Hybrid propulsion for launch vehicle boosters: A program status update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, R. L.; Boardman, T. A.; Claflin, S. E.; Harwell, R. J.

1995-01-01

Results obtained in studying the origin and suppression of large-amplitude pressure oscillations in a 24 in. diameter hybrid motor using a liquid oxygen/hydroxylterminated polybutadiene/polycyclopentadiene propellant system are discussed. Tests conducted with liquid oxygen flow rates varying from 10 to 40 lbm/sec were designed to gauge the effectiveness of various vaporization chamber flow fields, injector designs, and levels of heat addition in suppressing high-frequency longitudinal mode oscillations. Longitudinal acoustic modes did not arise in any tests. However, initial testing revealed the presence of high-amplitude, sinusoidal, nonacoustic oscillations persisting throughout the burn durations. Analysis showed this to be analogous to chug mode instability in liquid rocket engines brought about by a coupling of motor combustion processes and the liquid oxygen feed system. Analytical models were developed and verified by test data to predict the amplitude and frequency of feed-system-coupled combustion pressure oscillations. Subsequent testing showed that increasing the feed system impedance eliminated the bulk mode instability. This paper documents the work completed to date in performance of the Hybrid Propulsion Technology for Launch Vehicle Boosters Program (NAS8-39942) sponsored by NASA's George C. Marshall Space Flight Center.

The national fire-danger rating system: basic equations

Treesearch

Jack D. Cohen; John E. Deeming

1985-01-01

Updating the National Fire-Danger Rating System (NFDRS) was completed in 1977, and operational use of it was begun the next year. The System provides a guide to wildfire control and suppression by its indexes that measure the relative potential of initiating fires. Such fires do not behave erratically–they spread without spotting through continuous ground fuels....

Preservation of physical properties with Ensemble-type Kalman Filter Algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janjic, T.

2017-12-01

We show the behavior of the localized Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) with respect to preservation of positivity, conservation of mass, energy and enstrophy in toy models that conserve these properties. In order to preserve physical properties in the analysis as well as to deal with the non-Gaussianity in an EnKF framework, Janjic et al. 2014 proposed the use of physically based constraints in the analysis step to constrain the solution. In particular, constraints were used to ensure that the ensemble members and the ensemble mean conserve mass and remain nonnegative through measurement updates. In the study, mass and positivity were both preserved by formulating the filter update as a set of quadratic programming problems that incorporate nonnegativity constraints. Simple numerical experiments indicated that this approach can have a significant positive impact on the posterior ensemble distribution, giving results that were more physically plausible both for individual ensemble members and for the ensemble mean. Moreover, in experiments designed to mimic the most important characteristics of convective motion, it is shown that the mass conservation- and positivity-constrained rain significantly suppresses noise seen in localized EnKF results. This is highly desirable in order to avoid spurious storms from appearing in the forecast starting from this initial condition (Lange and Craig 2014). In addition, the root mean square error is reduced for all fields and total mass of the rain is correctly simulated. Similarly, the enstrophy, divergence, as well as energy spectra can as well be strongly affected by localization radius, thinning interval, and inflation and depend on the variable that is observed (Zeng and Janjic, 2016). We constructed the ensemble data assimilation algorithm that conserves mass, total energy and enstrophy (Zeng et al., 2017). With 2D shallow water model experiments, it is found that the conservation of enstrophy within the data assimilation effectively avoids the spurious energy cascade of rotational part and thereby successfully suppresses the noise generated by the data assimilation algorithm. The 14-day deterministic and ensemble free forecast, starting from the initial condition enforced by both total energy and enstrophy constraints, produces the best prediction.

Updating the premotor theory: the allocation of attention is not always accompanied by saccade preparation.

PubMed

Belopolsky, Artem V; Theeuwes, Jan

2012-08-01

There is an ongoing controversy regarding the relationship between covert attention and saccadic eye movements. While there is quite some evidence that the preparation of a saccade is obligatory preceded by a shift of covert attention, the reverse is not clear: Is allocation of attention always accompanied by saccade preparation? Recently, a shifting and maintenance account was proposed suggesting that shifting and maintenance components of covert attention differ in their relation to the oculomotor system. Specifically, it was argued that a shift of covert attention is always accompanied by activation of the oculomotor program, while maintaining covert attention at a location can be accompanied either by activation or suppression of oculomotor program, depending on the probability of executing an eye movement to the attended location. In the present study we tested whether there is such an obligatory coupling between shifting of attention and saccade preparation and how quickly saccade preparation gets suppressed. The results showed that attention shifting was always accompanied by saccade preparation whenever covert attention had to be shifted during visual search, as well as in response to exogenous or endogenous cues. However, for the endogenous cues the saccade program to the attended location was suppressed very soon after the attention shift was completed. The current findings support the shifting and maintenance account and indicate that the premotor theory needs to be updated to include a shifting and maintenance component for the cases in which covert shifts of attention are made without the intention to execute a saccade. (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved.

Memory-updating abrogates extinction of learned immunosuppression.

PubMed

Hadamitzky, Martin; Bösche, Katharina; Wirth, Timo; Buck, Benjamin; Beetz, Oliver; Christians, Uwe; Schniedewind, Björn; Lückemann, Laura; Güntürkün, Onur; Engler, Harald; Schedlowski, Manfred

2016-02-01

When memories are recalled, they enter a transient labile phase in which they can be impaired or enhanced followed by a new stabilization process termed reconsolidation. It is unknown, however, whether reconsolidation is restricted to neurocognitive processes such as fear memories or can be extended to peripheral physiological functions as well. Here, we show in a paradigm of behaviorally conditioned taste aversion in rats memory-updating in learned immunosuppression. The administration of sub-therapeutic doses of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A together with the conditioned stimulus (CS/saccharin) during retrieval blocked extinction of conditioned taste aversion and learned suppression of T cell cytokine (interleukin-2; interferon-γ) production. This conditioned immunosuppression is of clinical relevance since it significantly prolonged the survival time of heterotopically transplanted heart allografts in rats. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that memories can be updated on both neural and behavioral levels as well as on the level of peripheral physiological systems such as immune functioning. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reconsolidation Allows Fear Memory to Be Updated to a Less Aversive Level through the Incorporation of Appetitive Information

PubMed Central

Haubrich, Josue; Crestani, Ana P; Cassini, Lindsey F; Santana, Fabiana; Sierra, Rodrigo O; Alvares, Lucas de O; Quillfeldt, Jorge A

2015-01-01

The capacity to adapt to new situations is one of the most important features of memory. When retrieved, memories may undergo a labile state that is sensitive to modification. This process, called reconsolidation, can lead to memory updating through the integration of new information into a previously consolidated memory background. Thus reconsolidation provides the opportunity to modify an undesired fear memory by updating its emotional valence to a less aversive level. Here we evaluated whether a fear memory can be reinterpreted by the concomitant presentation of an appetitive stimulus during its reactivation, hindering fear expression. We found that memory reactivation in the presence of appetitive stimuli resulted in the suppression of a fear response. In addition, fear expression was not amenable to reinstatement, spontaneous recovery, or rapid reacquisition. Such effect was prevented by either systemic injection of nimodipine or intra-hippocampal infusion of ifenprodil, indicating that memory updating was mediated by a reconsolidation mechanism relying on hippocampal neuronal plasticity. Taken together, this study shows that reconsolidation allows for a ‘re-signification' of unwanted fear memories through the incorporation of appetitive information. It brings a new promising cognitive approach to treat fear-related disorders. PMID:25027331

Recovery from Object Substitution Masking Induced by Transient Suppression of Visual Motion Processing: A Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hirose, Nobuyuki; Kihara, Ken; Mima, Tatsuya; Ueki, Yoshino; Fukuyama, Hidenao; Osaka, Naoyuki

2007-01-01

Object substitution masking is a form of visual backward masking in which a briefly presented target is rendered invisible by a lingering mask that is too sparse to produce lower image-level interference. Recent studies suggested the importance of an updating process in a higher object-level representation, which should rely on the processing of…

Addendum to strangeness production and color deconfinement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castorina, P.; Plumari, S.; Satz, H.

Recent extensive data from the beam energy scan of the STAR collaboration at BNL-RHIC provide the basis for a detailed update for the universal behavior of the strangeness suppression factor γs as function of the initial entropy density as proposed in our recent paper (P. Castorina, S Plumari and H. Satz, Int. J. Mod. Phys. E 26 (2017) 1750081, arXiv:1709.02706 [nucl-th]).

Tailoring Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Premenopausal Breast Cancer.

PubMed

Francis, Prudence A; Pagani, Olivia; Fleming, Gini F; Walley, Barbara A; Colleoni, Marco; Láng, István; Gómez, Henry L; Tondini, Carlo; Ciruelos, Eva; Burstein, Harold J; Bonnefoi, Hervé R; Bellet, Meritxell; Martino, Silvana; Geyer, Charles E; Goetz, Matthew P; Stearns, Vered; Pinotti, Graziella; Puglisi, Fabio; Spazzapan, Simon; Climent, Miguel A; Pavesi, Lorenzo; Ruhstaller, Thomas; Davidson, Nancy E; Coleman, Robert; Debled, Marc; Buchholz, Stefan; Ingle, James N; Winer, Eric P; Maibach, Rudolf; Rabaglio-Poretti, Manuela; Ruepp, Barbara; Di Leo, Angelo; Coates, Alan S; Gelber, Richard D; Goldhirsch, Aron; Regan, Meredith M

2018-06-04

Background In the Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial (SOFT) and the Tamoxifen and Exemestane Trial (TEXT), the 5-year rates of recurrence of breast cancer were significantly lower among premenopausal women who received the aromatase inhibitor exemestane plus ovarian suppression than among those who received tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression. The addition of ovarian suppression to tamoxifen did not result in significantly lower recurrence rates than those with tamoxifen alone. Here, we report the updated results from the two trials. Methods Premenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive 5 years of tamoxifen, tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, or exemestane plus ovarian suppression in SOFT and to receive tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression or exemestane plus ovarian suppression in TEXT. Randomization was stratified according to the receipt of chemotherapy. Results In SOFT, the 8-year disease-free survival rate was 78.9% with tamoxifen alone, 83.2% with tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, and 85.9% with exemestane plus ovarian suppression (P=0.009 for tamoxifen alone vs. tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression). The 8-year rate of overall survival was 91.5% with tamoxifen alone, 93.3% with tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, and 92.1% with exemestane plus ovarian suppression (P=0.01 for tamoxifen alone vs. tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression); among the women who remained premenopausal after chemotherapy, the rates were 85.1%, 89.4%, and 87.2%, respectively. Among the women with cancers that were negative for HER2 who received chemotherapy, the 8-year rate of distant recurrence with exemestane plus ovarian suppression was lower than the rate with tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression (by 7.0 percentage points in SOFT and by 5.0 percentage points in TEXT). Grade 3 or higher adverse events were reported in 24.6% of the tamoxifen-alone group, 31.0% of the tamoxifen-ovarian suppression group, and 32.3% of the exemestane-ovarian suppression group. Conclusions Among premenopausal women with breast cancer, the addition of ovarian suppression to tamoxifen resulted in significantly higher 8-year rates of both disease-free and overall survival than tamoxifen alone. The use of exemestane plus ovarian suppression resulted in even higher rates of freedom from recurrence. The frequency of adverse events was higher in the two groups that received ovarian suppression than in the tamoxifen-alone group. (Funded by Pfizer and others; SOFT and TEXT ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00066690 and NCT00066703 , respectively.).

10 CFR 72.248 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Safety analysis report updating. 72.248 Section 72.248 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT STORAGE OF... Approval of Spent Fuel Storage Casks § 72.248 Safety analysis report updating. (a) Each certificate holder...

77 FR 24941 - Vantage Wind Energy LLC; Order Accepting Updated Market Power Analysis and Providing Direction on...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-26

.... 1. In this order, the Commission accepts an updated market power analysis filed by Vantage Wind.... Background 3. On December 20, 2010, Vantage Wind filed an updated market power analysis in compliance with... power analysis filed by Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (Puget).\\4\\ \\3\\ See Vantage Wind Energy LLC, Docket No...

The Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System (ProSEDS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lorenzini, Enrico C.; Cosmo, Mario L.; Estes, Robert D.; Sanmartin, Juan; Pelaez, Jesus; Ruiz, Manuel

2003-01-01

This Final Report covers the following main topics: 1) Brief Description of ProSEDS; 2) Mission Analysis; 3) Dynamics Reference Mission; 4) Dynamics Stability; 5) Deployment Control; 6) Updated System Performance; 7) Updated Mission Analysis; 8) Updated Dynamics Reference Mission; 9) Updated Deployment Control Profiles and Simulations; 10) Updated Reference Mission; 11) Evaluation of Power Delivered by the Tether; 12) Deployment Control Profile Ref. #78 and Simulations; 13) Kalman Filters for Mission Estimation; 14) Analysis/Estimation of Deployment Flight Data; 15) Comparison of ED Tethers and Electrical Thrusters; 16) Dynamics Analysis for Mission Starting at a Lower Altitude; 17) Deployment Performance at a Lower Altitude; 18) Satellite Orbit after a Tether Cut; 19) Deployment with Shorter Dyneema Tether Length; 20) Interactive Software for ED Tethers.

Methyl bromide and the Montreal Protocol: An update on the critical use exemption and quarantine pre-shipment process

Treesearch

Scott Enebak

2007-01-01

Over the past 50 years, methyl bromide (MBr) has proven to be a consistently reliable pesticide that enhances seedling production and suppresses soilborne pests. It is the industry standard and an essential component of virtually every pest management program in southern forest tree nurseries. Due to the listing of MBr as a ozone depleting substance, the U.S....

Three-dimensional modeling of HCFC-123 in the atmosphere: assessing its potential environmental impacts and rationale for continued use.

PubMed

Wuebbles, Donald J; Patten, Kenneth O

2009-05-01

HCFC-123 (C2HCl2F3) is used in large refrigeration systems and as a fire suppression agent blend. Like other hydrochlorofluorocarbons, production and consumption of HCFC-123 is limited under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The purpose of this study is to update the understanding of the current and projected impacts of HCFC-123 on stratospheric ozone and on climate and to discuss the potential environmental effects from continued use of this chemical for specific applications. For the first time, the Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of a HCFC is determined using a three-dimensional model (MOZART-3) of atmospheric physics and chemistry. All previous studies have relied on results from two-dimensional models. The derived HCFC-123 ODP of 0.0098 is smaller than previous values. Analysis of the projected uses and emissions of HCFC-123, assuming reasonable levels of projected growth and use in centrifugal chiller and fire suppressant applications, suggests an extremely small impact on the environment due to its short atmospheric lifetime, low ODP, low Global Warming Potential (GWP), and the small production and emission of its limited applications. The current contribution of HCFC-123 to stratospheric reactive chlorine is too small to be measurable.

Real-Time Adaptive Control of Flow-Induced Cavity Tones

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kegerise, Michael A.; Cabell, Randolph H.; Cattafesta, Louis N.

2004-01-01

An adaptive generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm was formulated and applied to the cavity flow-tone problem. The algorithm employs gradient descent to update the GPC coefficients at each time step. The adaptive control algorithm demonstrated multiple Rossiter mode suppression at fixed Mach numbers ranging from 0.275 to 0.38. The algorithm was also able t o maintain suppression of multiple cavity tones as the freestream Mach number was varied over a modest range (0.275 to 0.29). Controller performance was evaluated with a measure of output disturbance rejection and an input sensitivity transfer function. The results suggest that disturbances entering the cavity flow are colocated with the control input at the cavity leading edge. In that case, only tonal components of the cavity wall-pressure fluctuations can be suppressed and arbitrary broadband pressure reduction is not possible. In the control-algorithm development, the cavity dynamics are treated as linear and time invariant (LTI) for a fixed Mach number. The experimental results lend support this treatment.

A Probabilistic Approach to Model Update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horta, Lucas G.; Reaves, Mercedes C.; Voracek, David F.

2001-01-01

Finite element models are often developed for load validation, structural certification, response predictions, and to study alternate design concepts. In rare occasions, models developed with a nominal set of parameters agree with experimental data without the need to update parameter values. Today, model updating is generally heuristic and often performed by a skilled analyst with in-depth understanding of the model assumptions. Parameter uncertainties play a key role in understanding the model update problem and therefore probabilistic analysis tools, developed for reliability and risk analysis, may be used to incorporate uncertainty in the analysis. In this work, probability analysis (PA) tools are used to aid the parameter update task using experimental data and some basic knowledge of potential error sources. Discussed here is the first application of PA tools to update parameters of a finite element model for a composite wing structure. Static deflection data at six locations are used to update five parameters. It is shown that while prediction of individual response values may not be matched identically, the system response is significantly improved with moderate changes in parameter values.

Stabilization and synchronization for a mechanical system via adaptive sliding mode control.

PubMed

Song, Zhankui; Sun, Kaibiao; Ling, Shuai

2017-05-01

In this paper, we investigate the synchronization problem of chaotic centrifugal flywheel governor with parameters uncertainty and lumped disturbances. A slave centrifugal flywheel governor system is considered as an underactuated following-system which a control input is designed to follow a master centrifugal flywheel governor system. To tackle lumped disturbances and uncertainty parameters, a novel synchronization control law is developed by employing sliding mode control strategy and Nussbaum gain technique. Adaptation updating algorithms are derived in the sense of Lyapunov stability analysis such that the lumped disturbances can be suppressed and the adverse effect caused by uncertainty parameters can be compensated. In addition, the synchronization tracking-errors are proven to converge to a small neighborhood of the origin. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evidence for a neural dual-process account for adverse effects of cognitive control.

PubMed

Zink, Nicolas; Stock, Ann-Kathrin; Colzato, Lorenza; Beste, Christian

2018-06-09

Advantageous effects of cognitive control are well-known, but cognitive control may also have adverse effects, for example when it suppresses the implicit processing of stimulus-response (S-R) bindings that could benefit task performance. Yet, the neurophysiological and functional neuroanatomical structures associated with adverse effects of cognitive control are poorly understood. We used an extreme group approach to compare individuals who exhibit adverse effects of cognitive control to individuals who do not by combining event-related potentials (ERPs), source localization, time-frequency analysis and network analysis methods. While neurophysiological correlates of cognitive control (i.e. N2, N450, theta power and theta-mediated neuronal network efficiency) and task-set updating (P3) both reflect control demands and implicit information processing, differences in the degree of adverse cognitive control effects are associated with two independent neural mechanisms: Individuals, who show adverse behavioral effects of cognitive control, show reduced small-world properties and thus reduced efficiency in theta-modulated networks when they fail to effectively process implicit information. In contrast to this, individuals who do not display adverse control effects show enhanced task-set updating mechanism when effectively processing implicit information, which is reflected by the P3 ERP component and associated with the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ, BA 40) and medial frontal gyrus (MFG; BA 8). These findings suggest that implicit S-R contingencies, which benefit response selection without cognitive control, are always 'picked up', but may fail to be integrated with task representations to guide response selection. This provides evidence for a neurophysiological and functional neuroanatomical "dual-process" account of adverse cognitive control effects.

Alpha power gates relevant information during working memory updating.

PubMed

Manza, Peter; Hau, Chui Luen Vera; Leung, Hoi-Chung

2014-04-23

Human working memory (WM) is inherently limited, so we must filter out irrelevant information in our environment or our mind while retaining limited important relevant contents. Previous work suggests that neural oscillations in the alpha band (8-14 Hz) play an important role in inhibiting incoming distracting information during attention and selective encoding tasks. However, whether alpha power is involved in inhibiting no-longer-relevant content or in representing relevant WM content is still debated. To clarify this issue, we manipulated the amount of relevant/irrelevant information using a task requiring spatial WM updating while measuring neural oscillatory activity via EEG and localized current sources across the scalp using a surface Laplacian transform. An initial memory set of two, four, or six spatial locations was to be memorized over a delay until an updating cue was presented indicating that only one or three locations remained relevant for a subsequent recognition test. Alpha amplitude varied with memory maintenance and updating demands among a cluster of left frontocentral electrodes. Greater postcue alpha power was associated with the high relevant load conditions (six and four dots cued to reduce to three relevant) relative to the lower load conditions (four and two dots reduced to one). Across subjects, this difference in alpha power was correlated with condition differences in performance accuracy. In contrast, no significant effects of irrelevant load were observed. These findings demonstrate that, during WM updating, alpha power reflects maintenance of relevant memory contents rather than suppression of no-longer-relevant memory traces.

76 FR 63623 - Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-13

... Nutritional Biomarker Report: transfat analysis; update on ATSDR Science Symposium; update on Camp LeJeune; update on Environmental Health Tracking; presentation on hydraulic fracking; global health updates...

Executive summary of the GeSIDA/National AIDS Plan consensus document on antiretroviral therapy in adults infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (updated January 2018).

PubMed

2018-05-11

This update to the document on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in adults, which has been prepared jointly by GeSIDA and the Spanish National AIDS Plan for the last two decades, supersedes the document published in 2017. 1 The update provides physicians treating HIV-1-infected adults with evidence-based recommendations to guide their therapeutic decisions. The main difference with respect to the previous document concerns recommended initial ART regimens, only three of which are maintained as preferential. All three include dolutegravir or raltegravir, together with emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide or abacavir/lamivudine. Other differences concern the section on switching ART in patients with suppressed viral replication, which now includes new two- and three-drug regimens, and the antiretroviral drugs recommended for pregnant women and patients with tuberculosis. A recommendation has also been added for patients who present with acute HIV infection after pre-exposure prophylaxis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.

Updating working memory in aircraft noise and speech noise causes different fMRI activations

PubMed Central

Sætrevik, Bjørn; Sörqvist, Patrik

2015-01-01

The present study used fMRI/BOLD neuroimaging to investigate how visual-verbal working memory is updated when exposed to three different background-noise conditions: speech noise, aircraft noise and silence. The number-updating task that was used can distinguish between “substitution processes,” which involve adding new items to the working memory representation and suppressing old items, and “exclusion processes,” which involve rejecting new items and maintaining an intact memory set. The current findings supported the findings of a previous study by showing that substitution activated the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the posterior medial frontal cortex and the parietal lobes, whereas exclusion activated the anterior medial frontal cortex. Moreover, the prefrontal cortex was activated more by substitution processes when exposed to background speech than when exposed to aircraft noise. These results indicate that (a) the prefrontal cortex plays a special role when task-irrelevant materials should be denied access to working memory and (b) that, when compensating for different types of noise, either different cognitive mechanisms are involved or those cognitive mechanisms that are involved are involved to different degrees. PMID:25352319

Neuroadaptation in Nicotine Addiction: Update on the Sensitization-Homeostasis Model

PubMed Central

DiFranza, Joseph R.; Huang, Wei; King, Jean

2012-01-01

The role of neuronal plasticity in supporting the addictive state has generated much research and some conceptual theories. One such theory, the sensitization-homeostasis (SH) model, postulates that nicotine suppresses craving circuits, and this triggers the development of homeostatic adaptations that autonomously support craving. Based on clinical studies, the SH model predicts the existence of three distinct forms of neuroplasticity that are responsible for withdrawal, tolerance and the resolution of withdrawal. Over the past decade, many controversial aspects of the SH model have become well established by the literature, while some details have been disproven. Here we update the model based on new studies showing that nicotine dependence develops through a set sequence of symptoms in all smokers, and that the latency to withdrawal, the time it takes for withdrawal symptoms to appear during abstinence, is initially very long but shortens by several orders of magnitude over time. We conclude by outlining directions for future research based on the updated model, and commenting on how new experimental studies can gain from the framework put forth in the SH model. PMID:24961259

Large-Scale Identification and Analysis of Suppressive Drug Interactions

PubMed Central

Cokol, Murat; Weinstein, Zohar B.; Yilancioglu, Kaan; Tasan, Murat; Doak, Allison; Cansever, Dilay; Mutlu, Beste; Li, Siyang; Rodriguez-Esteban, Raul; Akhmedov, Murodzhon; Guvenek, Aysegul; Cokol, Melike; Cetiner, Selim; Giaever, Guri; Iossifov, Ivan; Nislow, Corey; Shoichet, Brian; Roth, Frederick P.

2014-01-01

SUMMARY One drug may suppress the effects of another. Although knowledge of drug suppression is vital to avoid efficacy-reducing drug interactions or discover countermeasures for chemical toxins, drug-drug suppression relationships have not been systematically mapped. Here, we analyze the growth response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to anti-fungal compound (“drug”) pairs. Among 440 ordered drug pairs, we identified 94 suppressive drug interactions. Using only pairs not selected on the basis of their suppression behavior, we provide an estimate of the prevalence of suppressive interactions between anti-fungal compounds as 17%. Analysis of the drug suppression network suggested that Bromopyruvate is a frequently suppressive drug and Staurosporine is a frequently suppressed drug. We investigated potential explanations for suppressive drug interactions, including chemogenomic analysis, coaggregation, and pH effects, allowing us to explain the interaction tendencies of Bromopyruvate. PMID:24704506

10 CFR 72.70 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... original FSAR or, as appropriate, the last update to the FSAR under this section. The update shall include... for an ISFSI or MRS shall update periodically, as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section... applicant commitments developed during the license approval and/or hearing process. (b) Each update shall...

10 CFR 72.70 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... original FSAR or, as appropriate, the last update to the FSAR under this section. The update shall include... for an ISFSI or MRS shall update periodically, as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section... applicant commitments developed during the license approval and/or hearing process. (b) Each update shall...

10 CFR 72.70 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... original FSAR or, as appropriate, the last update to the FSAR under this section. The update shall include... for an ISFSI or MRS shall update periodically, as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section... applicant commitments developed during the license approval and/or hearing process. (b) Each update shall...

10 CFR 72.70 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... original FSAR or, as appropriate, the last update to the FSAR under this section. The update shall include... for an ISFSI or MRS shall update periodically, as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section... applicant commitments developed during the license approval and/or hearing process. (b) Each update shall...

10 CFR 72.248 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... appropriate, the last update to the FSAR under this section. The update shall include the effects 1 of: 1... for a spent fuel storage cask design shall update periodically, as provided in paragraph (b) of this... the issued Certificate of Compliance (CoC). (b) Each update shall contain all the changes necessary to...

10 CFR 72.248 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... appropriate, the last update to the FSAR under this section. The update shall include the effects 1 of: 1... for a spent fuel storage cask design shall update periodically, as provided in paragraph (b) of this... the issued Certificate of Compliance (CoC). (b) Each update shall contain all the changes necessary to...

10 CFR 72.248 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... appropriate, the last update to the FSAR under this section. The update shall include the effects 1 of: 1... for a spent fuel storage cask design shall update periodically, as provided in paragraph (b) of this... the issued Certificate of Compliance (CoC). (b) Each update shall contain all the changes necessary to...

10 CFR 72.248 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... appropriate, the last update to the FSAR under this section. The update shall include the effects 1 of: 1... for a spent fuel storage cask design shall update periodically, as provided in paragraph (b) of this... the issued Certificate of Compliance (CoC). (b) Each update shall contain all the changes necessary to...

Large forest fires in Canada, 1959-1997

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stocks, B. J.; Mason, J. A.; Todd, J. B.; Bosch, E. M.; Wotton, B. M.; Amiro, B. D.; Flannigan, M. D.; Hirsch, K. G.; Logan, K. A.; Martell, D. L.; Skinner, W. R.

2002-01-01

A Large Fire Database (LFDB), which includes information on fire location, start date, final size, cause, and suppression action, has been developed for all fires larger than 200 ha in area for Canada for the 1959-1997 period. The LFDB represents only 3.1% of the total number of Canadian fires during this period, the remaining 96.9% of fires being suppressed while <200 ha in size, yet accounts for ˜97% of the total area burned, allowing a spatial and temporal analysis of recent Canadian landscape-scale fire impacts. On average ˜2 million ha burned annually in these large fires, although more than 7 million ha burned in some years. Ecozones in the boreal and taiga regions experienced the greatest areas burned, with an average of 0.7% of the forested land burning annually. Lightning fires predominate in northern Canada, accounting for 80% of the total LFDB area burned. Large fires, although small in number, contribute substantially to area burned, most particularly in the boreal and taiga regions. The Canadian fire season runs from late April through August, with most of the area burned occurring in June and July due primarily to lightning fire activity in northern Canada. Close to 50% of the area burned in Canada is the result of fires that are not actioned due to their remote location, low values-at-risk, and efforts to accommodate the natural role of fire in these ecosystems. The LFDB is updated annually and is being expanded back in time to permit a more thorough analysis of long-term trends in Canadian fire activity.

Large forest fires in Canada, 1959-1997

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stocks, B. J.; Mason, J. A.; Todd, J. B.; Bosch, E. M.; Wotton, B. M.; Amiro, B. D.; Flannigan, M. D.; Hirsch, K. G.; Logan, K. A.; Martell, D. L.; Skinner, W. R.

2003-01-01

A Large Fire Database (LFDB), which includes information on fire location, start date, final size, cause, and suppression action, has been developed for all fires larger than 200 ha in area for Canada for the 1959-1997 period. The LFDB represents only 3.1% of the total number of Canadian fires during this period, the remaining 96.9% of fires being suppressed while <200 ha in size, yet accounts for ~97% of the total area burned, allowing a spatial and temporal analysis of recent Canadian landscape-scale fire impacts. On average ~2 million ha burned annually in these large fires, although more than 7 million ha burned in some years. Ecozones in the boreal and taiga regions experienced the greatest areas burned, with an average of 0.7% of the forested land burning annually. Lightning fires predominate in northern Canada, accounting for 80% of the total LFDB area burned. Large fires, although small in number, contribute substantially to area burned, most particularly in the boreal and taiga regions. The Canadian fire season runs from late April through August, with most of the area burned occurring in June and July due primarily to lightning fire activity in northern Canada. Close to 50% of the area burned in Canada is the result of fires that are not actioned due to their remote location, low values-at-risk, and efforts to accommodate the natural role of fire in these ecosystems. The LFDB is updated annually and is being expanded back in time to permit a more thorough analysis of long-term trends in Canadian fire activity.

Structure, Evolution, and Functions of Bacterial Type III Toxin-Antitoxin Systems.

PubMed

Goeders, Nathalie; Chai, Ray; Chen, Bihe; Day, Andrew; Salmond, George P C

2016-09-28

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are small genetic modules that encode a toxin (that targets an essential cellular process) and an antitoxin that neutralises or suppresses the deleterious effect of the toxin. Based on the molecular nature of the toxin and antitoxin components, TA systems are categorised into different types. Type III TA systems, the focus of this review, are composed of a toxic endoribonuclease neutralised by a non-coding RNA antitoxin in a pseudoknotted configuration. Bioinformatic analysis shows that the Type III systems can be classified into subtypes. These TA systems were originally discovered through a phage resistance phenotype arising due to a process akin to an altruistic suicide; the phenomenon of abortive infection. Some Type III TA systems are bifunctional and can stabilise plasmids during vegetative growth and sporulation. Features particular to Type III systems are explored here, emphasising some of the characteristics of the RNA antitoxin and how these may affect the co-evolutionary relationship between toxins and cognate antitoxins in their quaternary structures. Finally, an updated analysis of the distribution and diversity of these systems are presented and discussed.

Structure, Evolution, and Functions of Bacterial Type III Toxin-Antitoxin Systems

PubMed Central

Goeders, Nathalie; Chai, Ray; Chen, Bihe; Day, Andrew; Salmond, George P. C.

2016-01-01

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are small genetic modules that encode a toxin (that targets an essential cellular process) and an antitoxin that neutralises or suppresses the deleterious effect of the toxin. Based on the molecular nature of the toxin and antitoxin components, TA systems are categorised into different types. Type III TA systems, the focus of this review, are composed of a toxic endoribonuclease neutralised by a non-coding RNA antitoxin in a pseudoknotted configuration. Bioinformatic analysis shows that the Type III systems can be classified into subtypes. These TA systems were originally discovered through a phage resistance phenotype arising due to a process akin to an altruistic suicide; the phenomenon of abortive infection. Some Type III TA systems are bifunctional and can stabilise plasmids during vegetative growth and sporulation. Features particular to Type III systems are explored here, emphasising some of the characteristics of the RNA antitoxin and how these may affect the co-evolutionary relationship between toxins and cognate antitoxins in their quaternary structures. Finally, an updated analysis of the distribution and diversity of these systems are presented and discussed. PMID:27690100

The string-junction picture of multiquark states: an update

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, G. C.; Veneziano, G.

2016-06-01

We recall and update, both theoretically and phenomenologically, our (nearly) forty-years-old proposal of a string-junction as a necessary complement to the conventional classification of hadrons based just on their quark-antiquark constituents. In that proposal single (though in general metastable) hadronic states are associated with "irreducible" gauge-invariant operators consisting of Wilson lines (visualized as strings of color flux tubes) that may either end on a quark or an antiquark, or annihilate in triplets at a junction J or an anti-junction overline{J} . For the junction-free sector (ordinary qoverline{q} mesons and glueballs) the picture is supported by large- N (number of colors) considerations as well as by a lattice strong-coupling expansion. Both imply the famous OZI rule suppressing quark-antiquark annihilation diagrams. For hadrons with J and/or overline{J} constituents the same expansions support our proposal, including its generalization of the OZI rule to the suppression of J-overline{J} annihilation diagrams. Such a rule implies that hadrons with junctions are "mesophobic" and thus unusually narrow if they are below threshold for decaying into as many baryons as their total number of junctions (two for a tetraquark, three for a pentaquark). Experimental support for our claim, based on the observation that narrow multiquark states typically lie below (well above) the relevant baryonic (mesonic) thresholds, will be presented.

Using secure messaging to update medications list in ambulatory care setting.

PubMed

Raghu, T S; Frey, Keith; Chang, Yu-Hui; Cheng, Meng-Ru; Freimund, Sharon; Patel, Asha

2015-10-01

This study analyzed patient adoption of secure messaging to update medication list in an ambulatory care setting. The objective was to establish demographic differences between users and non-users of secure messaging for medications list update. Efficiency of secure messaging for the updates was compared to fax and telephone based updates. The study used a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patient medical records and pharmacy call logs at Mayo Clinic, Arizona from December 2012 to May 2013, approximately one year after organizing a pharmacy call center for medication updates. A subgroup analysis during a 2-week period was used to measure time to complete update. Main dependent variable is the frequency of medication list updates over the study duration. Technician time required for the update was also utilized. A total of 22,495 outpatient visits were drawn and 18,702 unique patients were included in the primary analysis. A total of 402 unique patients were included in sub-group analysis. Secure message response rate (49.5%) was statistically significantly lower than that for phone calls (54.8%, p<0.001). Time to complete the update was significantly higher for faxed medication lists (Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, p<0.001) when compared to those for secure message or phone. Around 50% of the patients respond to medication update requests before office visit when contacted using phone calls and secure messages. Given the demographic differences between users and non-users of patient portal, mixed mode communication with patients is likely to be the norm for the foreseeable future in outpatient settings. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Utilizing Flight Data to Update Aeroelastic Stability Estimates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lind, Rick; Brenner, Marty

1997-01-01

Stability analysis of high performance aircraft must account for errors in the system model. A method for computing flutter margins that incorporates flight data has been developed using robust stability theory. This paper considers applying this method to update flutter margins during a post-flight or on-line analysis. Areas of modeling uncertainty that arise when using flight data with this method are investigated. The amount of conservatism in the resulting flutter margins depends on the flight data sets used to update the model. Post-flight updates of flutter margins for an F/A-18 are presented along with a simulation of on-line updates during a flight test.

Two Anatomically and Computationally Distinct Learning Signals Predict Changes to Stimulus-Outcome Associations in Hippocampus.

PubMed

Boorman, Erie D; Rajendran, Vani G; O'Reilly, Jill X; Behrens, Tim E

2016-03-16

Complex cognitive processes require sophisticated local processing but also interactions between distant brain regions. It is therefore critical to be able to study distant interactions between local computations and the neural representations they act on. Here we report two anatomically and computationally distinct learning signals in lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) and the dopaminergic ventral midbrain (VM) that predict trial-by-trial changes to a basic internal model in hippocampus. To measure local computations during learning and their interaction with neural representations, we coupled computational fMRI with trial-by-trial fMRI suppression. We find that suppression in a medial temporal lobe network changes trial-by-trial in proportion to stimulus-outcome associations. During interleaved choice trials, we identify learning signals that relate to outcome type in lOFC and to reward value in VM. These intervening choice feedback signals predicted the subsequent change to hippocampal suppression, suggesting a convergence of signals that update the flexible representation of stimulus-outcome associations. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In-Flight Suppression of an Unstable F/A-18 Structural Mode Using the Space Launch System Adaptive Augmenting Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanZwieten, Tannen S.; Gilligan, Eric T.; Wall, John H.; Miller, Christopher J.; Hanson, Curtis E.; Orr, Jeb S.

2015-01-01

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Flight Control System (FCS) includes an Adaptive Augmenting Control (AAC) component which employs a multiplicative gain update law to enhance the performance and robustness of the baseline control system for extreme off-nominal scenarios. The SLS FCS algorithm including AAC has been flight tested utilizing a specially outfitted F/A-18 fighter jet in which the pitch axis control of the aircraft was performed by a Non-linear Dynamic Inversion (NDI) controller, SLS reference models, and the SLS flight software prototype. This paper describes test cases from the research flight campaign in which the fundamental F/A-18 airframe structural mode was identified using post-flight frequency-domain reconstruction, amplified to result in closed loop instability, and suppressed in-flight by the SLS adaptive control system.

Living systematic reviews: 3. Statistical methods for updating meta-analyses.

PubMed

Simmonds, Mark; Salanti, Georgia; McKenzie, Joanne; Elliott, Julian

2017-11-01

A living systematic review (LSR) should keep the review current as new research evidence emerges. Any meta-analyses included in the review will also need updating as new material is identified. If the aim of the review is solely to present the best current evidence standard meta-analysis may be sufficient, provided reviewers are aware that results may change at later updates. If the review is used in a decision-making context, more caution may be needed. When using standard meta-analysis methods, the chance of incorrectly concluding that any updated meta-analysis is statistically significant when there is no effect (the type I error) increases rapidly as more updates are performed. Inaccurate estimation of any heterogeneity across studies may also lead to inappropriate conclusions. This paper considers four methods to avoid some of these statistical problems when updating meta-analyses: two methods, that is, law of the iterated logarithm and the Shuster method control primarily for inflation of type I error and two other methods, that is, trial sequential analysis and sequential meta-analysis control for type I and II errors (failing to detect a genuine effect) and take account of heterogeneity. This paper compares the methods and considers how they could be applied to LSRs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Determine the Role of Canonical Wnt Signaling in Ovarian Tumorigenesis

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

Acad Sci U S A, 1999. 96(4): p. 1603-8. 11. Kuilman, T., et al., The essence of senescence. Genes Dev, 2010. 24(22): p. 2463- 79. 12. Bernardi, R...Tu,1 Katherine M. Aird,1 Benjamin G. Bitler,1 Jasmine P. Nicodemus,1 Neil Beeharry,2 Bing Xia,3 Tim J. Yen,2 and Rugang Zhang1,2,* 1Women’s Cancer...Bitler, Jasmine P. Nicodemus, Hua Li, et al. Senescence Wnt5a Suppresses Epithelial Ovarian Cancer by Promoting Cellular Updated Version

From the Line in the Sand: Accounts of USAF Company Grade Officers in Support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-01

and target annotated. The threat rings . . . lots of them . . . the wing commander . . . the chaplain reading from the Bible... this was real...Meanwhile, the OPT was already working the next mission. We updated the threat rings , chose a minimum risk route, coordinated defense suppression and...Prove it, Intel! You can’t prove it because you have no imagery backup for electronic intelligence. Okay then, let’s penetrate that ring to mini

A SWOT Analysis of the Updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the U.S., 2015-2020.

PubMed

Holtgrave, David R; Greenwald, Robert

2016-01-01

In July 2015, President Barack Obama released an updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) for the United States to guide HIV efforts through the year 2020. A federal action plan to accompany the updated NHAS will be released in December 2015. In this editorial, we offer a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis with the aim of increasing discussion of ways to truly fulfill the promise of the updated NHAS and to address barriers that may thwart it from achieving its full potential.

A Constrained Scheme for High Precision Downward Continuation of Potential Field Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jun; Meng, Xiaohong; Zhou, Zhiwen

2018-04-01

To further improve the accuracy of the downward continuation of potential field data, we present a novel constrained scheme in this paper combining the ideas of the truncated Taylor series expansion, the principal component analysis, the iterative continuation and the prior constraint. In the scheme, the initial downward continued field on the target plane is obtained from the original measured field using the truncated Taylor series expansion method. If the original field was with particularly low signal-to-noise ratio, the principal component analysis is utilized to suppress the noise influence. Then, the downward continued field is upward continued to the plane of the prior information. If the prior information was on the target plane, it should be upward continued over a short distance to get the updated prior information. Next, the difference between the calculated field and the updated prior information is calculated. The cosine attenuation function is adopted to get the scope of constraint and the corresponding modification item. Afterward, a correction is performed on the downward continued field on the target plane by adding the modification item. The correction process is iteratively repeated until the difference meets the convergence condition. The accuracy of the proposed constrained scheme is tested on synthetic data with and without noise. Numerous model tests demonstrate that downward continuation using the constrained strategy can yield more precise results compared to other downward continuation methods without constraints and is relatively insensitive to noise even for downward continuation over a large distance. Finally, the proposed scheme is applied to real magnetic data collected within the Dapai polymetallic deposit from the Fujian province in South China. This practical application also indicates the superiority of the presented scheme.

Updating the Behavior Engineering Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chevalier, Roger

2003-01-01

Considers Thomas Gilbert's Behavior Engineering Model as a tool for systematically identifying barriers to individual and organizational performance. Includes a detailed case study and a performance aid that incorporates gap analysis, cause analysis, and force field analysis to update the original model. (Author/LRW)

Updating working memory in aircraft noise and speech noise causes different fMRI activations.

PubMed

Saetrevik, Bjørn; Sörqvist, Patrik

2015-02-01

The present study used fMRI/BOLD neuroimaging to investigate how visual-verbal working memory is updated when exposed to three different background-noise conditions: speech noise, aircraft noise and silence. The number-updating task that was used can distinguish between "substitution processes," which involve adding new items to the working memory representation and suppressing old items, and "exclusion processes," which involve rejecting new items and maintaining an intact memory set. The current findings supported the findings of a previous study by showing that substitution activated the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the posterior medial frontal cortex and the parietal lobes, whereas exclusion activated the anterior medial frontal cortex. Moreover, the prefrontal cortex was activated more by substitution processes when exposed to background speech than when exposed to aircraft noise. These results indicate that (a) the prefrontal cortex plays a special role when task-irrelevant materials should be denied access to working memory and (b) that, when compensating for different types of noise, either different cognitive mechanisms are involved or those cognitive mechanisms that are involved are involved to different degrees. © 2014 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology published by Scandinavian Psychological Associations and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Heartburn in pregnancy.

PubMed

Vazquez, Juan C

2015-09-08

Heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy; the incidence is reported to be between 17% and 45%. We conducted a systematic overview and aimed to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of interventions to prevent or treat heartburn in pregnancy? We searched Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to December 2014 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). At this update, searching of electronic databases retrieved 80 studies. After deduplication and removal of conference abstracts, 59 records were screened for inclusion in the review. Appraisal of titles and abstracts led to the exclusion of 58 studies and the further review of one full publication. The full article evaluated did not meet our reporting criteria, and thus no new evidence was added at this update. We performed a GRADE evaluation for two PICO combinations. In this systematic overview, we categorised the efficacy for six interventions, based on information about the effectiveness and safety of acid-suppressing drugs, antacids with or without alginates, raising the head of the bed, reducing caffeine intake, reducing intake of fatty foods, and reducing the size and frequency of meals.

Breast Cancer and Estrogen-Alone Update

MedlinePlus

... Current Issue Past Issues Research News From NIH Breast Cancer and Estrogen-Alone Update Past Issues / Summer 2006 ... hormone therapy does not increase the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to an updated analysis ...

Statistical analysis of hail characteristics in the hail-protected western part of Croatia using data from hail suppression stations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Počakal, Damir; Štalec, Janez

In the continental part of Croatia, operational hail suppression has been conducted for more than 30 years. The current protected area is 25,177 km 2 and has about 492 hail suppression stations which are managed with eight weather radar centres. This paper present a statistical analysis of parameters connected with hail occurrence on hail suppression stations in the western part of protected area in 1981-2000 period. This analysis compares data of two periods with different intensity of hail suppression activity and is made as a part of a project for assessment of hail suppression efficiency in Croatia. Because of disruption in hail suppression system during the independence war in Croatia (1991-1995), lack of rockets and other objective circumstances, it is considered that in the 1991-2000 period, hail suppression system could not act properly. Because of that, a comparison of hail suppression data for two periods was made. The first period (1981-1990), which is characterised with full application of hail suppression technology is compared with the second period (1991-2000). The protected area is divided into quadrants (9×9 km), such that every quadrant has at least one hail suppression station and intercomparison is more precise. Discriminant analysis was performed for the yearly values of each quadrant. These values included number of cases with solid precipitation, hail damage, heavy hail damage, number of active hail suppression stations, number of days with solid precipitation, solid precipitation damage, heavy solid precipitation damage and the number and duration of air traffic control bans. The discriminant analysis shows that there is a significant difference between the two periods. Average values of observed periods on isolated discriminant function 1 are for the first period (1981-1990) -0.36 and for the second period +0.23 standard deviation of all observations. The analysis for all eight variables shows statistically substantial differences in the number of hail suppression stations (which have a positive correlation) and in the number of cases with air traffic control ban, which have, like all other variables, a negative correlation. Results of statistical analysis for two periods show positive influence of hail suppression system. The discriminant analysis made for three periods shows that these three periods can not be compared because of the short time period, the difference in hail suppression technology, working conditions and possible differences in meteorological conditions. Therefore, neither the effectiveness nor ineffectiveness of hail suppression operations nor their efficiency can be statistically proven. For an exact assessment of hail suppression effectiveness, it is necessary to develop a project, which would take into consideration all the parameters used in such previous projects around the world—a hailpad polygon.

In-Flight Suppression of a Destabilized F/A-18 Structural Mode Using the Space Launch System Adaptive Augmenting Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wall, John H.; VanZwieten, Tannen S.; Gilligan, Eric T.; Miller, Christopher J.; Hanson, Curtis E.; Orr, Jeb S.

2015-01-01

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Flight Control System (FCS) includes an Adaptive Augmenting Control (AAC) component which employs a multiplicative gain update law to enhance the performance and robustness of the baseline control system for extreme off nominal scenarios. The SLS FCS algorithm including AAC has been flight tested utilizing a specially outfitted F/A-18 fighter jet in which the pitch axis control of the aircraft was performed by a Non-linear Dynamic Inversion (NDI) controller, SLS reference models, and the SLS flight software prototype. This paper describes test cases from the research flight campaign in which the fundamental F/A-18 airframe structural mode was identified using frequency-domain reconstruction of flight data, amplified to result in closed loop instability, and suppressed in-flight by the SLS adaptive control system.

An iPod treatment of amblyopia: an updated binocular approach.

PubMed

Hess, Robert F; Thompson, B; Black, J M; Machara, G; Zhang, P; Bobier, W R; Cooperstock, J

2012-02-15

We describe the successful translation of computerized and space-consuming laboratory equipment for the treatment of suppression to a small handheld iPod device (Apple iPod; Apple Inc., Cupertino, California). A portable and easily obtainable Apple iPod display, using current video technology offers an ideal solution for the clinical treatment of suppression. The following is a description of the iPod device and illustrates how a video game has been adapted to provide the appropriate stimulation to implement our recent antisuppression treatment protocol. One to 2 hours per day of video game playing under controlled conditions for 1 to 3 weeks can improve acuity and restore binocular function, including stereopsis in adults, well beyond the age at which traditional patching is used. This handheld platform provides a convenient and effective platform for implementing the newly proposed binocular treatment of amblyopia in the clinic, home, or elsewhere. American Optometric Association.

Computational models of spatial updating in peri-saccadic perception

PubMed Central

Hamker, Fred H.; Zirnsak, Marc; Ziesche, Arnold; Lappe, Markus

2011-01-01

Perceptual phenomena that occur around the time of a saccade, such as peri-saccadic mislocalization or saccadic suppression of displacement, have often been linked to mechanisms of spatial stability. These phenomena are usually regarded as errors in processes of trans-saccadic spatial transformations and they provide important tools to study these processes. However, a true understanding of the underlying brain processes that participate in the preparation for a saccade and in the transfer of information across it requires a closer, more quantitative approach that links different perceptual phenomena with each other and with the functional requirements of ensuring spatial stability. We review a number of computational models of peri-saccadic spatial perception that provide steps in that direction. Although most models are concerned with only specific phenomena, some generalization and interconnection between them can be obtained from a comparison. Our analysis shows how different perceptual effects can coherently be brought together and linked back to neuronal mechanisms on the way to explaining vision across saccades. PMID:21242143

Charm Mixing and D Dalitz Analysis at BESIII

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Shengsen; BESIII Collaboration

2016-04-01

We study D0D‾0 pairs produced in e+e- collisions at √{ s} = 3.773GeV using a data sample of 2.92 fb-1 collected with the BESIII detector. Using world-average values of external parameters, we obtain cosδKπ = 1.02 ± 0.11 ± 0.06 ± 0.01, δKπ is the strong phase difference between the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed process D‾0 →K-π+ and the Cabibbo-favored process D0 →K-π+. A measurement of the parameter yCP in D0 -D‾0 oscillations is performed by taking advantage of quantum coherence between pair-produced D0 and D‾0 mesons near threshold, the preliminary result is yCP = (- 1.6 ± 1.3 ± 0.6)%. An analysis of the D+ → KS0 π+π0 Dalitz plot is performed, the Dalitz plot is found to be well presented by a combination of six quasi-two-body decay channels [KS0 ρ+, KS0 ρ(1450) +, K ‾ * 0π+, K‾0(1430) 0π+, K ‾(1680) 0π+, κ‾0π+] plus a small nonresonant component. Using the fit fractions from this analysis, partial branching ratios are updated with higher precision than previous measurements.

