Reactor pressure vessel head vents and methods of using the same

DOEpatents

Gels, John L; Keck, David J; Deaver, Gerald A

2014-10-28

Internal head vents are usable in nuclear reactors and include piping inside of the reactor pressure vessel with a vent in the reactor upper head. Piping extends downward from the upper head and passes outside of the reactor to permit the gas to escape or be forcibly vented outside of the reactor without external piping on the upper head. The piping may include upper and lowers section that removably mate where the upper head joins to the reactor pressure vessel. The removable mating may include a compressible bellows and corresponding funnel. The piping is fabricated of nuclear-reactor-safe materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and/or a Ni--Cr--Fe alloy. Methods install an internal head vent in a nuclear reactor by securing piping to an internal surface of an upper head of the nuclear reactor and/or securing piping to an internal surface of a reactor pressure vessel.

An integrated model-driven method for in-treatment upper airway motion tracking using cine MRI in head and neck radiation therapy

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

Li, Hua, E-mail: huli@radonc.wustl.edu; Chen, Hsin

Purpose: For the first time, MRI-guided radiation therapy systems can acquire cine images to dynamically monitor in-treatment internal organ motion. However, the complex head and neck (H&N) structures and low-contrast/resolution of on-board cine MRI images make automatic motion tracking a very challenging task. In this study, the authors proposed an integrated model-driven method to automatically track the in-treatment motion of the H&N upper airway, a complex and highly deformable region wherein internal motion often occurs in an either voluntary or involuntary manner, from cine MRI images for the analysis of H&N motion patterns. Methods: Considering the complex H&N structures andmore » ensuring automatic and robust upper airway motion tracking, the authors firstly built a set of linked statistical shapes (including face, face-jaw, and face-jaw-palate) using principal component analysis from clinically approved contours delineated on a set of training data. The linked statistical shapes integrate explicit landmarks and implicit shape representation. Then, a hierarchical model-fitting algorithm was developed to align the linked shapes on the first image frame of a to-be-tracked cine sequence and to localize the upper airway region. Finally, a multifeature level set contour propagation scheme was performed to identify the upper airway shape change, frame-by-frame, on the entire image sequence. The multifeature fitting energy, including the information of intensity variations, edge saliency, curve geometry, and temporal shape continuity, was minimized to capture the details of moving airway boundaries. Sagittal cine MR image sequences acquired from three H&N cancer patients were utilized to demonstrate the performance of the proposed motion tracking method. Results: The tracking accuracy was validated by comparing the results to the average of two manual delineations in 50 randomly selected cine image frames from each patient. The resulting average dice similarity coefficient (93.28%  ±  1.46%) and margin error (0.49  ±  0.12 mm) showed good agreement between the automatic and manual results. The comparison with three other deformable model-based segmentation methods illustrated the superior shape tracking performance of the proposed method. Large interpatient variations of swallowing frequency, swallowing duration, and upper airway cross-sectional area were observed from the testing cine image sequences. Conclusions: The proposed motion tracking method can provide accurate upper airway motion tracking results, and enable automatic and quantitative identification and analysis of in-treatment H&N upper airway motion. By integrating explicit and implicit linked-shape representations within a hierarchical model-fitting process, the proposed tracking method can process complex H&N structures and low-contrast/resolution cine MRI images. Future research will focus on the improvement of method reliability, patient motion pattern analysis for providing more information on patient-specific prediction of structure displacements, and motion effects on dosimetry for better H&N motion management in radiation therapy.« less

An integrated model-driven method for in-treatment upper airway motion tracking using cine MRI in head and neck radiation therapy.

PubMed

Li, Hua; Chen, Hsin-Chen; Dolly, Steven; Li, Harold; Fischer-Valuck, Benjamin; Victoria, James; Dempsey, James; Ruan, Su; Anastasio, Mark; Mazur, Thomas; Gach, Michael; Kashani, Rojano; Green, Olga; Rodriguez, Vivian; Gay, Hiram; Thorstad, Wade; Mutic, Sasa

2016-08-01

For the first time, MRI-guided radiation therapy systems can acquire cine images to dynamically monitor in-treatment internal organ motion. However, the complex head and neck (H&N) structures and low-contrast/resolution of on-board cine MRI images make automatic motion tracking a very challenging task. In this study, the authors proposed an integrated model-driven method to automatically track the in-treatment motion of the H&N upper airway, a complex and highly deformable region wherein internal motion often occurs in an either voluntary or involuntary manner, from cine MRI images for the analysis of H&N motion patterns. Considering the complex H&N structures and ensuring automatic and robust upper airway motion tracking, the authors firstly built a set of linked statistical shapes (including face, face-jaw, and face-jaw-palate) using principal component analysis from clinically approved contours delineated on a set of training data. The linked statistical shapes integrate explicit landmarks and implicit shape representation. Then, a hierarchical model-fitting algorithm was developed to align the linked shapes on the first image frame of a to-be-tracked cine sequence and to localize the upper airway region. Finally, a multifeature level set contour propagation scheme was performed to identify the upper airway shape change, frame-by-frame, on the entire image sequence. The multifeature fitting energy, including the information of intensity variations, edge saliency, curve geometry, and temporal shape continuity, was minimized to capture the details of moving airway boundaries. Sagittal cine MR image sequences acquired from three H&N cancer patients were utilized to demonstrate the performance of the proposed motion tracking method. The tracking accuracy was validated by comparing the results to the average of two manual delineations in 50 randomly selected cine image frames from each patient. The resulting average dice similarity coefficient (93.28%  ±  1.46%) and margin error (0.49  ±  0.12 mm) showed good agreement between the automatic and manual results. The comparison with three other deformable model-based segmentation methods illustrated the superior shape tracking performance of the proposed method. Large interpatient variations of swallowing frequency, swallowing duration, and upper airway cross-sectional area were observed from the testing cine image sequences. The proposed motion tracking method can provide accurate upper airway motion tracking results, and enable automatic and quantitative identification and analysis of in-treatment H&N upper airway motion. By integrating explicit and implicit linked-shape representations within a hierarchical model-fitting process, the proposed tracking method can process complex H&N structures and low-contrast/resolution cine MRI images. Future research will focus on the improvement of method reliability, patient motion pattern analysis for providing more information on patient-specific prediction of structure displacements, and motion effects on dosimetry for better H&N motion management in radiation therapy.

77 FR 2974 - Longview Energy Exchange, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-20

... system; (2) a single lower reservoir dam constructed of earth fill materials with an internal dam drainage system; (3) concrete inlet-outlet structures at both upper reservoirs equipped with trash racks..., using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp . You must include your name...

Dental maturational sequence and dental tissue proportions in the early Upper Paleolithic child from Abrigo do Lagar Velho, Portugal

PubMed Central

Bayle, Priscilla; Macchiarelli, Roberto; Trinkaus, Erik; Duarte, Cidália; Mazurier, Arnaud; Zilhão, João

2010-01-01

Neandertals differ from recent and terminal Pleistocene human populations in their patterns of dental development, endostructural (internal structure) organization, and relative tissue proportions. Although significant changes in craniofacial and postcranial morphology have been found between the Middle Paleolithic and earlier Upper Paleolithic modern humans of western Eurasia and the terminal Pleistocene and Holocene inhabitants of the same region, most studies of dental maturation and structural morphology have compared Neandertals only to later Holocene humans. To assess whether earlier modern humans contrasted with later modern populations and possibly approached the Neandertal pattern, we used high-resolution microtomography to analyze the remarkably complete mixed dentition of the early Upper Paleolithic (Gravettian) child from Abrigo do Lagar Velho, Portugal, and compared it to a Neandertal sample, the late Upper Paleolithic (Magdalenian) child of La Madeleine, and a worldwide extant human sample. Some aspects of the dental maturational pattern and tooth endostructural organization of Lagar Velho 1 are absent from extant populations and the Magdalenian specimen and are currently documented only among Neandertals. Therefore, a simple Neandertal versus modern human dichotomy is inadequate to accommodate the morphostructural and developmental variation represented by Middle Paleolithic and earlier Upper Paleolithic populations. These data reinforce the complex nature of Neandertal-modern human similarities and differences, and document ongoing human evolution after the global establishment of modern human morphology. PMID:20080622

Seismic Structure of the Antarctic Upper Mantle and Transition Zone Unearthed by Full Waveform Adjoint Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloyd, A. J.; Wiens, D.; Zhu, H.; Tromp, J.; Nyblade, A.; Anandakrishnan, S.; Aster, R. C.; Huerta, A. D.; Winberry, J. P.; Wilson, T. J.; Dalziel, I. W. D.; Hansen, S. E.; Shore, P.

2017-12-01

The upper mantle and transition zone beneath Antarctica and the surrounding ocean are among the poorest seismically imaged regions of the Earth's interior. Over the last 1.5 decades researchers have deployed several large temporary broadband seismic arrays focusing on major tectonic features in the Antarctic. The broader international community has also facilitated further instrumentation of the continent, often operating stations in additional regions. As of 2016, waveforms are available from almost 300 unique station locations. Using these stations along with 26 southern mid-latitude seismic stations we have imaged the seismic structure of the upper mantle and transition zone using full waveform adjoint techniques. The full waveform adjoint inversion assimilates phase observations from 3-component seismograms containing P, S, Rayleigh, and Love waves, including reflections and overtones, from 270 earthquakes (5.5 ≤ Mw ≤ 7.0) that occurred between 2001-2003 and 2007-2016. We present the major results of the full waveform adjoint inversion following 20 iterations, resulting in a continental-scale seismic model (ANT_20) with regional-scale resolution. Within East Antarctica, ANT_20 reveals internal seismic heterogeneity and differences in lithospheric thickness. For example, fast seismic velocities extending to 200-300 km depth are imaged beneath both Wilkes Land and the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains, whereas fast velocities only extend to 100-200 km depth beneath the Lambert Graben and Enderby Land. Furthermore, fast velocities are not found beneath portions of Dronning Maud Land, suggesting old cratonic lithosphere may be absent. Beneath West Antarctica slow upper mantle seismic velocities are imaged extending from the Balleny Island southward along the Transantarctic Mountains front, and broaden beneath the southern and northern portion of the mountain range. In addition, slow upper mantle velocities are imaged beneath the West Antarctic coast extending from Marie Byrd Land to the Antarctic Peninsula. This region of slow velocity only extends to 150-200 km depth beneath the Antarctic Peninsula, while elsewhere it extends to deeper upper mantle depths and possibly into the transition zone as well as offshore, suggesting two different geodynamic processes are at play.

Nuclear reactor internals alignment configuration

DOEpatents

Gilmore, Charles B [Greensburg, PA; Singleton, Norman R [Murrysville, PA

2009-11-10

An alignment system that employs jacking block assemblies and alignment posts around the periphery of the top plate of a nuclear reactor lower internals core shroud to align an upper core plate with the lower internals and the core shroud with the core barrel. The distal ends of the alignment posts are chamfered and are closely received within notches machined in the upper core plate at spaced locations around the outer circumference of the upper core plate. The jacking block assemblies are used to center the core shroud in the core barrel and the alignment posts assure the proper orientation of the upper core plate. The alignment posts may alternately be formed in the upper core plate and the notches may be formed in top plate.

Spatial Distributions of Young Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraus, Adam L.; Hillenbrand, Lynne A.

2008-10-01

We analyze the spatial distribution of young stars in Taurus-Auriga and Upper Sco, as determined from the two-point correlation function (i.e., the mean surface density of neighbors). The corresponding power-law fits allow us to determine the fractal dimensions of each association's spatial distribution, measure the stellar velocity dispersions, and distinguish between the bound binary population and chance alignments of members. We find that the fractal dimension of Taurus is D ~ 1.05, consistent with its filamentary structure. The fractal dimension of Upper Sco may be even shallower (D ~ 0.7), but this fit is uncertain due to the limited area and possible spatially variable incompleteness. We also find that random stellar motions have erased all primordial structure on scales of lsim0.07° in Taurus and lsim1.7° in Upper Sco; given ages of ~1 and ~5 Myr, the corresponding internal velocity dispersions are ~0.2 and ~1.0 km s-1, respectively. Finally, we find that binaries can be distinguished from chance alignments at separations of lsim120'' (17,000 AU) in Taurus and lsim75'' (11,000 AU) in Upper Sco. The binary populations in these associations that we previously studied, spanning separations of 3''-30'', is dominated by binary systems. However, the few lowest mass pairs (Mprim <~ 0.3 M⊙) might be chance alignments.

Structure sismique du socle paléozoïque du bassin des Doukkala, Môle côtier, Maroc occidental. Indication en faveur de l'existence d'une phase éo-varisqueSeismic structure of the Doukkala basin, Palaeozoic basement, western Morocco: a hint for an Eovariscan fold-and-thrust belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Echarfaoui, Hassan; Hafid, Mohamed; Salem, Abdallah Aı̈t

2002-01-01

Seismic profiles and well data from the Doukkala basin unravel the structure of the Palaeozoic basement and suggest that this coastal zone of western Morocco was affected by a compressive phase during the Frasnian. This resulted in the formation of upright, plurikilometric folds associated with reverse faults (North Doukkala), and of asymmetrical folds associated with mostly west verging ramps (South Doukkala). Folding involved all pre-Upper Frasnian formations and caused partial or total hiatus of Upper Frasnian-Strunian strata. This event can be correlated with the orogenic phase reported from more internal domains of the Morocco Hercynian belt, where it is referred to as the 'Bretonne' or 'Eovariscan' phase. To cite this article: H. Echarfaoui et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 13-20

Inside pyroclastic density currents - uncovering the enigmatic flow structure and transport behaviour in large-scale experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breard, Eric C. P.; Lube, Gert

2017-01-01

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are the most lethal threat from volcanoes. While there are two main types of PDCs (fully turbulent, fully dilute pyroclastic surges and more concentrated pyroclastic flows encompassing non-turbulent to turbulent transport) pyroclastic flows, which are the subject of the present study, are far more complex than dilute pyroclastic surges and remain the least understood type despite their far greater hazard, greater runout length and ability to transport vast quantities of material across the Earth's surface. Here we present large-scale experiments of natural volcanic material and gas in order to provide the missing quantitative view of the internal structure and gas-particle transport mechanisms in pyroclastic flows. We show that the outer flow structure with head, body and wake regions broadly resembles current PDC analogues of dilute gravity currents. However, the internal structure, in which lower levels consist of a concentrated granular fluid and upper levels are more dilute, contrasts significantly with the internal structure of fully dilute gravity currents. This bipartite vertical structure shows strong analogy to current conceptual models of high-density turbidity currents, which are responsible for the distribution of coarse sediment in marine basins and of great interest to the hydrocarbon industry. The lower concentrated and non-turbulent levels of the PDC (granular-fluid basal flow) act as a fast-flowing carrier for the more dilute and turbulent upper levels of the current (ash-cloud surge). Strong kinematic coupling between these flow parts reduces viscous dissipation and entrainment of ambient air into the lower part of the ash-cloud surge. This leads to a state of forced super-criticality whereby fast and destructive PDCs can endure even at large distances from volcanoes. Importantly, the basal flow/ash-cloud surge coupling yields a characteristically smooth rheological boundary across the non-turbulent/turbulent interface, as well as vertical velocity and density profiles in the ash-cloud surge, which strongly differ from current theoretical predictions. Observed generation of successive pulses of high dynamic pressure within the upper dilute levels of the PDC may be important to understand the destructive potential of PDCs. The experiments further show that a wide range in the degree of coupling between particle and gas phases is critical to the vertical and longitudinal segregation of the currents into reaches that have starkly contrasting sediment transport capacities. In particular, the formation of mesoscale turbulence clusters under strong particle-gas feedback controls vertical stratification inside the turbulent upper levels of the current (ash-cloud surge) and triggers significant transfers of mass and momentum from the ash-cloud surge onto the granular-fluid basal flow. These results open up new pathways to advance current computational PDC hazard models and to describe and interpret PDCs as well as other types of high-density gravity currents transported across the surfaces of Earth and other planets and across marine basins.

Internal gravity waves in the upper atmosphere, generated by tropospheric jet streams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chunchuzov, Y. P.; Torgashin, Y. M.

1979-01-01

A mechanism of internal gravity wave generation by jet streams in the troposphere is considered. Evaluations of the energy and pulse of internal gravity waves emitted into the upper atmosphere are given. The obtained values of flows can influence the thermal and dynamic regime of these layers.

Impact of integrated upper limb spasticity management including botulinum toxin A on patient-centred goal attainment: rationale and protocol for an international prospective, longitudinal cohort study (ULIS-III)

PubMed Central

Turner-Stokes, Lynne; Ashford, Stephen; Jacinto, Jorge; Maisonobe, Pascal; Balcaitiene, Jovita; Fheodoroff, Klemens

2016-01-01

Objectives Describe the rationale and protocol for the Upper Limb International Spasticity (ULIS)-III study, which aims to evaluate the impact of integrated spasticity management, involving multiple botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection cycles and concomitant therapies, on patient-centred goal attainment. Outline novel outcome assessment methods for ULIS-III and report initial evaluation data from goal setting in early stages of the study. Design Large international longitudinal cohort study of integrated upper limb spasticity management, including BoNT-A. Participants and setting ULIS-III is a 2-year study expected to enrol >1000 participants at 58 study centres across 14 countries. Interventions The study design is non-interventional and intended to reflect real-life clinical practice. It will describe injection practices and additional treatment strategies, and record clinical decision-making in a serial approach to long-term spasticity management. Outcome measures ULIS-III will use a goal-directed approach to selection of targeted standardised measures to capture the diversity of presentation, goals and outcomes. ULIS-III will implement the Upper Limb Spasticity Index, a battery of assessments including a structured approach to goal attainment scaling (Goal Attainment Scaling—Evaluation of Outcomes for Upper Limb Spasticity tool), alongside a limited set of standardised measures, chosen according to patients' selected goal areas. Concomitant therapy inputs, patient satisfaction with engagement in goal setting, health economic end points and health-related quality of life data will also be captured. Results of initial evaluation of goal quality Recruitment started in January 2015. By June 2015, 58 sites had been identified and initial data collected for 79 patients across 13 sites in 3 countries. Goal setting data were quality-checked and centres rated on the basis of function-related and Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timed (SMART) characteristics of goal statements. Overall, 11/13 centres achieved the highest rating (A++). Conclusions ULIS-III will provide valuable information regarding treatment of and outcomes from real-life upper limb spasticity management worldwide. Trial registration number NCT02454803; Pre-results. PMID:27315835

Photographer : JPL Range : 3.4 million km This pair of images shows two of the long-lived white oval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Photographer : JPL Range : 3.4 million km This pair of images shows two of the long-lived white oval clouds which have resided in the Jovian southern hemisphere for nearly 40 years. The upper picture shows the cloud that is at a longitude west of the Great Red Spot, and the lower frame, the cloud at a longitude east of this feature. The third oval is currently just south of the Great Red Spot. The clouds show very similar internal structures. To the east of each of them, recirculation currents are clearly seen. In the lower frame, a similar structure is seen to the west of the cloud. Although a recirculation current is associated with the upper western region of the cloud, it is further away from this feature and not seen in the image. This photo was taken by Voyager 2.

Frame of Reference Model of Self-Concept and Locus of Control: A Cross Gender Study in the United Arab Emirates.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abu-Hilal, Maher M.

A study tested predictions for I/E (internal external) frame of reference model and extended this model to include locus of control. A sample of upper elementary (n=181) and junior high (n=191) students in the United Arab Emirates participated in the study. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses provided support to the external comparison…

KSC-04pd1049

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-05-07

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- From an upper level of the Fixed Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A, STS-114 Mission Specialists Charles Camarda (center) and Wendy Lawrence (right) look at the surrounding area. Beyond the pad is the aqua blue Atlantic Ocean. The STS-114 mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

Permeability of continental crust influenced by internal and external forcing

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rojstaczer, S.A.; Ingebritsen, S.E.; Hayba, D.O.

2008-01-01

The permeability of continental crust is so highly variable that it is often considered to defy systematic characterization. However, despite this variability, some order has been gleaned from globally compiled data. What accounts for the apparent coherence of mean permeability in the continental crust (and permeability-depth relations) on a very large scale? Here we argue that large-scale crustal permeability adjusts to accommodate rates of internal and external forcing. In the deeper crust, internal forcing - fluxes induced by metamorphism, magmatism, and mantle degassing - is dominant, whereas in the shallow crust, external forcing - the vigor of the hydrologic cycle - is a primary control. Crustal petrologists have long recognized the likelihood of a causal relation between fluid flux and permeability in the deep, ductile crust, where fluid pressures are typically near-lithostatic. It is less obvious that such a relation should pertain in the relatively cool, brittle upper crust, where near-hydrostatic fluid pressures are the norm. We use first-order calculations and numerical modeling to explore the hypothesis that upper-crustal permeability is influenced by the magnitude of external fluid sources, much as lower-crustal permeability is influenced by the magnitude of internal fluid sources. We compare model-generated permeability structures with various observations of crustal permeability. ?? 2008 The Authors Journal compilation ?? 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

[The "window" surgical exposure strategy of the upper anterior cervical retropharyngeal approach for anterior decompression at upper cervical spine].

PubMed

Wu, Xiang-Yang; Zhang, Zhe; Wu, Jian; Lü, Jun; Gu, Xiao-Hui

2009-11-01

To investigate the "window" surgical exposure strategy of the upper anterior cervical retropharyngeal approach for the exposure and decompression and instrumentation of the upper cervical spine. From Jan. 2000 to July 2008, 5 patients with upper cervical spinal injuries were treated by surgical operation included 4 males and 1 female with and average age of 35 years old ranging from 16 to 68 years. There were 2 cases of Hangman's fractures (type II ), 2 of C2.3 intervertebral disc displacement and 1 of C2 vertebral body tuberculosis. All patients underwent the upper cervical anterior retropharyngeal approach through the "window" between the hypoglossal nerve and the superior laryngeal nerve and pharynx and carotid artery. Two patients of Hangman's fractures underwent the C2,3 intervertebral disc discectomy, bone graft fusion and internal fixation. Two patients of C2,3 intervertebral disc displacement underwent the C2,3 intervertebral disc discectomy, decompression bone graft fusion and internal fixation. One patient of C2 vertebral body tuberculosis was dissected and resected and the focus and the cavity was filled by bone autografting. C1 anterior arch to C3 anterior vertebral body were successful exposed. Lesion resection or decompression and fusion were successful in all patients. All patients were followed-up for from 5 to 26 months (means 13.5 months). There was no important vascular and nerve injury and no wound infection. Neutral symptoms was improved and all patient got successful fusion. The "window" surgical exposure surgical technique of the upper cervical anterior retropharyngeal approach is a favorable strategy. This approach strategy can be performed with full exposure for C1-C3 anterior anatomical structure, and can get minimally invasive surgery results and few and far between wound complication, that is safe if corresponding experience is achieved.

The mechanics and three-dimensional internal structure of active magmatic systems: Kilauea volcano, Hawaii.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ryan, M.P.

1988-01-01

Interpretation of abundant seismic data suggest that Kilauea's primary conduit within the upper mantle is concentrically zoned to about 34-km depth. This zoned structure is inferred to contain a central core region of relatively higher permeability, surrounded by numerous dikes that are in intermittent hydraulic communication with each other and with the central core. During periods of relatively high magma transport, the entire cross section of the conduit is utilized. During periods of relatively low to moderate transport, however, only the central core is active.-from Author

Directional Characteristics of Inner Shelf Internal Tides

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

Figure 18. YD 202-206 Current vector plot of significant events. Significant events include internal tidal bores, solibores, and solitons . The upper...Events (Bores, Solibores, and Solitons ): Upper column leading-edge cross-shore current velocity and cross-shore wind regression. The small ellipse...Significant Events (Bores, Solibores, and Solitons ): Upper column leading-edge along-shore current velocity and along-shore wind regression. The small

Geology of natural gas reservoir: Upper Travis Peak Formation, western flank of Sabine Uplift, east Texas

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

Fracasso, M.A.

The Travis Peak Formation (Lower Cretaceous) in the eastern East Texas basin represents a sand-rich, fluvial-deltaic depositional system. This lobate, high-constructive deltaic system prograded radially to the southeast from an Upshur County locus. Regional studies of the Travis Peak established a threefold internal stratigraphic framework: a middle sand-rich fluvial and delta-plain sequence is gradationally overlain and underlain by a marine-influenced delta-fringe zone with a higher mud content. The entire Travis Peak succession thins over the Bethany dome on the western flank of the Sabine uplift. However, the delta-fringe sequences are relatively thicker over the structure because of a disproportionately greatermore » thinning of the middle sandy fluvial-deltaic sequence. Lesser sand deposition over the Bethany dome reflects an active structural control over facies distribution. Gas production in the Bethany field and surrounding area is concentrated in thin zones (5-15 ft) of the upper delta-fringe sequence. This distribution probably reflects the increased abundance of mudstone beds in the upper delta-fringe interval, which may have served as source rocks or barriers to upward gas migration, or as both. The predominant trapping mechanism in this region is stratigraphic sand pinch-out in a structurally updip direction on the flanks of major structures. Studies of core and closely spaced electric logs west of the Bethany dome help define the depositional systems in the upper delta-fringe producing interval. This sequence comprises a complex mosaic of continental and marine facies, and exhibits an overall upward trend of increasing marine influence that spans a gradual transition into transgressive carbonates of the Sligo Formation.« less

Temperature variability caused by internal tides in the coral reef ecosystem of Hanauma bay, Hawai'i

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Katharine A.; Rocheleau, Greg; Merrifield, Mark A.; Jaramillo, Sergio; Pawlak, Geno

2016-03-01

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a shallow bay (<30 m depth) on the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i, offshore of which tidal flow over deep ridge topography (500-1000 m depth) is known to generate semidiurnal frequency internal tides. A field experiment was conducted during March to June 2009 to determine whether the deep internal tides propagate shoreward to influence variability in temperature and currents in the bay environment. Temperature observations in the bay exhibit a diurnal cycle that is strongest near the surface (upper 10 m) and is associated with solar heating. In early summer (May-June), as the upper mixed layer warms and a shallow seasonal thermocline develops, temperature fluctuations in deeper bay waters (>15 m depth) become dominated by large semidiurnal variations (up to 2.7 °C) that are attributed to the internal tide. These temperature drops caused by the internal tide occur consistently twice a day under summer stratification at depths as shallow as 15 m, while smaller temperature drops (up to 1.8 °C) occur occasionally at 5 m. Although semidiurnal band temperatures vary seasonally, semidiurnal band currents exhibit similar magnitudes in spring and summer. This suggests that the weak temperature fluctuations in spring are due to the bay residing entirely in the upper mixed layer at this time of year, while internal tide energy continues to influence currents. Observations made along a cross-shore/vertical transect at the center of the bay with an autonomous underwater vehicle highlight the structure of cold intrusions that fill a large portion of the bay as well as the relationship between temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, and backscatter. Near-bottom, advective heat flux estimates at the mouth of the bay indicate that the internal tide tends to advect cold water into the bay primarily on the northeast side of the bay entrance, with cold water outflow on the opposite side. The observations highlight the role of the internal tide along with seasonal changes in stratification in temperature variability in shallow ecosystems, particularly those close to generation sites.

Upper Mantle Structure Beneath the Whitmore Mountains, West Antarctic Rift System, and Marie Byrd Land from Body-Wave Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nyblade, A.; Lloyd, A. J.; Anandakrishnan, S.; Wiens, D. A.; Aster, R. C.; Huerta, A. D.; Wilson, T. J.; Shore, P.; Zhao, D.

2011-12-01

As part of the International Polar Year in Antarctica, 37 seismic stations have been installed across West Antarctica as part of the Polar Earth Observing Network (POLENET). 23 stations form a sparse backbone network of which 21 are co-located on rock sites with a network of continuously recording GPS stations. The remaining 14 stations, in conjunction with 2 backbone stations, form a seismic transect extending from the Ellsworth Mountains across the West Antarctic Rift System (WARS) and into Marie Byrd Land. Here we present preliminary P and S wave velocity models of the upper mantle from regional body wave tomography using P and S travel times from teleseismic events recorded by the seismic transect during the first year (2009-2010) of deployment. Preliminary P wave velocity models consisting of ~3,000 ray paths from 266 events indicate that the upper mantle beneath the Whitmore Mountains is seismically faster than the upper mantle beneath Marie Byrd Land and the WARS. Furthermore, we observe two substantial upper mantle low velocity zones located beneath Marie Byrd Land and near the southern boundary of the WARS.

KSC-04pd1050

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-05-07

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- From an upper level of the Fixed Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A, STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, who represents the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency, looks at the surrounding area. Beyond the pad is the aqua blue Atlantic Ocean. The STS-114 mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

Reentry heat transfer analysis of the space shuttle orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ko, W. L.; Quinn, R. D.; Gong, L.

1982-01-01

A structural performance and resizing finite element thermal analysis computer program was used in the reentry heat transfer analysis of the space shuttle. Two typical wing cross sections and a midfuselage cross section were selected for the analysis. The surface heat inputs to the thermal models were obtained from aerodynamic heating analyses, which assumed a purely turbulent boundary layer, a purely laminar boundary layer, separated flow, and transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The effect of internal radiation was found to be quite significant. With the effect of the internal radiation considered, the wing lower skin temperature became about 39 C (70 F) lower. The results were compared with fight data for space transportation system, trajectory 1. The calculated and measured temperatures compared well for the wing if laminar flow was assumed for the lower surface and bay one upper surface and if separated flow was assumed for the upper surfaces of bays other than bay one. For the fuselage, good agreement between the calculated and measured data was obtained if laminar flow was assumed for the bottom surface. The structural temperatures were found to reach their peak values shortly before touchdown. In addition, the finite element solutions were compared with those obtained from the conventional finite difference solutions.

Effects of upper ocean sound-speed structure on deep acoustic shadow-zone arrivals at 500- and 1000-km range.

PubMed

Van Uffelen, Lora J; Worcester, Peter F; Dzieciuch, Matthew A; Rudnick, Daniel L; Colosi, John A

2010-04-01

Deep acoustic shadow-zone arrivals observed in the late 1990s in the North Pacific Ocean reveal significant acoustic energy penetrating the geometric shadow. Comparisons of acoustic data obtained from vertical line arrays deployed in conjunction with 250-Hz acoustic sources at ranges of 500 and 1000 km from June to November 2004 in the North Pacific, with simulations incorporating scattering consistent with the Garrett-Munk internal-wave spectrum, are able to describe both the energy contained in and vertical extent of deep shadow-zone arrivals. Incoherent monthly averages of acoustic timefronts indicate that lower cusps associated with acoustic rays with shallow upper turning points (UTPs), where sound-speed structure is most variable and seasonally dependent, deepen from June to October as the summer thermocline develops. Surface-reflected rays, or those with near-surface UTPs, exhibit less scattering due to internal waves than in later months when the UTP deepens. Data collected in November exhibit dramatically more vertical extension than previous months. The depth to which timefronts extend is a complex combination of deterministic changes in the depths of the lower cusps as the range-average profiles evolve with seasonal change and of the amount of scattering, which depends on the mean vertical gradients at the depths of the UTPs.

CFD Analysis of Upper Plenum Flow for a Sodium-Cooled Small Modular Reactor

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

Kraus, A.; Hu, R.

2015-01-01

Upper plenum flow behavior is important for many operational and safety issues in sodium fast reactors. The Prototype Gen-IV Sodium Fast Reactor (PGSFR), a pool-type, 150 MWe output power design, was used as a reference case for a detailed characterization of upper plenum flow for normal operating conditions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation was utilized with detailed geometric modeling of major structures. Core outlet conditions based on prior system-level calculations were mapped to approximate the outlet temperatures and flow rates for each core assembly. Core outlet flow was found to largely bypass the Upper Internal Structures (UIS). Flow curves overmore » the shield and circulates within the pool before exiting the plenum. Cross-flows and temperatures were evaluated near the core outlet, leading to a proposed height for the core outlet thermocouples to ensure accurate assembly-specific temperature readings. A passive scalar was used to evaluate fluid residence time from core outlet to IHX inlet, which can be used to assess the applicability of various methods for monitoring fuel failure. Additionally, the gas entrainment likelihood was assessed based on the CFD simulation results. Based on the evaluation of velocity gradients and turbulent kinetic energies and the available gas entrainment criteria in the literature, it was concluded that significant gas entrainment is unlikely for the current PGSFR design.« less

Thermal structure and heat balance of the outer planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conrath, B. J.; Hanel, R. A.; Samuelson, R. E.

1989-01-01

Current knowledge of the thermal structure and energy balance of the outer planets is summarized. The Voyager spacecraft experiments have provided extensive new information on the atmospheric temperatures and energetics of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. All three planets show remarkably small global-scale horizontal thermal contrast, indicating efficient redistribution of heat within the atmospheres or interiors. Horizontal temperature gradients on the scale of the zonal jets indicate that the winds decay with height in the upper troposphere. This suggests that the winds are driven at deeper levels and are subjected to frictional damping of unknown origin at higher levels. Both Jupiter and Saturn have internal power sources equal to about 70 percent of the absorbed solar power. This result is consistent with the view that significant helium differentiation has occurred on Saturn. Uranus has an internal power no greater than 13 percent of the absorbed solar power, while earth-based observations suggest Neptune has an internal power in excess of 100 percent of the absorbed solar power.

Attenuation of radiation from distributed gamma sources as a function of wall thickness of a concrete blockhouse

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

Schmoke, M. A.; Rexroad, R. E.; Tiller, H. J.

1963-06-15

The experiment described constitutes part of the shielding program conducted by Army Nuclear Defense Laboratory and was designed to experimentally verify theoretical calculations used to predict the amount of radiation protection afforded by above-ground structures in a fallout radiation field. This method requires the knowledge of some physical parameters of a structure such as mass thickness of the walls and the geometric orientation of the detectors within the structure. From this information, a reduction factor for any given structure may be calculated. This Laboratory's experimental program was initially begun by measuring the attenuation of a simple structure with no complicatingmore » internal or external geometries and will proceed to more complex structures with basements, interior partitions, and upper floors. (auth)« less

[COMPLICATIONS OF STENTINGOF UPPER URINARY TRACT].

PubMed

Shkodkin, S V; Kogan, M I; Lyubushkin, A V; Miroshnichenko, O V

2015-01-01

Restoring the passage of urine through the upper urinary tract routinely is achieved by installing of external or internal drainage. Due to its objective advantages, internal drainage has been successfully used in surgery of the upper urinary tract. This review outlines the problems associated with the use ofinternal stents, namely difficultyin installation, migration, and reflux and stent obstruction, bacterial colonization of the stent, the development of functional and morphological changes in the drained segment of urinary tract.

Review of metamorphic and kinematic data from Internal Crystalline Massifs (Western Alps): PTt paths and exhumation history

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasco, Ivano; Gattiglio, Marco; Borghi, Alessandro

2013-01-01

Detailed geological mapping combined with micro-structural and petrological investigation allowed to clarify the tectono-metamorphic relationships between continental and oceanic units transition in the Penninic domain of the Western Alps. The three study areas (Gressoney, Orco and Susa sections) take into consideration the same structural level across the axial metamorphic belt of the Western Italian Alps, i.e., a geological section across the Internal Crystalline Massifs vs Piedmont Zone boundary. The units outcropping in these areas can be grouped into two Tectonic Elements according to their tectono-metamorphic evolution. The Lower Tectonic Element (LTE) consists of the Internal Crystalline Massifs and the Lower Piedmont Zone (Zermatt-Saas like units), both showing well preserved eclogite facies relics. Instead, the Upper Tectonic Element (UTE) consists of the Upper Piedmont Zone (Combin like units) lacking evidence of eclogite facies relics. In the Lower Tectonic Element two main Alpine tectono-metamorphic stages were identified: M1/D1 developed under eclogite facies conditions and M2/D2 is related to the development of the regional foliation under greenschist to epidote-albite amphibolite facies conditions. In the Upper Tectonic Element the metamorphic stage M1/D1 developed under bluschist to greenschist facies conditions and M2/D2 stage under greenschist facies conditions. These two Tectonic Elements are separated by a tectonic contact of regional importance generally developed along the boundary between the Lower and the Upper Piedmont zone under greenschist facies conditions. PT data compared to geochronology indicate that the first exhumation of ICM can be explained by buoyancy forces acting along the subduction channel that occurred during the tectonic coupling between the continental and oceanic eclogite units. These buoyancy forces vanished at the base of the crust where the density difference between the subducted crustal units and the surroundings rocks is too low. A stage where compression prevails on the previous exhumation followed, which leads to the development of the regional foliation under greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphic conditions. Further exhumation occurred after the M2/D2 stage at shallower crustal levels along conjugated shear zones leading to the development of a composite axial dome consisting of eclogite-bearing continental-oceanic units (ICM and Zermatt-Saas Zones) beneath greenschist ones (Combin Zone).

Upper third molar internal structural organization and semicircular canal morphology in Plio-Pleistocene South African cercopithecoids.

PubMed

Beaudet, Amélie; Dumoncel, Jean; Thackeray, John Francis; Bruxelles, Laurent; Duployer, Benjamin; Tenailleau, Christophe; Bam, Lunga; Hoffman, Jakobus; de Beer, Frikkie; Braga, José

2016-06-01

Despite the abundance of cercopithecoids in the fossil record, especially in South Africa, and the recent development of morphometric approaches, uncertainties regarding the taxonomic identification of isolated cranio-dental specimens remain. Because cercopithecoids, nearly always found in stratigraphic association with hominin remains in Plio-Pleistocene deposits, are considered as sensitive ecological and chronological biomarkers, a significant effort should be made to clarify their palaeobiodiversity by assessing additional reliable morphological diagnostic criteria. Here we test the relevance of both molar crown internal structure and bony labyrinth morphology for discrimination of fossil cercopithecoid species. We use microtomographic-based 3D virtual imaging and quantitative analyses to investigate tooth endostructural organization and inner ear shape in 29 craniodental specimens from the South African sites of Kromdraai, Makapansgat, Sterkfontein and Swartkrans and provide the first detailed description of the internal structural condition characterizing this Plio-Pleistocene primate assemblage. Our preliminary results show that enamel-dentine junction morphology could be informative for discriminating highly autapomorphic taxa such as Theropithecus, while semicircular canal shape is tentatively proposed as an efficient criterion for diagnosing Dinopithecus ingens. Further research in virtual paleoprimatology may contribute to the identification of unassigned isolated fossil remains and shed new light on the internal craniodental morphology of extinct primate taxa. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Service Learning in Domestic and International Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Kari Knutson; Gonzalez, Amber M.

2009-01-01

This paper examines pre-service teacher outcomes associated with service learning in domestic and international settings. One group of upper-division undergraduate level pre service teachers participated in supervised experiences in domestic settings. A second group of upper-division undergraduate level pre-service teachers participated in…

Late extension in compressional wedges above a weak, viscous décollement: results from analogue modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borderie, Sandra; Vendeville, Bruno C.; Graveleau, Fabien; Witt, César

2016-04-01

Extension during convergence is a structural process commonly encountered in different geodynamic settings, such as accretionary wedges subjected to tectonic erosion, or mountain belts undergoing post-orogenic collapse. This has been investigated with experimental models at the scale of doubly-vergent wedges (Haq and Davis 2008; Bonini et al. 2000, Buck and Sokoutis 1994) but not thoroughly at the scale of fold-and-thrust belts. During an experimental investigation carried out on the behavior of segmented fold-and-thrust belts induced by stratigraphic inheritance in the foreland series (Borderie et al., EGU this session), unexpected shallow normal faulting occurred. The models comprised one basal frictional décollement (glass microbeads) and one upper viscous décollement embedded in the cover (silicone polymer). Extension took place during the late stages of the experiments and it was localized at the transition zone between the rear domain of the wedge and the frontal fold-and-thrust belt that detached on the upper viscous décollement. Normal faults strike parallel to the compressional structures and mainly dip toward the foreland. They root in the viscous décollement. Through a series of parametrized experiments dedicated to constrain the timing of formation of these extensional structures, we could evidence that these normal faults appear once the bulk shortening in the rear domain has created enough uplift of the internal zone by antiformal stacking and enough forelandward tilting of the upper viscous décollement. These two latter mechanisms are direct consequences of the whole wedge dynamics that links the thrust fault dynamics in the upper shallow sedimentary sequence and the thrust dynamics of the deep subsalt basement. The occurrence of this extension depends on the initial position of the upper viscous décollement and notably the position of the internal pinchout relative to the position of the backstop. Additional tests have also demonstrated that this extension is prevented by surface processes and notably sedimentation. We compare our experimental findings with natural examples of extensional features in various fold-and-thrust belts and accretionary features across the world (e.g. the Mediterranean ridge). References: Bonini, Marco, Dimitrios Sokoutis, Genene Mulugeta, and Emmanouil Katrivanos. 2000. "Modelling Hanging Wall Accommodation above Rigid Thrust Ramps." Journal of Structural Geology 22 (8): 1165-79. Borderie, Sandra, Fabien Graveleau, Cesar Witt and Bruno C. Vendeville. 2016. "Analogue modeling of 3-D structural segmentation in fold-and-thrust belts: interactions between frictional and viscous provinces in foreland basins." Gephys. Res. Abstr., 18, EGU2016-Vienne. Buck, W Roger, and Dimitrios Sokoutis. 1994. "Analogue Model of Gravitational Collapse and Surface Extension during Continental Convergence." Nature 369: 737-40. Haq, Saad SB, and Dan M. Davis. 2008. "Extension during Active Collision in Thin-Skinned Wedges: Insights from Laboratory Experiments." Geology 36 (6): 475-78.

Cervical Vascular and Upper Airway Asymmetry in Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome: Correlation of Nasopharyngoscopy with MRA

PubMed Central

Oppenheimer, Avi G.; Fulmer, Susan; Shifteh, Keivan; Chang, Ja-Kwei; Brook, Allan; Shanske, Alan L.; Shprintzen, Robert J.

2010-01-01

Purpose Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), the most common genetic syndrome causing cleft palate, is associated with internal carotid and vertebral artery anomalies, as well as upper airway asymmetry. Medially displaced internal carotid arteries, often immediately submucosal, present a risk of vascular injury during pharyngeal flap surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). We evaluate the frequency and spectrum of cervical vascular anomalies in a large cohort of VCFS patients correlating MRA with nasopharyngolaryngoscopy in detecting at-risk carotid arteries. Furthermore, we assess the relationship with respect to laterality between cervical vascular patterns and the asymmetric abnormalities of these subjects' upper airways. Methods Cervical MRAs of 86 subjects with VCFS and 50 control subjects were independently reviewed by three neuroradiologists. The course of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries were identified within the pharyngeal soft tissues. Medial deviation, level of bifurcation, dominance, anomalous origin, and vessel tortuosity were recorded. Nasopharyngoscopy examinations were available for retrospective review in 43 patients and were assessed for palatal and posterior pharyngeal wall symmetry, true vocal cord motion and size, and for the presence or absence of carotid pulsations. The endoscopic findings were compared with MRA results. Results Of the 86 subjects, 80 (93%) had one or more vascular anomalies. 42 subjects (49%) were found to have medial deviation of at least one internal carotid artery. In 24 subjects (28%) the anomalous internal carotid artery were directly submucosal; four of these were bilateral (5% of the total sample, 17% of those with a submucosal internal carotid). Other carotid anomalies included low carotid bifurcation (44 subjects or 51%), anomalous origin of the right common carotid (32 cases, or 37%), and two cases of internal carotid agenesis/hypoplasia. Vertebral artery anomalies included vessel tortuosity (34 cases, or 40%), hypoplasia (10 cases, or 12%), looping (4 cases, or 5%), and one case of a double left vertebral artery. Though patients in our study showed an asymmetric distribution of vascular anomalies, no association was found between the laterality of palatal motion, pharyngeal fullness, or laryngeal movement and structure with ipsilateral vertebral or carotid artery anomalies. Of the 33 pulsatile carotid arteries visualized at nasopharyngoscopy, only nine were found to be submucosal on MRA. In contrast, eleven submucosal carotid arteries confirmed at MRA demonstrated no visible pulsations. Positive and negative predictive values of pulsative arteries seen endoscopically for MRA confirmation of a submucosal carotid course was 27% and 79% respectively. Conclusions Carotid and vertebral artery anomalies are common in VCFS including marked medial deviation of the internal carotid artery in close proximity to the donor site for pharyngeal flap surgery. Lack of correlation between laterality of vascular anomalies and upper airway structural asymmetry in VCFS does not support the hypothesis that palatal, pharyngeal, and laryngeal anomalies are due to secondary developmental sequences caused by in utero vascular insufficiency. The presence or absence of carotid pulsations seen by nasopharyngoscopy does not correlate with the carotid arterial depth identified on MRA. Furthermore, identification of the relative medial-lateral retropharyngeal position of a submucosal carotid affords the opportunity to modify the surgical approach. These findings further support the routine use of pre-operative neck MRA in VCFS patients in surgical planning. PMID:20363509

Liquid interfacial water and brines in the upper surface of Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moehlmann, Diedrich

2013-04-01

Liquid interfacial water and brines in the upper surface of Mars Diedrich T.F. Möhlmann DLR Institut für Planetenforschung, Rutherfordstr. 2, D - 12489 Berlin, Germany dirk.moehlmann@dlr.de Interfacial water films and numerous brines are known to remain liquid at temperatures far below 0° C. The physical processes behind are described in some detail. Deliquescence, i.e. the liquefaction of hygroscopic salts at the threshold of a specific "Deliquescence Relative Humidity", is shown to be that process, which on present Mars supports the formation of stable interfacial water and bulk liquids in form of temporary brines on and in a salty upper surface of present Mars in a diurnally temporary and repetitive process. Temperature and relative humidity are the governing conditions for deliquescence (and the counterpart "efflorescence") to evolve. The current thermo-dynamical conditions on Mars support these processes to evolve on present Mars. The deliquescence-driven presence of liquid brines in the soil of the upper surface of Mars can expected to be followed by physical and chemical processes like "surface cementation", down-slope flows, and physical and chemical weathering processes. A remarkable and possibly also biologically relevant evolution towards internally interfacial water bearing structures of dendritic capillaries is related to their freezing - thawing driven formation. The internal walls of these network-pores or -tubes can be covered by films of interfacial water, providing that way possibly habitable crack-systems in soil and rock. These evolutionary processes of networks, driven by their tip-growth, can expected to be ongoing also at present.

[Evaluation of upper urinary tract function in patients undergoing autoplastic surgery for hydronphrosis of the intrarenal pelvis].

PubMed

Kurbanaliev, R M; Usupbaev, A Ch; Kolesnichenko, I V; Sadyrbekov, N Zh; Sultanov, B M

2018-05-01

To investigate the functional state of the upper urinary tract in patients undergoing autoplastic surgery for a hydronophrosis of the intrarenal pelvis. The study comprised 78 patients with the intrarenal pelvis and impaired urinary outflow due to stricture of the ureteropelvic junction and vascular conflict (interatrial and arteriovenous narrowing), who underwent pyeloplasty using autologous tunica vaginalis. All patients underwent an incision of ureteropelvic stricture and resection of the parietal layer of the tunica vaginalis which was used to repair the obstruction site and internal stenting of the upper urinary tract. The patients were examined at baseline and during follow-up ranging from 3 months to 3 years. At three months after surgery, there was a decrease in the size of the renal pelvis and calyces with an improvement of all parameters of uro- and hemodynamics. At three years after surgery, the structural and functional parameters of the upper urinary tract were completely restored. Obstructive uropathy, resulting from the intrarenal pelvis, leads to persistently impaired urinary outflow from the upper urinary tract. Surgical intervention is the only curative treatment able to restore the urinary flow. In men with the intrarenal pelvis, the autoplastic surgery of the ureteropelvic junction obstruction using a parietal layer of the tunica vaginalis is an effective surgical modality improving renal pelvis capacity and contributing to the recovery of urinary outflow from the upper urinary tract.

Developmental Flight Instrumentation System for the Crew Launch Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crawford, Kevin; Thomas, John

2006-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is developing a new launch vehicle to replace the Space Shuttle. The Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) will be a combination of new design hardware and heritage Apollo and Space Shuttle hardware. The current CLV configuration is a 5 segment solid rocket booster first stage and a new upper stage design with a modified Apollo era J-2 engine. The current schedule has two test flights with a first stage and a structurally identical, but without engine, upper stage. Then there will be two more test flights with a full complement of flight hardware. After the completion of the test flights, the first manned flight to the International Space Station is scheduled for late 2012. To verify the CLV's design margins a developmental flight instrumentation (DFI) system is needed. The DFI system will collect environmental and health data from the various CLV subsystem's and either transmit it to the ground or store it onboard for later evaluation on the ground. The CLV consists of 4 major elements: the first stage, the upper stage, the upper stage engine and the integration of the first stage, upper stage and upper stage engine. It is anticipated that each of CLVs elements will have some version of DFI. This paper will discuss a conceptual DFI design for each element and also of an integrated CLV DFI system.

Implications of prosthesis funding structures on the use of prostheses: experiences of individuals with upper limb absence.

PubMed

Biddiss, Elaine; McKeever, Patricia; Lindsay, Sally; Chau, Tom

2011-06-01

While sparsely researched, funding structures may play an important role in use of and satisfaction with prostheses and related health services. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the direct costs of prosthesis wear, (2) explore variations in funding distribution, and (3) describe the role of affordability in prosthesis selection and wear. An anonymous, online cross-sectional descriptive survey was administered. Analyses were conducted of qualitative and quantitative data extracted from an international sample of 242 individuals with upper limb absence. Access to prosthesis funding was variable and fluctuated with age, level of limb absence and country of care. Of individuals who gave details on prosthetic costs, 63% (n = 69) were fully reimbursed for their prosthetic expenses, while 37% (n = 40) were financially disadvantaged by the cost of components (mean [SD] US$9,574 [$9,986]) and their ongoing maintenance (US$1,936 [$3,179]). Of the 71 non-wearers in this study, 48% considered cost an influential factor in their decision not to adopt prosthesis use. Prosthesis funding is neither homogeneous nor transparent and can be influential in both the selection and use of a prosthetic device. Inequitable access to prosthesis funding is evident in industrialized nations and may lead to prosthesis abandonment and/or diminished quality of life for individuals with upper limb absences. Increased efforts are required to ensure equitable access to upper limb prosthetics and related services in line with individuals' needs.

Geometries of geoelectrical structures in central Tibetan Plateau from INDEPTH magnetotelluric data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vozar, Jan; Jones, Alan G.; Le Pape, Florian

2013-04-01

Magnetotelluric (MT) data collected on N-S profiles crossing the Banggong-Nujiang Suture, which separates the Qiangtang and Lhasa Terranes in central Tibet, as a part of InterNational DEep Profiling of Tibet and the Himalaya project (INDEPTH) are modeled by 2D and 3D inversion codes. The 2D deep MT model of line 500 confirms previous observations concluding that the region is characterized to first-order by a resistive upper crust and a conductive, partially melted, middle to lower crust that extends from the Lhasa Terrane to the Qiangtang Terrane with varying depth. The same conductive structure setting, but in shallower depths is also present on the eastern 400 line. From deep electromagnetic sounding, supported by independent 1D integrated petro-physical investigation, we can estimate the next upper-mantle conductive layer at depths from 200 km to 250 km below the Lhasa Terrane and less resistive Tibetan lithosphere below the Qiangtang Terrane with conductive upper-mantle in depths about 120 km. The anisotropic 2D modeling reveals lower crustal anisotropy in Lhasa Terrane, which can interpreted as crustal channel flow. The 3D inversion models of all MT data from central Tibet show dominant 2D regional strike of mid and lower crustal structures equal N110E. This orientation is parallel to Shuanghu suture, BengCo Jiali strike-slip fault system and perpendicular to convergence direction. The lower crust conductor in central Lhasa Terrane can be interpreted more likely as 3D lower Indian crust structure, located to the east from line 500, than geoelectrical anisotropic crustal flow.

Radio scintillations observed during atmospheric occultations of Voyager: Internal gravity waves at Titan and magnetic field orientations at Jupiter and Saturn. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinson, D. P.

1983-01-01

The refractive index of planetary atmospheres at microwave frequencies is discussed. Physical models proposed for the refractive irregularities in the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere serve to characterize the atmospheric scattering structures, and are used subsequently to compute theoretical scintillation spectra for comparison with the Voyager occultation measurements. A technique for systematically analyzing and interpreting the signal fluctuations observed during planetary occultations is presented and applied to process the dual-wavelength data from the Voyager radio occultations by Jupiter, Saturn, and Titan. Results concerning the plasma irregularities in the upper ionospheres of Jupiter and Saturn are reported. The measured orientation of the irregularities is used to infer the magnetic field direction at several locations in the ionospheres of these two planets; the occultation measurements conflict with the predictions of Jovian magnetic field models, but generally confirm current models of Saturn's field. Wave parameters, including the vertical fluxes of energy and momentum, are estimated, and the source of the internal gravity waves discovered in Titan's upper atmosphere is considered.

Surface EMG signals based motion intent recognition using multi-layer ELM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jianhui; Qi, Lin; Wang, Xiao

2017-11-01

The upper-limb rehabilitation robot is regard as a useful tool to help patients with hemiplegic to do repetitive exercise. The surface electromyography (sEMG) contains motion information as the electric signals are generated and related to nerve-muscle motion. These sEMG signals, representing human's intentions of active motions, are introduced into the rehabilitation robot system to recognize upper-limb movements. Traditionally, the feature extraction is an indispensable part of drawing significant information from original signals, which is a tedious task requiring rich and related experience. This paper employs a deep learning scheme to extract the internal features of the sEMG signals using an advanced Extreme Learning Machine based auto-encoder (ELMAE). The mathematical information contained in the multi-layer structure of the ELM-AE is used as the high-level representation of the internal features of the sEMG signals, and thus a simple ELM can post-process the extracted features, formulating the entire multi-layer ELM (ML-ELM) algorithm. The method is employed for the sEMG based neural intentions recognition afterwards. The case studies show the adopted deep learning algorithm (ELM-AE) is capable of yielding higher classification accuracy compared to the Principle Component Analysis (PCA) scheme in 5 different types of upper-limb motions. This indicates the effectiveness and the learning capability of the ML-ELM in such motion intent recognition applications.

Absence of Bilateral Differences in Child Baseball Players with Throwing-related Pain.

PubMed

Mickevičius, M; Rutkauskas, S; Sipavičienė, S; Skurvydas, A; Jürimäe, J; Degens, H; Kamandulis, S

2016-11-01

The aim of this study was to assess whether side-to-side differences in morphology and function of the upper limbs in 11-12 year-old male baseball players with throwing-related pain (n=14) were more pronounced than that of age-matched healthy untrained subjects (n=16). Baseball players 1) had played baseball≥4.5 h·wk -1 for ≥ 4 years and (2) suffered from moderate-intensity (3-6 points on 10-point questionnaire scale) throwing-related pain in the shoulder or elbow in at least 2 training sessions within the past month. The range of motion (ROM), function and structure of the elbows and shoulders were assessed using goniometry, isokinetic dynamometry and ultrasonography. While the ROM and eccentric external peak torque of internal shoulder rotation were lower, the thickness of the supraspinatus tendon, the ulnar collateral ligament and articular cartilage of the humeral head were larger in baseball players than controls. There were, however, no significant side-to-side differences in any parameter in either group. In conclusion, it is unlikely that side-to-side differences in shoulder and upper limb structure and function contributed to the throwing-related pain in young baseball players, but low shoulder eccentric external peak torque and range of internal rotation may predispose to throwing-related pain. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Ares I-X Upper Stage Simulator Compartment Pressure Comparisons During Ascent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Downs. William J.; Kirchner, Robert D.; McLachlan, Blair G.; Hand, Lawrence A.; Nelson, Stuart L.

2011-01-01

Predictions of internal compartment pressures are necessary in the design of interstage regions, systems tunnels, and protuberance covers of launch vehicles to assess potential burst and crush loading of the structure. History has proven that unexpected differential pressure loads can lead to catastrophic failure. Pressures measured in the Upper Stage Simulator (USS) compartment of Ares I-X during flight were compared to post-flight analytical predictions using the CHCHVENT chamber-to-chamber venting analysis computer program. The measured pressures were enveloped by the analytical predictions for most of the first minute of flight but were outside of the predictions thereafter. This paper summarizes the venting system for the USS, discusses the probable reasons for the discrepancies between the measured and predicted pressures, and provides recommendations for future flight vehicles.

Irreversible transport in the stratosphere by internal waves of short vertical wavelength

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danielsen, Edwin F.; Hipskind, R. S.; Starr, Walter L.; Vedder, James F.; Gaines, Steven E.; Kley, Dieter; Kelley, Ken K.

1991-01-01

Measurements performed during stratospheric flights of the U-2 aircraft confirm that cross-jet transport is dominated by waves, not by large-scale circulations. Monotonic gradients of trace constituents normal to the jet axis, with upper stratospheric tracers increasing poleward and tropospheric tracers increasing equatorward, are augmented by large-scale confluence as the jet intensifies during cyclogenesis. These gradients are rotated, intensified, and significantly increased in areas as their mixing ratio surfaces are folded by the differential transport of a very low frequency transverse wave. The quasi-horizontal transport produces a laminar structure with stable layers rich in upper stratospheric tracers alternating vertically with less stable layers rich in tropospheric tracers. The transport proceeds toward irreversibility at higher frequency, shear-gravity waves extend the folding to smaller horizontal scales.

A two-plane internally irrigated root observation system for forest nursery stock.

Treesearch

Paul S. Johnson; Charles W. Putnam; William G. Mares

1981-01-01

A root observation chamber designed for forest nursery stock is described. The chamber consists of lower root observation section and a detachable upper "planter" section, both constructed of plexiglass and wood; the lower section is internally irrigated by a porous irrigation tube and the upper section by a "leader tube."

77 FR 58204 - International Joint Commission Invites Public Comment on Upper Great Lakes Report via...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-19

... of its International Upper Great Lakes Study Board, Lake Superior Regulation: Addressing Uncertainty... for comments has also been extended to September 30, 2012. The Study examines whether the regulation of outflows from Lake Superior through the compensating works and power dams on the St. Marys River...

Scientific explanations in Greek upper secondary physics textbooks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velentzas, Athanasios; Halkia, Krystallia

2018-01-01

In this study, an analysis of the structure of scientific explanations included in physics textbooks of upper secondary schools in Greece was completed. In scientific explanations for specific phenomena found in the sample textbooks, the explanandum is a logical consequence of the explanans, which in all cases include at least one scientific law (and/or principle, model or rule) previously presented, as well as statements concerning a specific case or specific conditions. The same structure is also followed in most of the cases in which the textbook authors explain regularities (i.e. laws, rules) as consequences of one or more general law or principle of physics. Finally, a number of the physics laws and principles presented in textbooks are not deduced as consequences from other, more general laws, but they are formulated axiomatically or inductively derived and the authors argue for their validity. Since, as it was found, the scientific explanations presented in the textbooks used in the study have similar structures to the explanations in internationally known textbooks, the findings of the present work may be of interest not only to science educators in Greece, but also to the community of science educators in other countries.

Seismic stratigraphy, tectonics and depositional history in the Halk el Menzel region, NE Tunisia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sebei, Kawthar; Inoubli, Mohamed Hédi; Boussiga, Haïfa; Tlig, Said; Alouani, Rabah; Boujamaoui, Mustapha

2007-01-01

In the Halk el Menzel area, the proximal- to pelagic platform transition and related tectonic events during the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Miocene have not been taken into adequate consideration. The integrated interpretation of outcrop and subsurface data help define a seismic stratigraphic model and clarify the geodynamic evolution of the Halk el Menzel block. The sedimentary column comprises marls and limestones of the Campanian to Upper Eocene, overlain by Oligocene to Lower Miocene aged siliciclastics and carbonates. Well to well correlations show sedimentary sequences vary considerably in lithofacies and thicknesses over short distances with remarkable gaps. The comparison of sedimentary sequences cut by borehole and seismic stratigraphic modelling as well help define ten third order depositional sequences (S1-S10). Sequences S1 through S6 (Campanian-Paleocene) are mainly characterized by oblique to sigmoid configurations with prograding sedimentary structures, whereas, sequences S7-S10 (Ypresian to Middle Miocene) are organized in shallow water deposits with marked clinoform ramp geometry. Sedimentary discontinuities developed at sequence boundaries are thought to indicate widespread fall in relative sea level. Angular unconformities record a transpressive tectonic regime that operated from the Campanian to Upper Eocene. The geometry of sequences with reduced thicknesses, differential dipping of internal seismic reflections and associated normal faulting located westerly in the area, draw attention to a depositional sedimentary system developed on a gentle slope evolving from a tectonically driven steepening towards the Northwest. The seismic profiles help delimit normal faulting control environments of deposition. In contrast, reef build-ups in the Eastern parts occupy paleohighs NE-SW in strike with bordering Upper Maastrichtian-Ypresian seismic facies onlapping Upper Cretaceous counterparts. During the Middle-Upper Eocene, transpressive stress caused reactivation of faults from normal to reverse play. This has culminated in propagation folds located to the west; whereas, the eastern part of the block has suffered progressive subsidence. Transgressive carbonate depositional sequences have predominated during the Middle Miocene and have sealed pre-existing tectonic structures.

Design and performance of a horizontal mooring for upper-ocean research

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grosenbaugh, Mark; Anderson, Steven; Trask, Richard; Gobat, Jason; Paul, Walter; Butman, Bradford; Weller, Robert

2002-01-01

This paper describes the design and performance of a two-dimensional moored array for sampling horizontal variability in the upper ocean. The mooring was deployed in Massachusetts Bay in a water depth of 84 m for the purpose of measuring the horizontal structure of internal waves. The mooring was instrumented with three acoustic current meters (ACMs) spaced along a 170-m horizontal cable that was stretched between two subsurface buoys 20 m below the sea surface. Five 25-m-long vertical instrument strings were suspended from the horizontal cable. A bottom-mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) was deployed nearby to measure the current velocity throughout the water column. Pressure sensors mounted on the subsurface buoys and the vertical instrument strings were used to measure the vertical displacements of the array in response to the currents. Measurements from the ACMs and the ADCP were used to construct time-dependent, two-dimensional current fields. The current fields were used as input to a numerical model that calculated the deformation of the array with respect to the nominal zero-current configuration. Comparison of the calculated vertical offsets of the downstream subsurface buoy and downstream vertical instrument string with the pressure measurements were used to verify the numerical code. These results were then used to estimate total deformation of the array due to the passage of the internal waves. Based on the analysis of the three internal wave events with the highest measured vertical offsets, it is concluded that the geometry of the main structure (horizontal cable and anchor legs) was kept to within ±2.0 m, and the geometry of the vertical instrument strings was kept to within ±4.0 m except for one instance when the current velocity reached 0.88 m s−1.

