Graduate Student Project: Employer Operations Management Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fish, Lynn A.

2008-01-01

Part-time graduate students at an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited college complete a unique project by applying operations management concepts to their current employer. More than 92% of 368 graduates indicated that this experiential project was a positive learning experience, and results show a positive impact on…

TIMING APPARATUS

DOEpatents

Bennett, A.E.; Geisow, J.C.H.

1956-04-17

The timing device comprises an escapement wheel and pallet, a spring drive to rotate the escapement wheel to a zero position, means to wind the pretensioned spring proportional to the desired signal time, and a cam mechanism to control an electrical signal switch by energizing the switch when the spring has been wound to the desired position, and deenergizing it when it reaches the zero position. This device produces an accurately timed signal variably witain the control of the operator.

ISS Operations Cost Reductions Through Automation of Real-Time Planning Tasks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Timothy A.; Clancey, William J.; McDonald, Aaron; Toschlog, Jason; Tucker, Tyson; Khan, Ahmed; Madrid, Steven (Eric)

2011-01-01

In 2007 the Johnson Space Center s Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) management team challenged their organizations to find ways to reduce the cost of operations for supporting the International Space Station (ISS) in the Mission Control Center (MCC). Each MOD organization was asked to define and execute projects that would help them attain cost reductions by 2012. The MOD Operations Division Flight Planning Branch responded to this challenge by launching several software automation projects that would allow them to greatly improve console operations and reduce ISS console staffing and intern reduce operating costs. These tasks ranged from improving the management and integration mission plan changes, to automating the uploading and downloading of information to and from the ISS and the associated ground complex tasks that required multiple decision points. The software solutions leveraged several different technologies including customized web applications and implementation of industry standard web services architecture; as well as engaging a previously TRL 4-5 technology developed by Ames Research Center (ARC) that utilized an intelligent agent-based system to manage and automate file traffic flow, archive data, and generate console logs. These projects to date have allowed the MOD Operations organization to remove one full time (7 x 24 x 365) ISS console position in 2010; with the goal of eliminating a second full time ISS console support position by 2012. The team will also reduce one long range planning console position by 2014. When complete, these Flight Planning Branch projects will account for the elimination of 3 console positions and a reduction in staffing of 11 engineering personnel (EP) for ISS.

[Optimizing primary total hip replacement--a technique to effect saving of manpower].

PubMed

Huber, J F; Rink, M; Broger, I; Zumstein, M; Ruflin, G B

2003-01-01

Development of a standardized surgical technique for total hip replacement thereby saving manpower (one assistant) by using a retractor system. Total hip replacement is performed with the patient in a true lateral position on a tunnel cushion. By means of a direct lateral approach the pelvitrochanteric muscles are partially detached using an omega-shaped cut. The Bookwalter retractor is fixed dorsally on the operating table. The ring is centered keeping the greater trochanter in the middle. The Hohmann retractors are fixed to the ring to sufficiently expose the acetabulum. To insert the femoral stem the ring needs to be opened dorsally and the patient's leg is bent 90 degrees in the hip and the knee over the tunnel cushion. The muscles inserting at the greater trochanter are retracted by a separate Hohmann retractor with weight. In a case control study with matched pairs the patients treated with this technique were compared with those treated in supine position with the transgluteal approach. The number of assistants required and the operating time were assessed. All the hip replacements with the patient in side position were performed with one assistant, in supine position with two assistants. The operating time did not differ significantly (supine position 110 min/side position 112 min). The complication rate in both groups was comparable (one secondary wound healing, one transient ischalgia). The process of total hip replacement can be optimized. The described technique allows to spare one surgical assistant without prolonging the operating time.

Soft Real-Time PID Control on a VME Computer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karayan, Vahag; Sander, Stanley; Cageao, Richard

2007-01-01

microPID (uPID) is a computer program for real-time proportional + integral + derivative (PID) control of a translation stage in a Fourier-transform ultraviolet spectrometer. microPID implements a PID control loop over a position profile at sampling rate of 8 kHz (sampling period 125microseconds). The software runs in a strippeddown Linux operating system on a VersaModule Eurocard (VME) computer operating in real-time priority queue using an embedded controller, a 16-bit digital-to-analog converter (D/A) board, and a laser-positioning board (LPB). microPID consists of three main parts: (1) VME device-driver routines, (2) software that administers a custom protocol for serial communication with a control computer, and (3) a loop section that obtains the current position from an LPB-driver routine, calculates the ideal position from the profile, and calculates a new voltage command by use of an embedded PID routine all within each sampling period. The voltage command is sent to the D/A board to control the stage. microPID uses special kernel headers to obtain microsecond timing resolution. Inasmuch as microPID implements a single-threaded process and all other processes are disabled, the Linux operating system acts as a soft real-time system.

Versatile analog pulse height computer performs real-time arithmetic operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brenner, R.; Strauss, M. G.

1967-01-01

Multipurpose analog pulse height computer performs real-time arithmetic operations on relatively fast pulses. This computer can be used for identification of charged particles, pulse shape discrimination, division of signals from position sensitive detectors, and other on-line data reduction techniques.

Office of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) and Spectrum Management Program Overview.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-01-01

Civil Global Positioning System (GPS)/PNT Leadership : Coordinate the development of departmental positions on PNT and : spectrum policy and protection from harmful radio frequency : interference and operational degradation of capabilities : ...

Implementation and evaluation of a hypercube-based method for spatiotemporal exploration and analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marchand, Pierre; Brisebois, Alexandre; Bédard, Yvan; Edwards, Geoffrey

This paper presents the results obtained with a new type of spatiotemporal topological dimension implemented within a hypercube, i.e., within a multidimensional database (MDDB) structure formed by the conjunction of several thematic, spatial and temporal dimensions. Our goal is to support efficient SpatioTemporal Exploration and Analysis (STEA) in the context of Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), the worldwide amateur radio system for position report transmission. Mobile APRS stations are equipped with GPS navigation systems to provide real-time positioning reports. Previous research about the multidimensional approach has proved good potential for spatiotemporal exploration and analysis despite a lack of explicit topological operators (spatial, temporal and spatiotemporal). Our project implemented such operators through a hierarchy of operators that are applied to pairs of instances of objects. At the top of the hierarchy, users can use simple operators such as "same place", "same time" or "same time, same place". As they drill down into the hierarchy, more detailed topological operators are made available such as "adjacent immediately after", "touch during" or more detailed operators. This hierarchy is structured according to four levels of granularity based on cognitive models, generalized relationships and formal models of topological relationships. In this paper, we also describe the generic approach which allows efficient STEA within the multidimensional approach. Finally, we demonstrate that such an implementation offers query run times which permit to maintain a "train-of-thought" during exploration and analysis operations as they are compatible with Newell's cognitive band (query runtime<10 s) (Newell, A., 1990. Unified theories of cognition. Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA, 549 p.).

Refinement of the Hybrid Neuroendovascular Operating Suite: Current and Future Applications.

PubMed

Ashour, Ramsey; See, Alfred P; Dasenbrock, Hormuzdiyar H; Khandelwal, Priyank; Patel, Nirav J; Belcher, Bianca; Aziz-Sultan, Mohammad Ali

2016-07-01

In early-generation hybrid biplane endovascular operating rooms, switching from surgical to angiographic position is cumbersome. In this report, we highlight the unique design of a new hybrid neuroendovascular operating suite that allows surgical access to the head while keeping the biplane system over the lower body of the patient. Current and future hybrid neuroendovascular operating suite applications are discussed. We collaborated with engineers to implement the following modifications to the design of the angiographic system: translation of the bed toward the feet to allow biplane cerebral imaging in the head-side position and the biplane left-side position; translation of the base of the A-plane C-arm away from the feet to allow increased operator space at the head of the bed and to allow cerebral imaging in both the head-side and left-side positions; use of a specialized boom mount for the display panel to increase mobility; and use of a radiolucent tabletop with attachments for the headrest or radiolucent head clamp system. The modified hybrid neuroendovascular operating suite allows for seamless transition between surgical and angiographic positions within seconds, improving workflow efficiency and decreasing procedure time as compared with early-generation hybrid rooms. Combined endovascular and surgical applications are facilitated by co-locating their respective technologies and refining the ergonomics of the system to ease transition between both sets of technologies. In so doing, hybrid neuroendovascular operating suites can be anticipated to improve patient outcomes, generate novel treatment paradigms, and improve time and cost efficiency. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

76 FR 65540 - National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Advisory Board; Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-21

.... James J. Miller, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space... NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [Notice (11-099)] National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Advisory Board; Meeting AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration...

Design of a Pneumatic Tool for Manual Drilling Operations in Confined Spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janicki, Benjamin

This master's thesis describes the design process and testing results for a pneumatically actuated, manually-operated tool for confined space drilling operations. The purpose of this device is to back-drill pilot holes inside a commercial airplane wing. It is lightweight, and a "locator pin" enables the operator to align the drill over a pilot hole. A suction pad stabilizes the system, and an air motor and flexible drive shaft power the drill. Two testing procedures were performed to determine the practicality of this prototype. The first was the "offset drill test", which qualified the exit hole position error due to an initial position error relative to the original pilot hole. The results displayed a linear relationship, and it was determined that position errors of less than .060" would prevent the need for rework, with errors of up to .030" considered acceptable. For the second test, a series of holes were drilled with the pneumatic tool and analyzed for position error, diameter range, and cycle time. The position errors and hole diameter range were within the allowed tolerances. The average cycle time was 45 seconds, 73 percent of which was for drilling the hole, and 27 percent of which was for positioning the device. Recommended improvements are discussed in the conclusion, and include a more durable flexible drive shaft, a damper for drill feed control, and a more stable locator pin.

Therapeutic advances: Single incision laparoscopic hepatopancreatobiliary surgery

PubMed Central

Chang, Stephen Kin Yong; Lee, Kai Yin

2014-01-01

Single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) is proposed to be a step towards minimizing the invasiveness of surgery, and has since gained popularity in several surgical sub-specialties including hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. SPLS has since been applied to cholecystectomy, liver resection as well as pancreatectomy for a multitude of pathologies. Benefits of SPLS over conventional multi-incision laparoscopic surgery include improved cosmesis and potentially post-operative pain at specific time periods and extra-umbilical sites. However, it is also associated with longer operating time, increased rate of complications, and increased rate of port-site hernia. There is no significant difference between length of hospital stay. SPLS has a significant learning curve that affects operating time, rate of conversion and rate of complications. In this article, we review the literature on SPLS in hepatobiliary surgery - cholecystectomy, hepatectomy and pancreatectomy, and offer tips on overcoming potential technical obstacles and minimizing the complications when performing SPLS - surgeon position, position of port and instruments, instrument crossing position, standard hand grip vs reverse hand grip, snooker cue guide position, prevention of incisional hernia. SPLS is a promising direction in laparoscopic surgery, and we recommend step-wise progression of applications of SPLS to various hepatopancreatobiliary surgeries to ensure safe adoption of the surgical technique. PMID:25339820

Point Positioning Service for Natural Hazard Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bar-Sever, Y. E.

2014-12-01

In an effort to improve natural hazard monitoring, JPL has invested in updating and enlarging its global real-time GNSS tracking network, and has launched a unique service - real-time precise positioning for natural hazard monitoring, entitled GREAT Alert (GNSS Real-Time Earthquake and Tsunami Alert). GREAT Alert leverages the full technological and operational capability of the JPL's Global Differential GPS System [www.gdgps.net] to offer owners of real-time dual-frequency GNSS receivers: Sub-5 cm (3D RMS) real-time, absolute positioning in ITRF08, regardless of location Under 5 seconds turnaround time Full covariance information Estimates of ancillary parameters (such as troposphere) optionally provided This service enables GNSS networks operators to instantly have access to the most accurate and reliable real-time positioning solutions for their sites, and also to the hundreds of participating sites globally, assuring inter-consistency and uniformity across all solutions. Local authorities with limited technical and financial resources can now access to the best technology, and share environmental data to the benefit of the entire pacific region. We will describe the specialized precise point positioning techniques employed by the GREAT Alert service optimized for natural hazard monitoring, and in particular Earthquake monitoring. We address three fundamental aspects of these applications: 1) small and infrequent motion, 2) the availability of data at a central location, and 3) the need for refined solutions at several time scales

The Brave New World of Real-time GPS for Hazards Mitigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melbourne, T. I.; Szeliga, W. M.; Santillan, V. M.; Scrivner, C. W.

2015-12-01

Over 600 continuously-operating, real-time telemetered GPS receivers operate throughout California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. These receivers straddle active crustal faults, volcanoes and landslides, the magnitude-9 Cascadia and northeastern Alaskan subduction zones and their attendant tsunamigenic regions along the Pacific coast. Around the circum-Pacific, there are hundreds more and the number is growing steadily as real-time networks proliferate. Despite offering the potential for sub-cm positioning accuracy in real-time useful for a broad array of hazards mitigation, these GPS stations are only now being incorporated into routine seismic, tsunami, volcanic, land-slide, space-weather, or meterologic monitoring. We will discuss NASA's READI (Real-time Earthquake Analysis for DIsasters) initiative. This effort is focussed on developing all aspects of real-time GPS for hazards mitigation, from establishing international data-sharing agreements to improving basic positioning algorithms. READI's long-term goal is to expand real-time GPS monitoring throughout the circum-Pacific as overseas data become freely available, so that it may be adopted by NOAA, USGS and other operational agencies responsible for natural hazards monitoring. Currently ~100 stations are being jointly processed by CWU and Scripps Inst. of Oceanography for algorithm comparison and downstream merging purposes. The resultant solution streams include point-position estimates in a global reference frame every second with centimeter accuracy, ionospheric total electron content and tropospheric zenith water content. These solutions are freely available to third-party agencies over several streaming protocols to enable their incorporation and use in hazards monitoring. This number will ramp up to ~400 stations over the next year. We will also discuss technical efforts underway to develop a variety of downstream applications of the real-time position streams, including the ability to broadcast solutions to thousands of users in real time, earthquake finite-fault and tsunami excitation estimations, and several user interfaces, both stand-alone client and browser-based, that allow interaction with both real-time position streams and their derived products.

Application of robotics in general surgery: initial experience.

PubMed

Nguyen, Ninh T; Hinojosa, Marcelo W; Finley, David; Stevens, Melinda; Paya, Mahbod

2004-10-01

Robotic surgery was recently approved for clinical use in general abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to review our experience with the da Vinci surgical system during laparoscopic general surgical procedures. Eighteen patients underwent robotically assisted laparoscopic abdominal surgery between June 2002 and March 2003. Main outcome measures were operative time, room setup time, robotic arm-positioning and surgical time, blood loss, conversion to laparoscopy, length of stay, and morbidity. The types of robotically assisted laparoscopic procedures were excision of gastric leiomyoma (n = 1), Heller myotomy (n = 1), cholecystectomy (n = 2), gastric banding (n = 2), Nissen fundoplication (n = 4), and gastric bypass (n = 8). The mean room setup time was 63 +/- 14 minutes, and the mean robotic arm-positioning time was 16 +/- 7 minutes. Conversion to laparoscopy occurred in two (11%) of 18 cases because of equipment difficulty (n = 1) and technical difficulty (n = 1). Estimated blood loss was 91 +/- 71 mL. The mean operative time was 156 +/- 42 minutes, and the robotic operative time was 27% of the total operative time. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.2 +/- 1.5 days. There was one postoperative wound infection and one anastomotic stricture. Robotically assisted laparoscopic abdominal surgery is feasible and safe; however, the theoretical advantages of the da Vinci surgical system were not clinically apparent.

30 CFR 77.1009 - Drill; operation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Drill; operation. 77.1009 Section 77.1009... Control § 77.1009 Drill; operation. (a) While in operation drills shall be attended at all times. (b) Men shall not drill from positions that hinder their access to the control levers, or from insecure footing...

30 CFR 77.1009 - Drill; operation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Drill; operation. 77.1009 Section 77.1009... Control § 77.1009 Drill; operation. (a) While in operation drills shall be attended at all times. (b) Men shall not drill from positions that hinder their access to the control levers, or from insecure footing...

30 CFR 77.1009 - Drill; operation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Drill; operation. 77.1009 Section 77.1009... Control § 77.1009 Drill; operation. (a) While in operation drills shall be attended at all times. (b) Men shall not drill from positions that hinder their access to the control levers, or from insecure footing...

30 CFR 77.1009 - Drill; operation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Drill; operation. 77.1009 Section 77.1009... Control § 77.1009 Drill; operation. (a) While in operation drills shall be attended at all times. (b) Men shall not drill from positions that hinder their access to the control levers, or from insecure footing...

30 CFR 77.1009 - Drill; operation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Drill; operation. 77.1009 Section 77.1009... Control § 77.1009 Drill; operation. (a) While in operation drills shall be attended at all times. (b) Men shall not drill from positions that hinder their access to the control levers, or from insecure footing...

77 FR 5185 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Albermarle Sound to Sunset Beach...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-02

... position on specific dates and times to facilitate mechanical gear replacement. DATES: This deviation is... current operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.821(a)(3), to accommodate mechanical gear replacement.... During this time of year approximately two vessels a day transits the area. To facilitate mechanical gear...

Ergonomic assessment of the French and American position for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the MIS Suite.

PubMed

Kramp, Kelvin H; van Det, Marc J; Totte, Eric R; Hoff, Christiaan; Pierie, Jean-Pierre E N

2014-05-01

Cholecystectomy was one of the first surgical procedures to be performed with laparoscopy in the 1980s. Currently, two operation setups generally are used to perform a laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the French and the American position. In the French position, the patient lies in the lithotomy position, whereas in the American position, the patient lies supine with the left arm in abduction. To find an ergonomic difference between the two operation setups the movements of the surgeon's vertebral column were analyzed in a crossover study. The posture of the surgeon's vertebral column was recorded intraoperatively using an electromagnetic motion-tracking system with three sensors attached to the head and to the trunk at the levels of Th1 and S1. A three-dimensional posture analysis of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine was performed to evaluate four surgeons removing a gallbladder in the French and American position. The body angles assessed were flexion/extension of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, axial rotation of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, lateroflexion of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, and the orientation of the head in the sagittal plane. For each body angle, the mean, the percentage of operation time within an ergonomic acceptable range, and the relative frequencies were calculated and compared. No statistical difference was observed in the mean body angles or in the percentages of operation time within an acceptable range between the French and the American position. The relative frequencies of the body angles might indicate a trend toward slight thoracolumbar flexion in the French position. In a modern dedicated minimally invasive surgery suite, the body posture of the neck and trunk and the orientation of the head did not differ significantly between the French and American position.

33 CFR 117.741 - Raccoon Creek.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS Specific Requirements New Jersey § 117.741 Raccoon Creek. (a) The draw of... through November 30, the draw shall be left in the open position at all times and will only be closed for... to flashing green. (2) At all other times, the draw may be left in the closed position and opened on...

33 CFR 117.741 - Raccoon Creek.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS Specific Requirements New Jersey § 117.741 Raccoon Creek. (a) The draw of... through November 30, the draw shall be left in the open position at all times and will only be closed for... to flashing green. (2) At all other times, the draw may be left in the closed position and opened on...

Lie algebraic approach to the time-dependent quantum general harmonic oscillator and the bi-dimensional charged particle in time-dependent electromagnetic fields

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

Ibarra-Sierra, V.G.; Sandoval-Santana, J.C.; Cardoso, J.L.

We discuss the one-dimensional, time-dependent general quadratic Hamiltonian and the bi-dimensional charged particle in time-dependent electromagnetic fields through the Lie algebraic approach. Such method consists in finding a set of generators that form a closed Lie algebra in terms of which it is possible to express a quantum Hamiltonian and therefore the evolution operator. The evolution operator is then the starting point to obtain the propagator as well as the explicit form of the Heisenberg picture position and momentum operators. First, the set of generators forming a closed Lie algebra is identified for the general quadratic Hamiltonian. This algebra ismore » later extended to study the Hamiltonian of a charged particle in electromagnetic fields exploiting the similarities between the terms of these two Hamiltonians. These results are applied to the solution of five different examples: the linear potential which is used to introduce the Lie algebraic method, a radio frequency ion trap, a Kanai–Caldirola-like forced harmonic oscillator, a charged particle in a time dependent magnetic field, and a charged particle in constant magnetic field and oscillating electric field. In particular we present exact analytical expressions that are fitting for the study of a rotating quadrupole field ion trap and magneto-transport in two-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures illuminated by microwave radiation. In these examples we show that this powerful method is suitable to treat quadratic Hamiltonians with time dependent coefficients quite efficiently yielding closed analytical expressions for the propagator and the Heisenberg picture position and momentum operators. -- Highlights: •We deal with the general quadratic Hamiltonian and a particle in electromagnetic fields. •The evolution operator is worked out through the Lie algebraic approach. •We also obtain the propagator and Heisenberg picture position and momentum operators. •Analytical expressions for a rotating quadrupole field ion trap are presented. •Exact solutions for magneto-transport in variable electromagnetic fields are shown.« less

C-arm positioning using virtual fluoroscopy for image-guided surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Silva, T.; Punnoose, J.; Uneri, A.; Goerres, J.; Jacobson, M.; Ketcha, M. D.; Manbachi, A.; Vogt, S.; Kleinszig, G.; Khanna, A. J.; Wolinsky, J.-P.; Osgood, G.; Siewerdsen, J. H.

2017-03-01

Introduction: Fluoroscopically guided procedures often involve repeated acquisitions for C-arm positioning at the cost of radiation exposure and time in the operating room. A virtual fluoroscopy system is reported with the potential of reducing dose and time spent in C-arm positioning, utilizing three key advances: robust 3D-2D registration to a preoperative CT; real-time forward projection on GPU; and a motorized mobile C-arm with encoder feedback on C-arm orientation. Method: Geometric calibration of the C-arm was performed offline in two rotational directions (orbit α, orbit β). Patient registration was performed using image-based 3D-2D registration with an initially acquired radiograph of the patient. This approach for patient registration eliminated the requirement for external tracking devices inside the operating room, allowing virtual fluoroscopy using commonly available systems in fluoroscopically guided procedures within standard surgical workflow. Geometric accuracy was evaluated in terms of projection distance error (PDE) in anatomical fiducials. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the utility of virtual fluoroscopy to aid C-arm positioning in image guided surgery, assessing potential improvements in time, dose, and agreement between the virtual and desired view. Results: The overall geometric accuracy of DRRs in comparison to the actual radiographs at various C-arm positions was PDE (mean ± std) = 1.6 ± 1.1 mm. The conventional approach required on average 8.0 ± 4.5 radiographs spent "fluoro hunting" to obtain the desired view. Positioning accuracy improved from 2.6o ± 2.3o (in α) and 4.1o ± 5.1o (in β) in the conventional approach to 1.5o ± 1.3o and 1.8o ± 1.7o, respectively, with the virtual fluoroscopy approach. Conclusion: Virtual fluoroscopy could improve accuracy of C-arm positioning and save time and radiation dose in the operating room. Such a system could be valuable to training of fluoroscopy technicians as well as intraoperative use in fluoroscopically guided procedures.

Control Circuit For Two Stepping Motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratliff, Roger; Rehmann, Kenneth; Backus, Charles

1990-01-01

Control circuit operates two independent stepping motors, one at a time. Provides following operating features: After selected motor stepped to chosen position, power turned off to reduce dissipation; Includes two up/down counters that remember at which one of eight steps each motor set. For selected motor, step indicated by illumination of one of eight light-emitting diodes (LED's) in ring; Selected motor advanced one step at time or repeatedly at rate controlled; Motor current - 30 mA at 90 degree positions, 60 mA at 45 degree positions - indicated by high or low intensity of LED that serves as motor-current monitor; Power-on reset feature provides trouble-free starts; To maintain synchronism between control circuit and motors, stepping of counters inhibited when motor power turned off.

[Experimental study of angiography using vascular interventional robot-2(VIR-2)].

PubMed

Tian, Zeng-min; Lu, Wang-sheng; Liu, Da; Wang, Da-ming; Guo, Shu-xiang; Xu, Wu-yi; Jia, Bo; Zhao, De-peng; Liu, Bo; Gao, Bao-feng

2012-06-01

To verify the feasibility and safety of new vascular interventional robot system used in vascular interventional procedures. Vascular interventional robot type-2 (VIR-2) included master-slave parts of body propulsion system, image navigation systems and force feedback system, the catheter movement could achieve under automatic control and navigation, force feedback was integrated real-time, followed by in vitro pre-test in vascular model and cerebral angiography in dog. Surgeon controlled vascular interventional robot remotely, the catheter was inserted into the intended target, the catheter positioning error and the operation time would be evaluated. In vitro pre-test and animal experiment went well; the catheter can enter any branch of vascular. Catheter positioning error was less than 1 mm. The angiography operation in animal was carried out smoothly without complication; the success rate of the operation was 100% and the entire experiment took 26 and 30 minutes, efficiency was slightly improved compared with the VIR-1, and the time what staff exposed to the DSA machine was 0 minute. The resistance of force sensor can be displayed to the operator to provide a security guarantee for the operation. No surgical complications. VIR-2 is safe and feasible, and can achieve the catheter remote operation and angiography; the master-slave system meets the characteristics of traditional procedure. The three-dimensional image can guide the operation more smoothly; force feedback device provides remote real-time haptic information to provide security for the operation.

Index to Army Times 1991

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-01

AIRCRAFT) Winging it. Army Times; Oct. 14, 1991; 52(11): p. 26. AAC SEE ARMY ACQUISITION CORPS (AAC) AAFES SEE ARMY AND AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE (AAFES...allies in Germany. Army Times; Sept. 23, 1991; 52(8): p. 10. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) SEE OPERATION DESERT STORK , 1991--GLOSAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (G...COMPETITIONS Golden Knights triumph. Army Times; Oct. 28, 1991; 52(13): p. 14. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO)--AUOIT--HELICOPTERS Republicans move to clip

78 FR 12827 - Petition for Waiver of Compliance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-25

... that the conductor does not have adequate time to remain at the rear of the train to perform the brake test while the engineer changes operating position and then walk forward to the conductor's operating...

Position Error Covariance Matrix Validation and Correction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frisbee, Joe, Jr.

2016-01-01

In order to calculate operationally accurate collision probabilities, the position error covariance matrices predicted at times of closest approach must be sufficiently accurate representations of the position uncertainties. This presentation will discuss why the Gaussian distribution is a reasonable expectation for the position uncertainty and how this assumed distribution type is used in the validation and correction of position error covariance matrices.

Alignment and component position after patient-matched instrumentation versus conventional total knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Pourgiezis, N; Reddy, S P; Nankivell, M; Morrison, G; VanEssen, J

2016-08-01

To compare patient-matched instrumentation (PMI) with conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in terms of limb alignment and component position. Nine men and 36 women (mean age, 69.5 years) who underwent PMI TKA were compared with 20 men and 25 women (mean age, 69.3 years) who underwent conventional TKA by the same team of surgeons with the same prosthesis and protocols in terms of limb alignment and component position using the Perth protocol computed tomography, as well as bone resection measurements, operating time, and the number of trays used. The PMI and conventional TKA groups were comparable in terms of age, body mass index, tourniquet time, operating time, and the number of trays used. For limb alignment and component position, the 2 groups differed significantly in sagittal femoral component position (2.4º vs. 0.9º, p=0.0008) and the percentage of knees with femoral component internally rotated ≥1° with respect to the transepicondylar axis (20% vs. 55%, p=0.001). The difference was not significant in terms of limb alignment, coronal and rotational femoral component position, or coronal and sagittal tibial component position. Intra-operatively, all patient-matched cutting blocks demonstrated acceptable fit and stability. No instrument-related adverse events or complications were encountered. One (2.2%) femur and 6 (13.3%) tibiae were recut 2 mm for optimal ligament balancing. Two femoral components were upsized to the next size, and 2 tibial components were upsized and 2 downsized to the next size. PMI was as accurate as conventional instrumentation in TKA. There was no significant difference in limb alignment or femoral and tibial component position in the coronal and sagittal planes between PMI and conventional TKA. PMI had a higher tendency to achieve correct femoral component rotation.

Application of computer-generated models using low-bandwidth vehicle data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heyes, Neil J.

2002-05-01

One of the main issues with remote teleoperation of vehicles is that during visual operation, one relies on fixed camera positions that ultimately constrain the operator's view of the real world. The paper describes a solution that has been developed at QinetiQ where the operator his given a unique virtual perspective of the vehicle and the surrounding terrain as the vehicle operates. This system helps to solve problems that are generic to remote systems, such as reduction of high data transmission rates and providing 360 degree(s) three dimensional operator view positions regardless of terrain features, light levels and near real time operation. A summary of technologies is listed that could be applied to different types of vehicles and placed in many different situations in order to enhance operator spatial awareness.

Synchronization using pulsed edge tracking in optical PPM communication system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gagliardi, R.

1972-01-01

A pulse position modulated (PPM) optical communication system using narrow pulses of light for data transmission requires accurate time synchronization between transmitter and receiver. The presence of signal energy in the form of optical pulses suggests the use of a pulse edge tracking method of maintaining the necessary timing. The edge tracking operation in a binary PPM system is examined, taking into account the quantum nature of the optical transmissions. Consideration is given first to pure synchronization using a periodic pulsed intensity, then extended to the case where position modulation is present and auxiliary bit decisioning is needed to aid the tracking operation. Performance analysis is made in terms of timing error and its associated statistics. Timing error variances are shown as a function of system signal to noise ratio.

Transducer-actuator systems and methods for performing on-machine measurements and automatic part alignment

DOEpatents

Barkman, William E.; Dow, Thomas A.; Garrard, Kenneth P.; Marston, Zachary

2016-07-12

Systems and methods for performing on-machine measurements and automatic part alignment, including: a measurement component operable for determining the position of a part on a machine; and an actuation component operable for adjusting the position of the part by contacting the part with a predetermined force responsive to the determined position of the part. The measurement component consists of a transducer. The actuation component consists of a linear actuator. Optionally, the measurement component and the actuation component consist of a single linear actuator operable for contacting the part with a first lighter force for determining the position of the part and with a second harder force for adjusting the position of the part. The actuation component is utilized in a substantially horizontal configuration and the effects of gravitational drop of the part are accounted for in the force applied and the timing of the contact.

Absolute continuity for operator valued completely positive maps on C∗-algebras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gheondea, Aurelian; Kavruk, Ali Şamil

2009-02-01

Motivated by applicability to quantum operations, quantum information, and quantum probability, we investigate the notion of absolute continuity for operator valued completely positive maps on C∗-algebras, previously introduced by Parthasarathy [in Athens Conference on Applied Probability and Time Series Analysis I (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1996), pp. 34-54]. We obtain an intrinsic definition of absolute continuity, we show that the Lebesgue decomposition defined by Parthasarathy is the maximal one among all other Lebesgue-type decompositions and that this maximal Lebesgue decomposition does not depend on the jointly dominating completely positive map, we obtain more flexible formulas for calculating the maximal Lebesgue decomposition, and we point out the nonuniqueness of the Lebesgue decomposition as well as a sufficient condition for uniqueness. In addition, we consider Radon-Nikodym derivatives for absolutely continuous completely positive maps that, in general, are unbounded positive self-adjoint operators affiliated to a certain von Neumann algebra, and we obtain a spectral approximation by bounded Radon-Nikodym derivatives. An application to the existence of the infimum of two completely positive maps is indicated, and formulas in terms of Choi's matrices for the Lebesgue decomposition of completely positive maps in matrix algebras are obtained.

Front-line managers as boundary spanners: effects of span and time on nurse supervision satisfaction.

PubMed

Meyer, Raquel M; O'Brien-Pallas, Linda; Doran, Diane; Streiner, David; Ferguson-Paré, Mary; Duffield, Christine

2011-07-01

To examine the influence of nurse manager span (number of direct report staff), time in staff contact, transformational leadership practices and operational hours on nurse supervision satisfaction. Increasing role complexity has intensified the boundary spanning functions of managers. Because work demands and scope vary by management position, time in staff contact rather than span may better explain managers' capacity to support staff. A descriptive, correlational design was used to collect cross-sectional survey and prospective work log and administrative data from a convenience sample of 558 nurses in 51 clinical areas and 31 front-line nurse managers from four acute care hospitals in 2007-2008. Data were analysed using hierarchical linear modelling. Span, but not time in staff contact, interacted with leadership and operational hours to explain supervision satisfaction. With compressed operational hours, supervision satisfaction was lower with highly transformational leadership in combination with wider spans. With extended operational hours, supervision satisfaction was higher with highly transformational leadership, and this effect was more pronounced under wider spans. Operational hours, which influence the manager's daily span (average number of direct report staff working per weekday), should be factored into the design of front-line management positions. © 2011 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

MINOS Timing and GPS Precise Point Positioning

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

Minos Timing Spec • Neutrinos created in bunches separated by 19 ns • ~ 1 neutrino/day detected in Soudan Mine – 2 milliseconds travel time...calibration – No low-cost Fermilab to Soudan Mine connections known – Not yet tested for operational time transfer Clock Options • High-Performance... UNDERGROUND LABORATORY •;, ~ (((ft.F ~’: · GPS PRECISE POINT POSITIONING A Brief Overview What is GPS PPP? • GPS PPP is a way to use precise ephemerides

RFID-based information visibility for hospital operations: exploring its positive effects using discrete event simulation.

PubMed

Asamoah, Daniel A; Sharda, Ramesh; Rude, Howard N; Doran, Derek

2016-10-12

Long queues and wait times often occur at hospitals and affect smooth delivery of health services. To improve hospital operations, prior studies have developed scheduling techniques to minimize patient wait times. However, these studies lack in demonstrating how such techniques respond to real-time information needs of hospitals and efficiently manage wait times. This article presents a multi-method study on the positive impact of providing real-time scheduling information to patients using the RFID technology. Using a simulation methodology, we present a generic scenario, which can be mapped to real-life situations, where patients can select the order of laboratory services. The study shows that information visibility offered by RFID technology results in decreased wait times and improves resource utilization. We also discuss the applicability of the results based on field interviews granted by hospital clinicians and administrators on the perceived barriers and benefits of an RFID system.

Position error compensation via a variable reluctance sensor applied to a Hybrid Vehicle Electric machine.

PubMed

Bucak, Ihsan Ömür

2010-01-01

In the automotive industry, electromagnetic variable reluctance (VR) sensors have been extensively used to measure engine position and speed through a toothed wheel mounted on the crankshaft. In this work, an application that already uses the VR sensing unit for engine and/or transmission has been chosen to infer, this time, the indirect position of the electric machine in a parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) system. A VR sensor has been chosen to correct the position of the electric machine, mainly because it may still become critical in the operation of HEVs to avoid possible vehicle failures during the start-up and on-the-road, especially when the machine is used with an internal combustion engine. The proposed method uses Chi-square test and is adaptive in a sense that it derives the compensation factors during the shaft operation and updates them in a timely fashion.

Position Error Compensation via a Variable Reluctance Sensor Applied to a Hybrid Vehicle Electric Machine

PubMed Central

Bucak, İhsan Ömür

2010-01-01

In the automotive industry, electromagnetic variable reluctance (VR) sensors have been extensively used to measure engine position and speed through a toothed wheel mounted on the crankshaft. In this work, an application that already uses the VR sensing unit for engine and/or transmission has been chosen to infer, this time, the indirect position of the electric machine in a parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) system. A VR sensor has been chosen to correct the position of the electric machine, mainly because it may still become critical in the operation of HEVs to avoid possible vehicle failures during the start-up and on-the-road, especially when the machine is used with an internal combustion engine. The proposed method uses Chi-square test and is adaptive in a sense that it derives the compensation factors during the shaft operation and updates them in a timely fashion. PMID:22294906

Minimally invasive positioning robot system of femoral neck hollow screw implants based on x-ray error correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Yunpeng; Xu, Ying; Hu, Lei; Guo, Na; Wang, Lifeng

2017-01-01

Aiming the high failure rate, the high radiation quantity and the poor positioning accuracy of femoral neck traditional surgery, this article develops a set of new positioning robot system of femoral neck hollow screw implants based on X-rays error correction, which bases on the study of x-rays perspective principle and the Motion Principle of 6 DOF(degree of freedom) series robot UR(Universal Robots). Compared with Computer Assisted Navigation System, this system owns better positioning accuracy and more simple operation. In addition, without extra Equipment of Visual Tracking, this system can reduce a lot of cost. During the surgery, Doctor can plan the operation path and the pose of mark needle according to the positive and lateral X-rays images of patients. Then they can calculate the pixel ratio according to the ratio of the actual length of mark line and the length on image. After that, they can calculate the amount of exercise of UR Robot according to the relative position between operation path and guide pin and the fixed relationship between guide pin and UR robot. Then, they can control UR to drive the positioning guide pin to the operation path. At this point, check the positioning guide pin and the planning path is coincident, if not, repeat the previous steps, until the positioning guide pin and the planning path coincide which will eventually complete the positioning operation. Moreover, to verify the positioning accuracy, this paper make an errors analysis aiming to thirty cases of the experimental model of bone. The result shows that the motion accuracy of the UR Robot is 0.15mm and the Integral error precision is within 0.8mm. To verify the clinical feasibility of this system, this article analysis on three cases of the clinical experiment. In the whole process of positioning, the X-rays irradiation time is 2-3s, the number of perspective is 3-5 and the whole positioning time is 7-10min. The result shows that this system can complete accurately femoral neck positioning surgery. Meanwhile, it can greatly reduce the X-rays radiation of medical staff and patients. To summarize, it has a significant value in clinical application.

High-resolution measurements of surface topography with airborne laser altimetry and the global positioning system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garvin, James B.; Bufton, Jack L.; Cavanaugh, John F.; Krabill, William B.; Clem, Thomas D.; Frederick, Earl B.; Ward, John L.

1991-01-01

Recently, an airborne lidar system that measures laser pulse time-of-flight and the distortion of the pulse waveform upon reflection from earth surface terrain features was developed and is now operational. This instrument is combined with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and a two-axis gyroscope for accurate recovery of aircraft position and pointing attitude. The laser altimeter system is mounted on a high-altitude aircraft platform and operated in a repetitively-pulsed mode for measurements of surface elevation profiles at nadir. The laser transmitter makes use of recently developed short-pulse diode-pumped solid-state laser technology in Q-switched Nd:YAG operating at its fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm. A reflector telescope and silicon avalanche photodiode are the basis of the optical receiver. A high-speed time-interval unit and a separate high-bandwidth waveform digitizer under microcomputer control are used to process the backscattered pulses for measurements of terrain. Other aspects of the lidar system are briefly discussed.

Interval from prostate biopsy to radical prostatectomy does not affect immediate operative outcomes for open or minimally invasive approach.

PubMed

Park, Bumsoo; Choo, Seol Ho; Jeon, Hwang Gyun; Jeong, Byong Chang; Seo, Seong Il; Jeon, Seong Soo; Lee, Hyun Moo; Choi, Han Yong

2014-12-01

Traditionally, urologists recommend an interval of at least 4 weeks after prostate biopsy before radical prostatectomy. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the interval from prostate biopsy to radical prostatectomy affects immediate operative outcomes, with a focus on differences in surgical approach. The study population of 1,848 radical prostatectomy patients was divided into two groups according to the surgical approach: open or minimally invasive. Open group included perineal and retropubic approach, and minimally invasive group included laparoscopic and robotic approach. The cut-off of the biopsy-to-surgery interval was 4 weeks. Positive surgical margin status, operative time and estimated blood loss were evaluated as endpoint parameters. In the open group, there were significant differences in operative time and estimated blood loss between the <4-week and ≥4-week interval subgroups, but there was no difference in positive margin rate. In the minimally invasive group, there were no differences in the three outcome parameters between the two subgroups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the biopsy-to-surgery interval was not a significant factor affecting immediate operative outcomes in both open and minimally invasive groups, with the exception of the interval ≥4 weeks as a significant factor decreasing operative time in the minimally invasive group. In conclusion, performing open or minimally invasive radical prostatectomy within 4 weeks of prostate biopsy is feasible for both approaches, and is even beneficial for minimally invasive radical prostatectomy to reduce operative time.

National Training Center Performance Trends for the Maneuver Operating System: Relationship to Training Doctrine

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

Action Reviews (AAR) after each exercise . This information is synthesized in the THP, as is a sumary of Performance Trends for the entire fourteen...most frequently to least frequently commented upon across THPs. The actual number of times an issue was commented upon, either postively or...positions". "Dispersion of the positions" was some- times inadequate and units "failed to reinforce their positions with obstacles". "Utilization of

Serial and Parallel Processes in Working Memory after Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oberauer, Klaus; Bialkova, Svetlana

2011-01-01

Six young adults practiced for 36 sessions on a working-memory updating task in which 2 digits and 2 spatial positions were continuously updated. Participants either did 1 updating operation at a time, or attempted 1 numerical and 1 spatial operation at the same time. In contrast to previous research using the same paradigm with a single digit and…

Comparison of the clinical and microbiological characteristics of Campylobacter and Helicobacter bacteremia: the importance of time to blood culture positivity using the BACTEC blood culture systems.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Kei; Hayakawa, Kayoko; Nagashima, Maki; Shimada, Kayo; Kutsuna, Satoshi; Takeshita, Nozomi; Kato, Yasuyuki; Kanagawa, Shuzo; Yamada, Koji; Mezaki, Kazuhisa; Kirikae, Teruo; Ohmagari, Norio

2017-11-28

Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter spp. are rare but important causes of bacteremia in humans. Distinguishing these bacteria is complicated because of their similar phenotypic profiles. We conducted clinical and microbiological investigations of Campylobacter spp. or Helicobacter spp. bacteremia. Patients diagnosed with bacteremia from 2008 to 2014 were included. The clinical and microbiological characteristics of Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter spp. bacteremia were compared. The BACTEC system was used in blood cultures. A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted based on the time to blood culture positivity. Sixteen cases of Helicobacter spp. bacteremia (patient age: 61 ± 18 years) and 14 cases of Campylobacter spp. bacteremia (patient age: 49 ± 21 years) were identified. Median time to blood culture positivity was longer for the Helicobacter spp. cases than the Campylobacter spp. cases (91.4 h vs 55.3 h, p < 0.01). A time to blood culture positivity > 75 h predicted Helicobacter spp. bacteremia with a sensitivity of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.93 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90). In conclusion, a time to blood culture positivity was useful in distinguishing Helicobacter spp. bacteremia from Campylobacter spp. bacteremia.

Electrochemical cell

DOEpatents

Redey, L.I.; Vissers, D.R.; Prakash, J.

1994-02-01

An electrochemical cell is described having a bimodal positive electrode, a negative electrode of an alkali metal, and a compatible electrolyte including an alkali metal salt molten at the cell operating temperature. The positive electrode has an electrochemically active layer of at least one transition metal chloride at least partially present as a charging product, and additives of bromide and/or iodide and sulfur in the positive electrode or the electrolyte. Electrode volumetric capacity is in excess of 400 Ah/cm[sup 3]; the cell can be 90% recharged in three hours and can operate at temperatures below 160 C. There is also disclosed a method of reducing the operating temperature and improving the overall volumetric capacity of an electrochemical cell and for producing a positive electrode having a BET area greater than 6[times]10[sup 4] cm[sup 2]/g of Ni. 8 figures.

Electrochemical cell

DOEpatents

Redey, Laszlo I.; Vissers, Donald R.; Prakash, Jai

1994-01-01

An electrochemical cell having a bimodal positive electrode, a negative electrode of an alkali metal, and a compatible electrolyte including an alkali metal salt molten at the cell operating temperature. The positive electrode has an electrochemically active layer of at least one transition metal chloride at least partially present as a charging product, and additives of bromide and/or iodide and sulfur in the positive electrode or the electrolyte. Electrode volumetric capacity is in excess of 400 Ah/cm.sup.3 ; the cell can be 90% recharged in three hours and can operate at temperatures below 160.degree. C. There is also disclosed a method of reducing the operating temperature and improving the overall volumetric capacity of an electrochemical cell and for producing a positive electrode having a BET area greater than 6.times.10.sup.4 cm.sup.2 /g of Ni.

Electrochemical cell

DOEpatents

Redey, Laszlo I.; Vissers, Donald R.; Prakash, Jai

1996-01-01

An electrochemical cell having a bimodal positive electrode, a negative electrode of an alkali metal, and a compatible electrolyte including an alkali metal salt molten at the cell operating temperature. The positive electrode has an electrochemically active layer of at least one transition metal chloride at least partially present as a charging product, and additives of bromide and/or iodide and sulfur in the positive electrode or the electrolyte. Electrode volumetric capacity is in excess of 400 Ah/cm.sup.3 ; the cell can be 90% recharged in three hours and can operate at temperatures below 160.degree. C. There is also disclosed a method of reducing the operating temperature and improving the overall volumetric capacity of an electrochemical cell and for producing a positive electrode having a BET area greater than 6.times.10.sup.4 cm.sup.2 /g of Ni.

Electrochemical cell

DOEpatents

Redey, L.I.; Vissers, D.R.; Prakash, J.

1996-07-16

An electrochemical cell is described having a bimodal positive electrode, a negative electrode of an alkali metal, and a compatible electrolyte including an alkali metal salt molten at the cell operating temperature. The positive electrode has an electrochemically active layer of at least one transition metal chloride at least partially present as a charging product, and additives of bromide and/or iodide and sulfur in the positive electrode or the electrolyte. Electrode volumetric capacity is in excess of 400 Ah/cm{sup 3}; the cell can be 90% recharged in three hours and can operate at temperatures below 160 C. There is also disclosed a method of reducing the operating temperature and improving the overall volumetric capacity of an electrochemical cell and for producing a positive electrode having a BET area greater than 6{times}10{sup 4}cm{sup 2}/g of Ni. 6 figs.

On the problem of time in quantum mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, M.

2017-05-01

The problem of time in quantum mechanics (QM) concerns the fact that in the Schrödinger equation time is a parameter, not an operator. Pauli's objection to a time-energy uncertainty relation analogue to the position-momentum one, conjectured by Heisenberg early on, seemed to exclude the existence of such an operator. However Dirac's formulation of an electron's relativistic QM does allow the introduction of a dynamical time operator that is self-adjoint. Consequently, it can be considered as the generator of a unitary transformation of the system, as well as an additional system observable subject to uncertainty. In the present paper these aspects are examined within the standard framework of relativistic QM.

Time operators in stroboscopic wave-packet basis and the time scales in tunneling

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

Bokes, P.

2011-03-15

We demonstrate that the time operator that measures the time of arrival of a quantum particle into a chosen state can be defined as a self-adjoint quantum-mechanical operator using periodic boundary conditions and applied to wave functions in energy representation. The time becomes quantized into discrete eigenvalues; and the eigenstates of the time operator, i.e., the stroboscopic wave packets introduced recently [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 046402 (2008)], form an orthogonal system of states. The formalism provides simple physical interpretation of the time-measurement process and direct construction of normalized, positive definite probability distribution for the quantized values of the arrival time.more » The average value of the time is equal to the phase time but in general depends on the choice of zero time eigenstate, whereas the uncertainty of the average is related to the traversal time and is independent of this choice. The general formalism is applied to a particle tunneling through a resonant tunneling barrier in one dimension.« less

School District Employment Reductions Slow. Get the Facts. #1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tallman, Mark

2012-01-01

Kansas school districts reduced employment by 327 full-time equivalent positions this school year, the smallest reduction in three years of cuts to district operating budgets. Districts reduced positions by 561 in FY 2010 and 1,626 in FY 2011. Districts eliminated nearly 400 "regular" teaching positions this year, but added 114 special…

The Power Plant Operating Data Based on Real-time Digital Filtration Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ning; Chen, Ya-mi; Wang, Hui-jie

2018-03-01

Real-time monitoring of the data of the thermal power plant was the basis of accurate analyzing thermal economy and accurate reconstruction of the operating state. Due to noise interference was inevitable; we need real-time monitoring data filtering to get accurate information of the units and equipment operating data of the thermal power plant. Real-time filtering algorithm couldn’t be used to correct the current data with future data. Compared with traditional filtering algorithm, there were a lot of constraints. First-order lag filtering method and weighted recursive average filtering method could be used for real-time filtering. This paper analyzes the characteristics of the two filtering methods and applications for real-time processing of the positive spin simulation data, and the thermal power plant operating data. The analysis was revealed that the weighted recursive average filtering method applied to the simulation and real-time plant data filtering achieved very good results.

Rocket-borne time-of-flight mass spectrometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reiter, R. F.

1976-01-01

Theoretical and numerical analyses are made of planar, cylindrical and spherical-electrode two-field time-of-flight mass spectrometers in order to optimize their operating conditions. A method is introduced which can improve the resolving power of these instruments by a factor of 7.5. Potential barrier gating in time-of-flight mass spectrometers is also analyzed. Experimental studies of a miniature cylindrical-electrode and a hemispherical-electrode time-of-flight mass spectrometer are presented. Their sensitivity and ability to operate at D-region pressures with an open source make them ideal instruments for D-region ion composition measurements. A sounding rocket experiment package carrying a cylindrical electrode time-of-flight mass spectrometer was launched. The data indicate that essentially 100% of the positive electric charge on positive ions is carried by ions with mass-to-charge ratios greater than 500 below an altitude of 92 km. These heavy charge carriers were present at altitudes up to about 100 km.

Single-staged uniportal VATS in the supine position for simultaneous bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

PubMed

Kim, Kyung Soo

2017-05-15

Simultaneous bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax (SBPSP) is rare, but requires surgery on both sides, in patients with definite bilateral bullae to prevent life-threatening conditions. Recently, uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been widely accepted as a less invasive technique for the treatment of pneumothorax. Thus, we introduced single-staged uniportal VATS technique in the supine position, for the management of two cases of SBPSP. A 17-year-old boy presented with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax and he underwent single-staged uniportal VATS in the supine position. Single wide draping in consecutive bilateral approaches removes the needs of changing patients' position. Whole thoracoscopic procedure for wedge resection of bullae lesions was conducted without difficulty. The total operation time took 65 min and the patient discharged 3 days after the operation. The patient was followed for 24 months without recurrence of both sides. Another 18-year-old boy was admitted with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax and single-staged uniportal VATS was also performed in the supine position. The total operation time took 79 min and the patient discharged on postoperative day 4. He was followed for 19 months without recurrence of both sides. Single-staged uniportal VATS approach yielded satisfactory results from simplicity that not requires position change compared to conventional multi-ports VATS in the lateral position, and with better cosmetics. This technique is thought to be a feasible procedure in selective patients with SBPSP or with contralateral bullae for preventive role.

Precision displacement reference system

DOEpatents

Bieg, Lothar F.; Dubois, Robert R.; Strother, Jerry D.

2000-02-22

A precision displacement reference system is described, which enables real time accountability over the applied displacement feedback system to precision machine tools, positioning mechanisms, motion devices, and related operations. As independent measurements of tool location is taken by a displacement feedback system, a rotating reference disk compares feedback counts with performed motion. These measurements are compared to characterize and analyze real time mechanical and control performance during operation.

Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for surgical trainees: predictive factors of operative time.

PubMed

Haji, A; Khan, A; Haq, A; Ribeiro, B

2009-08-01

To determine pre-operative criteria to predict duration and technical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomies that will aid in identifying patients suitable for training lists. A prospective analysis of 835 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Data collected included patient demographics, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES), duration of surgery (from skin incision to skin closure), peri-operative and postoperative complications and histological gallbladder wall thickness. Post-operative complications were seen in 3% (n=20). Overall open conversion rate was 2%. The mean duration of surgery was 78.76 +/- 1.75 minutes. Age, ERCP and ES were not independent predictors of a long operation time. However, a positive correlation was seen with histological gallbladder wall thickness and duration of surgery (p=0.001). The mean operating time for gallbladder wall thickness < 3 mm was 72.1 +/- 1.62 minutes whereas that for > 3 mm thickness was 83.3 +/- 2.05 minutes (p=<0.001). Gallbladder wall thickness can be used as an independent predictor of a long operation time.

Evaluating Alerting and Guidance Performance of a UAS Detect-And-Avoid System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Seung Man; Park, Chunki; Thipphavong, David P.; Isaacson, Douglas R.; Santiago, Confesor

2016-01-01

A key challenge to the routine, safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is the development of detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems to aid the UAS pilot in remaining "well clear" of nearby aircraft. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of alerting criteria and pilot response delay on the safety and performance of UAS DAA systems in the context of routine civil UAS operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). A NAS-wide fast-time simulation study was conducted to assess UAS DAA system performance with a large number of encounters and a broad set of DAA alerting and guidance system parameters. Three attributes of the DAA system were controlled as independent variables in the study to conduct trade-off analyses: UAS trajectory prediction method (dead-reckoning vs. intent-based), alerting time threshold (related to predicted time to LoWC), and alerting distance threshold (related to predicted Horizontal Miss Distance, or HMD). A set of metrics, such as the percentage of true positive, false positive, and missed alerts, based on signal detection theory and analysis methods utilizing the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were proposed to evaluate the safety and performance of DAA alerting and guidance systems and aid development of DAA system performance standards. The effect of pilot response delay on the performance of DAA systems was evaluated using a DAA alerting and guidance model and a pilot model developed to support this study. A total of 18 fast-time simulations were conducted with nine different DAA alerting threshold settings and two different trajectory prediction methods, using recorded radar traffic from current Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations, and supplemented with DAA-equipped UAS traffic based on mission profiles modeling future UAS operations. Results indicate DAA alerting distance threshold has a greater effect on DAA system performance than DAA alerting time threshold or ownship trajectory prediction method. Further analysis on the alert lead time (time in advance of predicted loss of well clear at which a DAA alert is first issued) indicated a strong positive correlation between alert lead time and DAA system performance (i.e. the ability of the UAS pilot to maneuver the unmanned aircraft to remain well clear). While bigger distance thresholds had beneficial effects on alert lead time and missed alert rate, it also generated a higher rate of false alerts. In the design and development of DAA alerting and guidance systems, therefore, the positive and negative effects of false alerts and missed alerts should be carefully considered to achieve acceptable alerting system performance by balancing false and missed alerts. The results and methodology presented in this study are expected to help stakeholders, policymakers and standards committees define the appropriate setting of DAA system parameter thresholds for UAS that ensure safety while minimizing operational impacts to the NAS and equipage requirements for its users before DAA operational performance standards can be finalized.

Femtosecond optical packet generation by a direct space-to-time pulse shaper.

PubMed

Leaird, D E; Weiner, A M

1999-06-15

We demonstrate femtosecond operation of a direct space-to-time pulse shaper in which there is direct mapping (no Fourier transform) between the spatial position of the masking function and the temporal position in the output waveform. We use this apparatus to generate trains of 20 pulses as an ultrafast optical data packet over an approximately 40-ps temporal window.

Electronic digital display watch having solar and geographical functions

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

Salah, I.M.

1984-10-30

In order to provide easily accessible knowledge of the correlations between time, the geographical locale and the solar positions, the watch in question in addition to time-keeping means capable of displaying the current time also provides means capable of storing, processing in a microprocessor mode and displaying in a particular panel mode data of solar elevation and azimuth as well as date data, a computer performing correlating operations between these various values. Pushbuttons (BPH', BPM', BPB') allow using this watch in various operational and correction situations, and other pushbuttons (BPH, BPM, BPB) allow more specific commands for correction, for searchmore » operations regarding date and place based on the solar data, for storage and call from memory of the various processed data. This watch can easily be implemented as a small wrist watch. It will be advantageously used by those interested in knowing the solar positions, by solar facility engineers, architects, airline pilots, believers in the Moslem faith etc.« less

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

Kalay, Berfin; Demiralp, Metin

This proceedings paper aims to show the efficiency of an expectation value identity for a given algebraic function operator which is assumed to be depending pn only position operator. We show that this expectation value formula becomes enabled to determine the eigenstates of the quantum system Hamiltonian as long as it is autonomous and an appropriate basis set in position operator is used. This approach produces a denumerable infinite recursion which may be considered as revisited but at the same time generalized form of the recursions over the natural number powers of the position operator. The content of this shortmore » paper is devoted not only to the formulation of the new method but also to show that this novel approach is capable of catching the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for Hydrogen-like systems, beyond that, it can give a hand to us to reveal the wavefunction structure. So it has also somehow a confirmative nature.« less

Soil sampling device with latch assembly having a variable circumferential shape

DOEpatents

Meyer, R.D.

1996-12-24

The invention relates to an improved sampler which can be operated in any orientation. The design features a positive gripping of the operating rod in a manner to reduce point loads so as to reduce any possibility of jamming of the rod on a retraction stroke until such time as it is positively retained in the fully withdrawn position. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of mating cylindrical latch pieces, held together by a circumferential spring, are used for positive actuation. The inner rod has an angular cut-out which provides the base for the latch when aligned with the latch. A release fixture can be used to free the latch from the cone rod after actuation. The latches are formed in such a manner as they may support themselves within the housing of the sampler until they engage the operating rod. 11 figs.

Soil sampling device with latch assembly having a variable circumferential shape

DOEpatents

Meyer, Robert D.

1996-01-01

The invention relates to an improved sampler which can be operated in any orientation. The design features a positive gripping of the operating rod in a manner to reduce point loads so as to reduce any possibility of jamming of the rod on a retraction stroke until such time as it is positively retained in the fully withdrawn position. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of mating cylindrical latch pieces, held together by a circumferential spring, are used for positive actuation. The inner rod has an angular cut-out which provides the base for the latch when aligned with the latch. A release fixture can be used to free the latch from the cone rod after actuation. The latches are formed in such a manner as they may support themselves within the housing of the sampler until they engage the operating rod.

Convergence of damped inertial dynamics governed by regularized maximally monotone operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Attouch, Hedy; Cabot, Alexandre

2018-06-01

In a Hilbert space setting, we study the asymptotic behavior, as time t goes to infinity, of the trajectories of a second-order differential equation governed by the Yosida regularization of a maximally monotone operator with time-varying positive index λ (t). The dissipative and convergence properties are attached to the presence of a viscous damping term with positive coefficient γ (t). A suitable tuning of the parameters γ (t) and λ (t) makes it possible to prove the weak convergence of the trajectories towards zeros of the operator. When the operator is the subdifferential of a closed convex proper function, we estimate the rate of convergence of the values. These results are in line with the recent articles by Attouch-Cabot [3], and Attouch-Peypouquet [8]. In this last paper, the authors considered the case γ (t) = α/t, which is naturally linked to Nesterov's accelerated method. We unify, and often improve the results already present in the literature.

Further characterization of the time transfer capabilities of precise point positioning (PPP): the Sliding Batch Procedure.

PubMed

Guyennon, Nicolas; Cerretto, Giancarlo; Tavella, Patrizia; Lahaye, François

2009-08-01

In recent years, many national timing laboratories have installed geodetic Global Positioning System receivers together with their traditional GPS/GLONASS Common View receivers and Two Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer equipment. Many of these geodetic receivers operate continuously within the International GNSS Service (IGS), and their data are regularly processed by IGS Analysis Centers. From its global network of over 350 stations and its Analysis Centers, the IGS generates precise combined GPS ephemeredes and station and satellite clock time series referred to the IGS Time Scale. A processing method called Precise Point Positioning (PPP) is in use in the geodetic community allowing precise recovery of GPS antenna position, clock phase, and atmospheric delays by taking advantage of these IGS precise products. Previous assessments, carried out at Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM; formerly IEN) with a PPP implementation developed at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), showed PPP clock solutions have better stability over short/medium term than GPS CV and GPS P3 methods and significantly reduce the day-boundary discontinuities when used in multi-day continuous processing, allowing time-limited, campaign-style time-transfer experiments. This paper reports on follow-on work performed at INRiM and NRCan to further characterize and develop the PPP method for time transfer applications, using data from some of the National Metrology Institutes. We develop a processing procedure that takes advantage of the improved stability of the phase-connected multi-day PPP solutions while allowing the generation of continuous clock time series, more applicable to continuous operation/monitoring of timing equipment.

SU-E-T-785: Using Systems Engineering to Design HDR Skin Treatment Operation for Small Lesions to Enhance Patient Safety

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

Saw, C; Baikadi, M; Peters, C

2015-06-15

Purpose: Using systems engineering to design HDR skin treatment operation for small lesions using shielded applicators to enhance patient safety. Methods: Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field that offers formal methodologies to study, design, implement, and manage complex engineering systems as a whole over their life-cycles. The methodologies deal with human work-processes, coordination of different team, optimization, and risk management. The V-model of systems engineering emphasize two streams, the specification and the testing streams. The specification stream consists of user requirements, functional requirements, and design specifications while the testing on installation, operational, and performance specifications. In implementing system engineering tomore » this project, the user and functional requirements are (a) HDR unit parameters be downloaded from the treatment planning system, (b) dwell times and positions be generated by treatment planning system, (c) source decay be computer calculated, (d) a double-check system of treatment parameters to comply with the NRC regulation. These requirements are intended to reduce human intervention to improve patient safety. Results: A formal investigation indicated that the user requirements can be satisfied. The treatment operation consists of using the treatment planning system to generate a pseudo plan that is adjusted for different shielded applicators to compute the dwell times. The dwell positions, channel numbers, and the dwell times are verified by the medical physicist and downloaded into the HDR unit. The decayed source strength is transferred to a spreadsheet that computes the dwell times based on the type of applicators and prescribed dose used. Prior to treatment, the source strength, dwell times, dwell positions, and channel numbers are double-checked by the radiation oncologist. No dosimetric parameters are manually calculated. Conclusion: Systems engineering provides methodologies to effectively design the HDR treatment operation that minimize human intervention and improve patient safety.« less

Lumbar microdiscectomy under epidural anaesthesia with the patient in the sitting position: a prospective study.

