated that they would agree to use KGVDS again. There were no serious maternal or neonatal injuries or infections related to KGVDS use. The mean score for 'ease of use' given by doctors and midwives using the device was 8 of 10. Koohi Goth Vacuum Delivery System was feasible and safe to use for assisting complicated deliveries in low-resource hospitals in this initial evaluation. Our results indicate that this new device may have the potential to improve birth outcomes in settings where most mortality occurs and that further evaluations should be conducted. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

75 FR 44940 - Withdrawal of Application for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-30

... Entry of Scientific Instruments Applications may be examined between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. in Room... determine, inter alia, whether instruments of equivalent scientific value, for the purposes for which the... scientific instrument. They noted that the instrument will be used at a show/demonstration. As noted in the...

76 FR 52936 - Withdrawal of Application for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-24

... Entry of Scientific Instruments Applications may be examined between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Room 3720... determine, inter alia, whether instruments of equivalent scientific value, for the purposes for which the... scientific instrument. They noted that the instrument will be cleared through Customs with duty paid by the...

46 CFR 67.527 - Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. 67.527 Section 67.527 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF....527 Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. An application fee is charged for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of...

46 CFR 67.527 - Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. 67.527 Section 67.527 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF....527 Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. An application fee is charged for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of...

46 CFR 67.527 - Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. 67.527 Section 67.527 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF....527 Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. An application fee is charged for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of...

46 CFR 67.527 - Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. 67.527 Section 67.527 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF....527 Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. An application fee is charged for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of...

46 CFR 67.527 - Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. 67.527 Section 67.527 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF....527 Application for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of a bill of sale. An application fee is charged for filing and recording bills of sale and instruments in the nature of...

The NuSTAR Mission: Implementation and Science Prospects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, William W.

2009-01-01

NuSTAR is NASA's next X-ray observatory scheduled to be launched in 2011. It will have two multi-layered X-ray mirror assemblies capable of focusing X-rays in the band of 5 to 80 keV, providing unprecedented detection and imaging sensitivity in a band that only coded-mask or collimated detection has been possible. In this talk I will describe the instrumentation and the prospects of using it to perform various kinds of astronomical studies.

Journal of Special Operations Medicine. Volume 4, Edition 1, Winter 2004

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

an ophthalmologist. He has been instrumental in PRK initiatives, has been a very productive mem- ber of the BISC, knows the risks of our missions...results to SOF mission commanders in a format suit- able for training at the unit level. 1999-3 PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF WAVE- FRONT-GUIDED PRK (Year...1 of 3) Conduct a prospective, randomized clinical trial to compare PRK for the treatment of naturally occurring myopia and astigmatism using

Post-thrombotic syndrome in children: a systematic review of frequency of occurrence, validity of outcome measures, and prognostic factors

PubMed Central

Goldenberg, Neil A.; Donadini, Marco P.; Kahn, Susan R.; Crowther, Mark; Kenet, Gili; Nowak-Göttl, Ulrike; Manco-Johnson, Marilyn J.

2010-01-01

Background Post-thrombotic syndrome is a manifestation of chronic venous insufficiency following deep venous thrombosis. This systematic review was conducted to critically evaluate pediatric evidence on frequency of occurrence, validity of outcome measures, and prognostic indicators of post-thrombotic syndrome. Design and Methods A comprehensive literature search of original reports revealed 19 eligible studies, totaling 977 patients with upper/lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. Calculated weighted mean frequency of post-thrombotic syndrome was 26% (95% confidence interval: 23–28%) overall, and differed significantly by prospective/non-prospective analysis and use/non-use of a standardized outcome measure. Results Standardized post-thrombotic syndrome outcome measures included an adaptation of the Villalta scale, the Clinical-Etiologic-Anatomic-Pathologic classification, and the Manco-Johnson instrument. Data on validity were reported only for the Manco-Johnson instrument. No publications on post-thrombotic syndrome-related quality of life outcomes were identified. Candidate prognostic factors for post-thrombotic syndrome in prospective studies included use/non-use of thrombolysis and plasma levels of factor VIII activity and D-dimer. Conclusions Given that affected children must endure chronic sequelae for many decades, it is imperative that future collaborative pediatric prospective cohort studies and trials assess as key objectives and outcomes the incidence, severity, prognostic indicators, and health impact of post-thrombotic syndrome, using validated measures. PMID:20595095

77 FR 58419 - Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Licensing Applications for Instrumentation and Control...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-20

... Applications for Instrumentation and Control Upgrades for Non-Power Reactors AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory...-Power Reactors: Format and Content,'' for instrumentation and control upgrades and NUREG-1537, Part 2, ``Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for the Licensing of Non-Power Reactors: Standard Review...

BMSW - Fast Solar Wind Monitor - three years in orbit: Status and prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prech, Lubomir; Zastenker, Georgy; Nemecek, Zdenek; Safrankova, Jana; Vaverka, Jakub; Cermak, Ivo; Chesalin, Lev S.; Gavrilova, Elena

Fast Solar Wind Monitor BMSW is an instrument flown as a part of the PLASMA-F complex onboard the Russian Spektr-R radioastronomical spacecraft. The spacecraft was launched on July 18, 2011. During the COSPAR-2014 Assembly meeting, the instrument is supposed to celebrate three successful years in operation. With a set of 6 Faraday’s cups, the instrument has a unique time resolution --- 0.5--1 s for a full energy spectrum (96 energy steps) and 31~ms for basic solar wind plasma parameters directing the instrument to study of fast solar wind discontinuities including interplanetary shocks, a fast variability of proton and alpha particle parameters, and to study of solar wind turbulence up to the ion kinetic scales. The measurement technique, its implementation, and ground data processing are discussed in the contribution. The performance of the instrument design and electronics are presented. We discuss heritage of this instrument utilized in design of future instruments being prepared for the further projects as Luna-Glob.

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 41.28 Section 41.28 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective...

Real-Time, Digital Pulse-Shape Discrimination in Non-Hazardous Fast Liquid Scintillation Detectors: Prospects for Safety and Security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joyce, Malcolm J.; Aspinall, Michael D.; Cave, Francis D.; Lavietes, Anthony D.

2012-08-01

Pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) in fast, organic scintillation detectors is a long-established technique used to separate neutrons and γ rays in mixed radiation fields. In the analogue domain the method can achieve separation in real time, but all knowledge of the pulses themselves is lost thereby preventing the possibility of any post- or repeated analysis. Also, it is typically reliant on electronic systems that are largely obsolete and which require significant experience to set up. In the digital domain, PSD is often more flexible but significant post-processing has usually been necessary to obtain neutron/γ-ray separation. Moreover, the scintillation media on which the technique relies usually have a low flashpoint and are thus deemed hazardous. This complicates the ease with which they are used in industrial applications. In this paper, results obtained with a new portable digital pulse-shape discrimination instrument are described. This instrument provides real-time, digital neutron/γ-ray separation whilst preserving the synchronization with the time-of-arrival for each event, and realizing throughputs of 3 × 106 events per second. Furthermore, this system has been tested with a scintillation medium that is non-flammable and not hazardous.

Susceptibility (risk and protective) factors for in-patient violence and self-harm: prospective study of structured professional judgement instruments START and SAPROF, DUNDRUM-3 and DUNDRUM-4 in forensic mental health services

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The START and SAPROF are newly developed fourth generation structured professional judgement instruments assessing strengths and protective factors. The DUNDRUM-3 and DUNDRUM-4 also measure positive factors, programme completion and recovery in forensic settings. Methods We compared these instruments with other validated risk instruments (HCR-20, S-RAMM), a measure of psychopathology (PANSS) and global function (GAF). We prospectively tested whether any of these instruments predict violence or self harm in a secure hospital setting (n = 98) and whether they had true protective effects, interacting with and off-setting risk measures. Results SAPROF and START-strengths had strong inverse (negative) correlations with the HCR-20 and S-RAMM. SAPROF correlated strongly with GAF (r = 0.745). In the prospective in-patient study, SAPROF predicted absence of violence, AUC = 0.847 and absence of self-harm AUC = 0.766. START-strengths predicted absence of violence AUC = 0.776, but did not predict absence of self-harm AUC = 0.644. The DUNDRUM-3 programme completion and DUNDRUM-4 recovery scales also predicted in-patient violence (AUC 0.832 and 0.728 respectively), and both predicted in-patient self-harm (AUC 0.750 and 0.713 respectively). When adjusted for the HCR-20 total score however, SAPROF, START-S, DUNDRUM-3 and DUNDRUM-4 scores were not significantly different for those who were violent or for those who self harmed. The SAPROF had a significant interactive effect with the HCR-dynamic score. Item to outcome studies often showed a range of strengths of association with outcomes, which may be specific to the in-patient setting and patient group studied. Conclusions The START and SAPROF, DUNDRUM-3 and DUNDRUM-4 can be used to assess both reduced and increased risk of violence and self-harm in mentally ill in-patients in a secure setting. They were not consistently better than the GAF, HCR-20, S-RAMM, or PANSS when predicting adverse events. Only the SAPROF had an interactive effect with the HCR-20 risk assessment indicating a true protective effect but as structured professional judgement instruments all have additional content (items) complementary to existing risk assessments, useful for planning treatment and risk management. PMID:23890106

TH-A-17A-01: Innovation in PET Instrumentation and Applications

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

Casey, M; Miyaoka, R; Shao, Y

Innovation in PET instrumentation has led to the new millennium revolutionary imaging applications for diagnosis, therapeutic guidance, and development of new molecular imaging probes, etc. However, after several decades innovations, will the advances of PET technology and applications continue with the same trend and pace? What will be the next big thing beyond the PET/CT, PET/MRI, and Time-of-flight PET? How will the PET instrumentation and imaging performance be further improved by novel detector research and advanced imaging system development? Or will the development of new algorithms and methodologies extend the limit of current instrumentation and leapfrog the imaging quality andmore » quantification for practical applications? The objective of this session is to present an overview of current status and advances in the PET instrumentation and applications with speakers from leading academic institutes and a major medical imaging company. Presenting with both academic research projects and commercial technology developments, this session will provide a glimpse of some latest advances and challenges in the field, such as using semiconductor photon-sensor based PET detectors to improve performance and enable new applications, as well as the technology trend that may lead to the next breakthrough in PET imaging for clinical and preclinical applications. Both imaging and image-guided therapy subjects will be discussed. Learning Objectives: Describe the latest innovations in PET instrumentation and applications Understand the driven force behind the PET instrumentation innovation and development Learn the trend of PET technology development for applications.« less

76 FR 52314 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-22

... Scientific Instruments Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials... invite comments on the question of whether instruments of equivalent scientific value, for the purposes for which the instruments shown below are intended to be used, are being manufactured in the United...

76 FR 15945 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-22

... Scientific Instruments Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials... invite comments on the question of whether instruments of equivalent scientific value, for the purposes for which the instruments shown below are intended to be used, are being manufactured in the United...

76 FR 15945 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-22

.... 9700 South Cass Ave., Lemont, IL 60439. Instrument: TFS500 Atomic Layer Deposition System. Manufacturer: Beneq OY, Finland. Intended Use: The instrument will be used in experiments on atomic layer deposition... and precursor combinations. For the research the instrument is required to have a modular deposition...

Near Real-Time Prospecting for Lunar Volatiles: Demonstrating RESOLVE Science in the Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elphic, R. C.; Colaprete, A.; Heldmann, J. L.; Mattes, G.; Ennico, K.; Sanders, G. B.; Quinn, J.; Fritzler, E.; Marinova, M.; Roush, T. L.; Stoker, C.; Larson, W.; Picard, M.; McMurray, R.; Morse, S.

2012-12-01

The Regolith and Environment Science and Oxygen & Lunar Volatile Extraction (RESOLVE) project aims to demonstrate the utility of "in situ resource utilization". In situ resource utilization (ISRU) is a way to rebalance the economics of spaceflight by reducing or eliminating materials that must be brought up from Earth and placed on the surface of the Moon for human use. RESOLVE is developing a rover-borne payload that (1) can locate near subsurface volatiles, (2) excavate and analyze samples of the volatile-bearing regolith, and (3) demonstrate the form, extractability and usefulness of the materials. Such investigations are important not only for ISRU but are also critically important for understanding the scientific nature of these intriguing lunar polar volatile deposits. Temperature models and orbital data suggest near surface volatile concentrations may exist at briefly lit lunar polar locations outside persistently shadowed regions. A lunar rover could be remotely operated at some of these locations for the 4-7 days of expected sunlight at relatively low cost. In July 2012 the RESOLVE project conducted a full-scale field demonstration. In particular, the ability to perform the real-time measurement analysis necessary to search for volatiles and the ability to combine the various measurement techniques to meet the mission measurement and science goals. With help from the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES), a lunar rover prototype (provided by the Canadian Space Agency) was equipped with prospecting instruments (neutron spectrometer and near-infrared spectrometer), subsurface access and sampling tools, including both an auger and coring drill (provided by CSA) and subsurface sample analysis instrumentation, including a sample oven system, the Oxygen and Volatile Extraction Node (OVEN), and Gas Chromatograph / Mass Spectrometer system, the Lunar Advanced Volatile Analysis (LAVA) system. Given the relatively short time period this lunar mission is being designed to, prospecting needs to occur in near real-time. The two prospecting instruments are the neutron and NIR spectrometers. In the field demo a small radioactive source was provided the neutron flux. The NIR spectrometer, which includes its own light source, looks at surface reflectance for signatures of bound H2O/OH and general mineralogy. Once a "hot spot" was found by the prospecting instruments, the drill could either auger or core. The auger drill worked to a depth of 50 cm and is monitored with a drill camera and the NIR spectrometer. As cuttings are brought up the NIR spectra is monitored. If a particular location is considered of high-interest then the decision to core could be made. The coring drill (a push-tube) allowed a 1-meter sample to be acquired processed by the OVEN/LAVA sys-tem. This presentation will provide details as how these instruments worked together and how and if the planned measurements and science was obtained.

Near Real Time Prospecting for Lunar Volatiles: Demonstrating RESOLVE Science in the Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elphic, Richard; Colaprete, Anthony; Heldmann, Jennifer; Mattes, Gregory W.; Ennico, Kimberly; Sanders, Gerald; Quinn, Jacqueline; Tegnerud, Erin Leigh; Marinova, Margarita; Larson, William E.;

How Prospective Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Trainees Rank Residency Training Programs.

PubMed

Auriemma, Michael J; Whitehair, Curtis L

2018-03-01

Since the inception of the National Resident Matching Program, multiple studies have investigated the factors applicants consider important to ranking prospective residency programs. However, only 2 previous studies focused on prospective physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) trainees, and the most recent of these studies was published in 1993. It is unknown whether these previous studies are reflective of current prospective PM&R residents. To assess various factors that contribute to prospective PM&R residents' decision making in choosing a residency program and compare these findings with previous studies. An anonymous, voluntary questionnaire. A single PM&R residency program. All applicants to a single PM&R residency program. All applicants to our PM&R residency program were invited to participate in a 44-item, 5-point Likert-based questionnaire. Applicants were asked to rate the importance of various factors as they related to constructing their residency rank list. Means and standard deviations were calculated for items included in the survey. A response rate of 26% was obtained, with the responses of 98 applicants (20%) ultimately analyzed. The highest rated factors included "perceived happiness of current residents," "opportunities for hands-on procedure training," "perceived camaraderie among current residents," "perceived camaraderie among faculty and current residents," "perceived quality of current residents," and "perceived work/life balance among current residents." Although male and female respondents demonstrated similar ranking preferences, an apparent difference was detected between how genders rated the importance of "whether the program projects a favorable environment for women" and "whether the program projects a favorable environment for minorities." As compared with previous PM&R applicants, current prospective trainees seem to place greater importance on skill acquisition over didactic teaching. Prospective PM&R residents highly value subjective perceptions of prospective PM&R training programs and the ability to obtain hands-on procedural experience. Not applicable. Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

76 FR 43263 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-20

.... Instrument: Nano test platform. Manufacturer: Micro Materials Ltd., UK. Intended Use: The instrument will be... will be used to study nano-scale domain formation associated with phase [[Page 43264

77 FR 55185 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-07

..., 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, NY 11794. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL Ltd... of the Dean of Science, Marshak 1320 160 Convent Ave., New York, NY 10031. Instrument: Electron...

77 FR 55185 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-07

..., 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, NY 11794. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL Ltd... of the Dean of Science, Marshak 1320, 160 Convent Ave., New York, NY 10031. Instrument: Electron...

[Recent advances and applications of capillary electrochromatography and pressurized capillary electrochromatography].

PubMed

Wu, Yi; Zhang, Xiaohui; Wei, Juan; Xue, Yunyun; Bahatibieke, Marjan; Wang, Yan; Yan, Chao

2009-09-01

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC), in which electroosmotic flow (EOF) created from the electrical double layer is made to act as a pump to drive the mobile phase in a capillary column packed with micro-particulates or coated with stationary phase. Both neutral and charged species can be resolved by CEC. It has been demonstrated that the efficiency of a separation obtained by electroosmotic propulsion is superior to that obtained by pressure-driven flow (as is the case in HPLC). CEC combines the best features of CE and versatile selectivity and large sample capacity of HPLC, promising high efficiency, high resolution, high selectivity and high peak capacity. However, in practice, when CEC is used without pressure, often used on a commercial CE instrument, there are problems and difficulties associated with bubbles formation and column dry-out. These difficulties can be overcome by a pressurized CEC (pCEC) system, in which a supplementary pressure is applied to the column in addition to the EOF. In such a system, a pressure can be applied to the capillary column to suppress bubbles formation. Quantitative sample introduction in pCEC can be easily achieved through a rotary-type injector. Most importantly, it is amenable for a solvent gradient mode, similar to that in HPLC, by programming the composition of mobile phase. The article brings a comprehensive survey of recent development of CEC and pCEC, including the development of instrumentation, capillary columns and stationary phase as well as CEC and pCEC applications in life science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical analysis, food safety and environmental security. Prospects for CEC and pCEC development and application are also discussed.

Calibration sources and filters of the soft x-ray spectrometer instrument on the Hitomi spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Vries, Cor P.; Haas, Daniel; Yamasaki, Noriko Y.; Herder, Jan-Willem den; Paltani, Stephane; Kilbourne, Caroline; Tsujimoto, Masahiro; Eckart, Megan E.; Leutenegger, Maurice A.; Costantini, Elisa; Dercksen, Johannes P. C.; Dubbeldam, Luc; Frericks, Martin; Laubert, Phillip P.; van Loon, Sander; Lowes, Paul; McCalden, Alec J.; Porter, Frederick S.; Ruijter, Jos; Wolfs, Rob

2018-01-01

The soft x-ray spectrometer was designed to operate onboard the Japanese Hitomi (ASTRO-H) satellite. In the beam of this instrument, there was a filter wheel containing x-ray filters and active calibration sources. This paper describes this filter wheel. We show the purpose of the filters and the preflight calibrations performed. In addition, we present the calibration source design and measured performance. Finally, we conclude with prospects for future missions.

A Prospective Evaluation of Duplex Ultrasound for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in High-Performance Musicians Playing Bowed String Instruments

PubMed Central

Adam, Garret; Wang, Kevin; Demaree, Christopher J.; Jiang, Jenny S.; Cheung, Mathew; Bechara, Carlos F.

2018-01-01

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a neurovascular condition involving the upper extremity, which is known to occur in individuals who perform chronic repetitive upper extremity activities. We prospectively evaluate the incidence of TOS in high-performance musicians who played bowed string musicians. Sixty-four high-performance string instrument musicians from orchestras and professional musical bands were included in the study. Fifty-two healthy volunteers formed an age-matched control group. Bilateral upper extremity duplex scanning for subclavian vessel compression was performed in all subjects. Provocative maneuvers including Elevated Arm Stress Test (EAST) and Upper Limb Tension Test (ULTT) were performed. Abnormal ultrasound finding is defined by greater than 50% subclavian vessel compression with arm abduction, diminished venous waveforms, or arterial photoplethysmography (PPG) tracing with arm abduction. Bowed string instruments performed by musicians in our study included violin (41%), viola (33%), and cello (27%). Positive EAST or ULTT test in the musician group and control group were 44%, and 3%, respectively (p = 0.03). Abnormal ultrasound scan with vascular compression was detected in 69% of musicians, in contrast to 15% of control subjects (p = 0.03). TOS is a common phenomenon among high-performance bowed string instrumentalists. Musicians who perform bowed string instruments should be aware of this condition and its associated musculoskeletal symptoms. PMID:29370085

75 FR 67949 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-04

... in-situ modes. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no instruments of the same general... for which the instruments shown below are intended to be used, are being manufactured in the United... the U.S. Department of Commerce in Room 3720. Docket Number: 10-046. Applicant: University of...

Prospecting for Diverse Igneous Rock Types on Mars: PIXL on "Black Beauty" NWA 7533

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Yang; Flannery, David T.; Allwood, Abigail; Thompson, David R.; Hodyss, Robert; Clark, Benton C.; Elam, W. Timothy; Hurowitz, Joel A.

2015-01-01

Measurements of elemental chemistry are fundamental for exploring geology Almost every mars surface mission has had this capability But previous instruments have not been able to accurately correlate chemistry with texture.

Christodoulou Memory of GW150914 - Prospects of Detection in LIGO and Future Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Aaron; Kapadia, Shasvath; Kennefick, Daniel

2017-01-01

The event GW150914 produced strains of the order 10-21 in the two instruments comprising the Laser Interferometric Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). The event has been interpreted as originating in a coalescing black hole binary, with individual components of about 30 solar masses each. A striking aspect of the coalescence deduced from the signal is the emission of 3 solar masses of energy in the oscillating gravitational wave. Theory predicts a DC component of the gravitational signal associated with the emission of such large amounts of gravitational wave energy known as the Christodoulou memory. The memory, as a non-linear component of the signal, is expected to be an order of magnitude smaller than the amplitude of the primary AC component of the gravitational waves. We discuss the prospects of detecting the Christodoulou memory in similar future signals, both with LIGO and with other detectors, including future space-based instruments.

Prospective Mathematics Teachers' Opinions about Mathematical Modeling Method and Applicability of This Method

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akgün, Levent

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to identify prospective secondary mathematics teachers' opinions about the mathematical modeling method and the applicability of this method in high schools. The case study design, which is among the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. The study was conducted with six prospective secondary mathematics…

[Goals, possibilities and limits of quality evaluation of guidelines. A background report on the user manual of the "Methodological Quality of Guidelines" check list].

PubMed

Helou, A; Ollenschläger, G

1998-06-01

Recently a German appraisal instrument for clinical guidelines was published that could be used by various parties in formal evaluation of guidelines. An user's guide to the appraisal instrument was designed that contains a detailed explanation for each question to ensure that the instrument is interpreted consistently. This paper describes the purposes, format and contents of the user's guide, and reviews the key factors influencing the validity of guidelines. Taking into account international experiences, the purposes, chances and methodological limitations of a prospective assessment of clinical practice guidelines are discussed.

The Application of an Army Prospective Payment Model Structured on the Standards Set Forth by the CHAMPUS Maximum Allowable Charges and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services: An Academic Approach

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-04-29

To) 29-04-2005 Final Report July 2004 to July 2005 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER The appli’eation of an army prospective payment model structured...Z39.18 Prospective Payment Model 1 The Application of an Army Prospective Payment Model Structured on the Standards Set Forth by the CHAMPUS Maximum...Health Care Administration 20060315 090 Prospective Payment Model 2 Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge my wife, Karen, who allowed me the

Prospective areas in the production technology of scientific equipment for space research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breslavets, A. V.

1974-01-01

The average labor of individual types of operations in the percentage ratio of the total labor consumption of manufacturing scientific instruments and apparatus for space research is presented. The prospective areas in the production technology of billet, machining, mechanical assembly, installation and assembly, adjustment and regulation and testing and control operations are noted. Basic recommendations are made with respect to further reduction of labor consumption and an increase in the productivity of labor when manufacturing scientific equipment for space research.

[Immediate fetal-maternal morbidity of first instrumental vaginal delivery using Thierry's spatulas. A prospective continuous study of 195 fetal extractions].

PubMed

Parant, O; Simon-Toulza, C; Capdet, J; Fuzier, V; Arnaud, C; Rème, J-M

2009-10-01

To investigate the immediate fetal-maternal morbidity related to Thierry's spatula for first instrumental vaginal delivery. We conducted a prospective observational study in Toulouse university hospital, including primiparas who vaginally delivered a live singleton cephalic infant>36 WG, between December 2005 and June 2006. Instrumental deliveries were performed using short spatulas in all cases. Outcome measures were: perineal complications (episiotomy, laceration and associated lesions, urinary retention, pain at H48), neonatal morbidity (cutaneous injuries, neonatal transfer, cord pH, Apgar score). Instrumental deliveries were compared with spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVD). Six hundred and eight primiparas were included, distributed in 195 extractions (32%) and 413 SVD (68%). Spatulas allowed fetal extraction in all cases. Main differences between the two groups were: length of labour, occiput posterior position (12.8% for spatulas vs 1.7% for SVD; p<0.0001), episiotomy rate (97.9% vs 51.3%; p<0.0001), severe perineal lacerations (3.6% vs 0.2%; p=0.0007), post-partum morbidity (pain, hematoma, and urinary retention). No case of early severe neonatal complication was related to the use of the spatulas. Perineal complications (severe lacerations) associated with spatulas are increased with regard to SVD, but comparable to that reported with forceps. The main disadvantage is the high frequency of episiotomy, which should not be systematic. Neonatal morbidity is reduced. Comparative studies (spatulas vs. other procedures) are needed to confirm these data, but spatulas remain a multipurpose instrument which should continue to be taught.

75 FR 46912 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-04

.... Intended Use: The instrument will be used for the fine structural examination of biological and soft/hard... Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL, Ltd., Japan. Intended Use: This instrument will be used to study biological...: FEI Company, Czech Republic. Intended Use: This instrument will be used to study ultrathin (70 nm...

[Medical care unit -- a suitable instrument for ambulatory patient-adequate care and performance-related remuneration].

PubMed

Rudolph, P; Isensee, D; Gerlach, E; Gross, H

2013-02-01

The question of whether a medical care unit is an appropriate tool for outpatient care has been discussed for a long time. Our aim is to investigate whether the MCU is an effective instrument for outpatient care and adequate performance-related remuneration. This retro- and prospective overview of the work included statements on legal foundations for medical care units, for reimbursement of services in medical care units, the development of medical care centres in Germany and a listing of the specific advantages and disadvantages of an MCU. This article focuses on the generally applicable facts and complements them with examples from general, visceral and vascular surgery. The main quantitative data on medical centre statistics come from different publications of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance for Physicians. From a legal point of view the instrument MCU allows the participating of ambulatory and stationary care in the framework of medical care contracts. This has been especially extended for stationary applications, including the spectrum of possibilities that can contribute under certain circumstances for the provision of medical care in underdeveloped regions. Freelancers can benefit primarily from financial risk and minimising bureaucratic routine. The remuneration for services performed in the MCU is analogous to that of other ambulatory care providers. Basically, there are no disadvantages, but a greater design freedom and opportunities for the generation of aggregates are visible. The number of MCU in Germany has quadrupled in the last five years, indicating an establishment of an outpatient care landscape. MCU offers from the patient's perspective, providers and policy specific advantages and disadvantages. Indeed the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, but this is not yet verified by qualitative studies. The question of the appropriateness of medical care units as outpatient care instrumentation must be considered differentially. Under current conditions it appears suitable for ensuring the MCU and the supplement of care supply. Whether a value can be generated in the quality of care of patients, however, has to be examined separately, as there are no valid data so far. The same applies to economic assessments of costs and benefits from an economic perspective. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

A research study for the preliminary definition of an aerophysics free-flight laboratory facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Canning, Thomas N.

1988-01-01

A renewed interest in hypervelocity vehicles requires an increase in the knowledge of aerodynamic phenomena. Tests conducted with ground-based facilities can be used both to better understand the physics of hypervelocity flight, and to calibrate and validate computer codes designed to predict vehicle performance in the hypervelocity environment. This research reviews the requirements for aerothermodynamic testing and discusses the ballistic range and its capabilities. Examples of the kinds of testing performed in typical high performance ballistic ranges are described. We draw heavily on experience obtained in the ballistics facilities at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California. Prospects for improving the capabilities of the ballistic range by using advanced instrumentation are discussed. Finally, recent developments in gun technology and their application to extend the capability of the ballistic range are summarized.

75 FR 12175 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-15

..., 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 49109-2122. Instrument: Tester for TFT Imager. Manufacturer: Siemens AG... capability of amorphous silicon TFT and organic photo-diode. This instrument must be capable of measuring...

75 FR 23669 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-04

... invite comments on the question of whether instruments of equivalent scientific value, for the purposes... biological interactions at the nano scale. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no instruments of the...

2 CFR 1.205 - Applicability to grants and other funding instruments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 2 Grants and Agreements 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Applicability to grants and other funding instruments. 1.205 Section 1.205 Grants and Agreements ABOUT TITLE 2 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND SUBTITLE A Introduction toSubtitle A § 1.205 Applicability to grants and other funding instruments. The...

Post endodontic pain following single-visit root canal preparation with rotary vs reciprocating instruments: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

PubMed

Hou, Xiao-Mei; Su, Zheng; Hou, Ben-Xiang

2017-05-25

In endodontic therapy, continuous rotary instrumentation reduced debris compared to reciprocal instrumentation, which might affect the incidence of post-endodontic pain (PP). The aim of our study was to assess whether PP incidence and levels were influenced by the choice of rotary or reciprocal instruments. In this meta-analysis the Pubmed and EM databases were searched for prospective clinical randomized trials published before April 20, 2016, using combinations of the keywords: root canal preparation/instrumentation/treatment/therapy; post-operative/endodontic pain; reciprocal and rotary instruments. Three studies were included, involving a total of 1,317 patients, 659 treated with reciprocating instruments and 658 treated with rotary instruments. PP was reported in 139 patients in the reciprocating group and 172 in the rotary group. The PP incidence odds ratio was 1.27 with 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.25, 6.52) favoring rotary instruments. The mild, moderate and severe PP levels odds ratios were 0.31 (0.11, 0.84), 2.24 (0.66, 7.59) and 11.71 (0.63, 218.15), respectively. No evidence of publication bias was found. Rotary instrument choice in endodontic therapy is associated with a lower incidence of PP than reciprocating instruments, while reciprocating instruments are associated with less mild PP incidence.