Cross-National Achievement Comparisons of Upper-Secondary Students: A Swiss Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramseier, Erich

This paper shows how the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) can be carried out in a country with a very complicated upper-secondary educational system. The difficulties are not linked to the measurement of achievement, since the international project provides a common achievement scale. The challenge lies in the design of…

The Effects of Reducing the Structural Mass of the Transit Habitat on the Cryogenic Propellant Required for a Human Phobos Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zipay, John Joseph

2016-01-01

A technique for rapidly determining the relationship between the pressurized volume, structural mass and the cryogenic propellant required to be delivered to Earth orbit for a Mars Transit Habitat is provided. This technique is based on assumptions for the required delta-V's, the Exploration Upper Stage performance and the historical structural masses for human spacecraft from Mercury Program through the International Space Station. If the Mars Transit Habitat is constructed from aluminum, structural mass estimates based on the habitat pressurized volume are accurate to within 15%. Other structural material options for the Mars Transit Habitat are also evaluated. The results show that small, achievable reductions in the structural mass of the Transit Habitat can save tens of thousands of pounds of cryogenic propellant that need to be delivered to Earth orbit for a human Phobos Mission.

The Effects of Reducing the Structural Mass of the Transit Habitat on the Cryogenic Propellant Required for a Human Phobos Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zipay, John J.

2016-01-01

A technique for rapidly determining the relationship between the pressurized volume, structural mass and the cryogenic propellant required to be delivered to Earth orbit for a Mars Transit Habitat is provided. This technique is based on assumptions for the required delta-V's, the Exploration Upper Stage performance and the historical structural masses for human spacecraft from Mercury Program through the International Space Station. If the Mars Transit Habitat is constructed from aluminum, structural mass estimates based on the habitat pressurized volume are accurate to within 15 percent. Other structural material options for the Mars Transit Habitat are also evaluated. The results show that small, achievable reductions in the structural mass of the Transit Habitat can save tens of thousands of pounds of cryogenic propellant that need to be delivered to Earth orbit for a human Phobos Mission.

The effect of the action observation physical training on the upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy

PubMed Central

Kim, Jin-young; Kim, Jong-man; Ko, Eun-young

2014-01-01

The purpose this study was to investigate the effect of action observation physical training (AOPT) on the functioning of the upper extremities in children with cerebral palsy (CP), using an evaluation framework based on that of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The subjects were divided into an AOPT group and a physical training (PT) group. AOPT group practiced repeatedly the actions they observed on video clips, in which normal child performed an action with their upper extremities. PT group performed the same actions as the AOPT group did after observing landscape photographs. The subjects participated in twelve 30-min sessions, 3 days a week, for 4 weeks. Evaluation of upper extremity function using the following: the power of grasp and Modified Ashworth Scale for body functions and structures, a Box and Block test, an ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, and the WeeFIM scale for activity and participation. Measurements were performed before and after the training, and 2 weeks after the end of training. The results of this study showed that, in comparison with the PT group, the functioning of the upper extremities in the AOPT group was significantly improved in body functions and activity and participation according to the ICF framework. This study demonstrates that AOPT has a positive influence on the functioning of the upper extremities in children with CP. It is suggested that this alternative approach for functioning of the upper extremities could be an effective method for rehabilitation in children with CP. PMID:25061598

Integrated Testing Approaches for the NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, James L.; Cockrell, Charles E.; Tuma, Margaret L.; Askins, Bruce R.; Bland, Jeff D.; Davis, Stephan R.; Patterson, Alan F.; Taylor, Terry L.; Robinson, Kimberly L.

2008-01-01

The Ares I crew launch vehicle is being developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide crew and cargo access to the International Space Station (ISS) and, together with the Ares V cargo launch vehicle, serves as a critical component of NASA's future human exploration of the Moon. During the preliminary design phase, NASA defined and began implementing plans for integrated ground and flight testing necessary to achieve the first human launch of Ares I. The individual Ares I flight hardware elements - including the first stage five segment booster (FSB), upper stage, and J-2X upper stage engine - will undergo extensive development, qualification, and certification testing prior to flight. Key integrated system tests include the upper stage Main Propulsion Test Article (MPTA), acceptance tests of the integrated upper stage and upper stage engine assembly, a full-scale integrated vehicle ground vibration test (IVGVT), aerodynamic testing to characterize vehicle performance, and integrated testing of the avionics and software components. The Ares I-X development flight test will provide flight data to validate engineering models for aerodynamic performance, stage separation, structural dynamic performance, and control system functionality. The Ares I-Y flight test will validate ascent performance of the first stage, stage separation functionality, validate the ability of the upper stage to manage cryogenic propellants to achieve upper stage engine start conditions, and a high-altitude demonstration of the launch abort system (LAS) following stage separation. The Orion 1 flight test will be conducted as a full, un-crewed, operational flight test through the entire ascent flight profile prior to the first crewed launch.

Models of Deformation of Uppermost Oceanic Lithosphere: Comparison of Crustal Flexure in the Blönduós Area, Northern Iceland, and Structure of East Pacific Rise Crust at Hess Deep

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horst, A. J.; Karson, J. A.; Varga, R. J.; Gee, J. S.

2007-12-01

Models of the internal structure of oceanic crust have been constructed from studies of ophiolites and from more recent observations of tectonic windows into the upper crust. Spreading rate and/or magma supply are the central variables that control ridge processes and the ultimate architecture of ocean crust. In addition to ophiolites, Iceland also provides an important analog to study mid-ocean ridge processes and structure. Flexure zones in Iceland characterize the structure of Tertiary-Recent lava flows, and are areas wherein lavas dip regionally inward toward the axis of one of several ~N/S-trending rift zones. These rift zones are interpreted to represent fossil spreading centers which were abandoned during a series of eastward-directed ridge jumps. In the Hildará area, north-central Iceland, the eastern side of a regional flexure is characterized by westward-dipping lavas, approximately 6-8 Ma, which are cut by east-dipping normal faults and dikes. The upper-crustal structure within this flexure zone from slow spread (~20 mm/yr) crust exhibits remarkable similarities to the structure of the upper crust created at a fast-spreading (110 mm/yr) segment of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) observed at Hess Deep. In this modern ocean setting, ~1 Ma crust is characterized by west-dipping lavas above consistently east-dipping (away from the EPR) dikes and dike-subparallel fault zones. In both locations, paleomagnetic and structural data indicate that west-dipping lavas and east-dipping dikes result from tectonic rotations. In addition, cross-cutting dike relationships demonstrate that dike intrusion occurred both during and after normal fault- related tilting. These data indicate that fault-controlled tilting was initiated within the narrow neovolcanic zone of the ridge and is not associated with off-axis processes. Lavas at magmatically robust ridges commonly flow away from elevated ridge-crests. Measurement of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of the lavas from the flexure in Iceland suggests a mean flow direction to the northeast, that is, away from the fossil-ridge axis, demonstrating that the fossil spreading center from which the lavas were extruded was located to the west. Despite the distinct differences in spreading rates, the high magma supply in both environments resulted in a very similar upper crustal architecture.

Optical Imaging Observation of the Geospace from the International Space Station by ISS-IMAP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, A.; Sakanoi, T.; Yoshikawa, I.; Yamazaki, A.; Hozumi, Y.; Perwitasari, S.; Otsuka, Y.; Yamamoto, M.

2017-12-01

Optical imaging observation of the mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, and plasmasphere was carried out from the International Space Station (ISS) with ISS-IMAP (Ionosphere, Mesosphere, upper Atmosphere, and Plasmasphere mapping) mission instruments. ISS-IMAP instruments was installed on the Exposed Facility of Japanese Experiment Module of the ISS in August, 2012, and removed in August, 2015. They are two imagers, Visible-light and Infrared Spectrum Imager (VISI) and Extreme UltraViolet Imager (EUVI). VISI made imaging observations of the airglow and aurora in the nadir direction. It had two slits perpendicular to the trajectory of ISS, and the movement of ISS made the two-dimensional observation whose field-of-view width is 600km at 100km altitude. It covered the wave length range from 500nm to 900nm. The airglow of 730nm (OH, Alt. 85km), 762nm (O2, Alt. 95km), and 630nm (O, Alt. 250km) were mainly observed besides the other airglow, such as 589nm (Na) and 557 (O). EUVI made imaging observation of the resonant scattering from ions. It had two telescopes, and observed the resonant scattering of He+ in 30.4nm, and O+ in 83.4nm in the limb direction. VISI captured the airglow structures whose wavelength from 80km to 500km. The concentric wave structures were frequently observed in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. They are strong evidence of the vertical coupling between the lower atmosphere and the upper atmosphere by vertical propagation of the atmospheric gravity waves. The other airglow structures, such as mesospheric bores, were also detected by ISS-IMAP/VISI. The meso-scale structures in the ionosphere, such as plasma bubbles, and traveling ionospheric disturbances were also observed. EUVI revealed the longitudinal structures of He+ in the top side of the ionosphere. It was attributed to the neutral wind in the thermosphere. In the presentation, the outline and results of the ISS-IMAP's VISI and EUVI observations will be discussed.

Live Imaging of Cellular Internalization of Single Colloidal Particle by Combined Label-Free and Fluorescence Total Internal Reflection Microscopy.

PubMed

Byrne, Gerard D; Vllasaliu, Driton; Falcone, Franco H; Somekh, Michael G; Stolnik, Snjezana

2015-11-02

In this work we utilize the combination of label-free total internal reflection microscopy and total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRM/TIRF) microscopy to achieve a simultaneous, live imaging of single, label-free colloidal particle endocytosis by individual cells. The TIRM arm of the microscope enables label free imaging of the colloid and cell membrane features, while the TIRF arm images the dynamics of fluorescent-labeled clathrin (protein involved in endocytosis via clathrin pathway), expressed in transfected 3T3 fibroblasts cells. Using a model polymeric colloid and cells with a fluorescently tagged clathrin endocytosis pathway, we demonstrate that wide field TIRM/TIRF coimaging enables live visualization of the process of colloidal particle interaction with the labeled cell structure, which is valuable for discerning the membrane events and route of colloid internalization by the cell. We further show that 500 nm in diameter model polystyrene colloid associates with clathrin, prior to and during its cellular internalization. This association is not apparent with larger, 1 μm in diameter colloids, indicating an upper particle size limit for clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

G-spot anatomy: a new discovery.

PubMed

Ostrzenski, Adam

2012-05-01

The anatomic existence of the G-spot has not been documented yet. To identify the anatomic structure of the G-spot.   A stratum-by-stratum vaginal wall dissection on a fresh cadaver. Primary outcome is the identification of the G-spot and the secondary outcome is its measurements and anatomic description of the G-spot. The G-spot has a distinguishable anatomic structure that is located on the dorsal perineal membrane, 16.5 mm from the upper part of the urethral meatus, and creates a 35° angle with the lateral border of the urethra. The lower pole (tail) and the upper pole (head) were located 3 and 15 mm next to the lateral border of the urethra, respectively. Grossly, the G-spot appeared as a well-delineated sac with walls that resembled fibroconnective tissues and resembled erectile tissues. The superior surface of the sac had bluish irregularities visible through the coat. Upon opening the sac's upper coat, blue grape-like anatomic compositions of the G-spot emerged with dimensions of length (L) of 8.1 mm × width (W) of 3.6-1.5 mm × height (H) of 0.4 mm. The G-spot structure had three distinct areas: the proximal part (the head) L 3.4 mm × W 3.6 mm, the middle part L 3.1 mm × W 3.3 mm, and the distal part (tail) L 3.3 mm × W 3.0 mm. From the distal tail, a rope-like structure emerged, which was seen for approximately 1.6 mm and then disappeared into the surrounding tissue. The anatomic existence of the G-spot was documented with potential impact on the practice and clinical research in the field of female sexual function. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Benefits of maxillectomy with internal dissection of the masticator space by transmandibular approach in the surgical management of malignant tumours of the upper gingiva and hard palate: a clinical review of 10 cases.

PubMed

Yanamoto, S; Yamada, S; Takahashi, H; Naruse, T; Shigeta, T; Minamikawa, T; Shibuya, Y; Komori, T; Umeda, M

2014-11-01

The aim of this study was to review patients with tumours extending to the posterior portion of the upper gingiva and hard palate, and to evaluate the postoperative outcomes. Ten consecutive patients with tumours in the upper gingiva and hard palate, who underwent maxillectomy with internal dissection of the masticator space by the transmandibular approach, were reviewed retrospectively. Among the 10 patients, the pathological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in seven, adenoid cystic carcinoma in one, malignant melanoma in one, and osteosarcoma in one. Loco-regional control was achieved in eight of nine patients (88.9%). Three patients had residual moderate trismus. Cosmetic issues were not noted in any patient. En bloc resection of the maxilla with the internal portion of the masticator space and neck through the parapharyngeal space by the transmandibular approach is a useful and satisfactory technique for the excision of a tumour with involvement of the posterior portion of the upper gingiva and hard palate. Copyright © 2014 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Influence of the Ufimian Tectonic Concentric Structure on the Hydrocarbon Migration and Ore Genesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filippov, V. A.

2018-01-01

The Ufimian tectonic concentric structure (UTC) is a regional structure with concentric and zonal structure of the internal gravity field. In the Neoproterozoic this structure was at higher hypsometric level relative to the Bashkir Meganticlinorium. The most significant uplift of this tectonic concentric structure happened at the beginning of the Karatau time ( 825 Ma) and was accompanied by the formation of a ring fractured zone, favorable for hydrocarbon migration from the Lower Riphean black shales. Due to this, bitumens with higher Mo content in the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic deposits are confined spatially to this zone. The bitumenosity of the Neoproterozoic deposits on the southern slope of the Ufimian tectonic concentric structure could have contributed to the formation of complex Cu-Ag-Mo-Re ores (copper sands) at the upper boundary of terrigenous red deposits of the Zilmerdak Formation. Positive structures identified in the Neoproterozoic deposits near the margin of the Ufimian tectonic concentric structure are considered to be promising for searching for hydrocarbon fields.

Reliability and validity of the upper-extremity Motor Activity Log-14 for measuring real-world arm use.

PubMed

Uswatte, Gitendra; Taub, Edward; Morris, David; Vignolo, Mary; McCulloch, Karen

2005-11-01

In research on Constraint-Induced Movement (CI) therapy, a structured interview, the Motor Activity Log (MAL), is used to assess how stroke survivors use their more-impaired arm outside the laboratory. This article examines the psychometrics of the 14-item version of this instrument in 2 chronic stroke samples with mild-to-moderate upper-extremity hemiparesis. Participants (n=41) in the first study completed MALs before and after CI therapy or a placebo control procedure. In addition, caregivers independently completed a MAL on the participants. Participants (n=27) in the second study completed MALs and wore accelerometers that monitored their arm movements for 3 days outside the laboratory before and after an automated form of CI therapy. Validity of the participant MAL Quality of Movement (QOM) scale was supported. Correlations between pretreatment-to-posttreatment change scores on the participant QOM scale and caregiver MAL QOM scale, caregiver MAL amount of use (AOU) scale, and accelerometer recordings were 0.70, 0.73, and 0.91 (P<0.01), respectively. Internal consistency (alpha>0.81), test-retest reliability (r>0.91), stability, and responsiveness (ratio>3) of the participant QOM scale were also supported. The participant AOU and caregiver QOM and AOU scales were internally consistent, stable, and sensitive, but were not reliable. The participant MAL QOM scale can be used exclusively to reliably and validly measure real-world, upper-extremity rehabilitation outcome and functional status in chronic stroke patients with mild-to-moderate hemiparesis.

Multiple scales of patchiness and patch structure: a hierarchical framework for the study of heterogeneity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kotliar, Natasha B.; Wiens, John A.

1990-01-01

We develop a hierarchical model of heterogeneity that provides a framework for classifying patch structure across a range of scales. Patches at lower levels in the hierarchy are more simplistic and correspond to the traditional view of patches. At levels approaching the upper bounds of the hierarchy the internal structure becomes more heterogeneous and boundaries more ambiguous. At each level in the hierarchy, patch structure will be influenced by both contrast among patches as well as the degree of aggregation of patches at lower levels in the hierarchy. We apply this model to foraging theory, but it has wider applications as in the study of habitat selection, population dynamics, and habitat fragmentation. It may also be useful in expanding the realm of landscape ecology beyond the current focus on anthropocentric scales.

Probability of in-vessel steam explosion-induced containment failure for a KWU PWR

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

Esmaili, H.; Khatib-Rahbar, M.; Zuchuat, O.

During postulated core meltdown accidents in light water reactors, there is a likelihood for an in-vessel steam explosion when the melt contacts the coolant in the lower plenum. The objective of the work described in this paper is to determine the conditional probability of in-vessel steam explosion-induced containment failure for a Kraftwerk Union (KWU) pressurized water reactor (PWR). The energetics of the explosion depends on the mass of the molten fuel that mixes with the coolant and participates in the explosion and on the conversion of fuel thermal energy into mechanical work. The work can result in the generation ofmore » dynamic pressures that affect the lower head (and possibly lead to its failure), and it can cause acceleration of a slug (fuel and coolant material) upward that can affect the upper internal structures and vessel head and ultimately cause the failure of the upper head. If the upper head missile has sufficient energy, it can reach the containment shell and penetrate it. The analysis, must therefore, take into account all possible dissipation mechanisms.« less

The effects of magnesium doping on the modal loss in AlGaN-based deep UV lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martens, M.; Kuhn, C.; Simoneit, T.; Hagedorn, S.; Knauer, A.; Wernicke, T.; Weyers, M.; Kneissl, M.

2017-02-01

Absorption losses in the Mg-doped layers significantly contribute to the modal losses in group-III-nitride-based lasers. In this paper, we investigate the influence of Mg-doping on the modal absorption of optically pumped UVC lasers grown on epitaxially laterally overgrown AlN/sapphire substrates with an averaged threading dislocation density of 1 × 109 cm-2. By varying the setback of the Mg-doping (˜1 × 1020 cm-3) within the upper Al0.70Ga0.30N waveguide layer, the overlap of the optical mode with the Mg-doped region increases. For all structures, internal losses were derived from gain spectra obtained by the variable stripe length method. The internal losses increase from 10 cm-1 for lasers without Mg-doping to 28 cm-1 for lasers with a fully Mg-doped upper waveguide layer. The overlap of the optical mode with the Mg-doped waveguide ΓMg clearly correlates with the modal losses. This allows to calculate the Mg-induced losses in current injection laser diodes by αm o d M g = Γ M g × 50 cm - 1 .

Static internal performance of single-expansion-ramp nozzles with various combinations of internal geometric parameters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Re, R. J.; Leavitt, L. D.

1984-01-01

The effects of five geometric design parameters on the internal performance of single-expansion-ramp nozzles were investigated at nozzle pressure ratios up to 10 in the static-test facility of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel. The geometric variables on the expansion-ramp surface of the upper flap consisted of ramp chordal angle, ramp length, and initial ramp angle. On the lower flap, the geometric variables consisted of flap angle and flap length. Both internal performance and static-pressure distributions on the centerlines of the upper and lower flaps were obtained for all 43 nozzle configurations tested.

The Profile of Patients and Current Practice of Treatment of Upper Limb Muscle Spasticity with Botulinum Toxin Type A: An International Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bakheit, Abdel Magid

2010-01-01

To document the current practice in relation with the treatment of patients with upper limb spasticity with botulinum toxin type A to inform future research in this area. We designed an international, cross-sectional, noninterventional survey of current practice. Nine hundred and seventy-four patients from 122 investigational centres in 31…

The MURAVES muon telescope: technology and expected performances

DOE PAGES

Saracino, Giulio; Ambrosino, Fabio; Bonechi, Lorenzo; ...

2016-01-01

Here, the MURAVES project aims to study the inner structure of the upper part of the Mt. Vesuvius volcano by muon radiography (muography) technique. Very high energy muons, produced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere, can penetrate large thickness of rocks. By measuring the attenuation of the muons flux trough the volcano cone is possible to obtain a 2D image of the density structure. Internal discontinuities, with a spatial resolution of about 10 m, can be, in principle, resolved. An absolute average density measurement can be provided too. The project, funded by the Italian Ministry of University, Research and Educationmore » (MIUR), is led by INGV and INFN. In this article the mechanical structure of the detectors and background suppression techniques are reported.« less

Impact of a structured intern education programme on clinical documentation in the emergency department.

PubMed

McLean, Andrew; Lawlor, Jenine; Mitchell, Rob; Kault, David; O'Kane, Carl; Lees, Michelle

2015-02-01

To evaluate the impact of More Learning for Interns in Emergency (MoLIE) on clinical documentation in the ED of a large regional hospital. MoLIE was implemented at The Townsville Hospital (TTH) in 2010, and has since provided ED interns with structured off-floor teaching and a dedicated clinical supervisor. A pre- and post-intervention study was conducted using retrospective medical record review methodology. Charts were selected by identifying all TTH ED patients seen by interns in the period 2008-2011. Two hundred pre-intervention records (2008-2009) and 200 post-intervention records (2010-2011) were reviewed. These were randomly selected following an initial screen by an ED staff specialist. The quality of clinical documentation for five common ED presentations (asthma, chest pain, lacerations, abdominal pain and upper limb fractures) was assessed. For each presentation, documentation quality was scored out of 10 using predefined criteria. An improvement of two or more was thought to be clinically significant. Mean scores for each group were compared using a Student's t-test for independent samples. Mean documentation scores (and 95% confidence intervals) were 5.55 (5.17-5.93) in 2008, 5.42 (4.98-5.86) in 2009, 6.37 (5.99-6.75) in 2010 and 6.08 (5.71-6.45) in 2011. There was a statistically but not clinically significant improvement in scores pre- and post-intervention (P ≤ 0.001). The introduction of MoLIE was associated with a small but statistically significant improvement in documentation, despite an 80% increase in intern placements. These results suggest that structured training programmes have potential to improve intern performance while simultaneously enhancing training capacity. The impact on quality of care requires further evaluation. © 2015 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine.

Structural Integrity Evaluation of the Lear Fan 2100 Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kan, H. P.; Dyer, T. A.

1996-01-01

An in-situ nondestructive inspection was conducted to detect manufacturing and assembly induced defects in the upper two wing surfaces (skin s) and upper fuselage skin of the Lear Fan 2100 aircraft E009. The effects of the defects, detected during the inspection, on the integrity of the structure was analytically evaluated. A systematic evaluation was also conducted to determine the damage tolerance capability of the upper wing skin against impact threats and assembly induced damage. The upper wing skin was divided into small regions for damage tolerance evaluations. Structural reliability, margin of safety, allowable strains, and allowable damage size were computed. The results indicated that the impact damage threat imposed on composite military aircraft structures is too severe for the Lear Fan 2100 upper wing skin. However, the structural integrity is not significantly degraded by the assembly induced damage for properly assembled structures, such as the E009 aircraft.

Svecofennian orogeny in an evolving convergent margin setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korja, Annakaisa

2015-04-01

The dominant tectonic mode changes from extension to convergence at around 1.9 Ga in Fennoscandian. The lithological record suggests short lived subduction-related magmatic events followed by deformation and low-pressure high temperature metamorphism. At around 1.8 Ga the subduction systems seem to have stabilized implying continuous supply of oceanic lithosphere. The evolution of the convergent margin is recorded in the rock record and crustal architecture of the long lived Svecofennian orogeny (1.9-1.7 Ga). A closer look at the internal structure of the Svecofennian orogen reveals distinct regional differences. The northern and central parts of the Svecofennian orogen that have been formed during the initial accretionary phase - or compilation of the nucleus - have a thick three-layer crust and with thick mafic lower crust (10-30 km) and block-like internal architecture. Reflection profiles (FIRE1-3) image listric structures flattening on crustal scale décollement zones at the upper-middle crust and middle-upper crust boundaries. The crustal architecture together with large volumes of exposed granitoid rocks suggests spreading of the orogen and the development of an orogenic plateau west of the continental convergence boundary. The architecture is reminiscent of a large hot orogen. Within the western and southwestern part of the Svecofennian orogen (BABEL B, 1, 2, 3&4), which have been envisioned to have formed during continuous subduction phase, the crust is thinner (45-50 km) and it is hosting crustal blocks having one to two crustal layers. Layering is poorly developed in crustal blocks that are found S-SW of NE-dipping mantle reflections previously interpreted as paleo-subduction zones. Within these blocks, the crustal scale reflective structures dip NE (prowedge) or form pop-up wedges (uplifted plug) above the paleo-subduction zones. Crustal blocks with well-developed two-layer crust are located NE of the paleo-subduction zone. The architecture can be interpreted to image a series of abandoned accretion zones where the orogenic structure has developed from a young and cold orogen (BABEL 2,3&4) to a transitional (BABEL 1,6,B) one as the plate boundary is retreating during SW wards. The fast retreating rate of the subduction zone may not only have formed continental back-arc environment but may have restricted the thickening of the upper plate and the growth rate of the orogen. Altogether the architecture suggests a long-lived southwesterly retreating subduction system, with continental back-arc formation in its rear parts and well developed system of prowedge-retrowedge-uplifted plug close to a subduction conduit. Changes in the relative velocities of the upper and lower plate may have resulted in repetitive extensional and compressional phases of the orogeny as has been previously suggested for the southern part of the Svecofennian orogen.

Present state of knowledge of the upper atmosphere 1990: An assessment report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, R. T.; Kurylo, M. J.; Prather, M. J.; Ormond, F. M.

1990-01-01

NASA is charged with the responsibility to report on the state of the knowledge of the Earth's upper atmosphere, particularly the stratosphere. Part 1 of this report, issued earlier this year, summarized the objectives, status, and accomplishments of the research tasks supported under NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Program during the last two years. New findings since the last report to Congress was issued in 1988 are presented. Several scientific assessments of the current understanding of the chemical composition and physical structure of the stratosphere are included, in particular how the abundance and distribution of ozone is predicted to change in the future. These reviews include: a summary of the most recent international assessment of stratospheric ozone; a study of future chlorine and bromine loading of the atmosphere; a review of the photochemical and chemical kinetics data that are used as input parameters for the atmospheric models; a new assessment of the impact of Space Shuttle launches on the stratosphere; a summary of the environmental issues and needed research to evaluate the impact of the newly re-proposed fleet of stratospheric supersonic civil aircraft; and a list of the contributors to this report and the science assessments which have formed our present state of knowledge of the upper atmosphere and ozone depletion.

Teleseismic array analysis of upper mantle compressional velocity structure. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walck, M. C.

1984-01-01

Relative array analysis of upper mantle lateral velocity variations in southern California, analysis techniques for dense data profiles, the P-wave upper mantle structure beneath an active spreading center: the Gulf of California, and the upper mantle under the Cascade ranges: a comparison with the Gulf of California are presented.

Finescale parameterizations of energy dissipation in a region of strong internal tides and sheared flow, the Lucky-Strike segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasquet, Simon; Bouruet-Aubertot, Pascale; Reverdin, Gilles; Turnherr, Andreas; Laurent, Lou St.

2016-06-01

The relevance of finescale parameterizations of dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy is addressed using finescale and microstructure measurements collected in the Lucky Strike segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). There, high amplitude internal tides and a strongly sheared mean flow sustain a high level of dissipation rate and turbulent mixing. Two sets of parameterizations are considered: the first ones (Gregg, 1989; Kunze et al., 2006) were derived to estimate dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy induced by internal wave breaking, while the second one aimed to estimate dissipation induced by shear instability of a strongly sheared mean flow and is a function of the Richardson number (Kunze et al., 1990; Polzin, 1996). The latter parameterization has low skill in reproducing the observed dissipation rate when shear unstable events are resolved presumably because there is no scale separation between the duration of unstable events and the inverse growth rate of unstable billows. Instead GM based parameterizations were found to be relevant although slight biases were observed. Part of these biases result from the small value of the upper vertical wavenumber integration limit in the computation of shear variance in Kunze et al. (2006) parameterization that does not take into account internal wave signal of high vertical wavenumbers. We showed that significant improvement is obtained when the upper integration limit is set using a signal to noise ratio criterion and that the spatial structure of dissipation rates is reproduced with this parameterization.

Compression force on the upper jaw during neonatal intubation: mannequin study.

PubMed

Doreswamy, Srinivasa Murthy; Almannaei, Khaled; Fusch, Chris; Shivananda, Sandesh

2015-03-01

Neonatal intubation is a technically challenging procedure, and pressure-related injuries to surrounding structures have been reported. The primary objective of this study was to determine the pressure exerted on the upper jaw during tracheal intubation using a neonatal mannequin. Multidisciplinary care providers working at a neonatal intensive care unit were requested to intubate a neonatal mannequin using the standard laryngoscope and 3.0-mm (internal diameter) endotracheal tube. Compression force exerted was measured by using pressure-sensitive film taped on the upper jaw before every intubation attempt. Pressure, area under pressure and time taken to intubate were compared between the different types of health-care professionals. Thirty care providers intubated the mannequin three times each. Pressure impressions were observed on the developer film after every intubation attempt (n = 90). The mean pressure exerted during intubation across all health-care providers was 568 kPa (SD 78). The mean area placed under pressure was 142 mm(2) (SD 45), and the mean time taken for intubation was 14.7 s (SD 4.3). There was no difference in pressure exerted on the upper jaw between frequent and less frequent intubators. It was found that pressure greater than 400 kPa was inadvertently applied on the upper jaw during neonatal intubation, far exceeding the 250 kPa shown to cause tissue injury in animal models. The upper jaw is exposed to a significant compression force during intubation. Although such exposure is brief, it has the potential to cause tissue injury. Contact of the laryngoscope blade with the upper jaw occurred in all intubation attempts with the currently used design of laryngoscope. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2014 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

Fabrication and optimization of 1.55-μm InGaAsP/InP high-power semiconductor diode laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qing, Ke; Shaoyang, Tan; Songtao, Liu; Dan, Lu; Ruikang, Zhang; Wei, Wang; Chen, Ji

2015-09-01

A comprehensive design optimization of 1.55-μm high power InGaAsP/InP board area lasers is performed aiming at increasing the internal quantum efficiency (ηi) while maintaining the low internal loss (αi) of the device, thereby achieving high power operation. Four different waveguide structures of broad area lasers were fabricated and characterized in depth. Through theoretical analysis and experiment verifications, we show that laser structures with stepped waveguide and thin upper separate confinement layer will result in high ηi and overall slope efficiency. A continuous wave (CW) single side output power of 160 mW was obtained for an uncoated laser with a 50-μm active area width and 1 mm cavity length. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61274046, 61201103) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No. 2013AA014202).

Mantle structure and tectonic history of SE Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Robert; Spakman, Wim

2015-09-01

Seismic travel-time tomography of the mantle under SE Asia reveals patterns of subduction-related seismic P-wave velocity anomalies that are of great value in helping to understand the region's tectonic development. We discuss tomography and tectonic interpretations of an area centred on Indonesia and including Malaysia, parts of the Philippines, New Guinea and northern Australia. We begin with an explanation of seismic tomography and causes of velocity anomalies in the mantle, and discuss assessment of model quality for tomographic models created from P-wave travel times. We then introduce the global P-wave velocity anomaly model UU-P07 and the tectonic model used in this paper and give an overview of previous interpretations of mantle structure. The slab-related velocity anomalies we identify in the upper and lower mantle based on the UU-P07 model are interpreted in terms of the tectonic model and illustrated with figures and movies. Finally, we discuss where tomographic and tectonic models for SE Asia converge or diverge, and identify the most important conclusions concerning the history of the region. The tomographic images of the mantle record subduction beneath the SE Asian region to depths of approximately 1600 km. In the upper mantle anomalies mainly record subduction during the last 10 to 25 Ma, depending on the region considered. We interpret a vertical slab tear crossing the entire upper mantle north of west Sumatra where there is a strong lateral kink in slab morphology, slab holes between c.200-400 km below East Java and Sumbawa, and offer a new three-slab explanation for subduction in the North Sulawesi region. There is a different structure in the lower mantle compared to the upper mantle and the deep structure changes from west to east. What was imaged in earlier models as a broad and deep anomaly below SE Asia has a clear internal structure and we argue that many features can be identified as older subduction zones. We identify remnants of slabs that detached in the Early Miocene such as the Sula slab, now found in the lower mantle north of Lombok, and the Proto-South China Sea slab now at depths below 700 km curving from northern Borneo to the Philippines. Based on our tectonic model we interpret virtually all features seen in upper mantle and lower mantle to depths of at least 1200 km to be the result of Cenozoic subduction.

A Rasch-validated version of the upper extremity functional index for interval-level measurement of upper extremity function.

PubMed

Hamilton, Clayon B; Chesworth, Bert M

2013-11-01

The original 20-item Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) has not undergone Rasch validation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Rasch analysis supports the UEFI as a measure of a single construct (ie, upper extremity function) and whether a Rasch-validated UEFI has adequate reproducibility for individual-level patient evaluation. This was a secondary analysis of data from a repeated-measures study designed to evaluate the measurement properties of the UEFI over a 3-week period. Patients (n=239) with musculoskeletal upper extremity disorders were recruited from 17 physical therapy clinics across 4 Canadian provinces. Rasch analysis of the UEFI measurement properties was performed. If the UEFI did not fit the Rasch model, misfitting patients were deleted, items with poor response structure were corrected, and misfitting items and redundant items were deleted. The impact of differential item functioning on the ability estimate of patients was investigated. A 15-item modified UEFI was derived to achieve fit to the Rasch model where the total score was supported as a measure of upper extremity function only. The resultant UEFI-15 interval-level scale (0-100, worst to best state) demonstrated excellent internal consistency (person separation index=0.94) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [2,1]=.95). The minimal detectable change at the 90% confidence interval was 8.1. Patients who were ambidextrous or bilaterally affected were excluded to allow for the analysis of differential item functioning due to limb involvement and arm dominance. Rasch analysis did not support the validity of the 20-item UEFI. However, the UEFI-15 was a valid and reliable interval-level measure of a single dimension: upper extremity function. Rasch analysis supports using the UEFI-15 in physical therapist practice to quantify upper extremity function in patients with musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity.

A Rasch-Validated Version of the Upper Extremity Functional Index for Interval-Level Measurement of Upper Extremity Function

PubMed Central

Chesworth, Bert M.

2013-01-01

Background The original 20-item Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) has not undergone Rasch validation. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether Rasch analysis supports the UEFI as a measure of a single construct (ie, upper extremity function) and whether a Rasch-validated UEFI has adequate reproducibility for individual-level patient evaluation. Design This was a secondary analysis of data from a repeated-measures study designed to evaluate the measurement properties of the UEFI over a 3-week period. Methods Patients (n=239) with musculoskeletal upper extremity disorders were recruited from 17 physical therapy clinics across 4 Canadian provinces. Rasch analysis of the UEFI measurement properties was performed. If the UEFI did not fit the Rasch model, misfitting patients were deleted, items with poor response structure were corrected, and misfitting items and redundant items were deleted. The impact of differential item functioning on the ability estimate of patients was investigated. Results A 15-item modified UEFI was derived to achieve fit to the Rasch model where the total score was supported as a measure of upper extremity function only. The resultant UEFI-15 interval-level scale (0–100, worst to best state) demonstrated excellent internal consistency (person separation index=0.94) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [2,1]=.95). The minimal detectable change at the 90% confidence interval was 8.1. Limitations Patients who were ambidextrous or bilaterally affected were excluded to allow for the analysis of differential item functioning due to limb involvement and arm dominance. Conclusion Rasch analysis did not support the validity of the 20-item UEFI. However, the UEFI-15 was a valid and reliable interval-level measure of a single dimension: upper extremity function. Rasch analysis supports using the UEFI-15 in physical therapist practice to quantify upper extremity function in patients with musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity. PMID:23813086

Timed activity performance in persons with upper limb amputation: A preliminary study.

PubMed

Resnik, Linda; Borgia, Mathew; Acluche, Frantzy

55 subjects with upper limb amputation were administered the T-MAP twice within one week. To develop a timed measure of activity performance for persons with upper limb amputation (T-MAP); examine the measure's internal consistency, test-retest reliability and validity; and compare scores by prosthesis use. Measures of activity performance for persons with upper limb amputation are needed The time required to perform daily activities is a meaningful metric that implication for participation in life roles. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated. Construct validity was examined by comparing scores by amputation level. Exploratory analyses compared sub-group scores, and examined correlations with other measures. Scale alpha was 0.77, ICC was 0.93. Timed scores differed by amputation level. Subjects using a prosthesis took longer to perform all tasks. T-MAP was not correlated with other measures of dexterity or activity, but was correlated with pain for non-prosthesis users. The timed scale had adequate internal consistency and excellent test-retest reliability. Analyses support reliability and construct validity of the T-MAP. 2c "outcomes" research. Published by Elsevier Inc.

International Space Station (ISS)

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-10-10

Launched October 7, 2002 aboard the Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis, the STS-112 mission lasted 11 days and performed three sessions of Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA). Its primary mission was to install the Starboard (S1) Integrated Truss Structure and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart to the International Space Station (ISS). The S1 truss provides structural support for the orbiting research facility's radiator panels, which use ammonia to cool the Station's complex power system. The S1 truss, attached to the S0 (S Zero) truss installed by the previous STS-110 mission, flows 637 pounds of anhydrous ammonia through three heat rejection radiators. The truss is 45-feet long, 15-feet wide, 10-feet tall, and weighs approximately 32,000 pounds. The CETA is the first of two human-powered carts that will ride along the International Space Station's railway providing a mobile work platform for future extravehicular activities by astronauts. This is a view of the newly installed S1 Truss as photographed during the mission's first scheduled EVA. The Station's Canadarm2 is in the foreground. Visible are astronauts Piers J. Sellers (lower left) and David A. Wolf (upper right), both STS-112 mission specialists.

Initial Assessment of the Ares I-X Launch Vehicle Upper Stage to Vibroacoustic Flight Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larko, Jeffrey M.; Hughes, William O.

2008-01-01

The Ares I launch vehicle will be NASA s first new launch vehicle since 1981. Currently in design, it will replace the Space Shuttle in taking astronauts to the International Space Station, and will eventually play a major role in humankind s return to the Moon and eventually to Mars. Prior to any manned flight of this vehicle, unmanned test readiness flights will be flown. The first of these readiness flights, named Ares I-X, is scheduled to be launched in April 2009. The NASA Glenn Research Center is responsible for the design, manufacture, test and analysis of the Ares I-X upper stage simulator (USS) element. As part of the design effort, the structural dynamic response of the Ares I-X launch vehicle to its vibroacoustic flight environments must be analyzed. The launch vehicle will be exposed to extremely high acoustic pressures during its lift-off and aerodynamic stages of flight. This in turn will cause high levels of random vibration on the vehicle's outer surface that will be transmitted to its interior. Critical flight equipment, such as its avionics and flight guidance components are susceptible to damage from this excitation. This study addresses the modelling, analysis and predictions from examining the structural dynamic response of the Ares I-X upper stage to its vibroacoustic excitations. A statistical energy analysis (SEA) model was used to predict the high frequency response of the vehicle at locations of interest. Key to this study was the definition of the excitation fields corresponding to lift off acoustics and the unsteady aerodynamic pressure fluctuations during flight. The predicted results will be used by the Ares I-X Project to verify the flight qualification status of the Ares I-X upper stage components.

Real-time inverse kinematics for the upper limb: a model-based algorithm using segment orientations.

PubMed

Borbély, Bence J; Szolgay, Péter

2017-01-17

Model based analysis of human upper limb movements has key importance in understanding the motor control processes of our nervous system. Various simulation software packages have been developed over the years to perform model based analysis. These packages provide computationally intensive-and therefore off-line-solutions to calculate the anatomical joint angles from motion captured raw measurement data (also referred as inverse kinematics). In addition, recent developments in inertial motion sensing technology show that it may replace large, immobile and expensive optical systems with small, mobile and cheaper solutions in cases when a laboratory-free measurement setup is needed. The objective of the presented work is to extend the workflow of measurement and analysis of human arm movements with an algorithm that allows accurate and real-time estimation of anatomical joint angles for a widely used OpenSim upper limb kinematic model when inertial sensors are used for movement recording. The internal structure of the selected upper limb model is analyzed and used as the underlying platform for the development of the proposed algorithm. Based on this structure, a prototype marker set is constructed that facilitates the reconstruction of model-based joint angles using orientation data directly available from inertial measurement systems. The mathematical formulation of the reconstruction algorithm is presented along with the validation of the algorithm on various platforms, including embedded environments. Execution performance tables of the proposed algorithm show significant improvement on all tested platforms. Compared to OpenSim's Inverse Kinematics tool 50-15,000x speedup is achieved while maintaining numerical accuracy. The proposed algorithm is capable of real-time reconstruction of standardized anatomical joint angles even in embedded environments, establishing a new way for complex applications to take advantage of accurate and fast model-based inverse kinematics calculations.

Oceanic response to Typhoon Nari (2007) in the East China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Kyung-Hee; Lee, Seok; Kang, Sok-Kuh; Song, Kyu-Min

2017-06-01

The oceanic response to a typhoon in the East China Sea (ECS) was examined using thermal and current structures obtained from ocean surface drifters and a bottom-moored current profiler installed on the right side of the typhoon's track. Typhoon Nari (2007) had strong winds as it passed the central region of the ECS. The thermal structure in the ECS responded to Typhoon Nari (2007) very quickly: the seasonal thermocline abruptly collapsed and the sea surface temperature dropped immediately by about 4°C after the typhoon passed. The strong vertical mixing and surface cooling caused by the typhoon resulted in a change in the thermal structure. Strong near-inertial oscillation occurred immediately after the typhoon passed and lasted for at least 4-5 days, during which a strong vertical current existed in the lower layer. Characteristics of the near-inertial internal oscillation were observed in the middle layer. The clockwise component of the inertial frequency was enhanced in the surface layer and at 63 m depth after the typhoon passed, with these layers almost perfectly out of phase. The vertical shear current was intensified by the interaction of the wind-driven current in the upper layer and the background semi-diurnal tidal current during the arrival of the typhoon, and also by the near-inertial internal oscillation after the typhoon passage. The strong near-inertial internal oscillation persisted without significant interfacial structure after the mixing of the thermocline, which could enhance the vertical mixing over several days.

Upper mantle structure at Walvis Ridge from Pn tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryberg, Trond; Braeuer, Benjamin; Weber, Michael

2017-10-01

Passive continental margins offer the unique opportunity to study the processes involved in continental extension and break-up. Within the LISPWAL (LIthospheric Structure of the Namibian continental Passive margin at the intersection with the Walvis Ridge from amphibious seismic investigations) project, combined on- and offshore seismic experiments were designed to characterize the Southern African passive margin at the Walvis Ridge in northern Namibia. In addition to extensive analysis of the crustal structures, we carried out seismic investigations targeting the velocity structure of the upper mantle in the landfall region of the Walvis Ridge with the Namibian coast. Upper mantle Pn travel time tomography from controlled source, amphibious seismic data was used to investigate the sub-Moho upper mantle seismic velocity. We succeeded in imaging upper mantle structures potentially associated with continental break-up and/or the Tristan da Cunha hotspot track. We found mostly coast-parallel sub-Moho velocity anomalies, interpreted as structures which were created during Gondwana break-up.

Hydrogeological Characterization of the Upper Camp Bird III Rock Glacier in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado Using Electromagnetic Induction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granados-Aguilar, R.; Giardino, J. R.; Everett, M. E.; Pondthai, P.; Ramsey, C. E.; Mmasa, D.; Witek, M.; Rodriguez, R.

2017-12-01

Global change is the set of variations in environmental conditions that significantly impact the Earth systems. Climate, sea level, land-use/land-cover, and atmospheric composition changes are the most recognized environmental global changes. Impacts of climatic variability can include decreased rainfall, snowpack, shorter snow seasons, and changes in the timing, frequency, and intensity of precipitation events in some areas of the world, whereas other regions can suffer from the opposite effects leading to events such as landslides, flooding and extraordinary snowfall. The proposed research intends to provide a characterization of the internal structure, including water storages, pathways, and thresholds, as well as an estimation of the volume of ice stored within a rock glacier to evaluate its potential as a freshwater resources. The area of study corresponds to the third level of Camp Bird Mine in Ouray, Colorado. The tongue-shaped active rock glacier of interest, Upper Camp Bird III, has not been previously studied in detail. The predominant lithologies in the study area are Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Orogenic events caused alteration of sedimentary and intrusive igneous rock as mineral rich, hydrothermal fluids deposited economically valuable minerals in the region. Traditional geological and geomorphological mapping techniques will be complemented with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). To obtain a detailed representation of the internal structure and determine the boundaries between resistive (rocks, sediment, and ice) and conductive materials (water and ore deposits) of the rock glacier, time-domain and frequency-domain methods will be implemented. The G-TEM by Geonics Ltd. is an innovative controlled-source time-domain electromagnetic induction system. Using the G-TEM, the distribution of electrical conductivity in the subsurface can be mapped in order to characterize the internal structure of the rock glacier from 5-10 m depth and below. The EM Profiler is a frequency-domain electromagnetic induction system that will be used for the investigation of the uppermost layers of the rock glacier. For the proposed research, the use of two different systems will provide continuity across the data sets and will help validate the measurements recorded with the new equipment.

Myoglobin structure and function: A multiweek biochemistry laboratory project.

PubMed

Silverstein, Todd P; Kirk, Sarah R; Meyer, Scott C; Holman, Karen L McFarlane

2015-01-01

We have developed a multiweek laboratory project in which students isolate myoglobin and characterize its structure, function, and redox state. The important laboratory techniques covered in this project include size-exclusion chromatography, electrophoresis, spectrophotometric titration, and FTIR spectroscopy. Regarding protein structure, students work with computer modeling and visualization of myoglobin and its homologues, after which they spectroscopically characterize its thermal denaturation. Students also study protein function (ligand binding equilibrium) and are instructed on topics in data analysis (calibration curves, nonlinear vs. linear regression). This upper division biochemistry laboratory project is a challenging and rewarding one that not only exposes students to a wide variety of important biochemical laboratory techniques but also ties those techniques together to work with a single readily available and easily characterized protein, myoglobin. © 2015 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Near-surface energy transfers from internal tide beams to smaller vertical scale motions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chou, S.; Staquet, C.; Carter, G. S.; Luther, D. S.

2016-02-01

Mechanical energy capable of causing diapycnal mixing in the ocean is transferred to the internal wave field when barotropic tides pass over underwater topography and generate internal tides. The resulting internal tide energy is confined in vertically limited structures, or beams. As internal tide beams (ITBs) propagate through regions of non-uniform stratification in the upper ocean, wave energy can be scattered through multiple reflections and refractions, be vertically trapped, or transferred to non-tidal frequencies through different nonlinear processes. Various observations have shown that ITBs are no longer detectable in horizontal kinetic energy beyond the first surface reflection. Importantly, this implies that some of the internal tide energy no longer propagates in to the abyssal ocean and consequently will not be available to maintain the density stratification. Using the NHM, a nonlinear and nonhydrostatic model based on the MITgcm, simulations of an ITB propagating up to the sea surface are examined in order to quantify the transformation of ITB energy to other motions. We compare and contrast the transformations enabled by idealized, smoothly-varying stratification with transformations enabled by realistic stratification containing a broad-band vertical wavenumber spectrum of variations. Preliminary two-dimensional results show that scattering due to small-scale structure in realistic stratification profiles from Hawaii can lead to energy being vertically trapped near the surface. Idealized simulations of "locally" generated internal solitary waves are analyzed in terms of energy flux transfers from the ITB to solitary waves, higher harmonics, and mean flow. The amount of internal tide energy which propagates back down after near-surface reflection of the ITB in different environments is quantified.

Upper Campanian suspected silicified seismite related to the Syrian Arc tectonic system in the Middle East

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewy, Zeev

2010-06-01

The formation of the rare 'homogenous linear structures' in chert beds in the Phosphate Member of the Mishash Formation in central and southern Israel is reevaluated based on new samples from Har Omer, Arava Valley. These are of 4-6 cm thick chert beds in which the upper and lower surfaces form dense subparallel low ridges in contrast to the planar surfaces of other chert layers alternating with other lithologies. The ridges were suggested to have formed by advancing silicification fronts replacing the original sediment by microquartz without specifying the control on the ridged pattern and its regional orientation. One sample exhibits different color internal folds attesting to a multiple wavy mobilization of the silica-bearing liquid, probably composed of individual tiny crystallites of silicified calcareous micrite dispersed in seawater. This interpreted 'soup' of microquartz crystallites is corroborated by examples of a plastic deformation and mobilization in a muddy state of the siliceous Mishash Formation unconsolidated sediment. E-W dominant orientation of the ridges in central and southern Israel cannot be related to a simple diffusive diagenetic process and probably was initiated by N-S trending seismic surface waves during the Syrian Arc tectonic activity in the Middle East. Accordingly, this seismically induced sedimentary structure (seismite) formed through the vertical mobilization of silica-rich liquid replacing seawater in-between the sedimentary particles, advancing in a wavy upper and lower front triggered by a seismic event.

Upper extremity function in stroke subjects: relationships between the international classification of functioning, disability, and health domains.

PubMed

Faria-Fortini, Iza; Michaelsen, Stella Maris; Cassiano, Janine Gomes; Teixeira-Salmela, Luci Fuscaldi

2011-01-01

Upper limb (UL) impairments are the most common disabling deficits after stroke and have complex relationships with activity and participation domains. However, relatively few studies have applied the ICF model to identify the contributions of specific UL impairments, such as muscular weakness, pain, and sensory loss, as predictors of activity and participation. The purposes of this predictive study were to evaluate the relationships between UL variables related to body functions/structures, activity, and participation domains and to determine which would best explain activity and participation with 55 subjects with chronic stroke. Body functions/structures were assessed by measures of grip, pinch, and UL strength, finger tactile sensations, shoulder pain, and cognition (MMSE); activity domain by measures of observed performance (BBT, NHPT, and TEMPA); and participation by measures of quality of life (SSQOL). Upper-limb and grip strength were related to all activity measures (0.52

WE-G-BRD-04: BEST IN PHYSICS (JOINT IMAGING-THERAPY): An Integrated Model-Based Intrafractional Organ Motion Tracking Approach with Dynamic MRI in Head and Neck Radiotherapy

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

Chen, H; Dolly, S; Anastasio, M

Purpose: In-treatment dynamic cine images, provided by the first commercially available MRI-guided radiotherapy system, allow physicians to observe intrafractional motion of head and neck (H&N) internal structures. Nevertheless, high anatomical complexity and relatively poor cine image contrast/resolution have complicated automatic intrafractional motion evaluation. We proposed an integrated model-based approach to automatically delineate and analyze moving structures from on-board cine images. Methods: The H&N upper airway, a complex and highly deformable region wherein severe internal motion often occurs, was selected as the target-to-be-tracked. To reliably capture its motion, a hierarchical structure model containing three statistical shapes (face, face-jaw, and face-jaw-palate) wasmore » first built from a set of manually delineated shapes using principal component analysis. An integrated model-fitting algorithm was then employed to align the statistical shapes to the first to-be-detected cine frame, and multi-feature level-set contour propagation was performed to identify the airway shape change in the remaining frames. Ninety sagittal cine MR image sets, acquired from three H&N cancer patients, were utilized to demonstrate this approach. Results: The tracking accuracy was validated by comparing the results to the average of two manual delineations in 20 randomly selected images from each patient. The resulting dice similarity coefficient (93.28+/−1.46 %) and margin error (0.49+/−0.12 mm) showed good agreement with the manual results. Intrafractional displacements of anterior, posterior, inferior, and superior airway boundaries were observed, with values of 2.62+/−2.92, 1.78+/−1.43, 3.51+/−3.99, and 0.68+/−0.89 mm, respectively. The H&N airway motion was found to vary across directions, fractions, and patients, and highly correlated with patients’ respiratory frequency. Conclusion: We proposed the integrated computational approach, which for the first time allows to automatically identify the H&N upper airway and quantify in-treatment H&N internal motion in real-time. This approach can be applied to track other structures’ motion, and provide guidance on patient-specific prediction of intra-/inter-fractional structure displacements.« less

International cooperation between Japanese IUGONET and EU ESPAS projects on development of the metadata database for upper atmospheric study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yatagai, Akiyo; Ritschel, Bernd; Iyemori, Tomohiko; Koyama, Yukinobu; Hori, Tomoaki; Abe, Shuji; Tanaka, Yoshimasa; Shinbori, Atsuki; UeNo, Satoru; Sato, Yuka; Yagi, Manabu

2013-04-01

The upper atmospheric observational study is the area which an international collaboration is crucially important. The Japanese Inter-university Upper atmosphere Global Observation NETwork project (2009-2014), IUGONET, is an inter-university program by the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), Tohoku University, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, and Kyushu University to build a database of metadata for ground-based observations of the upper atmosphere. In order to investigate the mechanism of long-term variations in the upper atmosphere, we need to combine various types of in-situ observations and to accelerate data exchange. The IUGONET institutions have been archiving observed data by radars, magnetometers, photometers, radio telescopes, helioscopes, etc. in various altitude layers from the Earth's surface to the Sun. The IUGONET has been developing systems for searching metadata of these observational data, and the metadata database (MDB) has already been operating since 2011. It adopts DSPACE system for registering metadata, and it uses an extension of the SPASE data model of describing metadata, which is widely used format in the upper atmospheric society including that in USA. The European Union project ESPAS (2011-2015) has the same scientific objects with IUGONET, namely it aims to provide an e-science infrastructure for the retrieval and access to space weather relevant data, information and value added services. It integrates 22 partners in European countries. The ESPAS also plans to adopt SPASE model for defining their metadata, but search system is different. Namely, in spite of the similarity of the data model, basic system ideas and techniques of the system and web portal are different between IUGONET and ESPAS. In order to connect the two systems/databases, we are planning to take an ontological method. The SPASE keyword vocabulary, derived from the SPASE data model shall be used as standard for the description of near-earth and space data content and context. The SPASE keyword vocabulary is modeled as Simple Knowledge Organizing System (SKOS) ontology. The SPASE keyword vocabulary also can be reused in domain-related but also cross-domain projects. The implementation of the vocabulary as ontology enables the direct integration into semantic web based structures and applications, such as linked data and the new Information System and Data Center (ISDC) data management system.

Fog on the Central California Coast for 1973, Analysis of Trends

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

wind. It climbs the ridges of the Aguajito and Jacks Peak, curling up over Los Laureles and down into Corral de Tierra. Slowly the fog piles higher...was chosen because of the close proximity to the Oakland International Airport, one of the very few locations where daily upper - air soundings were...Oakland International Airport was the only location near the central California coast where upper-air data were collected every day, twice daily during

[Anatomic foundation of the lateral portal for radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC)].

PubMed

Wei, B Q; Feng, P B; Li, J Z

1987-05-01

Basing on 31 normal skulls, the lateral projections of some points relative to the bony structure near the nasopharynx were located under the simulator, followed by drawing it on a sheet of paper with the aid of geometry and trigonometry. Thus, the relation between external and internal structures is shown on the drawn projection, which can serve as the anatomic basis for designing the routine field and improving radiotherapy technique. In the light of data informed by this study and clinical experiences of the authors and others, it was found logical, in radiotherapy of NPC, that large opposing lateral pre-auriculo-cervical portals with their posterior margin extending beyond the external auditory meatus posteriorly be used in order to avoid geographic miss of the uppermost deep cervical lymph nodes usually involved beneath the jugular foramen and posterior portion of the nasopharynx. In addition, the upper margin of the lateral portal must be parallel but superior to the cantho-auditory line, on which the foramen ovale is projected. Actual locating the upper margin should depend on the extent of the intracranial invasion of the tumor as shown by the CT scan.

Three-dimensional circulation structures leading to heavy summer rainfall over central North China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Wei; Yu, Rucong; Li, Jian; Yuan, Weihua

2016-04-01

Using daily and hourly rain gauge records and Japanese 25 year reanalysis data over 30 years, this work reveals two major circulation structures leading to heavy summer rainfall events in central North China (CNC), and further analyzes the effects of the circulations on these rainfall events. One circulation structure has an extensive upper tropospheric warm anomaly (UTWA) covering North China (NC). By strengthening the upper anticyclonic anomaly and lower southerly flows around NC, the UTWA plays a positive role in forming upper level divergence and lower level moisture convergence. As a result, the warm anomalous circulation has a solid relationship with large-scale, long-duration rainfall events with a diurnal peak around midnight to early morning. The other circulation structure has an upper tropospheric cold anomaly (UTCA) located in the upper stream of NC. Contributed to by the UTCA, a cold trough appears in the upper stream of NC and an unstable configuration with upper (lower) cold (warm) anomalies forms around CNC. Consequently, CNC is covered by strong instability and high convective energy, and the cold anomalous circulation is closely connected with local, short-duration rainfall events concentrated from late afternoon to early nighttime. The close connections between circulation structures and typical rainfall events are confirmed by two independent converse analysis processes: from circulations to rainfall characteristics, and from typical rainfall events to circulations. The results presented in this work indicate that the upper tropospheric temperature has significant influences on heavy rainfall, and thus more attention should be paid to the upper tropospheric temperature in future analyses.

P-wave and S-wave traveltime residuals in Caledonian and adjacent units of Northern Europe and Greenland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hejrani, Babak; Balling, Niels; Holm Jacobsen, Bo; Kind, Rainer; Tilmann, Frederik; England, Richard; Bom Nielsen, Søren

2014-05-01

This work combines P-wave and S-wave travel time residuals from in total 477 temporary and 56 permanent stations deployed across Caledonian and adjacent units in Northern Europe and Greenland (Tor, Gregersen et al. 2002; SVEKALAPKO, Sandoval et al., 2003; CALAS, Medhus et al, 2012a; MAGNUS, Weidle et al. 2010; SCANLIPS south, England & Ebbing 2012; SCANLIPS north, Hejrani et al. 2012; JULS Hejrani et al. 2013; plus permanent stations in the region). We picked data from 2002 to 2012 (1221 events) using a cross correlation technique on all waveforms recorded for each event. In this way we achieve maximum consistency of relative residuals over the whole region (Medhus et al. 2012b). On the European side 18362 P-wave travel time residuals was delivered. In East Greenland 1735 P-wave residuals were recovered at the Central Fjord array (13 stations) and 2294 residuals from the sparse GLISN-array (23 stations). Likewise, we picked a total of 6034 residuals of the SV phase (For the Tor and SVEKALAPKO projects we used data from Amaru et al. 2008). Relative residuals within the region are mainly due to sub-crustal uppermost mantle velocity anomalies. A dominant subvertical boundary was detected by Medhus et al. (2012), running along the Tornquist zone, east of the Oslo Graben and crossing under high topography of the southern Scandes. We delineated this boundary in more detail, tracking it towards the Atlantic margin north of Trondheim. Further north (Scanlips north), a similar subvertical upper mantle boundary seems to be present close to the coast, coinciding with the edge of the stretched crust. The North German Caledonides were probed by the new JULS (JUtland Lower Saxony) profile which closes the gap between Tor and CALAS arrays. Mantle structure found by the Tor project was confirmed, and modelling was extended to the eastern edge of the North Sea. References: Amaru, M. L., Spakman, W., Villaseñor, A., Sandoval, S., Kissling, E., 2008, A new absolute arrival time data set for Europe.Geophysical Journal International, 173, 465-472. England, R. W.; Ebbing, J., 2012, Crustal structure of central Norway and Sweden from integrated modelling of teleseismic receiver functions and the gravity anomaly.GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, 191, 1-11. Gregersen S., Voss P., TOR Working Group, 2002. Summary of project TOR: delineation of a stepwise, sharp, deep lithosphere transition across Germany-Denmark-Sweden, Tectonophysics, 360, 61-73. Hejrani, B., Jacobsen, B. H., Balling,N. and England, R. W.. 2012, A seismic tomography study of lithospheric structure under the Norwegian Caledonides.Geophysical Research Abstracts, 14, 4334. Hejrani, B.; Jacobsen, B.H.; Balling, N.;Tilmann, F.; Kind, R., 2013, Upper-mantle velocity structure beneathJutland, Denmark and northern Germany:Preliminary results. Joint Assembly Gothenburg Abstract S401S2.01, Medhus, A. B., Balling, N., Jacobsen, B. H., Weidle, C., England, R. W., Kind, R., Thybo, H., Voss, P. (2012a): Upper-mantle structure beneath the Southern Scandes Mountains and the Northern Tornquist Zone revealed by P-wave traveltime tomography. Geophysical Journal International, 189, 3, 1315-1334. Medhus, Jacobsen, B. H.,A. B., Balling, N., 2012b, Bias Problems in Existing Teleseismic Travel Time Databases: Ignore or Repair? Seismological Research Letters, 83, 1030-1037. Sandoval, S., Kissling, E. &Ansorge, J., 2003.High-resolution body wave tomography beneath the SVEKALAPKO array: I. A priori three-dimensional crustal model and associated traveltime effects on teleseismic wave fronts, Geophys. J. Int., 153, 75-87. Weidle, C., Maupin, V., Ritter, J.,Kværna, T., Schweitzer J., Balling, N.,Thybo, H.,Faleide, J. I.,and,Wenzel, F., 2010, MAGNUS-A Seismological Broadband Experiment to Resolve Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure beneath the Southern Scandes Mountains in Norway. SEISMOLOGICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 81, 76-84.

The Tropical Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere in the GEOS-2 GCM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pawson, S.; Takacs, L.; Molod, A.; Nebuda, S.; Chen, M.; Rood, R.; Read, W. L.; Fiorino, M.

1999-01-01

The structure of the tropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere in the GEOS-2 General Circulation Model (GCM) is discussed. The emphasis of this study is on the reality of monthly-mean temperature and water vapor distributions in the model, compared to reasonable observational estimates. It is shown that although the zonal-mean temperature is in good agreement with observations, the GCM supports an excessive zonal asymmetry near the tropopause compared to the ECMWF Reanalyses. In reality there is a QBO-related variability in the zonally averaged lower stratospheric temperature which is not captured by the model. The observed upper tropospheric temperature and humidity fields show variations related to those in the sea surface temperature, which are not incorporated in the GCM; nevertheless, there is some interannual variability in the GCM, indicating a component arising from internal processes. The model is too moist in the middle troposphere (500 hPa) but too dry in the upper troposphere, suggesting that there is too little vertical transport or too much drying in the GCM. Transport into the stratosphere shows a pronounced annual cycle, with drier air entering the tropical stratosphere when the tropopause is coldest in northern winter; while the alternating dry and moist air masses can be traced ascending through the tropical lower stratosphere, the progression of the anomalies is too rapid.

Observations of sound-speed fluctuations in the western Philippine Sea in the spring of 2009.