PubMed

Nicassio, Nicola; Bobicchio, Paolo; Umari, Marzia; Tacconi, Leonello

2010-12-01

In a prospective study we compared the surgical outcome, length of hospital stay, complications and patient satisfaction for patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy (LM) under spinal anaesthesia (SA) in the sitting position (23 patients) to those of another cohort who underwent LM under general anaesthesia (GA) in the prone or genu-pectoral position during the same time period (238 patients). We aimed to determine: (i) if epidural anaesthesia is safe for lumbar microdiscectomy; and (ii) if placing the patient in a sitting position confers an advantage in performing the operation. For all patients we calculated the time from the end of the operation to the first spontaneous urination and to the first administration of analgesic drugs. Before being discharged, patients were asked to give an opinion on the quality of analgesia obtained by epidural anaesthesia and on the sitting position used. No patient had any complications linked to epidural anaesthesia and only one patient experienced a small dural tear as a surgical complication. Twenty of 23 patients expressed satisfaction with the level of analgesia obtained and only three considered it poor. All patients found the sitting position comfortable. Advantages of the sitting position for surgery include better comfort for the patient, potential to recreate a load condition similar to the one that takes place during orthostasis and a "cleaner" operative field that uses gravity to drain blood. Of greatest concern is the possibility of the patient developing a dural tear and subsequent leaking of cerebrospinal fluid, which could also be a source of surgical complications. Currently, epidural anaesthesia allows a reduction in anaesthetic and surgical times, anaesthetic complications and, consequently, hospitalization period. Further analysis of the sitting position for the patient during surgery is required to fully assess the advantages and disadvantages of this method. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and upside-down stomach using the Da Vinci robotic system. A prospective study.

PubMed

Hartmann, Jens; Jacobi, Christoph A; Menenakos, Charalambos; Ismail, Mahmoud; Braumann, Chris

2008-03-01

So far, the impact of telematic surgical approach in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is still obscure. In this prospective study, we analyzed the Da Vinci Intuitive Surgical robotic system for antireflux surgery. In April 2003, we set up a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic telerobotic surgery using the three-arm Da Vinci system. Optimal trocar positions, operating and setup times, conversion rate, intraoperative complications, and perioperative morbidity, as well as mortality rate, were analyzed. The median age was 53 years (range 25-74) in 118 patients (52 female/66 male). In 17 patients, an upside-down stomach- and in 101 GERD was surgical indication. The median operating time has been reduced from 105 min to 91 min after 40 procedures and setup time from 24.5 min to 10.4 min after 10 procedures. The system is safe and it seems to be superior to traditional laparoscopy during dissection in the esophageal hiatus region. This compensates long setup- and operating times. Disadvantages are the high costs, the time to master the setup/system and the necessity of exact trocar positioning.

Indirect rotor position sensing in real time for brushless permanent magnet motor drives

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

Ertugrul, N.; Acarnley, P.P.

1998-07-01

This paper describes a modern solution to real-time rotor position estimation of brushless permanent magnet (PM) motor drives. The position estimation scheme, based on flux linkage and line-current estimation, is implemented in real time by using the abc reference frame, and it is tested dynamically. The position estimation model of the test motor, development of hardware, and basic operation of the digital signal processor (DSP) are discussed. The overall position estimation strategy is accomplished with a fast DSP (TMS320C30). The method is a shaft position sensorless method that is applicable to a wide range of excitation types in brushless PMmore » motors without any restriction on the motor model and the current excitation. Both rectangular and sinewave-excited brushless PM motor drives are examined, and the results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method with dynamic loads in closed estimated position loop.« less

Combat cueing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kachejian, Kerry C.; Vujcic, Doug

1998-08-01

The combat cueing (CBT-Q) research effort will develop and demonstrate a portable tactical information system that will enhance the effectiveness of small unit military operations by providing real-time target cueing information to individual warfighters and teams. CBT-Q consists of a network of portable radio frequency (RF) 'modules' and is controlled by a body-worn 'user station' utilizing a head mounted display . On the battlefield, CBT-Q modules will detect an enemy transmitter and instantly provide the warfighter with an emitter's location. During the 'fog of battle', CBT-Q would tell the warfighter, 'Look here, right now individuals into the RF spectrum, resulting in faster target engagement times, increased survivability, and reduce the potential for fratricide. CBT-Q technology can support both mounted and dismounted tactical forces involved in land, sea and air warfighting operations. The CBT-Q system combines robust geolocation and signal sorting algorithms with hardware and software modularity to offer maximum utility to the warfighter. A single CBT-Q module can provide threat RF detection. Three networked CBT-Q modules can provide emitter positions using a time difference of arrival (TDOA) technique. The TDOA approach relies on timing and positioning data derived from a global positioning systems. The information will be displayed on a variety of displays, including a flat-panel head mounted display. The end results of the program will be the demonstration of the system with US Army Scouts in an operational environment.

Computer-designed surgical guide template compared with free-hand operation for mesiodens extraction in premaxilla using “trapdoor” method

PubMed Central

Hu, Ying Kai; Xie, Qian Yang; Yang, Chi; Xu, Guang Zhou

2017-01-01

Abstract The aim of this study was to introduce a novel method of mesiodens extraction using a vascularized pedicled bone flap by piezosurgery and to compare the differences between a computer-aided design surgical guide template and free-hand operation. A total of 8 patients with mesiodens, 4 with a surgical guide (group I), and 4 without it (group II) were included in the study. The surgical design was to construct a trapdoor pedicle on the superior mucoperiosteal attachment with application of piezosurgery. The bone lid was repositioned after mesiodens extraction. Group I patients underwent surgeries based on the preoperative planning with surgical guide templates, while group II patients underwent free-hand operation. The outcome variables were success rate, intraoperative time, anterior nasal spine (ANS) position, changes of nasolabial angle (NLA), and major complications. Data from the 2 groups were compared by SPSS 17.0, using Wilcoxon test. The operative time was significantly shorter in group I patients. All the mesiodentes were extracted successfully and no obvious differences of preoperative and postoperative ANS position and NLA value were found in both groups. The patients were all recovered uneventfully. Surgical guide templates can enhance clinical accuracy and reduce operative time by facilitating accurate osteotomies. PMID:28658139

Comparison of Clinical Efficacy of Lateral and Lateral and Medial Double-plating Fixation of Distal Femoral Fractures.

PubMed

Bai, Zhibiao; Gao, Shichang; Hu, Zhenming; Liang, Anlin

2018-03-20

The present study was performed to compare the clinical efficacy of lateral plate and lateral and medial double-plating fixation of distal femoral fractures and explore the indication of lateral and medial double-plating fixation of the distal femoral fractures. From March 2006 to April 2014, 48 and 12 cases of distal femoral fractures were treated with lateral plate (single plate) and lateral and medial plates (double plates), respectively. During the surgery, after setting the lateral plate for the distal femoral fractures, if the varus stress test of the knee was positive and the lateral collateral ligament rupture was excluded, lateral and medial double-plating fixation was used for the stability of the fragments. All the patients were followed up at an average period of 15.9 months. The average operation time, the intraoperative hemorrhage and the fracture union time of the two groups were compared. One year after operation, knee function was evaluated by the Kolmert's standard. There was no significant difference in the average operation time, intraoperative hemorrhage, fracture healing time and excellent and good rates of postoperative knee function between two groups. Positive Varus stress test during operation can be an indication for lateral and medial double-plating fixation of distal femoral fractures.

A quantum network of clocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komar, Peter; Kessler, Eric; Bishof, Michael; Jiang, Liang; Sorensen, Anders; Ye, Jun; Lukin, Mikhail

2014-05-01

Shared timing information constitutes a key resource for positioning and navigation with a direct correspondence between timing accuracy and precision in applications such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). By combining precision metrology and quantum networks, we propose here a quantum, cooperative protocol for the operation of a network consisting of geographically remote optical atomic clocks. Using non-local entangled states, we demonstrate an optimal utilization of the global network resources, and show that such a network can be operated near the fundamental limit set by quantum theory yielding an ultra-precise clock signal. Furthermore, the internal structure of the network, combined with basic techniques from quantum communication, guarantees security both from internal and external threats. Realization of such a global quantum network of clocks may allow construction of a real-time single international time scale (world clock) with unprecedented stability and accuracy. See also: Komar et al. arXiv:1310.6045 (2013) and Kessler et al. arXiv:1310.6043 (2013).

Embedded real-time operating system micro kernel design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Xiao-hui; Li, Ming-qiang; Wang, Xin-zheng

2005-12-01

Embedded systems usually require a real-time character. Base on an 8051 microcontroller, an embedded real-time operating system micro kernel is proposed consisting of six parts, including a critical section process, task scheduling, interruption handle, semaphore and message mailbox communication, clock managent and memory managent. Distributed CPU and other resources are among tasks rationally according to the importance and urgency. The design proposed here provides the position, definition, function and principle of micro kernel. The kernel runs on the platform of an ATMEL AT89C51 microcontroller. Simulation results prove that the designed micro kernel is stable and reliable and has quick response while operating in an application system.

Influence of the vibro-acoustic sensor position on cavitation detection in a Kaplan turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, H.; Kirschner, O.; Riedelbauch, S.; Necker, J.; Kopf, E.; Rieg, M.; Arantes, G.; Wessiak, M.; Mayrhuber, J.

2014-03-01

Hydraulic turbines can be operated close to the limits of the operating range to meet the demand of the grid. When operated close to the limits, the risk increases that cavitation phenomena may occur at the runner and / or at the guide vanes of the turbine. Cavitation in a hydraulic turbine can cause material erosion on the runner and other turbine parts and reduce the durability of the machine leading to required outage time and related repair costs. Therefore it is important to get reliable information about the appearance of cavitation during prototype operation. In this experimental investigation the high frequency acoustic emissions and vibrations were measured at 20 operating points with different cavitation behaviour at different positions in a large prototype Kaplan turbine. The main goal was a comparison of the measured signals at different sensor positions to identify the sensitivity of the location for cavitation detection. The measured signals were analysed statistically and specific values were derived. Based on the measured signals, it is possible to confirm the cavitation limit of the examined turbine. The result of the investigation shows that the position of the sensors has a significant influence on the detection of cavitation.

Femtosecond direct space-to-time pulse shaping in an integrated-optic configuration.

PubMed

Leaird, D E; Weiner, A M

2004-07-01

We demonstrate femtosecond operation of an integrated-optic direct space-to-time pulse shaper for which there is a direct mapping (no Fourier transform) between the spatial position of the masking function and the temporal position in the output waveform. The apparatus is used to generate trains of more than 30 pulses as an ultrafast optical data packet over approximately an 80-ps temporal window.

Institute of Navigation Satellite Division, International Technical Meeting, 2nd, Colorado Springs, CO, Sept. 27-29, 1989, Proceedings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Various papers on navigation satellites are presented. The general topics considered include: overview and status of GPS, kinematic positioning, international developments and perspective on satellite positioning, test range applications, civil applications, and receiver developments and equipment. Consideration is given to multisensor integration, military applications, differential operation, integrity, propagation phenomena and measurement networks, and precise time and time transfer.

The Global Positioning System: Theory and operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tucker, Lester Plunkett

Scope and method of study. The purpose of this study is to document the theory, development, and training needs of the United States Global Positioning System for the United States Air Force. This subject area had very little information and to assess the United States Air Force training needs required an investigation into existing training accomplished on the Global Positioning System. The United States Air Force has only one place to obtain the data at Headquarters Air Education and Training Command. Findings and conclusion. The United States Air Force, at the time of this study, does not have a theory and operations course dealing with the newest technology advancement in world navigation. Although this new technology is being provided on aircraft in the form of new navigation hardware, no official course of study is provided by the United States Air Force to it's pilots and navigators dealing with theory and operation. Based on the latest reports dealing with the Global Positioning System, a course on the Global Positioning System was developed in the Instructional Systems Design format to provide background information and understanding of this new technology. Readers of this study must be aware that the information contained in this study is very dynamic. Technology is advancing so fast in this area that it might make this information obsolete in a short amount of time.

A novel approach to piecewise analytic agricultural machinery path reconstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wörz, Sascha; Mederle, Michael; Heizinger, Valentin; Bernhardt, Heinz

2017-12-01

Before analysing machinery operation in fields, it has to be coped with the problem that the GPS signals of GPS receivers located on the machines contain measurement noise, are time-discrete, and the underlying physical system describing the positions, axial and absolute velocities, angular rates and angular orientation of the operating machines during the whole working time are unknown. This research work presents a new three-dimensional mathematical approach using kinematic relations based on control variables as Euler angular velocities and angles and a discrete target control problem, such that the state control function is given by the sum of squared residuals involving the state and control variables to get such a physical system, which yields a noise-free and piecewise analytic representation of the positions, velocities, angular rates and angular orientation. It can be used for a further detailed study and analysis of the problem of why agricultural vehicles operate in practice as they do.

41 CFR 102-33.20 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... for their positions over time. Travel Management Policy Division (MTT) means GSA's Office of... under a contractual agreement specifying performance and one-time exclusive use. The commercial source... flight time. Crewmembers perform duties directly related to the operation of the aircraft (e.g., as...

41 CFR 102-33.20 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... for their positions over time. Travel Management Policy Division (MTT) means GSA's Office of... under a contractual agreement specifying performance and one-time exclusive use. The commercial source... flight time. Crewmembers perform duties directly related to the operation of the aircraft (e.g., as...

41 CFR 102-33.20 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... for their positions over time. Travel Management Policy Division (MTT) means GSA's Office of... under a contractual agreement specifying performance and one-time exclusive use. The commercial source... flight time. Crewmembers perform duties directly related to the operation of the aircraft (e.g., as...

41 CFR 102-33.20 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... for their positions over time. Travel Management Policy Division (MTT) means GSA's Office of... under a contractual agreement specifying performance and one-time exclusive use. The commercial source... flight time. Crewmembers perform duties directly related to the operation of the aircraft (e.g., as...

41 CFR 102-33.20 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... for their positions over time. Travel Management Policy Division (MTT) means GSA's Office of... under a contractual agreement specifying performance and one-time exclusive use. The commercial source... flight time. Crewmembers perform duties directly related to the operation of the aircraft (e.g., as...

Medical supply on contingency military operations: experience from Operation GRITROCK.

PubMed

Robinson, J P; Reeves, P

2015-01-01

Medical supply during military operations has the ability to affect the efficacy of the operation being undertaken, either negatively or positively. An appropriately-managed maritime platform with a robust medical supply chain during transit and on arrival in theatre is the main aim. A secure supply chain will reduce any implications that logistics may have with regard to capability, and negate the effects of deficiencies of short shelf life items occurring over time and during use in high tempo operations.

Elevated Radiation Exposure Associated With Above Surface Flat Detector Mini C-Arm Use.

PubMed

Martin, Dennis P; Chapman, Talia; Williamson, Christopher; Tinsley, Brian; Ilyas, Asif M; Wang, Mark L

2017-11-01

This study aims to test the hypothesis that: (1) radiation exposure is increased with the intended use of Flat Surface Image Intensifier (FSII) units above the operative surface compared with the traditional below-table configuration; (2) this differential increases in a dose-dependent manner; and (3) radiation exposure varies with body part and proximity to the radiation source. A surgeon mannequin was seated at a radiolucent hand table, positioned for volar distal radius plating. Thermoluminescent dosimeters measured exposure to the eyes, thyroid, chest, hand, and groin, for 1- and 15-minute trials from a mini C-arm FSII unit positioned above and below the operating surface. Background radiation was measured by control dosimeters placed within the operating theater. At 1-minute of exposure, hand and eye dosages were significantly greater with the flat detector positioned above the table. At 15-minutes of exposure, hand radiation dosage exceeded that of all other anatomic sites with the FSII in both positions. Hand exposure was increased in a dose-dependent manner with the flat detector in either position, whereas groin exposure saw a dose-dependent only with the flat detector beneath the operating table. These findings suggest that the surgeon's hands and eyes may incur greater radiation exposure compared with other body parts, during routine mini C-arm FSII utilization in its intended position above the operating table. The clinical impact of these findings remains unclear, and future long-term radiation safety investigation is warranted. Surgeons should take precautions to protect critical body parts, particularly when using FSII technology above the operating with prolonged exposure time.

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

Spickermann, Thomas

There are opportunities for advancement within the team. Operators advance by: (1) Becoming fully qualified - following the LANSCE Accelerator Operator Training Manual, Operator trainees go through 5 levels of qualification, from Radiation Security System to Experimental Area Operator. Must obtain Knowledge and Performance checkouts by an OSS or AOSS, and an End-of-Card checkout by the team leader or RSS engineer (level I). Program was inspired by US NAVY qualification program for nuclear reactor operators. Time to complete: 2-2.5 years. (2) Fully qualified operators are eligible to apply for vacant (OSS)/AOSS positions; and (3) Alternatively, experienced operators can sign upmore » for the voluntary Senior Operator Qualification Program. They must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of all areas of the accelerator complex. Time to complete is 2-3 years (Minimum 4 years from fully qualified). Eligible for promotion to level between qualified operator and AOSS.« less

Interchangeable end effector tools utilized on the PFMA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cody, Joe; Carroll, John; Crow, George; Gierow, Paul; Littles, Jay; Maness, Michael; Morrison, Jim

1992-01-01

An instrumented task board, used for measuring forces applied by the Protoflight Manipulator Arm (PFMA) to the task board, was fabricated and delivered to Marshall Space Flight Center. SRS Technologies phased out the existing IBM compatible data acquisition system, used with a instrumented task board, and integrated the force measuring electronic hardware in with the Macintosh II data acquisition system. The purpose of this change was to acquire all data with the same time tag, allowing easier and more accurate data reduction in addition to real-time graphics. A three-dimensional optical position sensing system for determining the location of the PFMA's end effect or in reference to the center of the instrumented task board was also designed and delivered under. An improved task board was fabricated which included an improved instrumented beam design. The modified design of the task board improved the force/torque measurement system by increasing the sensitivity, reliability, load range and ease of maintenance. A calibration panel for the optical position system was also designed and fabricated. The calibration method developed for the position sensors enhanced the performance of the sensors as well as simplified the installation and calibration procedures required. The modifications made under this effort expanded the capabilities of the task board system. The system developed determines the arm's position relative to the task board and measures the signals to the joints resulting from the operator's control signals in addition to the task board forces. The software and hardware required to calculate and record the position of the PFMA during the performance of tasks with the instrumented task board were defined, designed and delivered to MSFC. PFMA joint input signals can be measured from a breakout box to evaluate the sensitivity or response of the arm operation to control commands. The data processing system provides the capability for post processing of time-history graphics and plots of the PFMA positions, the operator's actions, and the PFMA servo reactions in addition to realtime force and position sensor data presentation.

Interchangeable end effector tools utilized on the PFMA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cody, Joe; Carroll, John; Crow, George; Gierow, Paul; Littles, Jay; Maness, Michael; Morrison, Jim

1992-02-01

An instrumented task board, used for measuring forces applied by the Protoflight Manipulator Arm (PFMA) to the task board, was fabricated and delivered to Marshall Space Flight Center. SRS Technologies phased out the existing IBM compatible data acquisition system, used with a instrumented task board, and integrated the force measuring electronic hardware in with the Macintosh II data acquisition system. The purpose of this change was to acquire all data with the same time tag, allowing easier and more accurate data reduction in addition to real-time graphics. A three-dimensional optical position sensing system for determining the location of the PFMA's end effect or in reference to the center of the instrumented task board was also designed and delivered under. An improved task board was fabricated which included an improved instrumented beam design. The modified design of the task board improved the force/torque measurement system by increasing the sensitivity, reliability, load range and ease of maintenance. A calibration panel for the optical position system was also designed and fabricated. The calibration method developed for the position sensors enhanced the performance of the sensors as well as simplified the installation and calibration procedures required. The modifications made under this effort expanded the capabilities of the task board system. The system developed determines the arm's position relative to the task board and measures the signals to the joints resulting from the operator's control signals in addition to the task board forces. The software and hardware required to calculate and record the position of the PFMA during the performance of tasks with the instrumented task board were defined, designed and delivered to MSFC. PFMA joint input signals can be measured from a breakout box to evaluate the sensitivity or response of the arm operation to control commands. The data processing system provides the capability for post processing of time-history graphics and plots of the PFMA positions, the operator's actions, and the PFMA servo reactions in addition to realtime force and position sensor data presentation.

Servo control booster system for minimizing following error

DOEpatents

Wise, William L.

1985-01-01

A closed-loop feedback-controlled servo system is disclosed which reduces command-to-response error to the system's position feedback resolution least increment, .DELTA.S.sub.R, on a continuous real-time basis for all operating speeds. The servo system employs a second position feedback control loop on a by exception basis, when the command-to-response error .gtoreq..DELTA.S.sub.R, to produce precise position correction signals. When the command-to-response error is less than .DELTA.S.sub.R, control automatically reverts to conventional control means as the second position feedback control loop is disconnected, becoming transparent to conventional servo control means. By operating the second unique position feedback control loop used herein at the appropriate clocking rate, command-to-response error may be reduced to the position feedback resolution least increment. The present system may be utilized in combination with a tachometer loop for increased stability.

The influence of tourniquet use and operative time on the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in total knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Hernandez, Arnaldo José; Almeida, Adriano Marques de; Fávaro, Edmar; Sguizzato, Guilherme Turola

2012-09-01

To evaluate the association between tourniquet and total operative time during total knee arthroplasty and the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis. Seventy-eight consecutive patients from our institution underwent cemented total knee arthroplasty for degenerative knee disorders. The pneumatic tourniquet time and total operative time were recorded in minutes. Four categories were established for total tourniquet time: <60, 61 to 90, 91 to 120, and >120 minutes. Three categories were defined for operative time: <120, 121 to 150, and >150 minutes. Between 7 and 12 days after surgery, the patients underwent ascending venography to evaluate the presence of distal or proximal deep vein thrombosis. We evaluated the association between the tourniquet time and total operative time and the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty. In total, 33 cases (42.3%) were positive for deep vein thrombosis; 13 (16.7%) cases involved the proximal type. We found no statistically significant difference in tourniquet time or operative time between patients with or without deep vein thrombosis. We did observe a higher frequency of proximal deep vein thrombosis in patients who underwent surgery lasting longer than 120 minutes. The mean total operative time was also higher in patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis. The tourniquet time did not significantly differ in these patients. We concluded that surgery lasting longer than 120 minutes increases the risk of proximal deep vein thrombosis.

Quantum mechanics of a photon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babaei, Hassan; Mostafazadeh, Ali

2017-08-01

A first-quantized free photon is a complex massless vector field A =(Aμ ) whose field strength satisfies Maxwell's equations in vacuum. We construct the Hilbert space H of the photon by endowing the vector space of the fields A in the temporal-Coulomb gauge with a positive-definite and relativistically invariant inner product. We give an explicit expression for this inner product, identify the Hamiltonian for the photon with the generator of time translations in H , determine the operators representing the momentum and the helicity of the photon, and introduce a chirality operator whose eigenfunctions correspond to fields having a definite sign of energy. We also construct a position operator for the photon whose components commute with each other and with the chirality and helicity operators. This allows for the construction of the localized states of the photon with a definite sign of energy and helicity. We derive an explicit formula for the latter and compute the corresponding electric and magnetic fields. These turn out to diverge not just at the point where the photon is localized but on a plane containing this point. We identify the axis normal to this plane with an associated symmetry axis and show that each choice of this axis specifies a particular position operator, a corresponding position basis, and a position representation of the quantum mechanics of a photon. In particular, we examine the position wave functions determined by such a position basis, elucidate their relationship with the Riemann-Silberstein and Landau-Peierls wave functions, and give an explicit formula for the probability density of the spatial localization of the photon.

Modeling of human operator dynamics in simple manual control utilizing time series analysis. [tracking (position)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agarwal, G. C.; Osafo-Charles, F.; Oneill, W. D.; Gottlieb, G. L.

1982-01-01

Time series analysis is applied to model human operator dynamics in pursuit and compensatory tracking modes. The normalized residual criterion is used as a one-step analytical tool to encompass the processes of identification, estimation, and diagnostic checking. A parameter constraining technique is introduced to develop more reliable models of human operator dynamics. The human operator is adequately modeled by a second order dynamic system both in pursuit and compensatory tracking modes. In comparing the data sampling rates, 100 msec between samples is adequate and is shown to provide better results than 200 msec sampling. The residual power spectrum and eigenvalue analysis show that the human operator is not a generator of periodic characteristics.

Real-Time GNSS Positioning with JPL's new GIPSYx Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bar-Sever, Y. E.

2016-12-01

The JPL Global Differential GPS (GDGPS) System is now producing real-time orbit and clock solutions for GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. The operations are based on JPL's next generation geodetic analysis and data processing software, GIPSYx (also known at RTGx). We will examine the impact of the nascent GNSS constellations on real-time kinematic positioning for earthquake monitoring, and assess the marginal benefits from each constellation. We will discus the options for signal selection, inter-signal bias modeling, and estimation strategies in the context of real-time point positioning. We will provide a brief overview of the key features and attributes of GIPSYx. Finally we will describe the current natural hazard monitoring services from the GDGPS System.

Heliostat control

DOEpatents

Kaehler, James A.

1984-01-01

An improvement in a system and method of controlling heliostat in which the heliostat is operable in azimuth and elevation by respective stepper motors and including the respective steps or means for calculating the position for the heliostat to be at a commanded position, determining the number of steps in azimuth and elevation for each respective motor to get to the commanded position and energizing both the azimuth and elevation stepper motors to run in parallel until predetermined number of steps away from the closest commanded position in azimuth and elevation so that the closest position has been achieved, and thereafter energizing only the remaining motor to bring it to its commanded position. In this way, the heliostat can be started from a stowed position in the morning and operated by a computer means to its commanded position and kept correctly oriented throughout the day using only the time of the day without requiring the usual sensors and feedback apparatus. A computer, or microprocessor, can then control a plurality of many heliostats easily and efficiently throughout the day.

Position-related injury is uncommon in robotic gynecologic surgery.

PubMed

Ulm, Michael A; Fleming, Nicole D; Rallapali, Vijayashri; Munsell, Mark F; Ramirez, Pedro T; Westin, Shannon N; Nick, Alpa M; Schmeler, Kathleen M; Soliman, Pamela T

2014-12-01

To assess the rate and risk factors for position-related injury in robotic gynecologic surgery. A prospective database from 12/2006 to 1/2014 of all planned robotic gynecologic procedures was retrospectively reviewed for patients who experienced neurologic injury, musculoskeletal injury, or vascular compromise related to patient positioning in the operating room. Analysis was performed to determine risk-factors and incidence for position-related injury. Of the 831 patients who underwent robotic surgery during the study time period, only 7 (0.8%) experienced positioning-related injury. The injuries included minor head contusions (n=3), two lower extremity neuropathies (n=2), brachial plexus injury (n=1) and one large subcutaneous ecchymosis on the left flank and thigh (n=1). There were no long term sequelae from the positioning-related injuries. The only statistically significant risk factor for positioning-related injury was prior abdominal surgery (P=0.05). There were no significant associations between position-related injuries and operative time (P=0.232), body mass index (P=0.847), age (P=0.152), smoking history (P=0.161), or medical comorbidities (P=0.229-0.999). The incidence of position-related injury among women undergoing robotic surgery was extremely low (0.8%). Due to the low incidence we were unable to identify modifiable risk factors for position-related injury following robotic surgery. A standardized, team-oriented approach may significantly decrease position-related injuries following robotic gynecologic surgery. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of telerobotic systems using an instrumented task board

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carroll, John D.; Gierow, Paul A.; Bryan, Thomas C.

1991-01-01

An instrumented task board was developed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). An overview of the task board design, and current development status is presented. The task board was originally developed to evaluate operator performance using the Protoflight Manipulator Arm (PFMA) at MSFC. The task board evaluates tasks for Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU), fluid connect and transfers, electrical connect/disconnect, bolt running, and other basic tasks. The instrumented task board measures the 3-D forces and torques placed on the board, determines the robot arm's 3-D position relative to the task board using IR optics, and provides the information in real-time. The PFMA joint input signals can also be measured from a breakout box to evaluate the sensitivity or response of the arm operation to control commands. The data processing system provides the capability for post processing of time-history graphics and plots of the PFMA positions, the operator's actions, and the PFMA servo reactions in addition to real-time force/torque data presentation. The instrumented task board's most promising use is developing benchmarks for NASA centers for comparison and evaluation of telerobotic performance.

Evolution of seismicity in relation to fluid injection in the North-Western part of The Geysers geothermal field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leptokaropoulos, Konstantinos; Staszek, Monika; Lasocki, Stanisław; Martínez-Garzón, Patricia; Kwiatek, Grzegorz

2018-02-01

The Geysers geothermal field located in California, USA, is the largest geothermal site in the world, operating since the 1960s. We here investigate and quantify the correlation between temporal seismicity evolution and variation of the injection data by examination of time-series through specified statistical tools (binomial test to investigate significant rate changes, cross correlation between seismic and injection data, b-value variation analysis). To do so, we utilize seismicity and operational data associated with two injection wells (Prati-9 and Prati-29) which cover a time period of approximately 7 yr (from November 2007 to August 2014). The seismicity is found to be significantly positively correlated with the injection rate. The maximum correlation occurs with a seismic response delay of ˜2 weeks, following injection operations. Those results are very stable even after considering hypocentral uncertainties, by applying a vertical shift of the events foci up to 300 m. Our analysis indicates also time variations of b-value, which exhibits significant positive correlation with injection rates.

MIS Single-position Lateral and Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation: Feasibility and Perioperative Results.

PubMed

Blizzard, Daniel J; Thomas, J Alex

2018-03-15

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data of the first 72 consecutive patients treated with single-position one- or two-level lateral (LLIF) or oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLLIF) with bilateral percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation by a single spine surgeon. To evaluate the clinical feasibility, accuracy, and efficiency of a single-position technique for LLIF and OLLIF with bilateral pedicle screw and rod fixation. Minimally-invasive lateral interbody approaches are performed in the lateral decubitus position. Subsequent repositioning prone for bilateral pedicle screw and rod fixation requires significant time and resources and does not facilitate increased lumbar lordosis. The first 72 consecutive patients (300 screws) treated with single-position LLIF or OLLIF and bilateral pedicle screws by a single surgeon between December 2013 and August 2016 were included in the study. Screw accuracy and fusion were graded using computed tomography and several timing parameters were recorded including retractor, fluoroscopy, and screw placement time. Complications including reoperation, infection, and postoperative radicular pain and weakness were recorded. Average screw placement time was 5.9 min/screw (standard deviation, SD: 1.5 min; range: 3-9.5 min). Average total operative time (interbody cage and pedicle screw placement) was 87.9 minutes (SD: 25.1 min; range: 49-195 min). Average fluoroscopy time was 15.0 s/screw (SD: 4.7 s; range: 6-25 s). The pedicle screw breach rate was 5.1% with 10/13 breaches measured as < 2 mm in magnitude. Fusion rate at 6-months postoperative was 87.5%. Two (2.8%) patients underwent reoperation for malpositioned pedicle screws with subsequent resolution of symptoms. The single-position, all-lateral technique was found to be feasible with accuracy, fluoroscopy usage, and complication rates comparable with the published literature. This technique eliminates the time and staffing associated with intraoperative repositioning and may lead to significant improvements in operative efficiency and cost savings. 4.

Mapping an operator's perception of a parameter space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pew, R. W.; Jagacinski, R. J.

1972-01-01

Operators monitored the output of two versions of the crossover model having a common random input. Their task was to make discrete, real-time adjustments of the parameters k and tau of one of the models to make its output time history converge to that of the other, fixed model. A plot was obtained of the direction of parameter change as a function of position in the (tau, k) parameter space relative to the nominal value. The plot has a great deal of structure and serves as one form of representation of the operator's perception of the parameter space.

Ropivacaine for unilateral spinal anesthesia; hyperbaric or hypobaric?

PubMed

Cantürk, Mehmet; Kılcı, Oya; Ornek, Dilşen; Ozdogan, Levent; Pala, Yasar; Sen, Ozlem; Dikmen, Bayazit

2012-01-01

The aim of this study was to compare the unilaterality of subarachnoid block achieved with hyperbaric and hypobaric ropivacaine. The prospective, randomized trial was conducted in an orthopedics surgical suite. In all, 60 ASA I-III patients scheduled for elective total knee arthroplasty were included in the study. Group Hypo (n=30) received 11.25mg of ropivacaine (7.5mg.mL(-1)) + 2mL of distilled water (density at room temperature was 0.997) and group Hyper (n=30) received 11.25mg of ropivacaine (7.5mg.mL(-1)) + 2mL (5mg.mL(-1)) of dextrose (density at room temperature was 1,015). Patients in the hyperbaric group were positioned with the operated side down and in the 15° Fowler position, versus those in the hypobaric group with the operated side facing up and in the 15° Trendelenburg position. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia was performed midline at the L(3-4) lumbar interspace. Hemodynamic and spinal block parameters, regression time, success of unilateral spinal anesthesia, patient comfort, surgical comfort, surgeon comfort, first analgesic requirement time, and adverse effects were assessed. Time to reach the T10 dermatome level on the operated side was shorter in group Hyper (612.00±163.29s) than in group Hypo (763.63±208.35s) (p<0.05). Time to 2-segment regression of the sensory block level on both the operated and non-operated sides was shorter in group Hypo than in group Hyper. Both hyperbaric and hypobaric ropivacaine (11.25mg) provided adequate and dependable anesthesia for total knee replacement surgery, with a high level of patient and surgeon comfort. Hypobaric local anesthetic solutions provide a high level of unilateral anesthesia, with rapid recovery of both sensory and motor block, and therefore may be preferable in outpatient settings. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Distribution of the GNSS-LEO occultation events over Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghoniem, Ibrahim; Mousa, Ashraf El-Kutb; El-Fiky, Gamal

2017-06-01

The space-based GNSS RO technique is a promising tool for monitoring the Earth's atmosphere and ionosphere (Mousa et al., 2006). The current paper presents the distribution of the occultation events over Egypt using the operating LEO satellites and GNSS by its two operating systems. By the present research, Egypt could raise NWP Models efficiency by improving meteorological data quality. Twenty operating LEO missions (e.g. Argentinean SAC-C, European MetOp-A, German TerraSAR-X, Indian OceanSat-2, etc.) sent by different countries all over the world were used to derive the occultation events position through Egypt borders by receiving signal from the American global positioning system (GPS) and the Russian global navigation satellite system (GLONASS). Approximately 20,000 km Altitude satellites are transmitting enormous number of rays by the day to approximately 800 km satellites passing by the Earth atmosphere. Our mission is to derive all of these rays position (start and end) by calculating satellites position by the time, determine the rays in the occultation case and derive the atmosphere tangent point position for all occultating rays on the Earth surface (Occultation Events).

Music and the reduction of post-operative pain.

PubMed

Dunn, Kelly

The prevention and treatment of post-operative pain, and the promotion of comfort are the challenges facing practitioners working in the recovery room setting. Surgical pain produces autonomic, psychological, immunological and behavioural responses that can delay or inhibit normal healing. Nurses spend more time with patients experiencing pain than any other healthcare professional. Therefore, they are in an ideal position to consider other pain-relieving strategies to complement the analgesics currently used. The studies reviewed cannot prove that music is effective in reducing post-operative pain, because the research methodology in the majority is poor. Patients, experience of listening to music post-operatively was positive, aiding distraction and increasing comfort. This shows the difference between inconsistent results for the objective measures of pain and what the patient is reporting.

Advances in structural monitoring with Global Positioning System technology: 1997-2006

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogaja, Clement; Li, Xiaojing; Rizos, Chris

2007-11-01

Over the last decade, users of the Global Positioning System (GPS) have developed the technology capable of meeting stringent requirements to study the dynamics of tall buildings, towers, and bridges during earthquakes, wind-induced deformation and traffic loading. Dynamic measurements of relative displacements of structures is currently possible using real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning techniques, now advanced to record typically at 10-20 Hz (or higher - e.g., 100 Hz) with an accuracy of ±1 cm horizontally and ±2 cm vertically. With further advances in the technology and improvements in sampling capability, it is possible to meet the needs of real-time displacement information for the structural engineering community. After a decade of great strides in proving the feasibility of the technology, focus is moving to sensor integration and operational systems. Several investigators are now routinely researching the integration of GPS with other sensors (accelerometers, fibre optics, pseudolites, etc.) to utilise the complementary benefits and overcome limitations of the individual systems. Examples of real-time operational systems exist to demonstrate the significance of GPS technology in measuring the dynamic behaviour of large engineering structures.

Scheduling Aircraft Landings under Constrained Position Shifting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balakrishnan, Hamsa; Chandran, Bala

2006-01-01

Optimal scheduling of airport runway operations can play an important role in improving the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). Methods that compute the optimal landing sequence and landing times of aircraft must accommodate practical issues that affect the implementation of the schedule. One such practical consideration, known as Constrained Position Shifting (CPS), is the restriction that each aircraft must land within a pre-specified number of positions of its place in the First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) sequence. We consider the problem of scheduling landings of aircraft in a CPS environment in order to maximize runway throughput (minimize the completion time of the landing sequence), subject to operational constraints such as FAA-specified minimum inter-arrival spacing restrictions, precedence relationships among aircraft that arise either from airline preferences or air traffic control procedures that prevent overtaking, and time windows (representing possible control actions) during which each aircraft landing can occur. We present a Dynamic Programming-based approach that scales linearly in the number of aircraft, and describe our computational experience with a prototype implementation on realistic data for Denver International Airport.

Realizing the potential of empowerment: the impact of a feedback intervention on the performance of complex technology.

PubMed

Leach, D J; Jackson, P R; Wall, T D

2001-07-15

An empowerment initiative involving enhanced fault-management responsibility for operators of complex technology had not led to expected increases in performance, and investigations suggested that this was due to a lack of appropriate feedback. Thus, a feedback intervention was designed to provide specific, timely feedback on operator-correctable faults. It was hypothesized that the intervention would increase operator self-reliance in operating complex technology and promote system performance. Moreover, given the feedback was continuous from the point of intervention, it was predicted that gains would increase over time. Time series analysis of data on engineer call-outs (self-reliance) and machine utilization (performance) showed clear positive effects of the feedback intervention, with call-outs also showing progressive improvement. Self-report data showed no change over time in motivation, but an increase in knowledge dissemination and a reduction in the likelihood of making expensive mistakes. There were no detrimental effects on operator well being. Implications for theory and practice in the management of complex technology are discussed.

A Hybrid Cadre Concept for International Space Station (ISS) Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hagopian, Jeff; Mears, Teri

2000-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) is a continuously operating on-orbit facility, with a ten to fifteen year lifetime. The staffing and rotation concepts defined and implemented for the ISS program must take into account the unique aspects associated with long duration mission operations. Innovative approaches to mission design and operations support must be developed and explored which address these unique aspects. Previous National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) man-based space programs, with the exception of Skylab, dealt primarily with short duration missions with some amount of down time between missions; e.g., Shuttle, Spacelab, and Spacehab programs. The ISS Program on the other hand requires continuous support, with no down time between missions. ISS operations start with the first element launch and continue through the end of the program. It is this key difference between short and long duration missions that needs to be addressed by the participants in the ISS Program in effectively and efficiently staffing the positions responsible for mission design and operations. The primary drivers considered in the development of staffing and rotation concepts for the ISS Program are budget and responsiveness to change. However, the long duration aspects of the program necessitate that personal and social aspects also be considered when defining staffing concepts. To satisfy these needs, a Hybrid Cadre concept has been developed and implemented in the area of mission design and operations. The basic premise of the Hybrid Cadre concept is the definition of Increment-Independent and Increment-Dependent cadre personnel. This paper provides: definitions of the positions required to implement the concept, the rotation scheme that is applied to the individual positions, and a summary of the benefits and challenges associated with implementing the Hybrid Cadre concept.

Prospective Evaluation of Operating Room Inefficiency.

PubMed

Madni, Tarik D; Imran, Jonathan B; Clark, Audra T; Cunningham, Holly B; Taveras, Luis; Arnoldo, Brett D; Phelan, Herb A; Wolf, Steven E

2018-04-06

Previously, we identified that 60% of our facility's total operative time is nonoperative. We performed a review of our operating room to determine where inefficiencies exist in nonoperative time. Live video of operations performed in a burn operating room from 6/23/17 to 8/16/17 were prospectively reviewed. Preparation (end of induction to procedure start) and turnover (patient out of room to next patient in room) were divided into the following activities: 1) Preparation: remove dressing, position patient, clean patient, drape patient, and 2) Turnover: clean operating room, scrub tray set-up, anesthesia set-up. Ideal preparation time was calculated as the sum of time needed to perform preparation activities consecutively. Ideal turnover time was calculated as the sum of time needed to clean the operating room and to set up either the scrub tray or anesthesia (the larger of the two times as these can be done in parallel). We reviewed 101 consecutive operations. An average of 2.4±0.8 cases/day were performed. Ideal preparation and turnover time were 16.6 and 30.1 minutes, a 38.3% and 32.5% reduction compared to actual times. Attending surgeon presence in the operating room within 10 minutes of a patient's arrival was found to significantly decrease time to incision by 33% (52.7±14.3 minutes down to 35.7±20.4, p<0.0001). A reduction in preparation and turnover time could save $1.02 million and generate $1.76 million in additional revenue annually. Reducing preparation and turnover to ideal times could increase caseload to 4/day, leading to millions of dollars of savings annually.

40 CFR 63.9921 - What are the installation, operation and maintenance requirements for my monitors?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) For the pressure drop CPMS, you must: (i) Locate the pressure sensor(s) in or as close to a position... calibration quarterly and transducer calibration monthly. (v) Conduct calibration checks any time the sensor exceeds the manufacturer's specified maximum operating pressure range, or install a new pressure sensor...

40 CFR 63.9921 - What are the installation, operation and maintenance requirements for my monitors?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) For the pressure drop CPMS, you must: (i) Locate the pressure sensor(s) in or as close to a position... calibration quarterly and transducer calibration monthly. (v) Conduct calibration checks any time the sensor exceeds the manufacturer's specified maximum operating pressure range, or install a new pressure sensor...

40 CFR 63.9921 - What are the installation, operation and maintenance requirements for my monitors?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) For the pressure drop CPMS, you must: (i) Locate the pressure sensor(s) in or as close to a position... calibration quarterly and transducer calibration monthly. (v) Conduct calibration checks any time the sensor exceeds the manufacturer's specified maximum operating pressure range, or install a new pressure sensor...

40 CFR 63.9921 - What are the installation, operation and maintenance requirements for my monitors?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) For the pressure drop CPMS, you must: (i) Locate the pressure sensor(s) in or as close to a position... calibration quarterly and transducer calibration monthly. (v) Conduct calibration checks any time the sensor exceeds the manufacturer's specified maximum operating pressure range, or install a new pressure sensor...

Transoral robotic surgery in the seated position: Rethinking our operative approach.

PubMed

Moore, Eric J; Van Abel, Kathryn M; Olsen, Kerry D

2017-01-01

Transoral surgery (TOS) is commonly performed in a supine patient with an oral retractor. Paradoxically, this strategy can create difficulty with visualizing and accessing pathology at the base of tongue, inferior pharynx, and larynx. We investigate the feasibility of TOS with the patient in the seated position. Pilot study. TOS utilizing the da Vinci Robotic Surgical Xi and Si systems (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) was performed on a fresh cadaver placed in both the traditional supine position and the seated position. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the seated position was then performed on two patients for a supraglottic laryngectomy and a hypopharyngeal carcinoma resection. Visualization of the entire upper aerodigestive tract was possible in the cadaver and two patients in the seated position. The Si was superior for docking, instrumentation, and assistant access. The minimum operating table height is critical for successful access. Advantages of this position included increased posterior airway/operative space by approximately 2 cm, ability to manipulate the surgical field (nonrigid retraction), and improved visualization. Surgical procedures were completed in comparable times compared with standard TORS procedures. There were no complications related to seated TORS. TORS in the seated position was both safe and effective in this pilot study. It allows the surgeon to optimally operate in the inferior pharynx and larynx without the limitation of line of site access and visualization. A paradigm shift in patient positioning during TOS may allow improved surgical access and even greater patient candidacy. Further clinical investigation into this technique is warranted. NA Laryngoscope, 127:122-126, 2017. © 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Unity of Effort in Joint Information Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-12-01

of strategic intent , strategic architecture, 80 JFQ / Winter 2002–03 if the Nation conducts information operations, the military would not be the...responsible for setting the strategic intent of infor- mation operations. This intent implies a particular point of view on the long-term environment in...which an organization hopes to build a competi- tive position over time. Considering strategic ar- chitecture the brain and strategic intent the heart

14 CFR 121.711 - Communication records: Domestic and flag operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... time of the contact; (2) The flight number; (3) Aircraft registration number; (4) Approximate position... purposes of this section the term en route means from the time the aircraft pushes back from the departing gate until the time the aircraft reaches the arrival gate at its destination. (c) The record required...

Vortex information display system program description manual. [data acquisition from laser Doppler velocimeters and real time operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conway, R.; Matuck, G. N.; Roe, J. M.; Taylor, J.; Turner, A.

1975-01-01

A vortex information display system is described which provides flexible control through system-user interaction for collecting wing-tip-trailing vortex data, processing this data in real time, displaying the processed data, storing raw data on magnetic tape, and post processing raw data. The data is received from two asynchronous laser Doppler velocimeters (LDV's) and includes position, velocity, and intensity information. The raw data is written onto magnetic tape for permanent storage and is also processed in real time to locate vortices and plot their positions as a function of time. The interactive capability enables the user to make real time adjustments in processing data and provides a better definition of vortex behavior. Displaying the vortex information in real time produces a feedback capability to the LDV system operator allowing adjustments to be made in the collection of raw data. Both raw data and processing can be continually upgraded during flyby testing to improve vortex behavior studies. The post-analysis capability permits the analyst to perform in-depth studies of test data and to modify vortex behavior models to improve transport predictions.

Summary of Sonic Boom Rise Times Observed During FAA Community Response Studies over a 6-Month Period in the Oklahoma City Area

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maglieri, Domenic J.; Sothcott, Victor E.

1990-01-01

The sonic boom signature data acquired from about 1225 supersonic flights, over a 6-month period in 1964 in the Oklahoma City area, was enhanced with the addition of data relating to rise times and total signature duration. These later parameters, not available at the time of publication of the original report on the Oklahoma City sonic boom exposures, are listed in tabular form along with overpressure, positive impulse, positive duration, and waveform category. Airplane operating information along with the surface weather observations are also included. Sonic boom rise times include readings to the 1/2, 3/4, and maximum overpressure values. Rise time relative probabilities for various lateral locations from the ground track of 0, 5, and 10 miles are presented along with the variation of rise times with flight altitude. The tabulated signature data, along with corresponding airplane operating conditions and surface and upper level atmospheric information, are also available on electronic files to provide it in the format for more efficient and effective utilization.

Imaging System for Vaginal Surgery.

PubMed

Taylor, G Bernard; Myers, Erinn M

2015-12-01

The vaginal surgeon is challenged with performing complex procedures within a surgical field of limited light and exposure. The video telescopic operating microscope is an illumination and imaging system that provides visualization during open surgical procedures with a limited field of view. The imaging system is positioned within the surgical field and then secured to the operating room table with a maneuverable holding arm. A high-definition camera and Xenon light source allow transmission of the magnified image to a high-definition monitor in the operating room. The monitor screen is positioned above the patient for the surgeon and assistants to view real time throughout the operation. The video telescopic operating microscope system was used to provide surgical illumination and magnification during total vaginal hysterectomy and salpingectomy, midurethral sling, and release of vaginal scar procedures. All procedures were completed without complications. The video telescopic operating microscope provided illumination of the vaginal operative field and display of the magnified image onto high-definition monitors in the operating room for the surgeon and staff to simultaneously view the procedures. The video telescopic operating microscope provides high-definition display, magnification, and illumination during vaginal surgery.

Operability engineering in the Deep Space Network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkinson, Belinda

1993-01-01

Many operability problems exist at the three Deep Space Communications Complexes (DSCC's) of the Deep Space Network (DSN). Four years ago, the position of DSN Operability Engineer was created to provide the opportunity for someone to take a system-level approach to solving these problems. Since that time, a process has been developed for personnel and development engineers and for enforcing user interface standards in software designed for the DSCC's. Plans are for the participation of operations personnel in the product life-cycle to expand in the future.

Automated high-throughput flow-through real-time diagnostic system

DOEpatents

Regan, John Frederick

2012-10-30

An automated real-time flow-through system capable of processing multiple samples in an asynchronous, simultaneous, and parallel fashion for nucleic acid extraction and purification, followed by assay assembly, genetic amplification, multiplex detection, analysis, and decontamination. The system is able to hold and access an unlimited number of fluorescent reagents that may be used to screen samples for the presence of specific sequences. The apparatus works by associating extracted and purified sample with a series of reagent plugs that have been formed in a flow channel and delivered to a flow-through real-time amplification detector that has a multiplicity of optical windows, to which the sample-reagent plugs are placed in an operative position. The diagnostic apparatus includes sample multi-position valves, a master sample multi-position valve, a master reagent multi-position valve, reagent multi-position valves, and an optical amplification/detection system.

Configuring Airspace Sectors with Approximate Dynamic Programming

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloem, Michael; Gupta, Pramod

2010-01-01

In response to changing traffic and staffing conditions, supervisors dynamically configure airspace sectors by assigning them to control positions. A finite horizon airspace sector configuration problem models this supervisor decision. The problem is to select an airspace configuration at each time step while considering a workload cost, a reconfiguration cost, and a constraint on the number of control positions at each time step. Three algorithms for this problem are proposed and evaluated: a myopic heuristic, an exact dynamic programming algorithm, and a rollouts approximate dynamic programming algorithm. On problem instances from current operations with only dozens of possible configurations, an exact dynamic programming solution gives the optimal cost value. The rollouts algorithm achieves costs within 2% of optimal for these instances, on average. For larger problem instances that are representative of future operations and have thousands of possible configurations, excessive computation time prohibits the use of exact dynamic programming. On such problem instances, the rollouts algorithm reduces the cost achieved by the heuristic by more than 15% on average with an acceptable computation time.

Operational tracking of lava lake surface motion at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i

USGS Publications Warehouse

Patrick, Matthew R.; Orr, Tim R.

2018-03-08

Surface motion is an important component of lava lake behavior, but previous studies of lake motion have been focused on short time intervals. In this study, we implement the first continuous, real-time operational routine for tracking lava lake surface motion, applying the technique to the persistent lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i. We measure lake motion by using images from a fixed thermal camera positioned on the crater rim, transmitting images to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) in real time. We use an existing optical flow toolbox in Matlab to calculate motion vectors, and we track the position of lava upwelling in the lake, as well as the intensity of spattering on the lake surface. Over the past 2 years, real-time tracking of lava lake surface motion at Halema‘uma‘u has been an important part of monitoring the lake’s activity, serving as another valuable tool in the volcano monitoring suite at HVO.

Effects of Natural Disaster Trends: A Case Study for Expanding the Pre-Positioning Network of CARE International

PubMed Central

Bozkurt, Melda; Duran, Serhan

2012-01-01

The increasing number of natural disasters in the last decade necessitates the increase in capacity and agility while delivering humanitarian relief. A common logistics strategy used by humanitarian organizations to respond this need is the establishment of pre-positioning warehouse networks. In the pre-positioning strategy, critical relief inventories are located near the regions at which they will be needed in advance of the onset of the disaster. Therefore, pre-positioning reduces the response time by totally or partially eliminating the procurement phase and increasing the availability of relief items just after the disaster strikes. Once the pre-positioning warehouse locations are decided and warehouses on those locations become operational, they will be in use for a long time. Therefore, the chosen locations should be robust enough to enable extensions, and to cope with changing trends in disaster types, locations and magnitudes. In this study, we analyze the effects of natural disaster trends on the expansion plan of pre-positioning warehouse network implemented by CARE International. We utilize a facility location model to identify the additional warehouse location(s) for relief items to be stored as an extension of the current warehouse network operated by CARE International, considering changing natural disaster trends observed over the past three decades. PMID:23066402

Effects of natural disaster trends: a case study for expanding the pre-positioning network of CARE International.

PubMed

Bozkurt, Melda; Duran, Serhan

2012-08-01

The increasing number of natural disasters in the last decade necessitates the increase in capacity and agility while delivering humanitarian relief. A common logistics strategy used by humanitarian organizations to respond this need is the establishment of pre-positioning warehouse networks. In the pre-positioning strategy, critical relief inventories are located near the regions at which they will be needed in advance of the onset of the disaster. Therefore, pre-positioning reduces the response time by totally or partially eliminating the procurement phase and increasing the availability of relief items just after the disaster strikes. Once the pre-positioning warehouse locations are decided and warehouses on those locations become operational, they will be in use for a long time. Therefore, the chosen locations should be robust enough to enable extensions, and to cope with changing trends in disaster types, locations and magnitudes. In this study, we analyze the effects of natural disaster trends on the expansion plan of pre-positioning warehouse network implemented by CARE International. We utilize a facility location model to identify the additional warehouse location(s) for relief items to be stored as an extension of the current warehouse network operated by CARE International, considering changing natural disaster trends observed over the past three decades.

The second “time-out”: a surgical safety checklist for lengthy robotic surgeries

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Robotic surgeries of long duration are associated with both increased risks to patients as well as distinct challenges for care providers. We propose a surgical checklist, to be completed during a second “time-out”, aimed at reducing peri-operative complications and addressing obstacles presented by lengthy robotic surgeries. A review of the literature was performed to identify the most common complications of robotic surgeries with extended operative times. A surgical checklist was developed with the goal of addressing these issues and maximizing patient safety. Extended operative times during robotic surgery increase patient risk for position-related complications and other adverse events. These cases also raise concerns for surgical, anesthesia, and nursing staff which are less common in shorter, non-robotic operations. Key elements of the checklist were designed to coordinate operative staff in verifying patient safety while addressing the unique concerns within each specialty. As robotic surgery is increasingly utilized, operations with long surgical times may become more common due to increased case complexity and surgeons overcoming the learning curve. A standardized surgical checklist, conducted three to four hours after the start of surgery, may enhance perioperative patient safety and quality of care. PMID:23731776

Wireless online position monitoring of manual valve types for plant configuration management in nuclear power plants

DOE PAGES

Agarwal, Vivek; Buttles, John W.; Beaty, Lawrence H.; ...

2016-10-05

In the current competitive energy market, the nuclear industry is committed to lower the operations and maintenance cost; increase productivity and efficiency while maintaining safe and reliable operation. The present operating model of nuclear power plants is dependent on large technical staffs that put the nuclear industry at long-term economic disadvantage. Technology can play a key role in nuclear power plant configuration management in offsetting labor costs by automating manually performed plant activities. The technology being developed, tested, and demonstrated in this paper will enable the continued safe operation of today’s fleet of light water reactors by providing the technicalmore » means to monitor components in plants today that are only routinely monitored through manual activities. The wireless enabled valve position indicators that are the subject of this paper are able to provide a valid position indication available continuously, rather than only periodically. As a result, a real-time (online) availability of valve positions using an affordable technologies are vital to plant configuration when compared with long-term labor rates, and provide information that can be used for a variety of plant engineering, maintenance, and management applications.« less

Wireless online position monitoring of manual valve types for plant configuration management in nuclear power plants

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

Agarwal, Vivek; Buttles, John W.; Beaty, Lawrence H.

In the current competitive energy market, the nuclear industry is committed to lower the operations and maintenance cost; increase productivity and efficiency while maintaining safe and reliable operation. The present operating model of nuclear power plants is dependent on large technical staffs that put the nuclear industry at long-term economic disadvantage. Technology can play a key role in nuclear power plant configuration management in offsetting labor costs by automating manually performed plant activities. The technology being developed, tested, and demonstrated in this paper will enable the continued safe operation of today’s fleet of light water reactors by providing the technicalmore » means to monitor components in plants today that are only routinely monitored through manual activities. The wireless enabled valve position indicators that are the subject of this paper are able to provide a valid position indication available continuously, rather than only periodically. As a result, a real-time (online) availability of valve positions using an affordable technologies are vital to plant configuration when compared with long-term labor rates, and provide information that can be used for a variety of plant engineering, maintenance, and management applications.« less

Development of a Low-Latency, High Data Rate, Differential GPS Relative Positioning System for UAV Formation Flight Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

spiral development cycle involved transporting the software processes from a Windows XP / MATLAB environment to a Linux / C++ environment. This...tested on. Additionally, in the case of the GUMSTIX PC boards, the LINUX operating system is burned into the read-only memory. Lastly, both PC-104 and...both the real-time environment and the post-processed en - vironment. When the system operates in real-time mode, an output file is generated which

A simple method to ensure proper screw position and plate size selection using the Morscher cervical spine locking plate. Technical note.

PubMed

Ball, P A; Benzel, E C; Baldwin, N G

1994-04-01

The use of bone plate instrumentation with screw fixation has proved to be a useful adjunctive measure in anterior cervical spine fusion surgery. Proper fitting, positioning, and attachment of this instrumentation have been shown to be frequently suboptimal if done without radiographic guidance. The most commonly used method of radiographic assistance for placement of this instrumentation is fluoroscopy. While this gives satisfactory technical results, it is expensive and time-consuming, and exposes the patient and the operating room personnel to ionizing radiation. The authors present a simple technique to ensure screw placement and plate fitting using Kirschner wires and a single lateral radiograph. This technique saves time, reduces exposure to radiation, and has led to satisfactory results in over 20 operative cases.

A data acquisition system for coincidence imaging using a conventional dual head gamma camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewellen, T. K.; Miyaoka, R. S.; Jansen, F.; Kaplan, M. S.

1997-06-01

A low cost data acquisition system (DAS) was developed to acquire coincidence data from an unmodified General Electric Maxxus dual head scintillation camera. A high impedance pick-off circuit provides position and energy signals to the DAS without interfering with normal camera operation. The signals are pulse-clipped to reduce pileup effects. Coincidence is determined with fast timing signals derived from constant fraction discriminators. A charge-integrating FERA 16 channel ADC feeds position and energy data to two CAMAC FERA memories operated as ping-pong buffers. A Macintosh PowerPC running Labview controls the system and reads the CAMAC memories. A CAMAC 12-channel scaler records singles and coincidence rate data. The system dead-time is approximately 10% at a coincidence rate of 4.0 kHz.

GPS/GLONASS Time Transfer with 20-Channel Dual GNSS Receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daly, P.; Riley, S.

1996-01-01

One of the world's two global navigation systems, the Global Positioning System (GPS), is already fully operational (April 1994) and the other, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) will become operational by the end of 1995 or early 1996. Each will offer, independently of the other, precise location and time transfer continuously anywhere in the world and indeed in space itself. Many potential users, in particular the civil aviation community, are keenly interested in a joint GPS/GLONASS operation since it would offer substantial advantages in defining and maintaining the integrity of the navigation aid. Results are presented on the characterization of GPS/GLONASS time comparison using a 20-channel dual receiver developed and constructed at the University of Leeds, UK.

Virtual Surgical Planning in Precise Maxillary Reconstruction With Vascularized Fibular Graft After Tumor Ablation.

PubMed

Wang, You-Yuan; Fan, Song; Zhang, Han-Qing; Lin, Zhao-Yu; Ye, Jian-Tao; Li, Jin-Song

2016-06-01

Reconstruction of maxillary and midfacial defects due to tumor ablation is challenging to conventional operation. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the precise 3-dimensional position of the fibular flap in reconstruction of maxillary defects assisted by virtual surgical planning and to assess the postoperative outcomes compared with conventional surgery. We retrospectively reviewed 18 consecutive patients who underwent maxillary reconstruction with a vascularized fibular flap assisted by virtual surgical planning after maxillary or midfacial tumor ablation. Conventional surgery was performed in another 15 patients. Proplan CMF surgical planning (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) was performed preoperatively in the virtual planning group. Fibular flaps were harvested and underwent osteotomy assisted by prefabricated cutting guides, and the maxilla and midface were resected and reconstructed assisted by the prefabricated cutting guides and templates in the virtual planning group. The operative time and fibular flap positions were evaluated in the 2 groups. Postoperative fibular positions of the maxillary reconstruction were compared with virtual plans in the virtual planning group. The postoperative facial appearance and occlusal function were assessed. The operations were performed successfully without complications. The ischemia time and total operative time were shorter in the virtual planning group than those in the conventional surgery group (P < .05). High precision of the cutting guides and templates was found on both the fibula and maxilla in the virtual planning group. The positions of the fibular flaps, including the vertical and horizontal positions, were more accurate in the virtual planning group than those in the conventional surgery group (P < .05). Bone-to-bone contact between the maxilla and fibular segments was more precise in the virtual planning group (P < .05). Postoperative computed tomography scans showed excellent contour of the fibular flap segments in accordance with the virtual plans in the virtual planning group. All patients were alive with no evidence of disease. Functional mandibular range of motion, good occlusion, and an ideal facial appearance were observed in the virtual planning group. Virtual surgical planning appears to achieve precise maxillary reconstruction with a vascularized fibular flap after tumor ablation, as well as an ideal facial appearance and function after dental rehabilitation. The use of prefabricated cutting guides and plates eases fibular flap molding and placement, minimizes operating time, and improves clinical outcomes. Copyright © 2016 The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acute effects of caffeine on several operant behaviors in rhesus monkeys.