Real-Time Feedback Control of Flow-Induced Cavity Tones. Part 2; Adaptive Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kegerise, M. A.; Cabell, R. H.; Cattafesta, L. N., III

2006-01-01

An adaptive generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm was formulated and applied to the cavity flow-tone problem. The algorithm employs gradient descent to update the GPC coefficients at each time step. Past input-output data and an estimate of the open-loop pulse response sequence are all that is needed to implement the algorithm for application at fixed Mach numbers. Transient measurements made during controller adaptation revealed that the controller coefficients converged to a steady state in the mean, and this implies that adaptation can be turned off at some point with no degradation in control performance. When converged, the control algorithm demonstrated multiple Rossiter mode suppression at fixed Mach numbers ranging from 0.275 to 0.38. However, as in the case of fixed-gain GPC, the adaptive GPC performance was limited by spillover in sidebands around the suppressed Rossiter modes. The algorithm was also able to maintain suppression of multiple cavity tones as the freestream Mach number was varied over a modest range (0.275 to 0.29). Beyond this range, stable operation of the control algorithm was not possible due to the fixed plant model in the algorithm.

Detection of burst suppression patterns in EEG using recurrence rate.

PubMed

Liang, Zhenhu; Wang, Yinghua; Ren, Yongshao; Li, Duan; Voss, Logan; Sleigh, Jamie; Li, Xiaoli

2014-01-01

Burst suppression is a unique electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern commonly seen in cases of severely reduced brain activity such as overdose of general anesthesia. It is important to detect burst suppression reliably during the administration of anesthetic or sedative agents, especially for cerebral-protective treatments in various neurosurgical diseases. This study investigates recurrent plot (RP) analysis for the detection of the burst suppression pattern (BSP) in EEG. The RP analysis is applied to EEG data containing BSPs collected from 14 patients. Firstly we obtain the best selection of parameters for RP analysis. Then, the recurrence rate (RR), determinism (DET), and entropy (ENTR) are calculated. Then RR was selected as the best BSP index one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison tests. Finally, the performance of RR analysis is compared with spectral analysis, bispectral analysis, approximate entropy, and the nonlinear energy operator (NLEO). ANOVA and multiple comparison tests showed that the RR could detect BSP and that it was superior to other measures with the highest sensitivity of suppression detection (96.49%, P = 0.03). Tracking BSP patterns is essential for clinical monitoring in critically ill and anesthetized patients. The purposed RR may provide an effective burst suppression detector for developing new patient monitoring systems.

Updated recommendations: an assessment of NICE clinical guidelines

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Updating is important to ensure clinical guideline (CG) recommendations remain valid. However, little research has been undertaken in this field. We assessed CGs produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to identify and describe updated recommendations and to investigate potential factors associated with updating. Also, we evaluated the reporting and presentation of recommendation changes. Methods We performed a descriptive analysis of original and updated CGs and recommendations, and an assessment of presentation formats and methods for recording information. We conducted a case-control study, defining cases as original recommendations that were updated (‘new-replaced’ recommendations), and controls as original recommendations that were considered to remain valid (‘not changed’ recommendations). We performed a comparison of main characteristics between cases and controls, and we planned a multiple regression analysis to identify potential predictive factors for updating. Results We included nine updated CGs (1,306 recommendations) and their corresponding original versions (1,106 recommendations). Updated CGs included 812 (62%) recommendations ‘not reviewed’, 368 (28.1%) ‘new’ recommendations, 104 (7.9%) ‘amended’ recommendations, and 25 (1.9%) recommendations reviewed but unchanged. The presentation formats used to indicate the changes in recommendations varied widely across CGs. Changes in ‘amended’, ‘deleted’, and ‘new-replaced’ recommendations (n = 296) were reported infrequently, mostly in appendices. These changes were recorded in 167 (56.4%) recommendations; and were explained in 81 (27.4%) recommendations. We retrieved a total of 7.1% (n = 78) case recommendations (‘new-replaced’) and 2.4% (n = 27) control recommendations (‘not changed’) in original CGs. The updates were mainly from ‘Fertility CG’, about ‘gynaecology, pregnancy and birth’ topic, and ‘treatment’ or ‘prevention’ purposes. We did not perform the multiple regression analysis as originally planned due to the small sample of recommendations retrieved. Conclusion Our study is the first to describe and assess updated CGs and recommendations from a national guideline program. Our results highlight the pressing need to standardise the reporting and presentation of updated recommendations and the research gap about the optimal way to present updates to guideline users. Furthermore, there is a need to investigate updating predictive factors. PMID:24919856

Summary Analysis: Hanford Site Composite Analysis Update

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

Nichols, W. E.; Lehman, L. L.

2017-06-05

The Hanford Site’s currently maintained Composite Analysis, originally completed in 1998, requires an update. A previous update effort was undertaken by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2001-2005, but was ended before completion to allow the Tank Closure & Waste Management Environmental Impact Statement (TC&WM EIS) (DOE/EIS-0391) to be prepared without potential for conflicting sitewide models. This EIS was issued in 2012, and the deferral was ended with guidance in memorandum “Modeling to Support Regulatory Decision Making at Hanford” (Williams, 2012) provided with the aim of ensuring subsequent modeling is consistent with the EIS.

Knowledge-Based Systems Approach to Wilderness Fire Management.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saveland, James M.

The 1988 and 1989 forest fire seasons in the Intermountain West highlight the shortcomings of current fire policy. To fully implement an optimization policy that minimizes the costs and net value change of resources affected by fire, long-range fire severity information is essential, yet lacking. This information is necessary for total mobility of suppression forces, implementing contain and confine suppression strategies, effectively dealing with multiple fire situations, scheduling summer prescribed burning, and wilderness fire management. A knowledge-based system, Delphi, was developed to help provide long-range information. Delphi provides: (1) a narrative of advice on where a fire might spread, if allowed to burn, (2) a summary of recent weather and fire danger information, and (3) a Bayesian analysis of long-range fire danger potential. Uncertainty is inherent in long-range information. Decision theory and judgment research can be used to help understand the heuristics experts use to make decisions under uncertainty, heuristics responsible both for expert performance and bias. Judgment heuristics and resulting bias are examined from a fire management perspective. Signal detection theory and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis can be used to develop a long-range forecast to improve decisions. ROC analysis mimics some of the heuristics and compensates for some of the bias. Most importantly, ROC analysis displays a continuum of bias from which an optimum operating point can be selected. ROC analysis is especially appropriate for long-range forecasting since (1) the occurrence of possible future events is stated in terms of probability, (2) skill prediction is displayed, (3) inherent trade-offs are displayed, and (4) fire danger is explicitly defined. Statements on the probability of the energy release component of the National Fire Danger Rating System exceeding a critical value later in the fire season can be made early July in the Intermountain West. Delphi was evaluated formally and informally. Continual evaluation and feedback to update knowledge-based systems results in a repository for current knowledge, and a means to devise policy that will augment existing knowledge. Thus, knowledge-based systems can help implement adaptive resource management.

Efficient Stochastic Rendering of Static and Animated Volumes Using Visibility Sweeps.

PubMed

von Radziewsky, Philipp; Kroes, Thomas; Eisemann, Martin; Eisemann, Elmar

2017-09-01

Stochastically solving the rendering integral (particularly visibility) is the de-facto standard for physically-based light transport but it is computationally expensive, especially when displaying heterogeneous volumetric data. In this work, we present efficient techniques to speed-up the rendering process via a novel visibility-estimation method in concert with an unbiased importance sampling (involving environmental lighting and visibility inside the volume), filtering, and update techniques for both static and animated scenes. Our major contributions include a progressive estimate of partial occlusions based on a fast sweeping-plane algorithm. These occlusions are stored in an octahedral representation, which can be conveniently transformed into a quadtree-based hierarchy suited for a joint importance sampling. Further, we propose sweep-space filtering, which suppresses the occurrence of fireflies and investigate different update schemes for animated scenes. Our technique is unbiased, requires little precomputation, is highly parallelizable, and is applicable to a various volume data sets, dynamic transfer functions, animated volumes and changing environmental lighting.

Vibration analysis of resistance spot welding joint for dissimilar plate structure (mild steel 1010 and stainless steel 304)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sani, M. S. M.; Nazri, N. A.; Alawi, D. A. J.

2017-09-01

Resistance spot welding (RSW) is a proficient joining method commonly used for sheet metal joining and become one of the oldest spot welding processes use in industry especially in the automotive. RSW involves the application of heat and pressure without neglecting time taken when joining two or more metal sheets at a localized area which is claimed as the most efficient welding process in metal fabrication. The purpose of this project is to perform model updating of RSW plate structure between mild steel 1010 and stainless steel 304. In order to do the updating, normal mode finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental modal analysis (EMA) have been carried out. Result shows that the discrepancies of natural frequency between FEA and EMA are below than 10 %. Sensitivity model updating is evaluated in order to make sure which parameters are influences in this structural dynamic modification. Young’s modulus and density both materials are indicate significant parameters to do model updating. As a conclusion, after perform model updating, total average error of dissimilar RSW plate is improved significantly.

76 FR 1514 - Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-11

... Filer Manual and the rule amendments is January 11, 2011. In accordance with the APA,\\8\\ we find that...-29547] Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: Final... Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System (EDGAR) Filer Manual to reflect updates to the...

78 FR 29616 - Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-21

... updated Filer Manual and the rule amendments is May 21, 2013. In accordance with the APA,\\7\\ we find that...-30515] Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: Final... Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System (EDGAR) Filer Manual and related rules to reflect...

NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity Generation

Science.gov Websites

Technologies | News | NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity Generation Technologies News Release: NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity generation technology cost and performance data used to support and inform electric sector analysis in the

Isolating and Examining Sources of Suppression and Multicollinearity in Multiple Linear Regression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beckstead, Jason W.

2012-01-01

The presence of suppression (and multicollinearity) in multiple regression analysis complicates interpretation of predictor-criterion relationships. The mathematical conditions that produce suppression in regression analysis have received considerable attention in the methodological literature but until now nothing in the way of an analytic…

Continuously updated network meta-analysis and statistical monitoring for timely decision-making

PubMed Central

Nikolakopoulou, Adriani; Mavridis, Dimitris; Egger, Matthias; Salanti, Georgia

2016-01-01

Pairwise and network meta-analysis (NMA) are traditionally used retrospectively to assess existing evidence. However, the current evidence often undergoes several updates as new studies become available. In each update recommendations about the conclusiveness of the evidence and the need of future studies need to be made. In the context of prospective meta-analysis future studies are planned as part of the accumulation of the evidence. In this setting, multiple testing issues need to be taken into account when the meta-analysis results are interpreted. We extend ideas of sequential monitoring of meta-analysis to provide a methodological framework for updating NMAs. Based on the z-score for each network estimate (the ratio of effect size to its standard error) and the respective information gained after each study enters NMA we construct efficacy and futility stopping boundaries. A NMA treatment effect is considered conclusive when it crosses an appended stopping boundary. The methods are illustrated using a recently published NMA where we show that evidence about a particular comparison can become conclusive via indirect evidence even if no further trials address this comparison. PMID:27587588

Citation Discovery Tools for Conducting Adaptive Meta-analyses to Update Systematic Reviews.

PubMed

Bae, Jong-Myon; Kim, Eun Hee

2016-03-01

The systematic review (SR) is a research methodology that aims to synthesize related evidence. Updating previously conducted SRs is necessary when new evidence has been produced, but no consensus has yet emerged on the appropriate update methodology. The authors have developed a new SR update method called 'adaptive meta-analysis' (AMA) using the 'cited by', 'similar articles', and 'related articles' citation discovery tools in the PubMed and Scopus databases. This study evaluates the usefulness of these citation discovery tools for updating SRs. Lists were constructed by applying the citation discovery tools in the two databases to the articles analyzed by a published SR. The degree of overlap between the lists and distribution of excluded results were evaluated. The articles ultimately selected for the SR update meta-analysis were found in the lists obtained from the 'cited by' and 'similar' tools in PubMed. Most of the selected articles appeared in both the 'cited by' lists in Scopus and PubMed. The Scopus 'related' tool did not identify the appropriate articles. The AMA, which involves using both citation discovery tools in PubMed, and optionally, the 'related' tool in Scopus, was found to be useful for updating an SR.

The 2006 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Range Reference Atmosphere Model Validation Study and Sensitivity Analysis to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Space Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, Lee; Merry, Carl; Decker, Ryan; Harrington, Brian

2008-01-01

The 2006 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) Range Reference Atmosphere (RRA) is a statistical model summarizing the wind and thermodynamic atmospheric variability from surface to 70 kin. Launches of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Shuttle from Kennedy Space Center utilize CCAFS RRA data to evaluate environmental constraints on various aspects of the vehicle during ascent. An update to the CCAFS RRA was recently completed. As part of the update, a validation study on the 2006 version was conducted as well as a comparison analysis of the 2006 version to the existing CCAFS RRA database version 1983. Assessments to the Space Shuttle vehicle ascent profile characteristics were performed to determine impacts of the updated model to the vehicle performance. Details on the model updates and the vehicle sensitivity analyses with the update model are presented.

Clinical Investigation of Adrenal Incidentalomas in Japanese Patients of the Fukuoka Region with Updated Diagnostic Criteria for Sub-clinical Cushing's Syndrome.

PubMed

Abe, Ichiro; Sugimoto, Kaoru; Miyajima, Tetsumasa; Ide, Tomoko; Minezaki, Midori; Takeshita, Kaori; Takahara, Saori; Nakagawa, Midori; Fujimura, Yuki; Kudo, Tadachika; Miyajima, Shigero; Taira, Hiroshi; Ohe, Kenji; Ishii, Tatsu; Yanase, Toshihiko; Kobayashi, Kunihisa

2018-04-27

Objectives We retrospectively investigated the clinical and endocrinological characteristics of adrenal incidentalomas. Methods We studied 61 patients who had been diagnosed with adrenal incidentalomas and had undergone detailed clinical and endocrinological evaluations while hospitalized. We used common criteria to diagnose the functional tumors, but for sub-clinical Cushing's syndrome, we used an updated set of diagnosis criteria: serum cortisol ≥1.8 μg/dL after a positive response to a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test if the patient has a low morning ACTH level (<10 pg/mL) and a loss of the diurnal serum cortisol rhythm. Results Of the 61 patients, none (0%) had malignant tumors, 8 (13.1%) had pheochromocytoma, and 15 (24.6%) had primary aldosteronism; when diagnosed by our revised criteria, 13 (21.3%) had cortisol-secreting adenomas (Cushing's syndrome and sub-clinical Cushing's syndrome), and 25 (41.0%) had non-functional tumors. Compared with the non-functional tumor group, the primary aldosteronism group and the cortisol-secreting adenoma group were significantly younger and had significantly lower rates of hypokalemia, whereas the pheochromocytoma group had significantly larger tumors and a significantly lower body mass index. Conclusion Our study found a larger percentage of functional tumors among adrenal incidentalomas than past reports, partly because we used a lower serum cortisol level after a dexamethasone suppression test to diagnose sub-clinical Cushing's syndrome and because all of the patients were hospitalized and could therefore receive more detailed examinations. Young patients with hypokalemia or lean patients with large adrenal tumors warrant particularly careful investigation.

Allele-specific suppression as a tool to study protein-protein interactions in bacteria.

PubMed

Manson, M D

2000-01-01

Suppression analysis is well suited to study the interactions of gene products. It offers the advantage of simplicity for any organism for which a convenient genetic system has been developed, which holds for a wide spectrum of bacteria and an ever-increasing number of unicellular as well as complex eukaryotes. No other method provides as much information about the functional relationships of biological macromolecules. The intrinsic value of suppression analysis is enhanced by advances in genomics and in biophysical techniques for investigating the properties of nucleic acids and proteins, such as X-ray crystallography, liquid and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin labeling, and isothermal calorimetry. These approaches confirm and complement whatever is revealed by genetics. Despite these sterling qualities, suppression analysis has its dangers, less in execution than in conceptualization of experiments and interpretation of data. A consistent nomenclature is essential for a uniform and widespread understanding of the results. Familiarity with the genetic background and idiosyncracies of the organism studied is critical in avoiding extraneous phenomena that can affect the outcome. Finally, it is imperative not to underestimate potentially bizarre and improbable consequences that can transpire when rigorous genetic selection is maintained for an appreciable length of time. The article begins with a somewhat pedagogical discussion of genetic terminology. It then moves on to the necessary precautions to observe while planning and conducting suppression analysis. The remainder of the article considers different manifestations of suppression: bypass suppression; gradients of suppression; suppression by relaxed specificity; allele-specific "suppression at a distance"; and true conformational suppression. The treatment is not exhaustive, but representative examples have been gleaned from the recent bacterial literature. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

10 CFR 72.70 - Safety analysis report updating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Safety analysis report updating. 72.70 Section 72.70 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT STORAGE OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL, HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE Records...

78 FR 65634 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-01

... Updated Market Power Analysis of the Black Hills Corporation Public Utilities for the Northwest Region..., LLC submits the Triennial Market Power Update Analysis for Markets in the Northwest Region pursuant to...: Black Hills Power, Inc., Cheyenne Light Fuel & Power Company, Black Hills/Colorado Electric Utility Co...

Update of the NEXT Ion Thruster Service Life Assessment with Post-Test Correlation to the Long Duration Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yim, John T.; Soulas, George C.; Shastry, Rohit; Choi, Maria; Mackey, Jonathan A.; Sarver-Verhey, Timothy R.

2017-01-01

The service life assessment for NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster is updated to incorporate the results from the successful and voluntarily early completion of the 51,184 hour long duration test which demonstrated 918 kg of total xenon throughput. The results of the numerous post-test investigations including destructive interrogations have been assessed against all of the critical known and suspected failure mechanisms to update the life and throughput expectations for each major component. Analysis results of two of the most acute failure mechanisms, namely pit-and-groove erosion and aperture enlargement of the accelerator grid, are not updated in this work but will be published at a future time after analysis completion.

An Update on Modifications to Water Treatment Plant Model

EPA Science Inventory

Water treatment plant (WTP) model is an EPA tool for informing regulatory options. WTP has a few versions: 1). WTP2.2 can help in regulatory analysis. An updated version (WTP3.0) will allow plant-specific analysis (WTP-ccam) and thus help meet plant-specific treatment objectives...

Updated Meta-Analysis of Learner Control within Educational Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karich, Abbey C.; Burns, Matthew K.; Maki, Kathrin E.

2014-01-01

Giving a student control over their learning has theoretical and intuitive appeal, but its effects are neither powerful nor consistent in the empirical literature base. This meta-analysis updated previous meta-analytic research by Niemiec, Sikorski, and Walberg by studying the overall effectiveness of providing learner control within educational…

Re: errors in the NOF meta-analysis of calcium and vitamin D supplements

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The manuscript entitled "Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and risk of fractures: an updated meta-analysis from the National Osteoporosis Foundation" sought to update a former AHRQ evidence report. The study was commissioned by the NOF to inform the organization, since a significant controversy...

Kentucky, 2007 forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Christopher M. Oswalt; Christopher R. King; Tony G. Johnson

2010-01-01

This science update provides an overview of the forest resource attributes of Kentucky. The overview is based on an annual inventory conducted by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program at the Southern Research Station of the USDA Forest Service. The inventory, along with Web-posted supplemental tables, will be updated annually.

Forests of Louisiana, 2014

Treesearch

S.N. Oswalt

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Louisiana based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. The estimates presented in this update are for the...

Forests of Kentucky, 2014

Treesearch

Thomas Brandeis; Andy Hartsell; KaDonna Randolph; Sonja Oswalt; Consuelo Brandeis

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Kentucky based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. The estimates presented in this update are...

Development and Psychometric Analysis of a Nurses’ Attitudes and Skills Safety Scale: Initial Results

PubMed Central

Armstrong, Gail E.; Dietrich, Mary; Norman, Linda; Barnsteiner, Jane; Mion, Lorraine

2016-01-01

Health care organizations have incorporated updated safety principles in the analysis of errors and in norms and standards. Yet no research exists that assesses bedside nurses’ perceived skills or attitudes toward updated safety concepts. The aims of this study were to develop a scale assessing nurses’ perceived skills and attitudes toward updated safety concepts, determine content validity, and examine internal consistency of the scale and subscales. Understanding nurses’ perceived skills and attitudes about safety concepts can be used in targeting strategies to enhance their safety practices. PMID:27479518

Development and Psychometric Analysis of a Nurses' Attitudes and Skills Safety Scale: Initial Results.

PubMed

Armstrong, Gail E; Dietrich, Mary; Norman, Linda; Barnsteiner, Jane; Mion, Lorraine

Health care organizations have incorporated updated safety principles in the analysis of errors and in norms and standards. Yet no research exists that assesses bedside nurses' perceived skills or attitudes toward updated safety concepts. The aims of this study were to develop a scale assessing nurses' perceived skills and attitudes toward updated safety concepts, determine content validity, and examine internal consistency of the scale and subscales. Understanding nurses' perceived skills and attitudes about safety concepts can be used in targeting strategies to enhance their safety practices.

An Online Risk Monitor System (ORMS) to Increase Safety and Security Levels in Industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zubair, M.; Rahman, Khalil Ur; Hassan, Mehmood Ul

2013-12-01

The main idea of this research is to develop an Online Risk Monitor System (ORMS) based on Living Probabilistic Safety Assessment (LPSA). The article highlights the essential features and functions of ORMS. The basic models and modules such as, Reliability Data Update Model (RDUM), running time update, redundant system unavailability update, Engineered Safety Features (ESF) unavailability update and general system update have been described in this study. ORMS not only provides quantitative analysis but also highlights qualitative aspects of risk measures. ORMS is capable of automatically updating the online risk models and reliability parameters of equipment. ORMS can support in the decision making process of operators and managers in Nuclear Power Plants.

Production and efficiency of large wildland fire suppression effort: A stochastic frontier analysis

Treesearch

Hari Katuwal; Dave Calkin; Michael S. Hand

2016-01-01

This study examines the production and efficiency of wildland fire suppression effort. We estimate the effectiveness of suppression resource inputs to produce controlled fire lines that contain large wildland fires using stochastic frontier analysis. Determinants of inefficiency are identified and the effects of these determinants on the daily production of...

Launch Control System Master Console Event Message Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Uyen

2014-01-01

System monitoring and control (SMC) message browsers receive so many messages daily that operators do not need to see. Important messages are often mixed up among the less important ones. My job is to reduce the messages displayed in the message browser so that warning and emergency messages can be seen easily and therefore, responded promptly. There are multiple methods to achieve this. Firstly, duplicate messages should not appear many times in the message browser. Instead, the message should appear only once but with a number that counts the times that it appears. This method is called duplicate message suppression. Secondly, messages that update the most recent state (e.g. up/down) of a component should replace the old-state messages. This method is called state based message correlation. Thirdly, messages that display "normal" alarm level should be suppressed unless it's a response to an operator action. In addition to message reduction, I also work on correcting the severity level and text formats on messages.

Out with the old and in with the new: Synaptic mechanisms of extinction in the amygdala

PubMed Central

Maren, Stephen

2014-01-01

Considerable research indicates that long-term synaptic plasticity in the amygdala underlies the acquisition of emotional memories, including those learned during Pavlovian fear conditioning. Much less is known about the synaptic mechanisms involved in other forms of associative learning, including extinction, that update fear memories. Extinction learning might reverse conditioning-related changes (e.g., depotentiation) or induce plasticity at inhibitory synapses (e.g., long-term potentiation) to suppress conditioned fear responses. Either mechanism must account for fear recovery phenomena after extinction, as well as savings of extinction after fear recovery. PMID:25312830

Evaluation of three percent Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrates as fire fighting agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jablonski, E. J.

1981-04-01

A large-scale fire test program involving 20,000-square foot JP-4 fuel fires was conducted to evaluate the fire suppression effectiveness and compatibility of 3 percent Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) agents in Air Force fire fighting vehicles. Three commercially available 3 percent AFFF concentrates were tested in accordance with military specification MIL-F-24385B. Test results are summarized in Appendix A. As a result of these tests, an updated Revision C to this MIL SPEC has been accomplished with new requirements for both 3 percent and 6 percent AFFF extinguishing agents.

Water Mist fire suppression experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The Water Mist commercial research program is scheduled to fly an investigation on STS-107 in 2002. This investigation will be flown as an Experimental Mounting Structure (EMS) insert into the updated Combustion Module (CM-2), a sophisticated combustion chamber plus diagnostic equipment. (The investigation hardware is shown here mounted in a non-flight frame similar to the EMS.) Water Mist is a commercial research program by the Center for Commercial Applications of Combustion in Space (CCACS), a NASA Commercial Space Center located at the Colorado School of Mines, in Golden, CO and Industry Partner Environmental Engineering Concepts. The program is focused on developing water mist as a replacement for bromine-based chemical fire suppression agents (halons). By conducting the experiments in microgravity, interference from convection currents is minimized and fundamental knowledge can be gained. This knowledge is incorporated into models, which can be used to simulate a variety of physical environments. The immediate objective of the project is to study the effect of a fine water mist on a laminar propagating flame generated in a propane-air mixture at various equivalence ratios. The effects of droplet size and concentration on the speed of the flame front is used as a measure of the effectiveness of fire suppression in this highly controlled experimental environment.

75 FR 30386 - Sunshine Act Notice

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-01

... updates on Voting System Testing and Certification programs, including UOCAVA Pilot Program Voting Systems... Voting Systems Threat Analysis. The Board will receive updates on research and studies, including draft...

Human Factors in Field Experimentation Design and Analysis of Analytical Suppression Model

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-09-01

men in uf"an-dachine- Systems " supports the development of new doctrines, design of weapon systems as well as training programs for trQops. One...Experimentation Design -Master’s thesis: and Analysis.of an Analytical Suppression.Spebr17 Model PR@~w 3.RPR 7. AUTHOR(@) COT RIETeo 31AN? wijMu~aw...influences to suppression. Techniques are examined for including. the suppre.ssive effects of weapon systems in Lanchester-type combat m~odels, whir~h may be

Dynamic analysis of I cross beam section dissimilar plate joined by TIG welding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sani, M. S. M.; Nazri, N. A.; Rani, M. N. Abdul; Yunus, M. A.

2018-04-01

In this paper, finite element (FE) joint modelling technique for prediction of dynamic properties of sheet metal jointed by tungsten inert gas (TTG) will be presented. I cross section dissimilar flat plate with different series of aluminium alloy; AA7075 and AA6061 joined by TTG are used. In order to find the most optimum set of TTG welding dissimilar plate, the finite element model with three types of joint modelling were engaged in this study; bar element (CBAR), beam element and spot weld element connector (CWELD). Experimental modal analysis (EMA) was carried out by impact hammer excitation on the dissimilar plates that welding by TTG method. Modal properties of FE model with joints were compared and validated with model testing. CWELD element was chosen to represent weld model for TTG joints due to its accurate prediction of mode shapes and contains an updating parameter for weld modelling compare to other weld modelling. Model updating was performed to improve correlation between EMA and FEA and before proceeds to updating, sensitivity analysis was done to select the most sensitive updating parameter. After perform model updating, average percentage of error of the natural frequencies for CWELD model is improved significantly.

Mississippi, 2010 forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

S.N. Oswalt; J. Bentley

2011-01-01

This science update provides an overview of forest resources in Mississippi based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Mississippi Forestry Commission. This update compares data from the periodic 2006 survey (field dates 2005...

Global foot-and-mouth disease research update and gap analysis: 3 - vaccines

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In 2014, the Global Foot-and-mouth disease Research Alliance (GFRA) conducted a gap analysis of FMD research. In this paper, we report updated findings in the field of FMD vaccine research. This paper consists of the following four sections: 1) Research priorities identified in the 2010 GFRA gap ana...

Global foot-and-mouth disease research update and gap analysis: 5 - biotherapeutics and disinfectants

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In 2014, the Global Foot-and-mouth disease Research Alliance(GFRA)conducted a gap analysis of FMD research. This work has been updated and reported in a series of papers with the focus of this article being (i) biotherapeutics and (ii) disinfectants, including environmental contamination. The paper ...

Global foot-and-mouth disease research update and gap analysis: 4 - diagnostics

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In 2014, the Global Foot-And-Mouth Disease Research Alliance (GFRA) conducted a gap analysis of FMD research. Published as a series of seven papers, in this paper, we report updated findings in the field of diagnostics. The paper consists of the following four sections: 1. Research priorities identi...

Global foot-and-mouth disease research update and gap analysis: 6 - immunology

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In 2014, the Global Foot-and-mouth disease Research Alliance (GFRA) conducted a gap analysis of FMD research. This has been updated with findings reported in a series of papers. Here we present findings for FMD immunology research. The paper consists of the following four sections: 1. Research prior...

Updated analysis of NN elastic scattering to 3 GeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arndt, R. A.; Briscoe, W. J.; Strakovsky, I. I.; Workman, R. L.

2007-08-01

A partial-wave analysis of NN elastic scattering data has been updated to include a number of recent measurements. Experiments carried out at the Cooler Synchrotron (COSY) by the EDDA Collaboration have had a significant impact above 1 GeV. Results are discussed in terms of the partial-wave and direct-reconstruction amplitudes.

Comparison of three annual inventory designs, a periodic design, and a midcycle design

Treesearch

Stanford L. Arner

2000-01-01

Three annual inventory designs, a periodic design, and a periodic measurement with midcycle update design are compared using a population created from 14,754 remeasured Forest Inventory and Analysis plots. Two of the annual designs and the midcycle update design allow updating of plots using sampling with partial replacement procedures. Individual year and moving...

Background Information Document for Updating AP42 Section 2.4 for Estimating Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

EPA Science Inventory

This revised draft document was prepared for U.S. EPA's Office of Research and Development, and describes the data analysis undertaken to update the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill section of AP-42. This 2008 update includes the addition of data from 62 landfill gas emission...

The use of remote sensing for updating extensive forest inventories

Treesearch

John F. Kelly

1990-01-01

The Forest Inventory and Analysis unit of the USDA Forest Service Southern Forest Experiment Station (SO-FIA) has the research task of devising an inventory updating system that can be used to provide reliable estimates of forest area, volume, growth, and removals at the State level. These updated inventories must be accomplished within current budgetary restraints....

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Reid List of First Programming Languages

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siegfried, Robert M.; Siegfried, Jason P.; Alexandro, Gina

2016-01-01

Throughout the 1990s, Richard Reid of Michigan State University maintained a list showing the first programming language used in introductory programming courses taken by computer science and information systems majors; it was updated for several years afterwards with the most recent update done in 2011. This is a follow-up to that last update of…

Contribution of suppression difficulty and lessons learned in forecasting fire suppression operations productivity: A methodological approach

Treesearch

Francisco Rodríguez y Silva; Armando González-Cabán

2016-01-01

We propose an economic analysis using utility and productivity, and efficiency theories to provide fire managers a decision support tool to determine the most efficient fire management programs levels. By incorporating managers’ accumulated fire suppression experiences (capitalized experience) in the analysis we help fire managers...

Comparative Metatranscriptomics of Wheat Rhizosphere Microbiomes in Disease Suppressive and Non-suppressive Soils for Rhizoctonia solani AG8

PubMed Central

Hayden, Helen L.; Savin, Keith W.; Wadeson, Jenny; Gupta, Vadakattu V. S. R.; Mele, Pauline M.

2018-01-01

The soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG) 8 is a major pathogen of grain crops resulting in substantial production losses. In the absence of resistant cultivars of wheat or barley, a sustainable and enduring method for disease control may lie in the enhancement of biological disease suppression. Evidence of effective biological control of R. solani AG8 through disease suppression has been well documented at our study site in Avon, South Australia. A comparative metatranscriptomic approach was applied to assess the taxonomic and functional characteristics of the rhizosphere microbiome of wheat plants grown in adjacent fields which are suppressive and non-suppressive to the plant pathogen R. solani AG8. Analysis of 12 rhizosphere metatranscriptomes (six per field) was undertaken using two bioinformatic approaches involving unassembled and assembled reads. Differential expression analysis showed the dominant taxa in the rhizosphere based on mRNA annotation were Arthrobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp. for non-suppressive samples and Stenotrophomonas spp. and Buttiauxella spp. for the suppressive samples. The assembled metatranscriptome analysis identified more differentially expressed genes than the unassembled analysis in the comparison of suppressive and non-suppressive samples. Suppressive samples showed greater expression of a polyketide cyclase, a terpenoid biosynthesis backbone gene (dxs) and many cold shock proteins (csp). Non-suppressive samples were characterised by greater expression of antibiotic genes such as non-heme chloroperoxidase (cpo) which is involved in pyrrolnitrin synthesis, and phenazine biosynthesis family protein F (phzF) and its transcriptional activator protein (phzR). A large number of genes involved in detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide radicals (sod, cat, ahp, bcp, gpx1, trx) were also expressed in the non-suppressive rhizosphere samples most likely in response to the infection of wheat roots by R. solani AG8. Together these results provide new insight into microbial gene expression in the rhizosphere of wheat in soils suppressive and non-suppressive to R. solani AG8. The approach taken and the genes involved in these functions provide direction for future studies to determine more precisely the molecular interplay of plant-microbe-pathogen interactions with the ultimate goal of the development of management options that promote beneficial rhizosphere microflora to reduce R. solani AG8 infection of crops. PMID:29780371

LC-MS/MS signal suppression effects in the analysis of pesticides in complex environmental matrices.

PubMed

Choi, B K; Hercules, D M; Gusev, A I

2001-02-01

The application of LC separation and mobile phase additives in addressing LC-MS/MS matrix signal suppression effects for the analysis of pesticides in a complex environmental matrix was investigated. It was shown that signal suppression is most significant for analytes eluting early in the LC-MS analysis. Introduction of different buffers (e.g. ammonium formate, ammonium hydroxide, formic acid) into the LC mobile phase was effective in improving signal correlation between the matrix and standard samples. The signal improvement is dependent on buffer concentration as well as LC separation of the matrix components. The application of LC separation alone was not effective in addressing suppression effects when characterizing complex matrix samples. Overloading of the LC column by matrix components was found to significantly contribute to analyte-matrix co-elution and suppression of signal. This signal suppression effect can be efficiently compensated by 2D LC (LC-LC) separation techniques. The effectiveness of buffers and LC separation in improving signal correlation between standard and matrix samples is discussed.

The 2006 Kennedy Space Center Range Reference Atmosphere Model Validation Study and Sensitivity Analysis to the Performance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Space Shuttle Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, Lee; Decker, Ryan; Harrington, Brian; Merry, Carl

2008-01-01

The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Range Reference Atmosphere (RRA) is a statistical model that summarizes wind and thermodynamic atmospheric variability from surface to 70 km. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Shuttle program, which launches from KSC, utilizes the KSC RRA data to evaluate environmental constraints on various aspects of the vehicle during ascent. An update to the KSC RRA was recently completed. As part of the update, the Natural Environments Branch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) conducted a validation study and a comparison analysis to the existing KSC RRA database version 1983. Assessments to the Space Shuttle vehicle ascent profile characteristics were performed by JSC/Ascent Flight Design Division to determine impacts of the updated model to the vehicle performance. Details on the model updates and the vehicle sensitivity analyses with the update model are presented.

In Search of Social Translucence: An Audit Log Analysis of Handoff Documentation Views and Updates.

PubMed

Jiang, Silis Y; Hum, R Stanley; Vawdrey, David; Mamykina, Lena

2015-01-01

Communication and information sharing are critical parts of teamwork in the hospital; however, achieving open and fluid communication can be challenging. Finding specific patient information within documentation can be difficult. Recent studies on handoff documentation tools show that resident handoff notes are increasingly used as an alternative information source by non-physician clinicians. Previous findings also show that residents have become aware of this unintended use. This study investigated the alignment of resident note updating patterns and team note viewing patterns based on usage log data of handoff notes. Qualitative interviews with clinicians were used to triangulate findings based on the log analysis. The study found that notes that were frequently updated were viewed significantly more frequently than notes updated less often (p < 2.2 × 10(-16)). Almost 44% of all notes had aligned frequency of views and updates. The considerable percentage (56%) of mismatched note utilization suggests an opportunity for improvement.

Forest sector and primary forest products industry contributions to the economies of the southern states: 2011 update

Treesearch

Consuelo Brandeis; Donald G. Hodges

2015-01-01

The analysis in this article provides an update on the southern forest sector economic activity after the downturn experienced in 2008–2009. The analysis was conducted using Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) software and data sets for 2009 and 2011 and results from the USDA Forest Service Timber Products Output latest survey of primary wood processing mills....

agriGO v2.0: a GO analysis toolkit for the agricultural community, 2017 update

PubMed Central

Tian, Tian; Liu, Yue; Yan, Hengyu; You, Qi; Yi, Xin; Du, Zhou

2017-01-01

Abstract The agriGO platform, which has been serving the scientific community for >10 years, specifically focuses on gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses of plant and agricultural species. We continuously maintain and update the databases and accommodate the various requests of our global users. Here, we present our updated agriGO that has a largely expanded number of supporting species (394) and datatypes (865). In addition, a larger number of species have been classified into groups covering crops, vegetables, fish, birds and insects closely related to the agricultural community. We further improved the computational efficiency, including the batch analysis and P-value distribution (PVD), and the user-friendliness of the web pages. More visualization features were added to the platform, including SEACOMPARE (cross comparison of singular enrichment analysis), direct acyclic graph (DAG) and Scatter Plots, which can be merged by choosing any significant GO term. The updated platform agriGO v2.0 is now publicly accessible at http://systemsbiology.cau.edu.cn/agriGOv2/. PMID:28472432

Nonuniform update for sparse target recovery in fluorescence molecular tomography accelerated by ordered subsets.

PubMed

Zhu, Dianwen; Li, Changqing

2014-12-01

Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) is a promising imaging modality and has been actively studied in the past two decades since it can locate the specific tumor position three-dimensionally in small animals. However, it remains a challenging task to obtain fast, robust and accurate reconstruction of fluorescent probe distribution in small animals due to the large computational burden, the noisy measurement and the ill-posed nature of the inverse problem. In this paper we propose a nonuniform preconditioning method in combination with L (1) regularization and ordered subsets technique (NUMOS) to take care of the different updating needs at different pixels, to enhance sparsity and suppress noise, and to further boost convergence of approximate solutions for fluorescence molecular tomography. Using both simulated data and phantom experiment, we found that the proposed nonuniform updating method outperforms its popular uniform counterpart by obtaining a more localized, less noisy, more accurate image. The computational cost was greatly reduced as well. The ordered subset (OS) technique provided additional 5 times and 3 times speed enhancements for simulation and phantom experiments, respectively, without degrading image qualities. When compared with the popular L (1) algorithms such as iterative soft-thresholding algorithm (ISTA) and Fast iterative soft-thresholding algorithm (FISTA) algorithms, NUMOS also outperforms them by obtaining a better image in much shorter period of time.

The quenching of the ultra-faint dwarf galaxies in the reionization era

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

Brown, Thomas M.; Tumlinson, Jason; Kalirai, Jason S.

2014-12-01

We present new constraints on the star formation histories of six ultra-faint dwarf galaxies: Bootes I, Canes Venatici II, Coma Berenices, Hercules, Leo IV, and Ursa Major I. Our analysis employs a combination of high-precision photometry obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope, medium-resolution spectroscopy obtained with the DEep Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph on the W. M. Keck Observatory, and updated Victoria-Regina isochrones tailored to the abundance patterns appropriate for these galaxies. The data for five of these Milky Way satellites are best fit by a star formation history where at least 75% of the starsmore » formed by z ∼ 10 (13.3 Gyr ago). All of the galaxies are consistent with 80% of the stars forming by z ∼ 6 (12.8 Gyr ago) and 100% of the stars forming by z ∼ 3 (11.6 Gyr ago). The similarly ancient populations of these galaxies support the hypothesis that star formation in the smallest dark-matter sub-halos was suppressed by a global outside influence, such as the reionization of the universe.« less

Tracing the Origins of Nitrogen Bearing Organics Toward Orion KL with Alma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carroll, Brandon; Crockett, Nathan; Wilkins, Olivia H.; Bergin, Edwin; Blake, Geoffrey

2017-06-01

A comprehensive analysis of a broadband 1.2 THz wide spectral survey of the Orion Kleinmann-Low nebula (Orion KL) has shown that nitrogen bearing complex organics trace systematically hotter gas than O-bearing organics toward this source. The origin of this O/N dichotomy remains a mystery. If complex molecules originate from grain surfaces, N-bearing species may be more difficult to remove from grain surfaces than O-bearing organics. Theoretical studies, however, have shown that hot (T=300 K) gas phase chemistry can produce high abundances of N-bearing organics while suppressing the formation of O-bearing complex molecules. In order to distinguish these distinct formation pathways we have obtained extremely high angular resolution observations of methyl cyanide (CH_3CN) using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) toward Orion KL. By simultaneously imaging ^{13}CH_3CN and CH_2DCN we map the temperature structure and D/H ratio of CH_3CN. We will present updated results of these observations and discuss their implications for the formation of N-bearing organics in the interstellar medium.

Dynamic model updating based on strain mode shape and natural frequency using hybrid pattern search technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Ning; Yang, Zhichun; Wang, Le; Ouyang, Yan; Zhang, Xinping

2018-05-01

Aiming at providing a precise dynamic structural finite element (FE) model for dynamic strength evaluation in addition to dynamic analysis. A dynamic FE model updating method is presented to correct the uncertain parameters of the FE model of a structure using strain mode shapes and natural frequencies. The strain mode shape, which is sensitive to local changes in structure, is used instead of the displacement mode for enhancing model updating. The coordinate strain modal assurance criterion is developed to evaluate the correlation level at each coordinate over the experimental and the analytical strain mode shapes. Moreover, the natural frequencies which provide the global information of the structure are used to guarantee the accuracy of modal properties of the global model. Then, the weighted summation of the natural frequency residual and the coordinate strain modal assurance criterion residual is used as the objective function in the proposed dynamic FE model updating procedure. The hybrid genetic/pattern-search optimization algorithm is adopted to perform the dynamic FE model updating procedure. Numerical simulation and model updating experiment for a clamped-clamped beam are performed to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the present method. The results show that the proposed method can be used to update the uncertain parameters with good robustness. And the updated dynamic FE model of the beam structure, which can correctly predict both the natural frequencies and the local dynamic strains, is reliable for the following dynamic analysis and dynamic strength evaluation.

Assessing the accuracy of wildland fire situation analysis (WFSA) fire size and suppression cost estimates.

Treesearch

Geoffrey H. Donovan; Peter. Noordijk

2005-01-01

To determine the optimal suppression strategy for escaped wildfires, federal land managers are requiredto conduct a wildland fire situation analysis (WFSA). As part of the WFSA process, fire managers estimate final fire size and suppression costs. Estimates from 58 WFSAs conducted during the 2002 fire season are compared to actual outcomes. Results indicate that...

Automated Image Analysis Corrosion Working Group Update: February 1, 2018

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

Wendelberger, James G.

These are slides for the automated image analysis corrosion working group update. The overall goals were: automate the detection and quantification of features in images (faster, more accurate), how to do this (obtain data, analyze data), focus on Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LCM) data (laser intensity, laser height/depth, optical RGB, optical plus laser RGB).

78 FR 47336 - Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Housing and Urban...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-05

... provides an updated cost/benefit analysis providing an assessment of the benefits attained by HUD through... the scope of the existing computer matching program to now include the updated cost/ benefit analysis... change, and find a continued favorable examination of benefit/cost results; and (2) All parties certify...

The Recreational Fee Demonstration Program on the national forests: and updated analysis of public attitudes and beliefs, 1996-2001.

Treesearch

David N. Bengston; David P. Fan

2002-01-01

Analyzes trends in favorable and unfavorable attitudes toward the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program (RFDP) in the national forests, updating an earlier study using computer content analysis of the public debate. About 65 percent of the attitudes toward the RFDP were favorable, comparable to the findings of survey research.

Dell Hymes and the New Language Policy Studies: Update from an Underdeveloped Country

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCarty, Teresa L.; Collins, James; Hopson, Rodney K.

2011-01-01

This essay updates Dell Hymes's "Report from an Underdeveloped Country" (the USA), positioning our analysis in the New Language Policy Studies. Taking up Hymes's call for comparative, critical studies of language use, we examine three cases, organizing our analysis around Hymes's questions: What "counts" as a language, a language problem, and…

Louisiana, 2010 forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Sonja N. Oswalt; Tony G. Johnson

2012-01-01

This science update provides an overview of forest resources in Louisiana based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station. This update compares data from the 2005 periodic and 2010 annualized data. The 2010 annualized data consists of 70 percent data...

Global foot-and-mouth disease research update and gap analysis: 7 - pathogenesis and molecular biology

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In 2014, the GFRA (Global Foot-and-mouth disease Research Alliance) conducted a gap analysis of FMD (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) research. This work has been updated and reported in a series of papers, in this article we report findings in the fields of 1) pathogenesis and 2) molecular biology. The arti...

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline.

PubMed

Vuurberg, Gwendolyn; Hoorntje, Alexander; Wink, Lauren M; van der Doelen, Brent F W; van den Bekerom, Michel P; Dekker, Rienk; van Dijk, C Niek; Krips, Rover; Loogman, Masja C M; Ridderikhof, Milan L; Smithuis, Frank F; Stufkens, Sjoerd A S; Verhagen, Evert A L M; de Bie, Rob A; Kerkhoffs, Gino M M J

2018-03-07

This guideline aimed to advance current understandings regarding the diagnosis, prevention and therapeutic interventions for ankle sprains by updating the existing guideline and incorporate new research. A secondary objective was to provide an update related to the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic procedures, therapeutic interventions and prevention strategies. It was posited that subsequent interaction of clinicians with this guideline could help reduce health impairments and patient burden associated with this prevalent musculoskeletal injury. The previous guideline provided evidence that the severity of ligament damage can be assessed most reliably by delayed physical examination (4-5 days post trauma). After correct diagnosis, it can be stated that even though a short time of immobilisation may be helpful in relieving pain and swelling, the patient with an acute lateral ankle ligament rupture benefits most from use of tape or a brace in combination with an exercise programme. New in this update: Participation in certain sports is associated with a heightened risk of sustaining a lateral ankle sprain. Care should be taken with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) usage after an ankle sprain. They may be used to reduce pain and swelling, but usage is not without complications and NSAIDs may suppress the natural healing process. Concerning treatment, supervised exercise-based programmes preferred over passive modalities as it stimulates the recovery of functional joint stability. Surgery should be reserved for cases that do not respond to thorough and comprehensive exercise-based treatment. For the prevention of recurrent lateral ankle sprains, ankle braces should be considered as an efficacious option. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Objective analysis of observational data from the FGGE observing systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, W.; Edelmann, D.; Iredell, M.; Han, D.; Jakkempudi, S.

1981-01-01

An objective analysis procedure for updating the GLAS second and fourth order general atmospheric circulation models using observational data from the first GARP global experiment is described. The objective analysis procedure is based on a successive corrections method and the model is updated in a data assimilation cycle. Preparation of the observational data for analysis and the objective analysis scheme are described. The organization of the program and description of the required data sets are presented. The program logic and detailed descriptions of each subroutine are given.

Space transfer concepts and analysis for exploration missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The progress and results are summarized for mission/system requirements database; mission analysis; GN and C (Guidance, Navigation, and Control), aeroheating, Mars landing; radiation protection; aerobrake mass analysis; Shuttle-Z, TMIS (Trans-Mars Injection Stage); Long Duration Habitat Trade Study; evolutionary lunar and Mars options; NTR (Nuclear Thermal Rocket); NEP (Nuclear Electric Propulsion) update; SEP (Solar Electric Propulsion) update; orbital and space-based requirements; technology; piloted rover; programmatic task; and evolutionary and innovative architecture.

Global Deployment Anaylsis System Algorithm Description (With Updates)

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-09-01

Global Deployment Analysis System Algorithm Description (with Updates) By Noetics , Inc. For U.S. Army Concepts Analysis Agency Contract...t "O -Q £5.3 Q 20000224 107 aQU’no-bi-o^f r This Algorithm Description for the Global Deployment Analysis System (GDAS) was prepared by Noetics ...support for Paradox Runtime will be provided by the GDAS developers, CAA and Noetics Inc., and not by Borland International. GDAS for Windows has

Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Openstreetmap Data after Natural Disasters: a Case Study of Haiti Under Hurricane Matthew

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, J.; Li, L.; Zhou, Q.

2017-09-01

Volunteered geographic information (VGI) has been widely adopted as an alternative for authoritative geographic information in disaster management considering its up-to-date data. OpenStreetMap, in particular, is now aiming at crisis mapping for humanitarian purpose. This paper illustrated that natural disaster played an essential role in updating OpenStreetMap data after Haiti was hit by Hurricane Matthew in October, 2016. Spatial-temporal analysis of updated OSM data was conducted in this paper. Correlation of features was also studied to figure out whether updates of data were coincidence or the results of the hurricane. Spatial pattern matched the damaged areas and temporal changes fitted the time when disaster occurred. High level of correlation values of features were recorded when hurricane occurred, suggesting that updates in data were led by the hurricane.

CD4 decline is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and death in virally suppressed patients with HIV.

PubMed

Helleberg, Marie; Kronborg, Gitte; Larsen, Carsten S; Pedersen, Gitte; Pedersen, Court; Obel, Niels; Gerstoft, Jan

2013-07-01

The clinical implications of a considerable CD4 decline despite antiretroviral treatment and viral suppression are unknown. We aimed to test the hypothesis that a major CD4 decline could be a marker of cardiovascular disease or undiagnosed cancer. Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were followed in the Danish nationwide, population-based cohort study in the period 1995-2010 with quarterly CD4 measurements. Associations between a CD4 decline of ≥30% and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and death were analyzed using Poisson regression with date of CD4 decline as a time-updated variable. We followed 2584 virally suppressed HIV patients for 13 369 person-years (PY; median observation time, 4.7 years). Fifty-six patients developed CD4 decline (incidence rate, 4.2/1000 PY [95% confidence interval {CI}, 3.2-5.4]). CD4 counts dropped from a median of 492 cells/µL to 240 cells/µL. CD8, CD3, and total lymphocyte counts dropped concomitantly. No HIV-related factors, apart from treatment with didanosine, were associated with CD4 decline. The risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and death increased markedly ≤6 months after CD4 decline (incidence rate ratio, 11.7 [95% CI, 3.6-37.4] and 13.7 [95% CI, 4.3-43.6], respectively, and mortality rate ratio 4.3 [95% CI, 1.1-17.6]). A major decline in CD4 count is associated with a marked increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and death among virally suppressed HIV patients.