Definition and Preliminary Design of the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) Phase 1. Volume 1: Executive Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The laser atmospheric wind sounder (LAWS) is a facility instrument of the Earth Observing System (EOS) and is the culmination of over 20 years of effort in the field of laser Doppler wind sensing. LAWS will by the first instrument to fly in space with the capability of providing global-scale tropospheric wind profiles at high spatial resolutions. Global-scale wind profiles are necessary for: (1) more accurate diagnostics of large-scale circulation and climate dynamics; (2) improved numerical weather prediction; (3) improved understanding of mesoscale systems; (4) improved understanding of global biogeochemical and hydrologic cycles. The objective of phase 1 of the LAWS study was to evaluate competing concepts and develop a baseline configuration for the LAWS instrument. The first phase of the study consisted of identifying realistic concepts for LAWS and analyzing them in sufficient detail to be able to choose the most promising one for the LAWS application. System configurations were then developed for the chosen concept. The concept and subsequent configuration were to be compatible with two prospective platforms: the Japanese polar orbiting platform (JPOP) and the Space Station Freedom (as an attached payload). After an objective and comprehensive concept selection process, a heterodyne detection Doppler lidar using a CO2 laser transmitter operating at 9.1 microns over a 2.1 micron system with a solid state laser was chosen. The CO2 lidar concept was then analyzed in detail to arrive at a configuration for the instrument and its major subsystems. A configuration for LAWS was arrived at which meets the performance requirements, and this design is presented.

[Development of a portable mid-infrared rapid analyzer for oil concentration in water based on MEMS linear sensor array].

PubMed

Gao, Zhi-fan; Zeng, Li-bo; Shi, Lei; Li, Kai; Yang, Yuan-zhou; Wu, Qiong-shui

2014-06-01

Aiming at the existing problems such as weak environmental adaptability, low analytic efficiency and poor measuring repeatability in the traditional spectral oil analyzers, the present paper designed a portable mid-infrared rapid analyzer for oil concentration in water. To reduce the volume of the instrument, the non-symmetrical folding M-type Czerny-Turner optical structure was adopted in the core optical path. With a periodically rotating chopper, controlled by digital PID algorithm, applied for infrared light modulation, the modulating accuracy reached ±0.5%. Different from traditional grating-scanning spectrophotometers, this instrument used a fixed grating for light dispersion and avoided rotating error in the course of the measuring procedures. A new-type MEMS infrared linear sensor array was applied for modulated spectral signals detection, which improved the measuring efficiency remarkably. Optical simulation and experimental results indicate that the spectral range is 2 800 - 3 200 cm(-1), the spectral resolution is 6 cm(-1) (@3 130 cm(-1)), and the signal to noise ratio is up to 5 200 : 1. The acquisition time is 13 milliseconds per spectrogram, and the standard deviation of absorbance is less than 3 x 10(-3). These performances meet the standards of oil concentration measurements perfectly. Compared with traditional infrared spectral analyzers for oil concentration, the instrument demonstrated in this paper has many advantages such as smaller size, more efficiency, higher precision, and stronger vibration & moisture isolation. In addition, the proposed instrument is especially suitable for the environmental monitoring departments to implement real-time measurements in the field for oil concentration in water, hence it has broad prospects of application in the field of water quality monitoring.

Application of Computational Toxicology to Prospective and Diagnostic Ecological Risk Assessment

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Application of Computational Toxicology to Prospective and Diagnostic Ecological Risk Assessment (Presented by: Dan Villeneuve, Ph.D., Research Toxicologist, US-EPA Mid-Continent Ecology Division) (1/24/2013)

Design and implementation of the mobility assessment tool: software description.

PubMed

Barnard, Ryan T; Marsh, Anthony P; Rejeski, Walter Jack; Pecorella, Anthony; Ip, Edward H

2013-07-23

In previous work, we described the development of an 81-item video-animated tool for assessing mobility. In response to criticism levied during a pilot study of this tool, we sought to develop a new version built upon a flexible framework for designing and administering the instrument. Rather than constructing a self-contained software application with a hard-coded instrument, we designed an XML schema capable of describing a variety of psychometric instruments. The new version of our video-animated assessment tool was then defined fully within the context of a compliant XML document. Two software applications--one built in Java, the other in Objective-C for the Apple iPad--were then built that could present the instrument described in the XML document and collect participants' responses. Separating the instrument's definition from the software application implementing it allowed for rapid iteration and easy, reliable definition of variations. Defining instruments in a software-independent XML document simplifies the process of defining instruments and variations and allows a single instrument to be deployed on as many platforms as there are software applications capable of interpreting the instrument, thereby broadening the potential target audience for the instrument. Continued work will be done to further specify and refine this type of instrument specification with a focus on spurring adoption by researchers in gerontology and geriatric medicine.

STRESS - STEREO TRansiting Exoplanet and Stellar Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sangaralingam, Vinothini; Stevens, Ian R.; Spreckley, Steve; Debosscher, Jonas

2010-02-01

The Heliospheric Imager (HI) instruments on board the two STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) spacecraft provides an excellent opportunity for space based stellar photometry. The HI instruments provide a wide area coverage (20° × 20° for the two HI-1 instruments and 70° × 70° for the two HI-2 instruments) and long continuous periods of observations (20 days and 70 days respectively). Using HI-1A which has a pass band of 6500Å to 7500Å and a cadence of 40 minutes, we have gathered photometric information for more than a million stars brighter than 12th magnitude for a period of two years. Here we present some early results from this study on a range of variable stars and the future prospects for the data.

Fiber optic interferometry for industrial process monitoring and control applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcus, Michael A.

2002-02-01

Over the past few years we have been developing applications for a high-resolution (sub-micron accuracy) fiber optic coupled dual Michelson interferometer-based instrument. It is being utilized in a variety of applications including monitoring liquid layer thickness uniformity on coating hoppers, film base thickness uniformity measurement, digital camera focus assessment, optical cell path length assessment and imager and wafer surface profile mapping. The instrument includes both coherent and non-coherent light sources, custom application dependent optical probes and sample interfaces, a Michelson interferometer, custom electronics, a Pentium-based PC with data acquisition cards and LabWindows CVI or LabView based application specific software. This paper describes the development evolution of this instrument platform and applications highlighting robust instrument design, hardware, software, and user interfaces development. The talk concludes with a discussion of a new high-speed instrument configuration, which can be utilized for high speed surface profiling and as an on-line web thickness gauge.

Earth Viewing Applications Laboratory (EVAL). Instrument catalog

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

There were 87 instruments described that are used in earth observation, with an additional 51 instruments containing references to programs and their major functions. These instruments were selected from such sources as: (1) earth observation flight program, (2) operational satellite improvement programs, (3) advanced application flight experiment program, (4) shuttle experiment definition program, and (5) earth observation aircraft program.

Future states: the axioms underlying prospective, future-oriented, health planning instruments.

PubMed

Koch, T

2001-02-01

Proscriptive planning exercises are critical to and generally accepted as integral to health planning at varying scales. These require specific instruments designed to predict future actions on the basis of present knowledge. At the macro-level of health economics, for example, a number of future-oriented Quality of Life Instruments (QL) are commonly employed. At the level of individual decision making, on the other hand, Advance Directives (AD's) are advanced as a means by which healthy individuals can assure their wishes will be carried out if at some future point they are incapacitated. As proscriptive tools, both instrument classes appear to share an axiomatic set whose individual parts have not been rigorously considered. This paper attempts to first identify and then consider a set of five axioms underlying future oriented health planning instruments. These axioms are then critiqued using data from a pre-test survey designed specifically to address their assumptions. Results appear to challenge the validity of the axioms underlying the proscriptive planning instruments.

Measuring emotional intelligence of medical school applicants.

PubMed

Carrothers, R M; Gregory, S W; Gallagher, T J

2000-05-01

To discuss the development, pilot testing, and analysis of a 34-item semantic differential instrument for measuring medical school applicants' emotional intelligence (the EI instrument). The authors analyzed data from the admission interviews of 147 1997 applicants to a six-year BS/MD program that is composed of three consortium universities. They compared the applicants' scores on traditional admission criteria (e.g., GPA and traditional interview assessments) with their scores on the EI instrument (which comprised five dimensions of emotional intelligence), breaking the data out by consortium university (each of which has its own educational ethos) and gender. They assessed the EI instrument's reliability and validity for assessing noncognitive personal and interpersonal qualities of medical school applicants. The five dimensions of emotional intelligence (maturity, compassion, morality, sociability, and calm disposition) indicated fair to excellent internal consistency: reliability coefficients were .66 to .95. Emotional intelligence as measured by the instrument was related to both being female and matriculating at the consortium university that has an educational ethos that values the social sciences and humanities. Based on this pilot study, the 34-item EI instrument demonstrates the ability to measure attributes that indicate desirable personal and interpersonal skills in medical school applicants.

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

77 FR 61739 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-11

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials... combustion, such as hydroxyl (OH) radicals. The [[Page 61740

Job Prospects for Industrial Engineers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Basta, Nicholas

1985-01-01

Recent economic growth and improved manufacturing profitability are supporting increased employment for industrial engineers. Promising areas include modernizing manufacturing technology and productivity with large amounts of hiring in aerospace, electronics, and instrumentation. Percentages of women employed in these fields for 1982 and 1983 are…

76 FR 1138 - Enhanced Assessment Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-07

... priorities: (a) Collaborating with institutions of higher education, other research institutions, or other... a member State may hold); (2) The consortium's method and process (e.g., consensus, majority) for... available on an ongoing basis for research, including for prospective linking, validity, and program...

Discrimination of Pigments of Microalgae, Bacteria and Yeasts Using Lightweight Handheld Raman Spectrometers: Prospects for Astrobiology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jehlicka, J.; Osterrothova, K.; Nedbalova, L.; Gunde-Cimerman, N.; Oren, A.

2014-06-01

Handheld Raman instrumentation with 532 nm lasers can be used to distinguish carotenoids of autotrophic microalgae, purple sulfur bacteria, halophilic Archaea and pigmented yeasts. Pigments are proposed as biomarkers for astrobiology of Mars.

Prospects for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for biomedical applications: a review.

PubMed

Singh, Vivek Kumar; Rai, Awadhesh Kumar

2011-09-01

We review the different spectroscopic techniques including the most recent laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the characterization of materials in any phase (solid, liquid or gas) including biological materials. A brief history of the laser and its application in bioscience is presented. The development of LIBS, its working principle and its instrumentation (different parts of the experimental set up) are briefly summarized. The generation of laser-induced plasma and detection of light emitted from this plasma are also discussed. The merit and demerits of LIBS are discussed in comparison with other conventional analytical techniques. The work done using the laser in the biomedical field is also summarized. The analysis of different tissues, mineral analysis in different organs of the human body, characterization of different types of stone formed in the human body, analysis of biological aerosols using the LIBS technique are also summarized. The unique abilities of LIBS including detection of molecular species and calibration-free LIBS are compared with those of other conventional techniques including atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence.

Industrial Wireless Sensors: A User's Perspective on the Impact of Standards on Wide-spread Deployment

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

Taft, Cyrus W.; Manges, Wayne W; Sorge, John N

2012-01-01

The role of wireless sensing technologies in industrial instrumentation will undoubtedly become more important in the years ahead. . Deployment of such instrumentation in an industrial setting with its heightened security and robustness criteria hinges on user acceptance of verified performance as well as meeting cost requirements. Today, industrial users face many choices when specifying a wireless sensor network, including radio performance, battery life, interoperability, security, and standards compliance. The potential market for industrial wireless sensors is literally millions of wireless instruments and it is imperative that accurate information for applying the technology to real-world applications be available to themore » end-user so that they can make informed deployment decisions. The majority of industrial wireless automation designs now being deployed or being considered for deployment are based on three different standards . The HART Communications Foundation s WirelessHART (IEC 62591), the International Society of Automation s ISA100.11a, and the offering from the Industrial Wireless Alliance of China known as WIA-PA (IEC 62601). Aside from these industrial automation standards, users must also be cognizant of the underlying wireless network standards IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15.4, and IEEE 802.15.3a and their interactions with the three principal industrial automation protocols mentioned previously. The crucial questions being asked by end users revolve around sensor network performance, interoperability, reliability, and security. This paper will discuss potential wireless sensor applications in power plants, barriers to the acceptance of wireless technology, concerns related to standards, and provide an end user prospective on the issues affecting wide-spread deployment of wireless sensors. Finally, the authors conclude with a discussion of a recommended path forward including how standards organizations can better facilitate end user decision making and how end users can locate and use objective information for decision making.« less

78 FR 2659 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-14

..., 2201 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37235. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company... St., West Lafayette, IN 47907-2024. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, the..., microorganisms, nanomaterials, and chemical compounds. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no...

Falsification Testing of Instrumental Variables Methods for Comparative Effectiveness Research.

PubMed

Pizer, Steven D

2016-04-01

To demonstrate how falsification tests can be used to evaluate instrumental variables methods applicable to a wide variety of comparative effectiveness research questions. Brief conceptual review of instrumental variables and falsification testing principles and techniques accompanied by an empirical application. Sample STATA code related to the empirical application is provided in the Appendix. Comparative long-term risks of sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones for management of type 2 diabetes. Outcomes include mortality and hospitalization for an ambulatory care-sensitive condition. Prescribing pattern variations are used as instrumental variables. Falsification testing is an easily computed and powerful way to evaluate the validity of the key assumption underlying instrumental variables analysis. If falsification tests are used, instrumental variables techniques can help answer a multitude of important clinical questions. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

78 FR 64916 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-30

...., light to heat), crystallization, melting, phase transformations, fracture, and other dynamic events. The... Sciences University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912. Instrument: Imaging System/Digital Microscope... the instrument include fast wavelength change, a dichromotome system, and two different light sources...

75 FR 21232 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-23

... Institute, Kent State University, Summit Street, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242. Instrument: Electron... W. State Street, Lilly Hall, B126, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054. Instrument: Electron Microscope... viruses and other macromolecular assemblies. Using cryo-electron microscopy, numerous virus/macromolecular...

75 FR 3895 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-25

..., materials science and nanotechnology. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no domestic manufacturers... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials...

Postoperative endodontic pain of three different instrumentation techniques in asymptomatic necrotic mandibular molars with periapical lesion: a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

PubMed

Shokraneh, Ali; Ajami, Majid; Farhadi, Nastaran; Hosseini, Mohsen; Rohani, Bita

2017-01-01

The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to compare postoperative pain of root canal treatment in patients with asymptomatic mandibular molar teeth with necrotic pulp and periapical lesion using three different instrumentation techniques: hand, multi-file rotary (ProTaper Universal), and reciprocating single-file (Wave-One) instrumentation techniques. Ninety-six patients who fulfilled specific inclusion criteria were assigned to three groups according to the root canal instrumentation technique used: Hand (G1), ProTaper Universal (G2), and Wave-One (G3). One-visit root canal treatment was carried out, and the severity of the postoperative pain was assessed by the Heft-Parker visual analogue scale 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, χ 2 , Cochrane Q, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman's correlation analyses (α = 0.05). The patients in group 3 reported significantly lower postoperative pain levels at 6, 12, and 18 h compared with the patients in the two other groups (P < .05). In addition, the patients in group 2 reported significantly lower postoperative pain levels at 6 and 12 h compared with the patients in group 1 (P < .05). There were no significant differences in postoperative pain between the three groups at other time intervals (P > .05). The analgesic consumption was significantly higher in group 1 (P < .05), but no difference was seen between the two other groups (P > .05). Postoperative pain was significantly lower in patients undergoing root canal instrumentation with the Wave-One file compared with the ProTaper Universal and hand files.

On Representative Spaceflight Instrument and Associated Instrument Sensor Web Framework

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kizhner, Semion; Patel, Umeshkumar; Vootukuru, Meg

2007-01-01

Sensor Web-based adaptation and sharing of space flight mission resources, including those of the Space-Ground and Control-User communication segment, could greatly benefit from utilization of heritage Internet Protocols and devices applied for Spaceflight (SpaceIP). This had been successfully demonstrated by a few recent spaceflight experiments. However, while terrestrial applications of Internet protocols are well developed and understood (mostly due to billions of dollars in investments by the military and industry), the spaceflight application of Internet protocols is still in its infancy. Progress in the developments of SpaceIP-enabled instrument components will largely determine the SpaceIP utilization of those investments and acceptance in years to come. Likewise SpaceIP, the development of commercial real-time and instrument colocated computational resources, data compression and storage, can be enabled on-board a spacecraft and, in turn, support a powerful application to Sensor Web-based design of a spaceflight instrument. Sensor Web-enabled reconfiguration and adaptation of structures for hardware resources and information systems will commence application of Field Programmable Arrays (FPGA) and other aerospace programmable logic devices for what this technology was intended. These are a few obvious potential benefits of Sensor Web technologies for spaceflight applications. However, they are still waiting to be explored. This is because there is a need for a new approach to spaceflight instrumentation in order to make these mature sensor web technologies applicable for spaceflight. In this paper we present an approach in developing related and enabling spaceflight instrument-level technologies based on the new concept of a representative spaceflight Instrument Sensor Web (ISW).

The Effects of Problem Solving Applications on the Development of Science Process Skills, Logical Thinking Skills and Perception on Problem Solving Ability in the Science Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seyhan, Hatice Güngör

2015-01-01

This study was conducted with 98 prospective science teachers, who were composed of 50 prospective teachers that had participated in problem-solving applications and 48 prospective teachers who were taught within a more researcher-oriented teaching method in science laboratories. The first aim of this study was to determine the levels of…

Interventional nephrology: Physical examination as a tool for surveillance for the hemodialysis arteriovenous access.

PubMed

Salman, Loay; Beathard, Gerald

2013-07-01

The prospective recognition of stenosis affecting dialysis vascular access and its prospective treatment is important in the management of the hemodialysis patient. Surveillance by physical examination is easily learned, easily performed, quickly done, and economical. In addition, it has a level of accuracy and reliability equivalent to other approaches that require special instrumentation. Physical examination should be part of any education to all hemodialysis care givers. This review presents the basic principles of physical examination of the hemodialysis vascular access and discusses the evidence behind its value.

Attitudes to teaching mathematics: Further development of a measurement instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Relich, Joe; Way, Jenni; Martin, Andrew

1994-07-01

The evidence that a relationship exists between attitudes to teaching mathematics and the formation of positive attitudes to mathematics among pupils is somewhat tenuous. Nevertheless, there is a strong belief among pre-service teacher educators that positive attitudes need to be fostered in teacher education students, particularly for prospective primary school teachers. Unfortunately, the research evidence suggests that high proportions of pre-service teachers hold negative attitudes towards mathematics. Although many instruments measuring affect in areas such as self-concept, anxiety, etc. have appeared in the literature over the years, no comprehensive instrument on attitudes is available to help teacher educators monitor attitudinal changes among their pre-service student teachers to the teaching of mathematics. This research re-examines an earlier attempt to develop such an instrument in Australia (Nisbet, 1991) and posits an alternative and refined version.

How adolescents construct their future: the effect of loneliness on future orientation.

PubMed

Seginer, Rachel; Lilach, Efrat

2004-12-01

This study examined the effect of loneliness, gender, and two dimensions of prospective life domains on adolescent future orientation. Future orientation was studied in four prospective domains: social relations, marriage and family, higher education and work and career. These domains are described in terms of two dimensions: theme (relational vs. instrumental) and distance (near vs. distant future). Data collected from Israeli Jewish adolescents (11th graders) were analysed by repeated measures ANOVAs and ANCOVAs (covariate: depressive experiences) for seven future orientation variables: value, expectance, control (motivational variables), hopes, fears (cognitive representation variables), exploration, commitment (behavioural variables). As predicted, lonely adolescents scored lower than socially embedded adolescents on future orientation variables applied to the relational and near future domains and lonely boys scored lower than lonely girls. However, effects were found only on the three future orientation motivational variables and not on the cognitive representation and behavioural variables. Contrary to prediction controlling for the effect of depressive experiences did not reduce the effect of loneliness on the future orientation variables, but reduced the tendency of adolescents to score higher on all future orientation variables in the instrumental than in the relational prospective domains. The contribution of these findings to the understanding of adolescent loneliness and future orientation was discussed and directions for future research were suggested.

77 FR 23660 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-20

..., 120 Baker Lab, Ithaca, NY 14853. Instrument: Pixel Array Detector. Manufacturer: Dectris Ltd... available in conventional charge-coupled device detectors. Justification for Duty- Free Entry: There are no... South Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439. Instrument: Pilatus 100K-S Detector. Manufacturer: Dectris Ltd...

75 FR 13486 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-22

... University, One Waterfront Place, PO Box 6024, Morgantown, WV 26506. Instrument: Electron Microscope.... Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no domestic manufacturers of this type of electron microscope.... Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI...

A prospective cohort study to refine and validate the Panic Screening Score for identifying panic attacks associated with unexplained chest pain in the emergency department

PubMed Central

Foldes-Busque, Guillaume; Denis, Isabelle; Poitras, Julien; Fleet, Richard P; Archambault, Patrick; Dionne, Clermont E

2013-01-01

Introduction Panic-like anxiety (panic attacks with or without panic disorder), a highly treatable condition, is the most prevalent condition associated with unexplained chest pain in the emergency department. Panic-like anxiety may be responsible for a significant portion of the negative consequences of unexplained chest pain, such as functional limitations and chronicity. However, more than 92% of panic-like anxiety cases remain undiagnosed at the time of discharge from the emergency department. The 4-item Panic Screening Score (PSS) questionnaire was derived in order to increase the identification of panic-like anxiety in emergency department patients with unexplained chest pain. Methods and analysis The goals of this prospective cohort study were to (1) refine the PSS; (2) validate the revised version of the PSS; (3) measure the reliability of the revised version of the PSS and (4) assess the acceptability of the instrument among emergency physicians. Eligible and consenting patients will be administered the PSS in a large emergency department. Patients will be contacted by phone for administration of the criterion standard for panic attacks as well as by a standardised interview to collect information for other predictors of panic attacks. Multivariate analysis will be used to refine the PSS. The new version will be prospectively validated in an independent sample and inter-rater agreement will be assessed in 10% of cases. The screening instrument acceptability will be assessed with the Ottawa Acceptability of Decision Rules Instrument. Ethics and dissemination This study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Alphonse-Desjardins research ethics committee. The results of the study will be presented in scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Further dissemination via workshops and a dedicated website is planned. PMID:24163208

Instrument Remote Control Application Framework

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ames, Troy; Hostetter, Carl F.

2006-01-01

The Instrument Remote Control (IRC) architecture is a flexible, platform-independent application framework that is well suited for the control and monitoring of remote devices and sensors. IRC enables significant savings in development costs by utilizing extensible Markup Language (XML) descriptions to configure the framework for a specific application. The Instrument Markup Language (IML) is used to describe the commands used by an instrument, the data streams produced, the rules for formatting commands and parsing the data, and the method of communication. Often no custom code is needed to communicate with a new instrument or device. An IRC instance can advertise and publish a description about a device or subscribe to another device's description on a network. This simple capability of dynamically publishing and subscribing to interfaces enables a very flexible, self-adapting architecture for monitoring and control of complex instruments in diverse environments.

77 FR 41206 - Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Licensing Applications for Instrumentation and Control...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-12

... Applications for Instrumentation and Control Upgrades for Non-Power Reactors AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory... (NRC or the Commission) is requesting public comment on Chapter 7, Section 7.3, Reactor Control System...-Power Reactors: Format and Content,'' for instrumentation and control (I&C) upgrades and NUREG-1537...

77 FR 5767 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-06

... x-ray analysis. The data collected will be applied to energy storage and conversion, environmental...: The instrument will be used to study superstructures formed by semiconductor and metal nanoparticles... semiconductors, metals, ceramics, polymers, etc. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no instruments of...

75 FR 82372 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-30

..., Argonne LLC, 9700 South Cass Ave., Lemont, IL 60439. Instrument: Pilatus 100K Pixel Detector System... efficiency (no readout noise and direct detection scheme), high dynamic range (20-bits), and fast readout.... Instrument: Pilatus 300K Pixel Detector System. Manufacturer: Dectris Ltd., Switzerland. Intended Use: The...

76 FR 20953 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-14

...., 9700 South Cass Ave., Lemont, IL 60439. Instrument: Mythen 1K Detector System. Manufacturer: Dectris... (RIXS) to study the electronic structure of highly correlated systems. This instrument is unique in that... dynamic range; and a small, lightweight and compact design. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are...

75 FR 13486 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-22

... nanostructures. This instrument combines an optical microscope with a scanning probe imaging system. Specifically... soft materials than other instruments, as it detects the probe coming close to the sample surface by... conventional AFM type silicon cantilevers as well as cantilevered optical fiber probes with exposed probe...

76 FR 2647 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-14

... Netherlands. Intended Use: The instrument will be used for a wide variety of research projects, including the..., the Netherlands. Intended Use: The instrument will be used for a wide variety of research projects including the study of artificial atoms, nanomagnetic research, and advanced semiconductor devices. The...

77 FR 70141 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-23

... Institute, 4000 Jones Bridge Rd., Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Instrument: Micro-litre and nanolitre dispensing...-litre and nanolitre dispensing system. Manufacturer: TTP Labtech Ltd, United Kingdom. Intended Use: The...: The instrument will be used to study biomaterials such as starches, lignin, and proteins, and compare...

Miniaturized integration of a fluorescence microscope

PubMed Central

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

2013-01-01

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

Geodesy and metrology with a transportable optical clock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grotti, Jacopo; Koller, Silvio; Vogt, Stefan; Häfner, Sebastian; Sterr, Uwe; Lisdat, Christian; Denker, Heiner; Voigt, Christian; Timmen, Ludger; Rolland, Antoine; Baynes, Fred N.; Margolis, Helen S.; Zampaolo, Michel; Thoumany, Pierre; Pizzocaro, Marco; Rauf, Benjamin; Bregolin, Filippo; Tampellini, Anna; Barbieri, Piero; Zucco, Massimo; Costanzo, Giovanni A.; Clivati, Cecilia; Levi, Filippo; Calonico, Davide

2018-05-01

Optical atomic clocks, due to their unprecedented stability1-3 and uncertainty3-6, are already being used to test physical theories7,8 and herald a revision of the International System of Units9,10. However, to unlock their potential for cross-disciplinary applications such as relativistic geodesy11, a major challenge remains: their transformation from highly specialized instruments restricted to national metrology laboratories into flexible devices deployable in different locations12-14. Here, we report the first field measurement campaign with a transportable 87Sr optical lattice clock12. We use it to determine the gravity potential difference between the middle of a mountain and a location 90 km away, exploiting both local and remote clock comparisons to eliminate potential clock errors. A local comparison with a 171Yb lattice clock15 also serves as an important check on the international consistency of independently developed optical clocks. This campaign demonstrates the exciting prospects for transportable optical clocks.

Miniaturized integration of a fluorescence microscope.

PubMed

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

2011-09-11

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

Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) Overall Scale for patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PubMed

Wong, George Kwok Chu; Lam, Sandy Wai; Ngai, Karine; Wong, Adrian; Mok, Vincent; Poon, Wai Sang

2014-06-01

The Quality of Life after Brain Injury Overall Scale (QOLIBRI-OS) is a recently developed instrument that provides a brief summary measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in domains typically affected by brain injury. This study examined the application of the six item QOLIBRI-OS in patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Hong Kong Chinese aSAH patients were evaluated prospectively within the chronic phase of 1 year after aSAH in this multi-center observational study. Cronbach's α was 0.88, and correlations were satisfactory for all six items. QOLIBRI-OS demonstrated good criterion validity with other 1 year outcome assessments. In conclusion, QOLIBRI-OS can be used as a brief index for disease-specific HRQoL assessment after aSAH. Further validation in another population of aSAH patients is recommended. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

76 FR 50997 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-17

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of..., School of Earth Sciences, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210. Instrument... and high-contrast images, a stage that is easy to move, a focus that does not change with changing...

75 FR 49427 - Application of Section 108(i) to Partnerships and S Corporations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-13

... reacquisitions of applicable debt instruments after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2011. The regulations affect partnerships and S corporations with respect to reacquisitions of applicable debt... deferred section 752 amount with respect to an applicable debt instrument. An agency may not conduct or...

[Current status and prospects of portable NIR spectrometer].

PubMed

Yu, Xin-Yang; Lu, Qi-Peng; Gao, Hong-Zhi; Peng, Zhong-Qi

2013-11-01

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a reliable, rapid, and non-destructive analytical method widely applied in as a number of fields such as agriculture, food, chemical and oil industry. In order to suit different applications, near-infrared spectrometers are now varied. Portable near-infrared spectrometers are needed for rapid on-site identification and analysis. Instruments of this kind are rugged, compact and easy to be transported. In this paper, the current states of portable near-infrared spectrometers are reviewed. Portable near-infrared spectrometers are built of different monochromator systems: filter, grating, Fourier-transform methods, acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) and a large number of new methods based on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The first part focuses on working principles of different monochromator systems. Advantages and disadvantages of different systems are also briefly mentioned. Descriptions of each method are given in turn. Typical spectrometers of each kind are introduced, and some parameters of these instruments are listed. In the next part we discuss sampling adapters, display, power supply and some other parts, which are designed to make the spectrometer more portable and easier to use. In the end, the current states of portable near-infrared spectrometers are summarized. Future trends of development of portable near-infrared spectrometers in China and abroad are discussed.

Viking-2 Seismometer Measurements on Mars: PDS Data Archive and Meteorological Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenz, Ralph D.; Nakamura, Yosio; Murphy, James R.

2017-11-01

A data product has been generated and archived on the NASA Planetary Data System (Geosciences Node), which presents the seismometer readings of Viking Lander 2 in an easy-to-access form, for both the raw ("high rate") waveform records and the compressed ("event mode") amplitude and frequency records. In addition to the records themselves, a separate summary file for each instrument mode lists key statistics of each record together with the meteorological measurements made closest in time to the seismic record. This juxtaposition facilitates correlation of the seismometer instrument response to different meteorological conditions, or the selection of seismic data during which wind disturbances can be expected to be small. We summarize data quality issues and also discuss lander-generated seismic signals, due to operation of the sampling arm or other systems, which may be of interest for prospective missions to other bodies. We review wind-seismic correlation, the "Martian solar day (sol) 80" candidate seismic event, and identify the seismic signature of a probable dust devil vortex on sol 482 : the seismometer data allow an estimate of the peak wind, occurring between coarsely spaced meteorology measurements. We present code to generate the plots in this paper to illustrate use of the data product.