PubMed

Buffalo, E A; Gillam, M P; Allen, R R; Paule, M G

1993-11-01

The acute effects of 1,3-trimethylxanthine (caffeine) were assessed using an operant test battery (OTB) of complex food-reinforced tasks that are thought to depend upon relatively specific brain functions, such as motivation to work for food (progressive ratio, PR), learning (incremental repeated acquisition, IRA), color and position discrimination (conditioned position responding, CPR), time estimation (temporal response differentiation, TRD), and short-term memory and attention (delayed matching-to-sample, DMTS). Endpoints included response rates (RR), accuracies (ACC), and percent task completed (PTC). Caffeine sulfate (0.175-20.0 mg/kg, IV), given 15 min pretesting, produced significant dose-dependent decreases in TRD percent task completed and accuracy at doses > or = 5.6 mg/kg. Caffeine produced no systematic effects on either DMTS or PR responding, but low doses tended to enhance performance in both IRA and CPR tasks. Thus, in monkeys, performance of an operant task designed to model time estimation is more sensitive to the disruptive effects of caffeine than is performance of the other tasks in the OTB.

Cerebral oxygen saturation and cardiac output during anaesthesia in sitting position for neurosurgical procedures: a prospective observational study.

PubMed

Schramm, P; Tzanova, I; Hagen, F; Berres, M; Closhen, D; Pestel, G; Engelhard, K

2016-10-01

Neurosurgical operations in the dorsal cranium often require the patient to be positioned in a sitting position. This can be associated with decreased cardiac output and cerebral hypoperfusion, and possibly, inadequate cerebral oxygenation. In the present study, cerebral oxygen saturation was measured during neurosurgery in the sitting position and correlated with cardiac output. Perioperative cerebral oxygen saturation was measured continuously with two different monitors, INVOS ® and FORE-SIGHT ® . Cardiac output was measured at eight predefined time points using transoesophageal echocardiography. Forty patients were enrolled, but only 35 (20 female) were eventually operated on in the sitting position. At the first time point, the regional cerebral oxygen saturation measured with INVOS ® was 70 (sd 9)%; thereafter, it increased by 0.0187% min -1 (P<0.01). The cerebral tissue oxygen saturation measured with FORE-SIGHT ® started at 68 (sd 13)% and increased by 0.0142% min -1 (P<0.01). The mean arterial blood pressure did not change. Cardiac output was between 6.3 (sd 1.3) and 7.2 (1.8) litre min -1 at the predefined time points. Cardiac output, but not mean arterial blood pressure, showed a positive and significant correlation with cerebral oxygen saturation. During neurosurgery in the sitting position, the cerebral oxygen saturation slowly increases and, therefore, this position seems to be safe with regard to cerebral oxygen saturation. Cerebral oxygen saturation is stable because of constant CO and MAP, while the influence of CO on cerebral oxygen saturation seems to be more relevant. NCT01275898. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Borescope Aids Welding In Confined Spaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carrasco, Eddie; Acuna, Ronald A.

1990-01-01

Welding torch holds video borescope to give operator view of workpiece in enclosed space. Operator sees clear, magnified image on video monitor and manipulates torch accordingly, despite visual obstruction presented by enclosure. Tinted shield tilted up while torch being positioned, then down to block excess light during welding. Reduces welding time by 50 percent, and increases quality of weld substantially.

78 FR 9588 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mile 535.0, Upper Mississippi River, Sabula, IA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-11

... Operation Regulation; Mile 535.0, Upper Mississippi River, Sabula, IA AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION... River, mile 535.0, at Sabula, Iowa. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform... Upper Mississippi River, mile 535.0, at Sabula, Iowa to remain in the closed-to-navigation position...

2010 Federal Radionavigation Plan

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-04-15

The Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP) reflects the official positioning, : navigation, and timing (PNT) policy and planning for the Federal : Government. The FRP covers both terrestrial- and space-based, commonuse, : federally operated PNT systems. ...

Flight Test Results from Real-Time Relative Global Positioning System Flight Experiment on STS-69

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, Young W.; Brazzel, Jack P., Jr.; Carpenter, J. Russell; Hinkel, Heather D.; Newman, James H.

1996-01-01

A real-time global positioning system (GPS) Kalman filter has been developed to support automated rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS). The filter is integrated with existing Shuttle rendezvous software running on a 486 laptop computer under Windows. In this work, we present real-time and postflight results achieved with the filter on STS-69. The experiment used GPS data from an Osborne/Jet propulsion Laboratory TurboRouge receiver carried on the Wake Shield Facility (WSF) free flyer and a Rockwell Collins 3M receiver carried on the Orbiter. Real time filter results, processed onboard the Shuttle and replayed in near-time on the ground, are based on single vehicle mode operation and on 5 to 20 minute snapshots of telemetry provided by WSF for dual-vehicle mode operation. The Orbiter and WSF state vectors calculated using our filter compare favorably with precise reference orbits determined by the University of Texas Center for Space Research. The lessons learned from this experiment will be used in conjunction with future experiments to mitigate the technology risk posed by automated rendezvous and docking to the ISS.

Minimally invasive and computer-navigated total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative and systematic review of the literature

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Both minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and computer-assisted surgery (CAS) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) have gained popularity in recent years. We conducted a qualitative and systematic review to assess the effectiveness of MIS, CAS and computer-assisted MIS for THA. Methods An extensive computerised literature search of PubMed, Medline, Embase and OVIDSP was conducted. Both randomised clinical trials and controlled clinical trials on the effectiveness of MIS, CAS and computer-assisted MIS for THA were included. Methodological quality was independently assessed by two reviewers. Effect estimates were calculated and a best-evidence synthesis was performed. Results Four high-quality and 14 medium-quality studies with MIS THA as study contrast, and three high-quality and four medium-quality studies with CAS THA as study contrast were included. No studies with computer-assisted MIS for THA as study contrast were identified. Strong evidence was found for a decrease in operative time and intraoperative blood loss for MIS THA, with no difference in complication rates and risk for acetabular outliers. Strong evidence exists that there is no difference in physical functioning, measured either by questionnaires or by gait analysis. Moderate evidence was found for a shorter length of hospital stay after MIS THA. Conflicting evidence was found for a positive effect of MIS THA on pain in the early postoperative period, but that effect diminished after three months postoperatively. Strong evidence was found for an increase in operative time for CAS THA, and limited evidence was found for a decrease in intraoperative blood loss. Furthermore, strong evidence was found for no difference in complication rates, as well as for a significantly lower risk for acetabular outliers. Conclusions The results indicate that MIS THA is a safe surgical procedure, without increases in operative time, blood loss, operative complication rates and component malposition rates. However, the beneficial effect of MIS THA on functional recovery has to be proven. The results also indicate that CAS THA, though resulting in an increase in operative time, may have a positive effect on operative blood loss and operative complication rates. More importantly, the use of CAS results in better positioning of acetabular component of the prosthesis. PMID:20470443

Intraoperative computed tomography guided neuronavigation: concepts, efficiency, and work flow.

PubMed

Matula, C; Rössler, K; Reddy, M; Schindler, E; Koos, W T

1998-01-01

Image-guided surgery is currently considered to be of undisputed value in microsurgical and endoscopical neurosurgery, but one of its major drawbacks is the degradation of accuracy during frameless stereotactic neuronavigation due to brain and/or lesion shift. A computed tomography (CT) scanner system (Philips Tomoscan M) developed for the operating room was connected to a pointer device navigation system for image-guided surgery (Philips EasyGuide system) in order to provide an integrated solution to this problem, and the advantages of this combination were evaluated in 20 cases (15 microsurgical and 5 endoscopic). The integration of the scanner into the operating room setup was successful in all procedures. The patients were positioned on a specially developed scanner table, which permitted movement to a scanning position then back to the operating position at any time during surgery. Contrast-enhanced preoperative CCTs performed following positioning and draping were of high quality in all cases, because a radiolucent head fixation technique was used. The accuracy achieved with this combination was significantly better (1.6:1.22.2). The overall concept is one of working in a closed system where everything is done in the same room, and the efficiency of this is clearly proven in different ways. The most important fact is the time saved in the overall treatment process (about 55 h for one operating room over a 6-month period). The combination of an intraoperative CCT scanner with the pointer device neuronavigation system permits not only the intraoperative control of resection of brain tumors, but also (in about 20% of cases) the identification of otherwise invisible residual tumor tissue by intraoperative update of the neuronavigation data set. Additionally, an image update solves the problem of intraoperative brain and/or tumor shifts during image-guided resection. Having the option of making an intraoperative quality check at any time leads to significantly increased efficiency, improves the operating work flow because of the closed-system concept, and offers an integrated solution for improved patient work flow and clinical outcome.

Ipsilateral shoulder pain in patients following lung resection in the decubitus position.

PubMed

Bando, Takae; Kondo, Kazuya; Onishi, Chiemi; Kajiura, Koichiro; Takizawa, Hiromitsu; Yamada, Kazuyo; Sato, Hiromi; Imai, Yoshie

2018-03-01

To examine the frequency, influencing factors and clinical course of shoulder pain in patients following lung resection. Thoracoscopes have been introduced in the surgical treatment of lung cancer and allow for less invasive surgery with a minimal incision. However, decubitus position-related shoulder pain on the operated side has not yet been investigated. A longitudinal descriptive study. Patients who underwent lung resection in the decubitus position. Patients were interviewed 2 days before surgery and once daily for 5 days after surgery. Interview items included background data, the concomitant use of epidural anaesthesia, operative duration, the presence of preoperative shoulder stiffness (excluding shoulder pain), type of surgery and site of operation. The intensity of pain was approximately 5 on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Descriptive statistics on patient backgrounds were obtained using SPSS Statistics 22 for Windows. Of the 74 patients who underwent lung resection in a decubitus position, 30 (40.5%) developed shoulder pain on the operated side. The highest rating occurred 1 day after surgery and decreased over time. The following two factors were found to influence shoulder pain on the operated side: operative duration (Z = -2.63; p = .01) and the presence of preoperative shoulder stiffness (excluding shoulder pain) (χ 2  = 4.16; p = .04). This study demonstrated that approximately 40% of patients who underwent lung resection in the decubitus position developed shoulder pain. The presence of postoperative shoulder pain was related to both the duration of the operation and to the presence of preoperative shoulder stiffness. Although the shoulder pain resolves within 4 days, it causes the patient additional discomfort and distress. Therefore, further research is needed on positioning for thoracotomy in order to investigate ways to reduce or eliminate this complication of lung surgery. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Ground controlled robotic assembly operations for Space Station Freedom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parrish, Joseph C.

1991-01-01

A number of dextrous robotic systems and associated positioning and transportation devices are available on Space Station Freedom (SSF) to perform assembly tasks that would otherwise need to be performed by extravehicular activity (EVA) crewmembers. The currently planned operating mode for these robotic systems during the assembly phase is teleoperation by intravehicular activity (IVA) crewmembers. While this operating mode is less hazardous and expensive than manned EVA operations, and has insignificant control loop time delays, the amount of IVA time available to support telerobotic operations is much less than the anticipated requirements. Some alternative is needed to allow the robotic systems to perform useful tasks without exhausting the available IVA resources; ground control is one such alternative. The issues associated with ground control of SSF robotic systems to alleviate onboard crew time availability constraints are investigated. Key technical issues include the effect of communication time delays, the need for safe, reliable execution of remote operations, and required modifications to the SSF ground and flight system architecture. Time delay compensation techniques such as predictive displays and world model-based force reflection are addressed and collision detection and avoidance strategies to ensure the safety of the on-orbit crew, Orbiter, and SSF are described. Although more time consuming and difficult than IVA controlled teleoperations or manned EVA, ground controlled telerobotic operations offer significant benefits during the SSF assembly phase, and should be considered in assembly planning activities.

Operational characteristics of a translation screen grid beam deflection system for a 5-cm Kaufman thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lathem, W. C.; Hudson, W. R.

1972-01-01

Measurements of beam deflection angle with respect to spring positioning power and accelerator impingement current as a function of deflection angle were made on a 5-cm diameter system. Response time measurements on the translational grid beam deflection system showed that the time for the maximum deflection angle analyzed (+16.4 deg to -16.4 deg) could be reduced by a factor of nine by increasing the heating power applied to the positioning spring from 4 to 16 watts. At 14 watts the response time for maximum deflection was about 1 minute.

The New Positioning Technology for Sea Recovery Operations in Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shoji, Yasuhiro; Yoshida, Tetsuya; Fuke, Hideyuki; Iijima, Issei; Izutsu, Naoki; Kato, Yoichi; Matsuzaka, Yukihiko; Namiki, Michiyoshi; Sato, Takatoshi; Tamura, Keisuke; Toriumi, Michihiko; Kakehashi, Yuya; Mizuta, Eiichi

2012-07-01

In Japan which has few flat plain and high population density, it is very difficult to drop a balloon safely on to the land. Hence balloons launched from Japan have always been dropped on the sea. In order to recover the balloons and the gondolas floating on the sea surely and rapidly, and to keep the gondolas and ships safe, much efforts and innovations have been made. Ones of the important innovations are positioning buoys. A buoy attached on a balloon gondola floats independently after the splash down, and informs its position to the recovery team. We had developed some types of such buoys; `radio beacon buoy' transmits a pattern of radio signal to navigate the recovery boats to the gondola. Another type of the buoys, `GPS ARGOS buoy,' finds its position with the GPS and sends the information to the balloon base via ARGOS satellite communication network. These technologies had contributed so much to the sea recovery operations however they also had some limitations. Recently, a new positioning buoy with better performance has developed; `Iridium buoy' detects the position with the GPS, and informs it to the balloon base via the Iridium satellite communication network and the internet. The Iridium buoy provides the accurate position surely and immediately with good time resolution. Furthermore the information can be received by very common devices which can receive e-mails. Thanks to the new buoy, the balloon operation team can always know where the gondola is on the sea more precisely, more simultaneously and more easily. That enables the operation team to inform the gondola's location to the authorities concerned as well as the recovery team, which contributes to the safety of both of the gondola and the sea traffics. In this presentation, the Iridium Buoy will be introduced mainly. Also the overview of the present sea recovery operation with the buoy and the past operations will be mentioned

Scaled position-force tracking for wireless teleoperation of miniaturized surgical robotic system.

PubMed

Guo, Jing; Liu, Chao; Poignet, Philippe

2014-01-01

Miniaturized surgical robotic system presents promising trend for reducing invasiveness during operation. However, cables used for power and communication may affect its performance. In this paper we chose Zigbee wireless communication as a means to replace communication cables for miniaturized surgical robot. Nevertheless, time delay caused by wireless communication presents a new challenge to performance and stability of the teleoperation system. We proposed a bilateral wireless teleoperation architecture taking into consideration of the effect of position-force scaling between operator and slave. Optimal position-force tracking performance is obtained and the overall system is shown to be passive with a simple condition on the scaling factors satisfied. Simulation studies verify the efficiency of the proposed scaled wireless teleoperation scheme.

Teleoperated position control of a PUMA robot

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Austin, Edmund; Fong, Chung P.

1987-01-01

A laboratory distributed computer control teleoperator system is developed to support NASA's future space telerobotic operation. This teleoperator system uses a universal force-reflecting hand controller in the local iste as the operator's input device. In the remote site, a PUMA controller recieves the Cartesian position commands and implements PID control laws to position the PUMA robot. The local site uses two microprocessors while the remote site uses three. The processors communicate with each other through shared memory. The PUMA robot controller was interfaced through custom made electronics to bypass VAL. The development status of this teleoperator system is reported. The execution time of each processor is analyzed, and the overall system throughput rate is reported. Methods to improve the efficiency and performance are discussed.

Tele-autonomous systems: New methods for projecting and coordinating intelligent action at a distance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conway, Lynn; Volz, Richard; Walker, Michael W.

1989-01-01

There is a growing need for humans to perform complex remote operations and to extend the intelligence and experience of experts to distant applications. It is asserted that a blending of human intelligence, modern information technology, remote control, and intelligent autonomous systems is required, and have coined the term tele-autonomous technology, or tele-automation, for methods producing intelligent action at a distance. Tele-automation goes beyond autonomous control by blending in human intelligence. It goes beyond tele-operation by incorporating as much autonomy as possible and/or reasonable. A new approach is discussed for solving one of the fundamental problems facing tele-autonomous systems: The need to overcome time delays due to telemetry and signal propagation. New concepts are introduced called time and position clutches, that allow the time and position frames between the local user control and the remote device being controlled, to be desynchronized respectively. The design and implementation of these mechanisms are described in detail. It is demonstrated that these mechanisms lead to substantial telemanipulation performance improvements, including the result of improvements even in the absence of time delays. The new controls also yield a simple protocol for control handoffs of manipulation tasks between local operators and remote systems.

Global Positioning System Synchronized Active Light Autonomous Docking System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howard, Richard T. (Inventor); Book, Michael L. (Inventor); Bryan, Thomas C. (Inventor); Bell, Joseph L. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A Global Positioning System Synchronized Active Light Autonomous Docking System (GPSSALADS) for automatically docking a chase vehicle with a target vehicle comprising at least one active light emitting target which is operatively attached to the target vehicle. The target includes a three-dimensional array of concomitantly flashing lights which flash at a controlled common frequency. The GPSSALADS further comprises a visual tracking sensor operatively attached to the chase vehicle for detecting and tracking the target vehicle. Its performance is synchronized with the flash frequency of the lights by a synchronization means which is comprised of first and second internal clocks operatively connected to the active light target and visual tracking sensor, respectively, for providing timing control signals thereto, respectively. The synchronization means further includes first and second Global Positioning System receivers operatively connected to the first and second internal clocks, respectively, for repeatedly providing simultaneous synchronization pulses to the internal clocks, respectively. In addition, the GPSSALADS includes a docking process controller means which is operatively attached to the chase vehicle and is responsive to the visual tracking sensor for producing commands for the guidance and propulsion system of the chase vehicle.

Global Positioning System Synchronized Active Light Autonomous Docking System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howard, Richard (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A Global Positioning System Synchronized Active Light Autonomous Docking System (GPSSALADS) for automatically docking a chase vehicle with a target vehicle comprises at least one active light emitting target which is operatively attached to the target vehicle. The target includes a three-dimensional array of concomitantly flashing lights which flash at a controlled common frequency. The GPSSALADS further comprises a visual tracking sensor operatively attached to the chase vehicle for detecting and tracking the target vehicle. Its performance is synchronized with the flash frequency of the lights by a synchronization means which is comprised of first and second internal clocks operatively connected to the active light target and visual tracking sensor, respectively, for providing timing control signals thereto, respectively. The synchronization means further includes first and second Global Positioning System receivers operatively connected to the first and second internal clocks, respectively, for repeatedly providing simultaneous synchronization pulses to the internal clocks, respectively. In addition, the GPSSALADS includes a docking process controller means which is operatively attached to the chase vehicle and is responsive to the visual tracking sensor for producing commands for the guidance and propulsion system of the chase vehicle.

33 CFR 117.702 - Arthur Kill.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Kill (AK) Railroad Bridge shall be maintained in the full open position for navigation at all times... clearly visible from both the up and downstream sides of the bridge. (c) Tide restrained deep draft vessels shall notify the bridge operator, daily, of their expected times of vessel transits through the...

Novel Acoustic Techniques for Assessing Fish Schooling in the Context of an Operational Ocean Observatory

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-30

which provides real-time data throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). The surveys will be positioned adaptively using real-time data collected with the...dense, monotypic aggregations of a pelagic gastropod were located during a 2-day period. These aggregations were remarkablystrong scatterers at

Learning curves of two different techniques for the intra-articular injection of the knee joint under fluoroscopic guidance.

PubMed

Simoni, Paolo; Malaise, Olivier; El Hachemi, Mounia; Tromba, Angelo; Boitsios, Grammatina

2018-05-01

The aim of the study was to compare the learning curves of three beginner operators using two different techniques of intra-articular injection of the knee under fluoroscopic guidance with a superolateral approach. In total, 177 consecutive patients (72 females (40.7%) and 105 males (59.3%), mean age 42.2 ± 15.0 years) scheduled for a computed tomography (CT) arthrography and without joint effusion on the lateral X-rays were enrolled. They underwent an intra-articular injection of the knee under fluoroscopic guidance with a superolateral approach. Patients were randomly assigned to three different operators, including a junior supervisor and two first-year residents in radiology who never performed an intra-articular injection of the knee before the present study. Procedures in lateral or supine position were randomly assigned to three operators. There was a higher rate of successful injections with the lateral position (92.1%) than with supine position (80.2%) (odds ratio (OR) 4.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-14.0). A significant learning effect was observed for the supine position, while none was observed for the lateral position. Pain and time of fluoroscopy did not differ between the two procedures (p = 0.85 and p = 0.10, respectively). Junior supervisor had a higher rate of successful intra-articular injection compared with the other two operators (p = 0.0072). There was a statistically significant higher rate of extravasation with the supine position (66.3%) than with lateral position (19.7%) (p < 0.0001, OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.06-0.25). The intra-articular injection of the knee under fluoroscopic guidance with the patient in lateral position is an easy technique for operators in training with a low rate of extravasation. Lateral position does not require a supplementary irradiation and does not increase the procedural pain. Personal operator's skill is an independent factor in determining the success of the training.

Real-time classification of vehicles by type within infrared imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kundegorski, Mikolaj E.; Akçay, Samet; Payen de La Garanderie, Grégoire; Breckon, Toby P.

2016-10-01

Real-time classification of vehicles into sub-category types poses a significant challenge within infra-red imagery due to the high levels of intra-class variation in thermal vehicle signatures caused by aspects of design, current operating duration and ambient thermal conditions. Despite these challenges, infra-red sensing offers significant generalized target object detection advantages in terms of all-weather operation and invariance to visual camouflage techniques. This work investigates the accuracy of a number of real-time object classification approaches for this task within the wider context of an existing initial object detection and tracking framework. Specifically we evaluate the use of traditional feature-driven bag of visual words and histogram of oriented gradient classification approaches against modern convolutional neural network architectures. Furthermore, we use classical photogrammetry, within the context of current target detection and classification techniques, as a means of approximating 3D target position within the scene based on this vehicle type classification. Based on photogrammetric estimation of target position, we then illustrate the use of regular Kalman filter based tracking operating on actual 3D vehicle trajectories. Results are presented using a conventional thermal-band infra-red (IR) sensor arrangement where targets are tracked over a range of evaluation scenarios.

Real-time reflectometry measurement validation in H-mode regimes for plasma position control.

PubMed

Santos, J; Guimarais, L; Manso, M

2010-10-01

It has been shown that in H-mode regimes, reflectometry electron density profiles and an estimate for the density at the separatrix can be jointly used to track the separatrix within the precision required for plasma position control on ITER. We present a method to automatically remove, from the position estimation procedure, measurements performed during collapse and recovery phases of edge localized modes (ELMs). Based on the rejection mechanism, the method also produces an estimate confidence value to be fed to the position feedback controller. Preliminary results show that the method improves the real-time experimental separatrix tracking capabilities and has the potential to eliminate the need for an external online source of ELM event signaling during control feedback operation.

Safety and efficacy of LigaSure usage in pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PubMed

Eng, Oliver S; Goswami, Julie; Moore, Dirk; Chen, Chunxia; Brumbaugh, Jennifer; Gannon, Christopher J; August, David A; Carpizo, Darren R

2013-10-01

Over recent years, use of the LigaSure™ vessel sealing device has increased in major abdominal surgery to include pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). LigaSure™ use during PD has expanded to include all steps of the procedure, including the division of the uncinate margin. This introduces the potential for thermal major vascular injury or margin positivity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LigaSure™ usage in PD in comparison to established dissection techniques. One hundred and forty-eight patients who underwent PD from 2007 to 2012 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital were identified from a retrospective database. Two groups were recognized: those in which the LigaSure™ device was used (N = 114), and in those it was not (N = 34). Peri-operative outcomes were compared. Vascular intra-operative complications directly caused by thermal injury from LigaSure™ use occurred in 1.8% of patients. Overall vascular intra-operative complications, uncinate margin positivity, blood loss, length of stay, and complication severity were not significantly different between groups. The mean operative time was 77 min less (P < 0.010) in the LigaSure™ group. Savings per case where the LigaSure™ was used amounted to $1776.73. LigaSure™ usage during PD is safe and effective. It is associated with decreased operative times, which may decrease operative costs in PD. © 2013 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.

Safety and efficacy of LigaSure usage in pancreaticoduodenectomy

PubMed Central

Eng, Oliver S; Goswami, Julie; Moore, Dirk; Chen, Chunxia; Brumbaugh, Jennifer; Gannon, Christopher J; August, David A; Carpizo, Darren R

2013-01-01

Background Over recent years, use of the LigaSure™ vessel sealing device has increased in major abdominal surgery to include pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). LigaSure™ use during PD has expanded to include all steps of the procedure, including the division of the uncinate margin. This introduces the potential for thermal major vascular injury or margin positivity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LigaSure™ usage in PD in comparison to established dissection techniques. Methods One hundred and forty-eight patients who underwent PD from 2007 to 2012 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital were identified from a retrospective database. Two groups were recognized: those in which the LigaSure™ device was used (N = 114), and in those it was not (N = 34). Peri-operative outcomes were compared. Results Vascular intra-operative complications directly caused by thermal injury from LigaSure™ use occurred in 1.8% of patients. Overall vascular intra-operative complications, uncinate margin positivity, blood loss, length of stay, and complication severity were not significantly different between groups. The mean operative time was 77 min less (P < 0.010) in the LigaSure™ group. Savings per case where the LigaSure™ was used amounted to $1776.73. Conclusion LigaSure™ usage during PD is safe and effective. It is associated with decreased operative times, which may decrease operative costs in PD. PMID:23782268

Elementary derivation of the quantum propagator for the harmonic oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Jiushu

2016-10-01

Operator algebra techniques are employed to derive the quantum evolution operator for the harmonic oscillator. The derivation begins with the construction of the annihilation and creation operators and the determination of the wave function for the coherent state as well as its time-dependent evolution, and ends with the transformation of the propagator in a mixed position-coherent-state representation to the desired one in configuration space. Throughout the entire procedure, besides elementary operator manipulations, it is only necessary to solve linear differential equations and to calculate Gaussian integrals.

A novel navigation system for maxillary positioning in orthognathic surgery: Preclinical evaluation.

PubMed

Lutz, Jean-Christophe; Nicolau, Stéphane; Agnus, Vincent; Bodin, Frédéric; Wilk, Astrid; Bruant-Rodier, Catherine; Rémond, Yves; Soler, Luc

2015-11-01

Appropriate positioning of the maxilla is critical in orthognathic surgery. As opposed to splint-based positioning, navigation systems are versatile and appropriate in assessing the vertical dimension. Bulk and disruption to the line of sight are drawbacks of optical navigation systems. Our aim was to develop and assess a novel navigation system based on electromagnetic tracking of the maxilla, including real-time registration of head movements. Since the software interface has proved to greatly influence the accuracy of the procedure, we purposely designed and evaluated an original, user-friendly interface. A sample of 12 surgeons had to navigate the phantom osteotomized maxilla to eight given target positions using the software we have developed. Time and accuracy (translational error and angular error) were compared between a conventional and a navigated session. A questionnaire provided qualitative evaluation. Our system definitely allows a reduction in variability of time and accuracy among different operators. Accuracy was improved in all surgeons (mean terror difference = 1.11 mm, mean aerror difference = 1.32°). Operative time was decreased in trainees. Therefore, they would benefit from such a system that could also serve for educational purposes. The majority of surgeons who strongly agreed that such a navigation system would prove very helpful in complex deformities, also stated that it would be helpful in everyday orthognathic procedures. Copyright © 2015 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Probing the Ca(2+) switch of the neuronal Ca(2+) sensor GCAP2 by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy.

PubMed

Kollmann, Heiko; Becker, Simon F; Shirdel, Javid; Scholten, Alexander; Ostendorp, Anna; Lienau, Christoph; Koch, Karl-Wilhelm

2012-06-15

We report fluorescence lifetime and rotational anisotropy measurements of the fluorescent dye Alexa647 attached to the guanylate cyclase-activating protein 2 (GCAP2), an intracellular myristoylated calcium sensor protein operating in photoreceptor cells. By linking the dye to different protein regions critical for monitoring calcium-induced conformational changes, we could measure fluorescence lifetimes and rotational correlation times as a function of myristoylation, calcium, and position of the attached dye, while GCAP2 was still able to regulate guanylate cyclase in a Ca(2+)-sensitive manner. We observe distinct site-specific variations in the fluorescence dynamics when externally changing the protein conformation. A clear reduction in fluorescence lifetime suggests that in the calcium-free state a dye marker in amino acid position 131 senses a more hydrophobic protein environment than in position 111. Saturating GCAP2 with calcium increases the fluorescence lifetime and hence leads to larger exposure of position 111 to the solvent and at the same time to a movement of position 131 into a hydrophobic protein cleft. In addition, we find distinct, biexponential anisotropy decays reflecting the reorientational motion of the fluorophore dipole and the dye/protein complex, respectively. Our experimental data are well described by a "wobbling-in-a-cone" model and reveal that for dye markers in position 111 of the GCAP2 protein both addition of calcium and myristoylation results in a pronounced increase in orientational flexibility of the fluorophore. Our results provide evidence that the up-and-down movement of an α-helix that is situated between position 111 and 131 is a key feature of the dynamics of the protein-dye complex. Operation of this piston-like movement is triggered by the intracellular messenger calcium.

43 CFR 3162.7-5 - Site security on Federal and Indian (except Osage) oil and gas leases.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... without the seal being destroyed. Production phase. That period of time or mode of operation during which... all operations at the facility other than those defined by the sales phase. Sales phase. That period... show which valves will be sealed in which position during both the production and sales phases of...

76 FR 12 - Drawbridge Operation Regulations; New Haven Harbor, Quinnipiac and Mill Rivers, New Haven, CT

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-03

... to keep one lift span closed to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance. DATES: This deviation is... temporary deviation the Ferry Street Bridge may keep one lift span in the closed position from 8 a.m. on... January 13, 2011. One lift span shall remain operational at all times. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e...

Supine or prone position for mini-PNL procedure: does it matter.

PubMed

Tokatlı, Zafer; Gokce, Mehmet Ilker; Süer, Evren; Sağlam, Remzi

2015-06-01

In this study it is aimed to compare the success and complication rates of mini-PNL procedure in supine and prone positions. In this retrospective study data of 180 patients treated with MPNL either in supine (n = 54) or prone (n = 126) positions between May 2009 and August 2014 was investigated. Success was defined as no visible stones >2 mm. Perioperative complications were classified using the modified Clavien system. Groups were compared with Chi square test or Student t test and for statistical significance p value of 0.05 was accepted. Mean age of the population was 42.5 ± 8.2 years and mean stone size was 23.9 ± 4.1 mm. The two groups were similar with regard to demographic characteristics and stone related characteristics except the ASA status. Success rates of the supine and prone groups were 85.1 and 87.3%, respectively (p = 0.701). No statistically significant differences in terms of complications were observed. Mean operative time was the only parameter different between the two groups (55 vs 82 min, p = 0.001). Supine position for PNL seems to be promising and the complication and success rates are shown to be similar to the prone position with MPNL technique. The only significant benefit of this technique is shorter operative time.

Beyond prone position in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a comprehensive review.

PubMed

de la Rosette, Jean J M C H; Tsakiris, Peter; Ferrandino, Michael N; Elsakka, Ahmed M; Rioja, Jorge; Preminger, Glenn M

2008-12-01

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is traditionally performed with the patient in the prone position. To assess the efficacy and safety of the prone and supine positions, particularly in obese patients and in those with staghorn calculi. A Medline search was conducted for articles published during the last 10 yr related to PNL in the prone and supine positions. This search revealed 9 published studies for supine and 25 for prone PNL. None of the supine PNL studies reported visceral injuries, while transfusion rates were 0.0-9.4% and stone-free rates were 69.6-95.0%. One study of supine PNL evaluated a significant proportion of obese patients. Prone PNL studies in obese patients report transfusion rates of 3.2-8.8% and stone-free rates of 79.0-89.2%. In the only randomized study, excluding obese patients and staghorn calculi, operative time favors the supine position. A nonrandomized comparative study demonstrated similar complication rates with insignificant improvement in treatment success for supine PNL; however, when comparing series with similar proportions of staghorn calculi cases, there are slightly improved outcomes for prone PNL. Moreover, comparison of weighted means favors prone PNL. For obese patients and staghorn calculi, prone PNL appears to be associated with decreased operative times with similar bleeding rates and slightly better stone-free rates than supine PNL.

Two Dimensions of Time could produce a New Supersymmetric Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kriske, Richard

2014-03-01

In the collapse of a system into the eigenstate of an operator,a new type of time, call it ``information time,'' could be inferred. One could look at this time to evolve the quantum state as a type of ``mass.'' This would be a correction to the explaination to the existing Higgs mechanism. Likewise one could see the dual of this in the Dilation in ``clock time'' seen in Special Relativity. In other words we see a time Dilation in ``Information Time'' as being a delay in Acceleration which we call ``mass.'' The two types of Time are Duals to each other and are symmetric. The second dimension of time has been overlooked for this reason. Time Dilation is the dual to persistance of the collapse of a system. This Duality produces some interesting and measurable effects. One conclusion that one can draw from this ``Symmetry'' is that there is a non-commuting set of operators, and a particle that connects the two ``Perpendicular'' time axis. We know from classical Quantum Theory that Momentum and Position do not commute, and this is something like the Noncommuting Time Dimensions, in that Momentum has a time-like construction and Position has a Space like construction, it is something like x, and t, not Commuting. What is the Conserved Quantity between the two types of time, is it Energy?

78 FR 23598 - National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Advisory Board; Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-19

...: Mr. James J. Miller, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters... potential PNT service degradation if adjacent radio-band spectrum interference is introduced. Patricia D...

Clinical study of the influence of preoperative wearing time on postoperative effects in children with partially accommodative esotropia.

PubMed

Jiang, Danni; Han, Dong; Zhang, Jiahuan; Pei, Tianxu; Zhao, Qi

2018-05-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the preoperative wearing time on the postoperative effect in children with partially accommodative esotropia.Sixty children with partially accommodative esotropia who visited our hospital were placed in full cycloplegic refraction by using 1% Atropine eye gel and then wore full hyperopic correction glasses. Children were divided into groups A and B according to the preoperative wearing time. The visual acuity, eye position, and results of the synoptophore and Titmus stereoacuity tests were recorded before and half a year after the surgery in each group, and appropriate statistical analyses were conducted.Half a year after the operation, 54 cases achieved orthotropia when wearing full hyperopic correction glasses. One case was overcorrected. Five cases were undercorrected. The results of the synoptophore and Titmus stereoacuity test showed that there was no significant difference between postoperative outcomes for patients who wore glasses for half a year and for 1 year before the operation.For children with partially accommodative esotropia, surgery should be used to correct the eye position after wearing full hyperopic correction glasses for half a year to improve the eye position and binocular vision as early as possible. If the operation cannot be completed after the patient wears full hyperopic correction glasses for half a year due to various subjective and objective factors, a good postoperative effect can be obtained if the patients receive surgery after wearing full hyperopic correction glasses for 1 year.

Lower limb compartment syndrome following laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a review.

PubMed

Rao, M M; Jayne, D

2011-05-01

  In spite of recent advances in technology and technique, laparoscopic colorectal surgery is associated with increased operating times when compared with open surgery. This increases the risk of acute lower limb compartment syndrome. The aim of this review was to gain a better understanding of postoperative lower limb compartment syndrome following laparoscopic colorectal surgery and to suggest strategies to avoid its occurrence. A MEDLINE search was performed using the keywords 'compartment syndrome', 'laparoscopic surgery' and 'Lloyd-Davies position' between 1970 and 2008. All relevant articles were retrieved and reviewed. A total of 54 articles were retrieved. Of the 30 articles in English, five were reviews, six were original articles and 19 were case reports, of which only one was following laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The remaining 24 were non-English articles. Of these, two were reviews and 22 were case reports, of which only one was following laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The incidence of acute compartment syndrome following laparoscopic colorectal surgery is unknown. The following are believed to be risk factors for acute lower limb compartment syndrome: the Lloyd-Davies operating position with exaggerated Trendelenburg tilt, prolonged operative times and improper patient positioning. Simple strategies are suggested to reduce its occurrence. Simple preventative measures have been identified which may help to reduce the incidence of acute lower limb compartment syndrome. However, if suspected, timely surgical intervention with four-compartment fasciotomy remains the standard of care. © 2011 The Authors. Colorectal Disease © 2011 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.

Performance evaluation of a six-axis generalized force-reflecting teleoperator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hannaford, B.; Wood, L.; Guggisberg, B.; Mcaffee, D.; Zak, H.

1989-01-01

Work in real-time distributed computation and control has culminated in a prototype force-reflecting telemanipulation system having a dissimilar master (cable-driven, force-reflecting hand controller) and a slave (PUMA 560 robot with custom controller), an extremely high sampling rate (1000 Hz), and a low loop computation delay (5 msec). In a series of experiments with this system and five trained test operators covering over 100 hours of teleoperation, performance was measured in a series of generic and application-driven tasks with and without force feedback, and with control shared between teleoperation and local sensor referenced control. Measurements defining task performance included 100-Hz recording of six-axis force/torque information from the slave manipulator wrist, task completion time, and visual observation of predefined task errors. The task consisted of high precision peg-in-hole insertion, electrical connectors, velcro attach-de-attach, and a twist-lock multi-pin connector. Each task was repeated three times under several operating conditions: normal bilateral telemanipulation, forward position control without force feedback, and shared control. In shared control, orientation was locally servo controlled to comply with applied torques, while translation was under operator control. All performance measures improved as capability was added along a spectrum of capabilities ranging from pure position control through force-reflecting teleoperation and shared control. Performance was optimal for the bare-handed operator.

A Study of VITOM in Pediatric Surgery and Urology: Evaluation of Technology Acceptance and Usability by Operating Team and Surgeon Musculoskeletal Discomfort.

PubMed

Frykman, Philip K; Freedman, Andrew L; Kane, Timothy D; Cheng, Zhi; Petrosyan, Mikael; Catchpole, Kenneth

2017-02-01

We studied operating team acceptability of Video Telescopic Monitor (VITOM ® ) exoscope by exploring the ease of use of the device in two centers. We also assessed factors affecting surgeon musculoskeletal discomfort. We focused on how the operating team interacted with the VITOM system with surrogate measures of usefulness, image quality, ease of use, workload, and setup time. Multivariable linear regression was used to model the relationships between team role, experience, and setup time. Relationships between localized musculoskeletal discomfort and use of VITOM alone, and with loupes, were also analyzed. Four surgeons, 7 surgical techs, 7 circulating nurses, and 13 surgical residents performed 70 pediatric surgical and urological operations. We found that subjective views of each team member were consistently positive with 69%-74% agreed or strongly agreed that VITOM enhanced their ability to perform their job and improved the surgical process. Unexpectedly, the scrub techs and nurses perceived more value and utility of VITOM, presumably because it provides them a view of the operative field that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Team members rated perceptions of image quality highly and workload generally satisfactory. Not surprisingly, setup time decreased with team experience and multivariable modeling showed significant correlations with surgeon and surgical tech experience, but not circulating nurse. An important finding was that surgeon neck discomfort was reduced with use of VITOM alone for magnification, compared with use of loupes and VITOM. The most likely explanation for these findings is improved posture with the neck at a neutral position when viewing the VITOM images, compared with neck flexion with loupes, and thus, a less favorable ergonomic position. This study suggests that there may be small drawbacks associated with VITOM use initially, but these reduce with increased experience and benefit both the surgeon and the rest of the team.

High Precision Piezoelectric Linear Motors for Operations at Cryogenic Temperatures and Vacuum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, D.; Carman, G.; Stam, M.; Bar-Cohen, Y.; Sen, A.; Henry, P.; Bearman, G.; Moacanin, J.

1995-01-01

The use of an electromechanical device for optically positioning a mirror system during the pre-project phase of the Pluto Fast Flyby mission was evaluated at JPL. The device under consideration was a piezoelectric driven linear motor functionally dependent upon a time varying electric field which induces displacements ranging from submicrons to millimeters with positioning accuracy within nanometers.

A positivity-preserving, implicit defect-correction multigrid method for turbulent combustion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasserman, M.; Mor-Yossef, Y.; Greenberg, J. B.

2016-07-01

A novel, robust multigrid method for the simulation of turbulent and chemically reacting flows is developed. A survey of previous attempts at implementing multigrid for the problems at hand indicated extensive use of artificial stabilization to overcome numerical instability arising from non-linearity of turbulence and chemistry model source-terms, small-scale physics of combustion, and loss of positivity. These issues are addressed in the current work. The highly stiff Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, coupled with turbulence and finite-rate chemical kinetics models, are integrated in time using the unconditionally positive-convergent (UPC) implicit method. The scheme is successfully extended in this work for use with chemical kinetics models, in a fully-coupled multigrid (FC-MG) framework. To tackle the degraded performance of multigrid methods for chemically reacting flows, two major modifications are introduced with respect to the basic, Full Approximation Storage (FAS) approach. First, a novel prolongation operator that is based on logarithmic variables is proposed to prevent loss of positivity due to coarse-grid corrections. Together with the extended UPC implicit scheme, the positivity-preserving prolongation operator guarantees unconditional positivity of turbulence quantities and species mass fractions throughout the multigrid cycle. Second, to improve the coarse-grid-correction obtained in localized regions of high chemical activity, a modified defect correction procedure is devised, and successfully applied for the first time to simulate turbulent, combusting flows. The proposed modifications to the standard multigrid algorithm create a well-rounded and robust numerical method that provides accelerated convergence, while unconditionally preserving the positivity of model equation variables. Numerical simulations of various flows involving premixed combustion demonstrate that the proposed MG method increases the efficiency by a factor of up to eight times with respect to an equivalent single-grid method, and by two times with respect to an artificially-stabilized MG method.

Theory and operation of a three-gate time-of-flight velocity analyzer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martus, K. E.; Orient, O. J.; Hodges, R. R.; Chutjian, A.

1993-01-01

Theoretical considerations and test results are presented for a new-type velocity analyzer for incident fast neutral particles, positive ions, and negative ions. Velocity analysis is carried out by means of a pulsed, three-gate time-of-flight (TOF) technique capable of eliminating alias velocities (harmonics) to sixth order. In addition the design and operation are presented of a four-element ion lens system, with small spherical and chromatic aberrations, suitable for interfacing a large-diameter ion beam from the TOF section with a subsequent mass analyzer.

Development and Testing of a High-Speed Real-Time Kinematic Precise DGPS Positioning System Between Two Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

work-horse for this thesis. He spent hours writing some of the more tedious code, and as much time helping me learn C++ and Linux . He was always there...compared with C++, and the need to use Linux as the operating system, the filter was coded using C++ and KDevelop [28] in SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2 [42...The driving factor for using Linux was the operating system’s ability to access the serial ports in a reliable fashion. Under the original MATLAB® and

Position estimation of transceivers in communication networks

DOEpatents

Kent, Claudia A [Pleasanton, CA; Dowla, Farid [Castro Valley, CA

2008-06-03

This invention provides a system and method using wireless communication interfaces coupled with statistical processing of time-of-flight data to locate by position estimation unknown wireless receivers. Such an invention can be applied in sensor network applications, such as environmental monitoring of water in the soil or chemicals in the air where the position of the network nodes is deemed critical. Moreover, the present invention can be arranged to operate in areas where a Global Positioning System (GPS) is not available, such as inside buildings, caves, and tunnels.

Position surveillance using one active ranging satellite and time-of-arrival of a signal from an independent satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, R. E.; Frey, R. L.; Lewis, J. R.

1980-01-01

Position surveillance using one active ranging/communication satellite and the time-of-arrival of signals from an independent satellite was shown to be feasible and practical. A towboat on the Mississippi River was equipped with a tone-code ranging transponder and a receiver tuned to the timing signals of the GOES satellite. A similar transponder was located at the office of the towing company. Tone-code ranging interrogations were transmitted from the General Electric Earth Station Laboratory through ATS-6 to the towboat and to the ground truth transponder office. Their automatic responses included digital transmissions of time-of-arrival measurements derived from the GOES signals. The Earth Station Laboratory determined ranges from the satellites to the towboat and computed position fixes. The ATS-6 lines-of-position were more precise than 0.1 NMi, 1 sigma, and the GOES lines-of-position were more precise than 1.6 NMi, 1 sigma. High quality voice communications were accomplished with the transponders using a nondirectional antenna on the towboat. The simple and effective surveillance technique merits further evaluation using operational maritime satellites.

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

Ken L. Stratton

The objective of this project is to investigate the applicability of a combined Global Positioning System and Inertial Measurement Unit (GPS/IMU) for information based displays on earthmoving machines and for automated earthmoving machines in the future. This technology has the potential of allowing an information-based product like Caterpillar's Computer Aided Earthmoving System (CAES) to operate in areas with satellite shading. Satellite shading is an issue in open pit mining because machines are routinely required to operate close to high walls, which reduces significantly the amount of the visible sky to the GPS antenna mounted on the machine. An inertial measurementmore » unit is a product, which provides data for the calculation of position based on sensing accelerations and rotation rates of the machine's rigid body. When this information is coupled with GPS it results in a positioning system that can maintain positioning capability during time periods of shading.« less

Motor potential profile and a robust method for extracting it from time series of motor positions.

PubMed

Wang, Hongyun

2006-10-21

Molecular motors are small, and, as a result, motor operation is dominated by high-viscous friction and large thermal fluctuations from the surrounding fluid environment. The small size has hindered, in many ways, the studies of physical mechanisms of molecular motors. For a macroscopic motor, it is possible to observe/record experimentally the internal operation details of the motor. This is not yet possible for molecular motors. The chemical reaction in a molecular motor has many occupancy states, each having a different effect on the motor motion. The overall effect of the chemical reaction on the motor motion can be characterized by the motor potential profile. The potential profile reveals how the motor force changes with position in a motor step, which may lead to insights into how the chemical reaction is coupled to force generation. In this article, we propose a mathematical formulation and a robust method for constructing motor potential profiles from time series of motor positions measured in single molecule experiments. Numerical examples based on simulated data are shown to demonstrate the method. Interestingly, it is the small size of molecular motors (negligible inertia) that makes it possible to recover the potential profile from time series of motor positions. For a macroscopic motor, the variation of driving force within a cycle is smoothed out by the large inertia.

Medium-Range Forecast Skill for Extraordinary Arctic Cyclones in Summer of 2008-2016

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamagami, Akio; Matsueda, Mio; Tanaka, Hiroshi L.

2018-05-01

Arctic cyclones (ACs) are a severe atmospheric phenomenon that affects the Arctic environment. This study assesses the forecast skill of five leading operational medium-range ensemble forecasts for 10 extraordinary ACs that occurred in summer during 2008-2016. Average existence probability of the predicted ACs was >0.9 at lead times of ≤3.5 days. Average central position error of the predicted ACs was less than half of the mean radius of the 10 ACs (469.1 km) at lead times of 2.5-4.5 days. Average central pressure error of the predicted ACs was 5.5-10.7 hPa at such lead times. Therefore, the operational ensemble prediction systems generally predict the position of ACs within 469.1 km 2.5-4.5 days before they mature. The forecast skill for the extraordinary ACs is lower than that for midlatitude cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere but similar to that in the Southern Hemisphere.

The effects of variable-time delivery of food items and praise on problem behavior reinforced by escape.

PubMed

Lomas, Joanna E; Fisher, Wayne W; Kelley, Michael E

2010-01-01

Prior research indicates that reinforcement of an appropriate response (e.g., compliance) can produce concomitant reductions in problem behavior reinforced by escape when problem behavior continues to produce negative reinforcement (e.g., Lalli et al., 1999). These effects may be due to a preference for positive over negative reinforcement or to positive reinforcement acting as an abolishing operation, rendering demands less aversive and escape from demands less effective as negative reinforcement. In the current investigation, we delivered a preferred food item and praise on a variable-time 15-s schedule while providing escape for problem behavior on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule in a demand condition for 3 participants with problem behavior maintained by negative reinforcement. Results for all 3 participants showed that variable-time delivery of preferred edible items reduced problem behavior even though escape continued to be available for these responses. These findings are discussed in the context of motivating operations.

SITHON: An Airborne Fire Detection System Compliant with Operational Tactical Requirements

PubMed Central

Kontoes, Charalabos; Keramitsoglou, Iphigenia; Sifakis, Nicolaos; Konstantinidis, Pavlos

2009-01-01

In response to the urging need of fire managers for timely information on fire location and extent, the SITHON system was developed. SITHON is a fully digital thermal imaging system, integrating INS/GPS and a digital camera, designed to provide timely positioned and projected thermal images and video data streams rapidly integrated in the GIS operated by Crisis Control Centres. This article presents in detail the hardware and software components of SITHON, and demonstrates the first encouraging results of test flights over the Sithonia Peninsula in Northern Greece. It is envisaged that the SITHON system will be soon operated onboard various airborne platforms including fire brigade airplanes and helicopters as well as on UAV platforms owned and operated by the Greek Air Forces. PMID:22399963

Electromagnetic-Tracked Biopsy under Ultrasound Guidance: Preliminary Results

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

Hakime, Antoine, E-mail: thakime@yahoo.com; Deschamps, Frederic; Marques De Carvalho, Enio Garcia

2012-08-15

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of electromagnetic needle tracking for sonographically guided percutaneous liver biopsies. Methods: We performed 23 consecutive ultrasound-guided liver biopsies for liver nodules with an electromagnetic tracking of the needle. A sensor placed at the tip of a sterile stylet (18G) inserted in a coaxial guiding trocar (16G) used for biopsy was localized in real time relative to the ultrasound imaging plane, thanks to an electromagnetic transmitter and two sensors on the ultrasound probe. This allows for electronic display of the needle tip location and the future needle path overlaid onmore » the real-time ultrasound image. Distance between needle tip position and its electronic display, number of needle punctures, number of needle pull backs for redirection, technical success (needle positioned in the target), diagnostic success (correct histopathology result), procedure time, and complication were evaluated according to lesion sizes, depth and location, operator experience, and 'in-plane' or 'out-of-plane' needle approach. Results: Electronic display was always within 2 mm from the real position of the needle tip. The technical success rate was 100%. A single needle puncture without repuncture was used in all patients. Pull backs were necessary in six patients (26%) to obtain correct needle placement. The overall diagnostic success rate was 91%. The overall true-positive, true-negative, false-negative, and failure rates of the biopsy were 100% (19/19) 100% (2/2), 0% (0/23), and 9% (2/23). The median total procedure time from the skin puncture to the needle in the target was 30 sec (from 5-60 s). Lesion depth and localizations, operator experience, in-plane or out-of-plane approach did not affect significantly the technical, diagnostic success, or procedure time. Even when the tumor size decreased, the procedure time did not increase. Conclusions: Electromagnetic-tracked biopsy is accurate to determine needle tip position and allows fast and accurate needle placement in targeted liver nodules.« less

High Precision Piezoelectric Linear Motors for Operations at Cryogenic Temperatures and Vacuum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, D.; Carman, G.; Stam, M.; Bar-Cohen, Y.; Sen, A.; Henry, P.; Bearman, G.; Moacanin, J.

1995-01-01

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory evaluated the use of an electromechanical device for optically positioning a mirror system during the pre-project phase of the Pluto-Fast-Flyby (PFF) mission. The device under consideration was a piezoelectric driven linear motor functionally dependent upon a time varying electric field which induces displacements ranging from submicrons to millimeters with positioning accuracy within nanometers. Using a control package, the mirror system provides image motion compensation and mosaicking capabilities. While this device offers unique advantages, there were concerns pertaining to its operational capabilities for the PFF mission. The issues include irradiation effects and thermal concerns. A literature study indicated that irradiation effects will not significantly impact the linear motor's operational characteristics. On the other hand, thermal concerns necessitated an in depth study.

Experimental studies of systematic multiple-energy operation at HIMAC synchrotron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizushima, K.; Katagiri, K.; Iwata, Y.; Furukawa, T.; Fujimoto, T.; Sato, S.; Hara, Y.; Shirai, T.; Noda, K.

2014-07-01

Multiple-energy synchrotron operation providing carbon-ion beams with various energies has been used for scanned particle therapy at NIRS. An energy range from 430 to 56 MeV/u and about 200 steps within this range are required to vary the Bragg peak position for effective treatment. The treatment also demands the slow extraction of beam with highly reliable properties, such as spill, position and size, for all energies. We propose an approach to generating multiple-energy operation meeting these requirements within a short time. In this approach, the device settings at most energy steps are determined without manual adjustments by using systematic parameter tuning depending on the beam energy. Experimental verification was carried out at the HIMAC synchrotron, and its results proved that this approach can greatly reduce the adjustment period.

Novel Acoustic Techniques for Assessing Fish Schooling in the Context of an Operational Ocean Observatory

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-30

Observing System (NJ SOS), which provides real-time data throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). The surveys will be positioned adaptively using real-time... gastropod were located during a 2-day period. These aggregations were remarkablystrong scatterers at frequencies ranging from 38-200 kHz. Data

Novel Acoustic Techniques for Assessing Fish Schooling in the Context of an Operational Ocean Observatory

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

which provides real-time data throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). The surveys will be positioned adaptively using real-time data collected with the...source was identified during the experiment as dense, monotypic aggregations of a pelagic gastropod were located during a 2-day period. These

Novel Acoustic Techniques for Assessing Fish Schooling in the Context of an Operational Ocean Observatory

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-30

which provides real-time data throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). The surveys will be positioned adaptively using real-time data collected with...scattering source was identified during the experiment as dense, monotypic aggregations of a pelagic gastropod were located during a 2-day period. These

Non-invasive timing of gas gun projectiles with light detection and ranging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodwin, P. M.; Bartram, B. D.; Gibson, L. L.; Wu, M.; Dattelbaum, D. M.

2014-05-01

We have developed a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) diagnostic to track the position of a projectile inside of a gas gun launch tube in real-time. This capability permits the generation of precisely timed trigger pulses useful for triggering high-latency diagnostics such as a flash lamp-pumped laser. An initial feasibility test was performed using a 72 mm bore diameter single-stage gas gun routinely used for dynamic research at Los Alamos. A 655 nm pulsed diode laser operating at a pulse repetition rate of 100 kHz was used to interrogate the position of the moving projectile in real-time. The position of the projectile in the gun barrel was tracked over a distance of ~ 3 meters prior to impact. The position record showed that the projectile moved at a velocity of 489 m/s prior to impacting the target. This velocity was in good agreement with independent measurements of the projectile velocity by photon Doppler velocimetry and timing of the passage of the projectile through optical marker beams positioned at the muzzle of the gun. The time-to-amplitude conversion electronics used enable the LIDAR data to be processed in real-time to generate trigger pulses at preset separations between the projectile and target.

Spatio-temporal environmental data tide corrections for reconnaissance operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbu, Costin; Avera, Will; Harris, Mike; Malpass, Kevyn

2005-06-01

Dynamic, accurate near-real time environmental data is critical to the success of the mine countermeasures operations. Bathymetric data acquired from the AQS-20 mine hunting sensor should be adjusted for local tide variations related to the specific geographic area and time interval. This problem can be overcome by a spatio-temporal estimate of tide corrections provided for the area and time of interest by the Naval Research Laboratory tide prediction code PCTides. For each geographic position of the AQS-20 sonar, a tide height relative to mean sea level is computed by interpolating the tidal information from the K - nearest neighbored stations for the corresponding time. The value is used to correct the measured depth generated by the AQS-20 sonar in that location to mean sea level for fusion with other bathymetric data products. It is argued that this paper provides a useful tool to the MCM decision factors during Mine Warfare operations.

Miniature thermo-electric cooled cryogenic pump

DOEpatents

Keville, R.F.

1997-11-18

A miniature thermo-electric cooled cryogenic pump is described for removing residual water molecules from an inlet sample prior to sample analysis in a mass spectroscopy system, such as ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) mass spectroscopy. The cryogenic pump is a battery operated, low power (<1.6 watts) pump with a {Delta}T=100 C characteristic. The pump operates under vacuum pressures of 5{times}10{sup {minus}4} Torr to ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions in the range of 1{times}10{sup {minus}7} to 3{times}10{sup {minus}9} Torr and will typically remove partial pressure, 2{times}10{sup {minus}7} Torr, residual water vapor. The cryogenic pump basically consists of an inlet flange piece, a copper heat sink with a square internal bore, four two tier Peltier (TEC) chips, a copper low temperature square cross sectional tubulation, an electronic receptacle, and an exit flange piece, with the low temperature tubulation being retained in the heat sink at a bias angle of 5{degree}, and with the TECs being positioned in parallel to each other with a positive potential being applied to the top tier thereof. 2 figs.

Miniature thermo-electric cooled cryogenic pump

DOEpatents

Keville, Robert F.

1997-01-01

A miniature thermo-electric cooled cryogenic pump for removing residual water molecules from an inlet sample prior to sample analysis in a mass spectroscopy system, such as ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) mass spectroscopy. The cryogenic pump is a battery operated, low power (<1.6 watts) pump with a .DELTA.T=100.degree. C. characteristic. The pump operates under vacuum pressures of 5.times.10.sup.-4 Torr to ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions in the range of 1.times.10.sup.-7 to 3.times.10.sup.-9 Torr and will typically remove partial pressure, 2.times.10.sup.-7 Torr, residual water vapor. The cryogenic pump basically consists of an inlet flange piece, a copper heat sink with a square internal bore, four two tier Peltier (TEC) chips, a copper low temperature square cross sectional tubulation, an electronic receptacle, and an exit flange piece, with the low temperature tubulation being retained in the heat sink at a bias angle of 5.degree., and with the TECs being positioned in parallel to each other with a positive potential being applied to the top tier thereof.

A Study on the Prediction of Damage Extent at the Time of Perforating Operation on Reinforced Concrete Structure through Horizontal Excavation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Ju-hyoung; Kim, Hakman; Cho, Jin Woo

2017-04-01

When a building collapses in downtown due to a sudden external factor such as earthquake, gas explosion or terror, the rescue of a survivor in the buried area should be prioritized. When a collapse accident occurs in downtown, there is a difficulty of access to the surrounding area of the collapsed building site due to building debris and a risk of the second collapse, and it takes a lot of time to rescue any survivor in the top excavation method to rescue while removing building debris. Therefore, there is a method to rescue any survivor safely by installing the second lifeline after securing the first lifeline within 72 hours using inclined excavation near the site of collapsed building or horizontal excavation at the underground parking lot of an adjacent building and prolonging the life of any survivor. When a building collapses in downtown, the perforating operation is carried out at the existing structure in the process of establishing the first lifeline to the position of a survivor through the parking lot of an adjacent building or the external wall of the building, and the damage extent in case of carrying out such operation was confirmed in this study. In order to determine the stability of the damaged existing structure and the range of repair, the reinforced concrete wall was produced and the damage extent of the reinforced concrete for each perforating position was measured by installing a measuring instrument at a position separated by 150%˜200% from the perforating position. As a result, it was shown that the average damage area for each perforating position was influenced within approximately a 254% radius. Keywords: horizontal excavation, damage, reinforced roncrete, building collapses Acknowledgement This research was supported by a Grant from a Strategic Research Project (Horizontal Drilling and Stabilization Technologies for Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Operation) funded by the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology.

Intraoperative computed tomography with integrated navigation system in a multidisciplinary operating suite.

PubMed

Uhl, Eberhard; Zausinger, Stefan; Morhard, Dominik; Heigl, Thomas; Scheder, Benjamin; Rachinger, Walter; Schichor, Christian; Tonn, Jörg-Christian

2009-05-01

We report our preliminary experience in a prospective series of patients with regard to feasibility, work flow, and image quality using a multislice computed tomographic (CT) scanner combined with a frameless neuronavigation system (NNS). A sliding gantry 40-slice CT scanner was installed in a preexisting operating room. The scanner was connected to a frameless infrared-based NNS. Image data was transferred directly from the scanner into the navigation system. This allowed updating of the NNS during surgery by automated image registration based on the position of the gantry. Intraoperative CT angiography was possible. The patient was positioned on a radiolucent operating table that fits within the bore of the gantry. During image acquisition, the gantry moved over the patient. This table allowed all positions and movements like any normal operating table without compromising the positioning of the patient. For cranial surgery, a carbon-made radiolucent head clamp was fixed to the table. Experience with the first 230 patients confirms the feasibility of intraoperative CT scanning (136 patients with intracranial pathology, 94 patients with spinal lesions). After a specific work flow, interruption of surgery for intraoperative scanning can be limited to 10 to 15 minutes in cranial surgery and to 9 minutes in spinal surgery. Intraoperative imaging changed the course of surgery in 16 of the 230 cases either because control CT scans showed suboptimal screw position (17 of 307 screws, with 9 in 7 patients requiring correction) or that tumor resection was insufficient (9 cases). Intraoperative CT angiography has been performed in 7 cases so far with good image quality to determine residual flow in an aneurysm. Image quality was excellent in spinal and cranial base surgery. The system can be installed in a preexisting operating environment without the need for special surgical instruments. It increases the safety of the patient and the surgeon without necessitating a change in the existing surgical protocol and work flow. Imaging and updating of the NNS can be performed at any time during surgery with very limited time and modification of the surgical setup. Multidisciplinary use increases utilization of the system and thus improves the cost-efficiency relationship.

Preliminary Performance Data on Westinghouse Electronic Power Regulator Operating on J34-WE-32 Turbojet Engine in Altitude Wind Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ketchum, James R.; Blivas, Darnold; Pack, George J.