Comparison of analysis and flight test data for a drone aircraft with active flutter suppression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newsom, J. R.; Pototzky, A. S.

1981-01-01

This paper presents a comparison of analysis and flight test data for a drone aircraft equipped with an active flutter suppression system. Emphasis is placed on the comparison of modal dampings and frequencies as a function of Mach number. Results are presented for both symmetric and antisymmetric motion with flutter suppression off. Only symmetric results are presented for flutter suppression on. Frequency response functions of the vehicle are presented from both flight test data and analysis. The analysis correlation is improved by using an empirical aerodynamic correction factor which is proportional to the ratio of experimental to analytical steady-state lift curve slope. In addition to presenting the mathematical models and a brief description of existing analytical techniques, an alternative analytical technique for obtaining closed-loop results is presented.

Concept analysis: lack of anonymity.

PubMed

Swan, Marilyn A; Hobbs, Barbara B

2017-05-01

To re-examine and expand understanding of the concept 'lack of anonymity' as a component of rural nursing theory. Early healthcare literature reports lack of anonymity as part of social and working environments, particularly rural nursing. Rural nursing theory included the first published concept analysis on lack of anonymity but lacked empirical referents. Workforce, societal and rural healthcare changes support an updated analysis. To further understand lack of anonymity, its present day use and applicability to diverse environments, research from multiple disciplines was reviewed. Concept analysis. A literature search using eight terms in eleven databases was conducted of literature published between 2008-2013. Walker and Avant's concept analysis methodology guided the analysis. The previous concept analysis is supported in part by current literature. The defining attributes, 'identifiable', 'establishing boundaries for public and private self and interconnectedness' in a community were updated. Updated antecedents include: (i) environmental context; (ii) opportunities to become visible; (iii) developing relationships and (iv) unconscious or limited awareness of public or personal privacy. Consequences are: (i) familiarity; (ii) visibility; (iii) awareness of privacy and (iv) manage or balance of lack of anonymity. Cases were constructed and empirical referents identified. The concept of lack of anonymity was updated; portions of the original definition remain unchanged. Empirical referents reveal the defining attributes in daily life and may guide future research on the effect of lack of anonymity on nursing practice. This analysis advances the conceptual understanding of rural nursing theory. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Burst suppression probability algorithms: state-space methods for tracking EEG burst suppression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chemali, Jessica; Ching, ShiNung; Purdon, Patrick L.; Solt, Ken; Brown, Emery N.

2013-10-01

Objective. Burst suppression is an electroencephalogram pattern in which bursts of electrical activity alternate with an isoelectric state. This pattern is commonly seen in states of severely reduced brain activity such as profound general anesthesia, anoxic brain injuries, hypothermia and certain developmental disorders. Devising accurate, reliable ways to quantify burst suppression is an important clinical and research problem. Although thresholding and segmentation algorithms readily identify burst suppression periods, analysis algorithms require long intervals of data to characterize burst suppression at a given time and provide no framework for statistical inference. Approach. We introduce the concept of the burst suppression probability (BSP) to define the brain's instantaneous propensity of being in the suppressed state. To conduct dynamic analyses of burst suppression we propose a state-space model in which the observation process is a binomial model and the state equation is a Gaussian random walk. We estimate the model using an approximate expectation maximization algorithm and illustrate its application in the analysis of rodent burst suppression recordings under general anesthesia and a patient during induction of controlled hypothermia. Main result. The BSP algorithms track burst suppression on a second-to-second time scale, and make possible formal statistical comparisons of burst suppression at different times. Significance. The state-space approach suggests a principled and informative way to analyze burst suppression that can be used to monitor, and eventually to control, the brain states of patients in the operating room and in the intensive care unit.

Virginia, 2012 - forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Anita K. Rose

2014-01-01

This science update is a brief look at some of the basic metrics that describe the status of and changes in forest resources in Virginia. Estimates presented here are for the measurement year 2012. Information for the factsheets is updated by means of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annualized sample design. Each year 20 percent of the sample plots (one panel)...

Virginia, 2011 forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Anita K. Rose

2013-01-01

This science update is a brief look at some of the basic metrics that describe the status and trends of forest resources in Virginia. Estimates presented here are for the measurement year 2011. Information for the factsheets is updated by means of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annualized sample design. Each year 20 percent of the sample plots (one panel) in...

Virginia, 2010 forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Anita K. Rose

2012-01-01

This science update is a brief look at some of the basic metrics that describe the status of forest resources in Virginia. Estimates presented here are for the measurement year 2010. Information for this factsheet is updated by means of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annualized sample design. Virginia has about 4,600 sample plots across the State and each year...

Virginia, 2009 forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Anita K. Rose

2011-01-01

This science update is a brief look at some of the basic metrics that describe forest resources in Virginia. Estimates presented here are for the measurement year 2009. Information for the factsheet is updated by means of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annualized sample design. Virginia has about 4,600 sample plots across the State, and each year 20 percent of...

Reassessing the Skills Required of Graduates of an Information Systems Program: An Updated Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Legier, John; Woodward, Belle; Martin, Nancy

2013-01-01

The study involves an updated analysis of the job characteristics of information systems graduates based on the status of the job market as well as the perceptions of 72 graduates from an information systems program of a Midwestern university. Approximately one-third of the graduates were working in positions related to technical support.…

Update on Multiple Ovulations in Dairy Cattle.

PubMed

Macmillan, Kira; Kastelic, John P; Colazo, Marcos G

2018-04-24

This review updates the causal mechanisms and risk factors for multiple ovulations (MOV) in cattle. Clearly, MOV can lead to twin pregnancies, which negatively affects the health, production, and reproduction of cows. Therefore, a better understanding of the factors causing MOV may help to reduce twinning. Multiple ovulations occur after two or more follicles deviate and achieve codominance. The MOV rate is influenced by a complex network of hormones. For example, MOV is more common during periods of low progesterone (P4), that is, in anovulatory cattle or when luteolysis coincides with the selection of the future ovulatory follicle. There is also strong evidence for the luteinizing hormone (LH) being the primary factor leading to codominance, as high P4 concentrations suppress the transient LH surges and can reduce the ovulation rate in cattle or even inhibit deviation. Rates of MOV are increased in older and higher-producing dairy cows. Increased milk production and dry matter intake (DMI) increases hormone clearance, including P4; however, the association between milk yield and MOV has not been consistent. Additional risk factors for MOV include ovarian cysts, diet, season, and genetics.

Diverse strategy-learning styles promote cooperation in evolutionary spatial prisoner's dilemma game

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Run-Ran; Jia, Chun-Xiao; Rong, Zhihai

2015-11-01

Observational learning and practice learning are two important learning styles and play important roles in our information acquisition. In this paper, we study a spacial evolutionary prisoner's dilemma game, where players can choose the observational learning rule or the practice learning rule when updating their strategies. In the proposed model, we use a parameter p controlling the preference of players choosing the observational learning rule, and found that there exists an optimal value of p leading to the highest cooperation level, which indicates that the cooperation can be promoted by these two learning rules collaboratively and one single learning rule is not favor the promotion of cooperation. By analysing the dynamical behavior of the system, we find that the observational learning rule can make the players residing on cooperative clusters more easily realize the bad sequence of mutual defection. However, a too high observational learning probability suppresses the players to form compact cooperative clusters. Our results highlight the importance of a strategy-updating rule, more importantly, the observational learning rule in the evolutionary cooperation.

Comparison of analysis and flight test data for a drone aircraft with active flutter suppression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newsom, J. R.; Pototzky, A. S.

1981-01-01

A drone aircraft equipped with an active flutter suppression system is considered with emphasis on the comparison of modal dampings and frequencies as a function of Mach number. Results are presented for both symmetric and antisymmetric motion with flutter suppression off. Only symmetric results are given for flutter suppression on. Frequency response functions of the vehicle are presented from both flight test data and analysis. The analysis correlation is improved by using an empirical aerodynamic correction factor which is proportional to the ratio of experimental to analytical steady-state lift curve slope. The mathematical models are included and existing analytical techniques are described as well as an alternative analytical technique for obtaining closed-loop results.

Test and analysis procedures for updating math models of Space Shuttle payloads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Craig, Roy R., Jr.

1991-01-01

Over the next decade or more, the Space Shuttle will continue to be the primary transportation system for delivering payloads to Earth orbit. Although a number of payloads have already been successfully carried by the Space Shuttle in the payload bay of the Orbiter vehicle, there continues to be a need for evaluation of the procedures used for verifying and updating the math models of the payloads. The verified payload math models is combined with an Orbiter math model for the coupled-loads analysis, which is required before any payload can fly. Several test procedures were employed for obtaining data for use in verifying payload math models and for carrying out the updating of the payload math models. Research was directed at the evaluation of test/update procedures for use in the verification of Space Shuttle payload math models. The following research tasks are summarized: (1) a study of free-interface test procedures; (2) a literature survey and evaluation of model update procedures; and (3) the design and construction of a laboratory payload simulator.

Machine learning in updating predictive models of planning and scheduling transportation projects

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-01-01

A method combining machine learning and regression analysis to automatically and intelligently update predictive models used in the Kansas Department of Transportations (KDOTs) internal management system is presented. The predictive models used...

Asynchronous, Decentralized DS-CDMA Using Feedback-Controlled Spreading Sequences for Time-Dispersive Channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyatake, Teruhiko; Chiba, Kazuki; Hamamura, Masanori; Tachikawa, Shin'ichi

We propose a novel asynchronous direct-sequence codedivision multiple access (DS-CDMA) using feedback-controlled spreading sequences (FCSSs) (FCSS/DS-CDMA). At the receiver of FCSS/DS-CDMA, the code-orthogonalizing filter (COF) produces a spreading sequence, and the receiver returns the spreading sequence to the transmitter. Then the transmitter uses the spreading sequence as its updated version. The performance of FCSS/DS-CDMA is evaluated over time-dispersive channels. The results indicate that FCSS/DS-CDMA greatly suppresses both the intersymbol interference (ISI) and multiple access interference (MAI) over time-invariant channels. FCSS/DS-CDMA is applicable to the decentralized multiple access.

Comparative Microbiome Analysis of a Fusarium Wilt Suppressive Soil and a Fusarium Wilt Conducive Soil From the Châteaurenard Region

PubMed Central

Siegel-Hertz, Katarzyna; Edel-Hermann, Véronique; Chapelle, Emilie; Terrat, Sébastien; Raaijmakers, Jos M.; Steinberg, Christian

2018-01-01

Disease-suppressive soils are soils in which specific soil-borne plant pathogens cause only limited disease although the pathogen and susceptible host plants are both present. Suppressiveness is in most cases of microbial origin. We conducted a comparative metabarcoding analysis of the taxonomic diversity of fungal and bacterial communities from suppressive and non-suppressive (conducive) soils as regards Fusarium wilts sampled from the Châteaurenard region (France). Bioassays based on Fusarium wilt of flax confirmed that disease incidence was significantly lower in the suppressive soil than in the conducive soil. Furthermore, we succeeded in partly transferring Fusarium wilt-suppressiveness to the conducive soil by mixing 10% (w/w) of the suppressive soil into the conducive soil. Fungal diversity differed significantly between the suppressive and conducive soils. Among dominant fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) affiliated to known genera, 17 OTUs were detected exclusively in the suppressive soil. These OTUs were assigned to the Acremonium, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Clonostachys, Fusarium, Ceratobasidium, Mortierella, Penicillium, Scytalidium, and Verticillium genera. Additionally, the relative abundance of specific members of the bacterial community was significantly higher in the suppressive and mixed soils than in the conducive soil. OTUs found more abundant in Fusarium wilt-suppressive soils were affiliated to the bacterial genera Adhaeribacter, Massilia, Microvirga, Rhizobium, Rhizobacter, Arthrobacter, Amycolatopsis, Rubrobacter, Paenibacillus, Stenotrophomonas, and Geobacter. Several of the fungal and bacterial genera detected exclusively or more abundantly in the Fusarium wilt-suppressive soil included genera known for their activity against F. oxysporum. Overall, this study supports the potential role of known fungal and bacterial genera in Fusarium wilt suppressive soils from Châteaurenard and pinpoints new bacterial and fungal genera for their putative role in Fusarium wilt suppressiveness. PMID:29670584

Comparative Microbiome Analysis of a Fusarium Wilt Suppressive Soil and a Fusarium Wilt Conducive Soil From the Châteaurenard Region.

PubMed

Siegel-Hertz, Katarzyna; Edel-Hermann, Véronique; Chapelle, Emilie; Terrat, Sébastien; Raaijmakers, Jos M; Steinberg, Christian

2018-01-01

Disease-suppressive soils are soils in which specific soil-borne plant pathogens cause only limited disease although the pathogen and susceptible host plants are both present. Suppressiveness is in most cases of microbial origin. We conducted a comparative metabarcoding analysis of the taxonomic diversity of fungal and bacterial communities from suppressive and non-suppressive (conducive) soils as regards Fusarium wilts sampled from the Châteaurenard region (France). Bioassays based on Fusarium wilt of flax confirmed that disease incidence was significantly lower in the suppressive soil than in the conducive soil. Furthermore, we succeeded in partly transferring Fusarium wilt-suppressiveness to the conducive soil by mixing 10% (w/w) of the suppressive soil into the conducive soil. Fungal diversity differed significantly between the suppressive and conducive soils. Among dominant fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) affiliated to known genera, 17 OTUs were detected exclusively in the suppressive soil. These OTUs were assigned to the Acremonium, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Clonostachys, Fusarium, Ceratobasidium, Mortierella, Penicillium, Scytalidium , and Verticillium genera. Additionally, the relative abundance of specific members of the bacterial community was significantly higher in the suppressive and mixed soils than in the conducive soil. OTUs found more abundant in Fusarium wilt-suppressive soils were affiliated to the bacterial genera Adhaeribacter, Massilia, Microvirga, Rhizobium, Rhizobacter, Arthrobacter, Amycolatopsis, Rubrobacter, Paenibacillus, Stenotrophomonas , and Geobacter . Several of the fungal and bacterial genera detected exclusively or more abundantly in the Fusarium wilt-suppressive soil included genera known for their activity against F. oxysporum . Overall, this study supports the potential role of known fungal and bacterial genera in Fusarium wilt suppressive soils from Châteaurenard and pinpoints new bacterial and fungal genera for their putative role in Fusarium wilt suppressiveness.

Use of indexing to update United States annual timber harvest by state

Treesearch

James Howard; Enrique Quevedo; Andrew Kramp

2009-01-01

This report provides an index method that can be used to update recent estimates of timber harvest by state to a common current year and to make 5-year projections. The Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program makes estimates of harvest for each state in differing years. The purpose of this updating method is to bring each state-level estimate up to a...

DATMAN: A reliability data analysis program using Bayesian updating

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

Becker, M.; Feltus, M.A.

1996-12-31

Preventive maintenance (PM) techniques focus on the prevention of failures, in particular, system components that are important to plant functions. Reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) improves on the PM techniques by introducing a set of guidelines by which to evaluate the system functions. It also minimizes intrusive maintenance, labor, and equipment downtime without sacrificing system performance when its function is essential for plant safety. Both the PM and RCM approaches require that system reliability data be updated as more component failures and operation time are acquired. Systems reliability and the likelihood of component failures can be calculated by Bayesian statistical methods, whichmore » can update these data. The DATMAN computer code has been developed at Penn State to simplify the Bayesian analysis by performing tedious calculations needed for RCM reliability analysis. DATMAN reads data for updating, fits a distribution that best fits the data, and calculates component reliability. DATMAN provides a user-friendly interface menu that allows the user to choose from several common prior and posterior distributions, insert new failure data, and visually select the distribution that matches the data most accurately.« less

agriGO v2.0: a GO analysis toolkit for the agricultural community, 2017 update.

PubMed

Tian, Tian; Liu, Yue; Yan, Hengyu; You, Qi; Yi, Xin; Du, Zhou; Xu, Wenying; Su, Zhen

2017-07-03

The agriGO platform, which has been serving the scientific community for >10 years, specifically focuses on gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses of plant and agricultural species. We continuously maintain and update the databases and accommodate the various requests of our global users. Here, we present our updated agriGO that has a largely expanded number of supporting species (394) and datatypes (865). In addition, a larger number of species have been classified into groups covering crops, vegetables, fish, birds and insects closely related to the agricultural community. We further improved the computational efficiency, including the batch analysis and P-value distribution (PVD), and the user-friendliness of the web pages. More visualization features were added to the platform, including SEACOMPARE (cross comparison of singular enrichment analysis), direct acyclic graph (DAG) and Scatter Plots, which can be merged by choosing any significant GO term. The updated platform agriGO v2.0 is now publicly accessible at http://systemsbiology.cau.edu.cn/agriGOv2/. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

A neural network-based input shaping for swing suppression of an overhead crane under payload hoisting and mass variations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramli, Liyana; Mohamed, Z.; Jaafar, H. I.

2018-07-01

This paper proposes an improved input shaping for minimising payload swing of an overhead crane with payload hoisting and payload mass variations. A real time unity magnitude zero vibration (UMZV) shaper is designed by using an artificial neural network trained by particle swarm optimisation. The proposed technique could predict and directly update the shaper's parameters in real time to handle the effects of time-varying parameters during the crane operation with hoisting. To evaluate the performances of the proposed method, experiments are conducted on a laboratory overhead crane with a payload hoisting, different payload masses and two different crane motions. The superiority of the proposed method is confirmed by reductions of at least 38.9% and 91.3% in the overall and residual swing responses, respectively over a UMZV shaper designed using an average operating frequency and a robust shaper namely Zero Vibration Derivative-Derivative (ZVDD). The proposed method also demonstrates a significant residual swing suppression as compared to a ZVDD shaper designed based on varying frequency. In addition, the significant reductions are achieved with a less shaper duration resulting in a satisfactory speed of response. It is envisaged that the proposed method can be used for designing effective input shapers for payload swing suppression of a crane with time-varying parameters and for a crane that employ finite actuation states.

2007 State Policies on Assessment Participation and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities. Synthesis Report 69

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Christensen, Laurene L.; Lazarus, Sheryl S.; Crone, Melissa; Thurlow, Martha L.

2008-01-01

This document presents an update of a 2006 report from NCEO tracking and analyzing state policies on assessment participation and accommodations since 1992. The purpose of the current analysis is to update information on these policies that was last reported by NCEO in 2006 (based on 2005 data). In this analysis, policies from all 50 states, plus…

Food Irradiation Update and Cost Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-11-01

Natick). Significant contributions were made by Dr. Irwin Taub and Mr. Christopher Rees of the Technology Acquisition Division, Food Engineering...stability. 5 Food Irradiation Update C-ost Analysis I. Introduction In the book The Physioloqy of Taste (1825), one of the pioneers of gastronomy ...review of the utility that radiation preserved foods might offer the military food service system. To date, this technology has seen limited use in the

Florida, 2010 forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Mark J. Brown; Jarek Nowak

2012-01-01

Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) factsheets are produced periodically to keep the public up to date on the extent and condition of the forest lands in each State. This factsheet is an annualized update of the full 5-year cycle of panel data completed in 2007 and updated by reprocessing with new 2009 and 2010 panel data. It represents 5 years of data, 40 percent of...

Structural Finite Element Model Updating Using Vibration Tests and Modal Analysis for NPL footbridge - SHM demonstrator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barton, E.; Middleton, C.; Koo, K.; Crocker, L.; Brownjohn, J.

2011-07-01

This paper presents the results from collaboration between the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the University of Sheffield on an ongoing research project at NPL. A 50 year old reinforced concrete footbridge has been converted to a full scale structural health monitoring (SHM) demonstrator. The structure is monitored using a variety of techniques; however, interrelating results and converting data to knowledge are not possible without a reliable numerical model. During the first stage of the project, the work concentrated on static loading and an FE model of the undamaged bridge was created, and updated, under specified static loading and temperature conditions. This model was found to accurately represent the response under static loading and it was used to identify locations for sensor installation. The next stage involves the evaluation of repair/strengthening patches under both static and dynamic loading. Therefore, before deliberately introducing significant damage, the first set of dynamic tests was conducted and modal properties were estimated. The measured modal properties did not match the modal analysis from the statically updated FE model; it was clear that the existing model required updating. This paper introduces the results of the dynamic testing and model updating. It is shown that the structure exhibits large non-linear, amplitude dependant characteristics. This creates a difficult updating process, but we attempt to produce the best linear representation of the structure. A sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the most sensitive locations for planned damage/repair scenarios and is used to decide whether additional sensors will be necessary.

Planned updates and refinements to the central valley hydrologic model, with an emphasis on improving the simulation of land subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley

USGS Publications Warehouse

Faunt, C.C.; Hanson, R.T.; Martin, P.; Schmid, W.

2011-01-01

California's Central Valley has been one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world for more than 50 years. To better understand the groundwater availability in the valley, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed the Central Valley hydrologic model (CVHM). Because of recent water-level declines and renewed subsidence, the CVHM is being updated to better simulate the geohydrologic system. The CVHM updates and refinements can be grouped into two general categories: (1) model code changes and (2) data updates. The CVHM updates and refinements will require that the model be recalibrated. The updated CVHM will provide a detailed transient analysis of changes in groundwater availability and flow paths in relation to climatic variability, urbanization, stream flow, and changes in irrigated agricultural practices and crops. The updated CVHM is particularly focused on more accurately simulating the locations and magnitudes of land subsidence. The intent of the updated CVHM is to help scientists better understand the availability and sustainability of water resources and the interaction of groundwater levels with land subsidence. ?? 2011 ASCE.

Planned updates and refinements to the Central Valley hydrologic model with an emphasis on improving the simulation of land subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley

USGS Publications Warehouse

Faunt, Claudia C.; Hanson, Randall T.; Martin, Peter; Schmid, Wolfgang

2011-01-01

California's Central Valley has been one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world for more than 50 years. To better understand the groundwater availability in the valley, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed the Central Valley hydrologic model (CVHM). Because of recent water-level declines and renewed subsidence, the CVHM is being updated to better simulate the geohydrologic system. The CVHM updates and refinements can be grouped into two general categories: (1) model code changes and (2) data updates. The CVHM updates and refinements will require that the model be recalibrated. The updated CVHM will provide a detailed transient analysis of changes in groundwater availability and flow paths in relation to climatic variability, urbanization, stream flow, and changes in irrigated agricultural practices and crops. The updated CVHM is particularly focused on more accurately simulating the locations and magnitudes of land subsidence. The intent of the updated CVHM is to help scientists better understand the availability and sustainability of water resources and the interaction of groundwater levels with land subsidence.

The National Shipbuilding Research Program, Proceedings of the REAPS Technical Symposium (2nd) held in Palm Beach Shores, Florida, on 24-25 Jun 1975: Full Proceedings

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-06-01

AUTOKON-71 System. Her major tasks include processing Analysis Requests, releasing new system versions, and coordinating program modifications. Some past...for deformed meshes; improvement of crane boom analysis test data and a post-pro- cessing program. I. BACKGROUND 1. What is the AUTOKON System n? a...updates to either enhance or correct the capa- bilities has been generated. Two major sources contribute these updates: the REAPS Analysis Request (AR

Selective updating of working memory content modulates meso-cortico-striatal activity.

PubMed

Murty, Vishnu P; Sambataro, Fabio; Radulescu, Eugenia; Altamura, Mario; Iudicello, Jennifer; Zoltick, Bradley; Weinberger, Daniel R; Goldberg, Terry E; Mattay, Venkata S

2011-08-01

Accumulating evidence from non-human primates and computational modeling suggests that dopaminergic signals arising from the midbrain (substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area) mediate striatal gating of the prefrontal cortex during the selective updating of working memory. Using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging, we explored the neural mechanisms underlying the selective updating of information stored in working memory. Participants were scanned during a novel working memory task that parses the neurophysiology underlying working memory maintenance, overwriting, and selective updating. Analyses revealed a functionally coupled network consisting of a midbrain region encompassing the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area, caudate, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex that was selectively engaged during working memory updating compared to the overwriting and maintenance of working memory content. Further analysis revealed differential midbrain-dorsolateral prefrontal interactions during selective updating between low-performing and high-performing individuals. These findings highlight the role of this meso-cortico-striatal circuitry during the selective updating of working memory in humans, which complements previous research in behavioral neuroscience and computational modeling. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Quantitative Surface Analysis of a Binary Drug Mixture—Suppression Effects in the Detection of Sputtered Ions and Post-Ionized Neutrals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karras, Gabriel; Lockyer, Nicholas P.

2014-05-01

A systematic mass spectrometric study of two of the most common analgesic drugs, paracetamol and ibuprofen, is reported. The drugs were studied by means of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) using laser post-ionization (LPI) both in pure samples and in a two-component mixture. Ion suppression within the two-component system observed in SIMS mode is ameliorated using LPI under room temperature analysis. However, suppression effects are apparent in LPI mode on performing the analysis at cryogenic temperatures, which we attribute to changes in the desorption characteristics of sputtered molecules, which influences the subsequent post-ionization efficiency. This suggests different mechanisms of ion suppression in SIMS and LPI modes.

Technology Required to Image and Characterize an exo-Earth from Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crill, Brendan

2018-01-01

NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) guides the development of technology that enables the direct imaging and characterization of exo-Earths in the habitable zone of Sun-like stars with future space observatories. Here we present the 2018 ExEP Technology Gap List, an annual update to ExEP's list of technologies, to be advanced in the next 1-5 years. Key technology gaps are starlight suppression with a coronagraph (internal occulters) or a starshade (external occulters), enabling imaging at extreme contrast (more than 10 billion) by blocking on-axis starlight, while allowing the reflected light of off-axis exoplanets be detected. Building and operating a space coronagraph capable of imaging an exo-Earth will require new technologies beyond those of WFIRST, the first high-contrast coronagraph in space. A starshade has never been used in a space mission and requires new capabilities in precision deployment of large structures, starlight suppression, and in formation sensing and control. We review the current state-of-the-art in coronagraph and starshade technology and the performance level that must be achieved to discover and characterize Earth analogs.

LCS Master Console Event Message Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Uyen

2014-01-01

System monitoring and control (SMC) message browsers receive so many messages daily that operators are unable to keep track all of them. Important messages are often mixed up among the less important ones. My job is to reduce the messages so that warning and emergency messages can be seen easily and therefore, responded promptly. There are multiple methods to achieve this. Firstly, messages that look the same should not appear many times in the message browser. Instead, the message should appear only once but with a number that counts the times that it appears. This method is called duplicate message suppression. Messages that display "normal" or "advisory" alarm level should be suppressed. Secondly, messages that update the most recent status of a system should replace the old-status messages. This method is called state based message correlation. Thirdly, some unnecessary messages should be sent straight to history after being displayed or not displayed at all. For an example, normal messages that are not a response to an operator's action should not be displayed. I also work on fixing messages that are not color-coded and formatted properly.

Monetary reward suppresses anterior insula activity during social pain

PubMed Central

Cristofori, Irene; Harquel, Sylvain; Isnard, Jean; Mauguière, François

2015-01-01

Social pain after exclusion by others activates brain regions also involved in physical pain. Here we evaluated whether monetary reward could compensate for the negative feeling of social pain in the brain. To address this question we used the unique technique of intracranial electroencephalography in subjects with drug resistant epilepsy. Specifically, we recorded theta activity from intracranial electrodes implanted in the insular cortex while subjects experienced conditions of social inclusion and exclusion associated with monetary gain and loss. Our study confirmed that theta rhythm in the insular cortex is the neural signature of social exclusion. We found that while monetary gain suppresses the effect of social pain in the anterior insula, there is no such effect in the posterior insula. These results imply that the anterior insula can use secondary reward signals to compensate for the negative feeling of social pain. Hence, here we propose that the anterior insula plays a pivotal role in integrating contingencies to update social pain feelings. Finally, the possibility to modulate the theta rhythm through the reward system might open new avenues of research for treating pathologies related to social exclusion. PMID:25964499

Reactions on Twitter to updated alcohol guidelines in the UK: a content analysis

PubMed Central

Bignardi, Giacomo; Hollands, Gareth J; Marteau, Theresa M

2017-01-01

Objectives In January 2016, the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers released a public consultation regarding updated guidelines for low-risk alcohol consumption. This study aimed to assess responses to the updated guidelines using comments made on Twitter. Methods Tweets containing the hashtag #alcoholguidelines made during 1 week following the announcement of the updated guidelines were retrieved using the Twitter Archiver tool. The source, sentiment and themes of the tweets were categorised using manual content analysis. Results A total of 3061 tweets was retrieved. 6 sources were identified, the most prominent being members of the public. Of 821 tweets expressing sentiment specifically towards the guidelines, 80% expressed a negative sentiment. 11 themes were identified, 3 of which were broadly supportive of the guidelines, 7 broadly unsupportive and 1 neutral. Overall, more tweets were unsupportive (49%) than supportive (44%). While the most common theme overall was sharing information, the most common in tweets from members of the public encouraged alcohol consumption (15%) or expressed disagreement with the guidelines (14%), reflecting reactance, resistance and misunderstanding. Conclusions This descriptive analysis revealed a number of themes present in unsupportive comments towards the updated UK alcohol guidelines among a largely proalcohol community. An understanding of these may help to tailor effective communication of alcohol and health-related policies, and could inform a more dynamic approach to health communication via social media. PMID:28246145

Optimization Based Efficiencies in First Order Reliability Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peck, Jeffrey A.; Mahadevan, Sankaran

2003-01-01

This paper develops a method for updating the gradient vector of the limit state function in reliability analysis using Broyden's rank one updating technique. In problems that use commercial code as a black box, the gradient calculations are usually done using a finite difference approach, which becomes very expensive for large system models. The proposed method replaces the finite difference gradient calculations in a standard first order reliability method (FORM) with Broyden's Quasi-Newton technique. The resulting algorithm of Broyden updates within a FORM framework (BFORM) is used to run several example problems, and the results compared to standard FORM results. It is found that BFORM typically requires fewer functional evaluations that FORM to converge to the same answer.

Nastran level 16 theoretical manual updates for aeroelastic analysis of bladed discs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elchuri, V.; Smith, G. C. C.

1980-01-01

A computer program based on state of the art compressor and structural technologies applied to bladed shrouded disc was developed and made operational in NASTRAN Level 16. Aeroelastic analyses, modes and flutter. Theoretical manual updates are included.

Dynamic interactions of the cortical networks during thought suppression.

PubMed

Aso, Toshihiko; Nishimura, Kazuo; Kiyonaka, Takashi; Aoki, Takaaki; Inagawa, Michiyo; Matsuhashi, Masao; Tobinaga, Yoshikazu; Fukuyama, Hidenao

2016-08-01

Thought suppression has spurred extensive research in clinical and preclinical fields, particularly with regard to the paradoxical aspects of this behavior. However, the involvement of the brain's inhibitory system in the dynamics underlying the continuous effort to suppress thoughts has yet to be clarified. This study aims to provide a unified perspective for the volitional suppression of internal events incorporating the current understanding of the brain's inhibitory system. Twenty healthy volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while they performed thought suppression blocks alternating with visual imagery blocks. The whole dataset was decomposed by group-independent component analysis into 30 components. After discarding noise components, the 20 valid components were subjected to further analysis of their temporal properties including task-relatedness and between-component residual correlation. Combining a long task period and a data-driven approach, we observed a right-side-dominant, lateral frontoparietal network to be strongly suppression related. This network exhibited increased fluctuation during suppression, which is compatible with the well-known difficulty of suppression maintenance. Between-network correlation provided further insight into the coordinated engagement of the executive control and dorsal attention networks, as well as the reciprocal activation of imagery-related components, thus revealing neural substrates associated with the rivalry between intrusive thoughts and the suppression process.

MRI correlates of interaction between gender and expressive suppression among the Chinese population.

PubMed

Wang, Kangcheng; Huang, Hui; Chen, Li; Hou, Xin; Zhang, Yong; Yang, Junyi; Hao, Xin; Qiu, Jiang

2017-04-07

Expressive suppression is a kind of emotion regulation strategies by suppressing behaviors related to emotional responding. Despite the amount of behavioral research on expressive suppression, the structural and functional mechanisms underlying the interaction between gender and expressive suppression in Chinese healthy subjects have remained unknown. In the current study, we assessed the levels of expressive suppression and acquired the structural and functional imaging data from 273 Chinese individuals. A nearly automatic cortical processing technique was used to calculate cortical thickness for each subject. The results from cortical thickness analyses revealed a significant interaction between gender and expressive suppression in the superior frontal gyrus. Then, we conducted the whole-brain functional connectivity analysis with the seed of the superior frontal gyrus to explore the functionally related regions of brain. Subsequent analysis of the interaction between gender and expressive suppression indicated a significant functional connectivity between the superior frontal gyrus and default mode network (DMN) core regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus and parahippocampal gyrus. Our results provided the robust empirical evidence illustrating the role of the superior frontal gyrus and DMN in gender difference of expressive suppression among the Chinese population. These findings might have implications for understanding gender difference in emotion processing and regulation. Copyright © 2017 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Revisiting final state interaction in charmless Bq→P P decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chua, Chun-Khiang

2018-05-01

Various new measurements in charmless Bu ,d ,s→P P modes, where P is a low lying pseudoscalar meson, are reported by Belle and LHCb. These include the rates of B0→π0π0, η π0, Bs→η'η', B0→K+K- and Bs0→π+π- decays. Some of these modes are highly suppressed and are among the rarest B decays. Direct C P asymmetries on various modes are constantly updated. It is well known that direct C P asymmetries and rates of suppressed modes are sensitive to final state interaction (FSI). As new measurements are reported and more data will be collected, it is interesting and timely to revisit the rescattering effects in Bu ,d ,s→P P states. We perform a χ2 analysis with all available data on C P -averaged rates and C P asymmetries in B¯u ,d ,s→P P decays. Our numerical results are compared to data and those from factorization approach. The quality of the fit is improved significantly from the factorization results in the presence of rescattering. The relations on topological amplitudes and rescattering are explored and they help to provide a better understanding of the effects of FSI. As suggested by U(3) symmetry on topological amplitudes and FSI, a vanishing exchange rescattering scenario is considered. The exchange, annihilation, u -penguin, u -penguin annihilation, and some electroweak penguin amplitudes are enhanced significantly via annihilation and total annihilation rescatterings. In particular, the u -penguin annihilation amplitude is sizably enhanced by the tree amplitude via total annihilation rescattering. These enhancements affect rates and C P asymmetries. Predictions can be checked in the near future.

Adding results to a meta-analysis: Theory and example

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willson, Victor L.

Meta-analysis has been used as a research method to describe bodies of research data. It promotes hypothesis formation and the development of science education laws. A function overlooked, however, is the role it plays in updating research. Methods to integrate new research with meta-analysis results need explication. A procedure is presented using Bayesian analysis. Research in science education attitude correlation with achievement has been published after a recent meta-analysis of the topic. The results show how new findings complement the previous meta-analysis and extend its conclusions. Additional methodological questions adddressed are how studies are to be weighted, which variables are to be examined, and how often meta-analysis are to be updated.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (Update).

PubMed

Bhattacharyya, Neil; Gubbels, Samuel P; Schwartz, Seth R; Edlow, Jonathan A; El-Kashlan, Hussam; Fife, Terry; Holmberg, Janene M; Mahoney, Kathryn; Hollingsworth, Deena B; Roberts, Richard; Seidman, Michael D; Steiner, Robert W Prasaad; Do, Betty Tsai; Voelker, Courtney C J; Waguespack, Richard W; Corrigan, Maureen D

2017-03-01

Objective This update of a 2008 guideline from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation provides evidence-based recommendations to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), defined as a disorder of the inner ear characterized by repeated episodes of positional vertigo. Changes from the prior guideline include a consumer advocate added to the update group; new evidence from 2 clinical practice guidelines, 20 systematic reviews, and 27 randomized controlled trials; enhanced emphasis on patient education and shared decision making; a new algorithm to clarify action statement relationships; and new and expanded recommendations for the diagnosis and management of BPPV. Purpose The primary purposes of this guideline are to improve the quality of care and outcomes for BPPV by improving the accurate and efficient diagnosis of BPPV, reducing the inappropriate use of vestibular suppressant medications, decreasing the inappropriate use of ancillary testing such as radiographic imaging, and increasing the use of appropriate therapeutic repositioning maneuvers. The guideline is intended for all clinicians who are likely to diagnose and manage patients with BPPV, and it applies to any setting in which BPPV would be identified, monitored, or managed. The target patient for the guideline is aged ≥18 years with a suspected or potential diagnosis of BPPV. The primary outcome considered in this guideline is the resolution of the symptoms associated with BPPV. Secondary outcomes considered include an increased rate of accurate diagnoses of BPPV, a more efficient return to regular activities and work, decreased use of inappropriate medications and unnecessary diagnostic tests, reduction in recurrence of BPPV, and reduction in adverse events associated with undiagnosed or untreated BPPV. Other outcomes considered include minimizing costs in the diagnosis and treatment of BPPV, minimizing potentially unnecessary return physician visits, and maximizing the health-related quality of life of individuals afflicted with BPPV. Action Statements The update group made strong recommendations that clinicians should (1) diagnose posterior semicircular canal BPPV when vertigo associated with torsional, upbeating nystagmus is provoked by the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, performed by bringing the patient from an upright to supine position with the head turned 45° to one side and neck extended 20° with the affected ear down, and (2) treat, or refer to a clinician who can treat, patients with posterior canal BPPV with a canalith repositioning procedure. The update group made a strong recommendation against postprocedural postural restrictions after canalith repositioning procedure for posterior canal BPPV. The update group made recommendations that the clinician should (1) perform, or refer to a clinician who can perform, a supine roll test to assess for lateral semicircular canal BPPV if the patient has a history compatible with BPPV and the Dix-Hallpike test exhibits horizontal or no nystagmus; (2) differentiate, or refer to a clinician who can differentiate, BPPV from other causes of imbalance, dizziness, and vertigo; (3) assess patients with BPPV for factors that modify management, including impaired mobility or balance, central nervous system disorders, a lack of home support, and/or increased risk for falling; (4) reassess patients within 1 month after an initial period of observation or treatment to document resolution or persistence of symptoms; (5) evaluate, or refer to a clinician who can evaluate, patients with persistent symptoms for unresolved BPPV and/or underlying peripheral vestibular or central nervous system disorders; and (6) educate patients regarding the impact of BPPV on their safety, the potential for disease recurrence, and the importance of follow-up. The update group made recommendations against (1) radiographic imaging for a patient who meets diagnostic criteria for BPPV in the absence of additional signs and/or symptoms inconsistent with BPPV that warrant imaging, (2) vestibular testing for a patient who meets diagnostic criteria for BPPV in the absence of additional vestibular signs and/or symptoms inconsistent with BPPV that warrant testing, and (3) routinely treating BPPV with vestibular suppressant medications such as antihistamines and/or benzodiazepines. The guideline update group provided the options that clinicians may offer (1) observation with follow-up as initial management for patients with BPPV and (2) vestibular rehabilitation, either self-administered or with a clinician, in the treatment of BPPV.

Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Market Analysis Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prince, Frank A.

1999-01-01

The RLV Market Analysis model is at best a rough order approximation of actual market behavior. However, it does give a quick indication if the flights exists to enable an economically viable RLV, and the assumptions necessary for the vehicle to capture those flights. Additional analysis, market research, and updating with the latest information on payloads and launches would improve the model. Plans are to update the model as new information becomes available and new requirements are levied. This tool will continue to be a vital part of NASA's RLV business analysis capability for the foreseeable future.

Updated Trends in Materials' Outgassing Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosecrans, Glenn; Mlucciacciaro, Anthony

2010-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the trends in materials' outgassing. The work utilized a database of reports to identify common outgassing chemical species from flight hardware, spacecraft, and ground support equipment (GSE). This work updates an earlier work that reported on chemical analysis from 1970-1978.

Environmental Control Systems for Exploration Missions One and Two

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Falcone, Mark A.

2017-01-01

In preparing for Exploration Missions One and Two (EM-1 & EM-2), the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program has significant updates to be made to nearly all facilities. This is all being done to accommodate the Space Launch System, which will be the world’s largest rocket in history upon fruition. Facilitating the launch of such a rocket requires an updated Vehicle Assembly Building, an upgraded Launchpad, Payload Processing Facility, and more. In this project, Environmental Control Systems across several facilities were involved, though there is a focus around the Mobile Launcher and Launchpad. Parts were ordered, analysis models were updated, design drawings were updated, and more.

Why, when and how to update a meta-ethnography qualitative synthesis.

PubMed

France, Emma F; Wells, Mary; Lang, Heidi; Williams, Brian

2016-03-15

Meta-ethnography is a unique, systematic, qualitative synthesis approach widely used to provide robust evidence on patient and clinician beliefs and experiences and understandings of complex social phenomena. It can make important theoretical and conceptual contributions to health care policy and practice. Since beliefs, experiences, health care contexts and social phenomena change over time, the continued relevance of the findings from meta-ethnographies cannot be assumed. However, there is little guidance on whether, when and how meta-ethnographies should be updated; Cochrane guidance on updating reviews of intervention effectiveness is unlikely to be fully appropriate. This is the first in-depth discussion on updating a meta-ethnography; it explores why, when and how to update a meta-ethnography. Three main methods of updating the analysis and synthesis are examined. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are outlined, relating to the context, purpose, process and output of the update and the nature of the new data available. Recommendations are made for the appropriate use of each method, and a worked example of updating a meta-ethnography is provided. This article makes a unique contribution to this evolving area of meta-ethnography methodology.

Uncertainty aggregation and reduction in structure-material performance prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zhen; Mahadevan, Sankaran; Ao, Dan

2018-02-01

An uncertainty aggregation and reduction framework is presented for structure-material performance prediction. Different types of uncertainty sources, structural analysis model, and material performance prediction model are connected through a Bayesian network for systematic uncertainty aggregation analysis. To reduce the uncertainty in the computational structure-material performance prediction model, Bayesian updating using experimental observation data is investigated based on the Bayesian network. It is observed that the Bayesian updating results will have large error if the model cannot accurately represent the actual physics, and that this error will be propagated to the predicted performance distribution. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel uncertainty reduction method by integrating Bayesian calibration with model validation adaptively. The observation domain of the quantity of interest is first discretized into multiple segments. An adaptive algorithm is then developed to perform model validation and Bayesian updating over these observation segments sequentially. Only information from observation segments where the model prediction is highly reliable is used for Bayesian updating; this is found to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of uncertainty reduction. A composite rotorcraft hub component fatigue life prediction model, which combines a finite element structural analysis model and a material damage model, is used to demonstrate the proposed method.

MSFC crack growth analysis computer program, version 2 (users manual)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Creager, M.

1976-01-01

An updated version of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Crack Growth Analysis Program is described. The updated computer program has significantly expanded capabilities over the original one. This increased capability includes an extensive expansion of the library of stress intensity factors, plotting capability, increased design iteration capability, and the capability of performing proof test logic analysis. The technical approaches used within the computer program are presented, and the input and output formats and options are described. Details of the stress intensity equations, example data, and example problems are presented.

Updated MDRIZTAB Parameters for ACS/WFC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffman, S. L.; Avila, R. J.

2017-03-01

The Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST) pipeline performs geometric distortion corrections, associated image combinations, and cosmic ray rejections with AstroDrizzle. The MDRIZTAB reference table contains a list of relevant parameters that controls this program. This document details our photometric analysis of Advanced Camera for Surveys Wide Field Channel (ACS/WFC) data processed by AstroDrizzle. Based on this analysis, we update the MDRIZTAB table to improve the quality of the drizzled products delivered by MAST.

76 FR 39086 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-05

....P., Covanta Power, LLC, Covanta Energy Marketing LLC. Description: Updated Market Power Analysis of...; ER10-3070-001. Applicants: Alcoa Power Generating Inc., Alcoa Power Marketing LLC. Description: Updated... filings, the notices of self-certification [or self-recertification] listed above, do not institute a...

Useful Life | Energy Analysis | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Useful Life Useful Life Transparent Cost Database Button The table below gives ranges on useful seeking utility-scale technology cost and performance estimates, please visit the Transparent Cost Cost (February 2016 Update) Operations & Maintenance (February 2016 Update) Utility-Scale Capacity

Electricity Monthly Update

EIA Publications

2017-01-01

Provides analysis and highlights of the data included in the Electric Power Monthly (EPM) publication and presents tables of electricity generation, fuel consumption for generation, fossil fuel stocks, and average retail sales and prices of electricity. The Electricity Monthly Update is published at the same time as the EPM.

76 FR 35481 - NASA Advisory Council; Science Committee; Astrophysics Subcommittee; Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-17

... Update. --Research and Analysis Update. --Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope Science Definition Team... NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [Notice 11-054] NASA Advisory Council; Science... Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). This subcommittee reports to the Science Committee of the NAC...

A Prospective Multicenter Study Evaluating Secondary Adrenal Suppression After Antiemetic Dexamethasone Therapy in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Korean South West Oncology Group Study.

PubMed

Han, Hye Sook; Park, Ji Chan; Park, Suk Young; Lee, Kyu Taek; Bae, Sang Byung; Kim, Han Jo; Kim, Samyoung; Yun, Hwan Jung; Bae, Woo Kyun; Shim, Hyun-Jeong; Hwang, Jun-Eul; Cho, Sang-Hee; Park, Moo-Rim; Shim, Hyeok; Kwon, Jihyun; Choi, Moon Ki; Kim, Seung Taik; Lee, Ki Hyeong

2015-12-01

In a previous pilot study, adrenal suppression was found to be common after antiemetic dexamethasone therapy in cancer patients. The objective of this large prospective multicenter study was to confirm the incidence and factors associated with secondary adrenal suppression related to antiemetic dexamethasone therapy in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-naïve patients who were scheduled to receive at least three cycles of highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy with dexamethasone as an antiemetic were enrolled. Patients with a suppressed adrenal response before chemotherapy or those administered corticosteroids within 6 months of enrollment in the study were excluded. Between October 2010 and August 2014, 481 patients receiving chemotherapy underwent the rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test to assess eligibility; 350 of these patients were included in the final analysis. Fifty-six patients (16.0%) showed a suppressed adrenal response in the rapid ACTH stimulation test at 3 or 6 months after the start of the first chemotherapy. The incidence of adrenal suppression was affected by age, performance status, stage, and use of megestrol acetate in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that secondary adrenal suppression associated with antiemetic dexamethasone therapy was significantly associated with megestrol acetate treatment (odds ratio: 3.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.60 to 5.86; p < .001). This large prospective study indicates that approximately 15% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with a normal adrenal response show suppressed adrenal responses after antiemetic dexamethasone therapy. This result was particularly significant for patients cotreated with megestrol acetate. ©AlphaMed Press.

Optimization of thermal protection systems for the space shuttle vehicle. Volume 1: Final report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

A study performed to continue development of computational techniques for the Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System is reported. The resulting computer code was used to perform some additional optimization studies on several TPS configurations. The program was developed in Fortran 4 for the CDC 6400, and it was converted to Fortran 5 to be used for the Univac 1108. The computational methodology is developed in modular fashion to facilitate changes and updating of the techniques and to allow overlaying the computer code to fit into approximately 131,000 octal words of core storage. The program logic involves subroutines which handle input and output of information between computer and user, thermodynamic stress, dynamic, and weight/estimate analyses of a variety of panel configurations. These include metallic, ablative, RSI (with and without an underlying phase change material), and a thermodynamic analysis only of carbon-carbon systems applied to the leading edge and flat cover panels. Two different thermodynamic analyses are used. The first is a two-dimensional, explicit precedure with variable time steps which is used to describe the behavior of metallic and carbon-carbon leading edges. The second is a one-dimensional implicity technique used to predict temperature in the charring ablator and the noncharring RSI. The latter analysis is performed simply by suppressing the chemical reactions and pyrolysis of the TPS material.

Crucial role of strategy updating for coexistence of strategies in interaction networks.

PubMed

Zhang, Jianlei; Zhang, Chunyan; Cao, Ming; Weissing, Franz J

2015-04-01

Network models are useful tools for studying the dynamics of social interactions in a structured population. After a round of interactions with the players in their local neighborhood, players update their strategy based on the comparison of their own payoff with the payoff of one of their neighbors. Here we show that the assumptions made on strategy updating are of crucial importance for the strategy dynamics. In the first step, we demonstrate that seemingly small deviations from the standard assumptions on updating have major implications for the evolutionary outcome of two cooperation games: cooperation can more easily persist in a Prisoner's Dilemma game, while it can go more easily extinct in a Snowdrift game. To explain these outcomes, we develop a general model for the updating of states in a network that allows us to derive conditions for the steady-state coexistence of states (or strategies). The analysis reveals that coexistence crucially depends on the number of agents consulted for updating. We conclude that updating rules are as important for evolution on a network as network structure and the nature of the interaction.

Crucial role of strategy updating for coexistence of strategies in interaction networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jianlei; Zhang, Chunyan; Cao, Ming; Weissing, Franz J.

2015-04-01

Network models are useful tools for studying the dynamics of social interactions in a structured population. After a round of interactions with the players in their local neighborhood, players update their strategy based on the comparison of their own payoff with the payoff of one of their neighbors. Here we show that the assumptions made on strategy updating are of crucial importance for the strategy dynamics. In the first step, we demonstrate that seemingly small deviations from the standard assumptions on updating have major implications for the evolutionary outcome of two cooperation games: cooperation can more easily persist in a Prisoner's Dilemma game, while it can go more easily extinct in a Snowdrift game. To explain these outcomes, we develop a general model for the updating of states in a network that allows us to derive conditions for the steady-state coexistence of states (or strategies). The analysis reveals that coexistence crucially depends on the number of agents consulted for updating. We conclude that updating rules are as important for evolution on a network as network structure and the nature of the interaction.

Robust adaptive precision motion control of hydraulic actuators with valve dead-zone compensation.