High-energy Neutrino Emission from Short Gamma-Ray Bursts: Prospects for Coincident Detection with Gravitational Waves

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

Kimura, Shigeo S.; Murase, Kohta; Mészáros, Peter

We investigate current and future prospects for coincident detection of high-energy neutrinos and gravitational waves (GWs). Short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) are believed to originate from mergers of compact star binaries involving neutron stars. We estimate high-energy neutrino fluences from prompt emission, extended emission (EE), X-ray flares, and plateau emission, and we show that neutrino signals associated with the EE are the most promising. Assuming that the cosmic-ray loading factor is ∼10 and the Lorentz factor distribution is lognormal, we calculate the probability of neutrino detection from EE by current and future neutrino detectors, and we find that the quasi-simultaneous detectionmore » of high-energy neutrinos, gamma-rays, and GWs is possible with future instruments or even with current instruments for nearby SGRBs having EE. We also discuss stacking analyses that will also be useful with future experiments such as IceCube-Gen2.« less

Students’ Cognitive Abilities in Plant Anatomy Practical Work

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setiono, S.; Rustaman, N. Y.; Rahmat, A.; Anggraeni, S.

2017-09-01

Cognitive abilities is fundamental for the students, as it is closely related to higher thinking skills such as the ability to think critically, creatively, and problem solving. This descriptive study aims to investigate the cognitive abilities of biology prospective teachers in the course of Plant Anatomy Practicum based on the cognitive process dimension and dimensions of knowledge the using the framework of Revision of Bloom taxonomy. A number of biology prospective teachers was involved in this study (n=42). The instrument used to collect data for students’ cognitive process mastery in the form of multiple choice with 5 options. Research finding shows that the average student’s cognitive ability is 68.10. The acquisition of knowledge mastery of cognitive ability is still under the criterion of mastery in the course of the Plant Anatomy Practicum (75). Validity and reliability of the instrument (0,71) and (0,81). It is necessary to design lecture programs both in the class and laboratory to develop student’ cognitive abilities.

Prospective EUV observations of hot DA white dwarfs with the EUV Explorer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finley, David S.; Malina, Roger F.; Bowyer, Stuart

1987-01-01

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) will perform a high sensitivity EUV all-sky survey. A major category of sources which will be detected with the EUVE instruments consists of hot white dwarfs. Detailed preliminary studies of synthetic EUV observations of white dwarfs have been carried out using the predicted EUVE instrumental response functions. Using available information regarding space densities of white dwarfs and the distribution of neutral hydrogen in the interstellar medium, the numbers of DA white dwarfs which will be detectable in the different EUV bandpasses have been estimated.

Quality of integrated chronic care measured by patient survey: identification, selection and application of most appropriate instruments

PubMed Central

Vrijhoef, Hubertus J. M.; Berbee, Rieneke; Wagner, Edward H.; Steuten, Lotte M. G.

2009-01-01

Abstract Objective  To identify the most appropriate generic instrument to measure experience and/or satisfaction of people receiving integrated chronic care. Background  Health care is becoming more user‐centred and, as a result, the experience of users of care and evaluation of their experience and/or satisfaction is taken more seriously. It is unclear to what extent existing instruments are appropriate in measuring the experience and/or satisfaction of people using integrated chronic care. Methods  Instruments were identified by means of a systematic literature review. Appropriateness of instruments was analysed on seven criteria. The two most promising instruments were translated into Dutch, if necessary, and administered to a convenience sample of 109 people with a chronic illness. Data derived from respondents were analysed statistically. Focus‐group interviews were conducted to assess the semantic and technical equivalence as well as opinions of people about the applicability and relevance of the translated instruments. Results  From 37 instruments identified, the Patients’ Assessment of Care for chronIc Conditions (PACIC) and the short form of the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire III (PSQ‐18) were selected as most promising instruments. Both instruments produced similar median scores across people with different chronic conditions. The overall PACIC and its subscales and the overall PSQ‐18 were highly internally consistent, but not the PSQ‐18 subscales. Overall, the PACIC demonstrated better psychometric characteristics. PACIC and PSQ‐18 scores were found to be moderately correlated. Whereas more respondents preferred the PSQ‐18, focus‐group participants regarded the PACIC to be more applicable and relevant. The technical and semantic equivalence of both instruments were sufficient. Conclusions  Because of its psychometric characteristics, perceived applicability and relevance, the PACIC is the most appropriate instrument to measure the experience of people receiving integrated chronic care. PMID:19709315

Comparison of non-invasive tear film stability measurement techniques.

PubMed

Wang, Michael Tm; Murphy, Paul J; Blades, Kenneth J; Craig, Jennifer P

2018-01-01

Measurement of tear film stability is commonly used to give an indication of tear film quality but a number of non-invasive techniques exists within the clinical setting. This study sought to compare three non-invasive tear film stability measurement techniques: instrument-mounted wide-field white light clinical interferometry, instrument-mounted keratoscopy and hand-held keratoscopy. Twenty-two subjects were recruited in a prospective, randomised, masked, cross-over study. Tear film break-up or thinning time was measured non-invasively by independent experienced examiners, with each of the three devices, in a randomised order, within an hour. Significant correlation was observed between instrument-mounted interferometric and keratoscopic measurements (p < 0.001) but not between the hand-held device and the instrument-mounted techniques (all p > 0.05). Tear film stability values obtained from the hand-held device were significantly shorter and demonstrated narrower spread than the other two instruments (all p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed between the two instrument-mounted devices (all p > 0.05). Good clinical agreement exists between the instrument-mounted interferometric and keratoscopic measurements but not between the hand-held device and either of the instrument-mounted techniques. The results highlight the importance of specifying the instrument employed to record non-invasive tear film stability. © 2017 Optometry Australia.

A Multicentre Audit of Single-Use Surgical Instruments (SUSI) for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

PubMed Central

O'Flynn, P; Silva, S; Kothari, P; Persaud, R

2007-01-01

INTRODUCTION Prions are resistant to conventional sterilisation procedures and, therefore, could be transmitted iatrogenically through re-usable adenoid and tonsil surgical instruments. Using disposable instruments would avoid the risk of transmission. We present the results of a complete audit loop using BBraun single-use surgical instruments (SUSI). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective multicentre audit. Surgeons were asked to fill in a standardised questionnaire recording details including postoperative complications, and evaluation of each piece of equipment compared with their own experience of conventional re-usable instruments. In the first cycle, constructive criticisms of the instruments were noted and the manufacturers modified the instruments accordingly. A second cycle of audit was subsequently undertaken. RESULTS A total of 86 patients were audited in the first cycle and 97 in the second cycle. Postoperative haemorrhage rate for both cycles was well within acceptable range. In the first audit cycle, surgeons generally found the Draffin rods, Boyle-Davis gag and bipolar diathermy forceps of poor quality and difficult to use. These were redesigned and, on repeat evaluation during the second audit cycle, were found to be just as good, if not better, than the re-usable instruments. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that SUSI may be just as good as re-usable instruments. Furthermore, they may be more cost effective. PMID:18201478

Insulation failure in electrosurgery instrumentation: a prospective evaluation.

PubMed

Tixier, Floriane; Garçon, Mélanie; Rochefort, Françoise; Corvaisier, Stéphane

2016-11-01

The use of electrosurgery has expanded to a wide variety of surgical specialities, but it has also been accompanied by its share of complications, including thermal injuries to nontargeted tissues, caused by a break or defect in the insulation of the instrument's coat. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and the location of insulation failures (IFs) in electrosurgical instruments, then to assess the necessity of routine IF testing. Electrosurgical instruments were visually inspected and checked for IF using a high-voltage detector. Two different detectors were used during two testing sessions: DTU-6 (Petel company) and DIATEG (Morgate company). Laparoscopic and non-laparoscopic instruments were determined to have IF if current crossed the instrument's insulation, signaled by an alarm sound. A total of 489 instruments were tested. The overall prevalence of IFs was 24.1 % with only visual inspection and 37.2 % with the IF detector. Among the 489 instruments, 13.1 % were visually intact, but had an electric test failure. DTU-6 and DIATEG detectors showed comparable efficiency in detection of overall IFs and for laparoscopic and non-laparoscopic instruments. The median location of IFs was more pronounced for laparoscopic instruments (50.4 %) and the distal location for non-laparoscopic instruments (40.4 %). Accidental burns are a hidden problem and can lead to patient complications. In Central Sterilization Service Department, prevention currently includes only visual control of electrosurgery instrumentation, but testing campaigns are now necessary in order to identify maximum instruments' defects.

Applications of inertial-sensor high-inheritance instruments to DSN precision antenna pointing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goddard, R. E.

1992-01-01

Laboratory test results of the initialization and tracking performance of an existing inertial-sensor-based instrument are given. The instrument, although not primarily designed for precision antenna pointing applications, demonstrated an on-average 10-hour tracking error of several millidegrees. The system-level instrument performance is shown by analysis to be sensor limited. Simulated instrument improvements show a tracking error of less than 1 mdeg, which would provide acceptable performance, i.e., low pointing loss, for the DSN 70-m antenna sub network, operating at Ka-band (1-cm wavelength).

Applications of inertial-sensor high-inheritance instruments to DSN precision antenna pointing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goddard, R. E.

1992-01-01

Laboratory test results of the initialization and tracking performance of an existing inertial-sensor-based instrument are given. The instrument, although not primarily designed for precision antenna pointing applications, demonstrated an on-average 10-hour tracking error of several millidegrees. The system-level instrument performance is shown by analysis to be sensor limited. Simulated instrument improvements show a tracking error of less than 1 mdeg, which would provide acceptable performance, i.e., low pointing loss, for the Deep Space Network 70-m antenna subnetwork, operating at Ka-band (1-cm wavelength).

Equipment upgrades for the Pu-238 program

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

Congdon, J.W.; Stephens, W.D.; Marra, J.E.

1990-02-14

Much of the equipment and instrumentation in the Pu-238 production facilities is more than 15 years old. Significant improvements have been made in the available instrumentation, in particular, due to the application of microprocessors and lasers. The Actinide Technology Section of SRL has selected and is in the process of evaluating several state-of-the-art instruments which have potential applications in the Pu-238 program. The ease of operation and the accuracy of the instruments have been improved and, in most cases, the cost of the instruments have decreased. 5 refs.

Graphene Field Effect Transistors for Biomedical Applications: Current Status and Future Prospects.

PubMed

Forsyth, Rhiannan; Devadoss, Anitha; Guy, Owen J

2017-07-26

Since the discovery of the two-dimensional (2D) carbon material, graphene, just over a decade ago, the development of graphene-based field effect transistors (G-FETs) has become a widely researched area, particularly for use in point-of-care biomedical applications. G-FETs are particularly attractive as next generation bioelectronics due to their mass-scalability and low cost of the technology's manufacture. Furthermore, G-FETs offer the potential to complete label-free, rapid, and highly sensitive analysis coupled with a high sample throughput. These properties, coupled with the potential for integration into portable instrumentation, contribute to G-FETs' suitability for point-of-care diagnostics. This review focuses on elucidating the recent developments in the field of G-FET sensors that act on a bioaffinity basis, whereby a binding event between a bioreceptor and the target analyte is transduced into an electrical signal at the G-FET surface. Recognizing and quantifying these target analytes accurately and reliably is essential in diagnosing many diseases, therefore it is vital to design the G-FET with care. Taking into account some limitations of the sensor platform, such as Debye-Hükel screening and device surface area, is fundamental in developing improved bioelectronics for applications in the clinical setting. This review highlights some efforts undertaken in facing these limitations in order to bring G-FET development for biomedical applications forward.

Fundamentals of digital filtering with applications in geophysical prospecting for oil

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

Mesko, A.

This book is a comprehensive work bringing together the important mathematical foundations and computing techniques for numerical filtering methods. The first two parts of the book introduce the techniques, fundamental theory and applications, while the third part treats specific applications in geophysical prospecting. Discussion is limited to linear filters, but takes in related fields such as correlational and spectral analysis.

Exoplanetary Science: Instrumentation, Observations, and Expectations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McElwain, Michael

2011-01-01

More than 700 exoplanets have been discovered and studied using indirect techniques, leading our field into the exciting new era of comparative exoplanetology. However, the direct detection of exoplanetary systems still remains at the sensitivity limits of both ground- and space-based observatories. The development of new technologies for adaptive optics systems and high contrast instruments continues to increase the ability to directly study exoplanets. The scientific impact of these developments has promising prospects for both short and long timescales. In my talk, I will discuss recent highlights from the SEEDS survey and the current instrumentation in use at the Subaru telescope. SEEDS is a high contrast imaging strategic observing program with 120 nights of time allocated at the NAOJ's flagship optical and infrared telescope. I will also describe new instrumentation I designed to improve the SEEDS capabilities and efficiency. Finally, I will briefly discuss the conceptual design of a transiting planet camera to fly as a potential second generation instrument on-board NASA's SOFIA observatory.

[Research Progress and Prospect of Applications of Finite Element Method in Lumbar Spine Biomechanics].

PubMed

Zhang, Zhenjun; Li, Yang; Liao, Zhenhua; Liu, Weiqiang

2016-12-01

Based on the application of finite element analysis in spine biomechanics,the research progress of finite element method applied in lumbar spine mechanics is reviewed and the prospect is forecasted.The related works,including lumbar ontology modeling,clinical application research,and occupational injury and protection,are summarized.The main research areas of finite element method are as follows:new accurate modeling process,the optimized simulation method,diversified clinical effect evaluation,and the clinical application of artificial lumbar disc.According to the recent research progress,the application prospects of finite element method,such as automation and individuation of modeling process,evaluation and analysis of new operation methods and simulation of mechanical damage and dynamic response,are discussed.The purpose of this paper is to provide the theoretical reference and practical guidance for the clinical lumbar problems by reviewing the application of finite element method in the field of the lumbar spine biomechanics.

Recent improvement of a FIB-SEM serial-sectioning method for precise 3D image reconstruction - application of the orthogonally-arranged FIB-SEM.

PubMed

Hara, Toru

2014-11-01

IntroductionWe installed the first "orthogonally-arranged" FIB-SEM in 2011. The most characteristic point of this instrument is that the FIB and SEM columns are perpendicularly mounted; this is specially designed to obtain a serial-sectioning dataset more accurately and precisely with higher contrast and higher spatial resolution compare to other current FIB-SEMs [1]. Since the installation in 2011, we have developed the hardware and methodology of the serial-sectioning based on this orthogonal FIB-SEM. In order to develop this technique, we have widely opened this instrument to every researcher of all fields. In the presentation, I would like to introduce some of application results that are obtained by users of this instrument. The characteristic points of the orthogonal systemFigure 1 shows a difference between the standard and the orthogonal FIB-SEM systems: In the standard system, shown in Fig.1(a), optical axes of a FIB and a SEM crosses around 60deg., while in the orthogonal system (Fig.1(b)), they are perpendicular to each other. The standard arrangement (a) is certainly suitable for TEM lamellae preparation etc. because the FIB and the SEM can see the same position simultaneously. However, for a serial-sectioning, it is not to say the best arrangement. One of the reasons is that the sliced plane by the FIB is not perpendicular to the electron beam so that the background contrast is not uniform and observed plane is distorted. On the other hand, in case of the orthogonally-arranged system,(b), these problems are resolved. In addition, spatial resolution can keep high enough even in a low accelerating voltage (e.g. 500V) because a working distance is set very small, 2mm. From these special design, we can obtain the serial-sectioning dataset from rather wide area (∼100um) with high spatial resolution (Max. 2×2×2nm). As this system has many kinds of detectors: SE, ET, Backscatter Electron(Energy-selective), EDS, EBSD, STEM(BF&ADF), with Ar+ ion-gun and a plasma cleaner, many kinds of signals can be obtained simultaneously.jmicro;63/suppl_1/i5-a/DFU077F1F1DFU077F1Fig. 1.Schematic illustration described (a) a standard type arrangement, (b) an orthogonal type arrangement. Recent topics and Future prospectsWe have applied this instrument for wide area of microstructure analysis; Metals and Alloys, Semiconductor devices, Battery electrodes, Minerals, Biomaterials, and so on. In my presentation, I would like to introduce some of our application results and will discuss about future development of the methodology of a FIB-SEM serial sectioning. As the applied research field becomes wider, various requests for the method were arisen. However, most requests can be summarized as follows: observation of larger area, expansion of applicable sample, obtain many kind of information, linkage with other instruments. AcknowledgmentsThe instrument introduced in this work was installed at NIMS by a part of "Low-carbon research network Japan" funded by the MEXT,Japan. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Identification of Gas Components in Lighter by Gas Chromatography: An Experiment of the Undergraduate Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Which Can Be Used with Distance Learning Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yavuz, Soner; Morgil, Inci

2006-01-01

In the applications of instrumental analysis lessons, advanced instruments with the needed experiments are needed. During the lessons it is a fact that the more experiments are performed, the more learning will be. For this reason, experiments that do not last long and should be performed with more simple instruments and that increase students"…

Implementation of a Computerized Decision Support System to Improve the Appropriateness of Antibiotic Therapy Using Local Microbiologic Data

PubMed Central

Rodriguez-Maresca, Manuel; Sorlozano, Antonio; Grau, Magnolia; Rodriguez-Castaño, Rocio; Ruiz-Valverde, Andres; Gutierrez-Fernandez, Jose

2014-01-01

A prospective quasi-experimental study was undertaken in 218 patients with suspicion of nosocomial infection hospitalized in a polyvalent ICU where a new electronic device (GERB) has been designed for antibiotic prescriptions. Two GERB-based applications were developed to provide local resistance maps (LRMs) and preliminary microbiological reports with therapeutic recommendation (PMRTRs). Both applications used the data in the Laboratory Information System of the Microbiology Department to report on the optimal empiric therapeutic option, based on the most likely susceptibility profile of the microorganisms potentially responsible for infection in patients and taking into account the local epidemiology of the hospital department/unit. LRMs were used for antibiotic prescription in 20.2% of the patients and PMRTRs in 78.2%, and active antibiotics against the finally identified bacteria were prescribed in 80.0% of the former group and 82.4% of the latter. When neither LMRs nor PMRTRs were considered for empiric treatment prescription, only around 40% of the antibiotics prescribed were active. Hence, the percentage appropriateness of the empiric antibiotic treatments was significantly higher when LRM or PMRTR guidelines were followed rather than other criteria. LRMs and PMRTRs applications are dynamic, highly accessible, and readily interpreted instruments that contribute to the appropriateness of empiric antibiotic treatments. PMID:25197643

A LabVIEW Platform for Preclinical Imaging Using Digital Subtraction Angiography and Micro-CT.

PubMed

Badea, Cristian T; Hedlund, Laurence W; Johnson, G Allan

2013-01-01

CT and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) are ubiquitous in the clinic. Their preclinical equivalents are valuable imaging methods for studying disease models and treatment. We have developed a dual source/detector X-ray imaging system that we have used for both micro-CT and DSA studies in rodents. The control of such a complex imaging system requires substantial software development for which we use the graphical language LabVIEW (National Instruments, Austin, TX, USA). This paper focuses on a LabVIEW platform that we have developed to enable anatomical and functional imaging with micro-CT and DSA. Our LabVIEW applications integrate and control all the elements of our system including a dual source/detector X-ray system, a mechanical ventilator, a physiological monitor, and a power microinjector for the vascular delivery of X-ray contrast agents. Various applications allow cardiac- and respiratory-gated acquisitions for both DSA and micro-CT studies. Our results illustrate the application of DSA for cardiopulmonary studies and vascular imaging of the liver and coronary arteries. We also show how DSA can be used for functional imaging of the kidney. Finally, the power of 4D micro-CT imaging using both prospective and retrospective gating is shown for cardiac imaging.

A LabVIEW Platform for Preclinical Imaging Using Digital Subtraction Angiography and Micro-CT

PubMed Central

Badea, Cristian T.; Hedlund, Laurence W.; Johnson, G. Allan

2013-01-01

CT and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) are ubiquitous in the clinic. Their preclinical equivalents are valuable imaging methods for studying disease models and treatment. We have developed a dual source/detector X-ray imaging system that we have used for both micro-CT and DSA studies in rodents. The control of such a complex imaging system requires substantial software development for which we use the graphical language LabVIEW (National Instruments, Austin, TX, USA). This paper focuses on a LabVIEW platform that we have developed to enable anatomical and functional imaging with micro-CT and DSA. Our LabVIEW applications integrate and control all the elements of our system including a dual source/detector X-ray system, a mechanical ventilator, a physiological monitor, and a power microinjector for the vascular delivery of X-ray contrast agents. Various applications allow cardiac- and respiratory-gated acquisitions for both DSA and micro-CT studies. Our results illustrate the application of DSA for cardiopulmonary studies and vascular imaging of the liver and coronary arteries. We also show how DSA can be used for functional imaging of the kidney. Finally, the power of 4D micro-CT imaging using both prospective and retrospective gating is shown for cardiac imaging. PMID:27006920

75 FR 67949 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-04

... University of Texas at Austin, Center for Electromechanics, Pickle Research Campus 10100 Burnet Road, Bldg...., Italy. Intended Use: The instrument will be used on the Hobby-Eberly Telescope for the study of ``Dark Energy.'' The instrument is unique because of its ability to achieve the desired accuracy of +/- 2...

77 FR 20360 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-04

.... Intended Use: The instrument will be used for medical research; the proteins to be studied are often malfunctioning in diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heath disease, and understanding how the proteins are... problem. The instrument will also be used to teach students in the use of electron microscopy for protein...

Application of type synthesis theory to the redesign of a complex surgical instrument.

PubMed

Lim, Jonas J B; Erdman, Arthur G

2002-06-01

Surgical instruments consist of basic mechanical components such as gears, links, pivots, sliders, etc., which are common in mechanical design. This paper describes the application of a method in the analysis and design of complex surgical instruments such as those employed in laparoscopic surgery. This is believed to be the first application of type synthesis theory to a complex medical instrument. Type synthesis is a methodology that can be applied during the conceptual phase of mechanical design. A handle assembly from a patented laparoscopic surgical stapler is used to illustrate the application of the design method developed. Type synthesis is applied on specific subsystems of the mechanism within the handle assembly where alternative design concepts are generated. Chosen concepts are then combined to form a new conceptual design for the handle assembly. The new handle assembly is improved because it has fewer number of parts, is a simpler design and is easier to assemble. Surgical instrument designers may use the methodology presented here to analyze the mechanical subsystems within complex instruments and to create new options that may offer improvements to the original design.

A decade of neural networks: Practical applications and prospects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kemeny, Sabrina (Editor); Thakoor, Anil (Editor)

1994-01-01

On May 11-13, 1994, JPL's Center for Space Microelectronics Technology (CSMT) hosted a neural network workshop entitled, 'A Decade of Neural Networks: Practical Applications and Prospects,' sponsored by DOD and NASA. The past ten years of renewed activity in neural network research has brought the technology to a crossroads regarding the overall scope of its future practical applicability. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together the sponsoring agencies, active researchers, and the user community to formulate a vision for the next decade of neural network research and development prospects, with emphasis on practical applications. Of the 93 participants, roughly 15% were from government agencies, 30% were from industry, 20% were from universities, and 35% were from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC's).

Preliminary design for Arctic atmospheric radiative transfer experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zak, B. D.; Church, H. W.; Stamnes, K.; Shaw, G.; Filyushkin, V.; Jin, Z.; Ellingson, R. G.; Tsay, S. C.

1995-01-01

If current plans are realized, within the next few years, an extraordinary set of coordinated research efforts focusing on energy flows in the Arctic will be implemented. All are motivated by the prospect of global climate change. SHEBA (Surface Energy Budget of the Arctic Ocean), led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR), involves instrumenting an ice camp in the perennial Arctic ice pack, and taking data for 12-18 months. The ARM (Atmospheric Radiation Measurement) North Slope of Alaska and Adjacent Arctic Ocean (NSA/AAO) Cloud and Radiation Testbed (CART) focuses on atmospheric radiative transport, especially in the presence of clouds. The NSA/AAO CART involves instrumenting a sizeable area on the North Slope of Alaska and adjacent waters in the vicinity of Barrow, and acquiring data over a period of about 10 years. FIRE (First ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Program) Regional Experiment) Phase 3 is a program led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) which focuses on Arctic clouds, and which is coordinated with SHEBA and ARM. FIRE has historically emphasized data from airborne and satellite platforms. All three program anticipate initiating Arctic data acquisition during spring, 1997. In light of his historic opportunity, the authors discuss a strawman atmospheric radiative transfer experimental plan that identifies which features of the radiative transport models they think should be tested, what experimental data are required for each type of test, the platforms and instrumentation necessary to acquire those data, and in general terms, how the experiments could be conducted. Aspects of the plan are applicable to all three programs.

NASA Laser Light Scattering Advanced Technology Development Workshop, 1988

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, William V. (Editor)

1989-01-01

The major objective of the workshop was to explore the capabilities of existing and prospective laser light scattering hardware and to assess user requirements and needs for a laser light scattering instrument in a reduced gravity environment. The workshop addressed experimental needs and stressed hardware development.

Swallow Characteristics in Patients with Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palmer, Phyllis M.; Neel, Amy T.; Sprouls, Gwyneth; Morrison, Leslie

2010-01-01

Purpose: This prospective investigation evaluates oral weakness and its impact on swallow function, weight, and quality of life in patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). Method: Intraoral pressure, swallow pressure, and endurance were measured using an Iowa Oral Performance Instrument in participants with OPMD and matched…

Recruiting the future public health workforce: an analysis of prospect communication among accredited Schools of Public Health.

PubMed

Purcell, Jennifer M

2009-06-01

Schools of Public Health cannot sustain the national momentum for public health justice and human rights without recruiting and training a skilled public health workforce. With growing demand for public health workers, schools must work to increase their applicant pools. This project examined prospect communication materials from accredited Schools of Public Health and found that the vast majority of schools did not capitalize on opportunities to move prospects to applicants. Whereas most responded within a reasonable time, several schools made no communication efforts at all. Recruitment materials varied widely from institution to institution and between epidemiology and health education programs. Strategic, personalized communication strategies-the 3 Cs-are recommended to increase the pools of qualified applicants nationwide and can be utilized to increase prospect pools in a wide range of health sciences.

Cardiovascular instrumentation for spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schappell, R. T.; Polhemus, J. T.; Ganiaris, N. J.

1976-01-01

The observation mechanisms dealing with pressure, flow, morphology, temperature, etc. are discussed. The approach taken in the performance of this study was to (1) review ground and space-flight data on cardiovascular function, including earlier related ground-based and space-flight animal studies, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and recent bed-rest studies, (2) review cardiovascular measurement parameters required to assess individual performance and physiological alternations during space flight, (3) perform an instrumentation survey including a literature search as well as personal contact with the applicable investigators, (4) assess instrumentation applicability with respect to the established criteria, and (5) recommend future research and development activity. It is concluded that, for the most part, the required instrumentation technology is available but that mission-peculiar criteria will require modifications to adapt the applicable instrumentation to a space-flight configuration.

75 FR 73034 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-29

... into structure function relationships. Key capabilities of the instrument include extended [[Page 73035... geological samples for their microstructure, phase characteristics, and interfacial processes. This...

76 FR 58245 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-20

... Laboratory, 480 Cornell Avenue, Upton, New York 11973. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL... of energy-related matter including superconductors and thermoelectric materials, using electron...

Neonatal and maternal outcomes of successful manual rotation to correct malposition of the fetal head; A retrospective and prospective observational study

PubMed Central

Tempest, Nicola; McGuinness, Naomi; Lane, Steven; Hapangama, Dharani K.

2017-01-01

Objective To evaluate the neonatal and maternal outcomes associated with successful operative vaginal births assisted by manual rotation. Design Prospective and retrospective observational study. Setting Delivery suite in a tertiary referral teaching hospital in England. Population A cohort of 2,426 consecutive operative births, in the second stage of labour, complicated with malposition of the fetal head during 2006–2013. Methods Outcomes of all births successfully assisted by manual rotation followed by direct traction instruments were compared with other methods of operative birth for fetal malposition in the second stage of labour (rotational ventouse, Kielland forceps and caesarean section). Main outcome measures Associated neonatal outcomes (admission to the special care baby unit, low cord pH, low Apgar and shoulder dystocia) and maternal outcomes (massive obstetric haemorrhage (blood loss of >1500ml) and obstetric anal sphincter injury). Results Births successfully assisted with manual rotation followed by direct traction instruments, resulted in 10% (36/346) of the babies being admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit, 4.9% (17/349) shoulder dystocia, 2% (7/349) massive obstetric haemorrhage and 1.7% (6/349) obstetric anal sphincter injury, similar to other methods of rotational births. Conclusions Adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes associated with successful manual rotations followed by direct traction instruments were comparable to traditional methods of operative births. There is an urgent need to standardise the practice (guidance, training) and documentation of manual rotation followed by direct traction instrumental deliveries that will enable assessment of its efficacy and the absolute safety in achieving a vaginal birth. PMID:28489924

Neonatal and maternal outcomes of successful manual rotation to correct malposition of the fetal head; A retrospective and prospective observational study.

PubMed

Tempest, Nicola; McGuinness, Naomi; Lane, Steven; Hapangama, Dharani K

2017-01-01

To evaluate the neonatal and maternal outcomes associated with successful operative vaginal births assisted by manual rotation. Prospective and retrospective observational study. Delivery suite in a tertiary referral teaching hospital in England. A cohort of 2,426 consecutive operative births, in the second stage of labour, complicated with malposition of the fetal head during 2006-2013. Outcomes of all births successfully assisted by manual rotation followed by direct traction instruments were compared with other methods of operative birth for fetal malposition in the second stage of labour (rotational ventouse, Kielland forceps and caesarean section). Associated neonatal outcomes (admission to the special care baby unit, low cord pH, low Apgar and shoulder dystocia) and maternal outcomes (massive obstetric haemorrhage (blood loss of >1500ml) and obstetric anal sphincter injury). Births successfully assisted with manual rotation followed by direct traction instruments, resulted in 10% (36/346) of the babies being admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit, 4.9% (17/349) shoulder dystocia, 2% (7/349) massive obstetric haemorrhage and 1.7% (6/349) obstetric anal sphincter injury, similar to other methods of rotational births. Adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes associated with successful manual rotations followed by direct traction instruments were comparable to traditional methods of operative births. There is an urgent need to standardise the practice (guidance, training) and documentation of manual rotation followed by direct traction instrumental deliveries that will enable assessment of its efficacy and the absolute safety in achieving a vaginal birth.

75 FR 3895 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-25

... instrument must be able to perform using lasers with both continuous wave (CW) and pulsed mode. The use of picoseconds pulsed lasers is necessary to measure fluorescence lifetime. The use of CW lasers, so that the... controls the laser head provides user-selectable pulsed repetition rates. This instrument is unique in that...