1950-01-01

The behavior of the Westinghouse electronic power regulator operating on a J34-WE-32 turbojet engine was investigated in the NACA Lewis altitude wind tunnel at the request of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Department of the Navy. The object of the program was to determine the, steady-state stability and transient characteristics of the engine under control at various altitudes and ram pressure ratios, without afterburning. Recordings of the response of the following parameters to step changes in power lever position throughout the available operating range of the engine were obtained; ram pressure ratio, compressor-discharge pressure, exhaust-nozzle area, engine speed, turbine-outlet temperature, fuel-valve position, jet thrust, air flow, turbine-discharge pressure, fuel flow, throttle position, and boost-pump pressure. Representative preliminary data showing the actual time response of these variables are presented. These data are presented in the form of reproductions of oscillographic traces.

Characteristics of the NASA Lewis bumpy-torus plasma generated with positive applied potentials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, J. R.; Gerdin, G. A.; Richardson, R. W.

1976-01-01

Experimental observations were made during steady-state operation of a bumpy-torus plasma at input powers up to 150 kW in deuterium and helium gas and with positive potentials applied to the midplane electrodes. In this steady-state ion heating method a modified Penning discharge is operated such that the plasma is acted upon by a combination of strong electric and magnetic fields. Experimental investigation of a deuterium plasma revealed electron temperatures from 14 to 140 eV and ion kinetic temperatures from 160 to 1785 eV. At least two distinct modes of operation exist. Experimental data shows that the average ion residence time in the plasma is virtually independent of the magnetic field strength. Data was taken when all 12 anode rings were at high voltage, and in other symmetric configurations in which the toroidal plasma was generated by applying positive potentials to six anode rings, three anode rings, and a single anode ring.

Canadian Astronautics Limited's SARSAT ground stations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, J. D.; Renner, R. C.

1984-01-01

The SARSAT Local User Terminal (LUT) is described. The RF receiving subsystem is based on a conventional 3 m dish antenna mounted on an elevation-over-azimuth pedestal to permit tracking of the low altitude, near polar satellites. Only program tracking is used since orbit parameters and time must always be known precisely for use in position location. Operation of the LUT is split into real-time mode during which Doppler data are generated and stored, and post-pass during which data are sorted and position located. Location accuracy is to within 20 km.

77 FR 44288 - National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Advisory Board; Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-27

.... James J. Miller, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC... potential PNT service degradation if adjacent radio-band spectrum interference is introduced. Susan M. Burch...

Economic and cultural correlates of subjective wellbeing in countries using data from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).

PubMed

Gaygisiz, Esma

2010-06-01

The correlations among indicators of objective well-being, cultural dimensions, and subjective well-being were investigated using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data from 35 countries. The subjective well-being measures included life satisfaction as well as six positive and six negative indexes of experience. Positive and negative experience scores were subjected to principal component analysis, and two positive experience components (labeled as "positive experiences" and "time management") and two negative experience components (labeled as "pain, worry, and sadness" and "anger and boredom") were extracted. Objective well-being included economic indicators, education, and health. The cultural variables included Hofstede's and Schwartz's cultural dimensions, national Big Five personality scores, and national IQs. High life satisfaction was positively related to Gross Domestic Product, life expectancy, education, individualism, affective and intellectual autonomy, egalitarianism, and conscientiousness, whereas low life satisfaction was related to unemployment, unequal income distribution, power distance, masculinity uncertainty avoidance, embeddedness, hierarchy, and neuroticism.

Hand-Held Electronic Gap-Measuring Tools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sugg, F. E.; Thompson, F. W.; Aragon, L. A.; Harrington, D. B.

1985-01-01

Repetitive measurements simplified by tool based on LVDT operation. With fingers in open position, Gap-measuring tool rests on digital readout instrument. With fingers inserted in gap, separation alters inductance of linear variable-differential transformer in plastic handle. Originally developed for measuring gaps between surface tiles of Space Shuttle orbiter, tool reduces measurement time from 20 minutes per tile to 2 minutes. Also reduces possibility of damage to tiles during measurement. Tool has potential applications in mass production; helps ensure proper gap dimensions in assembly of refrigerator and car doors and also used to measure dimensions of components and to verify positional accuracy of components during progressive assembly operations.

Comprehensive seismic monitoring of the Cascadia megathrust with real-time GPS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melbourne, T. I.; Szeliga, W. M.; Santillan, V. M.; Scrivner, C. W.; Webb, F.

2013-12-01

We have developed a comprehensive real-time GPS-based seismic monitoring system for the Cascadia subduction zone based on 1- and 5-second point position estimates computed within the ITRF08 reference frame. A Kalman filter stream editor that uses a geometry-free combination of phase and range observables to speed convergence while also producing independent estimation of carrier phase biases and ionosphere delay pre-cleans raw satellite measurements. These are then analyzed with GIPSY-OASIS using satellite clock and orbit corrections streamed continuously from the International GNSS Service (IGS) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The resulting RMS position scatter is less than 3 cm, and typical latencies are under 2 seconds. Currently 31 coastal Washington, Oregon, and northern California stations from the combined PANGA and PBO networks are analyzed. We are now ramping up to include all of the remaining 400+ stations currently operating throughout the Cascadia subduction zone, all of which are high-rate and telemetered in real-time to CWU. These receivers span the M9 megathrust, M7 crustal faults beneath population centers, several active Cascades volcanoes, and a host of other hazard sources. To use the point position streams for seismic monitoring, we have developed an inter-process client communication package that captures, buffers and re-broadcasts real-time positions and covariances to a variety of seismic estimation routines running on distributed hardware. An aggregator ingests, re-streams and can rebroadcast up to 24 hours of point-positions and resultant seismic estimates derived from the point positions to application clients distributed across web. A suite of seismic monitoring applications has also been written, which includes position time series analysis, instantaneous displacement vectors, and peak ground displacement contouring and mapping. We have also implemented a continuous estimation of finite-fault slip along the Cascadia megathrust using a NIF-type approach. This currently operates on the terrestrial GPS data streams, but could readily be expanded to use real-time offshore geodetic measurements as well. The continuous slip distributions are used in turn to compute tsunami excitation and, when convolved with pre-computed, hydrodynamic Green functions calculated using the COMCOT tsunami modeling software, run-up estimates for the entire Cascadia coastal margin. Finally, a suite of data visualization tools has been written to allow interaction with the real-time position streams and seismic estimates based on them, including time series plotting, instantaneous offset vectors, peak ground deformation contouring, finite-fault inversions, and tsunami run-up. This suite is currently bundled within a single client written in JAVA, called ';GPS Cockpit,' which is available for download.

The Intelligent Management System: An Overview.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-07

comprises of hundreds of subprocesses concerned with bulb grasping, positioning, heating, cooling, etc. Each is sequentially related with others in time...activity. Activity schemata can be constructed into a network to define both parallel and sequential precedence, and hierarchical to describe...The flow of work is controlled by the "operation- lineup " associated with the product being manufactured. The operation- lineup specifies the sequence of

Interferometric constraints on quantum geometrical shear noise correlations

DOE PAGES

Chou, Aaron; Glass, Henry; Richard Gustafson, H.; ...

2017-07-20

Final measurements and analysis are reported from the first-generation Holometer, the first instrument capable of measuring correlated variations in space-time position at strain noise power spectral densities smaller than a Planck time. The apparatus consists of two co-located, but independent and isolated, 40 m power-recycled Michelson interferometers, whose outputs are cross-correlated to 25 MHz. The data are sensitive to correlations of differential position across the apparatus over a broad band of frequencies up to and exceeding the inverse light crossing time, 7.6 MHz. By measuring with Planck precision the correlation of position variations at spacelike separations, the Holometer searches formore » faint, irreducible correlated position noise backgrounds predicted by some models of quantum space-time geometry. The first-generation optical layout is sensitive to quantum geometrical noise correlations with shear symmetry---those that can be interpreted as a fundamental noncommutativity of space-time position in orthogonal directions. General experimental constraints are placed on parameters of a set of models of spatial shear noise correlations, with a sensitivity that exceeds the Planck-scale holographic information bound on position states by a large factor. This result significantly extends the upper limits placed on models of directional noncommutativity by currently operating gravitational wave observatories.« less

Interferometric constraints on quantum geometrical shear noise correlations

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

Chou, Aaron; Glass, Henry; Richard Gustafson, H.

Final measurements and analysis are reported from the first-generation Holometer, the first instrument capable of measuring correlated variations in space-time position at strain noise power spectral densities smaller than a Planck time. The apparatus consists of two co-located, but independent and isolated, 40 m power-recycled Michelson interferometers, whose outputs are cross-correlated to 25 MHz. The data are sensitive to correlations of differential position across the apparatus over a broad band of frequencies up to and exceeding the inverse light crossing time, 7.6 MHz. By measuring with Planck precision the correlation of position variations at spacelike separations, the Holometer searches formore » faint, irreducible correlated position noise backgrounds predicted by some models of quantum space-time geometry. The first-generation optical layout is sensitive to quantum geometrical noise correlations with shear symmetry---those that can be interpreted as a fundamental noncommutativity of space-time position in orthogonal directions. General experimental constraints are placed on parameters of a set of models of spatial shear noise correlations, with a sensitivity that exceeds the Planck-scale holographic information bound on position states by a large factor. This result significantly extends the upper limits placed on models of directional noncommutativity by currently operating gravitational wave observatories.« less

An automatic detection method for the boiler pipe header based on real-time image acquisition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Yi; Liu, YunLong; Qin, Yongliang; Yang, XiangWei; Li, DengKe; Shen, DingJie

2017-06-01

Generally, an endoscope is used to test the inner part of the thermal power plants boiler pipe header. However, since the endoscope hose manual operation, the length and angle of the inserted probe cannot be controlled. Additionally, it has a big blind spot observation subject to the length of the endoscope wire. To solve these problems, an automatic detection method for the boiler pipe header based on real-time image acquisition and simulation comparison techniques was proposed. The magnetic crawler with permanent magnet wheel could carry the real-time image acquisition device to complete the crawling work and collect the real-time scene image. According to the obtained location by using the positioning auxiliary device, the position of the real-time detection image in a virtual 3-D model was calibrated. Through comparing of the real-time detection images and the computer simulation images, the defects or foreign matter fall into could be accurately positioning, so as to repair and clean up conveniently.

14 CFR 137.47 - Operation without position lights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Operation without position lights. 137.47... AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS Operating Rules § 137.47 Operation without position lights. Notwithstanding part 91 of this chapter, an aircraft may be operated without position lights if prominent unlighted objects are...

14 CFR 137.47 - Operation without position lights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Operation without position lights. 137.47... AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS Operating Rules § 137.47 Operation without position lights. Notwithstanding part 91 of this chapter, an aircraft may be operated without position lights if prominent unlighted objects are...

14 CFR 137.47 - Operation without position lights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Operation without position lights. 137.47... AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS Operating Rules § 137.47 Operation without position lights. Notwithstanding part 91 of this chapter, an aircraft may be operated without position lights if prominent unlighted objects are...

14 CFR 137.47 - Operation without position lights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Operation without position lights. 137.47... AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS Operating Rules § 137.47 Operation without position lights. Notwithstanding part 91 of this chapter, an aircraft may be operated without position lights if prominent unlighted objects are...

Positional Change in Displacement of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures: An Aid to Initial Evaluation.

PubMed

Malik, Awais; Jazini, Ehsan; Song, Xuyang; Johal, Herman; OʼHara, Nathan; Slobogean, Gerard; Abzug, Joshua M

2017-01-01

To determine how change in position affects displacement of midshaft clavicle fractures. Retrospective review. Level I Trauma Center. Eighty patients with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures and presence of supine and semiupright or upright chest radiographs taken within 2 weeks of each other. Supine, semiupright, and upright chest radiographs. Fracture shortening and vertical displacement on supine, semiupright, and upright radiographs. Mean vertical displacement was 9.42 mm [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 8.07-10.77 mm], 11.78 mm (95% CI, 10.25-13.32 mm), and 15.72 mm (95% CI, 13.71-17.72 mm) in supine, semiupright, and upright positions, respectively. Fracture shortening was -0.41 mm (95% CI, -2.53 to 1.70 mm), 2.11 mm (95% CI, -0.84 to 5.07), and 4.86 mm (95% CI, 1.66-8.06 mm) in supine, semiupright, and upright positions, respectively. Change in position from supine to upright significantly increased both vertical displacement and fracture shortening (P < 0.001). In the upright position, the proportion of patients who met operative indications (fracture shortening >20 mm) was 3 times greater when compared with that in the supine position (upright 17.65%; supine 5.88%, P = 0.06). Positional changes in fracture displacement were not associated with body mass index, age, or gender. Patient position is associated with significant changes in fracture displacement. Over 3 times more patients meet operative indications when placed in the upright versus supine position. An upright chest radiograph should be obtained to evaluate midshaft clavicle fracture displacement, as it represents the physiologic stress across the fracture when considering nonoperative management. Prognostic level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Augmented Computer Mouse Would Measure Applied Force

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Larry C. H.

1993-01-01

Proposed computer mouse measures force of contact applied by user. Adds another dimension to two-dimensional-position-measuring capability of conventional computer mouse; force measurement designated to represent any desired continuously variable function of time and position, such as control force, acceleration, velocity, or position along axis perpendicular to computer video display. Proposed mouse enhances sense of realism and intuition in interaction between operator and computer. Useful in such applications as three-dimensional computer graphics, computer games, and mathematical modeling of dynamics.

Kalman Filters for Time Delay of Arrival-Based Source Localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klee, Ulrich; Gehrig, Tobias; McDonough, John

2006-12-01

In this work, we propose an algorithm for acoustic source localization based on time delay of arrival (TDOA) estimation. In earlier work by other authors, an initial closed-form approximation was first used to estimate the true position of the speaker followed by a Kalman filtering stage to smooth the time series of estimates. In the proposed algorithm, this closed-form approximation is eliminated by employing a Kalman filter to directly update the speaker's position estimate based on the observed TDOAs. In particular, the TDOAs comprise the observation associated with an extended Kalman filter whose state corresponds to the speaker's position. We tested our algorithm on a data set consisting of seminars held by actual speakers. Our experiments revealed that the proposed algorithm provides source localization accuracy superior to the standard spherical and linear intersection techniques. Moreover, the proposed algorithm, although relying on an iterative optimization scheme, proved efficient enough for real-time operation.

Simulation Training Versus Real Time Console Training for New Flight Controllers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heaton, Amanda

2010-01-01

For new flight controllers, the two main learning tools are simulations and real time console performance training. These benefit the new flight controllers in different ways and could possibly be improved. Simulations: a) Allow for mistakes without serious consequences. b) Lets new flight controllers learn the working style of other new flight controllers. c) Lets new flight controllers eventually begin to feel like they have mastered the sim world, so therefore they must be competent in the real time world too. Real time: a) Shows new flight controllers some of the unique problems that develop and have to be accounted for when dealing with certain payloads or systems. b) Lets new flight controllers experience handovers - gathering information from the previous shift on what the room needs to be aware of and what still needs to be done. c) Gives new flight controllers confidence that they can succeed in the position they are training for when they can solve real anomalies. How Sims could be improved and more like real-time ops for the ISS Operations Controller position: a) Operations Change Requests to review. b) Fewer anomalies (but still more than real time for practice). c) Payload Planning Manager Handover sheet for the E-1 and E-3 reviews. d) Flight note in system with at least one comment to verify for the E-1 and E-3 reviews How the real time console performance training could be improved for the ISS Operations Controller position: a) Schedule the new flight controller to be on console for four days but with a different certified person each day. This will force them to be the source of knowledge about every OCR in progress, everything that has happened in those few days, and every activity on the timeline. Constellation program flight controllers will have to learn entirely from simulations, thereby losing some of the elements that they will need to have experience with for real time ops. It may help them to practice real time console performance training in the International Space Station or Space Shuttle to gather some general anomaly resolution and day-to-day task management skills.

Performance of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of first-time and reoperative primary hyperparathyroidism.

PubMed

Kluijfhout, Wouter P; Venkatesh, Shriya; Beninato, Toni; Vriens, Menno R; Duh, Quan-Yang; Wilson, David M; Hope, Thomas A; Suh, Insoo

2016-09-01

Preoperative imaging in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and a previous parathyroid operation is essential; however, performance of conventional imaging is poor in this subgroup. Magnetic resonance imaging appears to be a good alternative, though overall evidence remains scarce. We retrospectively investigated the performance of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with and without a previous parathyroid operation, with a separate comparison for dynamic gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. All patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging prior to parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (first time or recurrent) between January 2000 and August 2015 at a high-volume, tertiary care, referral center for endocrine operations were included. We compared the sensitivity and positive predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging with conventional ultrasound and sestamibi on a per-lesion level. A total of 3,450 patients underwent parathyroidectomy, of which 84 patients with recurrent (n = 10) or persistent (n = 74) disease and 41 patients with a primary operation were included. Magnetic resonance imaging had a sensitivity and positive predictive value of 79.9% and 84.7%, respectively, and performance was good in both patients with and without a previous parathyroid operation. Adding magnetic resonance imaging to the combination of ultrasound and sestamibi resulted in a significant increase in sensitivity from 75.2% to 91.5%. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging produced excellent results in the reoperative group, with sensitivity and a positive predictive value of 90.1%. Technologic advances have enabled faster and more accurate magnetic resonance imaging protocols, making magnetic resonance imaging an excellent alternative modality without associated ionizing radiation. Our study shows that the sensitivity of multimodality imaging for parathyroid adenomas improved significantly with the use of conventional and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging, even in the case of recurrent or persistent disease. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Measurement of hand dynamics in a microsurgery environment: Preliminary data in the design of a bimanual telemicro-operation test bed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Charles, Steve; Williams, Roy

1989-01-01

Data describing the microsurgeon's hand dynamics was recorded and analyzed in order to provide an accurate model for the telemicrosurgery application of the Bimanual Telemicro-operation Test Bed. The model, in turn, will guide the development of algorithms for the control of robotic systems in bimanual telemicro-operation tasks. Measurements were made at the hand-tool interface and include position, acceleration and force between the tool-finger interface. Position information was captured using an orthogonal pulsed magnetic field positioning system resulting in measurements in all six degrees-of-freedom (DOF). Acceleration data at the hands was obtained using accelerometers positioned in a triaxial arrangement on the back of the hand allowing measurements in all three cartesian-coordinate axes. Force data was obtained by using miniature load cells positioned between the tool and the finger and included those forces experienced perpendicular to the tool shaft and those transferred from the tool-tissue site. Position data will provide a minimum/maximum reference frame for the robotic system's work space or envelope. Acceleration data will define the response times needed by the robotic system in order to emulate and subsequently outperform the human operator's tool movements. The force measurements will aid in designing a force-reflective, force-scaling system as well as defining the range of forces the robotic system will encounter. All analog data was acquired by a 16-channel analog-to-digital conversion system residing in a IBM PC/AT-compatible computer at the Center's laboratory. The same system was also used to analyze and present the data.

Single-Port Surgery: Laboratory Experience with the daVinci Single-Site Platform

PubMed Central

Haber, Georges-Pascal; Kaouk, Jihad; Kroh, Matthew; Chalikonda, Sricharan; Falcone, Tommaso

2011-01-01

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and validity of a dedicated da Vinci single-port platform in the porcine model in the performance of gynecologic surgery. Methods: This pilot study was conducted in 4 female pigs. All pigs had a general anesthetic and were placed in the supine and flank position. A 2-cm umbilical incision was made, through which a robotic single-port device was placed and pneumoperitoneum obtained. A data set was collected for each procedure and included port placement time, docking time, operative time, blood loss, and complications. Operative times were compared between cases and procedures by use of the Student t test. Results: A total of 28 surgical procedures (8 oophorectomies, 4 hysterectomies, 8 pelvic lymph node dissections, 4 aorto-caval nodal dissections, 2 bladder repairs, 1 uterine horn anastomosis, and 1 radical cystectomy) were performed. There was no statistically significant difference in operating times for symmetrical procedures among animals (P=0.3215). Conclusions: This animal study demonstrates that single-port robotic surgery using a dedicated single-site platform allows performing technically challenging procedures within acceptable operative times and without complications or insertion of additional trocars. PMID:21902962

Simple Schlieren Light Meter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhodes, David B.; Franke, John M.; Jones, Stephen B.; Leighty, Bradley D.

1992-01-01

Simple light-meter circuit used to position knife edge of schlieren optical system to block exactly half light. Enables operator to check quickly position of knife edge between tunnel runs to ascertain whether or not in alignment. Permanent measuring system made part of each schlieren system. If placed in unused area of image plane, or in monitoring beam from mirror knife edge, provides real-time assessment of alignment of schlieren system.

Integrated mobile robot control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amidi, Omead; Thorpe, Charles

1991-01-01

This paper describes the structure, implementation, and operation of a real-time mobile robot controller which integrates capabilities such as: position estimation, path specification and tracking, human interfaces, fast communication, and multiple client support. The benefits of such high-level capabilities in a low-level controller was shown by its implementation for the Navlab autonomous vehicle. In addition, performance results from positioning and tracking systems are reported and analyzed.

Integrated mobile robot control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amidi, Omead; Thorpe, Chuck E.

1991-03-01

This paper describes the strucwre implementation and operation of a real-time mobile robot controller which integrates capabilities such as: position estimation path specification and hacking human interfaces fast communication and multiple client support The benefits of such high-level capabilities in a low-level controller was shown by its implementation for the Naviab autonomous vehicle. In addition performance results from positioning and tracking systems are reported and analyzed.

The impact of body habitus on the surgical outcomes of transaxillary single-incision robotic thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients.

PubMed

Lee, Sohee; Park, Seulkee; Lee, Cho Rok; Son, Haiyoung; Kim, Jungwoo; Kang, Sang-Wook; Jeong, Jong Ju; Nam, Kee-Hyun; Chung, Woong Youn; Park, Cheong Soo

2013-07-01

Robotic applications have achieved safe and precise thyroidectomy with notable cosmetic and functional benefits. This study was designed to document the influence of body habitus on robotic thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. From July 2009 to February 2010, 352 patients underwent robotic thyroidectomy using a gasless, transaxillary single-incision approach at Yonsei University Health System. Body habitus was described using body mass index category (normal weight, overweight, obese), neck length, shoulder width, and shoulder width to neck length ratios. The impact of body habitus on surgical outcomes was analyzed with respect to operation time, number of retrieved central nodes, bleeding amount, and postoperative complications. Of the 352 patients, 217 underwent less than total thyroidectomy and 135 underwent total thyroidectomy. Operative variables (i.e. operation times, bleeding amounts, and numbers of retrieved central nodes) showed no significant differences between three BMI groups for less than total thyroidectomy. However, total operation and working space times were longer for obese patients during total thyroidectomy. In particular, shoulder width was positively correlated with total operation time, working space time, console time, and number of retrieved central nodes. On the other hand, postoperative complications were not significantly different in the three BMI groups and showed no significant correlation with the other indices of body habitus. Standardized robotic thyroidectomy can be performed safely and feasibly in patients with a large body habitus despite longer operation times.

3D Surgical Simulation

PubMed Central

Cevidanes, Lucia; Tucker, Scott; Styner, Martin; Kim, Hyungmin; Chapuis, Jonas; Reyes, Mauricio; Proffit, William; Turvey, Timothy; Jaskolka, Michael

2009-01-01

This paper discusses the development of methods for computer-aided jaw surgery. Computer-aided jaw surgery allows us to incorporate the high level of precision necessary for transferring virtual plans into the operating room. We also present a complete computer-aided surgery (CAS) system developed in close collaboration with surgeons. Surgery planning and simulation include construction of 3D surface models from Cone-beam CT (CBCT), dynamic cephalometry, semi-automatic mirroring, interactive cutting of bone and bony segment repositioning. A virtual setup can be used to manufacture positioning splints for intra-operative guidance. The system provides further intra-operative assistance with the help of a computer display showing jaw positions and 3D positioning guides updated in real-time during the surgical procedure. The CAS system aids in dealing with complex cases with benefits for the patient, with surgical practice, and for orthodontic finishing. Advanced software tools for diagnosis and treatment planning allow preparation of detailed operative plans, osteotomy repositioning, bone reconstructions, surgical resident training and assessing the difficulties of the surgical procedures prior to the surgery. CAS has the potential to make the elaboration of the surgical plan a more flexible process, increase the level of detail and accuracy of the plan, yield higher operative precision and control, and enhance documentation of cases. Supported by NIDCR DE017727, and DE018962 PMID:20816308

Real-time planning/replanning of ongoing operations in a crisis situation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, David A.; Smith, Gregory M.

1997-02-01

The ability to examine the planned position and movement of police vehicles, personnel, weapons, and status of police assets is an implied requirement in the conduct of police activities. Displays showing the time police vehicles leave on assignment, stops along their route, time of return to station, quantity of vehicles, types of weapons, radio frequencies, and other pertinent information could help in crisis situations. It would be especially helpful if it were easily accessible and simple to understand. Rome Laboratory developed a system for monitoring interrelated planned events and for changing these events to correct for deviations in the plan. The system is called force level execution (FLEX), and it displays information on timing charts, tables, and a geographic map background. The FLEX graphics enhance the military commander's ability to grasp the tactical situation which typically includes 2000 to 3000 air sorties per day. A sortie is a single flight of a single aircraft. Because the 'fog of war' causes unexpected events, status reports are needed, replanning options are generated, and new plans are issued to correct for these unexpected events. The authors believe there are law enforcement and other crisis situations that are analogous to some military scenarios. These may include state police operating over large geographical areas, coordination with county police operating over somewhat smaller areas, coordination with the county sheriff's office and city police, not only for criminal apprehension, but for disaster relief. Other participants in a crisis situation may include fire departments, ambulances, emergency medical vehicles, hospitals, rescue operations, etc. The position of police vehicles, foot patrolman, helicopters and emergency vehicles can all be superimposed upon a map background, with appropriate cultural features such as roads, rivers, bridges, state and country boundaries, etc. When police vehicles incorporate the global positioning system (GPS), an automated status display could potentially show the exact locations of these vehicles in real time. This paper shows how the Air Force is using this technology and how, in the author's opinion, FLEX might be adapted to law enforcement and disaster relief situations.

Measurement of operational real-time kinematic global positioning service for southeastern Louisiana.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

The establishment of accurate and reliable vertical elevations in Louisiana is : exceedingly critical due to the substantial impact on flood control, hurricane : protection projects, and navigation projects of rapidly changing vertical elevations due...

A television scanner for the ultracentrifuge. II. Multiple cell operation.

PubMed

Rockholt, D L; Royce, C R; Richards, E G

1976-07-01

The "Optical Multichannel Analyzer" (OMA) is a commercially available instrument that with the absorption optical system of the ultracentrifuge, provides an entire 500 channel intensity profile of a cell in real time. With its own analog-todigital converter, the OMA integrates a selectable number of 32.8 msec scans to provide a time-averaged image in digital form. This paper describes an interface-controller for operation of the OMA with single- and double-sector cells in multi-cell rotors, simulating double-beam measurement required for absorbance determinations. The desired sector is selected by "gating" the intensifier stage of a "Silicon Intensified Target" vidicon (SIT) used as the light detector. The cell location in the rotor and the position of the gate relative to the cell centerline is obtained from a phase-locked loop circuit which divides each rotation of the rotor into 3600 parts independent of rotor speed. (This circuit employed with photo-multiplier scanners would select the gate position for integration of photomultiplier pulses.) From examination of appropriate signals with an oscilloscope, it was verified that gate positions and widths are located with an accuracy of 0.1degree or better and with a precision of +/- 0.1 mus. The light intensity profile for any desired cell can be examined in "real time", even during acceleration of the rotor. Additional circuits employing a 10 MHz crystal clock 1) control the automatic collection of data for all sectors in multicell rotors at digitally selected time intervals, 2) display the rotor speed, and 3) indicate the elapsed time of the experiment. Constructed but not tested are additional circuits for pulsing a laser into the absorption or Rayleigh optical system. The accuracy of the pulsed SIT has been demonstrated by measurement of absorbances of solutions and also by sedimentation equilibrium experiments with myoglobin. The estimated error is 0.003 for absorbances ranging from 0 to 1. The interface-controller operates extremely well, but problems related to the pulsed SIT (optimum gate position relative to the sector opening shape of high-voltage pulse, slight pincushion distortion) require more work.

Design of an FPGA-Based Algorithm for Real-Time Solutions of Statistics-Based Positioning

PubMed Central

DeWitt, Don; Johnson-Williams, Nathan G.; Miyaoka, Robert S.; Li, Xiaoli; Lockhart, Cate; Lewellen, Tom K.; Hauck, Scott

2010-01-01

We report on the implementation of an algorithm and hardware platform to allow real-time processing of the statistics-based positioning (SBP) method for continuous miniature crystal element (cMiCE) detectors. The SBP method allows an intrinsic spatial resolution of ~1.6 mm FWHM to be achieved using our cMiCE design. Previous SBP solutions have required a postprocessing procedure due to the computation and memory intensive nature of SBP. This new implementation takes advantage of a combination of algebraic simplifications, conversion to fixed-point math, and a hierarchal search technique to greatly accelerate the algorithm. For the presented seven stage, 127 × 127 bin LUT implementation, these algorithm improvements result in a reduction from >7 × 106 floating-point operations per event for an exhaustive search to < 5 × 103 integer operations per event. Simulations show nearly identical FWHM positioning resolution for this accelerated SBP solution, and positioning differences of <0.1 mm from the exhaustive search solution. A pipelined field programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation of this optimized algorithm is able to process events in excess of 250 K events per second, which is greater than the maximum expected coincidence rate for an individual detector. In contrast with all detectors being processed at a centralized host, as in the current system, a separate FPGA is available at each detector, thus dividing the computational load. These methods allow SBP results to be calculated in real-time and to be presented to the image generation components in real-time. A hardware implementation has been developed using a commercially available prototype board. PMID:21197135

Risk Factors for Periacetabular Osteolysis and Wear in Asymptomatic Patients with Uncemented Total Hip Arthroplasties

PubMed Central

Olivecrona, Henrik; Garellick, Göran

2014-01-01

Osteolysis is a silent disease leading to aseptic loosening. This has not been studied in a cohort of asymptomatic patients. The aim of this study was to detect factors that might be associated with the development of periacetabular osteolysis and wear around an uncemented cup. We assessed 206 patients with an uncemented cup, measuring wear and periacetabular osteolysis using computed tomography with a median follow-up of 10 years after surgery (range 7–14 years). EQ5D, pain from the hip, and satisfaction were assessed. The association between periacetabular osteolysis and wear, age, gender, activity, BMI, cup type, cup age, positioning of the cup, and surface coating was investigated with a proportional odds model. Wear and male gender were associated with an increased risk for periacetabular osteolysis. There was no association with periacetabular osteolysis for time from operation, patient age, UCLA Activity Score, liner thickness at time of operation, BMI, cup positioning, and type of implant. A thin liner at time of operation is correlated to increased wear. Linear wear rate was 0.18 mm/year and 46 of 206 patients had large periacetabular osteolysis. Asymptomatic patients with these implants should be followed up on a regular basis with a sensitive method such as CT in order to detect complications early. PMID:25478600

Precise Receiver Clock Offset Estimations According to Each Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Timescales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thongtan, Thayathip; Tirawanichakul, Pawit; Satirapod, Chalermchon

2017-12-01

Each GNSS constellation operates its own system times; namely, GPS system time (GPST), GLONASS system time (GLONASST), BeiDou system time (BDT) and Galileo system time (GST). They could be traced back to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) scale and are aligned to GPST. This paper estimates the receiver clock offsets to three timescales: GPST, GLONASST and BDT. The two measurement scenarios use two identical multi-GNSS geodetic receivers connected to the same geodetic antenna through a splitter. One receiver is driven by its internal oscillators and another receiver is connected to the external frequency oscillators, caesium frequency standard, kept as the Thailand standard time scale at the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) called UTC(NIMT). The three weeks data are observed at 30 seconds sample rate. The receiver clock offsets with respected to the three system time are estimated and analysed through the geodetic technique of static Precise Point Positioning (PPP) using a data processing software developed by Wuhan University - Positioning And Navigation Data Analyst (PANDA) software. The estimated receiver clock offsets are around 32, 33 and 18 nanoseconds from GPST, GLONASST and BDT respectively. This experiment is initially stated that each timescale is inter-operated with GPST and further measurements on receiver internal delay has to be determined for clock comparisons especially the high accuracy clock at timing laboratories.

Reducing RN Vacancy Rate: A Nursing Recruitment Office Process Improvement Project.

PubMed

Hisgen, Stephanie A; Page, Nancy E; Thornlow, Deirdre K; Merwin, Elizabeth I

2018-06-01

The aim of this study was to reduce the RN vacancy rate at an academic medical center by improving the hiring process in the Nursing Recruitment Office. Inability to fill RN positions can lead to higher vacancy rates and negatively impact staff and patient satisfaction, quality outcomes, and the organization's bottom line. The Model for Improvement was used to design and implement a process improvement project to improve the hiring process from time of interview through the position being filled. Number of days to interview and check references decreased significantly, but no change in overall time to hire and time to fill positions was noted. RN vacancy rate also decreased significantly. Nurse manager satisfaction with the hiring process increased significantly. Redesigning the recruitment process supported operational efficiencies of the organization related to RN recruitment.

[Surgery for colorectal cancer since the introduction of the Netherlands national screening programmeInvestigations into changes in number of resections and waiting times for surgery].

PubMed

de Neree Tot Babberich, M P M; van der Willik, E M; van Groningen, J T; Ledeboer, M; Wiggers, T; Wouters, M W J M

2017-01-01

To investigate the impact of the Netherlands national colorectal cancer screening programme on the number of surgical resections for colorectal carcinoma and on waiting times for surgery. Descriptive study. Data were extracted from the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit. Patients with primary colorectal cancer surgery between 2011-2015 were included. The volume and median waiting times for the years 2011-2015 are described. Waiting times from first tumor positive biopsy until the operation (biopsy-operation) and first preoperative visit to the surgeon until the operation (visit-operation) are analyzed with a univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. Separate analysis was done for visit-operation for academic and non-academic hospitals and for screening compared to non-screening patients. In 2014 there was an increase of 1469 (15%) patients compared to 2013. In 2015 this increase consisted of 1168 (11%) patients compared to 2014. In 2014 and 2015, 1359 (12%) and 3111 (26%) patients were referred to the surgeon through screening, respectively. The median waiting time of biopsy-operation significantly decreased (ß: 0.94, 95%BI) over the years 2014-2015 compared to 2011-2013. In non-academic hospitals, the waiting time visit-operation also decreased significantly (ß: 0.89, 95%BI 0.87-0.90) over the years 2014-2015 compared to 2011-2013. No difference was found in waiting times between patients referred to the surgeon through screening compared to non-screening. There is a clear increase in volume since the introduction of the colorectal cancer screening programme without an increase in waiting time until surgery.

Internal combustion engine controls for reduced exhausts contaminants

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

Matthews, D.R. Jr.

1974-06-04

An electrochemical control system for achieving optimum efficiency in the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions from internal combustion engines is described. The system automatically maintains catalyst temperature at a point for maximum pollutant conversion by adjusting ignition timing and fuel/air ratio during warm-up and subsequent operation. Ignition timing is retarded during engine warm-up to bring the catalytic converter to an efficient operating temperature within a minimum period of time. After the converter reaches a predetermined minimum temperature, the spark is advanced to within its normal operating range. A needle-valve adjustment during warm-up is employed to enrich themore » fuel/air mixture by approximately 10 percent. Following warm-up and attainment of a predetermined catalyst temperature, the needle valve is moved automatically to its normal position (e.g., a fuel/air ratio of 16:1). Although the normal lean mixture causes increased amounts of nitrogen oxide emissions, present NO/sub x/ converters appear capable of handling the increased emissions under normal operating conditions.« less

System for near real-time crustal deformation monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macdoran, P. F. (Inventor)

1979-01-01

A system is described for use in detecting earth crustal deformation using an RF interferometer technique for such purposes as earthquake predictive research and eventual operational predictions. A lunar based RF transmission or transmissions from earth orbiting satellites are received at two locations on Earth, and a precise time dependent phase measurement is made of the RF signal as received at the two locations to determine two or three spatial parameters of the antenna relative positions. The received data are precisely time tagged and land-line routed to a central station for real-time phase comparison and analysis. By monitoring the antenna relative positions over an extended period of months or years, crustal deformation of the Earth can be detected.

Compact pulse transformer for 85 kV, 3.5 μs electron gun anode of compact X-ray cargo scanner

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

Patel, R.; Sharma, D.K.; Dixit, K.

Design of compact and reliable 85kV HV pulse transformer for electron gun anode pulsing is a major concern, when size and space are constraints. This paper describes design procedures and optimization of various parameters like HV insulation, step up ratio, rise time and flat top of Pulse transformer, operating with input from a 10 stage PFN of 50 ohm impedance and charged at 14kV. The transformer should deliver rated output voltage of negative polarity 85kV, 3 to 4μs pulse width, less than 2μs rise time and flat top within 10% across an electron gun load, equivalent to a parallel combinationmore » of 10kΩ and 200pF load at a PRF of 250 Hz. Since the Cargo Scanner has to operate on movable carrier, this transformer is designed to operate even in the inclined positions. This transformer has given voltage step up, rise time and flat top of 13.75, 1.5 μs and 4.5% respectively for a 10kΩ and 200pF load at 250Hz PRF and also demonstrated operation in 90{sup °} tilted transformer positions. An effort has been put to achieve maintenance free Pulse transformer by providing effective sealing in the transformer tank to stop breathing action. Also, special flexing walls of transformer tank accommodate for small changes in volume of oil due to temperature variations. (author)« less

On Nth roots of positive operators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, D. R.; Omalley, M. J.

1978-01-01

A bounded operator A on a Hilbert space H was positive. These operators were symmetric, and as such constitute a natural generalization of nonnegative real diagonal matrices. The following result is thus both well known and not surprising: A positive operator has a unique positive square root (under operator composition).

Immersive virtual reality used as a platform for perioperative training for surgical residents.

PubMed

Witzke, D B; Hoskins, J D; Mastrangelo, M J; Witzke, W O; Chu, U B; Pande, S; Park, A E

2001-01-01

Perioperative preparations such as operating room setup, patient and equipment positioning, and operating port placement are essential to operative success in minimally invasive surgery. We developed an immersive virtual reality-based training system (REMIS) to provide residents (and other health professionals) with training and evaluation in these perioperative skills. Our program uses the qualities of immersive VR that are available today for inclusion in an ongoing training curriculum for surgical residents. The current application consists of a primary platform for patient positioning for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Having completed this module we can create many different simulated problems for other procedures. As a part of the simulation, we have devised a computer-driven real-time data collection system to help us in evaluating trainees and providing feedback during the simulation. The REMIS program trains and evaluates surgical residents and obviates the need to use expensive operating room and surgeon time. It also allows residents to train based on their schedule and does not put patients at increased risk. The method is standardized, allows for repetition if needed, evaluates individual performance, provides the possible complications of incorrect choices, provides training in 3-D environment, and has the capability of being used for various scenarios and professions.

Thermoelectric integrated membrane evaporation water recovery technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roebelen, G. J., Jr.; Winkler, H. E.; Dehner, G. F.

1982-01-01

The recently developed Thermoelectric Integrated Membrane Evaporation Subsystem (TIMES) offers a highly competitive approach to water recovery from waste fluids for future on-orbit stations such as the Space Operations Center. Low power, compactness and gravity insensitive operation are featured in this vacuum distillation subsystem that combines a hollow fiber membrane evaporator with a thermoelectric heat pump. The hollow fiber elements provide positive liquid/gas phase control with no moving parts other than pumps and an accumulator, thus solving problems inherent in other reclamation subsystem designs. In an extensive test program, over 850 hours of operation were accumulated during which time high quality product water was recovered from both urine and wash water at an average steady state production rate of 2.2 pounds per hour.

Nationwide differential global positioning system (NDGPS) : capabilities and potential.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-06-01

NDGPS is a National PNT Utility: : -Operated/managed by Coast Guard as a Combined NDGPS (Maritime + DOT + ACOE sites) : -System Specifications : --Corrections broadcast at 285 and 325 kHz using Minimum shift Keying (MSK) modulation : --Real-time diff...

Analysis of en route operational errors : probability of resolution and time-on-position.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-02-01

The Federation Administrations Air Traffic Control Organization Safety Management System (SMS) is : designed to prevent the introduction of unacceptable safety risk into the National Airspace System. One of the : most important safety metrics used...

Visualizing railroad operations : a tool for planning and monitoring railroad traffic

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

This report provides an overview of the development and technology transfer of the Railroad Traffic Planner application, a visualization tool with string line diagrams that show train positions over time. The Railroad Traffic Planner provides support...

Preparing Solar Cells for Soldering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hagerty, J. J.

1983-01-01

Solder paste and contact ribbon dispensed in synchronism. Solder-paste dispenser operates on one cell at a time. Ribbon fed up ramps and into positioned while solder paste is applied. When ramps are moved out of way, ribbon lies down onto cell.

Fusing human and machine skills for remote robotic operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schenker, Paul S.; Kim, Won S.; Venema, Steven C.; Bejczy, Antal K.

1991-01-01

The question of how computer assists can improve teleoperator trajectory tracking during both free and force-constrained motions is addressed. Computer graphics techniques which enable the human operator to both visualize and predict detailed 3D trajectories in real-time are reported. Man-machine interactive control procedures for better management of manipulator contact forces and positioning are also described. It is found that collectively, these novel advanced teleoperations techniques both enhance system performance and significantly reduce control problems long associated with teleoperations under time delay. Ongoing robotic simulations of the 1984 space shuttle Solar Maximum EVA Repair Mission are briefly described.

Using a Six Sigma Fishbone Analysis Approach To Evaluate the Effect of Extreme Weather Events on Salmonella Positives in Young Chicken Slaughter Establishments.

PubMed

Linville, John W; Schumann, Douglas; Aston, Christopher; Defibaugh-Chavez, Stephanie; Seebohm, Scott; Touhey, Lucy

2016-12-01

A six sigma fishbone analysis approach was used to develop a machine learning model in SAS, Version 9.4, by using stepwise linear regression. The model evaluated the effect of a wide variety of variables, including slaughter establishment operational measures, normal (30-year average) weather, and extreme weather events on the rate of Salmonella -positive carcasses in young chicken slaughter establishments. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) verification carcass sampling data, as well as corresponding data from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, from September 2011 through April 2015, were included in the model. The results of the modeling show that in addition to basic establishment operations, normal weather patterns, differences from normal and disaster events, including time lag weather and disaster variables, played a role in explaining the Salmonella percent positive that varied by slaughter volume quartile. Findings show that weather and disaster events should be considered as explanatory variables when assessing pathogen-related prevalence analysis or research and slaughter operational controls. The apparent significance of time lag weather variables suggested that at least some of the impact on Salmonella rates occurred after the weather events, which may offer opportunities for FSIS or the poultry industry to implement interventions to mitigate those effects.

A Perron-Frobenius type of theorem for quantum operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lagro, Matthew

Quantum random walks are a generalization of classical Markovian random walks to a quantum mechanical or quantum computing setting. Quantum walks have promising applications but are complicated by quantum decoherence. We prove that the long-time limiting behavior of the class of quantum operations which are the convex combination of norm one operators is governed by the eigenvectors with norm one eigenvalues which are shared by the operators. This class includes all operations formed by a coherent operation with positive probability of orthogonal measurement at each step. We also prove that any operation that has range contained in a low enough dimension subspace of the space of density operators has limiting behavior isomorphic to an associated Markov chain. A particular class of such operations are coherent operations followed by an orthogonal measurement. Applications of the convergence theorems to quantum walks are given.

Diode laser assisted minimal invasive sphenoidotomy for endoscopic transphenoidal pituitary surgery: our technique and results.

PubMed

Lee, Jih-Chin; Lai, Wen-Sen; Ju, Da-Tong; Chu, Yueng-Hsiang; Yang, Jinn-Moon

2015-03-01

During endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), intra-operative bleeding can significantly compromise visualization of the surgical field. The diode laser that provides good hemostatic and vaporization effects and excellent photocoagulation has been successfully applied in endoscopic surgery with several advantages. The current retrospective study demonstrates the feasibility of diode laser-combined endoscopic sinus surgery on sphenoidotomy. The patients who went through endoscopic transphenoidal pituitary surgery were enrolled. During the operation, the quality of the surgical field was assessed and graded by the operating surgeon using the scale proposed by Boezaart. The mean operation time was 37.80 ± 10.90 minutes. The mean score on the quality of surgical field was 1.95. A positive correlation between the lower surgical field quality score and the shorter surgical time was found with statistical significance (P < 0.0001). No infections, hemorrhages, or other complications occurred intra- or post-operatively. The diode laser-assisted sphenoidotomy is a reliable and safe approach of pituitary gland surgery with minimal invasiveness. It is found that application of diode laser significantly improved quality of surgical field and shortened operation time. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Image-guided laparoscopic surgery in an open MRI operating theater.

PubMed

Tsutsumi, Norifumi; Tomikawa, Morimasa; Uemura, Munenori; Akahoshi, Tomohiko; Nagao, Yoshihiro; Konishi, Kozo; Ieiri, Satoshi; Hong, Jaesung; Maehara, Yoshihiko; Hashizume, Makoto

2013-06-01

The recent development of open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided an opportunity for the next stage of image-guided surgical and interventional procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery under the pneumoperitoneum with the system of an open MRI operating theater. Five patients underwent laparoscopic surgery with a real-time augmented reality navigation system that we previously developed in a horizontal-type 0.4-T open MRI operating theater. All procedures were performed in an open MRI operating theater. During the operations, the laparoscopic monitor clearly showed the augmented reality models of the intraperitoneal structures, such as the common bile ducts and the urinary bladder, as well as the proper positions of the prosthesis. The navigation frame rate was 8 frames per min. The mean fiducial registration error was 6.88 ± 6.18 mm in navigated cases. We were able to use magnetic resonance-incompatible surgical instruments out of the 5-Gs restriction area, as well as conventional laparoscopic surgery, and we developed a real-time augmented reality navigation system using open MRI. Laparoscopic surgery with our real-time augmented reality navigation system in the open MRI operating theater is a feasible option.

ABOLISHING AND ESTABLISHING OPERATION ANALYSES OF SOCIAL ATTENTION AS POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT FOR PROBLEM BEHAVIOR

PubMed Central

McGinnis, Molly A; Houchins-Juárez, Nealetta; McDaniel, Jill L; Kennedy, Craig H

2010-01-01

Three participants whose problem behavior was maintained by contingent attention were exposed to 45-min presessions in which attention was withheld, provided on a fixed-time (FT) 15-s schedule, or provided on an FT 120-s schedule. Following each presession, participants were then tested in a 15-min session similar to the social attention condition of an analogue functional analysis. The results showed establishing operation conditions increased problem behavior during tests and that abolishing operation conditions decreased problem behavior during tests. PMID:20808502

Abolishing and establishing operation analyses of social attention as positive reinforcement for problem behavior.

PubMed

McGinnis, Molly A; Houchins-Juárez, Nealetta; McDaniel, Jill L; Kennedy, Craig H

2010-03-01

Three participants whose problem behavior was maintained by contingent attention were exposed to 45-min presessions in which attention was withheld, provided on a fixed-time (FT) 15-s schedule, or provided on an FT 120-s schedule. Following each presession, participants were then tested in a 15-min session similar to the social attention condition of an analogue functional analysis. The results showed establishing operation conditions increased problem behavior during tests and that abolishing operation conditions decreased problem behavior during tests.

Property Analysis of the Real-Time Uncalibrated Phase Delay Product Generated by Regional Reference Stations and Its Influence on Precise Point Positioning Ambiguity Resolution

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yong; Wang, Qing; Jiang, Xinyuan

2017-01-01

The real-time estimation of the wide-lane and narrow-lane Uncalibrated Phase Delay (UPD) of satellites is realized by real-time data received from regional reference station networks; The properties of the real-time UPD product and its influence on real-time precise point positioning ambiguity resolution (RTPPP-AR) are experimentally analyzed according to real-time data obtained from the regional Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network located in Tianjin, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc. The results show that the real-time wide-lane and narrow-lane UPD products differ significantly from each other in time-domain characteristics; the wide-lane UPDs have daily stability, with a change rate of less than 0.1 cycle/day, while the narrow-lane UPDs have short-term stability, with significant change in one day. The UPD products generated by different regional networks have obvious spatial characteristics, thus significantly influencing RTPPP-AR: the adoption of real-time UPD products employing the sparse stations in the regional network for estimation is favorable for improving the regional RTPPP-AR up to 99%; the real-time UPD products of different regional networks slightly influence PPP-AR positioning accuracy. After ambiguities are successfully fixed, the real-time dynamic RTPPP-AR positioning accuracy is better than 3 cm in the plane and 8 cm in the upward direction. PMID:28534844

Property Analysis of the Real-Time Uncalibrated Phase Delay Product Generated by Regional Reference Stations and Its Influence on Precise Point Positioning Ambiguity Resolution.

PubMed

Zhang, Yong; Wang, Qing; Jiang, Xinyuan

2017-05-19

The real-time estimation of the wide-lane and narrow-lane Uncalibrated Phase Delay (UPD) of satellites is realized by real-time data received from regional reference station networks; The properties of the real-time UPD product and its influence on real-time precise point positioning ambiguity resolution (RTPPP-AR) are experimentally analyzed according to real-time data obtained from the regional Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network located in Tianjin, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc. The results show that the real-time wide-lane and narrow-lane UPD products differ significantly from each other in time-domain characteristics; the wide-lane UPDs have daily stability, with a change rate of less than 0.1 cycle/day, while the narrow-lane UPDs have short-term stability, with significant change in one day. The UPD products generated by different regional networks have obvious spatial characteristics, thus significantly influencing RTPPP-AR: the adoption of real-time UPD products employing the sparse stations in the regional network for estimation is favorable for improving the regional RTPPP-AR up to 99%; the real-time UPD products of different regional networks slightly influence PPP-AR positioning accuracy. After ambiguities are successfully fixed, the real-time dynamic RTPPP-AR positioning accuracy is better than 3 cm in the plane and 8 cm in the upward direction.

Safety by design: effects of operating room floor marking on the position of surgical devices to promote clean air flow compliance and minimise infection risks.

PubMed

de Korne, Dirk F; van Wijngaarden, Jeroen D H; van Rooij, Jeroen; Wauben, Linda S G L; Hiddema, U Frans; Klazinga, Niek S

2012-09-01

To evaluate the use of floor marking on the positioning of surgical devices within the clean air flow in an operating room (OR) to minimise infection risk. Laminar flow clean air systems are important in preventing infection in ORs but, for optimal results, surgical devices must be correctly positioned. The authors evaluated floor marking in four ORs at an eye hospital using time series analysis. Through observations during 829 surgeries over a 20-month period, the positions of surgical devices were determined. Eight semistructured interviews with surgical staff were conducted to assess user experiences and team dynamics. Before marking, the instrument table was positioned completely within the laminar flow in only 6.1% of the cases. This increased to 36.1% and finally 53.8%. Mayo stands were increasingly positioned within the laminar flow: from 74.2% to 84.7%. The surgical lamp decreasingly obstructed flow: from 41.8% to 28.7%. At T3 (20 months), however, in 48.6% of the applicable cases the lamp was positioned in the flow again. Discussions and site visits between airside operators and surgical staff resulted in increasing awareness of specific risk areas in the OR. OR floor markings facilitated and stimulated safety awareness and resulted in significantly increased compliance with the positioning of surgical devices in the clean air flow. Safety and quality approaches in hospital care, therefore, should include a human factors approach that focuses on system design in addition to teaching clinical and non-technical skills.

Effect of screw fixation on acetabular component alignment change in total hip arthroplasty.

PubMed

Fujishiro, Takaaki; Hayashi, Shinya; Kanzaki, Noriyuki; Hashimoto, Shingo; Shibanuma, Nao; Kurosaka, Masahiro

2014-06-01

The use of screws can enhance immediate cup fixation, but the influence of screw insertion on cup position has not previously been measured. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the effect of intra-operative screw fixation on acetabular component alignment that has been inserted with the use of a navigation system. We used a navigation system to measure cup alignment at the time of press-fit and after screw fixation in 144 hips undergoing total hip arthroplasty. We also compared those findings with factors measured from postoperative radiographs. The mean intra-operative change of cup position was 1.78° for inclination and 1.81° for anteversion. The intra-operative change of anteversion correlated with the number of screws. The intra-operative change of inclination also correlated with medial hip centre. The insertion of screws can induce changes in cup alignment, especially when multiple screws are used or if a more medial hip centre is required for rigid acetabular fixation.

An investigation into the performance of real-time GPS+GLONASS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) in New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harima, Ken; Choy, Suelynn; Rizos, Chris; Kogure, Satoshi

2017-09-01

This paper presents an investigation into the performance of real-time Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Precise Point Positioning (PPP) in New Zealand. The motivation of the research is to evaluate the feasibility of using PPP technique and a satellite based augmentation system such as the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) to deliver a real-time precise positioning solution in support of a nation-wide high accuracy GNSS positioning coverage in New Zealand. Two IGS real-time correction streams are evaluated alongside with the PPP correction messages transmitted by the QZSS satellite known as MDC1. MDC1 corrections stream is generated by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) using the Multi-GNSS Advanced Demonstration tool for Orbit and Clock Analysis (MADOCA) software and are currently transmitted in test mode by the QZSS satellite. The IGS real-time streams are the CLK9B real-time corrections stream generated by the French Centre National D'études Spatiales (CNES) using the PPP-Wizard software, and the CLK81 real-time corrections stream produced by GMV using their MagicGNSS software. GNSS data is collected from six New Zealand CORS stations operated by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) over a one-week period in 2015. GPS and GLONASS measurements are processed in a real-time PPP mode using the satellite orbit and clock corrections from the real-time streams. The results show that positioning accuracies of 6 cm in horizontal component and 15 cm in vertical component can be achieved in real-time PPP. The real-time GPS+GLONASS PPP solution required 30 minutes to converge to within 10 cm horizontal positioning accuracy.

Integrated WiFi/PDR/Smartphone Using an Unscented Kalman Filter Algorithm for 3D Indoor Localization.

PubMed

Chen, Guoliang; Meng, Xiaolin; Wang, Yunjia; Zhang, Yanzhe; Tian, Peng; Yang, Huachao

2015-09-23

Because of the high calculation cost and poor performance of a traditional planar map when dealing with complicated indoor geographic information, a WiFi fingerprint indoor positioning system cannot be widely employed on a smartphone platform. By making full use of the hardware sensors embedded in the smartphone, this study proposes an integrated approach to a three-dimensional (3D) indoor positioning system. First, an improved K-means clustering method is adopted to reduce the fingerprint database retrieval time and enhance positioning efficiency. Next, with the mobile phone's acceleration sensor, a new step counting method based on auto-correlation analysis is proposed to achieve cell phone inertial navigation positioning. Furthermore, the integration of WiFi positioning with Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) obtains higher positional accuracy with the help of the Unscented Kalman Filter algorithm. Finally, a hybrid 3D positioning system based on Unity 3D, which can carry out real-time positioning for targets in 3D scenes, is designed for the fluent operation of mobile terminals.

Integrated WiFi/PDR/Smartphone Using an Unscented Kalman Filter Algorithm for 3D Indoor Localization

PubMed Central

Chen, Guoliang; Meng, Xiaolin; Wang, Yunjia; Zhang, Yanzhe; Tian, Peng; Yang, Huachao

2015-01-01

Because of the high calculation cost and poor performance of a traditional planar map when dealing with complicated indoor geographic information, a WiFi fingerprint indoor positioning system cannot be widely employed on a smartphone platform. By making full use of the hardware sensors embedded in the smartphone, this study proposes an integrated approach to a three-dimensional (3D) indoor positioning system. First, an improved K-means clustering method is adopted to reduce the fingerprint database retrieval time and enhance positioning efficiency. Next, with the mobile phone’s acceleration sensor, a new step counting method based on auto-correlation analysis is proposed to achieve cell phone inertial navigation positioning. Furthermore, the integration of WiFi positioning with Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) obtains higher positional accuracy with the help of the Unscented Kalman Filter algorithm. Finally, a hybrid 3D positioning system based on Unity 3D, which can carry out real-time positioning for targets in 3D scenes, is designed for the fluent operation of mobile terminals. PMID:26404314

Real-time control of the robotic lunar observatory telescope

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anderson, J.M.; Becker, K.J.; Kieffer, H.H.; Dodd, D.N.

1999-01-01

The US Geological Survey operates an automated observatory dedicated to the radiometry of the Moon with the objective of developing a multispectral, spatially resolved photometric model of the Moon to be used in the calibration of Earth-orbiting spacecraft. Interference filters are used with two imaging instruments to observe the Moon in 32 passbands from 350-2500 nm. Three computers control the telescope mount and instruments with a fourth computer acting as a master system to control all observation activities. Real-time control software has been written to operate the instrumentation and to automate the observing process. The observing software algorithms use information including the positions of objects in the sky, the phase of the Moon, and the times of evening and morning twilight to decide how to observe program objects. The observatory has been operating in a routine mode since late 1995 and is expected to continue through at least 2002 without significant modifications.

Medial rectus Faden operations with or without recession for partially accommodative esotropia associated with a high accommodative convergence to accommodation ratio.

PubMed

Akar, Serpil; Gokyigit, Birsen; Sayin, Nihat; Demirok, Ahmet; Yilmaz, Omer Faruk

2013-01-01

To evaluate the results of Faden operations on the medial rectus (MR) muscles with or without recession for the treatment of partially accommodative esotropia associated with a high accommodative convergence to accommodation (AC : A) ratio and to determine whether there was a decrease in the effects of posterior fixation over time. In this retrospective study, 108 of 473 patients who underwent surgery for partially accommodative esotropia with a high AC : A ratio received Faden operations on both MR muscles, and 365 received symmetric MR muscle recessions combined with a Faden operation. For the Faden operation, a satisfactory outcome of 76.9% at 1 month postoperation, decreased to 71.3% by the final follow-up visit (mean 4.8 years). A moderate positive correlation was observed between the increase in the postoperative near deviation and postoperative time. For the Faden operations combined with MR recession, a satisfactory outcome of 78.9% at 1 month post-operation, decreased to 78.4% by the final follow-up visit. A Faden operation of the MR muscles with or without recession is an effective surgical option for treating partially accommodative esotropia associated with a high AC : A ratio. For Faden operations of the MR muscles without recession, the effects of the posterior fixation decline over time.

JPL's GNSS Real-Time Earthquake and Tsunami (GREAT) Alert System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bar-Sever, Yoaz; Miller, Mark; Vallisneri, Michele; Khachikyan, Robert; Meyer, Robert

2017-04-01

We describe recent developments to the GREAT Alert natural hazard monitoring service from JPL's Global Differential GPS (GDGPS) System. GREAT Alert provides real-time, 1 Hz positioning solutions for hundreds of GNSS tracking sites, from both global and regional networks, aiming to monitor ground motion in the immediate aftermath of earthquakes. We take advantage of the centralized data processing, which is collocated with the GNSS orbit determination operations of the GDGPS System, to combine orbit determination with large-scale point-positioning in a grand estimation scheme, and as a result realize significant improvement to the positioning accuracy compared to conventional stand-alone point positioning techniques. For example, the measured median site (over all sites) real-time horizontal positioning accuracy is 2 cm 1DRMS, and the median real-time vertical accuracy is 4 cm RMS. The GREAT Alert positioning service is integrated with automated global earthquake notices from the United States Geodetic Survey (USGS) to support near-real-time calculations of co-seismic displacements with attendant formal errors based both short-term and long-term error analysis for each individual site. We will show the millimeter-level resolution of co-seismic displacement can be achieved by this system. The co-seismic displacements, in turn, are fed into a JPL geodynamics and ocean models, that estimate the Earthquake magnitude and predict the potential tsunami scale.

Palomares Summary Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-01-15

same difficul- ttes . IDaccuracies in position increased with depth. Inability to detect the irregularity of tbe bottom In time to adjust the deJXh of...believe there will be increasing pressure for information on naval activities. particularly on the undersea research vehicle operation. It is

A statistical evaluation of effective time constants of random telegraph noise with various operation timings of in-pixel source follower transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yonezawa, A.; Kuroda, R.; Teramoto, A.; Obara, T.; Sugawa, S.

2014-03-01

We evaluated effective time constants of random telegraph noise (RTN) with various operation timings of in-pixel source follower transistors statistically, and discuss the dependency of RTN time constants on the duty ratio (on/off ratio) of MOSFET which is controlled by the gate to source voltage (VGS). Under a general readout operation of CMOS image sensor (CIS), the row selected pixel-source followers (SFs) turn on and not selected pixel-SFs operate at different bias conditions depending on the select switch position; when select switch locate in between the SF driver and column output line, SF drivers nearly turn off. The duty ratio and cyclic period of selected time of SF driver depends on the operation timing determined by the column read out sequence. By changing the duty ratio from 1 to 7.6 x 10-3, time constant ratio of RTN (time to capture <τc<)/(time to emission <τe<) of a part of MOSFETs increased while RTN amplitudes were almost the same regardless of the duty ratio. In these MOSFETs, <τc< increased and the majority of <τe< decreased and the minority of <τe< increased by decreasing the duty ratio. The same tendencies of behaviors of <τc< and <τe< were obtained when VGS was decreased. This indicates that the effective <τc< and <τe< converge to those under off state as duty ratio decreases. These results are important for the noise reduction, detection and analysis of in pixel-SF with RTN.