PubMed

Deng, Wenxiang; Yao, Jianyong; Ma, Dawei

2017-09-01

This paper addresses the high performance motion control of hydraulic actuators with parametric uncertainties, unmodeled disturbances and unknown valve dead-zone. By constructing a smooth dead-zone inverse, a robust adaptive controller is proposed via backstepping method, in which adaptive law is synthesized to deal with parametric uncertainties and a continuous nonlinear robust control law to suppress unmodeled disturbances. Since the unknown dead-zone parameters can be estimated by adaptive law and then the effect of dead-zone can be compensated effectively via inverse operation, improved tracking performance can be expected. In addition, the disturbance upper bounds can also be updated online by adaptive laws, which increases the controller operability in practice. The Lyapunov based stability analysis shows that excellent asymptotic output tracking with zero steady-state error can be achieved by the developed controller even in the presence of unmodeled disturbance and unknown valve dead-zone. Finally, the proposed control strategy is experimentally tested on a servovalve controlled hydraulic actuation system subjected to an artificial valve dead-zone. Comparative experimental results are obtained to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System (ProSEDS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lorenzini, Enrico C.; Estes, Robert D.; Cosmo, Mario L.

2001-01-01

This is the Annual Report #2 entitled "The Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System (ProSEDS)" prepared by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. This report covers the period of activity from 1 August 2000 through 30 July 2001. The topics include: 1) Updated System Performance; 2) Mission Analysis; 3) Updated Dynamics Reference Mission; 4) Updated Deployment Control Profiles and Simulations; 5) Comparison of ED tethers and electrical thrusters; 6) Kalman filters for mission estimation; and 7) Delivery of interactive software for ED tethers.

Designing For Human Presence in Space: An Introduction to Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wieland, P. O.

2005-01-01

Human exploration and utilization of space requires habitats to provide appropriate conditions for working and living. These conditions are provided by environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) that ensure appropriate atmosphere composition, pressure, and temperature; manage and distribute water, process waste matter, provide fire detection and suppression; and other functions as necessary. The tables in appendix I of NASA RP 1324 "Designing for Human Presence in Space" summarize the life support functions and processes used onboard U.S. and U.S.S.R/Russian space habitats. These tables have been updated to include information on thermal control methods and to provide additional information on the ECLS systems.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy: update on immunological mechanisms.

PubMed

Alvaro, M; Sancha, J; Larramona, H; Lucas, J M; Mesa, M; Tabar, A I; Martinez-Cañavate, A

2013-01-01

Immunotherapy selectively modulates the allergen-specific immune response. It involves the gradual administration of increasing amounts of allergen for the purpose of inducing protective immunological changes and it is the only curative approach for specific type I allergy. Description of the allergic inflammation.- Comprehension of the early cellular changes after specific immunotherapy has been initiated. Exposure of the mechanisms involved in tolerance induction by regulatory T cells (Treg) with the inhibition of the Th2 responses. Comprehension of IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF- ) roles. Explanation of specific IgE, IgG and IgA changes. Description of the suppression of inflammatory responses during immunotherapy. Copyright © 2012 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Infectious optic neuropathies: a clinical update

PubMed Central

Kahloun, Rim; Abroug, Nesrine; Ksiaa, Imen; Mahmoud, Anis; Zeghidi, Hatem; Zaouali, Sonia; Khairallah, Moncef

2015-01-01

Different forms of optic neuropathy causing visual impairment of varying severity have been reported in association with a wide variety of infectious agents. Proper clinical diagnosis of any of these infectious conditions is based on epidemiological data, history, systemic symptoms and signs, and the pattern of ocular findings. Diagnosis is confirmed by serologic testing and polymerase chain reaction in selected cases. Treatment of infectious optic neuropathies involves the use of specific anti-infectious drugs and corticosteroids to suppress the associated inflammatory reaction. The visual prognosis is generally good, but persistent severe vision loss with optic atrophy can occur. This review presents optic neuropathies caused by specific viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal diseases. PMID:28539795

Emotion suppression and food intake in the context of a couple discussion: A dyadic analysis.

PubMed

Côté, Marilou; Gagnon-Girouard, Marie-Pierre; Sabourin, Stéphane; Bégin, Catherine

2018-01-01

Using dyadic analysis, this study examined whether emotion suppression is a valid mediator in the relationship between mood change following a stressful couple discussion and subsequent food intake among cohabiting couples. In a laboratory setting, 80 heterosexual couples were presented with a bogus taste test immediately after discussing aspects that they would like each other to change. Mood change, emotion suppression and appetite perceptions were self-reported using visual analogue scales, and BMI was calculated based on objective measures. The moderated-mediation Actor-Partner Interdependence Model revealed a significant indirect conditional effect, showing that mood worsening was significantly associated with higher emotion suppression and that emotion suppression was significantly associated with more food intake among spouses with a high BMI. For spouses with a low BMI, the reverse effect was found, i.e., mood worsening was significantly associated with less food intake through the indirect effect of emotion suppression. Furthermore, an indirect partner effect was observed regardless of BMI, i.e., mood worsening was related to more food intake, which was mediated by the partner's emotion suppression. These results highlight the key role of emotion suppression in the relationship between mood change and food intake in the context of a stressful couple discussion. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

77 FR 62431 - Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-15

...-30227] Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: Final... Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System (EDGAR) Filer Manual and related rules to reflect... Manual is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 15, 2012. FOR FURTHER...

Update on BioVapor Analysis (Draft Deliberative Document)

EPA Science Inventory

An update is given on EPA ORD's evaluation of the BioVapor model for petroleum vapor intrusion assessment. Results from two scenarios are presented: a strong petroleum source and a weaker source. Model results for the strong source are shown to depend on biodegradation rate, oxyg...

75 FR 11162 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-10

...; Wildorado Wind, LLC. Description: San Juan Mesa Wind Project, LLC et al. submits the Updated Market Power... Power Marketing, LLC; High Majestic Wind Energy Center, LLC. Description: NextEra Companies submits.... Description: Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc et al. submits an Updated Market Power Analysis. Filed...

78 FR 2381 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-11

...: Public Service Company of New Mexico. Description: Public Service Company of New Mexico submits its Triennial Market Power Update pursuant to Order No. 697. Filed Date: 12/21/12. Accession Number: 20121226... Pacific Power Company. Description: Updated Market Power Analysis for Southwest Region of Sierra Pacific...

Rutgers/NJDOT Pavement Resource Program (NJDOT Statewide GPR Project Network GPR Data Collection and Analysis Update of HPMA GPR Database)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-05-01

Center for Advanced Transportation Infrastructure (CAIT) of Rutgers University is mandated to conduct Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys to update the NJDOT's pavement management system with GPR measured pavement layer thicknesses. Based on the r...

Edge enhancement and noise suppression for infrared image based on feature analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Meng

2018-06-01

Infrared images are often suffering from background noise, blurred edges, few details and low signal-to-noise ratios. To improve infrared image quality, it is essential to suppress noise and enhance edges simultaneously. To realize it in this paper, we propose a novel algorithm based on feature analysis in shearlet domain. Firstly, as one of multi-scale geometric analysis (MGA), we introduce the theory and superiority of shearlet transform. Secondly, after analyzing the defects of traditional thresholding technique to suppress noise, we propose a novel feature extraction distinguishing image structures from noise well and use it to improve the traditional thresholding technique. Thirdly, with computing the correlations between neighboring shearlet coefficients, the feature attribute maps identifying the weak detail and strong edges are completed to improve the generalized unsharped masking (GUM). At last, experiment results with infrared images captured in different scenes demonstrate that the proposed algorithm suppresses noise efficiently and enhances image edges adaptively.

The design, analysis, and testing of a low-budget wind-tunnel flutter model with active aerodynamic controls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bolding, R. M.; Stearman, R. O.

1976-01-01

A low budget flutter model incorporating active aerodynamic controls for flutter suppression studies was designed as both an educational and research tool to study the interfering lifting surface flutter phenomenon in the form of a swept wing-tail configuration. A flutter suppression mechanism was demonstrated on a simple semirigid three-degree-of-freedom flutter model of this configuration employing an active stabilator control, and was then verified analytically using a doublet lattice lifting surface code and the model's measured mass, mode shapes, and frequencies in a flutter analysis. Preliminary studies were significantly encouraging to extend the analysis to the larger degree of freedom AFFDL wing-tail flutter model where additional analytical flutter suppression studies indicated significant gains in flutter margins could be achieved. The analytical and experimental design of a flutter suppression system for the AFFDL model is presented along with the results of a preliminary passive flutter test.

Investigation of the Ionization Mechanism of NAD+/NADH-Modified Gold Electrodes in ToF-SIMS Analysis.

PubMed

Hua, Xin; Zhao, Li-Jun; Long, Yi-Tao

2018-06-04

Analysis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + /NADH)-modified electrodes is important for in vitro monitoring of key biological processes. In this work, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was used to analyze NAD + /NADH-modified gold electrodes. Interestingly, no obvious characteristic peaks of nicotinamide fragment could be observed in the mass spectra of NAD + /NADH in their neutral sodium pyrophosphate form. However, after acidification, the characteristic peaks for both NAD + and NADH were detected. This was due to the suppression effect of inner pyrophosphoric salts in both neutral molecules. Besides, it was proved that the suppression by inner salt was intramolecular. No obvious suppression was found between neighboring molecules. These results demonstrated the suppression effect of inner salts in ToF-SIMS analysis, providing useful evidence for the study of ToF-SIMS ionization mechanism of organic molecule-modified electrodes. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Comparison of three microarray probe annotation pipelines: differences in strategies and their effect on downstream analysis

PubMed Central

Neerincx, Pieter BT; Casel, Pierrot; Prickett, Dennis; Nie, Haisheng; Watson, Michael; Leunissen, Jack AM; Groenen, Martien AM; Klopp, Christophe

2009-01-01

Background Reliable annotation linking oligonucleotide probes to target genes is essential for functional biological analysis of microarray experiments. We used the IMAD, OligoRAP and sigReannot pipelines to update the annotation for the ARK-Genomics Chicken 20 K array as part of a joined EADGENE/SABRE workshop. In this manuscript we compare their annotation strategies and results. Furthermore, we analyse the effect of differences in updated annotation on functional analysis for an experiment involving Eimeria infected chickens and finally we propose guidelines for optimal annotation strategies. Results IMAD, OligoRAP and sigReannot update both annotation and estimated target specificity. The 3 pipelines can assign oligos to target specificity categories although with varying degrees of resolution. Target specificity is judged based on the amount and type of oligo versus target-gene alignments (hits), which are determined by filter thresholds that users can adjust based on their experimental conditions. Linking oligos to annotation on the other hand is based on rigid rules, which differ between pipelines. For 52.7% of the oligos from a subset selected for in depth comparison all pipelines linked to one or more Ensembl genes with consensus on 44.0%. In 31.0% of the cases none of the pipelines could assign an Ensembl gene to an oligo and for the remaining 16.3% the coverage differed between pipelines. Differences in updated annotation were mainly due to different thresholds for hybridisation potential filtering of oligo versus target-gene alignments and different policies for expanding annotation using indirect links. The differences in updated annotation packages had a significant effect on GO term enrichment analysis with consensus on only 67.2% of the enriched terms. Conclusion In addition to flexible thresholds to determine target specificity, annotation tools should provide metadata describing the relationships between oligos and the annotation assigned to them. These relationships can then be used to judge the varying degrees of reliability allowing users to fine-tune the balance between reliability and coverage. This is important as it can have a significant effect on functional microarray analysis as exemplified by the lack of consensus on almost one third of the terms found with GO term enrichment analysis based on updated IMAD, OligoRAP or sigReannot annotation. PMID:19615109

Comparison of three microarray probe annotation pipelines: differences in strategies and their effect on downstream analysis.

PubMed

Neerincx, Pieter Bt; Casel, Pierrot; Prickett, Dennis; Nie, Haisheng; Watson, Michael; Leunissen, Jack Am; Groenen, Martien Am; Klopp, Christophe

2009-07-16

Reliable annotation linking oligonucleotide probes to target genes is essential for functional biological analysis of microarray experiments. We used the IMAD, OligoRAP and sigReannot pipelines to update the annotation for the ARK-Genomics Chicken 20 K array as part of a joined EADGENE/SABRE workshop. In this manuscript we compare their annotation strategies and results. Furthermore, we analyse the effect of differences in updated annotation on functional analysis for an experiment involving Eimeria infected chickens and finally we propose guidelines for optimal annotation strategies. IMAD, OligoRAP and sigReannot update both annotation and estimated target specificity. The 3 pipelines can assign oligos to target specificity categories although with varying degrees of resolution. Target specificity is judged based on the amount and type of oligo versus target-gene alignments (hits), which are determined by filter thresholds that users can adjust based on their experimental conditions. Linking oligos to annotation on the other hand is based on rigid rules, which differ between pipelines.For 52.7% of the oligos from a subset selected for in depth comparison all pipelines linked to one or more Ensembl genes with consensus on 44.0%. In 31.0% of the cases none of the pipelines could assign an Ensembl gene to an oligo and for the remaining 16.3% the coverage differed between pipelines. Differences in updated annotation were mainly due to different thresholds for hybridisation potential filtering of oligo versus target-gene alignments and different policies for expanding annotation using indirect links. The differences in updated annotation packages had a significant effect on GO term enrichment analysis with consensus on only 67.2% of the enriched terms. In addition to flexible thresholds to determine target specificity, annotation tools should provide metadata describing the relationships between oligos and the annotation assigned to them. These relationships can then be used to judge the varying degrees of reliability allowing users to fine-tune the balance between reliability and coverage. This is important as it can have a significant effect on functional microarray analysis as exemplified by the lack of consensus on almost one third of the terms found with GO term enrichment analysis based on updated IMAD, OligoRAP or sigReannot annotation.

Secure SCADA communication by using a modified key management scheme.

PubMed

Rezai, Abdalhossein; Keshavarzi, Parviz; Moravej, Zahra

2013-07-01

This paper presents and evaluates a new cryptographic key management scheme which increases the efficiency and security of the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) communication. In the proposed key management scheme, two key update phases are used: session key update and master key update. In the session key update phase, session keys are generated in the master station. In the master key update phase, the Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) protocol is used. The Poisson process is also used to model the Security Index (SI) and Quality of Service (QoS). Our analysis shows that the proposed key management not only supports the required speed in the MODBUS implementation but also has several advantages compared to other key management schemes for secure communication in SCADA networks. Copyright © 2013 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ionization Suppression and Recovery in Direct Biofluid Analysis Using Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vega, Carolina; Spence, Corina; Zhang, Chengsen; Bills, Brandon J.; Manicke, Nicholas E.

2016-04-01

Paper spray mass spectrometry is a method for the direct analysis of biofluid samples in which extraction of analytes from dried biofluid spots and electrospray ionization occur from the paper on which the dried sample is stored. We examined matrix effects in the analysis of small molecule drugs from urine, plasma, and whole blood. The general method was to spike stable isotope labeled analogs of each analyte into the spray solvent, while the analyte itself was in the dried biofluid. Intensity of the labeled analog is proportional to ionization efficiency, whereas the ratio of the analyte intensity to the labeled analog in the spray solvent is proportional to recovery. Ion suppression and recovery were found to be compound- and matrix-dependent. Highest levels of ion suppression were obtained for poor ionizers (e.g., analytes lacking basic aliphatic amine groups) in urine and approached -90%. Ion suppression was much lower or even absent for good ionizers (analytes with aliphatic amines) in dried blood spots. Recovery was generally highest in urine and lowest in blood. We also examined the effect of two experimental parameters on ion suppression and recovery: the spray solvent and the sample position (how far away from the paper tip the dried sample was spotted). Finally, the change in ion suppression and analyte elution as a function of time was examined by carrying out a paper spray analysis of dried plasma spots for 5 min by continually replenishing the spray solvent.

An Update on Canine Adenovirus Type 2 and Its Vectors

PubMed Central

Bru, Thierry; Salinas, Sara; Kremer, Eric J.

2010-01-01

Adenovirus vectors have significant potential for long- or short-term gene transfer. Preclinical and clinical studies using human derived adenoviruses (HAd) have demonstrated the feasibility of flexible hybrid vector designs, robust expression and induction of protective immunity. However, clinical use of HAd vectors can, under some conditions, be limited by pre-existing vector immunity. Pre-existing humoral and cellular anti-capsid immunity limits the efficacy and duration of transgene expression and is poorly circumvented by injections of larger doses and immuno-suppressing drugs. This review updates canine adenovirus serotype 2 (CAV-2, also known as CAdV-2) biology and gives an overview of the generation of early region 1 (E1)-deleted to helper-dependent (HD) CAV-2 vectors. We also summarize the essential characteristics concerning their interaction with the anti-HAd memory immune responses in humans, the preferential transduction of neurons, and its high level of retrograde axonal transport in the central and peripheral nervous system. CAV-2 vectors are particularly interesting tools to study the pathophysiology and potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, as anti-tumoral and anti-viral vaccines, tracer of synaptic junctions, oncolytic virus and as a platform to generate chimeric vectors. PMID:21994722

DIY Solar Market Analysis Webinar Series: PVWatts® | State, Local, and

Science.gov Websites

, and updates the energy prediction algorithms to be in line with the actual performance of modern the latest update." In this webinar, one of the tool's developers explains how the new version of ® Wednesday, July 9, 2014 As part of a Do-It-Yourself Solar Market Analysis summer series, NREL's Solar

Allowable Stresses For Use in Dynamic Analysis of PF-4 Fire Suppression System Piping

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

Menefee, Maia Catherine; Salmon, Michael W.

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a limited test program performed on samples of fittings removed from the PF-4 fire suppression system and to present recommendations for allowable stresses to be used in subsequent piping analysis.

78 FR 60684 - Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-02

...-30722] Adoption of Updated EDGAR Filer Manual AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: Final... Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System (EDGAR) Filer Manual and related rules to reflect... the EDGAR Filer Manual is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 2, 2013. FOR...

Wind turbine reliability database update.

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

Peters, Valerie A.; Hill, Roger Ray; Stinebaugh, Jennifer A.

2009-03-01

This report documents the status of the Sandia National Laboratories' Wind Plant Reliability Database. Included in this report are updates on the form and contents of the Database, which stems from a fivestep process of data partnerships, data definition and transfer, data formatting and normalization, analysis, and reporting. Selected observations are also reported.

Austin Community College Benchmarking Update.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Austin Community Coll., TX. Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Austin Community College contracted with MGT of America, Inc. in spring 1999 to develop a peer and benchmark (best) practices analysis on key indicators. These indicators were updated in spring 2002 using data from eight Texas community colleges and four non-Texas institutions that represent large, comprehensive, urban community colleges, similar…

Update on Validity of Required Competencies for Worksite Health Professionals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Becker, Craig; Rager, Robin C.; Wright, Fred Egbert

2013-01-01

Background: To improve global health, the workforce capacity of health promotion professionals must be strengthened through the provision of competencies necessary to deliver effective programs. Purpose: This study provides an updated analysis of the validity of the worksite health promotion (WHP) professional competencies developed in 2000 by the…

Teaching Adaptability of Object-Oriented Programming Language Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhu, Xiao-dong

2012-01-01

The evolution of object-oriented programming languages includes update of their own versions, update of development environments, and reform of new languages upon old languages. In this paper, the evolution analysis of object-oriented programming languages is presented in term of the characters and development. The notion of adaptive teaching upon…

Forests of Virginia,2013

Treesearch

Anita K. Rose

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Virginia. Information for this factsheet was updated by means of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annualized sample design. Each year, 20 percent of the sample plots (one panel) in Virginia are measured by field crews, the data compiled, and new estimates produced.

Forests of Wisconsin, 2016

Treesearch

Cassandra M. Kurtz

2017-01-01

Publication updated February 9, 2018 to correct the number of forest field plots (page 1). This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Wisconsin based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of...

Update and review of accuracy assessment techniques for remotely sensed data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Congalton, R. G.; Heinen, J. T.; Oderwald, R. G.

1983-01-01

Research performed in the accuracy assessment of remotely sensed data is updated and reviewed. The use of discrete multivariate analysis techniques for the assessment of error matrices, the use of computer simulation for assessing various sampling strategies, and an investigation of spatial autocorrelation techniques are examined.

Continuous flow measurements using ultrasonic velocity meters - an update

USGS Publications Warehouse

Oltmann, Rick

1995-01-01

An article in the summer 1993 Newsletter described USGS work to continously monitor tidal flows in the delta using ultrasonic velocity meters.  This article updates progress since 1993, including new installations, results of data analysis, damage during this year's high flows, and the status of each site.

An Update on the Effects of Playing Violent Video Games

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Craig, A.

2004-01-01

This article presents a brief overview of existing research on the effects of exposure to violent video games. An updated meta-analysis reveals that exposure to violent video games is significantly linked to increases in aggressive behaviour, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, and cardiovascular arousal, and to decreases in helping…

Regulating the Access to Awareness: Brain Activity Related to Probe-related and Spontaneous Reversals in Binocular Rivalry.

PubMed

Metzger, Brian A; Mathewson, Kyle E; Tapia, Evelina; Fabiani, Monica; Gratton, Gabriele; Beck, Diane M

2017-06-01

Research on the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) has implicated an assortment of brain regions, ERP components, and network properties associated with visual awareness. Recently, the P3b ERP component has emerged as a leading NCC candidate. However, typical P3b paradigms depend on the detection of some stimulus change, making it difficult to separate brain processes elicited by the stimulus itself from those associated with updates or changes in visual awareness. Here we used binocular rivalry to ask whether the P3b is associated with changes in awareness even in the absence of changes in the object of awareness. We recorded ERPs during a probe-mediated binocular rivalry paradigm in which brief probes were presented over the image in either the suppressed or dominant eye to determine whether the elicited P3b activity is probe or reversal related. We found that the timing of P3b (but not its amplitude) was closely related to the timing of the report of a perceptual change rather than to the onset of the probe. This is consistent with the proposal that P3b indexes updates in conscious awareness, rather than being related to stimulus processing per se. Conversely, the probe-related P1 amplitude (but not its latency) was associated with reversal latency, suggesting that the degree to which the probe is processed increases the likelihood of a fast perceptual reversal. Finally, the response-locked P3b amplitude (but not its latency) was associated with the duration of an intermediate stage between reversals in which parts of both percepts coexist (piecemeal period). Together, the data suggest that the P3b reflects an update in consciousness and that the intensity of that process (as indexed by P3b amplitude) predicts how immediate that update is.

Updating National Topographic Data Base Using Change Detection Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keinan, E.; Felus, Y. A.; Tal, Y.; Zilberstien, O.; Elihai, Y.

2016-06-01

The traditional method for updating a topographic database on a national scale is a complex process that requires human resources, time and the development of specialized procedures. In many National Mapping and Cadaster Agencies (NMCA), the updating cycle takes a few years. Today, the reality is dynamic and the changes occur every day, therefore, the users expect that the existing database will portray the current reality. Global mapping projects which are based on community volunteers, such as OSM, update their database every day based on crowdsourcing. In order to fulfil user's requirements for rapid updating, a new methodology that maps major interest areas while preserving associated decoding information, should be developed. Until recently, automated processes did not yield satisfactory results, and a typically process included comparing images from different periods. The success rates in identifying the objects were low, and most were accompanied by a high percentage of false alarms. As a result, the automatic process required significant editorial work that made it uneconomical. In the recent years, the development of technologies in mapping, advancement in image processing algorithms and computer vision, together with the development of digital aerial cameras with NIR band and Very High Resolution satellites, allow the implementation of a cost effective automated process. The automatic process is based on high-resolution Digital Surface Model analysis, Multi Spectral (MS) classification, MS segmentation, object analysis and shape forming algorithms. This article reviews the results of a novel change detection methodology as a first step for updating NTDB in the Survey of Israel.

Dual Systems for Spatial Updating in Immediate and Retrieved Environments: Evidence from Bias Analysis.

PubMed

Liu, Chuanjun; Xiao, Chengli

2018-01-01

The spatial updating and memory systems are employed during updating in both the immediate and retrieved environments. However, these dual systems seem to work differently, as the difference of pointing latency and absolute error between the two systems vary across environments. To verify this issue, the present study employed the bias analysis of signed errors based on the hypothesis that the transformed representation will bias toward the original one. Participants learned a spatial layout and then either stayed in the learning location or were transferred to a neighboring room directly or after being disoriented. After that, they performed spatial judgments from perspectives aligned with the learning direction, aligned with the direction they faced during the test, or a novel direction misaligned with the two above-mentioned directions. The patterns of signed error bias were consistent across environments. Responses for memory aligned perspectives were unbiased, whereas responses for sensorimotor aligned perspectives were biased away from the memory aligned perspective, and responses for misaligned perspectives were biased toward sensorimotor aligned perspectives. These findings indicate that the spatial updating system is consistently independent of the spatial memory system regardless of the environments, but the updating system becomes less accessible as the environment changes from immediate to a retrieved one.

Dual Systems for Spatial Updating in Immediate and Retrieved Environments: Evidence from Bias Analysis

PubMed Central

Liu, Chuanjun; Xiao, Chengli

2018-01-01

The spatial updating and memory systems are employed during updating in both the immediate and retrieved environments. However, these dual systems seem to work differently, as the difference of pointing latency and absolute error between the two systems vary across environments. To verify this issue, the present study employed the bias analysis of signed errors based on the hypothesis that the transformed representation will bias toward the original one. Participants learned a spatial layout and then either stayed in the learning location or were transferred to a neighboring room directly or after being disoriented. After that, they performed spatial judgments from perspectives aligned with the learning direction, aligned with the direction they faced during the test, or a novel direction misaligned with the two above-mentioned directions. The patterns of signed error bias were consistent across environments. Responses for memory aligned perspectives were unbiased, whereas responses for sensorimotor aligned perspectives were biased away from the memory aligned perspective, and responses for misaligned perspectives were biased toward sensorimotor aligned perspectives. These findings indicate that the spatial updating system is consistently independent of the spatial memory system regardless of the environments, but the updating system becomes less accessible as the environment changes from immediate to a retrieved one. PMID:29467698

Revised models of interstellar nitrogen isotopic fractionation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wirström, E. S.; Charnley, S. B.

2018-03-01

Nitrogen-bearing molecules in cold molecular clouds exhibit a range of isotopic fractionation ratios and these molecules may be the precursors of 15N enrichments found in comets and meteorites. Chemical model calculations indicate that atom-molecular ion and ion-molecule reactions could account for most of the fractionation patterns observed. However, recent quantum-chemical computations demonstrate that several of the key processes are unlikely to occur in dense clouds. Related model calculations of dense cloud chemistry show that the revised 15N enrichments fail to match observed values. We have investigated the effects of these reaction rate modifications on the chemical model of Wirström et al. (2012) for which there are significant physical and chemical differences with respect to other models. We have included 15N fractionation of CN in neutral-neutral reactions and also updated rate coefficients for key reactions in the nitrogen chemistry. We find that the revised fractionation rates have the effect of suppressing 15N enrichment in ammonia at all times, while the depletion is even more pronounced, reaching 14N/15N ratios of >2000. Taking the updated nitrogen chemistry into account, no significant enrichment occurs in HCN or HNC, contrary to observational evidence in dark clouds and comets, although the 14N/15N ratio can still be below 100 in CN itself. However, such low CN abundances are predicted that the updated model falls short of explaining the bulk 15N enhancements observed in primitive materials. It is clear that alternative fractionating reactions are necessary to reproduce observations, so further laboratory and theoretical studies are urgently needed.

An Updated Examination of Aviation Accidents Associated with Turbulence, Wind Shear and Thunderstorm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, Joni K.

2014-01-01

One of the technical challenges within the Atmospheric Environment Safety Technologies (AEST) Project of the Aviation Safety Program was to "improve and expand remote sensing and mitigation of hazardous atmospheric environments and phenomena"1. In 2012, the author performed an analysis comparing various characteristics of accidents associated with different types of atmospheric hazard environments2. This document reports an update to that analysis which was done in preparation for presenting these findings at the 2015 annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board. Specifically, an additional three years of data were available, and a time-trend analysis was added.

Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) feasibility study update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alff, W. H.; Banderman, L. W.

1983-01-01

In 1982 a workshop was held to refine the science rationale for large deployable reflectors (LDR) and develop technology requirements that support the science rationale. At the end of the workshop, a set of LDR consensus systems requirements was established. The subject study was undertaken to update the initial LDR study using the new systems requirements. The study included mirror materials selection and configuration, thermal analysis, structural concept definition and analysis, dynamic control analysis and recommendations for further study. The primary emphasis was on the dynamic controls requirements and the sophistication of the controls system needed to meet LDR performance goals.

Avionics Tether Operations Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glaese, John R.

2001-01-01

The activities described in this Final Report were authorized and performed under Purchase Order Number H32835D, issued as part of NASA contract number NAS8-00114. The period of performance of this PO was from March 1 to September 30, 2001. The primary work activity was the continued development and updating of the tether dynamic simulation tools GTOSS (Generalized Tethered Object System Simulation) and TSSIM (Tethered Satellite System) and use of these and other tools in the analysis of various tether dynamics problems. Several updated versions of GTOSS were delivered during the period of performance by the author of the simulation, Lang Associates' David Lang. These updates had mainly to do with updated documentation and an updated coordinate system definition to the J2000 standards. This Final Report is organized by the months in which the activities described were performed. The following sections review the Statement of Work (SOW) and activities performed to satisfy it.

Neural correlates of sensory prediction errors in monkeys: evidence for internal models of voluntary self-motion in the cerebellum.

PubMed

Cullen, Kathleen E; Brooks, Jessica X

2015-02-01

During self-motion, the vestibular system makes essential contributions to postural stability and self-motion perception. To ensure accurate perception and motor control, it is critical to distinguish between vestibular sensory inputs that are the result of externally applied motion (exafference) and that are the result of our own actions (reafference). Indeed, although the vestibular sensors encode vestibular afference and reafference with equal fidelity, neurons at the first central stage of sensory processing selectively encode vestibular exafference. The mechanism underlying this reafferent suppression compares the brain's motor-based expectation of sensory feedback with the actual sensory consequences of voluntary self-motion, effectively computing the sensory prediction error (i.e., exafference). It is generally thought that sensory prediction errors are computed in the cerebellum, yet it has been challenging to explicitly demonstrate this. We have recently addressed this question and found that deep cerebellar nuclei neurons explicitly encode sensory prediction errors during self-motion. Importantly, in everyday life, sensory prediction errors occur in response to changes in the effector or world (muscle strength, load, etc.), as well as in response to externally applied sensory stimulation. Accordingly, we hypothesize that altering the relationship between motor commands and the actual movement parameters will result in the updating in the cerebellum-based computation of exafference. If our hypothesis is correct, under these conditions, neuronal responses should initially be increased--consistent with a sudden increase in the sensory prediction error. Then, over time, as the internal model is updated, response modulation should decrease in parallel with a reduction in sensory prediction error, until vestibular reafference is again suppressed. The finding that the internal model predicting the sensory consequences of motor commands adapts for new relationships would have important implications for understanding how responses to passive stimulation endure despite the cerebellum's ability to learn new relationships between motor commands and sensory feedback.

HIV Drug Resistance Early Warning Indicators in Namibia with Updated World Health Organization Guidance

PubMed Central

Jonas, Anna; Sumbi, Victor; Mwinga, Samson; DeKlerk, Michael; Tjituka, Francina; Penney, Scott; Jordan, Michael R.; Desta, Tiruneh; Tang, Alice M.; Hong, Steven Y.

2014-01-01

Background In response to concerns about the emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR), the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a comprehensive set of early warning indicators (EWIs) to monitor HIV drug resistance and good programme practice at antiretroviral therapy (ART) sites. Methods In 2012, Namibia utilized the updated WHO EWI guidance and abstracted data from adult and pediatric patients from 50 ART sites for the following EWIs: 1. On-time Pill Pick-up, 2. Retention in Care, 3. Pharmacy Stock-outs, 4. Dispensing Practices, and 5. Virological Suppression. Results Data for EWIs one through four were abstracted and validated. EWI 5 – Virological Suppression was not included due to poor data entry at many sites. On-time Pill Pick-up national estimate was 87.9% (87.2–88.7) of patients picking up pills on time for adults and 90.0% (88.9–90.9) picking up pills on time for pediatrics. Retention in Care national estimate was 82% of patients retained on ART after 12 months for adults and 83% for pediatrics. Pharmacy Stock-outs national estimate was 99% of months without a stock-out for adults and 97% for pediatrics. Dispensing Practices national estimate was 0.01% (0.003–0.064) of patients dispensed mono- or dual-therapy for adults and 0.25% (0.092–0.653) for pediatrics. Conclusions The successful 2012 EWI exercise provides Namibia a solid evidence base, which can be used to make national statements about programmatic functioning and possible HIVDR. This evidence base will serve to contextualize results from Namibia's surveys of HIVDR, which involves genotype testing. EWI abstraction has prompted the national program and its counterparts to engage sites in dialogue regarding the need to strengthen adherence and retention of patients on ART. The EWI collection process and EWI results will serve to optimize patient care and support Namibia in making evidence-based recommendations and take action to minimize the emergence of preventable HIVDR. PMID:24988387

Contemporary post surgical management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

PubMed

Tala, H; Tuttle, R M

2010-08-01

Risk assessment is the cornerstone of contemporary management of thyroid cancer. Following thyroid surgery, an initial risk assessment of recurrence and disease-specific mortality is made using important intra-operative findings, histologic characteristics of the tumor, molecular profile of the tumor, post-operative serum thyroglobulin and any available cross-sectional imaging studies. This initial risk assessment is used to guide recommendations regarding the need for remnant ablation, external beam irradiation, systemic therapy, degree of TSH suppression, and follow-up disease detection strategy over the first 2 years after initial therapy. While this initial risk stratification provides valuable information, it is a static representation of the patient in the first few weeks post-operatively that does not change over time. Depending on how the patient responds to our initial therapies, the risk of recurrence and death may change significantly during follow-up. In order to account for differences in response to therapy in individual patients and to incorporate the impact of treatment on our initial risk estimates, we recommend a re-stratification of risk at the 2-year point of follow-up. This re-stratification provides an updated risk estimate that can be used to guide ongoing management recommendations including the frequency and intensity of follow-up, degree of ongoing TSH suppression, and need for additional therapies. Ongoing management recommendations must be tailored to realistic, evolving risk estimates that are actively updated during follow-up. By individualizing therapy on the basis of initial and ongoing risk assessments, we can maximize the beneficial effects of aggressive therapy in patients with thyroid cancer who are likely to benefit from it, while minimizing potential complications and side effects in low-risk patients destined to have a full healthy and productive life after minimal therapeutic intervention. Copyright (c) 2010 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reactions on Twitter to updated alcohol guidelines in the UK: a content analysis.

PubMed

Stautz, Kaidy; Bignardi, Giacomo; Hollands, Gareth J; Marteau, Theresa M

2017-02-28

In January 2016, the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers released a public consultation regarding updated guidelines for low-risk alcohol consumption. This study aimed to assess responses to the updated guidelines using comments made on Twitter. Tweets containing the hashtag #alcoholguidelines made during 1 week following the announcement of the updated guidelines were retrieved using the Twitter Archiver tool. The source, sentiment and themes of the tweets were categorised using manual content analysis. A total of 3061 tweets was retrieved. 6 sources were identified, the most prominent being members of the public. Of 821 tweets expressing sentiment specifically towards the guidelines, 80% expressed a negative sentiment. 11 themes were identified, 3 of which were broadly supportive of the guidelines, 7 broadly unsupportive and 1 neutral. Overall, more tweets were unsupportive (49%) than supportive (44%). While the most common theme overall was sharing information, the most common in tweets from members of the public encouraged alcohol consumption (15%) or expressed disagreement with the guidelines (14%), reflecting reactance, resistance and misunderstanding. This descriptive analysis revealed a number of themes present in unsupportive comments towards the updated UK alcohol guidelines among a largely proalcohol community. An understanding of these may help to tailor effective communication of alcohol and health-related policies, and could inform a more dynamic approach to health communication via social media. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Forests of North Dakota, 2013

Treesearch

David E. Haugen

2014-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in North Dakota based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the North Dakota Forest Service. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Iowa, 2013

Treesearch

Mark D. Nelson; Matt Brewer

2014-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Iowa based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Nebraska, 2013

Treesearch

D.M. Meneguzzo

2014-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resource attributes for Nebraska based on annual inventories conducted by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program of the Northern Research Station (NRS) of the U.S. Forest Service. The estimates presented in this update are based on field data collected in 2009-2013 with comparisons made to data collected from...

Forests of Kansas, 2013

Treesearch

D.M. Meneguzzo; B.J. Butler

2014-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resource attributes for Kansas based on annual inventories conducted by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station (NRS) of the U.S. Forest Service. The estimates presented in this update are based on field data collected in 2009-2013 with comparisons made to data collected from...

Forests of Michigan, 2014

Treesearch

Scott A. Pugh

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Michigan based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly.* The annual inventory started in 1999. For the 2014...

Forests of Oklahoma, 2013

Treesearch

S. Lambert; J.T. Vogt.; J. Cooper

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Oklahoma based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station, in cooperation with Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS). Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly...

Forests of Iowa, 2017

Treesearch

Mark D. Nelson; Tivon E. Feeley

2018-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Iowa based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Assessment Update: Progress, Trends, and Practices in Higher Education. Volume 24, Issue 1, January-February 2012

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Banta, Trudy W., Ed.

2012-01-01

This issue of "Assessment Update" presents the following articles: (1) Expectations for Assessment Reports: A Descriptive Analysis (Keston H. Fulcher, Matthew Swain, and Chris D. Orem); (2) Editor's Notes: A Surprising Reaction (Trudy W. Banta); (3) Getting SMART with Assessment: ACTION Steps to Institutional Effectiveness (Eric Daffron…

Forests of Georgia, 2013

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T.J. Brandeis

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Georgia based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Georgia Forestry Commission. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly....

Forests of Missouri, 2015

Treesearch

Ronald J. Piva; Thomas B. Treiman

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Missouri based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Pennsylvania, 2015

Treesearch

Richard H. Widmann

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in Pennsylvania based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station (NRS). Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly1(see footnote 1, page 2). Information...

Forests of Michigan, 2015

Treesearch

Scott A. Pugh; Charles Paulson; Brett J. Butler

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Michigan based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. The annual inventory started in 1999. For the 2015...

Forests of Ohio, 2015

Treesearch

Richard H. Widmann

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in Ohio based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly.1(See footnotes on page 4.) Information about the...

Forests of Michigan, 2016

Treesearch

Charles Paulson; Scott A. Pugh

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Michigan based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. The annual inventory started in 1999. For the 2016...

Forest of North Dakota, 2016

Treesearch

David E. Haugen

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in North Dakota based on an inventory conducted by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program within the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the North Dakota Forest Service. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of North Dakota, 2017

Treesearch

Charles S. Paulson

2018-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in North Dakota based on an inventory conducted by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program within the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the North Dakota Forest Service. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Pennsylvania, 2016

Treesearch

Thomas A. Albright

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in Pennsylvania based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. Information about the national and regional...

Forests of Missouri, 2017

Treesearch

Thomas C. Goff

2018-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Missouri based on an inventory conducted by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Michigan, 2017

Treesearch

Scott A. Pugh

2018-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Michigan based on inventories conducted by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. The annual inventory started in 1999. For the 2017...

Forests of Missouri, 2016

Treesearch

Ronald J. Piva; Thomas B. Treiman

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Missouri based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Iowa, 2015

Treesearch

Mark D. Nelson; Matt Brewer; Dacia M. Meneguzzo; Kathryne. Clark

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Iowa based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Alabama, 2015

Treesearch

Andy Hartsell

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Alabama based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Alabama Forestry Commission. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly....

Forests of Ohio, 2016

Treesearch

Thomas A. Albright

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in Ohio based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly.1 Information about the national and regional FIA...

Forests of Louisiana, 2012

Treesearch

S.N. Oswalt

2014-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Louisiana based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Mississippi Forestry Commission. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Iowa, 2014

Treesearch

Mark D. Nelson; Matt Brewer; Brett J. Butler; Scott A. Pugh

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Iowa based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Pennsylvania, 2014

Treesearch

Richard H. Widmann

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in Pennsylvania based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly (see footnote 1 on page 4). Information about...

Forests of Oklahoma, 2014

Treesearch

S. Lambert; K. Randolph; J. Cooper

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Oklahoma based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station, in cooperation with Oklahoma Forestry Services. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly,...

Forests of Nebraska, 2014

Treesearch

Dacia M. Meneguzzo; Susan J. Crocker

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resource attributes for Nebraska based on annual inventories conducted by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program of the Northern Research Station (NRS), U.S. Forest Service. The estimates presented in this update are based on field data collected in 2010-2014 with comparisons made to data collected from 2005-...

Forests of Alabama, 2014

Treesearch

Andy Hartsell

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Alabama based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Alabama Forestry Commission. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly....

Forests of Ohio, 2014

Treesearch

Richard H. Widmann

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in Ohio based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. (See footnote on page 4.) Information about the...

Forests of North Dakota, 2014

Treesearch

D.E. Haugen; S.A. Pugh

2014-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in North Dakota based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the North Dakota Forest Service. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Georgia, 2014

Treesearch

Thomas Brandeis; Andy Hartsell

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Georgia based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Georgia Forestry Commission. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly....

Forests of Kansas, 2014

Treesearch

D.M. Meneguzzo; S.J. Crocker

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resource attributes for Kansas based on annual inventories conducted by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station (NRS) of the U.S. Forest Service. The estimates presented in this update are based on field data collected in 2010-2014 with comparisons made to data collected from...

75 FR 64351 - The Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints: Seventh Update; Special Topic: Global...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-19

.... Import Restraints: Seventh Update; Special Topic: Global Supply Chains AGENCY: United States... effects analysis similar to that included in prior reports, include an overview of global supply chains... firm supplying the information. By order of the Commission. Issued: October 14, 2010. William R. Bishop...

Forests of Florida, 2012

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M.J. Brown; Jarek. Nowak

2014-01-01

This periodic resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Florida based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Iowa, 2016

Treesearch

Mark D. Nelson; Tivon E. Feeley; Cassandra M. Kurtz

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Iowa based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Northern Research Station in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Oklahoma, 2012

Treesearch

S. Lambert; J.A. Cooper

2014-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Oklahoma based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station, in cooperation with Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS). Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly...

Forests of Florida, 2013

Treesearch

Mark Brown; J.. Nowak

2016-01-01

This periodic resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Florida based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated...

Forests of Alabama, 2016

Treesearch

A. Hartsell

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Alabama based on an inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program at the Southern Research Station in cooperation with the Alabama Forestry Commission. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly....

Forests of Virginia, 2014

Treesearch

Anita Rose

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in Virginia. Information for this factsheet was updated by means of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annualized sample design. Each year, 20 percent of the sample plots (one panel) in Virginia are measured by field crews, the data compiled, and new estimates produced. After 5 years of measurements,...

Finite element modelling and updating of a lively footbridge: The complete process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Živanović, Stana; Pavic, Aleksandar; Reynolds, Paul

2007-03-01

The finite element (FE) model updating technology was originally developed in the aerospace and mechanical engineering disciplines to automatically update numerical models of structures to match their experimentally measured counterparts. The process of updating identifies the drawbacks in the FE modelling and the updated FE model could be used to produce more reliable results in further dynamic analysis. In the last decade, the updating technology has been introduced into civil structural engineering. It can serve as an advanced tool for getting reliable modal properties of large structures. The updating process has four key phases: initial FE modelling, modal testing, manual model tuning and automatic updating (conducted using specialist software). However, the published literature does not connect well these phases, although this is crucial when implementing the updating technology. This paper therefore aims to clarify the importance of this linking and to describe the complete model updating process as applicable in civil structural engineering. The complete process consisting the four phases is outlined and brief theory is presented as appropriate. Then, the procedure is implemented on a lively steel box girder footbridge. It was found that even a very detailed initial FE model underestimated the natural frequencies of all seven experimentally identified modes of vibration, with the maximum error being almost 30%. Manual FE model tuning by trial and error found that flexible supports in the longitudinal direction should be introduced at the girder ends to improve correlation between the measured and FE-calculated modes. This significantly reduced the maximum frequency error to only 4%. It was demonstrated that only then could the FE model be automatically updated in a meaningful way. The automatic updating was successfully conducted by updating 22 uncertain structural parameters. Finally, a physical interpretation of all parameter changes is discussed. This interpretation is often missing in the published literature. It was found that the composite slabs were less stiff than originally assumed and that the asphalt layer contributed considerably to the deck stiffness.

TOPEX Radar Altimeter Engineering Assessment Report. Update: Launch to January 1, 1997

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hancock, D. W., III; Hayne, G. S.; Brooks, R. L.; Lee, J. E.; Lockwood, D. W.

1997-01-01

The initial TOPEX Mission Radar Altimeter Engineering Assessment Report, in February 1994, presented performance results for the NASA Radar Altimeter on the TOPEX/POSEIDON spacecraft, from its launch in August 1992 to February 1994. There have been supplemental Engineering Assessment Reports, issued in March 1995 and again in May 1996, which updated the performance results through the end of calendar years 1994 and 1995, respectively. This supplement updates the altimeter performance to the end of calendar year 1996, and describes significant events that occurred during 1996. As the performance data base has expanded, and as analysis tools and techniques continue to evolve, the longer-term trends of the altimeter data have become more apparent. The updated findings are presented here.

Self-learning Monte Carlo method and cumulative update in fermion systems

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

Liu, Junwei; Shen, Huitao; Qi, Yang

2017-06-07

In this study, we develop the self-learning Monte Carlo (SLMC) method, a general-purpose numerical method recently introduced to simulate many-body systems, for studying interacting fermion systems. Our method uses a highly efficient update algorithm, which we design and dub “cumulative update”, to generate new candidate configurations in the Markov chain based on a self-learned bosonic effective model. From a general analysis and a numerical study of the double exchange model as an example, we find that the SLMC with cumulative update drastically reduces the computational cost of the simulation, while remaining statistically exact. Remarkably, its computational complexity is far lessmore » than the conventional algorithm with local updates.« less

Author Correction: Re-examination of the relationship between marine virus and microbial cell abundances.

PubMed

Wigington, Charles H; Sonderegger, Derek; Brussaard, Corina P D; Buchan, Alison; Finke, Jan F; Fuhrman, Jed A; Lennon, Jay T; Middelboe, Mathias; Suttle, Curtis A; Stock, Charles; Wilson, William H; Wommack, K Eric; Wilhelm, Steven W; Weitz, Joshua S

2017-11-01

The original publication of this Article included analysis of virus and microbial cell abundances and virus-to-microbial cell ratios. Data in the Article came from 25 studies intended to be exclusively from marine sites. However, 3 of the studies included in the original unified dataset were erroneously classified as marine sites during compilation. The records with mis-recorded longitude and latitude values were, in fact, taken from inland, freshwater sources. The three inland, freshwater datasets are ELA, TROUT and SWAT. The data from these three studies represent 163 of the 5,671 records in the original publication. In the updated version of the Article, all analyses have been recalculated using the same statistical analysis pipeline released via GitHub as part of the original publication. Removal of the three studies reduces the unified dataset to 5,508 records. Analyses involving all grouped datasets have been updated with changes noted in each figure. All key results remain qualitatively unchanged. All data and scripts used in this correction have been made available as a new, updated GitHub release to reflect the updated dataset and figures.

Calculation of Hazard Category 2/3 Threshold Quantities Using Contemporary Dosimetric Data

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

Walker, William C.

The purpose of this report is to describe the methodology and selection of input data utilized to calculate updated Hazard Category 2 and Hazard Category 3 Threshold Quantities (TQs) using contemporary dosimetric information. The calculation of the updated TQs will be considered for use in the revision to the Department of Energy (DOE) Technical Standard (STD-) 1027-92 Change Notice (CN)-1, “Hazard Categorization and Accident Analysis Techniques for Compliance with DOE Order 5480.23, Nuclear Safety Analysis Reports.” The updated TQs documented in this report complement an effort previously undertaken by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which in 2014 issued revisedmore » Supplemental Guidance documenting the calculation of updated TQs for approximately 100 radionuclides listed in DOE-STD-1027-92, CN-1. The calculations documented in this report complement the NNSA effort by expanding the set of radionuclides to more than 1,250 radionuclides with a published TQ. The development of this report was sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Safety (AU-30) within the Associate Under Secretary for Environment, Health, Safety, and Security organization.« less

Monetary reward suppresses anterior insula activity during social pain.

PubMed

Cristofori, Irene; Harquel, Sylvain; Isnard, Jean; Mauguière, François; Sirigu, Angela

2015-12-01

Social pain after exclusion by others activates brain regions also involved in physical pain. Here we evaluated whether monetary reward could compensate for the negative feeling of social pain in the brain. To address this question we used the unique technique of intracranial electroencephalography in subjects with drug resistant epilepsy. Specifically, we recorded theta activity from intracranial electrodes implanted in the insular cortex while subjects experienced conditions of social inclusion and exclusion associated with monetary gain and loss. Our study confirmed that theta rhythm in the insular cortex is the neural signature of social exclusion. We found that while monetary gain suppresses the effect of social pain in the anterior insula, there is no such effect in the posterior insula. These results imply that the anterior insula can use secondary reward signals to compensate for the negative feeling of social pain. Hence, here we propose that the anterior insula plays a pivotal role in integrating contingencies to update social pain feelings. Finally, the possibility to modulate the theta rhythm through the reward system might open new avenues of research for treating pathologies related to social exclusion. © The Author (2015). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Ilaprazole for the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux.