Six Classes of Diffraction-Based Optoelectronic Instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spremo, Stevan; Fuhr, Peter; Schipper, John

2003-01-01

Six classes of diffraction-based optoelectronic instruments have been invented as means for wavelength-based processing of light. One family of anticipated applications lies in scientific instrumentation for studying chemical and physical reactions that affect and/or are affected differently by light of different wavelengths or different combinations of wavelengths. Another family of anticipated applications lies in optoelectronic communication systems.

75 FR 42377 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-21

... States. Comments must comply with 15 CFR 301.5(a)(3) and (4) of the regulations and be postmarked on or... Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, Czech Republic. Intended Use: The instrument will be used to provide 3... the cells, proteins of the tissues and metallic nanostructures will be analyzed with the instrument...

Space applications instrumentation systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minzner, R. A.; Oberholtzer, J. D.

1972-01-01

A compendium of resumes of 158 instrument systems or experiments, of particular interest to space applications, is presented. Each resume exists in a standardized format, permitting entries for 26 administrative items and 39 scientific or engineering items. The resumes are organized into forty groups determined by the forty spacecraft with which the instruments are associated. The resumes are followed by six different cross indexes, each organized alphabetically according to one of the following catagories: instrument name, acronym, name of principal investigator, name of organization employing the principal investigator, assigned experiment number, and spacecraft name. The resumes are associated with a computerized instrument resume search and retrieval system.

Leisure Activity Patterns and Their Associations with Overweight: A Prospective Study among Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lajunen, Hanna-Reetta; Keski-Rahkonen, Anna; Pulkkinen, Lea; Rose, Richard J.; Rissanen, Aila; Kaprio, Jaakko

2009-01-01

We examined longitudinal associations between individual leisure activities (television viewing, video viewing, computer games, listening to music, board games, musical instrument playing, reading, arts, crafts, socializing, clubs or scouts, sports, outdoor activities) and being overweight using logistic regression and latent class analysis in a…

The Intra-cluster medium: recent results and future prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molendi, Silvano

2010-07-01

This comunication is divided in two parts: in the first I present some recent observational results obtained by my group; in the second I list what I consider to be the top priorities in terms of X-ray instrumentation for cluster science and compare them with missions currently under development.

The Development of a Vocational Diagnostic Program. Interim Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnard, William W.

A five-phased project is described which was designed to develop more specific diagnostic procedures and instrumentation that would allow both the vocational counselor and the prospective student to determine more effectively specific occupational programs and occupational objectives for education at the postsecondary level. Phases of the project…

A Field Guide for Sign Language Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stokoe, William; Kuschel, Rolf

Field researchers of sign language are the target of this methodological guide. The prospective researcher is briefed on the rationale of sign language study as language study and as distinct from the study of kinesics. Subjects covered include problems of translating, use of interpreters, and ethics. Instruments for obtaining social and language…

The PEACE project review of clinical instruments for hospice and palliative care.

PubMed

Hanson, Laura C; Scheunemann, Leslie P; Zimmerman, Sheryl; Rokoske, Franziska S; Schenck, Anna P

2010-10-01

Hospice and palliative care organizations are expanding their use of standardized instruments and other approaches to measure quality. We undertook a systematic review and evaluation of published patient-level instruments for potential application in hospice and palliative care clinical quality measurement. We searched prior reviews and computerized reference databases from 1990 through February 2007 for studies of instruments relevant to physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, or ethical aspects of palliative care, or measuring prognosis, function or continuity of care. Publications were selected for full review if they provided evidence of psychometric properties or practical application of an instrument tested in or appropriate for a hospice or palliative care population. Selected instruments were evaluated and scored for scientific soundness and potential application in clinical quality measurement. The search found 1427 publications, with 229 selected for full manuscript review. Manuscripts provided information on 129 instruments which were evaluated using a structured scoring guide for psychometric properties. Thirty-nine instruments scoring near or above the 75th percentile were recommended. Most instruments covered multiple domains or focused on care for physical symptoms, psychological or social aspects of care. Few instruments were available to measure cultural aspects of care, structure and process of care, and continuity of care. Numerous patient-level instruments are available to measure physical, psychological and social aspects of palliative care with adequate evidence for scientific soundness and practical clinical use for quality improvement and research. Other aspects of palliative care may benefit from further instrument development research.

49 CFR 260.25 - Additional information for Applicants not having a credit rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... the following: (1) Applicant's current and prospective traffic base, including by commodity and... prospective traffic base; (3) System-wide plans to maintain equipment and rights-of-way at current or improved... flow projections; (e) Contingency plans for termination of the project before completion, if necessary...

49 CFR 260.25 - Additional information for Applicants not having a credit rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... the following: (1) Applicant's current and prospective traffic base, including by commodity and... prospective traffic base; (3) System-wide plans to maintain equipment and rights-of-way at current or improved... flow projections; (e) Contingency plans for termination of the project before completion, if necessary...

49 CFR 260.25 - Additional information for Applicants not having a credit rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... the following: (1) Applicant's current and prospective traffic base, including by commodity and... prospective traffic base; (3) System-wide plans to maintain equipment and rights-of-way at current or improved... flow projections; (e) Contingency plans for termination of the project before completion, if necessary...

49 CFR 260.25 - Additional information for Applicants not having a credit rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... the following: (1) Applicant's current and prospective traffic base, including by commodity and... prospective traffic base; (3) System-wide plans to maintain equipment and rights-of-way at current or improved... flow projections; (e) Contingency plans for termination of the project before completion, if necessary...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a) Effective... subpart do not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation to a consumer if you receive such information prior to January 1, 2010. For...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... on Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... this subpart do not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation to a consumer if you receive such information prior to January 1...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a) Effective... subpart do not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation to a consumer if you receive such information prior to January 1, 2010. For...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a) Effective... subpart do not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation to a consumer if you receive such information prior to January 1, 2010. For...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a) Effective date. This subpart is effective September 10, 2009. (b) Mandatory compliance date. Compliance with this... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Effective date, compliance...

12 CFR 222.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... prospective application. 222.28 Section 222.28 Banks and Banking FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (CONTINUED) BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM FAIR CREDIT REPORTING (REGULATION V) Affiliate Marketing § 222.28... using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if...

12 CFR 334.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 334.28 Section 334.28 Banks and Banking FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION REGULATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF GENERAL POLICY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 334.28 Effective date...

12 CFR 571.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 571.28 Section 571.28 Banks and Banking OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 571.28 Effective date, compliance date, and...

12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

75 FR 37384 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-29

..., semiconducting and magnetic nanosized materials and their assembled structures. Justification for Duty-Free Entry... California, Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: Elionix...

21 CFR 888.5980 - Manual cast application and removal instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Manual cast application and removal instrument. 888.5980 Section 888.5980 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.5980 Manual cast application...

21 CFR 888.5980 - Manual cast application and removal instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Manual cast application and removal instrument. 888.5980 Section 888.5980 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.5980 Manual cast application...

21 CFR 888.5980 - Manual cast application and removal instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Manual cast application and removal instrument. 888.5980 Section 888.5980 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.5980 Manual cast application...

21 CFR 888.5980 - Manual cast application and removal instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Manual cast application and removal instrument. 888.5980 Section 888.5980 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.5980 Manual cast application...

Comparison of Accuracy between Side-Cutting Instruments and Front-Cutting Instruments in Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty.

PubMed

Pinsornsak, Piya; Harnroongroj, Thos

2016-11-01

The specialized instrument system used in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been developed for reducing soft tissue trauma in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Compared with front-cutting MIS instruments, side-cutting quadriceps sparing MIS instruments have the advantage of creating a smaller incision and causing fewer traumas to the quadriceps tendon. However, the accuracy of side-cutting instruments concerns surgeons in prosthesis malalignment. To compare the accuracy of side-cutting quadriceps sparing instruments versus front-cutting instruments in MIS-TKA. In this prospective randomized controlled study, we compared the accuracy of side-cutting quadriceps sparing instruments versus the front-cutting instruments used in MIS-TKA. Sixty knees were included in the study, with 30 knees in each group. All the operations were performed by single surgeon. Coronal alignment (tibiofemoral angle, lateral distal femoral angle, and medial proximal tibial angle), and sagittal alignment (femoral component flexion and tibial posterior slope) were measured and compared. Tibiofemoral angle, lateral distal femoral angle, and medial proximal tibial angle, all of which are considered in the assessment of acceptable coronal radiographic alignment, were not different between groups (p = 0.353, 0.500, and 0.177, respectively). However, side-cutting quadriceps sparing instruments produced less acceptable sagittal radiographic alignment, femoral component flexion (63% vs. 93%, p = 0.005), and tibial posterior slope (73% vs. 93%, p = 0.04). Side-cutting quadriceps sparing MIS-TKA instruments had similar accuracy to front-cutting MIS-TKA instruments for coronal alignment but is less accurate for sagittal alignment.

76 FR 29725 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-23

.... Manufacturer: FEI Company, Brno, Czech Republic. Intended Use: The instrument will be used to study polymers... construction; lubricated components in automotives; and electrode materials in lithium ion batteries...

75 FR 53271 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-31

... invite comments on the question of whether instruments of equivalent scientific value, for the purposes... structure of biological macromolecules, which will be observed under cryogenic conditions. Justification for...

77 FR 25960 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-02

... invite comments on the question of whether instruments of equivalent scientific value, for the purposes... imaging biological and other materials samples. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no...

Instrument performance enhancement and modification through an extended instrument paradigm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahan, Stephen Lee

An extended instrument paradigm is proposed, developed and shown in various applications. The CBM (Chin, Blass, Mahan) method is an extension to the linear systems model of observing systems. In the most obvious and practical application of image enhancement of an instrument characterized by a time-invariant instrumental response function, CBM can be used to enhance images or spectra through a simple convolution application of the CBM filter for a resolution improvement of as much as a factor of two. The CBM method can be used in many applications. We discuss several within this work including imaging through turbulent atmospheres, or what we've called Adaptive Imaging. Adaptive Imaging provides an alternative approach for the investigator desiring results similar to those obtainable with adaptive optics, however on a minimal budget. The CBM method is also used in a backprojected filtered image reconstruction method for Positron Emission Tomography. In addition, we can use information theoretic methods to aid in the determination of model instrumental response function parameters for images having an unknown origin. Another application presented herein involves the use of the CBM method for the determination of the continuum level of a Fourier transform spectrometer observation of ethylene, which provides a means for obtaining reliable intensity measurements in an automated manner. We also present the application of CBM to hyperspectral image data of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact with Jupiter taken with an acousto-optical tunable filter equipped CCD camera to an adaptive optics telescope.

Advantages of a Lunar Cryogenic Astronomical Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burke, James; Kaltenegger, Lisa

2017-04-01

ESA and collaborating agencies are preparing to establish a Moon Village at a south polar site. Robotic precursor missions will include resource prospecting in permanently shadowed cold traps. The environment there is favorable for infrared and millimeter-wave astronomy. In this paper we examine the evolutionary development of a cryogenic observatory, beginning with small telescopes robotically installed and operated in conjunction with prospecting precursor missions, and continuing into later phases supported from the Moon Village. Relay communications into and out of the cold traps may be shared or else provided by dedicated links. Candidate locations can be selected with the help of data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The first telescope will be primarily a proof-of-concept demonstrator but it can have scientific and applications uses too, supplementing other space-based survey instruments observing astrophysical objects and potentially hazardous asteroids and comets. A south polar site sees only half or the sky but that half includes the galactic center and many other interesting targets. The telescopes can stare at any object for as long as desired, providing monitoring capabilities for transiting or radial velocity planet searches, like NASA's TESS mission. In addition such telescopes are opening the prospect of gathering spectroscopic data on exoplanet atmospheres and cool stars - from UV information to assess the activity of a star to VIS to IR spectral data of the atmosphere and even atmospheric biosignatures. Preliminary design of the first telescope might be funded under a NASA call for lunar science payload concepts. An important additional product can be educational and outreach uses of the observatory, especially for the benefit of people in the developing world who can do southern hemisphere follow-up observations.

Instrumentation | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Instrumentation [accordion collapsed] Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectroscopy Instrument: J-1500 CD Spectrophotometer (Jasco) Applications: Conformational analysis of biomolecules Protein thermal stability Binding studies Major Specifications:

Design and implementation of the mobility assessment tool: software description

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background In previous work, we described the development of an 81-item video-animated tool for assessing mobility. In response to criticism levied during a pilot study of this tool, we sought to develop a new version built upon a flexible framework for designing and administering the instrument. Results Rather than constructing a self-contained software application with a hard-coded instrument, we designed an XML schema capable of describing a variety of psychometric instruments. The new version of our video-animated assessment tool was then defined fully within the context of a compliant XML document. Two software applications—one built in Java, the other in Objective-C for the Apple iPad—were then built that could present the instrument described in the XML document and collect participants’ responses. Separating the instrument’s definition from the software application implementing it allowed for rapid iteration and easy, reliable definition of variations. Conclusions Defining instruments in a software-independent XML document simplifies the process of defining instruments and variations and allows a single instrument to be deployed on as many platforms as there are software applications capable of interpreting the instrument, thereby broadening the potential target audience for the instrument. Continued work will be done to further specify and refine this type of instrument specification with a focus on spurring adoption by researchers in gerontology and geriatric medicine. PMID:23879716

Life Sciences Research Facility automation requirements and concepts for the Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rasmussen, Daryl N.

1986-01-01

An evaluation is made of the methods and preliminary results of a study on prospects for the automation of the NASA Space Station's Life Sciences Research Facility. In order to remain within current Space Station resource allocations, approximately 85 percent of planned life science experiment tasks must be automated; these tasks encompass specimen care and feeding, cage and instrument cleaning, data acquisition and control, sample analysis, waste management, instrument calibration, materials inventory and management, and janitorial work. Task automation will free crews for specimen manipulation, tissue sampling, data interpretation and communication with ground controllers, and experiment management.

Minding the MeV gap: The indirect detection of low mass dark matter

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

Boddy, Kimberly K.; Kumar, Jason, E-mail: jkumar@hawaii.edu

2016-06-21

We consider the prospects for the indirect detection of low mass dark matter which couples dominantly to quarks. If the center of mass energy is below about 280 MeV, the kinematically allowed final states will be dominated by photons and neutral pions, producing striking signatures at gamma ray telescopes. In fact, an array of new instruments have been proposed, which would greatly improve sensitivity to photons in this energy range. We find that planned instruments can improve on current sensitivity to dark matter models of this type by up to a few orders of magnitude.

Prospects for altimetry and scatterometry in the 90's. [satellite oceanography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, W. F.

1985-01-01

Current NASA plans for altimetry and scatterometry of the oceans using spaceborne instrumentation are outlined. The data of interest covers geostrophic and wind-driven circulation, heat content, the horizontal heat flux of the ocean, and the interactions between atmosphere and ocean and ocean and climate. A proposed TOPEX satellite is to be launched in 1991, carrying a radar altimeter to measure the ocean surface topography. Employing dual-wavelength operation would furnish ionospheric correction data. Multibeam instruments could also be flown on the multiple-instrument polar orbiting platforms comprising the Earth Observation System. A microwave radar scatterometer, which functions on the basis of Bragg scattering of microwave energy off of wavelets, would operate at various view angles and furnish wind speeds accurate to 1.5 m/sec and directions accurate to 20 deg.

Investigating inhibition of microbes inducing microbiologically-influenced-corrosion by Tectona grandis based Fe-nanoparticle material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okeniyi, Joshua Olusegun; Omotosho, Olugbenga Adeshola; Inyang, Michael Anietie; Okeniyi, Elizabeth Toyin; Nwaokorie, Ikechi Thaddeus; Adidi, Emmanuel Amanogho; Owoeye, Taiwo Felicia; Nwakudu, Kelechukwu Chinedu; Akinlabu, Deborah Kehinde; Gabriel, Olanrewaju Oyewale; Taiwo, Olugbenga Samson; Awotoye, Olufisayo Adebola

2017-02-01

In this paper, inhibition of microbes inducing microbiologically-influenced-corrosion (MIC) of metals by Tectona grandis based Fe (iron) Nanoparticle material was investigated. For this, extract was obtained from the leaf of Tectona grandis and this was employed as precursor for synthesizing the Fe-nanoparticle material. From this, the synthesized plant extract based nanoparticle material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM+EDS) instrument. The developed Fe bio-nanoparticle material was then employed for sensitivity and/or resistance study application against different strains of microbes that are known to induce microbiologically-influenced-corrosion, in metallic materials, and for this, microbial growth inhibition effect was compared with that from a commercial antibiotic employed as control. Results showed that the Tectona grandis based Fe-nanoparticle exhibited good inhibition effects on the growth of many of the MIC inducing microbes investigated. Sensitivity measures of zone of inhibition against the growth of MIC inducing microbial strains either outperformed or compares well with that obtained from the commercial antibiotic control, in the study. These results indicate positive prospect on the suitability of Fe bio-nanoparticle for corrosion inhibition applications for the protection of metals against microbiological corrosion influencing environment.

Humidity Sensors Principle, Mechanism, and Fabrication Technologies: A Comprehensive Review

PubMed Central

Farahani, Hamid; Wagiran, Rahman; Hamidon, Mohd Nizar

2014-01-01

Humidity measurement is one of the most significant issues in various areas of applications such as instrumentation, automated systems, agriculture, climatology and GIS. Numerous sorts of humidity sensors fabricated and developed for industrial and laboratory applications are reviewed and presented in this article. The survey frequently concentrates on the RH sensors based upon their organic and inorganic functional materials, e.g., porous ceramics (semiconductors), polymers, ceramic/polymer and electrolytes, as well as conduction mechanism and fabrication technologies. A significant aim of this review is to provide a distinct categorization pursuant to state of the art humidity sensor types, principles of work, sensing substances, transduction mechanisms, and production technologies. Furthermore, performance characteristics of the different humidity sensors such as electrical and statistical data will be detailed and gives an added value to the report. By comparison of overall prospects of the sensors it was revealed that there are still drawbacks as to efficiency of sensing elements and conduction values. The flexibility offered by thick film and thin film processes either in the preparation of materials or in the choice of shape and size of the sensor structure provides advantages over other technologies. These ceramic sensors show faster response than other types. PMID:24784036

From Present Surveying to Future Prospecting of the Asteroid Belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, P. E.; Curtis, S. A.; Rilee, M.; Cheung, C.

2004-03-01

Requirements are analyzed for application of future mission architecture, the Autonomous Nano-Technology Swarm (ANTS), to proposed in situ prospecting, of the asteroid belt, the Prospecting Asteroid Mission (PAM) as part of a NASA 2003 Revolutionary Aerospace Concept (RASC) study.

78 FR 52760 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-26

... platforms based on self- assembled DNA nanostructures for studying cell biology. DNA nanostructures will be..., the Netherlands. Intended Use: The instrument will be used to observe and understand physical and...

Measurement technology: A compilation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

Technical information is presented on measurement techniques and instruments, measurement applications for inspection activities, measurement sensors, and data conversion methods. Photographs or diagrams are included for each instrument or method described, and where applicable, patent information is given.

Artificial intelligence programming with LabVIEW: genetic algorithms for instrumentation control and optimization.

PubMed

Moore, J H

1995-06-01

A genetic algorithm for instrumentation control and optimization was developed using the LabVIEW graphical programming environment. The usefulness of this methodology for the optimization of a closed loop control instrument is demonstrated with minimal complexity and the programming is presented in detail to facilitate its adaptation to other LabVIEW applications. Closed loop control instruments have variety of applications in the biomedical sciences including the regulation of physiological processes such as blood pressure. The program presented here should provide a useful starting point for those wishing to incorporate genetic algorithm approaches to LabVIEW mediated optimization of closed loop control instruments.

Photovoltaic remote instrument applications: Assessment of the near-term market

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosenblum, L.; Scudder, L. R.; Poley, W. A.; Bifano, W. J.

1977-01-01

A preliminary assessment of the near term market for photovoltaic remote instrument applications is presented. Among the potential users, two market sectors are considered: government and private. However, the majority of the remote systems studied are operated by or for the federal, state, or local governments. Environmental monitoring and surveillance remote instrument systems are discussed. Based on information obtained in this preliminary market survey, a domestic, civilian market of at least 1.3 MW sub pk is forecast for remote instrument systems. This estimate is exclusive of several potentially large scale markets for remote instruments which are identified but for which no hard data is available.

Hybrid Atom Electrostatic System for Satellite Geodesy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zahzam, Nassim; Bidel, Yannick; Bresson, Alexandre; Huynh, Phuong-Anh; Liorzou, Françoise; Lebat, Vincent; Foulon, Bernard; Christophe, Bruno

2017-04-01

The subject of this poster comes within the framework of new concepts identification and development for future satellite gravity missions, in continuation of previously launched space missions CHAMP, GRACE, GOCE and ongoing and prospective studies like NGGM, GRACE 2 or E-GRASP. We were here more focused on the inertial sensors that complete the payload of such satellites. The clearly identified instruments for space accelerometry are based on the electrostatic technology developed for many years by ONERA and that offer a high level of performance and a high degree of maturity for space applications. On the other hand, a new generation of sensors based on cold atom interferometry (AI) is emerging and seems very promising in this context. These atomic instruments have already demonstrated on ground impressive results, especially with the development of state-of-the-art gravimeters, and should reach their full potential only in space, where the microgravity environment allows long interaction times. Each of these two types of instruments presents their own advantages which are, for the electrostatic sensors (ES), their demonstrated short term sensitivity and their high TRL, and for AI, amongst others, the absolute nature of the measurement and therefore no need for calibration processes. These two technologies seem in some aspects very complementary and a hybrid sensor bringing together all their assets could be the opportunity to take a big step in this context of gravity space missions. We present here the first experimental association on ground of an electrostatic accelerometer and an atomic accelerometer and underline the interest of calibrating the ES instrument with the AI. Some technical methods using the ES proof-mass as the Raman Mirror seem very promising to remove rotation effects of the satellite on the AI signal. We propose a roadmap to explore further in details and more rigorously this attractive hybridization scheme in order to assess its potential for a future geodesy space mission with theoretical and experimental work.

Validity of the stroke rehabilitation assessment of movement scale in acute rehabilitation: a comparison with the functional independence measure and stroke impact scale-16.

PubMed

Ward, Irene; Pivko, Susan; Brooks, Gary; Parkin, Kate

2011-11-01

To demonstrate sensitivity to change of the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM) as well as the concurrent and predictive validity of the STREAM in an acute rehabilitation setting. Prospective cohort study. Acute, in-patient rehabilitation department within a tertiary-care teaching hospital in the United States. Thirty adults with a newly diagnosed, first ischemic stroke. Clinical assessments were conducted on admission and then again on discharge from the rehabilitation hospital with the STREAM (total STREAM and upper extremity, lower extremity, and mobility subscales), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Stroke Impact Scale-16 (SIS-16). Sensitivity to change was determined with the Wilcoxon signed rank test and by the calculation of standardized response means. Spearman correlations were used to assess concurrent validity of the total STREAM and STREAM subscales with the FIM and SIS-16 on admission and discharge. We determined predictive validity for all instruments by correlating admission scores with actual and predicted length of stay and by testing associations between admission scores and discharge destination (home vs subacute facility). Not applicable. For all instruments, there was statistically significant improvement from admission to discharge. The standardized response means for the total STREAM and STREAM subscales were large. Spearman correlations between the total STREAM and STREAM subscales and the FIM and SIS-16 were moderate to excellent, both on admission and discharge. Among change scores, only the SIS-16 correlated with the total STREAM. All 3 instruments were significantly associated with discharge destination; however, the associations were strongest for the total STREAM and STREAM subscales. All instruments showed moderate-to-excellent correlations with predicted and actual length of stay. The STREAM is sensitive to change and demonstrates good concurrent and predictive validity as compared with the FIM and SIS-16 in the acute inpatient rehabilitation population. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Casual instrument corrections for short-period and broadband seismometers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Haney, Matthew M.; Power, John; West, Michael; Michaels, Paul

2012-01-01

Of all the filters applied to recordings of seismic waves, which include source, path, and site effects, the one we know most precisely is the instrument filter. Therefore, it behooves seismologists to accurately remove the effect of the instrument from raw seismograms. Applying instrument corrections allows analysis of the seismogram in terms of physical units (e.g., displacement or particle velocity of the Earth’s surface) instead of the output of the instrument (e.g., digital counts). The instrument correction can be considered the most fundamental processing step in seismology since it relates the raw data to an observable quantity of interest to seismologists. Complicating matters is the fact that, in practice, the term “instrument correction” refers to more than simply the seismometer. The instrument correction compensates for the complete recording system including the seismometer, telemetry, digitizer, and any anti‐alias filters. Knowledge of all these components is necessary to perform an accurate instrument correction. The subject of instrument corrections has been covered extensively in the literature (Seidl, 1980; Scherbaum, 1996). However, the prospect of applying instrument corrections still evokes angst among many seismologists—the authors of this paper included. There may be several reasons for this. For instance, the seminal paper by Seidl (1980) exists in a journal that is not currently available in electronic format and cannot be accessed online. Also, a standard method for applying instrument corrections involves the programs TRANSFER and EVALRESP in the Seismic Analysis Code (SAC) package (Goldstein et al., 2003). The exact mathematical methods implemented in these codes are not thoroughly described in the documentation accompanying SAC.

Advances in Miniaturized Instruments for Genomics

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

In recent years, a lot of demonstrations of the miniaturized instruments were reported for genomic applications. They provided the advantages of miniaturization, automation, sensitivity, and specificity for the development of point-of-care diagnostics. The aim of this paper is to report on recent developments on miniaturized instruments for genomic applications. Based on the mature development of microfabrication, microfluidic systems have been demonstrated for various genomic detections. Since one of the objectives of miniaturized instruments is for the development of point-of-care device, impedimetric detection is found to be a promising technique for this purpose. An in-depth discussion of the impedimetric circuits and systems will be included to provide total consideration of the miniaturized instruments and their potential application towards real-time portable imaging in the “-omics” era. The current excellent demonstrations suggest a solid foundation for the development of practical and widespread point-of-care genomic diagnostic devices. PMID:25114919

Compact, Automated, Frequency-Agile Microspectrofluorimeter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandez, Salvador M.; Guignon, Ernest F.

1995-01-01

Compact, reliable, rugged, automated cell-culture and frequency-agile microspectrofluorimetric apparatus developed to perform experiments involving photometric imaging observations of single live cells. In original application, apparatus operates mostly unattended aboard spacecraft; potential terrestrial applications include automated or semiautomated diagnosis of pathological tissues in clinical laboratories, biomedical instrumentation, monitoring of biological process streams, and portable instrumentation for testing biological conditions in various environments. Offers obvious advantages over present laboratory instrumentation.

76 FR 39070 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-05

... Importation Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89-651, as amended by Pub. L. 106-36; 80 Stat. 897; 15 CFR part 301), we.... Applicant: Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118. Instrument: Field-emission...: June 15, 2011. Dated: June 28, 2011. Gregory W. Campbell, Director, Subsidies Enforcement Office...

Superconducting RF, the History, Challenges and Promise

ScienceCinema

Padamsee, Hasan

2018-01-01

After a short survey of on-going accelerator applications, I will discuss future applications prospects for this enabling technology, both near term and long term. A selection of technology highlights will serve as an introduction to outstanding issues for all types of applications, from pulsed high gradient to CW medium gradient. Finally I will touch upon the limits of niobium and the prospects of new materials. The talk will be targeted at a general audience.

[The application of the prospective space-time statistic in early warning of infectious disease].

PubMed

Yin, Fei; Li, Xiao-Song; Feng, Zi-Jian; Ma, Jia-Qi

2007-06-01

To investigate the application of prospective space-time scan statistic in the early stage of detecting infectious disease outbreaks. The prospective space-time scan statistic was tested by mimicking daily prospective analyses of bacillary dysentery data of Chengdu city in 2005 (3212 cases in 102 towns and villages). And the results were compared with that of purely temporal scan statistic. The prospective space-time scan statistic could give specific messages both in spatial and temporal. The results of June indicated that the prospective space-time scan statistic could timely detect the outbreaks that started from the local site, and the early warning message was powerful (P = 0.007). When the merely temporal scan statistic for detecting the outbreak was sent two days later, and the signal was less powerful (P = 0.039). The prospective space-time scan statistic could make full use of the spatial and temporal information in infectious disease data and could timely and effectively detect the outbreaks that start from the local sites. The prospective space-time scan statistic could be an important tool for local and national CDC to set up early detection surveillance systems.

14 CFR 33.29 - Instrument connection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... must make provision for the installation of instrumentation necessary to ensure operation in compliance... other requirement, dependence is placed on instrumentation that is not otherwise mandatory in the assumed aircraft installation, then the applicant must specify this instrumentation in the engine...

14 CFR 33.29 - Instrument connection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... must make provision for the installation of instrumentation necessary to ensure operation in compliance... other requirement, dependence is placed on instrumentation that is not otherwise mandatory in the assumed aircraft installation, then the applicant must specify this instrumentation in the engine...

14 CFR 33.29 - Instrument connection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... must make provision for the installation of instrumentation necessary to ensure operation in compliance... other requirement, dependence is placed on instrumentation that is not otherwise mandatory in the assumed aircraft installation, then the applicant must specify this instrumentation in the engine...

14 CFR 33.29 - Instrument connection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... must make provision for the installation of instrumentation necessary to ensure operation in compliance... other requirement, dependence is placed on instrumentation that is not otherwise mandatory in the assumed aircraft installation, then the applicant must specify this instrumentation in the engine...

76 FR 38608 - Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee;

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-01

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory... of export controls applicable to sensors and instrumentation equipment and technology. Agenda Public...

Instrument pointing system applicability and orbiter stabilization for EVAL missions. Application studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spector, V. A.

1977-01-01

Related aspect of the Earth Viewing Applications Laboratory (EVAL) shuttle missions were investigated. The applicability of the gimballed Instrument Pointing System (IPS) to EVAL missions by comparing the IPS capabilities with the EVAL requirements was evaluated, and a means of stabilizing the shuttle orbiter attitude in earth viewing orientations for prolonged periods without use of the orbiter gas reaction control system was assessed.

Risk factors for supplementary posterior instrumentation after anterolateral decompression and instrumentation in thoracolumbar burst fractures.