PubMed

Colosi, John A; Van Uffelen, Lora J; Cornuelle, Bruce D; Dzieciuch, Matthew A; Worcester, Peter F; Dushaw, Brian D; Ramp, Steven R

2013-10-01

As an aid to understanding long-range acoustic propagation in the Philippine Sea, statistical and phenomenological descriptions of sound-speed variations were developed. Two moorings of oceanographic sensors located in the western Philippine Sea in the spring of 2009 were used to track constant potential-density surfaces (isopycnals) and constant potential-temperature surfaces (isotherms) in the depth range 120-2000 m. The vertical displacements of these surfaces are used to estimate sound-speed fluctuations from internal waves, while temperature/salinity variability along isopycnals are used to estimate sound-speed fluctuations from intrusive structure often termed spice. Frequency spectra and vertical covariance functions are used to describe the space-time scales of the displacements and spiciness. Internal-wave contributions from diurnal and semi-diurnal internal tides and the diffuse internal-wave field [related to the Garrett-Munk (GM) spectrum] are found to dominate the sound-speed variability. Spice fluctuations are weak in comparison. The internal wave and spice frequency spectra have similar form in the upper ocean but are markedly different below 170-m depth. Diffuse internal-wave mode spectra show a form similar to the GM model, while internal-tide mode spectra scale as mode number to the minus two power. Spice decorrelates rapidly with depth, with a typical correlation scale of tens of meters.

Static internal performance of a two-dimensional convergent nozzle with thrust-vectoring capability up to 60 deg

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leavitt, L. D.

1985-01-01

An investigation was conducted at wind-off conditions in the static-test facility of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the internal performance characteristics of a two-dimensional convergent nozzle with a thrust-vectoring capability up to 60 deg. Vectoring was accomplished by a downward rotation of a hinged upper convergent flap and a corresponding rotation of a center-pivoted lower convergent flap. The effects of geometric thrust-vector angle and upper-rotating-flap geometry on internal nozzle performance characteristics were investigated. Nozzle pressure ratio was varied from 1.0 (jet off) to approximately 5.0.

Internal Tooth Structure and Burial Practices: Insights into the Neolithic Necropolis of Gurgy (France, 5100-4000 cal. BC).

PubMed

Le Luyer, Mona; Coquerelle, Michael; Rottier, Stéphane; Bayle, Priscilla

2016-01-01

Variations in the dental crown form are widely studied to interpret evolutionary changes in primates as well as to assess affinities among human archeological populations. Compared to external metrics of dental crown size and shape, variables including the internal structures such as enamel thickness, tissue proportions, and the three-dimensional shape of enamel-dentin junction (EDJ), have been described as powerful measurements to study taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships, dietary, and/or developmental patterns. In addition to providing good estimate of phenotypic distances within/across archeological samples, these internal tooth variables may help to understand phylogenetic, functional, and developmental underlying causes of variation. In this study, a high resolution microtomographic-based record of upper permanent second molars from 20 Neolithic individuals of the necropolis of Gurgy (France) was applied to evaluate the intrasite phenotypic variation in crown tissue proportions, thickness and distribution of enamel, and EDJ shape. The study aims to compare interindividual dental variations with burial practices and chronocultural parameters, and suggest underlying causes of these dental variations. From the non-invasive characterization of internal tooth structure, differences have been found between individuals buried in pits with alcove and those buried in pits with container and pits with wattling. Additionally, individuals from early and recent phases of the necropolis have been distinguished from those of the principal phase from their crown tissue proportions and EDJ shape. The results suggest that the internal tooth structure may be a reliable proxy to track groups sharing similar chronocultural and burial practices. In particular, from the EDJ shape analysis, individuals buried in an alcove shared a reduction of the distolingual dentin horn tip (corresponding to the hypocone). Environmental, developmental and/or functional underlying causes might be suggested for the origin of phenotypic differences shared by these individuals buried in alcoves.

The interplay between rheology and pre-existing structures in the lithosphere and its influence on intraplate tectonics: Insights from scaled physical analogue models.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santimano, T. N.; Adiban, P.; Pysklywec, R.

2017-12-01

The primary controls of deformation in the lithosphere are related to its rheological properties. In addition, recent work reveals that inherited zones of weakness in the deep lithosphere are prevalent and can also define tectonic activity. To understand how deformation is genetically related to rheology and/or pre-existing structures, we compare a set of physical analogue models with the presence and absence of a fault in the deep lithosphere. The layered lithosphere scaled models of a brittle upper crust, viscous lower crust and viscous mantle lithosphere are deformed in a convergent setting. Deformation of the model is recorded using high spatial and temporal stereoscopic cameras. We use Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to acquire a time-series dataset and study the velocity field and subsequently strain in the model. The finished model is also cut into cross-section revealing the finite internal structures that are then compared to the topography of the model. Preliminary results show that deformation in models with an inherited fault in the mantle lithosphere is accommodated by displacement along the fault plane that propagates into the overlying viscous lower crust and brittle upper crust. Here, the majority of the deformation is localized along the fault in a brittle manner. This is in contrast to the model absent of a fault that also displays significant amounts of deformation. In this setting, ductile deformation is accommodated by folding and thickening of the viscous layers and flexural shearing of the brittle upper crust. In these preliminary experiments, the difference in the strength profile between the mantle lithosphere and the lower crust is within the same order of magnitude. Future experiments will include models where the strength difference is an order of magnitude. This systematic study aids in understanding the role of rheology and deep structures particularly in transferring stress over time to the surface and is therefore fundamental in understanding intraplate tectonics and orogenesis.

The influence of melting on the kinematic development of the Himalayan crystalline core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webb, Alexander

2016-04-01

Current hypotheses for the development and emplacement of the Himalayan crystalline core are 1) models with intense upper plate out-of-sequence activity (i.e., tunneling of channel flow, and some modes of critical taper wedge behavior) and 2) models in which the upper plate mainly records basal accretion of horses (i.e., duplexing). The two concepts can be considered end-members. A signal difference between these two models is the role of melting. The intense upper plate deformation envisioned in the first set of models has been hypothesized to be largely a product of partial melting, particularly in channel flow models. Specifically, the persistent presence of melt in the middle crust of the upper plate may dramatically lower the viscosity of these rocks, allowing distributed deformation. The second set of models - duplexing - predicts in-sequence thrusting with only minor out-of-sequence deformation. Stacking of a duplex acts like a deli cheese-slicing machine: slice after slice is cut from the intact block to a stack of slices, but neither the block (~down-going plate) nor the stack (~upper plate) features much internal deformation. In this model, partial melting produces no significant kinematic impact. The dominant preserved structural elements across the Himalayan crystalline core rocks are flattening and L-S fabrics. Structurally high portions of the crystalline core locally display complex outcrop-scale deformation associated with migmatitic rocks, and contain km-scale leucogranite bodies; both features developed in the early to middle Miocene. The flattening and L-S fabrics have been interpreted to record either (A) southwards channel tunneling across the upper plate, or (B) fabric development during metamorphism of the down-going plate, prior to accretion to the upper plate. The deformation of migmatitic rock and emplacement of leucogranite have been interpreted in support of widespread distributed deformation. Alternatively, these features may have accumulated from increments of melting and crystallization which did not produce sufficient melt during any one period to significantly alter viscosity at >100 m scales. Recent work integrating monazite and zircon geochronology with structural records shows that the Himalayan middle crust has been assembled along a series of mainly southwards-younging thrust faults throughout the early to middle Miocene. The thrust faults separate 1-5 km thick panels that experienced similar metamorphic cycles during different time periods. At this scale, out-of-sequence deformation is rare, with its apparent significance enhanced because of the high throw-to-heave ratio of out-of-sequence thrusting. These findings support the duplexing model and indicate that melting did not have a significant impact on the kinematic development of the Himalayan crystalline core.

A tripolar pattern as an internal mode of the East Asian summer monsoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirota, Nagio; Takahashi, Masaaki

2012-11-01

A tripolar anomaly pattern with centers located around the Philippines, China/Japan, and East Siberia dominantly appears in climate variations of the East Asian summer monsoon. In this study, we extracted this pattern as the first mode of a singular value decomposition (SVD1) over East Asia. The squared covariance fraction of SVD1 was 59 %, indicating that this pattern can be considered a dominant pattern of climate variations. Moreover, the results of numerical experiments suggested that the structure is also a dominant pattern of linear responses, even if external forcing is distributed homogeneously over the Northern Hemisphere. Thus, the tripolar pattern can be considered an internal mode that is characterized by the internal atmospheric processes. In this pattern, the moist processes strengthen the circulation anomalies, the dynamical energy conversion supplies energy to the anomalies, and the Rossby waves propagate northward in the lower troposphere and southeastward in the upper troposphere. These processes are favorable for the pattern to have large amplitude and to influence a large area.

KSC-04PD-1048

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- David Sutherland (left), manager, Pad A Operations (with United Space Alliance), accompanies STS- 114 crew members on a tour of the pad. In the center is Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, who represents the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency; at right is Mission Commander Eileen Collins. Beyond the pad is the aqua blue Atlantic Ocean, glimpsed between the railing on an upper level of the Fixed Service Structure on Launch Pad 39A. The STS-114 mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

Discovering Jupiter. I. [state of knowledge with Pioneer 11 contributions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

The current state of knowledge regarding the planet Jupiter is examined, taking into account data obtained with the aid of the spacecraft Pioneer 11. A description is given of Jupiter's weather. The Pioneer 11 pictures show that the planet's banded cloud structure breaks down above 50 deg latitude, and turns into relatively small, mostly circular cloud features in the polar regions. Attention is given to Jupiter's heat balance, aspects of internal heat flow, questions of atmospheric circulation, the turbulence in Jupiter's atmosphere, the effects of coriolis forces, Jupiter's upper atmosphere, the Great Red Spot, and the Jovian magnetosphere and radiation belts.

Earth observation taken by the Expedition 20 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-07-25

ISS020-E-026195 (25 July 2009) --- Aorounga Impact Crater is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 20 crew member on the International Space Station. Aorounga Impact Crater is located in the Sahara Desert of north-central Chad and is one of the best preserved impact structures in the world. According to scientists, the crater is thought to be middle or upper Devonian to lower Mississippian (approximately 345 ? 370 million years old) based on the age of the sedimentary rocks deformed by the impact. Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR) data collected in 1994 suggests that Aorounga is one of a set of three craters formed by the same impact event. The other two suggested impact structures are buried by sand deposits. The concentric ring structure of the Aorounga crater ? renamed Aorounga South in the multiple-crater interpretation of SIR data ? is clearly visible in this detailed photograph. The central highland, or peak, of the crater is surrounded by a small sand-filled trough; this in turn is surrounded by a larger circular trough. Linear rock ridges alternating with light orange sand deposits cross the image from upper left to lower right; these are called yardangs by geomorphologists. Yardangs form by wind erosion of exposed rock layers in a unidirectional wind field. The wind blows from the northeast at Aorounga, and sand dunes formed between the yardangs are actively migrating to the southwest.

K-feldspar megacryst accumulations formed by mechanical instabilities in magma chamber margins, Asha pluton, NW Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rocher, Sebastián; Alasino, Pablo H.; Grande, Marcos Macchioli; Larrovere, Mariano A.; Paterson, Scott R.

2018-07-01

The Asha pluton, the oldest unit of the San Blas intrusive complex (Early Carboniferous), exhibits impressive examples of magmatic structures formed by accumulation of K-feldspar megacrysts, enclaves, and schlieren. Almost all recognized structures are meter-scale, vertically elongate bodies of variable shapes defined as fingers, trails, drips, and blobs. They preferentially developed near the external margin of the Asha pluton and generally are superimposed by chamber-wide magmatic fabrics. They mostly have circular or sub-circular transverse sections with an internal fabric defined by margin-parallel, inward-dipping concentric foliation and steeply plunging lineation at upper parts and flat foliation at lower parts. The concentration of megacrysts usually grades from upper sections, where they appear in a proportion similar to the host granite, to highly packed accumulations of K-feldspar along with grouped flattened enclaves at lower ends. These features suggest an origin by downward localized multiphase magmatic flow, narrowing and 'log jamming', and gravitational sinking of grouped crystals and enclaves, with compaction and filter pressing as main mechanisms of melt removal. Crystal size distribution analysis supports field observations arguing for a mechanical origin of accumulations. The magmatic structures of the Asha pluton represent mechanical instabilities generated by thermal and compositional convection, probably owing to cooling and crystallization near the pluton margins during early stages of construction of the intrusive complex.

Did the Vikings Really Have Helmets with Horns? Sources and Narrative Content in Swedish Upper Primary School History Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stolare, Martin

2017-01-01

The topic of this article is history education in upper primary school. Traditionally, the history subject has had a narrative orientation at this school level in Sweden, but it is also pattern that is discernible internationally. The recent Swedish upper primary school syllabus places more emphasis on the procedural aspects of the subject. In…

Formation of an internal model of environment dynamics during upper limb reaching movements: a fuzzy approach.

PubMed

MacDonald, Chad; Moussavi, Zahra; Sarkodie-Gyan, Thompson

2007-01-01

This paper presents the development and simulation of a fuzzy logic based learning mechanism to emulate human motor learning. In particular, fuzzy inference was used to develop an internal model of a novel dynamic environment experienced during planar reaching movements with the upper limb. A dynamic model of the human arm was developed and a fuzzy if-then rule base was created to relate trajectory movement and velocity errors to internal model update parameters. An experimental simulation was performed to compare the fuzzy system's performance with that of human subjects. It was found that the dynamic model behaved as expected, and the fuzzy learning mechanism created an internal model that was capable of opposing the environmental force field to regain a trajectory closely resembling the desired ideal.

Upper-Ocean Thermal Structure and the Western North Pacific Category 5 Typhoons. Part 1. Ocean Features and the Category 5 Typhoons’ Intensification

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

Structure and the Western North Pacific Category 5 Typhoons. Part 1: Ocean Features and the Category 5 Typhoons’ Intensification 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER...intensification of category 5 cyclones. Based on 13 yr of satellite altimetry data, in situ &climatological upper-ocean thermal structure data, best-track...Form 298 (Rev. 8/98) Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18 3288 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW VOLUME 136 Upper-Ocean Thermal Structure and the Western North

Validation of the FACT-B+4-UL questionnaire and exploration of its predictive value in women submitted to surgery for breast cancer.

PubMed

Andrade Ortega, Juan Alfonso; Millán Gómez, Ana Pilar; Ribeiro González, Marisa; Martínez Piró, Pilar; Jiménez Anula, Juan; Sánchez Andújar, María Belén

2017-06-21

The early detection of upper limb complications is important in women operated on for breast cancer. The "FACT-B+4-UL" questionnaire, a specific variant of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) is available among others to measure the upper limb function. The Spanish version of the upper limb subscale of the FACT-B+4 was validated in a prospective cohort of 201 women operated on for breast cancer (factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity and sensitivity to change were determined). Its predictive capacity of subsequent lymphoedema and other complications in the upper limb was explored using logistic regression. This subscale is unifactorial and has a great internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.87), its test-retest reliability and construct validity are strong (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.986; Pearson's R with "Quick DASH": 0.81) as is its sensitivity to change. It didn't predict the onset of lymphedema. Its predictive capacity for other upper limb complications is low. FACT-B+4-UL is useful in measuring upper limb disability in women surgically treated for breast cancer; but it does not predict the onset of lymphoedema and its predictive capacity for others complications in the upper limb is low. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Geometries of geoelectrical structures in central Tibetan Plateau from INDEPTH magnetotelluric data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vozar, J.; Jones, A. G.; Le Pape, F.

2012-12-01

Magnetotelluric (MT) data collected on N-S profiles crossing the Banggong-Nujiang Suture (BNS), which separates the Qiangtang and Lhasa Terranes in central Tibet, as a part of InterNational DEep Profiling of Tibet and the Himalaya project (INDEPTH) are modeled by 2D, 3D inversion codes and 1D petro-physical package LitMod. The modeling exhibits regional resistive and conductive structures correlated with ShuangHu Suture, Tanggula Mountains and strike-slip faults like BengCo-Jiali fault in the south. The BNS is not manifested in the geoelectrical models as a strong crustal regional structure. The strike direction azimuth of mid and lower crustal structures estimated from horizontal slices from 3D modeling (N110°E) is slightly different from one estimated by 2D strike analysis (N100°E). Orientation of crustal structures is perpendicular to convergence direction in this area. The deepest lower crustal conductors are correlated to areas with maximum Moho depth obtained from satellite gravity data. The anisotropic 2D modeling reveals that lower crustal conductor in Lhasa Terrane is anisotropic. This anisotropy can be interpreted as a proof for crustal channel flow below Lhasa Terrane. But same Lhasa lower crust conductor from isotropic 3D modeling can be interpreted more likely as 3D lower Indian crust structure, located to the east from line 500, than geoelectrical anisotropic crustal flow. From deep electromagnetic sounding, supported by independent integrated petro-physical investigation, we can estimate the next upper-mantle conductive layer at depths from 200 km to 250 km below the Lhasa Terrane and less resistive Tibetan lithosphere below the Qiangtang Terrane with conductive upper-mantle in depths about 120 km.

Ultrasound investigation of fetal human upper respiratory anatomy.

PubMed

Wolfson, V P; Laitman, J T

1990-07-01

Although the human upper respiratory-upper digestive tract is an area of vital importance, relatively little is known about either the structural or functional changes that occur in the region during the fetal period. While investigations in our laboratory have begun to chart these changes through the use of postmortem materials, in vivo studies have been rarely attempted. This study combines ultrasonography with new applications of video editing to examine aspects of prenatal upper respiratory development. Structures of the fetal upper respiratory-digestive tract and their movements were studied through the use of ultrasonography and detailed frame-by-frame analysis. Twenty-five living fetuses, aged 18-36 weeks gestation, were studied in utero during routine diagnostic ultrasound examination. These real-time linear array sonograms were videotaped during each study. Videotapes were next analyzed for anatomical structures and movement patterns, played back through the ultrasound machine in normal speed, and then examined with a frame-by-frame video editor (FFVE) to identify structures and movements. Still images were photographed directly from the video monitor using a 35 mm camera. Results show that upper respiratory and digestive structures, as well as their movements, could be seen clearly during normal speed and repeat frame-by-frame analysis. Major structures that could be identified in the majority of subjects included trachea in 20 of 25 fetuses (80%); larynx, 76%; pharynx, 76%. Smaller structures were more variable, but were nevertheless observed on both sagittal and coronal section: piriform sinuses, 76%; thyroid cartilage, 36%; cricoid cartilage, 32%; and epiglottis, 16%. Movements of structures could also be seen and were those typically observed in connection with swallowing: fluttering tongue movements, changes in pharyngeal shape, and passage of a bolus via the piriform sinuses to esophagus. Fetal swallows had minimal laryngeal motion. This study represents the first time that the appearance of upper airway and digestive tract structures have been quantified in conjunction with their movements in the living fetus.

Reliability, validity and description of timed performance of the Jebsen-Taylor Test in patients with muscular dystrophies.

PubMed

Artilheiro, Mariana Cunha; Fávero, Francis Meire; Caromano, Fátima Aparecida; Oliveira, Acary de Souza Bulle; Carvas, Nelson; Voos, Mariana Callil; Sá, Cristina Dos Santos Cardoso de

2017-12-08

The Jebsen-Taylor Test evaluates upper limb function by measuring timed performance on everyday activities. The test is used to assess and monitor the progression of patients with Parkinson disease, cerebral palsy, stroke and brain injury. To analyze the reliability, internal consistency and validity of the Jebsen-Taylor Test in people with Muscular Dystrophy and to describe and classify upper limb timed performance of people with Muscular Dystrophy. Fifty patients with Muscular Dystrophy were assessed. Non-dominant and dominant upper limb performances on the Jebsen-Taylor Test were filmed. Two raters evaluated timed performance for inter-rater reliability analysis. Test-retest reliability was investigated by using intraclass correlation coefficients. Internal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach alpha. Construct validity was conducted by comparing the Jebsen-Taylor Test with the Performance of Upper Limb. The internal consistency of Jebsen-Taylor Test was good (Cronbach's α=0.98). A very high inter-rater reliability (0.903-0.999), except for writing with an Intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.772-1.000. Strong correlations between the Jebsen-Taylor Test and the Performance of Upper Limb Module were found (rho=-0.712). The Jebsen-Taylor Test is a reliable and valid measure of timed performance for people with Muscular Dystrophy. Copyright © 2017 Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Fisioterapia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Miocene crustal extension following thrust tectonic in the Lower Sebtides units (internal Rif, Ceuta Peninsula, Spain): Implication for the geodynamic evolution of the Alboran domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Homonnay, Emmanuelle; Corsini, Michel; Lardeaux, Jean-Marc; Romagny, Adrien; Münch, Philippe; Bosch, Delphine; Cenki-Tok, Bénédicte; Ouazzani-Touhami, Mohamed

2018-01-01

In Western Mediterranean, the Rif belt in Morocco is part of the Gibraltar Arc built during the Tertiary in the framework of Eurasia-Africa convergence. The structural and metamorphic evolution of the internal units of this belt as well as their timing, crucial to constrain the geodynamic evolution of the Alboran Sea, is still largely debated. Our study on the Ceuta Peninsula (Northern Rif) provides new structural, petrological and geochronological data (U-Th-Pb, Ar-Ar), which allow to precise the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Lower Sebtides metamorphic units with: (1) a syn-metamorphic thrusting event developed under granulite facies conditions (7-10 kbar and 780-820 °C). A major thrust zone, the Ceuta Shear Zone, drove the emplacement of metapelites and peridotitic lenses from the Ceuta Upper Unit over the orthogneisses of the Monte Hacho Lower Unit. This compressional event ended during the Upper Oligocene. (2) an extensional event developed at the boundary between amphibolite and greenschist facies conditions (400-550 °C and 1-3 kbar). During this event, the Ceuta Shear Zone has been reactivated as a normal fault. Normal ductile shear zones contributed to the final exhumation of the metamorphic units during the Early Miocene. We propose that the compressional event is related to the formation of an orogenic wedge located in the upper plate, in a backward position, of the subduction zone driving the geodynamic evolution of the Alboran domain. In this context, the episode of lithospheric thinning could be related to the opening of the Alboran basin in a back-arc position. Furthermore, unlike the previous models proposed for the Rif belt, the tectonic coupling between mantle peridotites and crustal metamorphic rocks occurred in Ceuta Peninsula at a depth of 20-30 km under high temperature conditions, before the extensional event, and thus cannot be related to the back-arc extension. 1, BSE image of monazite. 2, CL image of monazite showing a thin rim zonation. 3, BSE image of zircon. 4, CL image of zircon showing zonation.

White matter microstructure changes induced by motor skill learning utilizing a body machine interface.

PubMed

Wang, Xue; Casadio, Maura; Weber, Kenneth A; Mussa-Ivaldi, Ferdinando A; Parrish, Todd B

2014-03-01

The purpose of this study is to identify white matter microstructure changes following bilateral upper extremity motor skill training to increase our understanding of learning-induced structural plasticity and enhance clinical strategies in physical rehabilitation. Eleven healthy subjects performed two visuo-spatial motor training tasks over 9 sessions (2-3 sessions per week). Subjects controlled a cursor with bilateral simultaneous movements of the shoulders and upper arms using a body machine interface. Before the start and within 2days of the completion of training, whole brain diffusion tensor MR imaging data were acquired. Motor training increased fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the posterior and anterior limbs of the internal capsule, the corona radiata, and the body of the corpus callosum by 4.19% on average indicating white matter microstructure changes induced by activity-dependent modulation of axon number, axon diameter, or myelin thickness. These changes may underlie the functional reorganization associated with motor skill learning. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Discussion on the installation checking method of precast composite floor slab with lattice girders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Li; Jin, Xing; Wang, Yahui; Zhou, Hele; Gu, Jianing

2018-03-01

Based on the installation checking requirements of China’s current standards and the international norms for prefabricated structural precast components, it proposed an installation checking method for precast composite floor slab with lattice girders. By taking an equivalent composite beam consisted of a single lattice girder and the precast concrete slab as the checking object, compression instability stress of upper chords and yield stress of slab distribution reinforcement at the maximum positive moment, tensile yield stress of upper chords, slab normal section normal compression stress and shear instability stress of diagonal bars at the maximum negative moment were checked. And the bending stress and deflection of support beams, strength and compression stability bearing capacity of the vertical support, shear bearing capacity of the bolt and compression bearing capacity of steel tube wall at the bolt were checked at the same time. Every different checking object was given a specific load value and load combination. Application of installation checking method was given and testified by example.

Building the United States National Vegetation Classification

USGS Publications Warehouse

Franklin, S.B.; Faber-Langendoen, D.; Jennings, M.; Keeler-Wolf, T.; Loucks, O.; Peet, R.; Roberts, D.; McKerrow, A.

2012-01-01

The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Vegetation Subcommittee, the Ecological Society of America Panel on Vegetation Classification, and NatureServe have worked together to develop the United States National Vegetation Classification (USNVC). The current standard was accepted in 2008 and fosters consistency across Federal agencies and non-federal partners for the description of each vegetation concept and its hierarchical classification. The USNVC is structured as a dynamic standard, where changes to types at any level may be proposed at any time as new information comes in. But, because much information already exists from previous work, the NVC partners first established methods for screening existing types to determine their acceptability with respect to the 2008 standard. Current efforts include a screening process to assign confidence to Association and Group level descriptions, and a review of the upper three levels of the classification. For the upper levels especially, the expectation is that the review process includes international scientists. Immediate future efforts include the review of remaining levels and the development of a proposal review process.

Taming Liquid Hydrogen: The Centaur Upper Stage Rocket, 1958-2002

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dawson, Virginia P.; Bowles, Mark D.

2004-01-01

During its maiden voyage in May 1962, a Centaur upper stage rocket, mated to an Atlas booster, exploded 54 seconds after launch, engulfing the rocket in a huge fireball. Investigation revealed that Centaur's light, stainless-steel tank had split open, spilling its liquid-hydrogen fuel down its sides, where the flame of the rocket exhaust immediately ignited it. Coming less than a year after President Kennedy had made landing human beings on the Moon a national priority, the loss of Centaur was regarded as a serious setback for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). During the failure investigation, Homer Newell, Director of Space Sciences, ruefully declared: "Taming liquid hydrogen to the point where expensive operational space missions can be committed to it has turned out to be more difficult than anyone supposed at the outset." After this failure, Centaur critics, led by Wernher von Braun, mounted a campaign to cancel the program. In addition to the unknowns associated with liquid hydrogen, he objected to the unusual design of Centaur. Like the Atlas rocket, Centaur depended on pressure to keep its paper-thin, stainless-steel shell from collapsing. It was literally inflated with its propellants like a football or balloon and needed no internal structure to give it added strength and stability. The so-called "pressure-stabilized structure" of Centaur, coupled with the light weight of its high- energy cryogenic propellants, made Centaur lighter and more powerful than upper stages that used conventional fuel. But, the critics argued, it would never become the reliable rocket that the United States needed.

The vertical structure of upper ocean variability at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain during 2012-2013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damerell, Gillian M.; Heywood, Karen J.; Thompson, Andrew F.; Binetti, Umberto; Kaiser, Jan

2016-05-01

This study presents the characterization of variability in temperature, salinity and oxygen concentration, including the vertical structure of the variability, in the upper 1000 m of the ocean over a full year in the northeast Atlantic. Continuously profiling ocean gliders with vertical resolution between 0.5 and 1 m provide more information on temporal variability throughout the water column than time series from moorings with sensors at a limited number of fixed depths. The heat, salt and dissolved oxygen content are quantified at each depth. While the near surface heat content is consistent with the net surface heat flux, heat content of the deeper layers is driven by gyre-scale water mass changes. Below ˜150m, heat and salt content display intraseasonal variability which has not been resolved by previous studies. A mode-1 baroclinic internal tide is detected as a peak in the power spectra of water mass properties. The depth of minimum variability is at ˜415m for both temperature and salinity, but this is a depth of high variability for oxygen concentration. The deep variability is dominated by the intermittent appearance of Mediterranean Water, which shows evidence of filamentation. Susceptibility to salt fingering occurs throughout much of the water column for much of the year. Between about 700-900 m, the water column is susceptible to diffusive layering, particularly when Mediterranean Water is present. This unique ability to resolve both high vertical and temporal variability highlights the importance of intraseasonal variability in upper ocean heat and salt content, variations that may be aliased by traditional observing techniques.

Identification and assessment of groundwater flow and storage components of the relict Schöneben Rock Glacier, Niedere Tauern Range, Eastern Alps (Austria)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winkler, Gerfried; Wagner, Thomas; Pauritsch, Marcus; Birk, Steffen; Kellerer-Pirklbauer, Andreas; Benischke, Ralf; Leis, Albrecht; Morawetz, Rainer; Schreilechner, Marcellus G.; Hergarten, Stefan

2016-06-01

More than 2,600 relict rock glaciers are known in the Austrian Alps but the knowledge of their hydraulic properties is severely limited. The relict Schöneben Rock Glacier (Niedere Tauern Range, Austria), with an extension of 0.17 km2, was investigated based on spring data (2006-2014) and seismic refraction survey. Spring-discharge hydrographs and natural and artificial tracer data suggest a heterogeneous aquifer with a layered internal structure for the relict rock glacier. The discharge behavior exhibits a fast and a delayed flow component. The spring discharge responds to recharge events within a few hours but a mean residence time of several months can also be observed. The internal structure of the rock glacier (up to several tens of meters thick) consists of: an upper blocky layer with a few meters of thickness, which lacks fine-grained sediments; a main middle layer with coarse and finer-grained sediments, allowing for fast flow; and an approximately 10-m-thick basal till layer as the main aquifer body responsible for the base flow. The base-flow component is controlled by (fine) sandy to silty sediments with low hydraulic conductivity and high storage capacity, exhibiting a difference in hydraulic conductivity to the upper layer of about three orders of magnitude. The high storage capacity of relict rock glaciers has an impact on water resources management in alpine catchments and potentially regulates the risk of natural hazards such as floods and related debris flows. Thus, the results highlight the importance of such aquifer systems in alpine catchments.

Specific leaf areas of the tank bromeliad Guzmania monostachia perform distinct functions in response to water shortage.

PubMed

Freschi, Luciano; Takahashi, Cassia Ayumi; Cambui, Camila Aguetoni; Semprebom, Thais Ribeiro; Cruz, Aline Bertinatto; Mioto, Paulo Tamoso; de Melo Versieux, Leonardo; Calvente, Alice; Latansio-Aidar, Sabrina Ribeiro; Aidar, Marcos Pereira Marinho; Mercier, Helenice

2010-05-01

Leaves comprise most of the vegetative body of tank bromeliads and are usually subjected to strong longitudinal gradients. For instance, while the leaf base is in contact with the water accumulated in the tank, the more light-exposed middle and upper leaf sections have no direct access to this water reservoir. Therefore, the present study attempted to investigate whether different leaf portions of Guzmania monostachia, a tank-forming C(3)-CAM bromeliad, play distinct physiological roles in response to water shortage, which is a major abiotic constraint in the epiphytic habitat. Internal and external morphological features, relative water content, pigment composition and the degree of CAM expression were evaluated in basal, middle and apical leaf portions in order to allow the establishment of correlations between the structure and the functional importance of each leaf region. Results indicated that besides marked structural differences, a high level of functional specialization is also present along the leaves of this bromeliad. When the tank water was depleted, the abundant hydrenchyma of basal leaf portions was the main reservoir for maintaining a stable water status in the photosynthetic tissues of the apical region. In contrast, the CAM pathway was intensified specifically in the upper leaf section, which is in agreement with the presence of features more suitable for the occurrence of photosynthesis at this portion. Gas exchange data indicated that internal recycling of respiratory CO(2) accounted for virtually all nighttime acid accumulation, characterizing a typical CAM-idling pathway in the drought-exposed plants. Altogether, these data reveal a remarkable physiological complexity along the leaves of G. monostachia, which might be a key adaptation to the intermittent water supply of the epiphytic niche. Copyright 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Science Choices in Norwegian Upper Secondary School: What Matters?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boe, Maria Vetleseter

2012-01-01

There is international concern about young people's participation in science. This study investigated the relevant importance of various issues in 1628 Norwegian upper secondary students' choices of postcompulsory subject combinations: natural science and mathematics (henceforth Science) or languages, social science and economics (henceforth…

Macro optical projection tomography for large scale 3D imaging of plant structures and gene activity

PubMed Central

Lee, Karen J. I.; Calder, Grant M.; Hindle, Christopher R.; Newman, Jacob L.; Robinson, Simon N.; Avondo, Jerome J. H. Y.

2017-01-01

Abstract Optical projection tomography (OPT) is a well-established method for visualising gene activity in plants and animals. However, a limitation of conventional OPT is that the specimen upper size limit precludes its application to larger structures. To address this problem we constructed a macro version called Macro OPT (M-OPT). We apply M-OPT to 3D live imaging of gene activity in growing whole plants and to visualise structural morphology in large optically cleared plant and insect specimens up to 60 mm tall and 45 mm deep. We also show how M-OPT can be used to image gene expression domains in 3D within fixed tissue and to visualise gene activity in 3D in clones of growing young whole Arabidopsis plants. A further application of M-OPT is to visualise plant-insect interactions. Thus M-OPT provides an effective 3D imaging platform that allows the study of gene activity, internal plant structures and plant-insect interactions at a macroscopic scale. PMID:28025317

Applicability of Channel flow as an extrusion mechanism of the Higher Himalayan Shear Zone from Sutlej, Zanskar, Dhauliganga and Goriganga Sections, Indian Himalaya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Soumyajit

2010-05-01

Applicability of Channel flow as an extrusion mechanism of the Higher Himalayan Shear Zone from Sutlej, Zanskar, Dhauliganga and Goriganga Sections, Indian Himalaya Soumyajit Mukherjee Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai, Mumbai- 400076, INDIA, e-mail: soumyajitm@gmail.com Mukherjee & Koyi (1,2) evaluated the applicability of channel flow extrusion of the Higher Himalayan Shear Zone (HHSZ) in the Zanskar and the Sutlej sections based on field- and micro-structural studies, analytical- and analog models. Further work on the Dhauliganga and the Goriganga sections of the HHSZ reveal complicated structural geology that is untenable to explain simply in terms of channel flow. For example, in the former section, flexure slip folds exist in a zone spatially separated from the upper strand of the South Tibetan Detachment System (STDSU). On the other hand, in the later section, an STDSU- in the sense of Mukherjee and Koyi (1)- is absent. Instead, a steep extensional shear zone with northeasterly dipping shear plane cuts the pre-existing shear fabrics throughout the HHSZ. However, the following common structural features in the HHSZ were observed in these sections. (1) S-C fabrics are the most ubiquitous ductile shear sense indicators in field. (2) Brittle shearing along the preexisting ductile primary shear planes in a top-to-SW sense. (3) Less ubiquitous ductile compressional shearing in the upper part of the shear zone including the STDSU. (4) A phase of local brittle-ductile extension throughout the shear zone as revealed by boudins of various morphologies. (5) The shear zone is divisible into a southern non-migmatitic and a northern migmatitic zone. No special structural dissimilarity is observed across this lithological boundary. Keywords: Channel flow, Extrusion, Higher Himalaya, Structural Geology, Shear zone, Deformation References 1. Mukherjee S, Koyi HA (in press) Higher Himalayan Shear Zone, Sutlej section: structural geology and extrusion mechanism by various combinations of simple shear, pure shear and channel flow in shifting modes. International Journal of Earth Sciences. 2. Mukherjee S, Koyi HA (in press) Higher Himalayan Shear Zone, Zanskar Indian Himalaya: microstructural studies and extrusion mechanism by a combination of simple shear and channel flow. International Journal of Earth Sciences.

Analysis of asteroid (216) Kleopatra using dynamical and structural constraints

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

Hirabayashi, Masatoshi; Scheeres, Daniel J., E-mail: masatoshi.hirabayashi@colorado.edu

This paper evaluates a dynamically and structurally stable size for Asteroid (216) Kleopatra. In particular, we investigate two different failure modes: material shedding from the surface and structural failure of the internal body. We construct zero-velocity curves in the vicinity of this asteroid to determine surface shedding, while we utilize a limit analysis to calculate the lower and upper bounds of structural failure under the zero-cohesion assumption. Surface shedding does not occur at the current spin period (5.385 hr) and cannot directly initiate the formation of the satellites. On the other hand, this body may be close to structural failure;more » in particular, the neck may be situated near a plastic state. In addition, the neck's sensitivity to structural failure changes as the body size varies. We conclude that plastic deformation has probably occurred around the neck part in the past. If the true size of this body is established through additional measurements, this method will provide strong constraints on the current friction angle for the body.« less

Sensitivity analysis of seismic waveforms to upper-mantle discontinuities using the adjoint method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koroni, Maria; Bozdağ, Ebru; Paulssen, Hanneke; Trampert, Jeannot

2017-09-01

Using spectral-element simulations of wave propagation, we investigated the sensitivity of seismic waveforms, recorded on transverse components, to upper-mantle discontinuities in 1-D and 3-D background models. These sensitivity kernels, or Fréchet derivatives, illustrate the spatial sensitivity to model parameters, of which those for shear wave speed and the surface topography of internal boundaries are discussed in this paper. We focus on the boundaries at 400 and 670 km depth of the mantle transition zone. SS precursors have frequently been used to infer the topography of upper-mantle discontinuities. These seismic phases are underside reflections off these boundaries and are usually analysed in the distance range of 110°-160°. This distance range is chosen to minimize the interference from other waves. We show sensitivity kernels for consecutive time windows at three characteristic epicentral distances within the 110°-160° range. The sensitivity kernels are computed with the adjoint method using synthetic data. From our simulations we can draw three main conclusions: (i) The exact Fréchet derivatives show that in all time windows, and also in those centred on the SS precursors, there is interference from other waves. This explains the difficulty reported in the literature to correct for 3-D shear wave speed perturbations, even if the 3-D structure is perfectly known. (ii) All studies attempting to map the topography of the 400 and 670 km discontinuities to date assume that the traveltimes of SS precursors can be linearly decomposed into a 3-D elastic structure and a topography part. We recently showed that such a linear decomposition is not possible for SS precursors, and the sensitivity kernels presented in this paper explain why. (iii) In agreement with previous work, we show that other parts of the seismograms have greater sensitivity to upper-mantle discontinuities than SS precursors, especially multiply bouncing S waves exploiting the S-wave triplications due to the mantle transition zone. These phases can potentially improve the inference of global topographic variations of the upper-mantle discontinuities in the context of full waveform inversion in a joint inversion for (an)elastic parameters and topography.

Design of a 6-DOF upper limb rehabilitation exoskeleton with parallel actuated joints.

PubMed

Chen, Yanyan; Li, Ge; Zhu, Yanhe; Zhao, Jie; Cai, Hegao

2014-01-01

In this paper, a 6-DOF wearable upper limb exoskeleton with parallel actuated joints which perfectly mimics human motions is proposed. The upper limb exoskeleton assists the movement of physically weak people. Compared with the existing upper limb exoskeletons which are mostly designed using a serial structure with large movement space but small stiffness and poor wearable ability, a prototype for motion assistance based on human anatomy structure has been developed in our design. Moreover, the design adopts balls instead of bearings to save space, which simplifies the structure and reduces the cost of the mechanism. The proposed design also employs deceleration processes to ensure that the transmission ratio of each joint is coincident.

Terminator assembly for a floating structure

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

Chiu, H.; Hall, J.E.

1987-10-20

A terminator assembly is described for use in mooring a floating surface to the floor of a body of water. The floating structure has has an upper support and a lower support, comprising: a hawsepipe extending downwardly from adjacent the upper support and supported by the lower support, a tension member extending downwardly from adjacent the upper support through the hawsepipe and the lower support. The tension member has a lower end adapted for connection to the floor of the body of water. Locking means connected to an upper portion of the tension member for maintaining the tension member inmore » tension by acting upon an upper portion of the hawsepipe without transferring primary tension load forces to the upper support.« less

The Role of Migration and Single Motherhood in Upper Secondary Education in Mexico

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Creighton, Mathew J.; Park, Hyunjoon; Teruel, Graciela M.

2009-01-01

We investigated the link between migration, family structure, and the risk of dropping out of upper secondary school in Mexico. Using two waves of the Mexican Family Life Survey, which includes 1,080 upper secondary students, we longitudinally modeled the role of family structure in the subsequent risk of dropping out, focusing on the role of…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING MODELING OF MERCURY IN THE UPPER EVERGLADES OF SOUTH FLORIDA

EPA Science Inventory

This screening modeling analysis examines mercury sources and fate in the upper canals of the South Florida Everglades. Mass balance modeling techniques are applied along with available data to examine the relative importance of external sources and internal cycling of mercury an...

Classical test theory and Rasch analysis validation of the Upper Limb Functional Index in subjects with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders.

PubMed

Bravini, Elisabetta; Franchignoni, Franco; Giordano, Andrea; Sartorio, Francesco; Ferriero, Giorgio; Vercelli, Stefano; Foti, Calogero

2015-01-01

To perform a comprehensive analysis of the psychometric properties and dimensionality of the Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI) using both classical test theory and Rasch analysis (RA). Prospective, single-group observational design. Freestanding rehabilitation center. Convenience sample of Italian-speaking subjects with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (N=174). Not applicable. The Italian version of the ULFI. Data were analyzed using parallel analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and RA for evaluating dimensionality, functioning of rating scale categories, item fit, hierarchy of item difficulties, and reliability indices. Parallel analysis revealed 2 factors explaining 32.5% and 10.7% of the response variance. RA confirmed the failure of the unidimensionality assumption, and 6 items out of the 25 misfitted the Rasch model. When the analysis was rerun excluding the misfitting items, the scale showed acceptable fit values, loading meaningfully to a single factor. Item separation reliability and person separation reliability were .98 and .89, respectively. Cronbach alpha was .92. RA revealed weakness of the scale concerning dimensionality and internal construct validity. However, a set of 19 ULFI items defined through the statistical process demonstrated a unidimensional structure, good psychometric properties, and clinical meaningfulness. These findings represent a useful starting point for further analyses of the tool (based on modern psychometric approaches and confirmatory factor analysis) in larger samples, including different patient populations and nationalities. Copyright © 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Domestic and International Service Learning Experiences: A Comparative Study of Pre-Service Teacher Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Kari Knutson; Gonzalez, Amber M.

2010-01-01

This paper examines pre-service teacher outcomes associated with service learning in domestic and international settings. Participants included upper-division, undergraduate-level pre-service teachers who participated in service learning experiences in either local, domestic settings (Orange County, CA) or international settings (Shanghai and…

The internal structure of lava flows—insights from AMS measurements II: Hawaiian pahoehoe, toothpaste lava and 'a'ā

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cañón-Tapia, Edgardo; Walker, George P. L.; Herrero-Bervera, Emilio

1997-03-01

We studied the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of 22 basaltic flow units, including S-type pahoehoe, P-type pahoehoe, toothpaste lava and 'a'ā emplaced over different slopes in two Hawaiian islands. Systematic differences occur in several aspects of AMS (mean susceptibility, degree of anisotropy, magnetic fabric and orientation of the principal susceptibilities) among the morphological types that can be related to different modes of lava emplacement. AMS also detects systematic changes in the rate of shear with position in a unit, allowing us to infer local flow direction and some other aspects of the velocity field of each unit. 'A'ā flows are subject to stronger deformation than pahoehoe, and also their internal parts behave more like a unit. According to AMS, the central part of pahoehoe commonly reveals a different deformation history than the upper and lower extremes, probably resulting from endogenous growth.

Low damage dry etch for III-nitride light emitters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nedy, Joseph G.; Young, Nathan G.; Kelchner, Kathryn M.; Hu, Yanling; Farrell, Robert M.; Nakamura, Shuji; DenBaars, Steven P.; Weisbuch, Claude; Speck, James S.

2015-08-01

We have developed a dry etch process for the fabrication of lithographically defined features close to light emitting layers in the III-nitride material system. The dry etch was tested for its effect on the internal quantum efficiency of c-plane InGaN quantum wells using the photoluminescence of a test structure with two active regions. No change was observed in the internal quantum efficiency of the test active region when the etched surface was greater than 71 nm away. To demonstrate the application of the developed dry etch process, surface-etched air gaps were fabricated 275 nm away from the active region of an m-plane InGaN/GaN laser diode and served as the waveguide upper cladding. Electrically injected lasing was observed without the need for regrowth or recovery anneals. This dry etch opens up a new design tool that can be utilized in the next generation of GaN light emitters.

Internal γ Decay and the Superallowed Branching Ratio for the β+ Emitter Km38

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leach, K. G.; Svensson, C. E.; Ball, G. C.; Leslie, J. R.; Austin, R. A. E.; Bandyopadhyay, D.; Barton, C.; Bassiachvilli, E.; Ettenauer, S.; Finlay, P.; Garrett, P. E.; Grinyer, G. F.; Hackman, G.; Melconian, D.; Morton, A. C.; Mythili, S.; Newman, O.; Pearson, C. J.; Pearson, M. R.; Phillips, A. A.; Savajols, H.; Schumaker, M. A.; Wong, J.

2008-05-01

The branching ratio for the superallowed β+ decay of Km38 was measured at TRIUMF’s ISAC radioactive ion beam facility. The M3 internal transition between the isomer and the ground state of Km38 was observed with a branching ratio of 330(43) ppm. A search for the nonanalogue β-decay branch to the first excited 0+ state in Ar38 was also performed and yielded an upper limit of ≤12ppm at 90% C.L. These measurements lead to a revised superallowed branching ratio for Km38 of 99.967(4)%, and increase the Km38 ft value by its entire quoted uncertainty to ft=3052.1(10)s. Implications for tests of the nuclear-structure dependent corrections in superallowed β decays and the extraction of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element Vud are discussed.

KSC-07pp1456

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-06-08

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Moments after liftoff, Space Shuttle Atlantis rises on columns of fire from the solid rocket boosters to leap into the sky and a rendezvous with the International Space Station on mission STS-117. Below Atlantis is the mobile launcher platform. At upper left is the fixed service structure with the 80-foot-tall lightning mast on top. Liftoff of Atlantis was on-time at 7:38:04 p.m. EDT. The shuttle is delivering a new segment to the starboard side of the International Space Station's backbone, known as the truss. Three spacewalks are planned to install the S3/S4 truss segment, deploy a set of solar arrays and prepare them for operation. STS-117 is the 118th space shuttle flight, the 21st flight to the station, the 28th flight for Atlantis and the first of four flights planned for 2007. Photo Credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph and Robert Murray

Effects of general relativity on glitch amplitudes and pulsar mass upper bounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonelli, M.; Montoli, A.; Pizzochero, P. M.

2018-04-01

Pinning of vortex lines in the inner crust of a spinning neutron star may be the mechanism that enhances the differential rotation of the internal neutron superfluid, making it possible to freeze some amount of angular momentum which eventually can be released, thus causing a pulsar glitch. We investigate the general relativistic corrections to pulsar glitch amplitudes in the slow-rotation approximation, consistently with the stratified structure of the star. We thus provide a relativistic generalization of a previous Newtonian model that was recently used to estimate upper bounds on the masses of glitching pulsars. We find that the effect of general relativity on the glitch amplitudes obtained by emptying the whole angular momentum reservoir is less than 30 per cent. Moreover, we show that the Newtonian upper bounds on the masses of large glitchers obtained from observations of their maximum recorded event differ by less than a few percent from those calculated within the relativistic framework. This work can also serve as a basis to construct more sophisticated models of angular momentum reservoir in a relativistic context: in particular, we present two alternative scenarios for macroscopically rigid and slack pinned vortex lines, and we generalize the Feynman-Onsager relation to the case when both entrainment coupling between the fluids and a strong axisymmetric gravitational field are present.

Employing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework to capture user feedback in the design and testing stage of development of home-based arm rehabilitation technology.

PubMed

Sivan, Manoj; Gallagher, Justin; Holt, Ray; Weightman, Andrew; O'Connor, Rory; Levesley, Martin

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework to ensure that key aspects of user feedback are identified in the design and testing stages of development of a home-based upper limb rehabilitation system. Seventeen stroke survivors with residual upper limb weakness, and seven healthcare professionals with expertise in stroke rehabilitation, were enrolled in the user-centered design process. Through semi-structured interviews, they provided feedback on the hardware, software and impact of a home-based rehabilitation device to facilitate self-managed arm exercise. Members of the multidisciplinary clinical and engineering research team, based on previous experience and existing literature in user-centred design, developed the topic list for the interviews. Meaningful concepts were extracted from participants' interviews based on existing ICF linking rules and matched to categories within the ICF Comprehensive Core Set for stroke. Most of the interview concepts (except personal factors) matched the existing ICF Comprehensive Core Set categories. Personal factors that emerged from interviews e.g. gender, age, interest, compliance, motivation, choice and convenience that might determine device usability are yet to be categorised within the ICF framework and hence could not be matched to a specific Core Set category.

Three-dimensional velocity structure of crust and upper mantle in southwestern China and its tectonic implications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wang, Chun-Yong; Chan, W.W.; Mooney, W.D.

2003-01-01

Using P and S arrival times from 4625 local and regional earthquakes recorded at 174 seismic stations and associated geophysical investigations, this paper presents a three-dimensional crustal and upper mantle velocity structure of southwestern China (21??-34??N, 97??-105??E). Southwestern China lies in the transition zone between the uplifted Tibetan plateau to the west and the Yangtze continental platform to the east. In the upper crust a positive velocity anomaly exists in the Sichuan Basin, whereas a large-scale negative velocity anomaly exists in the western Sichuan Plateau, consistent with the upper crustal structure under the southern Tibetan plateau. The boundary between these two anomaly zones is the Longmen Shan Fault. The negative velocity anomalies at 50-km depth in the Tengchong volcanic area and the Panxi tectonic zone appear to be associated with temperature and composition variations in the upper mantle. The Red River Fault is the boundary between the positive and negative velocity anomalies at 50-km depth. The overall features of the crustal and the upper mantle structures in southwestern China are a low average velocity, large crustal thickness variations, the existence of a high-conductivity layer in the crust or/and upper mantle, and a high heat flow value. All these features are closely related to the collision between the Indian and the Asian plates.

Peeling linear inversion of upper mantle velocity structure with receiver functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Xuzhang; Zhou, Huilan

2012-02-01

A peeling linear inversion method is presented to study the upper mantle (from Moho to 800 km depth) velocity structures with receiver functions. The influences of the crustal and upper mantle velocity ratio error on the inversion results are analyzed, and three valid measures are taken for its reduction. This method is tested with the IASP91 and the PREM models, and the upper mantle structures beneath the stations GTA, LZH, and AXX in northwestern China are then inverted. The results indicate that this inversion method is feasible to quantify upper mantle discontinuities, besides the discontinuities between 3 h M ( h M denotes the depth of Moho) and 5 h M due to the interference of multiples from Moho. Smoothing is used to overcome possible false discontinuities from the multiples and ensure the stability of the inversion results, but the detailed information on the depth range between 3 h M and 5 h M is sacrificed.

Numerical simulation of soft palate movement and airflow in human upper airway by fluid-structure interaction method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xiuzhen; Yu, Chi; Wang, Yuefang; Liu, Yingxi

2007-08-01

In this paper, the authors present airflow field characteristics of human upper airway and soft palate movement attitude during breathing. On the basis of the data taken from the spiral computerized tomography images of a healthy person and a patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS), three-dimensional models of upper airway cavity and soft palate are reconstructed by the method of surface rendering. Numerical simulation is performed for airflow in the upper airway and displacement of soft palate by fluid-structure interaction analysis. The reconstructed three-dimensional models precisely preserve the original configuration of upper airways and soft palate. The results of the pressure and velocity distributions in the airflow field are quantitatively determined, and the displacement of soft palate is presented. Pressure gradients of airway are lower for the healthy person and the airflow distribution is quite uniform in the case of free breathing. However, the OSAHS patient remarkably escalates both the pressure and velocity in the upper airway, and causes higher displacement of the soft palate. The present study is useful in revealing pathogenesis and quantitative mutual relationship between configuration and function of the upper airway as well as in diagnosing diseases related to anatomical structure and function of the upper airway.

iss049e007067

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-09-19

iss049e007067 (09/19/2016) --- Night views of the Earth from the International Space Station. This image is the southern Persian Gulf at night centered on Dubai and Abu Dhabi; east is at the top of the image with the coast of Iran to upper left and Muscat, Oman upper right.

Lock No. 1 St. Lucie Canal. Upper gate structure, masonry ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Lock No. 1- St. Lucie Canal. Upper gate structure, masonry plan- masonry elevations. - St. Lucie Canal, St. Lucie Lock No. 1, St. Lucie, Cross State Canal, Okeechobee Intracoastal Waterway, Stuart, Martin County, FL

Geometry and lithofacies of coarse-grained injectites and extrudites in a late Pliocene trench-slope basin on the southern Boso Peninsula, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Makoto; Ishimoto, Sakumi; Ito, Kento; Kotake, Nobuhiro

2016-10-01

This study investigates the geometry and internal structures of coarse- to very coarse-grained volcanic sandstones and volcanic breccias with many siltstone clasts (interpreted to be sill-like injectites and extrudites) occurring in an upper Pliocene trench-slope basin succession on the southern Boso Peninsula, Japan. The injectites occur in the uppermost Shiramazu Formation, and pinch out laterally into siltstone-dominated deposits of the Mera Formation. Their thicknesses vary from a few centimeters to 2 m. The basal and upper contacts of the injectites with host muddy deposits are sharp and/or erosional, and are locally discordant with the bedding of the host deposits. Siltstone clasts, which were ripped up or ripped down from the host muddy deposits, are commonly incorporated into the injectites, although some siltstone clasts have geological ages older than those of the host deposits. Seven lithofacies have been identified in the injectites based on the internal structures. The combinations of internal structures are different from those of high-density turbidity current deposits and debrites, and suggest that injection was promoted by a combination of turbulent and laminar flow conditions. The extrudites show an overall convex-up geometry and possess lithological features similar to those of the injectites. They have been identified in the Rendaiji Conglomerate Member, which is encased in the Mera Formation, and which rests on the uppermost Shiramazu Formation. The extrudites are characterized by gently undulating waveforms that show upstream migration and climbing stacking patterns similar to the cross-sectional geometry of cyclic steps or upstream-migrating antidunes. The active eruption of solid-liquid mixtures onto the seafloor and sedimentary piles may have subsequently collapsed to produce supercritical high-density gravity currents down the flanks of a neptunian volcano. The injectites and extrudites locally contain Calyptogena shells and shell fragments, as well as fragments of carbonate concretions that exhibit low carbon isotopic ratios, suggesting that fluidization of the source sediments was triggered by a combination of seepage of cold methane-bearing water into the source sediments and seismic shaking. Volcaniclastic deposits older than the host muddy deposits are present in the trench-slope basin deposits and these are the likely source of the injectites and extrudites.

Seismology at the Australian National University; an interview with Anton L. Hales

USGS Publications Warehouse

Spall, H.

1980-01-01

Dr. Anton L. Hales is a leading seismologist who has just retired as Director of the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University (ANU), Canberra. Prior to that, he headed the Geosciences Division at the University of Texas at Dallas, and, before that, he was Director of the Bernard Price Institute of Geophysical Research at the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South Africa. he is about to step down as President of the International Geodynamics Commission. Dr. Hales' research has involved marine geophysics, the travel times of seismic waves, and the structure of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. 

Small-Scale Tropopause Dynamics and TOMS Total Ozone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanford, John L.

2002-01-01

This project used Earth Probe Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (EP TOMS) along-track ozone retrievals, in conjunction with ancillary meteorological fields and modeling studies, for high resolution investigations of upper troposphere and lower stratosphere dynamics. Specifically, high resolution along-track (Level 2) EP TOMS data were used to investigate the beautiful fine-scale structure in constituent and meteorological fields prominent in the evolution of highly non-linear baroclinic storm systems. Comparison was made with high resolution meteorological models. The analyses provide internal consistency checks and validation of the EP TOMS data which are vital for monitoring ozone depletion in both polar and midlatitude regions.

Involvement of upper torso stress amplification, tissue compression and distortion in the pathogenesis of keloids.

PubMed

Bux, Shamin; Madaree, Anil

2012-03-01

Keloids are benign tumours composed of fibrous tissue produced during excessive tissue repair triggered by minor injury, trauma or surgical incision. Although it is recognized that keloids have a propensity to form in the upper torso of the body, the predisposing factors responsible for this have not been investigated. It is crucial that the aetiopathoical factors implicated in keloid formation be established to provide guidelines for well-informed more successful treatment. We compared keloid-prone and keloid-protected skin, identified pertinent morphological differences and explored how inherent structural characteristics and intrinsic factors may promote keloid formation. It was determined that keloid prone areas were covered with high tension skin that had low stretch and a low elastic modulus when compared with skin in keloid protected areas where the skin was lax with a high elastic modulus and low pre-stress level. Factors contributing to elevated internal stress in keloid susceptible skin were the protrusion of hard connective tissue such as bony prominences or cartilage into the dermis of skin as well as inherent skin characteristics such as the bundled arrangement of collagen in the reticular dermis, the existent high tension, the low elastic modulus, low stretch ability, contractile forces exerted by wound healing fibroblastic cells and external forces. Stress promotes keloid formation by causing dermal distortion and compression which subsequently stimulate proliferation and enhanced protein synthesis in wound healing fibroblastic cells. The strain caused by stress also compresses and occludes microvessels causing ischaemic effects and reperfusion injury which stimulate growth when blood rich in growth factors returns to the tissue. The growth promoting effects of increased internal stress, primarily, and growth factors released by reperfusing blood, manifest in keloid formation. Other inherent skin characteristics promoting keloid growth during the late stages of wound healing in the upper torso are the thinner epidermis, the presence of vellus hairs, the absence of protective immunoglobulin A (IgA), and the thick fragile quality of upper torso skin. As it is not known why there is a predilection for keloids to form in the upper torso of the body, this hypothesis implicating and associating inherent morphological characteristics and elevated stress in the aetiopathogenesis of keloids is of potential value in terms of prevention, management and treatment of these enigmatic tumours. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ubiquitous human upper-limb motion estimation using wearable sensors.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhi-Qiang; Wong, Wai-Choong; Wu, Jian-Kang

2011-07-01

Human motion capture technologies have been widely used in a wide spectrum of applications, including interactive game and learning, animation, film special effects, health care, navigation, and so on. The existing human motion capture techniques, which use structured multiple high-resolution cameras in a dedicated studio, are complicated and expensive. With the rapid development of microsensors-on-chip, human motion capture using wearable microsensors has become an active research topic. Because of the agility in movement, upper-limb motion estimation has been regarded as the most difficult problem in human motion capture. In this paper, we take the upper limb as our research subject and propose a novel ubiquitous upper-limb motion estimation algorithm, which concentrates on modeling the relationship between upper-arm movement and forearm movement. A link structure with 5 degrees of freedom (DOF) is proposed to model the human upper-limb skeleton structure. Parameters are defined according to Denavit-Hartenberg convention, forward kinematics equations are derived, and an unscented Kalman filter is deployed to estimate the defined parameters. The experimental results have shown that the proposed upper-limb motion capture and analysis algorithm outperforms other fusion methods and provides accurate results in comparison to the BTS optical motion tracker.

WOrk-Related Questionnaire for UPper extremity disorders (WORQ-UP): Factor Analysis and Internal Consistency.

PubMed

Aerts, Bas R; Kuijer, P Paul; Beumer, Annechien; Eygendaal, Denise; Frings-Dresen, Monique H

2018-04-17

To test a 17-item questionnaire, the WOrk-Related Questionnaire for UPper extremity disorders (WORQ-UP), for dimensionality of the items (factor analysis) and internal consistency. Cross-sectional study. Outpatient clinic. A consecutive sample of patients (N=150) consisting of all new referral patients (either from a general physician or other hospital) who visited the orthopedic outpatient clinic because of an upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder. Not applicable. Number and dimensionality of the factors in the WORQ-UP. Four factors with eigenvalues (EVs) >1.0 were found. The factors were named exertion, dexterity, tools & equipment, and mobility. The EVs of the factors were, respectively, 5.78, 2.38, 1.81, and 1.24. The factors together explained 65.9% of the variance. The Cronbach alpha values for these factors were, respectively, .88, .74, .87, and .66. The 17 items of the WORQ-UP resemble 4 factors-exertion, dexterity, tools & equipment, and mobility-with a good internal consistency. Copyright © 2018 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: differences in outcome for patients admitted to internal medicine and gastroenterological services.

PubMed

Sandel, M H; Kolkman, J J; Kuipers, E J; Cuesta, M A; Meuwissen, S G

2000-09-01

It has been suggested that admission to a gastroenterology service (GAS) is associated with a better prognosis and lower cost for treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, such as upper GI bleeding (UGB). However, a large potential bias by higher comorbidity on internal medicine services (MED) could not be excluded from these studies. We therefore compared patients with upper GI bleeding admitted to a gastroenterology or internal medicine department, with special emphasis on prognostic factors, such as comorbidity, and outcome. Between 1991 and 1995, 322 patients were admitted to our hospital for UGB. Forty-five patients had variceal and 277 patients had nonvariceal upper GI bleeding (NUGB). Of 232 patients with primary NUGB, 125 were admitted to GAS and 93 to MED. The charts of these patients were revised, comorbidity was carefully recorded, and the Rockall risk score was calculated. All deaths were individually classified as unavoidable, mostly due to severe underlying illness, or potentially avoidable. No differences in delay for endoscopy or treatment were observed between GAS and MED. The rebleeding, surgery, and mortality rates in GAS and MED patients were 11.6% versus 11.5% (NS), 7.8% versus 7.3% (NS), and 2.4% versus 10.8% (p = 0.02), respectively. Rockall scores differed between GAS and MED patients (3.1 +/- 1.8 vs 3.7 +/- 1.7, p = 0.02). The mortality rate stratified by Rockall score was lower for the GAS patients. However, individual analysis revealed that only three of 13 deaths were potentially avoidable: two of 10 at the MED and one of three at the GAS. The lower mortality among nonvariceal upper GI bleeding patients admitted to a gastroenterological service compared to an internal medicine service was mainly due to lesser comorbidity. This effect was not detected by stratification according to Rockall, but shown with analysis of individual patient charts only. The latter underscores the potential pitfalls when comparing outcome or cost of treatment between different medical services.

Evaluation of rotator cuff muscle strength in healthy individuals

PubMed Central

Cortez, Paulo José Oliveira; Tomazini, José Elias

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To compare the strength generated by the rotator muscles of the shoulder joint between the right upper limb and left upper limb among healthy individuals. METHODS: To evaluate the muscle strength of upper limbs from isometric contractions in the horizontal direction (rotation) an isometric dynamometer was used, equipped with transducers, signal conditioning, a data acquisition board, and finally, a computer. Study participants were 22 male military subjects, aged between 18 and 19 years old, body mass between 57.7 and 93.0 kg (71.8 ± 9.45 kg) and height between 1.67 and 1.90 m (1.75 ± 0.06 m), healthy and without clinical diseases or any type of orthopedic injury in the muscle skeletal system. RESULTS: The internal rotation in the right upper limb (RUL) was higher than the average strength of internal rotation in the left upper limb (LUL) (p = 0.723). The external rotation strength in RUL was lower than the average strength of external rotation in the LUL (p=0.788). No statistical difference was observed by comparing the strength values of all isometric strength tests. CONCLUSION: For the sample and methodology used to assess muscle strength, there was no statistical difference between the strength generated by the muscles of the rotator cuff of the right and left upper limbs. Experimental Study. PMID:26207091

An L-Shaped Incision for an Extensive Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Coronary Artery Bypass Using the Left Internal Thoracic Artery.