PubMed

Savarino, Edoardo; Ottonello, Andrea; Martinucci, Irene; Dulbecco, Pietro; Savarino, Vincenzo

2016-10-01

Despite the undoubted benefit of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), they have several shortcomings, such as a slow onset of action and a remarkable inter-individual variability, that limit the complete success of these drugs. Recently, a new PPI, ilaprazole, has been developed and used in GERD patients. The present review provides an update on the following points: current knowledge of GERD mechanisms; limitations of actual therapies; pharmacokinetic profile and metabolism of ilaprazole; initial studies on the therapeutic efficacy of ilaprazole in GERD. Compared with all other approved PPIs, ilaprazole has shown an extended plasma half-life, a metabolism not significantly influenced by CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism and similar safety. This characteristics account for a low inter-individual variability, particularly in Asian populations, a higher suppression of gastric acid secretion, a more rapid acid control and consequent quicker symptom relief and a better effect on nocturnal acidity. However, clinical investigations assessing the efficacy of ilaprazole in the management of GERD are lacking and therefore the potential improvements achievable with ilaprazole in the current standard of care for acid-suppressing treatment must be confirmed in large and randomly controlled clinical trials enrolling patients with both erosive and non-erosive reflux disease.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-10-04

The Water Mist commercial research program is scheduled to fly an investigation on STS-107 in 2002. This investigation will be flown as an Experimental Mounting Structure (EMS) insert into the updated Combustion Module (CM-2), a sophisticated combustion chamber plus diagnostic equipment. (The investigation hardware is shown here mounted in a non-flight frame similar to the EMS.) Water Mist is a commercial research program by the Center for Commercial Applications of Combustion in Space (CCACS), a NASA Commercial Space Center located at the Colorado School of Mines, in Golden, CO and Industry Partner Environmental Engineering Concepts. The program is focused on developing water mist as a replacement for bromine-based chemical fire suppression agents (halons). By conducting the experiments in microgravity, interference from convection currents is minimized and fundamental knowledge can be gained. This knowledge is incorporated into models, which can be used to simulate a variety of physical environments. The immediate objective of the project is to study the effect of a fine water mist on a laminar propagating flame generated in a propane-air mixture at various equivalence ratios. The effects of droplet size and concentration on the speed of the flame front is used as a measure of the effectiveness of fire suppression in this highly controlled experimental environment.

Adaptation can explain evidence for encoding of probabilistic information in macaque inferior temporal cortex.

PubMed

Vinken, Kasper; Vogels, Rufin

2017-11-20

In predictive coding theory, the brain is conceptualized as a prediction machine that constantly constructs and updates expectations of the sensory environment [1]. In the context of this theory, Bell et al.[2] recently studied the effect of the probability of task-relevant stimuli on the activity of macaque inferior temporal (IT) neurons and observed a reduced population response to expected faces in face-selective neurons. They concluded that "IT neurons encode long-term, latent probabilistic information about stimulus occurrence", supporting predictive coding. They manipulated expectation by the frequency of face versus fruit stimuli in blocks of trials. With such a design, stimulus repetition is confounded with expectation. As previous studies showed that IT neurons decrease their response with repetition [3], such adaptation (or repetition suppression), instead of expectation suppression as assumed by the authors, could explain their effects. The authors attempted to control for this alternative interpretation with a multiple regression approach. Here we show by using simulation that adaptation can still masquerade as expectation effects reported in [2]. Further, the results from the regression model used for most analyses cannot be trusted, because the model is not uniquely defined. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KSC 50-MHz Doppler Radar Wind Profiler (DRWP) Operational Acceptance Test (OAT) Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barbre, Robert E.

2015-01-01

This report documents analysis results of the Kennedy Space Center updated 50-MHz Doppler Radar Wind Profiler (DRWP) Operational Acceptance Test (OAT). This test was designed to demonstrate that the new DRWP operates in a similar manner to the previous DRWP for use as a situational awareness asset for mission operations at the Eastern Range to identify rapid changes in the wind environment that weather balloons cannot depict. Data examination and two analyses showed that the updated DRWP meets the specifications in the OAT test plan and performs at least as well as the previous DRWP. Data examination verified that the DRWP provides complete profiles every five minutes from 1.8-19.5 km in vertical increments of 150 m. Analysis of 5,426 wind component reports from 49 concurrent DRWP and balloon profiles presented root mean square (RMS) wind component differences around 2.0 m/s. The DRWP's effective vertical resolution (EVR) was found to be 300 m for both the westerly and southerly wind component, which the best EVR possible given the DRWP's vertical sampling interval. A third analysis quantified the sensitivity to rejecting data that do not have adequate signal by assessing the number of first-guess propagations at each altitude. This report documents the data, quality control procedures, methodology, and results of each analysis. It also shows that analysis of the updated DRWP produced results that were at least as good as the previous DRWP with proper rationale. The report recommends acceptance of the updated DRWP for situational awareness usage as per the OAT's intent.

An updated comprehensive techno-economic analysis of algae biodiesel.

PubMed

Nagarajan, Sanjay; Chou, Siaw Kiang; Cao, Shenyan; Wu, Chen; Zhou, Zhi

2013-10-01

Algae biodiesel is a promising but expensive alternative fuel to petro-diesel. To overcome cost barriers, detailed cost analyses are needed. A decade-old cost analysis by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory indicated that the costs of algae biodiesel were in the range of $0.53-0.85/L (2012 USD values). However, the cost of land and transesterification were just roughly estimated. In this study, an updated comprehensive techno-economic analysis was conducted with optimized processes and improved cost estimations. Latest process improvement, quotes from vendors, government databases, and other relevant data sources were used to calculate the updated algal biodiesel costs, and the final costs of biodiesel are in the range of $0.42-0.97/L. Additional improvements on cost-effective biodiesel production around the globe to cultivate algae was also recommended. Overall, the calculated costs seem promising, suggesting that a single step biodiesel production process is close to commercial reality. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessing the need for an update of a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis using a SSHAC Level 1 study and the Seismic Hazard Periodic Reevaluation Methodology

DOE PAGES

Payne, Suzette J.; Coppersmith, Kevin J.; Coppersmith, Ryan; ...

2017-08-23

A key decision for nuclear facilities is evaluating the need for an update of an existing seismic hazard analysis in light of new data and information that has become available since the time that the analysis was completed. We introduce the newly developed risk-informed Seismic Hazard Periodic Review Methodology (referred to as the SHPRM) and present how a Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) Level 1 probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) was performed in an implementation of this new methodology. The SHPRM offers a defensible and documented approach that considers both the changes in seismic hazard and engineering-based risk informationmore » of an existing nuclear facility to assess the need for an update of an existing PSHA. The SHPRM has seven evaluation criteria that are employed at specific analysis, decision, and comparison points which are applied to seismic design categories established for nuclear facilities in United States. The SHPRM is implemented using a SSHAC Level 1 study performed for the Idaho National Laboratory, USA. The implementation focuses on the first six of the seven evaluation criteria of the SHPRM which are all provided from the SSHAC Level 1 PSHA. Finally, to illustrate outcomes of the SHPRM that do not lead to the need for an update and those that do, the example implementations of the SHPRM are performed for nuclear facilities that have target performance goals expressed as the mean annual frequency of unacceptable performance at 1x10 -4, 4x10 -5 and 1x10 -5.« less

Assessing the need for an update of a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis using a SSHAC Level 1 study and the Seismic Hazard Periodic Reevaluation Methodology

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

Payne, Suzette J.; Coppersmith, Kevin J.; Coppersmith, Ryan

A key decision for nuclear facilities is evaluating the need for an update of an existing seismic hazard analysis in light of new data and information that has become available since the time that the analysis was completed. We introduce the newly developed risk-informed Seismic Hazard Periodic Review Methodology (referred to as the SHPRM) and present how a Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) Level 1 probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) was performed in an implementation of this new methodology. The SHPRM offers a defensible and documented approach that considers both the changes in seismic hazard and engineering-based risk informationmore » of an existing nuclear facility to assess the need for an update of an existing PSHA. The SHPRM has seven evaluation criteria that are employed at specific analysis, decision, and comparison points which are applied to seismic design categories established for nuclear facilities in United States. The SHPRM is implemented using a SSHAC Level 1 study performed for the Idaho National Laboratory, USA. The implementation focuses on the first six of the seven evaluation criteria of the SHPRM which are all provided from the SSHAC Level 1 PSHA. Finally, to illustrate outcomes of the SHPRM that do not lead to the need for an update and those that do, the example implementations of the SHPRM are performed for nuclear facilities that have target performance goals expressed as the mean annual frequency of unacceptable performance at 1x10 -4, 4x10 -5 and 1x10 -5.« less

Econometric analysis of fire suppression production functions for large wildland fires

Treesearch

Thomas P. Holmes; David E. Calkin

2013-01-01

In this paper, we use operational data collected for large wildland fires to estimate the parameters of economic production functions that relate the rate of fireline construction with the level of fire suppression inputs (handcrews, dozers, engines and helicopters). These parameter estimates are then used to evaluate whether the productivity of fire suppression inputs...

Simulation analysis of a wildfire suppression system

Treesearch

Abílio Pereira Pacheco; João Claro; Tiago Oliveira

2013-01-01

Rekindles and false alarms are unusually high in the Portuguese wildfire management system, representing a high burden on suppression resources in particular, and fire management resources in general. In 20,049 occurrences that the suppression system handled in the summer of 2010, 12.5% were false alarms and 15.0% were rekindles. We present a discreteevent simulation...

The Role of the Left Head of Caudate in Suppressing Irrelevant Words

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ali, Nilufa; Green, David W.; Kherif, Ferath; Devlin, Joseph T.; Price, Cathy J.

2010-01-01

Suppressing irrelevant words is essential to successful speech production and is expected to involve general control mechanisms that reduce interference from task-unrelated processing. To investigate the neural mechanisms that suppress visual word interference, we used fMRI and a Stroop task, using a block design with an event-related analysis.…

Note of the methodological flaws in the paper entitled "Polymorphisms in IL-4/IL-13 pathway genes and glioma risk: an updated meta-analysis".

PubMed

Wang, Ting-Ting; Li, Jin-Mei; Zhou, Dong

2016-01-01

With great interest, we read the paper "Polymorphisms in IL-4/IL-13 pathway genes and glioma risk: an updated meta-analysis" (by Chen PQ et al.) [1], which has reached important conclusions about the relationship between polymorphisms in interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 pathway genes and glioma risk. Through quantitative analysis, the meta-analysis found no association between IL-4/IL-13 pathway genetic polymorphisms and glioma risk (Chen et al. in Tumor Biol 36:121-127, 2015). The meta-analysis is the most comprehensive study of polymorphisms in the IL-4/IL-13 pathway and glioma risk. Nevertheless, some deficiencies still exist in this meta-analysis that we would like to raise.

Isolating and Examining Sources of Suppression and Multicollinearity in Multiple Linear Regression.

PubMed

Beckstead, Jason W

2012-03-30

The presence of suppression (and multicollinearity) in multiple regression analysis complicates interpretation of predictor-criterion relationships. The mathematical conditions that produce suppression in regression analysis have received considerable attention in the methodological literature but until now nothing in the way of an analytic strategy to isolate, examine, and remove suppression effects has been offered. In this article such an approach, rooted in confirmatory factor analysis theory and employing matrix algebra, is developed. Suppression is viewed as the result of criterion-irrelevant variance operating among predictors. Decomposition of predictor variables into criterion-relevant and criterion-irrelevant components using structural equation modeling permits derivation of regression weights with the effects of criterion-irrelevant variance omitted. Three examples with data from applied research are used to illustrate the approach: the first assesses child and parent characteristics to explain why some parents of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder accommodate their child's compulsions more so than do others, the second examines various dimensions of personal health to explain individual differences in global quality of life among patients following heart surgery, and the third deals with quantifying the relative importance of various aptitudes for explaining academic performance in a sample of nursing students. The approach is offered as an analytic tool for investigators interested in understanding predictor-criterion relationships when complex patterns of intercorrelation among predictors are present and is shown to augment dominance analysis.

Boosting cooperation by involving extortion in spatial prisoner's dilemma games

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhi-Xi; Rong, Zhihai

2014-12-01

We study the evolution of cooperation in spatial prisoner's dilemma games with and without extortion by adopting the aspiration-driven strategy updating rule. We focus explicitly on how the strategy updating manner (whether synchronous or asynchronous) and also the introduction of extortion strategy affect the collective outcome of the games. By means of Monte Carlo simulations as well as dynamical cluster techniques, we find that the involvement of extortioners facilitates the boom of cooperators in the population (and whom can always dominate the population if the temptation to defect is not too large) for both synchronous and asynchronous strategy updating, in stark contrast to the other case, where cooperation is promoted for an intermediate aspiration level with synchronous strategy updating, but is remarkably inhibited if the strategy updating is implemented asynchronously. We explain the results by configurational analysis and find that the presence of extortion leads to the checkerboard-like ordering of cooperators and extortioners, which enable cooperators to prevail in the population with both strategy updating manners. Moreover, extortion itself is evolutionary stable, and therefore acts as the incubator for the evolution of cooperation.

Design Analysis of the Ares 1 Pogo Accumulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swanson, Luke A.; Giel, Thomas V.

2009-01-01

Several accumulator designs and gas charge systems are considered in order to suppress POGO within the Ares I vehicle Upper Stage Liquid Ox ygen System. The thermodynamic and flow analysis completed to evaluat e candidate designs are presented and the results are used to evaluat e the ability of each concept to meet the levied suppression requirements. One annular accumulator design meets all suppression requirement s while also providing manufacturability and operability advantages. Of the two proposed charge systems to provide and maintain gas within the accumulator, a passive level control design meets the charge req uirements and maximizes reliability.

Pathway profiles based on gene-set enrichment analysis in the honey bee Apis mellifera under brood rearing-suppressed conditions.

PubMed

Kim, Kyungmun; Kim, Ju Hyeon; Kim, Young Ho; Hong, Seong-Eui; Lee, Si Hyeock

2018-01-01

Perturbation of normal behaviors in honey bee colonies by any external factor can immediately reduce the colony's capacity for brood rearing, which can eventually lead to colony collapse. To investigate the effects of brood-rearing suppression on the biology of honey bee workers, gene-set enrichment analysis of the transcriptomes of worker bees with or without suppressed brood rearing was performed. When brood rearing was suppressed, pathways associated with both protein degradation and synthesis were simultaneously over-represented in both nurses and foragers, and their overall pathway representation profiles resembled those of normal foragers and nurses, respectively. Thus, obstruction of normal labor induced over-representation in pathways related with reshaping of worker bee physiology, suggesting that transition of labor is physiologically reversible. In addition, some genes associated with the regulation of neuronal excitability, cellular and nutritional stress and aggressiveness were over-expressed under brood rearing suppression perhaps to manage in-hive stress under unfavorable conditions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dispersion of speckle suppression efficiency for binary DOE structures: spectral domain and coherent matrix approaches.

PubMed

Lapchuk, Anatoliy; Prygun, Olexandr; Fu, Minglei; Le, Zichun; Xiong, Qiyuan; Kryuchyn, Andriy

2017-06-26

We present the first general theoretical description of speckle suppression efficiency based on an active diffractive optical element (DOE). The approach is based on spectral analysis of diffracted beams and a coherent matrix. Analytical formulae are obtained for the dispersion of speckle suppression efficiency using different DOE structures and different DOE activation methods. We show that a one-sided 2D DOE structure has smaller speckle suppression range than a two-sided 1D DOE structure. Both DOE structures have sufficient speckle suppression range to suppress low-order speckles in the entire visible range, but only the two-sided 1D DOE can suppress higher-order speckles. We also show that a linear shift 2D DOE in a laser projector with a large numerical aperture has higher effective speckle suppression efficiency than the method using switching or step-wise shift DOE structures. The generalized theoretical models elucidate the mechanism and practical realization of speckle suppression.

Current trends in α-helical membrane protein crystallization: An update

PubMed Central

Parker, Joanne L; Newstead, Simon

2012-01-01

α-Helical membrane proteins (MPs) are the targets for many pharmaceutical drugs and play important roles in human physiology. In recent years, significant progress has been made in determining their atomic structure using X-ray crystallography. However, a major bottleneck in MP crystallography still remains, namely, the identification of conditions that give crystals that are suitable for structural determination. In 2008, we undertook an analysis of the crystallization conditions for 121 α-helical MPs to design a rationalized sparse matrix crystallization screen, MemGold. We now report an updated analysis that includes a further 133 conditions. The results reveal the current trends in α-helical MP crystallization with notable differences since 2008. The updated information has been used to design new crystallization and additive screens that should prove useful for both initial crystallization scouting and subsequent crystal optimization. PMID:22811290

Fluids and Combustion Facility: Combustion Integrated Rack Modal Model Correlation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McNelis, Mark E.; Suarez, Vicente J.; Sullivan, Timothy L.; Otten, Kim D.; Akers, James C.

2005-01-01

The Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) is a modular, multi-user, two-rack facility dedicated to combustion and fluids science in the US Laboratory Destiny on the International Space Station. FCF is a permanent facility that is capable of accommodating up to ten combustion and fluid science investigations per year. FCF research in combustion and fluid science supports NASA's Exploration of Space Initiative for on-orbit fire suppression, fire safety, and space system fluids management. The Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) is one of two racks in the FCF. The CIR major structural elements include the International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR), Experiment Assembly (optics bench and combustion chamber), Air Thermal Control Unit (ATCU), Rack Door, and Lower Structure Assembly (Input/Output Processor and Electrical Power Control Unit). The load path through the rack structure is outlined. The CIR modal survey was conducted to validate the load path predicted by the CIR finite element model (FEM). The modal survey is done by experimentally measuring the CIR frequencies and mode shapes. The CIR model was test correlated by updating the model to represent the test mode shapes. The correlated CIR model delivery is required by NASA JSC at Launch-10.5 months. The test correlated CIR flight FEM is analytically integrated into the Shuttle for a coupled loads analysis of the launch configuration. The analysis frequency range of interest is 0-50 Hz. A coupled loads analysis is the analytical integration of the Shuttle with its cargo element, the Mini Payload Logistics Module (MPLM), in the Shuttle cargo bay. For each Shuttle launch configuration, a verification coupled loads analysis is performed to determine the loads in the cargo bay as part of the structural certification process.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-24

The Water Mist commercial research program is scheduled to fly an investigation on STS-107 in 2002 in the updated Combustion Module (CM-2), a sophisticated combustion chamber plus diagnostic equipment. The Center for the Commercial Applications of Combustion in Space (CCACS), a NASA Commercial Space Center located at the Colorado School of Mines, is investigating the properties of mist fire suppression in microgravity with Industry Partner Environmental Engineering Concepts. These experiments consist of varying water droplet sizes and water mist concentrations applied to flame fronts of different propane/air mixtures. Observations from these tests will provide valuable information on the change of flame speed in the presence of water mist. Shown here is a flame front propagating through the Mist flame tube during 1-g testing at NASA/Glenn Research Center.

Water Mist Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The Water Mist commercial research program is scheduled to fly an investigation on STS-107 in 2002 in the updated Combustion Module (CM-2), a sophisticated combustion chamber plus diagnostic equipment. The Center for the Commercial Applications of Combustion in Space (CCACS), a NASA Commercial Space Center located at the Colorado School of Mines, is investigating the properties of mist fire suppression in microgravity with Industry Partner Environmental Engineering Concepts. These experiments consist of varying water droplet sizes and water mist concentrations applied to flame fronts of different propane/air mixtures. Observations from these tests will provide valuable information on the change of flame speed in the presence of water mist. Shown here is a flame front propagating through the Mist flame tube during 1-g testing at NASA/Glenn Research Center.

Motion correction in MRI of the brain

PubMed Central

Godenschweger, F; Kägebein, U; Stucht, D; Yarach, U; Sciarra, A; Yakupov, R; Lüsebrink, F; Schulze, P; Speck, O

2016-01-01

Subject motion in MRI is a relevant problem in the daily clinical routine as well as in scientific studies. Since the beginning of clinical use of MRI, many research groups have developed methods to suppress or correct motion artefacts. This review focuses on rigid body motion correction of head and brain MRI and its application in diagnosis and research. It explains the sources and types of motion and related artefacts, classifies and describes existing techniques for motion detection, compensation and correction and lists established and experimental approaches. Retrospective motion correction modifies the MR image data during the reconstruction, while prospective motion correction performs an adaptive update of the data acquisition. Differences, benefits and drawbacks of different motion correction methods are discussed. PMID:26864183

Antisense technology: an emerging platform for cardiovascular disease therapeutics.

PubMed

Lee, Richard G; Crosby, Jeff; Baker, Brenda F; Graham, Mark J; Crooke, Rosanne M

2013-12-01

Antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, which suppress the translation of specific mRNA target proteins, are emerging as important therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Over the last 25 years, the advances in all aspects of antisense technology, as well as a detailed understanding of the mechanism of action of antisense drugs, have enabled their use as therapeutic agents. These advancements culminated in the FDA approval of the first chronically administered cardiovascular antisense therapeutic, mipomersen, which targets hepatic apolipoprotein B mRNA. This review provides a brief history of antisense technology, highlights the progression of mipomersen from preclinical studies to multiple Phase III registration trials, and gives an update on the status of other cardiovascular antisense therapeutics currently in the clinic.

Motion correction in MRI of the brain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godenschweger, F.; Kägebein, U.; Stucht, D.; Yarach, U.; Sciarra, A.; Yakupov, R.; Lüsebrink, F.; Schulze, P.; Speck, O.

2016-03-01

Subject motion in MRI is a relevant problem in the daily clinical routine as well as in scientific studies. Since the beginning of clinical use of MRI, many research groups have developed methods to suppress or correct motion artefacts. This review focuses on rigid body motion correction of head and brain MRI and its application in diagnosis and research. It explains the sources and types of motion and related artefacts, classifies and describes existing techniques for motion detection, compensation and correction and lists established and experimental approaches. Retrospective motion correction modifies the MR image data during the reconstruction, while prospective motion correction performs an adaptive update of the data acquisition. Differences, benefits and drawbacks of different motion correction methods are discussed.

Constraints on interacting dark energy models from Planck 2015 and redshift-space distortion data

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

Costa, André A.; Abdalla, E.; Xu, Xiao-Dong

2017-01-01

We investigate phenomenological interactions between dark matter and dark energy and constrain these models by employing the most recent cosmological data including the cosmic microwave background radiation anisotropies from Planck 2015, Type Ia supernovae, baryon acoustic oscillations, the Hubble constant and redshift-space distortions. We find that the interaction in the dark sector parameterized as an energy transfer from dark matter to dark energy is strongly suppressed by the whole updated cosmological data. On the other hand, an interaction between dark sectors with the energy flow from dark energy to dark matter is proved in better agreement with the available cosmologicalmore » observations. This coupling between dark sectors is needed to alleviate the coincidence problem.« less

Design and experimental validation of a flutter suppression controller for the active flexible wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waszak, Martin R.; Srinathkumar, S.

1992-01-01

The synthesis and experimental validation of an active flutter suppression controller for the Active Flexible Wing wind tunnel model is presented. The design is accomplished with traditional root locus and Nyquist methods using interactive computer graphics tools and extensive simulation based analysis. The design approach uses a fundamental understanding of the flutter mechanism to formulate a simple controller structure to meet stringent design specifications. Experimentally, the flutter suppression controller succeeded in simultaneous suppression of two flutter modes, significantly increasing the flutter dynamic pressure despite modeling errors in predicted flutter dynamic pressure and flutter frequency. The flutter suppression controller was also successfully operated in combination with another controller to perform flutter suppression during rapid rolling maneuvers.

What Do Context Aware Electronic Alerts from Virtual Learning Environments Tell Us about User Time & Location?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crane, Laura; Benachour, Phillip

2013-01-01

The paper describes the analysis of user location and time stamp information automatically logged when students receive and interact with electronic updates from the University's virtual learning environment. The electronic updates are sent to students' mobile devices using RSS feeds. The mobile reception of such information can be received in…

A comparison of several techniques for imputing tree level data

Treesearch

David Gartner

2002-01-01

As Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) changes from periodic surveys to the multipanel annual survey, new analytical methods become available. The current official statistic is the moving average. One alternative is an updated moving average. Several methods of updating plot per acre volume have been discussed previously. However, these methods may not be appropriate...

Forests of New York, 2015

Treesearch

Richard H. Widmann

2016-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in New York based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly.1(See footnote on page 4). Information about the...

The 2005 RPA timber assessment update.

Treesearch

Richard W. Haynes; Darius M. Adams; Ralph J. Alig; Peter J. Ince; John R. Mills; Xiaoping. Zhou

2007-01-01

This update reports changes in the Nation's timber resource since the Analysis of the Timber Situation in the United States was completed in 2003. Prospective trends in demands for and supplies of timber, and the factors that affect these trends are examined. These trends include changes in the U.S. economy, increased salvage of British Columbia beetle-killed...

Forests of New York, 2016

Treesearch

Thomas A. Albright; Anthony C. Olsen

2017-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in New York based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly.1Information about the national and regional FIA...

Forests of New York, 2014

Treesearch

Richard H. Widmann

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in New York based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station. Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly. (See footnote on page 4). Information about the...

Forests of South Carolina, 2014

Treesearch

Anita K. Rose

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in South Carolina. Information for this factsheet was updated by means of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annualized sample design. Each year 20 percent of the sample plots (one panel) in South Carolina are measured by field crews, the data compiled, and new estimates produced. After 5 years of...

Documentation of structures branch programs and program updates. Project 3200

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Probe, D. G.

1975-01-01

Update programming of applications programs for the integrated structural analysis system is reported. An attempt is made to layout a standard document format for the preparation of program documents. Documentation which involves changes, additions, and I/O capability revisions to existing programs includes a checklist which should be reviewed each time a programming effort is documented.

Forests of South Carolina, 2013

Treesearch

Anita K. Rose

2015-01-01

This resource update provides an overview of forest resources in South Carolina. Information for this factsheet was updated by means of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annualized sample design. Each year 20 percent of the sample plots (one panel) in South Carolina are measured by field crews, the data compiled, and new estimates produced. After 5 years of...

Use, Updating and Integration of ICT in Higher Education: Linking Purpose, People and Pedagogy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stensaker, Bjorn; Maassen, Peter; Borgan, Monika; Oftebro, Mette; Karseth, Berit

2007-01-01

In this article the use, updating and integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching and learning purposes is discussed. Based on an empirical study using interviews and document analysis of the implementation of ICT in five Norwegian universities and colleges, the article analyse a number of factors that are of…

Behavioral and Neural Correlates of Executive Function: Interplay between Inhibition and Updating Processes.

PubMed

Kim, Na Young; Wittenberg, Ellen; Nam, Chang S

2017-01-01

This study investigated the interaction between two executive function processes, inhibition and updating, through analyses of behavioral, neurophysiological, and effective connectivity metrics. Although, many studies have focused on behavioral effects of executive function processes individually, few studies have examined the dynamic causal interactions between these two functions. A total of twenty participants from a local university performed a dual task combing flanker and n-back experimental paradigms, and completed the Operation Span Task designed to measure working memory capacity. We found that both behavioral (accuracy and reaction time) and neurophysiological (P300 amplitude and alpha band power) metrics on the inhibition task (i.e., flanker task) were influenced by the updating load (n-back level) and modulated by working memory capacity. Using independent component analysis, source localization (DIPFIT), and Granger Causality analysis of the EEG time-series data, the present study demonstrated that manipulation of cognitive demand in a dual executive function task influenced the causal neural network. We compared connectivity across three updating loads (n-back levels) and found that experimental manipulation of working memory load enhanced causal connectivity of a large-scale neurocognitive network. This network contains the prefrontal and parietal cortices, which are associated with inhibition and updating executive function processes. This study has potential applications in human performance modeling and assessment of mental workload, such as the design of training materials and interfaces for those performing complex multitasking under stress.

Atomic spectrometry update - atomic mass spectrometry.

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

Bacon, J.; Crain, J. S.; McMahon, A. W.

The MS and XRF updates have been published together since their introduction in 1988. In the last few years, however, the two sections have been prepared independently of each other and it therefore seemed appropriate to publish the two sections separately. With effect from this issue, the MS Update will appear in the October issue of JAAS and the XRF Update in the November issue. The format used for the MS section is broadly similar to that used last year, with some additional sub-headings. This Update is intended to cover all atomic and stable isotopic MS techniques, but not thosemore » used in studies of fundamental nuclear physics and exotic nuclei far from stability. Also excluded are those reports in which MS is used as a tool in the study of molecular processes and of gaseous components. the review is based on critical selection of developments in instrumentation and methodology, notable for their innovation, originality or achievement of significant advances, and is not intended to be comprehensive in its coverage. Conference papers are only included if they contain enough information to show they meet these criteria, and our policy in general remains one of waiting for a development to appear in a full paper before inclusion in the review. a similar policy applies to foreign language papers unlikely to reach a wide audience. Routine applications of atomic MS are not included in this Update and the reader is referred to the Updates on Industrial Analysis: Metals, Chemicals and Advanced Materials (96/416), Environmental Analysis (96/1444) and Clinical and Biological Materials, Food and Beverages (96/2479). Also excluded are those applications, even if not routine, which use atomic spectroscopy as a tool for the study of a non-atomic property, for example, the use of stable isotope labeling of carbon or nitrogen in biomolecules in metabolic studies. There have been few general reviews on atomic MS of note in the period covered by this update. That of Colodner et al.(95/3890) gave a general review of ion sources, in particular GDMS, ICP-MS, SIMS and TIMS, and that of Blades (95/2568 and 95/3077) was a very general overview of some of the techniques covered in this Update. The review of the literature in the period covered by this Update reveals strong advances in all areas, with a continuing push to achieve better analyses on smaller samples and in less time. Most advances generally require more sophisticated instrumentation, improved sample preparation methods or new methods of sample introduction. This is typified by advances in ICP-MS, which see considerable emphasis on sample introduction techniques and a move towards magnetic sector instruments. Most applications of ICP-MS are now highly routine. There is still, however, a desire to achieve affordable analysis with simplified and cost-effective instruments, as illustrated by the development of mobile, in-situ isotope MS for environmental studies.« less

Build-Up Approach to Updating the Mock Quiet Spike Beam Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herrera, Claudia Y.; Pak, Chan-gi

2007-01-01

When a new aircraft is designed or a modification is done to an existing aircraft, the aeroelastic properties of the aircraft should be examined to ensure the aircraft is flight worthy. Evaluating the aeroelastic properties of a new or modified aircraft can include performing a variety of analyses, such as modal and flutter analyses. In order to produce accurate results from these analyses, it is imperative to work with finite element models (FEM) that have been validated by or correlated to ground vibration test (GVT) data, Updating an analytical model using measured data is a challenge in the area of structural dynamics. The analytical model update process encompasses a series of optimizations that match analytical frequencies and mode shapes to the measured modal characteristics of structure. In the past, the method used to update a model to test data was "trial and error." This is an inefficient method - running a modal analysis, comparing the analytical results to the GVT data, manually modifying one or more structural parameters (mass, CG, inertia, area, etc.), rerunning the analysis, and comparing the new analytical modal characteristics to the GVT modal data. If the match is close enough (close enough defined by analyst's updating requirements), then the updating process is completed. If the match does not meet updating-requirements, then the parameters are changed again and the process is repeated. Clearly, this manual optimization process is highly inefficient for large FEM's and/or a large number of structural parameters. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) has developed, in-house, a Mode Matching Code that automates the above-mentioned optimization process, DFRC's in-house Mode Matching Code reads mode shapes and frequencies acquired from GVT to create the target model. It also reads the current analytical model, as we11 as the design variables and their upper and lower limits. It performs a modal analysis on this model and modifies it to create an updated model that has similar mode shapes and frequencies as those of the target model. The Mode Matching Code output frequencies and modal assurance criteria (MAC) values that allow for the quantified comparison of the updated model versus the target model. A recent application of this code is the F453 supersonic flight testing platform, NASA DFRC possesses a modified F-15B that is used as a test bed aircraft for supersonic flight experiments. Traditionally, the finite element model of the test article is generated. A GVT is done on the test article ta validate and update its FEM. This FEM is then mated to the F-15B model, which was correlated to GVT data in fall of 2004, A GVT is conducted with the test article mated to the aircraft, and this mated F-15B/ test article FEM is correlated to this final GVT.

Towards a more transparent HTA process in Poland: new Polish HTA methodological guidelines

PubMed Central

Lach, Krzysztof; Dziwisz, Michal; Rémuzat, Cécile; Toumi, Mondher

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Introduction: Health technology assessment (HTA) in Poland supports reimbursement decisions via the Polish HTA Agency (AOTMiT), whose guidelines were updated in 2016. Methods: We identified key changes introduced by the update and, before guideline publication, analysed discrepancies between AOTMiT assessments and the submitting marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) to elucidate the context of the update. We compared the clarity and detail of the new guidelines versus those of the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Results: The update specified more precise requirements for items such as indirect comparison or input data for economic modelling. Agency–MAH discrepancies relating to the subjects of the HTA update were found in 14.6% of published documents. The new Polish HTA guidelines were as clear and detailed as NICE’s on topics such as assessing quality of evidence and economic modelling, but were less informative when describing (for example) pairwise meta-analysis. Conclusions: The Polish HTA guidelines update demonstrates lessons learned from internal and external experiences. The new guidelines adhere more closely to UK HTA standards, being clearer and more informative. While the update is expected to reduce Agency–MAH discrepancies, there remain areas for development, such as providing templates to aid HTA submissions. PMID:28804603

ERM model analysis for adaptation to hydrological model errors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baymani-Nezhad, M.; Han, D.

2018-05-01

Hydrological conditions are changed continuously and these phenomenons generate errors on flood forecasting models and will lead to get unrealistic results. Therefore, to overcome these difficulties, a concept called model updating is proposed in hydrological studies. Real-time model updating is one of the challenging processes in hydrological sciences and has not been entirely solved due to lack of knowledge about the future state of the catchment under study. Basically, in terms of flood forecasting process, errors propagated from the rainfall-runoff model are enumerated as the main source of uncertainty in the forecasting model. Hence, to dominate the exciting errors, several methods have been proposed by researchers to update the rainfall-runoff models such as parameter updating, model state updating, and correction on input data. The current study focuses on investigations about the ability of rainfall-runoff model parameters to cope with three types of existing errors, timing, shape and volume as the common errors in hydrological modelling. The new lumped model, the ERM model, has been selected for this study to evaluate its parameters for its use in model updating to cope with the stated errors. Investigation about ten events proves that the ERM model parameters can be updated to cope with the errors without the need to recalibrate the model.

A Quantitative Analysis of the Soviet Economy. Volume 1. Expansion of the 1972 Soviet Input-Output Tables

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-15

Headquarters Defense Nuclear Agency Washington, D.C. 20305 91 1011 079 Suite 1000. 1901 North Moore Street. Arlington, Virginia 22209 (703) 243-2 0-7 7...1972 Soviet InQut-,Outut Tables I G. E. Pugh M. T. Nunenkamp IJ.C. Krupp prepared under Contract No, DNA001-79-C-0444 for: 1:eadquar- ers Defense Nuclear ...4-1 4.2 Extent and Scope of the Update 4-2 4.3 The Updating Methodology 4-3 4.4 Results of the Updating Process 4-10 REFERENCES R-1 APPENDICES A

The Evaluation and Systems Analysis of the SYSTRAN Machine Translation System

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-01-01

DiFondi (IRDT) I. KIY *0*01 (Cu.wMu. .~ .‘~~.. lid. it a....Wp .11 id.iiSiIp Op e4.Sk s~~S.,) Machine Traca lation Evaluation scan Dictionary Update S...ntic Expression Dictionary Update *55? **Ct fCMi~ uw * lid. It -- p Sdsffl~~ Sr Sidsi ,~~~Siv) This report is the product of contractual effort to...translated end then corrected by a b ilingu.ai. exper t in each field. two types of corrections were considered iaplweatabi e, stan dictionary update and

Seeing the forests and the trees—innovative approaches to exploring heterogeneity in systematic reviews of complex interventions to enhance health system decision-making: a protocol

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background To improve quality of care and patient outcomes, health system decision-makers need to identify and implement effective interventions. An increasing number of systematic reviews document the effects of quality improvement programs to assist decision-makers in developing new initiatives. However, limitations in the reporting of primary studies and current meta-analysis methods (including approaches for exploring heterogeneity) reduce the utility of existing syntheses for health system decision-makers. This study will explore the role of innovative meta-analysis approaches and the added value of enriched and updated data for increasing the utility of systematic reviews of complex interventions. Methods/Design We will use the dataset from our recent systematic review of 142 randomized trials of diabetes quality improvement programs to evaluate novel approaches for exploring heterogeneity. These will include exploratory methods, such as multivariate meta-regression analyses and all-subsets combinatorial meta-analysis. We will then update our systematic review to include new trials and enrich the dataset by surveying authors of all included trials. In doing so, we will explore the impact of variables not, reported in previous publications, such as details of study context, on the effectiveness of the intervention. We will use innovative analytical methods on the enriched and updated dataset to identify key success factors in the implementation of quality improvement interventions for diabetes. Decision-makers will be involved throughout to help identify and prioritize variables to be explored and to aid in the interpretation and dissemination of results. Discussion This study will inform future systematic reviews of complex interventions and describe the value of enriching and updating data for exploring heterogeneity in meta-analysis. It will also result in an updated comprehensive systematic review of diabetes quality improvement interventions that will be useful to health system decision-makers in developing interventions to improve outcomes for people with diabetes. Systematic review registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42013005165 PMID:25115289

Novel features and enhancements in BioBin, a tool for the biologically inspired binning and association analysis of rare variants

PubMed Central

Byrska-Bishop, Marta; Wallace, John; Frase, Alexander T; Ritchie, Marylyn D

2018-01-01

Abstract Motivation BioBin is an automated bioinformatics tool for the multi-level biological binning of sequence variants. Herein, we present a significant update to BioBin which expands the software to facilitate a comprehensive rare variant analysis and incorporates novel features and analysis enhancements. Results In BioBin 2.3, we extend our software tool by implementing statistical association testing, updating the binning algorithm, as well as incorporating novel analysis features providing for a robust, highly customizable, and unified rare variant analysis tool. Availability and implementation The BioBin software package is open source and freely available to users at http://www.ritchielab.com/software/biobin-download Contact mdritchie@geisinger.edu Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:28968757

Space Trajectories Error Analysis (STEAP) Programs. Volume 1: Analytic manual, update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

Manual revisions are presented for the modified and expanded STEAP series. The STEAP 2 is composed of three independent but related programs: NOMAL for the generation of n-body nominal trajectories performing a number of deterministic guidance events; ERRAN for the linear error analysis and generalized covariance analysis along specific targeted trajectories; and SIMUL for testing the mathematical models used in the navigation and guidance process. The analytic manual provides general problem description, formulation, and solution and the detailed analysis of subroutines. The programmers' manual gives descriptions of the overall structure of the programs as well as the computational flow and analysis of the individual subroutines. The user's manual provides information on the input and output quantities of the programs. These are updates to N69-36472 and N69-36473.

Telavancin for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections, a Post Hoc Analysis of the Phase 3 ATLAS Trials in Light of the 2013 FDA Guidance

PubMed Central

Pushkin, Richard; Barriere, Steven L.; Corey, G. Ralph; Stryjewski, Martin E.

2015-01-01

Two phase 3 ATLAS trials demonstrated noninferiority of telavancin compared with vancomycin for complicated skin and skin structure infections. Data from these trials were retrospectively evaluated according to 2013 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. This post hoc analysis included patients with lesion sizes of ≥75 cm2 and excluded patients with ulcers or burns (updated all-treated population; n = 1,127). Updated day 3 (early) clinical response was defined as a ≥20% reduction in lesion size from baseline and no rescue antibiotic. Updated test-of-cure (TOC) clinical response was defined as a ≥90% reduction in lesion size, no increase in lesion size since day 3, and no requirement for additional antibiotics or significant surgical procedures. Day 3 (early) clinical responses were achieved in 62.6% and 61.0% of patients receiving telavancin and vancomycin, respectively (difference, 1.7%, with a 95% confidence interval [CI] of −4.0% to 7.4%). Updated TOC visit cure rates were similar for telavancin (68.0%) and vancomycin (63.3%), with a difference of 4.8% (95% CI, −0.7% to 10.3%). Adopting current FDA guidance, this analysis corroborates previous noninferiority findings of the ATLAS trials of telavancin compared with vancomycin. PMID:26248356

Gravity influences top-down signals in visual processing.

PubMed

Cheron, Guy; Leroy, Axelle; Palmero-Soler, Ernesto; De Saedeleer, Caty; Bengoetxea, Ana; Cebolla, Ana-Maria; Vidal, Manuel; Dan, Bernard; Berthoz, Alain; McIntyre, Joseph

2014-01-01

Visual perception is not only based on incoming visual signals but also on information about a multimodal reference frame that incorporates vestibulo-proprioceptive input and motor signals. In addition, top-down modulation of visual processing has previously been demonstrated during cognitive operations including selective attention and working memory tasks. In the absence of a stable gravitational reference, the updating of salient stimuli becomes crucial for successful visuo-spatial behavior by humans in weightlessness. Here we found that visually-evoked potentials triggered by the image of a tunnel just prior to an impending 3D movement in a virtual navigation task were altered in weightlessness aboard the International Space Station, while those evoked by a classical 2D-checkerboard were not. Specifically, the analysis of event-related spectral perturbations and inter-trial phase coherency of these EEG signals recorded in the frontal and occipital areas showed that phase-locking of theta-alpha oscillations was suppressed in weightlessness, but only for the 3D tunnel image. Moreover, analysis of the phase of the coherency demonstrated the existence on Earth of a directional flux in the EEG signals from the frontal to the occipital areas mediating a top-down modulation during the presentation of the image of the 3D tunnel. In weightlessness, this fronto-occipital, top-down control was transformed into a diverging flux from the central areas toward the frontal and occipital areas. These results demonstrate that gravity-related sensory inputs modulate primary visual areas depending on the affordances of the visual scene.

Real-time spectrum estimation–based dual-channel speech-enhancement algorithm for cochlear implant

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Improvement of the cochlear implant (CI) front-end signal acquisition is needed to increase speech recognition in noisy environments. To suppress the directional noise, we introduce a speech-enhancement algorithm based on microphone array beamforming and spectral estimation. The experimental results indicate that this method is robust to directional mobile noise and strongly enhances the desired speech, thereby improving the performance of CI devices in a noisy environment. Methods The spectrum estimation and the array beamforming methods were combined to suppress the ambient noise. The directivity coefficient was estimated in the noise-only intervals, and was updated to fit for the mobile noise. Results The proposed algorithm was realized in the CI speech strategy. For actual parameters, we use Maxflat filter to obtain fractional sampling points and cepstrum method to differentiate the desired speech frame and the noise frame. The broadband adjustment coefficients were added to compensate the energy loss in the low frequency band. Discussions The approximation of the directivity coefficient is tested and the errors are discussed. We also analyze the algorithm constraint for noise estimation and distortion in CI processing. The performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed and further be compared with other prevalent methods. Conclusions The hardware platform was constructed for the experiments. The speech-enhancement results showed that our algorithm can suppresses the non-stationary noise with high SNR. Excellent performance of the proposed algorithm was obtained in the speech enhancement experiments and mobile testing. And signal distortion results indicate that this algorithm is robust with high SNR improvement and low speech distortion. PMID:23006896

Suboptimal Viral Suppression Rates Among HIV-Infected Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Boerma, Ragna S; Boender, T Sonia; Bussink, Anton P; Calis, Job C J; Bertagnolio, Silvia; Rinke de Wit, Tobias F; Boele van Hensbroek, Michael; Sigaloff, Kim C E

2016-12-15

 The 90-90-90 goal to achieve viral suppression in 90% of all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people on antiretroviral treatment (ART) is especially challenging in children. Global estimates of viral suppression among children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are lacking.  We searched for randomized controlled trials and observational studies and analyzed viral suppression rates among children started on ART during 3 time periods: early (2000-2005), intermediate (2006-2009), and current (2010 and later), using random effects meta-analysis.  Seventy-two studies, reporting on 51 347 children (aged <18 years), were included. After 12 months on first-line ART, viral suppression was achieved by 64.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57.5-71.8) in the early, 74.2% (95% CI, 70.2-78.2) in the intermediate, and 72.7% (95% 62.6-82.8) in the current time period. Rates were similar after 6 and 24 months of ART. Using an intention-to-treat analysis, 42.7% (95% CI, 33.7-51.7) in the early, 45.7% (95% CI, 33.2-58.3) in the intermediate, and 62.5% (95% CI, 53.3-72.6) in the current period were suppressed. Long-term follow-up data were scarce.  Viral suppression rates among children on ART in LMICs were low and considerably poorer than those previously found in adults in LMICs and children in high-income countries. Little progress has been made in improving viral suppression rates over the past years. Without increased efforts to improve pediatric HIV treatment, the 90-90-90 goal for children in LMIC will not be reached. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

Build-up Approach to Updating the Mock Quiet Spike(TradeMark) Beam Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herrera, Claudia Y.; Pak, Chan-gi

2007-01-01

A crucial part of aircraft design is ensuring that the required margin for flutter is satisfied. A trustworthy flutter analysis, which begins by possessing an accurate dynamics model, is necessary for this task. Traditionally, a model was updated manually by fine tuning specific stiffness parameters until the analytical results matched test data. This is a time consuming iterative process. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has developed a mode matching code to execute this process in a more efficient manner. Recently, this code was implemented in the F-15B/Quiet Spike(TradeMark) (Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Savannah, Georgia) model update. A build-up approach requiring several ground vibration test configurations and a series of model updates was implemented in order to determine the connection stiffness between aircraft and test article. The mode matching code successfully updated various models for the F-15B/Quiet Spike(TradeMark) project to within 1 percent error in frequency and the modal assurance criteria values ranged from 88.51-99.42 percent.

Build-up Approach to Updating the Mock Quiet Spike(TM)Beam Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herrera, Claudia Y.; Pak, Chan-gi

2007-01-01

A crucial part of aircraft design is ensuring that the required margin for flutter is satisfied. A trustworthy flutter analysis, which begins by possessing an accurate dynamics model, is necessary for this task. Traditionally, a model was updated manually by fine tuning specific stiffness parameters until the analytical results matched test data. This is a time consuming iterative process. The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has developed a mode matching code to execute this process in a more efficient manner. Recently, this code was implemented in the F-15B/Quiet Spike (Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Savannah, Georgia) model update. A build-up approach requiring several ground vibration test configurations and a series of model updates was implemented to determine the connection stiffness between aircraft and test article. The mode matching code successfully updated various models for the F-15B/Quiet Spike project to within 1 percent error in frequency and the modal assurance criteria values ranged from 88.51-99.42 percent.

A model-updating procedure to stimulate piezoelectric transducers accurately.

PubMed

Piranda, B; Ballandras, S; Steichen, W; Hecart, B

2001-09-01

The use of numerical calculations based on finite element methods (FEM) has yielded significant improvements in the simulation and design of piezoelectric transducers piezoelectric transducer utilized in acoustic imaging. However, the ultimate precision of such models is directly controlled by the accuracy of material characterization. The present work is dedicated to the development of a model-updating technique adapted to the problem of piezoelectric transducer. The updating process is applied using the experimental admittance of a given structure for which a finite element analysis is performed. The mathematical developments are reported and then applied to update the entries of a FEM of a two-layer structure (a PbZrTi-PZT-ridge glued on a backing) for which measurements were available. The efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated, yielding the definition of a new set of constants well adapted to predict the structure response accurately. Improvement of the proposed approach, consisting of the updating of material coefficients not only on the admittance but also on the impedance data, is finally discussed.

Management of undescended testis may be improved with educational updates and new transferring model.

PubMed

Yi, Wei; Sheng-de, Wu; Lian-Ju, Shen; Tao, Lin; Da-Wei, He; Guang-Hui, Wei

2018-05-24

To investigate whether management of undescended testis (UDT) may be improved with educational updates and new transferring model among referring providers (RPs). The age of orchidopexies performed in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were reviewed. We then proposed educational updates and new transferring model among RPs. The age of orchidopexies performed after our intervention were collected. Data were represented graphically and statistical analysis Chi-square for trend were used. A total of 1543 orchidopexies were performed. The median age of orchidopexy did not matched the target age of 6-12 months in any subsequent year. Survey of the RPs showed that 48.85% of their recommended age was below 12 months. However, only 25.50% of them would directly make a surgical referral to pediatric surgery specifically at this point. After we proposed educational updates, tracking the age of orchidopexy revealed a statistically significant trend downward. The management of undescended testis may be improved with educational updates and new transferring model among primary healthcare practitioners.

Implementation of non-condensable gases condensation suppression model into the WCOBRA/TRAC-TF2 LOCA safety evaluation code

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

Liao, J.; Cao, L.; Ohkawa, K.

2012-07-01

The non-condensable gases condensation suppression model is important for a realistic LOCA safety analysis code. A condensation suppression model for direct contact condensation was previously developed by Westinghouse using first principles. The model is believed to be an accurate description of the direct contact condensation process in the presence of non-condensable gases. The Westinghouse condensation suppression model is further revised by applying a more physical model. The revised condensation suppression model is thus implemented into the WCOBRA/TRAC-TF2 LOCA safety evaluation code for both 3-D module (COBRA-TF) and 1-D module (TRAC-PF1). Parametric study using the revised Westinghouse condensation suppression model ismore » conducted. Additionally, the performance of non-condensable gases condensation suppression model is examined in the ACHILLES (ISP-25) separate effects test and LOFT L2-5 (ISP-13) integral effects test. (authors)« less

Optical frequency shot-noise suppression in electron beams: Three-dimensional analysis

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

Nause, A.; Dyunin, E.; Gover, A.

2010-05-15

A predicted effect of current shot-noise suppression at optical-frequencies in a drifting charged-particle-beam and the corresponding process of particles self-ordering are analyzed in a one-dimensional (1D) model and verified by three-dimensional numerical simulations. The analysis confirms the prediction of a 1D single mode Langmuir plasma wave model of longitudinal plasma oscillation in the beam, and it defines the regime of beam parameters in which this effect takes place. The suppression of relativistic beam shot noise can be utilized to enhance the coherence of free electron lasers and of any coherent radiation device using an electron beam.

An analytical technique for predicting the characteristics of a flexible wing equipped with an active flutter-suppression system and comparison with wind-tunnel data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abel, I.

1979-01-01

An analytical technique for predicting the performance of an active flutter-suppression system is presented. This technique is based on the use of an interpolating function to approximate the unsteady aerodynamics. The resulting equations are formulated in terms of linear, ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients. This technique is then applied to an aeroelastic model wing equipped with an active flutter-suppression system. Comparisons between wind-tunnel data and analysis are presented for the wing both with and without active flutter suppression. Results indicate that the wing flutter characteristics without flutter suppression can be predicted very well but that a more adequate model of wind-tunnel turbulence is required when the active flutter-suppression system is used.

Flutter suppression for the Active Flexible Wing - Control system design and experimental validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waszak, M. R.; Srinathkumar, S.