PubMed

Hitchon, Patrick W; He, Wenzhuan; Dahdaleh, Nader S; Moritani, Toshio

2014-11-01

In spite of the established benefits of anterolateral decompression and instrumentation (ALDI) for thoracolumbar burst fractures (TLBF), the indications for supplementary posterior instrumentation remain unclear. A retrospective review of clinical and radiographic data of a prospective cohort of 73 patients who underwent ALDI for TLBF from T12 to L4. The mean age of the cohort was 42 ± 15 years, with 49 males and 24 females. Forty-six patients had neurological deficit, and 27 were intact. Owing to symptomatic settling, supplemental posterior instrumentation was performed in 7 out of 73 patients. The age of patients requiring supplemental posterior instrumentation (59 ± 14 years) exceeded that of patients who did not (41 ± 16, p=0.004). Otherwise, the patients who required posterior instrumentation were comparable to those treated with ALDI in terms of body mass index (BMI), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scores on admission and follow-up, residual spinal canal, and local kyphosis on admission and follow-up. The posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) integrity was assessed in 38 patients in whom the MRI scans were retrievable, 31 successfully treated with ALDI, and all 7 undergoing supplementary posterior instrumentation. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that there was no difference in the incidence of PLC disruption between the 2 groups (p=0.257). Secondary supplemental posterior instrumentation was deemed necessary in 10% of cases following ALDI. Age was the only significant risk factor predicating supplemental posterior instrumentation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prospect Theory and Coercive Bargaining

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Butler, Christopher K.

2007-01-01

Despite many applications of prospect theory's concepts to explain political and strategic phenomena, formal analyses of strategic problems using prospect theory are rare. Using Fearon's model of bargaining, Tversky and Kahneman's value function, and an existing probability weighting function, I construct a model that demonstrates the differences…

75 FR 62763 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-13

... Technology, 771 Ferst Drive, NW., School of Materials Science and Engineering, Atlanta, GA 30332-0245...: The instrument will be used to study materials in the nanometer range such as catalyzer, tissues, and...

76 FR 11200 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-01

.... Intended Use: The instrument will be used in the synthesis of cathode materials for lithium ion batteries... lithium and water can react and have fatal consequences. This batch furnace includes high distribution of...

Patient-specific instrumentation improved mechanical alignment, while early clinical outcome was comparable to conventional instrumentation in TKA.

PubMed

Anderl, Werner; Pauzenberger, Leo; Kölblinger, Roman; Kiesselbach, Gabriele; Brandl, Georg; Laky, Brenda; Kriegleder, Bernhard; Heuberer, Philipp; Schwameis, Eva

2016-01-01

The aim of this prospective study was to compare early clinical outcome, radiological limb alignment, and three-dimensional (3D)-component positioning between conventional and computed tomography (CT)-based patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) in primary mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two hundred ninety consecutive patients (300 knees) with severe, debilitating osteoarthritis scheduled for TKA were included in this study using either conventional instrumentation (CVI, n = 150) or PSI (n = 150). Patients were clinically assessed before and 2 years after surgery according to the Knee-Society-Score (KSS) and the visual-analog-scale for pain (VAS). Additionally, the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Oxford-Knee-Score (OKS) were collected at follow-up. To evaluate accuracy of CVI and PSI, hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) and 3D-component positioning were assessed on postoperative radiographs and CT. Data of 222 knees (CVI: n = 108, PSI: n = 114) were available for analysis after a mean follow-up of 28.6 ± 5.2 months. At the early follow-up, clinical outcome (KSS, VAS, WOMAC, OKS) was comparable between the two groups. Mean HKA-deviation from the targeted neutral mechanical axis (CVI: 2.2° ± 1.7°; PSI: 1.5° ± 1.4°; p < 0.001), rates of outliers (CVI: 22.2%; PSI: 9.6%; p = 0.016), and 3D-component positioning outliers were significantly lower in the PSI group. Non-outliers (HKA: 180° ± 3°) showed better clinical results than outliers at the 2-year follow-up. CT-based PSI compared with CVI improves accuracy of mechanical alignment restoration and 3D-component positioning in primary TKA. While clinical outcome was comparable between the two instrumentation groups at early follow-up, significantly inferior outcome was detected in the subgroup of HKA-outliers. Prospective comparative study, Level II.

Prospective Students' Perceptions of University Brands: An Empirical Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bennett, Roger; Ali-Choudhury, Rehnuma

2009-01-01

A model of the elements of a university brand was developed together with an instrument for measuring how favorably each of these elements was perceived by a sample of young people who were considering entering university. One hundred and ninety-eight students undertaking pre-university courses in two further education colleges in East London…

MOLA 1064nm Radiometry Measurements: Status and Prospects in Extended Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neumann, G. A.; Abshire, J. B.; Smith, D. E.; Sun, X.; Zuber, M. T.

2002-01-01

The Mars Orbiting Laser Altimeter (MOLA) instrument has measured the brightness of the Mars surface at 1064 nm in a passive mode, from background noise counts, since 1997. After ceasing altimetry collection July 2001, MOLA has taken >50 million high-resolution radiometer observations. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Teacher Efficacy Scale for Prospective Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Denzine, Gypsy M.; Cooney, John B.; McKenzie, Rita

2005-01-01

Background: Research on teacher self-efficacy has revealed substantive problems concerning the validity of instruments used to measure teacher self-efficacy beliefs. Although claims about the influence of teachers' self-efficacy beliefs on student achievement, success with curriculum innovation, and so on, may be true statements, one cannot make…

The Psychosocial Problems of Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Wayne; And Others

The course of psychosocial adjustment to cancer was examined in 105 adults with cancer of the lung, breast and skin. Half of the patients received a program of systematic psychosocial rehabilitation plus evaluation, and the other half received only an evaluation, consisting of a series of psychometric instruments and a problem-oriented structured…

Occupational Competency Profile for Health Occupations Education Program: Health Agency Assessment. Information Series: Report No. 10.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walters, Norma J.

This assessment instrument is intended to provide health occupations teachers and state departments of education with information needed to revise and improve the curriculum used in training prospective health occupations teachers and in updating certification requirements for practicing health care professionals. The profile lists the…

The Shrub Sciences Laboratory at 25 Years: Retrospective and prospective

Treesearch

E. Durant McArthur

2001-01-01

The Shrub Sciences Laboratory celebrated its 25th anniversary with the symposium documented by these proceedings and a ceremony honoring people instrumental in its establishment: Mr. A. Perry Plummer represented Forest Service Research and Development and Dr. Howard C. Stutz represented Brigham Young University. The laboratory came into being because of the research...

Current Trends, Challenges and Prospects of Student Mobility in the African Higher Education Landscape

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woldegiorgis, Emnet Tadesse; Doevenspeck, Martin

2015-01-01

Since the 1990s, the development in the international dimension of higher education including student/scholar mobility, regional and international research networks and initiatives have brought new opportunities for African higher education to be incorporated in the global knowledge production and circulation processes. One of the instruments of…

Construction and validation of the chronic acquired polyneuropathy patient-reported index, “CAP-PRI:” a disease-specific, health-related quality of life instrument

PubMed Central

Gwathmey, Kelly G.; Conaway, Mark R.; Seyedsadjadi, Reza; Joshi, Amruta; Barnett, Carolina; Bril, Vera; Ng, Eduardo; David, William; Gable, Karissa; Guptill, Jeffrey T.; Hobson-Webb, Lisa D.; Dineen, Jennifer; Hehir, Michael; Brannagan, Thomas H.; Byun, Esther; Adler, Margaret; Burns, Ted M.

2016-01-01

Introduction Generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) patient-reported outcome measures have been used in patients with chronic immune-mediated polyneuropathies. We have created a disease-specific HRQOL instrument. Methods and Results The 15-item chronic acquired polyneuropathy patient-reported index (CAP-PRI) was developed and validated in multiple steps. Items were initially generated through patient and specialist input. The performance of the preliminary 20 items was analyzed from a prospective, 5-center study involving chronic immune-mediated polyneuropathy patients. Data analysis suggested modification to a 15-item scale with 3 response categories, rather than 5. The final CAP-PRI was then validated in another prospective, 5-center study. The CAP-PRI appeared to be a unidimensional outcome measure that fits the Rasch Partial Credit Model in our multicenter cohort. It correlated appropriately with the outcome measures commonly used in this patient population. Discussion The CAP-PRI is a simple, easy, disease-specific HRQOL measure that appears to be useful for clinical care and possibly also for clinical trials. PMID:26600438

The Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form (MFSAF): An Evidence-based Brief Inventory to Measure Quality of Life and Symptomatic Response to Treatment in Myelofibrosis

PubMed Central

Mesa, Ruben A.; Schwager, Susan; Radia, Deepti; Cheville, Andrea; Hussein, Kebede; Niblack, Joyce; Pardanani, Animesh D.; Steensma, David P.; Litzow, Mark R.; Rivera, Candido E.; Camoriano, John; Verstovsek, Srdan; Sloan, Jeffrey; Harrison, Claire; Kantarjian, Hagop; Tefferi, Ayalew

2015-01-01

Quality of life (QoL) in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) is severely compromised by severe constitutional symptoms (i.e. fatigue, night sweats, fever, weight loss), pruritus, and symptoms from frequently massive hepatosplenomegaly. Given that no current instrument of patient reported outcomes (PRO) exists that covers the unique spectrum of symptomatology seen in MF patients, we sought to develop a new PRO instrument for MF patients for use in therapeutic clinical trials. Utilizing data from an international internet based survey of 458 patients with MF we created a 20 item instrument (MFSAF: Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form) which measures the symptoms reported by >10% of MF patients, and includes a measure of QoL. We subsequently validated the MFSAF in a prospective trial of MF patients involving patient and provider feedback, as well as comparison to other validated instruments used in cancer patients. The MFSAF results were highly correlated with other instruments, judged comprehensive and understandable by patients, and should be considered for evaluation of MF symptoms in therapeutic trials. PMID:19250674

Measurement Issues: Screening and diagnostic instruments for autism spectrum disorders – lessons from research and practice

PubMed Central

Charman, Tony; Gotham, Katherine

2012-01-01

Background and Scope Significant progress has been made over the past two decades in the development of screening and diagnostic instruments for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This article reviews this progress, including recent innovations, focussing on those instruments for which the strongest research data on validity exists, and then turns to addressing issues arising from their use in clinical settings. Findings Research studies have evaluated the ability of screens to prospectively identify cases of ASD in population-based and clinically-referred samples, as well as the accuracy of diagnostic instruments to map onto ‘gold standard’ clinical best estimate diagnosis. However, extension of the findings to clinical services must be done with caution, with a full understanding that instrument properties are sample-specific. Furthermore, we are limited by the lack of a true test for ASD, which remains a behaviourally-defined disorder. In addition screening and diagnostic instruments help clinicians least in the cases where they are most in want of direction, since their accuracy will always be lower for marginal cases. Conclusion Instruments help clinicians to collect detailed, structured information and increase accuracy and reliability of referral for in-depth assessment and recommendations for support, but further research is needed to refine their effective use in clinical settings. PMID:23539140

Development and evaluation of an instrument for assessing brief behavioral change interventions.

PubMed

Strayer, Scott M; Martindale, James R; Pelletier, Sandra L; Rais, Salehin; Powell, Jon; Schorling, John B

2011-04-01

To develop an observational coding instrument for evaluating the fidelity and quality of brief behavioral change interventions based on the behavioral theories of the 5 A's, Stages of Change and Motivational Interviewing. Content and face validity were assessed prior to an intervention where psychometric properties were evaluated with a prospective cohort of 116 medical students. Properties assessed included the inter-rater reliability of the instrument, internal consistency of the full scale and sub-scales and descriptive statistics of the instrument. Construct validity was assessed based on student's scores. Inter-rater reliability for the instrument was 0.82 (intraclass correlation). Internal consistency for the full scale was 0.70 (KR20). Internal consistencies for the sub-scales were as follows: MI intervention component (KR20=.7); stage-appropriate MI-based intervention (KR20=.55); MI spirit (KR20=.5); appropriate assessment (KR20=.45) and appropriate assisting (KR20=.56). The instrument demonstrated good inter-rater reliability and moderate overall internal consistency when used to assess performing brief behavioral change interventions by medical students. This practical instrument can be used with minimal training and demonstrates promising psychometric properties when evaluated with medical students counseling standardized patients. Further testing is required to evaluate its usefulness in clinical settings. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Informing practice regarding marginalization: the application of the Koci Marginality Index.

PubMed

Koci, Anne Floyd; McFarlane, Judith; Nava, Angeles; Gilroy, Heidi; Maddoux, John

2012-12-01

The 49th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared violence as the leading worldwide public health problem with a focus on the increase in the incidence of injuries to women. Violence against women is an international epidemic with specific instruments required to measure the impact on women's functioning. This article describes the application of the Koci Marginality Index (KMI), a 5-item scale to measure marginality, to the baseline data of a seven-year prospective study of 300 abused women: 150 first time users of a shelter and 150 first time applicants for a protection order from the justice system. Validity and reliability of the Koci Marginality Index and its usefulness for best clinical practice and for policy decisions for abused women's health are discussed. The 49th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared violence as the leading worldwide public health problem and focused on the increase in the incidence of injuries to women (Krug et al., 2002 ). Violence against women in the form of intimate partner violence (IPV) is costly in terms of dollars and health. In the United States in 2003, estimated costs of IPV approached $8.3 billion (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). Outcomes related to severity of IPV vary but in 2003 victims suffering severe IPV lost nearly 8 million days of paid work, and greater than 5 million days of household productivity annually (CDC, 2011). Besides the evident financial cost of IPV, research confirms that exposure to IPV impacts a woman's health immediately and in the long-term (Breiding, Black, & Ryan, 2008 ; Campbell, 2002 ; CDC, 2011). Such sequela adversely affect the health of women and may increase their marginalization, a concept akin to isolation that may further increase negative effects on health outcomes. Immigrant women are at high risk for IPV (Erez, 2002 ) and those without documentation are at higher risk for marginalization (Montalvo-Liendo, Koci, McFarlane, Nava, Gilroy, & Maddoux, 2012). This paper explores marginality with reference to IPV and the development and application of an instrument to measure marginality.

Comparison of the effect of two endodontic irrigation protocols on the elimination of bacteria from root canal system: a prospective, randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Beus, Christopher; Safavi, Kamran; Stratton, Jeffrey; Kaufman, Blythe

2012-11-01

The purpose of this prospective, randomized clinical study was to compare the results of a nonactivated single-irrigation protocol (NAI) that used only 1% NaOCl with a passive ultrasonic multi-irrigation protocol (PUI) that used 1% NaOCl, 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and 2% chlorhexidine in rendering canals bacteria free. In addition, the effect of a second-visit instrumentation after intra-appointment calcium hydroxide (CaOH(2)) was also evaluated in bacterial elimination. Fifty patients were recruited with a posterior tooth requiring primary endodontic treatment of apical periodontitis. Standard nonsurgical endodontic therapy was performed on both groups in a 2-visit approach by using calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament. Teeth were randomly treated with the NAI or PUI protocols in the first visit after complete instrumentation. Bacterial cultures were obtained at 4 periods during treatment from the canals: (1) before instrumentation, (2) after irrigation protocol, (3) after CaOH(2) medication, and (4) before obturation. Statistical analysis was performed on data by using the Fisher exact test and multivariate analysis. NAI and PUI rendered canals 80% and 84% bacteria free, respectively, at the end of the first visit. After CaOH(2) medication the total sample (NAI + PUI) had increased to 87% bacteria free, and the second-visit instrumentation resulted in a total of 91% bacteria free. These differences were not significant (P > .05). There was no statistical difference between irrigation methods. Each protocol resulted in a high frequency of negative cultures. This high frequency of negative cultures obtained in 1 visit is most likely related to an increased volume and depth of irrigation compared with previously reported protocols. Copyright © 2012 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Predictors of serum chromium levels after stainless steel posterior spinal instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

PubMed

Rackham, Matthew D; Cundy, Thomas P; Antoniou, Georgia; Freeman, Brian J C; Sutherland, Leanne M; Cundy, Peter J

2010-04-20

Prospective cohort study. To determine the predictors of serum chromium levels after stainless steel posterior spinal instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Abnormally elevated serum chromium levels have been detected in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after stainless steel instrumentation. To date, the relationship among serum chromium levels, time of implantation, and implant characteristics (including surface area, rod length, numbers of hooks, screws, and cross connectors) has not been studied. Thirty patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior instrumented spinal arthrodesis using stainless steel implants between 1998 and 2002 were prospectively studied. Serum chromium levels were measured between October 2006 and June 2007. Postoperative radiographs were used to measure rod lengths, number of hooks, screws, cross-connectors, and cables. The surface area of each component and the total surface area for each patient were calculated. Possible associations between serum chromium levels, time of implantation, and implant characteristics were investigated. Implant exposure, whether expressed in the form of total metal implant surface area, rod length, or number of metal interfaces, was found to be positively associated with serum chromium levels. Specifically, chromium levels increased by a multiplicative factor of 1.0060 for every additional square centimeter of total metal implant surface area (P = 0.02). In addition, the chromium level was found to decrease by a multiplicative factor of 0.7766 for every additional year since surgery (P = 0.02). After adjusting for the number of years since surgery, metal implant exposure is positively associated with elevated serum chromium levels in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with stainless steel posterior spinal implants. This is the first study to identify statistically significant positive associations between specific spinal implant characteristics (other than corrosion identified by radiographs) and serum chromium levels.

Electrosurgery reduces blood loss and immediate postoperative inflammation compared to cold instruments for midline celiotomy in dogs: A randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Meakin, Lee B.; Murrell, Jo C.; Doran, Ivan C. P.; Knowles, Toby G.; Tivers, Michael S.

2017-01-01

Abstract Objectives To compare the use of an electrosurgical device with traditional cold instruments (scalpel and scissors) for midline celiotomy incision. Study design Prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. Sample population: One hundred and twenty client‐owned dogs undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods Dogs were prospectively recruited and randomized to receive electroincision or cold instrument incision. For cold incision, surgeons used basic surgical instruments including scalpel and scissors. For electroincision, surgeons only used the electrosurgical device in cutting mode. Time for the approach, blood loss, and the incision length were recorded. A blinded observer assessed pain and incision redness, swelling, and discharge at 24 and 48 hours postoperative (graded 0‐3). Owner assessment of incision healing was recorded by telephone interview. Results Blood loss during surgery was significantly lower for electroincision (mean 0.7, SD 1.7 mL) than cold incision (mean 3.0, SD 4.3 mL, P < .0001) with no significant difference in incision length or time for approach. Electroincision was associated with significantly less incision redness (cold median 1, range 0‐3; electroincision median 0, range 0‐2, P = .02) and less incision discharge (cold median 0.5 range 0‐3; electroincision median 0, range 0‐1, P = .006) at 24 hours postoperative. There was no significant difference in pain scores or incision healing in dogs receiving the two techniques. No incisional hernias were reported. A surgical site infection occurred in 1 dog (cold incision). Conclusions Electroincision for a celiotomy approach in the dog reduces blood loss, and incision redness and discharge in the immediate postoperative period without affecting the occurrence of wound complications such as infection and dehiscence (including linea alba). PMID:28314089

Concurrent and Overlapping Surgery: Perspectives from Parents of Adolescents Undergoing Spinal Posterior Instrumented Fusion for Idiopathic Scoliosis.

PubMed

Bryant, Jessica; Markes, Alexander; Woolridge, Tiana; Cerruti, Dede; Dzeng, Elizabeth; Koenig, Barbara; Diab, Mohammad

2018-06-12

Prospective cross-sectional survey. To determine the perspectives of parents of patients undergoing posterior instrumented fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) regarding simultaneous surgery and trainee participation. Simultaneous ("at the same time") surgery is under scrutiny by the public, government, payers and the medical community. The objective of this study is to determine the perspectives of parents of patients undergoing posterior instrumented fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Our goal is to inform the national conversation on this subject with real patient and family voices. A survey was prospectively administered to 31 consecutive parents of patients undergoing posterior instrumented fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at a large academic medical center. "Overlapping" was defined as simultaneity during "noncritical" parts of an operation. "Concurrent" was defined as simultaneity that includes "critical" part(s) of an operation. Participants were asked to provide levels of agreement with overlapping and concurrent surgery and anesthesia, as well as with trainee involvement. On average, respondents "strongly agree" with the need to be informed about overlapping or concurrent surgery. They "disagree" with both overlapping and concurrent scheduling, and "disagree" with trainees operating without direct supervision, even for "non-critical" parts. Informing parents about the presence of a back-up surgeon or research demonstrating safety of simultaneous surgery did not make them agreeable to simultaneous scheduling. Parents have a strong desire to be informed of simultaneous spinal surgery as part of consent on behalf of their children. Their disagreement with simultaneous surgery, as well as with trainees operating without direct supervision, suggests discordance with current guidelines and practice and should inform the national conversation moving forward. N/A.

[The present study situation and application prospect of nail analysis for abused drugs].

PubMed

Chen, Hang; Xiang, Ping; Shen, Min

2010-10-01

In forensic toxicology analysis, various types of biological samples have their own special characteristics and scope of applications. In this article, the physiological structure of nails, methods for collecting and pre-processing samples, and for analyzing some poisons and drugs in the nails are reviewed with details. This paper introduces the influence factors of drug abuse of the nails. The prospects of its further applications are concluded based on the research results. Nails, as an unconventional bio-sample without general application, show great potential and advantages in forensic toxicology.

37 CFR 10.31 - Communications concerning a practitioner's services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... practitioner's services. (a) No practitioner shall with respect to any prospective business before the Office, by word, circular, letter, or advertising, with intent to defraud in any manner, deceive, mislead, or threaten any prospective applicant or other person having immediate or prospective business before the...

75 FR 12175 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-15

..., micro and nano-sized phenomena from a variety of sources. The samples will be fixed, sectioned and attached to grids to be viewed in the instrument. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no domestic...

The Communication of Opportunities and Barriers to Prospective Applicants: An Analysis of Interscholastic Athletic Administrative Job Announcements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, John J.; Whisenant, Warren A.; Pedersen, Paul M.

2007-01-01

Job announcements often work to either encourage or discourage prospective applicants. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if gender bias existed within the job announcements for interscholastic athletic administrators. The study's results revealed that over a two-year period there were 301 advertisements for positions in the state…

Progress and Prospects toward a Space-based Gravitational-Wave Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, John

2012-01-01

Over the last few years there has been much activity in the effort to produce a space-based gravitational-wave observatory. These efforts have enriched the understanding of the scientific capabilities of such an observatory leading to broad recognition of its value as an astronomical instrument. At the same time, rapidly developing events in the US and Europe have lead to a more complicated outlook than the baseline Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) project plan of a few years ago. I will discuss recent progress and developments resulting from the European eLISA study and the SGO study in the US and prospects looking forward.

Optical Science: Deploying Technical Concepts and Engaging Participation through Digital Storytelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, R. G.; Berry, K.; Arrigo, J.; Hooper, R. P.

2013-12-01

Technical 'hands-on' training workshops are designed to bring together scientists, technicians, and program managers from universities, government agencies, and the private sector to discuss methods used and advances made in instrumentation and data analysis. Through classroom lectures and discussions combined with a field-day component, hands-on workshop participants get a 'full life cycle' perspective from instrumentation concepts and deployment to data analysis. Using film to document this process is becoming increasingly more popular, allowing scientists to add a story-telling component to their research. With the availability of high-quality and low priced professional video equipment and editing software, scientists are becoming digital storytellers. The science video developed from the 'hands-on' workshop, Optical Water Quality Sensors for Nutrients: Concepts, Deployment, and Analysis, encapsulates the objectives of technical training workshops for participants. Through the use of still photography, video, interviews, and sound, the short video, An Introduction to CUAHSI's Hands-on Workshops, produced by a co-instructor of the workshop acts as a multi-purpose tool. The 10-minute piece provides an overview of workshop field day activities and works to bridge the gap between classroom learning, instrumentation application and data analysis. CUAHSI 'hands-on' technical workshops have been collaboratively executed with faculty from several universities and with the U.S. Geological Survey. The video developed was designed to attract new participants to these professional development workshops, to stimulate a connection with the environment, to act as a workshop legacy resource, and also serve as a guide for prospective hands-on workshop organizers. The effective use of film and short videos in marketing scientific programs, such as technical trainings, allows scientists to visually demonstrate the technologies currently being employed and to provide a more intriguing perspective on scientific research.

Satellite remote sensing of the ocean

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fu, Lee-Lueng; Liu, W. T.; Abbott, Mark R.

1990-01-01

A concise description of the principles and applications of several selected instruments that have been utilized most frequently in remote sensing of the ocean from satellites is presented. Emphasis is placed on the current progress in oceanographic applications and the outlook of the instruments in future oceanographic satellite missions is discussed. The instruments under discussion are placed into three groups: active microwave sensors, passive ocean color and infrared sensors, and passive microwave sensors.

Standardized assessment of psychosocial factors and their influence on medically confirmed health outcomes in workers: a systematic review.

PubMed

Rosário, Susel; Fonseca, João A; Nienhaus, Albert; da Costa, José Torres

2016-01-01

Previous studies of psychosocial work factors have indicated their importance for workers' health. However, to what extent health problems can be attributed to the nature of the work environment or other psychosocial factors is not clear. No previous systematic review has used inclusion criteria based on specific medical evaluation of work-related health outcomes and the use of validated instruments for the assessment of the psychosocial (work) environment. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the evidence assessing the relationship between the psychosocial work environment and workers' health based on studies that used standardized and validated instruments to assess the psychosocial work environment and that focused on medically confirmed health outcomes. A systematic review of the literature was carried out by searching the databases PubMed, B-ON, Science Direct, Psycarticles, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection and the search engine (Google Scholar) using appropriate words for studies published from 2004 to 2014. This review follows the recommendations of the Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). Studies were included in the review if data on psychosocial validated assessment method(s) for the study population and specific medical evaluation of health-related work outcome(s) were presented. In total, the search strategy yielded 10,623 references, of which 10 studies (seven prospective cohort and three cross-sectional) met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (7/10) observed an adverse effect of poor psychosocial work factors on workers' health: 3 on sickness absence, 4 on cardiovascular diseases. The other 3 studies reported detrimental effects on sleep and on disease-associated biomarkers. A more consistent effect was observed in studies of higher methodological quality that used a prospective design jointly with the use of validated instruments for the assessment of the psychosocial (work) environment and clinical evaluation. More prospective studies are needed to assess the evidence of work-related psychosocial factors on workers´ health.

Rationale and Design of the Registry for Stones of the Kidney and Ureter (ReSKU): A Prospective Observational Registry to Study the Natural History of Urolithiasis Patients.

PubMed

Chang, Helena C; Tzou, David T; Usawachintachit, Manint; Duty, Brian D; Hsi, Ryan S; Harper, Jonathan D; Sorensen, Mathew D; Stoller, Marshall L; Sur, Roger L; Chi, Thomas

2016-12-01

Registry-based clinical research in nephrolithiasis is critical to advancing quality in urinary stone disease management and ultimately reducing stone recurrence. A need exists to develop Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant registries that comprise integrated electronic health record (EHR) data using prospectively defined variables. An EHR-based standardized patient database-the Registry for Stones of the Kidney and Ureter (ReSKU™)-was developed, and herein we describe our implementation outcomes. Interviews with academic and community endourologists in the United States, Canada, China, and Japan identified demographic, intraoperative, and perioperative variables to populate our registry. Variables were incorporated into a HIPAA-compliant Research Electronic Data Capture database linked to text prompts and registration data within the Epic EHR platform. Specific data collection instruments supporting New patient, Surgery, Postoperative, and Follow-up clinical encounters were created within Epic to facilitate automated data extraction into ReSKU. The number of variables within each instrument includes the following: New patient-60, Surgery-80, Postoperative-64, and Follow-up-64. With manual data entry, the mean times to complete each of the clinic-based instruments were (minutes) as follows: New patient-12.06 ± 2.30, Postoperative-7.18 ± 1.02, and Follow-up-8.10 ± 0.58. These times were significantly reduced with the use of ReSKU structured clinic note templates to the following: New patient-4.09 ± 1.73, Postoperative-1.41 ± 0.41, and Follow-up-0.79 ± 0.38. With automated data extraction from Epic, manual entry is obviated. ReSKU is a longitudinal prospective nephrolithiasis registry that integrates EHR data, lowering the barriers to performing high quality clinical research and quality outcome assessments in urinary stone disease.

Rationale and Design of the Registry for Stones of the Kidney and Ureter (ReSKU): A Prospective Observational Registry to Study the Natural History of Urolithiasis Patients

PubMed Central

Chang, Helena C.; Tzou, David T.; Usawachintachit, Manint; Duty, Brian D.; Hsi, Ryan S.; Harper, Jonathan D.; Sorensen, Mathew D.; Stoller, Marshall L.; Sur, Roger L.

2016-01-01

Abstract Objectives: Registry-based clinical research in nephrolithiasis is critical to advancing quality in urinary stone disease management and ultimately reducing stone recurrence. A need exists to develop Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant registries that comprise integrated electronic health record (EHR) data using prospectively defined variables. An EHR-based standardized patient database—the Registry for Stones of the Kidney and Ureter (ReSKU™)—was developed, and herein we describe our implementation outcomes. Materials and Methods: Interviews with academic and community endourologists in the United States, Canada, China, and Japan identified demographic, intraoperative, and perioperative variables to populate our registry. Variables were incorporated into a HIPAA-compliant Research Electronic Data Capture database linked to text prompts and registration data within the Epic EHR platform. Specific data collection instruments supporting New patient, Surgery, Postoperative, and Follow-up clinical encounters were created within Epic to facilitate automated data extraction into ReSKU. Results: The number of variables within each instrument includes the following: New patient—60, Surgery—80, Postoperative—64, and Follow-up—64. With manual data entry, the mean times to complete each of the clinic-based instruments were (minutes) as follows: New patient—12.06 ± 2.30, Postoperative—7.18 ± 1.02, and Follow-up—8.10 ± 0.58. These times were significantly reduced with the use of ReSKU structured clinic note templates to the following: New patient—4.09 ± 1.73, Postoperative—1.41 ± 0.41, and Follow-up—0.79 ± 0.38. With automated data extraction from Epic, manual entry is obviated. Conclusions: ReSKU is a longitudinal prospective nephrolithiasis registry that integrates EHR data, lowering the barriers to performing high quality clinical research and quality outcome assessments in urinary stone disease. PMID:27758162

21 CFR 884.4520 - Obstetric-gynecologic general manual instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... instrument, with fiberoptic light, used to expose and illuminate the interior of the vagina. (3) A metal vaginal speculum is a metal instrument used to expose the interior of the vagina. (4) An umbilical... instrument used to introduce dressing into the uterus or vagina. (7) A vaginal applicator is an instrument...