75 FR 36138 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-24

... p.m. The 10 minute interval is a legacy time frame related to the Exchange's prior publication of... in the face of a dilemma that is unique to a physical Trading Floor, i.e., how to position resources... efficient operation of the Exchange's market by reducing the frequency of time-consuming Floor broker oral...

Optimal Length of Cultivation Time for Isolation of Propionibacterium acnes in Suspected Bone and Joint Infections Is More than 7 Days.

PubMed

Bossard, Daniel A; Ledergerber, Bruno; Zingg, Patrick O; Gerber, Christian; Zinkernagel, Annelies S; Zbinden, Reinhard; Achermann, Yvonne

2016-12-01

Diagnosis of Propionibacterium acnes bone and joint infection is challenging due to the long cultivation time of up to 14 days. We retrospectively studied whether reducing the cultivation time to 7 days allows accurate diagnosis without losing sensitivity. We identified patients with at least one positive P. acnes sample between 2005 and 2015 and grouped them into "infection" and "no infection." An infection was defined when at least two samples from the same case were positive. Clinical and microbiological data, including time to positivity for different cultivation methods, were recorded. We found 70 cases of proven P. acnes infection with a significant faster median time to positivity of 6 days (range, 2 to 11 days) compared to 9 days in 47 cases with P. acnes identified as a contamination (P < 0.0001). In 15 of 70 (21.4%) patients with an infection, tissue samples were positive after day 7 and in 6 patients (8.6%) after day 10 when a blind subculture of the thioglycolate broth was performed. The highest sensitivity was detected for thioglycolate broth (66.3%) and the best positive predictive values for anaerobic agar plates (96.5%). A prolonged transportation time from the operating theater to the microbiological laboratory did not influence time to positivity of P. acnes growth. By reducing the cultivation time to 7 days, false-negative diagnoses would increase by 21.4%; thus, we recommend that biopsy specimens from bone and joint infections be cultivated to detect P. acnes for 10 days with a blind subculture at the end. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Compact multiwire proportional counters for the detection of fission fragments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jhingan, Akhil; Sugathan, P.; Golda, K. S.; Singh, R. P.; Varughese, T.; Singh, Hardev; Behera, B. R.; Mandal, S. K.

2009-12-01

Two large area multistep position sensitive (two dimensional) multiwire proportional counters have been developed for experiments involving study of fission dynamics using general purpose scattering chamber facility at IUAC. Both detectors have an active area of 20×10 cm2 and provide position signals in horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) planes, timing signal for time of flight measurements and energy signal giving the differential energy loss in the active volume. The design features are optimized for the detection of low energy heavy ions at very low gas pressures. Special care was taken in setting up the readout electronics, constant fraction discriminators for position signals in particular, to get optimum position and timing resolutions along with high count rate handling capability of low energy heavy ions. A custom made charge sensitive preamplifier, having lower gain and shorter decay time, has been developed for extracting the differential energy loss signal. The position and time resolutions of the detectors were determined to be 1.1 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) and 1.7 ns FWHM, respectively. The detector could handle heavy ion count rates exceeding 20 kHz without any breakdown. Time of flight signal in combination with differential energy loss signal gives a clean separation of fission fragments from projectile and target like particles. The timing and position signals of the detectors are used for fission coincidence measurements and subsequent extraction of their mass, angular, and total kinetic energy distributions. This article describes systematic study of these fission counters in terms of efficiency, time resolution, count rate handling capability, position resolution, and the readout electronics. The detector has been operated with both five electrode geometry and four electrode geometry, and a comparison has been made in their performances.

Digital signal processing the Tevatron BPM signals

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

Cancelo, G.; James, E.; Wolbers, S.

2005-05-01

The Beam Position Monitor (TeV BPM) readout system at Fermilab's Tevatron has been updated and is currently being commissioned. The new BPMs use new analog and digital hardware to achieve better beam position measurement resolution. The new system reads signals from both ends of the existing directional stripline pickups to provide simultaneous proton and antiproton measurements. The signals provided by the two ends of the BPM pickups are processed by analog band-pass filters and sampled by 14-bit ADCs at 74.3MHz. A crucial part of this work has been the design of digital filters that process the signal. This paper describesmore » the digital processing and estimation techniques used to optimize the beam position measurement. The BPM electronics must operate in narrow-band and wide-band modes to enable measurements of closed-orbit and turn-by-turn positions. The filtering and timing conditions of the signals are tuned accordingly for the operational modes. The analysis and the optimized result for each mode are presented.« less

Multiple switch actuator

DOEpatents

Beyer, Edward T.

1976-01-06

The present invention relates to switches and switch actuating devices to be operated for purposes of arming a bomb or other missile as it is dropped or released from an aircraft. The particular bomb or missile in which this invention is applied is one in which there is a plurality of circuits which are to be armed by the closing of switches upon dropping or releasing of the bomb. The operation of the switches to closed position is normally accomplished by means of a pull-out wire; that is, a wire which is withdrawn from the bomb or missile at the time of release of the bomb, one end of the wire being attached to the aircraft. The conditions to be met are that the arming switches must be positively and surely maintained in open position until the bomb is released and the arming action is effected. The action of the pull-out wire in achieving the arming action must be sure and positive with minimum danger of malfunctioning, jamming or binding.

Global Positioning System data collection, processing, and analysis conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program

USGS Publications Warehouse

Murray, Jessica R.; Svarc, Jerry L.

2017-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Science Center collects and processes Global Positioning System (GPS) data throughout the western United States to measure crustal deformation related to earthquakes and tectonic processes as part of a long‐term program of research and monitoring. Here, we outline data collection procedures and present the GPS dataset built through repeated temporary deployments since 1992. This dataset consists of observations at ∼1950 locations. In addition, this article details our data processing and analysis procedures, which consist of the following. We process the raw data collected through temporary deployments, in addition to data from continuously operating western U.S. GPS stations operated by multiple agencies, using the GIPSY software package to obtain position time series. Subsequently, we align the positions to a common reference frame, determine the optimal parameters for a temporally correlated noise model, and apply this noise model when carrying out time‐series analysis to derive deformation measures, including constant interseismic velocities, coseismic offsets, and transient postseismic motion.

Modeling and controller design of a 6-DOF precision positioning system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Kunhai; Tian, Yanling; Liu, Xianping; Fatikow, Sergej; Wang, Fujun; Cui, Liangyu; Zhang, Dawei; Shirinzadeh, Bijan

2018-05-01

A key hurdle to meet the needs of micro/nano manipulation in some complex cases is the inadequate workspace and flexibility of the operation ends. This paper presents a 6-degree of freedom (DOF) serial-parallel precision positioning system, which consists of two compact type 3-DOF parallel mechanisms. Each parallel mechanism is driven by three piezoelectric actuators (PEAs), guided by three symmetric T-shape hinges and three elliptical flexible hinges, respectively. It can extend workspace and improve flexibility of the operation ends. The proposed system can be assembled easily, which will greatly reduce the assembly errors and improve the positioning accuracy. In addition, the kinematic and dynamic model of the 6-DOF system are established, respectively. Furthermore, in order to reduce the tracking error and improve the positioning accuracy, the Discrete-time Model Predictive Controller (DMPC) is applied as an effective control method. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the DMCP control method is verified. Finally, the tracking experiment is performed to verify the tracking performances of the 6-DOF stage.

Valve for controlling solids flow

DOEpatents

Feldman, David K.

1980-01-01

A fluidized solids control valve is disclosed that is particularly well adapted for use with a flow of coal or char that includes both large particles and fines. The particles may or may not be fluidized at various times during the operation. The valve includes a tubular body that terminates in a valve seat covered by a normally closed closure plate. The valve body at the seat and the closure plate is provided with aligned longitudinal slots that receive a pivotally supported key plate. The key plate is positionable by an operator in inserted, intermediate and retracted positions respecting the longitudinal slot in the valve body. The key plate normally closes the slot within the closure plate but is shaped and aligned obliquely to the longitudinal slot within the valve body to provide progressively increasing slot openings between the inserted and retracted positions. Transfer members are provided between the operator, key plate and closure plate to move the closure plate into an open position only when the key plate is retracted from the longitudinal slot within the valve body.

Application of a real-time three-dimensional navigation system to various oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures.

PubMed

Ohba, Seigo; Yoshimura, Hitoshi; Ishimaru, Kyoko; Awara, Kousuke; Sano, Kazuo

2015-09-01

The aim of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of a real-time three-dimensional navigation system for use during various oral and maxillofacial surgeries. Five surgeries were performed with this real-time three-dimensional navigation system. For mandibular surgery, patients wore acrylic surgical splints when they underwent computed tomography examinations and the operation to maintain the mandibular position. The incidence of complications during and after surgery was assessed. No connection with the nasal cavity or maxillary sinus was observed at the maxilla during the operation. The inferior alveolar nerve was not injured directly, and any paresthesia around the lower lip and mental region had disappeared within several days after the surgery. In both maxillary and mandibular cases, there was no abnormal hemorrhage during or after the operation. Real-time three-dimensional computer-navigated surgery allows minimally invasive, safe procedures to be performed with precision. It results in minimal complications and early recovery.

[The social hygiene problems in the operator work of hydroelectric power station workers and the means for enhancing work capacity].

PubMed

Karakashian, A N; Lepeshkina, T R; Ratushnaia, A N; Glushchenko, S S; Zakharenko, M I; Lastovchenko, V B; Diordichuk, T I

1993-01-01

Weight, tension and harmfulness of professional activity, peculiarities of labour conditions and characteristics of work, shift dynamics of operative personnel's working capacity were studied in the course of 8-hour working day currently accepted at hydroelectric power stations (HEPS) and experimental 12-hour schedule. Working conditions classified as "admissible", positive dynamics of operators' state, their social and material contentment were a basis for 12-hour two-shift schedule to be recommended as more appropriate. At the same time, problem of optimal shift schedules for operative personnel of HEPS remains unsolved and needs to be further explored.

Illness Perception Profiles and Their Association with 10-Year Survival Following Cardiac Valve Replacement.

PubMed

Crawshaw, Jacob; Rimington, Helen; Weinman, John; Chilcot, Joseph

2015-10-01

The aim of the present study was to examine whether profiles of illness perceptions are associated with 10-year survival following cardiac valve replacement surgery. Illness perceptions were evaluated in 204 cardiac patients awaiting first-time valve replacement and again 1 year post-operatively using cluster analysis. All-cause mortality was recorded over a 10-year period. At 1 year, 136 patients were grouped into one of four profiles (stable positive, stable negative, changed from positive to negative, changed from negative to positive). The median follow-up was 3063 days (78 deaths). After controlling for clinical covariates, including markers of function, patients who changed illness perceptions from positive to negative beliefs 1 year post-surgery had an increased mortality risk (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-8.3, p = .02) compared to patients who held positive stable perceptions. Following cardiac valve replacement, developing negative illness perceptions over the first post-operative year predicts long-term mortality. Early screening and intervention to alter this pattern of beliefs may be beneficial.

Organizing OPNAV (1970-2009). Revision 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

Naval Operations, (N4) Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, (N8) Director, Navy Staff Commander, Fleet Forces Command President , Naval War College... President , Naval Postgraduate School Subj: STUDY "ORGANIZING OPNAV, 1970-2009" Encl: (1) copy "Organizing OPNAV, 1970-2009" 1. The Naval History and...office. Completion of this study is timed to coincide with the upcoming 100th anniversary of the 1915 creation of the position of CNO by President

Extended space expectation values in quantum dynamical system evolutions

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

Demiralp, Metin

2014-10-06

The time variant power series expansion for the expectation value of a given quantum dynamical operator is well-known and well-investigated issue in quantum dynamics. However, depending on the operator and Hamiltonian singularities this expansion either may not exist or may not converge for all time instances except the beginning of the evolution. This work focuses on this issue and seeks certain cures for the negativities. We work in the extended space obtained by adding all images of the initial wave function under the system Hamiltonian’s positive integer powers. This requires the introduction of certain appropriately defined weight operators. The resultingmore » better convergence in the temporal power series urges us to call the new defined entities “extended space expectation values” even though they are constructed over certain weight operators and are somehow pseudo expectation values.« less

Rapid detection of coliforms in drinking water of Arak city using multiplex PCR method in comparison with the standard method of culture (Most Probably Number)

PubMed Central

Fatemeh, Dehghan; Reza, Zolfaghari Mohammad; Mohammad, Arjomandzadegan; Salomeh, Kalantari; Reza, Ahmari Gholam; Hossein, Sarmadian; Maryam, Sadrnia; Azam, Ahmadi; Mana, Shojapoor; Negin, Najarian; Reza, Kasravi Alii; Saeed, Falahat

2014-01-01

Objective To analyse molecular detection of coliforms and shorten the time of PCR. Methods Rapid detection of coliforms by amplification of lacZ and uidA genes in a multiplex PCR reaction was designed and performed in comparison with most probably number (MPN) method for 16 artificial and 101 field samples. The molecular method was also conducted on isolated coliforms from positive MPN samples; standard sample for verification of microbial method certificated reference material; isolated strains from certificated reference material and standard bacteria. The PCR and electrophoresis parameters were changed for reducing the operation time. Results Results of PCR for lacZ and uidA genes were similar in all of standard, operational and artificial samples and showed the 876 bp and 147 bp bands of lacZ and uidA genes by multiplex PCR. PCR results were confirmed by MPN culture method by sensitivity 86% (95% CI: 0.71-0.93). Also the total execution time, with a successful change of factors, was reduced to less than two and a half hour. Conclusions Multiplex PCR method with shortened operation time was used for the simultaneous detection of total coliforms and Escherichia coli in distribution system of Arak city. It's recommended to be used at least as an initial screening test, and then the positive samples could be randomly tested by MPN. PMID:25182727

Operator Variability in Scan Positioning is a Major Component of HR-pQCT Precision Error and is Reduced by Standardized Training

PubMed Central

Bonaretti, Serena; Vilayphiou, Nicolas; Chan, Caroline Mai; Yu, Andrew; Nishiyama, Kyle; Liu, Danmei; Boutroy, Stephanie; Ghasem-Zadeh, Ali; Boyd, Steven K.; Chapurlat, Roland; McKay, Heather; Shane, Elizabeth; Bouxsein, Mary L.; Black, Dennis M.; Majumdar, Sharmila; Orwoll, Eric S.; Lang, Thomas F.; Khosla, Sundeep; Burghardt, Andrew J.

2017-01-01

Introduction HR-pQCT is increasingly used to assess bone quality, fracture risk and anti-fracture interventions. The contribution of the operator has not been adequately accounted in measurement precision. Operators acquire a 2D projection (“scout view image”) and define the region to be scanned by positioning a “reference line” on a standard anatomical landmark. In this study, we (i) evaluated the contribution of positioning variability to in vivo measurement precision, (ii) measured intra- and inter-operator positioning variability, and (iii) tested if custom training software led to superior reproducibility in new operators compared to experienced operators. Methods To evaluate the operator in vivo measurement precision we compared precision errors calculated in 64 co-registered and non-co-registered scan-rescan images. To quantify operator variability, we developed software that simulates the positioning process of the scanner’s software. Eight experienced operators positioned reference lines on scout view images designed to test intra- and inter-operator reproducibility. Finally, we developed modules for training and evaluation of reference line positioning. We enrolled 6 new operators to participate in a common training, followed by the same reproducibility experiments performed by the experienced group. Results In vivo precision errors were up to three-fold greater (Tt.BMD and Ct.Th) when variability in scan positioning was included. Inter-operator precision errors were significantly greater than short-term intra-operator precision (p<0.001). New trained operators achieved comparable intra-operator reproducibility to experienced operators, and lower inter-operator reproducibility (p<0.001). Precision errors were significantly greater for the radius than for the tibia. Conclusion Operator reference line positioning contributes significantly to in vivo measurement precision and is significantly greater for multi-operator datasets. Inter-operator variability can be significantly reduced using a systematic training platform, now available online (http://webapps.radiology.ucsf.edu/refline/). PMID:27475931

Broadband Laser Ranging for Position Measurements in Shock Physics Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhodes, Michelle; Bennett, Corey; Daykin, Edward; Younk, Patrick; Lalone, Brandon; Kostinski, Natalie

2017-06-01

Broadband laser ranging (BLR) is a recently developed measurement system that provides an attractive option for determining the position of shock-driven surfaces. This system uses broadband, picosecond (or femtosecond) laser pulses and a fiber interferometer to measure relative travel time to a target and to a reference mirror. The difference in travel time produces a delay difference between pulse replicas that creates a spectral beat frequency. The spectral beating is recorded in real time using a dispersive Fourier transform and an oscilloscope. BLR systems have been designed that measure position at 12.5-40 MHz with better than 100 micron accuracy over ranges greater than 10 cm. We will give an overview of the basic operating principles of these systems. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344, by LANL under Contract DE-AC52-06NA25396, and by NSTec Contract DE-AC52-06NA25946.

Dual optical mechanical position tracker

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Everett, S. L., Jr.

1985-06-01

This patent application describes an apparatus for retaining control of moving carriage impact dot matrix print heads when subjected to strong external forces such as shock and/or vibration. Position and direction of carriage movement is provided by a photo emitter-sensor assembly and a slotted timing wheel or disc having a plurality of equally spaced slots whose slot width is equal to the slot separation. The slot width is sufficient to frame a pair of side-by-side emitters which operate in conjunction with a pair of side-by-side sensors on the other side of the timing wheel. The order or sequence in which the sensors receive photo energy from their respective emitters indicates the direction of rotation of the timing wheel while simultaneous reception of photo energy by the side-by-side sensors provides an indication of valid rest position of the carriage drive motor.

Non-Invasive Timing of Gas Gun Projectiles with Light Detection and Ranging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodwin, Peter; Wu, Ming; Dattelbaum, Dana

2013-06-01

We have developed a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) diagnostic to track the position of a projectile inside of the gas gun barrel in real-time. This capability permits the generation of precisely timed trigger pulses useful for pre-triggering high-latency diagnostics such as a flash lamp-pumped laser. An initial feasibility test was performed using a 72 mm bore single-stage gas gun routinely used for dynamic research at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A 655-nm pulsed (~100 ps) diode laser operating at a pulse repetition rate of ~100 kHz was used to interrogate the position of the moving projectile in real-time. The position of the projectile in the gun barrel was tracked over a distance of ~3 meters prior to impact. The position record showed that the projectile moved at a constant velocity (483 m/s) prior to impacting the target. This velocity was in good agreement with independent measurements of the projectile velocity by photon Doppler velocimetry, and timing of the passage of the projectile through optical marker beams positioned at the muzzle of the gun. The LIDAR return can be processed in real-time to generate pre-trigger pulses at preset separations between the projectile and target. Work funded by LANL Laboratory Directed Research Project 2011012DR. LA-UR-13-21121, approved for public release.

Orientation based on nursing diagnoses. Old concepts in today's practice.

PubMed

Anderson, L K; Vincent, N

1991-10-01

Although many operating room orientation programs contain content necessary to meet accrediting guidelines, very few tie the nursing process to the content. Our orientation is structured within a nursing framework (ie, Dr Gordon's "Eleven Functional Health Patterns") and emphasizes nursing diagnoses, theory, and clinical competencies. Although the new orientation program has been in effect for only two years, we feel the following list reflects the positive outcomes so far: decreased staff turnover (ie, one nurse out of 26 full-time equivalents in 18 months), increased success in recruiting nurses into the operating room (ie, multiple applicants as positions open), new nurses demonstrate comfort with basic perioperative nursing practice with-in six months, and nurses who did not complete new orientation program are requesting all or portions of the content. By using this plan, essential aspects of perioperative practice are consistent with hospital-wide nursing practice, practice standards for the operating room, and accrediting standards.

Multi-Spacecraft Autonomous Positioning System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anzalone, Evan

2015-01-01

As the number of spacecraft in simultaneous operation continues to grow, there is an increased dependency on ground-based navigation support. The current baseline system for deep space navigation utilizes Earth-based radiometric tracking, requiring long-duration observations to perform orbit determination and generate a state update. The age, complexity, and high utilization of the ground assets pose a risk to spacecraft navigation performance. In order to perform complex operations at large distances from Earth, such as extraterrestrial landing and proximity operations, autonomous systems are required. With increasingly complex mission operations, the need for frequent and Earth-independent navigation capabilities is further reinforced. The Multi-spacecraft Autonomous Positioning System (MAPS) takes advantage of the growing interspacecraft communication network and infrastructure to allow for Earth-autonomous state measurements to enable network-based space navigation. A notional concept of operations is given in figure 1. This network is already being implemented and routinely used in Martian communications through the use of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey spacecraft as relays for surface assets. The growth of this communications architecture is continued through MAVEN, and future potential commercial Mars telecom orbiters. This growing network provides an initial Marslocal capability for inter-spacecraft communication and navigation. These navigation updates are enabled by cross-communication between assets in the network, coupled with onboard navigation estimation routines to integrate packet travel time to generate ranging measurements. Inter-spacecraft communication allows for frequent state broadcasts and time updates from trusted references. The architecture is a software-based solution, enabling its implementation on a wide variety of current assets, with the operational constraints and measurement accuracy determined by onboard systems.

Optimized positioning of autonomous surgical lamps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teuber, Jörn; Weller, Rene; Kikinis, Ron; Oldhafer, Karl-Jürgen; Lipp, Michael J.; Zachmann, Gabriel

2017-03-01

We consider the problem of finding automatically optimal positions of surgical lamps throughout the whole surgical procedure, where we assume that future lamps could be robotized. We propose a two-tiered optimization technique for the real-time autonomous positioning of those robotized surgical lamps. Typically, finding optimal positions for surgical lamps is a multi-dimensional problem with several, in part conflicting, objectives, such as optimal lighting conditions at every point in time while minimizing the movement of the lamps in order to avoid distractions of the surgeon. Consequently, we use multi-objective optimization (MOO) to find optimal positions in real-time during the entire surgery. Due to the conflicting objectives, there is usually not a single optimal solution for such kinds of problems, but a set of solutions that realizes a Pareto-front. When our algorithm selects a solution from this set it additionally has to consider the individual preferences of the surgeon. This is a highly non-trivial task because the relationship between the solution and the parameters is not obvious. We have developed a novel meta-optimization that considers exactly this challenge. It delivers an easy to understand set of presets for the parameters and allows a balance between the lamp movement and lamp obstruction. This metaoptimization can be pre-computed for different kinds of operations and it then used by our online optimization for the selection of the appropriate Pareto solution. Both optimization approaches use data obtained by a depth camera that captures the surgical site but also the environment around the operating table. We have evaluated our algorithms with data recorded during a real open abdominal surgery. It is available for use for scientific purposes. The results show that our meta-optimization produces viable parameter sets for different parts of an intervention even when trained on a small portion of it.

Navigation system for robot-assisted intra-articular lower-limb fracture surgery.

PubMed

Dagnino, Giulio; Georgilas, Ioannis; Köhler, Paul; Morad, Samir; Atkins, Roger; Dogramadzi, Sanja

2016-10-01

In the surgical treatment for lower-leg intra-articular fractures, the fragments have to be positioned and aligned to reconstruct the fractured bone as precisely as possible, to allow the joint to function correctly again. Standard procedures use 2D radiographs to estimate the desired reduction position of bone fragments. However, optimal correction in a 3D space requires 3D imaging. This paper introduces a new navigation system that uses pre-operative planning based on 3D CT data and intra-operative 3D guidance to virtually reduce lower-limb intra-articular fractures. Physical reduction in the fractures is then performed by our robotic system based on the virtual reduction. 3D models of bone fragments are segmented from CT scan. Fragments are pre-operatively visualized on the screen and virtually manipulated by the surgeon through a dedicated GUI to achieve the virtual reduction in the fracture. Intra-operatively, the actual position of the bone fragments is provided by an optical tracker enabling real-time 3D guidance. The motion commands for the robot connected to the bone fragment are generated, and the fracture physically reduced based on the surgeon's virtual reduction. To test the system, four femur models were fractured to obtain four different distal femur fracture types. Each one of them was subsequently reduced 20 times by a surgeon using our system. The navigation system allowed an orthopaedic surgeon to virtually reduce the fracture with a maximum residual positioning error of [Formula: see text] (translational) and [Formula: see text] (rotational). Correspondent physical reductions resulted in an accuracy of 1.03 ± 0.2 mm and [Formula: see text], when the robot reduced the fracture. Experimental outcome demonstrates the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed navigation system, presenting a fracture reduction accuracy of about 1 mm and [Formula: see text], and meeting the clinical requirements for distal femur fracture reduction procedures.

An extensible, low-cost drifter control unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giudici, Andrea; Torsvik, Tomas; Soomere, Tarmo

2017-04-01

We introduce an extensible, low-cost drifter control unit, which is developed for use with surface drifters that are deployed in inland water bodies or near-coast regions. The control unit is custom-built on top of a small footprint micro controller. It makes use of a GPS receiver for position tracking, a GSM radio for data transmission, and two sensor buses to handle analog and digital data measured by an array of external sensors. A cloud-based data collection platform receives and stores the data transmitted over GPRS from the drifter. The control unit was found to perform satisfactorily in operational testing, providing data at sub-Hz frequency for position and temperature during extended time. Test deployments revealed some issues related to power consumption spikes. Even though the unit is fully functional in the present form and shows, on average, low energy consumption , battery packs with relatively large maximum output power are required to ensure its operation within prolonged periods of time. We expect that a further development of the power supply unit together with a careful de-synchronization scheme of sensors' operation would smooth those peaks without any loss of the quality of recorded information.

Event-synchronized data acquisition system for the SPring-8 linac beam position monitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masuda, T.; Fukui, T.; Tanaka, R.; Taniuchi, T.; Yamashita, A.; Yanagida, K.

2005-05-01

By the summer of 2003, we had completed the installation of a new non-destructive beam position monitor (BPM) system to facilitate beam trajectory and energy correction for the SPring-8 linac. In all, 47 BPM sets were installed on the 1-GeV linac and three beam-transport lines. All of the BPM data acquisition system was required to operate synchronously with the electron beam acceleration cycle. We have developed an event-synchronized data acquisition system for the BPM data readout. We have succeeded in continuously taking all the BPMs data from six VME computers synchronized with the 10 pps operation of the linac to continuously acquire data. For each beam shot, the data points are indexed by event number and stored in a database. Using the real-time features of the Solaris operating system and distributed database technology, we currently have achieved about 99.9% efficiency in capturing and archiving all of the 10 Hz data. The linac BPM data is available for off-line analysis of the beam trajectory, but also for real-time control and automatic correction of the beam trajectory and energy.

Impact of robotic operative efficiency on profitability.

PubMed

Geller, Elizabeth J; Matthews, Catherine A

2013-07-01

We sought to determine the impact of robotic operative efficiency on profitability and assess the impact of secondary variables. Financial data were collected for all robotic cases performed for fiscal years 2010 (FY10) and 2011 (FY11) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and included 9 surgical subspecialties. Profitability was defined as a positive operating income. From July 2009 through June 2011, 1295 robotic cases were performed. Robotic surgery was profitable in both fiscal years, with an operating income of $386,735 in FY10 and $822,996 in FY11. In FY10, urogynecology and pediatric surgery were the only nonprofitable subspecialties. In FY11, all subspecialties were profitable. Profitability was associated with case time, payor mix, and procedure type (all P < .05). Urogynecology case time decreased from 220-179 minutes (P = .012) and pediatric surgery from 418-258 minutes (P = .019). Robotic operative efficiency has a large impact on overall profitability regardless of surgical specialty. Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous Deep-Ocean Operations With Autonomous and Remotely Operated Vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoerger, D. R.; Bowen, A. D.; Bradley, A. M.

2005-12-01

The complimentary capabilities of autonomous and remotely vehicles can be obtained more efficiently if two or more vehicles can be deployed simultaneously from a single vessel. Simultaneous operations make better use of ship time and personnel. However, such operations require specific technical capabilities and careful scheduling. We recently demonstrated several key capabilities on the VISIONS05 cruise to the Juan de Fuca Ridge, where the Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE) and the ROV Jason 2 were operated simultaneously. The cruise featured complex ROV operations ranging from servicing seismic instruments, water sampling, drilling, and installation of in-situ experiments. The AUV provided detailed near-bottom bathymetry of the Endeavour segment while concurrently providing a cable route survey for a primary Canadian Neptune node. To meet these goals, we had to operate both vehicles at the same time. In previous efforts, we have operated ABE in a coordinated fashion with either the submersible Alvin or Jason 2. But the vehicles were either deployed sequentially or they were operated in separate acoustic transponder nets with the restriction that the vessel recover the AUV within a reasonable period after it reached the surface to avoid loss of the AUV. During the VISIONS05 cruise, we operated both vehicles at the same time and demonstrated several key capabilities to make simultaneous operations more efficient. These include the ability of the AUV to anchor to the seafloor after its batteries were expended or if a fault occurred, allowing complex ROV operations to run to completion without the constraint of retrieving the AUV at a specific time. The anchoring system allowed the vehicle to rest near the seafloor on a short mooring in a low power state. The AUV returned to the surface either through an acoustic command from the vessel or when a preassigned time was reached. We also tested an experimental acoustic beacon system that can allow multiple vehicles to determine their position without interfering with each other.

EOS-based cup navigation: Randomised controlled trial in 78 total hip arthroplasties.

PubMed

Verdier, N; Billaud, A; Masquefa, T; Pallaro, J; Fabre, T; Tournier, C

2016-06-01

Minimising the risk of cup implantation outside the safe zone is among the objectives of navigation during total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, given the technical challenges raised by navigation when the patient is lying on the side, many surgeons still use the freehand technique. We conducted a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the new navigation system NAVEOS in the iliac plane, which is easily identified in the lateral decubitus position, with the objective of determining whether NAVEOS navigation decreased the frequency of cup implantation outside the safe zone compared to freehand cup positioning, without increasing the operative time or the frequency of complications. NAVEOS navigation decreases the frequency of cup positioning outside the safe zone compared to freehand positioning. This randomised controlled trial compared cup positioning using NAVEOS navigation versus the freehand technique in patients undergoing primary THA. The safe zone was defined according to Lewinnek as 15±10° of radiological anteversion and 40±10° of radiological inclination. Cup position parameters were measured on computed tomography images obtained 3months after THA. The images were read by two independent observers who were blinded to group assignment. The primary evaluation criterion was cup position within the safe zone. A 1:1 randomisation scheme was used to assign 78 patients (mean age, 68years; age range, 44-91years) to NAVEOS navigation or freehand cup positioning. The two groups were comparable for age, gender distribution, body mass index, and preoperative functional scores. In the NAVEOS group, navigation was discontinued prematurely in 6 patients, because of technical difficulties (n=2) or a marked discrepancy with clinical findings (n=4); however, the intention-to-treat approach was used for the analysis. The proportion of cups in the safe zone was 67% (28/39) in the NAVEOS group and 38% (17/39) in the freehand group (P=0.012). Anteversion was within the 5-25° range for 72% (28/39) cups in the NAVEOS group and 46% (18/39) in the freehand group (P=0.021). Inclination was within the 30-50° range for 95% (37/39) of cups with NAVEOS navigation and 85% (33/39) with freehand positioning (P=0.135). The odds ratio for cup implantation outside the safe zone was significantly lower with NAVEOS compared to freehand positioning (0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.91). Mean operative time was 74 (range, 45-115) minutes with NAVEOS navigation and 70 (range, 40-105) minutes with freehand positioning (P=0.382). Complications consisted of 1 case each of anterior dislocation and infection, both in the freehand group. Compared to freehand positioning, NAVEOS navigation significantly lowered the risk of cup positioning outside the safe zone, chiefly via improved achievement of the anteversion target. NAVEOS was not associated with increases in operative time or morbidity. II, randomised controlled trial with limited statistical power. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Semi-classical approach to transitionless quantum driving: Explicitness and Locality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loewe, Benjamin; Hipolito, Rafael; Goldbart, Paul M.

Berry has shown that, via a reverse engineering strategy, non-adiabatic transitions in time-dependent quantum systems can be stifled through the introduction of a specific auxiliary hamiltonian. This hamiltonian comes, however, expressed as a formal sum of outer products of the original instantaneous eigenstates and their time-derivatives. Generically, how to create such an operator in the laboratory is thus not evident. Furthermore, the operator may be non- local. By following a semi-classical approach, we obtain a recipe that yields the auxiliary hamiltonian explicitly in terms of the fundamental operators of the system (e.g., position and momentum). By using this formalism, we are able to ascertain criteria for the locality of the auxiliary hamiltonian, and also to determine its exact form in certain special cases.

Enhancing orbital servicing operations: Providing positive and effective management of spare and installed hardware - A case study of the Hubble Space Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Randolph, Joseph L.; Shepard, Kenneth E.

1990-01-01

The Satellite Resources Management and Tracking System was developed specifically for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) program, and now, NASA has the ability to immediately access the necessary data for planning successful orbital satellite servicing operations. This system is an online, real-time data base system that contains a plethora of data on each item identified to support the HST throughout its planned 15 year life. Some of the information provided includes the current status, location, quantity, and history of each asset, a separate record for each discrete serial numbered item, procurement lead times on items sensitive to technology obsolescence, and the maintenance and repair history of each asset. Finally, details are provided on organizational, operational and logistics requirements.

Real-time Terrain Relative Navigation Test Results from a Relevant Environment for Mars Landing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Andrew E.; Cheng, Yang; Montgomery, James; Trawny, Nikolas; Tweddle, Brent; Zheng, Jason

2015-01-01

Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN) is an on-board GN&C function that generates a position estimate of a spacecraft relative to a map of a planetary surface. When coupled with a divert, the position estimate enables access to more challenging landing sites through pin-point landing or large hazard avoidance. The Lander Vision System (LVS) is a smart sensor system that performs terrain relative navigation by matching descent camera imagery to a map of the landing site and then fusing this with inertial measurements to obtain high rate map relative position, velocity and attitude estimates. A prototype of the LVS was recently tested in a helicopter field test over Mars analog terrain at altitudes representative of Mars Entry Descent and Landing conditions. TRN ran in real-time on the LVS during the flights without human intervention or tuning. The system was able to compute estimates accurate to 40m (3 sigma) in 10 seconds on a flight like processing system. This paper describes the Mars operational test space definition, how the field test was designed to cover that operational envelope, the resulting TRN performance across the envelope and an assessment of test space coverage.

Cloud Absorption Radiometer Autonomous Navigation System - CANS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kahle, Duncan; Gatebe, Charles; McCune, Bill; Hellwig, Dustan

2013-01-01

CAR (cloud absorption radiometer) acquires spatial reference data from host aircraft navigation systems. This poses various problems during CAR data reduction, including navigation data format, accuracy of position data, accuracy of airframe inertial data, and navigation data rate. Incorporating its own navigation system, which included GPS (Global Positioning System), roll axis inertia and rates, and three axis acceleration, CANS expedites data reduction and increases the accuracy of the CAR end data product. CANS provides a self-contained navigation system for the CAR, using inertial reference and GPS positional information. The intent of the software application was to correct the sensor with respect to aircraft roll in real time based upon inputs from a precision navigation sensor. In addition, the navigation information (including GPS position), attitude data, and sensor position details are all streamed to a remote system for recording and later analysis. CANS comprises a commercially available inertial navigation system with integral GPS capability (Attitude Heading Reference System AHRS) integrated into the CAR support structure and data system. The unit is attached to the bottom of the tripod support structure. The related GPS antenna is located on the P-3 radome immediately above the CAR. The AHRS unit provides a RS-232 data stream containing global position and inertial attitude and velocity data to the CAR, which is recorded concurrently with the CAR data. This independence from aircraft navigation input provides for position and inertial state data that accounts for very small changes in aircraft attitude and position, sensed at the CAR location as opposed to aircraft state sensors typically installed close to the aircraft center of gravity. More accurate positional data enables quicker CAR data reduction with better resolution. The CANS software operates in two modes: initialization/calibration and operational. In the initialization/calibration mode, the software aligns the precision navigation sensors and initializes the communications interfaces with the sensor and the remote computing system. It also monitors the navigation data state for quality and ensures that the system maintains the required fidelity for attitude and positional information. In the operational mode, the software runs at 12.5 Hz and gathers the required navigation/attitude data, computes the required sensor correction values, and then commands the sensor to the required roll correction. In this manner, the sensor will stay very near to vertical at all times, greatly improving the resulting collected data and imagery. CANS greatly improves quality of resulting imagery and data collected. In addition, the software component of the system outputs a concisely formatted, high-speed data stream that can be used for further science data processing. This precision, time-stamped data also can benefit other instruments on the same aircraft platform by providing extra information from the mission flight.

The X-33 range Operations Control Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shy, Karla S.; Norman, Cynthia L.

1998-01-01

This paper describes the capabilities and features of the X-33 Range Operations Center at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. All the unprocessed data will be collected and transmitted over fiber optic lines to the Lockheed Operations Control Center for real-time flight monitoring of the X-33 vehicle. By using the existing capabilities of the Western Aeronautical Test Range, the Range Operations Center will provide the ability to monitor all down-range tracking sites for the Extended Test Range systems. In addition to radar tracking and aircraft telemetry data, the Telemetry and Radar Acquisition and Processing System is being enhanced to acquire vehicle command data, differential Global Positioning System corrections and telemetry receiver signal level status. The Telemetry and Radar Acquisition Processing System provides the flexibility to satisfy all X-33 data processing requirements quickly and efficiently. Additionally, the Telemetry and Radar Acquisition Processing System will run a real-time link margin analysis program. The results of this model will be compared in real-time with actual flight data. The hardware and software concepts presented in this paper describe a method of merging all types of data into a common database for real-time display in the Range Operations Center in support of the X-33 program. All types of data will be processed for real-time analysis and display of the range system status to ensure public safety.

Positive affect improves working memory: implications for controlled cognitive processing.

PubMed

Yang, Hwajin; Yang, Sujin; Isen, Alice M

2013-01-01

This study examined the effects of positive affect on working memory (WM) and short-term memory (STM). Given that WM involves both storage and controlled processing and that STM primarily involves storage processing, we hypothesised that if positive affect facilitates controlled processing, it should improve WM more than STM. The results demonstrated that positive affect, compared with neutral affect, significantly enhanced WM, as measured by the operation span task. The influence of positive affect on STM, however, was weaker. These results suggest that positive affect enhances WM, a task that involves controlled processing, not just storage processing. Additional analyses of recall and processing times and accuracy further suggest that improved WM under positive affect is not attributable to motivational differences, but results instead from improved controlled cognitive processing.

Method for measuring the contour of a machined part

DOEpatents

Bieg, L.F.

1995-05-30

A method is disclosed for measuring the contour of a machined part with a contour gage apparatus, having a probe assembly including a probe tip for providing a measure of linear displacement of the tip on the surface of the part. The contour gage apparatus may be moved into and out of position for measuring the part while the part is still carried on the machining apparatus. Relative positions between the part and the probe tip may be changed, and a scanning operation is performed on the machined part by sweeping the part with the probe tip, whereby data points representing linear positions of the probe tip at prescribed rotation intervals in the position changes between the part and the probe tip are recorded. The method further allows real-time adjustment of the apparatus machining the part, including real-time adjustment of the machining apparatus in response to wear of the tool that occurs during machining. 5 figs.

Real time simulation of computer-assisted sequencing of terminal area operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dear, R. G.

1981-01-01

A simulation was developed to investigate the utilization of computer assisted decision making for the task of sequencing and scheduling aircraft in a high density terminal area. The simulation incorporates a decision methodology termed Constrained Position Shifting. This methodology accounts for aircraft velocity profiles, routes, and weight classes in dynamically sequencing and scheduling arriving aircraft. A sample demonstration of Constrained Position Shifting is presented where six aircraft types (including both light and heavy aircraft) are sequenced to land at Denver's Stapleton International Airport. A graphical display is utilized and Constrained Position Shifting with a maximum shift of four positions (rearward or forward) is compared to first come, first serve with respect to arrival at the runway. The implementation of computer assisted sequencing and scheduling methodologies is investigated. A time based control concept will be required and design considerations for such a system are discussed.

Method for measuring the contour of a machined part

DOEpatents

Bieg, Lothar F.

1995-05-30

A method for measuring the contour of a machined part with a contour gage apparatus, having a probe assembly including a probe tip for providing a measure of linear displacement of the tip on the surface of the part. The contour gage apparatus may be moved into and out of position for measuring the part while the part is still carried on the machining apparatus. Relative positions between the part and the probe tip may be changed, and a scanning operation is performed on the machined part by sweeping the part with the probe tip, whereby data points representing linear positions of the probe tip at prescribed rotation intervals in the position changes between the part and the probe tip are recorded. The method further allows real-time adjustment of the apparatus machining the part, including real-time adjustment of the machining apparatus in response to wear of the tool that occurs during machining.

Extended space expectation values of position related operators for hydrogen-like quantum system evolutions

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

Kalay, Berfin; Demiralp, Metin

2014-10-06

The expectation value definitions over an extended space from the considered Hilbert space of the system under consideration is given in another paper of the second author in this symposium. There, in that paper, the conceptuality rather than specification is emphasized on. This work uses that conceptuality to investigate the time evolutions of the position related operators' expectation values not in its standard meaning but rather in a new version of the definition over not the original Hilbert space but in the space obtained by extensions via introducing the images of the given initial wave packet under the positive integermore » powers of the system Hamiltonian. These images may not be residing in the same space of the initial wave packet when certain singularities appear in the structure of the system Hamiltonian. This may break down the existence of the integrals in the definitions of the expectation values. The cure is the use of basis functions in the abovementioned extended space and the sandwiching of the target operator whose expectation value is under questioning by an appropriately chosen operator guaranteeing the existence of the relevant integrals. Work specifically focuses on the hydrogen-like quantum systems whose Hamiltonians contain a polar singularity at the origin.« less

Vehicle Position Estimation Based on Magnetic Markers: Enhanced Accuracy by Compensation of Time Delays.

PubMed

Byun, Yeun-Sub; Jeong, Rag-Gyo; Kang, Seok-Won

2015-11-13

The real-time recognition of absolute (or relative) position and orientation on a network of roads is a core technology for fully automated or driving-assisted vehicles. This paper presents an empirical investigation of the design, implementation, and evaluation of a self-positioning system based on a magnetic marker reference sensing method for an autonomous vehicle. Specifically, the estimation accuracy of the magnetic sensing ruler (MSR) in the up-to-date estimation of the actual position was successfully enhanced by compensating for time delays in signal processing when detecting the vertical magnetic field (VMF) in an array of signals. In this study, the signal processing scheme was developed to minimize the effects of the distortion of measured signals when estimating the relative positional information based on magnetic signals obtained using the MSR. In other words, the center point in a 2D magnetic field contour plot corresponding to the actual position of magnetic markers was estimated by tracking the errors between pre-defined reference models and measured magnetic signals. The algorithm proposed in this study was validated by experimental measurements using a test vehicle on a pilot network of roads. From the results, the positioning error was found to be less than 0.04 m on average in an operational test.

Vehicle Position Estimation Based on Magnetic Markers: Enhanced Accuracy by Compensation of Time Delays

PubMed Central

Byun, Yeun-Sub; Jeong, Rag-Gyo; Kang, Seok-Won

2015-01-01

The real-time recognition of absolute (or relative) position and orientation on a network of roads is a core technology for fully automated or driving-assisted vehicles. This paper presents an empirical investigation of the design, implementation, and evaluation of a self-positioning system based on a magnetic marker reference sensing method for an autonomous vehicle. Specifically, the estimation accuracy of the magnetic sensing ruler (MSR) in the up-to-date estimation of the actual position was successfully enhanced by compensating for time delays in signal processing when detecting the vertical magnetic field (VMF) in an array of signals. In this study, the signal processing scheme was developed to minimize the effects of the distortion of measured signals when estimating the relative positional information based on magnetic signals obtained using the MSR. In other words, the center point in a 2D magnetic field contour plot corresponding to the actual position of magnetic markers was estimated by tracking the errors between pre-defined reference models and measured magnetic signals. The algorithm proposed in this study was validated by experimental measurements using a test vehicle on a pilot network of roads. From the results, the positioning error was found to be less than 0.04 m on average in an operational test. PMID:26580622

Clinical evaluation of complete solo surgery with the "ViKY®" robotic laparoscope manipulator.

PubMed

Takahashi, Masahiro; Takahashi, Masanori; Nishinari, Naoto; Matsuya, Hideki; Tosha, Tsutomu; Minagawa, Yukihiro; Shimooki, Osamu; Abe, Tadashi

2017-02-01

Advancement in both surgical technique and medical equipment has enabled solo surgery. ViKY ® Endoscope Positioning System (ViKY ® ) is a robotic system that remotely controls an endoscope and provides direct vision control to the surgeon. Here, we report our experience with ViKY ® -assisted solo surgery. We retrospectively examined 25 cases of solo surgery TAPP with ViKY ® . ViKY ® was setup by the surgeon alone, and the setup duration was determined as the time at which the side rail was positioned and that when the endoscope was installed. For assessing the control unit, the number of false movements was counted. We compared the operative results between ViKY ® -assisted solo surgery TAPP and the conventional method with an assistant. The average time to set up ViKY ® was 7.9 min. The average number of commands for ViKY ® during surgery was 98.3, and the average number of errors and no response of control unit was 7.9. The mean duration of surgery was 136 min for the ViKY ® group, including the setup time, and 117 min for the conventional method. No case required an assistant during the operation. There was also no difference between the two groups with regard to postoperative complications and the rate of recurrence. ViKY ® proved reliable in recognizing orders with very few failures, and the operations were performed safely and were comparable to the conventional operations with assistants. Solo surgery with ViKY ® was beneficial in this clinical evaluation.

A new system of computer-assisted navigation leading to reduction in operating time in uncemented total hip replacement in a matched population.

PubMed

Chaudhry, Fouad A; Ismail, Sanaa Z; Davis, Edward T

2018-05-01

Computer-assisted navigation techniques are used to optimise component placement and alignment in total hip replacement. It has developed in the last 10 years but despite its advantages only 0.3% of all total hip replacements in England and Wales are done using computer navigation. One of the reasons for this is that computer-assisted technology increases operative time. A new method of pelvic registration has been developed without the need to register the anterior pelvic plane (BrainLab hip 6.0) which has shown to improve the accuracy of THR. The purpose of this study was to find out if the new method reduces the operating time. This was a retrospective analysis of comparing operating time in computer navigated primary uncemented total hip replacement using two methods of registration. Group 1 included 128 cases that were performed using BrainLab versions 2.1-5.1. This version relied on the acquisition of the anterior pelvic plane for registration. Group 2 included 128 cases that were performed using the newest navigation software, BrainLab hip 6.0 (registration possible with the patient in the lateral decubitus position). The operating time was 65.79 (40-98) minutes using the old method of registration and was 50.87 (33-74) minutes using the new method of registration. This difference was statistically significant. The body mass index (BMI) was comparable in both groups. The study supports the use of new method of registration in improving the operating time in computer navigated primary uncemented total hip replacements.

Single Crystal Diamond Beam Position Monitors with Radiofrequency Electronic Readout

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

Solar, B.; Graafsma, H.; Potdevin, G.

2010-06-23

Over the energy range 5{approx}30 keV a suitably contacted, thin ({approx}100 {mu}m) diamond plate can be operated in situ as a continuous monitor of X-ray beam intensity and position as the diamond absorbs only a small percentage of the incident beam. Single crystal diamond is a completely homogeneous material showing fast (ns), spatially uniform signal response and negligible (

More Time for Teens: Understanding Teen Participation--Frequency, Intensity and Duration--In Boys & Girls Clubs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arbreton, Amy; Bradshaw, Molly; Metz, Rachel; Sheldon, Jessica

2008-01-01

Written midway through a three-year longitudinal evaluation of the role Boys & Girls Clubs play in the lives of the youth they serve, this report explores a topic of continuing interest to program operators and funders: What does it take to involve teens in positive out-of-school-time activities? Drawing on survey data from a low-income,…

The utility of repeat sestamibi scans in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism after an initial negative scan.

PubMed

Krishnamurthy, Vikram D; Sound, Sara; Okoh, Alexis K; Yazici, Pinar; Yigitbas, Hakan; Neumann, Donald; Doshi, Krupa; Berber, Eren

2017-06-01

We analyzed the utility of repeated sestambi scans in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and its effects on operative referral. We carried out a retrospective review of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent repeated sestambi scans exclusively within our health system between 1996-2015. Patient demographic, presentation, laboratory, imaging, operative, and pathologic data were reviewed. Univariate analysis with JMP Pro v12 was used to identify factors associated with conversion from an initial negative to a subsequent positive scan. After exclusion criteria (including reoperations), we identified 49 patients in whom 59% (n = 29) of subsequent scans remained negative and 41% (n = 20) converted to positive. Factors associated with an initial negative to a subsequent positive scan included classic presentation and second scans with iodine subtraction (P = .04). Nonsurgeons were less likely to order an iodine-subtraction scan (P < .05). Fewer patients with negative imaging were referred to surgery (33% vs 100%, P = .005), and median time to operation after the first negative scan was 25 months (range 1.4-119). Surgeon-performed ultrasonography had greater sensitivity and positive predictive value than repeated sestamibi scans. Negative sestambi scans decreased and delayed operative referral. Consequently, we identified several process improvement initiatives, including education regarding superior institutional imaging. Combining all findings, we created an algorithm for evaluating patients with primary hyperparathyroidism after initially negative sestamibi scans, which incorporates surgeon-performed ultrasonography. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Risk management in the operating room in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery; from the nursing point of view].

PubMed

Nakano, Yaemi

2008-08-01

The primary risk management, on the side of a nurse, in the operating room includes prevention of misidentificatin of both the patient and the site of operation. Leaving of a foreign body in the patient, falling of the patient from the operating table, incidence of deep venous thrombosis and mismatch of blood transfusion should also be prevented with utmost care. The long operating time in cardiovascular surgery and the lateral position of the patient on the operating table in chest or esophageal surgery require additional risk management. Risks of pressure sore as well as nervous injury can be prevented by fixing the patient securely with soft pads to maintain comfortable posture. Above all, careful watching of the patient's condition is most important.

Test and Evaluation Report of the Physio Control Blood Pressure Monitor Model LIFESTAT (Trademark) 200

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Orders will be expedited if placed through the librarian or other person designated to request documents from DTIC. Change...of the Army position, policy, or decision, unless so designated by other official documentation. Citation of trade names in this report does not...equipment will function as designed through- out the rated battery operation time. 1.1.4 To ensure the safety of the operator, the patient, and the aircrew

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection: initial experience at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

PubMed

Guru, Khurshid A; Kim, Hyung L; Piacente, Pamela M; Mohler, James L

2007-03-01

One series of robot-assisted radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection has been reported. We report our operative technique and initial experience. Twenty consecutive patients underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and open urinary diversion for operable bladder cancer from October 2005 to June 2006. Data were collected prospectively on patient demographics, intraoperative parameters, pathologic staging, and postoperative outcomes. The mean patient age was 70 years (range 56 to 90). The mean body mass index was 26 kg/m2 (range 17.3 to 36). Fourteen patients had undergone previous abdominal surgery. The mean operative time was 197 minutes for robot-assisted radical cystectomy, 44 minutes for pelvic lymph node dissection, and 133 minutes for urinary diversion. The mean blood loss was 555 mL. One case was converted to an open procedure because of the patient's inability to tolerate the Trendelenburg position. The mean hospital stay was 10 days. Two patients had major complications. One patient had positive vaginal margins and 9 of 26 nodes were positive. Four patients had incidental prostate cancer. The mean time to the return to nonstrenuous activity was 4 weeks and to strenuous activity was 10 weeks. Robot-assisted radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection can be performed safely in patients who are considered candidates for open cystectomy. Long-term oncologic control data and functional outcomes are needed to assess the true benefits of robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

Predictive value of ultrasound assessed fetal head position in primiparous women with prolonged first stage of labor.

PubMed

Torkildsen, Erik A; Salvesen, Kjell Å; VON Brandis, Philip; Eggebø, Torbjørn M

2012-11-01

To examine how well ultrasound-assessed occipitoposterior (OP) position or high sagittal (HS) position in primiparous women with a prolonged first stage of labor predicts a vaginal delivery and the duration of labor. Prospective observational study. Stavanger University Hospital, a secondary referral center in Norway. 105 primiparous women with prolonged first stage of labor. Ultrasound assessment of fetal head position. Main outcome measures. Vaginal delivery vs. cesarean section and duration of labor. Twenty-five fetuses (24%) were delivered with cesarean section (CS), 45 (43%) had an operative vaginal delivery and 35 (33%) delivered spontaneously. Eleven (27%) of 41 fetuses in OP position at the time of inclusion were born in OP position. Ten (24%) of the 41 fetuses in OP position at inclusion were delivered with CS compared with 15/64 (23%) fetuses in other positions (p= 0.91). Twenty-eight fetuses were in sagittal position and 12 in HS position, assessed with ultrasound at the time of diagnosed prolonged labor. Seven (58%) of 12 in HS position delivered vaginally and five (42%) had a CS (p= 0.89). Time from inclusion to labor was not significant longer either for fetuses in OP compared with non-OP positions or for fetuses in HS compared with non-HS positions. Most fetuses in OP or HS positions in the first stage of labor will rotate spontaneously and have a high probability of being delivered vaginally. © 2012 The Authors Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica© 2012 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Early rehabilitation after elective total knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Lisi, Claudio; Caspani, Patrick; Bruggi, Marco; Carlisi, Ettore; Scolè, Donatella; Benazzo, Francesco; Dalla Toffola, Elena

2017-10-18

Outcomes after TKA surgery are supposed to be related to the intensity and type of post-operative rehabilitation. Aim of this paper is to describe our early rehabilitation protocol following TKA with mini-invasive surgery in the immediate post-operative period and analyze functional recovery and changes in pain scores in these patients. in this observational study, data were collected on 215 total knee arthroplasty patients referred to Orthopedics and Traumatology inpatient ward from July 2012 to January 2014, treated with the same early start rehabilitation protocol. We recorded times to reach functional goals (sitting, standing and assisted ambulation) and pain after the treatment. length of hospital stay in TKA was 4.6±1.8 days, with a rehabilitation treatment lenght of 3.3±1.3 days. The mean time needed to achieve the sitting position was 2.3±0.7 days, to reach the standing position was 2.6±1.0 days to reach the walking functional goal was 2.9±1.0 days.  Pain NRS scores remained below 4 in the first and second post-operative day and below 3 from the third post-operative day. Our study confirms that rehabilitation started as soon as 24 hours after surgery with mini-invasive approach, enables early verticalization of patients and early recovery of walking with a good control of pain.

Assistive Device for Efficient Intravitreal Injections.

PubMed

Ullrich, Franziska; Michels, Stephan; Lehmann, Daniel; Pieters, Roel S; Becker, Matthias; Nelson, Bradley J

2016-08-01

Intravitreal therapy is the most common treatment for many chronic ophthalmic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration. Due to the increasing worldwide demand for intravitreal injections, there exists a need to render this medical procedure more time- and cost-efficient while increasing patient safety. The authors propose a medical assistive device that injects medication intravitreally. Compared to the manual intravitreal injection procedure, an automated device has the potential to increase safety for patients, decrease procedure times, allow for integrated data storage and documentation, and reduce costs for medical staff and expensive operating rooms. This work demonstrates the development of an assistive injection system that is coarsely positioned over the patient's head by the human operator, followed by automatic fine positioning and intravitreal injection through the pars plana. Several safety features, such as continuous eye tracking and iris recognition, have been implemented. The functioning system is demonstrated through ex vivo experiments with porcine eyes. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:752-762.]. Copyright 2016, SLACK Incorporated.

Perioperative and acute care outcomes in morbidly obese patients with acetabular fractures at a Level 1 trauma center

PubMed Central

Vincent, Heather K.; Haupt, Edward; Tang, Sonya; Egwuatu, Adaeze; Vlasak, Richard; Horodyski, MaryBeth; Carden, Donna; Sadisivan, Kalia K.

2014-01-01

Background Controversy exists regarding obesity-related injury severity and clinical outcomes after orthopedic trauma. Purpose The purposes of this study were to expand our understanding of the effect of morbid obesity on perioperative and acute care outcomes after acetabular fracture. Methods This was a retrospective review of patients with acetabular fracture after trauma. Non-morbidly obese (BMI < 35 kg/m2) and morbidly obese (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2; N = 81). Injury severity scores and Glasgow Coma Scale scores (GCS) were collected. Perioperative and acute care outcomes were positioning and operative time, extra fractures, estimated blood loss, complications, hospital charges, ventilator days, transfusions, length of stay (LOS) and discharge destination. Positioning and operative times were longer in morbidly obese patients (p < 0.05). No other differences existed between groups. Conclusions Orthopedic trauma surgeons and care teams can expect similar acute care outcomes in morbidly obese and non-morbidly obese patients with acetabular fracture. PMID:25104886

Modular Software for Spacecraft Navigation Using the Global Positioning System (GPS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Truong, S. H.; Hartman, K. R.; Weidow, D. A.; Berry, D. L.; Oza, D. H.; Long, A. C.; Joyce, E.; Steger, W. L.

1996-01-01

The Goddard Space Flight Center Flight Dynamics and Mission Operations Divisions have jointly investigated the feasibility of engineering modular Global Positioning SYSTEM (GPS) navigation software to support both real time flight and ground postprocessing configurations. The goals of this effort are to define standard GPS data interfaces and to engineer standard, reusable navigation software components that can be used to build a broad range of GPS navigation support applications. The paper discusses the GPS modular software (GMOD) system and operations concepts, major requirements, candidate software architecture, feasibility assessment and recommended software interface standards. In additon, ongoing efforts to broaden the scope of the initial study and to develop modular software to support autonomous navigation using GPS are addressed,

Third Quantization and Quantum Universes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sang Pyo

2014-01-01

We study the third quantization of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmology with N-minimal massless fields. The third quantized Hamiltonian for the Wheeler-DeWitt equation in the minisuperspace consists of infinite number of intrinsic time-dependent, decoupled oscillators. The Hamiltonian has a pair of invariant operators for each universe with conserved momenta of the fields that play a role of the annihilation and the creation operators and that construct various quantum states for the universe. The closed universe exhibits an interesting feature of transitions from stable states to tachyonic states depending on the conserved momenta of the fields. In the classical forbidden unstable regime, the quantum states have googolplex growing position and conjugate momentum dispersions, which defy any measurements of the position of the universe.

Welfare effects of reduced milk production associated with Johne's disease on Johne's-positive versus Johne's-negative dairy operations.

PubMed

Losinger, Willard C

2006-08-01

An examination of the economic impacts of reduced milk production associated with Johne's disease on Johne's-positive and Johne's-negative dairy operations indicated that, if Johne's disease had not existed in US dairy cows in 1996, then the economic surplus of Johne's-negative operations would have been $600 million+/-$530 million lower, while the economic surplus of Johne's-positive operations would have been higher by $28 million+/-$79 million, which was not significantly different from zero. The data available for projecting changes in surplus were not sufficiently precise to allow an exact statement on whether Johne's-positive operations would have been better or worse off economically, in terms of the value received for producing more milk if they had not been affected by Johne's disease. The changes in producer surplus, based upon eliminating specific epidemiological risk factors for Johne's disease, were disaggregated between Johne's-positive dairy operations exposed to the risk factor and all other US dairy operations. Eliminating the risk factor of having any cows not born on the operation would have had a significant positive effect on the economic surplus of Johne's-positive operations that had any cows not born on the operation.

Transoral robotic surgery for the base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma: a preliminary comparison between da Vinci Xi and Si.

PubMed

Alessandrini, Marco; Pavone, Isabella; Micarelli, Alessandro; Caporale, Claudio

2017-09-13

Considering the emerging advantages related to da Vinci Xi robotic platform, the aim of this study is to compare for the first time the operative outcomes of this tool to the previous da Vinci Si during transoral robotic surgery (TORS), both performed for squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the base of tongue (BOT). Intra- and peri-operative outcomes of eight patients with early stage (T1-T2) of the BOT carcinoma and undergoing TORS by means of the da Vinci Xi robotic platform (Xi-TORS) are compared with the da Vinci Si group ones (Si-TORS). With respect to Si-TORS group, Xi-TORS group demonstrated a significantly shorter overall operative time, console time, and intraoperative blood loss, as well as peri-operative pain intensity and length of mean hospital stays and nasogastric tube positioning. Considering recent advantages offered by surgical robotic techniques, the da Vinci Xi Surgical System preliminary outcomes could suggest its possible future routine implementation in BOT squamous cell carcinoma procedures.

Networked Special Operations: Addressing Transnational Threats, Homeland Defense, and Breached Seams in the Western Hemisphere

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-04-20

the time and effort placed forward by both Dr. Greg Miller and Mr. Michael Bennett as part of the research thesis team and as advisors on this...defensive units are comprised of various individual positions. Linebackers, safeties, defensive lineman, corners, etc. Each player excels at his...position, trains to very specific guidelines based on his unique skill sets, and uses mentors that give the player the best guidance in becoming the best

A quantum network of clocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kómár, P.; Kessler, E. M.; Bishof, M.; Jiang, L.; Sørensen, A. S.; Ye, J.; Lukin, M. D.