PubMed

Abe, Tomonobu; Suenaga, Hiroto; Oshima, Hideki; Araki, Yoshimori; Mutsuga, Masato; Fujimoto, Kazuro; Usui, Akihiko

2015-04-01

An L-shaped incision combining an upper half mid-sternotomy and a left antero-lateral thoracotomy at the fourth intercostal space has been proposed by several authors for extensive aneurysms involving the aortic arch and the proximal thoracic descending aorta. This approach usually requires the division of the left internal thoracic artery at its mid position, thus making it unusable for coronary artery bypass. We herein report a modified surgical approach for simultaneous extensive arch and proximal thoracic descending aorta replacement and coronary artery bypass using the left internal thoracic artery combining a left antero-lateral thoracotomy at the sixth intercostal space and upper mid-sternotomy. The visualization of the whole diseased aorta down to the level below the hilum of the left lung was good, and the integrity of the left internal thoracic artery graft was preserved by early heparin administration before sternotomy.

EFFECT OF INTENSE FUNCTIONAL TASK TRAINING UPON TEMPORAL STRUCTURE OF VARIABILITY OF UPPER EXTREMITY POST STROKE

PubMed Central

Sethi, Amit; Davis, Sandra; McGuirk, Theresa; Patterson, Tara S.; Richards, Lorie G.

2012-01-01

Study Design Quasi-experimental design Introduction Although the effectiveness of constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) in upper extremity (UE) rehabilitation post stroke is well known, the efficacy of CIMT to enhance the temporal structure of variability in upper extremity movement is not known. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate whether CIMT could enhance temporal structure of variability in upper extremity movement in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods Six participants with chronic stroke underwent CIMT for 4 hours/day for 2 weeks. Participants performed three trials of functional reach-to-grasp before and after CIMT. Temporal structure of variability was determined by calculating approximate entropy (ApEn) in shoulder, elbow and wrist flexion/extension joint angles. Results ApEn increased post CIMT, however, statistical significance was not achieved (p > 0.0167). Conclusion Future studies with larger sample size are warranted to investigate the effect of CIMT upon temporal structure of variability in UE movement. PMID:23084461

Using seismic reflection data to reveal high-resolution structure and pathway of the upper Western Boundary Undercurrent core at Eirik Drift

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller-Michaelis, Antje; Uenzelmann-Neben, Gabriele

2015-12-01

The method of seismic oceanography was applied to identify fine structure and pathways of the Western Boundary Undercurrent (WBUC) at Eirik Drift, 200 km south of Greenland. Three high-velocity cores of the WBUC were distinguished: a deep core in depths >2600 m which carries Denmark Strait Overflow Water, an upper core in depths between ~1900 and 3000 m transporting Iceland-Scotland Overflow Water, and a split-off of this upper core, which crosses the main crest of Eirik Drift at depths between ~1900 and 2400 m. For the upper WBUC core a detailed analysis of the structure was conducted. The WBUC core has as a domed structure, which changes in style, width and height above seafloor along the lines of the changing topography. We proved not only the influence of the topography on pathway and structure of the WBUC core but also that this information cannot be gained by measuring the overflow waters with discrete CTD stations.

Refining the structural framework of the Khimti Khola region, east-central Nepal Himalaya, using quartz textures and c-axis fabrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larson, Kyle P.

2018-02-01

New quartz texture and c-axis fabric data from across the Paleoproterozoic Ulleri-Phaplu-Melung orthogneiss in the Khimti Khola region of east central Nepal provide new constraints on the internal structural framework of the Himalaya that help shed light on the convergence accommodation processes active in the upper portion of the crust during orogenesis. These data outline a strain history that varies across the unit. Deformation near the base of the unit occurred at ∼605 (±50) °C with evidence of significant static recrystallization and recovery preserved in quartz, whereas deformation near the top of the unit occurred at ∼540 (±50) ˚C with quartz characterized by dynamic recrystallization mechanisms. The strength of the quartz c-axis fabrics follows a similar spatial pattern, with those from near the top of the unit recording stronger fabrics than those measured from lower in the unit. Together, these data are interpreted to indicate strain localization, possibly at progressively lower temperature, near the top of the Ulleri-Phaplu-Melung orthogneiss. This interpretation is consistent with cooling ages that indicate the upper boundary of the unit coincides with an out-of-sequence shear zone. This study not only provides a structural characterization of the shear zone, helping to refine the kinematic framework of this portion of the Himalaya, but also confirms the utility of fabric strength analysis in deciphering strain localization within pervasively deformed rocks.

Glider Observations of Upper Ocean Structure in the Bay of Bengal

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

1 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Glider Observations of Upper Ocean Structure in the Bay...using gliders and floats • Improve glider technology to overcome fresh, buoyant surface layers • Establish a new technology to observe turbulence...with profiling floats APPROACH We use two approaches to observe the upper ocean in the BoB. First, we deploy Spray underwater gliders to resolve

Understanding Wave-mean Flow Feedbacks and Tropospheric Annular Variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenz, D. J.

2016-12-01

The structure of internal tropospheric variability is important for determining the impact of the stratosphere on the troposphere. This study aims to better understand the fundamental dynamical mechanisms that control the feedbacks between the eddies and the mean flow, which in turn select the tropospheric annular mode. Recent work using Rossby Wave Chromatography suggests that "barotropic processes", which directly impact the meridional propagation of wave activity (specifically the reflectivity of the poleward flank of the mid-latitude jet), are more important for the positive feedback between the annular mode and the eddies than "baroclinic processes", which involve changes in the generation of wave activity by baroclinic instability. In this study, experiments with a fully nonlinear quasi-geostrophic model are discussed which provide independent confirmation of the importance of barotropic versus baroclinic processes. The experiments take advantage of the steady-state balance at upper-levels between the meridional gradient in diabatic heating and the second derivative of the upper-level EP flux divergence. Simulations with standard Newtonian heating are compared to simulations with constant-in-time heating taken from the climatology of the standard run and it is found that the forced annular mode response to changes in surface friction is very similar. Moreover, as expected from the annular mode response, the eddy momentum fluxes are also very similar. This is despite the fact that the upper-level EP flux divergence is very different between the two simulations (upper-level EP flux divergence must remain constant in the constant heating simulation while in the standard simulation there is no such constraint). The upper-level balances are maintained by a large change in the baroclinic wave source (i.e. vertical EP flux), which is accompanied by little momentum flux change. Therefore the eddy momentum fluxes appear to be relatively insensitive to the wave activity source. A more detailed comparison suggests a helpful rule-of-thumb relating the amplitude of the baroclinic wave source to the upper-level vorticity flux forced by this wave source.

An interpretation of landscape structure from historic and present land cover data in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Treesearch

Janet Silbernagel; Jiquan Chen; Margaret R. Gale; Kurt S. Pregitzer; John Probst

1997-01-01

Compares historic and present landscape structure among four landtype association groups in Upper Michigan. Provides an example of a landtype association framework for assessing landscape composition and pattern.

How Irreversible Heat Transport Processes Drive Earth's Interdependent Thermal, Structural, and Chemical Evolution Providing a Strongly Heterogeneous, Layered Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmeister, A.; Criss, R. E.

2013-12-01

Because magmatism conveys radioactive isotopes plus latent heat rapidly upwards while advecting heat, this process links and controls the thermal and chemical evolution of Earth. We present evidence that the lower mantle-upper mantle boundary is a profound chemical discontinuity, leading to observed heterogeneities in the outermost layers that can be directly sampled, and construct an alternative view of Earth's internal workings. Earth's beginning involved cooling via explosive outgassing of substantial ice (mainly CO) buried with dust during accretion. High carbon content is expected from Solar abundances and ice in comets. Reaction of CO with metal provided a carbide-rich core while converting MgSiO3 to olivine via oxidizing reactions. Because thermodynamic law (and buoyancy of hot particles) indicates that primordial heat from gravitational segregation is neither large nor carried downwards, whereas differentiation forced radioactive elements upwards, formation of the core and lower mantle greatly cooled the Earth. Reference conductive geotherms, calculated using accurate and new thermal diffusivity data, require that heat-producing elements are sequestered above 670 km which limits convection to the upper mantle. These irreversible beginnings limit secular cooling to radioactive wind-down, permiting deduction of Earth's inventory of heat-producing elements from today's heat flux. Coupling our estimate for heat producing elements with meteoritic data indicates that Earth's oxide content has been underestimated. Density sorting segregated a Si-rich, peridotitic upper mantle from a refractory, oxide lower mantle with high Ca, Al and Ti contents, consistent with diamond inclusion mineralogy. Early and rapid differentiation means that internal temperatures have long been buffered by freezing of the inner core, allowing survival of crust as old as ca.4 Ga. Magmatism remains important. Melt escaping though stress-induced fractures in the rigid lithosphere imparts a lateral component and preferred direction to upper mantle circulation. Mid-ocean magma production over ca. 4 Ga has deposited a slab volume at 670 km that is equivalent to the transition zone, thereby continuing differentiation by creating a late-stage chemical discontinuity near 400 km. This ongoing process has generated the observed lateral and vertical heterogeneity above 670 km.

Current Evaluation of Upper Oesophageal Sphincter Opening in Dysphagia Practice: An International SLT Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Regan, Julie; Walshe, Margaret; McMahon, Barry P.

2012-01-01

Background: The assessment of adequate upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) opening during swallowing is an integral component of dysphagia evaluation. Aims: To ascertain speech and language therapists' (SLTs) satisfaction with current methods for assessing UOS function in people with dysphagia and to identify challenges encountered by SLTs with UOS…

Powder Keg on the Upper Missouri: Sources of Blackfeet Hostility, 1730-1810.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Judy, Mark A.

1987-01-01

Evaluates reasons why Blackfeet Indians were bitterly hostile toward white fur traders in the upper Missouri River basin during the early 1800s. Explains causes of internal tribal turmoil including rapid adaptation of horses to tribal culture, devastating effects of disease, and guns disrupting the balance of power among tribes. (JHZ)

[Peculiarities of upper urinary tract drainage during surgical treatment of staghorn and multiple nephrolithiasis].

PubMed

Imamverdiev, S B; Talybov, T A; Mamedov, R N

2014-01-01

This work was designed to evaluate methods of kidney drainage used in the surgical treatment of 250 patients with staghorn and multiple nephrolithiasis (SMN). All of them underwent open surgery that was followed by drainage of the upper urinary tract in 192 patients. Internal stenting was used in 111 cases, pyelostomy in 28, nephrostomy in 47, and internal stenting with nephrostoma in 6 cases. 91 and 20 patients had a stent inserted into the upper urinary tract in a retrograde and antegrade manner respectively. Retrograde stenting was bilateral in 14 and unilateral in 66 cases. 85% of the cases with ureter stents were followed up as outpatients for 4-5 weeks and only 10% for 6-7 weeks. Forty and ten patients with stents presented with marked dysuria and hematuria respectively. On the whole, combined antibacterial treatment with drainage of the upper urinary tract significantly improved long-term results of SMN treatment. It is concluded that nephrostomy and pyelostomy should be performed on days 14-18 and 10-12 respectively whereas the stent needs to be removed between weeks 2 and 8 after surgery.

Technology Transfer Challenges: A Case Study of User-Centered Design in NASA's Systems Engineering Culture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quick, Jason

2009-01-01

The Upper Stage (US) section of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Ares I rocket will require internal access platforms for maintenance tasks performed by humans inside the vehicle. Tasks will occur during expensive critical path operations at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) including vehicle stacking and launch preparation activities. Platforms must be translated through a small human access hatch, installed in an enclosed worksite environment, support the weight of ground operators and be removed before flight - and their design must minimize additional vehicle mass at attachment points. This paper describes the application of a user-centered conceptual design process and the unique challenges encountered within NASA's systems engineering culture focused on requirements and "heritage hardware". The NASA design team at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) initiated the user-centered design process by studying heritage internal access kits and proposing new design concepts during brainstorming sessions. Simultaneously, they partnered with the Technology Transfer/Innovative Partnerships Program to research inflatable structures and dynamic scaffolding solutions that could enable ground operator access. While this creative, technology-oriented exploration was encouraged by upper management, some design stakeholders consistently opposed ideas utilizing novel, untested equipment. Subsequent collaboration with an engineering consulting firm improved the technical credibility of several options, however, there was continued resistance from team members focused on meeting system requirements with pre-certified hardware. After a six-month idea-generating phase, an intensive six-week effort produced viable design concepts that justified additional vehicle mass while optimizing the human factors of platform installation and use. Although these selected final concepts closely resemble heritage internal access platforms, challenges from the application of the user-centered process provided valuable lessons for improving future collaborative conceptual design efforts.

Structural record of Lower Miocene westward motion of the Alboran Domain in the Western Betics, Spain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frasca, Gianluca; Gueydan, Frédéric; Brun, Jean-Pierre

2015-08-01

In the framework of the Africa-Europe convergence, the Mediterranean system presents a complex interaction between subduction rollback and upper-plate deformation during the Tertiary. The western end of the system shows a narrow arcuate geometry across the Gibraltar arc, the Betic-Rif belt, in which the relationship between slab dynamics and surface tectonics is not well understood. The present study focuses on the Western Betics, which is characterized by two major thrusts: 1) the Internal/External Zone Boundary limits the metamorphic domain (Alboran Domain) from the fold-and-thrust belts in the External Zone; 2) the Ronda Peridotites Thrust allows the juxtaposition of a strongly attenuated lithosphere section with large bodies of sub-continental mantle rocks on top of upper crustal rocks. New structural data show that two major E-W strike-slip corridors played a major role in the deformation pattern of the Alboran Domain, in which E-W dextral strike-slip faults, N60° thrusts and N140° normal faults developed simultaneously during dextral strike-slip simple shear. Olistostromic sediments of Lower Miocene age were deposited and deformed in this tectonic context and hence provide an age estimate for the inferred continuous westward translation of the Alboran Domain that is accommodated by an E-W lateral (strike-slip) ramp and a N60° frontal thrust. The crustal emplacement of large bodies of sub-continental mantle may occur at the onset of this westward thrusting in the Western Alboran domain. At lithosphere-scale, we interpret the observed deformation pattern as the subduction upper-plate expression of a lateral slab tear and its westward propagation since the Lower Miocene.

Numerical modelling of the role of salt in continental collision: An application to the southeast Zagros fold-and-thrust belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghazian, Reza Khabbaz; Buiter, Susanne J. H.

2014-09-01

The Zagros fold-and-thrust belt formed in the collision of Arabia with Central Iran. Its sedimentary sequence is characterised by the presence of several weak layers that may control the style of folding and thrusting. We use 2-D thermo-mechanical models to investigate the role of salt in the southeast Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. We constrain the crustal and lithospheric thickness, sedimentary stratification, convergence velocity, and thermal structure of the models from available geological and geophysical data. We find that the thick basal layer of Hormuz salt in models on the scale of the upper-mantle decouples the overlying sediments from the basement and localises deformation in the sediments by trench-verging shear bands. In the collision stage of the models, basement dips with + 1° towards the trench. Including the basal Hormuz salt improves the fit of predicted topography to observed topography. We use the kinematic results and thermal structure of this large-scale model as the initial conditions of a series of upper-crustal-scale models. These models aim to investigate the effects of basal and intervening weak layers, salt strength, basal dip, and lateral salt distribution on deformation style of the simply folded Zagros. Our results show that in addition to the Hormuz salt at the base of the sedimentary cover, at least one intervening weak layer is required to initiate fold-dominated deformation in the southeast Zagros. We find that an upper-crustal-scale model, with a basal and three internal weak layers with viscosities between 5 × 1018 and 1019 Pa s, and a basement that dips + 1° towards the trench, best reproduces present-day topography and the regular folding of the sedimentary layers of the simply folded Zagros.

NaCl - Changes stem morphology, anatomy and phloem structure in Lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Gabès): Comparison of upper and lower internodes.

PubMed

Nja, Riheb Ben; Merceron, Bruno; Faucher, Mireille; Fleurat-Lessard, Pierrette; Béré, Emile

2018-02-01

In M. sativa cv. Gabès plants treated with 150mM NaCl, the height of the stem is decreased and the internode number, length and diameter are reduced. This depressive effect on growth, but also on photosynthetic activity and water balance, is accompanied by structural changes. In the upper internodes, NaCl treatment increases cambium development, so that the vascular ring is initiated earlier than in controls. In the lower internodes, the number of lignified phloem fibers is increased by NaCl, and their wall thickness is augmented, compared to controls; in the phloem complex, the nacreous layer is enlarged, the number of internal wall ingrowths is increased, but companion cells are damaged. In the treated lower internodes, few vessels occur in the secondary xylem, which is by contrast rich in lignified fibers and in wide vessels grouped in the metaxylem area; protoxylem parenchyma and adjacent pith are also lignified. In addition, in treated lower internodes, starch grains are less abundant than in controls, and this variation might be related to the decrease of photosynthesis. When taken together, qualitative and quantitative results indicate that the saline stress has a marked morpho-anatomical impact on the M. sativa Gabès stem. In particular, variations of secondary derivative distribution, increased wall thickening, lignification of phloem and xylem fibers and damage in the phloem complex are NaCl-induced responses, and are more expressed in the lower than in the upper internodes. The reinforcement of the stem lignified vasculature is thus a positive response to stress, but it has a negative impact on the quality of the forage. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The vertical structure of upper ocean variability at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain during 2012–2013

PubMed Central

Heywood, Karen J.; Thompson, Andrew F.; Binetti, Umberto; Kaiser, Jan

2016-01-01

Abstract This study presents the characterization of variability in temperature, salinity and oxygen concentration, including the vertical structure of the variability, in the upper 1000 m of the ocean over a full year in the northeast Atlantic. Continuously profiling ocean gliders with vertical resolution between 0.5 and 1 m provide more information on temporal variability throughout the water column than time series from moorings with sensors at a limited number of fixed depths. The heat, salt and dissolved oxygen content are quantified at each depth. While the near surface heat content is consistent with the net surface heat flux, heat content of the deeper layers is driven by gyre‐scale water mass changes. Below ∼150m, heat and salt content display intraseasonal variability which has not been resolved by previous studies. A mode‐1 baroclinic internal tide is detected as a peak in the power spectra of water mass properties. The depth of minimum variability is at ∼415m for both temperature and salinity, but this is a depth of high variability for oxygen concentration. The deep variability is dominated by the intermittent appearance of Mediterranean Water, which shows evidence of filamentation. Susceptibility to salt fingering occurs throughout much of the water column for much of the year. Between about 700–900 m, the water column is susceptible to diffusive layering, particularly when Mediterranean Water is present. This unique ability to resolve both high vertical and temporal variability highlights the importance of intraseasonal variability in upper ocean heat and salt content, variations that may be aliased by traditional observing techniques. PMID:27840785

Newly Installed S-1 Truss

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Launched October 7, 2002 aboard the Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis, the STS-112 mission lasted 11 days and performed three sessions of Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA). Its primary mission was to install the Starboard (S1) Integrated Truss Structure and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) Cart to the International Space Station (ISS). The S1 truss provides structural support for the orbiting research facility's radiator panels, which use ammonia to cool the Station's complex power system. The S1 truss, attached to the S0 (S Zero) truss installed by the previous STS-110 mission, flows 637 pounds of anhydrous ammonia through three heat rejection radiators. The truss is 45-feet long, 15-feet wide, 10-feet tall, and weighs approximately 32,000 pounds. The CETA is the first of two human-powered carts that will ride along the International Space Station's railway providing a mobile work platform for future extravehicular activities by astronauts. This is a view of the newly installed S1 Truss as photographed during the mission's first scheduled EVA. The Station's Canadarm2 is in the foreground. Visible are astronauts Piers J. Sellers (lower left) and David A. Wolf (upper right), both STS-112 mission specialists.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 13 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-05-10

ISS013-E-17394 (10 May 2006) --- The central Phoenix Metro Area, Arizona is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 13 crewmember on the International Space Station. The Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area is the largest in the southwestern United States, and is comprised of 21 contiguous incorporated municipalities. Such a collection of discrete political entities forming a larger integrated urban landscape is referred to as a conurbation by urban geographers. This portion of a high resolution (approximately 9 meters/pixel) photograph (upper image) of the central metro region includes the boundary area between three of the municipalities included in the conurbation: the Cities of Phoenix (upper image, left), Tempe (upper image, center and lower right), and Scottsdale (upper image, upper right).

Internal structures and dating of non-sulphide Zn deposits using rock magnetism: insights from the Moroccan High Atlas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charles, Nicolas; Choulet, Flavien; Sizaret, Stanislas; Chen, Yan; Barbanson, Luc; Ennaciri, Aomar; Badra, Lakhlifi; Branquet, Yannick

2016-01-01

The renewal of interest in Zn-Pb non-sulphide ores has been induced by mineral processing improvement and leads to new exploration and mining projects in the world. Although the mineralogy is often precisely known, and despite several studies linking ore deposition to regional tectonics, absolute dating of non-sulphide stages is rare and structure of ore bodies was largely disregarded. Geochronological data from non-sulphide ores are essential to timely constrain alteration episodes and to insert supergene ore genesis in the climate and tectonic evolution of the metallogenic province. The access to internal organization of ore could reveal post-mineralization episodes related to supergene evolution. Thus, a rock magnetism study combining anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and palaeomagnetism was performed on four non-sulphide deposits from the Moroccan High Atlas. AMS generally shows similar horizontal magnetic fabrics for ores and the clayey and carbonaceous internal sediments filling karstic cavities. The palaeomagnetic directions of ores and internal sediments are compatible, and the calculated poles are consistent with the last 30 Ma of the Africa apparent polar wander path, with an upper age at 0.78 Ma. The proposed three-step scenario is placed within the evolution of the Moroccan High Atlas belt. Deposition of primary sulphides is contemporaneous with opening of the Tethyan and Atlantic oceans. During the Tertiary, intracontinental deformation gave rise to the High Atlas fold-and-thrust belt and to regional uplift. Finally, Zn-Pb sulphides hosted in carbonates experienced oxidation under an arid climate to form karst-related Zn-Pb non-sulphide ores. These promising results pave the way for an efficient method to constrain the internal fabrics and age of Zn supergene deposits.

Geophysical data collected from the St. Clair River between Michigan and Ontario, Canada (2008-016-FA)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Denny, Jane F.; Foster, D.S.; Worley, C.R.; Irwin, Barry J.

2011-01-01

In 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a geophysical and sampling survey of the riverbed of the Upper St. Clair River between Port Huron, Mich., and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The objectives were to define the Quaternary geologic framework of the riverbed of the St. Clair River to evaluate the relationship between morphologic change of the riverbed and underlying stratigraphy. This report presents the geophysical and sample data collected from the St. Clair River, May 29-June 6, 2008, as part of the International Upper Great Lakes Study, a 5-year project funded by the International Joint Commission of the United States and Canada to examine whether physical changes in the St. Clair River are affecting water levels within upper Great Lakes, to assess regulation plans for outflows from Lake Superior, and to examine the potential effect of climate change on the Great Lakes water levels (http://www.iugls.org). This document makes available the data that were used in a separate report, U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1137, which detailed the interpretations of the Quaternary geologic framework of the region. This report includes a description of the high-resolution acoustic and sediment-sampling systems that were used to map the morphology, surficial sediment distribution, and underlying geology of the Upper St. Clair River during USGS field activity 2008-016-FA (http://quashnet.er.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/datasource/public_ds_info.pl?fa=2008-016-FA). Video and photographs of the riverbed were also collected and are included in this data release. Future analyses will be focused on substrate erosion and its effects on river-channel morphology and geometry. Ultimately, the International Upper Great Lakes Study will attempt to determine where physical changes in the St. Clair River affect water flow and, subsequently, water levels in the Upper Great Lakes.

Validation of the Omron M6 (HEM-7001-E) upper arm blood pressure measuring device according to the International Protocol in elderly patients.

PubMed

Altunkan, Sekip; Iliman, Nevzat; Altunkan, Erkan

2008-04-01

Despite the widespread use of automated self-measurement monitors, there is limited published evidence on their accuracy and reliability on different patient groups. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the Omron M6 (HEM-7001-E) upper-arm blood pressure (BP) device against mercury sphygmomanometer on elderly patients according to the criteria of the International Protocol. Thirty-three patients above 65 years of age, who were classified based on the BP categories of the International Protocol, were recruited for the study. BP measurements at the upper arm with the Omron M6 were compared with the results obtained by two trained observers using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Nine sequential BP measurements were taken. During the validation study, 99 measurements were obtained from 33 patients for comparison. The first phase was carried out on 15 patients and if the device passed this phase, 18 more patients were selected. Mean discrepancies and standard deviations of the device sphygmomanometer were 1.4+/-5.3 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP) and -1.4+/-4.5 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP) in the study group. The device passed phase 1 in 15 patients. In phase 2.1, from the total 99 comparisons, 76, 92, and 97 for SBP and 77, 94, and 99 for DBP were less than 5, 10, and 15 mmHg, respectively. The Omron M6 passed phases 2.1 and 2.2 in the elderly group of patients. The Omron M6 (HEM-7001-E) upper-arm BP monitor passed according to the International Protocol criteria and can be recommended for use in elderly patients.

Immediate effects of EVA midsole resilience and upper shoe structure on running biomechanics: a machine learning approach

PubMed Central

Gavião Neto, Wilson P.; Roveri, Maria Isabel; Oliveira, Wagner R.

2017-01-01

Background Resilience of midsole material and the upper structure of the shoe are conceptual characteristics that can interfere in running biomechanics patterns. Artificial intelligence techniques can capture features from the entire waveform, adding new perspective for biomechanical analysis. This study tested the influence of shoe midsole resilience and upper structure on running kinematics and kinetics of non-professional runners by using feature selection, information gain, and artificial neural network analysis. Methods Twenty-seven experienced male runners (63 ± 44 km/week run) ran in four-shoe design that combined two resilience-cushioning materials (low and high) and two uppers (minimalist and structured). Kinematic data was acquired by six infrared cameras at 300 Hz, and ground reaction forces were acquired by two force plates at 1,200 Hz. We conducted a Machine Learning analysis to identify features from the complete kinematic and kinetic time series and from 42 discrete variables that had better discriminate the four shoes studied. For that analysis, we built an input data matrix of dimensions 1,080 (10 trials × 4 shoes × 27 subjects) × 1,254 (3 joints × 3 planes of movement × 101 data points + 3 vectors forces × 101 data points + 42 discrete calculated kinetic and kinematic features). Results The applied feature selection by information gain and artificial neural networks successfully differentiated the two resilience materials using 200(16%) biomechanical variables with an accuracy of 84.8% by detecting alterations of running biomechanics, and the two upper structures with an accuracy of 93.9%. Discussion The discrimination of midsole resilience resulted in lower accuracy levels than did the discrimination of the shoe uppers. In both cases, the ground reaction forces were among the 25 most relevant features. The resilience of the cushioning material caused significant effects on initial heel impact, while the effects of different uppers were distributed along the stance phase of running. Biomechanical changes due to shoe midsole resilience seemed to be subject-dependent, while those due to upper structure seemed to be subject-independent. PMID:28265506

Immediate effects of EVA midsole resilience and upper shoe structure on running biomechanics: a machine learning approach.

PubMed

Onodera, Andrea N; Gavião Neto, Wilson P; Roveri, Maria Isabel; Oliveira, Wagner R; Sacco, Isabel Cn

2017-01-01

Resilience of midsole material and the upper structure of the shoe are conceptual characteristics that can interfere in running biomechanics patterns. Artificial intelligence techniques can capture features from the entire waveform, adding new perspective for biomechanical analysis. This study tested the influence of shoe midsole resilience and upper structure on running kinematics and kinetics of non-professional runners by using feature selection, information gain, and artificial neural network analysis. Twenty-seven experienced male runners (63 ± 44 km/week run) ran in four-shoe design that combined two resilience-cushioning materials (low and high) and two uppers (minimalist and structured). Kinematic data was acquired by six infrared cameras at 300 Hz, and ground reaction forces were acquired by two force plates at 1,200 Hz. We conducted a Machine Learning analysis to identify features from the complete kinematic and kinetic time series and from 42 discrete variables that had better discriminate the four shoes studied. For that analysis, we built an input data matrix of dimensions 1,080 (10 trials × 4 shoes × 27 subjects) × 1,254 (3 joints × 3 planes of movement × 101 data points + 3 vectors forces × 101 data points + 42 discrete calculated kinetic and kinematic features). The applied feature selection by information gain and artificial neural networks successfully differentiated the two resilience materials using 200(16%) biomechanical variables with an accuracy of 84.8% by detecting alterations of running biomechanics, and the two upper structures with an accuracy of 93.9%. The discrimination of midsole resilience resulted in lower accuracy levels than did the discrimination of the shoe uppers. In both cases, the ground reaction forces were among the 25 most relevant features. The resilience of the cushioning material caused significant effects on initial heel impact, while the effects of different uppers were distributed along the stance phase of running. Biomechanical changes due to shoe midsole resilience seemed to be subject-dependent, while those due to upper structure seemed to be subject-independent.

A Wake-Up Call for U.S. Educators: The Third International Mathematics and Science Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cochrane, Douglas

1999-01-01

This issue of "Policy Forum" compares the mathematics and science achievement of students midway through elementary school, midway through lower secondary school, and at the end of upper secondary school. The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), conducted in 1995-96, is the largest international education study ever…

Upper limb robot-assisted therapy in cerebral palsy: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Gilliaux, Maxime; Renders, Anne; Dispa, Delphine; Holvoet, Dominique; Sapin, Julien; Dehez, Bruno; Detrembleur, Christine; Lejeune, Thierry M; Stoquart, Gaëtan

2015-02-01

Several pilot studies have evoked interest in robot-assisted therapy (RAT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). To assess the effectiveness of RAT in children with CP through a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixteen children with CP were randomized into 2 groups. Eight children performed 5 conventional therapy sessions per week over 8 weeks (control group). Eight children completed 3 conventional therapy sessions and 2 robot-assisted sessions per week over 8 weeks (robotic group). For both groups, each therapy session lasted 45 minutes. Throughout each RAT session, the patient attempted to reach several targets consecutively with the REAPlan. The REAPlan is a distal effector robot that allows for displacements of the upper limb in the horizontal plane. A blinded assessment was performed before and after the intervention with respect to the International Classification of Functioning framework: body structure and function (upper limb kinematics, Box and Block test, Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, strength, and spasticity), activities (Abilhand-Kids, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory), and participation (Life Habits). During each RAT session, patients performed 744 movements on average with the REAPlan. Among the variables assessed, the smoothness of movement (P < .01) and manual dexterity assessed by the Box and Block test (P = .04) improved significantly more in the robotic group than in the control group. This single-blind randomized controlled trial provides the first evidence that RAT is effective in children with CP. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of this therapy. © The Author(s) 2014.

Integrated System Test Approaches for the NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cockrell, Charles E., Jr.; Askins, Bruce R.; Bland, Jeffrey; Davis, Stephan; Holladay, Jon B.; Taylor, James L.; Taylor, Terry L.; Robinson, Kimberly F.; Roberts, Ryan E.; Tuma, Margaret

2007-01-01

The Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) is being developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide crew access to the International Space Station (ISS) and, together with the Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle (CaLV), serves as one component of a future launch capability for human exploration of the Moon. During the system requirements definition process and early design cycles, NASA defined and began implementing plans for integrated ground and flight testing necessary to achieve the first human launch of Ares I. The individual Ares I flight hardware elements: the first stage five segment booster (FSB), upper stage, and J-2X upper stage engine, will undergo extensive development, qualification, and certification testing prior to flight. Key integrated system tests include the Main Propulsion Test Article (MPTA), acceptance tests of the integrated upper stage and upper stage engine assembly, a full-scale integrated vehicle dynamic test (IVDT), aerodynamic testing to characterize vehicle performance, and integrated testing of the avionics and software components. The Ares I-X development flight test will provide flight data to validate engineering models for aerodynamic performance, stage separation, structural dynamic performance, and control system functionality. The Ares I-Y flight test will validate ascent performance of the first stage, stage separation functionality, and a highaltitude actuation of the launch abort system (LAS) following separation. The Orion-1 flight test will be conducted as a full, un-crewed, operational flight test through the entire ascent flight profile prior to the first crewed launch.

NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Daniel J.

2008-01-01

By incorporating rigorous engineering practices, innovative manufacturing processes and test techniques, a unique multi-center government/contractor partnership, and a clean-sheet design developed around the primary requirements for the International Space Station (ISS) and Lunar missions, the Upper Stage Element of NASA's Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV), the "Ares I," is a vital part of the Constellation Program's transportation system. Constellation's exploration missions will include Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles required to place crew and cargo in low-Earth orbit (LEO), crew and cargo transportation systems required for human space travel, and transportation systems and scientific equipment required for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Early Ares I configurations will support ISS re-supply missions. A self-supporting cylindrical structure, the Ares I Upper Stage will be approximately 84' long and 18' in diameter. The Upper Stage Element is being designed for increased supportability and increased reliability to meet human-rating requirements imposed by NASA standards. The design also incorporates state-of-the-art materials, hardware, design, and integrated logistics planning, thus facilitating a supportable, reliable, and operable system. With NASA retiring the Space Shuttle fleet in 2010, the success of the Ares I Project is essential to America's continued leadership in space. The first Ares I test flight, called Ares 1-X, is scheduled for 2009. Subsequent test flights will continue thereafter, with the first crewed flight of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), "Orion," planned for no later than 2015. Crew transportation to the ISS will follow within the same decade, and the first Lunar excursion is scheduled for the 2020 timeframe.

NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McArthur, J. Craig

2008-01-01

By incorporating rigorous engineering practices, innovative manufacturing processes and test techniques, a unique multi-center government/contractor partnership, and a clean-sheet design developed around the primary requirements for the International Space Station (ISS) and Lunar missions, the Upper Stage Element of NASA's Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV), the "Ares I," is a vital part of the Constellation Program's transportation system. Constellation's exploration missions will include Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles required to place crew and cargo in low-Earth orbit (LEO), crew and cargo transportation systems required for human space travel, and transportation systems and scientific equipment required for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Early Ares I configurations will support ISS re-supply missions. A self-supporting cylindrical structure, the Ares I Upper Stage will be approximately 84' long and 18' in diameter. The Upper Stage Element is being designed for increased supportability and increased reliability to meet human-rating requirements imposed by NASA standards. The design also incorporates state-of-the-art materials, hardware, design, and integrated logistics planning, thus facilitating a supportable, reliable, and operable system. With NASA retiring the Space Shuttle fleet in 2010, the success of the Ares I Project is essential to America's continued leadership in space. The first Ares I test flight, called Ares I-X, is scheduled for 2009. Subsequent test flights will continue thereafter, with the first crewed flight of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), "Orion," planned for no later than 2015. Crew transportation to the ISS will follow within the same decade, and the first Lunar excursion is scheduled for the 2020 timeframe.

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy or bimanual occupational therapy following injection of Botulinum toxin-A to improve bimanual performance in young children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial methods paper

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Use of Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) for treatment of upper limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy has become routine clinical practice in many paediatric treatment centres worldwide. There is now high-level evidence that upper limb BoNT-A injection, in combination with occupational therapy, improves outcomes in children with cerebral palsy at both the body function/structure and activity level domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Investigation is now required to establish what amount and specific type of occupational therapy will further enhance functional outcomes and prolong the beneficial effects of BoNT-A. Methods/Design A randomised, controlled, evaluator blinded, prospective parallel-group trial. Eligible participants were children aged 18 months to 6 years, diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy and who were able to demonstrate selective motor control of the affected upper limb. Both groups received upper limb injections of BoNT-A. Children were randomised to either the modified constraint-induced movement therapy group (experimental) or bimanual occupational therapy group (control). Outcome assessments were undertaken at pre-injection and 1, 3 and 6 months following injection of BoNT-A. The primary outcome measure was the Assisting Hand Assessment. Secondary outcomes included: the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test; Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory; Canadian Occupational Performance Measure; Goal Attainment Scaling; Pediatric Motor Activity Log; modified Ashworth Scale and; the modified Tardieu Scale. Discussion The aim of this paper is to describe the methodology of a randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (a uni-manual therapy) versus bimanual occupational therapy (a bimanual therapy) on improving bimanual upper limb performance of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy following upper limb injection of BoNT-A. The paper outlines the background to the study, the study hypotheses, outcome measures and trial methodology. It also provides a comprehensive description of the interventions provided. Trial Registration ACTRN12605000002684 PMID:20602795

Dependence of the Tidal Response on the Internal Structure of the Moon: Geodetic Implication to the Partial Melt Layer at the Lower-Most Part of the Lunar Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harada, Y.; Goossens, S. J.; Matsumoto, K.; Yan, J.; Ping, J.; Noda, H.

2012-12-01

Generally, internal energy dissipation associated with tidal deformation and physical libration of a planetary body depends on its internal structure, especially viscosity structure. Here magnitude of the tidal dissipation is mainly represented by the quality factor (Q) and the Love number (k2). These values inevitably depend on its viscosity structure, and thus, give us clues of its thermal state and history. Although dependence of the tidal dissipation on the viscosity structure of the Moon has already been demonstrated by previous research, its parameter study unfortunately has certain limitations. First, it assumes the lunar interior as a uniform sphere. Second, only Q has been calculated. Third, in the past, there are no observational values which correspond to the calculation results. By resolving the above issues, we would be able to put a new constraint on the interior structure on the Moon. That is, it allows us to consider what kind of viscosity structure can explain both Q and k2 with no contradiction. Moreover, such consideration further enables us to tell what should be investigated in the framework of the lunar exploration project in the next generation. Therefore, parameter studies on visco-elastic deformation are performed based on more realistic interior structure, and then, these calculation results are compared with pre-existing values derived from selenodetic observation. Concretely speaking, by employing the density and elasticity structures from seismic inversion, and by defining the viscosity as a free parameter, Q and k2 are calculated for both monthly and annual periods. After that, by comparing these numerical results with the observational values, it is examined whether the viscosity value satisfying Q and k2 at the same time is admissible or not. For the sake of simplification, this study only prepares the viscosity structure in which just the viscosity of the lower-most part of the mantle is changed over several orders of magnitude. The viscosity in this part is probably lower than that in the upper portion because the knowledge of seismology also indicates the presence of a high attenuation zone. On the other hand, the viscosity of the upper portion is regarded to be uniform in here, and fixed to the maximum value of the above parameter range. As a result, it is clarified that the viscosity solution consistent with geodetic observations of both rotation and gravity field exists if the interior structure includes the specific low viscosity zone. There is just one narrow range of allowable viscosity with the observed Q, which can only be explained by this low viscosity zone. This viscosity range determines a numerical k2 which is consistent with the observed values. As a conclusion, the strong seismic attenuation zone inside the lunar interior is probably equivalent to the low viscosity zone. Particularly, it is the remarkable point that the value of the viscosity inferred here is too low considering solid rock whereas it is too high considering complete melt. Therefore, as has formerly been pointed out, the partial melting would occur in this lower-most part like that of the ultra-low velocity zone on the Earth. Moreover, this zone is expected to include the fluid phase with a ratio corresponding to the rheologically critical melt fraction.

Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterways : non-structural measures cost-benefit study

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-05-01

These analyses support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study of navigation in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) and Illinois Waterway (IWW) and address the need to examine the potential of non-structural measures to improve efficiency in th...

Avian orientation: the pulse effect is mediated by the magnetite receptors in the upper beak

PubMed Central

Wiltschko, Wolfgang; Munro, Ursula; Ford, Hugh; Wiltschko, Roswitha

2009-01-01

Migratory silvereyes treated with a strong magnetic pulse shift their headings by approximately 90°, indicating an involvement of magnetite-based receptors in the orientation process. Structures containing superparamagnetic magnetite have been described in the inner skin at the edges of the upper beak of birds, while single-domain magnetite particles are indicated in the nasal cavity. To test which of these structures mediate the pulse effect, we subjected migratory silvereyes, Zosterops l. lateralis, to a strong pulse, and then tested their orientation, while the skin of their upper beak was anaesthetized with a local anaesthetic to temporarily deactivate the magnetite-containing structures there. After the pulse, birds without anaesthesia showed the typical shift, whereas when their beak was anaesthetized, they maintained their original headings. This indicates that the superparamagnetic magnetite-containing structures in the skin of the upper beak are most likely the magnetoreceptors that cause the change in headings observed after pulse treatment. PMID:19324756

ɛ-connectedness, finite approximations, shape theory and coarse graining in hyperspaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alonso-Morón, Manuel; Cuchillo-Ibanez, Eduardo; Luzón, Ana

2008-12-01

We use upper semifinite hyperspaces of compacta to describe ε-connectedness and to compute homology from finite approximations. We find a new connection between ε-connectedness and the so-called Shape Theory. We construct a geodesically complete R-tree, by means of ε-components at different resolutions, whose behavior at infinite captures the topological structure of the space of components of a given compact metric space. We also construct inverse sequences of finite spaces using internal finite approximations of compact metric spaces. These sequences can be converted into inverse sequences of polyhedra and simplicial maps by means of what we call the Alexandroff-McCord correspondence. This correspondence allows us to relate upper semifinite hyperspaces of finite approximation with the Vietoris-Rips complexes of such approximations at different resolutions. Two motivating examples are included in the introduction. We propose this procedure as a different mathematical foundation for problems on data analysis. This process is intrinsically related to the methodology of shape theory. This paper reinforces Robins’s idea of using methods from shape theory to compute homology from finite approximations.

Validation of the SEJOY BP-1307 upper-arm blood pressure monitor for home blood pressure monitoring according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

PubMed

Lei, Lei; Chen, Yi; Chen, Qi; Li, Yan; Wang, Ji-Guang

2017-12-01

The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the automated oscillometric upper-arm blood pressure monitor SEJOY BP-1307 (also called JOYTECH DBP-1307) for home blood pressure monitoring according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension revision 2010. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were sequentially measured in 33 adult Chinese individuals (13 women, 45.1 years of mean age) using a mercury sphygmomanometer (two observers) and the SEJOY BP-1307 device (one supervisor). Ninety-nine pairs of comparisons were obtained from 33 participants for judgments in two parts with three grading phases. The average±SD of the device-observer differences was 0.2±4.1 and -1.7±4.7 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. The SEJOY BP-1307 device achieved the criteria in both part 1 and part 2 of the validation study. The SEJOY upper-arm blood pressure monitor BP-1307 has passed the requirements of the International Protocol revision 2010, and hence can be recommended for home use in adults.

qPCR for second year undergraduates: A short, structured inquiry to illustrate differential gene expression.

PubMed

McCauslin, Christine Seitz; Gunn, Kathryn Elaine; Pirone, Dana; Staiger, Jennifer

2015-01-01

We describe a structured inquiry laboratory exercise that examines transcriptional regulation of the NOS2 gene under conditions that simulate the inflammatory response in macrophages. Using quantitative PCR and the comparative CT method, students are able determine whether transcriptional activation of NOS2 occurs and to what degree. The exercise is aimed at second year undergraduates who possess basic knowledge of gene expression events. It requires only 4-5 hr of dedicated laboratory time and focuses on use of the primary literature, data analysis, and interpretation. Importantly, this exercise provides a mechanism to introduce the concept of differential gene expression and provides a starting point for development of more complex guided or open inquiry projects for students moving into upper level molecular biology, immunology, and biochemistry course work. © 2015 The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Lithospheric Thickness on Venus from Magellan Gravity and Topography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, C. L.

2005-01-01

This final report summarizes work carried out during my PGG funding for the period 3/1/02-2/28/05. Research under this award has focused on the areas described below and is represented in the publications list, invited departmental lectures and presentations at professional meetings. The grant has provided partial support for 1 graduate student, Renee Bulow, and provided 1 month per year of my summer salary. The linking theme of the research performed under this award is the manifestation of the thermal history of terrestrial planetary bodies through the existence and evolution of internally-generated magnetic fields (martian magnetism research, and beginnings of lunar magnetism research), mantle dynamical processes and their resulting surface expression (studies of Venusian coronae task) and the crust and upper mantle structure of a planetary body (lunar seismic structure task). The investigations build upon and extend my previous work supported by the PGG program.

Super Stable Ferroelectrics with High Curie Point.

PubMed

Gao, Zhipeng; Lu, Chengjia; Wang, Yuhang; Yang, Sinuo; Yu, Yuying; He, Hongliang

2016-04-07

Ferroelectric materials are of great importance in the sensing technology due to the piezoelectric properties. Thermal depoling behavior of ferroelectrics determines the upper temperature limit of their application. So far, there is no piezoelectric material working above 800 °C available. Here, we show Nd2Ti2O7 with a perovskite-like layered structure has good resistance to thermal depoling up to 1400 °C. Its stable behavior is because the material has only 180° ferroelectric domains, complex structure change at Curie point (Tc) and their sintering temperature is below their Tc, which avoided the internal stresses produced by the unit cell volume change at Tc. The phase transition at Tc shows a first order behavior which involving the tilting and rotation of the octahedron. The Curie - Weiss temperature is calculated, which might explain why the thermal depoling starts at about 1400 °C.

Super Stable Ferroelectrics with High Curie Point

PubMed Central

Gao, Zhipeng; Lu, Chengjia; Wang, Yuhang; Yang, Sinuo; Yu, Yuying; He, Hongliang

2016-01-01

Ferroelectric materials are of great importance in the sensing technology due to the piezoelectric properties. Thermal depoling behavior of ferroelectrics determines the upper temperature limit of their application. So far, there is no piezoelectric material working above 800 °C available. Here, we show Nd2Ti2O7 with a perovskite-like layered structure has good resistance to thermal depoling up to 1400 °C. Its stable behavior is because the material has only 180° ferroelectric domains, complex structure change at Curie point (Tc) and their sintering temperature is below their Tc, which avoided the internal stresses produced by the unit cell volume change at Tc. The phase transition at Tc shows a first order behavior which involving the tilting and rotation of the octahedron. The Curie – Weiss temperature is calculated, which might explain why the thermal depoling starts at about 1400 °C. PMID:27053338

Haemorrhagic cholecystitis in a newly anticoagulated patient.

PubMed

Kinnear, Ned; Hennessey, Derek Barry; Thomas, Rebecca

2017-04-12

A 74-year-old man undergoing rehabilitation after pneumonia developed right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Five days earlier he had been commenced on apixaban for a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Ultrasound and CT scans revealed an acalculous grossly thickened gallbladder, with high attenuation non-echogenic material both within and surrounding the structure. Active contrast extravasation was seen at the neck. On laparotomy, a perforated internally bleeding gallbladder containing a single calculus was found, with significant free blood within the abdomen. After cholecystectomy, the patient recovered slowly in hospital before nursing home placement. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Internal performance of a nonaxisymmetric nozzle with a rotating upper flap and a center-pivoted lower flap

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wing, David J.; Leavitt, Laurence D.; Re, Richard J.

1993-01-01

An investigation was conducted at wind-off conditions in the static-test facility of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the internal performance characteristics of a single expansion-ramp nozzle with thrust-vectoring capability to 105 degrees. Thrust vectoring was accomplished by the downward rotation of an upper flap with adaptive capability for internal contouring and a corresponding rotation of a center-pivoted lower flap. The static internal performance of configurations with pitch thrust-vector angles of 0 degrees, 60 degrees, and 105 degrees each with two throat areas, was investigated. The nozzle pressure ratio was varied from 1.5 to approximately 8.0 (5.0 for the maximum throat area configurations). Results of this study indicated that the nozzle configuration of the present investigation, when vectored, provided excellent flow-turning capability with relatively high levels of internal performance. In all cases, the thrust vector angle was a function of the nozzle pressure ratio. This result is expected because the flow is bounded by a single expansion surface on both vectored- and unvectored-nozzle geometries.

Structure of the Highly Sheared Tropical Storm Chantal During CAMEX-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heymsfield, G. M.; Halverson, J.; Ritchie, E.; Simpson, Joanne; Molinari, J.; Tian, L.

2004-01-01

NASA's 4th Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-4) focused on Atlantic hurricanes during the 2001 hurricane season and it involved both NASA and NOAA participation. The NASA ER-2 and DC-8 aircraft were instrumented with unique remote sensing instruments to help increase the overall understanding of hurricanes. This paper is concerned about one of the storms studied, Tropical Storm Chantal, that was a weak storm which failed to intense into a hurricane. One of the practical questions of high importance is why some tropical stoins intensify into hurricanes, and others remain weak or die altogether. The magnitude of the difference between the horizontal winds at lower levels and upper altitudes in a tropical storm, i.e., the wind shear, is one important quantity that can affect the intensification of a tropical storm. Strong shear as was present during Tropical Storm Chantal s lifetime and it was detrimental to its intensification. The paper presents an analysis of unique aircraft observations collected from Chantal including an on-board radar, radiometers, dropsondes, and flight level measurements. These measurements have enabled us to examine the internal structure of the winds and thermal structure of Chantal. Most of the previous studies have involved intense hurricanes that overcame the effects of shear and this work has provided new insights into what prevents a weaker storm from intensifying. The storm had extremely intense thunderstorms and rainfall, yet its main circulation was confined to low levels of the atmosphere. Chantal's thermal structure was not configured properly for the storm to intensify. It is most typical that huricanes have a warm core structure where warm temperatures in upper levels of a storm s circulation help intensify surface winds and lower its central pressure. Chantal had two weaker warm layers instead of a well-defined warm core. These layers have been related to the horizontal and vertical winds and precipitation structure and have helped us learn more about why this storm didn't develop.

Three-dimensional seismic refraction tomography of the crustal structure at the ION site on the Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlindwein, Vera; Bönnemann, Christian; Reichert, Christian; Grevemeyer, Ingo; Flueh, Ernst

2003-01-01

We have performed a 3-D seismic refraction tomography of a 48 × 48 km2 area surrounding ODP site 757, which is planned to host an International Ocean Network (ION) permanent seismological observatory, called the Ninetyeast Ridge Observatory (NERO). The study area is located in the southern part of the Ninetyeast Ridge, the trail left by the Kerguelen hotspot on the Indian plate. The GEOMAR Research Centre for Marine Geosciences and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources acquired 18 wide-angle profiles recorded by 23 ocean bottom hydrophones during cruise SO131 of R/V Sonne in spring 1998. We apply a first arrival traveltime tomography technique using regularized inversion to recover the 3-D velocity structure relative to a 1-D background model that was constructed from a priori information and averaged traveltime data. The final velocity model revealed the crustal structure down to approximately 8 km depth. Resolution tests showed that structures with approximately 6 km horizontal extent can reliably be resolved down to that depth. The survey imaged the extrusive layer of the upper crust of the Ninetyeast Ridge, which varies in thickness between 3 and 4 km. A high-velocity anomaly coinciding with a positive magnetic anomaly represents a volcanic centre from which crust in this area is thought to have formed. A pronounced low-velocity anomaly is located underneath a thick sedimentary cover in a bathymetric depression. However, poor ray coverage of the uppermost kilometre of the crust in this area resulted in smearing of the shallow structure to a larger depth. Tests explicitly including the shallow low-velocity layer confirmed the existence of the deeper structure. The heterogeneity of the upper crust as observed by our study will have consequences for the waveforms of earthquake signals to be recorded by the future seismic observatory.

Congenital Median Upper Lip Fistula

PubMed Central

al Aithan, Bandar

2012-01-01

Congenital median upper lip fistula (MULF) is an extremely rare condition resulting from abnormal fusion of embryologic structures. We present a new case of congenital medial upper lip fistula located in the midline of the philtrum of a 6 year old girl. PMID:22953305

The circular Uneged Uul structure (East Gobi Basin, Mongolia) - Geomorphic and structural evidence for meteorite impact into an unconsolidated coarse-clastic target?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmieder, Martin; Seyfried, Hartmut; Gerel, Ochir

2013-03-01

The Uneged Uul structure is a ˜10 km circular, complex, multi-ridged domal feature in the Unegt subbasin of the East Gobi Basin, southeastern Mongolia. As revealed by remote sensing and recent field reconnaissance, the central part of the Uneged Uul structure comprises a complex central peak of outward-radiating curved ridges, composed of stratigraphically uplifted greenschist-facies basement schists, surrounded by an annular moat. The most prominent feature of the structure is a central annular ridge ˜3 km in diameter composed of pebble-boulder conglomerates and gravels of the Upper Jurassic Sharilyn Formation, surrounded by three outer domal ridges composed of Lower Cretaceous conglomeratic sandstones and gypsum clays. Jurassic conglomerates forming the main part of the central annular ridge show effects of severe internal deformation. The original population of pebbles, cobbles and boulders appears moderately displaced and mostly broken but nowhere aligned along shear planes or foliated. Primary sedimentary features, such as cross-lamination or imbrication, have been obliterated. We explain this penetrative brecciation as a result of dissipative shearing caused by a strong and rapid singular event that in magnitude was beyond the range of the common crustal tectonics recorded elsewhere in this region. Disrupted and chaotically distributed conglomeratic sandstone beds in the central annular ridge dip in highly variable directions on a local scale but show an apparent SE-NW trend of bedding plane alignment. Further outside, the tilted and uplifted Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous strata of the domal area are overlain by the flat-lying Upper Cretaceous, which stratigraphically constrains the timing of deformation at the Uneged Uul structure to most likely the Early Cretaceous. Endogenic formation models, such as magmatism and salt, gypsum, or mud diapirism, fail to explain the nature of the Uneged Uul structure. The Uneged Uul structure bears a set of geomorphic and structural features resembling those at some eroded complex impact structures on Earth. Morphologically similar central peaks are observed at the Spider and Matt Wilson impact structures in Australia; the central annular ridge reminds of that at Gosses Bluff in Australia; the outer domal ridges might correspond to ring-like features as known from Tin Bider in Algeria. We, therefore, cautiously propose that an impact may have produced the Uneged Uul feature causing structural uplift (˜1000 m) of basement rocks at its center. So far, no convincing evidence for shock metamorphism could be proven by field work and petrographic analyses. However, it is likely that at the time of the deformation event the unconsolidated conglomerates were highly porous and possibly immersed in groundwater buffering the propagation of sudden stress-reducing deformation. Further studies will be in order to unravel the nature of the Uneged Uul structure, which should be considered a promising possible impact structure.

Trajectory Software With Upper Atmosphere Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barrett, Charles

2012-01-01

The Trajectory Software Applications 6.0 for the Dec Alpha platform has an implementation of the Jacchia-Lineberry Upper Atmosphere Density Model used in the Mission Control Center for International Space Station support. Previous trajectory software required an upper atmosphere to support atmosphere drag calculations in the Mission Control Center. The Functional operation will differ depending on the end-use of the module. In general, the calling routine will use function-calling arguments to specify input to the processor. The atmosphere model will then compute and return atmospheric density at the time of interest.

The Effect of Geographic Location on Circannual Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Plasma Concentrations in Horses in Australia.

PubMed

Secombe, C J; Tan, R H H; Perara, D I; Byrne, D P; Watts, S P; Wearn, J G

2017-09-01

Longitudinal evaluation of plasma endogenous ACTH concentration in clinically normal horses has not been investigated in the Southern Hemisphere. To longitudinally determine monthly upper reference limits for plasma ACTH in 2 disparate Australian geographic locations and to examine whether location affected the circannual rhythm of endogenous ACTH in the 2 groups of horses over a 12-month period. Clinically normal horses <20 years of age from 4 properties (institutional herd and client owned animals) in Perth (n = 40) and Townsville (n = 41) were included in the study. A prospective longitudinal descriptive study to determine the upper reference limit and confidence intervals for plasma ACTH in each geographic location using the ASVCP reference interval (RI) guidelines, for individual months and monthly groupings for 12 consecutive months. Plasma endogenous ACTH concentrations demonstrated a circannual rhythm. The increase in endogenous ACTH was not confined to the autumnal months but was associated with changes in photoperiod. During the quiescent period, plasma ACTH concentrations were lower, ≤43 pg/mL (upper limit of the 90% confidence interval (CI)) in horses from Perth and ≤67 pg/mL (upper limit of the 90% CI) in horses from Townsville, than at the acrophase, ≤94 pg/mL (upper limit of the 90% CI) in horses from Perth, ≤101 pg/mL (upper limit of the 90% CI) in horses from Townsville. Circannual rhythms of endogenous ACTH concentrations vary between geographic locations, this could be due to changes in photoperiod or other unknown factors, and upper reference limits should be determined for specific locations. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Revised upper limb module for spinal muscular atrophy: Development of a new module.

PubMed

Mazzone, Elena S; Mayhew, Anna; Montes, Jacqueline; Ramsey, Danielle; Fanelli, Lavinia; Young, Sally Dunaway; Salazar, Rachel; De Sanctis, Roberto; Pasternak, Amy; Glanzman, Allan; Coratti, Giorgia; Civitello, Matthew; Forcina, Nicola; Gee, Richard; Duong, Tina; Pane, Marika; Scoto, Mariacristina; Pera, Maria Carmela; Messina, Sonia; Tennekoon, Gihan; Day, John W; Darras, Basil T; De Vivo, Darryl C; Finkel, Richard; Muntoni, Francesco; Mercuri, Eugenio

2017-06-01

There is a growing need for a robust clinical measure to assess upper limb motor function in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), as the available scales lack sensitivity at the extremes of the clinical spectrum. We report the development of the Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM), an assessment specifically designed for upper limb function in SMA patients. An international panel with specific neuromuscular expertise performed a thorough review of scales currently available to assess upper limb function in SMA. This review facilitated a revision of the existing upper limb function scales to make a more robust clinical scale. Multiple revisions of the scale included statistical analysis and captured clinically relevant changes to fulfill requirements by regulators and advocacy groups. The resulting RULM scale shows good reliability and validity, making it a suitable tool to assess upper extremity function in the SMA population for multi-center clinical research. Muscle Nerve 55: 869-874, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Race/Ethnicity and Social Capital among Middle- and Upper-Middle-Class Elementary School Families: A Structural Equation Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caldas, Stephen J.; Cornigans, Linda

2015-01-01

This study used structural equation modeling to conduct a first and second order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of a scale developed by McDonald and Moberg (2002) to measure three dimensions of social capital among a diverse group of middle- and upper-middle-class elementary school parents in suburban New York. A structural path model was…

A snapshot of internal waves and hydrodynamic instabilities in the southern Bay of Bengal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lozovatsky, Iossif; Wijesekera, Hemantha; Jarosz, Ewa; Lilover, Madis-Jaak; Pirro, Annunziata; Silver, Zachariah; Centurioni, Luca; Fernando, H. J. S.

2016-08-01

Measurements conducted in the southern Bay of Bengal (BoB) as a part of the ASIRI-EBoB Program portray the characteristics of high-frequency internal waves in the upper pycnocline as well as the velocity structure with episodic events of shear instability. A 20 h time series of CTD, ADCP, and acoustic backscatter profiles down to 150 m as well as temporal CTD measurements in the pycnocline at z = 54 m were taken to the east of Sri Lanka. Internal waves of periods ˜10-40 min were recorded at all depths below a shallow (˜20-30 m) surface mixed layer in the background of an 8 m amplitude internal tide. The absolute values of vertical displacements associated with high-frequency waves followed the Nakagami distribution with a median value of 2.1 m and a 95% quintile 6.5 m. The internal wave amplitudes are normally distributed. The tails of the distribution deviate from normality due to episodic high-amplitude displacements. The sporadic appearance of internal waves with amplitudes exceeding ˜5 m usually coincided with patches of low Richardson numbers, pointing to local shear instability as a possible mechanism of internal-wave-induced turbulence. The probability of shear instability in the summer BoB pycnocline based on an exponential distribution of the inverse Richardson number, however, appears to be relatively low, not exceeding 4% for Ri < 0.25 and about 10% for Ri < 0.36 (K-H billows). The probability of the generation of asymmetric breaking internal waves and Holmboe instabilities is above ˜25%.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I Affects Brain Structure in Prefrontal and Motor Cortex

PubMed Central

Pleger, Burkhard; Draganski, Bogdan; Schwenkreis, Peter; Lenz, Melanie; Nicolas, Volkmar; Maier, Christoph; Tegenthoff, Martin

2014-01-01

The complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare but debilitating pain disorder that mostly occurs after injuries to the upper limb. A number of studies indicated altered brain function in CRPS, whereas possible influences on brain structure remain poorly investigated. We acquired structural magnetic resonance imaging data from CRPS type I patients and applied voxel-by-voxel statistics to compare white and gray matter brain segments of CRPS patients with matched controls. Patients and controls were statistically compared in two different ways: First, we applied a 2-sample ttest to compare whole brain white and gray matter structure between patients and controls. Second, we aimed to assess structural alterations specifically of the primary somatosensory (S1) and motor cortex (M1) contralateral to the CRPS affected side. To this end, MRI scans of patients with left-sided CRPS (and matched controls) were horizontally flipped before preprocessing and region-of-interest-based group comparison. The unpaired ttest of the “non-flipped” data revealed that CRPS patients presented increased gray matter density in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. The same test applied to the “flipped” data showed further increases in gray matter density, not in the S1, but in the M1 contralateral to the CRPS-affected limb which were inversely related to decreased white matter density of the internal capsule within the ipsilateral brain hemisphere. The gray-white matter interaction between motor cortex and internal capsule suggests compensatory mechanisms within the central motor system possibly due to motor dysfunction. Altered gray matter structure in dorsomedial prefrontal cortex may occur in response to emotional processes such as pain-related suffering or elevated analgesic top-down control. PMID:24416397

Seismic crustal structure of the North China Craton and surrounding area: Synthesis and analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, B.; Thybo, H.; Artemieva, I. M.

2017-07-01

We present a new digital model (NCcrust) of the seismic crustal structure of the Neoarchean North China Craton (NCC) and its surrounding Paleozoic-Mesozoic orogenic belts (30°-45°N, 100°-130°E). All available seismic profiles, complemented by receiver function interpretations of crustal thickness, are used to constrain a new comprehensive crustal model NCcrust. The model, presented on a 0.25° × 0.25°grid, includes the Moho depth and the internal structure (thickness and velocity) of the crust specified for four layers (the sedimentary cover, upper, middle, and lower crust) and the Pn velocity in the uppermost mantle. The crust is thin (30-32 km) in the east, while the Moho depth in the western part of the NCC is 38-44 km. The Moho depth of the Sulu-Dabie-Qinling-Qilian orogenic belt ranges from 31 km to 51 km, with a general westward increase in crustal thickness. The sedimentary cover is 2-5 km thick in most of the region, and typical thicknesses of the upper crust, middle crust, and lower crust are 16-24 km, 6-24 km, and 0-6 km, respectively. We document a general trend of westward increase in the thickness of all crustal layers of the crystalline basement and as a consequence, the depth of the Moho. There is no systematic regional pattern in the average crustal Vp velocity and the Pn velocity. We examine correlation between the Moho depth and topography for seven tectonic provinces in the North China Craton and speculate on mechanisms of isostatic compensation.