21 CFR 884.4520 - Obstetric-gynecologic general manual instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... instrument, with fiberoptic light, used to expose and illuminate the interior of the vagina. (3) A metal vaginal speculum is a metal instrument used to expose the interior of the vagina. (4) An umbilical... instrument used to introduce dressing into the uterus or vagina. (7) A vaginal applicator is an instrument...

21 CFR 884.4520 - Obstetric-gynecologic general manual instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... instrument, with fiberoptic light, used to expose and illuminate the interior of the vagina. (3) A metal vaginal speculum is a metal instrument used to expose the interior of the vagina. (4) An umbilical... instrument used to introduce dressing into the uterus or vagina. (7) A vaginal applicator is an instrument...

21 CFR 884.4520 - Obstetric-gynecologic general manual instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... instrument, with fiberoptic light, used to expose and illuminate the interior of the vagina. (3) A metal vaginal speculum is a metal instrument used to expose the interior of the vagina. (4) An umbilical... instrument used to introduce dressing into the uterus or vagina. (7) A vaginal applicator is an instrument...

Developing a tool for systematic inclusion of non-academic factors in dental school admissions: towards building diversity in the dental workforce.

PubMed

Lopez, Naty; Self, Karl; Karnitz, Jeff

2009-12-01

This retrospective study aimed to determine the ability of a self-designed evaluation instrument to identify applicants who should be invited for an interview and to assess applications including non-academic factors in a consistent and systematic manner. The instrument was constructed using information culled from the American Dental Education Association Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) applications including academic (DAT, GPA) and non-academic qualifications (work experience, volunteer and extracurricular activities, rural and ethnic background, essays). Weights were assigned to each item assessed. Using applications received during the 2006 and 2007 admissions cycles, the instrument identified who should have been invited for interview. Descriptive statistics and specificity and sensitivity tests were conducted. The instrument allowed for a systematic quantitative assessment of non-academic factors that was part of the overall evaluation of applicants. Results show differences in non-academic scores of minority compared to non-minority applicants, males compared to females, and those who were offered interviews compared to those not interviewed. It is possible that some applicants who were not offered interviews could have gained a chance to be looked at more closely on a second round of review if non-academic factors were considered.

Impact of Lean on surgical instrument reduction: Less is more.

PubMed

Wannemuehler, Todd J; Elghouche, Alhasan N; Kokoska, Mimi S; Deig, Christopher R; Matt, Bruce H

2015-12-01

To determine whether instrument sets that are frequently used by multiple surgeons can be substantially reduced in size with consensus. Prospective quality improvement study using Lean Six Sigma for purposeful and consensual reduction of non-value-added instruments in adenotonsillectomy instrument sets. Value stream mapping was utilized to determine instrumentation usage and reprocessing workflow. Preintervention instrument utilization surveys allowed consensual and intelligent set reduction. Non-value-added instruments were targeted for waste elimination by placement in a supplemental set. Times for pre- and postintervention instrument assembly, Mayo setup, and surgery were collected for adenotonsillectomies. Postintervention satisfaction surveys of surgeons and staff were conducted. Adenotonsillectomy sets were reduced from 52 to 24 instruments. Median assembly times were significantly reduced from 8.4 to 4.7 minutes (P < .0001) with a set assembly cost reduction of 44%. Following natural log transformations, mean Mayo setup times were significantly reduced from 97.6 to 76.1 seconds (P < .0001), and mean operative times were not significantly affected (1,773 vs. 1,631 seconds, P > .05). The supplemental set was opened in only 3.6% of cases. Satisfaction was >90% regarding the intervention. Set build cost was reduced by $1,468.99 per set. Lean Six Sigma improves efficiency and reduces waste by empowering team members to improve their environment. Instrument set reduction is ideal for waste elimination because of tool accumulation over time and instrument obsolescence as newer technologies are adopted. Similar interventions could easily be applied to larger sinus, mastoidectomy, and spine sets. NA. © 2015 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Warped Linear Prediction of Physical Model Excitations with Applications in Audio Compression and Instrument Synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glass, Alexis; Fukudome, Kimitoshi

2004-12-01

A sound recording of a plucked string instrument is encoded and resynthesized using two stages of prediction. In the first stage of prediction, a simple physical model of a plucked string is estimated and the instrument excitation is obtained. The second stage of prediction compensates for the simplicity of the model in the first stage by encoding either the instrument excitation or the model error using warped linear prediction. These two methods of compensation are compared with each other, and to the case of single-stage warped linear prediction, adjustments are introduced, and their applications to instrument synthesis and MPEG4's audio compression within the structured audio format are discussed.

Chemical Instrumentation for the Visually Handicapped.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, James L.

1982-01-01

Describes a simple, relatively inexpensive, and easily implemented approach for introducing visually handicapped students to chemical instrumentation via experiments on operational amplifiers as examples of some of the electronic building blocks of chemical instrumentation. The approach is applicable to other chemical instruments having electrical…

75 FR 29772 - Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-27

... (c)(6). Grant applications for the Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition: Prospect Studies--Building... on: Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition: Prospect Studies--Building New Clinical Infrastructure for...

CO2 laser versus cold steel margin analysis following endoscopic excision of glottic cancer

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Objective To compare the suitability of CO2 laser with steel instruments for margin excision in transoral laser microsurgery. Methods Prospective randomized blinded study. Patients with glottic cancer undergoing laser resection were randomized to margin excision by either steel instruments or CO2 laser. Margins were analyzed for size, interpretability and degree of artifact by a pathologist who was blinded to technique. Results 45 patients were enrolled in the study with 226 total margins taken. 39 margins taken by laser had marked artifact and 0 were uninterpretable. 20 margins taken by steel instruments had marked artifact, and 2 were uninterpretable. Controlling for margin size, the laser technique was associated with increasing degrees of margin artifact (p = 0.210), but there was no difference in crude rates of uninterpretability (p = 0.24). Conclusion Laser margin excision is associated with a greater degree of artifact than steel instrument excision, but was not associated with higher rate of uninterpretability. PMID:24502856

Two-Tiered Violence Risk Estimates: a validation study of an integrated-actuarial risk assessment instrument.

PubMed

Mills, Jeremy F; Gray, Andrew L

2013-11-01

This study is an initial validation study of the Two-Tiered Violence Risk Estimates instrument (TTV), a violence risk appraisal instrument designed to support an integrated-actuarial approach to violence risk assessment. The TTV was scored retrospectively from file information on a sample of violent offenders. Construct validity was examined by comparing the TTV with instruments that have shown utility to predict violence that were prospectively scored: The Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20 (HCR-20) and Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form (LCSF). Predictive validity was examined through a long-term follow-up of 12.4 years with a sample of 78 incarcerated offenders. Results show the TTV to be highly correlated with the HCR-20 and LCSF. The base rate for violence over the follow-up period was 47.4%, and the TTV was equally predictive of violent recidivism relative to the HCR-20 and LCSF. Discussion centers on the advantages of an integrated-actuarial approach to the assessment of violence risk.

Instrumentation For The Surgical Application Of The Nd:YAG Laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frank, F.; Bailer, P.; Beck, O.; Bowering, R.; Hofstetter, A.

1984-03-01

The Nd:YAG laser has become a coagulation instrument, which has found acceptance in interdisciplinary surgery. The main contributors are its highly efficient coagulation capability in interaction with tissue and the fact that the Nd:YAG laser beam can be transmitted by means of a simple quartz-glass fiber. Appropriate systems and instruments for transmission and operation have been developed for the various applications in neurosurgery, pulmology, gastroenterology, urology, gynaecology and dermatology. Operation methods in open and endoscopic surgery under use of several hand held devices and flexible as well as rigid endoscopes are being demonstrated by clinical examples of application.

Android worksheet application based on discovery learning on students' achievement for vocational high school: Mechanical behavior of materials topics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanto, Dwi; Aini, Anisa Nurul; Mulhayatiah, Diah

2017-05-01

This research reports a study of student worksheet based on discovery learning on Mechanical Behavior of Materials topics under Android application (Android worksheet application) for vocational high school. The samples are Architecture class X students of SMKN 4 (a public vocational high school) in Tangerang Selatan City, province of Banten, Indonesia. We made 3 groups based on Intellectual Quotient (IQ). They are average IQ group, middle IQ group and high IQ group. The method of research is used as a quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control group design. The technique of sampling is purposive sampling. Instruments used in this research are test instruments and non-test instruments. The test instruments are IQ test and test of student's achievement. For the test of student's achievement (pretest and posttest) we provide 25 multiple choice problems. The non-test instruments are questionnaire responses by the students and the teacher. Without IQ categorized, the result showed that there is an effect of Android worksheet application on student's achievement based on cognitive aspects of Revised Bloom's Taxonomy. However, from the IQ groups point of view, only the middle IQ group and the high IQ group showed a significant effect from the Android worksheet application on student's achievement meanwhile for the average IQ group there was no effect.

Applications of mass spectrometry to metabolomics and metabonomics: detection of biomarkers of aging and of age-related diseases.

PubMed

Mishur, Robert J; Rea, Shane L

2012-01-01

Every 5 years or so new technologies, or new combinations of old ones, seemingly burst onto the science scene and are then sought after until they reach the point of becoming commonplace. Advances in mass spectrometry instrumentation, coupled with the establishment of standardized chemical fragmentation libraries, increased computing power, novel data-analysis algorithms, new scientific applications, and commercial prospects have made mass spectrometry-based metabolomics the latest sought-after technology. This methodology affords the ability to dynamically catalogue and quantify, in parallel, femtomole quantities of cellular metabolites. The study of aging, and the diseases that accompany it, has accelerated significantly in the last decade. Mutant genes that alter the rate of aging have been found that increase lifespan by up to 10-fold in some model organisms, and substantial progress has been made in understanding fundamental alterations that occur at both the mRNA and protein level in tissues of aging organisms. The application of metabolomics to aging research is still relatively new, but has already added significant insight into the aging process. In this review we summarize these findings. We have targeted our manuscript to two audiences: mass spectrometrists interested in applying their technical knowledge to unanswered questions in the aging field, and gerontologists interested in expanding their knowledge of both mass spectrometry and the most recent advances in aging-related metabolomics. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prospects for GLAST

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McEnery, Julie

2006-01-01

The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST), scheduled for launch in late 007, is a satellite based observatory to study the high energy gamma-ray sky. There are two instruments on GLAST: the Large Area Telescope (LAT) which provides coverage from 20 MeV to over 300 GeV, and the GLAST Burst Monitor (GBM) which provides supportive observations of transients from 8 keV to 30 MeV. GLAST will provide well beyond those achieved by the highly successful EGRET instrument on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, with dramatic improvements in sensitivity, angular resolution and energy range. The very large field of view will make it possible to observe approx. 20% of the sky at any instant, and the entire sky on timescale of a few hours. This talk includes a description of the instruments, the opportunities for guest investigators, and the mission status.

Turbulence study in the vicinity of piano key weir: relevance, instrumentation, parameters and methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Harinarayan; Sharma, Nayan

2017-05-01

This research paper focuses on the need of turbulence, instruments reliable to capture turbulence, different turbulence parameters and some advance methodology which can decompose various turbulence structures at different levels near hydraulic structures. Small-scale turbulence research has valid prospects in open channel flow. The relevance of the study is amplified as we introduce any hydraulic structure in the channel which disturbs the natural flow and creates discontinuity. To recover this discontinuity, the piano key weir (PKW) might be used with sloped keys. Constraints of empirical results in the vicinity of PKW necessitate extensive laboratory experiments with fair and reliable instrumentation techniques. Acoustic Doppler velocimeter was established to be best suited within range of some limitations using principal component analysis. Wavelet analysis is proposed to decompose the underlying turbulence structure in a better way.

SEALDH-II-An Autonomous, Holistically Controlled, First Principles TDLAS Hygrometer for Field and Airborne Applications: Design-Setup-Accuracy/Stability Stress Test.

PubMed

Buchholz, Bernhard; Kallweit, Sören; Ebert, Volker

2016-12-30

Instrument operation in harsh environments often significantly impacts the trust level of measurement data. While commercial instrument manufacturers clearly define the deployment conditions to achieve trustworthy data in typical standard applications, it is frequently unavoidable in scientific field applications to operate instruments outside these commercial standard application specifications. Scientific instrumentation, however, is employing cutting-edge technology and often highly optimized but also lacks long-term field tests to assess the field vs. laboratory performance. Recently, we developed the Selective Extractive Laser Diode Hygrometer (SEALDH-II), which addresses field and especially airborne applications as well as metrological laboratory validations. SEALDH-II targets reducing deviations between airborne hygrometers (currently up to 20% between the most advanced hygrometers) with a new holistic, internal control and validation concept, which guarantees the transfer of the laboratory performance into a field scenario by capturing more than 80 instrument internal "housekeeping" data to nearly perfectly control SEALDH-II's health status. SEALDH-II uses a calibration-free, first principles based, direct Tuneable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (dTDLAS) approach, to cover the entire atmospheric humidity measurement range from about 3 to 40,000 ppmv with a calculated maximum uncertainty of 4.3% ± 3 ppmv. This is achieved not only by innovations in internal instrument monitoring and design, but also by active control algorithms such as a high resolution spectral stabilization. This paper describes the setup, working principles, and instrument stabilization, as well as its precision validation and long-term stress tests in an environmental chamber over an environmental temperature and humidity range of ΔT = 50 K and ΔRH = 80% RH, respectively.

SEALDH-II—An Autonomous, Holistically Controlled, First Principles TDLAS Hygrometer for Field and Airborne Applications: Design–Setup–Accuracy/Stability Stress Test

PubMed Central

Buchholz, Bernhard; Kallweit, Sören; Ebert, Volker

2016-01-01

Instrument operation in harsh environments often significantly impacts the trust level of measurement data. While commercial instrument manufacturers clearly define the deployment conditions to achieve trustworthy data in typical standard applications, it is frequently unavoidable in scientific field applications to operate instruments outside these commercial standard application specifications. Scientific instrumentation, however, is employing cutting-edge technology and often highly optimized but also lacks long-term field tests to assess the field vs. laboratory performance. Recently, we developed the Selective Extractive Laser Diode Hygrometer (SEALDH-II), which addresses field and especially airborne applications as well as metrological laboratory validations. SEALDH-II targets reducing deviations between airborne hygrometers (currently up to 20% between the most advanced hygrometers) with a new holistic, internal control and validation concept, which guarantees the transfer of the laboratory performance into a field scenario by capturing more than 80 instrument internal “housekeeping” data to nearly perfectly control SEALDH-II’s health status. SEALDH-II uses a calibration-free, first principles based, direct Tuneable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (dTDLAS) approach, to cover the entire atmospheric humidity measurement range from about 3 to 40,000 ppmv with a calculated maximum uncertainty of 4.3% ± 3 ppmv. This is achieved not only by innovations in internal instrument monitoring and design, but also by active control algorithms such as a high resolution spectral stabilization. This paper describes the setup, working principles, and instrument stabilization, as well as its precision validation and long-term stress tests in an environmental chamber over an environmental temperature and humidity range of ΔT = 50 K and ΔRH = 80% RH, respectively. PMID:28042844

Development of a portable multispectral thermal infrared camera

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Osterwisch, Frederick G.

1991-01-01

The purpose of this research and development effort was to design and build a prototype instrument designated the 'Thermal Infrared Multispectral Camera' (TIRC). The Phase 2 effort was a continuation of the Phase 1 feasibility study and preliminary design for such an instrument. The completed instrument designated AA465 has application in the field of geologic remote sensing and exploration. The AA465 Thermal Infrared Camera (TIRC) System is a field-portable multispectral thermal infrared camera operating over the 8.0 - 13.0 micron wavelength range. Its primary function is to acquire two-dimensional thermal infrared images of user-selected scenes. Thermal infrared energy emitted by the scene is collected, dispersed into ten 0.5 micron wide channels, and then measured and recorded by the AA465 System. This multispectral information is presented in real time on a color display to be used by the operator to identify spectral and spatial variations in the scenes emissivity and/or irradiance. This fundamental instrument capability has a wide variety of commercial and research applications. While ideally suited for two-man operation in the field, the AA465 System can be transported and operated effectively by a single user. Functionally, the instrument operates as if it were a single exposure camera. System measurement sensitivity requirements dictate relatively long (several minutes) instrument exposure times. As such, the instrument is not suited for recording time-variant information. The AA465 was fabricated, assembled, tested, and documented during this Phase 2 work period. The detailed design and fabrication of the instrument was performed during the period of June 1989 to July 1990. The software development effort and instrument integration/test extended from July 1990 to February 1991. Software development included an operator interface/menu structure, instrument internal control functions, DSP image processing code, and a display algorithm coding program. The instrument was delivered to NASA in March 1991. Potential commercial and research uses for this instrument are in its primary application as a field geologists exploration tool. Other applications have been suggested but not investigated in depth. These are measurements of process control in commercial materials processing and quality control functions which require information on surface heterogeneity.

76 FR 323 - Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-04

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory... level of export controls applicable to sensors and instrumentation equipment and technology. Agenda...

75 FR 1339 - Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-11

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory... level of export controls applicable to sensors and instrumentation equipment and technology. Agenda...

76 FR 63607 - Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-13

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory... level of export controls applicable to sensors and instrumentation equipment and technology. Agenda...

78 FR 19638 - Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-02

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory... level of export controls applicable to sensors and instrumentation equipment and technology. Agenda...

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Application of low-power, high-rate PCM telemetry in a helicopter instrumentation system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Mitchel E.; Diamond, John K.

1987-01-01

The use of low-power, high-rate pulse code modulation (PCM) in a helicopter instrumentation system is examined. A Helicopter Instrumentation and Recording System (HIARS) was developed to obtain main rotor blade measurements and fuselage performance measurements. The HIARS consists of a low-power PCM telemeter, a digital PCM system, an optical rotor position sensor, and a PCM decommutation unit; the components and functions of these subsystems are described. Flight tests were conducted to evaluate the ability of the HIARS to measure aircraft parameters. The test data reveal that the PCM telemetry is applicable to helicopter instrumentation systems.

Muscle dysmorphia: methodological issues, implications for research.

PubMed

Suffolk, Mark T; Dovey, Terence M; Goodwin, Huw; Meyer, Caroline

2013-01-01

Muscle dysmorphia is a male-dominated, body image-related psychological condition. Despite continued investigation, contention surrounds the nosological status of this disorder. The aim of this article was to review the literature on muscle dysmorphia to provide a qualitative account of methodological issues that may inhibit our understanding. Key areas relating to non-standardized participant groups, measuring instruments, and terminology were identified as potentially inhibiting symptom coherence and diagnostic reliability. New measuring instruments validated with clinical samples and carefully described participant groups, standardized terminology, and a greater emphasis on prospective longitudinal research with specific sub groups of the weight training community would be of interest to the field.

Application of the gas-discharge surge arresters in X-ray devices and low voltage instrumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simon, V. A.; Gerasimov, V. A.; Kostrin, D. K.; Lisenkov, A. A.; Selivanov, L. M.; Uhov, A. A.

2018-02-01

Usage of the gas discharge in science and engineering is discussed. Application examples of the compact gas-discharge tubes in the X-ray devices and low voltage instrumentation appliances for the surge protection are presented.

High-dose irradiated food: Current progress, applications, and prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feliciano, Chitho P.

2018-03-01

Food irradiation as an established and mature technology has gained more attention in the food industry for ensuring food safety and quality. Primarily used for phytosanitary applications, its use has been expanded for developing various food products for varied purposes (e.g. ready-to-eat & ready-to-cook foods, hospital diets, etc.). This paper summarized and analyzed the recent progress and application of high-dose irradiation and discussed its prospects in the field of food product development, its safety and quality.

Improving the basic skills of teaching mathematics through learning with search-solve-create-share strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahayu, D. V.; Kusumah, Y. S.; Darhim

2018-05-01

This study examined to see the improvement of prospective teachers’ basic skills of teaching mathematics through search-solve-create-share learning strategy based on overall and Mathematical Prior Knowledge (MPK) and interaction of both. Quasi experiments with the design of this experimental-non-equivalent control group design involved 67 students at the mathematics program of STKIP Garut. The instrument used in this study included pre-test and post-test. The result of this study showed that: (1) The improvement and achievement of the basic skills of teaching mathematics of the prospective teachers who get the learning of search-solve-create-share strategy is better than the improvement and achievement of the prospective teachers who get the conventional learning as a whole and based on MPK; (2) There is no interaction between the learning used and MPK on improving and achieving basic skills of teaching mathematics.

Prospects for detecting a net photon circular polarization produced by decaying dark matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elagin, Andrey; Kumar, Jason; Sandick, Pearl; Teng, Fei

2017-11-01

If dark matter interactions with Standard Model particles are C P violating, then dark matter annihilation/decay can produce photons with a net circular polarization. We consider the prospects for experimentally detecting evidence for such a circular polarization. We identify optimal models for dark matter interactions with the Standard Model, from the point of view of detectability of the net polarization, for the case of either symmetric or asymmetric dark matter. We find that, for symmetric dark matter, evidence for net polarization could be found by a search of the Galactic center by an instrument sensitive to circular polarization with an efficiency-weighted exposure of at least 50 ,000 cm2 yr , provided the systematic detector uncertainties are constrained at the 1% level. Better sensitivity can be obtained in the case of asymmetric dark matter. We discuss the prospects for achieving the needed level of performance using possible detector technologies.

75 FR 41800 - University of Minnesota, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free...

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2010-07-19

... is intended to be used, that were being manufactured in the United States at the time of its order... States at the time of order of this instrument. Docket Number: 10-027. Applicant: Argonne National... United States at the time of order of this instrument. Docket Number: 10-028. Applicant: Boston College...

Instrumentation for Applied Physics and Industrial Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hillemanns, H.; Le Goff, J.-M.

This document is part of Part 2 'Principles and Methods' of Subvolume B 'Detectors for Particles and Radiation' of Volume 21 'Elementary Particles' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group I 'Elementary Particles, Nuclei and Atoms'. It contains the Section '7.3 Instrumentation for Applied Physics and Industrial Applications' of Chapter '7 Applications of Detectors in Technology; Medicine and Other Fields' with the content:

Integration of Web-based and PC-based clinical research databases.

PubMed

Brandt, C A; Sun, K; Charpentier, P; Nadkarni, P M

2004-01-01

We have created a Web-based repository or data library of information about measurement instruments used in studies of multi-factorial geriatric health conditions (the Geriatrics Research Instrument Library - GRIL) based upon existing features of two separate clinical study data management systems. GRIL allows browsing, searching, and selecting measurement instruments based upon criteria such as keywords and areas of applicability. Measurement instruments selected can be printed and/or included in an automatically generated standalone microcomputer database application, which can be downloaded by investigators for use in data collection and data management. Integration of database applications requires the creation of a common semantic model, and mapping from each system to this model. Various database schema conflicts at the table and attribute level must be identified and resolved prior to integration. Using a conflict taxonomy and a mapping schema facilitates this process. Critical conflicts at the table level that required resolution included name and relationship differences. A major benefit of integration efforts is the sharing of features and cross-fertilization of applications created for similar purposes in different operating environments. Integration of applications mandates some degree of metadata model unification.

Resource Prospector Instrumentation for Lunar Volatiles Prospecting, Sample Acquisition and Processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Captain, J.; Elphic, R.; Colaprete, A.; Zacny, Kris; Paz, A.

2016-01-01

Data gathered from lunar missions within the last two decades have significantly enhanced our understanding of the volatile resources available on the lunar surface, specifically focusing on the polar regions. Several orbiting missions such as Clementine and Lunar Prospector have suggested the presence of volatile ices and enhanced hydrogen concentrations in the permanently shadowed regions of the moon. The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission was the first to provide direct measurement of water ice in a permanently shadowed region. These missions with other orbiting assets have laid the groundwork for the next step in the exploration of the lunar surface; providing ground truth data of the volatiles by mapping the distribution and processing lunar regolith for resource extraction. This next step is the robotic mission Resource Prospector (RP). Resource Prospector is a lunar mission to investigate 'strategic knowledge gaps' (SKGs) for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). The mission is proposed to land in the lunar south pole near a permanently shadowed crater. The landing site will be determined by the science team with input from broader international community as being near traversable landscape that has a high potential of containing elevated concentrations of volatiles such as water while maximizing mission duration. A rover will host the Regolith & Environment Science and Oxygen & Lunar Volatile Extraction (RESOLVE) payload for resource mapping and processing. The science instruments on the payload include a 1-meter drill, neutron spectrometer, a near infrared spectrometer, an operations camera, and a reactor with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer for volatile analysis. After the RP lander safely delivers the rover to the lunar surface, the science team will guide the rover team on the first traverse plan. The neutron spectrometer (NS) and near infrared (NIR) spectrometer instruments will be used as prospecting tools to guide the traverse path. The NS will map the water-equivalent hydrogen concentration as low as 0.5% by weight to an 80 centimeter depth as the rover traverses the lunar landscape. The NIR spectrometer will measure surficial H2O/OH as well as general mineralogy. When the prospecting instruments identify a potential volatile-rich area during the course of a traverse, the prospect is then mapped out and the most promising location identified. An augering drill capable of sampling to a depth of 100 centimeters will excavate regolith for analysis. A quick assay of the drill cuttings will be made using an operations camera and NIR spectrometer. With the water depth confirmed by this first auguring activity, a regolith sample may be extracted for processing. The drill will deliver the regolith sample to a crucible that will be sealed and heated. Evolved volatiles will be measured by a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer and the water will be captured and photographed. RP is a solar powered mission, which given the polar location translates to a relatively short mission duration on the order of 4-15 days. This short mission duration drives the concept of operations, instrumentation, and data analysis towards critical real time analysis and decision support. Previous payload field tests have increased the fidelity of the hardware, software, and mission operations. Current activities include a mission level field test to optimize interfaces between the payload and rover as well as better understand the interaction of the science and rover teams during the mission timeline. This paper will include the current status of the science instruments on the payload as well as the integrated field test occurring in fall of 2015. The concept of operations will be discussed, including the real time science and engineering decision-making process based on the critical data from the instrumentation. The path to flight will be discussed with the approach to this ambitious low cost mission.

[Testing system design and analysis for the execution units of anti-thrombotic device].

PubMed

Li, Zhelong; Cui, Haipo; Shang, Kun; Liao, Yuehua; Zhou, Xun

2015-02-01

In an anti-thrombotic pressure circulatory device, relays and solenoid valves serve as core execution units. Thus the therapeutic efficacy and patient safety of the device will directly depend on their performance. A new type of testing system for relays and solenoid valves used in the anti-thrombotic device has been developed, which can test action response time and fatigue performance of relay and solenoid valve. PC, data acquisition card and test platform are used in this testing system based on human-computer interaction testing modules. The testing objectives are realized by using the virtual instrument technology, the high-speed data acquisition technology and reasonable software design. The two sets of the system made by relay and solenoid valve are tested. The results proved the universality and reliability of the testing system so that these relays and solenoid valves could be accurately used in the antithrombotic pressure circulatory equipment. The newly-developed testing system has a bright future in the aspects of promotion and application prospect.

Precipitation Behaviors of a New Antibacterial Maraging Stainless Steel for Medical Instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, H. W.; Xu, Y. L.; Chen, L. J.; Wang, X. W.; Wu, Z. Y.; Li, S.; Li, J.; Xiao, X. S.

2018-06-01

A new antibacterial maraging stainless steel with high hardness and good antibacterial property has been developed. The hardness of the new maraging stainless steel with a cold rolling deformation of 85 pct reaches the peak about 58.5 HRC after aging heat treatment, which is mainly due to the ɛ-Cu and Ni-, Al-, Ti-rich precipitates. Reverted austenite transformed from the martensite is responsible for the decrease of hardness when aging at higher temperature. Three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) and transmission electric microscope (TEM) were used to investigate the precipitates formed in the martensite matrix after aging at 713 K for 4 hours. The ɛ-Cu and Ni-, Al-, Ti-rich precipitates distribute uniformly in the martensite matrix, and the Ni-, Al-, Ti-rich precipitates are nucleated on the Cu-rich precipitates. Because of the ɛ-Cu precipitates, the new maraging stainless steel possesses an excellent antibacterial property with the rate about 95.08 pct, which has a wide application prospect on scalpels and surgical needles.

ENLIGHT and other EU-funded projects in hadron therapy.

PubMed

Dosanjh, M; Jones, B; Mayer, R; Meyer, R

2010-10-01

Following impressive results from early phase trials in Japan and Germany, there is a current expansion in European hadron therapy. This article summarises present European Union-funded projects for research and co-ordination of hadron therapy across Europe. Our primary focus will be on the research questions associated with carbon ion treatment of cancer, but these considerations are also applicable to treatments using proton beams and other light ions. The challenges inherent in this new form of radiotherapy require maximum interdisciplinary co-ordination. On the basis of its successful track record in particle and accelerator physics, the internationally funded CERN laboratories (otherwise known as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research) have been instrumental in promoting collaborations for research purposes in this area of radiation oncology. There will soon be increased opportunities for referral of patients across Europe for hadron therapy. Oncologists should be aware of these developments, which confer enhanced prospects for better cancer cure rates as well as improved quality of life in many cancer patients.

Super-Resolving Toraldo Pupils for Radio Astronomical Applications: Current Status and Future Prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olmi, Luca

2017-11-01

More than half a century ago, in 1952, Giuliano Toraldo di Francia suggested that the resolving power of an optical instrument could be improved using a filter consisting of finite-width concentric coronae of different amplitude and phase transmittance, now known as Toraldo Pupils (TPs). The concept of 'super- resolution' was born, and in the cur- rent literature it is generally associated with various meth- ods for improving the angular resolution of an optical imag- ing system beyond the classical diffraction limit. In the mi- crowave range, the first successful laboratory test of TPs was performed in 2003. These first results suggested that TPs could represent a viable approach to achieve super- resolution in Radio Astronomy. We have therefore started a project devoted to an exhaustive study of TPs and how they could be implemented on a radio telescope. In this work we present a summary of the status of this project, and then we will describe our future plans.

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in biomedical spectroscopy.