2014-08-01

The development of precise atomic clocks plays an increasingly important role in modern society. Shared timing information constitutes a key resource for navigation with a direct correspondence between timing accuracy and precision in applications such as the Global Positioning System. By combining precision metrology and quantum networks, we propose a quantum, cooperative protocol for operating a network of geographically remote optical atomic clocks. Using nonlocal entangled states, we demonstrate an optimal utilization of global resources, and show that such a network can be operated near the fundamental precision limit set by quantum theory. Furthermore, the internal structure of the network, combined with quantum communication techniques, guarantees security both from internal and external threats. Realization of such a global quantum network of clocks may allow construction of a real-time single international time scale (world clock) with unprecedented stability and accuracy.

ISS Operations Cost Reductions Through Automation of Real-Time Planning Tasks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Timothy A.

2011-01-01

In 2008 the Johnson Space Center s Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) management team challenged their organization to find ways to reduce the costs of International Space station (ISS) console operations in the Mission Control Center (MCC). Each MOD organization was asked to identify projects that would help them attain a goal of a 30% reduction in operating costs by 2012. The MOD Operations and Planning organization responded to this challenge by launching several software automation projects that would allow them to greatly improve ISS console operations and reduce staffing and operating costs. These projects to date have allowed the MOD Operations organization to remove one full time (7 x 24 x 365) ISS console position in 2010; with the plan of eliminating two full time ISS console support positions by 2012. This will account for an overall 10 EP reduction in staffing for the Operations and Planning organization. These automation projects focused on utilizing software to automate many administrative and often repetitive tasks involved with processing ISS planning and daily operations information. This information was exchanged between the ground flight control teams in Houston and around the globe, as well as with the ISS astronaut crew. These tasks ranged from managing mission plan changes from around the globe, to uploading and downloading information to and from the ISS crew, to even more complex tasks that required multiple decision points to process the data, track approvals and deliver it to the correct recipient across network and security boundaries. The software solutions leveraged several different technologies including customized web applications and implementation of industry standard web services architecture between several planning tools; as well as a engaging a previously research level technology (TRL 2-3) developed by Ames Research Center (ARC) that utilized an intelligent agent based system to manage and automate file traffic flow, archiving f data, and generating console logs. This technology called OCAMS (OCA (Orbital Communication System) Management System), is now considered TRL level 9 and is in daily use in the Mission Control Center in support of ISS operations. These solutions have not only allowed for improved efficiency on console; but since many of the previously manual data transfers are now automated, many of the human error prone steps have been removed, and the quality of the planning products has improved tremendously. This has also allowed our Planning Flight Controllers more time to focus on the abstract areas of the job, (like the complexities of planning a mission for 6 international crew members with a global planning team), instead of being burdened with the administrative tasks that took significant time each console shift to process. The resulting automation solutions have allowed the Operations and Planning organization to realize significant cost savings for the ISS program through 2020 and many of these solutions could be a viable

A Prospective Analysis on Functional Outcomes Following Extended Latissimus Dorsi Flap Breast Reconstruction.

PubMed

Eyjolfsdottir, H; Haraldsdottir, B; Ragnarsdottir, M; Asgeirsson, K S

2017-06-01

To prospectively assess the functional effect of using the extended latissimus dorsi flap in immediate breast reconstructions. A total of 15 consecutive patients undergoing breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap participated. Shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, lateral flexion of the torso, and position of scapula were measured pre-operatively and 1, 6, and 12 months post-operatively, in addition to donor-site post-operative complications. At 12 months post-operatively, patients had achieved full range of shoulder movement, when compared to pre-operative values. Lateral flexion of the torso was, however, significantly reduced bilaterally at 1 and 6 months post-operatively (p = 0.001, p = 0.01) and to the not operated side at 12 months (p = 0.01). Muscle strength in flexion-extension-internal rotation was significantly (p = 0.01) reduced on the operated side 12 months post-operatively. All but one patient had numbness around the donor-site scar 12 months post-operatively, 33% had slight adhesions but all were pain free. Although invariably, patients having extended latissimus dorsi flap may expect to achieve full range of shoulder movement, they should be informed of possible functional consequences and the time and effort it takes to recover. Further research is needed to investigate the potential long-term functional implications that extended latissimus dorsi flap may have as a result of changes in the lateral flexion of the torso and scapula position.

Dynamically Timed Electric Motor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Casper, Ann M. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

A brushless DC motor including a housing having an end cap secured thereto. The housing encloses a rotor. a stator and a rotationally displaceable commutation board having sensors secured thereon and spaced around the periphery of the rotor. An external rotational force is applied to the commutation board for displacement of the sensors to various positions whereby varying feedback signals are generated by the positioning of the sensors relative to the rotating rotor. The commutation board is secured in a fixed position in response to feedback signals indicative of optimum sensor position being determined. The rotation of the commutation board and the securing of the sensors in the desired fixed position is accomplished without requiring the removal of the end cap and with the DC motor operating.

Development of an accurate transmission line fault locator using the global positioning system satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Harry

1994-01-01

A highly accurate transmission line fault locator based on the traveling-wave principle was developed and successfully operated within B.C. Hydro. A transmission line fault produces a fast-risetime traveling wave at the fault point which propagates along the transmission line. This fault locator system consists of traveling wave detectors located at key substations which detect and time tag the leading edge of the fault-generated traveling wave as if passes through. A master station gathers the time-tagged information from the remote detectors and determines the location of the fault. Precise time is a key element to the success of this system. This fault locator system derives its timing from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. System tests confirmed the accuracy of locating faults to within the design objective of +/-300 meters.

Operator assistant to support deep space network link monitor and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Lynne P.; Desai, Rajiv; Martinez, Elmain

1992-01-01

Preparing the Deep Space Network (DSN) stations to support spacecraft missions (referred to as pre-cal, for pre-calibration) is currently an operator and time intensive activity. Operators are responsible for sending and monitoring several hundred operator directivities, messages, and warnings. Operator directives are used to configure and calibrate the various subsystems (antenna, receiver, etc.) necessary to establish a spacecraft link. Messages and warnings are issued by the subsystems upon completion of an operation, changes of status, or an anomalous condition. Some points of pre-cal are logically parallel. Significant time savings could be realized if the existing Link Monitor and Control system (LMC) could support the operator in exploiting the parallelism inherent in pre-cal activities. Currently, operators may work on the individual subsystems in parallel, however, the burden of monitoring these parallel operations resides solely with the operator. Messages, warnings, and directives are all presented as they are received; without being correlated to the event that triggered them. Pre-cal is essentially an overhead activity. During pre-cal, no mission is supported, and no other activity can be performed using the equipment in the link. Therefore, it is highly desirable to reduce pre-cal time as much as possible. One approach to do this, as well as to increase efficiency and reduce errors, is the LMC Operator Assistant (OA). The LMC OA prototype demonstrates an architecture which can be used in concert with the existing LMC to exploit parallelism in pre-cal operations while providing the operators with a true monitoring capability, situational awareness and positive control. This paper presents an overview of the LMC OA architecture and the results from initial prototyping and test activities.

13. Operational planning for a specific intervention.

PubMed

2014-05-01

Every intervention must follow an operational plan. Operational plans delineate actions required to meet an objective that is part of the strategic plan (overarching goal). Operational plans dictate the critical pathways for the interventions that will be followed during and following the implementation of the intervention. Operational plans include: (1) an introduction and brief situation report; (2) an overview of the task(s), objectives, and the overarching goal to be addressed; (3) the methods that will be employed; (4) planning factors; (5) the resources that will be required including personnel, equipment, and supplies; (6) timelines, benchmarks, and milestones including their respective indicators, startup time, end point, and estimates of the time required for completion; (7) the administrative structure to be employed; (8) an operating budget; (9) the strategy for acquiring the funding required; (10) roles and responsibilities of the personnel including position descriptions and the competencies required of the personnel (skill sets); (11) mechanisms for monitoring the progress including the indicators that will be employed, (12) safety, including health of the personnel, required immunisations, accommodations, and reporting structure; (13) self-sufficiency; and (14) reporting and accounting. There are many generic items in an operational plan that can be used in successive plans. Without a detailed operational plan, interventions are doomed to probable failure and can profoundly negatively impact other projects operational in the area.

The increase in the starting torque of PMSM motor by applying of FOC method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plachta, Kamil

2017-05-01

The article presents field oriented control method of synchronous permanent magnet motor equipped in optical sensors. This method allows for a wide range regulation of torque and rotational speed of the electric motor. The paper presents mathematical model of electric motor and vector control method. Optical sensors have shorter time response as compared to the inductive sensors, which allow for faster response of the electronic control system to changes of motor loads. The motor driver is based on the digital signal processor which performs advanced mathematical operations in real time. The appliance of Clark and Park transformation in the software defines the angle of rotor position. The presented solution provides smooth adjustment of the rotational speed in the first operating zone and reduces the dead zone of the torque in the second and third operating zones.

Low-Impact Mating System for Docking Spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewis, James L.; Robertson, Brandan; Carroll, Monty B.; Le, Thang; Morales, Ray

2008-01-01

A document describes a low-impact mating system suitable for both docking (mating of two free-flying spacecraft) and berthing (in which a robot arm in one spacecraft positions an object for mating with either spacecraft). The low-impact mating system is fully androgynous: it mates with a copy of itself, i.e., all spacecraft and other objects to be mated are to be equipped with identical copies of the system. This aspect of the design helps to minimize the number of unique parts and to standardize and facilitate mating operations. The system includes a closed-loop feedback control subsystem that actively accommodates misalignments between mating spacecraft, thereby attenuating spacecraft dynamics and mitigating the need for precise advance positioning of the spacecraft. The operational characteristics of the mating system can be easily configured in software, during operation, to enable mating of spacecraft having various masses, center-of-gravity offsets, and closing velocities. The system design provides multi-fault tolerance for critical operations: for example, to ensure unmating at a critical time, a redundant unlatching mechanism and two independent pyrotechnic release subsystems are included.

Do Electrochemiluminescence Assays Improve Prediction of Time to Type 1 Diabetes in Autoantibody-Positive TrialNet Subjects?

PubMed Central

Fouts, Alexandra; Pyle, Laura; Yu, Liping; Miao, Dongmei; Michels, Aaron; Krischer, Jeffrey; Sosenko, Jay; Gottlieb, Peter

2016-01-01

OBJECTIVE To explore whether electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assays can help improve prediction of time to type 1 diabetes in the TrialNet autoantibody-positive population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS TrialNet subjects who were positive for one or more autoantibodies (microinsulin autoantibody, GAD65 autoantibody [GADA], IA-2A, and ZnT8A) with available ECL-insulin autoantibody (IAA) and ECL-GADA data at their initial visit were analyzed; after a median follow-up of 24 months, 177 of these 1,287 subjects developed diabetes. RESULTS Univariate analyses showed that autoantibodies by radioimmunoassays (RIAs), ECL-IAA, ECL-GADA, age, sex, number of positive autoantibodies, presence of HLA DR3/4-DQ8 genotype, HbA1c, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) measurements were all significantly associated with progression to diabetes. Subjects who were ECL positive had a risk of progression to diabetes within 6 years of 58% compared with 5% for the ECL-negative subjects (P < 0.0001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were compared, with the base model including age, sex, OGTT measurements, and number of positive autoantibodies by RIAs. The model with positivity for ECL-GADA and/or ECL-IAA was the best, and factors that remained significantly associated with time to diabetes were area under the curve (AUC) C-peptide, fasting C-peptide, AUC glucose, number of positive autoantibodies by RIAs, and ECL positivity. Adding ECL to the Diabetes Prevention Trial risk score (DPTRS) improved the receiver operating characteristic curves with AUC of 0.83 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS ECL assays improved the ability to predict time to diabetes in these autoantibody-positive relatives at risk for developing diabetes. These findings might be helpful in the design and eligibility criteria for prevention trials in the future. PMID:27456836

Do Electrochemiluminescence Assays Improve Prediction of Time to Type 1 Diabetes in Autoantibody-Positive TrialNet Subjects?

PubMed

Fouts, Alexandra; Pyle, Laura; Yu, Liping; Miao, Dongmei; Michels, Aaron; Krischer, Jeffrey; Sosenko, Jay; Gottlieb, Peter; Steck, Andrea K

2016-10-01

To explore whether electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assays can help improve prediction of time to type 1 diabetes in the TrialNet autoantibody-positive population. TrialNet subjects who were positive for one or more autoantibodies (microinsulin autoantibody, GAD65 autoantibody [GADA], IA-2A, and ZnT8A) with available ECL-insulin autoantibody (IAA) and ECL-GADA data at their initial visit were analyzed; after a median follow-up of 24 months, 177 of these 1,287 subjects developed diabetes. Univariate analyses showed that autoantibodies by radioimmunoassays (RIAs), ECL-IAA, ECL-GADA, age, sex, number of positive autoantibodies, presence of HLA DR3/4-DQ8 genotype, HbA1c, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) measurements were all significantly associated with progression to diabetes. Subjects who were ECL positive had a risk of progression to diabetes within 6 years of 58% compared with 5% for the ECL-negative subjects (P < 0.0001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were compared, with the base model including age, sex, OGTT measurements, and number of positive autoantibodies by RIAs. The model with positivity for ECL-GADA and/or ECL-IAA was the best, and factors that remained significantly associated with time to diabetes were area under the curve (AUC) C-peptide, fasting C-peptide, AUC glucose, number of positive autoantibodies by RIAs, and ECL positivity. Adding ECL to the Diabetes Prevention Trial risk score (DPTRS) improved the receiver operating characteristic curves with AUC of 0.83 (P < 0.0001). ECL assays improved the ability to predict time to diabetes in these autoantibody-positive relatives at risk for developing diabetes. These findings might be helpful in the design and eligibility criteria for prevention trials in the future. © 2016 by the American Diabetes Association.

Backward semi-linear parabolic equations with time-dependent coefficients and local Lipschitz source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nho Hào, Dinh; Van Duc, Nguyen; Van Thang, Nguyen

2018-05-01

Let H be a Hilbert space with the inner product and the norm , a positive self-adjoint unbounded time-dependent operator on H and . We establish stability estimates of Hölder type and propose a regularization method with error estimates of Hölder type for the ill-posed backward semi-linear parabolic equation with the source function f satisfying a local Lipschitz condition.

Personal communications: An extension to the mobile satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Epstein, Murray; Draper, Francois

1990-01-01

As time progresses, customer demands become far more universal, involving integrated, simple to operate, cost effective services, with technology virtually transparent to the operator. Industry will be in a position of providing the necessary services to meet the subscribers' needs. Our resource based industries, transportation services, and utilities in the more rural and unserviced areas will require quality and affordable services that can only be supplied via satellite. One answer to these needs will be one- and two-way interoperable data messaging.

Internal combustion engine with rotary valve assembly having variable intake valve timing

DOEpatents

Hansen, Craig N.; Cross, Paul C.

1995-01-01

An internal combustion engine has rotary valves associated with movable shutters operable to vary the closing of intake air/fuel port sections to obtain peak volumetric efficiency over the entire range of speed of the engine. The shutters are moved automatically by a control mechanism that is responsive to the RPM of the engine. A foot-operated lever associated with the control mechanism is also used to move the shutters between their open and closed positions.

78 FR 21064 - Drawbridge Operation Regulations; York River, between Yorktown and Gloucester Point, VA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-09

...The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the draw of the US 17/George P. Coleman Memorial Swing Bridge across the York River, at mile 7.0, between Gloucester Point and Yorktown, VA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate maintenance on the George P. Coleman Memorial Swing Bridge. This temporary deviation allows the drawbridge to remain in the closed- to-navigation position on specific dates and times.

Real option valuation of a decremental regulation service provided by electricity storage.

PubMed

Szabó, Dávid Zoltán; Martyr, Randall

2017-08-13

This paper is a quantitative study of a reserve contract for real-time balancing of a power system. Under this contract, the owner of a storage device, such as a battery, helps smooth fluctuations in electricity demand and supply by using the device to increase electricity consumption. The battery owner must be able to provide immediate physical cover, and should therefore have sufficient storage available in the battery before entering the contract. Accordingly, the following problem can be formulated for the battery owner: determine the optimal time to enter the contract and, if necessary, the optimal time to discharge electricity before entering the contract. This problem is formulated as one of optimal stopping, and is solved explicitly in terms of the model parameters and instantaneous values of the power system imbalance. The optimal operational strategies thus obtained ensure that the battery owner has positive expected economic profit from the contract. Furthermore, they provide explicit conditions under which the optimal discharge time is consistent with the overall objective of power system balancing. This paper also carries out a preliminary investigation of the 'lifetime value' aggregated from an infinite sequence of these balancing reserve contracts. This lifetime value, which can be viewed as a single project valuation of the battery, is shown to be positive and bounded. Therefore, in the long run such reserve contracts can be beneficial to commercial operators of electricity storage, while reducing some of the financial and operational risks in power system balancing.This article is part of the themed issue 'Energy management: flexibility, risk and optimization'. © 2017 The Author(s).

Job stress, unwinding and drinking in transit operators.

PubMed

Delaney, William P; Grube, Joel W; Greiner, Birgit; Fisher, June M; Ragland, David R

2002-07-01

This study tests the spillover model of the effects of work stress on after-work drinking, using the variable "length of time to unwind" as a mediator. A total of 1,974 transit operators were contacted and 1,553 (79%) of them participated in a personal interview. Complete data on the variables in this analysis were available for 1,208 respondents (84% men). Using latent variable structural equation modeling, a model was tested that predicted that daily job problems, skipped meals and less social support from supervisor would increase alcohol consumption through the mediator, length of time to unwind and relax after work. Increased alcohol consumption was, in turn, hypothesized to increase drinking problems. As predicted, skipped meals and daily job problems increased length of time to unwind and had an indirect positive relationship with overall drinking, even when controlling for drinking norms and demographic variables. Overall drinking was positively associated with drinking problems. Supervisor support at work, however, did not significantly influence length of time to unwind. Difficulty unwinding (longer time to unwind) did not have direct effects on drinking problems; however, indirect effects through overall drinking were observed. These results provide preliminary support for the mediating role of length of time to unwind and relax after work in a spillover model of the stress-drinking relationship. This research introduces a new mediator and empirical links between job problems, length of time to unwind, drinking and drinking problems, which ground more substantively the domains of work stress and alcohol consumption.

Video-guided calibration of an augmented reality mobile C-arm.

PubMed

Chen, Xin; Naik, Hemal; Wang, Lejing; Navab, Nassir; Fallavollita, Pascal

2014-11-01

The augmented reality (AR) fluoroscope augments an X-ray image by video and provides the surgeon with a real-time in situ overlay of the anatomy. The overlay alignment is crucial for diagnostic and intra-operative guidance, so precise calibration of the AR fluoroscope is required. The first and most complex step of the calibration procedure is the determination of the X-ray source position. Currently, this is achieved using a biplane phantom with movable metallic rings on its top layer and fixed X-ray opaque markers on its bottom layer. The metallic rings must be moved to positions where at least two pairs of rings and markers are isocentric in the X-ray image. The current "trial and error" calibration process currently requires acquisition of many X-ray images, a task that is both time consuming and radiation intensive. An improved process was developed and tested for C-arm calibration. Video guidance was used to drive the calibration procedure to minimize both X-ray exposure and the time involved. For this, a homography between X-ray and video images is estimated. This homography is valid for the plane at which the metallic rings are positioned and is employed to guide the calibration procedure. Eight users having varying calibration experience (i.e., 2 experts, 2 semi-experts, 4 novices) were asked to participate in the evaluation. The video-guided technique reduced the number of intra-operative X-ray calibration images by 89% and decreased the total time required by 59%. A video-based C-arm calibration method has been developed that improves the usability of the AR fluoroscope with a friendlier interface, reduced calibration time and clinically acceptable radiation doses.

One-shot dilation in modified supine position for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: experience from over 300 cases.

PubMed

El Harrech, Youness; Abakka, Najib; El Anzaoui, Jihad; Goundale, Omar; Touiti, Driss

2014-07-08

To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of one-shot dilation (OSD) in modified supine position percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). A total of 320 PCNL in a total of 291 patients were performed between October 2008 and July 2011. There were no specific exclusion criteria. Patients with kidney anomalies or solitary kidney, with history of renal surgery or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), those with staghorn calculi or needing more than one access, were eligible for inclusion. Data collected included patient demographics and stone characteristics, access time, radiation exposure, total operating time, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin concentrations, tract dilatation failures, complications and transfusions. Mean stone size was 38 mm (16-110 mm). The mean time access was 2.1 min (range 0.7-6.2 min). Tract dilatation fluoroscopy time was 25 ± 17 sec. The targeted calix could be entered with a success rate of 97.81%. The mean hemoglobin decrease was -1.17 g/dL ± 0.84. There were no visceral, pleural, collecting systems or vascular injuries. Major complications included, transfusion in 4 (1.25%) patients, pseudoaneurysm with persistent bleeding necessitating nephrectomy in 1 (0.3%) patient and two deaths (0.62%) after surgery. There was no significant difference in successful access and complications between patients with and without previous open surgery and in those with or without staghorn stones (P > .05). The use of one shot and modified supine position combines the advantages of these both methods including less radiation exposure and shorter access and operative time. The one shot dilation is safe, easy to learn, cost effective and offers a potential alternative to the standard devices particularly in developing countries.

The GFZ real-time GNSS precise positioning service system and its adaption for COMPASS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xingxing; Ge, Maorong; Zhang, Hongping; Nischan, Thomas; Wickert, Jens

2013-03-01

Motivated by the IGS real-time Pilot Project, GFZ has been developing its own real-time precise positioning service for various applications. An operational system at GFZ is now broadcasting real-time orbits, clocks, global ionospheric model, uncalibrated phase delays and regional atmospheric corrections for standard PPP, PPP with ambiguity fixing, single-frequency PPP and regional augmented PPP. To avoid developing various algorithms for different applications, we proposed a uniform algorithm and implemented it into our real-time software. In the new processing scheme, we employed un-differenced raw observations with atmospheric delays as parameters, which are properly constrained by real-time derived global ionospheric model or regional atmospheric corrections and by the empirical characteristics of the atmospheric delay variation in time and space. The positioning performance in terms of convergence time and ambiguity fixing depends mainly on the quality of the received atmospheric information and the spatial and temporal constraints. The un-differenced raw observation model can not only integrate PPP and NRTK into a seamless positioning service, but also syncretize these two techniques into a unique model and algorithm. Furthermore, it is suitable for both dual-frequency and sing-frequency receivers. Based on the real-time data streams from IGS, EUREF and SAPOS reference networks, we can provide services of global precise point positioning (PPP) with 5-10 cm accuracy, PPP with ambiguity-fixing of 2-5 cm accuracy, PPP using single-frequency receiver with accuracy of better than 50 cm and PPP with regional augmentation for instantaneous ambiguity resolution of 1-3 cm accuracy. We adapted the system for current COMPASS to provide PPP service. COMPASS observations from a regional network of nine stations are used for precise orbit determination and clock estimation in simulated real-time mode, the orbit and clock products are applied for real-time precise point positioning. The simulated real-time PPP service confirms that real-time positioning services of accuracy at dm-level and even cm-level is achievable with COMPASS only.

[Instrumental extractions using Thierry's spatulas: evaluation of the risk of perineal laceration according to occiput position in operative deliveries].

PubMed

Courtois, L; Becher, P; Maticot-Baptista, D; Cour, A; Zurlinden, B; Millet, P; Maisonnette-Escot, Y; Riethmuller, D; Maillet, R

2008-05-01

Risk factors for severe perineal lacerations are nowadays well-known and they include operative vaginal deliveries and extractions in occiput posterior (OP) positions. The aim of this study was to assess whether OP position increases the risk for anal sphincter injury when compared with occiput anterior (OA) positions in operative deliveries using Thierry's spatulas. Retrospective study of 163 extractions with Thierry's spatulas over a five-year period (January 2000 to December 2005) performed in a general hospital. Singleton cephalic pregnancies at term were studied and the incidence of severe perineal lacerations was noted in deliveries in OP and OA positions. In these 163 cases, the varieties of presentation obtained by vaginal examination were 129 in anterior and 34 in posterior positions. Eleven posterior positions rotated anteriorly on delivery and 23 remained in a posterior position. The OA group (n=140) and the OP group (n=23) were constituted. Anal sphincter injury occurred significantly more often in the OP group compared with the OA group (17.4% versus 2.9%, p=0.014) with an odds ratio of 7.1 (95% CI 1.6-31). Only one fourth-degree laceration was noted. Within the OP group, the incidence of vaginal lacerations was increased compared to the OA group, but without any significant difference (43.5% versus 27.9%, p=0.20). In a logistic regression model, the OP position was 6.4 times (95% CI 1.3-31.5) more likely to be associated with anal sphincter injury than OA position. The incidence of OP position was 14.1% within the whole population studied and Thierry's spatulas permit anterior rotations of occipito posterior presentation in only 32.4% of cases. The efficiency of Thierry's spatulas is proven. As with forceps and vacuum extractors, extraction with Thierry's spatulas is a risk factor for perineal laceration compared to a spontaneous delivery. In deliveries with spatulas, OP head positions further increase this perineal risk against OA positions. OP positions before fetal extractions do not seem to be an ideal situation for using spatulas, even if an anterior rotation is achieved in one-third of cases.

Evaluation of Application Accuracy and Performance of a Hydraulically Operated Variable-Rate Aerial Application System

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

An aerial variable-rate application system consisting of a DGPS-based guidance system, automatic flow controller, and hydraulically controlled pump/valve was evaluated for response time to rapidly changing flow requirements and accuracy of application. Spray deposition position error was evaluated ...

40 CFR 63.11583 - What are my monitoring requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... applicable, and the following: (1) Locate the pressure sensor(s) in, or as close as possible to, a position... comparing the sensor output to redundant sensor output. (4) Conduct calibration checks any time the sensor exceeds the manufacturer's specified maximum operating pressure range or install a new pressure sensor. (5...

Novel Acoustic Techniques for Assessing Fish Schooling in the Context of an Operational Ocean Observatory

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-30

Atlantic Bight (MAB). The surveys will be positioned adaptively using real-time data collected with the international constellation of ocean color...and onshore waters. A unique acoustic scattering source was identified during the experiment as dense, monotypic aggregations of a pelagic gastropod

33 CFR 117.702 - Arthur Kill.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Arthur Kill. 117.702 Section 117... OPERATION REGULATIONS Specific Requirements New Jersey § 117.702 Arthur Kill. (a) The draw of the Arthur Kill (AK) Railroad Bridge shall be maintained in the full open position for navigation at all times...

33 CFR 117.702 - Arthur Kill.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Arthur Kill. 117.702 Section 117... OPERATION REGULATIONS Specific Requirements New Jersey § 117.702 Arthur Kill. (a) The draw of the Arthur Kill (AK) Railroad Bridge shall be maintained in the full open position for navigation at all times...

33 CFR 117.702 - Arthur Kill.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Arthur Kill. 117.702 Section 117... OPERATION REGULATIONS Specific Requirements New Jersey § 117.702 Arthur Kill. (a) The draw of the Arthur Kill (AK) Railroad Bridge shall be maintained in the full open position for navigation at all times...

33 CFR 117.702 - Arthur Kill.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Arthur Kill. 117.702 Section 117... OPERATION REGULATIONS Specific Requirements New Jersey § 117.702 Arthur Kill. (a) The draw of the Arthur Kill (AK) Railroad Bridge shall be maintained in the full open position for navigation at all times...

46 CFR 114.600 - Incorporation by reference.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... supplement—Safety Glazing Materials For Glazing Motor Vehicles Operating on Land Highways 116.1030 American... Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position... Burning Characteristics of Building Materials 116.405; 116.422; 116.423 ASTM E 648-97, Standard Test...

Myth Busted: Civilian GPS Receivers Actually do have Access to the L2 Frequency

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

2011 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2011 to 00-00-2011 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Myth Busted: Civilian GPS Receivers Actually do Have Access...matter experts on Position, Navigation and Timing and on the Global Positioning System ( GPS ) constellation. In the course of educat- ing FA40s in...the Space Operations Officer Qualification Course, in less than three months, students receive as many as six briefs dealing with GPS . These briefs

Studies of beam position monitor stability

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

Tenenbaum, P.

1998-05-01

The authors present the results from two studies of the time stability between the mechanical center of a beam position monitor and its electrical/electronic center. In the first study, a group of 93 BPM processors was calibrated via Test Pulse Generator once per hour in order to measure the contribution of the readout electronics to offset drifts. In the second study, a triplet of stripline BPMs in the Final Focus Test Beam, separated only by drift spaces, was read out every 6 minutes during 1 week of beam operation. In both cases offset stability was observed to be on themore » order of microns over time spans ranging from hours to days, although during the beam study much worse performance was also observed. Implications for the beam position monitor system of future linear collider systems are discussed.« less

Deterministic chaos in an ytterbium-doped mode-locked fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mélo, Lucas B. A.; Palacios, Guillermo F. R.; Carelli, Pedro V.; Acioli, Lúcio H.; Rios Leite, José R.; de Miranda, Marcio H. G.

2018-05-01

We experimentally study the nonlinear dynamics of a femtosecond ytterbium doped mode-locked fiber laser. With the laser operating in the pulsed regime a route to chaos is presented, starting from stable mode-locking, period two, period four, chaos and period three regimes. Return maps and bifurcation diagrams were extracted from time series for each regime. The analysis of the time series with the laser operating in the quasi mode-locked regime presents deterministic chaos described by an unidimensional Rossler map. A positive Lyapunov exponent $\\lambda = 0.14$ confirms the deterministic chaos of the system. We suggest an explanation about the observed map by relating gain saturation and intra-cavity loss.

Development and evaluation of a Kalman-filter algorithm for terminal area navigation using sensors of moderate accuracy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanning, G.; Cicolani, L. S.; Schmidt, S. F.

1983-01-01

Translational state estimation in terminal area operations, using a set of commonly available position, air data, and acceleration sensors, is described. Kalman filtering is applied to obtain maximum estimation accuracy from the sensors but feasibility in real-time computations requires a variety of approximations and devices aimed at minimizing the required computation time with only negligible loss of accuracy. Accuracy behavior throughout the terminal area, its relation to sensor accuracy, its effect on trajectory tracking errors and control activity in an automatic flight control system, and its adequacy in terms of existing criteria for various terminal area operations are examined. The principal investigative tool is a simulation of the system.

Robust control of multi-jointed arm with a decentralized autonomous control mechanism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kimura, Shinichi; Miyazaki, Ken; Suzuki, Yoshiaki

1994-01-01

A decentralized autonomous control mechanism applied to the control of three dimensional manipulators and its robustness to partial damage was assessed by computer simulation. Decentralized control structures are believed to be quite robust to time delay between the operator and the target system. A 10-jointed manipulator based on our control mechanism was able to continue its positioning task in three-dimensional space without revision of the control program, even after some of its joints were damaged. These results suggest that this control mechanism can be effectively applied to space telerobots, which are associated with serious time delay between the operator and the target system, and which cannot be easily repaired after being partially damaged.

A mercury flow meter for ion thruster testing. [response time, thermal sensitivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilbur, P. J.

1973-01-01

The theory of operation of the thermal flow meter is presented, and a theoretical model is used to determine design parameters for a device capable of measuring mercury flows in the range of 0 to 5 gm/hr. Flow meter construction is described. Tests performed using a positive displacement mercury pump as well as those performed with the device in the feed line of an operating thruster are discussed. A flow meter response time of about a minute and a sensitivity of about 10 mv/gm/hr are demonstrated. Additional work to relieve a sensitivity of the device to variations in ambient temperature is indicated to improve its quantitative performance.

Fault tolerant operation of switched reluctance machine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wei

The energy crisis and environmental challenges have driven industry towards more energy efficient solutions. With nearly 60% of electricity consumed by various electric machines in industry sector, advancement in the efficiency of the electric drive system is of vital importance. Adjustable speed drive system (ASDS) provides excellent speed regulation and dynamic performance as well as dramatically improved system efficiency compared with conventional motors without electronics drives. Industry has witnessed tremendous grow in ASDS applications not only as a driving force but also as an electric auxiliary system for replacing bulky and low efficiency auxiliary hydraulic and mechanical systems. With the vast penetration of ASDS, its fault tolerant operation capability is more widely recognized as an important feature of drive performance especially for aerospace, automotive applications and other industrial drive applications demanding high reliability. The Switched Reluctance Machine (SRM), a low cost, highly reliable electric machine with fault tolerant operation capability, has drawn substantial attention in the past three decades. Nevertheless, SRM is not free of fault. Certain faults such as converter faults, sensor faults, winding shorts, eccentricity and position sensor faults are commonly shared among all ASDS. In this dissertation, a thorough understanding of various faults and their influence on transient and steady state performance of SRM is developed via simulation and experimental study, providing necessary knowledge for fault detection and post fault management. Lumped parameter models are established for fast real time simulation and drive control. Based on the behavior of the faults, a fault detection scheme is developed for the purpose of fast and reliable fault diagnosis. In order to improve the SRM power and torque capacity under faults, the maximum torque per ampere excitation are conceptualized and validated through theoretical analysis and experiments. With the proposed optimal waveform, torque production is greatly improved under the same Root Mean Square (RMS) current constraint. Additionally, position sensorless operation methods under phase faults are investigated to account for the combination of physical position sensor and phase winding faults. A comprehensive solution for position sensorless operation under single and multiple phases fault are proposed and validated through experiments. Continuous position sensorless operation with seamless transition between various numbers of phase fault is achieved.

Determining vehicle operating speed and lateral position along horizontal curves using linear mixed-effects models.

PubMed

Fitzsimmons, Eric J; Kvam, Vanessa; Souleyrette, Reginald R; Nambisan, Shashi S; Bonett, Douglas G

2013-01-01

Despite recent improvements in highway safety in the United States, serious crashes on curves remain a significant problem. To assist in better understanding causal factors leading to this problem, this article presents and demonstrates a methodology for collection and analysis of vehicle trajectory and speed data for rural and urban curves using Z-configured road tubes. For a large number of vehicle observations at 2 horizontal curves located in Dexter and Ames, Iowa, the article develops vehicle speed and lateral position prediction models for multiple points along these curves. Linear mixed-effects models were used to predict vehicle lateral position and speed along the curves as explained by operational, vehicle, and environmental variables. Behavior was visually represented for an identified subset of "risky" drivers. Linear mixed-effect regression models provided the means to predict vehicle speed and lateral position while taking into account repeated observations of the same vehicle along horizontal curves. Speed and lateral position at point of entry were observed to influence trajectory and speed profiles. Rural horizontal curve site models are presented that indicate that the following variables were significant and influenced both vehicle speed and lateral position: time of day, direction of travel (inside or outside lane), and type of vehicle.

SERVOMOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM

DOEpatents

MacNeille, S.M.

1958-12-01

Control systems for automatic positioning of an electric motor operated vapor valve are described which is operable under the severe conditions existing in apparatus for electro-magnetlcally separating isotopes. In general, the system includes a rotor for turning the valve comprising two colls mounted mutually perpendicular to each other and also perpendicular to the magnetic field of the isotope separating apparatus. The coils are furnished with both a-c and d- c current by assoclate control circuitry and a position control is provided for varying the ratlo of the a-c currents in the coils and at the same time, but in an inverse manner, the ratio between the d-c currents in the coils is varied. With the present system the magnitude of the motor torque is constant for all valves of the rotor orientatlon angle.

The Da Vinci Xi and robotic radical prostatectomy-an evolution in learning and technique.

PubMed

Goonewardene, S S; Cahill, D

2017-06-01

The da Vinci Xi robot has been introduced as the successor to the Si platform. The promise of the Xi is to open the door to new surgical procedures. For robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP)/pelvic surgery, the potential is better vision and longer instruments. How has the Xi impacted on operative and pathological parameters as indicators of surgical performance? This is a comparison of an initial series of 42 RARPs with the Xi system in 2015 with a series using the Si system immediately before Xi uptake in the same calendar year, and an Si series by the same surgeon synchronously as the Xi series using operative time, blood loss, and positive margins as surrogates of surgical performance. Subjectively and objectively, there is a learning curve to Xi uptake in longer operative times but no impact on T2 positive margins which are the most reflective single measure of RARP outcomes. Subjectively, the vision of the Xi is inferior to the Si system, and the integrated diathermy system and automated setup are quirky. All require experience to overcome. There is a learning curve to progress from the Si to Xi da Vinci surgical platforms, but this does not negatively impact the outcome.

Forest Fire Mapping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The Fire Logistics Airborne Mapping Equipment (FLAME) system, mounted in a twin-engine and airplane operated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is an airborne instrument for detecting and pinpointing forest fires that might escape ground detection. The FLAME equipment rack includes the operator interface, a video monitor, the system's control panel and film output. FLAME's fire detection sensor is an infrared line scanner system that identifies fire boundaries. Sensor's information is correlated with the aircraft's position and altitude at the time the infrared imagery is acquired to fix the fire's location on a map. System can be sent to a fire locale anywhere in the U.S. at the request of a regional forester. USFS felt a need for a more advanced system to deliver timely fire information to fire management personnel in the decade of the 1990s. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) conducted a study, jointly sponsored by NASA and USDA, on what advanced technologies might be employed to produce an end-to-end thermal infrared fire detection and mapping system. That led to initiation of the Firefly system, currently in development at JPL and targeted for operational service beginning in 1992. Firefly will employ satellite-reference position fixing and provide performance superior to FLAME.

En route position and time control of aircraft using Kalman filtering of radio aid data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgee, L. A.; Christensen, J. V.

1973-01-01

Fixed-time-of-arrival (FTA) guidance and navigation is investigated as a possible technique capable of operation within much more stringent en route separation standards and offering significant advantages in safety, higher traffic densities, and improved scheduling reliability, both en route and in the terminal areas. This study investigated the application of FTA guidance previously used in spacecraft guidance. These FTA guidance techniques have been modified and are employed to compute the velocity corrections necessary to return an aircraft to a specified great-circle reference path in order to exercise en route time and position control throughout the entire flight. The necessary position and velocity estimates to accomplish this task are provided by Kalman filtering of data from Loran-C, VORTAC/TACAN, Doppler radar, radio or barometric altitude,and altitude rate. The guidance and navigation system was evaluated using a digital simulation of the cruise phase of supersonic and subsonic flights between San Francisco and New York City, and between New York City and London.

Precise time dissemination via portable atomic clocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Putkovich, K.

1982-01-01

The most precise operational method of time dissemination over long distances presently available to the Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) community of users is by means of portable atomic clocks. The Global Positioning System (GPS), the latest system showing promise of replacing portable clocks for global PTTI dissemination, was evaluated. Although GPS has the technical capability of providing superior world-wide dissemination, the question of present cost and future accessibility may require a continued reliance on portable clocks for a number of years. For these reasons a study of portable clock operations as they are carried out today was made. The portable clock system that was utilized by the U.S. Naval Observatory (NAVOBSY) in the global synchronization of clocks over the past 17 years is described and the concepts on which it is based are explained. Some of its capabilities and limitations are also discussed.

Ideas for Future GPS Timing Improvements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hutsell, Steven T.

1996-01-01

Having recently met stringent criteria for full operational capability (FOC) certification, the Global Positioning System (GPS) now has higher customer expectations than ever before. In order to maintain customer satisfaction, and the meet the even high customer demands of the future, the GPS Master Control Station (MCS) must play a critical role in the process of carefully refining the performance and integrity of the GPS constellation, particularly in the area of timing. This paper will present an operational perspective on several ideas for improving timing in GPS. These ideas include the desire for improving MCS - US Naval Observatory (USNO) data connectivity, an improved GPS-Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) prediction algorithm, a more robust Kalman Filter, and more features in the GPS reference time algorithm (the GPS composite clock), including frequency step resolution, a more explicit use of the basic time scale equation, and dynamic clock weighting. Current MCS software meets the exceptional challenge of managing an extremely complex constellation of 24 navigation satellites. The GPS community will, however, always seek to improve upon this performance and integrity.

Electronic Position Sensor for Power Operated Accessory

DOEpatents

Haag, Ronald H.; Chia, Michael I.

2005-05-31

An electronic position sensor for use with a power operated vehicle accessory, such as a power liftgate. The position sensor includes an elongated resistive circuit that is mounted such that it is stationary and extends along the path of a track portion of the power operated accessory. The position sensor further includes a contact nub mounted to a link member that moves within the track portion such that the contact nub is slidingly biased against the elongated circuit. As the link member moves under the force of a motor-driven output gear, the contact nub slides along the surface of the resistive circuit, thereby affecting the overall resistance of the circuit. The position sensor uses the overall resistance to provide an electronic position signal to an ECU, wherein the signal is indicative of the absolute position of the power operated accessory. Accordingly, the electronic position sensor is capable of providing an electronic signal that enables the ECU to track the absolute position of the power operated accessory.

Part-time general surgical training in South Australia: its success and future implications (or: pinnacles, pitfalls and lessons for the future).

PubMed

Neuhaus, Susan; Igras, Emma; Fosh, Beverley; Benson, Sarah

2012-12-01

Flexible training options are sought by an increasing number of Australasian surgical trainees. Reasons include increased participation of women in the surgical workforce, postgraduate training and changing attitudes to family responsibilities. Despite endorsement of flexible training by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Board in General Surgery, part-time (PT) training in General Surgery in Australia and New Zealand is not well established. A permanent 'stand-alone' PT training position was established at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2007 under the Surgical Education and Training Program. This position offered 12 months of General Surgical training on a 0.5 full-time (FT) equivalent basis with pro rata emergency and on-call commitments and was accredited for 6 months of General Surgical training. This paper reviews the PT training experience in South Australia. De-identified logbook data were obtained from the South Australian Regional Subcommittee of the Board in General Surgery with consent of each of the trainees. Totals of operative cases were compared against matched FT trainees working on the same unit. Overall, PT trainees achieved comparable operative caseloads compared with their FT colleagues. All trainees included in this review have subsequently passed the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Fellowship Examination in General Surgery and returned to FT workforce positions. This paper presents two validated models of PT training. Training, resource and regulatory requirements and individual and institutional barriers to flexible training are substantial. Successful PT models offer positive and beneficial training alternatives for General Surgical trainees and contribute to workforce flexibility. © 2012 The Authors. ANZ Journal of Surgery © 2012 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Initial 12-h operative fluid volume is an independent risk factor for pleural effusion after hepatectomy.

PubMed

Cheng, Xiang; Wu, Jia-Wei; Sun, Ping; Song, Zi-Fang; Zheng, Qi-Chang

2016-12-01

Pleural effusion after hepatectomy is associated with significant morbidity and prolonged hospital stays. Several studies have addressed the risk factors for postoperative pleural effusion. However, there are no researches concerning the role of the initial 12-h operative fluid volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the initial 12-h operative fluid volume during liver resection is an independent risk factor for pleural effusion after hepatectomy. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 470 patients consecutively undergoing elective hepatectomy between January 2011 and December 2012. We prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed baseline and clinical data, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify whether the initial 12-h operative fluid volume was an independent risk factor for pleural effusion after hepatectomy. The multivariate analysis identified 2 independent risk factors for pleural effusion: operative time [odds ratio (OR)=10.2] and initial 12-h operative fluid volume (OR=1.0003). Threshold effect analyses revealed that the initial 12 h operative fluid volume was positively correlated with the incidence of pleural effusion when the initial 12-h operative fluid volume exceeded 4636 mL. We conclude that the initial 12-h operative fluid volume during liver resection and operative time are independent risk factors for pleural effusion after hepatectomy. Perioperative intravenous fluids should be restricted properly.

Interface evaluation for soft robotic manipulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Kristin S.; Rodes, William M.; Csencsits, Matthew A.; Kwoka, Martha J.; Gomer, Joshua A.; Pagano, Christopher C.

2006-05-01

The results of two usability experiments evaluating an interface for the operation of OctArm, a biologically inspired robotic arm modeled after an octopus tentacle, are reported. Due to the many degrees-of-freedom (DOF) for the operator to control, such 'continuum' robotic limbs provide unique challenges for human operators because they do not map intuitively. Two modes have been developed to control the arm and reduce the DOF under the explicit direction of the operator. In coupled velocity (CV) mode, a joystick controls changes in arm curvature. In end-effector (EE) mode, a joystick controls the arm by moving the position of an endpoint along a straight line. In Experiment 1, participants used the two modes to grasp objects placed at different locations in a virtual reality modeling language (VRML). Objective measures of performance and subjective preferences were recorded. Results revealed lower grasp times and a subjective preference for the CV mode. Recommendations for improving the interface included providing additional feedback and implementation of an error recovery function. In Experiment 2, only the CV mode was tested with improved training of participants and several changes to the interface. The error recovery function was implemented, allowing participants to reverse through previously attained positions. The mean time to complete the trials in the second usability test was reduced by more than 4 minutes compared with the first usability test, confirming the interface changes improved performance. The results of these tests will be incorporated into future versions of the arm and improve future usability tests.

Experiment Description and Results for Arrival Operations Using Interval Management with Spacing to Parallel Dependent Runways (IMSPiDR)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baxley, Brian T.; Murdoch, Jennifer L.; Swieringa, Kurt A.; Barmore, Bryan E.; Capron, William R.; Hubbs, Clay E.; Shay, Richard F.; Abbott, Terence S.

2013-01-01

The predicted increase in the number of commercial aircraft operations creates a need for improved operational efficiency. Two areas believed to offer increases in aircraft efficiency are optimized profile descents and dependent parallel runway operations. Using Flight deck Interval Management (FIM) software and procedures during these operations, flight crews can achieve by the runway threshold an interval assigned by air traffic control (ATC) behind the preceding aircraft that maximizes runway throughput while minimizing additional fuel consumption and pilot workload. This document describes an experiment where 24 pilots flew arrivals into the Dallas Fort-Worth terminal environment using one of three simulators at NASA?s Langley Research Center. Results indicate that pilots delivered their aircraft to the runway threshold within +/- 3.5 seconds of their assigned time interval, and reported low workload levels. In general, pilots found the FIM concept, procedures, speeds, and interface acceptable. Analysis of the time error and FIM speed changes as a function of arrival stream position suggest the spacing algorithm generates stable behavior while in the presence of continuous (wind) or impulse (offset) error. Concerns reported included multiple speed changes within a short time period, and an airspeed increase followed shortly by an airspeed decrease.

Neutral vs positive oral contrast in diagnosing acute appendicitis with contrast-enhanced CT: sensitivity, specificity, reader confidence and interpretation time

PubMed Central

Naeger, D M; Chang, S D; Kolli, P; Shah, V; Huang, W; Thoeni, R F

2011-01-01

Objective The study compared the sensitivity, specificity, confidence and interpretation time of readers of differing experience in diagnosing acute appendicitis with contrast-enhanced CT using neutral vs positive oral contrast agents. Methods Contrast-enhanced CT for right lower quadrant or right flank pain was performed in 200 patients with neutral and 200 with positive oral contrast including 199 with proven acute appendicitis and 201 with other diagnoses. Test set disease prevalence was 50%. Two experienced gastrointestinal radiologists, one fellow and two first-year residents blindly assessed all studies for appendicitis (2000 readings) and assigned confidence scores (1=poor to 4=excellent). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. Total interpretation time was recorded. Each reader's interpretation with the two agents was compared using standard statistical methods. Results Average reader sensitivity was found to be 96% (range 91–99%) with positive and 95% (89–98%) with neutral oral contrast; specificity was 96% (92–98%) and 94% (90–97%). For each reader, no statistically significant difference was found between the two agents (sensitivities p-values >0.6; specificities p-values>0.08), in the area under the ROC curve (range 0.95–0.99) or in average interpretation times. In cases without appendicitis, positive oral contrast demonstrated improved appendix identification (average 90% vs 78%) and higher confidence scores for three readers. Average interpretation times showed no statistically significant differences between the agents. Conclusion Neutral vs positive oral contrast does not affect the accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT for diagnosing acute appendicitis. Although positive oral contrast might help to identify normal appendices, we continue to use neutral oral contrast given its other potential benefits. PMID:20959365

DCJ-indel and DCJ-substitution distances with distinct operation costs

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Classical approaches to compute the genomic distance are usually limited to genomes with the same content and take into consideration only rearrangements that change the organization of the genome (i.e. positions and orientation of pieces of DNA, number and type of chromosomes, etc.), such as inversions, translocations, fusions and fissions. These operations are generically represented by the double-cut and join (DCJ) operation. The distance between two genomes, in terms of number of DCJ operations, can be computed in linear time. In order to handle genomes with distinct contents, also insertions and deletions of fragments of DNA – named indels – must be allowed. More powerful than an indel is a substitution of a fragment of DNA by another fragment of DNA. Indels and substitutions are called content-modifying operations. It has been shown that both the DCJ-indel and the DCJ-substitution distances can also be computed in linear time, assuming that the same cost is assigned to any DCJ or content-modifying operation. Results In the present study we extend the DCJ-indel and the DCJ-substitution models, considering that the content-modifying cost is distinct from and upper bounded by the DCJ cost, and show that the distance in both models can still be computed in linear time. Although the triangular inequality can be disrupted in both models, we also show how to efficiently fix this problem a posteriori. PMID:23879938

Dynamically timed electric motor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Casper, Ann M. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

The invention disclosed in this document is a brushless DC motor including a housing having an end cap secured thereto. The housing encloses a rotor, a stator and a rotationally displaceable commutation board having 5 sensors secured thereon and spaced around the periphery of the rotor. An external rotational force is applied to the commutation board for displacement of the sensors to various positions whereby varying feedback signals are generated by the positioning of the sensors relative to the rotating rotor. The commutation board is secured in a fixed position in response to feedback signals indicative of optimum sensor position being determined. The rotation of the commutation board and the securing of the sensors in the desired fixed position is accomplished without requiring the removal of the 5 end cap and with the DC motor operating.

The effects of variable-time versus contingent reinforcement delivery on problem behavior maintained by escape.

PubMed

Lomas Mevers, Joanna E; Fisher, Wayne W; Kelley, Michael E; Fredrick, Laura D

2014-01-01

Results of previous research indicate that the delivery of positive reinforcement (e.g., food) for an appropriate, alternative target response (e.g., compliance) or delivery of food on a time-based schedule can decrease problem behavior reinforced by escape, even when problem behavior continues to produce negative reinforcement (e.g., Lalli et al., ; Lomas, Fisher, & Kelley, ). In this study, we compared the levels of both compliance and problem behavior when food and praise were delivered either contingent on compliance or on a time-based schedule. Results for 3 of the 4 participants showed that contingent delivery of preferred edible items and praise was more effective in both reducing problem behavior and increasing compliance compared to variable-time delivery of these same items. These findings are discussed in the context of motivating operations and competition between positive and negative reinforcement. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Positioning of nasobiliary tube using magnet-loaded catheters.

PubMed

Watanabe, Seitaro; Sato, Takamitsu; Kato, Shingo; Hosono, Kunihiro; Kobayashi, Noritoshi; Nakajima, Atsushi; Kubota, Kensuke

2013-10-01

In endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), repositioning the catheter from the mouth to the nose is complicated. We devised a method using catheters with magnets and verified its utility and safety. We prospectively enrolled 20 patients undergoing ENBD at Yokohama City University Hospital. The procedures were successful in all 20 cases and no case required a change of operators to a senior doctor. The mean time for the procedure was 36.6 seconds. The emetic reflex was induced 0.5 times on average using the magnet method. The mean X-ray exposure time was 29.6 seconds. No complications occurred. The magnet-loaded catheter method for positioning the ENBD catheter before finally leading it through the nose took little time and was performed successfully and safely. Therefore, the magnet method could become the first choice among techniques for ENBD catheter placement. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Fixed-point image orthorectification algorithms for reduced computational cost

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

French, Joseph Clinton

Imaging systems have been applied to many new applications in recent years. With the advent of low-cost, low-power focal planes and more powerful, lower cost computers, remote sensing applications have become more wide spread. Many of these applications require some form of geolocation, especially when relative distances are desired. However, when greater global positional accuracy is needed, orthorectification becomes necessary. Orthorectification is the process of projecting an image onto a Digital Elevation Map (DEM), which removes terrain distortions and corrects the perspective distortion by changing the viewing angle to be perpendicular to the projection plane. Orthorectification is used in disaster tracking, landscape management, wildlife monitoring and many other applications. However, orthorectification is a computationally expensive process due to floating point operations and divisions in the algorithm. To reduce the computational cost of on-board processing, two novel algorithm modifications are proposed. One modification is projection utilizing fixed-point arithmetic. Fixed point arithmetic removes the floating point operations and reduces the processing time by operating only on integers. The second modification is replacement of the division inherent in projection with a multiplication of the inverse. The inverse must operate iteratively. Therefore, the inverse is replaced with a linear approximation. As a result of these modifications, the processing time of projection is reduced by a factor of 1.3x with an average pixel position error of 0.2% of a pixel size for 128-bit integer processing and over 4x with an average pixel position error of less than 13% of a pixel size for a 64-bit integer processing. A secondary inverse function approximation is also developed that replaces the linear approximation with a quadratic. The quadratic approximation produces a more accurate approximation of the inverse, allowing for an integer multiplication calculation to be used in place of the traditional floating point division. This method increases the throughput of the orthorectification operation by 38% when compared to floating point processing. Additionally, this method improves the accuracy of the existing integer-based orthorectification algorithms in terms of average pixel distance, increasing the accuracy of the algorithm by more than 5x. The quadratic function reduces the pixel position error to 2% and is still 2.8x faster than the 128-bit floating point algorithm.

Alteration in transthoracic impedance following cardiac surgery.

PubMed

Khan, Nouman U; Strang, Tim; Bonsheck, Claire; Krishnamurty, Bhuvana; Hooper, Timothy L

2008-06-01

Haemodynamically significant ventricular tachyarrhythmias are a frequent complication in the immediate post-operative period after cardiac surgery. Successful cardioversion depends on delivery of sufficient current, which in turn is dependent on transthoracic impedance (TTI). However, it is uncertain if there is a change in TTI immediately following cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). TTI was measured on 40 patients undergoing first time isolated cardiac surgery using CPB. TTI was recorded at 30 kHz using Bodystat Multiscan 5000 equipment before operation (with and without a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cm of H(2)O) and then at 1, 4 and 24 h after the operation. Data was analyzed to determine the relationship between pre- and post-operative variables and TTI values. Mean pre-operative TTI was 54.5+/-10.55 ohms without PEEP and 61.8+/-15.4 ohms on a PEEP of 5 cm of H(2)O. TTI dropped significantly (p<0.001) after the operation to 47.2+/-10.6 ohms at 1 h, 42.6+/-10.2 ohms at 4 h and 41.8+/-10.4 ohms at 24 h. A positive correlation was noted between duration of operation and TTI change at 1 h (r=0.38; p=0.016). There was no significant correlation between the duration of bypass and change in TTI. TTI decreases by more than 30% in the immediate post-operative period following cardiac surgery. This state may favour defibrillation at lower energy levels.

Does a robotic scrub nurse improve economy of movements?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wachs, Juan P.; Jacob, Mithun; Li, Yu-Ting; Akingba, George

2012-02-01

Objective: Robotic assistance during surgery has been shown to be a useful resource to both augment the surgical skills of the surgeon through tele-operation, and to assist the surgeon handling the surgical instruments to the surgeon, similar to a surgical tech. We evaluated the performance and effect of a gesture driven surgical robotic nurse in the context of economy of movements, during an abdominal incision and closure exercise with a simulator. Methods: A longitudinal midline incision (100 mm) was performed on the simulated abdominal wall to enter the peritoneal cavity without damaging the internal organs. The wound was then closed using a blunt needle ensuring that no tissue is caught up by the suture material. All the instruments required to complete this task were delivered by a robotic surgical manipulator directly to the surgeon. The instruments were requested through voice and gesture recognition. The robotic system used a low end range sensor camera to extract the hand poses and for recognizing the gestures. The instruments were delivered to the vicinity of the patient, at chest height and at a reachable distance to the surgeon. Task performance measures for each of three abdominal incision and closure exercises were measured and compared to a human scrub nurse instrument delivery action. Picking instrument position variance, completion time and trajectory of the hand were recorded for further analysis. Results: The variance of the position of the robotic tip when delivering the surgical instrument is compared to the same position when a human delivers the instrument. The variance was found to be 88.86% smaller compared to the human delivery group. The mean task completion time to complete the surgical exercise was 162.7+/- 10.1 secs for the human assistant and 191.6+/- 3.3 secs (P<.01) when using the robotic standard display group. Conclusion: Multimodal robotic scrub nurse assistant improves the surgical procedure by reducing the number of movements (lower variance in the picking position). The variance of the picking point is closely related to the concept of economy of movements in the operating room. Improving the effectiveness of the operating room can potentially enhance the safety of surgical interventions without affecting the performance time.

Laparoscopic temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with silicone tubing to prevent hemorrhage during vacuum aspiration of cesarean scar pregnancies.

PubMed

Wang, Lingling; Sun, Lingbin; Wang, Lijun; Chen, Huifang; Ouyang, Xue; Qiu, Huiling

2015-11-01

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and effects of temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with silicone tubing on blood loss during vacuum aspiration of cesarean scar pregnancies (CSP). Six patients with CSP underwent removal of gestational masses via vacuum aspiration. At the beginning of the procedure, all patients underwent laparoscopic temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with tubing. The main measurements were the operating time, operative blood loss, Doppler examination of the uterine arteries, and complications of procedure. The median operation time was 99 min, the median time needed to put the tubing in place (the time from the opening of the retroperitoneum to positioning of the tubing) was 45.5 min and the median time of bilateral uterine artery occlusion with tubing was 32.5 min. The median blood loss was 97.5 mL, and none of the patients required blood transfusion. Doppler examination showed no difference in the pre- and postoperative resistance or pulsatility indices of the uterine vessels. There were no conspicuous complications. The serum ß-human chorionic gonadotrophin level decreased to normal within 14-27 days after the operation. Laparoscopic temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with silicone tubing is an effective, minimally invasive procedure for reducing blood loss during vacuum aspiration in patients with CSP. © 2015 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Error modeling for differential GPS. M.S. Thesis - MIT, 12 May 1995

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blerman, Gregory S.

1995-01-01

Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) positioning is used to accurately locate a GPS receiver based upon the well-known position of a reference site. In utilizing this technique, several error sources contribute to position inaccuracy. This thesis investigates the error in DGPS operation and attempts to develop a statistical model for the behavior of this error. The model for DGPS error is developed using GPS data collected by Draper Laboratory. The Marquardt method for nonlinear curve-fitting is used to find the parameters of a first order Markov process that models the average errors from the collected data. The results show that a first order Markov process can be used to model the DGPS error as a function of baseline distance and time delay. The model's time correlation constant is 3847.1 seconds (1.07 hours) for the mean square error. The distance correlation constant is 122.8 kilometers. The total process variance for the DGPS model is 3.73 sq meters.

Axisymmetric problem of fretting wear for a foundation with a nonuniform coating and rough punch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manzhirov, A. V.; Kazakov, K. E.

2018-05-01

The axisymmetric contact problem with fretting wear for an elastic foundation with a longitudinally nonuniform (surface nonuniform) coating and a rigid punch with a rough foundation has been solved for the first time. The case of linear wear is considered. The nonuniformity of the coating and punch roughness are described by a different rapidly changing functions. This strong nonuniformity arises when coatings are deposited using modern additive manufacturing technologies. The problem is reduced the solution of an integral equation with two different integral operators: a compact self-adjoint positively defined operator with respect to the coordinate and the non-self-adjoint integral Volterra operator with respect to time. The solution is obtained in series using the projection method of the authors. The efficiency of the proposed approach for constructing a high-accuracy approximate solution to the problem (with only a few expansion terms retained) is demonstrated.

A Module for Automatic Dock and Detumble (MADD) for orbital rescue operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snow, W. R.; Kunciw, B. G.; Kaplan, M. H.

1973-01-01

The module for automatic dock and detumble (MADD) is an automated device for bringing a passive, tumbling space base under control in an orbital rescue situation. The conceptual design of such a device resulted from a consideration of tumbling motion analyses and mission constraints. Specific topics of investigation include orbit and attitude dynamics and detumble profiles. Position and attitude control systems for the various phases of operation were developed. Dynamic motion of a passive vehicle with MADD attached is considered as an example application and to determine control requirements. Since time is a critical factor in rescue operations, it is essential to execute the detumbling maneuver in a minimum of time. Optimization of the MADD thrusting sequence has also been investigated. Results indicate the control torque must be directed opposite to the angular momentum vector for the assumption used here.

[MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT OF POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT AVULSION FRACTURE IN A FLOPPY LATERAL POSITION].

PubMed

Zhao, Junchao; Wang, Hao

2016-09-08

To conclude the effectiveness of arthroscopy combined with Burks and SchaVer's approach in the treatment of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures in a floppy lateral position. Between May 2010 and March 2014, 21 patients with PCL avulsion fractures were treated. There were 13 males and 8 females, aged 21 to 62 years (mean, 39.1 years). The causes included traffic accident injury in 10 cases, sports injury in 5 cases, and falling injury from height in 6 cases. The time from injury to hospital was 1-6 days (mean, 2.5 days). The results of posterior drawer test were all positive, and the results of anterior drawer test and lateral stress test were all negative. The Lysholm score was 28.0±5.5 before operation. And the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (IKDC) score was 46.2±7.6 before operation. According to Meyer standards for fractures classification, 11 cases were rated as type II and 10 cases as type III. Arthroscopy was used to inspect and treat the intra-articular lesions, then avulsion fracture was fixed by Burks and SchaVer's approach in lateral position. Postoperative functional exercises were performed. Primary healing of incision was obtained, without nerve and vascular injury or joint infection. All patients were followed up 18-36 months (mean, 27.2 months). The X-ray films of the knee joint showed good fractures reduction and healing at 3 months after operation. The results of posterior drawer test and reverse Lachman test were negative. The knee range of motion was recovered to normal level. At last follow-up, the Lysholm score of the knee joint was significantly improved to 90.9±1.4 from preoperative one ( t =54.584, P =0.000), and the IKDC score was significantly increased to 90.5±5.3 from preoperative one ( t =15.638, P =0.000), including 19 cases of grade A and 2 cases of grade B. A combination of arthroscopy and Burks and SchaVer's approach for the treatment of PCL avulsion fractures in a floppy lateral position has the advantages of minimal invasion and safe approach, short operative time, and early postoperative rehabilitation exercises, so it can provide satisfactory function recovery of the knee joint.