Upper crustal structure of Alabama from regional magnetic and gravity data: Using geology to interpret geophysics, and vice versa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Steltenpohl, Mark G.; Horton, J. Wright; Hatcher, Robert D.; Zietz, Isidore; Daniels, David L.; Higgins, Michael W.

2013-01-01

Aeromagnetic and gravity data sets obtained for Alabama (United States) have been digitally merged and filtered to enhance upper-crustal anomalies. Beneath the Appalachian Basin in northwestern Alabama, broad deep-crustal anomalies of the continental interior include the Grenville front and New York–Alabama lineament (dextral fault). Toward the east and south, high-angle discordance between the northeast-trending Appalachians and the east-west–trending wedge of overlapping Mesozoic and Cenozoic Gulf Coastal Plain sediments reveals how bedrock geophysical signatures progressively change with deeper burial. High-frequency magnetic anomalies in the Appalachian deformed domain (ADD) correspond to amphibolites and mylonites outlining terranes, while broader, lower-amplitude domains include Paleozoic intrusive bodies and Grenville basement gneiss. Fundamental ADD structures (e.g., the Alexander City, Towaliga, and Goat Rock–Bartletts Ferry faults) can be traced southward beneath the Gulf Coastal Plain to the suture with Gondwanan crust of the Suwannee terrane. Within the ADD, there is clear magnetic distinction between Laurentian crust and the strongly linear, high-frequency magnetic highs of peri-Gondwanan (Carolina-Uchee) arc terranes. The contact (Central Piedmont suture) corresponds to surface exposures of the Bartletts Ferry fault. ADD magnetic and gravity signatures are truncated by the east-west–trending Altamaha magnetic low associated with the Suwannee suture. Arcuate northeast-trending magnetic linears of the Suwannee terrane reflect internal structure and Mesozoic failed-rift trends. Geophysical data can be used to make inferences on surface and subsurface geology and vice versa, which has applicability anywhere that bedrock is exposed or concealed beneath essentially non-magnetic sedimentary cover.

36 CFR 28.12 - Development standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... unless it complies with the following: (a) A single-family home is the only type of development permitted... accessory structures on the property and any extension of the upper floors beyond the developed area on the... and accessory structures on the property and any extension of the upper floors beyond the developed...

The Math Essential Skills Screener--Upper Elementary Version (MESS-U): Studies of Reliability and Validity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erford, Bradley T.; Biddison, Amanda R.

2006-01-01

The Math Essential Skills Screener--Upper Elementary Version (MESS-U) is part of a series of screening tests designed to help identify students ages 9-11 who are at risk for mathematics failure. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, item analysis, decision efficiency, convergent validity and factorial validity of the MESS-U were studied…

NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davusm Daniel J.; McArthur, J. Craig

2008-01-01

By incorporating rigorous engineering practices, innovative manufacturing processes and test techniques, a unique multi-center government/contractor partnership, and a clean-sheet design developed around the primary requirements for the International Space Station (ISS) and Lunar missions, the Upper Stage Element of NASA's Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV), the "Ares I," is a vital part of the Constellation Program's transportation system.

NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper State Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Daniel J.

2008-01-01

By incorporating rigorous engineering practices, innovative manufacturing processes and test techniques, a unique multi-center government/contractor partnership, and a clean-sheet design developed around the primary requirements for the International Space Station (ISS) and Lunar missions, the Upper Stage Element of NASA s Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV), the "Ares I," is a vital part of the Constellation Program s transportation system.

Restrictive and Expansive Policy Learning--Challenges and Strategies for Knowledge Exchange in Upper Secondary Education across the Four Countries of the UK

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hodgson, Ann; Spours, Ken

2016-01-01

This article examines the challenges and possibilities for UK policy learning in relation to upper secondary education (USE) across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (NI) within current national and global policy contexts. Drawing on a range of international literature, the article explores the concepts of "restrictive" and…

"Heavy Fog in the Channel--Continent Cut Off": Reform of Upper-Secondary Education from the Perspective of English Exceptionalism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hodgson, Ann; Spours, Ken

2014-01-01

Recent international studies in upper-secondary education (USE) have highlighted the importance and complexities of this phase as it becomes a more universal experience. Here the authors examine recent trends in USE to provide a context for discussion of the English system, which has been moving from a "linked" to a more…

Innovative Methods in Science Education in Japan--Strategic Methods on Smooth Transition from Upper Secondary School to the University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shinohara, Fumihiko

2006-01-01

This paper presents a brief introduction of the science education in Japan with an overview of the educational contents and standards laid by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It highlights the results of the International Education Association (IEA) on science education in Japan at upper secondary…

Mechanical Properties of the Upper Airway

PubMed Central

Strohl, Kingman P.; Butler, James P.; Malhotra, Atul

2013-01-01

The importance of the upper airway (nose, pharynx, and larynx) in health and in the pathogenesis of sleep apnea, asthma, and other airway diseases, discussed elsewhere in the Comprehensive Physiology series, prompts this review of the biomechanical properties and functional aspects of the upper airway. There is a literature based on anatomic or structural descriptions in static circumstances, albeit studied in limited numbers of individuals in both health and disease. As for dynamic features, the literature is limited to studies of pressure and flow through all or parts of the upper airway and to the effects of muscle activation on such features; however, the links between structure and function through airway size, shape, and compliance remain a topic that is completely open for investigation, particularly through analyses using concepts of fluid and structural mechanics. Throughout are included both historically seminal references, as well as those serving as signposts or updated reviews. This article should be considered a resource for concepts needed for the application of biomechanical models of upper airway physiology, applicable to understanding the pathophysiology of disease and anticipated results of treatment interventions. PMID:23723026

Combined percutaneous and transarterial devascularisation of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma with protection of internal carotid artery: A modification of the technique.

PubMed

Borota, Ljubisa; Mahmoud, Ehab; Nyberg, Christoffer; Ekberg, Tomas

2015-06-01

Juvenile nasal angiofibroma (JNA) is a hypervascularised, benign, but locally aggressive tumour that grows in the posterior, upper part of the nasal cavity and invades surrounding anatomical structures. The treatment of choice is surgical removal, but complete resection of the tumour can be hampered because of profuse perioperative bleeding. Preoperative embolisation of the tumour has been proposed as an effective method for prevention of perioperative bleeding, thereby shortening of the time of the operation. In this report of five cases, we describe successful preoperative devascularisation of the tumour by applying a modified method of direct intratumoural injection of the liquid embolic agent Onyx combined with protection of the internal carotid artery. The control of bleeding during the embolisation and occlusion of the maxillary or sphenopalatine artery was achieved by using a bi-luminal balloon catheter. Such use of the dual-lumen catheter in treatment of JNA has not been reported so far in the medical literature. © The Author(s) 2015.

Combined percutaneous and transarterial devascularisation of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma with protection of internal carotid artery: A modification of the technique

PubMed Central

Mahmoud, Ehab; Nyberg, Christoffer; Ekberg, Tomas

2015-01-01

Juvenile nasal angiofibroma (JNA) is a hypervascularised, benign, but locally aggressive tumour that grows in the posterior, upper part of the nasal cavity and invades surrounding anatomical structures. The treatment of choice is surgical removal, but complete resection of the tumour can be hampered because of profuse perioperative bleeding. Preoperative embolisation of the tumour has been proposed as an effective method for prevention of perioperative bleeding, thereby shortening of the time of the operation. In this report of five cases, we describe successful preoperative devascularisation of the tumour by applying a modified method of direct intratumoural injection of the liquid embolic agent Onyx combined with protection of the internal carotid artery. The control of bleeding during the embolisation and occlusion of the maxillary or sphenopalatine artery was achieved by using a bi-luminal balloon catheter. Such use of the dual-lumen catheter in treatment of JNA has not been reported so far in the medical literature. PMID:25991005

Studies of planetary upper atmospheres through occultations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliot, J. L.

1982-01-01

The structure, composition, dynamics and energy balance of planetary upper atmospheres through interpretation of steller occultation data from Uranus is discussed. The wave-optical problem of modelling strong scintillation for arbitrary turbulent atmospheres is studied, as well as influence of turbulence. It was concluded that quasi-global features of atmospheric structure are accurately determined by numerical inversion. Horizontally inhomogeneous structures are filtered out and have little effect on temperature profiles.

Nuclear reactor I

DOEpatents

Ference, Edward W.; Houtman, John L.; Waldby, Robert N.

1977-01-01

A nuclear reactor, particularly a liquid-metal breeder reactor whose upper internals include provision for channeling the liquid metal flowing from the core-component assemblies to the outlet plenum in vertical paths in direction generally along the direction of the respective assemblies. The metal is channeled by chimneys, each secured to, and extending from, a grid through whose openings the metal emitted by a plurality of core-component assemblies encompassed by the grid flows. To reduce the stresses resulting from structural interaction, or the transmissive of thermal strains due to large temperature differences in the liquid metal emitted from neighboring core-component assemblies, throughout the chimneys and the other components of the upper internals, the grids and the chimneys are supported from the heat plate and the core barrel by support columns (double portal support) which are secured to the head plate at the top and to a member, which supports the grids and is keyed to the core barrel, at the bottom. In addition to being restrained from lateral flow by the chimneys, the liquid metal is also restrained from flowing laterally by a peripheral seal around the top of the core. This seal limits the flow rate of liquid metal, which may be sharply cooled during a scram, to the outlet nozzles. The chimneys and the grids are formed of a highly-refractory, high corrosion-resistant nickel-chromium-iron alloy which can withstand the stresses produced by temperature differences in the liquid metal. The chimneys are supported by pairs of plates, each pair held together by hollow stubs coaxial with, and encircling, the chimneys. The plates and stubs are a welded structure but, in the interest of economy, are composed of stainless steel which is not weld compatible with the refractory metal. The chimneys and stubs are secured together by shells of another nickel-chromium-iron alloy which is weld compatible with, and is welded to, the stubs and has about the same coefficient of expansion as the highly-refractory, high corrosion-resistant alloy.

Supplemental heating of deposition tooling shields

DOEpatents

Ohlhausen, James A.; Peebles, Diane E.; Hunter, John A.; Eckelmeyer, Kenneth H.

2000-01-01

A method of reducing particle generation from the thin coating deposited on the internal surfaces of a deposition chamber which undergoes temperature variation greater than 100.degree. C. comprising maintaining the temperature variation of the internal surfaces low enough during the process cycle to keep thermal expansion stresses between the coating and the surfaces under 500 MPa. For titanium nitride deposited on stainless steel, this means keeping temperature variations under approximately 70.degree. C. in a chamber that may be heated to over 350.degree. C. during a typical processing operation. Preferably, a supplemental heater is mounted behind the upper shield and controlled by a temperature sensitive element which provides feedback control based on the temperature of the upper shield.

Small scale wind tunnel model investigation of hybrid high lift systems combining upper surface blowing with the internally blown flap

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waites, W. L.; Chin, Y. T.

1974-01-01

A small-scale wind tunnel test of a two engine hybrid model with upper surface blowing on a simulated expandable duct internally blown flap was accomplished in a two phase program. The low wing Phase I model utilized 0.126c radius Jacobs/Hurkamp flaps and 0.337c radius Coanda flaps. The high wing Phase II model was utilized for continued studies on the Jacobs/Hurkamp flap. Principal study areas included: basic data both engines operative and with an engine out, control flap utilization, horizontal tail effectiveness, spoiler effectiveness, USB nacelle deflector study and USB/IBF pressure ratio effects.

"Mugging Up" versus "Exposure": International Schools and Social Mobility in Hyderabad, India

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gilbertson, Amanda

2014-01-01

Drawing on 12 months of fieldwork in Hyderabad, India, this paper describes the emergence of "international" schools that are only accessible to upper-middle class and elite families and provide forms of cultural capital increasingly important for middle-class employment--"communication skills", "open-mindedness" and…

Gendered Patterns in International Research Collaborations in Academia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uhly, K. M.; Visser, L. M.; Zippel, K. S.

2017-01-01

Although women's representation in higher education nears parity with men at the undergraduate level, this representation diminishes as one ascends the academic ranks. Because gender gaps in the "elite" activity of international research collaborations might contribute to the underrepresentation of women in the upper ranks, we ask if…

Expedition 19 Docks to ISS

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-27

View from the balcony of the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia moments before the Soyuz TMA-14 docks to the International Space Station on Saturday, March 28, 2009. A view of the International Space Station from Soyuz onboard cameras is visible in the upper right display. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 19 Docks to ISS

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-27

View from the balcony of the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia moments before the Soyuz TMA-14 docks to the International Space Station on Saturday, March 28, 2009. A view of the International Space Station from Soyuz onboard cameras is visible in the upper display. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Study of internal gravity waves in the meteor zone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gavrilov, N. M.

1987-01-01

An important component of the dynamical regime of the atmosphere at heights near 100 km are internal gravity waves (IGW) with periods from about 5 min to about 17.5 hrs which propagate from the lower atmospheric layers and are generated in the uppermost region of the atmosphere. As IGW propagate upwards, their amplitudes increase and they have a considerable effect on upper atmospheric processes: (1) they provide heat flux divergences comparable with solar heating; (2) they influence the gaseous composition and produce wave variations of the concentrations of gaseous components and emissions of the upper atmosphere; and (3) they cause considerable acceleration of the mean stream. It was concluded that the periods, wavelengths, amplitudes and velocities of IGW propagation in the meteor zone are now measured quite reliably. However, for estimating the influence of IGW on the thermal regime and the circulation of the upper atmosphere these parameters are not as important as the values of wave fluxes of energy, heat, moment and mass.

Climate limits across space and time on European forest structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno, A. L. S.; Neumann, M.; Hasenauer, H.

2017-12-01

The impact climate has on forests has been extensively studied. However, the large scale effect climate has on forest structures, such as average diameters, heights and basal area are understudied in a spatially explicit manner. The limits, tipping points and thresholds that climate places on forest structures dictate the services a forest may provide, the vulnerability of a forest to mortality and the potential value of the timber there within. The majority of current research either investigates climate impacts on forest pools and fluxes, on a tree physiological scale or on case studies that are used to extrapolate results and potential impacts. A spatially explicit study on how climate affects forest structure over a large region would give valuable information to stakeholders who are more concerned with ecosystem services that cannot be described by pools and fluxes but require spatially explicit information - such as biodiversity, habitat suitability, and market values. In this study, we quantified the limits that climate (maximum, minimum temperature and precipitation) places on 3 forest structures, diameter at breast height, height, and basal area throughout Europe. Our results show clear climatic zones of high and low upper limits for each forest structure variable studied. We also spatially analyzed how climate restricts the potential bio-physical upper limits and creates tipping points of each forest structure variable and which climate factors are most limiting. Further, we demonstrated how the climate change has affected 8 individual forests across Europe and then the continent as a whole. We find that diameter, height and basal area are limited by climate in different ways and that areas may have high upper limits in one structure and low upper limits in another limitted by different climate variables. We also found that even though individual forests may have increased their potential upper limit forest structure values, European forests as a whole have lost, on average, 5.0%, 1.7% and 6.5% in potential mean forest diameter, height and basal area, respectively.

Robot-assisted upper extremity rehabilitation for cervical spinal cord injuries: a systematic scoping review.

PubMed

Singh, Hardeep; Unger, Janelle; Zariffa, José; Pakosh, Maureen; Jaglal, Susan; Craven, B Catharine; Musselman, Kristin E

2018-01-15

Abstact Purpose: To provide an overview of the feasibility and outcomes of robotic-assisted upper extremity training for individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), and to identify gaps in current research and articulate future research directions. A systematic search was conducted using Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CCTR, CDSR, CINAHL and PubMed on June 7, 2017. Search terms included 3 themes: (1) robotics; (2) SCI; (3) upper extremity. Studies using robots for upper extremity rehabilitation among individuals with cervical SCI were included. Identified articles were independently reviewed by two researchers and compared to pre-specified criteria. Disagreements regarding article inclusion were resolved through discussion. The modified Downs and Black checklist was used to assess article quality. Participant characteristics, study and intervention details, training outcomes, robot features, study limitations and recommendations for future studies were abstracted from included articles. Twelve articles (one randomized clinical trial, six case series, five case studies) met the inclusion criteria. Five robots were exoskeletons and three were end-effectors. Sample sizes ranged from 1 to 17 subjects. Articles had variable quality, with quality scores ranging from 8 to 20. Studies had a low internal validity primarily from lack of blinding or a control group. Individuals with mild-moderate impairments showed the greatest improvements on body structure/function and performance-level measures. This review is limited by the small number of articles, low-sample sizes and the diversity of devices and their associated training protocols, and outcome measures. Preliminary evidence suggests robot-assisted interventions are safe, feasible and can reduce active assistance provided by therapists. Implications for rehabilitation Robot-assisted upper extremity training for individuals with cervical spinal cord injury is safe, feasible and can reduce hands-on assistance provided by therapists. Future research in robotics rehabilitation with individuals with spinal cord injury is needed to determine the optimal device and training protocol as well as effectiveness.

An Adaptive Security Construct: Insurgency in Sudan

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-01

and “External Actors” existing as both foundational and supporting relatives. The “ Legs ” between cornerpoints, in addition to defining the tactical...directly. In a simplified mirror-image, the same progression of legs underlies each side’s connection with international or non-governmental external...Technologies ( DTI ), March 21, 2007). 45 Ghazal, Lakes, and Warab), and Upper Nile (Junqali, Wahdah, and Upper Nile).94 Allegations of corruption persist

Boeing CST-100 Starliner Processing

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-26

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner Orbital Flight Test vehicle will fly the first test flight to space on an uncrewed mission to the International Space Station. Here you see the spacecraft’s upper dome undergoing the final preparations before the upper and lower dome are mated for a pressure test, and then the two domes will move on to be populated with avionics, life support and other critical hardware.

What Preconceptions and Attitudes about Engineering Are Prevalent Amongst Upper Secondary School Pupils? An International Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koycu, Ümit; de Vries, Marc J.

2016-01-01

In the Netherlands, as well as in many other countries, there is an increasing interest in implementing education about engineering as a part of general education at the upper secondary school level. In order to know what pupils at that level think about engineering, a study has been done to investigate their attitude towards and their concept of…

Taking on the Completion Challenge: A Literature Review on Policies to Prevent Dropout and Early School Leaving. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 53

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lyche, Cecilia S.

2010-01-01

This paper reviews international research in the field of dropout from upper secondary education and training in OECD countries in order to present possible solutions to policymakers faced with the completion challenge. The paper begins by presenting existing definitions of dropout and upper secondary completion and states that dropout must be…

A School for All or a School for the Labour Market? Analyzing the Goal Formulation of the 1991 Swedish Upper Secondary Education Reform

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erikson, Josefina

2017-01-01

The 1991, Swedish upper secondary school reform presents internationally an unusual case of the far-reaching integration of academic and vocational programmes. It has often been claimed that late tracking, such as characterizes this reform, helps to reduce inequalities between different social classes. This article addresses the question of how…

Miocene tectonics of the Western Alboran domain: from mantle extensional exhumation to westward thrusting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gueydan, F.; Frasca, G.; Brun, J. P.

2015-12-01

In the frame of the Africa-Europe convergence, the Mediterranean tectonic system presents a complex interaction between subduction rollback and upper-plate deformation during the Tertiary. The western Mediterranean is characterized by the exhumation of the largest subcontinental mantle massif worldwide (the Ronda Peridotite) and a narrow arcuate geometryacross the Gibraltar arc within the Betic-Rif belt (the internal part being called the Alboran domain), where the relationship between slab dynamics and surface tectonics is not well understood. New structural and geochronological data are used to argue for 1/ hyperstrechting of the continental lithosphere allowing extensional mantle exhumation to shallow depths, followed by 2/ lower miocene thrusting. Two Lower Miocene E-W-trending strike-slip corridors played a major role in the deformation pattern of the Alboran Domain, in which E-W dextral strike-slip faults, N60°-trending thrusts and N140°-trending normal faults developed simultaneously during dextral strike-slip simple shear. The inferred continuous westward translation of the Alboran Domain is accommodated by a major E-W-trending lateral ramp (strike-slip) and a N60°-trending frontal thrust. At lithosphere-scale, we interpret the observed deformation pattern as the upper-plate expression of a lateral slab tear and of its westward propagation since Lower Miocene. The crustal emplacement of the Ronda Peridotites occurred at the onset of this westward motion.The Miocene tectonics of the western Alboran is therefore marked by the inversion of a continental rift, triggered by shortening of the upper continental plate and accommodated by E-W dextral strike-slip corridors. During thrusting and westward displacement of the Alboran domain with respect to Iberia, the hot upper plate, which involved the previously exhumed sub-continental mantle, underwent fast cooling.

Upper Ocean Evolution Across the Beaufort Sea Marginal Ice Zone from Autonomous Gliders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Craig; Rainville, Luc; Perry, Mary Jane

2016-04-01

The observed reduction of Arctic summertime sea ice extent and expansion of the marginal ice zone (MIZ) have profound impacts on the balance of processes controlling sea ice evolution, including the introduction of several positive feedback mechanisms that may act to accelerate melting. Examples of such feedbacks include increased upper ocean warming though absorption of solar radiation, elevated internal wave energy and mixing that may entrain heat stored in subsurface watermasses (e.g., the relatively warm Pacific Summer (PSW) and Atlantic (AW) waters), and elevated surface wave energy that acts to deform and fracture sea ice. Spatial and temporal variability in ice properties and open water fraction impact these processes. To investigate how upper ocean structure varies with changing ice cover, and how the balance of processes shift as a function of ice fraction and distance from open water, four long-endurance autonomous Seagliders occupied sections that extended from open water, through the marginal ice zone, deep into the pack during summer 2014 in the Beaufort Sea. Sections reveal strong fronts where cold, ice-covered waters meet waters that have been exposed to solar warming, and O(10 km) scale eddies near the ice edge. In the pack, Pacific Summer Water and a deep chlorophyll maximum form distinct layers at roughly 60 m and 80 m, respectively, which become increasingly diffuse as they progress through the MIZ and into open water. The isopynal layer between 1023 and 1024 kgm-3, just above the PSW, consistently thickens near the ice edge, likely due to mixing or energetic vertical exchange associated with strong lateral gradients in this region. This presentation will discuss the upper ocean variability, its relationship to sea ice extent, and evolution over the summer to the start of freeze up.

Upper Ocean Evolution Across the Beaufort Sea Marginal Ice Zone from Autonomous Gliders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, C.; Rainville, L.; Perry, M. J.

2016-02-01

The observed reduction of Arctic summertime sea ice extent and expansion of the marginal ice zone (MIZ) have profound impacts on the balance of processes controlling sea ice evolution, including the introduction of several positive feedback mechanisms that may act to accelerate melting. Examples of such feedbacks include increased upper ocean warming though absorption of solar radiation, elevated internal wave energy and mixing that may entrain heat stored in subsurface watermasses (e.g., the relatively warm Pacific Summer (PSW) and Atlantic (AW) waters), and elevated surface wave energy that acts to deform and fracture sea ice. Spatial and temporal variability in ice properties and open water fraction impact these processes. To investigate how upper ocean structure varies with changing ice cover, and how the balance of processes shift as a function of ice fraction and distance from open water, four long-endurance autonomous Seagliders occupied sections that extended from open water, through the marginal ice zone, deep into the pack during summer 2014 in the Beaufort Sea. Sections reveal strong fronts where cold, ice-covered waters meet waters that have been exposed to solar warming, and O(10 km) scale eddies near the ice edge. In the pack, Pacific Summer Water and a deep chlorophyll maximum form distinct layers at roughly 60 m and 80 m, respectively, which become increasingly diffuse as they progress through the MIZ and into open water. The isopynal layer between 1023 and 1024 kg m-3, just above the PSW, consistently thickens near the ice edge, likely due to mixing or energetic vertical exchange associated with strong lateral gradients in this region. This presentation will discuss the upper ocean variability, its relationship to sea ice extent, and evolution over the summer to the start of freeze up.

Landscape ecology of the Upper Mississippi River System: Lessons learned, challenges and opportunities

USGS Publications Warehouse

DeJager, Nathan R.

2016-03-22

The Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) is a mosaic of river channels, backwater lakes, floodplain forests, and emergent marshes. This complex mosaic supports diverse aquatic and terrestrial plant communities, over 150 fish species; 40 freshwater mussel species; 50 amphibian and reptile species; and over 360 bird species, many of which use the UMRS as a critical migratory route. The river and floodplain are also hotspots for biogeochemical activity as the river-floodplain collects and processes nutrients derived from the UMR basin. These features qualify the UMRS as a Ramsar wetland of international significance.Two centuries of land-use change, including construction for navigation and conversion of large areas to agriculture, has altered the broad-scale structure of the river and changed local environmental conditions in many areas. Such changes have affected rates of nutrient processing and transport, as well as the abundance of various fish, mussel, plant, and bird species. However, the magnitude and spatial scale of these effects are not well quantified, especially in regards to the best methods and locations for restoring various aspects of the river ecosystem.The U.S. Congress declared the navigable portions of the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) a “nationally significant ecosystem and nationally significant commercial navigation system” in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-662) and launched the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program, the first comprehensive program for ecosystem restoration, monitoring, and research on a large river system. This fact sheet focuses on landscape ecological studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to support decision making by the UMRR with respect to ecosystem restoration.

Interpretation of massive sandstones in ephemeral fluvial settings: A case study from the Upper Candelária Sequence (Upper Triassic, Paraná Basin, Brazil)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horn, Bruno Ludovico Dihl; Goldberg, Karin; Schultz, Cesar Leandro

2018-01-01

Ephemeral rivers display a wide range of upper- and lower-flow regime structures due to great flow-velocity changes during the floods. The development of flow structures in these setting is yet to be understood, especially in the formation of thick, massive sandstones. The Upper Triassic of Southern Gondwana was marked by a climate with great seasonal changes, yet there is no description of river systems with seasonal characteristics in Southern Gondwana. This work aims to characterize a ephemeral alluvial system of the Upper Triassic of the Paraná Basin. The characteristics of the deposits are discussed in terms of depositional processes through comparison with similar deposits from literature, flow characteristics and depositional signatures compared to flume experiments. The alluvial system is divided in four facies associations: (1) channels with wanning fill, characterized by low width/thickness ratio, tabular bodies, scour-and-fill structures with upper- and lower-flow regime bedforms; (2) channels with massive fill, characterized by low w/t ratio, sheet-like bodies, scour-and-fill structures with massive sandstones; (3) proximal sheetfloods, characterized by moderate w/t ratio, sheet-like bodies with upper- and lower-flow regime bedforms and (4) distal sheetfloods, characterized by high w/t ratio, sheet-like bodies with lower-flow regime bedforms. Evidence for the seasonal reactivation of the riverine system includes the scarcity of well-developed macroforms and presence of in-channel mudstones, thick intraformational conglomerates, and the occurrence of well- and poorly-preserved vertebrate bones in the same beds. The predominantly massive sandstones indicate deposition from a hyperconcentrated flow during abrupt changes in flow speed, caused by de-confinement or channel avulsion, whereas turbulent portions of the flow formed the upper- and lower-flow regime bedforms after the deposition of the massive layers. The upper portion of the Candelária Sequence records a good example of strongly ephemeral alluvial systems, where the predominance of massive sandstones is a particular characteristic.

Rock-avalanche and ocean-resurge deposits in the late Eocene Chesapeake Bay impact structure: Evidence from the ICDP-USGS Eyreville cores, Virginia, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gohn, G.S.; Powars, D.S.; Dypvik, H.; Edwards, L.E.

2009-01-01

An unusually thick section of sedimentary breccias dominated by target-sediment clasts is a distinctive feature of the late Eocene Chesapeake Bay impact structure. A cored 1766-m-deep section recovered from the central part of this marine-target structure by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)-U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) drilling project contains 678 m of these breccias and associated sediments and an intervening 275-m-thick granite slab. Two sedimentary breccia units consist almost entirely of Cretaceous nonmarine sediments derived from the lower part of the target sediment layer. These sediments are present as coherent clasts and as autoclastic matrix between the clasts. Primary (Cretaceous) sedimentary structures are well preserved in some clasts, and liquefaction and fluidization structures produced at the site of deposition occur in the clasts and matrix. These sedimentary breccias are interpreted as one or more rock avalanches from the upper part of the transient-cavity wall. The little-deformed, unshocked granite slab probably was transported as part of an extremely large slide or avalanche. Water-saturated Cretaceous quartz sand below the slab was transported into the seafloor crater prior to, or concurrently with, the granite slab. Two sedimentary breccia units consist of polymict diamictons that contain cobbles, boulders, and blocks of Cretaceous nonmarine target sediments and less common shocked-rock and melt ejecta in an unsorted, unstratified, muddy, fossiliferous, glauconitic quartz matrix. Much of the matrix material was derived from Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene marine target sediments. These units are interpreted as the deposits of debris flows initiated by the resurge of ocean water into the seafloor crater. Interlayering of avalanche and debris-flow units indicates a partial temporal overlap of the earlier avalanche and later resurge processes. A thin unit of stratified turbidite deposits and overlying laminated fine-grained deposits at the top of the section represents the transition to normal shelf sedimentation. ?? 2009 The Geological Society of America.

Salinity Processes in the Upper Ocean Regional Study (SPURS)

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-09-04

International maritime signal flags are seen on the bridge of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's research vessel Knorr on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, in Woods Hole, Mass. Knorr is scheduled to depart on Sept. 6 to take part in the Salinity Processes in the Upper Ocean Regional Study (SPURS). The NASA-sponsored expedition will sail to the North Atlantic's saltiest spot to get a detailed, 3-D picture of how salt content fluctuates in the ocean's upper layers and how these variations are related to shifts in rainfall patterns around the planet. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Earth Structure, Ice Mass Changes, and the Local Dynamic Geoid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harig, C.; Simons, F. J.

2014-12-01

Spherical Slepian localization functions are a useful method for studying regional mass changes observed by satellite gravimetry. By projecting data onto a sparse basis set, the local field can be estimated more easily than with the full spherical harmonic basis. We have used this method previously to estimate the ice mass change in Greenland from GRACE data, and it can also be applied to other planetary problems such as global magnetic fields. Earth's static geoid, in contrast to the time-variable field, is in large part related to the internal density and rheological structure of the Earth. Past studies have used dynamic geoid kernels to relate this density structure and the internal deformation it induces to the surface geopotential at large scales. These now classical studies of the eighties and nineties were able to estimate the mantle's radial rheological profile, placing constraints on the ratio between upper and lower mantle viscosity. By combining these two methods, spherical Slepian localization and dynamic geoid kernels, we have created local dynamic geoid kernels which are sensitive only to density variations within an area of interest. With these kernels we can estimate the approximate local radial rheological structure that best explains the locally observed geoid on a regional basis. First-order differences of the regional mantle viscosity structure are accessible to this technique. In this contribution we present our latest, as yet unpublished results on the geographical and temporal pattern of ice mass changes in Antarctica over the past decade, and we introduce a new approach to extract regional information about the internal structure of the Earth from the static global gravity field. Both sets of results are linked in terms of the relevant physics, but also in being developed from the marriage of Slepian functions and geoid kernels. We make predictions on the utility of our approach to derive fully three-dimensional rheological Earth models, to be used for corrections for glacio-isostatic adjustment, as necessary for the interpretation of time-variable gravity observations in terms of ice sheet mass-balance studies.

Turbulent convection driven by internal radiative heating of melt ponds on sea ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wells, Andrew; Langton, Tom; Rees Jones, David; Moon, Woosok

2016-11-01

The melting of Arctic sea ice is strongly influenced by heat transfer through melt ponds which form on the ice surface. Melt ponds are internally heated by the absorption of incoming radiation and cooled by surface heat fluxes, resulting in vigorous buoyancy-driven convection in the pond interior. Motivated by this setting, we conduct two-dimensional direct-numerical simulations of the turbulent convective flow of a Boussinesq fluid between two horizontal boundaries, with internal heating predicted from a two-stream radiation model. A linearised thermal boundary condition describes heat exchange with the overlying atmosphere, whilst the lower boundary is isothermal. Vertically asymmetric convective flow modifies the upper surface temperature, and hence controls the partitioning of the incoming heat flux between emission at the upper and lower boundaries. We determine how the downward heat flux into the ice varies with a Rayleigh number based on the internal heating rate, the flux ratio of background surface cooling compared to internal heating, and a Biot number characterising the sensitivity of surface fluxes to surface temperature. Thus we elucidate the physical controls on heat transfer through Arctic melt ponds which determine the fate of sea ice in the summer.

Mental health in adolescence and subsequent receipt of medical benefits in young adulthood: The mediating role of upper secondary school completion.

PubMed

Sagatun, Åse; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Heyerdahl, Sonja; Lien, Lars

2016-06-01

Mental health problems in adolescence are associated with impaired function in young adulthood. Our aim was to assess how a hypothetical reduction in mental health problems in adolescence was related to medical benefits in young adulthood and to examine the mediating role of completion of upper secondary school. We used a population-based sample of more than 10,000 10th-grade adolescents with self-reported data on internalizing and externalizing mental health problems. The sample was linked to the Norwegian national registers of education and medical benefits. The mediation analysis was based on a causal inference framework. During a three-year period in young adulthood, 6.4% of men and 5.9% of women received medical benefits. A two-point hypothetical reduction in externalizing problems was related to a lower probability of receiving medical benefits of 1.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-2.1) percentage points in young men and 1.8 (95% CI 1.3-2.3) percentage points in young women. The proportion mediated by the completion of upper secondary school was 52% (95% CI 36-76) among boys and 42% (95% CI 29-60) among girls. The corresponding reduction in the probability of receiving medical benefits was 1.8 percentage points for internalizing problems in both sexes (95% CI boys 1.2-2.4 and girls 1.4-2.2). The proportion mediated was lower for internalizing problems and was only significant among girls (19%). CONCLUSIONS INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES TARGETING INTERNALIZING AND EXTERNALIZING PROBLEMS IN ADOLESCENTS MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE THE RECEIPT OF MEDICAL BENEFITS IN YOUNG ADULTHOOD THE COMPLETION OF UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL SEEMS TO BE A MECHANISM FOR THIS ASSOCIATION, ESPECIALLY FOR EXTERNALIZING PROBLEMS. © 2016 the Nordic Societies of Public Health.

Sequence stratigraphy, structural style, and age of deformation of the Malaita accretionary prism (Solomon arc-Ontong Java Plateau convergent zone)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phinney, Eric J.; Mann, Paul; Coffin, Millard F.; Shipley, Thomas H.

2004-10-01

Possibilities for the fate of oceanic plateaus at subduction zones range from complete subduction of the plateau beneath the arc to complete plateau-arc accretion and resulting collisional orogenesis. Deep penetration, multi-channel seismic reflection (MCS) data from the northern flank of the Solomon Islands reveal the sequence stratigraphy, structural style, and age of deformation of an accretionary prism formed during late Neogene (5-0 Ma) convergence between the ˜33-km-thick crust of the Ontong Java oceanic plateau and the ˜15-km-thick Solomon island arc. Correlation of MCS data with the satellite-derived, free-air gravity field defines the tectonic boundaries and internal structure of the 800-km-long, 140-km-wide accretionary prism. We name this prism the "Malaita accretionary prism" or "MAP" after Malaita, the largest and best-studied island exposure of the accretionary prism in the Solomon Islands. MCS data, gravity data, and stratigraphic correlations to islands and ODP sites on the Ontong Java Plateau (OJP) reveal that the offshore MAP is composed of folded and thrust faulted sedimentary rocks and upper crystalline crust offscraped from the Solomon the subducting Ontong Java Plateau (Pacific plate) and transferred to the Solomon arc. With the exception of an upper, sequence of Quaternary? island-derived terrigenous sediments, the deformed stratigraphy of the MAP is identical to that of the incoming Ontong Java Plateau in the North Solomon trench. We divide the MAP into four distinct, folded and thrust fault-bounded structural domains interpreted to have formed by diachronous, southeast-to-northwest, and highly oblique entry of the Ontong Java Plateau into a former trench now marked by the Kia-Kaipito-Korigole (KKK) left-lateral strike-slip fault zone along the suture between the Solomon arc and the MAP. The structural style within each of the four structural domains consists of a parallel series of three to four fault propagation folds formed by the seaward propagation of thrust faults roughly parallel to sub-horizontal layering in the upper crystalline part of the OJP. Thrust fault offsets, spacing between thrusts, and the amplitude of related fault propagation folds progressively decrease to the west in the youngest zone of active MAP accretion (Choiseul structural domain). Surficial faulting and folding in the most recently deformed, northwestern domain show active accretion of greater than 1 km of sedimentary rock and 6 km, or about 20%, of the upper crystalline part of the OJP. The eastern MAP (Malaita and Ulawa domains) underwent an earlier, similar style of partial plateau accretion. A pre-late Pliocene age of accretion (˜3.4 Ma) is constrained by an onshore and offshore major angular unconformity separating Pliocene reefal limestone and conglomerate from folded and faulted pelagic limestone of Cretaceous to Miocene age. The lower 80% of the Ontong Java Plateau crust beneath the MAP thrust decollement appears unfaulted and unfolded and is continuous with a southwestward-dipping subducted slab of presumably denser plateau material beneath most of the MAP, and is traceable to depths >200 km in the mantle beneath the Solomon Islands.

Upper Limit of Weights in TAI Computation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Claudine; Azoubib, Jacques

1996-01-01

The international reference time scale International Atomic Time (TAI) computed by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) relies on a weighted average of data from a large number of atomic clocks. In it, the weight attributed to a given clock depends on its long-term stability. In this paper the TAI algorithm is used as the basis for a discussion of how to implement an upper limit of weight for clocks contributing to the ensemble time. This problem is approached through the comparison of two different techniques. In one case, a maximum relative weight is fixed: no individual clock can contribute more than a given fraction to the resulting time scale. The weight of each clock is then adjusted according to the qualities of the whole set of contributing elements. In the other case, a parameter characteristic of frequency stability is chosen: no individual clock can appear more stable than the stated limit. This is equivalent to choosing an absolute limit of weight and attributing this to to the most stable clocks independently of the other elements of the ensemble. The first technique is more robust than the second and automatically optimizes the stability of the resulting time scale, but leads to a more complicated computatio. The second technique has been used in the TAI algorithm since the very beginning. Careful analysis of tests on real clock data shows that improvement of the stability of the time scale requires revision from time to time of the fixed value chosen for the upper limit of absolute weight. In particular, we present results which confirm the decision of the CCDS Working Group on TAI to increase the absolute upper limit by a factor of 2.5. We also show that the use of an upper relative contribution further helps to improve the stability and may be a useful step towards better use of the massive ensemble of HP 507IA clocks now contributing to TAI.

Palliative Surgery in Treating Painful Metastases of the Upper Cervical Spine

PubMed Central

Wu, Xinghuo; Ye, Zhewei; Pu, Feifei; Chen, Songfeng; Wang, Baichuan; Zhang, Zhicai; Yang, Cao; Yang, Shuhua; Shao, Zengwu

2016-01-01

Abstract Increased incidence of upper cervical metastases and higher life expectancy resulted in higher operative rates in patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the methods and the clinical outcomes of palliative surgery for cervical spinal metastases. A systematic review of a 15-case series of upper cervical metastases treated with palliative surgery was performed. All cases underwent palliative surgery, including anterior tumor resection and internal fixation in 3 cases, posterior tumor resection and internal fixation in 10 cases, and combined anterior and posterior tumor resection and internal fixation in 2 cases. Patients were followed-up clinically and radiologically after the operation, and visual analog scale (VAS) and activities of daily living scores were calculated. In addition, a literature review was performed and patients with upper cervical spine metastases were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 12.5 months (range, 3–26 months) in this consecutive case series. The pain was substantially relieved in 93.3% (14/15) of the patients after the operation. The VAS and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores showed improved clinical outcomes, from 7.86 ± 1.72 and 11.13 ± 2.19 preoperatively to 2.13 ± 1.40 and 14.26 ± 3.03 postoperatively, respectively. The mean survival time was 9.5 months (range, 5–26 months). Dural tear occurred in 1 patient. Wound infections, instrumentation failure, and postoperative death were not observed. Among our cases and other cases reported in the literature, 72% of the patients were treated with simple anterior or posterior operation, and only 12% of the patients (3/25) underwent complex combined anterior and posterior operation. Metastatic upper cervical spine disease is not a rare occurrence. Balancing the perspective of patients on palliative surgery concerning the clinical benefits of operation versus its operative risks can assist the decision for surgery. PMID:27149472

The relationship between consistency of propulsive cycles and maximum angular velocity during wheelchair racing.

PubMed

Wang, Yong Tai; Vrongistinos, Konstantinos Dino; Xu, Dali

2008-08-01

The purposes of this study were to examine the consistency of wheelchair athletes' upper-limb kinematics in consecutive propulsive cycles and to investigate the relationship between the maximum angular velocities of the upper arm and forearm and the consistency of the upper-limb kinematical pattern. Eleven elite international wheelchair racers propelled their own chairs on a roller while performing maximum speeds during wheelchair propulsion. A Qualisys motion analysis system was used to film the wheelchair propulsive cycles. Six reflective markers placed on the right shoulder, elbow, wrist joints, metacarpal, wheel axis, and wheel were automatically digitized. The deviations in cycle time, upper-arm and forearm angles, and angular velocities among these propulsive cycles were analyzed. The results demonstrated that in the consecutive cycles of wheelchair propulsion the increased maximum angular velocity may lead to increased variability in the upper-limb angular kinematics. It is speculated that this increased variability may be important for the distribution of load on different upper-extremity muscles to avoid the fatigue during wheelchair racing.

Genetic diversity and population structure of sickleweed (Falcaria vulgaris; Apiaceae) in the upper Midwest USA

Treesearch

Sarbottam Piya; Madhav P. Nepal; Jack L. Butler; Gary E. Larson; Achal Neupane

2014-01-01

Sickleweed (Falcaria vulgaris), an introduced species native to Europe and Asia, grows as an aggressive weed in some areas of the upper Midwest in the United States. We are reporting genetic diversity and population structure of sickleweed populations using microsatellite markers and nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences. Populations showed high genetic differentiation...

Evolutionary optimization of material properties of a tropical seed

PubMed Central

Lucas, Peter W.; Gaskins, John T.; Lowrey, Timothy K.; Harrison, Mark E.; Morrogh-Bernard, Helen C.; Cheyne, Susan M.; Begley, Matthew R.

2012-01-01

Here, we show how the mechanical properties of a thick-shelled tropical seed are adapted to permit them to germinate while preventing their predation. The seed has evolved a complex heterogeneous microstructure resulting in hardness, stiffness and fracture toughness values that place the structure at the intersection of these competing selective constraints. Analyses of different damage mechanisms inflicted by beetles, squirrels and orangutans illustrate that cellular shapes and orientations ensure damage resistance to predation forces imposed across a broad range of length scales. This resistance is shown to be around the upper limit that allows cracking the shell via internal turgor pressure (i.e. germination). Thus, the seed appears to strike an exquisitely delicate adaptive balance between multiple selection pressures. PMID:21613287

Perturbations in the upper layers of α Centauri A

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brito, A.; Lopes, I.

2016-01-01

The emerging field of asteroseismology allows the direct study of stellar interiors with an incredibly high precision. We used a seismic parameter based on the phase shift as a diagnostic tool to infer the presence of a new layer of rapid variation in the external layers of the primary component of the stellar system Alpha Centauri AB. This layer is, apparently, a thin region where the acoustic modes suffer a strong scattering. Our tests indicate that this layer should be located at an acoustical depth of approximately 1400 s (0.939 R), which corresponds to a depth of 6% below the surface of the star. This is somehow unexpected since the internal structure of this sun-like star is predicted to be similar to the Sun.

Detachment experiments in new DIII-D upper divertor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moser, A. L.; Leonard, A. W.; Groebner, R. J.; Guo, H.; Wang, H.; Watkins, J. G.; McLean, A. G.; Fenstermacher, M. E.; Shafer, M. W.; Briesemeister, A. R.; Hinson, E. T.

2017-10-01

Installation of the Small Angle Slot (SAS) in the upper divertor of DIII-D enables new studies of the effect of target and baffle geometry on divertor detachment. This structure provides a more-closed upper divertor as well as the SAS divertor itself. Initial SAS experiment results indicate that divertor detachment occurs at a lower line-averaged density than in the more-open, lower single null divertor configurations on DIII-D. In contrast, the increased divertor closure of the new installation did not reduce the upstream density required for detachment beyond that achieved with the previous upper divertor structure. Particle pumping in the upper divertor structure is found to produce a 10 % reduction in the pedestal density required for detachment compared to the case with no pumping. Comparisons focus on both the onset of detachment (measured by in-target Langmuir probes) as a function of upstream density, as well as the effect of the new divertor configurations on pedestal density profiles. Work supported by US DOE under DE-FC02-04ER54698, DE-AC05-00OR22725, DE-AC04-94AL85000, DE-AC52-07NA27344, and DE-SC00013911.

Superposed folding in the Neogene series of the northeastern Tunisia: precision of the upper Miocene compression and geodynamic significance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramzi, Azizi; Lassaad, Chihi

2017-09-01

New field observations carried out in northeastern Tunisia (Kechabta Neogene basin) allowed us to clarify and pinpoint the chronology of the folding phases which had been the subject of contradictions in previous studies. To better understand the folding in the study area, a set of structural, lithostratigraphic and cartographic arguments are given in order to confirm the Atlassic folding phase (upper Tortonian) affecting rheologically weak and incompetent materials of the Neogene layers. In the Kechabta Neogene basin, the upper Tortonian folding is materialized by an unconformity between the Kechabta (Tortonian) and the Oued Bel Khedim (Messinian) formations. The highlight of this event allows us to identify the current fold structure of the study area as a superposition of two major folding episodes: The first one occurred during the upper Tortonian, and the second in the Early Quaternary (post-Villafranchian). The chronological consistency of the upper Tortonian folding in the Kechabta basin with the rest of the Tunisian chains allows for a better understanding of the collision context (Miocene to the Quaternary) which dominated the western Mediterranean Sea and steered the structural evolution of Tunisia.

Internal Gravity Waves in the Magnetized Solar Atmosphere. I. Magnetic Field Effects

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

Vigeesh, G.; Steiner, O.; Jackiewicz, J., E-mail: vigeesh@leibniz-kis.de

Observations of the solar atmosphere show that internal gravity waves are generated by overshooting convection, but are suppressed at locations of magnetic flux, which is thought to be the result of mode conversion into magnetoacoustic waves. Here, we present a study of the acoustic-gravity wave spectrum emerging from a realistic, self-consistent simulation of solar (magneto)convection. A magnetic field free, hydrodynamic simulation and a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation with an initial, vertical, homogeneous field of 50 G flux density were carried out and compared with each other to highlight the effect of magnetic fields on the internal gravity wave propagation in themore » Sun’s atmosphere. We find that the internal gravity waves are absent or partially reflected back into the lower layers in the presence of magnetic fields and argue that the suppression is due to the coupling of internal gravity waves to slow magnetoacoustic waves still within the high- β region of the upper photosphere. The conversion to Alfvén waves is highly unlikely in our model because there is no strongly inclined magnetic field present. We argue that the suppression of internal waves observed within magnetic flux concentrations may also be due to nonlinear breaking of internal waves due to vortex flows that are ubiquitously present in the upper photosphere and the chromosphere.« less

The SR-71 Test Bed Aircraft: A Facility for High-Speed Flight Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corda, Stephen; Moes, Timothy R.; Mizukami, Masashi; Hass, Neal E.; Jones, Daniel; Monaghan, Richard C.; Ray, Ronald J.; Jarvis, Michele L.; Palumbo, Nathan

2000-01-01

The SR-71 test bed aircraft is shown to be a unique platform to flight-test large experiments to supersonic Mach numbers. The test bed hardware mounted on the SR-71 upper fuselage is described. This test bed hardware is composed of a fairing structure called the "canoe" and a large "reflection plane" flat plate for mounting experiments. Total experiment weights, including the canoe and reflection plane, as heavy as 14,500 lb can be mounted on the aircraft and flight-tested to speeds as fast as Mach 3.2 and altitudes as high as 80,000 ft. A brief description of the SR-71 aircraft is given, including details of the structural modifications to the fuselage, modifications to the J58 engines to provide increased thrust, and the addition of a research instrumentation system. Information is presented based on flight data that describes the SR-71 test bed aerodynamics, stability and control, structural and thermal loads, the canoe internal environment, and reflection plane flow quality. Guidelines for designing SR-71 test bed experiments are also provided.

Reliability of the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test for Children with Cerebral Palsy Aged 2 to 12 Years

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thorley, Megan; Lannin, Natasha; Cusick, Anne; Novak, Iona; Boyd, Roslyn

2012-01-01

Aim: To investigate reliability of the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) scores for children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 2-12 years. Method: Thirty-one QUESTs from 24 children with CP were rated once by two raters and twice by one rater. Internal consistency of total scores, inter- and intra-rater reliability findings for total,…

76 FR 68097 - Certifications and Exemptions Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-03

... functions. List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706 Marine safety, Navigation (water), and Vessels. Accordingly... out of alignment alignment with the the upper and middle upper and middle task task light in meters light in meters by: by: USV 11MUCO601 0.85 11MUCO602 0.85 11MUCO603 0.85 11MUCO604 0.85 USS FORT WORTH...

Reliability and validity of the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test.

PubMed

Lee, Dong-Rour; Kim, Laurentius Jongsoon

2015-04-01

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability (CKCUES) test. [Subjects and Methods] A sample of 40 subjects (20 males, 20 females) with and without pain in the upper limbs was recruited. The subjects were tested twice, three days apart to assess the reliability of the CKCUES test. The CKCUES test was performed four times, and the average was calculated using the data of the last 3 tests. In order to test the validity of the CKCUES test, peak torque of internal/external shoulder rotation was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, and maximum grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer, and their Pearson correlation coefficients with the average values of the CKCUES test were calculated. [Results] The reliability of the CKCUES test was very high (ICC=0.97). The correlations between the CKCUES test and maximum grip strength (r=0.78-0.79), and the peak torque of internal/external shoulder rotation (r=0.87-0.94) were high indicating its validity. [Conclusion] The reliability and validity of the CKCUES test were high. The CKCUES test is expected to be used for clinical tests on upper limb stability at low price.

Reliability of the Melbourne assessment of unilateral upper limb function.

PubMed

Randall, M; Carlin, J B; Chondros, P; Reddihough, D

2001-11-01

This study examines the reliability of the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function: a quantitative test of quality of movement in children with neurological impairment. The assessment was administered to 20 children aged from 5 to 16 years (mean age 9 years 10 months, SD 2 years 10 months) who had various types and degrees of cerebral palsy (CP). The performances of the 20 children during assessment were videotaped for subsequent scoring by 15 occupational therapists. Scores were analyzed for internal consistency of test items, inter- and intrarater reliability of scorings of the same videotapes, and test-retest reliability using repeat videotaping. Results revealed very high internal consistency of test items (alpha=0.96), moderate to high agreement both within and between raters for all test items (intraclass correlations of at least 0.7) apart from item 16 (hand to mouth and down), and high interrater reliability (0.95) and intrarater reliability (0.97) for total test scores. Test-retest results revealed moderate to high intrarater reliability for item totals (mean of 0.83 and 0.79) for each rater and high reliability for test totals (0.98 and 0.97). These findings indicate that the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function is a reliable tool for measuring the quality of unilateral upper-limb movement in children with CP.

Structures within the oceanic crust of the central South China Sea basin and their implications for oceanic accretionary processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Weiwei; Sun, Zhen; Dadd, Kelsie; Fang, Yinxia; Li, Jiabiao

2018-04-01

Internal structures in mature oceanic crust can elucidate understanding of the processes and mechanism of crustal accretion. In this study, we present two multi-channel seismic (MCS) transects across the northern flank of the South China Sea basin to reveal the internal structures related to Cenozoic tectono-magmatic processes during seafloor spreading. Bright reflectors within the oceanic crust, including the Moho, upper crustal reflectors, and lower crustal reflectors, are clearly imaged in these two transects. The Moho reflection displays varied character in continuity, shape and amplitude from the continental slope area to the abyssal basin, and becomes absent in the central part of the basin where abundant seamounts and seamount chains formed after the cessation of seafloor spreading. Dipping reflectors are distinct in most parts of the MCS data but generally confined to the lower crust above the Moho reflection. These lower crustal reflectors merge downward into the Moho without offsetting it, probably arising from shear zones between the crust and mantle characterized by interstitial melt, although we cannot exclude other possibilities such as brittle faulting or magmatic layering in the local area. A notable feature of these lower crustal reflector events is their opposite inclinations. We suggest the two groups of conjugate lower crustal reflector events observed between magnetic anomalies C11 and C8 were associated with two unusual accretionary processes arising from plate reorganizations with southward ridge jumps.

Online Farsi digit recognition using their upper half structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghods, Vahid; Sohrabi, Mohammad Karim

2015-03-01

In this paper, we investigated the efficiency of upper half Farsi numerical digit structure. In other words, half of data (upper half of the digit shapes) was exploited for the recognition of Farsi numerical digits. This method can be used for both offline and online recognition. Half of data is more effective in speed process, data transfer and in this application accuracy. Hidden Markov model (HMM) was used to classify online Farsi digits. Evaluation was performed by TMU dataset. This dataset contains more than 1200 samples of online handwritten Farsi digits. The proposed method yielded more accuracy in recognition rate.

Kinematic measures for upper limb robot-assisted therapy following stroke and correlations with clinical outcome measures: A review.

PubMed

Tran, Vi Do; Dario, Paolo; Mazzoleni, Stefano

2018-03-01

This review classifies the kinematic measures used to evaluate post-stroke motor impairment following upper limb robot-assisted rehabilitation and investigates their correlations with clinical outcome measures. An online literature search was carried out in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus and IEEE-Xplore databases. Kinematic parameters mentioned in the studies included were categorized into the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains. The correlations between these parameters and the clinical scales were summarized. Forty-nine kinematic parameters were identified from 67 articles involving 1750 patients. The most frequently used parameters were: movement speed, movement accuracy, peak speed, number of speed peaks, and movement distance and duration. According to the ICF domains, 44 kinematic parameters were categorized into Body Functions and Structure, 5 into Activities and no parameters were categorized into Participation and Personal and Environmental Factors. Thirteen articles investigated the correlations between kinematic parameters and clinical outcome measures. Some kinematic measures showed a significant correlation coefficient with clinical scores, but most were weak or moderate. The proposed classification of kinematic measures into ICF domains and their correlations with clinical scales could contribute to identifying the most relevant ones for an integrated assessment of upper limb robot-assisted rehabilitation treatments following stroke. Increasing the assessment frequency by means of kinematic parameters could optimize clinical assessment procedures and enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatments. Copyright © 2018 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Do Activity Level Outcome Measures Commonly Used in Neurological Practice Assess Upper-Limb Movement Quality?

PubMed

Demers, Marika; Levin, Mindy F

2017-07-01

Movement is described in terms of task-related end point characteristics in external space and movement quality (joint rotations in body space). Assessment of upper-limb (UL) movement quality can assist therapists in designing effective treatment approaches for retraining lost motor elements and provide more detailed measurements of UL motor improvements over time. To determine the extent to which current activity level outcome measures used in neurological practice assess UL movement quality. Outcome measures assessing arm/hand function at the International Classification of Function activity level recommended by neurological clinical practice guidelines were reviewed. Measures assessing the UL as part of a general mobility assessment, those strictly evaluating body function/structure or participation, and paediatric measures were excluded. In all, 15 activity level outcome measures were identified; 9 measures assess how movement is performed by measuring either end point characteristics or movement quality. However, except for the Reaching Performance Scale for Stroke and the Motor Evaluation Scale for Upper Extremity in Stroke Patients, these measures only account for deficits indirectly by giving a partial score if movements are slower or if the person experiences difficulties. Six outcome measures neither assess any parameters related to movement quality, nor distinguish between improvements resulting from motor compensation or recovery of desired movement strategies. Current activity measures may not distinguish recovery from compensation and adequately track changes in movement quality over time. Movement quality may be incorporated into clinical assessment using observational kinematics with or without low-cost motion tracking technology.

Upper limb injury in rugby union football: results of a cohort study.

PubMed

Usman, Juliana; McIntosh, Andrew Stuart

2013-04-01

There have been few in-depth studies of upper limb injury epidemiology in rugby union football, despite reports that they accounted for between 14% and 28% of all rugby injuries. To report on upper limb injury incidence, injury severity and to identify the risk factors associated with upper limb injuries, for example, level of play, season (years) and playing position. Prospective cohort study across five rugby seasons from 2004 to 2008. Formal rugby competitions-suburban, provincial and international. 1475 adult male rugby players in Colts, Grade and Elite competitions. An upper limb injury resulting in a missed game and its characteristics. A total of 61 598 athletic exposures (AE) and 606 upper limb injuries were recorded. About 66% of the injuries were to the shoulder. The overall upper limb injury incidence rate (IIR) was 9.84 injuries/1000 AE (95% CI 9.06 to 10.62). Statistically significant associations were found between upper limb injuries and level of play; and between shoulder injuries and playing position (p<0.05). No association was found between upper limb and shoulder injuries and study year. The overall upper limb IIR decreased as the level of play increased; 10.74 upper limb injuries/1000 AE (95% CI 9.93 to 11.56) in Colts to 6.07 upper limb injuries/1000 AE (95% CI 5.46 to 6.69) in Elite. The upper limb IIR decreased as the level of play increased indicating that age, level of skill and playing experience may be risk factors for upper limb injury.

Indian Control of Indian Education: The Path of the Upper Nicola Band.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Charters-Voght, Opal

1991-01-01

Describes a structured-experiences workshop in which members of the Upper Nicola Band (Okanagan) defined Indian control of Indian education for their own community, and formulated their educational philosophy, goals, and action plans. Provides background on Canadian federal educational policies and the history of education for the Upper Nicola.…

The underlying structure of skin wrinkles: a hyperspectral approach to crows feet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puccetti, G.

2017-02-01

Skin wrinkles are visually perceived by consumers but they are also known to possess an underlying structure not apparent at the surface of the skin. This underlying structure can be brought out by polarized hyperspectral imaging. Wrinkle patterns of eye crow's feet are used as example to show a deeper existing pattern and their characterization versus age on a group of volunteers. The skin inhomogeneity changes within each layer of the skin and can be observed in the shorter wavelength region of the spectrum, about 450nm to 500nm which are well suited to image skin surface inhomogeneities within the central and deep epidermis. Imaging in the 550nm range can serve as a larger scale topology reference because of its deeper penetration into the upper dermis. This serves to bring out the underlying wrinkle pattern as imprinted by collagen anisotropies around deep folds but unapparent to the eye yet. The approach has potential applications in evaluating the internal skin patterns non visible to the eye by mapping their spectral dispersion. This method has thus potentials to evaluate the extent of subsurface structures such as acne and other scars and thereby the efficacy of treatments.

Ultrasonic Surface Measurements for the investigation of superficial alteration of natural stones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meier, Thomas; Auras, Michael; Bilgili, Filiz; Christen, Sandra; Cristiano, Luigia; Krompholz, Rolf; Mosca, Ilaria; Rose, David

2013-04-01

Seismic waveform analysis is applicable also to the centimeter and decimeter scale for non-destructive testing of pavement, facades, plaster, sculptures, or load-bearing structures like pillars. Mostly transmission measurements are performed and travel-times of first arriving P-waves are considered that have limited resolution for the upper centimeters of an object. In contrast, surface measurements are well suited to quantify superficial alterations of material properties e.g. due to weathering. A number of surface measurements have been carried out in the laboratory as well as on real structures in order to study systematically the information content of ultrasonic waveforms and their variability under real conditions. As a preposition for ultrasonic waveform analysis, reproducible, broad-band measurements have to be carried out with a definite radiation pattern and an about 1 mm accuracy of the measurement geometry. We used special coupling devices for effective ultrasonic surface measurements in the laboratory as well as at real objects. Samples of concrete with varying composition and samples of natural stone - marble, tuff, and sandstone - were repeatedly weathered and tested by ultrasonic measurements. The resistance of the samples to weathering and the penetration depth of the weathering are analyzed. Furthermore, material specific calibration curves for changes in velocities of elastic waves due to weathering can be obtained by these tests. Tests on real structures have been carried out for marble (Schlossbrücke, Berlin) and sandstone (Porta Nigra, Trier). Altogether, these test measurements show clearly that despite of the internal inhomogeneity of many real objects, their surface roughness and topography especially ultrasonic Rayleigh waves are well suited to study material alterations in the upper centimeters. Dispersion of Rayleigh waves may be inverted for shear-wave velocity as a function of depth.

Fractal dimension assessment of brain white matter structural complexity post stroke in relation to upper-extremity motor function

PubMed Central

Zhang, Luduan; Butler, Andrew J.; Sun, Chang-Kai; Sahgal, Vinod; Wittenberg, George F.; Yue, Guang H.

2008-01-01

Little is known about the association between brain white matter (WM) structure and motor function in humans. This study investigated complexity of brain WM interior shape as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its relationship with upper-extremity (UE) motor function in patients post stroke. We hypothesized that (1) the WM complexity would decrease following stroke, and (2) higher WM complexity in non-affected cortical areas would be related to greater UE motor function. Thirty-eight stroke patients (16 with left-hemisphere lesions) underwent MRI anatomical brain scans. Fractal dimension (FD), a quantitative shape metric, was applied onto skeletonized brain WM images to evaluate WM internal structural complexity. Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FM) scores were measured to assess motor function of the affected limb. The WM complexity was lower in the stroke-affected hemisphere. The FD was associated with better motor function in two subgroups: with left-subcortical lesions, FD values of the lesion-free areas of the left hemisphere were associated with better FM scores; with right-cortical lesions, FD values of lesion-free regions were robustly associated with better WMFT scores. These findings suggest that greater residual WM complexity is associated with less impaired UE motor function, which is more robust in patients with right-hemisphere lesions. No correlations were found between lesion volume and WMFT or FM scores. This study addressed WM complexity in stroke patients and its relationship with UE motor function. Measurement of brain WM reorganization may be a sensitive correlate of UE function in people recovering from stroke. PMID:18590710

A study of the possible effect of a thermal post cure on the mechanical properties of the 404 carbon-phenolic ring of the space shuttle solid rocket motor nozzle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giardini, A. A.