PubMed

Schwaighofer, Andreas; Brandstetter, Markus; Lendl, Bernhard

2017-10-02

Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are the first room temperature semiconductor laser source for the mid-IR spectral region, triggering substantial development for the advancement of mid-IR spectroscopy. Mid-IR spectroscopy in general provides rapid, label-free and objective analysis, particularly important in the field of biomedical analysis. Due to their unique properties, QCLs offer new possibilities for development of analytical methods to enable quantification of clinically relevant concentration levels and to support medical diagnostics. Compared to FTIR spectroscopy, novel and elaborated measurement techniques can be implemented that allow miniaturized and portable instrumentation. This review illustrates the characteristics of QCLs with a particular focus on their benefits for biomedical analysis. Recent applications of QCL-based spectroscopy for analysis of a variety of clinically relevant samples including breath, urine, blood, interstitial fluid, and biopsy samples are summarized. Further potential for technical advancements is discussed in combination with future prospects for employment of QCL-based devices in routine and point-of-care diagnostics.

Computerized neurocognitive testing in the management of sport-related concussion: an update.

PubMed

Resch, Jacob E; McCrea, Michael A; Cullum, C Munro

2013-12-01

Since the late nineties, computerized neurocognitive testing has become a central component of sport-related concussion (SRC) management at all levels of sport. In 2005, a review of the available evidence on the psychometric properties of four computerized neuropsychological test batteries concluded that the tests did not possess the necessary criteria to warrant clinical application. Since the publication of that review, several more computerized neurocognitive tests have entered the market place. The purpose of this review is to summarize the body of published studies on psychometric properties and clinical utility of computerized neurocognitive tests available for use in the assessment of SRC. A review of the literature from 2005 to 2013 was conducted to gather evidence of test-retest reliability and clinical validity of these instruments. Reviewed articles included both prospective and retrospective studies of primarily sport-based adult and pediatric samples. Summaries are provided regarding the available evidence of reliability and validity for the most commonly used computerized neurocognitive tests in sports settings.

NIST Standard Reference Material 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

DOE PAGES

Allen, Andrew J.; Zhang, Fan; Kline, R. Joseph; ...

2017-03-07

The certification of a new standard reference material for small-angle scattering [NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)], based on glassy carbon, is presented. Creation of this SRM relies on the intrinsic primary calibration capabilities of the ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering technique. This article describes how the intensity calibration has been achieved and validated in the certified Q range, Q = 0.008–0.25 Å –1, together with the purpose, use and availability of the SRM. The intensity calibration afforded by this robust and stable SRM should be applicable universally to all SAXS instruments thatmore » employ a transmission measurement geometry, working with a wide range of X-ray energies or wavelengths. As a result, the validation of the SRM SAXS intensity calibration using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is discussed, together with the prospects for including SANS in a future renewal certification.« less

NIST Standard Reference Material 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

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

Allen, Andrew J.; Zhang, Fan; Kline, R. Joseph

The certification of a new standard reference material for small-angle scattering [NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)], based on glassy carbon, is presented. Creation of this SRM relies on the intrinsic primary calibration capabilities of the ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering technique. This article describes how the intensity calibration has been achieved and validated in the certified Q range, Q = 0.008–0.25 Å –1, together with the purpose, use and availability of the SRM. The intensity calibration afforded by this robust and stable SRM should be applicable universally to all SAXS instruments thatmore » employ a transmission measurement geometry, working with a wide range of X-ray energies or wavelengths. As a result, the validation of the SRM SAXS intensity calibration using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is discussed, together with the prospects for including SANS in a future renewal certification.« less

NIST Standard Reference Material 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering.

PubMed

Allen, Andrew J; Zhang, Fan; Kline, R Joseph; Guthrie, William F; Ilavsky, Jan

2017-04-01

The certification of a new standard reference material for small-angle scattering [NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)], based on glassy carbon, is presented. Creation of this SRM relies on the intrinsic primary calibration capabilities of the ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering technique. This article describes how the intensity calibration has been achieved and validated in the certified Q range, Q = 0.008-0.25 Å -1 , together with the purpose, use and availability of the SRM. The intensity calibration afforded by this robust and stable SRM should be applicable universally to all SAXS instruments that employ a transmission measurement geometry, working with a wide range of X-ray energies or wavelengths. The validation of the SRM SAXS intensity calibration using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is discussed, together with the prospects for including SANS in a future renewal certification.

Stress Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: A New Topic in Cardiology.

PubMed

Seitun, Sara; Castiglione Morelli, Margherita; Budaj, Irilda; Boccalini, Sara; Galletto Pregliasco, Athena; Valbusa, Alberto; Cademartiri, Filippo; Ferro, Carlo

2016-02-01

Since its introduction about 15 years ago, coronary computed tomography angiography has become today the most accurate clinical instrument for noninvasive assessment of coronary atherosclerosis. Important technical developments have led to a continuous stream of new clinical applications together with a significant reduction in radiation dose exposure. Latest generation computed tomography scanners (≥ 64 slices) allow the possibility of performing static or dynamic perfusion imaging during stress by using coronary vasodilator agents (adenosine, dipyridamole, or regadenoson), combining both functional and anatomical information in the same examination. In this article, the emerging role and state-of-the-art of myocardial computed tomography perfusion imaging are reviewed and are illustrated by clinical cases from our experience with a second-generation dual-source 128-slice scanner (Somatom Definition Flash, Siemens; Erlangen, Germany). Technical aspects, data analysis, diagnostic accuracy, radiation dose and future prospects are reviewed. Copyright © 2015 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

ENLIGHT and other EU-funded projects in hadron therapy

PubMed Central

Dosanjh, M; Jones, B; Meyer, R

2010-01-01

Following impressive results from early phase trials in Japan and Germany, there is a current expansion in European hadron therapy. This article summarises present European Union-funded projects for research and co-ordination of hadron therapy across Europe. Our primary focus will be on the research questions associated with carbon ion treatment of cancer, but these considerations are also applicable to treatments using proton beams and other light ions. The challenges inherent in this new form of radiotherapy require maximum interdisciplinary co-ordination. On the basis of its successful track record in particle and accelerator physics, the internationally funded CERN laboratories (otherwise known as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research) have been instrumental in promoting collaborations for research purposes in this area of radiation oncology. There will soon be increased opportunities for referral of patients across Europe for hadron therapy. Oncologists should be aware of these developments, which confer enhanced prospects for better cancer cure rates as well as improved quality of life in many cancer patients. PMID:20846982

Imaging of Prominent Carbon Stars: From CRIRES and NACO to MATISSE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hron, Josef

2018-04-01

We present an update to the spectro-astrometry carried out with CRIRES for some prominent carbon stars in the L- and M-bands. For TX Psc additional NACO imaging is compared with the CRIRES results. We also discuss the prospects and plans for MATISSE, the second generation VLTI instrument to operate in L, M and N.

The Relationship between Mathematical Knowledge of Numbers and Operations and Mathematics Beliefs of Prospective Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stiegelmeyer, Cindy

2012-01-01

This study surveyed 82 preservice elementary teachers using items from an instrument designed to predict student achievement based on a teacher's mathematics knowledge for teaching (MKT) in numbers and operations concepts. Additional mathematics beliefs items asked participants to rate their level of agreement with math myths and math anxiety…

The Finnish Five-String Kantele: Sustainably Designed for Musical Joy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruokonen, Inkeri; Sepp, Anu; Moilanen, Venla; Autio, Ossi; Ruismaki, Heikki

2014-01-01

This article discusses the five-string kantele as an example of the Finnish national heritage, a school instrument and an example of sustainable design. A qualitative case study was made by collecting the data from the Finnish students--prospective teachers--and the sixth form pupils, who had designed and carved their own five-string kanteles. The…

Brazilian Version of the Functional Assessment Measure: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Reliability Evaluation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lourenco Jorge, Liliana; Garcia Marchi, Flavia Helena; Portela Hara, Ana Clara; Battistella, Linamara R.

2011-01-01

The objective of this prospective study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Functional Assessment Measure (FAM) into Brazilian Portuguese, and to assess the test-retest reliability. The instrument was translated, back-translated, pretested, and reviewed by a committee. The Brazilian version was assessed in 61 brain-injury patients.…

Determination of Students' Alternative Conceptions about Chemical Equilibrium: A Review of Research and the Case of Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ozmen, Haluk

2008-01-01

This study aims to determine prospective science student teachers' alternative conceptions of the chemical equilibrium concept. A 13-item pencil and paper, two-tier multiple choice diagnostic instrument, the Test to Identify Students' Alternative Conceptions (TISAC), was developed and administered to 90 second-semester science student teachers…

Problems with Coursebooks in EFL Classrooms: Prospective Teachers' Opinions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arikan, Arda

2009-01-01

In today's classrooms, coursebooks remain as the major instructional instrument and resource and effectiveness and quality of coursebooks must be studied in their actual classroom use. In this study, opinions of future teachers of English are collected and analyzed to shed light on what happens in Turkish EFL classrooms in regards to the use of…

Measuring Practicing and Prospective Elementary Teachers' Efficacy for Classroom Management: A Preliminary Development and Validation Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Putman, S. Michael

2013-01-01

Research has shown efficacy exerts a powerful influence on behavior. Classroom management represents one vehicle for demonstrations of these behaviors, yet few instruments focus solely on the measurement of this domain-specific form of efficacy. This research explored the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and classroom management through…

Validation of a Method for Measuring Medical Students' Critical Reflections on Professionalism in Gross Anatomy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wittich, Christopher M.; Pawlina, Wojciech; Drake, Richard L.; Szostek, Jason H.; Reed, Darcy A.; Lachman, Nirusha; McBride, Jennifer M.; Mandrekar, Jayawant N.; Beckman, Thomas J.

2013-01-01

Improving professional attitudes and behaviors requires critical self reflection. Research on reflection is necessary to understand professionalism among medical students. The aims of this prospective validation study at the Mayo Medical School and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine were: (1) to develop and validate a new instrument for…

Health values and prospect theory.

PubMed

Treadwell, J R; Lenert, L A

1999-01-01

Health values are important components of medical decisions. Experimental data suggest that people value health in complex and dynamic ways. Prospect theory is a descriptive theory of choice that may accurately characterize how people assign values to health states. The authors first provide background on prospect theory and how it can be applied to health values. Next, they review the relevant health research and find mixed support for prospect theory. Last, they discuss implications of prospect theory for cost-effectiveness analysis. The application of prospect theory to health deserves further research because it may help clarify the link between health and values.

Clinical application prospect of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells on clearance of advanced glycation end products through autophagy on diabetic wound.

PubMed

Han, Yanfu; Sun, Tianjun; Tao, Ran; Han, Yanqing; Liu, Jing

2017-03-24

Nowadays, wound healing delay due to diabetes is considered to be closely related to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit positive effects on diabetic wound healing, related mechanisms are still not fully elucidated. It has been reported that MSCs can improve the activity of autophagy in injured tissues, thereby playing an important role in wound healing. The autophagy induced by MSCs may be beneficial to diabetic wound healing via removing AGEs, which provide new ideas for clinical treatment of diabetic wounds with the potential of broad application prospects. In this study, the current research situation and application prospect of umbilical cord-derived MSCs on the clearance of AGEs in diabetic wound were reviewed.

Recent Advances in Doping of Molybdenum Disulfide: Industrial Applications and Future Prospects.

PubMed

Pham, Viet Phuong; Yeom, Geun Young

2016-11-01

Owing to their excellent physical properties, atomically thin layers of molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) have recently attracted much attention due to their nonzero-gap property, exceptionally high electrical conductivity, good thermal stability, and excellent mechanical strength, etc. MoS 2 -based devices exhibit great potential for applications in optoelectronics and energy harvesting. Here, a comprehensive review of various doping strategies is presented, including wet doping and dry doping of atomically crystalline MoS 2 thin layers, and the progress made so far for their doping-based prospective applications is also discussed. Finally, several significant research issues for the prospects of doped-MoS 2 in industry, as a guide for 2D material community, are also provided. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Implant positioning in TKA: comparison between conventional and patient-specific instrumentation.

PubMed

Ferrara, Ferdinando; Cipriani, Antonio; Magarelli, Nicola; Rapisarda, Santi; De Santis, Vincenzo; Burrofato, Aaron; Leone, Antonio; Bonomo, Lorenzo

2015-04-01

The number of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures continuously increases, with good to excellent results. In the last few years, new surgical techniques have been developed to improve prosthesis positioning. In this context, patient-specific instrumentation is included. The goal of this study was to compare the perioperative parameters and the spatial positioning of prosthetic components in TKA procedures performed with patient-specific instrumentation vs traditional TKA. In this prospective comparative randomized study, 15 patients underwent TKA with 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preoperative planning (patient-specific instrumentation group) and 15 patients underwent traditional TKA (non-patient-specific instrumentation group). All patients underwent postoperative computed tomography (CT) examination. In the patient-specific instrumentation group, preoperative data planning regarding femoral and tibial bone resection was correlated with intraoperative measurements. Surgical time, length of hospitalization, and intraoperative and postoperative bleeding were compared between the 2 groups. Positioning of implants on postoperative CT was assessed for both groups. Data planned with 3-dimensional MRI regarding the depth of bone cuts showed good to excellent correlation with intraoperative measurements. The patient-specific instrumentation group showed better perioperative outcomes and good correlation between the spatial positioning of prosthetic components planned preoperatively and that seen on postoperative CT. Less variability was found in the patient-specific instrumentation group than in the non-patient-specific instrumentation group in spatial orientation of prosthetic components. Preoperative planning with 3-dimensional MRI in TKA has a better perioperative outcome compared with the traditional method. Use of patient-specific instrumentation can also improve the spatial positioning of both prosthetic components. Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.

The sound of friction: Real-time models, playability and musical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serafin, Stefania

Friction, the tangential force between objects in contact, in most engineering applications needs to be removed as a source of noise and instabilities. In musical applications, friction is a desirable component, being the sound production mechanism of different musical instruments such as bowed strings, musical saws, rubbed bowls and any other sonority produced by interactions between rubbed dry surfaces. The goal of the dissertation is to simulate different instrument whose main excitation mechanism is friction. An efficient yet accurate model of a bowed string instrument, which combines the latest results in violin acoustics with the efficient digital waveguide approach, is provided. In particular, the bowed string physical model proposed uses a thermodynamic friction model in which the finite width of the bow is taken into account; this solution is compared to the recently developed elasto-plastic friction models used in haptics and robotics. Different solutions are also proposed to model the body of the instrument. Other less common instruments driven by friction are also proposed, and the elasto-plastic model is used to provide audio-visual simulations of everyday friction sounds such as squeaking doors and rubbed wine glasses. Finally, playability evaluations and musical applications in which the models have been used are discussed.

A study of the use of 6K ACTDP cryocoolers for the MIRI instrument on JWST

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, R. G., Jr.

2004-01-01

The Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a demanding application for the use of space cryocoolers. This paper presents the lessons learned and performance achieved in the MIRI cryocooler application.

Activities of Western Research Application Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Operations of the regional dissemination center for NASA technology collection and information transfer are reported. Activities include customized searches for engineering and scientific applications in industry and technology transfers to businesses engaged in manufacturing high energy physics devices, subsurface instruments, batteries, medical instrumentation, and hydraulic equipment.

75 FR 43918 - National Center for Toxicological Research, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-27

... Research, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron...: National Center for Toxicological Research, (USFDA), Jefferson, AK 72079. Instrument: Electron Microscope.... Applicant: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer...

How to measure the QoS of a web-based EHRs system: development of an instrument.

PubMed

de la Torre-Díez, Isabel; López-Coronado, Miguel; Rodrigues, Joel J P C

2012-12-01

The quality of service (QoS) can be treated as a set of concepts whose satisfaction/dissatisfaction generates a global positive/negative vision about the service provided by any application. The different nature of the services and its features require an analysis of the factors that have the greatest influence on the users' opinion and, therefore, measuring the quality of service in each application requires a specific instrument. This paper will introduce an instrument to measure the QoS offered to users by a general Web application for Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The collection of opinions from a pilot sample and the performance of an explanatory factor analysis will bring together the factors that best sum up the quality of an EHRs application. Subsequently, a confirmatory factor analysis will be performed to make the study reliable and, as its name suggests, to confirm that indeed the structure of the instrument developed measures the QoS in accordance with the requirements of the users.

AI techniques for a space application scheduling problem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thalman, N.; Sparn, T.; Jaffres, L.; Gablehouse, D.; Judd, D.; Russell, C.

1991-01-01

Scheduling is a very complex optimization problem which can be categorized as an NP-complete problem. NP-complete problems are quite diverse, as are the algorithms used in searching for an optimal solution. In most cases, the best solutions that can be derived for these combinatorial explosive problems are near-optimal solutions. Due to the complexity of the scheduling problem, artificial intelligence (AI) can aid in solving these types of problems. Some of the factors are examined which make space application scheduling problems difficult and presents a fairly new AI-based technique called tabu search as applied to a real scheduling application. the specific problem is concerned with scheduling application. The specific problem is concerned with scheduling solar and stellar observations for the SOLar-STellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) instrument in a constrained environment which produces minimum impact on the other instruments and maximizes target observation times. The SOLSTICE instrument will gly on-board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) in 1991, and a similar instrument will fly on the earth observing system (Eos).

7 CFR 3400.6 - Grant awards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... grant instruments. The major categories of grant instruments shall be as follows: (1) Standard grant. This is a grant instrument by which the Department agrees to support a specified level of research... instrument. Such a renewal shall be based upon new application, de novo peer review and staff evaluation, new...

7 CFR 3400.6 - Grant awards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... grant instruments. The major categories of grant instruments shall be as follows: (1) Standard grant. This is a grant instrument by which the Department agrees to support a specified level of research... instrument. Such a renewal shall be based upon new application, de novo peer review and staff evaluation, new...

14 CFR Appendix C to Part 141 - Instrument Rating Course

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Instrument Rating Course C Appendix C to... Rating Course 1. Applicability. This appendix prescribes the minimum curriculum for an instrument rating course and an additional instrument rating course, required under this part, for the following ratings...

14 CFR Appendix C to Part 141 - Instrument Rating Course

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Instrument Rating Course C Appendix C to... Rating Course 1. Applicability. This appendix prescribes the minimum curriculum for an instrument rating course and an additional instrument rating course, required under this part, for the following ratings...

14 CFR Appendix C to Part 141 - Instrument Rating Course

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Instrument Rating Course C Appendix C to... Rating Course 1. Applicability. This appendix prescribes the minimum curriculum for an instrument rating course and an additional instrument rating course, required under this part, for the following ratings...

Self regulated learning trough project base learning on the prospective math teacher

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laelasari

2018-03-01

Development of planning, strategy, and learning activities is strongly influenced by metacognition ability, knowledge of learning strategy, and understanding of context is the most important thing to be mastered by a prospective teacher. Self-regulation owned by the individual can control behavior, and manipulate a behavior by using the ability of his mind so that individuals can react to their environment. Self-regulation is the basis of the socialization process as it relates to the entire domain of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. This research is a qualitative research with research subject of the fourth-semester student of class A, at one of a university in Cirebon City, West Java. In this research, the lecture material discussed is The Development of Teaching Materials, which is the subject matter that must be mastered by prospective teachers, especially teachers of mathematics education. The instrument used is the questionnaire. The results showed that through project based learning, can grow student’s self-regulated learning especially the prospective math teacher, and can be used as an alternative to the delivery of lecture materials.

Improved capabilities of the Multispectral Atmospheric Mapping Sensor (MAMS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jedlovec, Gary J.; Batson, K. Bryan; Atkinson, Robert J.; Moeller, Chris C.; Menzel, W. Paul; James, Mark W.

1989-01-01

The Multispectral Atmospheric Mapping Sensor (MAMS) is an airborne instrument being investigated as part of NASA's high altitude research program. Findings from work on this and other instruments have been important as the scientific justification of new instrumentation for the Earth Observing System (EOS). This report discusses changes to the instrument which have led to new capabilities, improved data quality, and more accurate calibration methods. In order to provide a summary of the data collected with MAMS, a complete list of flight dates and locations is provided. For many applications, registration of MAMS imagery with landmarks is required. The navigation of this data on the Man-computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) is discussed. Finally, research applications of the data are discussed and specific examples are presented to show the applicability of these measurements to NASA's Earth System Science (ESS) objectives.

Patient-reported outcomes to support medical product labeling claims: FDA perspective.

PubMed

Patrick, Donald L; Burke, Laurie B; Powers, John H; Scott, Jane A; Rock, Edwin P; Dawisha, Sahar; O'Neill, Robert; Kennedy, Dianne L

2007-01-01

This article concerns development and use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical trials to evaluate medical products. A PRO is any report coming directly from patients, without interpretation by physicians or others, about how they function or feel in relation to a health condition and its therapy. PRO instruments are used to measure these patient reports. PROs provide a unique perspective on medical therapy, because some effects of a health condition and its therapy are known only to patients. Properly developed and evaluated PRO instruments also have the potential to provide more sensitive and specific measurements of the effects of medical therapies, thereby increasing the efficiency of clinical trials that attempt to measure the meaningful treatment benefits of those therapies. Poorly developed and evaluated instruments may provide misleading conclusions or data that cannot be used to support product labeling claims. We review selected major challenges from Food and Drug Administration's perspective in using PRO instruments, measures, and end points to support treatment benefit claims in product labeling. These challenges highlight the need for sponsors to formulate desired labeling claim(s) prospectively, to acquire and document information needed to support these claim(s), and to identify existing instruments or develop new and more appropriate PRO instruments for evaluating treatment benefit in the defined population in which they will seek claims.

Translation, validation, and cultural adaptation of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index and the Chronic Sinusitis Survey into Arabic.

PubMed

Aldrees, Turki; Almubarak, Zaid; Hassouneh, Basil; Albosaily, Ahamed; Aloulah, Mohammad; Almasoud, Mai; Alsaleh, Saad

2018-01-01

Disease-specific quality of life instruments assess the impact of chronic rhinosinusitis on patients' quality of life (QoL). To the extent of our knowledge, there are no Arabic versions of two instruments-the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) and the Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS). Develop an Arabic-validated version of both instruments, thus allowing its use among the Arabic population. Prospective cross-sectional study for instrument validation. Tertiary university hospital. This study was conducted between September 2015 and October 2016. We followed the international comprehensive guidelines for translation and cross-cultural adaptation of QoL instruments. Test-retest reliability, discriminant validity, and responsiveness ability of both the RSDI and CSS Arabic versions. 124. The sample comprised 75 patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis and 49 healthy control subjects. The Arabic version of both instruments showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: RSDI=0.97, CSS=.88) and the ability to differentiate between diseased and healthy volunteers (P less than .0001). The translated versions also detected significant change in response to an intervention (P less than .0001). These Arabic validated versions of the RSDI and CSS can be used for both clinical and research purposes. This study was performed in only one tertiary hospital. None.

Present Status and Future Prospects in Bulk Processing of HIGH-Tc Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, S.; Chu, C. W.

The following sections are included: * INTRODUCTION * HIGH SUPERCONDUCTING TRANSITION TEMPERATURE * HIGH CRITICAL CURRENT DENSITY * Grain Boundary Weak Links * Nature of Weak Links * Possible Processing Approaches for Weak Link Problem * Processing Techniques for Texture Formation * Flux Creep in HTSC * Desirable Pinning Defects * Processing for Flux Pinning Enhancement * PROSPECTS FOR BULK APPLICATIONS * Magnetic Field Gener * Energy Storage * Magnetic Shielding * Other Applications * CONCLUDING REMARKS * ACKNOWLEDGMENT * REFERENCES

A Line in the Sand: Prospect Theory and Nash Arbitration in Resolving Territorial Disputes

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

small islands were difficult to access for centuries and they remain somewhat culturally and psychologically distant. The Kurils, despite their...with a normative view, stating, “political, social and psychological perspectives of territories and borders are more accurate than a simple geo...applicable, acceptable, and durable for territorial dispute resolution. Cross -sectional cases explore both the applicability (via prospect theory) and

[Possible Instrument Contamination in the Operating Room During Implantation of Knee and Hip Arthroplasty].

PubMed

Quint, U; Benen, T

2016-04-01

Integrated ventilation systems with low turbulence displacement flow (TAV) are generally legally required in the architectural structure of operating theatres. However, it seems that the instruments laid out on sterile covered tables do not have the best possible protection from bacteria. Within an operating theatre, different bacteria counts are possible on the instruments. This prospective controlled study was conducted to demonstrate the influence of instrument tables with integrated horizontal flow on contamination with pathogens in comparison with conventional tables. In an operating theatre (OT) with a ceiling legally appropriate for TAV (2.40 m × 1.20 m), microbiological samples were placed on a table with integrated TAV flow (n = 100) and on a conventional instrument table (n = 100). The routine qualification of the OT was on an ongoing basis and was in accordance with DIN 1946-4: 1999 standards (in accordance with DIN measurement of recovery time 1946-4: 12-2008). This corresponds to the OT of the room class Ib. The results show significant differences between the two tables. The bacteria count and the percentage of contamination were many times higher on the conventional table. It is important to understand that the instruments are not completely protected against contamination after opening the pack and during the operation. Remedial measures are possible to optimise the sterility the instrument table. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

76 FR 20952 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-14

.... Intended Use: The instrument will be used to identify and characterize new viruses, bacteria, fungi... other experiments including cell culture morphology, transplant and host tissue interactions, and... of thin surfaces such as silica, silicon nitride or silicon carbide materials. Experiments will be...

15 CFR 301.7 - Final disposition of an application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... (Continued) INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.7 Final disposition of an application... not been advised of the port of entry of the instrument, or if entry has not been made when the...

15 CFR 301.7 - Final disposition of an application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... (Continued) INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.7 Final disposition of an application... not been advised of the port of entry of the instrument, or if entry has not been made when the...

15 CFR 301.7 - Final disposition of an application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... (Continued) INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.7 Final disposition of an application... not been advised of the port of entry of the instrument, or if entry has not been made when the...

15 CFR 301.7 - Final disposition of an application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... (Continued) INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.7 Final disposition of an application... not been advised of the port of entry of the instrument, or if entry has not been made when the...

15 CFR 301.7 - Final disposition of an application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... (Continued) INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS § 301.7 Final disposition of an application... not been advised of the port of entry of the instrument, or if entry has not been made when the...

77 FR 65863 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-31

... characterization of nanoparticles produced by wood, insect sensory receptors, and nanoscale interactions between... instrument will be used to study mammalian cell cultures, and the toxic effects of exposure to nanoparticles of different compositions, size, shape and surface coatings. The interactions of these nanoparticles...

75 FR 34095 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-16

...: University of Minnesota (Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science), 151 Amundson Hall, 421... Scientific Instruments Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials... coatings, of very high crystalline quality materials known as complex oxides. A pertinent characteristic of...

Reduction and standardization of surgical instruments in pediatric inguinal hernia repair.

PubMed

Koyle, Martin A; AlQarni, Naif; Odeh, Rakan; Butt, Hissan; Alkahtani, Mohammed M; Konstant, Louis; Pendergast, Lisa; Koyle, Leah C C; Baker, G Ross

2018-02-01

To standardize and reduce surgical instrumentation by >25% within a 9-month period for pediatric inguinal hernia repair (PIHR), using "improvement science" methodology. We prospectively evaluated instruments used for PIHR in 56 consecutive cases by individual surgeons across two separate subspecialties, pediatric surgery (S) and pediatric urology (U), to measure actual number of instruments used compared with existing practice based on preference cards. Based on this evaluation, a single preference card was developed using only instruments that had been used in >50% of all cases. A subsequent series of 52 cases was analyzed to assess whether the new tray contained the ideal instrumentation. Cycle time (CT), to sterilize and package the instruments, and weights of the trays were measured before and after the intervention. A survey of operating room (OR) nurses and U and S surgeons was conducted before and after the introduction of the standardized tray to assess the impact and perception of standardization. Prior to creating the standardized tray, a U PIHR tray contained 96 instruments with a weight of 13.5 lbs, while the S set contained 51, weighing 11.2 lbs. The final standardized set comprised 28 instruments and weighed 7.8 lbs. Of 52 PIHRs performed after standardization, in three (6%) instances additional instruments were requested. CT was reduced from 11 to 8 min (U and S respectively) to <5 min for the single tray. Nurses and surgeons reported that quality, safety, and efficiency were improved, and that efforts should continue to standardize instrumentation for other common surgeries. Standardization of surgical equipment can be employed across disciplines with the potential to reduce costs and positively impact quality, safety, and efficiencies. Copyright © 2017 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Development and Validation of a Concise Instrument for Formative Assessment of Team Leader Performance During Simulated Pediatric Resuscitations.

PubMed

Nadkarni, Lindsay D; Roskind, Cindy G; Auerbach, Marc A; Calhoun, Aaron W; Adler, Mark D; Kessler, David O

2018-04-01

The aim of this study was to assess the validity of a formative feedback instrument for leaders of simulated resuscitations. This is a prospective validation study with a fully crossed (person × scenario × rater) study design. The Concise Assessment of Leader Management (CALM) instrument was designed by pediatric emergency medicine and graduate medical education experts to be used off the shelf to evaluate and provide formative feedback to resuscitation leaders. Four experts reviewed 16 videos of in situ simulated pediatric resuscitations and scored resuscitation leader performance using the CALM instrument. The videos consisted of 4 pediatric emergency department resuscitation teams each performing in 4 pediatric resuscitation scenarios (cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, seizure, and sepsis). We report on content and internal structure (reliability) validity of the CALM instrument. Content validity was supported by the instrument development process that involved professional experience, expert consensus, focused literature review, and pilot testing. Internal structure validity (reliability) was supported by the generalizability analysis. The main component that contributed to score variability was the person (33%), meaning that individual leaders performed differently. The rater component had almost zero (0%) contribution to variance, which implies that raters were in agreement and argues for high interrater reliability. These results provide initial evidence to support the validity of the CALM instrument as a reliable assessment instrument that can facilitate formative feedback to leaders of pediatric simulated resuscitations.

Volatile Analysis by Pyrolysis of Regolith (Vapor) for Planetary Resource Prospecting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glavin, D. P.; Malespin, C. A.; Ten Kate, I. L.; Mcadam, A.; Getty, S. A.; Mumm, E.; Franz, H. B.; Southard, A. E.; Bleacher, J. E.; Mahaffy, P. R.

2016-01-01

Measuring the chemical composition of planetary bodies and their atmospheres is key to understanding the formation of the Solar System and the evolution of the planets and their moons. In situ volatile measurements enable a ground-truth assessment of the distribution and abundance of resources such as water-ice and oxygen, important for a sustained human presence on the Moon and beyond. The Volatile Analysis by Pyrolysis of Regolith (VAPoR) instrument is a compact pyrolysis mass spectrometer designed to detect volatiles released from solid samples that are heated to elevated temperatures and is one technique that should be considered for resource prospecting on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids.