Dual mode ion mobility spectrometer and method for ion mobility spectrometry

DOEpatents

Scott, Jill R [Idaho Falls, ID; Dahl, David A [Idaho Falls, ID; Miller, Carla J [Idaho Falls, ID; Tremblay, Paul L [Idaho Falls, ID; McJunkin, Timothy R [Idaho Falls, ID

2007-08-21

Ion mobility spectrometer apparatus may include an ion interface that is operable to hold positive and negative ions and to simultaneously release positive and negative ions through respective positive and negative ion ports. A first drift chamber is operatively associated with the positive ion port of the ion interface and encloses an electric field therein. A first ion detector operatively associated with the first drift chamber detects positive ions from the first drift chamber. A second drift chamber is operatively associated with the negative ion port of the ion interface and encloses an electric field therein. A second ion detector operatively associated with the second drift chamber detects negative ions from said second drift chamber.

Stan Butchart climbing into B-47

NASA Image and Video Library

1954-07-14

From December 10, 1966, until his retirement on February 27, 1976, Stanley P. Butchart served as Chief (later, Director) of Flight Operations at NASA's Flight Research Center (renamed on March 26, 1976, the Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center). Initially, his responsibilities in this position included the Research Pilots Branch, a Maintenance and Manufacturing Branch, and an Operations Engineering Branch, the last of which not only included propulsion and electrical/electronic sections but project engineers for the X-15 and lifting bodies. During his tenure, however, the responsibilities of his directorate came to include not only Flight Test Engineering Support but Flight Systems and Loads laboratories. Before becoming Chief of Flight Operations, Butchart had served since June of 1966 as head of the Research Pilots Branch (Chief Pilot) and then as acting chief of Flight Operations. He had joined the Center (then known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics' High-Speed Flight Research Station) as a research pilot on May 10, 1951. During his career as a research pilot, he flew a great variety of research and air-launch aircraft including the D-558-I, D-558-II, B-29 (plus its Navy version, the P2B), X-4, X-5, KC-135, CV-880, CV-990, B-47, B-52, B-747, F-100A, F-101, F-102, F-104, PA-30 Twin Comanche, JetStar, F-111, R4D, B-720, and B-47. Although previously a single-engine pilot, he became the Center's principal multi-engine pilot during a period of air-launches in which the pilot of the air-launch aircraft (B-29 or P2B) basically directed the operations. It was he who called for the chase planes before each drop, directed the positioning of fire rescue vehicles, and released the experimental aircraft after ensuring that all was ready for the drop. As pilot of the B-29 and P2B, Butchart launched the X-1A once, the X-1B 13 times, the X-1E 22 times, and the D-558-II 102 times. In addition, he towed the M2-F1 lightweight lifting body 14 times behind an R4

Executing scatter operation to parallel computer nodes by repeatedly broadcasting content of send buffer partition corresponding to each node upon bitwise OR operation

DOEpatents

Archer, Charles J [Rochester, MN; Ratterman, Joseph D [Rochester, MN

2009-11-06

Executing a scatter operation on a parallel computer includes: configuring a send buffer on a logical root, the send buffer having positions, each position corresponding to a ranked node in an operational group of compute nodes and for storing contents scattered to that ranked node; and repeatedly for each position in the send buffer: broadcasting, by the logical root to each of the other compute nodes on a global combining network, the contents of the current position of the send buffer using a bitwise OR operation, determining, by each compute node, whether the current position in the send buffer corresponds with the rank of that compute node, if the current position corresponds with the rank, receiving the contents and storing the contents in a reception buffer of that compute node, and if the current position does not correspond with the rank, discarding the contents.

Sonic-boom measurements in the focus region during the ascent of Apollo 17. [maximum positive overpressure, positive impulse, signature duration, and bow-shock rise time

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henderson, H. R.; Hilton, D. A.

1974-01-01

Sonic-boom pressure signatures recorded during the ascent phase of Apollo 17 are presented. The measurements were obtained onboard six U.S. Navy ships positioned along the ground track of the spacecraft vehicle in the area of expected focus resulting from the flight path and acceleration of the vehicle. Tracings of the measured signatures are presented along with values of the maximum positive overpressure, positive impulse, signature duration, and bowshock rise time. Also included are brief descriptions of the ships and their location, the deployment of the sonic-boom instrumentation, flight profiles and operating conditions for the launch vehicle and spacecraft, surface-weather and sea-state information at the measuring sites, and high-altitude weather information for the general measurement areas. Comparisons of the measured and predicted sonic-boom overpressures for the Apollo 17 mission are presented. The measured data are also compared with data from the Apollo 15 and 16 missions and data from flight test programs of various aircraft.

[Performance development of a university operating room after implementation of a central operating room management].

PubMed

Waeschle, R M; Sliwa, B; Jipp, M; Pütz, H; Hinz, J; Bauer, M

2016-08-01

The difficult financial situation in German hospitals requires measures for improvement in process quality. Associated increases in revenues in the high income field "operating room (OR) area" are increasingly the responsibility of OR management but it has not been shown that the introduction of an efficiency-oriented management leads to an increase in process quality and revenues in the operating theatre. Therefore the performance in the operating theatre of the University Medical Center Göttingen was analyzed for working days in the core operating time from 7.45 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. from 2009 to 2014. The achievement of process target times for the morning surgery start time and the turnover times of anesthesia and OR-nurses were calculated as indicators of process quality. The number of operations and cumulative incision-suture time were also analyzed as aggregated performance indicators. In order to assess the development of revenues in the operating theatre, the revenues from diagnosis-related groups (DRG) in all inpatient and occupational accident cases, adjusted for the regional basic case value from 2009, were calculated for each year. The development of revenues was also analyzed after deduction of revenues resulting from altered economic case weighting. It could be shown that the achievement of process target values for the morning surgery start time could be improved by 40 %, the turnover times for anesthesia reduced by 50 % and for the OR-nurses by 36 %. Together with the introduction of central planning for reallocation, an increase in operation numbers of 21 % and cumulative incision-suture times of 12% could be realized. Due to these additional operations the DRG revenues in 2014 could be increased to 132 % compared to 2009 or 127 % if the revenues caused by economic case weighting were excluded. The personnel complement in anesthesia (-1.7 %) and OR-nurses (+2.6 %) as well as anesthetists (+6.7 %) increased less compared to the revenues or were slightly reduced. This improvement in process quality and cumulative incision-suture times as well as the increase in revenues, reflect the positive impact of an efficiency-oriented central OR management. The OR management releases due to measures of process optimization the necessary personnel and time resources and therefore achieves the basic prerequisites for increased revenues of surgical disciplines. The method presented can be used by other hospitals as a guideline to analyze performance development.

Effect of pulse profile and chirp on a laser wakefield generation

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

Zhang Xiaomei; Shen Baifei; Ji Liangliang

2012-05-15

A laser wakefield driven by an asymmetric laser pulse with/without chirp is investigated analytically and through two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. For a laser pulse with an appropriate pulse length compared with the plasma wavelength, the wakefield amplitude can be enhanced by using an asymmetric un-chirped laser pulse with a fast rise time; however, the growth is small. On the other hand, the wakefield can be greatly enhanced for both positively chirped laser pulse having a fast rise time and negatively chirped laser pulse having a slow rise time. Simulations show that at the early laser-plasma interaction stage, due to the influencemore » of the fast rise time the wakefield driven by the positively chirped laser pulse is more intense than that driven by the negatively chirped laser pulse, which is in good agreement with analytical results. At a later time, since the laser pulse with positive chirp exhibits opposite evolution to the one with negative chirp when propagating in plasma, the wakefield in the latter case grows more intensely. These effects should be useful in laser wakefield acceleration experiments operating at low plasma densities.« less

[Evaluation of radiation exposure of personnel in an orthopaedic and trauma operation theatre using the new real-time dosimetry system "dose aware"].

PubMed

Müller, M C; Strauss, A; Pflugmacher, R; Nähle, C P; Pennekamp, P H; Burger, C; Wirtz, D C

2014-08-01

There is a positive correlation between operation time and staff exposure to radiation during intraoperative use of C-arm fluoroscopy. Due to harmful effects of exposure to long-term low-dose radiation for both the patient and the operating team it should be kept to a minimum. AIM of this study was to evaluate a novel dosimeter system called Dose Aware® (DA) enabling radiation exposure feedback of the personal in an orthopaedic and trauma operation theatre in real-time. Within a prospective study over a period of four month, DA was applied by the operation team during 104 orthopaedic and trauma operations in which the C-arm fluoroscope was used in 2D-mode. During ten operation techniques, radiation exposure of the surgeon, the first assistant, the theatre nurse and the anaesthesiologist was evaluated. Seventy-three operations were analysed. The surgeon achieved the highest radiation exposure during dorsolumbar spinal osteosynthesis, kyphoplasty and screw fixation of sacral fractures. The first assistant received a higher radiation exposure compared to the surgeon during plate osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures (157 %), intramedullary nailing of pertrochanteric fractures (143 %) and dorsolumbar spinal osteosynthesis (240 %). During external fixation of ankle fractures (68 %) and screw fixation of sacral fractures (66 %) radiation exposure of the theatre nurse exceeded 50 % of the surgeon's radiation exposure. During plate osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures (157 %) and intramedullary splinting of clavicular fractures (115 %), the anaesthesiologist received a higher radiation exposure than the surgeon. The novel dosimeter system DA provides real-time radiation exposure feedback of the personnel in an orthopaedic and trauma operation theatre for the first time. Data of this study demonstrate that radiation exposure of the personnel depends on the operation type. The first assistant, the theatre nurse and the anaesthesiologist might be exposed to higher radiation doses than the surgeon. DA might help to increase awareness concerning irradiation in an orthopaedic and trauma operation theatre and might enhance staff compliance in using radiation protection techniques. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Progress on the CWU READI Analysis Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melbourne, T. I.; Szeliga, W. M.; Santillan, V. M.; Scrivner, C.

2015-12-01

Real-time GPS position streams are desirable for a variety of seismic monitoring and hazard mitigation applications. We report on progress in our development of a comprehensive real-time GPS-based seismic monitoring system for the Cascadia subduction zone. This system is based on 1 Hz point position estimates computed in the ITRF08 reference frame. Convergence from phase and range observables to point position estimates is accelerated using a Kalman filter based, on-line stream editor that produces independent estimations of carrier phase integer biases and other parameters. Positions are then estimated using a short-arc approach and algorithms from JPL's GIPSY-OASIS software with satellite clock and orbit products from the International GNSS Service (IGS). The resulting positions show typical RMS scatter of 2.5 cm in the horizontal and 5 cm in the vertical with latencies below 2 seconds. To facilitate the use of these point position streams for applications such as seismic monitoring, we broadcast real-time positions and covariances using custom-built aggregation-distribution software based on RabbitMQ messaging platform. This software is capable of buffering 24-hour streams for hundreds of stations and providing them through a REST-ful web interface. To demonstrate the power of this approach, we have developed a Java-based front-end that provides a real-time visual display of time-series, displacement vector fields, and map-view, contoured, peak ground displacement. This Java-based front-end is available for download through the PANGA website. We are currently analyzing 80 PBO and PANGA stations along the Cascadia margin and gearing up to process all 400+ real-time stations that are operating in the Pacific Northwest, many of which are currently telemetered in real-time to CWU. These will serve as milestones towards our over-arching goal of extending our processing to include all of the available real-time streams from the Pacific rim. In addition, we have developed a Kalman filter to combine CWU real-time PPP solutions with those from Scripps Institute of Oceanography's PPP-AR real-time solutions as well as real-time solutions from the USGS. These combined products should improve the robustness and reliability of real-time point-position streams in the near future.

The Geometric Phase of Stock Trading.

PubMed

Altafini, Claudio

2016-01-01

Geometric phases describe how in a continuous-time dynamical system the displacement of a variable (called phase variable) can be related to other variables (shape variables) undergoing a cyclic motion, according to an area rule. The aim of this paper is to show that geometric phases can exist also for discrete-time systems, and even when the cycles in shape space have zero area. A context in which this principle can be applied is stock trading. A zero-area cycle in shape space represents the type of trading operations normally carried out by high-frequency traders (entering and exiting a position on a fast time-scale), while the phase variable represents the cash balance of a trader. Under the assumption that trading impacts stock prices, even zero-area cyclic trading operations can induce geometric phases, i.e., profits or losses, without affecting the stock quote.

Intra-operative digital imaging: assuring the alignment of components when undertaking total hip arthroplasty.

PubMed

Hambright, D; Hellman, M; Barrack, R

2018-01-01

The aims of this study were to examine the rate at which the positioning of the acetabular component, leg length discrepancy and femoral offset are outside an acceptable range in total hip arthroplasties (THAs) which either do or do not involve the use of intra-operative digital imaging. A retrospective case-control study was undertaken with 50 patients before and 50 patients after the integration of an intra-operative digital imaging system in THA. The demographics of the two groups were comparable for body mass index, age, laterality and the indication for surgery. The digital imaging group had more men than the group without. Surgical data and radiographic parameters, including the inclination and anteversion of the acetabular component, leg length discrepancy, and the difference in femoral offset compared with the contralateral hip were collected and compared, as well as the incidence of altering the position of a component based on the intra-operative image. Digital imaging took a mean of five minutes (2.3 to 14.6) to perform. Intra-operative changes with the use of digital imaging were made for 43 patients (86%), most commonly to adjust leg length and femoral offset. There was a decrease in the incidence of outliers when using intra-operative imaging compared with not using it in regard to leg length discrepancy (20% versus 52%, p = 0.001) and femoral offset inequality (18% versus 44%, p = 0.004). There was also a difference in the incidence of outliers in acetabular inclination (0% versus 7%, p = 0.023) and version (0% versus 4%, p = 0.114) compared with historical results of a high-volume surgeon at the same centre. The use of intra-operative digital imaging in THA improves the accuracy of the positioning of the components at THA without adding a substantial amount of time to the operation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100B(1 Supple A):36-43. ©2018 The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery.

Wi-Fi and satellite-based location techniques for intelligent agricultural machinery controlled by a human operator.

PubMed

Drenjanac, Domagoj; Tomic, Slobodanka; Agüera, Juan; Perez-Ruiz, Manuel

2014-10-22

In the new agricultural scenarios, the interaction between autonomous tractors and a human operator is important when they jointly perform a task. Obtaining and exchanging accurate localization information between autonomous tractors and the human operator, working as a team, is a critical to maintaining safety, synchronization, and efficiency during the execution of a mission. An advanced localization system for both entities involved in the joint work, i.e., the autonomous tractors and the human operator, provides a basis for meeting the task requirements. In this paper, different localization techniques for a human operator and an autonomous tractor in a field environment were tested. First, we compared the localization performances of two global navigation satellite systems' (GNSS) receivers carried by the human operator: (1) an internal GNSS receiver built into a handheld device; and (2) an external DGNSS receiver with centimeter-level accuracy. To investigate autonomous tractor localization, a real-time kinematic (RTK)-based localization system installed on autonomous tractor developed for agricultural applications was evaluated. Finally, a hybrid localization approach, which combines distance estimates obtained using a wireless scheme with the position of an autonomous tractor obtained using an RTK-GNSS system, is proposed. The hybrid solution is intended for user localization in unstructured environments in which the GNSS signal is obstructed. The hybrid localization approach has two components: (1) a localization algorithm based on the received signal strength indication (RSSI) from the wireless environment; and (2) the acquisition of the tractor RTK coordinates when the human operator is near the tractor. In five RSSI tests, the best result achieved was an average localization error of 4 m. In tests of real-time position correction between rows, RMS error of 2.4 cm demonstrated that the passes were straight, as was desired for the autonomous tractor. From these preliminary results, future work will address the use of autonomous tractor localization in the hybrid localization approach.

Wi-Fi and Satellite-Based Location Techniques for Intelligent Agricultural Machinery Controlled by a Human Operator

PubMed Central

Drenjanac, Domagoj; Tomic, Slobodanka; Agüera, Juan; Perez-Ruiz, Manuel

2014-01-01

In the new agricultural scenarios, the interaction between autonomous tractors and a human operator is important when they jointly perform a task. Obtaining and exchanging accurate localization information between autonomous tractors and the human operator, working as a team, is a critical to maintaining safety, synchronization, and efficiency during the execution of a mission. An advanced localization system for both entities involved in the joint work, i.e., the autonomous tractors and the human operator, provides a basis for meeting the task requirements. In this paper, different localization techniques for a human operator and an autonomous tractor in a field environment were tested. First, we compared the localization performances of two global navigation satellite systems’ (GNSS) receivers carried by the human operator: (1) an internal GNSS receiver built into a handheld device; and (2) an external DGNSS receiver with centimeter-level accuracy. To investigate autonomous tractor localization, a real-time kinematic (RTK)-based localization system installed on autonomous tractor developed for agricultural applications was evaluated. Finally, a hybrid localization approach, which combines distance estimates obtained using a wireless scheme with the position of an autonomous tractor obtained using an RTK-GNSS system, is proposed. The hybrid solution is intended for user localization in unstructured environments in which the GNSS signal is obstructed. The hybrid localization approach has two components: (1) a localization algorithm based on the received signal strength indication (RSSI) from the wireless environment; and (2) the acquisition of the tractor RTK coordinates when the human operator is near the tractor. In five RSSI tests, the best result achieved was an average localization error of 4 m. In tests of real-time position correction between rows, RMS error of 2.4 cm demonstrated that the passes were straight, as was desired for the autonomous tractor. From these preliminary results, future work will address the use of autonomous tractor localization in the hybrid localization approach. PMID:25340450

NASDA's Advanced On-Line System (ADOLIS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamamoto, Yoshikatsu; Hara, Hideo; Yamada, Shigeo; Hirata, Nobuyuki; Komatsu, Shigenori; Nishihata, Seiji; Oniyama, Akio

1993-01-01

Spacecraft operations including ground system operations are generally realized by various large or small scale group work which is done by operators, engineers, managers, users and so on, and their positions are geographically distributed in many cases. In face-to-face work environments, it is easy for them to understand each other. However, in distributed work environments which need communication media, if only using audio, they become estranged from each other and lose interest in and continuity of work. It is an obstacle to smooth operation of spacecraft. NASDA has developed an experimental model of a new real-time operation control system called 'ADOLIS' (ADvanced On-Line System) adopted to such a distributed environment using a multi-media system dealing with character, figure, image, handwriting, video and audio information which is accommodated to operation systems of a wide range including spacecraft and ground systems. This paper describes the results of the development of the experimental model.

Inflation and Financial Statement Analysis in the International Accounting Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riordan, Diane A.; Riordan, Michael P.

2009-01-01

This article provides an exercise for students to contemplate the effects of inflation during financial statement analysis. Even small amounts of inflation accumulating over time can grow to distort a company's reported financial position and results of operations. The growing economies in emerging markets, the international market for oil, and…

Controlling Costs. Managing Resources Module. Operational Management Programme. Second Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayter, Roy

This self-study unit focuses on managing resources--materials, equipment, personnel, money, energy, time, and information. The material is designed primarily for those in a supervisory or junior management position working within their company's policies and systems. The unit may be of value to the small business proprietor, as an introduction to…

Discrete fractional solutions of a Legendre equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yılmazer, Resat

2018-01-01

One of the most popular research interests of science and engineering is the fractional calculus theory in recent times. Discrete fractional calculus has also an important position in fractional calculus. In this work, we acquire new discrete fractional solutions of the homogeneous and non homogeneous Legendre differential equation by using discrete fractional nabla operator.

Analysis of Radiation Exposure for Troop Observers, Exercise Desert Rock V, Operation Upshot-Knothole.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-28

on initial doses. Residual doses are determined through an automiated procedure that utilizes raw data in regression analyses to fit space-time models...show their relationship to the observer positions. The computer-calculated doses do not reflect the presence of the human body in the radiological

Reliable protocol for shear wave elastography of lower limb muscles at rest and during passive stretching.

PubMed

Dubois, Guillaume; Kheireddine, Walid; Vergari, Claudio; Bonneau, Dominique; Thoreux, Patricia; Rouch, Philippe; Tanter, Mickael; Gennisson, Jean-Luc; Skalli, Wafa

2015-09-01

Development of shear wave elastography gave access to non-invasive muscle stiffness assessment in vivo. The aim of the present study was to define a measurement protocol to be used in clinical routine for quantifying the shear modulus of lower limb muscles. Four positions were defined to evaluate shear modulus in 10 healthy subjects: parallel to the fibers, in the anterior and posterior aspects of the lower limb, at rest and during passive stretching. Reliability was first evaluated on two muscles by three operators; these measurements were repeated six times. Then, measurement reliability was compared in 11 muscles by two operators; these measurements were repeated three times. Reproducibility of shear modulus was 0.48 kPa and repeatability was 0.41 kPa, with all muscles pooled. Position did not significantly influence reliability. Shear wave elastography appeared to be an appropriate and reliable tool to evaluate the shear modulus of lower limb muscles with the proposed protocol. Copyright © 2015 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Methods of practice and guidelines for using survey-grade global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) to establish vertical datum in the United States Geological Survey

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rydlund, Jr., Paul H.; Densmore, Brenda K.

2012-01-01

Geodetic surveys have evolved through the years to the use of survey-grade (centimeter level) global positioning to perpetuate and post-process vertical datum. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) uses Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology to monitor natural hazards, ensure geospatial control for climate and land use change, and gather data necessary for investigative studies related to water, the environment, energy, and ecosystems. Vertical datum is fundamental to a variety of these integrated earth sciences. Essentially GNSS surveys provide a three-dimensional position x, y, and z as a function of the North American Datum of 1983 ellipsoid and the most current hybrid geoid model. A GNSS survey may be approached with post-processed positioning for static observations related to a single point or network, or involve real-time corrections to provide positioning "on-the-fly." Field equipment required to facilitate GNSS surveys range from a single receiver, with a power source for static positioning, to an additional receiver or network communicated by radio or cellular for real-time positioning. A real-time approach in its most common form may be described as a roving receiver augmented by a single-base station receiver, known as a single-base real-time (RT) survey. More efficient real-time methods involving a Real-Time Network (RTN) permit the use of only one roving receiver that is augmented to a network of fixed receivers commonly known as Continually Operating Reference Stations (CORS). A post-processed approach in its most common form involves static data collection at a single point. Data are most commonly post-processed through a universally accepted utility maintained by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), known as the Online Position User Service (OPUS). More complex post-processed methods involve static observations among a network of additional receivers collecting static data at known benchmarks. Both classifications provide users flexibility regarding efficiency and quality of data collection. Quality assurance of survey-grade global positioning is often overlooked or not understood and perceived uncertainties can be misleading. GNSS users can benefit from a blueprint of data collection standards used to ensure consistency among USGS mission areas. A classification of GNSS survey qualities provide the user with the ability to choose from the highest quality survey used to establish objective points with low uncertainties, identified as a Level I, to a GNSS survey for general topographic control without quality assurance, identified as a Level IV. A Level I survey is strictly limited to post-processed methods, whereas Level II, Level III, and Level IV surveys integrate variations of a RT approach. Among these classifications, techniques involving blunder checks and redundancy are important, and planning that involves the assessment of the overall satellite configuration, as well as terrestrial and space weather, are necessary to ensure an efficient and quality campaign. Although quality indicators and uncertainties are identified in post-processed methods using CORS, the accuracy of a GNSS survey is most effectively expressed as a comparison to a local benchmark that has a high degree of confidence. Real-time and post-processed methods should incorporate these "trusted" benchmarks as a check during any campaign. Global positioning surveys are expected to change rapidly in the future. The expansion of continuously operating reference stations, combined with newly available satellite signals, and enhancements to the conterminous geoid, are all sufficient indicators for substantial growth in real-time positioning and quality thereof.

Inflammatory responses in the muscle coat of stomach and small bowel in the postoperative ileus model of guinea pig.

PubMed

Choi, Hong Kyu; Lee, Young Ju; Lee, Young Ho; Park, Jong Pil; Min, Kevin; Park, Hyojin

2013-11-01

Small intestinal function returns first after surgery, and then the function of the stomach returns to normal after postoperative ileus (POI). The aim of this study was to investigate inflammatory responses in the muscle coat of stomach and small intestine in guinea pig POI model. The distance of charcoal migration from pylorus to the distal intestine was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical stain for calprotectin were done from the histologic sections of stomach, jejunum and ileum obtained at 3 and 6 hour after operation. Data were compared between sham operation and POI groups. The distance of charcoal migration was significantly reduced in the 3 and 6 hour POI groups compared with sham operated groups (p<0.05). On H&E staining, the degree of inflammation was significantly higher in the stomach of 3 hour POI groups compared with jejunum and ileum of POI groups or sham operated groups (p<0.05). Calprotectin positive cells were significantly increased in the muscle coat of stomach of 3 hour POI groups compared with jejunum and ileum of POI groups or sham operated groups (p<0.05). There was strong association between the degree of inflammation and calprotectin positive cells in stomach. Postoperative ileus induced by cecal manipulation significantly increased the degree of inflammation and calprotectin positive cells in the muscle coat of stomach as a remote organ. The relevance of degree of inflammation and the recovery time of ileus should be pursued in the future research.

On differences of linear positive operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aral, Ali; Inoan, Daniela; Raşa, Ioan

2018-04-01

In this paper we consider two different general linear positive operators defined on unbounded interval and obtain estimates for the differences of these operators in quantitative form. Our estimates involve an appropriate K-functional and a weighted modulus of smoothness. Similar estimates are obtained for Chebyshev functional of these operators as well. All considerations are based on rearrangement of the remainder in Taylor's formula. The obtained results are applied for some well known linear positive operators.

Neural network evaluation of reflectometry density profiles for control purposes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, J.; Nunes, F.; Manso, M.; Nunes, I.

1999-01-01

Broadband reflectometry is a diagnostic that is able to measure the density profile with high spatial and temporal resolutions, therefore it can be used to improve the performance of advanced tokamak operation modes and to supplement or correct the magnetics for plasma position control. To perform these tasks real-time processing is needed. Here we present a method that uses a neural network to make a fast evaluation of radial positions for selected density layers. Typical ASDEX Upgrade density profiles were used to generate the simulated network training and test sets. It is shown that the method has the potential to meet the tight timing requirements of control applications with the required accuracy. The network is also able to provide an accurate estimation of the position of density layers below the first density layer which is probed by an O-mode reflectometer, provided that it is trained with a realistic density profile model.

Real-Time GPS Monitoring for Earthquake Rapid Assessment in the San Francisco Bay Area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guillemot, C.; Langbein, J. O.; Murray, J. R.

2012-12-01

The U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Science Center has deployed a network of eight real-time Global Positioning System (GPS) stations in the San Francisco Bay area and is implementing software applications to continuously evaluate the status of the deformation within the network. Real-time monitoring of the station positions is expected to provide valuable information for rapidly estimating source parameters should a large earthquake occur in the San Francisco Bay area. Because earthquake response applications require robust data access, as a first step we have developed a suite of web-based applications which are now routinely used to monitor the network's operational status and data streaming performance. The web tools provide continuously updated displays of important telemetry parameters such as data latency and receive rates, as well as source voltage and temperature information within each instrument enclosure. Automated software on the backend uses the streaming performance data to mitigate the impact of outages, radio interference and bandwidth congestion on deformation monitoring operations. A separate set of software applications manages the recovery of lost data due to faulty communication links. Displacement estimates are computed in real-time for various combinations of USGS, Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) and Bay Area Regional Deformation (BARD) network stations. We are currently comparing results from two software packages (one commercial and one open-source) used to process 1-Hz data on the fly and produce estimates of differential positions. The continuous monitoring of telemetry makes it possible to tune the network to minimize the impact of transient interruptions of the data flow, from one or more stations, on the estimated positions. Ongoing work is focused on using data streaming performance history to optimize the quality of the position, reduce drift and outliers by switching to the best set of stations within the network, and automatically select the "next best" station to use as reference. We are also working towards minimizing the loss of streamed data during concurrent data downloads by improving file management on the GPS receivers.

Electrode Edge Cobalt Cation Migration in an Operating Fuel Cell: An In Situ Micro-X-ray Fluorescence Study

DOE PAGES

Cai, Yun; Ziegelbauer, Joseph M.; Baker, Andrew M.; ...

2018-03-14

PtCo-alloy cathode electrocatalysts release Co cations under operation, and the presence of these cations in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) can result in large performance losses. It is unlikely that these cations are static, but change positions depending on operating conditions. A thorough accounting of these Co cation positions and concentrations has been impossible to obtain owing to the inability to monitor these processes in operando. Indeed, the environment (water and ion content, potential, and temperature) within a fuel cell varies widely from inlet to outlet, from anode to cathode, and from active to inactive area. Here, synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescencemore » (μ-XRF) was leveraged to directly monitor Co 2+ transport in an operating H 2/air MEA for the first time. A Nafion membrane was exchanged to a known Co cation capacity, and standard Pt/C electrocatalysts were utilized for both electrodes. Co Kα 1 XRF maps revealed through-plane transient Co transport responses driven by cell potential and current density. Because of the cell design and imaging geometry, the distributions were strongly impacted by the MEA edge configuration. These findings will drive future imaging cell designs to allow for quantitative mapping of cation through-plane distributions during operation.« less

Electrode Edge Cobalt Cation Migration in an Operating Fuel Cell: An In Situ Micro-X-ray Fluorescence Study

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

Cai, Yun; Ziegelbauer, Joseph M.; Baker, Andrew M.

PtCo-alloy cathode electrocatalysts release Co cations under operation, and the presence of these cations in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) can result in large performance losses. It is unlikely that these cations are static, but change positions depending on operating conditions. A thorough accounting of these Co cation positions and concentrations has been impossible to obtain owing to the inability to monitor these processes in operando. Indeed, the environment (water and ion content, potential, and temperature) within a fuel cell varies widely from inlet to outlet, from anode to cathode, and from active to inactive area. Here, synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescencemore » (μ-XRF) was leveraged to directly monitor Co 2+ transport in an operating H 2/air MEA for the first time. A Nafion membrane was exchanged to a known Co cation capacity, and standard Pt/C electrocatalysts were utilized for both electrodes. Co Kα 1 XRF maps revealed through-plane transient Co transport responses driven by cell potential and current density. Because of the cell design and imaging geometry, the distributions were strongly impacted by the MEA edge configuration. These findings will drive future imaging cell designs to allow for quantitative mapping of cation through-plane distributions during operation.« less

Real-time implementation of camera positioning algorithm based on FPGA & SOPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Mingcao; Qiu, Yuehong

2014-09-01

In recent years, with the development of positioning algorithm and FPGA, to achieve the camera positioning based on real-time implementation, rapidity, accuracy of FPGA has become a possibility by way of in-depth study of embedded hardware and dual camera positioning system, this thesis set up an infrared optical positioning system based on FPGA and SOPC system, which enables real-time positioning to mark points in space. Thesis completion include: (1) uses a CMOS sensor to extract the pixel of three objects with total feet, implemented through FPGA hardware driver, visible-light LED, used here as the target point of the instrument. (2) prior to extraction of the feature point coordinates, the image needs to be filtered to avoid affecting the physical properties of the system to bring the platform, where the median filtering. (3) Coordinate signs point to FPGA hardware circuit extraction, a new iterative threshold selection method for segmentation of images. Binary image is then segmented image tags, which calculates the coordinates of the feature points of the needle through the center of gravity method. (4) direct linear transformation (DLT) and extreme constraints method is applied to three-dimensional reconstruction of the plane array CMOS system space coordinates. using SOPC system on a chip here, taking advantage of dual-core computing systems, which let match and coordinate operations separately, thus increase processing speed.

Intelligent navigation to improve obstetrical sonography.

PubMed

Yeo, Lami; Romero, Roberto

2016-04-01

'Manual navigation' by the operator is the standard method used to obtain information from two-dimensional and volumetric sonography. Two-dimensional sonography is highly operator dependent and requires extensive training and expertise to assess fetal anatomy properly. Most of the sonographic examination time is devoted to acquisition of images, while 'retrieval' and display of diagnostic planes occurs rapidly (essentially instantaneously). In contrast, volumetric sonography has a rapid acquisition phase, but the retrieval and display of relevant diagnostic planes is often time-consuming, tedious and challenging. We propose the term 'intelligent navigation' to refer to a new method of interrogation of a volume dataset whereby identification and selection of key anatomical landmarks allow the system to: 1) generate a geometrical reconstruction of the organ of interest; and 2) automatically navigate, find, extract and display specific diagnostic planes. This is accomplished using operator-independent algorithms that are both predictable and adaptive. Virtual Intelligent Sonographer Assistance (VIS-Assistance®) is a tool that allows operator-independent sonographic navigation and exploration of the surrounding structures in previously identified diagnostic planes. The advantage of intelligent (over manual) navigation in volumetric sonography is the short time required for both acquisition and retrieval and display of diagnostic planes. Intelligent navigation technology automatically realigns the volume, and reorients and standardizes the anatomical position, so that the fetus and the diagnostic planes are consistently displayed in the same manner each time, regardless of the fetal position or the initial orientation. Automatic labeling of anatomical structures, subject orientation and each of the diagnostic planes is also possible. Intelligent navigation technology can operate on conventional computers, and is not dependent on specific ultrasound platforms or on the use of software to perform manual navigation of volume datasets. Diagnostic planes and VIS-Assistance videoclips can be transmitted by telemedicine so that expert consultants can evaluate the images to provide an opinion. The end result is a user-friendly, simple, fast and consistent method of obtaining sonographic images with decreased operator dependency. Intelligent navigation is one approach to improve obstetrical sonography. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Conformal, wearable, thin microwave antenna for sub-skin and skin surface monitoring

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

Converse, Mark C.; Chang, John T.; Duoss, Eric B.

A wearable antenna is operably positioned on a wearer's skin and is operably connected the wearer's tissue. A first antenna matched to the wearer's tissue is operably positioned on the wearer's skin. A second antenna matched to the air is operably positioned on the wearer's skin. Transmission lines connect the first antenna and the second antenna.

Enhancing Entity Level Knowledge Representation and Environmental Sensing in COMBATXXI Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

sensor to the IED (r) is 110 meters and probability 0 if r is 220 meters or greater. Time to clear an IED is 60 minutes. 51 The factors affecting ... Factors such as False Positive and False Negative allows us to see how an operator’s skill level can affect the outcome of a tactical convoy...operator. The performance of a UAS in the field can vary greatly, and this per- formance can have an enormous affect on the outcome of a military operation

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle causing thoracic outlet syndrome

PubMed Central

Watson, Hannah Isabella; Hopper, Graeme Philip; Kovacs, Peter

2013-01-01

A 7-year-old girl presented with an asymptomatic right supraclavicular swelling. Radiographs were interpreted as showing a non-union of her clavicle. No treatment was given at this time. However, she represented 12 years later with right upper limb pain and altered sensation. Examination revealed a positive Allen's test on the right. Repeat radiographs demonstrated a pseudarthrosis of the clavicle, associated with a secondary complication of thoracic outlet syndrome with vascular and neurological complications present. Non-operative management failed to relieve her symptoms. Operative intervention successfully treated her symptoms. PMID:23975919

An Investigation of the Relative Safety of Alternative Navigational System Designs for the New Sunshine Skyway Bridge: A CAORF (Computer Aided Operations Research Facility) Simulation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-09-01

physical states of the operator, ment may not result in a safe vessel transit. *" such as poor health or fatigue; and (3) workload, stress and time...with respect to the display format used, e.g., graphic or tion systems investigated were very similar to the types of digital, and the specific...The research that has been provided a predicted area of danger format superimposed 13 on a display providing exact ownship position information

Discomfort analysis in computerized numeric control machine operations.

PubMed

Muthukumar, Krishnamoorthy; Sankaranarayanasamy, Krishnasamy; Ganguli, Anindya Kumar

2012-06-01

The introduction of computerized numeric control (CNC) technology in manufacturing industries has revolutionized the production process, but there are some health and safety problems associated with these machines. The present study aimed to investigate the extent of postural discomfort in CNC machine operators, and the relationship of this discomfort to the display and control panel height, with a view to validate the anthropometric recommendation for the location of the display and control panel in CNC machines. The postural discomforts associated with CNC machines were studied in 122 male operators using Corlett and Bishop's body part discomfort mapping, subject information, and discomfort level at various time intervals from starting to end of a shift. This information was collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA. Neck discomfort due to the positioning of the machine displays, and shoulder and arm discomfort due to the positioning of controls were identified as common health issues in the operators of these machines. The study revealed that 45.9% of machine operators reported discomfort in the lower back, 41.8% in the neck, 22.1% in the upper-back, 53.3% in the shoulder and arm, and 21.3% of the operators reported discomfort in the leg. Discomfort increased with the progress of the day and was highest at the end of a shift; subject age had no effect on patient tendency to experience discomfort levels.

Discomfort Analysis in Computerized Numeric Control Machine Operations

PubMed Central

Sankaranarayanasamy, Krishnasamy; Ganguli, Anindya Kumar

2012-01-01

Objectives The introduction of computerized numeric control (CNC) technology in manufacturing industries has revolutionized the production process, but there are some health and safety problems associated with these machines. The present study aimed to investigate the extent of postural discomfort in CNC machine operators, and the relationship of this discomfort to the display and control panel height, with a view to validate the anthropometric recommendation for the location of the display and control panel in CNC machines. Methods The postural discomforts associated with CNC machines were studied in 122 male operators using Corlett and Bishop's body part discomfort mapping, subject information, and discomfort level at various time intervals from starting to end of a shift. This information was collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA. Results Neck discomfort due to the positioning of the machine displays, and shoulder and arm discomfort due to the positioning of controls were identified as common health issues in the operators of these machines. The study revealed that 45.9% of machine operators reported discomfort in the lower back, 41.8% in the neck, 22.1% in the upper-back, 53.3% in the shoulder and arm, and 21.3% of the operators reported discomfort in the leg. Conclusion Discomfort increased with the progress of the day and was highest at the end of a shift; subject age had no effect on patient tendency to experience discomfort levels. PMID:22993720

Error analysis of real time and post processed or bit determination of GFO using GPS tracking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schreiner, William S.

1991-01-01

The goal of the Navy's GEOSAT Follow-On (GFO) mission is to map the topography of the world's oceans in both real time (operational) and post processed modes. Currently, the best candidate for supplying the required orbit accuracy is the Global Positioning System (GPS). The purpose of this fellowship was to determine the expected orbit accuracy for GFO in both the real time and post-processed modes when using GPS tracking. This report presents the work completed through the ending date of the fellowship.

Handheld portable real-time tracking and communications device

DOEpatents

Wiseman, James M [Albuquerque, NM; Riblett, Jr., Loren E.; Green, Karl L [Albuquerque, NM; Hunter, John A [Albuquerque, NM; Cook, III, Robert N.; Stevens, James R [Arlington, VA

2012-05-22

Portable handheld real-time tracking and communications devices include; a controller module, communications module including global positioning and mesh network radio module, data transfer and storage module, and a user interface module enclosed in a water-resistant enclosure. Real-time tracking and communications devices can be used by protective force, security and first responder personnel to provide situational awareness allowing for enhance coordination and effectiveness in rapid response situations. Such devices communicate to other authorized devices via mobile ad-hoc wireless networks, and do not require fixed infrastructure for their operation.

Stability effects of singularities in force-controlled robotic assist devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luecke, Greg R.

2002-02-01

Force feedback is being used as an interface between humans and material handling equipment to provide an intuitive method to control large and bulky payloads. Powered actuation in the lift assist device compensates for the inertial characteristics of the manipulator and the payload to provide effortless control and handling of manufacturing parts, components, and assemblies. The use of these Intelligent Assist Devices (IAD) is being explored to prevent worker injury, enhance material handling performance, and increase productivity in the workplace. The IAD also provides the capability to shape and control motion in the workspace during routine operations. Virtual barriers can be developed to protect fixed objects in the workspace, and regions can be programmed that attract the work piece to a certain position and orientation. However, the robot is still under complete control of the human operator, with the trajectory being determined and commanded using the judgment of the operator to complete a given task. In many cases, the IAD is built in a configuration that may have singular points inside the workspace. These singularities can cause problems when the unstructured trajectory commands from the human cause interaction between the IAD and the virtual walls and fixtures at positions close to these singularities. The research presented here explores the stability effects of the interactions between the powered manipulator and the virtual surfaces when controlled by the operator. Because of the flexible nature of the human decisions determining the real time work piece paths, manipulator singularities that occur in conjunction with the virtual surfaces raise stability issues in the performance around these singularities. We examine these stability issues in the context of a particular IAD configuration, and present analytic results for the performance and stability of these systems in response to the real-time trajectory modification of the human operator.

Platform Architecture for Decentralized Positioning Systems.

PubMed

Kasmi, Zakaria; Norrdine, Abdelmoumen; Blankenbach, Jörg

2017-04-26

A platform architecture for positioning systems is essential for the realization of a flexible localization system, which interacts with other systems and supports various positioning technologies and algorithms. The decentralized processing of a position enables pushing the application-level knowledge into a mobile station and avoids the communication with a central unit such as a server or a base station. In addition, the calculation of the position on low-cost and resource-constrained devices presents a challenge due to the limited computing, storage capacity, as well as power supply. Therefore, we propose a platform architecture that enables the design of a system with the reusability of the components, extensibility (e.g., with other positioning technologies) and interoperability. Furthermore, the position is computed on a low-cost device such as a microcontroller, which simultaneously performs additional tasks such as data collecting or preprocessing based on an operating system. The platform architecture is designed, implemented and evaluated on the basis of two positioning systems: a field strength system and a time of arrival-based positioning system.

Platform Architecture for Decentralized Positioning Systems

PubMed Central

Kasmi, Zakaria; Norrdine, Abdelmoumen; Blankenbach, Jörg

2017-01-01

A platform architecture for positioning systems is essential for the realization of a flexible localization system, which interacts with other systems and supports various positioning technologies and algorithms. The decentralized processing of a position enables pushing the application-level knowledge into a mobile station and avoids the communication with a central unit such as a server or a base station. In addition, the calculation of the position on low-cost and resource-constrained devices presents a challenge due to the limited computing, storage capacity, as well as power supply. Therefore, we propose a platform architecture that enables the design of a system with the reusability of the components, extensibility (e.g., with other positioning technologies) and interoperability. Furthermore, the position is computed on a low-cost device such as a microcontroller, which simultaneously performs additional tasks such as data collecting or preprocessing based on an operating system. The platform architecture is designed, implemented and evaluated on the basis of two positioning systems: a field strength system and a time of arrival-based positioning system. PMID:28445414

Positional reference system for ultraprecision machining

DOEpatents

Arnold, Jones B.; Burleson, Robert R.; Pardue, Robert M.

1982-01-01

A stable positional reference system for use in improving the cutting tool-to-part contour position in numerical controlled-multiaxis metal turning machines is provided. The reference system employs a plurality of interferometers referenced to orthogonally disposed metering bars which are substantially isolated from machine strain induced position errors for monitoring the part and tool positions relative to the metering bars. A microprocessor-based control system is employed in conjunction with the plurality of position interferometers and part contour description data inputs to calculate error components for each axis of movement and output them to corresponding axis drives with appropriate scaling and error compensation. Real-time position control, operating in combination with the reference system, makes possible the positioning of the cutting points of a tool along a part locus with a substantially greater degree of accuracy than has been attained previously in the art by referencing and then monitoring only the tool motion relative to a reference position located on the machine base.

Positional reference system for ultraprecision machining

DOEpatents

Arnold, J.B.; Burleson, R.R.; Pardue, R.M.

1980-09-12

A stable positional reference system for use in improving the cutting tool-to-part contour position in numerical controlled-multiaxis metal turning machines is provided. The reference system employs a plurality of interferometers referenced to orthogonally disposed metering bars which are substantially isolated from machine strain induced position errors for monitoring the part and tool positions relative to the metering bars. A microprocessor-based control system is employed in conjunction with the plurality of positions interferometers and part contour description data input to calculate error components for each axis of movement and output them to corresponding axis driven with appropriate scaling and error compensation. Real-time position control, operating in combination with the reference system, makes possible the positioning of the cutting points of a tool along a part locus with a substantially greater degree of accuracy than has been attained previously in the art by referencing and then monitoring only the tool motion relative to a reference position located on the machine base.

Executing a gather operation on a parallel computer

DOEpatents

Archer, Charles J [Rochester, MN; Ratterman, Joseph D [Rochester, MN

2012-03-20

Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are disclosed for executing a gather operation on a parallel computer according to embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments include configuring, by the logical root, a result buffer or the logical root, the result buffer having positions, each position corresponding to a ranked node in the operational group and for storing contribution data gathered from that ranked node. Embodiments also include repeatedly for each position in the result buffer: determining, by each compute node of an operational group, whether the current position in the result buffer corresponds with the rank of the compute node, if the current position in the result buffer corresponds with the rank of the compute node, contributing, by that compute node, the compute node's contribution data, if the current position in the result buffer does not correspond with the rank of the compute node, contributing, by that compute node, a value of zero for the contribution data, and storing, by the logical root in the current position in the result buffer, results of a bitwise OR operation of all the contribution data by all compute nodes of the operational group for the current position, the results received through the global combining network.

Real-time monitoring for detection of retained surgical sponges and team motion in the surgical operation room using radio-frequency-identification (RFID) technology: a preclinical evaluation.

PubMed

Kranzfelder, Michael; Zywitza, Dorit; Jell, Thomas; Schneider, Armin; Gillen, Sonja; Friess, Helmut; Feussner, Hubertus

2012-06-15

Technical progress in the surgical operating room (OR) increases constantly, facilitating the development of intelligent OR systems functioning as "safety backup" in the background of surgery. Precondition is comprehensive data retrieval to identify imminent risky situations and inaugurate adequate security mechanisms. Radio-frequency-identification (RFID) technology may have the potential to meet these demands. We set up a pilot study investigating feasibility and appliance reliability of a stationary RFID system for real-time surgical sponge monitoring (passive tagged sponges, position monitoring: mayo-stand/abdominal situs/waste bucket) and OR team tracking (active transponders, position monitoring: right/left side of OR table). In vitro: 20/20 sponges (100%) were detected on the mayo-stand and within the OR-phantom, however, real-time detection accuracy declined to 7/20 (33%) when the tags were moved simultaneously. All retained sponges were detected correctly. In vivo (animal): 7-10/10 sterilized sponges (70%-100%) were detected correctly within the abdominal cavity. OR-team: detection accuracy within the OR (surveillance antenna) and on both sides of the OR table (sector antenna) was 100%. Mean detection time for position change (left to right side and contrariwise) was 30-60 s. No transponder failure was noted. This is the first combined RFID system that has been developed for stationary use in the surgical OR. Preclinical evaluation revealed a reliable sponge tracking and correct detection of retained textiles (passive RFID) but also demonstrated feasibility of comprehensive data acquisition of team motion (active RFID). However, detection accuracy needs to be further improved before implementation into the surgical OR. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

STARTUP REACTIVITY ACCOUNTABILITY ATTRIBUTED TO ISOTOPIC TRANSMUTATIONS IN THE IRRADIATED BERYLLIUM REFLECTOR OF THE HIGH FLUX ISTOTOPE REACTOR

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

Chandler, David; Maldonado, G Ivan; Primm, Trent

2010-01-01

The objective of this study is to develop a methodology to predict the reactivity impact as a function of outage time between cycles of 3He, 6Li, and other poisons in the High Flux Isotope Reactor s (HFIR) beryllium reflector. The reactivity worth at startup of the HFIR has been incorrectly predicted in the past after the reactor has been shut-down for long periods of time. The incorrect prediction was postulated to be due to the erroneous calculation of 3He buildup in the beryllium reflector. It is necessary to develop a better estimate of the start-of-cycle symmetric critical control element positionsmore » since if the estimated and actual symmetrical critical control element positions differ by more than $1.55 in reactivity (approximately one-half inch in control element startup position), HFIR is to be shutdown and a technical evaluation is performed to resolve the discrepancy prior to restart. 3He is generated and depleted during operation, but during an outage, the depletion of 3He ceases because it is a stable isotope. 3He is born from the radioactive decay of tritium, and thus the concentration of 3He increases during shutdown. The computer program SCALE, specifically the TRITON and CSAS5 control modules including the KENO V.A, COUPLE, and ORIGEN functional modules were utilized in this study. An equation relating the down time (td) to the change in symmetric control element position was generated and validated against measurements for approximately 40 HFIR operating cycles. The newly-derived correlation was shown to improve accuracy of predictions for long periods of down time.« less

Reactivity Accountability Attributed to Reflector Poisons in the High Flux Isotope Reactor

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

Chandler, David; Maldonado, G Ivan; Primm, Trent

2009-12-01

The objective of this study is to develop a methodology to predict the reactivity impact as a function of outage time between cycles of 3He, 6Li, and other poisons in the High Flux Isotope Reactor s (HFIR) beryllium reflector. The reactivity worth at startup of the HFIR has been incorrectly predicted in the past after the reactor has been shut-down for long periods of time. The incorrect prediction was postulated to be due to the erroneous calculation of 3He buildup in the beryllium reflector. It is necessary to develop a better estimate of the start-of-cycle symmetric critical control element positionsmore » since if the estimated and actual symmetrical critical control element positions differ by more than $1.55 in reactivity (approximately one-half inch in control element startup position), HFIR is to be shutdown and a technical evaluation is performed to resolve the discrepancy prior to restart. 3He is generated and depleted during operation, but during an outage, the depletion of 3He ceases because it is a stable isotope. 3He is born from the radioactive decay of tritium, and thus the concentration of 3He increases during shutdown. SCALE, specifically the TRITON and CSAS5 control modules including the KENO V.A, COUPLE, and ORIGEN functional modules were utilized in this study. An equation relating the down time (td) to the change in symmetric control element position was generated and validated against measurements for approximately 40 HFIR operating cycles. The newly-derived correlation was shown to improve accuracy of predictions for long periods of down time.« less

Congenital cheek teratoma with temporo-mandibular joint ankylosis managed with ultra-thin silicone sheet interpositional arthroplasty.

PubMed

Bhatnagar, Ankur; Verma, Vinay Kumar; Purohit, Vishal

2013-01-01

Primary cheek teratomas are rare with < 5 reported cases. None had associated temporo mandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA). The fundamental aim in the treatment of TMJA is the successful surgical resection of ankylotic bone, prevention of recurrence, and aesthetic improvement by ensuring functional occlusion. Early treatment is necessary to promote proper growth and function of mandible and to facilitate the positive psychological development of child. Inter-positional arthroplasty with ultra-thin silicone sheet was performed. Advantages include short operative time, less foreign material in the joint space leading to negligible foreign body reactions and least chances of implant extrusion. Instead of excising a large bony segment, a thin silicone sheet was interposed and then sutured ensuring preservation of mandibular height. Aggressive post-operative physiotherapy with custom made dynamic jaw exerciser was used to prevent recurrence.

Queue position in the endoscopic schedule impacts effectiveness of colonoscopy.

PubMed

Lee, Alexander; Iskander, John M; Gupta, Nitin; Borg, Brian B; Zuckerman, Gary; Banerjee, Bhaskar; Gyawali, C Prakash

2011-08-01

Endoscopist fatigue potentially impacts colonoscopy. Fatigue is difficult to quantitate, but polyp detection rates between non-fatigued and fatigued time periods could represent a surrogate marker. We assessed whether timing variables impacted polyp detection rates at a busy tertiary care endoscopy suite. Consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were retrospectively identified. Indications, clinical demographics, pre-procedural, and procedural variables were extracted from chart review; colonoscopy findings were determined from the procedure reports. Three separate timing variables were assessed as surrogate markers for endoscopist fatigue: morning vs. afternoon procedures, start times throughout the day, and queue position, a unique variable that takes into account the number of procedures performed before the colonoscopy of interest. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether timing variables and other clinical, pre-procedural, and procedural variables predicted polyp detection. During the 4-month study period, 1,083 outpatient colonoscopy procedures (57.5±0.5 years, 59.5% female) were identified, performed by 28 endoscopists (mean 38.7 procedures/endoscopist), with a mean polyp detection rate of 0.851/colonoscopy. At least, one adenoma was detected in 297 procedures (27.4%). A 12.4% reduction in mean detected polyps was detected between morning and afternoon procedures (0.90±0.06 vs. 0.76±0.06, P=0.15). Using start time on a continuous scale, however, each elapsed hour in the day was associated with a 4.6% reduction in polyp detection (P=0.005). When queue position was assessed, a 5.4% reduction in polyp detection was noted with each increase in queue position (P=0.016). These results remained significant when controlled for each individual endoscopist. Polyp detection rates decline as time passes during an endoscopist's schedule, potentially from endoscopist fatigue. Queue position may be a novel surrogate measure for operator fatigue.

Identification of blood culture isolates directly from positive blood cultures by use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and a commercial extraction system: analysis of performance, cost, and turnaround time.

PubMed

Lagacé-Wiens, Philippe R S; Adam, Heather J; Karlowsky, James A; Nichol, Kimberly A; Pang, Paulette F; Guenther, Jodi; Webb, Amanda A; Miller, Crystal; Alfa, Michelle J

2012-10-01

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry represents a revolution in the rapid identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Recently, MALDI-TOF has been applied directly to positive blood culture bottles for the rapid identification of pathogens, leading to reductions in turnaround time and potentially beneficial patient impacts. The development of a commercially available extraction kit (Bruker Sepsityper) for use with the Bruker MALDI BioTyper has facilitated the processing required for identification of pathogens directly from positive from blood cultures. We report the results of an evaluation of the accuracy, cost, and turnaround time of this method for 61 positive monomicrobial and 2 polymicrobial cultures representing 26 species. The Bruker MALDI BioTyper with the Sepsityper gave a valid (score, >1.7) identification for 85.2% of positive blood cultures with no misidentifications. The mean reduction in turnaround time to identification was 34.3 h (P < 0.0001) in the ideal situation where MALDI-TOF was used for all blood cultures and 26.5 h in a more practical setting where conventional identification or identification from subcultures was required for isolates that could not be directly identified by MALDI-TOF. Implementation of a MALDI-TOF-based identification system for direct identification of pathogens from blood cultures is expected to be associated with a marginal increase in operating costs for most laboratories. However, the use of MALDI-TOF for direct identification is accurate and should result in reduced turnaround time to identification.

A mass, momentum, and energy conserving, fully implicit, scalable algorithm for the multi-dimensional, multi-species Rosenbluth-Fokker-Planck equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taitano, W. T.; Chacón, L.; Simakov, A. N.; Molvig, K.

2015-09-01

In this study, we demonstrate a fully implicit algorithm for the multi-species, multidimensional Rosenbluth-Fokker-Planck equation which is exactly mass-, momentum-, and energy-conserving, and which preserves positivity. Unlike most earlier studies, we base our development on the Rosenbluth (rather than Landau) form of the Fokker-Planck collision operator, which reduces complexity while allowing for an optimal fully implicit treatment. Our discrete conservation strategy employs nonlinear constraints that force the continuum symmetries of the collision operator to be satisfied upon discretization. We converge the resulting nonlinear system iteratively using Jacobian-free Newton-Krylov methods, effectively preconditioned with multigrid methods for efficiency. Single- and multi-species numerical examples demonstrate the advertised accuracy properties of the scheme, and the superior algorithmic performance of our approach. In particular, the discretization approach is numerically shown to be second-order accurate in time and velocity space and to exhibit manifestly positive entropy production. That is, H-theorem behavior is indicated for all the examples we have tested. The solution approach is demonstrated to scale optimally with respect to grid refinement (with CPU time growing linearly with the number of mesh points), and timestep (showing very weak dependence of CPU time with time-step size). As a result, the proposed algorithm delivers several orders-of-magnitude speedup vs. explicit algorithms.

A Randomized Comparison Between Conventional and Waveform-Confirmed Loss of Resistance for Thoracic Epidural Blocks.

PubMed

Arnuntasupakul, Vanlapa; Van Zundert, Tom C R V; Vijitpavan, Amorn; Aliste, Julian; Engsusophon, Phatthanaphol; Leurcharusmee, Prangmalee; Ah-Kye, Sonia; Finlayson, Roderick J; Tran, De Q H

2016-01-01

Epidural waveform analysis (EWA) provides a simple confirmatory adjunct for loss of resistance (LOR): when the needle tip is correctly positioned inside the epidural space, pressure measurement results in a pulsatile waveform. In this randomized trial, we compared conventional and EWA-confirmed LOR in 2 teaching centers. Our research hypothesis was that EWA-confirmed LOR would decrease the failure rate of thoracic epidural blocks. One hundred patients undergoing thoracic epidural blocks for thoracic surgery, abdominal surgery, or rib fractures were randomized to conventional LOR or EWA-LOR. The operator was allowed as many attempts as necessary to achieve a satisfactory LOR (by feel) in the conventional group. In the EWA-LOR group, LOR was confirmed by connecting the epidural needle to a pressure transducer using a rigid extension tubing. Positive waveforms indicated that the needle tip was positioned inside the epidural space. The operator was allowed a maximum of 3 different intervertebral levels to obtain a positive waveform. If waveforms were still absent at the third level, the operator simply accepted LOR as the technical end point. However, the patient was retained in the EWA-LOR group (intent-to-treat analysis).After achieving a satisfactory tactile LOR (conventional group), positive waveforms (EWA-LOR group), or a third intervertebral level with LOR but no waveform (EWA-LOR group), the operator administered a 4-mL test dose of lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 5 μg/mL. Fifteen minutes after the test dose, a blinded investigator assessed the patient for sensory block to ice. Compared with LOR, EWA-LOR resulted in a lower rate of primary failure (2% vs 24%; P = 0.002). Subgroup analysis based on experience level reveals that EWA-LOR outperformed conventional LOR for novice (P = 0.001) but not expert operators. The performance time was longer in the EWA-LOR group (11.2 ± 6.2 vs 8.0 ± 4.6 minutes; P = 0.006). Both groups were comparable in terms of operator's level of expertise, depth of the epidural space, approach, and LOR medium. In the EWA-LOR group, operators obtained a pulsatile waveform with the first level attempted in 60% of patients. However, 40% of subjects required performance at a second or third level. Compared with its conventional counterpart, EWA-confirmed LOR results in a lower failure rate for thoracic epidural blocks (2% vs 24%) in our teaching centers. Confirmatory EWA provides significant benefits for inexperienced operators.

Symptom validity test performance and consistency of self-reported memory functioning of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi freedom veterans with positive Veteran Health Administration Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury evaluations.

PubMed

Russo, Arthur C

2012-12-01

Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veterans given definite diagnoses of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) during the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) Comprehensive TBI evaluation and reporting no post-deployment head injury were examined to assess (a) consistency of self-reported memory impairment and (b) symptom validity test (SVT) performance via a two-part study. Study 1 found that while 49 of 50 veterans reported moderate to very severe memory impairment during the VHA Comprehensive TBI evaluation, only 7 had reported any memory problem at the time of their Department of Defense (DOD) post-deployment health assessment. Study 2 found that of 38 veterans referred for neuropsychological evaluations following a positive VHA Comprehensive TBI evaluation, 68.4% failed the Word Memory Test, a forced choice memory recognition symptom validity task. Together, these studies raise questions concerning the use of veteran symptom self-report for TBI assessments and argue for the inclusion of SVTs and the expanded use of contemporaneous DOD records to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the VHA Comprehensive TBI evaluation.

Use and Protection of GPS Sidelobe Signals for Enhanced Navigation Performance in High Earth Orbit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, Joel J. K.; Valdez, Jennifer E.; Bauer, Frank H.; Moreau, Michael C.

2016-01-01

GPS (Global Positioning System) Space Service Volume (SSV) signal environment is from 3,000-36,000 kilometers altitude. Current SSV specifications only capture performance provided by signals transmitted within 23.5(L1) or 26(L2-L5) off-nadir angle. Recent on-orbit data lessons learned show significant PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing) performance improvements when the full aggregate signal is used. Numerous military civil operational missions in High Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (HEOGEO) utilize the full signal to enhance vehicle PNT performance

Evaluation of shoulder integrity in space: first report of musculoskeletal US on the International Space Station.