1986-01-01

Erratic pockets of erosion have occurred on the inner perimeter of the 404 rocket nozzle ring during liftoff firing. It is thought that it may be caused by pockets of volatile matter entrapped during manufacture. A thermal post cure was suggested as a possible means of outgassing such pockets, if they in fact do exist. To confirm an outgassing during a post cure and to establish a working upper temperature limit, thermal gravimetric and differential calorimetric analyses were made on a number of samples from two 404 rings supplied by the manufacturer. Continuous weight loss was observed over the temperature range explored (750 F) indicating outgassing, and a strong exothermic reaction occurs beginning about 390 F. Thus, an upper post cure temperature of 350 F is recommended. To determine the possible effect of a post cure on physical properties, the following tests will be made on matched sets of cured and post cured material: x-radiography (internal structure), linear dimensions, weight, porosity, cross ply thermal expansion, drop and double notch shear strengths, and tensional strength in the ply direction.

Simulation of South-Asian Summer Monsoon in a GCM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ajayamohan, R. S.

2007-10-01

Major characteristics of Indian summer monsoon climate are analyzed using simulations from the upgraded version of Florida State University Global Spectral Model (FSUGSM). The Indian monsoon has been studied in terms of mean precipitation and low-level and upper-level circulation patterns and compared with observations. In addition, the model's fidelity in simulating observed monsoon intraseasonal variability, interannual variability and teleconnection patterns is examined. The model is successful in simulating the major rainbelts over the Indian monsoon region. However, the model exhibits bias in simulating the precipitation bands over the South China Sea and the West Pacific region. Seasonal mean circulation patterns of low-level and upper-level winds are consistent with the model's precipitation pattern. Basic features like onset and peak phase of monsoon are realistically simulated. However, model simulation indicates an early withdrawal of monsoon. Northward propagation of rainbelts over the Indian continent is simulated fairly well, but the propagation is weak over the ocean. The model simulates the meridional dipole structure associated with the monsoon intraseasonal variability realistically. The model is unable to capture the observed interannual variability of monsoon and its teleconnection patterns. Estimate of potential predictability of the model reveals the dominating influence of internal variability over the Indian monsoon region.

The realist interpretation of the atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anduaga, Aitor

The discovery of a clearly stratified structure of layers in the upper atmosphere has been--and still is--invoked too often as the great paradigm of atmospheric sciences in the 20th century. Behind this vision, an emphasis--or better, an overstatement--on the reality of the concept of layer lies. One of the few historians of physics who have not ignored this phenomenon of reification, C. Stewart Gillmor, attributed it to--somewhat ambiguous-- cultural (or perhaps, more generally, contextual) factors, though he never specified their nature. In this essay, I aim to demonstrate that, in the interwar years, most radiophysicists and some atomic physicists, for reasons principally related to extrinsic influences and to a lesser extent to internal developments of their own science, fervidly embraced a realist interpretation of the ionosphere. We will focus on the historical circumstances in which a specific social and commercial environment came to exert a strong influence on upper atmospheric physicists, and in which realism as a product validating the "truth" of certain practices and beliefs arose. This realist commitment I attribute to the mutual reinforcement of atmospheric physics and commercial and imperial interests in long-distance communications.

The Effect of Shoulder Plyometric Training on Amortization Time and Upper-Extremity Kinematics.

PubMed

Swanik, Kathleen A; Thomas, Stephen J; Struminger, Aaron H; Bliven, Kellie C Huxel; Kelly, John D; Swanik, Charles B

2016-12-01

Plyometric training is credited with providing benefits in performance and dynamic restraint. However, limited prospective data exist quantifying kinematic adaptations such as amortization time, glenohumeral rotation, and scapulothoracic position, which may underlie the efficacy of plyometric training for upper-extremity rehabilitation or performance enhancement. To measure upper-extremity kinematics and plyometric phase times before and after an 8-wk upper-extremity strength- and plyometric-training program. Randomized pretest-posttest design. Research laboratory. 40 recreationally active men (plyometric group, age 20.43 ± 1.40 y, height 180.00 ± 8.80 cm, weight 73.07 ± 7.21 kg; strength group, age 21.95 ± 3.40 y, height 173.98 ± 11.91 cm, weight 74.79 ± 13.55 kg). Participants were randomly assigned to either a strength-training group or a strength- and plyometric-training group. Each participant performed the assigned training for 8 wk. Dynamic and static glenohumeral and scapular-rotation measurements were taken before and after the training programs. Dynamic measurement of scapular rotation and time spent in each plyometric phase (concentric, eccentric, and amortization) during a ball-toss exercise were recorded while the subjects were fitted with an electromagnetic tracking system. Static measures included scapular upward rotation at 3 different glenohumeral-abduction angles, glenohumeral internal rotation, and glenohumeral external rotation. Posttesting showed that both groups significantly decreased the time spent in the amortization, concentric, and eccentric phases of a ball-toss exercise (P < .01). Both groups also exhibited significantly decreased static external rotation and increased dynamic scapular upward rotation after the training period (P < .01). The only difference between the training protocols was that the plyometric-training group exhibited an increase in internal rotation that was not present in the strength-training group (P < .01). These findings support the use of both upper-extremity plyometrics and strength training for reducing commonly identified upper-extremity-injury risk factors and improving upper-extremity performance.

Reflection of the State of Hunger in Impulse Activity of Nose Wing Muscles and Upper Esophageal Sphincter during Search behavior in Rabbits.

PubMed

Kromin, A A; Dvoenko, E E; Zenina, O Yu

2016-07-01

Reflection of the state of hunger in impulse activity of nose wing muscles and upper esophageal sphincter muscles was studied in chronic experiments on rabbits subjected to 24-h food deprivation in the absence of locomotion and during search behavior. In the absence of apparent behavioral activity, including sniffing, alai nasi muscles of hungry rabbits constantly generated bursts of action potentials synchronous with breathing, while upper esophageal sphincter muscles exhibited regular aperiodic low-amplitude impulse activity of tonic type. Latent form of food motivation was reflected in the structure of temporal organization of impulse activity of alai nasi muscles in the form of bimodal distribution of interpulse intervals and in temporal structure of impulse activity of upper esophageal sphincter muscles in the form of monomodal distribution. The latent form of food motivation was manifested in the structure of temporal organization of periods of the action potentials burst-like rhythm, generated by alai nasi muscles, in the form of monomodal distribution, characterized by a high degree of dispersion of respiratory cycle periods. In the absence of physical activity hungry animals sporadically exhibited sniffing activity, manifested in the change from the burst-like impulse activity of alai nasi muscles to the single-burst activity type with bimodal distribution of interpulse intervals and monomodal distribution of the burst-like action potentials rhythm periods, the maximum of which was shifted towards lower values, which was the cause of increased respiratory rate. At the same time, the monomodal temporal structure of impulse activity of the upper esophageal sphincter muscles was not changed. With increasing food motivation in the process of search behavior temporal structure of periods of the burst-like action potentials rhythm, generated by alai nasi muscles, became similar to that observed during sniffing, not accompanied by animal's locomotion, which is typical for the increased respiratory rhythm frequency. Increased hunger motivation was reflected in the temporal structure of impulse activity of upper esophageal sphincter muscles in the form of a shift to lower values of the maximum of monomodal distribution of interpulse intervals on the histogram, resulting in higher impulse activity frequency. The simultaneous increase in the frequency of action potentials bursts generation by alai nasi muscles and regular impulse activity of upper esophageal sphincter muscles is a reliable criterion for enhanced food motivation during search behavior in rabbits.

Upper mantle seismic structure beneath central East Antarctica from body wave tomography: Implications for the origin of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloyd, Andrew J.; Nyblade, Andrew A.; Wiens, Douglas A.; Hansen, Samantha E.; Kanao, Masaki; Shore, Patrick J.; Zhao, Dapeng

2013-04-01

The Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains (GSM), located near the center of East Antarctica, are the highest feature within the East Antarctic highlands and have been investigated seismically for the first time during the 2007/2008 International Polar Year by the Gamburtsev Mountains Seismic Experiment. Using data from a network of 26 broadband seismic stations and body wave tomography, the P and S wave velocity structure of the upper mantle beneath the GSM and adjacent regions has been examined. Tomographic images produced from teleseismic P and S phases reveal several large-scale, small amplitude anomalies (δVp = 1.0%, δVs = 2.0%) in the upper 250 km of the mantle. The lateral distributions of these large-scale anomalies are similar in both the P and S wave velocity models and resolution tests show that they are well resolved. Velocity anomalies indicate slower, thinner lithosphere beneath the likely Meso- or Neoproterozoic Polar Subglacial Basin and faster, thicker lithosphere beneath the likely Archean/Paleoproterozoic East Antarctic highlands. Within the region of faster, thicker lithosphere, a lower amplitude (δVp = 0.5%, δVs = 1.0%) slow to fast velocity pattern is observed beneath the western flank of the GSM, suggesting a suture between two lithospheric blocks possibly of similar age. These findings point to a Precambrian origin for the high topography of the GSM, corroborating other studies invoking a long-lived highland landscape in central East Antarctica, as opposed to uplift caused by Permian/Cretaceous rifting or Cenozoic magmatism. The longevity of the GSM makes them geologically unusual; however, plausible analogs exist, such as the 550 Ma Petermann Ranges in central Australia. Additional uplift may have occurred by the reactivation of pre-existing faults, for example, during the Carboniferous-Permian collision of Gondwana and Laurussia.

Cassini's Grand Finale Science Highlights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spilker, Linda

2017-10-01

After 13 years in orbit, the Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn ended in a science-rich blaze of glory. Cassini returned its final bits of unique science data on September 15, 2017, as it plunged into Saturn's atmosphere satisfying planetary protection requirements. Cassini's Grand Finale covered a period of roughly five months and ended with the first time exploration of the region between the rings and planet.The final close flyby of Titan in late April 2017 propelled Cassini across Saturn’s main rings and into its Grand Finale orbits; 22 orbits that repeatedly dove between Saturn’s innermost rings and upper atmosphere making Cassini the first spacecraft to explore this region. The last orbit turned the spacecraft into the first Saturn upper atmospheric probe.The Grand Finale orbits provided highest resolution observations of both the rings and Saturn, and in-situ sampling of the ring particle composition, Saturn's atmosphere, plasma, and innermost radiation belts. The gravitational field was measured to unprecedented accuracy, providing information on the interior structure of the planet, winds in the deeper atmosphere, and mass of the rings. The magnetic field provided insight into the physical nature of the magnetic dynamo and structure of the internal magnetic field. The ion and neutral mass spectrometer sampled the upper atmosphere for molecules that escape the atmosphere in addition to molecules originating from the rings. The cosmic dust analyzer directly sampled the composition from different parts of the main rings for the first time. Fields and particles instruments directly measured the plasma environment between the rings and planet.Science highlights and new mysteries gleaned to date from the Grand Finale orbits will be discussed.The research described in this paper was carried out in part at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Copyright 2017 California Institute of Technology. Government sponsorship is acknowledged.

Lithospheric architecture of the South-Western Alps revealed by multiparameter teleseismic full-waveform inversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beller, S.; Monteiller, V.; Operto, S.; Nolet, G.; Paul, A.; Zhao, L.

2018-02-01

The Western Alps, although being intensively investigated, remains elusive when it comes to determining its lithospheric structure. New inferences on the latter are important for the understanding of processes and mechanisms of orogeny needed to unravel the dynamic evolution of the Alps. This situation led to the deployment of the CIFALPS temporary experiment, conducted to address the lack of seismological data amenable to high-resolution seismic imaging of the crust and the upper mantle. We perform a 3-D isotropic full-waveform inversion (FWI) of nine teleseismic events recorded by the CIFALPS experiment to infer 3-D models of both density and P- and S-wave velocities of the Alpine lithosphere. Here, by FWI is meant the inversion of the full seismograms including phase and amplitude effects within a time window following the first arrival up to a frequency of 0.2 Hz. We show that the application of the FWI at the lithospheric scale is able to generate images of the lithosphere with unprecedented resolution and can furnish a reliable density model of the upper lithosphere. In the shallowest part of the crust, we retrieve the shape of the fast/dense Ivrea body anomaly and detect the low velocities of the Po and SE France sedimentary basins. The geometry of the Ivrea body as revealed by our density model is consistent with the Bouguer anomaly. A sharp Moho transition is followed from the external part (30 km depth) to the internal part of the Alps (70-80 km depth), giving clear evidence of a continental subduction event during the formation of the Alpine Belt. A low-velocity zone in the lower lithosphere of the S-wave velocity model supports the hypothesis of a slab detachment in the western part of the Alps that is followed by asthenospheric upwelling. The application of FWI to teleseismic data helps to fill the gap of resolution between traditional imaging techniques, and enables integrated interpretations of both upper and lower lithospheric structures.

Development of a prognostic nomogram for cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

PubMed

Zhou, Yu-Jie; Zheng, Ji-Na; Zhou, Yi-Fan; Han, Yi-Jing; Zou, Tian-Tian; Liu, Wen-Yue; Braddock, Martin; Shi, Ke-Qing; Wang, Xiao-Dong; Zheng, Ming-Hua

2017-10-01

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a complication with a high mortality rate in critically ill patients presenting with cirrhosis. Today, there exist few accurate scoring models specifically designed for mortality risk assessment in critically ill cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (CICGIB). Our aim was to develop and evaluate a novel nomogram-based model specific for CICGIB. Overall, 540 consecutive CICGIB patients were enrolled. On the basis of Cox regression analyses, the nomogram was constructed to estimate the probability of 30-day, 90-day, 270-day, and 1-year survival. An upper gastrointestinal bleeding-chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment (UGIB-CLIF-SOFA) score was derived from the nomogram. Performance assessment and internal validation of the model were performed using Harrell's concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and bootstrap sample procedures. UGIB-CLIF-SOFA was also compared with other prognostic models, such as CLIF-SOFA and model for end-stage liver disease, using C-indices. Eight independent factors derived from Cox analysis (including bilirubin, creatinine, international normalized ratio, sodium, albumin, mean artery pressure, vasopressin used, and hematocrit decrease>10%) were assembled into the nomogram and the UGIB-CLIF-SOFA score. The calibration plots showed optimal agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. The C-index of the nomogram using bootstrap (0.729; 95% confidence interval: 0.689-0.766) was higher than that of the other models for predicting survival of CICGIB. We have developed and internally validated a novel nomogram and an easy-to-use scoring system that accurately predicts the mortality probability of CICGIB on the basis of eight easy-to-obtain parameters. External validation is now warranted in future clinical studies.

Upper mantle velocity structure beneath southern Africa from modeling regional seismic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ming; Langston, Charles A.; Nyblade, Andrew A.; Owens, Thomas J.

1999-03-01

The upper mantle seismic velocity structure beneath southern Africa is investigated using travel time and waveform data which come from a large mine tremor in South Africa (mb 5.6) recorded by the Tanzania broadband seismic experiment and by several stations in southern Africa. The waveform data show upper mantle triplications for both the 410- and 670-km discontinuities between distances of 2100 and 3000 km. Auxiliary travel time data along similar profiles obtained from other moderate events are also used. P wave travel times are inverted for velocity structure down to ˜800-km depth using the Wiechert-Herglotz technique, and the resulting model is evaluated by perturbing it at three depth intervals and then testing the perturbed model against the travel time and waveform data. The results indicate a typical upper mantle P wave velocity structure for a shield. P wave velocities from the top of the mantle down to 300-km depth are as much as 3% higher than the global average and are slightly slower than the global average between 300- and 420-km depth. Little evidence is found for a pronounced low-velocity zone in the upper mantle. A high-velocity gradient zone is required above the 410-km discontinuity, but both sharp and smooth 410-km discontinuities are permitted by the data. The 670-km discontinuity is characterized by high-velocity gradients over a depth range of ˜80 km around 660-km depth. Limited S wave travel time data suggest fast S wave velocities above ˜150-km depth. These results suggest that the bouyant support for the African superswell does not reside at shallow depths in the upper mantle.

Upper respiratory tract (image)

MedlinePlus

The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that ...

Estimating Rheological Parameters of Anhydrite from Folded Evaporite sequences: Implications for Internal Dynamics of Salt Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adamuszek, Marta; Dabrowski, Marcin; Schmalholz, Stefan M.; Urai, Janos L.; Raith, Alexander

2015-04-01

Salt structures have been identified as a potential target for hydrocarbon, CO2, or radioactive waste storage. The most suitable locations for magazines are considered in the thick and relatively homogeneous rock salt layers. However, salt structures often consist of the evaporite sequence including rock salt intercalated with other rock types e.g.: anhydrite, gypsum, potassium and magnesium salt, calcite, dolomite, or shale. The presence of such heterogeneities causes a serious disturbance in the structure management. Detailed analysis of the internal architecture and internal dynamics of the salt structure are crucial for evaluating them as suitable repositories and also their long-term stability. The goal of this study is to analyse the influence of the presence of anhydrite layers on the internal dynamics of salt structures. Anhydrite is a common rock in evaporite sequences. Its physical and mechanical properties strongly differ from the properties of rock salt. The density of anhydrite is much higher than the density of salt, thus anhydrite is likely to sink in salt causing the disturbance of the surrounding structures. This suggestion was the starting point to the discussion about the long-term stability of the magazines in salt structures [1]. However, the other important parameter that has to be taken into account is the viscosity of anhydrite. The high viscosity ratio between salt and anhydrite can restrain the layer from sinking. The rheological behaviour of anhydrite has been studied in laboratory experiments [2], but the results only provide information about the short-term behaviour. The long-term behaviour can be best predicted using indirect methods e.g. based on the analysis of natural structures that developed over geological time scale. One of the most promising are fold structures, the shape of which is very sensitive to the rheological parameters of the deforming materials. Folds can develop in mechanically stratified materials during layer parallel shortening. Mechanical model have been developed to rigorously correlate rheological properties of rock to the fold shape. A quantitative fold shape analysis combined with the folding theory allows deciphering the rock rheology. In this study, we analyse anhydrite layers embedded in the rock salt from the Upper Permian Zechstein salt formation from Dutch offshore. The anhydrite layers are common intercalation in the sequence. Their thickness varies between few millimetres up to hundred meters. The layers are strongly deformed often forming fold structures, which can be observed on a wide range of scales: in core samples, mine galleries, and also in the seismic sections. For our analysis, we select single layer fold trains. Quantitative fold shape analysis is carried out using Fold Geometry Toolbox [3], which allows deciphering the viscosity ratio between anhydrite and salt. The results indicate that anhydrite layer is ca. 10 to 30 times more viscous than the embedding salt. Further, we use the estimated rheological parameters of anhydrite in the numerical analysis of the internal salt dynamics. We solve an incompressible Stokes equation in the presence of the gravity using the finite element method solver MILAMIN [4]. We show that the presence of denser and more viscous anhydrite layers in the tectonically stable regime is insignificant for the internal stability of the salt structures. [1] Chemia, Z., Koyi, H., Schmeling, H. 2008. Numerical modelling of rise and fall of a dense layer in salt diapirs. Geophysical Journal International, 172: 798-816. [2] Muller, W.H., Briegel, U. 1978. The rheological behaviour of polycrystalline Anhydrite. Eclogae Geol. Helv, 71(2): 397-407 [3] Adamuszek M., Schmid D.W., Dabrowski M. 2011. Fold geometry toolbox - Automated determination of fold shape, shortening, and material properties, Journal of Structural Geology, 33: 1406-1416. [4] Dabrowski, M., Krotkiewski, M., and Schmid, D. W. 2008. MILAMIN: MATLAB-based finite element method solver for large problems. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 9: Q04030.

76 FR 81879 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-29

... structural repair manual repairs of the upper main sill outer chord of the left and right side main entry door number 1, as applicable; repetitive detailed inspections for cracks in the upper main sill of the... necessary. The original NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks in the main entry door number 1 upper main...

Students' Voices about Information and Communication Technology in Upper Secondary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olofsson, Anders D.; Lindberg, Ola J.; Fransson, Göran

2018-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore upper secondary school students' voices on how information and communication technology (ICT) could structure and support their everyday activities and time at school. Design/methodology/approach: In all, 11 group interviews were conducted with a total of 46 students from three upper secondary…

Depth to bedrock in the upper San Pedro Valley, Cochise County, southeastern Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gettings, M.E.; Houser, Brenda B.

2000-01-01

The thickness, distribution, and character of alluvial sediments that were deposited in the structural subbasins of the upper San Pedro basin in southeastern Arizona during the late Cenozoic provide important constraints on ground-water availability of the area. Two sedimentary units are recognized; the Oligocene and Miocene Pantano(?) Formation and an unnamed upper Miocene through lower Pleistocene unit termed basin fill. The complete Bouguer gravity anomaly map shows that there are three major structural subbasins in the upper San Pedro basin north of the international border with Mexico. The Tombstone subbasin is north of Tombstone, and two more are located north and south of Sierra Vista, respectively. This report concentrates on the two subbasins north and south of Sierra Vista. The northern subbasin (termed the Huachuca City subbasin) extends from east of Huachuca City to northeast of Whetstone, and the southern subbasin (termed the Palominas subbasin) extends southward from a line between Nicksville and Hereford to the border. The locations and shapes of these subbasins, thickness of basin fill, and depth to bedrock were estimated using a procedure involving interpolation of (1) the density functions derived in this study, (2) stratigraphic data from water wells, and (3) a residual gravity anomaly grid obtained by subtracting the gravity effects of the bedrock ranges bordering the basin from the complete Bouguer gravity anomaly. This procedure indicates that the subbasins are shallow and contain significant thicknesses of the Pantano(?) Formation in addition to the overlying younger basin fill. The maximum depth to bedrock is about 1,700 m in the Palominas subbasin and 800m in the Huachuca City subbasin; the basin-fill unit occupies the upper 250-350 m in general with local thickenings exceeding 1,000 m in the Palominas subbasin. An east-west trending buried bedrock high beneath Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, and Charleston separates the subbasins. The depth to bedrock over this high is 200-500 m and the basin-fill unit ranges from 100 to 200 m thick there. A number of previously unrecognized faults were identified and the lengths of some of the known faults were extended based on reconnaissance geologic mapping, study of driller's logs, interpretation of aerial photographs and thematic mapper satellite images, and inspection of contoured gravity and aeromagnetic anomaly data. Many faults that segment the main San Pedro basin and shape the boundaries of the subbasins are apparently pre-existing faults that have been reactivated by Basin and Range extension.

Seismic Oceanography in the Tyrrhenian Sea: Thermohaline Staircases, Eddies, and Internal Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buffett, G. G.; Krahmann, G.; Klaeschen, D.; Schroeder, K.; Sallarès, V.; Papenberg, C.; Ranero, C. R.; Zitellini, N.

2017-11-01

We use seismic oceanography to document and analyze oceanic thermohaline fine structure across the Tyrrhenian Sea. Multichannel seismic (MCS) reflection data were acquired during the MEDiterranean OCcidental survey in April-May 2010. We deployed along-track expendable bathythermograph probes simultaneous with MCS acquisition. At nearby locations we gathered conductivity-temperature-depth data. An autonomous glider survey added in situ measurements of oceanic properties. The seismic reflectivity clearly delineates thermohaline fine structure in the upper 2,000 m of the water column, indicating the interfaces between Atlantic Water/Winter Intermediate Water, Levantine Intermediate Water, and Tyrrhenian Deep Water. We observe the Northern Tyrrhenian Anticyclone, a near-surface mesoscale eddy, plus laterally and vertically extensive thermohaline staircases. Using MCS, we are able to fully image the anticyclone to a depth of 800 m and to confirm the horizontal continuity of the thermohaline staircases of more than 200 km. The staircases show the clearest step-like gradients in the center of the basin while they become more diffuse toward the periphery and bottom, where impedance gradients become too small to be detected by MCS. We quantify the internal wave field and find it to be weak in the region of the eddy and in the center of the staircases, while it is stronger near the coastlines. Our results indicate this is because of the influence of the boundary currents, which disrupt the formation of staircases by preventing diffusive convection. In the interior of the basin, the staircases are clearer and the internal wave field weaker, suggesting that other mixing processes such as double diffusion prevail.

Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Element Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McArthur, J. Craig

2008-01-01

This viewgraph presentation gives an overview of NASA's Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Element. The topics include: 1) What is NASA s Mission?; 2) NASA s Exploration Roadmap What is our time line?; 3) Building on a Foundation of Proven Technologies Launch Vehicle Comparisons; 4) Ares I Upper Stage; 5) Upper Stage Primary Products; 6) Ares I Upper Stage Development Approach; 7) What progress have we made?; 8) Upper Stage Subsystem Highlights; 9) Structural Testing; 10) Common Bulkhead Processing; 11) Stage Installation at Stennis Space Center; 12) Boeing Producibility Team; 13) Upper Stage Low Cost Strategy; 14) Ares I and V Production at Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF); 15) Merged Manufacturing Flow; and 16) Manufacturing and Assembly Weld Tools.

Prevalence of complaints of arm, neck and shoulder among computer office workers and psychometric evaluation of a risk factor questionnaire.

PubMed

Eltayeb, Shahla; Staal, J Bart; Kennes, Janneke; Lamberts, Petra H G; de Bie, Rob A

2007-07-14

Complaints of Arm Neck and Shoulder (CANS) represent a wide range of complaints, which can differ in severity from mild, periodic symptoms to severe, chronic and debilitating conditions. They are thought to be associated with both physical and psychosocial risk factors. The measurement and identification of the various risk factors for these complaints is an important step towards recognizing (a) high risk subgroups that are relevant in profiling CANS; and (b) also for developing targeted and effective intervention plans for treatment. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of CANS in a Dutch population of computer workers and to develop a questionnaire aimed at measuring workplace physical and psychosocial risk factors for the presence of these complaints. To examine potential workplace risk factors for the presence of CANS, the Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire (MUEQ), a structured questionnaire, was developed and tested among 264 computer office workers of a branch office of the national social security institution in the Netherlands. The MUEQ holds 95 items covering demographic characteristics, in addition to seven main domains assessing potential risk factors with regard to (1) work station, (2) posture during work, (3) quality of break time, (4) job demands, (5) job control, and (6) social support. The MUEQ further contained some additional questions about the quality of the work environment and the presence of complaints in the neck, shoulder, upper and lower arm, elbow, hand and wrist. The prevalence rates of CANS in the past year were computed. Further, we investigated the psychometric properties of the MUEQ (i.e. factor structure and reliability). The one-year prevalence rate of CANS indicated that 54% of the respondents reported at least one complaint in the arm, neck and/or shoulder. The highest prevalence rates were found for neck and shoulder symptoms (33% and 31% respectively), followed by hand and upper arm complaints (11% to 12%) and elbow, lower arm and wrist complaints (6% to 7%). The psychometric properties of the MUEQ were assessed using exploratory factor analysis which resulted in the identification of 12 factors. The calculation of internal consistency and cross validation provided evidence of reliability and lack of redundancy of items. Neck and shoulder complaints are more frequently reported among Dutch computer workers than arm, elbow and hand complaints. The results further indicate that the MUEQ has satisfactory reliability and internal consistency when used to document CANS among computer workers in the Netherlands.

Mantle-circulation models with sequential data assimilation: inferring present-day mantle structure from plate-motion histories.

PubMed

Bunge, Hans-Peter; Richards, M A; Baumgardner, J R

2002-11-15

Data assimilation is an approach to studying geodynamic models consistent simultaneously with observables and the governing equations of mantle flow. Such an approach is essential in mantle circulation models, where we seek to constrain an unknown initial condition some time in the past, and thus cannot hope to use first-principles convection calculations to infer the flow history of the mantle. One of the most important observables for mantle-flow history comes from models of Mesozoic and Cenozoic plate motion that provide constraints not only on the surface velocity of the mantle but also on the evolution of internal mantle-buoyancy forces due to subducted oceanic slabs. Here we present five mantle circulation models with an assimilated plate-motion history spanning the past 120 Myr, a time period for which reliable plate-motion reconstructions are available. All models agree well with upper- and mid-mantle heterogeneity imaged by seismic tomography. A simple standard model of whole-mantle convection, including a factor 40 viscosity increase from the upper to the lower mantle and predominantly internal heat generation, reveals downwellings related to Farallon and Tethys subduction. Adding 35% bottom heating from the core has the predictable effect of producing prominent high-temperature anomalies and a strong thermal boundary layer at the base of the mantle. Significantly delaying mantle flow through the transition zone either by modelling the dynamic effects of an endothermic phase reaction or by including a steep, factor 100, viscosity rise from the upper to the lower mantle results in substantial transition-zone heterogeneity, enhanced by the effects of trench migration implicit in the assimilated plate-motion history. An expected result is the failure to account for heterogeneity structure in the deepest mantle below 1500 km, which is influenced by Jurassic plate motions and thus cannot be modelled from sequential assimilation of plate motion histories limited in age to the Cretaceous. This result implies that sequential assimilation of past plate-motion models is ineffective in studying the temporal evolution of core-mantle-boundary heterogeneity, and that a method for extrapolating present-day information backwards in time is required. For short time periods (of the order of perhaps a few tens of Myr) such a method exists in the form of crude 'backward' convection calculations. For longer time periods (of the order of a mantle overturn), a rigorous approach to extrapolating information back in time exists in the form of iterative nonlinear optimization methods that carry assimilated information into the past through the use of an adjoint mantle convection model.

Characterization of the in situ magnetic architecture of oceanic crust (Hess Deep) using near-source vector magnetic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tominaga, Masako; Tivey, Maurice A.; MacLeod, Christopher J.; Morris, Antony; Lissenberg, C. Johan; Shillington, Donna J.; Ferrini, Vicki

2016-06-01

Marine magnetic anomalies are a powerful tool for detecting geomagnetic polarity reversals, lithological boundaries, topographic contrasts, and alteration fronts in the oceanic lithosphere. Our aim here is to detect lithological contacts in fast-spreading lower crust and shallow mantle by characterizing magnetic anomalies and investigating their origins. We conducted a high-resolution, near-bottom, vector magnetic survey of crust exposed in the Hess Deep "tectonic window" using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Isis during RRS James Cook cruise JC21 in 2008. Hess Deep is located at the western tip of the propagating rift of the Cocos-Nazca plate boundary near the East Pacific Rise (EPR) (2°15'N, 101°30'W). ROV Isis collected high-resolution bathymetry and near-bottom magnetic data as well as seafloor samples to determine the in situ lithostratigraphy and internal structure of a section of EPR lower crust and mantle exposed on the steep (~20°dipping) south facing slope just north of the Hess Deep nadir. Ten magnetic profiles were collected up the slope using a three-axis fluxgate magnetometer mounted on ROV Isis. We develop and extend the vertical magnetic profile (VMP) approach of Tivey (1996) by incorporating, for the first time, a three-dimensional vector analysis, leading to what we here termed as "vector vertical magnetic profiling" approach. We calculate the source magnetization distribution, the deviation from two dimensionality, and the strike of magnetic boundaries using both the total field Fourier-transform inversion approach and a modified differential vector magnetic analysis. Overall, coherent, long-wavelength total field anomalies are present with a strong magnetization contrast between the upper and lower parts of the slope. The total field anomalies indicate a coherently magnetized source at depth. The upper part of the slope is weakly magnetized and magnetic structure follows the underlying slope morphology, including a "bench" and lobe-shaped steps, imaged by microbathymetry. The lower part of the slope is strongly magnetized, with a gradual reduction in amplitude from east to west across the slope. Surface morphology and recent drilling results indicate that the slope has been affected by mass wasting, but the observation of internally coherent magnetization distributions within the upper and lower slopes suggest that the disturbance is surficial. We attribute the spatial differences in magnetization distribution to the combination of changes in in situ lithology and depth to the source. These survey lines document the first magnetic profiles that capture the gabbro-ultramafic and possibly dike-gabbro boundaries in fast-spreading lower crust.

Diagnosing oceanic nutrient deficiency

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The supply of a range of nutrient elements to surface waters is an important driver of oceanic production and the subsequent linked cycling of the nutrients and carbon. Relative deficiencies of different nutrients with respect to biological requirements, within both surface and internal water masses, can be both a key indicator and driver of the potential for these nutrients to become limiting for the production of new organic material in the upper ocean. The availability of high-quality, full-depth and global-scale datasets on the concentrations of a wide range of both macro- and micro-nutrients produced through the international GEOTRACES programme provides the potential for estimation of multi-element deficiencies at unprecedented scales. Resultant coherent large-scale patterns in diagnosed deficiency can be linked to the interacting physical–chemical–biological processes which drive upper ocean nutrient biogeochemistry. Calculations of ranked deficiencies across multiple elements further highlight important remaining uncertainties in the stoichiometric plasticity of nutrient ratios within oceanic microbial systems and caveats with regards to linkages to upper ocean nutrient limitation. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Biological and climatic impacts of ocean trace element chemistry’. PMID:29035255

Diagnosing oceanic nutrient deficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, C. Mark

2016-11-01

The supply of a range of nutrient elements to surface waters is an important driver of oceanic production and the subsequent linked cycling of the nutrients and carbon. Relative deficiencies of different nutrients with respect to biological requirements, within both surface and internal water masses, can be both a key indicator and driver of the potential for these nutrients to become limiting for the production of new organic material in the upper ocean. The availability of high-quality, full-depth and global-scale datasets on the concentrations of a wide range of both macro- and micro-nutrients produced through the international GEOTRACES programme provides the potential for estimation of multi-element deficiencies at unprecedented scales. Resultant coherent large-scale patterns in diagnosed deficiency can be linked to the interacting physical-chemical-biological processes which drive upper ocean nutrient biogeochemistry. Calculations of ranked deficiencies across multiple elements further highlight important remaining uncertainties in the stoichiometric plasticity of nutrient ratios within oceanic microbial systems and caveats with regards to linkages to upper ocean nutrient limitation. This article is part of the themed issue 'Biological and climatic impacts of ocean trace element chemistry'.

Validation of the Andon KD-5917 automatic upper arm blood pressure monitor, for clinic use and self-measurement, according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

PubMed

Guo, Wan-Gang; Li, Bing-Ling; He, Yong; Xue, Yu-Sheng; Wang, Hai-Yan; Zheng, Qiang-Sun; Xiang, Ding-Cheng

2014-08-01

To validate the Andon KD-5917 automatic upper arm blood pressure monitor according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010. Sequential same-left-arm measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were obtained in 33 participants using the mercury sphygmomanometer and the test device. According to the validation protocol, 99 pairs of test device and reference blood pressure measurements (three pairs for each of the 33 participants) were obtained in the study. The device produced 73, 98, and 99 measurements within 5, 10, and 15 mmHg for SBP and 86, 98, and 99 for DBP, respectively. The mean ± SD device-observer difference was 3.07 ± 3.68 mmHg for SBP and -0.89 ± 3.72 mmHg for DBP. The number of patients with two or three of the device-observer difference within 5 mmHg was 26 for SBP and 29 for DBP, and no patient had a device-observer difference within 5 mmHg. The Andon KD-5917 automatic upper arm blood pressure monitor can be recommended for clinical use and self-measurement in an adult population on the basis of the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

Multi-temporal mapping of a large, slow-moving earth flow for kinematic interpretation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Guerriero, Luigi; Coe, Jeffrey A.; Revellino, Paola; Guadagno, Francesco M.

2014-01-01

Periodic movement of large, thick landslides on discrete basal surfaces produces modifications of the topographic surface, creates faults and folds, and influences the locations of springs, ponds, and streams (Baum, et al., 1993; Coe et al., 2009). The geometry of the basal-slip surface, which can be controlled by geological structures (e.g., fold axes, faults, etc.; Revellino et al., 2010; Grelle et al., 2011), and spatial variation in the rate of displacement, are responsible for differential deformation and kinematic segmentation of the landslide body. Thus, large landslides are often composed of several distinct kinematic elements. Each element represents a discrete kinematic domain within the main landslide that is broadly characterized by stretching (extension) of the upper part of the landslide and shortening (compression) near the landslide toe (Baum and Fleming, 1991; Guerriero et al., in review). On the basis of this knowledge, we used photo interpretive and GPS field mapping methods to map structures on the surface of the Montaguto earth flow in the Apennine Mountains of southern Italy at a scale of 1:6,000. (Guerriero et al., 2013a; Fig.1). The earth flow has been periodically active since at least 1954. The most extensive and destructive period of activity began on April 26, 2006, when an estimated 6 million m3 of material mobilized, covering and closing Italian National Road SS90, and damaging residential structures (Guerriero et al., 2013b). Our maps show the distribution and evolution of normal faults, thrust faults, strike-slip faults, flank ridges, and hydrological features at nine different dates (October, 1954; June, 1976; June, 1991; June, 2003; June, 2005; May, 2006; October, 2007; July, 2009; and March , 2010) between 1954 and 2010. Within the earth flow we recognized several kinematic elements and associated structures (Fig.2a). Within each kinematic element (e.g. the earth flow neck; Fig.2b), the flow velocity was highest in the middle, and lowest in the upper and lower parts. As the velocity of movement initiated and increased, stretching of the earth flow body induced the formation of normal faults. Conversely, decreasing velocity and shortening of the earth flow induced the formation of thrust faults. A zone with relatively few structures, bounded by strike-slip faults, was located between stretching and shortening areas. These kinematic elements indicate that the overall earth flow was actually composed of numerous linked internal earth flows, with each internal flow having a distinct pattern of structures representative of stretching and shortening (Guerriero et al., in review). These observations indicated that the spatial variation in movement velocity associated with each internal earth flow, mimicked the pattern of movement for the overall earth flow. That is, the earth flow displayed a self-similar pattern at different scales. Furthermore, the presence of other structures such as back-tilted surfaces, flank-ridges, and hydrological elements provide specific information about the shape of the basal topographic surface. Our multi-temporal maps provided a basis for interpretation of the long-term kinematic evolution of the earth flow and the influence of the basal-slip surface on the earth flow movement. Our maps showed that main faults remained stationary through time, despite extensive mobilization and movement of material. This observation indicated that the slip-surface has remained relatively stationary since at least 1954.

Crustal and Upper Mantle Velocity and Q Structures of Mainland China

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-11-01

CLASIFICATION OFTHIS PAGE(117..t- [).(t ntred) with identical source-receiver geometry. The generalized surface wave inversion technique was applied...in the recent past. A particularly unusual crustal and upper mantle structure is found underlying the Tibet Dlateau. AOceSIon For DDC TAB Ubazmnounced...the AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH by the GEOPHYSICAL LABORATORY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Contractor: University of Southern

Robonaut 2 - Building a Robot on the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diftler, Myron; Badger, Julia; Joyce, Charles; Potter, Elliott; Pike, Leah

2015-01-01

In 2010, the Robonaut Project embarked on a multi-phase mission to perform technology demonstrations on-board the International Space Station (ISS), showcasing state of the art robotics technologies through the use of Robonaut 2 (R2). This phased approach implements a strategy that allows for the use of ISS as a test bed during early development to both demonstrate capability and test technology while still making advancements in the earth based laboratories for future testing and operations in space. While R2 was performing experimental trials onboard the ISS during the first phase, engineers were actively designing for Phase 2, Intra-Vehicular Activity (IVA) Mobility, that utilizes a set of zero-g climbing legs outfitted with grippers to grasp handrails and seat tracks. In addition to affixing the new climbing legs to the existing R2 torso, it became clear that upgrades to the torso to both physically accommodate the climbing legs and to expand processing power and capabilities of the robot were required. In addition to these upgrades, a new safety architecture was also implemented in order to account for the expanded capabilities of the robot. The IVA climbing legs not only needed to attach structurally to the R2 torso on ISS, but also required power and data connections that did not exist in the upper body. The climbing legs were outfitted with a blind mate adapter and coarse alignment guides for easy installation, but the upper body required extensive rewiring to accommodate the power and data connections. This was achieved by mounting a custom adapter plate to the torso and routing the additional wiring through the waist joint to connect to the new set of processors. In addition to the power and data channels, the integrated unit also required updated electronics boards, additional sensors and updated processors to accommodate a new operating system, software platform, and custom control system. In order to perform the unprecedented task of building a robot in space, extensive practice sessions and meticulous procedures were required. Since crew training time is at a premium, the R2 team took a skills-based training approach to ensure the astronauts were proficient with a basic skill set while refining the detailed procedures over several practice sessions and simulations. In addition to the crew activities, meticulous ground procedures were required in order to upgrade firmware on the upper body motor drivers. The new firmware for the IVA mobility unit needed to be deployed using the old software system. This also provided an opportunity to upgrade the upper body joints with new software and allowed for limited insight into the success of the updates. Complete verification that the updated firmware was successfully loaded was not confirmed until the rewiring of the upper body torso was complete.

Goals Set by Patients Using the ICF Model before Receiving Botulinum Injections and Their Relation to Spasticity Distribution

PubMed Central

Choi, Kevin; Peters, Jaclyn; Tri, Andrew; Chapman, Elizabeth; Sasaki, Ayako; Ismail, Farooq; Boulias, Chris; Reid, Shannon

2017-01-01

Purpose: Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is used to assess functional gains in response to treatment. Specific characteristics of the functional goals set by individuals receiving botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) injections for spasticity management are unknown. The primary objectives of this study were to describe the characteristics of the goals set by patients before receiving BoNTA injections using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and to determine whether the pattern of spasticity distribution affected the goals set. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective chart review was carried out in an outpatient spasticity-management clinic in Toronto. A total of 176 patients with a variety of neurological lesions attended the clinic to receive BoNTA injections and completed GAS from December 2012 to December 2013. The main outcome measures were the characteristics of the goals set by the participants on the basis of ICF categories (body functions and structures, activity and participation) and the spasticity distribution using Modified Ashworth Scale scores. Results: Of the patients, 73% set activity and participation goals, and 27% set body functions and structures goals (p<0.05). In the activity and participation category, 30% of patients set moving and walking goals, 28% set self-care and dressing goals, and 12% set changing and maintaining body position goals. In the body functions and structures category, 18% set neuromuscular and movement-related goals, and 8% set pain goals. The ICF goal categories were not related to the patterns of spasticity (upper limb vs. lower limb or unilateral vs. bilateral spasticity) or type of upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our results show that patients receiving BoNTA treatment set a higher percentage of activity and participation goals than body functions and structures goals. Goal classification was not affected by type of spasticity distribution or type of UMN disorder. PMID:28539691

Variation in crustal structure in Iran and the surrounding region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rham, D.; Tatar, M.; Ashtiany, M.; Mokhtari, M.; Priestley, K.; Paul, A.

2007-12-01

We present a model for the topography of the Moho discontinuity for Iran and its surrounding regions. This is produced using data from field deployments within Iran by the University of Cambridge (UK) and the Universite Joseph-Fourier (FRA) in conjunction with International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (Iran), in addition to data from IRIS and Geofone. We determine tomographic group velocity maps for periods between 10 and 60 s from multiple filter analysis of ~5500 seismograms. Because of the dense path coverage, these images have substantially higher lateral resolution for this region than is currently available from global and regional group velocity studies. Joint inversion of receiver functions and Rayleigh wave dispersion give accurate crustal velocity structures at 96 sites within Iran These provide a constraint for the less sharp crustal velocity profile produced by inverting the Rayleigh wave dispersion curve across all of Iran. We observe variations in the crustal thickness across the region, consistent with the surface topography. The thickest crust (55-60 km) is found beneath the central Zagros mountains, with the crust in the remainder of Iran having a thicknesses of 40-50 km. No significant increase in Moho depth is seen beneath the Alborz or Kopet Dagh mountains. The structure of the South Caspian Basin is presented with a different structure to that found in previous studies, with a crustal thickness of 50 km in the west, and beneath the Caucasus and Talesh mountains, in the middle part of the basin, over the course of the ~100km, this decreases to 40km, and continues to 35 km beneath the Turkmen Platform. Comparisons are also made between the joint inversion results, and accurate hypocentre depths for regional earthquakes. This shows most events occur in the upper crystalline crust (~10-20km depth), with few in the lowest velocity layer. Almost no events are located in the lower crust, and only in the Makran and Aspheron- Balkhan Sill do earthquakes appear in the Upper Mantle.

Performance enhancement in Sb doped Cu(InGa)Se2 thin film solar cell by e-beam evaporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jieyi; Shen, Honglie; Zhai, Zihao; Li, Yufang; Yi, Yunge

2018-03-01

To investigate the effects of Sb doping on the structural and electrical properties of Cu(InGa)Se2 (CIGS) thin films and solar cells, CIGS thin films, prepared by e-beam evaporation on soda-lime glass, were doped with lower and upper Sb layers in the precursor stacks respectively. Change of structure and introduction of stress were observed in the CIGS thin films with upper Sb layer in stack through XRD and Raman measurement. Both crystalline quality and compactness of CIGS thin films were improved by the doping of upper Sb layer in stack and the CIGS thin film showed an optimal structural property with 20 nm Sb layer. Movement of Fermi level of the surface of CIGS thin film after doping of upper Sb layer in stack and electrons transfer between Cu/Cu+ redox couple and CIGS thin films, which provided probability for the substitution of Sb for Cu sites at the surface of CIGS thin films, were proposed to explain the migration of Cu from the surface to the bulk of CIGS thin films. The larger barrier at the CIGS/CdS interface after doping of upper Sb layer in stack made contribution to the increase of VOC of CIGS solar cells. The efficiency of CIGS solar cell was improved from 3.3% to 7.2% after doping with 20 nm upper Sb. Compared to the CIGS solar cell with lower Sb layer in stack, in which an additional Cu2-xSe phase was found, the CIGS solar cell with upper Sb layer in stack possessed a higher efficiency.

Linear dimensions of normal upper airway structure by magnetic resonance imaging in Chinese Han infants and preschool children.

PubMed

Yi, Xiaoli; Yao, Linyin; Yuan, Xinyu; Wei, Yongxiang; Wang, Zhenchang

2017-09-01

To establish normative data of upper airway structure in Chinese Han infants and preschool children. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 521 Chinese Han infants and preschool children (225 girls, 296 boys) aged from 1 day to 72 months were selected from the children who underwent head MRI at the Capital Institute of Pediatrics Affiliated Children Hospital, Beijing, China. No subjects had sleep-disordered breathing or associated conditions that may have affected the upper airway anatomy. The upper airway dimensions and surrounding soft tissue sizes were measured along the mid-sagittal and axial images. On images from the mid-sagittal image, the normative values of the following were obtained for all age group: thickness of the adenoid and nasopharyngeal area, length and thickness of the soft palate, length and height of the tongue, length of upper airway, distance between the mental spine and clivus, and the adenoid oblique width, soft palate oblique width, and tongue oblique width along the mental spine-clivus line. Normative values of the mean tonsillar width and intertonsillar space on the axial images were also obtained. There were no differences in any measurements between boys and girls in either infants or preschool children. Older children had larger airway dimensions, as expected. Normative values for upper airway structure in Chinese Han infants and preschool children assessed by MRI were established. The upper airway dimension and surrounding soft tissues size, including soft palate, adenoid, tongue, and tonsils, were increased with age. There were no gender differences during the first six years of life. These data may prove useful when studying airway disease in Chinese Han children. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

2. CLOSEUP OF SOUTH FACADE OF UPPER FALLS GATE HOUSE, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

2. CLOSEUP OF SOUTH FACADE OF UPPER FALLS GATE HOUSE, SHOWING TRASH RACKS, REMOVABLE STEEL DOORS, TRASH RAKE STRUCTURE, AND DERRICK, WINCH AND CABLE GATE LIFTING DEVICE, LOOKING SOUTH/SOUTHWEST. - Washington Water Power Spokane River Upper Falls Hydroelectric Development, Gate House, Spokane River, approximately 0.5 mile northeast of intersection of Spokane Falls Boulevard & Post Street, Spokane, Spokane County, WA

Relationship between the upper mantle high velocity seismic lid and the continental lithosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Priestley, Keith; Tilmann, Frederik

2009-04-01

The lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary corresponds to the base of the "rigid" plates - the depth at which heat transport changes from advection in the convecting deeper upper mantle to conduction in the shallow upper mantle. Although this boundary is a fundamental feature of the Earth, mapping it has been difficult because it does not correspond to a sharp change in temperature or composition. Various definitions of the lithosphere and asthenosphere are based on the analysis of different types of geophysical and geological observations. The depth to the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary determined from these different observations often shows little agreement when they are applied to the same region because the geophysical and geological observations (i.e., seismic velocity, strain rate, electrical resistivity, chemical depletion, etc.) are proxies for the change in rheological properties rather than a direct measure of the rheological properties. In this paper, we focus on the seismic mapping of the upper mantle high velocity lid and low velocity zone and its relationship to the lithosphere and asthenosphere. We have two goals: (a) to examine the differences in how teleseismic body-wave travel-time tomography and surface-wave tomography image upper mantle seismic structure; and (b) to summarise how upper mantle seismic velocity structure can be related to the structure of the lithosphere and asthenosphere. Surface-wave tomography provides reasonably good depth resolution, especially when higher modes are included in the analysis, but lateral resolution is limited by the horizontal wavelength of the long-period surface waves used to constrain upper mantle velocity structure. Teleseismic body-wave tomography has poor depth resolution in the upper mantle, particularly when no strong lateral contrasts are present. If station terms are used, features with large lateral extent and gradual boundaries are attenuated in the tomographic image. Body-wave models are not useful in mapping the thickness of the high velocity upper mantle lid because this type of analysis often determines wave speed perturbations from an unknown horizontal average and not absolute velocities. Thus, any feature which extends laterally across the whole region beneath a seismic network becomes invisible in the teleseismic body-wave tomographic image. We compare surface-wave and body-wave tomographic results using southern Africa as an example. Surface-wave tomographic images for southern Africa show a strong, high velocity upper mantle lid confined to depths shallower than ~ 200 km, whereas body-wave tomographic images show weak high velocity in the upper mantle extending to depths of ~ 300 km or more. However, synthetic tests show that these results are not contradictory. The absolute seismic velocity structure of the upper mantle provided by surface wave analysis can be used to map the thermal lithosphere. Priestley and McKenzie (Priestley, K., McKenzie, D., 2006. The thermal structure of the lithosphere from shear wave velocities. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 244, 285-301.) derive an empirical relationship between shear wave velocity and temperature. This relationship is used to obtain temperature profiles from the surface-wave tomographic models of the continental mantle. The base of the lithosphere is shown by a change in the gradient of the temperature profiles indicative of the depth where the mode of heat transport changes from conduction to advection. Comparisons of the geotherms determined from the conversion of surface-wave wave speeds to temperatures with upper mantle nodule-derived geotherms demonstrate that estimates of lithospheric thickness from Vs and from the nodule mineralogy agree to within about 25 km. The lithospheric thickness map for Africa derived from the surface-wave tomographic results shows that thick lithosphere underlies most of the Archean crust in Africa. The distribution of diamondiferous kimberlites provides an independent estimate of where thick lithosphere exists. Diamondiferous kimberlites generally occur where the lower part of the thermal lithosphere as indicated by seismology is in the diamond stability field.

Complementary study of the internal porous silicon layers formed under high-dose implantation of helium ions

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

Lomov, A. A., E-mail: lomov@ftian.ru; Myakon’kikh, A. V.; Chesnokov, Yu. M.

The surface layers of Si(001) substrates subjected to plasma-immersion implantation of helium ions with an energy of 2–5 keV and a dose of 5 × 10{sup 17} cm{sup –2} have been investigated using high-resolution X-ray reflectivity, Rutherford backscattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The electron density depth profile in the surface layer formed by helium ions is obtained, and its elemental and phase compositions are determined. This layer is found to have a complex structure and consist of an upper amorphous sublayer and a layer with a porosity of 30–35% beneath. It is shown that the porous layer has the sharpestmore » boundaries at a lower energy of implantable ions.« less

The polar caps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akasofu, S.-I.

1985-12-01

According to the most common definition, the 'polar cap' is the region bounded by the average or statistical auroral oval. Studies of the effects of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) on various upper atmospheric phenomena are reviewed. The Antarctic region and the Arctic region represent an area for such investigations. Particular attention is given in this paper to those observations in the highest latitude region which provide some information concerning corresponding changes of the internal structure of the magnetosphere. A definition and working definition of the polar cap are considered along with the IMF and magnetospheric models, the entry of solar energetic electrons, statistical studies regarding the aurora, individual events, polar cap arcs, the cusp aurora, auroral electron precipitation, convection, ionospheric currents and field-aligned currents, the ionosphere, the thermosphere, polar rain, polar wind, and hopping motions of heavy ions.

Tectonic control on coarse-grained foreland-basin sequences: An example from the Cordilleran foreland basin, Utah

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horton, Brian K.; Constenius, Kurt N.; Decelles, Peter G.

2004-07-01

Newly released reflection seismic and borehole data, combined with sedimentological, provenance, and biostratigraphic data from Upper Cretaceous Paleocene strata in the proximal part of the Cordilleran foreland-basin system in Utah, establish the nature of tectonic controls on stratigraphic sequences in the proximal to distal foreland basin. During Campanian time, coarse-grained sand and gravel were derived from the internally shortening Charleston-Nebo salient of the Sevier thrust belt. A rapid, regional Campanian progradational event in the distal foreland basin (>200 km from the thrust belt in <8 m.y.) can be tied directly to active thrust-generated growth structures and an influx of quartzose detritus derived from the Charleston-Nebo salient. Eustatic sea-level variation exerted a minimal role in sequence progradation.

The Viking seismometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lazarewicz, A. R.; Anderson, D. L.; Anderson, K.; Daonty, A. M.; Duennebier, F. K.; Gains, N. R.; Knight, T. C. D.; Kovach, R. L.; Latham, G. V.; Miller, W. F.

1981-01-01

Efforts were made to determine the seismicity of Mars as well as define its internal structure by detecting vibrations generated by marsquakes and meteoroid impacts. The lack of marsquakes recognized in the Viking data made it impossible to make any direct inferences about the interior of Mars and only allowed the setting of upper bounds on the seismic activity of the planet. After obtaining more than 2100 hours worth of data during the quite periods at rates of one sample per second or higher, the Viking 2 seismometer was turned off as a consequence of a landing system failure. During the periods when adequate data were obtained, one event of possible seismic or meteoroid impact origin was recognized; however, there is a significant probability that this event was generated by a wind gust.

Depth of a strong jovian jet from a planetary-scale disturbance driven by storms.

PubMed

Sánchez-Lavega, A; Orton, G S; Hueso, R; García-Melendo, E; Pérez-Hoyos, S; Simon-Miller, A; Rojas, J F; Gómez, J M; Yanamandra-Fisher, P; Fletcher, L; Joels, J; Kemerer, J; Hora, J; Karkoschka, E; de Pater, I; Wong, M H; Marcus, P S; Pinilla-Alonso, N; Carvalho, F; Go, C; Parker, D; Salway, M; Valimberti, M; Wesley, A; Pujic, Z

2008-01-24

The atmospheres of the gas giant planets (Jupiter and Saturn) contain jets that dominate the circulation at visible levels. The power source for these jets (solar radiation, internal heat, or both) and their vertical structure below the upper cloud are major open questions in the atmospheric circulation and meteorology of giant planets. Several observations and in situ measurements found intense winds at a depth of 24 bar, and have been interpreted as supporting an internal heat source. This issue remains controversial, in part because of effects from the local meteorology. Here we report observations and modelling of two plumes in Jupiter's atmosphere that erupted at the same latitude as the strongest jet (23 degrees N). The plumes reached a height of 30 km above the surrounding clouds, moved faster than any other feature (169 m s(-1)), and left in their wake a turbulent planetary-scale disturbance containing red aerosols. On the basis of dynamical modelling, we conclude that the data are consistent only with a wind that extends well below the level where solar radiation is deposited.

Alignment of Outcome Instruments Used in Hand Therapy With the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: A Scoping Review.

PubMed

Lesher, Danielle Ann-Marie; Mulcahey, M J; Hershey, Peter; Stanton, Donna Breger; Tiedgen, Andrea C

We sought to identify outcome instruments used in rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremity; to determine their alignment with the constructs of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process; and to report gaps in the constructs measured by outcome instruments as a basis for future research. We searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, OTseeker, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using scoping review methodology and evaluated outcome instruments for concordance with the ICF and the Framework. We identified 18 outcome instruments for analysis. The findings pertain to occupational therapists' focus on body functions, body structures, client factors, and activities of daily living; a gap in practice patterns in use of instruments; and overestimation of the degree to which instruments used are occupationally based. Occupational therapy practitioners should use outcome instruments that embody conceptual frameworks for classifying function and activity. Copyright © 2017 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Wave-mean flow interactions in the upper atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindzen, R. S.

1973-01-01

The nature of internal gravity waves is described with special emphasis on their ability to transport energy and momentum. The conditions under which these fluxes interact with the mean state of the atmosphere are described and the results are applied to various problems of the upper atmosphere, including the quasi-biennial oscillation, the heat budget of the thermosphere, the general circulation of the mesosphere, turbulence in the mesosphere, and the 4-day circulation of the Venusian atmosphere.

Proceedings of the 2007 Antenna Applications Symposium, Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-01

34Gyrator- Based Biquad Filters and Negative Impedance Converters for Microwaves," International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer- Aided...upper curves in the figure is the bandwidth based on half power gain 0/ 2 0.443 / DλΔ = , and the other upper curve is for the “Ideal” case 0/ 2 0.5...simulator with TEM horn, 2Ports HP Power Network Analyzer (PNA). 153 [a] [b] Figure 7: Active input impedance of the measured and simulated

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire on Breastfeeding Intentions, Attitudes and Knowledge of a Sample of Croatian Secondary-School Students.

PubMed

Čatipović, Marija; Marković, Martina; Grgurić, Josip

2018-04-27

Validating a questionnaire/instrument before proceeding to the field for data collection is important. An 18-item breastfeeding intention, 39-item attitude and 44-item knowledge questionnaire was validated in a Croatian sample of secondary-school students ( N = 277). For the intentions, principal component analysis (PCA) yielded a four-factor solution with 8 items explaining 68.3% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.71) indicated satisfactory internal consistency. For the attitudes, PCA showed a seven-factor structure with 33 items explaining 58.41% of total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.87) indicated good internal consistency. There were 13 knowledge questions that were retained after item analysis, showing good internal consistency (KR20 = 0.83). In terms of criterion validity, the questionnaire differentiated between students who received breastfeeding education compared to students who were not educated in breastfeeding. Correlations between intentions and attitudes (r = 0.49), intentions and knowledge (r = 0.29), and attitudes and knowledge (r = 0.38) confirmed concurrent validity. The final instrument is reliable and valid for data collection on breastfeeding. Therefore, the instrument is recommended for evaluation of breastfeeding education programs aimed at upper-grade elementary and secondary school students.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire on Breastfeeding Intentions, Attitudes and Knowledge of a Sample of Croatian Secondary-School Students

PubMed Central

Marković, Martina; Grgurić, Josip

2018-01-01

Background: Validating a questionnaire/instrument before proceeding to the field for data collection is important. Methods: An 18-item breastfeeding intention, 39-item attitude and 44-item knowledge questionnaire was validated in a Croatian sample of secondary-school students (N = 277). Results: For the intentions, principal component analysis (PCA) yielded a four-factor solution with 8 items explaining 68.3% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.71) indicated satisfactory internal consistency. For the attitudes, PCA showed a seven-factor structure with 33 items explaining 58.41% of total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.87) indicated good internal consistency. There were 13 knowledge questions that were retained after item analysis, showing good internal consistency (KR20 = 0.83). In terms of criterion validity, the questionnaire differentiated between students who received breastfeeding education compared to students who were not educated in breastfeeding. Correlations between intentions and attitudes (r = 0.49), intentions and knowledge (r = 0.29), and attitudes and knowledge (r = 0.38) confirmed concurrent validity. Conclusions: The final instrument is reliable and valid for data collection on breastfeeding. Therefore, the instrument is recommended for evaluation of breastfeeding education programs aimed at upper-grade elementary and secondary school students. PMID:29702616

Internal and external control of net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance of mature eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

Treesearch

Chris A. Maier; R.O. Teskey

1992-01-01

Leaf gas exchange and water relations were monitored in the upper canopy of two 25 m tall eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) trees over two consecutive growing seasons (1986 and 1987). Examination of the seasonal and diurnal patterns of net photosynthesis and leaf conductance showed that both internal and external (environmental) factors were...

Vesicular komatiites, 3.5-Ga Komati Formation, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa: inflation of submarine lavas and origin of spinifex zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dann, Jesse

2001-08-01

Komatiites of the 3.5-Ga Komati Formation are ultramafic lavas (>23% MgO) erupted in a submarine, lava plain environment. Newly discovered vesicular komatiites have vesicular upper crusts disrupted by synvolcanic structures that are similar to inflation-related structures of modern lava flows. Detailed outcrop maps reveal flows with upper vesicular zones, 2-15 m thick, which were (1) rotated by differential inflation, (2) intruded by dikes from the interior of the flow, (3) extended, forming a flooded graben, and/or (4) entirely engulfed. The largest inflated structure is a tumulus with 20 m of surface relief, which was covered by a compound flow unit of spinifex flow lobes. The lava that inflated and rotated the upper vesicular crust did not vesiculate, but crystallized as a thick spinifex zone with fist-size skeletal olivine. Instead of representing rapidly cooled lava, the spinifex zone cooled slowly beneath an insulating upper crust during inflation. Overpressure of the inflating lava may have inhibited vesiculation. This work describes the oldest vesicular komatiites known, illustrates the first field evidence for inflated structures in komatiite flows, proposes a new factor in the development of spinifex zones, and concludes that the inflation model is useful for understanding the evolution of komatiite submarine flow fields.

Infratrochlear neuralgia.

PubMed

Pareja, Juan A; Casanova, Ignacio; Arbex, Andrea; Cuadrado, María L

2015-11-01

The infratrochlear nerve supplies the medial aspect of the upper eyelid, the superolateral aspect of the nose and the lacrimal caruncle. This nerve may contribute to the pain stemming from the trochlea, but infratrochlear neuralgia has not been identified as a specific cause of pain. Over a 10-year period we have been recruiting patients with pain in the internal angle of the orbit that did not show features of trochlear pain. Seven patients (six female, one male; mean age, 46.1 ± 18.9) presented with pain in the territory of the infratrochlear nerve. The pain appeared in the internal angle of the orbit and upper eyelid (n = 3), the superolateral aspect of the nose (n = 3), or the lacrimal caruncle (n = 1). All patients had a paroxysmal pain, with the attacks lasting five to 30 seconds. Pain attacks were mostly spontaneous, but two patients had triggers. Between attacks, all patients had local allodynia. Pain did not increase with vertical eye movements. Six patients were treated with gabapentin with complete response, and one patient experienced long-lasting relief with an anesthetic blockade of the infratrochlear nerve. Infratrochlear neuralgia should be considered as a possible cause of pain in the internal angle of the orbit. © International Headache Society 2015.

Titan's interior from Cassini-Huygens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tobie, G.; Baland, R.-M.; Lefevre, A.; Monteux, J.; Cadek, O.; Choblet, G.; Mitri, G.