Robotic hip arthroscopy in human anatomy.

PubMed

Kather, Jens; Hagen, Monika E; Morel, Philippe; Fasel, Jean; Markar, Sheraz; Schueler, Michael

2010-09-01

Robotic technology offers technical advantages that might offer new solutions for hip arthroscopy. Two hip arthroscopies were performed in human cadavers using the da Vinci surgical system. During both surgeries, a robotic camera and 5 or 8 mm da Vinci trocars with instruments were inserted into the hip joint for manipulation. Introduction of cameras and working instruments, docking of the robotic system and instrument manipulation was successful in both cases. The long articulating area of 5 mm instruments limited movements inside the joint; an 8 mm instrument with a shorter area of articulation offered an improved range of motion. Hip arthroscopy using the da Vinci standard system appears a feasible alternative to standard arthroscopy. Instruments and method of application must be modified and improved before routine clinical application but further research in this area seems justified, considering the clinical value of such an approach. Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nuclear Science Symposium, 31st and Symposium on Nuclear Power Systems, 16th, Orlando, FL, October 31-November 2, 1984, Proceedings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biggerstaff, J. A. (Editor)

1985-01-01

Topics related to physics instrumentation are discussed, taking into account cryostat and electronic development associated with multidetector spectrometer systems, the influence of materials and counting-rate effects on He-3 neutron spectrometry, a data acquisition system for time-resolved muscle experiments, and a sensitive null detector for precise measurements of integral linearity. Other subjects explored are concerned with space instrumentation, computer applications, detectors, instrumentation for high energy physics, instrumentation for nuclear medicine, environmental monitoring and health physics instrumentation, nuclear safeguards and reactor instrumentation, and a 1984 symposium on nuclear power systems. Attention is given to the application of multiprocessors to scientific problems, a large-scale computer facility for computational aerodynamics, a single-board 32-bit computer for the Fastbus, the integration of detector arrays and readout electronics on a single chip, and three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation of the electron avalanche in a proportional counter.

Application of the Langley plot method to the calibration of the solar backscattered ultraviolet instrument on the Nimbus 7 satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhartia, P. K.; Taylor, S.; Mcpeters, R. D.; Wellemeyer, C.

1995-01-01

The concept of the well-known Langley plot technique, used for the calibration of ground-based instruments, has been generalized for application to satellite instruments. In polar regions, near summer solstice, the solar backscattered ultraviolet (SBUV) instrument on the Nimbus 7 satellite samples the same ozone field at widely different solar zenith angles. These measurements are compared to assess the long-term drift in the instrument calibration. Although the technique provides only a relative wavelength-to-wavelength calibration, it can be combined with existing techniques to determine the drift of the instrument at any wavelength. Using this technique, we have generated a 12-year data set of ozone vertical profiles from SBUV with an estimated accuracy of +/- 5% at 1 mbar and +/- 2% at 10 mbar (95% confidence) over 12 years. Since the method is insensitive to true changes in the atmospheric ozone profile, it can also be used to compare the calibrations of similar SBUV instruments launched without temporal overlap.

Prospects for Interdisciplinary Science Aboard the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, Julie A.

2011-01-01

The assembly of the International Space Station was completed in early 2011, and is now embarking on its first year of the coming decade of use as a laboratory. Two key types of physical science research are enabled by ISS: studies of processes that are normally masked by gravity, and instruments that take advantage of its position as a powerful platform in orbit. The absence of buoyancy-driven convection enables experiments in diverse areas such as fluids near the critical point, Marangoni convection, combustion, and coarsening of metal alloys. The positioning of such a powerful platform in orbit with robotic transfer and instrument support also provides a unique alternative platform for astronomy and physics instruments. Some of the operating or planned instruments related to fundamental physics on the International Space Station include MAXI (Monitoring all-sky X-ray Instrument for ISS), the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, CALET (Calorimetric Electron Telescope), and ACES (Atomic Clock Experiment in Space). The presentation will conclude with an overview of pathways for funding different types of experiments from NASA funding to the ISS National Laboratory, and highlights of the streamlining of services to help scientists implement their experiments on ISS.

Reanalysis of the Stratosphere in GEOS-5: Lessons Learned from MERRA and Future Prospects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pawson, Steven

2011-01-01

The MERRA configuration of GEOS-5 includes about 30 layers in the middle atmosphere, with an upper boundary near 80km. Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU) and Advanced microwave sounding unit ( AMSU) radiance data are assimilated, which yield good constraints on the analyses up to the upper stratosphere. This paper examines the performance of MERRA, with foci on: the somewhat erratic system behavior in the 1980s, as numerous SSU instruments were available for short periods; the transition from SSU to AMSU radiances; conflicts between equivalent instruments on different platforms, given in the context of bias correction and the diurnal cycle; and, the relative stability of the analyses in the 21st Century. The results from MERRA provide guidance for how to use the operational polar-orbiting datasets in future reanalyses. Additional discussion will be directed at the possible use of research data sets, from limb-sounding instruments, in future multi-decadal products.

77 FR 39996 - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, Notice of Decision on Application for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-06

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, Notice of Decision on Application for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments...: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3123. Instrument: Arc...

77 FR 42483 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-19

... creating artificial nanoscale structures on an atom-by- atom basis using nascent atom manipulation techniques. The instrument will be used to investigate the amount of force required to move one atom on a materials surface while simultaneously measuring local electronic structural changes during atom movement...

78 FR 27186 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-09

... cell regeneration in damaged tissue, and examine the regulatory mechanisms for metabolic activity in... populations of cells develop into a coherent circuit that capably detects directional movement in a visual... a single neuron or large numbers of cells in a neuronal population. The instrument's capabilities...

77 FR 74647 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-17

... an AFM tip to measure the electromagnetic near-field of optical antennas, plasmonics in metals and... field-aligned Ion Cyclotron RF antenna, which is used to automatically follow the load variation in real time and make the antenna system load tolerant. The instrument's unique specifications are its...

77 FR 12240 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-29

... Institute, 5353 Parkside Dr MC 19-RE, Jupiter, FL 33458. Instrument: Freeze Fracture/Freeze Etch device... localization of membrane proteins using freeze fracture replica immuno- gold labeling, including all kinds of receptors and channels. Because freeze-fracture replica immuno-gold labeling has a high sensitivity for the...

75 FR 29974 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-28

... portions of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms embedded in plastic resins and cut into thin sections... vertebrate and invertebrate organisms embedded in plastic resins and cut into thin sections mounted on... Use: The instrument will be used to examine portions of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms embedded...

75 FR 20982 - West Virginia University, et al., Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-22

... of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscopes This is a..., Morgantown, WV 26506. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL, Japan. Intended Use: See notice at... Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL, Japan. Intended Use...

77 FR 71776 - Ohio University, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-04

... Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscope This is a decision... Stocker Center, Athens, OH 45701. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL Ltd., Japan... North Carolina Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-5915. Instrument: Electron...

76 FR 17381 - Battelle Memorial Institute, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-29

....; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscopes This is a..., Richland, WA 99354. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, the Netherlands. Intended... Rico, San Juan, PR 00936-5067. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL, Ltd., Japan...

75 FR 32901 - Colorado State University, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-10

....; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscopes This is a... Collins, CO 80523. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL Ltd., Japan. Intended Use: See... 97401-3753. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, Czech Republic. Intended Use...

76 FR 58245 - Ohio State University, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-20

... Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscope This is a decision... 43210. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, Czech Republic. Intended Use: See..., San Antonio, TX 78239-5166. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, Czech Republic...

78 FR 20296 - Purdue University et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-04

... Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscope This is a decision... 37235. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, the Netherlands. Intended Use: See... Lafayette, IN 47907-2024. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, the Netherlands...

76 FR 68717 - University of Arkansas, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-07

... of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscope This is a... Business Affairs, Fayetteville, AR 72701-1201. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL Ltd...: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL, Ltd...

75 FR 51239 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-19

... electrically conduction as well as insulation nanostructures prepared by in situ deposition onto clean surfaces. In-situ capacities allow the preparation of clean and well-defined nanostructures on pristine... these experiments. The instrument also has in-situ preparation capability and the ability to operate in...

14 CFR 47.13 - Signatures and instruments made by representatives.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... TRANSPORTATION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION General § 47.13 Signatures and instruments made by representatives. (a) Each person signing an Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1, or a document submitted... signed in ink, the Aircraft Registration Application must also have the typed or legibly printed name of...

14 CFR 47.13 - Signatures and instruments made by representatives.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... TRANSPORTATION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION General § 47.13 Signatures and instruments made by representatives. (a) Each person signing an Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1, or a document submitted... signed in ink, the Aircraft Registration Application must also have the typed or legibly printed name of...

The Study on Virtual Medical Instrument based on LabVIEW.

PubMed

Chengwei, Li; Limei, Zhang; Xiaoming, Hu

2005-01-01

With the increasing performance of computer, the virtual instrument technology has greatly advanced over the years, and then virtual medical instrument technology becomes available. This paper presents the virtual medical instrument, and then as an example, an application of a signal acquisition, processing and analysis system using LabVIEW is also given.

Measuring Uncertainty within Organizational Relationships: An Analysis of the CLUES Instrument.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jorgensen, Jerry D.; Petelle, John L.

1992-01-01

Presents an overview of the CLUES (also known as the CL7) instrument. Discusses the instrument's reliability and validity and its application to organizational communication research. Suggests that the instrument demonstrates unidimensionality in low-context cultures, high reliability, and known validity in a wide array of relational types. (RS)

21 CFR 884.4520 - Obstetric-gynecologic general manual instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... incision of the vulvar orifice for obstetrical purposes. (2) A fiberoptic metal vaginal speculum is a metal... vaginal speculum is a metal instrument used to expose the interior of the vagina. (4) An umbilical... instrument used to introduce dressing into the uterus or vagina. (7) A vaginal applicator is an instrument...

78 FR 21617 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request; Final Endorsement of Credit Instrument

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-11

... Information Collection: Comment Request; Final Endorsement of Credit Instrument AGENCY: Office of the... Proposal: Final Endorsement of Credit Instrument. OMB Control Number, if applicable: 2502-0016. Description... Endorsement of Credit Instrument'' form is used to request to request final endorsement by HUD of the credit...

49 CFR 1018.62 - Reasons for terminating collection action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... debtor's future financial prospects, and the exemptions available to the debtor under State and Federal... applicable statute of limitations has run, and the prospects of collecting by offset, notwithstanding the bar...

An instrument thermal data base system. [for future shuttle missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartoszek, J. T.; Csigi, K. I.; Ollendorf, S.; Oberright, J. E.

1981-01-01

The rationale for the implementation of an Instrument Thermal Data Base System (ITDBS) is discussed and the potential application of a data base management system in support of future space missions, the design of scientific instruments needed, and the potential payload groupings is described. Two basic data files are suggested, the first containing a detailed narrative information list pertaining to design configurations and optimum performance of each instrument, and the second consisting of a description of the parameters pertinent to the instruments' thermal control and design in the form of a summary record of coded information, and serving as a recall record. The applicability of a data request sheet for preliminary planning is described and is concluded that the proposed system may additionally prove to be a method of inventory control.

Lightweight Modular Instrumentation for Planetary Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joshi, P. B.

1993-01-01

An instrumentation, called Space Active Modular Materials ExperimentS (SAMMES), is developed for monitoring the spacecraft environment and for accurately measuring the degradation of space materials in low earth orbit (LEO). The SAMMES architecture concept can be extended to instrumentation for planetary exploration, both on spacecraft and in situ. The operating environment for planetary application will be substantially different, with temperature extremes and harsh solar wind and cosmic ray flux on lunar surfaces and temperature extremes and high winds on venusian and Martian surfaces. Moreover, instruments for surface deployment, which will be packaged in a small lander/rover (as in MESUR, for example), must be extremely compact with ultralow power and weight. With these requirements in mind, the SAMMES concept was extended to a sensor/instrumentation scheme for the lunar and Martian surface environment.

Moving your laboratories to the field – Advantages and limitations of the use of field portable instruments in environmental sample analysis

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

Gałuszka, Agnieszka, E-mail: Agnieszka.Galuszka@ujk.edu.pl; Migaszewski, Zdzisław M.; Namieśnik, Jacek

The recent rapid progress in technology of field portable instruments has increased their applications in environmental sample analysis. These instruments offer a possibility of cost-effective, non-destructive, real-time, direct, on-site measurements of a wide range of both inorganic and organic analytes in gaseous, liquid and solid samples. Some of them do not require the use of reagents and do not produce any analytical waste. All these features contribute to the greenness of field portable techniques. Several stationary analytical instruments have their portable versions. The most popular ones include: gas chromatographs with different detectors (mass spectrometer (MS), flame ionization detector, photoionization detector),more » ultraviolet–visible and near-infrared spectrophotometers, X-ray fluorescence spectrometers, ion mobility spectrometers, electronic noses and electronic tongues. The use of portable instruments in environmental sample analysis gives a possibility of on-site screening and a subsequent selection of samples for routine laboratory analyses. They are also very useful in situations that require an emergency response and for process monitoring applications. However, quantification of results is still problematic in many cases. The other disadvantages include: higher detection limits and lower sensitivity than these obtained in laboratory conditions, a strong influence of environmental factors on the instrument performance and a high possibility of sample contamination in the field. This paper reviews recent applications of field portable instruments in environmental sample analysis and discusses their analytical capabilities. - Highlights: • Field portable instruments are widely used in environmental sample analysis. • Field portable instruments are indispensable for analysis in emergency response. • Miniaturization of field portable instruments reduces resource consumption. • In situ analysis is in agreement with green analytical chemistry principles. • Performance requirements in field analysis stimulate technological progress.« less

Exploring the applicability and limitations of selected optical scattering instruments for PM mass measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jie; Marto, Joseph P.; Schwab, James J.

2018-05-01

Two optical scattering instruments for particle mass measurement, the Thermo Personal Data RAM (PDR-1500) and the TSI Environmental DustTrak DRX (Model 8543) were evaluated by (1) using poly- and mono-disperse test aerosol in the laboratory, and (2) sampling ambient aerosol. The responses of these optical scattering instruments to different particle characteristics (size, composition, concentration) were compared with responses from reference instruments. A Mie scattering calculation was used to explain the dependence of the optical instruments' response to aerosol size and composition. Concurrently, the detection efficiency of one Alphasense Optical Particle Counter (OPC-N2) was evaluated in the laboratory as well. The relationship between aerosol mass concentration and optical scattering was determined to be strongly dependent on aerosol size and to a lesser extent on aerosol composition (as reflected in the refractive indices of the materials tested) based on ambient measurements. This confirms that there is no simple way to use optical scattering instruments over a wide range of conditions without adjustments based on knowledge of aerosol size and composition. In particular, a test period measuring ambient aerosol with optical scattering instruments and a mass based method (an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer) determined that roughly two thirds of the variance (R2 = 0.64) of the optical to mass signal ratio is explained by the aerosol mass median diameter alone. These observations and calculations help evaluate the applicability and limitations of these optical scattering instruments, and provide guidance to designing suitable applications for each instrument by considering aerosol sources and aerosol size.

Assessing Risk of Injury in People with Mental Retardation Living in an Intermediate Care Facility

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Konarski, Edward A.; Tasse, Marc

2005-01-01

A brief instrument to assess risk of injury was applied retrospectively for 2 years and prospectively for 1 year to all people living in a large ICF/MR. Results suggest that the percentage of people who experienced an injury significantly increased across the levels of increasing risk indicated by the assessment. Furthermore, people who…

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Notes on Genealogy and Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winzer, Margret; Mazurek, Kas

2014-01-01

The dense and complex "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" (CRPD) is both a human rights treaty and a development tool. It supplements the web of existing human rights instruments insofar as they relate to disability. Schooling is enshrouded as a rights-based case; inclusive education as a development tool for all…

Feasibility of Mossbauer survey meter for hydrocarbon and mineral reserves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, J. J.

1975-01-01

The feasibility of developing a Mossbauer survey meter for geophysical prospecting was investigated. Various critical requirements that will have to be met by the source and absorber crystals in such an instrument were identified. It was concluded that a survey meter based on (Rh-103 resonance (40 kev) yields Rh-103) isomeric transition is feasible and should be developed.

Status and prospects for LiDAR remote sensing of forested ecosystems

Treesearch

M. A. Wulder; N. C. Coops; A. T. Hudak; F. Morsdorf; R. Nelson; G. Newnham; M. Vastaranta

2013-01-01

The science associated with the use of airborne and satellite Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to remotely sense forest structure has rapidly progressed over the past decade. LiDAR has evolved from being a poorly understood, potentially useful tool to an operational technology in a little over a decade, and these instruments have become a major success story in...

Measures that identify prescription medication misuse, abuse, and related events in clinical trials: ACTTION critique and recommended considerations

PubMed Central

Smith, Shannon M.; Jones, Judith K.; Katz, Nathaniel P.; Roland, Carl L.; Setnik, Beatrice; Trudeau, Jeremiah J.; Wright, Stephen; Burke, Laurie B.; Comer, Sandra D.; Dart, Richard C.; Dionne, Raymond; Haddox, J. David; Jaffe, Jerome H.; Kopecky, Ernest A.; Martell, Bridget A.; Montoya, Ivan D.; Stanton, Marsha; Wasan, Ajay D.; Turk, Dennis C.; Dworkin, Robert H.

2017-01-01

Accurate assessment of inappropriate medication use events (i.e., misuse, abuse, and related events [MAREs]) occurring in clinical trials is an important component in evaluating a medication’s abuse potential. A meeting was convened to review all instruments measuring such events in clinical trials according to previously published standardized terminology and definitions [27]. Only 2 approaches have been reported that are specifically designed to identify and classify MAREs occurring in clinical trials, rather than to measure an individual’s risk of using a medication inappropriately: the Self-Reported Misuse, Abuse, and Diversion [SR-MAD] instrument and the Misuse, Abuse, and Diversion Drug Event Reporting System [MADDERS]. The conceptual basis, strengths, and limitations of these methods are discussed. To our knowledge, MADDERS is the only system available to comprehensively evaluate inappropriate medication use events prospectively in order to determine the underlying intent. MADDERS can also be applied retrospectively to completed trial data. SR-MAD can be used prospectively; additional development may be required to standardize its implementation and fully appraise the intent of inappropriate use events. Additional research is needed to further demonstrate the validity and utility of both MADDERS and SR-MAD. PMID:28479207

76 FR 20948 - Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-14

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory... of export controls applicable to sensors [[Page 20949

Two classes of capillary optical fibers: refractive and photonic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romaniuk, Ryszard S.

2008-11-01

This paper is a digest tutorial on some properties of capillary optical fibers (COF). Two basic types of capillary optical fibers are clearly distinguished. The classification is based on propagation mechanism of optical wave. The refractive, singlemode COF guides a dark hollow beam of light (DHB) with zero intensity on fiber axis. The photonic, singlemode COF carries nearly a perfect axial Gaussian beam with maximum intensity on fiber axis. A subject of the paper are these two basic kinds of capillary optical fibers of pure refractive and pure photonic mechanism of guided wave transmission. In a real capillary the wave may be transmitted by a mixed mechanism, refractive and photonic, with strong interaction of photonic and refractive guided wave modes. Refractive capillary optical fibers are used widely for photonic instrumentation applications, while photonic capillary optical fibers are considered for trunk optical communications. Replacement of classical, single mode, dispersion shifted, 1550nm optimized optical fibers for communications with photonic capillaries would potentially cause a next serious revolution in optical communications. The predictions say that such a revolution may happen within this decade. This dream is however not fulfilled yet. The paper compares guided modes in both kinds of optical fiber capillaries: refractive and photonic. The differences are emphasized indicating prospective application areas of these fibers.

Application of Terrestrial Microwave Remote Sensing to Agricultural Drought Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crow, W. T.; Bolten, J. D.

2014-12-01

Root-zone soil moisture information is a valuable diagnostic for detecting the onset and severity of agricultural drought. Current attempts to globally monitor root-zone soil moisture are generally based on the application of soil water balance models driven by observed meteorological variables. Such systems, however, are prone to random error associated with: incorrect process model physics, poor parameter choices and noisy meteorological inputs. The presentation will describe attempts to remediate these sources of error via the assimilation of remotely-sensed surface soil moisture retrievals from satellite-based passive microwave sensors into a global soil water balance model. Results demonstrate the ability of satellite-based soil moisture retrieval products to significantly improve the global characterization of root-zone soil moisture - particularly in data-poor regions lacking adequate ground-based rain gage instrumentation. This success has lead to an on-going effort to implement an operational land data assimilation system at the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) to globally monitor variations in root-zone soil moisture availability via the integration of satellite-based precipitation and soil moisture information. Prospects for improving the performance of the USDA FAS system via the simultaneous assimilation of both passive and active-based soil moisture retrievals derived from the upcoming NASA Soil Moisture Active/Passive mission will also be discussed.

Research on the shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging technology based on Integrated Stepwise filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Liqing; Xiao, Xizhong; Wang, Yueming; Zhuang, Xiaoqiong; Wang, Jianyu

2017-11-01

Space-borne hyperspectral imagery is an important tool for earth sciences and industrial applications. Higher spatial and spectral resolutions have been sought persistently, although this results in more power, larger volume and weight during a space-borne spectral imager design. For miniaturization of hyperspectral imager and optimization of spectral splitting methods, several methods are compared in this paper. Spectral time delay integration (TDI) method with high transmittance Integrated Stepwise Filter (ISF) is proposed.With the method, an ISF imaging spectrometer with TDI could achieve higher system sensitivity than the traditional prism/grating imaging spectrometer. In addition, the ISF imaging spectrometer performs well in suppressing infrared background radiation produced by instrument. A compact shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imager prototype based on HgCdTe covering the spectral range of 2.0-2.5 μm with 6 TDI stages was designed and integrated. To investigate the performance of ISF spectrometer, a method to derive the optimal blocking band curve of the ISF is introduced, along with known error characteristics. To assess spectral performance of the ISF system, a new spectral calibration based on blackbody radiation with temperature scanning is proposed. The results of the imaging experiment showed the merits of ISF. ISF has great application prospects in the field of high sensitivity and high resolution space-borne hyperspectral imagery.

Application of Data-Driven Evidential Belief Functions to Prospectivity Mapping for Aquamarine-Bearing Pegmatites, Lundazi District, Zambia

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

Carranza, E. J. M., E-mail: carranza@itc.nl; Woldai, T.; Chikambwe, E. M.

A case application of data-driven estimation of evidential belief functions (EBFs) is demonstrated to prospectivity mapping in Lundazi district (eastern Zambia). Spatial data used to represent recognition criteria of prospectivity for aquamarine-bearing pegmatites include mapped granites, mapped faults/fractures, mapped shear zones, and radioelement concentration ratios derived from gridded airborne radiometric data. Data-driven estimates EBFs take into account not only (a) spatial association between an evidential map layer and target deposits but also (b) spatial relationships between classes of evidences in an evidential map layer. Data-driven estimates of EBFs can indicate which spatial data provide positive or negative evidence of prospectivity.more » Data-driven estimates of EBFs of only spatial data providing positive evidence of prospectivity were integrated according to Dempster's rule of combination. Map of integrated degrees of belief was used to delineate zones of relative degress of prospectivity for aquamarine-bearing pegmatites. The predictive map has at least 85% prediction rate and at least 79% success rate of delineating training and validation deposits, respectively. The results illustrate usefulness of data-driven estimation of EBFs in GIS-based predictive mapping of mineral prospectivity. The results also show usefulness of EBFs in managing uncertainties associated with evidential maps.« less

Note: Rotaphone, a new self-calibrated six-degree-of-freedom seismic sensor

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brokešová, Johana; Málek, Jiří; Evans, John R.

2012-01-01

We have developed and tested (calibration, linearity, and cross-axis errors) a new six-degree-of-freedom mechanical seismic sensor for collocated measurements of three translational and three rotational ground motion velocity components. The device consists of standard geophones arranged in parallel pairs to detect spatial gradients. The instrument operates in a high-frequency range (above the natural frequency of the geophones, 4.5 Hz). Its theoretical sensitivity limit in this range is 10(-9) m/s in ground velocity and 10(-9) rad/s in rotation rate. Small size and weight, and easy installation and maintenance make the instrument useful for local-earthquake recording and seismic prospecting.

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if the bank receives such information prior to...

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if the bank receives such information prior to...

12 CFR 571.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 571.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if you receive such information prior to October 1, 2008. For...

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if the bank receives such information prior to...

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if the bank receives such information prior to...

12 CFR 571.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 571.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if you receive such information prior to October 1, 2008. For...

Fundamentals of Materials, Techniques, and Instrumentation for OSL and FNTD Dosimetry

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

Akselrod, M. S.

The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique has already become a successful commercial tool in personal radiation dosimetry, medical dosimetry, diagnostic imaging, geological and archeological dating. This review briefly describes the history and fundamental principles of OSL materials, methods and instrumentation. The advantages of OSL technology and instrumentation in comparison with thermoluminescent technique are analyzed. Progress in material and detector engineering has allowed new and promising developments regarding OSL applications in the medical field. Special attention is dedicated to Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}:C as a material of choice for many dosimetric applications. Different aspects of OSL theory, materials optical and dosimetric properties,more » instrumentation, and data processing algorithms are described. The next technological breakthrough was done with Fluorescent Nuclear Track Detectors (FNTD) that have some important advantages in measuring fast neutron and high energy heavy charge particles that have become the latest tool in radiation therapy. New Mg-doped aluminum oxide crystals and novel type of imaging instrumentation for FNTD technology are discussed with regard to application in mixed neutron-gamma fields, medical dosimetry and radiobiological research.« less

Fundamentals of Materials, Techniques, and Instrumentation for OSL and FNTD Dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akselrod, M. S.

2011-05-01

The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique has already become a successful commercial tool in personal radiation dosimetry, medical dosimetry, diagnostic imaging, geological and archeological dating. This review briefly describes the history and fundamental principles of OSL materials, methods and instrumentation. The advantages of OSL technology and instrumentation in comparison with thermoluminescent technique are analyzed. Progress in material and detector engineering has allowed new and promising developments regarding OSL applications in the medical field. Special attention is dedicated to Al2O3:C as a material of choice for many dosimetric applications. Different aspects of OSL theory, materials optical and dosimetric properties, instrumentation, and data processing algorithms are described. The next technological breakthrough was done with Fluorescent Nuclear Track Detectors (FNTD) that have some important advantages in measuring fast neutron and high energy heavy charge particles that have become the latest tool in radiation therapy. New Mg-doped aluminum oxide crystals and novel type of imaging instrumentation for FNTD technology are discussed with regard to application in mixed neutron-gamma fields, medical dosimetry and radiobiological research.

Applicability of market-based instruments for safeguarding water quality in coastal waterways: Case study for Darwin Harbour, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greiner, Romy

2014-02-01

Water pollution of coastal waterways is a complex problem due to the cocktail of pollutants and multiplicity of polluters involved and pollution characteristics. Pollution control therefore requires a combination of policy instruments. This paper examines the applicability of market-based instruments to achieve effective and efficient water quality management in Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia. Potential applicability of instruments is examined in the context of biophysical and economic pollution characteristics, and experience with instruments elsewhere. The paper concludes that there is potential for inclusion of market-based instruments as part of an instrument mix to safeguard water quality in Darwin Harbour. It recommends, in particular, expanding the existing licencing system to include quantitative pollution limits for all significant point polluters; comprehensive and independent pollution monitoring across Darwin Harbour; public disclosure of water quality and emissions data; positive incentives for landholders in the Darwin Harbour catchment to improve land management practices; a stormwater offset program for greenfield urban developments; adoption of performance bonds for developments and operations which pose a substantial risk to water quality, including port expansion and dredging; and detailed consideration of a bubble licensing scheme for nutrient pollution. The paper offers an analytical framework for policy makers and resource managers tasked with water quality management in coastal waterways elsewhere in Australia and globally, and helps to scan for MBIs suitable in any given environmental management situation.

14 CFR 33.29 - Instrument connection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... must make provision for the installation of instrumentation necessary to ensure operation in compliance... assumed aircraft installation, then the applicant must specify this instrumentation in the engine installation instructions and declare it mandatory in the engine approval documentation. (f) As part of the...

Increased incidence of pseudarthrosis after unilateral instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients with lumbar spondylosis: Clinical article.

PubMed

Gologorsky, Yakov; Skovrlj, Branko; Steinberger, Jeremy; Moore, Max; Arginteanu, Marc; Moore, Frank; Steinberger, Alfred

2014-10-01

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with segmental pedicular instrumentation is a well established procedure used to treat lumbar spondylosis with or without spondylolisthesis. Available biomechanical and clinical studies that compared unilateral and bilateral constructs have produced conflicting data regarding patient outcomes and hardware complications. A prospective cohort study was undertaken by a group of neurosurgeons. They prospectively enrolled 80 patients into either bilateral or unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation groups (40 patients/group). Demographic data collected for each group included sex, age, body mass index, tobacco use, and Workers' Compensation/litigation status. Operative data included segments operated on, number of levels involved, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and perioperative complications. Long-term outcomes (hardware malfunction, wound dehiscence, and pseudarthrosis) were recorded. For all patients, preoperative baseline and 6-month postoperative scores for Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) outcomes were recorded. Patient follow-up times ranged from 37 to 63 months (mean 52 months). No patients were lost to follow-up. The patients who underwent unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation (unilateral cohort) were slightly younger than those who underwent bilateral pedicle screw instrumentation (bilateral cohort) (mean age 42 vs. 47 years, respectively; p = 0.02). No other significant differences were detected between cohorts with regard to demographic data, mean number of lumbar levels operated on, or distribution of the levels operated on. Estimated blood loss was higher for patients in the bilateral cohort, but length of stay was similar for patients in both cohorts. The incidence of pseudarthrosis was significantly higher among patients in the unilateral cohort (7 patients [17.5%]) than among those in the bilateral cohort (1 patient [2.5%]) (p = 0.02). Wound dehiscence occurred for 1 patient in the unilateral cohort. Reoperation was offered to 8 patients in the unilateral cohort and 1 patient in the bilateral cohort (p = 0.03). The physical component scores of the Medical Outcomes SF-36 outcomes improved significantly for all patients (p < 0.001). Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with either unilateral or bilateral segmental pedicular instrumentation is an effective treatment for lumbar spondylosis. Because patients with unilateral constructs were 7 times more likely to experience pseudarthrosis and require reoperation, TLIF with bilateral constructs might be the biomechanically superior technique.