1992-01-01

The synthesis and experimental validation of a control law for an active flutter suppression system for the Active Flexible Wing wind-tunnel model is presented. The design was accomplished with traditional root locus and Nyquist methods using interactive computer graphics tools and with extensive use of simulation-based analysis. The design approach relied on a fundamental understanding of the flutter mechanism to formulate understanding of the flutter mechanism to formulate a simple control law structure. Experimentally, the flutter suppression controller succeeded in simultaneous suppression of two flutter modes, significantly increasing the flutter dynamic pressure despite errors in the design model. The flutter suppression controller was also successfully operated in combination with a rolling maneuver controller to perform flutter suppression during rapid rolling maneuvers.

Is expressive suppression always associated with poorer psychological functioning? A cross-cultural comparison between European Americans and Hong Kong Chinese.

PubMed

Soto, José A; Perez, Christopher R; Kim, Young-Hoon; Lee, Elizabeth A; Minnick, Mark R

2011-12-01

The habitual use of expressive suppression as an emotion regulation strategy has been consistently linked to adverse outcomes in a number of domains, including psychological functioning. The present study aimed to uncover whether the suppression-health relationship is dependent on cultural context, given differing cultural norms surrounding the value of suppressing emotional displays. We hypothesized that the negative associations between suppression and psychological functioning seen in European Americans would not be seen among members of East Asian cultures, in which emotional restraint is relatively encouraged over emotional expression. To test this hypothesis, we asked 71 European American students and 100 Chinese students from Hong Kong to report on their use of expressive suppression, life satisfaction, and depressed mood. A moderation analysis revealed that expressive suppression was associated with adverse psychological functioning for European Americans, but not for Chinese participants. These findings highlight the importance of context in understanding the suppression-health relationship. (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved.

Update of GRASP/Ada reverse engineering tools for Ada

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cross, James H., II

1993-01-01

The GRASP/Ada project (Graphical Representations of Algorithms, Structures, and Processes for Ada) successfully created and prototyped a new algorithmic level graphical representation for Ada software, the Control Structure Diagram (CSD). The primary impetus for creation of the CSD was to improve the comprehension efficiency of Ada software and, as a result, improve reliability and reduce costs. The emphasis was on the automatic generation of the CSD from Ada PDL or source code to support reverse engineering and maintenance. The CSD has the potential to replace traditional pretty printed Ada source code. In Phase 1 of the GRASP/Ada project, the CSD graphical constructs were created and applied manually to several small Ada programs. A prototype CSD generator (Version 1) was designed and implemented using FLEX and BISON running under VMS on a VAX 11-780. In Phase 2, the prototype was improved and ported to the Sun 4 platform under UNIX. A user interface was designed and partially implemented using the HP widget toolkit and the X Windows System. In Phase 3, the user interface was extensively reworked using the Athena widget toolkit and X Windows. The prototype was applied successfully to numerous Ada programs ranging in size from several hundred to several thousand lines of source code. Following Phase 3,e two update phases were completed. Update'92 focused on the initial analysis of evaluation data collected from software engineering students at Auburn University and the addition of significant enhancements to the user interface. Update'93 (the current update) focused on the statistical analysis of the data collected in the previous update and preparation of Version 3.4 of the prototype for limited distribution to facilitate further evaluation. The current prototype provides the capability for the user to generate CSD's from Ada PDL or source code in a reverse engineering as well as forward engineering mode with a level of flexibility suitable for practical application. An overview of the GRASP/Ada project with an emphasis on the current update is provided.

Comparing resource values at risk from wildfires with Forest Service fire suppression expenditures: Examples from 2003 western Montana wildfire season

Treesearch

David Calkin; Kevin Hyde; Krista Gebert; Greg Jones

2005-01-01

Determining the economic effectiveness of wildfire suppression activities is complicated by difficulties in identifying the area that would have burned and the associated resource value changes had suppression resources not been employed. We developed a case study using break-even analysis for two large wildfires from the 2003 fire season in western Montana -- the...

TU-CD-BRA-11: Application of Bone Suppression Technique to Inspiratory/expiratory Chest Radiography

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

Tanaka, R; Sanada, S; Sakuta, K

Purpose: The bone suppression technique based on advanced image processing can suppress the conspicuity of bones on chest radiographs, creating soft tissue images normally obtained by the dual-energy subtraction technique. This study was performed to investigate the usefulness of bone suppression technique in quantitative analysis of pulmonary function in inspiratory/expiratory chest radiography. Methods: Commercial bone suppression image processing software (ClearRead; Riverain Technologies) was applied to paired inspiratory/expiratory chest radiographs of 107 patients (normal, 33; abnormal, 74) to create corresponding bone suppression images. The abnormal subjects had been diagnosed with pulmonary diseases, such as pneumothorax, pneumonia, emphysema, asthma, and lung cancer.more » After recognition of the lung area, the vectors of respiratory displacement were measured in all local lung areas using a cross-correlation technique. The measured displacement in each area was visualized as displacement color maps. The distribution pattern of respiratory displacement was assessed by comparison with the findings of lung scintigraphy. Results: Respiratory displacement of pulmonary markings (soft tissues) was able to be quantified separately from the rib movements on bone suppression images. The resulting displacement map showed a left-right symmetric distribution increasing from the lung apex to the bottom region of the lung in many cases. However, patients with ventilatory impairments showed a nonuniform distribution caused by decreased displacement of pulmonary markings, which were confirmed to correspond to area with ventilatory impairments found on the lung scintigrams. Conclusion: The bone suppression technique was useful for quantitative analysis of respiratory displacement of pulmonary markings without any interruption of the rib shadows. Abnormal areas could be detected as decreased displacement of pulmonary markings. Inspiratory/expiratory chest radiography combined with the bone suppression technique has potential for predicting local lung function on the basis of dynamic analysis of pulmonary markings. This work was partially supported by Nakatani Foundation, Grant-in-aid for Scientific Research (C) of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, JAPAN (Grant number : 24601007), and Nakatani Foundation, Mitsubishi Foundation, and the he Mitani Foundation for Research and Development. Yasushi Kishitani is a staff of TOYO corporation.« less

Cost-effectiveness analysis of quadrivalent influenza vaccination in at-risk adults and the elderly: an updated analysis in the U.K.

PubMed

Meier, G; Gregg, M; Poulsen Nautrup, B

2015-01-01

To update an earlier evaluation estimating the cost-effectiveness of quadrivalent influenza vaccination (QIV) compared with trivalent influenza vaccination (TIV) in the adult population currently recommended for influenza vaccination in the UK (all people aged ≥65 years and people aged 18-64 years with clinical risk conditions). This analysis takes into account updated vaccine prices, reference costs, influenza strain circulation, and burden of illness data. A lifetime, multi-cohort, static Markov model was constructed with seven age groups. The model was run in 1-year cycles for a lifetime, i.e., until the youngest patients at entry reached the age of 100 years. The base-case analysis was from the perspective of the UK National Health Service, with a secondary analysis from the societal perspective. Costs and benefits were discounted at 3.5%. Herd effects were not included. Inputs were derived from systematic reviews, peer-reviewed articles, and government publications and databases. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. In the base-case, QIV would be expected to avoid 1,413,392 influenza cases, 41,780 hospitalizations, and 19,906 deaths over the lifetime horizon, compared with TIV. The estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £14,645 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. From the societal perspective, the estimated ICER was £13,497/QALY. A strategy of vaccinating only people aged ≥65 years had an estimated ICER of £11,998/QALY. Sensitivity analysis indicated that only two parameters, seasonal variation in influenza B matching and influenza A circulation, had a substantial effect on the ICER. QIV would be likely to be cost-effective compared with TIV in 68% of simulations with a willingness-to-pay threshold of <£20,000/QALY and 87% with a willingness-to-pay threshold of <£30,000/QALY. In this updated analysis, QIV was estimated to be cost-effective compared with TIV in the U.K.

Role of early visual cortex in trans-saccadic memory of object features.

PubMed

Malik, Pankhuri; Dessing, Joost C; Crawford, J Douglas

2015-08-01

Early visual cortex (EVC) participates in visual feature memory and the updating of remembered locations across saccades, but its role in the trans-saccadic integration of object features is unknown. We hypothesized that if EVC is involved in updating object features relative to gaze, feature memory should be disrupted when saccades remap an object representation into a simultaneously perturbed EVC site. To test this, we applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over functional magnetic resonance imaging-localized EVC clusters corresponding to the bottom left/right visual quadrants (VQs). During experiments, these VQs were probed psychophysically by briefly presenting a central object (Gabor patch) while subjects fixated gaze to the right or left (and above). After a short memory interval, participants were required to detect the relative change in orientation of a re-presented test object at the same spatial location. Participants either sustained fixation during the memory interval (fixation task) or made a horizontal saccade that either maintained or reversed the VQ of the object (saccade task). Three TMS pulses (coinciding with the pre-, peri-, and postsaccade intervals) were applied to the left or right EVC. This had no effect when (a) fixation was maintained, (b) saccades kept the object in the same VQ, or (c) the EVC quadrant corresponding to the first object was stimulated. However, as predicted, TMS reduced performance when saccades (especially larger saccades) crossed the remembered object location and brought it into the VQ corresponding to the TMS site. This suppression effect was statistically significant for leftward saccades and followed a weaker trend for rightward saccades. These causal results are consistent with the idea that EVC is involved in the gaze-centered updating of object features for trans-saccadic memory and perception.

Separating intentional inhibition of prepotent responses and resistance to proactive interference in alcohol-dependent individuals.

PubMed

Noël, Xavier; Van der Linden, Martial; Brevers, Damien; Campanella, Salvatore; Verbanck, Paul; Hanak, Catherine; Kornreich, Charles; Verbruggen, Frederick

2013-03-01

Impulsivity is a hallmark of addictive behaviors. Addicts' weakened inhibition of irrelevant prepotent responses is commonly thought to explain this association. However, inhibition is not a unitary mechanism. This study investigated the efficiency of overcoming competition due to irrelevant responses (i.e., inhibition of a prepotent response) and overcoming competition in memory (i.e., resistance to proactive interference) in sober and recently detoxified alcohol-dependent individuals. Three cognitive tasks assessing the inhibition of a prepotent response (Hayling task, anti-saccade task and Stroop task) and two tasks tapping into the capacity to resist proactive interference (cued recall, Brown-Peterson variant) were administered to 30 non-amnesic recently detoxified alcohol-dependent individuals and 30 matched healthy participants without alcohol dependency. In addition, possible confounds such as verbal updating in working memory was assessed. Alcohol-dependent subjects performed worse than healthy participants on the three cognitive tasks assessing the inhibition of irrelevant prepotent responses but group performance was similar in the tasks assessing overcoming proactive interference in memory, updating of working memory and abstract reasoning. These findings suggest that alcohol-dependence is mainly associated with impaired capacity to intentionally suppress irrelevant prepotent response information. Control of proactive interference from memory is preserved. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Long-Term Performance Enhancement Method for FOG-Based Measurement While Drilling

PubMed Central

Zhang, Chunxi; Lin, Tie

2016-01-01

In the oil industry, the measurement-while-drilling (MWD) systems are usually used to provide the real-time position and orientation of the bottom hole assembly (BHA) during drilling. However, the present MWD systems based on magnetic surveying technology can barely ensure good performance because of magnetic interference phenomena. In this paper, a MWD surveying system based on a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) was developed to replace the magnetic surveying system. To accommodate the size of the downhole drilling conditions, a new design method is adopted. In order to realize long-term and high position precision and orientation surveying, an integrated surveying algorithm is proposed based on inertial navigation system (INS) and drilling features. In addition, the FOG-based MWD error model is built and the drilling features are analyzed. The state-space system model and the observation updates model of the Kalman filter are built. To validate the availability and utility of the algorithm, the semi-physical simulation is conducted under laboratory conditions. The results comparison with the traditional algorithms show that the errors were suppressed and the measurement precision of the proposed algorithm is better than the traditional ones. In addition, the proposed method uses a lot less time than the zero velocity update (ZUPT) method. PMID:27483270

A Long-Term Performance Enhancement Method for FOG-Based Measurement While Drilling.

PubMed

Zhang, Chunxi; Lin, Tie

2016-07-28

In the oil industry, the measurement-while-drilling (MWD) systems are usually used to provide the real-time position and orientation of the bottom hole assembly (BHA) during drilling. However, the present MWD systems based on magnetic surveying technology can barely ensure good performance because of magnetic interference phenomena. In this paper, a MWD surveying system based on a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) was developed to replace the magnetic surveying system. To accommodate the size of the downhole drilling conditions, a new design method is adopted. In order to realize long-term and high position precision and orientation surveying, an integrated surveying algorithm is proposed based on inertial navigation system (INS) and drilling features. In addition, the FOG-based MWD error model is built and the drilling features are analyzed. The state-space system model and the observation updates model of the Kalman filter are built. To validate the availability and utility of the algorithm, the semi-physical simulation is conducted under laboratory conditions. The results comparison with the traditional algorithms show that the errors were suppressed and the measurement precision of the proposed algorithm is better than the traditional ones. In addition, the proposed method uses a lot less time than the zero velocity update (ZUPT) method.

Impact of radiation frequency, precipitation radiative forcing, and radiation column aggregation on convection-permitting West African monsoon simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsui, Toshi; Zhang, Sara Q.; Lang, Stephen E.; Tao, Wei-Kuo; Ichoku, Charles; Peters-Lidard, Christa D.

2018-03-01

In this study, the impact of different configurations of the Goddard radiation scheme on convection-permitting simulations (CPSs) of the West African monsoon (WAM) is investigated using the NASA-Unified WRF (NU-WRF). These CPSs had 3 km grid spacing to explicitly simulate the evolution of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and their interaction with radiative processes across the WAM domain and were able to reproduce realistic precipitation and energy budget fields when compared with satellite data, although low clouds were overestimated. Sensitivity experiments reveal that (1) lowering the radiation update frequency (i.e., longer radiation update time) increases precipitation and cloudiness over the WAM region by enhancing the monsoon circulation, (2) deactivation of precipitation radiative forcing suppresses cloudiness over the WAM region, and (3) aggregating radiation columns reduces low clouds over ocean and tropical West Africa. The changes in radiation configuration immediately modulate the radiative heating and low clouds over ocean. On the 2nd day of the simulations, patterns of latitudinal air temperature profiles were already similar to the patterns of monthly composites for all radiation sensitivity experiments. Low cloud maintenance within the WAM system is tightly connected with radiation processes; thus, proper coupling between microphysics and radiation processes must be established for each modeling framework.

Investigations & Casualty Analysis « Coast Guard Maritime Commons

Science.gov Websites

marine casualty reporting property damage thresholds now in effect This post provides links to updated : This post was updated April 10, 2018 to reflect that Inmarsat will begin the migration 1400 UTC May 9 website provided in our blog post. Inmarsat announced that it will migrate Inmarsat-C, Mini C, and Fleet77

MEMS Stirling Cooler Development Update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moran, Matthew E.; Wesolek, Danielle

2003-01-01

This presentation provides an update on the effort to build and test a prototype unit of the patented MEMS Stirling cooler concept. A micro-scale regenerator has been fabricated by Polar Thermal Technologies and is currently being integrated into a Stirling cycle simulator at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. A discussion of the analysis, design, assembly, and test plans for the prototype will be presented.

Challenges, Changes, and Impact of the Council on Social Work Education Women's Council: An Update

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tower, Leslie E.; Lazzari, Marceline M.; Faul, Anna C.; Alvarez, Ann Rosegrant

2015-01-01

This article highlights the contributions of the Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education (Women's Council) as well as the role and status of women in social work education. For this historical analysis update, the authors drew on several primary and secondary data sources. The first major theme was organizational…

East Oklahoma, 2008 Forest Inventory and Analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Richard Harper

2010-01-01

This science update summarizes the key findings of the seventh forest survey of east Oklahoma representing the period of 1993 to 2008 (16 years since the last survey). Field work for cycle 6 data collection ended in December 1992; however, historical reports are labeled 1993. The science update will use 1992 as the correct year for the cycle 6 survey. Currently, Forest...

Responding to Changes in Building Legislation. Updating Training for the Building Regulations 1985 and Supporting Documents.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Robert; Phillips, Alan

A project sought to develop a means of updating and retraining those required to comply with Britain's 1985 Building Regulations, which are substantially different from the previous ones in regard to procedures and technical content. The training needs analysis conducted indicated that the new training should be flexible and use practical and…

Preliminary results from a method to update timber resource statistics in North Carolina

Treesearch

Glenn P. Catts; Noel D. Cost; Raymond L. Czaplewski; Paul W. Snook

1987-01-01

Forest Inventory and Analysis units of the USDA Forest Service produce timber resource statistics every 8 to 10 years. Midcycle surveys are often performed to update inventory estimates. This requires timely identification of forest lands. There are several kinds of remotely sensed data that are suitable for this purpose. Medium scale color infrared aerial photography...

Impact of the Update to the Federal Needs Analysis on Minnesota Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Setter, Gerald; Misukanis, Mark

2005-01-01

In December 2004, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it will update the amount it allows families to deduct for state and other tax payments when applying for financial aid. These changes affect the way both the Federal Pell Grant and the Minnesota State Grant programs calculate a family's ability to pay. Larger assigned family…

Lyapunov-based control of limit cycle oscillations in uncertain aircraft systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bialy, Brendan

Store-induced limit cycle oscillations (LCO) affect several fighter aircraft and is expected to remain an issue for next generation fighters. LCO arises from the interaction of aerodynamic and structural forces, however the primary contributor to the phenomenon is still unclear. The practical concerns regarding this phenomenon include whether or not ordnance can be safely released and the ability of the aircrew to perform mission-related tasks while in an LCO condition. The focus of this dissertation is the development of control strategies to suppress LCO in aircraft systems. The first contribution of this work (Chapter 2) is the development of a controller consisting of a continuous Robust Integral of the Sign of the Error (RISE) feedback term with a neural network (NN) feedforward term to suppress LCO behavior in an uncertain airfoil system. The second contribution of this work (Chapter 3) is the extension of the development in Chapter 2 to include actuator saturation. Suppression of LCO behavior is achieved through the implementation of an auxiliary error system that features hyperbolic functions and a saturated RISE feedback control structure. Due to the lack of clarity regarding the driving mechanism behind LCO, common practice in literature and in Chapters 2 and 3 is to replicate the symptoms of LCO by including nonlinearities in the wing structure, typically a nonlinear torsional stiffness. To improve the accuracy of the system model a partial differential equation (PDE) model of a flexible wing is derived (see Appendix F) using Hamilton's principle. Chapters 4 and 5 are focused on developing boundary control strategies for regulating the bending and twisting deformations of the derived model. The contribution of Chapter 4 is the construction of a backstepping-based boundary control strategy for a linear PDE model of an aircraft wing. The backstepping-based strategy transforms the original system to a exponentially stable system. A Lyapunov-based stability analysis is then used to show boundedness of the wing bending dynamics. A Lyapunov-based boundary control strategy for an uncertain nonlinear PDE model of an aircraft wing is developed in Chapter 5. In this chapter, a proportional feedback term is coupled with an gradient-based adaptive update law to ensure asymptotic regulation of the flexible states.

Acoustic Flame Suppression Mechanics in a Microgravity Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beisner, Eryn; Wiggins, Nathanial David; Yue, Kwok-Bun; Rosales, Miguel; Penny, Jeremy; Lockridge, Jarrett; Page, Ryan; Smith, Alexander; Guerrero, Leslie

2015-06-01

The following paper deals with acoustic flame suppression mechanics in a microgravity environment with measurements taken from an Arduino-based sensor system and validation of the technique. A Zippo lighter is ignited in microgravity and then displaced from the base of the flame and suppressed using surface interactions with single tone acoustic waves to extinguished the flame. The analysis of data collected shows that the acoustic flame suppression measurementtechniques are effective to finding qualitative differences in extinguishing in microgravity and normal gravity. Further, the results suggest that the suppression may be more effective in a microgravity environment than in a normal (1g) environment and may be a viable method of extinguishing fires during space flight.

Long-Range Correlations and Memory in the Dynamics of Internet Interdomain Routing

PubMed Central

Havlin, Shlomo; Krioukov, Dmitri

2015-01-01

Data transfer is one of the main functions of the Internet. The Internet consists of a large number of interconnected subnetworks or domains, known as Autonomous Systems (ASes). Due to privacy and other reasons the information about what route to use to reach devices within other ASes is not readily available to any given AS. The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is responsible for discovering and distributing this reachability information to all ASes. Since the topology of the Internet is highly dynamic, all ASes constantly exchange and update this reachability information in small chunks, known as routing control packets or BGP updates. In the view of the quick growth of the Internet there are significant concerns with the scalability of the BGP updates and the efficiency of the BGP routing in general. Motivated by these issues we conduct a systematic time series analysis of BGP update rates. We find that BGP update time series are extremely volatile, exhibit long-term correlations and memory effects, similar to seismic time series, or temperature and stock market price fluctuations. The presented statistical characterization of BGP update dynamics could serve as a basis for validation of existing and developing better models of Internet interdomain routing. PMID:26529312

A heuristic for efficient data distribution management in distributed simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Pankaj; Guha, Ratan K.

2005-05-01

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for reducing the complexity of region matching and efficient multicasting in data distribution management component of High Level Architecture (HLA) Run Time Infrastructure (RTI). The current data distribution management (DDM) techniques rely on computing the intersection between the subscription and update regions. When a subscription region and an update region of different federates overlap, RTI establishes communication between the publisher and the subscriber. It subsequently routes the updates from the publisher to the subscriber. The proposed algorithm computes the update/subscription regions matching for dynamic allocation of multicast group. It provides new multicast routines that exploit the connectivity of federation by communicating updates regarding interactions and routes information only to those federates that require them. The region-matching problem in DDM reduces to clique-covering problem using the connections graph abstraction where the federations represent the vertices and the update/subscribe relations represent the edges. We develop an abstract model based on connection graph for data distribution management. Using this abstract model, we propose a heuristic for solving the region-matching problem of DDM. We also provide complexity analysis of the proposed heuristics.

Long-Range Correlations and Memory in the Dynamics of Internet Interdomain Routing.

PubMed

Kitsak, Maksim; Elmokashfi, Ahmed; Havlin, Shlomo; Krioukov, Dmitri

2015-01-01

Data transfer is one of the main functions of the Internet. The Internet consists of a large number of interconnected subnetworks or domains, known as Autonomous Systems (ASes). Due to privacy and other reasons the information about what route to use to reach devices within other ASes is not readily available to any given AS. The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is responsible for discovering and distributing this reachability information to all ASes. Since the topology of the Internet is highly dynamic, all ASes constantly exchange and update this reachability information in small chunks, known as routing control packets or BGP updates. In the view of the quick growth of the Internet there are significant concerns with the scalability of the BGP updates and the efficiency of the BGP routing in general. Motivated by these issues we conduct a systematic time series analysis of BGP update rates. We find that BGP update time series are extremely volatile, exhibit long-term correlations and memory effects, similar to seismic time series, or temperature and stock market price fluctuations. The presented statistical characterization of BGP update dynamics could serve as a basis for validation of existing and developing better models of Internet interdomain routing.

Genes that regulate both development and longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans

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

Larsen, P.L.; Albert, P.S.; Riddle, D.L.

1995-04-01

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans responds to conditions of overcrowding and limited food by arresting development as a dauer larva. Genetic analysis of mutations that alter dauer larva formation (daf mutations) is presented along with an updated genetic pathway for dauer vs. nondauer development. Mutations in the daf-2 and daf-23 genes double adult life span, whereas mutations in four other dauer-constitutive genes positioned in a separate branch of this pathway (daf-1, daf-4, daf-7 and daf-8) do not. The increased life spans are suppressed completely by a daf-16 mutation and partially in a daf-2; daf-18 double mutant. A genetic pathway for determinationmore » of adult life span is presented based on the same strains and growth conditions used to characterize Daf phenotypes. Both dauer larva formation and adult life span are affected in daf-2; daf-12 double mutants in an allele-specific manner. Mutations in daf-12 do not extend adult life span, but certain combinations of daf-2 and daf-12 mutant alleles nearly quadruple it. This synergistic effect, which does not equivalently extend the fertile period, is the largest genetic extension of life span yet observed in a metazoan. 47 refs., 7 figs., 5 tabs.« less

Three-dimensional analysis of the early development of the dentition

PubMed Central

Peterkova, R; Hovorakova, M; Peterka, M; Lesot, H

2014-01-01

Tooth development has attracted the attention of researchers since the 19th century. It became obvious even then that morphogenesis could not fully be appreciated from two-dimensional histological sections. Therefore, methods of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions were employed to visualize the surface morphology of developing structures and to help appreciate the complexity of early tooth morphogenesis. The present review surveys the data provided by computer-aided 3D analyses to update classical knowledge of early odontogenesis in the laboratory mouse and in humans. 3D reconstructions have demonstrated that odontogenesis in the early stages is a complex process which also includes the development of rudimentary odontogenic structures with different fates. Their developmental, evolutionary, and pathological aspects are discussed. The combination of in situ hybridization and 3D reconstruction have demonstrated the temporo-spatial dynamics of the signalling centres that reflect transient existence of rudimentary tooth primordia at loci where teeth were present in ancestors. The rudiments can rescue their suppressed development and revitalize, and then their subsequent autonomous development can give rise to oral pathologies. This shows that tooth-forming potential in mammals can be greater than that observed from their functional dentitions. From this perspective, the mouse rudimentary tooth primordia represent a natural model to test possibilities of tooth regeneration. PMID:24495023

Adjuvant ovarian suppression in premenopausal breast cancer.

PubMed

Francis, Prudence A; Regan, Meredith M; Fleming, Gini F; Láng, István; Ciruelos, Eva; Bellet, Meritxell; Bonnefoi, Hervé R; Climent, Miguel A; Da Prada, Gian Antonio; Burstein, Harold J; Martino, Silvana; Davidson, Nancy E; Geyer, Charles E; Walley, Barbara A; Coleman, Robert; Kerbrat, Pierre; Buchholz, Stefan; Ingle, James N; Winer, Eric P; Rabaglio-Poretti, Manuela; Maibach, Rudolf; Ruepp, Barbara; Giobbie-Hurder, Anita; Price, Karen N; Colleoni, Marco; Viale, Giuseppe; Coates, Alan S; Goldhirsch, Aron; Gelber, Richard D

2015-01-29

Suppression of ovarian estrogen production reduces the recurrence of hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer in premenopausal women, but its value when added to tamoxifen is uncertain. We randomly assigned 3066 premenopausal women, stratified according to prior receipt or nonreceipt of chemotherapy, to receive 5 years of tamoxifen, tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, or exemestane plus ovarian suppression. The primary analysis tested the hypothesis that tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression would improve disease-free survival, as compared with tamoxifen alone. In the primary analysis, 46.7% of the patients had not received chemotherapy previously, and 53.3% had received chemotherapy and remained premenopausal. After a median follow-up of 67 months, the estimated disease-free survival rate at 5 years was 86.6% in the tamoxifen-ovarian suppression group and 84.7% in the tamoxifen group (hazard ratio for disease recurrence, second invasive cancer, or death, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 1.04; P=0.10). Multivariable allowance for prognostic factors suggested a greater treatment effect with tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression than with tamoxifen alone (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.98). Most recurrences occurred in patients who had received prior chemotherapy, among whom the rate of freedom from breast cancer at 5 years was 82.5% in the tamoxifen-ovarian suppression group and 78.0% in the tamoxifen group (hazard ratio for recurrence, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.02). At 5 years, the rate of freedom from breast cancer was 85.7% in the exemestane-ovarian suppression group (hazard ratio for recurrence vs. tamoxifen, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.87). Adding ovarian suppression to tamoxifen did not provide a significant benefit in the overall study population. However, for women who were at sufficient risk for recurrence to warrant adjuvant chemotherapy and who remained premenopausal, the addition of ovarian suppression improved disease outcomes. Further improvement was seen with the use of exemestane plus ovarian suppression. (Funded by Pfizer and others; SOFT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00066690.).

Progesterone in women with arrested premature labor, a report of a randomised clinical trial and updated meta-analysis.

PubMed

Wood, Stephen; Rabi, Yacov; Tang, Selphee; Brant, Rollin; Ross, Susan

2017-08-02

Progesterone may be effective in prevention of premature birth in some high risk populations. Women with arrested premature labor are at risk of recurrent labor and maintenance therapy with standard tocolytics has not been successful. Randomized double blinded clinical trial of daily treatment with 200 mg vaginal progesterone in women with arrested premature labor and an updated meta-analysis. The clinical trial was terminated early after 41 women were enrolled. Vaginal progesterone treatment did not change the median gestational age at delivery: 36+2 weeks versus 36+4 weeks, p = .865 nor increase the mean latency to delivery: 44.5 days versus 46.6 days, p = .841. In the updated meta-analysis, progesterone treatment did reduce delivery <37 weeks gestation and increase latency to delivery, but this treatment effect was not evident in the high quality trials: (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.91, 1.67) and (-0.95 days, 95% CI -5.54, 3.64) respectively. Progesterone is not effective for preventing preterm birth following arrested preterm labor.

Structural validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) in a sample of the general Spanish population.

PubMed

González Rodríguez, Manuel; Avero Delgado, Pedro; Rovella, Anna Teresa; Cubas León, Rosario

2008-11-01

This paper introduces the validation of the Spanish adaptation of the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) by Wegner and Zanakos (1994). A sample of 833 people from the general population completed the WBSI along with other questionnaires. The exploratory factor analysis and the confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor solution accounting for 51.8% of the cumulative variance. This structure is comprised of the two following factors: unwanted intrusive thoughts (alpha = .87, r = .70) and actions of distraction and suppression of thoughts (alpha = .80, r = .60). Both internal consistency reliability (alpha = .89) and test-retest reliability (r = .71) showed adequate homogeneity, sound consistency, and stability over time. The results are discussed bearing in mind both isolated factors and the possible relationships of the suppression factor with automatic negative thoughts and insomnia.

Meta-Analysis of Paediatric Patients with Central Precocious Puberty Treated with Intramuscular Triptorelin 11.25 mg 3-Month Prolonged-Release Formulation
.

PubMed

Durand, Adélaïde; Tauber, Maithé; Patel, Bharat; Dutailly, Pascale

2017-01-01

A meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the effect of triptorelin 11.25 mg 3-month prolonged-release formulation in central precocious puberty (CPP). All available clinical studies with triptorelin 11.25 mg were included. The primary outcome was the proportion of children with suppressed luteinising hormone (LH) response (peak LH ≤3 IU/L) to the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test 3 months after triptorelin 11.25 mg injection. Secondary outcomes included: the proportion with suppressed peak LH response at 6 months and the proportion with suppressed peak follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) response (≤3 IU/L), suppressed oestradiol (≤20 pmol/L) in girls or suppressed testosterone (≤30 ng/dL) in boys at 3 months. 153 children (13 boys, 140 girls) were included. The proportion with a suppressed peak LH response to the GnRH test was 87.6% (95% CI: 81.3-92.4, p < 0.0001, for a proportion >70%) and 92.8% (95% CI: 87.5-96.4, p < 0.0001, for a proportion >70%) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. FSH peak, oestradiol, and testosterone were suppressed in 86.7% (95% CI: 79.1-92.4), 97.1% (95% CI: 91.6-99.4), and 72.7% (95% CI: 39.0-94.0) of children at 3 months, respectively. Triptorelin 11.25 mg 3-month formulation is efficacious in suppressing LH peak and other gonadal hormones and in slowing the progression of CPP in children.
. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Operational Impact of Improved Space Tracking on Collision Avoidance in the Future LEO Space Debris Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sibert, D.; Borgeson, D.; Peterson, G.; Jenkin, A.; Sorge, M.

2010-09-01

Even if global space policy successfully curtails on orbit explosions and ASAT demonstrations, studies indicate that the number of debris objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) will continue to grow solely from debris on debris collisions and debris generated from new launches. This study examines the threat posed by this growing space debris population over the next 30 years and how improvements in our space tracking capabilities can reduce the number of Collision Avoidance (COLA) maneuvers required keep the risk of operational satellite loss within tolerable limits. Particular focus is given to satellites operated by the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The following debris field and space tracking performance parameters were varied parametrically in the experiment to study the impact on the number of collision avoidance maneuvers required: - Debris Field Density (by year 2009, 2019, 2029, and 2039) - Quality of Track Update (starting 1 sigma error ellipsoid) - Future Propagator Accuracy (error ellipsoid growth rates - Special Perturbations in 3 axes) - Track Update Rate for Debris (stochastic) - Track Update Rate for Payloads (stochastic) Baseline values matching present day tracking performance for quality of track update, propagator accuracy, and track update rate were derived by analyzing updates to the unclassified Satellite Catalog (SatCat). Track update rates varied significantly for active payloads and debris and as such we used different models for the track update rates for military payloads and debris. The analysis was conducted using the System Effectiveness Analysis Simulation (SEAS) an agent based model developed by the United States Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center to evaluate the military utility of space systems. The future debris field was modeled by The Aerospace Corporation using a tool chain which models the growth of the 10cm+ debris field using high fidelity propagation, collision, and breakup models. Our analysis uses Two Line Element (TLE) sets and surface area data generated by this model sampled at the years 2019, 2029, and 2039. Data for the 2009 debris field is taken from the unclassified SatCat. By using Monte Carlo simulation techniques and varying the epoch of the military constellation relative to the debris field we were able to remove the bias of initial conditions. Additional analysis was conducted looking at the military utility impact of temporarily losing the use of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets due to COLA maneuvers during a large classified scenario with stressful satellite tasking. This paper and presentation will focus only on unclassified results quantifying the potential reduction in the risk assumed by satellite flyers, and the potential reduction in Delta-V usage that is possible if we are able to improve our tracking performance in any of these three areas and reduce the positional uncertainty of space objects at the time of closest approach.

Fighting fire in the heat of the day: An analysis of operational and environmental conditions of use for large airtankers in United States fire suppression

Treesearch

Crystal S. Stonesifer; Dave Calkin; Matthew P. Thompson; Keith D. Stockmann

2016-01-01

Large airtanker use is widespread in wildfire suppression in the United States. The current approach to nationally dispatching the fleet of federal contract airtankers relies on filling requests for airtankers to achieve suppression objectives identified by fire managers at the incident level. In general, demand is met if resources are available, and the...

The 2011 nuclear medicine technology job analysis project of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

PubMed

Anderson, Dan; Hubble, William; Press, Bret A; Hall, Scott K; Michels, Ann D; Koenen, Roxanne; Vespie, Alan W

2010-12-01

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) conducts periodic job analysis projects to update the content and eligibility requirements for all certification examinations. In 2009, the ARRT conducted a comprehensive job analysis project to update the content specifications and clinical competency requirements for the nuclear medicine technology examination. ARRT staff and a committee of volunteer nuclear medicine technologists designed a job analysis survey that was sent to a random sample of 1,000 entry-level staff nuclear medicine technologists. Through analysis of the survey data and judgments of the committee, the project resulted in changes to the nuclear medicine technology examination task list, content specifications, and clinical competency requirements. The primary changes inspired by the project were the introduction of CT content to the examination and the expansion of the content covering cardiac procedures.

Updating QR factorization procedure for solution of linear least squares problem with equality constraints.

PubMed

Zeb, Salman; Yousaf, Muhammad

2017-01-01

In this article, we present a QR updating procedure as a solution approach for linear least squares problem with equality constraints. We reduce the constrained problem to unconstrained linear least squares and partition it into a small subproblem. The QR factorization of the subproblem is calculated and then we apply updating techniques to its upper triangular factor R to obtain its solution. We carry out the error analysis of the proposed algorithm to show that it is backward stable. We also illustrate the implementation and accuracy of the proposed algorithm by providing some numerical experiments with particular emphasis on dense problems.

The development of executive functions and early mathematics: a dynamic relationship.

PubMed

Van der Ven, Sanne H G; Kroesbergen, Evelyn H; Boom, Jan; Leseman, Paul P M

2012-03-01

The relationship between executive functions and mathematical skills has been studied extensively, but results are inconclusive, and how this relationship evolves longitudinally is largely unknown. The aim was to investigate the factor structure of executive functions in inhibition, shifting, and updating; the longitudinal development of executive functions and mathematics; and the relation between them. A total of 211 children in grade 2 (7-8 years old) from 10 schools in the Netherlands. Children were followed in grade 1 and 2 of primary education. Executive functions and mathematics were measured four times. The test battery contained multiple tasks for each executive function: Animal stroop, local global, and Simon task for inhibition; Animal Shifting, Trail Making Test in Colours, and Sorting Task for shifting; and Digit Span Backwards, Odd One Out, and Keep Track for updating. The factor structure of executive functions was assessed and relations with mathematics were investigated using growth modelling. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that inhibition and shifting could not be distinguished from each other. Updating was a separate factor, and its development was strongly related to mathematical development while inhibition and shifting did not predict mathematics in the presence of the updating factor. The strong relationship between updating and mathematics suggest that updating skills play a key role in the maths learning process. This makes updating a promising target for future intervention studies. ©2011 The British Psychological Society.

BOADICEA breast cancer risk prediction model: updates to cancer incidences, tumour pathology and web interface

PubMed Central

Lee, A J; Cunningham, A P; Kuchenbaecker, K B; Mavaddat, N; Easton, D F; Antoniou, A C

2014-01-01

Background: The Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm (BOADICEA) is a risk prediction model that is used to compute probabilities of carrying mutations in the high-risk breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, and to estimate the future risks of developing breast or ovarian cancer. In this paper, we describe updates to the BOADICEA model that extend its capabilities, make it easier to use in a clinical setting and yield more accurate predictions. Methods: We describe: (1) updates to the statistical model to include cancer incidences from multiple populations; (2) updates to the distributions of tumour pathology characteristics using new data on BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers and women with breast cancer from the general population; (3) improvements to the computational efficiency of the algorithm so that risk calculations now run substantially faster; and (4) updates to the model's web interface to accommodate these new features and to make it easier to use in a clinical setting. Results: We present results derived using the updated model, and demonstrate that the changes have a significant impact on risk predictions. Conclusion: All updates have been implemented in a new version of the BOADICEA web interface that is now available for general use: http://ccge.medschl.cam.ac.uk/boadicea/. PMID:24346285

Luminescence Sensors Applied to Water Analysis of Organic Pollutants—An Update

PubMed Central

Ibañez, Gabriela A.; Escandar, Graciela M.

2011-01-01

The development of chemical sensors for environmental analysis based on fluorescence, phosphorescence and chemiluminescence signals continues to be a dynamic topic within the sensor field. This review covers the fundamentals of this type of sensors, and an update on recent works devoted to quantifying organic pollutants in environmental waters, focusing on advances since about 2005. Among the wide variety of these contaminants, special attention has been paid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, explosives and emerging organic pollutants. The potential of coupling optical sensors with multivariate calibration methods in order to improve the selectivity is also discussed. PMID:22247654

Terminal navigation analysis for the 1980 comet Encke slow flyby mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobson, R. A.; Mcdanell, J. P.; Rinker, G. C.

1973-01-01

The initial results of a terminal navigation analysis for the proposed 1980 solar electric slow flyby mission to the comet Encke are presented. The navigation technique employs onboard optical measurements with the scientific television camera, groundbased observations of the spacecraft and comet, and groundbased orbit determination and thrust vector update computation. The knowledge and delivery accuracies of the spacecraft are evaluated as a function of the important parameters affecting the terminal navigation. These include optical measurement accuracy, thruster noise level, duration of the planned terminal coast period, comet ephemeris uncertainty, guidance initiation time, guidance update frequency, and optical data rate.

A Steady-State Kalman Predictor-Based Filtering Strategy for Non-Overlapping Sub-Band Spectral Estimation

PubMed Central

Li, Zenghui; Xu, Bin; Yang, Jian; Song, Jianshe

2015-01-01

This paper focuses on suppressing spectral overlap for sub-band spectral estimation, with which we can greatly decrease the computational complexity of existing spectral estimation algorithms, such as nonlinear least squares spectral analysis and non-quadratic regularized sparse representation. Firstly, our study shows that the nominal ability of the high-order analysis filter to suppress spectral overlap is greatly weakened when filtering a finite-length sequence, because many meaningless zeros are used as samples in convolution operations. Next, an extrapolation-based filtering strategy is proposed to produce a series of estimates as the substitutions of the zeros and to recover the suppression ability. Meanwhile, a steady-state Kalman predictor is applied to perform a linearly-optimal extrapolation. Finally, several typical methods for spectral analysis are applied to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. PMID:25609038

Embracing Change: Adapting and Evolving Your Distance Learning Library Services to Meet the New ACRL Distance Learning Library Services Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marcum, Brad

2016-01-01

This article examines the update and revision of the current Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Distance Learning Standards that has been proposed and submitted to the ACRL Standards Committee. An in-depth analysis of the update is included, along with some comparisons between the old and new. Practical advice detailing…

North Carolina, 2010 forest inventory and analysis factsheet

Treesearch

Mark J. Brown; Barry D. New

2012-01-01

North Carolina’s first annualized forest survey was completed in 2007 and results were published in e-Science Update SRS–029. There were 5,800 ground based samples distributed across the State. At that time, field measurements were collected on 20 percent (a panel) of these plots annually until all plots were completed. This factsheet is an annualized update of panel...

Updated Estimates of the Average Financial Return on Master's Degree Programs in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gándara, Denisa; Toutkoushian, Robert K.

2017-01-01

In this study, we provide updated estimates of the private and social financial return on enrolling in a master's degree program in the United States. In addition to returns for all fields of study, we show estimated returns to enrolling in master's degree programs in business and education, specifically. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis to…

Renewable Fuels Legislation Impact Analysis

EIA Publications

2005-01-01

An analysis based on an extension of the ethanol supply curve in our model to allow for enough ethanol production to meet the requirements of S. 650. This analysis provides an update of the May 23, 2005 analysis, with revised ethanol production and cost assumptions.

Techniques Analysis of the Interference Suppression Algorithm in Broadband Aeronautical Multi-carrier Communication System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Dong-xia; Ye, Qian-wen

Out-of-band radiation suppression algorithm must be used efficiently for broadband aeronautical communication system in order not to interfere the operation of the existing systems in aviation L-Band. Based on the simple introduction of the broadband aeronautical multi-carrier communication (B-AMC) system model, several sidelobe suppression techniques in orthogonal frequency multiplexing (OFDM) system are presented and analyzed so as to find a suitable algorithm for B-AMC system in this paper. Simulation results show that raise-cosine function windowing can suppress the out-of-band radiation of B-AMC system effectively.

Vector navigation in desert ants, Cataglyphis fortis: celestial compass cues are essential for the proper use of distance information.

PubMed

Sommer, Stefan; Wehner, Rüdiger

2005-10-01

Foraging desert ants navigate primarily by path integration. They continually update homing direction and distance by employing a celestial compass and an odometer. Here we address the question of whether information about travel distance is correctly used in the absence of directional information. By using linear channels that were partly covered to exclude celestial compass cues, we were able to test the distance component of the path-integration process while suppressing the directional information. Our results suggest that the path integrator cannot process the distance information accumulated by the odometer while ants are deprived of celestial compass information. Hence, during path integration directional cues are a prerequisite for the proper use of travel-distance information by ants.

Functional Based Adaptive and Fuzzy Sliding Controller for Non-Autonomous Active Suspension System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Shiuh-Jer; Chen, Hung-Yi

In this paper, an adaptive sliding controller is developed for controlling a vehicle active suspension system. The functional approximation technique is employed to substitute the unknown non-autonomous functions of the suspension system and release the model-based requirement of sliding mode control algorithm. In order to improve the control performance and reduce the implementation problem, a fuzzy strategy with online learning ability is added to compensate the functional approximation error. The update laws of the functional approximation coefficients and the fuzzy tuning parameters are derived from the Lyapunov theorem to guarantee the system stability. The proposed controller is implemented on a quarter-car hydraulic actuating active suspension system test-rig. The experimental results show that the proposed controller suppresses the oscillation amplitude of the suspension system effectively.

Total variation-based neutron computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barnard, Richard C.; Bilheux, Hassina; Toops, Todd; Nafziger, Eric; Finney, Charles; Splitter, Derek; Archibald, Rick

2018-05-01

We perform the neutron computed tomography reconstruction problem via an inverse problem formulation with a total variation penalty. In the case of highly under-resolved angular measurements, the total variation penalty suppresses high-frequency artifacts which appear in filtered back projections. In order to efficiently compute solutions for this problem, we implement a variation of the split Bregman algorithm; due to the error-forgetting nature of the algorithm, the computational cost of updating can be significantly reduced via very inexact approximate linear solvers. We present the effectiveness of the algorithm in the significantly low-angular sampling case using synthetic test problems as well as data obtained from a high flux neutron source. The algorithm removes artifacts and can even roughly capture small features when an extremely low number of angles are used.

Evaluation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Suppression following Cutaneous Use of Topical Corticosteroids in Children: A Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Wood Heickman, Lauren K; Davallow Ghajar, Ladan; Conaway, Mark; Rogol, Alan D

2018-06-13

A meta-analysis was performed to determine the likelihood of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression following short-term cutaneous treatment of atopic dermatitis with topical corticosteroids (TCS) in pediatric patients. All published pediatric clinical trials evaluating TCS use with pre- and post-treatment HPA axis assessment by cosyntropin stimulation testing were included. Of 128 eligible trials, 12 were selected for meta-analysis with a total of 522 participants. There were 20 observed cases of HPA axis suppression (3.8%, 95% CI 2.4-5.8). The percentage of HPA axis suppression with low- (classes 6-7), medium- (classes 3-5) and high-potency (classes 1-2) TCS use was 2% (3 of 148 patients, 95% CI 0.7-5.8), 3.1% (7 of 223 patients, 95% CI 1.5-6.3), and 6.6% (10 of 151 patients, 95% CI 3.6-11.8), respectively. There is a low rate of reversible HPA axis suppression with the use of mid- to low-potency TCS compared to more potent formulations. In pediatric clinical practice, the limited use of mid- to low-potency TCS is rarely associated with clinically significant adrenal insufficiency or adrenal crisis. In the absence of signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, there is little need to test the HPA axis of these patients. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Active vibration and noise control of vibro-acoustic system by using PID controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yunlong; Wang, Xiaojun; Huang, Ren; Qiu, Zhiping

2015-07-01

Active control simulation of the acoustic and vibration response of a vibro-acoustic cavity of an airplane based on a PID controller is presented. A full numerical vibro-acoustic model is developed by using an Eulerian model, which is a coupled model based on the finite element formulation. The reduced order model, which is used to design the closed-loop control system, is obtained by the combination of modal expansion and variable substitution. Some physical experiments are made to validate and update the full-order and the reduced-order numerical models. Optimization of the actuator placement is employed in order to get an effective closed-loop control system. For the controller design, an iterative method is used to determine the optimal parameters of the PID controller. The process is illustrated by the design of an active noise and vibration control system for a cavity structure. The numerical and experimental results show that a PID-based active control system can effectively suppress the noise inside the cavity using a sound pressure signal as the controller input. It is also possible to control the noise by suppressing the vibration of the structure using the structural displacement signal as the controller input. For an airplane cavity structure, considering the issue of space-saving, the latter is more suitable.

A ranking system for prescribed burn prioritization in Table Mountain National Park, South Africa.

PubMed

Cowell, Carly Ruth; Cheney, Chad

2017-04-01

To aid prescribed burn decision making in Table Mountain National Park, in South Africa a priority ranking system was tested. Historically a wildfire suppression strategy was adopted due to wildfires threatening urban areas close to the park, with few prescribed burns conducted. A large percentage of vegetation across the park exceeded the ecological threshold of 15 years. We held a multidisciplinary workshop, to prioritize areas for prescribed burning. Fire Management Blocks were mapped and assessed using the following seven categories: (1) ecological, (2) management, (3) tourism, (4) infrastructure, (5) invasive alien vegetation, (6) wildland-urban interface and (7) heritage. A priority ranking system was used to score each block. The oldest or most threatened vegetation types were not necessarily the top priority blocks. Selected blocks were burnt and burning fewer large blocks proved more effective economically, ecologically and practically due to the limited burning days permitted. The prioritization process was efficient as it could be updated annually following prescribed burns and wildfire incidents. Integration of prescribed burn planning and wildfire suppression strategies resulted in a reduction in operational costs. We recommend protected areas make use of a priority ranking system developed with expert knowledge and stakeholder engagement to determine objective prescribed burn plans. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The intersection of cancer, cancer stem cells, and the immune system: therapeutic opportunities.

PubMed

Silver, Daniel J; Sinyuk, Maksim; Vogelbaum, Michael A; Ahluwalia, Manmeet S; Lathia, Justin D

2016-02-01

During brain neoplasia, malignant cells subjugate the immune system to provide an environment that favors tumor growth. These mechanisms capitalize on tumor-promoting functions of various immune cell types and typically result in suppression of tumor immune rejection. Immunotherapy efforts are underway to disrupt these mechanisms and turn the immune system against developing tumors. While many of these therapies are already in early-stage clinical trials, understanding how these therapies impact various tumor cell populations, including self-renewing cancer stem cells, may help to predict their efficacy and clarify their mechanisms of action. Moreover, interrogating the biology of glioma cell, cancer stem cell, and immune cell interactions may provide additional therapeutic targets to leverage against disease progression. In this review, we begin by highlighting a series of investigations into immune cell-mediated tumor promotion that do not parse the tumor into stem and non-stem components. We then take a closer look at the immune-suppressive mechanisms derived specifically from cancer stem cell interactions with the immune system and end with an update on immunotherapy and cancer stem cell-directed clinical trials in glioblastoma. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Coffee Drinking and the Risk of Endometrial Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

PubMed

Lukic, Marko; Guha, Neela; Licaj, Idlir; van den Brandt, Piet A; Stayner, Leslie Thomas; Tavani, Alessandra; Weiderpass, Elisabete

2018-01-01

Several compounds contained in coffee have been found to suppress carcinogenesis in experimental studies. We conducted a dose-response meta-analysis to assess the impact of coffee consumption on the risk of endometrial cancer. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for studies published up to August 2016. Using random effects models, we estimated summary relative risks (RR) for cohort studies and odds ratios (OR) for case-control studies with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Dose-response analyses were conducted by using generalized least square trend estimation. We identified 12 cohort studies and 8 case-control studies eligible for inclusion, contributing with 11,663 and 2,746 endometrial cancer cases, respectively. The summary RR for highest compared with lowest coffee intake was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.68-0.81; p heterogeneity = 0.09, I 2 = 32%). The corresponding summary RR among cohort studies was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71-0.85; p heterogeneity = 0.14, I 2 = 31.9%) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.53-0.76; p heterogeneity = 0.57, I 2 = 0%) for case-control studies. One-cup increment per day was associated with 3% risk reduction (95% CI: 2-4%) in cohort studies and 12% (95% CI: 5-18%) in case-control studies. After pooling the results from 5 cohort studies, the association remained significant only in women with body mass index over 30 (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61-0.81). The results from our meta-analysis strengthen the evidence of a protective effect of coffee consumption on the risk of EC and further suggest that increased coffee intake might be particularly beneficial for women with obesity.