2013-09-01

The Cassini-Huygens mission has brought many informations about Titan that can be used to infer its interior structure: the gravity field coefficients (up to degree 3, [1]), the surface shape (up to degree 6, [2]), the tidal Love number [1], the electric field [3], and the orientation of its rotation axis [4]. The measured obliquity and gravity perturbation due to tides, as well as the electric field, are lines of evidence for the presence of an internal global ocean beneath the ice surface of Titan [5,1,3]. The observed surface shape and gravity can be used to further constrain the structure of the ice shell above the internal ocean. The presence of a significant topography associated with weak gravity anomalies indicates that deflections of internal interface or lateral density variations may exist to compensate the topography. To assess the sources of compensation, we consider interior models including interface deflections and/or density variations, which reproduces simultaneously the surface gravity and long-wavelength topography data [6]. Furthermore, in order to test the long-term mechanical stability of the internal mass anomalies, we compute the relaxation rate of each internal interface in response to surface mass load. We show that the topography can be explained either by defections of the ocean/ice interface or by density variations in an upper crust [6]. For non-perfectly compensated models of the outer ice shell, the present-day structure is stable only for a conductive layer above a relatively cold ocean (for bottom viscosity > 1016 Pa.s, T < 250 K). For perfectly compensated models, a convective ice shell is stable (with a bottom viscosity lower than 1015 Pas) if the source of compensation is due to density variations in the upper crust (2-3 km below the surface). In this case, deep gravity anomalies are required to explain the observed geoid. Our calculations show that the high pressure ice layer cannot be the source of the residual gravity anomalies. The existence of mass anomalies in the rocky core is a most likely explanation. However, as the observed geoid and topography are mostly sensitive to the lateral structure of the outer ice shell, no information can be retrieved on the ice shell thickness, ocean density and/or size of the rocky core. Constraints on these internal parameters can be obtained from the tidal Love number and the obliquity. To derive the possible density profile, the obliquity is computed from a Cassini state model for a satellite with an internal liquid layer, each layer having an ellipsoidal shape consistent with the measured surface shape and gravity field [7]. We show that, once the observed surface flattening is taken into account, the measured obliquity can be reproduced only for internal models with a dense ocean (between 1275 and 1350 kg.m-3) above a differentiated interior with a full separation of rock and ice [7]. We obtain normalized moments of inertia between 0.31 and 0.33, significantly lower than the expected hydrostatic value (0.34). The tidal Love number is also found to be mostly sensitive to the ocean density and to a lesser extent the ice shell thickness. By combining obliquity and tidal Love number constraints, we show that the thickness of the outer ice shell is at least 40 km and the ocean thickness is less than 100 km, with an averaged density of 1275-1350 kg.m-3. Such a high density indicates that the ocean may contain a significant fraction of salts. Our calculations also imply that there is a significant difference of flattening between the surface and the ice/ocean interface. This is possible only if the ice layer is viscous enough to limit relaxation, as indicated above. This is also consistent with an ocean enriched in salts for which the crystallization point can be several tens of degree below the crystallization point of pure water system. The elevated density (> 3800 kg.m-3) found for the rocky core further suggests that Titan might have a differentiated iron core. The rocky core is likely fully dehydrated at present, suggesting warm conditions during most of its evolution. All the water contained in the deep interior has probably been expelled to the outer regions, thus potentially explaining the salt enrichments.

Study on 3-D velocity structure of crust and upper mantle in Sichuan-yunnan region, China

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wang, C.; Mooney, W.D.; Wang, X.; Wu, J.; Lou, H.; Wang, F.

2002-01-01

Based on the first arrival P and S data of 4 625 regional earthquakes recorded at 174 stations dispersed in the Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, the 3-D velocity structure of crust and upper mantle in the region is determined, incorporating with previous deep geophysical data. In the upper crust, a positive anomaly velocity zone exists in the Sichuan basin, whereas a negative anomaly velocity zone exists in the western Sichuan plateau. The boundary between the positive and negative anomaly zones is the Longmenshan fault zone. The images of lower crust and upper mantle in the Longmenshan fault, Xianshuihe fault, Honghe fault and others appear the characteristic of tectonic boundary, indicating that the faults litely penetrate the Moho discontinuity. The negative velocity anomalies at the depth of 50 km in the Tengchong volcanic area and the Panxi tectonic zone appear to be associated with the temperature and composition variations in the upper mantle. The overall features of the crustal and the upper mantle structures in the Sichuan-Yunnan region are the lower average velocity in both crust and uppermost mantle, the large crustal thickness variations, and the existence of high conductivity layer in the crust or/and upper mantle, and higher geothermal value. All these features are closely related to the collision between the Indian and the Asian plates. The crustal velocity in the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block generally shows normal.value or positive anomaly, while the negative anomaly exists in the area along the large strike-slip faults as the block boundary. It is conducive to the crustal block side-pressing out along the faults. In the major seismic zones, the seismicity is relative to the negative anomaly velocity. Most strong earthquakes occurred in the upper-mid crust with positive anomaly or normal velocity, where the negative anomaly zone generally exists below.

Ceramic-ceramic shell tile thermal protection system and method thereof

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riccitiello, Salvatore R. (Inventor); Smith, Marnell (Inventor); Goldstein, Howard E. (Inventor); Zimmerman, Norman B. (Inventor)

1986-01-01

A ceramic reusable, externally applied composite thermal protection system (TPS) is proposed. The system functions by utilizing a ceramic/ceramic upper shell structure which effectively separates its primary functions as a thermal insulator and as a load carrier to transmit loads to the cold structure. The composite tile system also prevents impact damage to the atmospheric entry vehicle thermal protection system. The composite tile comprises a structurally strong upper ceramic/ceramic shell manufactured from ceramic fibers and ceramic matrix meeting the thermal and structural requirements of a tile used on a re-entry aerospace vehicle. In addition, a lightweight high temperature ceramic lower temperature base tile is used. The upper shell and lower tile are attached by means effective to withstand the extreme temperatures (3000 to 3200F) and stress conditions. The composite tile may include one or more layers of variable density rigid or flexible thermal insulation. The assembly of the overall tile is facilitated by two or more locking mechanisms on opposing sides of the overall tile assembly. The assembly may occur subsequent to the installation of the lower shell tile on the spacecraft structural skin.

An analysis of Solar Mesospheric Explorer temperatures for the upper stratosphere and mesosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clancy, R. Todd; Rusch, David W.

1993-01-01

We proposed to analyze Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME) limb profiles of Rayleigh scattered solar flux at wavelengths of 304, 313, and 443 nm to retrieve atmospheric temperature profiles over the 40-65 km altitude region. These temperatures can be combined with the previous analysis of SME 296 nm limb radiances to construct a monthly average climatology of atmospheric temperatures over the 40-90 km, upper stratosphere-mesosphere region, with approximately 4 km vertical resolution. We proposed to investigate the detailed nature of the global temperature structure of this poorly measured region, based on these 1982-1986 SME temperatures. The average vertical structure of temperatures between the stratopause and mesopause has never been determined globally with vertical resolution sufficient to retrieve even scale-height structures. Hence, the SME temperatures provided a unique opportunity to study the detailed thermal structure of the mesosphere, in advance of Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) measurements and the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energy and Dynamics (TIMED) mission.

Thinning Mechanism of the South China Sea Crust: New Insight from the Deep Crustal Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, S. P.; Pubellier, M. F.; Delescluse, M.; Qiu, Y.; Liang, Y.; Chamot-Rooke, N. R. A.; Nie, X.; Wang, J.

2017-12-01

The passive margin in the South China Sea (SCS) has experienced a long-lived extension period from Paleocene to late Miocene, as well as an extreme stretching which implies an unusual fault system to accommodate the whole amount of extension. Previous interpretations of the fault system need to be revised to explain the amount of strain. We study a long multichannel seismic profile crossing the whole rifted margin in the southwest of SCS, using 6 km- and 8 km-long streamers. After de-multiple processing by SRME, Radon and F-K filtering, an enhanced image of the crustal geometry, especially on the deep crust, allows us to illustrate two levels of detachment at depth. The deeper detachment is around 7-8 sec TWT in the profile. The faults rooting at this detachment are characterized by large offset and are responsible for thicker synrift sediment. A few of these faults appear to reach the Moho. The geometry of the acoustic basement between these boundary faults suggests gentle tilting with a long wavelength ( 200km), and implies some internal deformation. The shallower detachment is located around 4-5 sec TWT. The faults rooting at this detachment represent smaller offset, a shorter wavelength of the basement and thinner packages of synrift sediment. Two detachments separate the crust into upper, middle and lower crust. If the lower crust shows ductile behavior, the upper and middle crust is mostly brittle and form large wavelength boudinage structure, and the internal deformation of the boudins might imply low friction detachments at shallower levels. The faults rooting to deep detachment have activated during the whole rifting period until the breakup. Within the upper and middle crust, the faults resulted in important tilting of the basement at shallow depth, and connect to the deep detachment at some places. The crustal geometry illustrates how the two detachments are important for the thinning process, and also constitute a pathway for the following magmatic activity from the mantle to the surface.

New test of weak equivalence principle using polarized light from astrophysical events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Xue-Feng; Wei, Jun-Jie; Lan, Mi-Xiang; Gao, He; Dai, Zi-Gao; Mészáros, Peter

2017-05-01

Einstein's weak equivalence principle (WEP) states that any freely falling, uncharged test particle follows the same identical trajectory independent of its internal structure and composition. Since the polarization of a photon is considered to be part of its internal structure, we propose that polarized photons from astrophysical transients, such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and fast radio bursts (FRBs), can be used to constrain the accuracy of the WEP through the Shapiro time delay effect. Assuming that the arrival time delays of photons with different polarizations are mainly attributed to the gravitational potential of the Laniakea supercluster of galaxies, we show that a strict upper limit on the differences of the parametrized post-Newtonian parameter γ value for the polarized optical emission of GRB 120308A is Δ γ <1.2 ×10-10 , for the polarized gamma-ray emission of GRB 100826A is Δ γ <1.2 ×10-10 , and for the polarized radio emission of FRB 150807 is Δ γ <2.2 ×10-16 . These are the first direct verifications of the WEP for multiband photons with different polarizations. In particular, the result from FRB 150807 provides the most stringent limit to date on a deviation from the WEP, improving by one order of magnitude the previous best result based on Crab pulsar photons with different energies.

Numerical study on response time of a parallel plate capacitive polyimide humidity sensor based on microhole upper electrode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Wenhe; He, Xuan; Wu, Jianyun; Wang, Liangbi; Wang, Liangcheng

2017-07-01

The parallel plate capacitive humidity sensor based on the grid upper electrode is considered to be a promising one in some fields which require a humidity sensor with better dynamic characteristics. To strengthen the structure and balance the electric charge of the grid upper electrode, a strip is needed. However, it is the strip that keeps the dynamic characteristics of the sensor from being further improved. The numerical method is time- and cost-saving, but the numerical study on the response time of the sensor is just of bits and pieces. The numerical models presented by these studies did not consider the porosity effect of the polymer film on the dynamic characteristics. To overcome the defect of the grid upper electrode, a new structure of the upper electrode is provided by this paper first, and then a model considering the porosity effects of the polymer film on the dynamic characteristics is presented and validated. Finally, with the help of software FLUENT, parameter effects on the response time of the humidity sensor based on the microhole upper electrode are studied by the numerical method. The numerical results show that the response time of the microhole upper electrode sensor is 86% better than that of the grid upper electrode sensor, the response time of humidity sensor can be improved by reducing the hole spacing, increasing the aperture, reducing film thickness, and reasonably enlarging the porosity of the film.

Artist Concept of MAVEN Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph at Work

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-11-07

This artist concept depicts the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph IUVS on NASA MAVEN spacecraft scanning the upper atmosphere of Mars. IUVS uses limb scans to map the chemical makeup and vertical structure across Mars upper atmosphere.

Upper Face: Clinical Anatomy and Regional Approaches with Injectable Fillers.

PubMed

Sykes, Jonathan M; Cotofana, Sebastian; Trevidic, Patrick; Solish, Nowell; Carruthers, Jean; Carruthers, Alastair; Moradi, Amir; Swift, Arthur; Massry, Guy G; Lambros, Val; Remington, B Kent

2015-11-01

The use of facial fillers has been rapidly increased as the range of injectable products and indications continues to expand. Complications may arise from improper placement or technique. This article highlights the importance of anatomic knowledge when using injectable fillers in the face. A detailed review of the clinical anatomy of the upper face is performed. Regional approaches are described using the applied anatomy to efficiently and safely augment the different subunits of the upper face. Key aspects of safe and successful injection of fillers in the upper face include a thorough knowledge of the location of fat compartments and neurovascular structures. Awareness of these structures enables the practitioner to maximize injections, while avoiding damage to important nerves and vessels. A detailed knowledge of the anatomy and properties of the product is paramount to maximize the efficacy while minimizing the risk of complications.

Shell tile thermal protection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macconochie, I. O.; Lawson, A. G.; Kelly, H. N. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

A reusable, externally applied thermal protection system for use on aerospace vehicles subject to high thermal and mechanical stresses utilizes a shell tile structure which effectively separates its primary functions as an insulator and load absorber. The tile consists of structurally strong upper and lower metallic shells manufactured from materials meeting the thermal and structural requirements incident to tile placement on the spacecraft. A lightweight, high temperature package of insulation is utilized in the upper shell while a lightweight, low temperature insulation is utilized in the lower shell. Assembly of the tile which is facilitated by a self-locking mechanism, may occur subsequent to installation of the lower shell on the spacecraft structural skin.

How large B-factors can be in protein crystal structures.

PubMed

Carugo, Oliviero

2018-02-23

Protein crystal structures are potentially over-interpreted since they are routinely refined without any restraint on the upper limit of atomic B-factors. Consequently, some of their atoms, undetected in the electron density maps, are allowed to reach extremely large B-factors, even above 100 square Angstroms, and their final positions are purely speculative and not based on any experimental evidence. A strategy to define B-factors upper limits is described here, based on the analysis of protein crystal structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank prior 2008, when the tendency to allow B-factor to arbitrary inflate was limited. This B-factor upper limit (B_max) is determined by extrapolating the relationship between crystal structure average B-factor and percentage of crystal volume occupied by solvent (pcVol) to pcVol =100%, when, ab absurdo, the crystal contains only liquid solvent, the structure of which is, by definition, undetectable in electron density maps. It is thus possible to highlight structures with average B-factors larger than B_max, which should be considered with caution by the users of the information deposited in the Protein Data Bank, in order to avoid scientifically deleterious over-interpretations.

Analytical Approach for Estimating Preliminary Mass of ARES I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Structural Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aggarwal, Pravin

2007-01-01

In January 2004, President Bush gave the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) a vision for Space Exploration by setting our sight on a bold new path to go back to the Moon, then to Mars and beyond. In response to this vision, NASA started the Constellation Program, which is a new exploration launch vehicle program. The primary mission for the Constellation Program is to carry out a series of human expeditions ranging from Low Earth Orbit to the surface of Mars and beyond for the purposes of conducting human exploration of space, as specified by the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE). The intent is that the information and technology developed by this program will provide the foundation for broader exploration activities as our operational experience grows. The ARES I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) has been designated as the launch vehicle that will be developed as a "first step" to facilitate the aforementioned human expeditions. The CLV Project is broken into four major elements: First Stage, Upper Stage Engine, Upper Stage (US), and the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is responsible for the design of the CLV and has the prime responsibility to design the upper stage of the vehicle. The US is the second propulsive stage of the CLV and provides CEV insertion into low Earth orbit (LEO) after separation from the First Stage of the Crew Launch Vehicle. The fully integrated Upper Stage is a mix of modified existing heritage hardware (J-2X Engine) and new development (primary structure, subsystems, and avionics). The Upper Stage assembly is a structurally stabilized cylindrical structure, which is powered by a single J-2X engine which is developed as a separate Element of the CLV. The primary structure includes the load bearing liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) propellant tanks, a Forward Skirt, the Intertank structure, the Aft Skirt and the Thrust Structure. A Systems Tunnel, which carries fluid and electrical power functions to other Elements of the CLV, is included as secondary structure. The MSFC has an overall responsibility for the integrated US element as well as structural design an thermal control of the fuel tanks, intertank, interstage, avionics, main propulsion system, Reaction Control System (RCS) for both the Upper Stage and the First Stage. MSFC's Spacecraft and Vehicle Department, Structural and Analysis Design Division is developing a set of predicted mass of these elements. This paper details the methodology, criterion and tools used for the preliminary mass predictions of the upper stage structural assembly components. In general, weight of the cylindrical barrel sections are estimated using the commercial code Hypersizer, whereas, weight of the domes are developed using classical solutions. HyperSizer is software that performs automated structural analysis and sizing optimization based on aerospace methods for strength, stability, and stiffness. Analysis methods range from closed form, traditional hand calculations repeated every day in industry to more advanced panel buckling algorithms. Margin-of-safety reporting for every potential failure provides the engineer with a powerful insight into the structural problem. Optimization capabilities include finding minimum weight panel or beam concepts, material selections, cross sectional dimensions, thicknesses, and lay-ups from a library of 40 different stiffened and sandwich designs and a database of composite, metallic, honeycomb, and foam materials. Multiple different concepts (orthogrid, isogrid, and skin stiffener) were run for multiple loading combinations of ascent design load with and with out tank pressure as well as proof pressure condition. Subsequently, selected optimized concept obtained from Hypersizer runs was translated into a computer aid design (CAD) model to account for the wall thickness tolerance, weld land etc for developing the most probable weight of the components. The flow diram summarizes the analysis steps used in developing these predicted mass.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, internal consistency and validation of the Hand Function Sort (HFS©) for French speaking patients with upper limb complaints.

PubMed

Konzelmann, M; Burrus, C; Hilfiker, R; Rivier, G; Deriaz, O; Luthi, F

2015-03-01

Functional evaluation of upper limb is not only based on clinical findings but requires self-administered questionnaires to address patients' perspective. The Hand Function Sort (HFS©) was only validated in English. The aim of this study was the French cross cultural adaptation and validation of the HFS© (HFS-F). 150 patients with various upper limbs impairments were recruited in a rehabilitation center. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation were made according to international guidelines. Construct validity was estimated through correlations with Disabilities Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, SF-36 mental component summary (MCS),SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and pain intensity. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's α and test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation. Cronbach's α was 0.98, test-retest reliability was excellent at 0.921 (95 % CI 0.871-0.971) same as original HFS©. Correlations with DASH were-0.779 (95 % CI -0.847 to -0.685); with SF 36 PCS 0.452 (95 % CI 0.276-0.599); with pain -0.247 (95 % CI -0.429 to -0.041); with SF 36 MCS 0.242 (95 % CI 0.042-0.422). There were no floor or ceiling effects. The HFS-F has the same good psychometric properties as the original HFS© (internal consistency, test retest reliability, convergent validity with DASH, divergent validity with SF-36 MCS, and no floor or ceiling effects). The convergent validity with SF-36 PCS was poor; we found no correlation with pain. The HFS-F could be used with confidence in a population of working patients. Other studies are necessary to study its psychometric properties in other populations.

Does internal climate variability overwhelm climate change signals in streamflow? The upper Po and Rhone basin case studies.

PubMed

Fatichi, S; Rimkus, S; Burlando, P; Bordoy, R

2014-09-15

Projections of climate change effects in streamflow are increasingly required to plan water management strategies. These projections are however largely uncertain due to the spread among climate model realizations, internal climate variability, and difficulties in transferring climate model results at the spatial and temporal scales required by catchment hydrology. A combination of a stochastic downscaling methodology and distributed hydrological modeling was used in the ACQWA project to provide projections of future streamflow (up to year 2050) for the upper Po and Rhone basins, respectively located in northern Italy and south-western Switzerland. Results suggest that internal (stochastic) climate variability is a fundamental source of uncertainty, typically comparable or larger than the projected climate change signal. Therefore, climate change effects in streamflow mean, frequency, and seasonality can be masked by natural climatic fluctuations in large parts of the analyzed regions. An exception to the overwhelming role of stochastic variability is represented by high elevation catchments fed by glaciers where streamflow is expected to be considerably reduced due to glacier retreat, with consequences appreciable in the main downstream rivers in August and September. Simulations also identify regions (west upper Rhone and Toce, Ticino river basins) where a strong precipitation increase in the February to April period projects streamflow beyond the range of natural climate variability during the melting season. This study emphasizes the importance of including internal climate variability in climate change analyses, especially when compared to the limited uncertainty that would be accounted for by few deterministic projections. The presented results could be useful in guiding more specific impact studies, although design or management decisions should be better based on reliability and vulnerability criteria as suggested by recent literature. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of forearm axially rotated posture on shoulder load and shoulder abduction / flexion angles in one-armed arrest of forward falls.

PubMed

Hsu, Hsiu-Hao; Chou, You-Li; Lou, Shu-Zon; Huang, Ming-Jer; Chou, Paul Pei-Hsi

2011-03-01

Falling onto the outstretched hand is the most common cause of upper extremity injury. This study develops an experimental model for evaluating the shoulder load during a simulated forward fall onto one hand with three different forearm axially rotated postures, and examines the shoulder abduction angle and shoulder flexion angle in each case. Fifteen healthy young male subjects with an average age of 23.7 years performed a series of one-armed arrests from a height of 5 cm onto a force plate. The kinematics and kinetics of the upper extremity were analyzed for three different forearm postures, namely 45° externally rotated, non-rotated, and 45° internally rotated. The shoulder joint load and shoulder abduction/flexion angles were significantly dependent on the rotational posture of the forearm. The shoulder medio-lateral shear forces in the externally rotated group were found to be 1.61 and 2.94 times higher than those in the non-rotated and internally rotated groups, respectively. The shoulder flexion angles in the externally rotated, non-rotated and internally rotated groups were 0.6°, 8.0° and 19.2°, respectively, while the corresponding shoulder abduction angles were 6.1°, 34.1° and 46.3°, respectively. In falls onto the outstretched hand, an externally rotated forearm posture should be avoided in order to reduce the medio-lateral shear force acting on the shoulder joint. In falls of this type, a 45° internally rotated forearm posture represents the most effective fall strategy in terms of minimizing the risk of upper extremity injuries. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Crustal structure in the Elko-Carlin Region, Nevada, during Eocene gold mineralization: Ruby-East Humboldt metamorphic core complex as a guide to the deep crust

USGS Publications Warehouse

Howard, K.A.

2003-01-01

The deep crustal rocks exposed in the Ruby-East Humboldt metamorphic core complex, northeastern Nevada, provide a guide for reconstructing Eocene crustal structure ~50 km to the west near the Carlin trend of gold deposits. The deep crustal rocks, in the footwall of a west-dipping normal-sense shear system, may have underlain the Pinon and Adobe Ranges about 50 km to the west before Tertiary extension, close to or under part of the Carlin trend. Eocene lakes formed on the hanging wall of the fault system during an early phase of extension and may have been linked to a fluid reservoir for hydrothermal circulation. The magnitude and timing of Paleogene extension remain indistinct, but dikes and tilt axes in the upper crust indicate that spreading was east-west to northwest-southeast, perpendicular to a Paleozoic and Mesozoic orogen that the spreading overprinted. High geothermal gradients associated with Eocene or older crustal thinning may have contributed to hydrothermal circulation in the upper crust. Late Eocene eruptions, upper crustal dike intrusion, and gold mineralization approximately coincided temporally with deep intrusion of Eocene sills of granite and quartz diorite and shallower intrusion of the Harrison Pass pluton into the core-complex rocks. Stacked Mesozoic nappes of metamorphosed Paleozoic and Precambrian rocks in the core complex lay at least 13 to 20 km deep in Eocene time, on the basis of geobarometry studies. In the northern part of the complex, the presently exposed rocks had been even deeper in the late Mesozoic, to >30 km depths, before losing part of their cover by Eocene time. Nappes in the core plunge northward beneath the originally thicker Mesozoic tectonic cover in the north part of the core complex. Mesozoic nappes and tectonic wedging likely occupied the thickened midlevel crustal section between the deep crustal core-complex intrusions and nappes and the overlying upper crust. These structures, as well as the subsequent large-displacement Cenozoic extensional faulting and flow in the deep crust, would be expected to blur the expression of any regional structural roots that could correlate with mineral belts. Structural mismatch of the mineralized upper crust and the tectonically complex middle crust suggests that the Carlin trend relates not to subjacent deeply penetrating rooted structures but to favorable upper crustal host rocks aligned within a relatively coherent regional block of upper crust.

Composition and structure of the martian upper atmosphere: analysis of results from viking.

PubMed

McElroy, M B; Kong, T Y; Yung, Y L; Nier, A O

1976-12-11

Densities for carbon dioxide measured by the upper atmospheric mass spectrometers on Viking 1 and Viking 2 are analyzed to yield height profiles for the temperature of the martian atmosphere between 120 and 200 kilometers. Densities for nitrogen and argon are used to derive vertical profiles for the eddy diffusion coefficient over the same height range. The upper atmosphere of Mars is surprisingly cold with average temperatures for both Viking 1 and Viking 2 of less than 200 degrees K, and there is significant vertical structure. Model calculations are presented and shown to be in good agreement with measured concentrations of carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitric oxide.

Volcano dome dynamics at Mount St. Helens: Deformation and intermittent subsidence monitored by seismicity and camera imagery pixel offsets

USGS Publications Warehouse

Salzer, Jacqueline T.; Thelen, Weston A.; James, Mike R.; Walter, Thomas R.; Moran, Seth C.; Denlinger, Roger P.

2016-01-01

The surface deformation field measured at volcanic domes provides insights into the effects of magmatic processes, gravity- and gas-driven processes, and the development and distribution of internal dome structures. Here we study short-term dome deformation associated with earthquakes at Mount St. Helens, recorded by a permanent optical camera and seismic monitoring network. We use Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to compute the displacement field between successive images and compare the results to the occurrence and characteristics of seismic events during a 6 week period of dome growth in 2006. The results reveal that dome growth at Mount St. Helens was repeatedly interrupted by short-term meter-scale downward displacements at the dome surface, which were associated in time with low-frequency, large-magnitude seismic events followed by a tremor-like signal. The tremor was only recorded by the seismic stations closest to the dome. We find a correlation between the magnitudes of the camera-derived displacements and the spectral amplitudes of the associated tremor. We use the DIC results from two cameras and a high-resolution topographic model to derive full 3-D displacement maps, which reveals internal dome structures and the effect of the seismic activity on daily surface velocities. We postulate that the tremor is recording the gravity-driven response of the upper dome due to mechanical collapse or depressurization and fault-controlled slumping. Our results highlight the different scales and structural expressions during growth and disintegration of lava domes and the relationships between seismic and deformation signals.

River enhancement in the Upper Mississippi River basin: Approaches based on river uses, alterations, and management agencies

USGS Publications Warehouse

O'Donnell, T. K.; Galat, D.L.

2007-01-01

The Upper Mississippi River is characterized by a series of locks and dams, shallow impoundments, and thousands of river channelization structures that facilitate commercial navigation between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Cairo, Illinois. Agriculture and urban development over the past 200 years have degraded water quality and increased the rate of sediment and nutrient delivery to surface waters. River enhancement has become an important management tool employed to address causes and effects of surface water degradation and river modification in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. We report information on individual river enhancement projects and contrast project densities, goals, activities, monitoring, and cost between commercially non-navigated and navigated rivers (Non-navigated and Navigated Rivers, respectively). The total number of river enhancement projects collected during this effort was 62,108. Cost of all projects reporting spending between 1972 and 2006 was about US$1.6 billion. Water quality management was the most cited project goal within the basin. Other important goals in Navigated Rivers included in-stream habitat improvement and flow modification. Most projects collected for Non-navigated Rivers and their watersheds originated from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the USDA were important sources for projects in Navigated Rivers. Collaborative efforts between agencies that implement projects in Non-navigated and Navigated Rivers may be needed to more effectively address river impairment. However, the current state of data sources tracking river enhancement projects deters efficient and broad-scale integration. ?? Journal compilation ?? 2007 Society for Ecological Restoration International.

Petroleum systems of the Southeast Tertiary basins and Marbella area, Southeast Mexico

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

Fuentes, F.

1996-08-01

This study was done in an area where insufficient organic-rich rocks were available for a reliable oil-source rock correlation. However, oil-rock correlations, molecular characteristics of key horizons, paleofacies maps, maturation and potential migration pathways suggest the Tithonian as a major source rock. Moreover, there is good evidence of high quality source rocks in Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian, Middle-Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene (mainly in the Eocene). Plays were identified in Upper Jurassic oolitic sequences, Early-Middle Cretaceus carbonate platform rocks and breccias, Late Cretaceous basinal fracture carbonates, Paleogene carbonates and breccias, Early-Middle Miocene mounds and submarine fans and isolated carbonate platform sediments and Miocene-Recentmore » turbidites. Seal rocks are shaly carbonates and anhydrites from Tithonian, basinal carbonates and anhydrites from Middle-Upper Cretaceous, basinal carbonates and marls from Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene shales, and bathyal shales from Early Miocene-Recent. The first phase of oil migration from upper Jurassic-Early Cretaceous source rocks occurred in the Early-Middle Cretaceous. In the Upper Cretaceous the Chortis block collided with Chiapas, and as a result mild folding and some hydrocarbons were emplaced to the structural highs. The main phase of structuration and folding of the Sierra de Chiapas started in the Miocene, resulting in well-defined structural traps. Finally, in Plio-Pleistocene the Chortis block was separated, the major compressional period finished and the southern portion of Sierra de Chiapas was raised isostatically. As a result of major subsidence, salt withdrawal and increased burial depth, conditions were created for the generation of liquid hydrocarbons from the Paleogene shales.« less

A Novel Surface Structure Consisting of Contact-active Antibacterial Upper-layer and Antifouling Sub-layer Derived from Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Salt Polyurethanes.

PubMed

He, Wei; Zhang, Yi; Li, Jiehua; Gao, Yunlong; Luo, Feng; Tan, Hong; Wang, Kunjie; Fu, Qiang

2016-08-26

Contact-active antibacterial surfaces play a vital role in preventing bacterial contamination of artificial surfaces. In the past, numerous researches have been focused on antibacterial surfaces comprising of antifouling upper-layer and antibacterial sub-layer. In this work, we demonstrate a reversed surface structure which integrate antibacterial upper-layer and antifouling sub-layer. These surfaces are prepared by simply casting gemini quaternary ammonium salt waterborne polyurethanes (GWPU) and their blends. Due to the high interfacial energy of gemini quaternary ammonium salt (GQAS), chain segments containing GQAS can accumulate at polymer/air interface to form an antibacterial upper-layer spontaneously during the film formation. Meanwhile, the soft segments composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) formed the antifouling sub-layer. Our findings indicate that the combination of antibacterial upper-layer and antifouling sub-layer endow these surfaces strong, long-lasting antifouling and contact-active antibacterial properties, with a more than 99.99% killing efficiency against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria attached to them.

A Novel Surface Structure Consisting of Contact-active Antibacterial Upper-layer and Antifouling Sub-layer Derived from Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Salt Polyurethanes

PubMed Central

He, Wei; Zhang, Yi; Li, Jiehua; Gao, Yunlong; Luo, Feng; Tan, Hong; Wang, Kunjie; Fu, Qiang

2016-01-01

Contact-active antibacterial surfaces play a vital role in preventing bacterial contamination of artificial surfaces. In the past, numerous researches have been focused on antibacterial surfaces comprising of antifouling upper-layer and antibacterial sub-layer. In this work, we demonstrate a reversed surface structure which integrate antibacterial upper-layer and antifouling sub-layer. These surfaces are prepared by simply casting gemini quaternary ammonium salt waterborne polyurethanes (GWPU) and their blends. Due to the high interfacial energy of gemini quaternary ammonium salt (GQAS), chain segments containing GQAS can accumulate at polymer/air interface to form an antibacterial upper-layer spontaneously during the film formation. Meanwhile, the soft segments composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) formed the antifouling sub-layer. Our findings indicate that the combination of antibacterial upper-layer and antifouling sub-layer endow these surfaces strong, long-lasting antifouling and contact-active antibacterial properties, with a more than 99.99% killing efficiency against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria attached to them. PMID:27561546

Crustal structure in Tengchong Volcano-Geothermal Area, western Yunnan, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chun-Yong; Huangfu, Gang

2004-02-01

Based upon the deep seismic sounding profiles carried out in the Tengchong Volcano-Geothermal Area (TVGA), western Yunnan Province of China, a 2-D crustal P velocity structure is obtained by use of finite-difference inversion and forward travel-time fitting method. The crustal model shows that a low-velocity anomaly zone exists in the upper crust, which is related to geothermal activity. Two faults, the Longling-Ruili Fault and Tengchong Fault, on the profile extend from surface to the lower crust and the Tengchong Fault likely penetrates the Moho. Moreover, based on teleseismic receiver functions on a temporary seismic network, S-wave velocity structures beneath the geothermal field show low S-wave velocity in the upper crust. From results of geophysical survey, the crust of TVGA is characterized by low P-wave and S-wave velocities, low resistivity, high heat-flow value and low Q. The upper mantle P-wave velocity is also low. This suggests presence of magma in the crust derived from the upper mantle. The low-velocity anomaly in upper crust may be related to the magma differentiation. The Tengchong volcanic area is located on the northeast edge of the Indian-Eurasian plate collision zone, away from the eastern boundary of the Indian plate by about 450 km. Based on the results of this paper and related studies, the Tengchong volcanoes can be classified as plate boundary volcanoes.

Improper trunk rotation sequence is associated with increased maximal shoulder external rotation angle and shoulder joint force in high school baseball pitchers.

PubMed

Oyama, Sakiko; Yu, Bing; Blackburn, J Troy; Padua, Darin A; Li, Li; Myers, Joseph B

2014-09-01

In a properly coordinated throwing motion, peak pelvic rotation velocity is reached before peak upper torso rotation velocity, so that angular momentum can be transferred effectively from the proximal (pelvis) to distal (upper torso) segment. However, the effects of trunk rotation sequence on pitching biomechanics and performance have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk rotation sequence on ball speed and on upper extremity biomechanics that are linked to injuries in high school baseball pitchers. The hypothesis was that pitchers with improper trunk rotation sequence would demonstrate lower ball velocity and greater stress to the joint. Descriptive laboratory study. Three-dimensional pitching kinematics data were captured from 72 high school pitchers. Subjects were considered to have proper or improper trunk rotation sequences when the peak pelvic rotation velocity was reached either before or after the peak upper torso rotation velocity beyond the margin of error (±3.7% of the time from stride-foot contact to ball release). Maximal shoulder external rotation angle, elbow extension angle at ball release, peak shoulder proximal force, shoulder internal rotation moment, and elbow varus moment were compared between groups using independent t tests (α < 0.05). Pitchers with improper trunk rotation sequences (n = 33) demonstrated greater maximal shoulder external rotation angle (mean difference, 7.2° ± 2.9°, P = .016) and greater shoulder proximal force (mean difference, 9.2% ± 3.9% body weight, P = .021) compared with those with proper trunk rotation sequences (n = 22). No other variables differed significantly different between groups. High school baseball pitchers who demonstrated improper trunk rotation sequences demonstrated greater maximal shoulder external rotation angle and shoulder proximal force compared with pitchers with proper trunk rotation sequences. Improper sequencing of the trunk and torso alter upper extremity joint loading in ways that may influence injury risk. As such, exercises that reinforce the use of a proper trunk rotation sequence during the pitching motion may reduce the stress placed on the structures around the shoulder joint and lead to the prevention of injuries. © 2014 The Author(s).

Airflow structures and nano-particle deposition in a human upper airway model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Z.; Kleinstreuer, C.

2004-07-01

Considering a human upper airway model, or equivalently complex internal flow conduits, the transport and deposition of nano-particles in the 1-150 nm diameter range are simulated and analyzed for cyclic and steady flow conditions. Specifically, using a commercial finite-volume software with user-supplied programs as a solver, the Euler-Euler approach for the fluid-particle dynamics is employed with a low-Reynolds-number k- ω model for laminar-to-turbulent airflow and the mass transfer equation for dispersion of nano-particles or vapors. Presently, the upper respiratory system consists of two connected segments of a simplified human cast replica, i.e., the oral airways from the mouth to the trachea (Generation G0) and an upper tracheobronchial tree model of G0-G3. Experimentally validated computational fluid-particle dynamics results show the following: (i) transient effects in the oral airways appear most prominently during the decelerating phase of the inspiratory cycle; (ii) selecting matching flow rates, total deposition fractions of nano-size particles for cyclic inspiratory flow are not significantly different from those for steady flow; (iii) turbulent fluctuations which occur after the throat can persist downstream to at least Generation G3 at medium and high inspiratory flow rates (i.e., Qin⩾30 l/min) due to the enhancement of flow instabilities just upstream of the flow dividers; however, the effects of turbulent fluctuations on nano-particle deposition are quite minor in the human upper airways; (iv) deposition of nano-particles occurs to a relatively greater extent around the carinal ridges when compared to the straight tubular segments in the bronchial airways; (v) deposition distributions of nano-particles vary with airway segment, particle size, and inhalation flow rate, where the local deposition is more uniformly distributed for large-size particles (say, dp=100 nm) than for small-size particles (say, dp=1 nm); (vi) dilute 1 nm particle suspensions behave like certain (fuel) vapors which have the same diffusivities; and (vii) new correlations for particle deposition as a function of a diffusion parameter are most useful for global lung modeling.

[Kinematics Modeling and Analysis of Central-driven Robot for Upper Limb Rehabilitation after Stroke].

PubMed

Yi, Jinhua; Yu, Hongliu; Zhang, Ying; Hu, Xin; Shi, Ping

2015-12-01

The present paper proposed a central-driven structure of upper limb rehabilitation robot in order to reduce the volume of the robotic arm in the structure, and also to reduce the influence of motor noise, radiation and other adverse factors on upper limb dysfunction patient. The forward and inverse kinematics equations have been obtained with using the Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) parameter method. The motion simulation has been done to obtain the angle-time curve of each joint and the position-time curve of handle under setting rehabilitation path by using Solid Works software. Experimental results showed that the rationality with the central-driven structure design had been verified by the fact that the handle could move under setting rehabilitation path. The effectiveness of kinematics equations had been proved, and the error was less than 3° by comparing the angle-time curves obtained from calculation with those from motion simulation.

Two-axis tracker for solar panels and the like

DOEpatents

Liao, Henry H.

2013-04-16

A tracker including an outer post having elongated bore and a lower end mounted on a sub-structure, an inner pole rotatably received in the elongated bore, a lower bearing in the bore adjacent a lower end of the outer post and attached thereto to be constrained from lateral movement and mounted on the sub-structure such that a lower end of the inner pole rests on and is supported by the lower bearing, an upper bearing near an upper end of the outer post, a circumferential drive supported on the outer post for rotating the inner pole relative to the outer post, such that substantially a full weight of a load on the inner pole is directly transmitted to the sub-structure and lateral force and torque leverage are placed on a full length of the outer post by way of the upper and lower bearing.

[Epidemiology of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Gabon].

PubMed

Gaudong Mbethe, G L; Mounguengui, D; Ondounda, M; Magne, C; Bignoumbra, R; Ntsoumou, S; Moussavou Kombila, J-B; Nzenze, J R

2014-01-01

The department of internal medicine of the military hospital of Gabon managed 92 cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from April 2009 to November 2011. The frequency of these hemorrhages in the department was 8.2%; they occurred most often in adults aged 30-40 years and 50-60 years, and mainly men (74%). Erosive-ulcerative lesions (65.2%) were the leading causes of hemorrhage, followed by esophageal varices (15.2%). These results underline the importance of preventive measures for the control of this bleeding.

The Impact of the HP 5071A on International Atomic Time. Appendix A

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-12-01

need still to be evaluated. Also in Figure 7, The upper and lower values for the two-way satellite time and frequency transfer ( TWSTFT ) technique are...typical performance stability observed between two sites remote to each other. The upper limit is dotted on the right end as a reminder that TWSTFT is not...not be as good as that shown, but would be nominally given by 1 nslr. The TWSTFT technique both transmits and receives, and cannot be used for

Numerical and Experimental Validation of the Optimization Methodologies for a Wing-Tip Structure Equipped with Conventional and Morphing Ailerons =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koreanschi, Andreea

In order to answer the problem of 'how to reduce the aerospace industry's environment footprint?' new morphing technologies were developed. These technologies were aimed at reducing the aircraft's fuel consumption through reduction of the wing drag. The morphing concept used in the present research consists of replacing the conventional aluminium upper surface of the wing with a flexible composite skin for morphing abilities. For the ATR-42 'Morphing wing' project, the wing models were manufactured entirely from composite materials and the morphing region was optimized for flexibility. In this project two rigid wing models and an active morphing wing model were designed, manufactured and wind tunnel tested. For the CRIAQ MDO 505 project, a full scale wing-tip equipped with two types of ailerons, conventional and morphing, was designed, optimized, manufactured, bench and wind tunnel tested. The morphing concept was applied on a real wing internal structure and incorporated aerodynamic, structural and control constraints specific to a multidisciplinary approach. Numerical optimization, aerodynamic analysis and experimental validation were performed for both the CRIAQ MDO 505 full scale wing-tip demonstrator and the ATR-42 reduced scale wing models. In order to improve the aerodynamic performances of the ATR-42 and CRIAQ MDO 505 wing airfoils, three global optimization algorithms were developed, tested and compared. The three algorithms were: the genetic algorithm, the artificial bee colony and the gradient descent. The algorithms were coupled with the two-dimensional aerodynamic solver XFoil. XFoil is known for its rapid convergence, robustness and use of the semi-empirical e n method for determining the position of the flow transition from laminar to turbulent. Based on the performance comparison between the algorithms, the genetic algorithm was chosen for the optimization of the ATR-42 and CRIAQ MDO 505 wing airfoils. The optimization algorithm was improved during the CRIAQ MDO 505 project for convergence speed by introducing a two-step cross-over function. Structural constraints were introduced in the algorithm at each aero-structural optimization interaction, allowing a better manipulation of the algorithm and giving it more capabilities of morphing combinations. The CRIAQ MDO 505 project envisioned a morphing aileron concept for the morphing upper surface wing. For this morphing aileron concept, two optimization methods were developed. The methods used the already developed genetic algorithm and each method had a different design concept. The first method was based on the morphing upper surface concept, using actuation points to achieve the desired shape. The second method was based on the hinge rotation concept of the conventional aileron but applied at multiple nodes along the aileron camber to achieve the desired shape. Both methods were constrained by manufacturing and aerodynamic requirements. The purpose of the morphing aileron methods was to obtain an aileron shape with a smoother pressure distribution gradient during deflection than the conventional aileron. The aerodynamic optimization results were used for the structural optimization and design of the wing, particularly the flexible composite skin. Due to the structural changes performed on the initial wing-tip structure, an aeroelastic behaviour analysis, more specific on flutter phenomenon, was performed. The analyses were done to ensure the structural integrity of the wing-tip demonstrator during wind tunnel tests. Three wind tunnel tests were performed for the CRIAQ MDO 505 wing-tip demonstrator at the IAR-NRC subsonic wind tunnel facility in Ottawa. The first two tests were performed for the wing-tip equipped with conventional aileron. The purpose of these tests was to validate the control system designed for the morphing upper surface, the numerical optimization and aerodynamic analysis and to evaluate the optimization efficiency on the boundary layer behaviour and the wing drag. The third set of wind tunnel tests was performed on the wing-tip equipped with a morphing aileron. The purpose of this test was to evaluate the performances of the morphing aileron, in conjunction with the active morphing upper surface, and their effect on the lift, drag and boundary layer behaviour. Transition data, obtained from Infrared Thermography, and pressure data, extracted from Kulite and pressure taps recordings, were used to validate the numerical optimization and aerodynamic performances of the wing-tip demonstrator. A set of wind tunnel tests was performed on the ATR-42 rigid wing models at the Price-Paidoussis subsonic wind tunnel at Ecole de technologie Superieure. The results from the pressure taps recordings were used to validate the numerical optimization. A second derivative of the pressure distribution method was applied to evaluate the transition region on the upper surface of the wing models for comparison with the numerical transition values. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

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

Lorenzetti, E.A.; Brennan, P.A.; Hook, S.C.

The authors present graphical solutions to the extensional fault-related folding equations of Xiao and Suppe (1992), simplifying the prediction of normal fault location or rollover geometry from subsurface data. These equations also predict the extent of bed thinning and elongation in hanging wall strata. They have derived new equations that relate change in fault slip across a fault bend to fault geometry. Applying these equations in seismic interpretation makes it easier to (1) construct balanced cross-sections, (2) account for the slip observed, and (3) determine the growth history of extensional fault-related folds. They have applied these concepts to several southeastmore » Asian rift basins in Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand. These basins were formed by early Tertiary crustal extension, producing rollover structures in which sediment supply generally did not keep up with subsidence. These under-filled, internally drained depressions periodically contained lakes, providing the environment for deposition of organic-rich strata that ultimately became hydrocarbon source rock. Typically, the main basin bounding faults dip 35-55[degrees] near their upper terminations and flatten to become subhorizontal. Synthetic and antithetic secondary faults are usually present. Late compaction faulting often propagates upward from major extensional faults and may reactivate the upper portions of these faults. In many basins, late compression produced inversion structures. By applying the concepts of extensional fault-related folding to these basins, they can (1) explain observed geometries, (2) predict poorly imaged geometries, (3) predict the location of source and reservoir facies, and (4) determine the timing of faulting relative to deposition of source and reservoir rocks.« less

Unique characteristics of the trachea of the juvenile leatherback turtle facilitate feeding, diving and endothermy

USGS Publications Warehouse

Davenport, John; Jones, T. Todd; Work, Thierry M.; Balazs, George H.

2014-01-01

The adult leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea overlaps in body size (300–500 kg) with many marine mammals, yet develops from a 50 g hatchling. Adults can dive deeper than 1200 m and have core body temperatures of 25 °C; hatchlings are near-surface dwellers. Juvenile leatherbacks have rarely been studied; here we present anatomical information for the upper respiratory tract of 3 turtles (66.7–83.0 cm straight carapace length; 33.2–53.4 kg body mass) incidentally captured by long-line fisheries. Combined with existing information from adults and hatchlings, our data show that there is an ontogenic shift in tracheal structure, with cartilaginous rings becoming broader and eventually fusing anteriorly. This ontogenic shift during independent existence is unique among extant deep-diving air breathing vertebrates. Tract wall thickness is graded, becoming progressively thinner from larynx to bronchi. In addition, cross-sectional shape becomes increasingly dorsoventrally flattened (more elliptical) from anterior to posterior. These characteristics ensure that the tract will collapse from posterior to anterior during dives. This study contains the first report of a double (= internally bifurcated) posterior section of the trachea; it is suggested that this allows continuous food movement along the esophagus without tracheal collapse. The whole upper respiratory tract (from larynx to lungs) has a vascular lining (thicker anteriorly than posteriorly) that appears to be a simple analog of the complex turbinates of birds and mammals. Our study confirmed that the leatherback tracheal structure represents a distinctive way of dealing with the challenges of diving in deep, cold sea water.

Lithospheric structure of the westernmost Mediterranean inferred from finite frequency Rayleigh wave tomography S-velocity model.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palomeras, Imma; Villasenor, Antonio; Thurner, Sally; Levander, Alan; Gallart, Josep; Harnafi, Mimoun

2016-04-01

The Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, separated by the Alboran Sea and the Algerian Basin, constitute the westernmost Mediterranean. From north to south this region consists of the Pyrenees, the result of interaction between the Iberian and Eurasian plates; the Iberian Massif, a region that has been undeformed since the end of the Paleozoic; the Central System and Iberian Chain, regions with intracontinental Oligocene-Miocene deformation; the Gibraltar Arc (Betics, Rif and Alboran terranes) and the Atlas Mountains, resulting from post-Oligocene subduction roll-back and Eurasian-Nubian plate convergence. In this study we analyze data from recent broad-band array deployments and permanent stations on the Iberian Peninsula and in Morocco (Spanish IberArray and Siberia arrays, the US PICASSO array, the University of Munster array, and the Spanish, Portuguese, and Moroccan National Networks) to characterize its lithospheric structure. The combined array of 350 stations has an average interstation spacing of ~60 km, comparable to USArray. We have calculated the Rayleigh waves phase velocities from ambient noise for short periods (4 s to 40 s) and teleseismic events for longer periods (20 s to 167 s). We inverted the phase velocities to obtain a shear velocity model for the lithosphere to ~200 km depth. The model shows differences in the crust for the different areas, where the highest shear velocities are mapped in the Iberian Massif crust. The crustal thickness is highly variable ranging from ~25 km beneath the eastern Betics to ~55km beneath the Gibraltar Strait, Internal Betics and Internal Rif. Beneath this region a unique arc shaped anomaly with high upper mantle velocities (>4.6 km/s) at shallow depths (<65 km) is observed. We interpret this body as the subducting Alboran slab that is depressing the crust of the western Gibraltar arc to ~55 km depth. Low upper mantle velocities (<4.2 km/s) are observed beneath the Atlas, the northeastern end of the Betic Mountains and the Late Cenozoic volcanic fields in Iberia and Morocco, indicative of high temperatures at relatively shallow depths, and suggesting that the lithosphere has been removed beneath these areas

Meso-Beta scale numerical simulation studies of terrain-induced jet streak mass/momentum perturbations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Yuh-Lang; Kaplan, Michael L.

1993-01-01

The Control-B simulation experiment was designed to improve on the Control-A experiment performed with the GMASS model. This experiment addressed several inadequacies with the first smooth terrain numerical simulation by including: (1) increased nested-grid resolution to better define the simulated gravity waves, (2) increased horizontal diffusion to remove outflow boundary condition noise, and (3) the use of reanalyzed rawinsonde data and surface observations in the initial state to increase the definition of the observed jet streak as well as other low-level features. A smoothed-terrain dry simulation with the nested-grid GMASS model has revealed many important aspects of the processes which resulted in the generation of gravity waves in the region and time when and where they were observed. However, the vertical structure, number, and characteristics of the waves are still quite different from observed waves as diagnosed thus necessitating future improved simulations. However, this control simulation has produced substantial insight into processes which occur on many spatial scales over a 30 hour time period thus allowing one to draw promising inferences as to the mechanisms for the complex process which occurred in nature during the CCOPE case study. The theoretical aspects of the project have focus on understanding the nature of the ageostrophic circulations which are produced in idealized models of the atmosphere in which the troposphere is modeled in one of two ways. The first model assumes that the lower atmosphere can be represented as a single layer of homogeneous fluid whose upper surface is free to exhibit vertical displacement. Two-dimensional internal convergence (divergence) occurring during the adjustment to an asymptotic equilibrium state from an ageostrophic initial state whose momentum structure is representative of a midlatitude localized zonal wind anomaly will cause the free upper surface of the homogeneous atmosphere to rise (fall), and therefore the response can be viewed as being physically three-dimensional. The second model assumes that the troposphere can be represented by an unbounded continuously stratified Boussinesq fluid of constant Brunt-Vaisala frequency N, where the vertical gradient of the basic state potential temperature profile allows for the existence of vertically propagating internal inertia-gravity waves.

Wavefront Intensity Statistics for 284-Hz Broadband Transmissions to 107-km Range in the Philippine Sea: Observations and Modeling

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

structure reveals four distinct purely refracted acoustic paths: One with a single upper turning point near 80 m depth, two with a pair of upper turning... points at a depth of roughly 300 m, and one with three upper turning points at 420 m. Individual path intensity, defined as the absolute square of...contribu- tion to acoustic scattering is thought to occur at upper turning points (UTP) (Flatte et al., 1979). Here, the acoustic path is horizontal

New Constraints on Upper Mantle Structure Underlying the Diamondiferous Central Slave Craton, Canada, from Teleseismic Body Wave Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esteve, C.; Schaeffer, A. J.; Audet, P.

2017-12-01

Over the past number of decades, the Slave Craton (Canada) has been extensively studied for its diamondiferous kimberlites. Not only are diamonds a valuable resource, but their kimberlitic host rocks provide an otherwise unique direct source of information on the deep upper mantle (and potentially transition zone). Many of the Canadian Diamond mines are located within the Slave Craton. As a result of the propensity for diamondiferous kimberlites, it is imperative to probe the deep mantle structure beneath the Slave Craton. This work is further motivated by the increase in high-quality broadband seismic data across the Northern Canadian Cordillera over the past decade. To this end we have generated a P and S body wave tomography model of the Slave Craton and its surroundings. Furthermore, tomographic inversion techniques are growing ever more capable of producing high resolution Earth models which capture detailed structure and dynamics across a range of scale lengths. Here, we present preliminary results on the structure of the upper mantle underlying the Slave Craton. These results are generated using data from eight different seismic networks such as the Canadian National Seismic Network (CNSN), Yukon Northwest Seismic Network (YNSN), older Portable Observatories for Lithospheric Analysis and Reseach Investigating Seismicity (POLARIS), Regional Alberta Observatory for Earthquake Studies Network (RV), USArray Transportable Array (TA), older Canadian Northwest Experiment (CANOE), Batholith Broadband (XY) and the Yukon Observatory (YO). This regional model brings new insights about the upper mantle structure beneath the Slave Craton, Canada.

NASA's upper atmosphere research satellite: A program to study global ozone change

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luther, Michael R.

1992-01-01

The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) is a major initiative in the NASA Office of Space Science and Applications, and is the prototype for NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) planned for launch in the 1990s. The UARS combines a balanced program of experimental and theoretical investigations to perform diagnostic studies, qualitative model analysis, and quantitative measurements and comparative studies of the upper atmosphere. UARS provides theoretical and experimental investigations which pursue four specific research topics: atmospheric energy budget, chemistry, dynamics, and coupling processes. An international cadre of investigators was assembled by NASA to accomplish those scientific objectives. The observatory, its complement of ten state of the art instruments, and the ground system are nearing flight readiness. The timely UARS program will play a major role in providing data to understand the complex physical and chemical processes occurring in the upper atmosphere and answering many questions regarding the health of the ozone layer.

Validation of the Omron M6 (HEM-7001-E) upper-arm blood pressure measuring device according to the International Protocol in adults and obese adults.

PubMed

Altunkan, Sekip; Ilman, Nevzat; Kayatürk, Nur; Altunkan, Erkan

2007-08-01

Electronic blood pressure (BP) measurement devices are the preferred choice of patients owing to their user-friendly nature; however, there is a requirement to investigate the accuracy and reliability of these devices. The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the Omron M6 upper-arm BP device against the mercury sphygmomanometer in adults and obese adults according to the International Protocol criteria. One hundred and twenty-one patients, older than 30 years of age, were studied and classified on the basis of the range of the International Protocol. BP measurements at the upper arm with the Omron M6 were compared with the results obtained by two trained observers using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Nine sequential BP measurements were taken. A total of 33 participants were selected for each validation study. During the validation study, 99 measurements were performed on 33 participants for comparison. The first phase was performed on 15 participants, and if the device passed this phase, 18 more participants were selected. Having a two-fold purpose, this study was conducted on both adult and obese adult patients. Mean discrepancies and standard deviations of the monitor-mercury sphygmomanometer were 1.1+/-4.0 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP) and -0.5+/-3.5 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP) in the adult group. The device passed phase 1 in 15 participants. In phase 2.1, out of a total of 99 comparisons, 88, 96, and 97 for SBP, and 88, 98, and 99 for DBP were <5, <10, and <15 mmHg, respectively. Mean discrepancies and standard deviations of the monitor-mercury sphygmomanometer were 1.7+/-4.8 mmHg for SBP and -0.8+/-4.3 mmHg for DBP in the obese adult group. The device passed phase 1 in 15 participants. In phase 2.1, out of a total of 99 comparisons, 82, 90, and 97 for SBP, and 80, 97, and 99 for DBP were <5, <10, and <15 mmHg, respectively. It was found that the Omron M6 automatic monitor, which measures BP at the upper arm, produced results in accordance with the criteria of phases 2.1 and 2.2 in both SBP and DBP, when applied to adults and to obese adults. It was concluded that the Omron M6 device, which measures BP at the upper arm, was deemed to be in accordance with the International Protocol criteria and can be recommended for use by adults and obese adults.

Phosphorus retention and internal loading in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, using diagenetic modelling.

PubMed

Doan, Phuong T K; Watson, Sue B; Markovic, Stefan; Liang, Anqi; Guo, Jay; Mugalingam, Shan; Stokes, Jonathan; Morley, Andrew; Zhang, Weitao; Arhonditsis, George B; Dittrich, Maria

2018-04-24

Internal phosphorus (P) loading significantly contributes to hysteresis in ecosystem response to nutrient remediation, but the dynamics of sediment P transformations are often poorly characterized. Here, we applied a reaction-transport diagenetic model to investigate sediment P dynamics in the Bay of Quinte, a polymictic, spatially complex embayment of Lake Ontario, (Canada). We quantified spatial and temporal variability of sediment P binding forms and estimated P diffusive fluxes and sediment P retention in different parts of the bay. Our model supports the notion that diagenetic recycling of redox sensitive and organic bound P forms drive sediment P release. In the recent years, summer sediment P diffusive fluxes varied in the range of 3.2-3.6 mg P m -2  d -1 in the upper bay compared to 1.5 mg P m -2  d -1 in the middle-lower bay. Meanwhile sediment P retention ranged between 71% and 75% in the upper and middle-lower bay, respectively. The reconstruction of temporal trends of internal P loading in the past century, suggests that against the backdrop of reduced external P inputs, sediment P exerts growing control over the lake nutrient budget. Higher sediment P diffusive fluxes since mid-20th century with particular increase in the past 20 years in the shallower upper basins, emphasize limited sediment P retention potential and suggest prolonged ecosystem recovery, highlighting the importance of ongoing P control measures. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Validation of the AVITA BPM64 upper-arm blood pressure monitor for home blood pressure monitoring according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

PubMed

Kang, Yuan-Yuan; Chen, Qi; Liu, Chang-Yuan; Li, Yan; Wang, Ji-Guang

2018-02-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure (BP) monitor AVITA BPM64 for home BP monitoring according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension revision 2010. Systolic and diastolic BPs were measured sequentially in 33 adult Chinese (14 women, mean age 47.0 years) using a mercury sphygmomanometer (two observers) and the AVITA BPM64 device (one supervisor). A total of 99 pairs of comparisons were obtained from 33 participants for judgments in two parts with three grading phases. The AVITA BPM64 device achieved the targets in part 1 of the validation study. The number of absolute differences between device and observers within 5, 10, and 15 mmHg was 91/99, 98/99, and 98/99, respectively, for systolic BP and 92/99, 99/99, and 99/99, respectively, for diastolic BP. The device also fulfilled the criteria in part 2 of the validation study. Thirty-two participants for both systolic and diastolic BP had at least two of the three device-observer differences within 5 mmHg (required ≥24). Only one participant for systolic BP had all three device-observer comparisons greater than 5 mmHg. The AVITA upper arm BP monitor BPM64 has passed the requirements of the International Protocol revision 2010, and hence can be recommended for home use in adults.

Axial and radial water transport and internal water storage in tropical forest canopy trees.

Treesearch

Shelley A. James; Frederick C. Meinzer; Guillermo Goldstein; David Woodruff; Timothy Jones; Teresa Restom; Monica Mejia; Michael Clearwater; Paula Campanello

2003-01-01

Heat and stable isotope tracers were used to study axial and radial water transport in relation to sapwood anatomical characteristics and internal water storage in four canopy tree species of a seasonally dry tropical forest in Panama. Anatomical characteristics of the wood and radial profiles of sap flow were measured at the base, upper trunk, and crown of a single...

Using an International p53 Mutation Database as a Foundation for an Online Laboratory in an Upper Level Undergraduate Biology Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Melloy, Patricia G.

2015-01-01

A two-part laboratory exercise was developed to enhance classroom instruction on the significance of p53 mutations in cancer development. Students were asked to mine key information from an international database of p53 genetic changes related to cancer, the IARC TP53 database. Using this database, students designed several data mining activities…

Spatio-temporal variability of internal waves in the northern Gulf of Mexico studied with the Navy Coastal Ocean Model, NCOM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cambazoglu, M. K.; Jacobs, G. A.; Howden, S. D.; Book, J. W.; Arnone, R.; Soto Ramos, I. M.; Vandermeulen, R. A.; Greer, A. T.; Miles, T. N.

2016-02-01

Internal waves enhance mixing in the upper ocean, transport nutrients and plankton over the water column and across the shelf from deeper waters to shallower coastal areas, and could also transport pollutants such as hydrocarbons onshore during an oil spill event. This study aims to characterize internal waves in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM) and investigate the possible generation and dissipation mechanisms using a high-resolution (1-km) application of the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM). Three dimensional model products are used to detect the propagation patterns of internal waves. The vertical structure of internal waves is studied and the role of stratification is analyzed by looking at the temperature, salinity and velocity variations along the water column. The model predictions suggest the generation of internal waves on the continental shelf, therefore the role of ocean bottom topography interacting with tides and general circulation features such as the Loop Current Eddy front, on the internal wave generation will be discussed. The time periods of internal wave occurrences are identified from model predictions and compared to satellite ocean color imagery. Further data analysis, e.g. Fourier analysis, is implemented to determine internal wavelengths and frequencies and to determine if the response of internal waves are at tidal periods or at different frequencies. The atmospheric forcing provided to NCOM and meteorological data records are analyzed to define the interaction between wind forcing and internal wave generation. Wavelet analysis characterizes the ocean response to atmospheric events with periodic frequencies. Ocean color satellite imagery was used to visualize the location of the Mississippi river plume (and other oceanic features) and compared to the model predictions because the enhanced stratification from freshwater plumes which propagate across the Mississippi Bight can provide favorable conditions in coastal waters for internal wave generation and propagation. The findings of this study will provide insight about the internal wave dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico and their potential impact on the marine ecosystem.

Influence of drought conditions on brown trout biomass and size structure in the Black Hills, South Dakota

USGS Publications Warehouse

James, Daniel A.; Wilhite, Jerry W.; Chipps, Steven R.

2010-01-01

We evaluated the influence of drought conditions on the biomass of brown trout Salmo trutta in Spearfish Creek, upper Rapid Creek, and lower Rapid Creek in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. Stream discharge, mean summer water temperature, the biomass of juvenile and adult brown trout, and brown trout size structure were compared between two time periods: early (2000–2002) and late drought (2005–2007). Mean summer water temperatures were similar between the early- and late-drought periods in Spearfish Creek (12.4°C versus 11.5°C), lower Rapid Creek (19.2°C versus 19.3°C), and upper Rapid Creek (9.8°C in both periods). In contrast, mean annual discharge differed significantly between the two time periods in Spearfish Creek (1.95 versus 1.50 m3/s), lower Rapid Creek (2.01 versus 0.94 m3/s), and upper Rapid Creek (1.41 versus 0.84 m3/s). The mean biomass of adult brown trout in all three stream sections was significantly higher in the early-drought than in the late-drought period (238 versus 69 kg/ha in Spearfish Creek, 272 versus 91 kg/ha in lower Rapid Creek, and 159 versus 32 kg/ha in upper Rapid Creek). The biomass of juvenile brown trout was similar (43 versus 23 kg/ha) in Spearfish Creek in the two periods, declined from 136 to 45 kg/ha in lower Rapid Creek, and increased from 14 to 73 kg/ha in upper Rapid Creek. Size structure did not differ between the early- and late-drought periods in lower Rapid and Spearfish creeks, but it did in upper Rapid Creek. In addition to drought conditions, factors such as angler harvest, fish movements, and the nuisance algal species Didymosphenia geminata are discussed as possible contributors to the observed changes in brown trout biomass and size structure in Black Hills streams.