PubMed

Fincke, E Michael; Padalka, Gennady; Lee, Doohi; van Holsbeeck, Marnix; Sargsyan, Ashot E; Hamilton, Douglas R; Martin, David; Melton, Shannon L; McFarlin, Kellie; Dulchavsky, Scott A

2005-02-01

Investigative procedures were approved by Henry Ford Human Investigation Committee and NASA Johnson Space Center Committee for Protection of Human Subjects. Informed consent was obtained. Authors evaluated ability of nonphysician crewmember to obtain diagnostic-quality musculoskeletal ultrasonographic (US) data of the shoulder by following a just-in-time training algorithm and using real-time remote guidance aboard the International Space Station (ISS). ISS Expedition-9 crewmembers attended a 2.5-hour didactic and hands-on US training session 4 months before launch. Aboard the ISS, they completed a 1-hour computer-based Onboard Proficiency Enhancement program 7 days before examination. Crewmembers did not receive specific training in shoulder anatomy or shoulder US techniques. Evaluation of astronaut shoulder integrity was done by using a Human Research Facility US system. Crew used special positioning techniques for subject and operator to facilitate US in microgravity environment. Common anatomic reference points aided initial probe placement. Real-time US video of shoulder was transmitted to remote experienced sonologists in Telescience Center at Johnson Space Center. Probe manipulation and equipment adjustments were guided with verbal commands from remote sonologists to astronaut operators to complete rotator cuff evaluation. Comprehensive US of crewmember's shoulder included transverse and longitudinal images of biceps and supraspinatus tendons and articular cartilage surface. Total examination time required to guide astronaut operator to acquire necessary images was approximately 15 minutes. Multiple arm and probe positions were used to acquire dynamic video images that were of excellent quality to allow evaluation of shoulder integrity. Postsession download and analysis of high-fidelity US images collected onboard demonstrated additional anatomic detail that could be used to exclude subtle injury. Musculoskeletal US can be performed in space by minimally trained operators by using remote guidance. This technique can be used to evaluate shoulder integrity in symptomatic crewmembers after strenuous extravehicular activities or to monitor microgravity-associated changes in musculoskeletal anatomy. Just-in-time training, combined with remote experienced physician guidance, may provide a useful approach to complex medical tasks performed by nonexperienced personnel in a variety of remote settings, including current and future space programs. (c) RSNA, 2004.

Evaluation of shoulder integrity in space: first report of musculoskeletal US on the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fincke, E. Michael; Padalka, Gennady; Lee, Doohi; van Holsbeeck, Marnix; Sargsyan, Ashot E.; Hamilton, Douglas R.; Martin, David; Melton, Shannon L.; McFarlin, Kellie; Dulchavsky, Scott A.

2005-01-01

Investigative procedures were approved by Henry Ford Human Investigation Committee and NASA Johnson Space Center Committee for Protection of Human Subjects. Informed consent was obtained. Authors evaluated ability of nonphysician crewmember to obtain diagnostic-quality musculoskeletal ultrasonographic (US) data of the shoulder by following a just-in-time training algorithm and using real-time remote guidance aboard the International Space Station (ISS). ISS Expedition-9 crewmembers attended a 2.5-hour didactic and hands-on US training session 4 months before launch. Aboard the ISS, they completed a 1-hour computer-based Onboard Proficiency Enhancement program 7 days before examination. Crewmembers did not receive specific training in shoulder anatomy or shoulder US techniques. Evaluation of astronaut shoulder integrity was done by using a Human Research Facility US system. Crew used special positioning techniques for subject and operator to facilitate US in microgravity environment. Common anatomic reference points aided initial probe placement. Real-time US video of shoulder was transmitted to remote experienced sonologists in Telescience Center at Johnson Space Center. Probe manipulation and equipment adjustments were guided with verbal commands from remote sonologists to astronaut operators to complete rotator cuff evaluation. Comprehensive US of crewmember's shoulder included transverse and longitudinal images of biceps and supraspinatus tendons and articular cartilage surface. Total examination time required to guide astronaut operator to acquire necessary images was approximately 15 minutes. Multiple arm and probe positions were used to acquire dynamic video images that were of excellent quality to allow evaluation of shoulder integrity. Postsession download and analysis of high-fidelity US images collected onboard demonstrated additional anatomic detail that could be used to exclude subtle injury. Musculoskeletal US can be performed in space by minimally trained operators by using remote guidance. This technique can be used to evaluate shoulder integrity in symptomatic crewmembers after strenuous extravehicular activities or to monitor microgravity-associated changes in musculoskeletal anatomy. Just-in-time training, combined with remote experienced physician guidance, may provide a useful approach to complex medical tasks performed by nonexperienced personnel in a variety of remote settings, including current and future space programs. (c) RSNA, 2004.

Three-dimensional surgical simulation.

PubMed

Cevidanes, Lucia H C; Tucker, Scott; Styner, Martin; Kim, Hyungmin; Chapuis, Jonas; Reyes, Mauricio; Proffit, William; Turvey, Timothy; Jaskolka, Michael

2010-09-01

In this article, we discuss the development of methods for computer-aided jaw surgery, which allows us to incorporate the high level of precision necessary for transferring virtual plans into the operating room. We also present a complete computer-aided surgery system developed in close collaboration with surgeons. Surgery planning and simulation include construction of 3-dimensional surface models from cone-beam computed tomography, dynamic cephalometry, semiautomatic mirroring, interactive cutting of bone, and bony segment repositioning. A virtual setup can be used to manufacture positioning splints for intraoperative guidance. The system provides further intraoperative assistance with a computer display showing jaw positions and 3-dimensional positioning guides updated in real time during the surgical procedure. The computer-aided surgery system aids in dealing with complex cases with benefits for the patient, with surgical practice, and for orthodontic finishing. Advanced software tools for diagnosis and treatment planning allow preparation of detailed operative plans, osteotomy repositioning, bone reconstructions, surgical resident training, and assessing the difficulties of the surgical procedures before the surgery. Computer-aided surgery can make the elaboration of the surgical plan a more flexible process, increase the level of detail and accuracy of the plan, yield higher operative precision and control, and enhance documentation of cases. 2010 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advisory Algorithm for Scheduling Open Sectors, Operating Positions, and Workstations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloem, Michael; Drew, Michael; Lai, Chok Fung; Bilimoria, Karl D.

2012-01-01

Air traffic controller supervisors configure available sector, operating position, and work-station resources to safely and efficiently control air traffic in a region of airspace. In this paper, an algorithm for assisting supervisors with this task is described and demonstrated on two sample problem instances. The algorithm produces configuration schedule advisories that minimize a cost. The cost is a weighted sum of two competing costs: one penalizing mismatches between configurations and predicted air traffic demand and another penalizing the effort associated with changing configurations. The problem considered by the algorithm is a shortest path problem that is solved with a dynamic programming value iteration algorithm. The cost function contains numerous parameters. Default values for most of these are suggested based on descriptions of air traffic control procedures and subject-matter expert feedback. The parameter determining the relative importance of the two competing costs is tuned by comparing historical configurations with corresponding algorithm advisories. Two sample problem instances for which appropriate configuration advisories are obvious were designed to illustrate characteristics of the algorithm. Results demonstrate how the algorithm suggests advisories that appropriately utilize changes in airspace configurations and changes in the number of operating positions allocated to each open sector. The results also demonstrate how the advisories suggest appropriate times for configuration changes.

Intra-operative peritoneal lavage for colorectal cancer

PubMed Central

Passot, Guillaume; Mohkam, Kayvan; Cotte, Eddy; Glehen, Olivier

2014-01-01

Free cancer cells can be detected in peritoneal fluid at the time of colorectal surgery. Peritoneal lavage in colorectal surgery for cancer is not used in routine, and the prognostic significance of intraperitoneal free cancer cells (IPCC) remains unclear. Data concerning the technique of peritoneal lavage to detect IPCC and its timing regarding colorectal resection are scarce. However, positive IPCC might be the first step of peritoneal spread in colorectal cancers, which could lead to early specific treatments. Because of the important heterogeneity of IPCC determination in reported studies, no treatment have been proposed to patients with positive IPCC. Herein, we provide an overview of IPCC detection and its impact on recurrence and survival, and we suggest further multi-institutional studies to evaluate new treatment strategies. PMID:24616569

Tightly Coupled Integration of GPS Ambiguity Fixed Precise Point Positioning and MEMS-INS through a Troposphere-Constrained Adaptive Kalman Filter

PubMed Central

Han, Houzeng; Xu, Tianhe; Wang, Jian

2016-01-01

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) makes use of the undifferenced pseudorange and carrier phase measurements with ionospheric-free (IF) combinations to achieve centimeter-level positioning accuracy. Conventionally, the IF ambiguities are estimated as float values. To improve the PPP positioning accuracy and shorten the convergence time, the integer phase clock model with between-satellites single-difference (BSSD) operation is used to recover the integer property. However, the continuity and availability of stand-alone PPP is largely restricted by the observation environment. The positioning performance will be significantly degraded when GPS operates under challenging environments, if less than five satellites are present. A commonly used approach is integrating a low cost inertial sensor to improve the positioning performance and robustness. In this study, a tightly coupled (TC) algorithm is implemented by integrating PPP with inertial navigation system (INS) using an Extended Kalman filter (EKF). The navigation states, inertial sensor errors and GPS error states are estimated together. The troposphere constrained approach, which utilizes external tropospheric delay as virtual observation, is applied to further improve the ambiguity-fixed height positioning accuracy, and an improved adaptive filtering strategy is implemented to improve the covariance modelling considering the realistic noise effect. A field vehicular test with a geodetic GPS receiver and a low cost inertial sensor was conducted to validate the improvement on positioning performance with the proposed approach. The results show that the positioning accuracy has been improved with inertial aiding. Centimeter-level positioning accuracy is achievable during the test, and the PPP/INS TC integration achieves a fast re-convergence after signal outages. For troposphere constrained solutions, a significant improvement for the height component has been obtained. The overall positioning accuracies of the height component are improved by 30.36%, 16.95% and 24.07% for three different convergence times, i.e., 60, 50 and 30 min, respectively. It shows that the ambiguity-fixed horizontal positioning accuracy has been significantly improved. When compared with the conventional PPP solution, it can be seen that position accuracies are improved by 19.51%, 61.11% and 23.53% for the north, east and height components, respectively, after one hour convergence through the troposphere constraint fixed PPP/INS with adaptive covariance model. PMID:27399721

Kraus Operators for a Pair of Interacting Qubits: a Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arsenijević, M.; Jeknić-Dugić, J.; Dugić, M.

2018-04-01

The Kraus form of the completely positive dynamical maps is appealing from the mathematical and the point of the diverse applications of the open quantum systems theory. Unfortunately, the Kraus operators are poorly known for the two-qubit processes. In this paper, we derive the Kraus operators for a pair of interacting qubits, while the strength of the interaction is arbitrary. One of the qubits is subjected to the x-projection spin measurement. The obtained results are applied to calculate the dynamics of the entanglement in the qubits system. We obtain the loss of the correlations in the finite time interval; the stronger the inter-qubit interaction, the longer lasting entanglement in the system.

Kraus Operators for a Pair of Interacting Qubits: a Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arsenijević, M.; Jeknić-Dugić, J.; Dugić, M.

2018-06-01

The Kraus form of the completely positive dynamical maps is appealing from the mathematical and the point of the diverse applications of the open quantum systems theory. Unfortunately, the Kraus operators are poorly known for the two-qubit processes. In this paper, we derive the Kraus operators for a pair of interacting qubits, while the strength of the interaction is arbitrary. One of the qubits is subjected to the x-projection spin measurement. The obtained results are applied to calculate the dynamics of the entanglement in the qubits system. We obtain the loss of the correlations in the finite time interval; the stronger the inter-qubit interaction, the longer lasting entanglement in the system.

Computer-aided position planning of miniplates to treat facial bone defects

PubMed Central

Wallner, Jürgen; Gall, Markus; Chen, Xiaojun; Schwenzer-Zimmerer, Katja; Reinbacher, Knut; Schmalstieg, Dieter

2017-01-01

In this contribution, a software system for computer-aided position planning of miniplates to treat facial bone defects is proposed. The intra-operatively used bone plates have to be passively adapted on the underlying bone contours for adequate bone fragment stabilization. However, this procedure can lead to frequent intra-operatively performed material readjustments especially in complex surgical cases. Our approach is able to fit a selection of common implant models on the surgeon’s desired position in a 3D computer model. This happens with respect to the surrounding anatomical structures, always including the possibility of adjusting both the direction and the position of the used osteosynthesis material. By using the proposed software, surgeons are able to pre-plan the out coming implant in its form and morphology with the aid of a computer-visualized model within a few minutes. Further, the resulting model can be stored in STL file format, the commonly used format for 3D printing. Using this technology, surgeons are able to print the virtual generated implant, or create an individually designed bending tool. This method leads to adapted osteosynthesis materials according to the surrounding anatomy and requires further a minimum amount of money and time. PMID:28817607

Computer-aided position planning of miniplates to treat facial bone defects.

PubMed

Egger, Jan; Wallner, Jürgen; Gall, Markus; Chen, Xiaojun; Schwenzer-Zimmerer, Katja; Reinbacher, Knut; Schmalstieg, Dieter

2017-01-01

In this contribution, a software system for computer-aided position planning of miniplates to treat facial bone defects is proposed. The intra-operatively used bone plates have to be passively adapted on the underlying bone contours for adequate bone fragment stabilization. However, this procedure can lead to frequent intra-operatively performed material readjustments especially in complex surgical cases. Our approach is able to fit a selection of common implant models on the surgeon's desired position in a 3D computer model. This happens with respect to the surrounding anatomical structures, always including the possibility of adjusting both the direction and the position of the used osteosynthesis material. By using the proposed software, surgeons are able to pre-plan the out coming implant in its form and morphology with the aid of a computer-visualized model within a few minutes. Further, the resulting model can be stored in STL file format, the commonly used format for 3D printing. Using this technology, surgeons are able to print the virtual generated implant, or create an individually designed bending tool. This method leads to adapted osteosynthesis materials according to the surrounding anatomy and requires further a minimum amount of money and time.

Progress in using real-time GPS for seismic monitoring of the Cascadia megathrust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szeliga, W. M.; Melbourne, T. I.; Santillan, V. M.; Scrivner, C.; Webb, F.

2014-12-01

We report on progress in our development of a comprehensive real-time GPS-based seismic monitoring system for the Cascadia subduction zone. This system is based on 1 Hz point position estimates computed in the ITRF08 reference frame. Convergence from phase and range observables to point position estimates is accelerated using a Kalman filter based, on-line stream editor. Positions are estimated using a short-arc approach and algorithms from JPL's GIPSY-OASIS software with satellite clock and orbit products from the International GNSS Service (IGS). The resulting positions show typical RMS scatter of 2.5 cm in the horizontal and 5 cm in the vertical with latencies below 2 seconds. To facilitate the use of these point position streams for applications such as seismic monitoring, we broadcast real-time positions and covariances using custom-built streaming software. This software is capable of buffering 24-hour streams for hundreds of stations and providing them through a REST-ful web interface. To demonstrate the power of this approach, we have developed a Java-based front-end that provides a real-time visual display of time-series, vector displacement, and contoured peak ground displacement. We have also implemented continuous estimation of finite fault slip along the Cascadia megathrust using an NIF approach. The resulting continuous slip distributions are combined with pre-computed tsunami Green's functions to generate real-time tsunami run-up estimates for the entire Cascadia coastal margin. This Java-based front-end is available for download through the PANGA website. We currently analyze 80 PBO and PANGA stations along the Cascadia margin and are gearing up to process all 400+ real-time stations operating in the Pacific Northwest, many of which are currently telemetered in real-time to CWU. These will serve as milestones towards our over-arching goal of extending our processing to include all of the available real-time streams from the Pacific rim. In addition, we are developing methodologies to combine our real-time solutions with those from Scripps Institute of Oceanography's PPP-AR real-time solutions as well as real-time solutions from the USGS. These combined products should improve the robustness and reliability of real-time point-position streams in the near future.

Strategic operations planning - it's not just for wilderness! How the Strategic Operations Planner can help

Treesearch

Charles W. McHugh; Stu Hoyt; Brett Fay

2015-01-01

The Strategic Operational Planner (SOPL) wildland fire management position was created in the United States in 2009 to reflect updated terminology. SOPL merges the former Fire Use Manager positions (FUM1 and FUM2) and is now an established position within the Incident Command System. Traditionally, the FUM positions and the SOPL have been used on incidents managed for...

In-SITU, Time-resolved Raman Spectro-micro-topography of an Operating Lithium Ion Battery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luo, Yu; Cai, Wen-Bin; Xing, Xue-Kun; Scherson, Daniel A.

2003-01-01

A Raman microscope has been coupled to a computer-controlled, two-dimensional linear translator attached to a custom-designed, sealed optical chamber to allow in situ acquisition of space-, and time-resolved spectra of an operating thin graphite/LiCoO2 Li-ion battery. This unique arrangement made it possible to collect continuously series of Raman spectra from a sharply defined edge of the battery exposing the anode (A), separator (S), and cathode (C), during charge and discharge, while the device was moved back and forth under the fixed focused laser beam along an axis normal to the layered A/S/C plane. Clear spectral evidence was obtained for changes in the amount of Li(+) within particles of graphite in the anode, and, to a lesser extent, of LiCoO2 in the cathode, during battery discharge both as a function of position and time. Analysis of time-resolved Raman spectro-micro-topography (SMT) measurements of the type described in this work are expected to open new prospects for assessing the validity of theoretical models aimed at simulating the flow of Li(+) within Li-ion batteries under operating conditions.

Adding source positions to the IVS Combination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bachmann, S.; Thaller, D.

2016-12-01

Simultaneous estimation of source positions, Earth orientation parameters (EOPs) and station positions in one common adjustment is crucial for a consistent generation of celestial and terrestrial reference frame (CRF and TRF, respectively). VLBI is the only technique to guarantee this consistency. Previous publications showed that the VLBI intra-technique combination could improve the quality of the EOPs and station coordinates compared to the individual contributions. By now, the combination of EOP and station coordinates is well established within the IVS and in combination with other space geodetic techniques (e.g. inter-technique combined TRF like the ITRF). Most of the contributing IVS Analysis Centers (AC) now provide source positions as a third parameter type (besides EOP and station coordinates), which have not been used for an operational combined solution yet. A strategy for the combination of source positions has been developed and integrated into the routine IVS combination. Investigations are carried out to compare the source positions derived from different IVS ACs with the combined estimates to verify whether the source positions are improved by the combination, as it has been proven for EOP and station coordinates. Furthermore, global solutions of source positions, i.e., so-called catalogues describing a CRF, are generated consistently with the TRF similar to the IVS operational combined quarterly solution. The combined solutions of the source positions time series and the consistently generated TRF and CRF are compared internally to the individual solutions of the ACs as well as to external CRF catalogues and TRFs. Additionally, comparisons of EOPs based on different CRF solutions are presented as an outlook for consistent EOP, CRF and TRF realizations.

Safety culture in the gynecology robotics operating room.

PubMed

Zullo, Melissa D; McCarroll, Michele L; Mendise, Thomas M; Ferris, Edward F; Roulette, G D; Zolton, Jessica; Andrews, Stephen J; von Gruenigen, Vivian E

2014-01-01

To measure the safety culture in the robotics surgery operating room before and after implementation of the Robotic Operating Room Computerized Checklist (RORCC). Prospective study. Gynecology surgical staff (n = 32). An urban community hospital. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire domains examined were teamwork, safety, job satisfaction, stress recognition, perceptions of management, and working conditions. Questions and domains were described using percent agreement and the Cronbach alpha. Paired t-tests were used to describe differences before and after implementation of the checklist. Mean (SD) staff age was 46.7 (9.5) years, and most were women (78%) and worked full-time (97%). Twenty respondents (83% of nurses, 80% of surgeons, 66% of surgical technicians, and 33% of certified registered nurse anesthetists) completed the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire; 6 were excluded because of non-matching identifiers. Before RORCC implementation, the highest quality of communication and collaboration was reported by surgeons and surgical technicians (100%). Certified registered nurse anesthetists reported only adequate levels of communication and collaboration with other positions. Most staff reported positive responses for teamwork (48%; α = 0.81), safety (47%; α = 0.75), working conditions (37%; α = 0.55), stress recognition (26%; α = 0.71), and perceptions of management (32%; α = 0.52). No differences were observed after RORCC implementation. Quality of communication and collaboration in the gynecology robotics operating room is high between most positions; however, safety attitude responses are low overall. No differences after RORCC implementation and low response rates may highlight lack of staff support. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Evaluating Pseudorange Multipath at CGPS Stations Spanning Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vazquez, G.; Bennett, R. A.; Spinler, J. C.

2013-12-01

A research study was conducted in order to quantify and analyze the amount of pseudorange multipath at continuous Global Positioning System (CGPS) stations spanning Mexico. These CGPS stations are administered by a variety of organizations, including government agencies and public universities, and thus serve a wide range of positioning needs. Despite the diversity of the networks and their intended audiences, a core function of all of the networks is to provide a stable framework for high-precision positioning in support of diverse commercial and scientific applications. CGPS data from a large number of publicly available networks located in Mexico were studied. These include the RGNA (National Active Geodetic Network) administered by INEGI (National Institute of Statistics and Geography), the PBO network (Plate Boundary Observatory) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by UNAVCO (University NAVstar Consortium), the Southern California Integrated GPS Network (SCIGN), which is a collaboration effort of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the UNAM network, operated by the National Seismological System (SSN) and the Institute of Geophysics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Suominet Geodetic Network (SNG) and the CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Station) network, operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A total of 54 CGPS stations were evaluated, where dual-frequency geodetic-grade receivers collected GPS data continuously during the period from 1994 to 2013. It is usually assumed that despite carefully selected locations, all CGPS stations are to some extent, affected by the presence of signal multipath. In addition, the geographic distribution of stations provides a nation-wide access to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). For real-time kinematic (RTK) and rapid static applications that depend on the pseudo-range observable, the accuracy with which a roaming user may locate their assets with respect to the ITRF may be limited by site-specific multipath. The issue is particularly critical for users depending on pseudorange measurements for 'real-time' (or 'near-real-time') kinematic GPS positioning, where ambiguity resolution is a critical step. Therefore, to identify the most and the least affected GPS stations we analyzed the averaged daily root mean square pseudorange multipath variations (MP1-RMS and MP2-RMS) for all feasible satellites tracked by the CGPS networks. We investigated the sources of multipath, including changes associated with hardware replacement (i.e., receiver and antenna type) and receiver firmware upgrades.

Laparoscopic skill improvement after virtual reality simulator training in medical students as assessed by augmented reality simulator.

PubMed

Nomura, Tsutomu; Mamada, Yasuhiro; Nakamura, Yoshiharu; Matsutani, Takeshi; Hagiwara, Nobutoshi; Fujita, Isturo; Mizuguchi, Yoshiaki; Fujikura, Terumichi; Miyashita, Masao; Uchida, Eiji

2015-11-01

Definitive assessment of laparoscopic skill improvement after virtual reality simulator training is best obtained during an actual operation. However, this is impossible in medical students. Therefore, we developed an alternative assessment technique using an augmented reality simulator. Nineteen medical students completed a 6-week training program using a virtual reality simulator (LapSim). The pretest and post-test were performed using an object-positioning module and cholecystectomy on an augmented reality simulator(ProMIS). The mean performance measures between pre- and post-training on the LapSim were compared with a paired t-test. In the object-positioning module, the execution time of the task (P < 0.001), left and right instrument path length (P = 0.001), and left and right instrument economy of movement (P < 0.001) were significantly shorter after than before the LapSim training. With respect to improvement in laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a gallbladder model, the execution time to identify, clip, and cut the cystic duct and cystic artery as well as the execution time to dissect the gallbladder away from the liver bed were both significantly shorter after than before the LapSim training (P = 0.01). Our training curriculum using a virtual reality simulator improved the operative skills of medical students as objectively evaluated by assessment using an augmented reality simulator instead of an actual operation. We hope that these findings help to establish an effective training program for medical students. © 2015 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Ecrh on Asdex Upgrade - System Extension, New Modes of Operation, Plasma Physics Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stober, J.; Wagner, D.; Giannone, L.; Leuterer, F.; Marascheck, M.; Mlynek, A.; Monaco, F.; Münich, M.; Poli, E.; Reich, M.; Schmid-Lorch, D.; Schütz, H.; Schweinzer, J.; Treutterer, W.; Zohm, H.; Meier, A.; Scherer, Th.; Flamm, J.; Thumm, M.; Höhnle, H.; Kasparek, W.; Stroth, U.; Chirkov, A. V.; Denisov, G. G.; Litvak, A.; Malygin, S. A.; Myasnikov, V. E.; Nichiporenko, V. O.; Popov, L. G.; Soluyanova, E. A.; Tai, E. M.

2011-02-01

The ECRH system at ASDEX Upgrade is currently extended from 1.6 MW to 5 MW. The extension so far consists of 2-frequency units, which use single diamond-disk vacuum-windows to transmit power at the natural resonances of these disks (105 & 140 GHz). For the last unit of this extension two additional intermediate non-resonant frequencies are foreseen, requiring new window concepts. For the torus a polarisation-independent double-disk window has been developed. For the gyrotron a grooved diamond disk is actually favoured, for which the grooved surfaces act as anti-reflective coating. Since ASDEX Upgrade operates with completely W-covered plasma facing components, central ECRH is often applied to suppresses W-accumulation in the plasma center. In order to extend the operational range for central ECRH, X3- and O2-heating schemes were developed. Both are characterized by incomplete single-path absorption. For X3 heating, the X2 resonance at the pedestal on the high field side is used as a 'beam-dump', for the O2 scheme a specific reflector tile on the inner heat shield enforces a second path through the plasma center. The geometry for NTM control had to be modified to allow simultaneous central heating. In real-time the ECRH position can be determined either by ray-tracing based on real-time equilibria and density profiles or from ECE for modulated ECRH power. Fast real-time ECE also allows to determine the NTM position. Further major physics applications of the system are summarized.

Development of a computer-assisted system for model-based condylar position analysis (E-CPM).

PubMed

Ahlers, M O; Jakstat, H

2009-01-01

Condylar position analysis is a measuring method for the three-dimensional quantitative acquisition of the position of the mandible in different conditions or at different points in time. Originally, the measurement was done based on a model, using special mechanical condylar position measuring instruments, and on a research scale with mechanical-electronic measuring instruments. Today, as an alternative, it is possible to take measurements with electronic measuring instruments applied directly to the patient. The computerization of imaging has also facilitated condylar position measurement by means of three-dimensional data records obtained by imaging examination methods, which has been used in connection with the simulation and quantification of surgical operation results. However, the comparative measurement of the condylar position at different points in time has so far not been possible to the required degree. An electronic measuring instrument, allowing acquisition of the condylar position in clinical routine and facilitating later calibration with measurements from later examinations by data storage and use of precise equalizing systems, was therefore designed by the present authors. This measuring instrument was implemented on the basis of already existing components from the Reference CPM und Cadiax Compact articulator and registration systems (Gamma Dental, Klosterneuburg, Austria) as well as the matching CMD3D evaluation software (dentaConcept, Hamburg).

Real-time and rapid GNSS solutions from the M8.2 September 2017 Tehuantepec Earthquake and implications for Earthquake and Tsunami Early Warning Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mencin, D.; Hodgkinson, K. M.; Mattioli, G. S.

2017-12-01

In support of hazard research and Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) Systems UNAVCO operates approximately 800 RT-GNSS stations throughout western North America and Alaska (EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory), Mexico (TLALOCNet), and the pan-Caribbean region (COCONet). Our system produces and distributes raw data (BINEX and RTCM3) and real-time Precise Point Positions via the Trimble PIVOT Platform (RTX). The 2017-09-08 earthquake M8.2 located 98 km SSW of Tres Picos, Mexico is the first great earthquake to occur within the UNAVCO RT-GNSS footprint, which allows for a rigorous analysis of our dynamic and static processing methods. The need for rapid geodetic solutions ranges from seconds (EEW systems) to several minutes (Tsunami Warning and NEIC moment tensor and finite fault models). Here, we compare and quantify the relative processing strategies for producing static offsets, moment tensors and geodetically determined finite fault models using data recorded during this event. We also compare the geodetic solutions with the USGS NEIC seismically derived moment tensors and finite fault models, including displacement waveforms generated from these models. We define kinematic post-processed solutions from GIPSY-OASISII (v6.4) with final orbits and clocks as a "best" case reference to evaluate the performance of our different processing strategies. We find that static displacements of a few centimeters or less are difficult to resolve in the real-time GNSS position estimates. The standard daily 24-hour solutions provide the highest-quality data-set to determine coseismic offsets, but these solutions are delayed by at least 48 hours after the event. Dynamic displacements, estimated in real-time, however, show reasonable agreement with final, post-processed position estimates, and while individual position estimates have large errors, the real-time solutions offer an excellent operational option for EEW systems, including the use of estimated peak-ground displacements or directly inverting for finite-fault solutions. In the near-field, we find that the geodetically-derived moment tensors and finite fault models differ significantly with seismically-derived models, highlighting the utility of using geodetic data in hazard applications.

Space and ground segment performance of the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission: four years in orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fong, C.-J.; Whiteley, D.; Yang, E.; Cook, K.; Chu, V.; Schreiner, B.; Ector, D.; Wilczynski, P.; Liu, T.-Y.; Yen, N.

2011-01-01

The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) mission consisting of six Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites is the world's first demonstration constellation using radio occultation signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. The radio occultation signals are retrieved in near real-time for global weather/climate monitoring, numerical weather prediction, and space weather research. The mission has processed on average 1400 to 1800 high-quality atmospheric sounding profiles per day. The atmospheric radio occultation soundings data are assimilated into operational numerical weather prediction models for global weather prediction, including typhoon/hurricane/cyclone forecasts. The radio occultation data has shown a positive impact on weather predictions at many national weather forecast centers. A proposed follow-on mission transitions the program from the current experimental research system to a significantly improved real-time operational system, which will reliably provide 8000 radio occultation soundings per day. The follow-on mission as planned will consist of 12 satellites with a data latency of 45 min, which will provide greatly enhanced opportunities for operational forecasts and scientific research. This paper will address the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC system and mission overview, the spacecraft and ground system performance after four years in orbit, the lessons learned from the encountered technical challenges and observations, and the expected design improvements for the new spacecraft and ground system.

The association between the outcomes of extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and the anthropometric measurements of the prostate by magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Permpongkosol, Sompol; Aramay, Supanun; Vattanakul, Thawanrat; Phongkitkarun, Sith

2018-01-01

To determine the association between the anthropometric measurements by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and perioperative outcomes of extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (ELRP). From 2008 to June 2016, 86 patients underwent preoperative MRI prior to undergoing ELRP for localized prostate cancer. We analyzed the associations between anthropometric measurements of MRI and the perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent ELRP. The mean patient age was 69.61±8.30 years. The medians of operating time and blood loss were 2.30 hours and 725.30ml, respectively. The total post-surgical complication rate was 1.16%. The median hospital stay was 6.50 days. The pathological stages for T2 and T3 were 45.74% and 34.04%, respectively. The rate as positive surgical margins (PSMs) was 18.09% (pT2 and pT3; 6.38% and 9.57%). The angles between pubic bone and prostate gland (angle 1&2), were significantly associated with operative time and hospital stay, respectively (p<0.05). There was no correlation between the pelvimetry and positive surgical margin. The findings of the present study suggest that anthropometric measurements of the MRI are related to operative difficulties in ELRP. This study confirmed that MRI planning is the key to preventing complications in ELRP. Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

Supervised autonomous rendezvous and docking system technology evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marzwell, Neville I.

1991-01-01

Technology for manned space flight is mature and has an extensive history of the use of man-in-the-loop rendezvous and docking, but there is no history of automated rendezvous and docking. Sensors exist that can operate in the space environment. The Shuttle radar can be used for ranges down to 30 meters, Japan and France are developing laser rangers, and considerable work is going on in the U.S. However, there is a need to validate a flight qualified sensor for the range of 30 meters to contact. The number of targets and illumination patterns should be minimized to reduce operation constraints with one or more sensors integrated into a robust system for autonomous operation. To achieve system redundancy, it is worthwhile to follow a parallel development of qualifying and extending the range of the 0-12 meter MSFC sensor and to simultaneously qualify the 0-30(+) meter JPL laser ranging system as an additional sensor with overlapping capabilities. Such an approach offers a redundant sensor suite for autonomous rendezvous and docking. The development should include the optimization of integrated sensory systems, packaging, mission envelopes, and computer image processing to mimic brain perception and real-time response. The benefits of the Global Positioning System in providing real-time positioning data of high accuracy must be incorporated into the design. The use of GPS-derived attitude data should be investigated further and validated.

Relationship Between Respiratory Dynamics and Body Mass Index in Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia with Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) and Comparison Between Lithotomy and Supine Positions

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xiao; Huang, Shiwei; Wang, Zhaomin; Chen, Lianhua; Li, Shitong

2016-01-01

Background This study aimed to compare respiratory dynamics in patients undergoing general anesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in lithotomy and supine positions and to validate the impact of operational position on effectiveness of LMA ventilation. Material/Methods A total of 90 patients (age range, 18–65 years) who underwent general anesthesia were selected and divided into supine position (SP group) and lithotomy position groups (LP group). Vital signs and respiratory dynamic parameters of the 2 groups were measured at different time points and after implantation of an LMA. The arterial blood gas was monitored at 15 min after induction. The intraoperative changes of hemodynamic indexes and postoperative adverse reactions of LMA were recorded. The possible correlation between body mass index (BMI) and respiratory dynamic indexes was analyzed. Results With prolonged duration of the operation, the inspiratory plateau pressure (Pplat), inspiratory resistance (RI), and work of breathing (WOB) gradually increased, while chest-lung compliance (Compl) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in end-expiratory gas (PetCO2) gradually decreased (all P value <0.05). The mean airway pressure (Pmean), Pplat, and expiratory resistance (Re) in the LP group were significantly higher than in the SP group (P<0.05), while the peak inspiratory flow (FImax), peak expiratory flow (FEmax), WOB, and Compl in the LP group were significantly lower than in the SP group (P<0.05). BMI was positively correlated with peak airway pressure (PIP/Ppeak), Pplat, and airway resistance (Raw) and was negatively correlated with Compl; the differences among patients in lithotomy position were more remarkable (P<0.05). Conclusions The inspiratory plateau pressure and airway resistance increased with prolonged duration of the operation, accompanied by decreased chest-lung compliance. Peak airway pressure and airway resistance were positively correlated with BMI, and chest-lung compliance was negatively correlated with BMI. Changes among patients in lithotomy position were more remarkable than those in supine position. PMID:27476762

Antenna Controller Replacement Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, Roger Y.; Morgan, Scott C.; Strain, Martha M.; Rockwell, Stephen T.; Shimizu, Kenneth J.; Tehrani, Barzia J.; Kwok, Jaclyn H.; Tuazon-Wong, Michelle; Valtier, Henry; Nalbandi, Reza;

The current status and future prospects of computer-assisted hip surgery.

PubMed

Inaba, Yutaka; Kobayashi, Naomi; Ike, Hiroyuki; Kubota, So; Saito, Tomoyuki

2016-03-01

The advances in computer assistance technology have allowed detailed three-dimensional preoperative planning and simulation of preoperative plans. The use of a navigation system as an intraoperative assistance tool allows more accurate execution of the preoperative plan, compared to manual operation without assistance of the navigation system. In total hip arthroplasty using CT-based navigation, three-dimensional preoperative planning with computer software allows the surgeon to determine the optimal angle of implant placement at which implant impingement is unlikely to occur in the range of hip joint motion necessary for daily activities of living, and to determine the amount of three-dimensional correction for leg length and offset. With the use of computer navigation for intraoperative assistance, the preoperative plan can be precisely executed. In hip osteotomy using CT-based navigation, the navigation allows three-dimensional preoperative planning, intraoperative confirmation of osteotomy sites, safe performance of osteotomy even under poor visual conditions, and a reduction in exposure doses from intraoperative fluoroscopy. Positions of the tips of chisels can be displayed on the computer monitor during surgery in real time, and staff other than the operator can also be aware of the progress of surgery. Thus, computer navigation also has an educational value. On the other hand, its limitations include the need for placement of trackers, increased radiation exposure from preoperative CT scans, and prolonged operative time. Moreover, because the position of a bone fragment cannot be traced after osteotomy, methods to find its precise position after its movement need to be developed. Despite the need to develop methods for the postoperative evaluation of accuracy for osteotomy, further application and development of these systems are expected in the future. Copyright © 2016 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Robot-assisted thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the prone position: technical report and short-term outcomes.

PubMed

Suda, Koichi; Ishida, Yoshinori; Kawamura, Yuichiro; Inaba, Kazuki; Kanaya, Seiichiro; Teramukai, Satoshi; Satoh, Seiji; Uyama, Ichiro

2012-07-01

Meticulous mediastinal lymphadenectomy frequently induces recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP). Surgical robots with impressive dexterity and precise dissection skills have been developed to help surgeons perform operations. The objective of this study was to determine the impact on short-term outcomes of robot-assisted thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy performed on patients in the prone position for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, including its impact on RLNP. A single-institution nonrandomized prospective study was performed. The patients (n = 36) with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were divided into two groups: patients who agreed to robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy with total mediastinal lymphadenectomy performed in the prone position (n = 16, robot-assisted group) without insurance reimbursement, and those who agreed to undergo the same operation without robot assistance but with health insurance coverage (n = 20, control group). These patients were observed for 30 days following surgery to assess short-term surgical outcomes, including the incidence of vocal cord palsy, hoarseness, and aspiration. Robot assistance significantly reduced the incidence of vocal cord palsy (p = 0.018) and hoarseness (p = 0.015) and the time on the ventilator (p = 0.025). There was no in-hospital mortality in either group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to patient background, except for the use of preoperative therapy (robot-assisted group

Augmented Reality Visualization with Use of Image Overlay Technology for MR Imaging–guided Interventions: Assessment of Performance in Cadaveric Shoulder and Hip Arthrography at 1.5 T

PubMed Central

Fritz, Jan; U-Thainual, Paweena; Ungi, Tamas; Flammang, Aaron J.; Fichtinger, Gabor; Iordachita, Iulian I.

2012-01-01

Purpose: To prospectively assess overlay technology in providing accurate and efficient targeting for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging–guided shoulder and hip joint arthrography. Materials and Methods: A prototype augmented reality image overlay system was used in conjunction with a clinical 1.5-T MR imager. A total of 24 shoulder joint and 24 hip joint injections were planned in 12 human cadavers. Two operators (A and B) participated, each performing procedures on different cadavers using image overlay guidance. MR imaging was used to confirm needle positions, monitor injections, and perform MR arthrography. Accuracy was assessed according to the rate of needle adjustment, target error, and whether the injection was intraarticular. Efficiency was assessed according to arthrography procedural time. Operator differences were assessed with comparison of accuracy and procedure times between the operators. Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test were used to assess group differences. Results: Forty-five arthrography procedures (23 shoulders, 22 hips) were performed. Three joints had prostheses and were excluded. Operator A performed 12 shoulder and 12 hip injections. Operator B performed 11 shoulder and 10 hip injections. Needle adjustment rate was 13% (six of 45; one for operator A and five for operator B). Target error was 3.1 mm ± 1.2 (standard deviation) (operator A, 2.9 mm ± 1.4; operator B, 3.5 mm ± 0.9). Intraarticular injection rate was 100% (45 of 45). The average arthrography time was 14 minutes (range, 6–27 minutes; 12 minutes [range, 6–25 minutes] for operator A and 16 minutes [range, 6–27 min] for operator B). Operator differences were not significant with regard to needle adjustment rate (P = .08), target error (P = .07), intraarticular injection rate (P > .99), and arthrography time (P = .22). Conclusion: Image overlay technology provides accurate and efficient MR guidance for successful shoulder and hip arthrography in human cadavers. © RSNA, 2012 Supplemental material: http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.12112640/-/DC1 PMID:22843764

Dynamic fiber Bragg grating strain sensor interrogation with real-time measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jinwoo; Kwon, Yong Seok; Ko, Myeong Ock; Jeon, Min Yong

2017-11-01

We demonstrate a 1550 nm band resonance Fourier-domain mode-locked (FDML) fiber laser with fiber Bragg grating (FBG) array. Using the FDML fiber laser, we successfully demonstrate real-time monitoring of dynamic FBG strain sensor interrogation for structural health monitoring. The resonance FDML fiber laser consists of six multiplexed FBGs, which are arranged in series with delay fiber lengths. It is operated by driving the fiber Fabry-Perot tunable filter (FFP-TF) with a sinusoidal waveform at a frequency corresponding to the round-trip time of the laser cavity. Each FBG forms a laser cavity independently in the FDML fiber laser because the light travels different length for each FBG. The very closely positioned two FBGs in a pair are operated simultaneously with a frequency in the FDML fiber laser. The spatial positions of the sensing pair can be distinguished from the variation of the applied frequency to the FFP-TF. One of the FBGs in the pair is used as a reference signal and the other one is fixed on the piezoelectric transducer stack to apply the dynamic strain. We successfully achieve real-time measurement of the abrupt change of the frequencies applied to the FBG without any signal processing delay. The real-time monitoring system is displayed simultaneously on the monitor for the variation of the two peaks, the modulation interval of the two peaks, and their fast Fourier transform spectrum. The frequency resolution of the dynamic variation could reach up to 0.5 Hz for 2 s integration time. It depends on the integration time to measure the dynamic variation. We believe that the real-time monitoring system will have a potential application for structural health monitoring.

Active control of a flexible structure using a modal positive position feedback controller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poh, S.; Baz, A.

1990-01-01

The feasibility of a new Modal Positive Position Feedback (MPPF) strategy in controlling the vibration of a complex flexible structure using a single piezo-electric active structural member is demonstrated. The control strategy generates its control forces by manipulating only the modal position signals of the structure to provide a damping action to undamped modes. This is in contrast to conventional modal controllers that rely in their operation on negative feedback of both the modal position and velocity. The proposed strategy is very simple to design and implement as it designs the controller at the uncoupled modal level and utilizes simple first order filters to achieve the Positive Position Feedback effect. The performance of the new strategy is enhanced by augmenting it with a time sharing strategy to share a small number of actuators between larger number of modes. The effectiveness of the new strategy is validated experimentally on a flexible box-type structure that has four bays and its first two bending modes are 2.015 and 6.535 Hz respectively. A single piezo-electric actuator is utilized as an active structural member to control several transverse bending modes of the structure. The performance of the active control system is determined in the time and the frequency domains. The results are compared with those obtained when using the Independent Modal Space Control (IMSC) of Meirovitch. The experimental results suggest the potential of the proposed strategy as a viable means for controlling the vibration of large flexible structures in real time.

78 FR 45056 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle, WA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-26

... Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate vehicular traffic attending football games at Husky... in the closed position two hours before and two hours after each game. Please note that the game times for five of the seven games scheduled for Husky Stadium have not yet been determined due to NCAA...

45 CFR 155.100 - Establishment of a State Exchange.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... SHOP; or (2) An Exchange that provides only for the establishment of a SHOP. (b) Timing. For plan years... a position to establish and operate only a SHOP for 2014 may elect to establish an Exchange that provides only for the establishment of a SHOP, pursuant to the process in § 155.105(c), (d), and/or (e...

45 CFR 155.100 - Establishment of a State Exchange.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... SHOP; or (2) An Exchange that provides only for the establishment of a SHOP. (b) Timing. For plan years... a position to establish and operate only a SHOP for 2014 may elect to establish an Exchange that provides only for the establishment of a SHOP, pursuant to the process in § 155.105(c), (d), and/or (e...

Method and apparatus for sensorless operation of brushless permanent magnet motors

DOEpatents

Sriram, Tillasthanam V.

1998-01-01

A sensorless method and apparatus for providing commutation timing signals for a brushless permanent magnet motor extracts the third harmonic back-emf of a three-phase stator winding and independently cyclically integrates the positive and negative half-cycles thereof and compares the results to a reference level associated with a desired commutation angle.

Method and apparatus for sensorless operation of brushless permanent magnet motors

DOEpatents

Sriram, T.V.

1998-04-14

A sensorless method and apparatus for providing commutation timing signals for a brushless permanent magnet motor extracts the third harmonic back-emf of a three-phase stator winding and independently cyclically integrates the positive and negative half-cycles thereof and compares the results to a reference level associated with a desired commutation angle. 23 figs.

The Topological Panorama Camera: A New Tool for Teaching Concepts Related to Space and Time.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gelphman, Janet L.; And Others

1992-01-01

Included are the description, operating characteristics, uses, and future plans for the Topological Panorama Camera, which is an experimental, robotic photographic device capable of producing visual renderings of the mathematical characteristics of an equation in terms of position changes of an object or in terms of the shape of the space…

Shining Stars: Public Library Service to Children in Shelters.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlson, Pam

1992-01-01

The Orange County Public Library (CA) sponsors programing at the Orangewood Children's Home, a shelter for abused and neglected children. Programs include giving each child a book to keep and a library card, story times, and special programing. The library system now operates a branch at the home, and the librarian's position is being continued.…

Human Resource Accounting: Operationalization and Effects of Human Resource Replacement Cost System in Naval Operations.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-12-20

example whether or not to allow inter-regional * differences in compensation because of factors such as S competition in regional labor markets , can be...the position in * Oquestion? 5. An example of how one person plotted this percentage of time is given below: - - - - If I [-T S6. Please plot the nline

Deriving Forest Harvesting Machine Productivity from Positional Data

Treesearch

T.P. McDonald; S.E. Taylor; R.B. Rummer

2000-01-01

Automated production study systems will provide researchers a valuable tool for developing cost and impact models of forest operations under a wide range of conditions, making the development of true planning tools for tailoring logging systems to a particular site a reality. An automated time study system for skidders was developed, and in this study application of...

49 CFR 218.105 - Additional operational requirements for hand-operated main track switches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Additional operational requirements for hand... hand-operated main track switches. (a) Each railroad shall adopt and comply with an operating rule... the requirements of this section. (b) Designating switch position. The normal position of a hand...

Reading Gate Positions with a Smartphone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Overloop, Peter-Jules; Hut, Rolf

2015-04-01

Worldwide many flow gates are built in water networks in order to direct water to appropriate locations. Most of these gates are adjusted manually by field operators of water management organizations and it is often centrally not known what the new position of the gate is. This makes centralized management of the entire water network difficult. One of the reasons why the measurement of the gate position is usually not executed, is that for certain gates it is not easy to do such a reading. Tilting weirs or radial gates are examples where operators need special equipment (measuring rod and long level) to determine the position and it could even be a risky procedure. Another issue is that once the measurement is done, the value is jotted down in a notebook and later, at the office, entered in a computer system. So the entire monitoring procedure is not real-time and prone to human errors. A new way of monitoring gate positions is introduced. It consists of a level that is attached to the gate and an app with which a picture can be taken from the level. Using dedicated pattern recognition algorithms, the gate position can be read by using the angle of the level versus reference points on the gate, the radius of that gate and the absolute level of the joint around which the gate turn. The method uses gps-localization of the smartphone to store the gate position in the right location in the central database.

Performance evaluation of a robot-assisted catheter operating system with haptic feedback.

PubMed

Song, Yu; Guo, Shuxiang; Yin, Xuanchun; Zhang, Linshuai; Hirata, Hideyuki; Ishihara, Hidenori; Tamiya, Takashi

2018-06-20

In this paper, a novel robot-assisted catheter operating system (RCOS) has been proposed as a method to reduce physical stress and X-ray exposure time to physicians during endovascular procedures. The unique design of this system allows the physician to apply conventional bedside catheterization skills (advance, retreat and rotate) to an input catheter, which is placed at the master side to control another patient catheter placed at the slave side. For this purpose, a magnetorheological (MR) fluids-based master haptic interface has been developed to measure the axial and radial motions of an input catheter, as well as to provide the haptic feedback to the physician during the operation. In order to achieve a quick response of the haptic force in the master haptic interface, a hall sensor-based closed-loop control strategy is employed. In slave side, a catheter manipulator is presented to deliver the patient catheter, according to position commands received from the master haptic interface. The contact forces between the patient catheter and blood vessel system can be measured by designed force sensor unit of catheter manipulator. Four levels of haptic force are provided to make the operator aware of the resistance encountered by the patient catheter during the insertion procedure. The catheter manipulator was evaluated for precision positioning. The time lag from the sensed motion to replicated motion is tested. To verify the efficacy of the proposed haptic feedback method, the evaluation experiments in vitro are carried out. The results demonstrate that the proposed system has the ability to enable decreasing the contact forces between the catheter and vasculature.

Differential Acquisition of Lever Pressing in Inbred and Outbred Mice: Comparison of One-Lever and Two-Lever Procedures and Correlation with Differences in Locomotor Activity

PubMed Central

McKerchar, Todd L; Zarcone, Troy J; Fowler, Stephen C

2005-01-01

Recent progress in mouse genetics has led to an increased interest in developing procedures for assessing mouse behavior, but relatively few of the behavioral procedures developed involve positively reinforced operant behavior. When operant methods are used, nose poking, not lever pressing, is the target response. In the current study differential acquisition of milk-reinforced lever pressing was observed in five inbred strains (C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, 129X1/SvJ, C3H/HeJ, and BALB/cJ) and one outbred stock (CD-1) of mice. Regardless of whether one or two levers (an “operative” and “inoperative” lever) were in the operant chamber, a concomitant variable-time fixed-ratio schedule of milk reinforcement established lever pressing in the majority of mice within two 120-min sessions. Substantial differences in lever pressing were observed across mice and between procedures. Adding an inoperative lever retarded acquisition in C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, 129X1/SvJ, and C3H/HeJ mice, but not in CD-1 and BALB/cJ mice. Locomotor activity was positively correlated with number of lever presses in both procedures. Analyses of durations of the subcomponents (e.g., time to move from hopper to lever) of operant behavior revealed further differences among the six types of mice. Together, the data suggest that appetitively reinforced lever pressing can be acquired rapidly in mice and that a combination of procedural, behavioral, and genetic variables contributes to this acquisition. PMID:16596969

Three-dimensional, automated, real-time video system for tracking limb motion in brain-machine interface studies.

PubMed

Peikon, Ian D; Fitzsimmons, Nathan A; Lebedev, Mikhail A; Nicolelis, Miguel A L

2009-06-15

Collection and analysis of limb kinematic data are essential components of the study of biological motion, including research into biomechanics, kinesiology, neurophysiology and brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). In particular, BMI research requires advanced, real-time systems capable of sampling limb kinematics with minimal contact to the subject's body. To answer this demand, we have developed an automated video tracking system for real-time tracking of multiple body parts in freely behaving primates. The system employs high-contrast markers painted on the animal's joints to continuously track the three-dimensional positions of their limbs during activity. Two-dimensional coordinates captured by each video camera are combined and converted to three-dimensional coordinates using a quadratic fitting algorithm. Real-time operation of the system is accomplished using direct memory access (DMA). The system tracks the markers at a rate of 52 frames per second (fps) in real-time and up to 100fps if video recordings are captured to be later analyzed off-line. The system has been tested in several BMI primate experiments, in which limb position was sampled simultaneously with chronic recordings of the extracellular activity of hundreds of cortical cells. During these recordings, multiple computational models were employed to extract a series of kinematic parameters from neuronal ensemble activity in real-time. The system operated reliably under these experimental conditions and was able to compensate for marker occlusions that occurred during natural movements. We propose that this system could also be extended to applications that include other classes of biological motion.

High precision moving magnet chopper for variable operation conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aicher, Winfried; Schmid, Manfred

1994-01-01

In the context of an ESTEC technology contract, a Chopping Mechanism was developed and built with the Far Infrared and Submillimeter Telescope (FIRST) astronomy mission as a reference. The task of the mechanism is to tilt the subreflector of the telescope with an assumed mass of 2.5 kg about one chopping axis at nominal frequencies of up to 5 Hz and chopping angles of up to +/- 11.25 mrad with high efficiency (minimum time for position change). The chopping axis is required to run through the subreflector vertex. After performing a concept trade-off also considering the low operational temperatures in the 130 K range, a design using moving magnet actuators was found to be the favorite one. In addition, a bearing concept using flexible pivots was chosen to meet the high chopping accuracy required. With this approach, a very reliable design could be realized, since the actuators work without any mechanical contact between its moving and fixed parts, and the only bearings used are two flexible pivots supporting the subreflector mounting interface. The mechanism was completely built in titanium in a lightweight and stiff design. The moving magnet actuators were designed to meet the stringent requirements for minimum risetime (time necessary to move from one angular position to a new one) in the 20 msec range. The angular position and the corresponding chopping frequency as well can be arbitrarily selected by the user.

XUV Photometer System (XPS): New Dark-Count Corrections Model and Improved Data Products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elliott, J. P.; Vanier, B.; Woods, T. N.

2017-12-01

We present newly updated dark-count calibrations for the SORCE XUV Photometer System (XPS) and the resultant improved data products released in March of 2017. The SORCE mission has provided a 14-year solar spectral irradiance record, and the XPS contributes to this record in the 0.1 nm to 40 nm range. The SORCE spacecraft has been operating in what is known as Day-Only Operations (DO-Op) mode since February of 2014. In this mode it is not possible to collect data, including dark-counts, when the spacecraft is in eclipse as we did prior to DO-Op. Instead, we take advantage of the position of the XPS filter-wheel, and collect these data when the wheel position is in a "dark" position. Further, in this mode dark data are not always available for all observations, requiring an extrapolation in order to calibrate data at these times. To extrapolate, we model this with a piece-wise 2D nonlinear least squares surface fit in the time and temperature dimensions. Our model allows us to calibrate XPS data into the DO-Op phase of the mission by extrapolating along this surface. The XPS version 11 data product release benefits from this new calibration. We present comparisons of the previous and current calibration methods in addition to planned future upgrades of our data products.

The Geometric Phase of Stock Trading

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Geometric phases describe how in a continuous-time dynamical system the displacement of a variable (called phase variable) can be related to other variables (shape variables) undergoing a cyclic motion, according to an area rule. The aim of this paper is to show that geometric phases can exist also for discrete-time systems, and even when the cycles in shape space have zero area. A context in which this principle can be applied is stock trading. A zero-area cycle in shape space represents the type of trading operations normally carried out by high-frequency traders (entering and exiting a position on a fast time-scale), while the phase variable represents the cash balance of a trader. Under the assumption that trading impacts stock prices, even zero-area cyclic trading operations can induce geometric phases, i.e., profits or losses, without affecting the stock quote. PMID:27556642

The school bus routing and scheduling problem with transfers

PubMed Central

Doerner, Karl F.; Parragh, Sophie N.

2015-01-01

In this article, we study the school bus routing and scheduling problem with transfers arising in the field of nonperiodic public transportation systems. It deals with the transportation of pupils from home to their school in the morning taking the possibility that pupils may change buses into account. Allowing transfers has several consequences. On the one hand, it allows more flexibility in the bus network structure and can, therefore, help to reduce operating costs. On the other hand, transfers have an impact on the service level: the perceived service quality is lower due to the existence of transfers; however, at the same time, user ride times may be reduced and, thus, transfers may also have a positive impact on service quality. The main objective is the minimization of the total operating costs. We develop a heuristic solution framework to solve this problem and compare it with two solution concepts that do not consider transfers. The impact of transfers on the service level in terms of time loss (or user ride time) and the number of transfers is analyzed. Our results show that allowing transfers reduces total operating costs significantly while average and maximum user ride times are comparable to solutions without transfers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 65(2), 180–203 2015 PMID:28163329

How to Stop Disagreeing and Start Cooperatingin the Presence of Asymmetric Packet Loss.

PubMed

Morales-Ponce, Oscar; Schiller, Elad M; Falcone, Paolo

2018-04-22

We consider the design of a disagreement correction protocol in multi-vehicle systems. Vehicles broadcast in real-time vital information such as position, direction, speed, acceleration, intention, etc. This information is then used to identify the risks and adapt their trajectory to maintain the highest performance without compromising the safety. To minimize the risk due to the use of inconsistent information, all cooperating vehicles must agree whether to use the exchanged information to operate in a cooperative mode or use the only local information to operate in an autonomous mode. However, since wireless communications are prone to failures, it is impossible to deterministically reach an agreement. Therefore, any protocol will exhibit necessary disagreement periods. In this paper, we investigate whether vehicles can still cooperate despite communication failures even in the scenario where communication is suddenly not available. We present a deterministic protocol that allows all participants to either operate a cooperative mode when vehicles can exchange all the information in a timely manner or operate in autonomous mode when messages are lost. We show formally that the disagreement time is bounded by the time that the communication channel requires to deliver messages and validate our protocol using NS-3 simulations. We explain how the proposed solution can be used in vehicular platooning to attain high performance and still guarantee high safety standards despite communication failures.

Arbitrarily high-order time-stepping schemes based on the operator spectrum theory for high-dimensional nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Changying; Wu, Xinyuan

2017-07-01

In this paper we explore arbitrarily high-order Lagrange collocation-type time-stepping schemes for effectively solving high-dimensional nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations with different boundary conditions. We begin with one-dimensional periodic boundary problems and first formulate an abstract ordinary differential equation (ODE) on a suitable infinity-dimensional function space based on the operator spectrum theory. We then introduce an operator-variation-of-constants formula which is essential for the derivation of our arbitrarily high-order Lagrange collocation-type time-stepping schemes for the nonlinear abstract ODE. The nonlinear stability and convergence are rigorously analysed once the spatial differential operator is approximated by an appropriate positive semi-definite matrix under some suitable smoothness assumptions. With regard to the two dimensional Dirichlet or Neumann boundary problems, our new time-stepping schemes coupled with discrete Fast Sine / Cosine Transformation can be applied to simulate the two-dimensional nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations effectively. All essential features of the methodology are present in one-dimensional and two-dimensional cases, although the schemes to be analysed lend themselves with equal to higher-dimensional case. The numerical simulation is implemented and the numerical results clearly demonstrate the advantage and effectiveness of our new schemes in comparison with the existing numerical methods for solving nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations in the literature.

How to Stop Disagreeing and Start Cooperatingin the Presence of Asymmetric Packet Loss

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

We consider the design of a disagreement correction protocol in multi-vehicle systems. Vehicles broadcast in real-time vital information such as position, direction, speed, acceleration, intention, etc. This information is then used to identify the risks and adapt their trajectory to maintain the highest performance without compromising the safety. To minimize the risk due to the use of inconsistent information, all cooperating vehicles must agree whether to use the exchanged information to operate in a cooperative mode or use the only local information to operate in an autonomous mode. However, since wireless communications are prone to failures, it is impossible to deterministically reach an agreement. Therefore, any protocol will exhibit necessary disagreement periods. In this paper, we investigate whether vehicles can still cooperate despite communication failures even in the scenario where communication is suddenly not available. We present a deterministic protocol that allows all participants to either operate a cooperative mode when vehicles can exchange all the information in a timely manner or operate in autonomous mode when messages are lost. We show formally that the disagreement time is bounded by the time that the communication channel requires to deliver messages and validate our protocol using NS-3 simulations. We explain how the proposed solution can be used in vehicular platooning to attain high performance and still guarantee high safety standards despite communication failures. PMID:29690572

Control Performance of General Electric Fuel and Torque Regulator Operating on T31-3 Turbine-Propeller Engine in Sea-Level Test Stand

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oppenheimer, Frank L.; Lazar, James

1951-01-01

A .General Electric fuel and torque regulator was tested in conjunction with a T31-3 turbine-propeller engine in the sea-level static test stand at the NACA Lewis laboratory. The engine and control were operated over the entire speed range: 11,000 rpm, nominal flight idle, to 13,000 rpm, full power. Steady-state and transient data were recorded and are presented with a description of the four control loops being used in the system. Results of this investigation indicated that single-lever control operation was satisfactory under conditions of test. Transient data presented showed that turbine-outlet temperature did overshoot maximum operating value on acceleration but that the time duration of overshoot did not exceed approximately 1 second. This temperature limiting resulted from a control on fuel flow as a function of engine speed. Speed and torque first reached their desired values 0.4 second from the time of change in power-setting lever position. Maximum speed overshoot was 3 percent.

MR-based source localization for MR-guided HDR brachytherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beld, E.; Moerland, M. A.; Zijlstra, F.; Viergever, M. A.; Lagendijk, J. J. W.; Seevinck, P. R.

2018-04-01

For the purpose of MR-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, a method for real-time localization of an HDR brachytherapy source was developed, which requires high spatial and temporal resolutions. MR-based localization of an HDR source serves two main aims. First, it enables real-time treatment verification by determination of the HDR source positions during treatment. Second, when using a dummy source, MR-based source localization provides an automatic detection of the source dwell positions after catheter insertion, allowing elimination of the catheter reconstruction procedure. Localization of the HDR source was conducted by simulation of the MR artifacts, followed by a phase correlation localization algorithm applied to the MR images and the simulated images, to determine the position of the HDR source in the MR images. To increase the temporal resolution of the MR acquisition, the spatial resolution was decreased, and a subpixel localization operation was introduced. Furthermore, parallel imaging (sensitivity encoding) was applied to further decrease the MR scan time. The localization method was validated by a comparison with CT, and the accuracy and precision were investigated. The results demonstrated that the described method could be used to determine the HDR source position with a high accuracy (0.4–0.6 mm) and a high precision (⩽0.1 mm), at high temporal resolutions (0.15–1.2 s per slice). This would enable real-time treatment verification as well as an automatic detection of the source dwell positions.

Practical Study for the Properties of Hueckel Edge Detection Operator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jabbar, Hameed M. Abdul; Hatem, Amal J.; Ameer, Inbethaq M. A. Abdul

2018-05-01

The first practical study for the Hueckel edge detection operator was presented in this research, where it is tested on standard step edge set images. A number of criteria were adopted to evaluate its practical performance, which is the accuracy in detecting the edges direction, the error in the edges location (dislocation), edges width, the calculated edge goodness criterion and the consumed execution time. These criteria were studied with the edge direction and the used disk radius of the Hueckel edge detection operator. Important notes were recorded for the performance of this operator depending on the direction of the edge and/or with the radius of the used disk. There is a variation in the performance of the operator in terms of precision in detecting of the edges direction and position. A discussion was presented for the all criteria adopted in the research.