The neural dynamics of updating person impressions

PubMed Central

Cai, Yang; Todorov, Alexander

2013-01-01

Person perception is a dynamic, evolving process. Because other people are an endless source of social information, people need to update their impressions of others based upon new information. We devised an fMRI study to identify brain regions involved in updating impressions. Participants saw faces paired with valenced behavioral information and were asked to form impressions of these individuals. Each face was seen five times in a row, each time with a different behavioral description. Critically, for half of the faces the behaviors were evaluatively consistent, while for the other half they were inconsistent. In line with prior work, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) was associated with forming impressions of individuals based on behavioral information. More importantly, a whole-brain analysis revealed a network of other regions associated with updating impressions of individuals who exhibited evaluatively inconsistent behaviors, including rostrolateral PFC, superior temporal sulcus, right inferior parietal lobule and posterior cingulate cortex. PMID:22490923

Online Updating of Statistical Inference in the Big Data Setting.

PubMed

Schifano, Elizabeth D; Wu, Jing; Wang, Chun; Yan, Jun; Chen, Ming-Hui

2016-01-01

We present statistical methods for big data arising from online analytical processing, where large amounts of data arrive in streams and require fast analysis without storage/access to the historical data. In particular, we develop iterative estimating algorithms and statistical inferences for linear models and estimating equations that update as new data arrive. These algorithms are computationally efficient, minimally storage-intensive, and allow for possible rank deficiencies in the subset design matrices due to rare-event covariates. Within the linear model setting, the proposed online-updating framework leads to predictive residual tests that can be used to assess the goodness-of-fit of the hypothesized model. We also propose a new online-updating estimator under the estimating equation setting. Theoretical properties of the goodness-of-fit tests and proposed estimators are examined in detail. In simulation studies and real data applications, our estimator compares favorably with competing approaches under the estimating equation setting.

Numerical modeling and model updating for smart laminated structures with viscoelastic damping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Jun; Zhan, Zhenfei; Liu, Xu; Wang, Pan

2018-07-01

This paper presents a numerical modeling method combined with model updating techniques for the analysis of smart laminated structures with viscoelastic damping. Starting with finite element formulation, the dynamics model with piezoelectric actuators is derived based on the constitutive law of the multilayer plate structure. The frequency-dependent characteristics of the viscoelastic core are represented utilizing the anelastic displacement fields (ADF) parametric model in the time domain. The analytical model is validated experimentally and used to analyze the influencing factors of kinetic parameters under parametric variations. Emphasis is placed upon model updating for smart laminated structures to improve the accuracy of the numerical model. Key design variables are selected through the smoothing spline ANOVA statistical technique to mitigate the computational cost. This updating strategy not only corrects the natural frequencies but also improves the accuracy of damping prediction. The effectiveness of the approach is examined through an application problem of a smart laminated plate. It is shown that a good consistency can be achieved between updated results and measurements. The proposed method is computationally efficient.

The updating of clinical practice guidelines: insights from an international survey

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have become increasingly popular, and the methodology to develop guidelines has evolved enormously. However, little attention has been given to the updating process, in contrast to the appraisal of the available literature. We conducted an international survey to identify current practices in CPG updating and explored the need to standardize and improve the methods. Methods We developed a questionnaire (28 items) based on a review of the existing literature about guideline updating and expert comments. We carried out the survey between March and July 2009, and it was sent by email to 106 institutions: 69 members of the Guidelines International Network who declared that they developed CPGs; 30 institutions included in the U.S. National Guideline Clearinghouse database that published more than 20 CPGs; and 7 institutions selected by an expert committee. Results Forty-four institutions answered the questionnaire (42% response rate). In the final analysis, 39 completed questionnaires were included. Thirty-six institutions (92%) reported that they update their guidelines. Thirty-one institutions (86%) have a formal procedure for updating their guidelines, and 19 (53%) have a formal procedure for deciding when a guideline becomes out of date. Institutions describe the process as moderately rigorous (36%) or acknowledge that it could certainly be more rigorous (36%). Twenty-two institutions (61%) alert guideline users on their website when a guideline is older than three to five years or when there is a risk of being outdated. Twenty-five institutions (64%) support the concept of "living guidelines," which are continuously monitored and updated. Eighteen institutions (46%) have plans to design a protocol to improve their guideline-updating process, and 21 (54%) are willing to share resources with other organizations. Conclusions Our study is the first to describe the process of updating CPGs among prominent guideline institutions across the world, providing a comprehensive picture of guideline updating. There is an urgent need to develop rigorous international standards for this process and to minimize duplication of effort internationally. PMID:21914177

Transit research and industry news update : August 2009.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-08-01

SPECIAL............................................................................................................................3 : Moving Cooler: An Analysis of Transportation Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.........................

Optimization of Compton-suppression and summing schemes for the TIGRESS HPGe detector array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schumaker, M. A.; Svensson, C. E.; Andreoiu, C.; Andreyev, A.; Austin, R. A. E.; Ball, G. C.; Bandyopadhyay, D.; Boston, A. J.; Chakrawarthy, R. S.; Churchman, R.; Drake, T. E.; Finlay, P.; Garrett, P. E.; Grinyer, G. F.; Hackman, G.; Hyland, B.; Jones, B.; Maharaj, R.; Morton, A. C.; Pearson, C. J.; Phillips, A. A.; Sarazin, F.; Scraggs, H. C.; Smith, M. B.; Valiente-Dobón, J. J.; Waddington, J. C.; Watters, L. M.

2007-04-01

Methods of optimizing the performance of an array of Compton-suppressed, segmented HPGe clover detectors have been developed which rely on the physical position sensitivity of both the HPGe crystals and the Compton-suppression shields. These relatively simple analysis procedures promise to improve the precision of experiments with the TRIUMF-ISAC Gamma-Ray Escape-Suppressed Spectrometer (TIGRESS). Suppression schemes will improve the efficiency and peak-to-total ratio of TIGRESS for high γ-ray multiplicity events by taking advantage of the 20-fold segmentation of the Compton-suppression shields, while the use of different summing schemes will improve results for a wide range of experimental conditions. The benefits of these methods are compared for many γ-ray energies and multiplicities using a GEANT4 simulation, and the optimal physical configuration of the TIGRESS array under each set of conditions is determined.

Electrocochleographic analysis of the suppression of tinnitus by electrical promontory stimulation.

PubMed

Watanabe, K; Okawara, D; Baba, S; Yagi, T

1997-01-01

To investigate the origin, and evaluate the mechanism by which tinnitus is suppressed we performed electrical promontory stimulation (EPS) in 56 patients with tinnitus, and measured the compound action potential (CAP) using electrocochleography before and after EPS. In the group of patients in whom tinnitus was suppressed, the CAP amplitudes increased significantly, whereas the latencies showed no remarkable change. In the group of patients in whom tinnitus was not suppressed, both the CAP amplitudes and latencies exhibited no significant change. These data indicate that the effect on the cochlear nerve plays an important role in the suppression of tinnitus by EPS. The CAP reflects the number of the auditory nerve fibers which discharge synchronously. It is speculated that an increase of the CAP amplitudes is caused by synchronizing discharges of the auditory nerve fibers, and that the mechanism by which EPS suppresses tinnitus may be related to synchronizing these discharges.

Requirements Analysis Study for Master Pump Shutdown System Project Development Specification [SEC 1 and 2

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

BEVINS, R.R.

This document has been updated during the definitive design portion of the first phase of the W-314 Project to capture additional software requirements and is planned to be updated during the second phase of the W-314 Project to cover the second phase of the Project's scope. The objective is to provide requirement traceability by recording the analysis/basis for the functional descriptions of the master pump shutdown system. This document identifies the sources of the requirements and/or how these were derived. Each requirement is validated either by quoting the source or an analysis process involving the required functionality, performance characteristics, operationsmore » input or engineering judgment.« less

Structural Model Tuning Capability in an Object-Oriented Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lung, Shun-fat; Pak, Chan-gi

2008-01-01

Updating the finite element model using measured data is a challenging problem in the area of structural dynamics. The model updating process requires not only satisfactory correlations between analytical and experimental results, but also the retention of dynamic properties of structures. Accurate rigid body dynamics are important for flight control system design and aeroelastic trim analysis. Minimizing the difference between analytical and experimental results is a type of optimization problem. In this research, a multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO) tool is introduced to optimize the objective function and constraints such that the mass properties, the natural frequencies, and the mode shapes are matched to the target data as well as the mass matrix being orthogonalized.

Structural Model Tuning Capability in an Object-Oriented Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lung, Shun-fat; Pak, Chan-gi

2008-01-01

Updating the finite element model using measured data is a challenging problem in the area of structural dynamics. The model updating process requires not only satisfactory correlations between analytical and experimental results, but also the retention of dynamic properties of structures. Accurate rigid body dynamics are important for flight control system design and aeroelastic trim analysis. Minimizing the difference between analytical and experimental results is a type of optimization problem. In this research, a multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization [MDAO] tool is introduced to optimize the objective function and constraints such that the mass properties, the natural frequencies, and the mode shapes are matched to the target data as well as the mass matrix being orthogonalized.

Tea consumption may decrease the risk of osteoporosis: an updated meta-analysis of observational studies.

PubMed

Guo, Ming; Qu, Hua; Xu, Lin; Shi, Da-Zhuo

2017-06-01

Several epidemiological investigations have evaluated the correlation between tea consumption and risk of osteoporosis, but the results are inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted an updated meta-analysis of observational studies to assess this association. We searched for all relevant studies including cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies published from database inception to July 15, 2016, using MEDLINE EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Polled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using the random-effect model. Fourteen articles (16 studies) that examined 138523 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Seven studies concerning bone mineral density (BMD) showed an increase in BMD with tea consumption, including 4 cross-sectional studies (OR, 0.04, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.08) and 3 cohort studies (OR, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.01-0.01). The remaining 9 studies concerning fracture, including 6 case-control studies and 3 cohort studies, showed no association between tea consumption and osteoporotic fracture (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-1.01). This updated meta-analysis demonstrates that tea consumption could increase BMD, but the association with osteoporotic fracture requires further investigation. Together, the results highlight the need for future, high-quality-designed clinical trials on tea consumption and osteoporosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Will reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption reduce obesity? Evidence supporting conjecture is strong, but evidence when testing effect is weak

PubMed Central

Kaiser, Kathryn A.; Shikany, James M.; Keating, Karen D.; Allison, David B.

2014-01-01

We provide arguments to the debate question and update a previous meta-analysis with recently published studies on effects of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on body weight/composition indices (BWIs). We abstracted data from randomized controlled trials examining effects of consumption of SSBs on BWIs. Six new studies met these criteria: 1) human trials, 2) 3 weeks duration, 3) random assignment to conditions differing only in consumption of SSBs, and 4) including a BWI outcome. Updated meta-analysis of a total of seven studies that added SSBs to persons’ diets showed dose-dependent increases in weight. Updated meta-analysis of eight studies attempting to reduce SSB consumption showed an equivocal effect on BWIs in all randomized subjects. When limited to subjects overweight at baseline, meta-analysis showed a significant effect of roughly 0.25 standard deviations (more weight loss/less weight gain) relative to controls. Evidence to date is equivocal in showing that decreasing SSB consumption will reduce the prevalence of obesity. Although new evidence suggests that an effect may yet be demonstrable in some populations, the integrated effect size estimate remains very small and of equivocal statistical significance. Problems in this research area and suggestions for future research are highlighted. PMID:23742715

Liquid L-thyroxine versus tablet L-thyroxine in patients on L- thyroxine replacement or suppressive therapy: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Laurent, Irakoze; Tang, Siying; Astère, Manirakiza; Wang, Kan Ran; Deng, Shuhua; Xiao, Ling; Li, Qi Fu

2018-03-23

To compare the effectiveness of liquid L-T4 (L-thyroxine) and tablet L-T4 in patients on L-T4 replacement or suppressive therapy. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant articles. All prospective or randomized controlled studies (RCTs) comparing liquid L-T4 and tablet L-T4 in patients on L-T4 replacement or suppressive therapy were included in the analysis. Overall, the initial search of the four databases identified 1278 published studies; of these, eight studies were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels were significantly suppressed in patients on liquid L-T4 compared with those on tablet L-T4, in patients on L-T4 suppressive therapy with L-T4 malabsorption (Mean Difference (MD) = -2.26, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -3.59, -0.93; P = 0.0009)). However, liquid L-T4 and tablet L-T4 did not show a statistically significant difference in patients on L-T4 suppressive therapy without malabsorption (MD = 0.08, 95% CI: -0.31, 0.47; P = 0.69). TSH levels were significantly normalized in patients on liquid L-T4 compared with those on tablet L-T4, in Patients on L-T4 replacement therapy with L-T4 malabsorption (MD = -3.20, 95% CI: -5.08, -1.32; P = 0.0009). However, liquid L-T4 and tablet L-T4 did not show a statistically significant difference in patients on L-T4 replacement therapy without malabsorption (MD = 0.91, 95% CI: -0.03, 1.86; P = 0.06). Liquid L-T4 is more efficient than tablet L-T4 in patients on L-T4 replacement or suppressive therapy with malabsorption. No significant differences were observed in patients without malabsorption. Further studies should be conducted to verify these findings.

MOVES sensitivity analysis update : Transportation Research Board Summer Meeting 2012 : ADC-20 Air Quality Committee

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-01-01

OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION : Evaluation Parameters : EPAs Sensitivity Analysis : Comparison to Baseline Case : MOVES Sensitivity Run Specification : MOVES Sensitivity Input Parameters : Results : Uses of Study

Forest area and conditions: a 2010 update of Chapter 16 of the Southern Forest Resource Assessment

Treesearch

Andrew J. Hartsell; Roger C. Conner

2013-01-01

This report updates the findings of Chapter 16 of the Southern Forest Resource Assessment (Wear and Greis 2002), based on 2010 report year data. Analysis focuses on changes in the South’s forest resources since 1999 using annual inventory, mapped-plot design data available for the first time for all 13 Southern States (excluding west Oklahoma and west Texas). The...

Intelligent Data Analysis in the 21st Century

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, Paul; Adams, Niall

When IDA began, data sets were small and clean, data provenance and management were not significant issues, workflows and grid computing and cloud computing didn’t exist, and the world was not populated with billions of cellphone and computer users. The original conception of intelligent data analysis — automating some of the reasoning of skilled data analysts — has not been updated to account for the dramatic changes in what skilled data analysis means, today. IDA might update its mission to address pressing problems in areas such as climate change, habitat loss, education, and medicine. It might anticipate data analysis opportunities five to ten years out, such as customizing educational trajectories to individual students, and personalizing medical protocols. Such developments will elevate the conference and our community by shifting our focus from arbitrary measures of the performance of isolated algorithms to the practical, societal value of intelligent data analysis systems.

NASA GISS Surface Temperature (GISTEMP) Analysis

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

Schmidt, G.; Ruedy, R.; Persin, A

The NASA GISS Surface Temperature (GISTEMP) analysis provides a measure of the changing global surface temperature with monthly resolution for the period since 1880, when a reasonably global distribution of meteorological stations was established. The input data that the GISTEMP Team use for the analysis, collected by many national meteorological services around the world, are the adjusted data of the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) Vs. 3 (this represents a change from prior use of unadjusted Vs. 2 data) (Peterson and Vose, 1997 and 1998), United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) data, and SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) datamore » from Antarctic stations. Documentation of the basic analysis method is provided by Hansen et al. (1999), with several modifications described by Hansen et al. (2001). The GISS analysis is updated monthly, however CDIAC's presentation of the data here is updated annually.« less

Assimilation of NUCAPS Retrieved Profiles in GSI for Unique Forecasting Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berndt, Emily Beth; Zavodsky, Bradley; Srikishen, Jayanthi; Blankenship, Clay

2015-01-01

Hyperspectral IR profiles can be assimilated in GSI as a separate observation other than radiosondes with only changes to tables in the fix directory. Assimilation of profiles does produce changes to analysis fields and evidenced by: Innovations larger than +/-2.0 K are present and represent where individual profiles impact the final temperature analysis.The updated temperature analysis is colder behind the cold front and warmer in the warm sector. The updated moisture analysis is modified more in the low levels and tends to be drier than the original model background Analysis of model output shows: Differences relative to 13-km RAP analyses are smaller when profiles are assimilated with NUCAPS errors. CAPE is under-forecasted when assimilating NUCAPS profiles, which could be problematic for severe weather forecasting Refining the assimilation technique to incorporate an error covariance matrix and creating a separate GSI module to assimilate satellite profiles may improve results.

COS Target Acquisition Guidelines, Recommendations, and Interpretation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keyes, Charles (Tony) D.; Penton, Steven V.

2010-06-01

Based upon analysis of SMOV and Cycle 17 observations through April 2010, this ISR expands, updates, and supersedes recommendations and information provided about target acquisitions (TA) in the COS Instrument Handbook version 2. This ISR provides an overview of COS TA, presents general guidelines and recommendations for crafting COS TAs, establishes COS TA centering accuracy requirements to achieve COS photometric, velocity, and resolution objectives, and summarizes the performance of the COS on-board TA modes as compared to these centering requirements. Updated TA strategy recommendations are given where appropriate, a user-oriented table lists where to find important quantities for the analysis and interpretation of COS TAs, and a brief appendix with additional supporting information is included. An overview of COS TA strategies is provided in Section 2 and Table 1; important updates to ACQ/SEARCH requirements and SEARCH-SIZE recommendations as a function of target coordinate accuracy are given in Tables 2 and 3; COS TA performance by mode is described in Section 5; important header keywords that are useful for evaluating the quality of COS TAs are listed in Table 5 along with where to find them; Table 6 gives a summary of COS TA modes, options, and recommended values; Section 7 summarizes updated recommendations and guidelines for COS TA; and Appendix A provides additional useful COS TA information.

Detailed weather and terrain analysis for aircraft noise modeling

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-04-30

A study has been conducted supporting refinement and development of FAAs airport environmental analysis tools. Tasks conducted in this study are: (1) updated analysis of the 1997 KDEN noise model validation study with newer versions of INM and rel...

Elimination of interference component in Wigner-Ville distribution for the signal with 1/f spectral characteristic.

PubMed

Chan, H L; Lin, J L; Huang, H H; Wu, C P

1997-09-01

A new technique for interference-term suppression in Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) is proposed for the signal with 1/f spectrum shape. The spectral characteristic of the signal is altered by f alpha filtering before time-frequency analysis and compensated after analysis. With the utilization of the proposed technique in smoothed pseudo Wigner-Ville distribution, an excellent suppression of interference component can be achieved.

Analysis and testing of stability augmentation systems. [for supersonic transport aircraft wing and B-52 aircraft control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sevart, F. D.; Patel, S. M.; Wattman, W. J.

1972-01-01

Testing and evaluation of stability augmentation systems for aircraft flight control were conducted. The flutter suppression system analysis of a scale supersonic transport wing model is described. Mechanization of the flutter suppression system is reported. The ride control synthesis for the B-52 aeroelastic model is discussed. Model analyses were conducted using equations of motion generated from generalized mass and stiffness data.

Active Combustion Control for Aircraft Gas-Turbine Engines-Experimental Results for an Advanced, Low-Emissions Combustor Prototype

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeLaat, John C.; Kopasakis, George; Saus, Joseph R.; Chang, Clarence T.; Wey, Changlie

2012-01-01

Lean combustion concepts for aircraft engine combustors are prone to combustion instabilities. Mitigation of instabilities is an enabling technology for these low-emissions combustors. NASA Glenn Research Center s prior activity has demonstrated active control to suppress a high-frequency combustion instability in a combustor rig designed to emulate an actual aircraft engine instability experience with a conventional, rich-front-end combustor. The current effort is developing further understanding of the problem specifically as applied to future lean-burning, very low-emissions combustors. A prototype advanced, low-emissions aircraft engine combustor with a combustion instability has been identified and previous work has characterized the dynamic behavior of that combustor prototype. The combustor exhibits thermoacoustic instabilities that are related to increasing fuel flow and that potentially prevent full-power operation. A simplified, non-linear oscillator model and a more physics-based sectored 1-D dynamic model have been developed to capture the combustor prototype s instability behavior. Utilizing these models, the NASA Adaptive Sliding Phasor Average Control (ASPAC) instability control method has been updated for the low-emissions combustor prototype. Active combustion instability suppression using the ASPAC control method has been demonstrated experimentally with this combustor prototype in a NASA combustion test cell operating at engine pressures, temperatures, and flows. A high-frequency fuel valve was utilized to perturb the combustor fuel flow. Successful instability suppression was shown using a dynamic pressure sensor in the combustor for controller feedback. Instability control was also shown with a pressure feedback sensor in the lower temperature region upstream of the combustor. It was also demonstrated that the controller can prevent the instability from occurring while combustor operation was transitioning from a stable, low-power condition to a normally unstable high-power condition, thus enabling the high-power condition.

Structure-adaptive CBCT reconstruction using weighted total variation and Hessian penalties

PubMed Central

Shi, Qi; Sun, Nanbo; Sun, Tao; Wang, Jing; Tan, Shan

2016-01-01

The exposure of normal tissues to high radiation during cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging increases the risk of cancer and genetic defects. Statistical iterative algorithms with the total variation (TV) penalty have been widely used for low dose CBCT reconstruction, with state-of-the-art performance in suppressing noise and preserving edges. However, TV is a first-order penalty and sometimes leads to the so-called staircase effect, particularly over regions with smooth intensity transition in the reconstruction images. A second-order penalty known as the Hessian penalty was recently used to replace TV to suppress the staircase effect in CBCT reconstruction at the cost of slightly blurring object edges. In this study, we proposed a new penalty, the TV-H, which combines TV and Hessian penalties for CBCT reconstruction in a structure-adaptive way. The TV-H penalty automatically differentiates the edges, gradual transition and uniform local regions within an image using the voxel gradient, and adaptively weights TV and Hessian according to the local image structures in the reconstruction process. Our proposed penalty retains the benefits of TV, including noise suppression and edge preservation. It also maintains the structures in regions with gradual intensity transition more successfully. A majorization-minimization (MM) approach was designed to optimize the objective energy function constructed with the TV-H penalty. The MM approach employed a quadratic upper bound of the original objective function, and the original optimization problem was changed to a series of quadratic optimization problems, which could be efficiently solved using the Gauss-Seidel update strategy. We tested the reconstruction algorithm on two simulated digital phantoms and two physical phantoms. Our experiments indicated that the TV-H penalty visually and quantitatively outperformed both TV and Hessian penalties. PMID:27699100

Structure-adaptive CBCT reconstruction using weighted total variation and Hessian penalties.

PubMed

Shi, Qi; Sun, Nanbo; Sun, Tao; Wang, Jing; Tan, Shan

2016-09-01

The exposure of normal tissues to high radiation during cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging increases the risk of cancer and genetic defects. Statistical iterative algorithms with the total variation (TV) penalty have been widely used for low dose CBCT reconstruction, with state-of-the-art performance in suppressing noise and preserving edges. However, TV is a first-order penalty and sometimes leads to the so-called staircase effect, particularly over regions with smooth intensity transition in the reconstruction images. A second-order penalty known as the Hessian penalty was recently used to replace TV to suppress the staircase effect in CBCT reconstruction at the cost of slightly blurring object edges. In this study, we proposed a new penalty, the TV-H, which combines TV and Hessian penalties for CBCT reconstruction in a structure-adaptive way. The TV-H penalty automatically differentiates the edges, gradual transition and uniform local regions within an image using the voxel gradient, and adaptively weights TV and Hessian according to the local image structures in the reconstruction process. Our proposed penalty retains the benefits of TV, including noise suppression and edge preservation. It also maintains the structures in regions with gradual intensity transition more successfully. A majorization-minimization (MM) approach was designed to optimize the objective energy function constructed with the TV-H penalty. The MM approach employed a quadratic upper bound of the original objective function, and the original optimization problem was changed to a series of quadratic optimization problems, which could be efficiently solved using the Gauss-Seidel update strategy. We tested the reconstruction algorithm on two simulated digital phantoms and two physical phantoms. Our experiments indicated that the TV-H penalty visually and quantitatively outperformed both TV and Hessian penalties.

An Analysis of the Relationship between Casualty Risk Per Crash and Vehicle Mass and Footprint for Model Year 2000-2007 Light-Duty Vehicles

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

Wenzel, Tom

2012-08-01

NHTSA recently completed a logistic regression analysis (Kahane 2012) updating its 2003 and 2010 studies of the relationship between vehicle mass and US fatality risk per vehicle mile traveled (VMT). The new study updates the previous analyses in several ways: updated FARS data for 2002 to 2008 involving MY00 to MY07 vehicles are used; induced exposure data from police reported crashes in several additional states are added; a new vehicle category for car-based crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) and minivans is created; crashes with other light-duty vehicles are divided into two groups based on the crash partner vehicle’s weight, and amore » category for all other fatal crashes is added; and new control variables for new safety technologies and designs, such as electronic stability controls (ESC), side airbags, and methods to meet voluntary agreement to improve light truck compatibility with cars, are included.« less

[Sampling, storage and transport of biological materials collected from living and deceased subjects for determination of concentration levels of ethyl alcohol and similarly acting substances. A proposal of updating the blood and urine sampling protocol].

PubMed

Wiergowski, Marek; Reguła, Krystyna; Pieśniak, Dorota; Galer-Tatarowicz, Katarzyna; Szpiech, Beata; Jankowski, Zbigniew

2007-01-01

The present paper emphasizes the most common mistakes committed at the beginning of an analytical procedure. To shorten the time and decrease the cost of determinations of substances with similar to alcohol activity, it is postulated to introduce mass-scale screening analysis of saliva collected from a living subject at the site of the event, with all positive results confirmed in blood or urine samples. If no saliva sample is collected for toxicology, a urine sample, allowing for a stat fast screening analysis, and a blood sample, to confirm the result, should be ensured. Inappropriate storage of a blood sample in the tube without a preservative can cause sample spilling and its irretrievable loss. The authors propose updating the "Blood/urine sampling protocol", with the updated version to be introduced into practice following consultations and revisions.

Updating Landsat-derived land-cover maps using change detection and masking techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Likens, W.; Maw, K.

1982-01-01

The California Integrated Remote Sensing System's San Bernardino County Project was devised to study the utilization of a data base at a number of jurisdictional levels. The present paper discusses the implementation of change-detection and masking techniques in the updating of Landsat-derived land-cover maps. A baseline landcover classification was first created from a 1976 image, then the adjusted 1976 image was compared with a 1979 scene by the techniques of (1) multidate image classification, (2) difference image-distribution tails thresholding, (3) difference image classification, and (4) multi-dimensional chi-square analysis of a difference image. The union of the results of methods 1, 3 and 4 was used to create a mask of possible change areas between 1976 and 1979, which served to limit analysis of the update image and reduce comparison errors in unchanged areas. The techniques of spatial smoothing of change-detection products, and of combining results of difference change-detection algorithms are also shown to improve Landsat change-detection accuracies.

Cosmological Parameters From Pre-Planck CMB Measurements: A 2017 Update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calabrese, Erminia; Hlolzek, Renee A.; Bond, J. Richard; Devlin, Mark J.; Dunkley, Joanna; Halpern, Mark; Hincks, Adam D.; Irwin, Kent D.; Kosowsky, Arthur; Moodley, Kavilan;

NASTRAN level 16 programmer's manual updates for aeroelastic analysis of bladed discs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gallo, A. M.; Dale, B.

1980-01-01

The programming routines for the NASTRAN Level 16program are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on its application to aeroelastic analyses, mode development, and flutter analysis for turbomachine blades.

Using conditioned suppression to investigate compulsive drug seeking in rats.

PubMed

Limpens, Jules H W; Schut, Evelien H S; Voorn, Pieter; Vanderschuren, Louk J M J

2014-09-01

Persistent drug seeking despite harmful consequences is a defining characteristic of addiction. Recent preclinical studies have demonstrated the occurrence of this hallmark feature of addictive behaviour in rodents. For example, it has been shown that the ability of an aversive conditioned stimulus (CS) to suppress cocaine seeking was diminished after an extended self-administration history. The present study aimed to optimize the experimental conditions to examine conditioned suppression of sucrose and cocaine seeking in rats, and its dependence on the longevity of self-administration experience. We investigated whether conditioned suppression depends on the intensity and quantity of footshocks during conditioning. In addition, the effects of CS omission, extinction and reconditioning were investigated, as well as the influence of the CS interval sequence on conditioned suppression. We also compared conditioned suppression after a limited and extended sucrose or cocaine self-administration history. We found that conditioned suppression depended on the intensity rather than the quantity of footshocks, whereby a higher footshock intensity was necessary to induce suppression of cocaine seeking compared to sucrose seeking. Conditioned suppression was most pronounced when the test started with presentation of the aversive CS, and conditioned suppression could be extinguished and reacquired. In addition, conditioned suppression of cocaine, but not sucrose seeking was reduced after extended self-administration experience. These data provide a detailed analysis of conditioned suppression of cocaine and sucrose seeking. Importantly, we confirm the usefulness of conditioned suppression to study persistent drug seeking after prolonged drug self-administration. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

Green,T.

This Wildland Fire Management Plan (FMP) for Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) updates the 2003 plan incorporating changes necessary to comply with DOE Order 450.1 and DOE P 450.4, Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy and Program Review; Wildland and Prescribed Fire Management Policy and implementation Procedures Reference Guide. This current plan incorporates changes since the original draft of the FMP that result from new policies on the national level. This update also removes references and dependence on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Department of the Interior, fully transitioning Wildland Fire Management responsibilities to BNL. The Department of Energy policymore » for managing wildland fires requires that all areas, managed by the DOE and/or its various contractors, that can sustain fire must have a FMP that details fire management guidelines for operational procedures associated with wild fire, operational, and prescribed fires. Fire management plans provide guidance on fire preparedness, fire prevention, wildfire suppression, and the use of controlled, 'prescribed' fires and mechanical means to control the amount of available combustible material. Values reflected in the BNL Wildland FMP include protecting life and public safety; Lab properties, structures and improvements; cultural and historical sites; neighboring private and public properties; and endangered, threatened, and species of concern. Other values supported by the plan include the enhancement of fire-dependent ecosystems at BNL. This FMP will be reviewed periodically to ensure the fire program advances and evolves with the missions of the DOE and BNL. This Fire Management Plan is presented in a format that coverers all aspects specified by DOE guidance documents which are based on the national template for fire management plans adopted under the National Fire Plan. The DOE is one of the signatory agencies on the National Fire Plan. This FMP is to be used and implemented for the entire BNL site including the Upton Reserve and has been reviewed by, The Nature Conservancy, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, and DOE, as well as appropriate BNL emergency services personnel. The BNL Fire Department is the lead on wildfire suppression. However, the BNL Natural Resource Manager will be assigned to all wildland fires as technical resource advisor.« less

Neuronal Networks during Burst Suppression as Revealed by Source Analysis

PubMed Central

Reinicke, Christine; Moeller, Friederike; Anwar, Abdul Rauf; Mideksa, Kidist Gebremariam; Pressler, Ronit; Deuschl, Günther; Stephani, Ulrich; Siniatchkin, Michael

2015-01-01

Introduction Burst-suppression (BS) is an electroencephalography (EEG) pattern consisting of alternant periods of slow waves of high amplitude (burst) and periods of so called flat EEG (suppression). It is generally associated with coma of various etiologies (hypoxia, drug-related intoxication, hypothermia, and childhood encephalopathies, but also anesthesia). Animal studies suggest that both the cortex and the thalamus are involved in the generation of BS. However, very little is known about mechanisms of BS in humans. The aim of this study was to identify the neuronal network underlying both burst and suppression phases using source reconstruction and analysis of functional and effective connectivity in EEG. Material/Methods Dynamic imaging of coherent sources (DICS) was applied to EEG segments of 13 neonates and infants with burst and suppression EEG pattern. The brain area with the strongest power in the analyzed frequency (1–4 Hz) range was defined as the reference region. DICS was used to compute the coherence between this reference region and the entire brain. The renormalized partial directed coherence (RPDC) was used to describe the informational flow between the identified sources. Results/Conclusion Delta activity during the burst phases was associated with coherent sources in the thalamus and brainstem as well as bilateral sources in cortical regions mainly frontal and parietal, whereas suppression phases were associated with coherent sources only in cortical regions. Results of the RPDC analyses showed an upwards informational flow from the brainstem towards the thalamus and from the thalamus to cortical regions, which was absent during the suppression phases. These findings may support the theory that a “cortical deafferentiation” between the cortex and sub-cortical structures exists especially in suppression phases compared to burst phases in burst suppression EEGs. Such a deafferentiation may play a role in the poor neurological outcome of children with these encephalopathies. PMID:25927439

Studying the potential impact of automated document classification on scheduling a systematic review update.

PubMed

Cohen, Aaron M; Ambert, Kyle; McDonagh, Marian

2012-04-19

Systematic Reviews (SRs) are an essential part of evidence-based medicine, providing support for clinical practice and policy on a wide range of medical topics. However, producing SRs is resource-intensive, and progress in the research they review leads to SRs becoming outdated, requiring updates. Although the question of how and when to update SRs has been studied, the best method for determining when to update is still unclear, necessitating further research. In this work we study the potential impact of a machine learning-based automated system for providing alerts when new publications become available within an SR topic. Some of these new publications are especially important, as they report findings that are more likely to initiate a review update. To this end, we have designed a classification algorithm to identify articles that are likely to be included in an SR update, along with an annotation scheme designed to identify the most important publications in a topic area. Using an SR database containing over 70,000 articles, we annotated articles from 9 topics that had received an update during the study period. The algorithm was then evaluated in terms of the overall correct and incorrect alert rate for publications meeting the topic inclusion criteria, as well as in terms of its ability to identify important, update-motivating publications in a topic area. Our initial approach, based on our previous work in topic-specific SR publication classification, identifies over 70% of the most important new publications, while maintaining a low overall alert rate. We performed an initial analysis of the opportunities and challenges in aiding the SR update planning process with an informatics-based machine learning approach. Alerts could be a useful tool in the planning, scheduling, and allocation of resources for SR updates, providing an improvement in timeliness and coverage for the large number of medical topics needing SRs. While the performance of this initial method is not perfect, it could be a useful supplement to current approaches to scheduling an SR update. Approaches specifically targeting the types of important publications identified by this work are likely to improve results.

Studying the potential impact of automated document classification on scheduling a systematic review update

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Systematic Reviews (SRs) are an essential part of evidence-based medicine, providing support for clinical practice and policy on a wide range of medical topics. However, producing SRs is resource-intensive, and progress in the research they review leads to SRs becoming outdated, requiring updates. Although the question of how and when to update SRs has been studied, the best method for determining when to update is still unclear, necessitating further research. Methods In this work we study the potential impact of a machine learning-based automated system for providing alerts when new publications become available within an SR topic. Some of these new publications are especially important, as they report findings that are more likely to initiate a review update. To this end, we have designed a classification algorithm to identify articles that are likely to be included in an SR update, along with an annotation scheme designed to identify the most important publications in a topic area. Using an SR database containing over 70,000 articles, we annotated articles from 9 topics that had received an update during the study period. The algorithm was then evaluated in terms of the overall correct and incorrect alert rate for publications meeting the topic inclusion criteria, as well as in terms of its ability to identify important, update-motivating publications in a topic area. Results Our initial approach, based on our previous work in topic-specific SR publication classification, identifies over 70% of the most important new publications, while maintaining a low overall alert rate. Conclusions We performed an initial analysis of the opportunities and challenges in aiding the SR update planning process with an informatics-based machine learning approach. Alerts could be a useful tool in the planning, scheduling, and allocation of resources for SR updates, providing an improvement in timeliness and coverage for the large number of medical topics needing SRs. While the performance of this initial method is not perfect, it could be a useful supplement to current approaches to scheduling an SR update. Approaches specifically targeting the types of important publications identified by this work are likely to improve results. PMID:22515596

Semi Automated Land Cover Layer Updating Process Utilizing Spectral Analysis and GIS Data Fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, L.; Keinan, E.; Yaniv, M.; Tal, Y.; Felus, A.; Regev, R.

2018-04-01

Technological improvements made in recent years of mass data gathering and analyzing, influenced the traditional methods of updating and forming of the national topographic database. It has brought a significant increase in the number of use cases and detailed geo information demands. Processes which its purpose is to alternate traditional data collection methods developed in many National Mapping and Cadaster Agencies. There has been significant progress in semi-automated methodologies aiming to facilitate updating of a topographic national geodatabase. Implementation of those is expected to allow a considerable reduction of updating costs and operation times. Our previous activity has focused on building automatic extraction (Keinan, Zilberstein et al, 2015). Before semiautomatic updating method, it was common that interpreter identification has to be as detailed as possible to hold most reliable database eventually. When using semi-automatic updating methodologies, the ability to insert human insights based knowledge is limited. Therefore, our motivations were to reduce the created gap by allowing end-users to add their data inputs to the basic geometric database. In this article, we will present a simple Land cover database updating method which combines insights extracted from the analyzed image, and a given spatial data of vector layers. The main stages of the advanced practice are multispectral image segmentation and supervised classification together with given vector data geometric fusion while maintaining the principle of low shape editorial work to be done. All coding was done utilizing open source software components.

Obtaining manufactured geometries of deep-drawn components through a model updating procedure using geometric shape parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balla, Vamsi Krishna; Coox, Laurens; Deckers, Elke; Plyumers, Bert; Desmet, Wim; Marudachalam, Kannan

2018-01-01

The vibration response of a component or system can be predicted using the finite element method after ensuring numerical models represent realistic behaviour of the actual system under study. One of the methods to build high-fidelity finite element models is through a model updating procedure. In this work, a novel model updating method of deep-drawn components is demonstrated. Since the component is manufactured with a high draw ratio, significant deviations in both profile and thickness distributions occurred in the manufacturing process. A conventional model updating, involving Young's modulus, density and damping ratios, does not lead to a satisfactory match between simulated and experimental results. Hence a new model updating process is proposed, where geometry shape variables are incorporated, by carrying out morphing of the finite element model. This morphing process imitates the changes that occurred during the deep drawing process. An optimization procedure that uses the Global Response Surface Method (GRSM) algorithm to maximize diagonal terms of the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) matrix is presented. This optimization results in a more accurate finite element model. The advantage of the proposed methodology is that the CAD surface of the updated finite element model can be readily obtained after optimization. This CAD model can be used for carrying out analysis, as it represents the manufactured part more accurately. Hence, simulations performed using this updated model with an accurate geometry, will therefore yield more reliable results.

Methods of Analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group-Update and Additions to the Determination of Chloroacetanilide Herbicide Degradation Compounds in Water Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, E.A.; Kish, J.L.; Zimmerman, L.R.; Thurman, E.

2001-01-01

An analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1999 for the analysis of selected chloroacetanilide herbicide degradation compounds in water. These compounds were acetochlor ethane sulfonic acid (ESA), acetochlor oxanilic acid (OXA), alachlor ESA, alachlor OXA, metolachlor ESA, and metolachlor OXA. The HPLC/MS method was updated in 2000, and the method detection limits were modified accordingly. Four other degradation compounds also were added to the list of compounds that can be analyzed using HPLC/MS; these compounds were dimethenamid ESA, dimethenamid OXA, flufenacet ESA, and flufenacet OXA. Except for flufenacet OXA, good precision and accuracy were demonstrated for the updated HPLC/MS method in buffered reagent water, surface water, and ground water. The mean HPLC/MS recoveries of the degradation compounds from water samples spiked at 0.20 and 1.0 ?g/L (microgram per liter) ranged from 75 to 114 percent, with relative standard deviations of 15.8 percent or less for all compounds except flufenacet OXA, which had relative standard deviations ranging from 11.3 to 48.9 percent. Method detection levels (MDL's) using the updated HPLC/MS method varied from 0.009 to 0.045 ?g/L, with the flufenacet OXA MDL at 0.072 ?g/L. The updated HPLC/MS method is valuable for acquiring information about the fate and transport of the parent chloroacetanilide herbicides in water.

Glycemic index, glycemic load, and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from 3 large US cohorts and an updated meta-analysis123

PubMed Central

Bhupathiraju, Shilpa N; Tobias, Deirdre K; Malik, Vasanti S; Pan, An; Hruby, Adela; Manson, JoAnn E; Willett, Walter C; Hu, Frank B

2014-01-01

Background: Epidemiologic evidence for the relation between carbohydrate quality and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been mixed. Objective: We prospectively examined the association of dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with T2D risk. Design: We prospectively followed 74,248 women from the Nurses’ Health Study (1984–2008), 90,411 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II (1991–2009), and 40,498 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986–2008) who were free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer at baseline. Diet was assessed by using a validated questionnaire and updated every 4 y. We also conducted an updated meta-analysis, including results from our 3 cohorts and other studies. Results: During 3,800,618 person-years of follow-up, we documented 15,027 cases of incident T2D. In pooled multivariable analyses, those in the highest quintile of energy-adjusted GI had a 33% higher risk (95% CI: 26%, 41%) of T2D than those in the lowest quintile. Participants in the highest quintile of energy-adjusted GL had a 10% higher risk (95% CI: 2%, 18%) of T2D. Participants who consumed a combination diet that was high in GI or GL and low in cereal fiber had an ∼50% higher risk of T2D. In the updated meta-analysis, the summary RRs (95% CIs) comparing the highest with the lowest categories of GI and GL were 1.19 (1.14, 1.24) and 1.13 (1.08, 1.17), respectively. Conclusion: The updated analyses from our 3 cohorts and meta-analyses provide further evidence that higher dietary GI and GL are associated with increased risk of T2D. PMID:24787496

RapTOR: Automated Sequencing Library Preparation and Suppression for Rapid Pathogen Characterization (7th Annual SFAF Meeting, 2012)

ScienceCinema

Lane, Todd

2018-05-18

Todd Lane on "RapTOR: Automated sequencing library preparation and suppression for rapid pathogen characterization" at the 2012 Sequencing, Finishing, Analysis in the Future Meeting held June 5-7, 2012 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

RapTOR: Automated Sequencing Library Preparation and Suppression for Rapid Pathogen Characterization (7th Annual SFAF Meeting, 2012)

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

Lane, Todd

2012-06-01

Todd Lane on "RapTOR: Automated sequencing library preparation and suppression for rapid pathogen characterization" at the 2012 Sequencing, Finishing, Analysis in the Future Meeting held June 5-7, 2012 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

[Aggressive B‑cell lymphomas : Recommendations from the German Panel of Reference Pathologists in the Competence Network on Malignant Lymphomas on diagnostic procedures according to the current WHO classification, update 2017].

PubMed

Klapper, W; Fend, F; Feller, A; Hansmann, M L; Möller, P; Stein, H; Rosenwald, A; Ott, G

2018-04-17

The update of the 4th edition of the WHO classification for hematopoietic neoplasms introduces changes in the field of mature aggressive B‑cell lymphomas that are relevant to diagnostic pathologists. In daily practice, the question arises of which analysis should be performed when diagnosing the most common lymphoma entity, diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma. We discuss the importance of the cell of origin, the analysis of MYC translocations, and the delineation of the new WHO entities of high-grade B‑cell lymphomas.

Alaska OCS socioeconomic studies program: St. George basin petroleum development scenarios, Anchorage impact analysis. Final report

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

Ender, R.L.; Gorski, S.

1981-10-01

The report consists of an update to the Anchorage socioeconomic and physical baseline and infrastructure standards used to forecast impacts with and without OCS oil and gas development in Alaska. This material is found in Technical Report 43, Volumes 1 and 2 entitled 'Gulf of Alaska and Lower Cook Inlet Petroleum Development Scenarios, Anchorage Socioeconomic and Physical Baseline and Anchorage Impact Analysis.' These updates should be read in conjunction with the above report. In addition, the Anchorage base case and petroleum development scenarios for the St. George Basin are given. These sections are written to stand alone without reference.

A disruptive sequencer meets disruptive publishing.

PubMed

Loman, Nick; Goodwin, Sarah; Jansen, Hans; Loose, Matt

2015-01-01

Nanopore sequencing was recently made available to users in the form of the Oxford Nanopore MinION. Released to users through an early access programme, the MinION is made unique by its tiny form factor and ability to generate very long sequences from single DNA molecules. The platform is undergoing rapid evolution with three distinct nanopore types and five updates to library preparation chemistry in the last 18 months. To keep pace with the rapid evolution of this sequencing platform, and to provide a space where new analysis methods can be openly discussed, we present a new F1000Research channel devoted to updates to and analysis of nanopore sequence data.

System analysis study of space platform and station accommodations for life sciences research facilities. Volume 2: Study results, attachment 2. Phase A: Conceptual design and programmatics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wiley, Lowell F.

1985-01-01

The study results from the conceptual design and programmatics segment of the Space Platform and Station Accommodation for Life Sciences Research Facilities. The results and significant findings of the conceptual design and programmatics were generated by these tasks: (1) the review and update engineering and science requirements; (2) analysis of life sciences mission transition scenario; (3) the review and update of key trade issues; (4) the development of conceptual definition and designs; and (5) the development of the work breakdown schedule and its dictionary, program schedule, and estimated costs.

Space Construction Experiment Definition Study (SCEDS), part 2. Volume 2: Study results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

The Space Construction Experiment (SCE) was defined for integration into the Space Shuttle. This included development of flight assignment data, revision and update of preliminary mission timelines and test plans, analysis of flight safety issues, and definition of ground operations scenarios. New requirements for the flight experiment and changes for a large space antenna feed mask test article were incorporated. The program plan and cost estimates were updated. Revised SCE structural dynamics characteristics were provided for simulation and analysis of experimental tests to define and verify control limits and interactions effects between the SCE and the Orbiter digital automatic pilot.

Identification of Historical Veziragasi Aqueduct Using the Operational Modal Analysis

PubMed Central

Ercan, E.; Nuhoglu, A.

2014-01-01

This paper describes the results of a model updating study conducted on a historical aqueduct, called Veziragasi, in Turkey. The output-only modal identification results obtained from ambient vibration measurements of the structure were used to update a finite element model of the structure. For the purposes of developing a solid model of the structure, the dimensions of the structure, defects, and material degradations in the structure were determined in detail by making a measurement survey. For evaluation of the material properties of the structure, nondestructive and destructive testing methods were applied. The modal analysis of the structure was calculated by FEM. Then, a nondestructive dynamic test as well as operational modal analysis was carried out and dynamic properties were extracted. The natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes were determined from both theoretical and experimental modal analyses and compared with each other. A good harmony was attained between mode shapes, but there were some differences between natural frequencies. The sources of the differences were introduced and the FEM model was updated by changing material parameters and boundary conditions. Finally, the real analytical model of the aqueduct was put forward and the results were discussed. PMID:24511287

Transportation of U. S. Grains: A Modal Share Analysis, 1978-95

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-03-01

This analysis of grain movements by transport mode updates a 1992 study. It : provides information about changes in the competitiveness and relative : efficiencies between the modes. The goal of this analysis was to estimate the : tonnages of grain r...

Statistical Learning in Specific Language Impairment: A Meta-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lammertink, Imme; Boersma, Paul; Wijnen, Frank; Rispens, Judith

2017-01-01

Purpose: The current meta-analysis provides a quantitative overview of published and unpublished studies on statistical learning in the auditory verbal domain in people with and without specific language impairment (SLI). The database used for the meta-analysis is accessible online and open to updates (Community-Augmented Meta-Analysis), which…

75 FR 60493 - Advisory Circular 120-79A, Developing and Implementing an Air Carrier Continuing Analysis and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-30

... and Implementing an Air Carrier Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System AGENCY: Federal Aviation... Analysis and Surveillance System''. This new advisory circular (AC) updates AC 120-79 originally issued on... Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS) required for commercial operators and air carriers certificated...

12 CFR 703.6 - Credit analysis.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Credit analysis. 703.6 Section 703.6 Banks and... ACTIVITIES § 703.6 Credit analysis. A Federal credit union must conduct and document a credit analysis on an... Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. A Federal credit union must update this analysis at least annually...

12 CFR 703.6 - Credit analysis.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Credit analysis. 703.6 Section 703.6 Banks and... ACTIVITIES § 703.6 Credit analysis. A Federal credit union must conduct and document a credit analysis on an... Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. A Federal credit union must update this analysis at least annually...

Comparison of two optimization algorithms for fuzzy finite element model updating for damage detection in a wind turbine blade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turnbull, Heather; Omenzetter, Piotr

2018-03-01

vDifficulties associated with current health monitoring and inspection practices combined with harsh, often remote, operational environments of wind turbines highlight the requirement for a non-destructive evaluation system capable of remotely monitoring the current structural state of turbine blades. This research adopted a physics based structural health monitoring methodology through calibration of a finite element model using inverse techniques. A 2.36m blade from a 5kW turbine was used as an experimental specimen, with operational modal analysis techniques utilised to realize the modal properties of the system. Modelling the experimental responses as fuzzy numbers using the sub-level technique, uncertainty in the response parameters was propagated back through the model and into the updating parameters. Initially, experimental responses of the blade were obtained, with a numerical model of the blade created and updated. Deterministic updating was carried out through formulation and minimisation of a deterministic objective function using both firefly algorithm and virus optimisation algorithm. Uncertainty in experimental responses were modelled using triangular membership functions, allowing membership functions of updating parameters (Young's modulus and shear modulus) to be obtained. Firefly algorithm and virus optimisation algorithm were again utilised, however, this time in the solution of fuzzy objective functions. This enabled uncertainty associated with updating parameters to be quantified. Varying damage location and severity was simulated experimentally through addition of small masses to the structure intended to cause a structural alteration. A damaged model was created, modelling four variable magnitude nonstructural masses at predefined points and updated to provide a deterministic damage prediction and information in relation to the parameters uncertainty via fuzzy updating.

Pharmacoeconomics of parenteral nutrition in surgical and critically ill patients receiving structured triglycerides in China.

PubMed

Wu, Guo Hao; Ehm, Alexandra; Bellone, Marco; Pradelli, Lorenzo

2017-01-01

A prior meta-analysis showed favorable metabolic effects of structured triglyceride (STG) lipid emulsions in surgical and critically ill patients compared with mixed medium-chain/long-chain triglycerides (MCT/LCT) emulsions. Limited data on clinical outcomes precluded pharmacoeconomic analysis. We performed an updated meta-analysis and developed a cost model to compare overall costs for STGs vs MCT/LCTs in Chinese hospitals. We searched Medline, Embase, Wanfang Data, the China Hospital Knowledge Database, and Google Scholar for clinical trials comparing STGs to mixed MCT/LCTs in surgical or critically ill adults published between October 10, 2013 and September 19, 2015. Newly identified studies were pooled with the prior studies and an updated meta-analysis was performed. A deterministic simulation model was used to compare the effects of STGs and mixed MCT/LCT's on Chinese hospital costs. The literature search identified six new trials, resulting in a total of 27 studies in the updated meta-analysis. Statistically significant differences favoring STGs were observed for cumulative nitrogen balance, pre- albumin and albumin concentrations, plasma triglycerides, and liver enzymes. STGs were also associated with a significant reduction in the length of hospital stay (mean difference, -1.45 days; 95% confidence interval, -2.48 to -0.43; p=0.005) versus mixed MCT/LCTs. Cost analysis demonstrated a net cost benefit of ¥675 compared with mixed MCT/LCTs. STGs are associated with improvements in metabolic function and reduced length of hospitalization in surgical and critically ill patients compared with mixed MCT/LCT emulsions. Cost analysis using data from Chinese hospitals showed a corresponding cost benefit.

Effect of land use and soil organic matter quality on the structure and function of microbial communities in pastoral soils: Implications for disease suppression

PubMed Central

O’Callaghan, Maureen; Condron, Leo M.; Kowalchuk, George A.; Van Nostrand, Joy D.; Zhou, Jizhong; Wakelin, Steven A.

2018-01-01

Cropping soils vary in extent of natural suppression of soil-borne plant diseases. However, it is unknown whether similar variation occurs across pastoral agricultural systems. We examined soil microbial community properties known to be associated with disease suppression across 50 pastoral fields varying in management intensity. The composition and abundance of the disease-suppressive community were assessed from both taxonomic and functional perspectives. Pseudomonas bacteria were selected as a general taxonomic indicator of disease suppressive potential, while genes associated with the biosynthesis of a suite of secondary metabolites provided functional markers (GeoChip 5.0 microarray analysis). The composition of both the Pseudomonas communities and disease suppressive functional genes were responsive to land use. Underlying soil properties explained 37% of the variation in Pseudomonas community structure and up to 61% of the variation in the abundance of disease suppressive functional genes. Notably, measures of soil organic matter quality, C:P ratio, and aromaticity of the dissolved organic matter content (carbon recalcitrance), influenced both the taxonomic and functional disease suppressive potential of the pasture soils. Our results suggest that key components of the soil microbial community may be managed on-farm to enhance disease suppression and plant productivity. PMID:29734390

Effect of land use and soil organic matter quality on the structure and function of microbial communities in pastoral soils: Implications for disease suppression.

PubMed

Dignam, Bryony E A; O'Callaghan, Maureen; Condron, Leo M; Kowalchuk, George A; Van Nostrand, Joy D; Zhou, Jizhong; Wakelin, Steven A

2018-01-01

Cropping soils vary in extent of natural suppression of soil-borne plant diseases. However, it is unknown whether similar variation occurs across pastoral agricultural systems. We examined soil microbial community properties known to be associated with disease suppression across 50 pastoral fields varying in management intensity. The composition and abundance of the disease-suppressive community were assessed from both taxonomic and functional perspectives. Pseudomonas bacteria were selected as a general taxonomic indicator of disease suppressive potential, while genes associated with the biosynthesis of a suite of secondary metabolites provided functional markers (GeoChip 5.0 microarray analysis). The composition of both the Pseudomonas communities and disease suppressive functional genes were responsive to land use. Underlying soil properties explained 37% of the variation in Pseudomonas community structure and up to 61% of the variation in the abundance of disease suppressive functional genes. Notably, measures of soil organic matter quality, C:P ratio, and aromaticity of the dissolved organic matter content (carbon recalcitrance), influenced both the taxonomic and functional disease suppressive potential of the pasture soils. Our results suggest that key components of the soil microbial community may be managed on-farm to enhance disease suppression and plant productivity.

Handbook for railroad noise measurement and analysis

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-10-31

This handbook is an update, restructuring and expansion of the 1982 document Handbook for the Measurement, : Analysis, and Abatement of Railroad Noise originally developed by Wyle Laboratories. : The handbook is intended as guidance for those c...

Industrial Computer Codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shapiro, Wilbur

1996-01-01

This is an overview of new and updated industrial codes for seal design and testing. GCYLT (gas cylindrical seals -- turbulent), SPIRALI (spiral-groove seals -- incompressible), KTK (knife to knife) Labyrinth Seal Code, and DYSEAL (dynamic seal analysis) are covered. CGYLT uses G-factors for Poiseuille and Couette turbulence coefficients. SPIRALI is updated to include turbulence and inertia, but maintains the narrow groove theory. KTK labyrinth seal code handles straight or stepped seals. And DYSEAL provides dynamics for the seal geometry.

An Economic Risk Analysis of Weed Suppressive Rice Cultivars in Rice Production

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Weeds are a major constraint to rice production. In the United States, most rice cultivars are not inherently weed-suppressive and require substantial herbicide inputs to achieve agronomic and economic viability. Intensive herbicide application in rice also has many potential drawbacks, resulting in...

Enhance-Synergism and Suppression Effects in Multiple Regression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lipovetsky, Stan; Conklin, W. Michael

2004-01-01

Relations between pairwise correlations and the coefficient of multiple determination in regression analysis are considered. The conditions for the occurrence of enhance-synergism and suppression effects when multiple determination becomes bigger than the total of squared correlations of the dependent variable with the regressors are discussed. It…

Does updating improve the methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews?

PubMed

Shea, Beverley; Boers, Maarten; Grimshaw, Jeremy M; Hamel, Candyce; Bouter, Lex M

2006-06-13

Systematic reviews (SRs) must be of high quality. The purpose of our research was to compare the methodological and reporting quality of original versus updated Cochrane SRs to determine whether updating had improved these two quality dimensions. We identified updated Cochrane SRs published in issue 4, 2002 of the Cochrane Library. We assessed the updated and original versions of the SRs using two instruments: the 10 item enhanced Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire (OQAQ), and an 18-item reporting quality checklist and flow chart based upon the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) statement. At least two reviewers extracted data and assessed quality. We calculated the percentage (with a 95% confidence interval) of 'yes' answers to each question. We calculated mean differences in percentage, 95% confidence intervals and p-values for each of the individual items and the overall methodological quality score of the updated and pre-updated versions using OQAQ. We assessed 53 SRs. There was no significant improvement in the global quality score of the OQAQ (mean difference 0.11 (-0.28; 0.70 p = 0.52)). Updated reviews showed a significant improvement of 18.9 (7.2; 30.6 p < .01) on the OQAQ item assessing whether the conclusions drawn by the author(s) were supported by the data and/or analysis presented in the SR. The QUOROM statement showed that the quality of reporting of Cochrane reviews improved in some areas with updating. Improvements were seen on the items relating to data sources reported in the abstract, with a significant difference of 17.0 (9.8; 28.7 p = 0.01), review methods, reported in the abstract 35 (24.1; 49.1 p = 0.00), searching methods 18.9 (9.7; 31.6 p = 0.01), and data abstraction 18.9 (11.7; 30.9 p = 0.00). The overall quality of Cochrane SRs is fair-to-good. Although reporting quality improved on certain individual items there was no overall improvement seen with updating and methodological quality remained unchanged. Further improvement of quality of reporting is possible. There is room for improvement of methodological quality as well. Authors updating reviews should address identified methodological or reporting weaknesses. We recommend to give full attention to both quality domains when updating SRs.

Magnetic neutron star cooling and microphysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potekhin, A. Y.; Chabrier, G.

2018-01-01

Aims: We study the relative importance of several recent updates of microphysics input to the neutron star cooling theory and the effects brought about by superstrong magnetic fields of magnetars, including the effects of the Landau quantization in their crusts. Methods: We use a finite-difference code for simulation of neutron-star thermal evolution on timescales from hours to megayears with an updated microphysics input. The consideration of short timescales (≲1 yr) is made possible by a treatment of the heat-blanketing envelope without the quasistationary approximation inherent to its treatment in traditional neutron-star cooling codes. For the strongly magnetized neutron stars, we take into account the effects of Landau quantization on thermodynamic functions and thermal conductivities. We simulate cooling of ordinary neutron stars and magnetars with non-accreted and accreted crusts and compare the results with observations. Results: Suppression of radiative and conductive opacities in strongly quantizing magnetic fields and formation of a condensed radiating surface substantially enhance the photon luminosity at early ages, making the life of magnetars brighter but shorter. These effects together with the effect of strong proton superfluidity, which slows down the cooling of kiloyear-aged neutron stars, can explain thermal luminosities of about a half of magnetars without invoking heating mechanisms. Observed thermal luminosities of other magnetars are still higher than theoretical predictions, which implies heating, but the effects of quantizing magnetic fields and baryon superfluidity help to reduce the discrepancy.

A comprehensive literatures update of clinical researches of superparamagnetic resonance iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging

PubMed Central

Idée, Jean-Marc

2017-01-01

This paper aims to update the clinical researches using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent published during the past five years. PubMed database was used for literature search, and the search terms were (SPIO OR superparamagnetic iron oxide OR Resovist OR Ferumoxytol OR Ferumoxtran-10) AND (MRI OR magnetic resonance imaging). The literature search results show clinical research on SPIO remains robust, particularly fuelled by the approval of ferumoxytol for intravenously administration. SPIOs have been tested on MR angiography, sentinel lymph node detection, lymph node metastasis evaluation; inflammation evaluation; blood volume measurement; as well as liver imaging. Two experimental SPIOs with unique potentials are also discussed in this review. A curcumin-conjugated SPIO can penetrate brain blood barrier (BBB) and bind to amyloid plaques in Alzheime’s disease transgenic mice brain, and thereafter detectable by MRI. Another SPIO was fabricated with a core of Fe3O4 nanoparticle and a shell coating of concentrated hydrophilic polymer brushes and are almost not taken by peripheral macrophages as well as by mononuclear phagocytes and reticuloendothelial system (RES) due to the suppression of non-specific protein binding caused by their stealthy ‘‘brush-afforded’’ structure. This SPIO may offer potentials for the applications such as drug targeting and tissue or organ imaging other than liver and lymph nodes. PMID:28275562

An ocean data assimilation system and reanalysis of the World Ocean hydrophysical fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zelenko, A. A.; Vil'fand, R. M.; Resnyanskii, Yu. D.; Strukov, B. S.; Tsyrulnikov, M. D.; Svirenko, P. I.

2016-07-01

A new version of the ocean data assimilation system (ODAS) developed at the Hydrometcentre of Russia is presented. The assimilation is performed following the sequential scheme analysis-forecast-analysis. The main components of the ODAS are procedures for operational observation data processing, a variational analysis scheme, and an ocean general circulation model used to estimate the first guess fields involved in the analysis. In situ observations of temperature and salinity in the upper 1400-m ocean layer obtained from various observational platforms are used as input data. In the new ODAS version, the horizontal resolution of the assimilating model and of the output products is increased, the previous 2D-Var analysis scheme is replaced by a more general 3D-Var scheme, and a more flexible incremental analysis updating procedure is introduced to correct the model calculations. A reanalysis of the main World Ocean hydrophysical fields over the 2005-2015 period has been performed using the updated ODAS. The reanalysis results are compared with data from independent sources.

Requirements Analysis Study for Master Pump Shutdown System Project Development Specification [SEC 1 and 2

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

BEVINS, R.R.

This study is a requirements document that presents analysis for the functional description for the master pump shutdown system. This document identifies the sources of the requirements and/or how these were derived. Each requirement is validated either by quoting the source or an analysis process involving the required functionality, performance characteristics, operations input or engineering judgment. The requirements in this study apply to the first phase of the W314 Project. This document has been updated during the definitive design portion of the first phase of the W314 Project to capture additional software requirements and is planned to be updated duringmore » the second phase of the W314 Project to cover the second phase of the project's scope.« less

ChAMP: updated methylation analysis pipeline for Illumina BeadChips.

PubMed

Tian, Yuan; Morris, Tiffany J; Webster, Amy P; Yang, Zhen; Beck, Stephan; Feber, Andrew; Teschendorff, Andrew E

2017-12-15

The Illumina Infinium HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip is the new platform for high-throughput DNA methylation analysis, effectively doubling the coverage compared to the older 450 K array. Here we present a significantly updated and improved version of the Bioconductor package ChAMP, which can be used to analyze EPIC and 450k data. Many enhanced functionalities have been added, including correction for cell-type heterogeneity, network analysis and a series of interactive graphical user interfaces. ChAMP is a BioC package available from https://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/ChAMP.html. a.teschendorff@ucl.ac.uk or s.beck@ucl.ac.uk or a.feber@ucl.ac.uk. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

Enrichr: a comprehensive gene set enrichment analysis web server 2016 update

PubMed Central

Kuleshov, Maxim V.; Jones, Matthew R.; Rouillard, Andrew D.; Fernandez, Nicolas F.; Duan, Qiaonan; Wang, Zichen; Koplev, Simon; Jenkins, Sherry L.; Jagodnik, Kathleen M.; Lachmann, Alexander; McDermott, Michael G.; Monteiro, Caroline D.; Gundersen, Gregory W.; Ma'ayan, Avi

2016-01-01

Enrichment analysis is a popular method for analyzing gene sets generated by genome-wide experiments. Here we present a significant update to one of the tools in this domain called Enrichr. Enrichr currently contains a large collection of diverse gene set libraries available for analysis and download. In total, Enrichr currently contains 180 184 annotated gene sets from 102 gene set libraries. New features have been added to Enrichr including the ability to submit fuzzy sets, upload BED files, improved application programming interface and visualization of the results as clustergrams. Overall, Enrichr is a comprehensive resource for curated gene sets and a search engine that accumulates biological knowledge for further biological discoveries. Enrichr is freely available at: http://amp.pharm.mssm.edu/Enrichr. PMID:27141961

Yemen Country Analysis Brief

EIA Publications

2014-01-01

Update: September 30, 2015 Since the publication of the Yemen Country Analysis Brief in September 2014 below, the situation in Yemen has deteriorated significantly. In September 2014, the Shia Houthi rebel group seized the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. In January 2015, the Houthis captured the presidential palace and other strategic buildings, forcing President Hadi and his ministers to resign and to dissolve parliament. In March 2015, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia began airstrikes on Houthi targets, which are still active as of this publication (September 2015). The report below represents the energy situation in Yemen before the Houthi capture of Sanaa and the rest of Yemen. Lack of data and the halting of nearly all energy sector activity in Yemen do not allow for a full update of the Country Analysis Brief.

Numerical design and analysis of parasitic mode oscillations for 95 GHz gyrotron beam tunnel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Nitin; Singh, Udaybir; Yadav, Vivek; Kumar, Anil; Sinha, A. K.

2013-05-01

The beam tunnel, equipped with the high lossy ceramics, is designed for 95 GHz gyrotron. The geometry of the beam tunnel is optimized considering the maximum RF absorption (ideally 100%) and the suppression of parasitic oscillations. The excitation of parasitic modes is a concerning problem for high frequency, high power gyrotrons. Considering the problem of parasitic mode excitation in beam tunnel, a detail analysis is performed for the suppression of these kinds of modes. Trajectory code EGUN and CST Microwave Studio are used for the simulations of electron beam trajectory and electromagnetic analysis, respectively.

Speckle-correlation analysis of the microcapillary blood circulation in nail bed

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

Vilenskii, M A; Agafonov, D N; Zimnyakov, D A

2011-04-30

We present the results of the experimental studies of the possibility of monitoring the blood microcirculation in human finger nail bed with application of speckle-correlation analysis, based on estimating the contrast of time-averaged dynamic speckles. The hemodynamics at normal blood circulation and under conditions of partially suppressed blood circulation is analysed. A microscopic analysis is performed to visualise the structural changes in capillaries that are caused by suppressing blood circulation. The problems and prospects of speckle-correlation monitoring of the nail bed microhemodynamics under laboratory and clinical conditions are discussed. (optical technologies in biophysics and medicine)

An update on the role of opioids in the management of chronic pain of nonmalignant origin.

PubMed

Højsted, Jette; Sjøgren, Per

2007-10-01

To summarize and reflect over primarily recent epidemiological and randomized controlled trials in opioid-treated chronic nonmalignant pain patients, focusing on effects, side effects, risks and long-term consequences of the treatment. In the western world opioids are increasingly being used for long-term treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain. While the long-term benefits of opioids regarding pain relief, functional capacity and health-related quality of life still remain to be proven, studies are emerging that describe serious long-term consequences such as addiction, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, cognitive disorders, and suppression of the immune and reproductive systems. Much more research is needed concerning long-time effects and consequences of opioid therapy in chronic nonmalignant pain patients; however, some clear warning signals have been sent out within recent years.

[Herpes simplex virus infections, an update for the practitioner].

PubMed

Meylan, Pascal

2011-04-27

The herpesviruses HSV-1 and -2 classically infect the oral and genital area respectively. They descend from a common ancestor but have evolved separately since several million years, getting each adapted to these areas. Thus, while both can infect either site, HSV-1 reactivates often orally, while HSV-2 does so in the genital area. The followings facts are stressed, because we think they are new, or worth attention regarding HSV epidemiology (plateauing of the HSV-2 epidemic in the US, growing share of HSV-1 as a genital herpes agent), clinical expression (extra-oral and extra-genital lesions, severity of gingivostomatitis), diagnosis (confusing herpes and zoster in the trigeminal and sacral areas) and treatment (relative worth of suppressive and episodic treatments of genital herpes, as well as shortening of these latter, and treatment of gingivostomatitis and herpes labialis).

Update on Management of Cancer-Related Cachexia.

PubMed

Anderson, Lindsey J; Albrecht, Eliette D; Garcia, Jose M

2017-01-01

Cachexia is a metabolic syndrome driven by inflammation and characterized by loss of muscle with or without loss of fat mass. In cancer cachexia, the tumor burden and host response induce increased inflammation, decreased anabolic tone, and suppressed appetite leading to the clinical presentation of reduced body weight and quality of life (QOL). There is no approved treatment for cancer cachexia, and commonly used nutritional and anti-inflammatory strategies alone have proven ineffective for management of symptoms. Several other pharmacological agents are currently in development and have shown promise as a clinical strategy in early-phase trials. Recently, it has been proposed that multimodal strategies, with an anabolic focus, initiated early in the disease/treatment progression may provide the most therapeutic potential for symptom management. Here we review the data from recent clinical trials in cancer cachexia including pharmacological, exercise, and nutritional interventions.

Update on the use of trilostane in dogs.

PubMed

Lemetayer, Julie; Blois, Shauna

2018-04-01

Many articles published in the past few years have contributed to a better understanding of the use of trilostane in dogs. Trilostane is a competitive inhibitor of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the enzyme essential for synthesis of cortisol and all other steroids. Trilostane is reported to be safe and effective in the treatment of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), adrenal-dependent HAC, and alopecia X. While trilostane controls most of the clinical signs associated with HAC, abnormalities such as hypertension, hypercoagulability, and proteinuria may persist despite therapy. Because the duration of cortisol suppression after a dose of trilostane is often less than 12 hours, many dogs with HAC could benefit from low dose trilostane treatment every 12 hours. Many controversies regarding trilostane still exist. This review provides a comprehensive commentary on trilostane's indications, mode of action, dose, monitoring, efficacy, and adverse effects.

EZH2 in Cancer Progression and Potential Application in Cancer Therapy: A Friend or Foe?

PubMed Central

Yan, Ke-Sin; Lin, Chia-Yuan; Liao, Tan-Wei; Peng, Cheng-Ming; Lee, Shou-Chun; Liu, Yi-Jui; Chan, Wing P.; Chou, Ruey-Hwang

2017-01-01

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, catalyzes tri-methylation of histone H3 at Lys 27 (H3K27me3) to regulate gene expression through epigenetic machinery. EZH2 functions as a double-facet molecule in regulation of gene expression via repression or activation mechanisms, depending on the different cellular contexts. EZH2 interacts with both histone and non-histone proteins to modulate diverse physiological functions including cancer progression and malignancy. In this review article, we focused on the updated information regarding microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulation of EZH2, the oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of EZH2 in cancer progression and malignancy, as well as current pre-clinical and clinical trials of EZH2 inhibitors. PMID:28561778

Hazardous fuel treatments, suppression cost impacts, and risk mitigation

Treesearch

Matthew P. Thompson; Michael S. Hand; Julie W. Gilbertson-Day; Nicole M. Vaillant; Darek J. Nalle

2013-01-01

Land management agencies face uncertain tradeoffs regarding investments in preparedness and fuels management versus future suppression costs and impacts to valued resources and assets. Prospective evaluation of fuel treatments allows for comparison of alternative treatment strategies in terms of socioeconomic and ecological impacts, and can facilitate tradeoff analysis...

Model Effectiveness as a Function of Personnel (ME = f(PER))

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-10-01

Human Factor in Military Modernization, The RAND Corporation, R- 2460-NA, 1979 AD-A072955 D-7. SUPPRESSION Mueller, M. P., K. H. Pietsch , Human Factors in...H. Pietsch , Human Factors in Field Experimentation, Design and Analysis of an Analytical Suppression Model, 1978 A061417 Office of Naval Research

Prediction errors in wildland fire situation analyses.

Treesearch

Geoffrey H. Donovan; Peter Noordijk

2005-01-01

Wildfires consume budgets and put the heat on fire managers to justify and control suppression costs. To determine the appropriate suppression strategy, land managers must conduct a wildland fire situation analysis (WFSA) when:A wildland fire is expected to or does escape initial attack,A wildland fire managed for resource benefits...

Root distribution and potential interactions between allelopathic rice, sprangletop (Leptochloa spp.), and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) based on ¹³C isotope discrimination analysis.

PubMed

Gealy, David; Moldenhauer, Karen; Duke, Sara

2013-02-01

Weed-suppressive rice cultivars hold promise for improved and more economical weed management in rice. Interactions between roots of rice and weeds are thought to be modulated by the weed-suppressive activity of some rice cultivars, but these phenomena are difficult to measure and not well understood. Thus, above-ground productivity, weed suppression, and root distribution of 11 rice cultivars and two weed species were evaluated in a drill-seeded, flood-irrigated system at Stuttgart, Arkansas, USA in a two-year study. The allelopathic cultivars, PI 312777 and Taichung Native 1 (TN-1), three other weed-suppressive cultivars, three indica-derived breeding selections, and three non-suppressive commercial cultivars were evaluated in field plots infested with barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.) or bearded sprangletop (sprangletop, Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth var. fascicularis (Lam.) N. Snow). The allelopathic cultivars produced more tillers and suppressed both weed species to a greater extent than did the breeding selections or the non-suppressive cultivars. (13)C isotope discrimination analysis of mixed root samples to a depth of 15 cm revealed that the allelopathic cultivars typically produced a greater fraction of their total root mass in the surface 0-5 cm of soil depth compared to the breeding selections or the non-suppressive cultivars, which tended to distribute their roots more evenly throughout the soil profile. These trends in root mass distribution were apparent at both early (pre-flood) and late-season stages in weed-free and weed-infested plots. Cultivar productivity and root distribution generally responded similarly to competition with the two weed species, but barnyardgrass reduced rice yield and root mass more than did sprangletop. These findings demonstrate for the first time that roots of the allelopathic cultivars PI 312777 and TN-1 explore the upper soil profile more thoroughly than do non-suppressive cultivars under weed-infested and weed-free conditions in flood-irrigated U.S. rice production systems. They raise the interesting prospect that root proliferation near the soil surface might enhance the weed-suppressive activity of allelochemical exudates released from roots. Plant architectural design for weed suppressive activity should take these traits into consideration along with other proven agronomic traits such as high tillering and yield.

Technical books and monographs: 1978 catalog

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

Not Available

This publication is a bibliography of books and monographs sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) and by the earlier organizations that were brought together to form DOE. In general, information for each published book, and for each book in press when known, includes title; author and author affiliation; publisher and publication date; page count; size of book; price; availability information if the book is not available from the publisher; Library of Congress card number (LC), with CIP to indicate books that have cataloging information in the publication; International Standard Book Number (ISBN); a brief descriptive statement concerningmore » the book; and for the more recent books a list or a description of the contents. The books and monographs are grouped under thirteen subject categories. At the end of each subject category are separate sections listing recent published symposiums and bibliographies that received support from DOE or one of the earlier organizations. Also, at the end of the catalog are described the following DOE publications: Energy Research Abstracts, Energy Abstracts for Policy Analysis, Energy Conservation Update, Fossil Energy Update, F usion Energy Update, Geothermal Energy Update, Solar Energy Update, Nuclear Safety, and Power Reactor Docket Information.« less

Model updating in flexible-link multibody systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belotti, R.; Caneva, G.; Palomba, I.; Richiedei, D.; Trevisani, A.

2016-09-01

The dynamic response of flexible-link multibody systems (FLMSs) can be predicted through nonlinear models based on finite elements, to describe the coupling between rigid- body and elastic behaviour. Their accuracy should be as high as possible to synthesize controllers and observers. Model updating based on experimental measurements is hence necessary. By taking advantage of the experimental modal analysis, this work proposes a model updating procedure for FLMSs and applies it experimentally to a planar robot. Indeed, several peculiarities of the model of FLMS should be carefully tackled. On the one hand, nonlinear models of a FLMS should be linearized about static equilibrium configurations. On the other, the experimental mode shapes should be corrected to be consistent with the elastic displacements represented in the model, which are defined with respect to a fictitious moving reference (the equivalent rigid link system). Then, since rotational degrees of freedom are also represented in the model, interpolation of the experimental data should be performed to match the model displacement vector. Model updating has been finally cast as an optimization problem in the presence of bounds on the feasible values, by also adopting methods to improve the numerical conditioning and to compute meaningful updated inertial and elastic parameters.

Hydrography change detection: the usefulness of surface channels derived From LiDAR DEMs for updating mapped hydrography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Poppenga, Sandra K.; Gesch, Dean B.; Worstell, Bruce B.

2013-01-01

The 1:24,000-scale high-resolution National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) mapped hydrography flow lines require regular updating because land surface conditions that affect surface channel drainage change over time. Historically, NHD flow lines were created by digitizing surface water information from aerial photography and paper maps. Using these same methods to update nationwide NHD flow lines is costly and inefficient; furthermore, these methods result in hydrography that lacks the horizontal and vertical accuracy needed for fully integrated datasets useful for mapping and scientific investigations. Effective methods for improving mapped hydrography employ change detection analysis of surface channels derived from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) digital elevation models (DEMs) and NHD flow lines. In this article, we describe the usefulness of surface channels derived from LiDAR DEMs for hydrography change detection to derive spatially accurate and time-relevant mapped hydrography. The methods employ analyses of horizontal and vertical differences between LiDAR-derived surface channels and NHD flow lines to define candidate locations of hydrography change. These methods alleviate the need to analyze and update the nationwide NHD for time relevant hydrography, and provide an avenue for updating the dataset where change has occurred.

Technical books and monographs. 1979 catalog

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

Not Available

This publication is a bibliography of books and monographs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and by the earlier organizations that were brought together to form DOE. In general, information for each published book, and for each book in press when known, includes title, author, and author affiliation, publisher and publication date, page count, size of book, price, availability information if the book is not available from the publisher, Library of Congress card number (LC) (with CIP to indicate books that have cataloging information in the publication), International Standard Book Number (ISBN), a brief descriptive statement concerning themore » book, and (for the more recent books) a list or a description of the contents. The books and monographs are grouped under thirteen subject categories. At the end of each subject category are separate sections listing recently published symposium proceedings and bibliographies that received support from DOE or one of the earlier organizations. Also, at the end of the catalog are described the following DOE publications: Energy Research Abstracts, Energy Abstracts for Policy Analysis, Energy Conservation Update, Fossil Energy Update, Fusion Energy Update, Geothermal Energy Update, Solar Energy Update, and Nuclear Safety.« less

Policy Makers Will Need A Way To Update Bundled Payments That Reflects Highly Skewed Spending Growth Of Various Care Episodes

PubMed Central

Rosen, Allison B.; Aizcorbe, Ana; Ryu, Alexander J.; Nestoriak, Nicole; Cutler, David M.; Chernew, Michael E.

2015-01-01

Bundled payment entails paying a single price for all services delivered as part of an episode of care for a specific condition. It is seen as a promising way to slow the growth of health care spending while maintaining or improving the quality of care. To implement bundled payment, policy makers must set base payment rates for episodes of care and update the rates over time to reflect changes in the costs of delivering care and the components of care. Adopting the fee-for-service paradigm of adjusting payments with uniform update rates would be fair and accurate if costs increased at a uniform rate across episodes. But our analysis of 2003 and 2007 US commercial claims data showed spending growth to be highly skewed across episodes: 10 percent of episodes accounted for 82.5 percent of spending growth, and within-episode spending growth ranged from a decline of 75 percent to an increase of 323 percent. Given that spending growth was much faster for some episodes than for others, a situation known as skewness, policy makers should not update episode payments using uniform update rates. Rather, they should explore ways to address variations in spending growth, such as updating episode payments one by one, at least at the outset. PMID:23650329

The theory, design, and operation of the suppressed carrier data-aided tracking receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, M. K.; Springett, J. C.

1973-01-01

A viable, efficient, and easily mechanized carrier regenerating receiver for use in suppressed carrier-tracking system is described. The receiver referred to as a data-aided receiver (DAR) incorporates a data-aided loop (DAL) which provides the required carrier reference signal. The DAL employs the principle of decision feedback and as such is more efficient than other forms of suppressed carrier-tracking loops. The analysis, design, and implementation of the DAR are covered in detail. Performance comparisons and mechanization tradeoffs are made, wherever possible, with discrete carrier systems and other suppressed carrier systems presently in use. Experimental performance verification is given throughout in support of the theory presented.

CONDITIONS FOR CSR MICROBUNCHING GAIN SUPPRESSION

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

Tsai, Cheng Ying; Douglas, David R.; Li, Rui

The coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) of a high brightness electron beam traversing a series of dipoles, such as transport arcs, may result in phase space degradation. On one hand, the CSR can perturb electron transverse motion in dispersive regions along the beamline, causing emittance growth. On the other hand, the CSR effect on the longitudinal beam dynamics could result in microbunching gain enhancement. For transport arcs, several schemes have been proposed* to suppress the CSR-induced emittance growth. Similarly, several scenarios have been introduced** to suppress CSR-induced microbunching gain, which however mostly aim for linac-based machines. In this paper we trymore » to provide sufficient conditions for suppression of CSR-induced microbunching gain along a transport arc, analogous to*. Several example lattices are presented, with the relevant microbunching analyses carried out by our semi-analytical Vlasov solver***. The simulation results show that lattices satisfying the proposed conditions indeed have microbunching gain suppressed. We expect this analysis can shed light on lattice design approach that could suppress the CSR-induced microbunching gain.« less

Single stage, low noise, advanced technology fan. Volume 5: Fan acoustics. Section 1: Results and analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jutras, R. R.

1976-01-01

The acoustic tests and data analysis for a 0.508-scale fan vehicle of a 111,300 newton (25,000 pound) thrust, full-size engine, which would have application on an advanced transport aircraft, is described. The single-stage advanced technology fan was designed to a pressure ratio of 1.8 at a tip speed of 503 m/sec (1,650 ft/sec) to achieve the desired pressure ratio in a single-stage fan with low radius ratio (0.38), and to maintain adequate stall margin. The fan has 44 tip-shrouded rotor blades and 90 outlet guide vanes. The two basic approaches taken in the acoustic design were: (1) minimization of noise at the source, and (2) suppression of the generated noise in the inlet and bypass exhaust duct. Suppression of the generated noise was accomplished in the inlet through use of the hybrid concept (wall acoustic treatment plus airflow acceleration suppression) and in the exhaust duct with extensive acoustic treatment including a splitter. The goal of the design was attainment of twenty effective perceived noise decibels (20 EPNdB) below current Federal Air Regulation noise standards for a full-scale fan at the takeoff, cutback, and approach conditions. The suppression goal of FAR 36-20 was not reached, but improvements in the technology of both front and aft fan-noise suppression were realized. The suppressed fan noise was shown to be consistent with the proposed federal regulation on aircraft noise.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) inhibits inflammatory nuclear factor (NF)-κB and NF-κB-regulated gene products and induces death receptors leading to suppressed proliferation, induced chemosensitization, and suppressed osteoclastogenesis

PubMed Central

Kim, Ji H.; Gupta, Subash C.; Park, Byoungduck; Yadav, Vivek R.; Aggarwal, Bharat B.

2012-01-01

Scope The incidence of cancer is significantly lower in regions where turmeric is heavily consumed. Whether lower cancer incidence is due to turmeric was investigated by examining its effects on tumor cell proliferation, on pro-inflammatory transcription factors NF-κB and STAT3, and on associated gene products. Methods and results Cell proliferation and cell cytotoxicity were measured by the MTT method, NF-κB activity by EMSA, protein expression by Western blot analysis, ROS generation by FACS analysis, and osteoclastogenesis by TRAP assay. Turmeric inhibited NF-κB activation and down-regulated NF-κB-regulated gene products linked to survival (Bcl-2, cFLIP, XIAP, and cIAP1), proliferation (cyclin D1 and c-Myc), and metastasis (CXCR4) of cancer cells. The spice suppressed the activation of STAT3, and induced the death receptors (DR)4 and DR5. Turmeric enhanced the production of ROS, and suppressed the growth of tumor cell lines. Furthermore, turmeric sensitized the tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents capecitabine and taxol. Turmeric was found to be more potent than pure curcumin for cell growth inhibition. Turmeric also inhibited NF-κB activation induced by RANKL that correlated with the suppression of osteoclastogenesis. Conclusion Our results indicate that turmeric can effectively block the proliferation of tumor cells through the suppression of NF-κB and STAT3 pathways. PMID:22147524

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) inhibits inflammatory nuclear factor (NF)-κB and NF-κB-regulated gene products and induces death receptors leading to suppressed proliferation, induced chemosensitization, and suppressed osteoclastogenesis.

PubMed

Kim, Ji H; Gupta, Subash C; Park, Byoungduck; Yadav, Vivek R; Aggarwal, Bharat B

2012-03-01

The incidence of cancer is significantly lower in regions where turmeric is heavily consumed. Whether lower cancer incidence is due to turmeric was investigated by examining its effects on tumor cell proliferation, on pro-inflammatory transcription factors NF-κB and STAT3, and on associated gene products. Cell proliferation and cell cytotoxicity were measured by the MTT method, NF-κB activity by EMSA, protein expression by Western blot analysis, ROS generation by FACS analysis, and osteoclastogenesis by TRAP assay. Turmeric inhibited NF-κB activation and down-regulated NF-κB-regulated gene products linked to survival (Bcl-2, cFLIP, XIAP, and cIAP1), proliferation (cyclin D1 and c-Myc), and metastasis (CXCR4) of cancer cells. The spice suppressed the activation of STAT3, and induced the death receptors (DR)4 and DR5. Turmeric enhanced the production of ROS, and suppressed the growth of tumor cell lines. Furthermore, turmeric sensitized the tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents capecitabine and taxol. Turmeric was found to be more potent than pure curcumin for cell growth inhibition. Turmeric also inhibited NF-κB activation induced by RANKL that correlated with the suppression of osteoclastogenesis. Our results indicate that turmeric can effectively block the proliferation of tumor cells through the suppression of NF-κB and STAT3 pathways. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Testing the effectiveness of simplified search strategies for updating systematic reviews.

PubMed

Rice, Maureen; Ali, Muhammad Usman; Fitzpatrick-Lewis, Donna; Kenny, Meghan; Raina, Parminder; Sherifali, Diana

2017-08-01

The objective of the study was to test the overall effectiveness of a simplified search strategy (SSS) for updating systematic reviews. We identified nine systematic reviews undertaken by our research group for which both comprehensive and SSS updates were performed. Three relevant performance measures were estimated, that is, sensitivity, precision, and number needed to read (NNR). The update reference searches for all nine included systematic reviews identified a total of 55,099 citations that were screened resulting in final inclusion of 163 randomized controlled trials. As compared with reference search, the SSS resulted in 8,239 hits and had a median sensitivity of 83.3%, while precision and NNR were 4.5 times better. During analysis, we found that the SSS performed better for clinically focused topics, with a median sensitivity of 100% and precision and NNR 6 times better than for the reference searches. For broader topics, the sensitivity of the SSS was 80% while precision and NNR were 5.4 times better compared with reference search. SSS performed well for clinically focused topics and, with a median sensitivity of 100%, could be a viable alternative to a conventional comprehensive search strategy for updating this type of systematic reviews particularly considering the budget constraints and the volume of new literature being published. For broader topics, 80% sensitivity is likely to be considered too low for a systematic review update in most cases, although it might be acceptable if updating a scoping or rapid review. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

78 FR 13911 - Proposed Revision to Design of Structures, Components, Equipment and Systems

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-01

... Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants: LWR Edition,'' Section 3.7.1, ``Seismic Design Parameters,'' Section 3.7.2, ``Seismic System Analysis,'' Section 3.7.3, ``Seismic Subsystem Analysis,'' Section 3.8.1... and analysis issues, (2) updates to review interfaces to improve the efficiency and consistency of...

Precision and Accuracy of Analysis for Boron in ITP Samples

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

Tovo, L.L.

'Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICPES) has been used by the Analytical Development Section (ADS) to measure boron in catalytic tetraphenylboron decomposition studies performed by the Waste Processing Technology (WPT) section. Analysis of these samples is complicated due to the presence of high concentrations of sodium and organic compounds. Previously, we found signal suppression in samples analyzed "as received". We suspected that the suppression was due to the high organic concentration (up to 0.01 molar organic decomposition products) in the samples. When the samples were acid digested prior to analysis, the suppression was eliminated. The precision of the reported boronmore » concentration was estimated as 10 percent based on the known precision of the inorganic boron standard used for calibration and quality control check of the ICPES analysis. However, a precision better than 10 percent was needed to evaluate ITP process operating parameters. Therefore, the purpose of this work was (1) to measure, instead of estimating, the precision of the boron measurement on ITP samples and (2) to determine the optimum precision attainable with current instrumentation.'« less

Neural and computational processes underlying dynamic changes in self-esteem

PubMed Central

Rutledge, Robb B; Moutoussis, Michael; Dolan, Raymond J

2017-01-01

Self-esteem is shaped by the appraisals we receive from others. Here, we characterize neural and computational mechanisms underlying this form of social influence. We introduce a computational model that captures fluctuations in self-esteem engendered by prediction errors that quantify the difference between expected and received social feedback. Using functional MRI, we show these social prediction errors correlate with activity in ventral striatum/subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, while updates in self-esteem resulting from these errors co-varied with activity in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). We linked computational parameters to psychiatric symptoms using canonical correlation analysis to identify an ‘interpersonal vulnerability’ dimension. Vulnerability modulated the expression of prediction error responses in anterior insula and insula-vmPFC connectivity during self-esteem updates. Our findings indicate that updating of self-evaluative beliefs relies on learning mechanisms akin to those used in learning about others. Enhanced insula-vmPFC connectivity during updating of those beliefs may represent a marker for psychiatric vulnerability. PMID:29061228

Neural and computational processes underlying dynamic changes in self-esteem.

PubMed

Will, Geert-Jan; Rutledge, Robb B; Moutoussis, Michael; Dolan, Raymond J

2017-10-24

Self-esteem is shaped by the appraisals we receive from others. Here, we characterize neural and computational mechanisms underlying this form of social influence. We introduce a computational model that captures fluctuations in self-esteem engendered by prediction errors that quantify the difference between expected and received social feedback. Using functional MRI, we show these social prediction errors correlate with activity in ventral striatum/subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, while updates in self-esteem resulting from these errors co-varied with activity in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). We linked computational parameters to psychiatric symptoms using canonical correlation analysis to identify an 'interpersonal vulnerability' dimension. Vulnerability modulated the expression of prediction error responses in anterior insula and insula-vmPFC connectivity during self-esteem updates. Our findings indicate that updating of self-evaluative beliefs relies on learning mechanisms akin to those used in learning about others. Enhanced insula-vmPFC connectivity during updating of those beliefs may represent a marker for psychiatric vulnerability.

Geographical Distribution of Woody Biomass Carbon in Tropical Africa: An Updated Database for 2000 (NDP-055.2007, NDP-055b))

DOE Data Explorer

Gibbs, Holly K. [Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (USA); Brown, Sandra [Winrock International, Arlington, VA (USA); Olsen, L. M. [Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN (USA); Boden, Thomas A. [Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN (USA)

2007-09-01

Maps of biomass density are critical inputs for estimating carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation of tropical forests. Brown and Gatson (1996) pioneered methods to use GIS analysis to map forest biomass based on forest inventory data (ndp055). This database is an update of ndp055 (which represent conditions in circa 1980) and accounts for land cover changes occurring up to the year 2000.

The Growth of Education Revenues from 1998-2006: An Update on What Accounts for Differences among States and the District of Columbia in the Context of Adequacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alexander, Nicola A.

2012-01-01

This article is an update of a previous study by the author which examined the growth of elementary and public school revenues for school years 1982-1983 through 1991-1992 (Alexander 1997). Using the same framework, this study provides an analysis of the factors accounting for changes in real per-pupil revenues across the 50 states and the…

Satellite Data Product and Data Dissemination Updates for the SPoRT Sea Surface Temperature Composite Product

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zavodsky, Bradley; LaFontaine, Frank; Berndt, Emily; Meyer, Paul; Jedlovec, Gary

2017-01-01

The SPoRT SST composite is a reliable and robust high-resolution product generated twice per day in near real time. It incorporates highest quality data satellite data from infrared imagers and global analysis from NESDIS and UKMO. Recent updates to the product include the inclusion of VIIRS data to extend the life of the product beyond the MODIS era. It is used by a number of users in their DSS.

Distributed Common Ground System Army Increment 1 (DCGS-A Inc 1)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

Acquisition Executive DoD - Department of Defense DoDAF - DoD Architecture Framework FD - Full Deployment FDD - Full Deployment Decision FY - Fiscal...updated prior to the FDD ITAB in December 2012 and provided additional COA analysis/validation referenced in the FDD ADM (December 14, 2012) and FDD ...required by 10 U.S.C. 2334(a)(6). The Army Cost Review Board developed the FDD Army Cost Position (ACP), dated October 19, 2012, through the update of

Analysis of a Data Communication Network’s Performance under Varying Retransmission Disciplines

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

The routing table is updated using delay information transmitted via congestion/routing up- date packets ( CRUP ) or through delay measurement...previous delay, plus or minus a threshold value, a CRUP is generated and flooded over the network. Upon receipt of a CRUP the ROUTING function up- dates...DDN topology is very large, accounting for the time delay for the full network to be updated, whereas adjacent PSN’s receive CRUP packets virtually

Artifact suppression and analysis of brain activities with electroencephalography signals.

PubMed

Rashed-Al-Mahfuz, Md; Islam, Md Rabiul; Hirose, Keikichi; Molla, Md Khademul Islam

2013-06-05

Brain-computer interface is a communication system that connects the brain with computer (or other devices) but is not dependent on the normal output of the brain (i.e., peripheral nerve and muscle). Electro-oculogram is a dominant artifact which has a significant negative influence on further analysis of real electroencephalography data. This paper presented a data adaptive technique for artifact suppression and brain wave extraction from electroencephalography signals to detect regional brain activities. Empirical mode decomposition based adaptive thresholding approach was employed here to suppress the electro-oculogram artifact. Fractional Gaussian noise was used to determine the threshold level derived from the analysis data without any training. The purified electroencephalography signal was composed of the brain waves also called rhythmic components which represent the brain activities. The rhythmic components were extracted from each electroencephalography channel using adaptive wiener filter with the original scale. The regional brain activities were mapped on the basis of the spatial distribution of rhythmic components, and the results showed that different regions of the brain are activated in response to different stimuli. This research analyzed the activities of a single rhythmic component, alpha with respect to different motor imaginations. The experimental results showed that the proposed method is very efficient in artifact suppression and identifying individual motor imagery based on the activities of alpha component.

Suppression of pulmonary vasculature in lung perfusion MRI using correlation analysis.

PubMed

Risse, Frank; Kuder, Tristan A; Kauczor, Hans-Ulrich; Semmler, Wolfhard; Fink, Christian

2009-11-01

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of suppressing the pulmonary vasculature in lung perfusion MRI using cross-correlation analysis (CCA). Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (3D FLASH, TR/TE/flip angle: 0.8 ms/2.1 ms/40 degrees ) of the lungs was performed in seven healthy volunteers at 1.5 Tesla after injection of Gd-DTPA. CCA was performed pixel-wise in lung segmentations using the signal time-course of the main pulmonary artery and left atrium as references. Pixels with high correlation coefficients were considered as arterial or venous and excluded from further analysis. Quantitative perfusion parameters [pulmonary blood flow (PBF) and volume (PBV)] were calculated for manual lung segmentations separately, with the entire left and right lung with all intrapulmonary vessels (IPV) included, excluded manually or excluded using CCA. The application of CCA allowed reliable suppression of hilar and large IPVs. Using vascular suppression by CCA, perfusion parameters were significantly reduced (p

The Relationships Between ELM Suppression, Pedestal Profiles, and Lithium Wall Coatings in NSTX

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

D.P. Boyle, R. Maingi, P.B. Snyder, J. Manickam, T.H. Osborne, R.E. Bell, B.P. LeBlanc, and the NSTX Team

2012-08-17

Recently in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), increasing lithium wall coatings suppressed edge localized modes (ELMs), gradually but not quite monotonically. This work details profile and stability analysis as ELMs disappeared throughout the lithium scan. While the quantity of lithium deposited between discharges did not uniquely determine the presence of ELMs, profile analysis demonstrated that lithium was correlated to wider density and pressure pedestals with peak gradients farther from the separatrix. Moreover, the ELMy and ELM-free discharges were cleanly separated by their density and pedestal widths and peak gradient locations. Ultimately, ELMs were only suppressed when lithium caused themore » density pedestal to widen and shift inward. These changes in the density gradient were directly reflected in the pressure gradient and calculated bootstrap current. This supports the theory that ELMs in NSTX are caused by peeling and/or ballooning modes, as kink/peeling modes are stabilized when the edge current and pressure gradient shift away from the separatrix. Edge stability analysis using ELITE corroborated this picture, as reconstructed equilibria from ELM-free discharges were generally farther from their kink/peeling stability boundaries than ELMy discharges. We conclude that density profile control provided by lithium is the key first step to ELM suppression in NSTX« less

The relationships between edge localized modes suppression, pedestal profiles and lithium wall coatings in NSTX

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

Boyle, D. P.; Maingi, R.; Snyder, P. B.

2011-01-01

Recently in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), increasing lithium wall coatings suppressed edge localized modes (ELMs), gradually but not quite monotonically. This work details profile and stability analysis as ELMs disappeared throughout the lithium scan. While the quantity of lithium deposited between discharges did not uniquely determine the presence of ELMs, profile analysis demonstrated that lithium was correlated with wider density and pressure pedestals with peak gradients farther from the separatrix. Moreover, the ELMy and ELM-free discharges were cleanly separated by their density and pedestal widths and peak gradient locations. Ultimately, ELMs were only suppressed when lithium caused themore » density pedestal to widen and shift inward. These changes in the density gradient were directly reflected in the pressure gradient and calculated bootstrap current. This supports the theory that ELMs in NSTX are caused by peeling and/or ballooning modes, as kink/peeling modes are stabilized when the edge current and pressure gradient shift away from the separatrix. Edge stability analysis using ELITE corroborated this picture, as reconstructed equilibria from ELM-free discharges were generally farther from their kink/peeling stability boundaries than ELMy discharges. We conclude that density profile control provided by lithium is the key first step to ELM suppression in NSTX.« less

sLORETA current source density analysis of evoked potentials for spatial updating in a virtual navigation task

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Hai M.; Matsumoto, Jumpei; Tran, Anh H.; Ono, Taketoshi; Nishijo, Hisao

2014-01-01

Previous studies have reported that multiple brain regions are activated during spatial navigation. However, it is unclear whether these activated brain regions are specifically associated with spatial updating or whether some regions are recruited for parallel cognitive processes. The present study aimed to localize current sources of event related potentials (ERPs) associated with spatial updating specifically. In the control phase of the experiment, electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded while subjects sequentially traced 10 blue checkpoints on the streets of a virtual town, which were sequentially connected by a green line, by manipulating a joystick. In the test phase of the experiment, the checkpoints and green line were not indicated. Instead, a tone was presented when the subjects entered the reference points where they were then required to trace the 10 invisible spatial reference points corresponding to the checkpoints. The vertex-positive ERPs with latencies of approximately 340 ms from the moment when the subjects entered the unmarked reference points were significantly larger in the test than in the control phases. Current source density analysis of the ERPs by standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) indicated activation of brain regions in the test phase that are associated with place and landmark recognition (entorhinal cortex/hippocampus, parahippocampal and retrosplenial cortices, fusiform, and lingual gyri), detecting self-motion (posterior cingulate and posterior insular cortices), motor planning (superior frontal gyrus, including the medial frontal cortex), and regions that process spatial attention (inferior parietal lobule). The present results provide the first identification of the current sources of ERPs associated with spatial updating, and suggest that multiple systems are active in parallel during spatial updating. PMID:24624067