Evolution of Meso-Cenozoic lithospheric thermal-rheological structure in the Jiyang sub-basin, Bohai Bay Basin, eastern North China Craton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Wei; Qiu, Nansheng; Wang, Ye; Chang, Jian

2018-01-01

The Meso-Cenozoic lithospheric thermal-rheological structure and lithospheric strength evolution of the Jiyang sub-basin were modeled using thermal history, crustal structure, and rheological parameter data. Results indicate that the thermal-rheological structure of the Jiyang sub-basin has exhibited obvious rheological stratification and changes over time. During the Early Mesozoic, the uppermost portion of the upper crust, middle crust, and the top part of the upper mantle had a thick brittle layer. During the early Early Cretaceous, the top of the middle crust's brittle layer thinned because of lithosphere thinning and temperature increase, and the uppermost portion of the upper mantle was almost occupied by a ductile layer. During the late Early Cretaceous, the brittle layer of the middle crust and the upper mantle changed to a ductile one. Then, the uppermost portion of the middle crust changed to a thin brittle layer in the late Cretaceous. During the early Paleogene, the thin brittle layer of the middle crust became even thinner and shallower under the condition of crustal extension. Currently, with the decrease in lithospheric temperature, the top of the upper crust, middle crust, and the uppermost portion of the upper mantle are of a brittle layer. The total lithospheric strength and the effective elastic thickness ( T e) in Meso-Cenozoic indicate that the Jiyang sub-basin experienced two weakened stages: during the late Early Cretaceous and the early Paleogene. The total lithospheric strength (approximately 4-5 × 1013 N m-1) and T e (approximately 50-60 km) during the Early Mesozoic was larger than that after the Late Jurassic (2-7 × 1012 N m-1 and 19-39 km, respectively). The results also reflect the subduction, and rollback of Pacific plate is the geodynamic mechanism of the destruction of the eastern North China Craton.

Individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in upper cervical spine

PubMed Central

Guo, Fei; Dai, Jianhao; Zhang, Junxiang; Ma, Yichuan; Zhu, Guanghui; Shen, Junjie; Niu, Guoqi

2017-01-01

Purpose Pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine is a difficult and high-risk procedure. The screw is difficult to place rapidly and accurately, and can lead to serious injury of spinal cord or vertebral artery. The aim of this study was to design an individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine. Methods Using CT thin slices data, we employed computer software to design the navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine (atlas and axis). The upper cervical spine models and navigation templates were produced by 3D printer with equal proportion, two sets for each case. In one set (Test group), pedicle screws fixation were guided by the navigation template; in the second set (Control group), the screws were fixed under fluoroscopy. According to the degree of pedicle cortex perforation and whether the screw needed to be refitted, the fixation effects were divided into 3 types: Type I, screw is fully located within the vertebral pedicle; Type II, degree of pedicle cortex perforation is <1 mm, but with good internal fixation stability and no need to renovate; Type III, degree of pedicle cortex perforation is >1 mm or with the poor internal fixation stability and in need of renovation. Type I and Type II were acceptable placements; Type III placements were unacceptable. Results A total of 19 upper cervical spine and 19 navigation templates were printed, and 37 pedicle screws were fixed in each group. Type I screw-placements in the test group totaled 32; Type II totaled 3; and Type III totaled 2; with an acceptable rate of 94.60%. Type I screw placements in the control group totaled 23; Type II totaled 3; and Type III totaled 11, with an acceptable rate of 70.27%. The acceptability rate in test group was higher than the rate in control group. The operation time and fluoroscopic frequency for each screw were decreased, compared with control group. Conclusion The individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation is easy and safe, with a high success rate in the upper cervical spine surgery. PMID:28152039

Individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in upper cervical spine.

PubMed

Guo, Fei; Dai, Jianhao; Zhang, Junxiang; Ma, Yichuan; Zhu, Guanghui; Shen, Junjie; Niu, Guoqi

2017-01-01

Pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine is a difficult and high-risk procedure. The screw is difficult to place rapidly and accurately, and can lead to serious injury of spinal cord or vertebral artery. The aim of this study was to design an individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine. Using CT thin slices data, we employed computer software to design the navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine (atlas and axis). The upper cervical spine models and navigation templates were produced by 3D printer with equal proportion, two sets for each case. In one set (Test group), pedicle screws fixation were guided by the navigation template; in the second set (Control group), the screws were fixed under fluoroscopy. According to the degree of pedicle cortex perforation and whether the screw needed to be refitted, the fixation effects were divided into 3 types: Type I, screw is fully located within the vertebral pedicle; Type II, degree of pedicle cortex perforation is <1 mm, but with good internal fixation stability and no need to renovate; Type III, degree of pedicle cortex perforation is >1 mm or with the poor internal fixation stability and in need of renovation. Type I and Type II were acceptable placements; Type III placements were unacceptable. A total of 19 upper cervical spine and 19 navigation templates were printed, and 37 pedicle screws were fixed in each group. Type I screw-placements in the test group totaled 32; Type II totaled 3; and Type III totaled 2; with an acceptable rate of 94.60%. Type I screw placements in the control group totaled 23; Type II totaled 3; and Type III totaled 11, with an acceptable rate of 70.27%. The acceptability rate in test group was higher than the rate in control group. The operation time and fluoroscopic frequency for each screw were decreased, compared with control group. The individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation is easy and safe, with a high success rate in the upper cervical spine surgery.

Upper Washita River experimental watersheds: Sediment Database

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Improving the scientific understanding of the effectiveness of watershed conservation practices and floodwater-retardation structures to control floods and soil erosion is one of the primary objectives for sediment studies in the upper Washita River Experimental Watersheds. This paper summarizes se...

77 FR 10502 - Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-22

... the following new facilities: (1) An upper reservoir inlet/outlet structure equipped with trash racks... trash racks; (2) a 620-foot-long, 43-foot-diameter vertical shaft connecting the upper reservoir inlet...

Three-dimensional lithospheric electrical structure of Southern Granulite Terrain, India and its tectonic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patro, Prasanta K.; Sarma, S. V. S.; Naganjaneyulu, K.

2014-01-01

crustal as well as the upper mantle lithospheric electrical structure of the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) is evaluated, using the magnetotelluric (MT) data from two parallel traverses: one is an 500 km long N-S trending traverse across SGT and another a 200 km long traverse. Data space Occam 3-D inversion was used to invert the MT data. The electrical characterization of lithospheric structure in SGT shows basically a highly resistive (several thousands of Ohm meters) upper crustal layer overlying a moderately resistive (a few hundred Ohm meters) lower crustal layer which in turn is underlain by the upper mantle lithosphere whose resistivity shows significant changes along the traverse. The highly resistive upper crustal layer is interspersed with four major conductive features with three of them cutting across the crustal column, bringing out a well-defined crustal block structure in SGT with individual highly resistive blocks showing correspondence to the geologically demarcated Salem, Madurai, and Trivandrum blocks. The 3-D model also brought out a well-defined major crustal conductor located in the northern half of the Madurai block. The electrical characteristics of this south dipping conductor and its close spatial correlation with two of the major structural elements, viz., Karur-Oddanchatram-Kodaikanal Shear Zone and Karur-Kamban-Painavu-Trichur Shear Zone, suggest that this conductive feature is closely linked to the subduction-collision tectonic processes in the SGT, and it is inferred that the Archean Dharwar craton/neoproterozoic SGT terrain boundary lies south of the Palghat-Cauvery shear zone. The results also showed that the Achankovil shear zone is characterized by a well-defined north dipping conductive feature. The resistive block adjoining this conductor on the southern side, representing the Trivandrum block, is shown to be downthrown along this north dipping crustal conductor relative to the Madurai block, suggesting a northward movement of Trivandrum block colliding against the Madurai block. The lithospheric upper mantle electrical structure of the SGT up to a depth of 100 km may be broadly divided into two distinctly different segments, viz., northern and southern segments. The northern lithospheric segment, over a major part, is characterized by a thick resistive upper mantle, while the southern one is characterized by a dominantly conductive medium suggesting a relatively thinned lithosphere in the southern segment.

Earth Observation taken during the Expedition 37 mission

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-09-30

ISS037-E-005089 (30 Sept. 2013) --- Ruapehu volcano and Tongariro volcanic complex in New Zealand are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 37 crew member on the International Space Station. Mount Ruapehu is one of several volcanic centers on the North Island of New Zealand, but is the largest and historically most active. The 2,797-meter elevation volcano is also the highest mountain on North Island and is covered with snow on its upper slopes. Scientists believe while there are three summit craters that have been active during the last 10,000 years, South Crater is the only historically active one. This vent is currently filled with a lake (Crater Lake), visible at left; eruptions from the vent, mixed with water from the lake can lead to the formation of lahars – destructive gravity flows of mixed fluid and volcanic debris that form a hazard to ski areas on the upper slopes and lower river valleys. The most recent significant eruption of Ruapehu took place in 2007 and formed both an eruption plume and lahars. The volcano is surrounded by a 100-cubic-kilometer ring plain of volcaniclastic debris that appears dark grey in the image, whereas vegetated areas appear light to dark green. Located to the northeast of the Ruapehu volcanic structure, the Tongariro volcanic complex (lower right) is currently in an active eruptive phase – the previous eruptive phase ended in 1897. Explosive eruptions occurred in 2012, which have been followed by steam and gas plumes observed almost daily. According to scientists, the volcanic complex contains multiple cones constructed over the past 275,000 years. The most prominent of these, Mount Ngauruhoe, last erupted in 1975. Like Ruapehu, the upper slopes of both Ngauruhoe and the upper peaks of Tongariro are snow-covered. Scattered cloud cover is also visible near Tongariro at lower right.

Validation of the Andon KD-5851 upper arm blood pressure monitor, for self-measurement according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

PubMed

Wu, Lili; Jiao, Yinghui; Wang, Chengdong; Chen, Lei; Di, Dalin; Zhang, Haiyan

2015-08-01

This study aimed to validate the Andon KD-5851 upper arm blood pressure (BP) monitor according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol (ESH-IP) revision 2010. A total of 33 eligible participants were included in the study. Sequential measurements of BPs were performed using a mercury sphygmomanometer and the device, and the data analysis was carried out following precisely the ESH-IP revision 2010. The device had 82, 98, and 99 measurements within 5, 10, and 15 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and 85, 95, and 99 measurements for diastolic blood pressure, respectively. The average device-observer difference was -0.53±4.00 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and -1.15±4.06 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. The device passed all the criteria according to the ESH-IP revision 2010. According to the validation results on the basis of the ESH-IP revision 2010, the Andon KD-5851 upper arm BP monitor can be recommended for self/home measurement in adults. Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Validation of the Medisana MTP Plus upper arm blood pressure monitor, for self-measurement, according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

PubMed

Erdem, Emre; Aydogdu, Türkan; Akpolat, Tekin

2011-02-01

Standard validation protocols are objective guides for healthcare providers, physicians, and patients. The purpose of this study was to test validation of the Medisana MTP Plus upper arm blood pressure (BP) measuring monitor for self-measurement according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol (ESH-IP2) in adults. The Medisana MTP Plus monitor is an automated and oscillometric upper arm device for home BP monitoring. Nine consecutive measurements were made according to the ESH-IP2. Overseen by an independent supervisor, measurements were recorded by two observers blinded from both each other's readings and from the device readings. The Medisana MTP Plus device fulfills the validation criteria of the ESH-IP2 for the general population. The mean (standard deviation) of the difference between the observers and the device measurements was 0.6 mmHg (5.1 mmHg) for systolic and 2.7 mmHg (3.4 mmHg) for diastolic pressures, respectively. As the Medisana MTP Plus device has achieved the required standards, it is recommended for home BP monitoring in an adult population.

High pressure capillary connector

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F.

2005-08-09

A high pressure connector capable of operating at pressures of 40,000 psi or higher is provided. This connector can be employed to position a first fluid-bearing conduit that has a proximal end and a distal end to a second fluid-bearing conduit thereby providing fluid communication between the first and second fluid-bearing conduits. The connector includes (a) an internal fitting assembly having a body cavity with (i) a lower segment that defines a lower segment aperture and (ii) an interiorly threaded upper segment, (b) a first member having a first member aperture that traverses its length wherein the first member aperture is configured to accommodate the first fluid-bearing conduit and wherein the first member is positioned in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly, and (c) a second member having a second member aperture that traverses its length wherein the second member is positioned in the upper segment of the fitting assembly and wherein a lower surface of the second member is in contact with an upper surface of the first member to assert a compressive force onto the first member and wherein the first member aperture and the second member aperture are coaxial.

Reconciling late fracturing over the entire Alpine belt: from structural analysis to geochronological constrains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Audrey, Bertrand; Sue, Christian

2016-04-01

Brittle deformations allow assessing the late stage of deformation of an orogenic chain. We reappraised the meaning of the late fracturing over the entire Alps in a global geodynamic context. The closure temperature of ZFT corresponds to the brittle-ductile transition in quartz. Therefore, ZFT ages are a proxy for the maximal age of brittle deformation. Combined analyses of ZFT ages with paleostresses data allow the comparison of the brittle deformations over the belt. In the Western Alps, paleostress indicate a major occurrence of orogen-paralell extension and associated strike-slip regimes (Champagnac et al. 2006; Sue et al. 2007 ; Sue and Tricart, 2003). Indeed, paleostress data show a rotation of the main σ3 stress axes along the arc. Those structures are of Miocene age and are related to the propagation of the Alpine front toward the external zone. In the Central Alps, Paleostress fields are dominated by orogen-parrallel extensional regimes both in the Bergell area (Ciancaleoni and Marquer 2008) and the Lepontie dome (Allanic, 2012). In the Eastern Alps, the only area where ZFT ages are of Tertiary ages is the Tauern Window. The brittle deformation is here dominated by orogen-parallel extension at the eastern and western borders of the dome and by strike-slip faulting in the central parts (Bertrand et al., 2015), and inferred to be driven by the combined collapse and lateral escape of the orogenic wedge, due to indentation on the Adriatic indenter (Ratschbacher et al., 1991). Major orogen-parallel extensional signal is closely linked with transcurrent deformation's component. It appears extremely stable all over the Alps and coeval with the propagation of the alpine front top the W-NW. Looking deeper, SKS splitting over the Alps [Qorbani et al., 2015] roughly indicates an orogen-parallel anisotropy pattern in the upper mantle. Indeed, the scheme of the SKS is very comparable with faulting data along-strike of the Alps. In this frame, we can compare both kinds of data, a priori disconnected, but which exhibit similar patterns. How about connecting deep processes in the upper alpine mantel, and its ductile flow, and upper crustal Miocene dynamics, as seen by brittle deformation? There is a very good correlation between the two pattern of deformation, related to two structural levels, the upper crust and the upper mantle, suggesting that the orogen-parallel extension could be an answer to lithospheric-scale processes. In this geodynamic model we may propose that the overall orogen-parallel Miocene extension observed in the upper crust of the internal Alps may be driven by mantel flow and slab retreat processes implying the Panonian slab to the East and the Apennine slab to the SW. REF: Allanic, C., 2013. PhD, Orléans, 272p - Bertrand, A. et al., 2015. Tectonophysics, 649, 1-17 - Champagnac J-D. et al. Tectonics. doi: 10.1029/2004TC001779 - Ciancaleoni, L. and Marquer, D., 2008 Tectonics, 27, 1-22. Ratschbacher, L. et al. 1989 Geology 17:404-407 - Schmid, S.M. et al. 1996. Tectonics, 15, 1036-1064 - Sue, C. and Tricart, P., 2003 Tectonics 22:1-25 - Sue, C. et al. 2007, IJES, 96, 1101-1129.

Predictive Value of Upper Limb Muscles and Grasp Patterns on Functional Outcome in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

PubMed

Velstra, Inge-Marie; Bolliger, Marc; Krebs, Jörg; Rietman, Johan S; Curt, Armin

2016-05-01

To determine which single or combined upper limb muscles as defined by the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI); upper extremity motor score (UEMS) and the Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility, and Prehension (GRASSP), best predict upper limb function and independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) and to assess the predictive value of qualitative grasp movements (QlG) on upper limb function in individuals with acute tetraplegia. As part of a Europe-wide, prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study ISNCSCI, GRASSP, and Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) scores were recorded at 1 and 6 months after SCI. For prediction of upper limb function and ADLs, a logistic regression model and unbiased recursive partitioning conditional inference tree (URP-CTREE) were used. Results: Logistic regression and URP-CTREE revealed that a combination of ISNCSCI and GRASSP muscles (to a maximum of 4) demonstrated the best prediction (specificity and sensitivity ranged from 81.8% to 96.0%) of upper limb function and identified homogenous outcome cohorts at 6 months. The URP-CTREE model with the QlG predictors for upper limb function showed similar results. Prediction of upper limb function can be achieved through a combination of defined, specific upper limb muscles assessed in the ISNCSCI and GRASSP. A combination of a limited number of proximal and distal muscles along with an assessment of grasping movements can be applied for clinical decision making for rehabilitation interventions and clinical trials. © The Author(s) 2015.

Transdomes sampling of lower and middle crust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teyssier, C. P.; Whitney, D. L.; Roger, F.; Rey, P. F.

2015-12-01

Migmatite transdomes are formed by lateral and upward flow of partially molten crust in transtension zones (pull-apart structures). In order to understand the flow leading to this type of domes, 3D numerical models were set-up to simulate the general case of an extensional domain located between two strike-slip faults (pull-apart or dilational bridge). Results show that upper crust extension induces flow of the deep, low-viscosity crust, with rapid upward movement of transdome material when extension becomes localized. At this point a rolling hinge detachment allows rapid removal of upper crust. The internal structure of transdomes includes a subvertical high strain zone located beneath the zone of localized upper crust extension; this shear zone separates two elongate subdomes of foliation that show refolded/sheath folds. Lineation tends to be oriented dominantly subhorizontal when the amount of strike-slip motion is greater than the amount of upward flow of dome rocks. Models also predict nearly isothermal decompression of transdome material and rapid transfer of ~50 km deep rocks to the near surface. These model results are compared to the structural and metamorphic history of several transdomes, and in particular the Variscan Montagne Noire dome (French Massif Central) that consists of two domes separated by a complex high strain zone. The Montagne Noire dome contains ~315 Ma eclogite bodies (U-Pb zircon age) that record 1.4 GPa peak pressure. The eclogite bodies are wrapped in highly sheared migmatite that yield 314-310 Ma monazite ages interpreted as the metamorphism and deformation age. Based on these relations we conclude that the Montagne Noire transdome developed a channel of partially molten crust that likely entrained eclogite bodies from the deep crust (~50 km) before ascending to the near-surface. One implication of this work is that the flowing crust was deeply seated in the orogen although it remained a poor recorder of peak pressure of metamorphism. The eclogite bodies entrained in partially molten crust are a reliable marker of channel depth, especially when the ages of eclogite and migmatite are so close, like in the Montagne Noire. This indicates that channels of partially molten rocks are typically developed in the middle to deep orogenic crust (~50 km).

Response of the North Atlantic surface and intermediate ocean structure to climate warming of MIS 11.

PubMed

Kandiano, Evgenia S; van der Meer, Marcel T J; Schouten, Stefan; Fahl, Kirsten; Sinninghe Damsté, Jaap S; Bauch, Henning A

2017-04-10

Investigating past interglacial climates not only help to understand how the climate system operates in general, it also forms a vital basis for climate predictions. We reconstructed vertical stratification changes in temperature and salinity in the North Atlantic for a period some 400 ka ago (MIS11), an interglacial time analogue of a future climate. As inferred from a unique set of biogeochemical, geochemical, and faunal data, the internal upper ocean stratification across MIS 11 shows distinct depth-dependent dynamical changes related to vertical as well as lateral shifts in the upper Atlantic meridional circulation system. Importantly, transient cold events are recognized near the end of the long phase of postglacial warming at surface, subsurface, mid, and deeper water layers. These data demonstrate that MIS 11 coolings over the North Atlantic were initially triggered by freshwater input at the surface and expansion of cold polar waters into the Subpolar Gyre. The cooling signal was then transmitted downwards into mid-water depths. Since the cold events occurred after the main deglacial phase we suggest that their cause might be related to continuous melting of the Greenland ice sheet, a mechanism that might also be relevant for the present and upcoming climate.

Tectonic analysis and paleo-stress determination of the upper lava section at ODP/IODP site 1256 (East Pacific Ocean)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fontana, Emanuele

2015-09-01

Research on the deep sea is of great importance for a better understanding of the mechanism of magma emplacement and the tectonic evolution of oceanic crust. However, details of the internal structure in the upper levels of the oceanic crust are much less complete than that of the more fully studied sub-aerial areas. For the first time, this study proposes a dynamic analysis using the inversion method on core data derived from the drilled basement of the present-day intact oceanic crust at ODP/IODP Site 1256 in the Cocos plate. The research is based on an innovative core reorientation process and combines different stress hypothesis approaches for the analysis of heterogeneous failure-slip data via exploitation of two distinct techniques. From the analysis of the failure-slip data, both techniques produce 5 distinct subsystem datasets. All calculated subsystems are mechanically and geometrically admissible. Interpretation of the results allows the researchers to note a complex local and regional tectonic evolution deriving from the interplay of (1) the ridge push and rotation of both the East Pacific Rise and the Cocos-Nazca Spreading Center, (2) the effect of the slab pull of the Middle America Trench, (3) the influence of lava emplacement mechanisms, and (4) intra-plate deformation.

Atmospheric Structure. Part 3. Upper Air and Surface Data: Stallion Site

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-01-01

Structure Part 3, Upper Air and Surface Data Stallion Site S. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED 6- PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER 7. AUTHORS...Marjorie M. Hoidale Michael P. Dayton Lamar Newman •. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBERS DA Task 1T665702D127-02 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADORESS 10...Sciences Laboratory White Sands Missile Ran^e, New Mexico 12. REPORT DATE January 1975 13. NUMBER OF PAGES «Ä33 ; U MONITORING AGENCY NAME

Urinary Infections in Patients with Catheters in the Upper Urinary Tract: Microbiological Study.

PubMed

Lara-Isla, Alba; Medina-Polo, José; Alonso-Isa, Manuel; Benítez-Sala, Raúl; Sopeña-Sutil, Raquel; Justo-Quintas, Juan; Gil-Moradillo, Javier; González-Padilla, Daniel A; García-Rojo, Esther; Passas-Martínez, Juan Bautista; Tejido-Sánchez, Ángel

2017-01-01

Infections related to catheters in the upper urinary tract (CUUT) are associated with specific characteristics. A prospective observational study was carried out from 2012 to 2015 to evaluate infections in patients with CUUT. A total of 209 infections were included (99 with double-J, 81 with nephrostomy, and 29 with internal/external nephroureteral stents). Among nephrostomy tube carriers, the most frequently isolated microorganisms were Pseudomonas and Enterococcus. In those with an internal/external nephroureteral stent, Klebsiella was the most common, and 57.1% were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella. In double-J carriers, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus were the most common microorganisms. Multiple-drug resistance (MDR) microorganisms were isolated in 28.6, 47.1, and 58.3% of patients with double-J, nephrostomy, and internal-external nephroureteral stents. A percutaneous CUUT (p = 0.005) and immunosuppression (p = 0.034) were risk factors for MDR microorganisms. Non-E. coli bacteria are commonly isolated in patients with CUUT. MDR microorganisms are frequent, mainly in percutaneous approach or immunosuppression. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Nuclear reactor melt-retention structure to mitigate direct containment heating

DOEpatents

Tutu, Narinder K.; Ginsberg, Theodore; Klages, John R.

1991-01-01

A light water nuclear reactor melt-retention structure to mitigate the extent of direct containment heating of the reactor containment building. The structure includes a retention chamber for retaining molten core material away from the upper regions of the reactor containment building when a severe accident causes the bottom of the pressure vessel of the reactor to fail and discharge such molten material under high pressure through the reactor cavity into the retention chamber. In combination with the melt-retention chamber there is provided a passageway that includes molten core droplet deflector vanes and has gas vent means in its upper surface, which means are operable to deflect molten core droplets into the retention chamber while allowing high pressure steam and gases to be vented into the upper regions of the containment building. A plurality of platforms are mounted within the passageway and the melt-retention structure to direct the flow of molten core material and help retain it within the melt-retention chamber. In addition, ribs are mounted at spaced positions on the floor of the melt-retention chamber, and grid means are positioned at the entrance side of the retention chamber. The grid means develop gas back pressure that helps separate the molten core droplets from discharged high pressure steam and gases, thereby forcing the steam and gases to vent into the upper regions of the reactor containment building.

A kinematic model for the late Cenozoic development of southern California crust and upper mantle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Humphreys, Eugene D.; Hager, Bradford H.

1990-01-01

A model is developed for the young and ongoing kinematic deformation of the southern California crust and upper mantle. The kinematic model qualitatively explains both the overall seismic structure of the upper mantle and much of the known geological history of the late Cenozoic as consequences of ongoing convection beneath southern California. In this model, the high-velocity upper-mantle anomaly of the Transverse ranges is created through the convergence and sinking of the entire thickness of subcrustal lihtosphere, and the low-velocity upper-mantle anomaly beneath the Salton Trough region is attributed to high temperatures and 1-4 percent partial melt related to adiabatic decompression during mantle upwelling.

Ulnar nerve injury associated with trampoline injuries.

PubMed

Maclin, Melvin M; Novak, Christine B; Mackinnon, Susan E

2004-08-01

This study reports three cases of ulnar neuropathy after trampoline injuries in children. A chart review was performed on children who sustained an ulnar nerve injury from a trampoline accident. In all cases, surgical intervention was required. Injuries included upper-extremity fractures in two cases and an upper-extremity laceration in one case. All cases required surgical exploration with internal neurolysis and ulnar nerve transposition. Nerve grafts were used in two cases and an additional nerve transfer was used in one case. All patients had return of intrinsic hand function and sensation after surgery. Children should be followed for evolution of ulnar nerve neuropathy after upper-extremity injury with consideration for electrical studies and surgical exploration if there is no improvement after 3 months.

External Versus Two Different Internal Foci of Attention in Long-Distance Throwing.

PubMed

Oki, Yuta; Kokubu, Masahiro; Nakagomi, Shiro

2018-02-01

The present study examined the influence of attentional focus on performance during a long-distance throwing task. Twelve participants executed three maximum-effort, long-distance baseball throwing attempts in three focus conditions: internal focus on wrist flexion (wrist internal focus), internal focus on the separation between pelvis and upper torso orientations (torso internal focus), and external focus on the ball path (external focus). Compared with the external focus and torso internal focus conditions, performance was poorer in the wrist internal focus condition. Performances were not different in the torso internal and external focus conditions. In addition, attentional focus affected the release angle of the ball but not its initial velocity. Our results reveal that the body part targeted for internal focus of attention and the forcefulness of the motor activity can be as important to motor performance as whether the attention is internal or external.

Evidence for Radial Anisotropy in Earth's Upper Inner Core from Normal Modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lythgoe, K.; Deuss, A. F.

2017-12-01

The structure of the uppermost inner core is related to solidification of outer core material at the inner core boundary. Previous seismic studies using body waves indicate an isotropic upper inner core, although radial anisotropy has not been considered since it cannot be uniquely determined by body waves. Normal modes, however, do constrain radial anisotropy in the inner core. Centre frequency measurements indicate 2-5 % radial anisotropy in the upper 100 km of the inner core, with a fast direction radially outwards and a slow direction along the inner core boundary. This seismic structure provides constraints on solidification processes at the inner core boundary and appears consistent with texture predicted due to anisotropic inner core growth.

The development of the NZ-based international upper limb surgery registry.

PubMed

Sinnott, K A; Dunn, J A; Rothwell, A G; Hall, A S; Post, M W M

2014-08-01

Implementation study. To describe the development and potential value of the New Zealand (NZ) upper limb surgery registry and report the demographic and spinal cord injury characteristics of individuals with tetraplegia collated to date. Multi Center-coordinated from Burwood Spinal Unit, NZ. Following discussions with eight international units, clinical information and outcomes measures were agreed upon for use in this specific population. To implement this consensus, a web-based upper limb surgery registry was developed in NZ. Inclusion criteria included referral to a hand clinic for clinical assessment for suitability for tendon transfer surgery. Clinical data were collected regardless of acceptance of surgery thereby creating a self-selected control group. Twenty-eight years of retrospective NZ data was entered into the registry, as well as 3 years of prospective data collected in NZ. From 1982 to 2013, a total of 357 persons with tetraplegia were assessed as suitable for surgery. Of those, 223 individuals underwent surgery and 134 declined the intervention(s). The prospective group currently comprises 55 assessments with 23 surgery individuals and 32 who have declined surgery to date. Clinical information is now available within a web-based registry for all individuals reviewed in hand clinics from when upper limb surgery was first introduced. A broad range of outcomes of interest can easily be reported directly from the registry. The self-selected control group will allow comparative studies to be explicitly linked to the specific interventions of interest.

Thermal Analysis of a Metallic Wing Glove for a Mach-8 Boundary-Layer Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gong, Leslie; Richards, W. Lance

1998-01-01

A metallic 'glove' structure has been built and attached to the wing of the Pegasus(trademark) space booster. An experiment on the upper surface of the glove has been designed to help validate boundary-layer stability codes in a free-flight environment. Three-dimensional thermal analyses have been performed to ensure that the glove structure design would be within allowable temperature limits in the experiment test section of the upper skin of the glove. Temperature results obtained from the design-case analysis show a peak temperature at the leading edge of 490 F. For the upper surface of the glove, approximately 3 in. back from the leading edge, temperature calculations indicate transition occurs at approximately 45 sec into the flight profile. A worst-case heating analysis has also been performed to ensure that the glove structure would not have any detrimental effects on the primary objective of the Pegasus a launch. A peak temperature of 805 F has been calculated on the leading edge of the glove structure. The temperatures predicted from the design case are well within the temperature limits of the glove structure, and the worst-case heating analysis temperature results are acceptable for the mission objectives.

Towards numerical simulations of fluid-structure interactions for investigation of obstructive sleep apnea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Chien-Jung; White, Susan M.; Huang, Shao-Ching; Mallya, Sanjay; Eldredge, Jeff D.

2014-11-01

Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) is a medical condition characterized by repetitive partial or complete occlusion of the airway during sleep. The soft tissues in the airway of OSA patients are prone to collapse under the low pressure loads incurred during breathing. The numerical simulation with patient-specific upper airway model can provide assistance for diagnosis and treatment assessment. The eventual goal of this research is the development of numerical tool for air-tissue interactions in the upper airway of patients with OSA. This tool is expected to capture collapse of the airway in respiratory flow conditions, as well as the effects of various treatment protocols. Here, we present our ongoing progress toward this goal. A sharp-interface embedded boundary method is used on Cartesian grids for resolving the air-tissue interface in the complex patient-specific airway geometries. For the structure simulation, a cut-cell FEM is used. Non-linear Green strains are used for properly resolving the large tissue displacements in the soft palate structures. The fluid and structure solvers are strongly coupled. Preliminary results will be shown, including flow simulation inside the 3D rigid upper airway of patients with OSA, and several validation problem for the fluid-structure coupling.

The positron peak puzzle - Recent results from APEX

DOE PAGES

Ahmad, I; Austin, SM; Back, BB; ...

1996-01-01

Results are presented from a new experiment, APEX, designed to study the previously reported sharp lines in sum-energy spectra of positrons and electrons produced in collisions of very heavy ions. Data have been collected for 238U + 181Ta and 238U + 232Th. No evidence is found for narrow structures similar to those previously reported. For the specific case of the isolated decay of a neutral particle of mass 1.4–2.1 MeV/c 2, the upper limits on cross sections obtained are significantly less than previously reported. Data are also presented for internal pair conversion in 206Pb. These results are used to setmore » limits for the possible contribution to the pair yield of a 1780 keV transition in 238U observed in heavy-ion gamma-ray coincidence measurements.« less

Using Neutron Scattering and Mercury Intrusion Techniques to Characterize Micro- and Nano-Pore Structure of Shale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y.; Barber, T.; Hu, Q.; Bleuel, M.

2017-12-01

The micro- and nano-pore structure of oil shale plays a critical role in hydrocarbon storage and migration. This study aims to characterize the pore structure of three Bakken members (i.e., upper organic-rich shale, middle silty/sandy dolomites, and lower organic-rich shale), through small and ultra-small angle neutron scattering (SANS and USANS) techniques, as well as mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) analyses. SANS/USANS have the capabilities of measuring total porosity (connected and closed porosity) across nm-mm spectrum, not measurable than other fluid-invasion approaches, such as MICP which obtains connected porosity and pore-throat size distribution. Results from both techniques exhibit different features of upper/lower Bakken and middle Bakken, as a result of various mineral composition and organic matter contents. Middle Bakken is primarily dominated by the mineral pores, while in the upper and lower Bakken, organic pores contribute a significant portion of total porosity. A combination of USANS/SANS and MICP techniques gives a comprehensive picture of shale micro- and nano-pore structure.

Suspected microbial-induced sedimentary structures (MISS) in Furongian (Upper Cambrian; Jiangshanian, Sunwaptan) strata of the Upper Mississippi Valley

USGS Publications Warehouse

Eoff, Jennifer D.

2014-01-01

The Furongian (Upper Cambrian; Jiangshanian and Sunwaptan) Tunnel City Group (Lone Rock Formation and Mazomanie Formation), exposed in Wisconsin and Minnesota, represents a shallow-marine clastic environment during a time of exceptionally high sea level. Lithofacies from shoreface to transitional-offshore settings document deposition in a wave- and storm-dominated sea. Flooding of the cratonic interior was associated with formation of a condensed section and the extensive development of microbial mats. Biolamination, mat fragments, wrinkle structures, and syneresis cracks are preserved in various sandstone facies of the Lone Rock Formation, as is evidence for the cohesive behavior of sand. These microbial-induced sedimentary structures (MISS) provide unique signals of biological–physical processes that physical structures alone cannot mimic. The MISS are associated with a trilobite extinction event in the Steptoean–Sunwaptan boundary interval. This may support recent claims that Phanerozoic microbial mats were opportunistic disaster forms that flourished during periods of faunal turnover. Further investigation of stratigraphic, taphonomic, and other potential biases, however, is needed to fully test this hypothesis.

Mantle structure beneath Africa and Arabia from adaptively parameterized P-wave tomography: Implications for the origin of Cenozoic Afro-Arabian tectonism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, Samantha E.; Nyblade, Andrew A.; Benoit, Margaret H.

2012-02-01

While the Cenozoic Afro-Arabian Rift System (AARS) has been the focus of numerous studies, it has long been questioned if low-velocity anomalies in the upper mantle beneath eastern Africa and western Arabia are connected, forming one large anomaly, and if any parts of the anomalous upper mantle structure extend into the lower mantle. To address these questions, we have developed a new image of P-wave velocity variations in the Afro-Arabian mantle using an adaptively parameterized tomography approach and an expanded dataset containing travel-times from earthquakes recorded on many new temporary and permanent seismic networks. Our model shows a laterally continuous, low-velocity region in the upper mantle beneath all of eastern Africa and western Arabia, extending to depths of ~ 500-700 km, as well as a lower mantle anomaly beneath southern Africa that rises from the core-mantle boundary to at least ~ 1100 km depth and possibly connects to the upper mantle anomaly across the transition zone. Geodynamic models which invoke one or more discrete plumes to explain the origin of the AARS are difficult to reconcile with the lateral and depth extent of the upper mantle low-velocity region, as are non-plume models invoking small-scale convection passively induced by lithospheric extension or by edge-flow around thick cratonic lithosphere. Instead, the low-velocity anomaly beneath the AARS can be explained by the African superplume model, where the anomalous upper mantle structure is a continuation of a large, thermo-chemical upwelling in the lower mantle beneath southern Africa. These findings provide further support for a geodynamic connection between processes in Earth's lower mantle and continental break-up within the AARS.

Correlation of Structural Analysis and Test Results for the McDonnell Douglas Stitched/RFI All-Composite Wing Stub Box

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, John T.; Jegley, Dawn C.; Bush, Harold G.; Hinrichs, Stephen C.

1996-01-01

The analytical and experimental results of an all-composite wing stub box are presented in this report. The wing stub box, which is representative of an inboard portion of a commercial transport high-aspect-ratio wing, was fabricated from stitched graphite-epoxy material with a Resin Film Infusion manufacturing process. The wing stub box was designed and constructed by the McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Company as part of the NASA Advanced Composites Technology program. The test article contained metallic load-introduction structures on the inboard and outboard ends of the graphite-epoxy wing stub box. The root end of the inboard load introduction structure was attached to a vertical reaction structure, and an upward load was applied to the outermost tip of the outboard load introduction structure to induce bending of the wing stub box. A finite element model was created in which the center portion of the wing-stub-box upper cover panel was modeled with a refined mesh. The refined mesh was required to represent properly the geometrically nonlinear structural behavior of the upper cover panel and to predict accurately the strains in the stringer webs of the stiffened upper cover panel. The analytical and experimental results for deflections and strains are in good agreement.

Effects of Stiffener/Rib Separation on Damage Growth and Residual Strength

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-05-01

Two existing composite aircraft structures were used to evaluate the effects of skin/stiffener separation on the residual strength of the structures. These structures are basically compression dominated upper wing structures designed to comply with t...

Association between Literacy and Self-Rated Poor Health in 33 High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 165

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kakarmath, Sujay; Denis, Vanessa; Encinas-Martin, Marta; Borgonovi, Francesca; Subramanian, S. V.

2018-01-01

We assess the relationship between general literacy skills and health status by analysing data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), an international survey of about 250,000 adults aged 16-65 years conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) from 2011-15 in 33…

Steam generator for liquid metal fast breeder reactor

DOEpatents

Gillett, James E.; Garner, Daniel C.; Wineman, Arthur L.; Robey, Robert M.

1985-01-01

Improvements in the design of internal components of J-shaped steam generators for liquid metal fast breeder reactors. Complex design improvements have been made to the internals of J-shaped steam generators which improvements are intended to reduce tube vibration, tube jamming, flow problems in the upper portion of the steam generator, manufacturing complexities in tube spacer attachments, thermal stripping potentials and difficulties in the weld fabrication of certain components.

Internal tides affect benthic community structure in an energetic submarine canyon off SW Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Jian-Xiang; Chen, Guan-Ming; Chiou, Ming-Da; Jan, Sen; Wei, Chih-Lin

2017-07-01

Submarine canyons are major conduits of terrestrial and shelf organic matter, potentially benefiting the seafloor communities in the food-deprived deep sea; however, strong bottom currents driven by internal tides and the potentially frequent turbidity currents triggered by storm surges, river flooding, and earthquakes may negatively impact the benthos. In this study, we investigated the upper Gaoping Submarine Canyon (GPSC), a high-sediment-yield canyon connected to a small mountain river (SMR) off southwest (SW) Taiwan. By contrasting the benthic meiofaunal and macrofaunal communities within and outside the GPSC, we examined how food supplies and disturbance influenced the benthic community assemblages. The benthic communities in the upper GPSC were mainly a nested subset of the adjacent slope assemblages. Several meiofaunal (e.g. ostracods) and macrofaunal taxa (e.g. peracarid crustaceans and mollusks) that typically occurred on the slope were lost from the canyon. The polychaete families switched from diverse feeding guilds on the slope to motile subsurface deposit feeders dominant in the canyon. The diminishing of epibenthic peracarids and proliferation of deep burrowing polychaetes in the GPSC resulted in macrofauna occurring largely within deeper sediment horizons in the canyon than on the slope. The densities and numbers of taxa were depressed with distinct and more variable composition in the canyon than on the adjacent slope. Both the densities and numbers of taxa were negatively influenced by internal tide flushing and positively influenced by food availability; however, the internal tides also negatively influenced the food supplies. While the meiofauna and macrofauna densities were both depressed by the extreme physical conditions in the GPSC, only the macrofaunal densities increased with depth in the canyon, presumably related to increased frequency and intensity of disturbance toward the canyon head. The population densities of meiofauna, on the other hand, rebounded more rapidly due to their fast growth rate and short generation time and thus did not display bathymetric pattern in the canyon. To our knowledge, this is the first benthic ecological study in a submarine canyon connected to a high-sediment-yield SMR. The biological responses to extreme physical conditions in the GPSC could have broad implications on understanding the anthropogenic and climate change impacts in the deep-sea ecosystems.

[Three-dimensional finite element study on the change of glossopharyngeum in patient with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome during titrated mandible advancement].

PubMed

Yang, Suixing; Feng, Jing; Zhang, Zuo; Qu, Aili; Gong, Miao; Tang, Jie; Fan, Junheng; Li, Songqing; Zhao, Yanling

2013-04-01

To construct a three-dimensional finite element model of the upper airway and adjacent structure of an obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patient for biomechanical analysis. And to study the influence of glossopharyngeum of an OSAHS patient with three-dimensional finite element model during titrated mandible advancement. DICOM format image information of an OSAHS patient's upper airway was obtained by thin-section CT scanning and digital image processing were utilized to construct a three-dimensional finite element model by Mimics 10.0, Imageware 10.0 and Ansys software. The changes and the law of glossopharyngeum were observed by biomechanics and morphology after loading with titrated mandible advancement. A three-dimensional finite element model of the adjacent upper airway structure of OSAHS was established successfully. After loading, the transverse diameter of epiglottis tip of glossopharyngeum increased significantly, although the sagittal diameter decreased correspondingly. The principal stress was mainly distributed in anterior wall of the upper airway. The location of principal stress concentration did not change significantly with the increasing of distance. The stress of glossopharyngeum increased during titrated mandible advancement. A more precise three-dimensional finite model of upper airway and adjacent structure of an OSAHS patient is established and improved efficiency by Mimics, Imageware and Ansys software. The glossopharyngeum of finite element model of OSAHS is analyzed by titrated mandible advancement and can effectively show the relationship between mandible advancement and the glossopharyngeum.

Variability of upper ocean thermohaline structure during a MJO event from DYNAMO aircraft observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alappattu, Denny P.; Wang, Qing; Kalogiros, John; Guy, Nick; Jorgensen, David P.

2017-02-01

This paper reports upper ocean thermohaline structure and variability observed during the life cycle of an intense Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) event occurred in the southern tropical Indian Ocean (14°S-Eq, 70°E-81°E). Water column measurements for this study were collected using airborne expendable probes deployed from NOAA's WP-3D Orion aircraft operated as a part of Dynamics of MJO field experiment conducted during November-December 2011. Purpose of the study is twofold; (1) to provide a statistical analysis of the upper ocean properties observed during different phases of MJO and, (2) to investigate how the upper ocean thermohaline structure evolved in the study region in response to the MJO induced perturbation. During the active phase of MJO, mixed layer depth (MLD) had a characteristic bimodal distribution. Primary and secondary modes were at ˜34 m and ˜65 m, respectively. Spatial heterogeneity of the upper ocean response to the MJO forcing was the plausible reason for bimodal distribution. Thermocline and isothermal layer depth deepened, respectively, by 13 and 19 m from the suppressed through the restoring phase of MJO. Thicker (>30 m) barrier layers were found to occur more frequently in the active phase of MJO, associated with convective rainfalls. Additionally, the water mass analysis indicated that, in the active phase of this MJO event the subsurface was dominated by Indonesian throughflow, nonetheless intrusion of Arabian Sea high saline water was also noted near the equator.

Geophysical Modeling in Eurasia: 2D Crustal P and LG Propagation; Upper- Mantle Shear Wave Propagation and Anisotropy; and 3D, Joint, Simultaneous Inversions

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

improved resolution for shallow geologic structures . Jointly inverting these datasets with seismic body wave (S) travel times provides additional...constraints on the shallow structure and an enhanced 3D shear wave model for our study area in western China. 2008 Monitoring Research Review...for much of Eurasia, although the Arabian Shield and Arctic are less well recovered. The upper velocity gradient was tested for 10-degree cells

Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure from Joint Inversion of Body Wave and Gravity Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

CRUSTAL AND UPPER MANTLE STRUCTURE FROM JOINT INVERSION OF BODY WAVE AND GRAVITY DATA Eric A. Bergman1, Charlotte Rowe2, and Monica Maceira2...for these events include many readings of direct crustal P and S phases, as well as regional (Pn and Sn) and teleseismic phases. These data have been...the usefulness of the gravity data, we apply high-pass filtering, yielding gravity anomalies that possess higher resolving power for crustal and

Relationship between diversity and the vertical structure of the upper ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longhurst, Alan R.

1985-12-01

The sources of diversity in the plankton ecosystem of the upper 250 m in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are explored in the data from LHPR plankton profiles. Though there is good evidence for resource partitioning among feeding guilds of congeners, and for specialization in predation—both known to create diversity in simple aquatic ecosystems—the existence of a stable vertical structure, including a thermocline, may be one of the more important causes of variation in regional plankton diversity in the euphotic zone.

Upper mantle structure of central and West Antarctica from array analysis of Rayleigh wave phase velocities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heeszel, David S.; Wiens, Douglas A.; Anandakrishnan, Sridhar; Aster, Richard C.; Dalziel, Ian W. D.; Huerta, Audrey D.; Nyblade, Andrew A.; Wilson, Terry J.; Winberry, J. Paul

2016-03-01

The seismic velocity structure of Antarctica is important, both as a constraint on the tectonic history of the continent and for understanding solid Earth interactions with the ice sheet. We use Rayleigh wave array analysis methods applied to teleseismic data from recent temporary broadband seismograph deployments to image the upper mantle structure of central and West Antarctica. Phase velocity maps are determined using a two-plane wave tomography method and are inverted for shear velocity using a Monte Carlo approach to estimate three-dimensional velocity structure. Results illuminate the structural dichotomy between the East Antarctic Craton and West Antarctica, with West Antarctica showing thinner crust and slower upper mantle velocity. West Antarctica is characterized by a 70-100 km thick lithosphere, underlain by a low-velocity zone to depths of at least 200 km. The slowest anomalies are beneath Ross Island and the Marie Byrd Land dome and are interpreted as upper mantle thermal anomalies possibly due to mantle plumes. The central Transantarctic Mountains are marked by an uppermost mantle slow-velocity anomaly, suggesting that the topography is thermally supported. The presence of thin, higher-velocity lithosphere to depths of about 70 km beneath the West Antarctic Rift System limits estimates of the regionally averaged heat flow to less than 90 mW/m2. The Ellsworth-Whitmore block is underlain by mantle with velocities that are intermediate between those of the West Antarctic Rift System and the East Antarctic Craton. We interpret this province as Precambrian continental lithosphere that has been altered by Phanerozoic tectonic and magmatic activity.

Lateral variation in upper mantle temperature and composition beneath mid-ocean ridges inferred from shear-wave propagation, geoid, and bathymetry. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sheehan, Anne Francis

1991-01-01

Resolution of both the extent and mechanism of lateral heterogeneity in the upper mantle constraints the nature and scales of mantle convection. Oceanic regions are of particular interest as they are likely to provide the closest glimpse at the patterns of temperature anomalies and convective flow in the upper mantle because of their young age and simple crustal structure relative to continental regions. Lateral variations were determined in the seismic velocity and attenuation structure of the lithosphere and astenosphere beneath the oceans, and these seismological observations were combined with the data and theory of geoid and bathymetry anomalies in order to test and improve current models for seafloor spreading and mantle convection. Variations were determined in mantle properties on a scale of about 1000 km, comparable to the thickness of the upper mantle. Seismic velocity, geoid, and bathymetry anomalies are all sensitive to variations in upper mantle density, and inversions were formulated to combine quantitatively these different data and to search for a common origin. Variations in mantle density can be either of thermal or compositional origin and are related to mantle convection or differentiation.

[Study on the center-driven multiple degrees of freedom upper limb rehabilitation training robot].

PubMed

Huang, Xiaohai; Yu, Hongliu; Wang, Jinchao; Dong, Qi; Zhang, Linling; Meng, Qiaoling; Li, Sujiao; Wang, Duojin

2018-03-01

With the aging of the society, the number of stroke patients has been increasing year by year. Compared with the traditional rehabilitation therapy, the application of upper limb rehabilitation robot has higher efficiency and better rehabilitation effect, and has become an important development direction in the field of rehabilitation. In view of the current development status and the deficiency of upper limb rehabilitation robot system, combined with the development trend of all kinds of products of the upper limb rehabilitation robot, this paper designed a center-driven upper limb rehabilitation training robot for cable transmission which can help the patients complete 6 degrees of freedom (3 are driven, 3 are underactuated) training. Combined the structure of robot with more joints rehabilitation training, the paper choosed a cubic polynomial trajectory planning method in the joint space planning to design two trajectories of eating and lifting arm. According to the trajectory equation, the movement trajectory of each joint of the robot was drawn in MATLAB. It laid a foundation for scientific and effective rehabilitation training. Finally, the experimental prototype is built, and the mechanical structure and design trajectories are verified.

Static internal performance of a single expansion ramp nozzle with multiaxis thrust vectoring capability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Capone, Francis J.; Schirmer, Alberto W.

1993-01-01

An investigation was conducted at static conditions in order to determine the internal performance characteristics of a multiaxis thrust vectoring single expansion ramp nozzle. Yaw vectoring was achieved by deflecting yaw flaps in the nozzle sidewall into the nozzle exhaust flow. In order to eliminate any physical interference between the variable angle yaw flap deflected into the exhaust flow and the nozzle upper ramp and lower flap which were deflected for pitch vectoring, the downstream corners of both the nozzle ramp and lower flap were cut off to allow for up to 30 deg of yaw vectoring. The effects of nozzle upper ramp and lower flap cutout, yaw flap hinge line location and hinge inclination angle, sidewall containment, geometric pitch vector angle, and geometric yaw vector angle were studied. This investigation was conducted in the static-test facility of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel at nozzle pressure ratios up to 8.0.

Stable density stratification solar pond

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lansing, F. L. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

A stable density-stratification solar pond for use in the collection and storage of solar thermal energy including a container having a first section characterized by an internal wall of a substantially cylindrical configuration and a second section having an internal wall of a substantially truncated conical configuration surmounting the first section in coaxial alignment therewith, the second section of said container being characterized by a base of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the first section and a truncated apex defining a solar energy acceptance opening is discussed. A body of immiscible liquids is disposed within the container and comprises a lower portion substantially filling the first section of the container and an upper portion substantially filling the second section of the container, said lower portion being an aqueous based liquid of a darker color than the upper portion and of a greater density. A protective cover plate is removably provided for covering the acceptance opening.

Reflection enhances creativity: Beneficial effects of idea evaluation on idea generation.

PubMed

Hao, Ning; Ku, Yixuan; Liu, Meigui; Hu, Yi; Bodner, Mark; Grabner, Roland H; Fink, Andreas

2016-03-01

The present study aimed to explore the neural correlates underlying the effects of idea evaluation on idea generation in creative thinking. Participants were required to generate original uses of conventional objects (alternative uses task) during EEG recording. A reflection task (mentally evaluating the generated ideas) or a distraction task (object characteristics task) was inserted into the course of idea generation. Behavioral results revealed that participants generated ideas with higher originality after evaluating the generated ideas than after performing the distraction task. The EEG results revealed that idea evaluation was accompanied with upper alpha (10-13 Hz) synchronization, most prominent at frontal cortical sites. Moreover, upper alpha activity in frontal cortices during idea generation was enhanced after idea evaluation. These findings indicate that idea evaluation may elicit a state of heightened internal attention or top-down activity that facilitates efficient retrieval and integration of internal memory representations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Medicine on mission: The international health reform of Seventh-Day Adventists and their health care facilities in Sweden].

PubMed

Eklöf, Motzi

2008-01-01

The international non-conformist denomination, Seventh-day Adventists, have since their foundation in 1863, had a distinctive health care model for their members. The life-style has included vegetarian diet, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and the observance of a day of rest once a week. The health policy has striven to care for God's creation in the hope of resurrection at the Day of Judgment and to reform the conventional medical practice. The Adventists have pursued an extensive international health care system--from the start based on dietary and physical treatment methods, such as hydrotherapy, massage and physiotherapy--in line with the Christian mission. Health care establishments have been inaugurated around the world as a vehicle for enabling the Christian health care message to reach the upper classes. With Adventist and Doctor, John Harvey Kellogg's Battle Creek Sanatorium in Michigan as both inspirational source and educational institution, the health care mission--including a vegetarian health food industry, following in the footsteps of cornflakes--spread to the Nordic countries by the turn of the century, 1900. Skodsborgs Badesanatorium near Copenhagen became the model institution for several health care establishments in Sweden during the 1900's, such as Hultafors Sanatorium. The American-Nordic link has manifested itself through co-publication of papers, exchange of health care personnel and reporting to the central Adventist church. The American non-conformist domain as well as a private sphere of activity, aiming mainly from the outset at society's upper classes, has encountered certain difficulties in maintaining this distinction in Sweden's officially increasing secularised society, and in relation to a state health insurance and a publicly financed health care system. With the passing of time, the socioeconomic composition of patients at Hultafors became more heterogeneous, and conventional medical procedures were increasingly incorporated into the array of treatment resources. The successful enterprises--as they had been for a considerable time--could not, at the end of the 20th century, continue to be self financing or fulfil the missionary objectives among the upper classes. The institutionalised health care apparatus came to an end around the turn of the century, which also included the sale of health associated food product companies. The Seventh-day Adventist's combination of medicine and religion with Christian missionary aims have indeed, not only steered health care models and institutions worldwide, but also which target groups to mainly turn to, the specific treatment philosophy, desirable working environment and which medical technologies to use. Furthermore, the Adventist's health reform and care of the sick provide an example for how different medical cultures influence each other and develop in relation to one another in a pluralistic medical market. The developments are not merely a reflection of the medical, scientific and technical advancements, but also of the medical market's structure, financing and (inter)national connections, of religion, culture and not least of all, patients' options and their choices.

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

Bech, H.; Haugsen, P.B.

The Norwegian Oil Company, Saga Petroleum a.s., is operator on two promising deep water blocks in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. As a result, the company has introduced a new platform concept designed specifically for hostile and deep water areas. The platform idea is the result of a systematic innovation procedure. The first step was to analyze and describe the functions of the different structural elements on a general basis. Next was to analyze how these elements contributed to the total concept. The final development stage was to create a new solution. The resulting (hybrid platform design conceptmore » appears to offer a number of inherent deck layout and towout deck weight advantages). The concrete substructure is a lower unit consisting of a foundation with concrete skirts that will penetrate the soft soil in the seabed and a high concrete caisson extending up from the foundation, which is made up of seven cells with varying concrete thicknesses, terminating in domes. The upper steel platform section is a lattice-type jacket structure. There is a separate column for internal personnel access between the platform deck and the concrete caisson.« less

ER-2 Doppler Radar (EDOP) Investigations of the Eyewall of Hurricane Bonnie CAMEX-3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heymsfield, G. M.; Halverson, J.; Simpson, J.; Tian, L.; Bui, P.; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

A persistent, mesoscale region of intense eyewall convection contained within Hurricane Bonnie on 23 August 1998 is examined from multiple observations synthesized from the NASA ER-2 and DC-8 aircraft. The intense convection occurred late in the day as Bonnie was attaining its minimum central pressure and during a stage when the inner core featured a markedly asymmetric structure. The main purpose of this paper is to describe the internal structure of a convective burst and its relationship to the warm core using a synthesis of high-resolution satellite, aircraft radar, and in situ data. An exceptionally vigorous eyewall tower penetrating to nearly 18 km is described. A second intense eyewall tower, adjacent to the eye, is shown to be associated with a mesoscale subsiding current of air that extends horizontally nearly 20 km into the eye interior. The subsidence occupies a substantial depth within the eye and appears to be a much larger scale feature than the convectively-induced, symmetric overturning which commonly occurs on the upper-level flanks of convective towers in other tropical environments.

Lunar Seismology: the Internal Structure of the Moon. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goins, N. R.

1978-01-01

The direct P and S wave arrival times are the primary data set that can be measured on the seismograms of natural lunar seismic events. Polarization filtering techniques allow the enhancement of secondary body wave arrivals and record curves to identify the secondary phases and deduce structural information. Finally, shear wave amplitude vs. distance curves yield information on the location and magnitude of seismic velocity gradients in the interior. The results of these analyses show that the moon appears to have a two-layer crust at all four seismic stations: a 20 km upper crust that seems to be constant at all sites and a lower crust that is 40 km thick at stations 12 and 14 (mare), 55 + or - 10 km at station 16 (highland), and tentatively either 40 km or 70 km at station 15. The lower mantle extends from 480 km to at least 1100 km depth which is the maximum depth of penetration of all but a few seismic waves used as data. No definitive evidence for or against a lunar core exists.

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Remote Sensing Symposium, 29 - 31 October 1979 Held at Sheraton International Conference Center, Reston, Virginia.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-10-31

construction is to be carried on in the vicinity. 34 - - -- - Figure 13 - Geologic Interpretation of Part of the Upper Amazon Basin ( Peru ) Figure 14 - Radar...and how to proceed still remains under review. Likely some of you are aware of the concept called the National Oceanic Satellite System. It would serve...radar to emphasize the surface evidence of underground geological phenomena has proved itself of great value. Figure 13 shows an area in the upper Amazon

A Locally Generated High-Mode Nonlinear Internal Wave Detected on the Shelf of the Northern South China Sea From Marine Seismic Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Qunshu; Xu, Min; Zheng, Chan; Xu, Xing; Xu, Jiang

2018-02-01

In this work, a secondary nonlinear internal wave (NIW) on the continental shelf of the northern South China Sea is investigated using high-resolution seismic imaging and joint inversion of water structure properties combined with in situ hydrographic observations. It is an extraordinary wave combination with two mode-2 NIWs and one elevated NIW occurring within a short distance of 2 km. The most energetic part of the NIW could be regarded as a mode-2 NIW in the upper layer between 40 and 120 m depth. The vertical particle velocity of ˜41 cm/s may exceed the critical value of wave breaking and thus collapse the strong stratification followed by a series of processes including internal wave breaking, overturning, Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, stratification splitting, and eventual restratification. Among these processes, the shear-induced Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is directly imaged using the seismic method for the first time. The stratification splitting and restratification show that the unstable stage lasts only for a few hours and spans several kilometers. It is a new observation that the elevated NIW could be generated in a deepwater region (as deep as ˜370 m). Different from the periodical NIWs originating from the Luzon Strait, this secondary NIW is most likely generated locally, at the continental shelf break during ebb tide.

7. DETAIL OF UPPER SECTIONS OF WEST SIDE SHOWING WHITE ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

7. DETAIL OF UPPER SECTIONS OF WEST SIDE SHOWING WHITE INSULATED DUCTWORK VENTILATING CLEAN ROOM AT TOP LEVELS OF MOBILE SERVICE STRUCTURE; VIEW TO NORTHEAST. - Cape Canaveral Air Station, Launch Complex 17, Facility 28417, East end of Lighthouse Road, Cape Canaveral, Brevard County, FL

Ares I Integrated Test Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, Jim

2008-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the testing approach that NASA is developing for the Ares I launch vehicle. NASA is planning a complete series of development, qualification and verification tests. These include: (1) Upper stage engine sea-level and altitude testing (2) First stage development and qualification motors (3) Upper stage structural and thermal development and qualification test articles (4) Main Propulsion Test Article (MPTA) (5) Upper stage green run testing (6) Integrated Vehicle Ground Vibration Testing (IVGVT) and (7) Aerodynamic characterization testing.

Multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation and upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke: A review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Tedesco Triccas, L; Burridge, J H; Hughes, A M; Pickering, R M; Desikan, M; Rothwell, J C; Verheyden, G

2016-01-01

To systematically review the methodology in particular treatment options and outcomes and the effect of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with rehabilitation programmes for upper extremity recovery post stroke. A search was conducted for randomised controlled trials involving tDCS and rehabilitation for the upper extremity in stroke. Quality of included studies was analysed using the Modified Downs and Black form. The extent of, and effect of variation in treatment parameters such as anodal, cathodal and bi-hemispheric tDCS on upper extremity outcome measures of impairment and activity were analysed using meta-analysis. Nine studies (371 participants with acute, sub-acute and chronic stroke) were included. Different methodologies of tDCS and upper extremity intervention, outcome measures and timing of assessments were identified. Real tDCS combined with rehabilitation had a small non-significant effect of +0.11 (p=0.44) and +0.24 (p=0.11) on upper extremity impairments and activities at post-intervention respectively. Various tDCS methods have been used in stroke rehabilitation. The evidence so far is not statistically significant, but is suggestive of, at best, a small beneficial effect on upper extremity impairment. Future research should focus on which patients and rehabilitation programmes are likely to respond to different tDCS regimes. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acoustic Observation of Living Organisms Reveals the Upper Limit of the Oxygen Minimum Zone

PubMed Central

Bertrand, Arnaud; Ballón, Michael; Chaigneau, Alexis

2010-01-01

Background Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are expanding in the World Ocean as a result of climate change and direct anthropogenic influence. OMZ expansion greatly affects biogeochemical processes and marine life, especially by constraining the vertical habitat of most marine organisms. Currently, monitoring the variability of the upper limit of the OMZs relies on time intensive sampling protocols, causing poor spatial resolution. Methodology/Principal Findings Using routine underwater acoustic observations of the vertical distribution of marine organisms, we propose a new method that allows determination of the upper limit of the OMZ with a high precision. Applied in the eastern South-Pacific, this original sampling technique provides high-resolution information on the depth of the upper OMZ allowing documentation of mesoscale and submesoscale features (e.g., eddies and filaments) that structure the upper ocean and the marine ecosystems. We also use this information to estimate the habitable volume for the world's most exploited fish, the Peruvian anchovy (Engraulis ringens). Conclusions/Significance This opportunistic method could be implemented on any vessel geared with multi-frequency echosounders to perform comprehensive high-resolution monitoring of the upper limit of the OMZ. Our approach is a novel way of studying the impact of physical processes on marine life and extracting valid information about the pelagic habitat and its spatial structure, a crucial aspect of Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management in the current context of climate change. PMID:20442791

A principal component analysis of the relationship between the external body shape and internal skeleton for the upper body.

PubMed

Nerot, A; Skalli, W; Wang, X

2016-10-03

Recent progress in 3D scanning technologies allows easy access to 3D human body envelope. To create personalized human models with an articulated linkage for realistic re-posturing and motion analyses, an accurate estimation of internal skeleton points, including joint centers, from the external envelope is required. For this research project, 3D reconstructions of both internal skeleton and external envelope from low dose biplanar X-rays of 40 male adults were obtained. Using principal component analysis technique (PCA), a low-dimensional dataset was used to predict internal points of the upper body from the trunk envelope. A least squares method was used to find PC scores that fit the PCA-based model to the envelope of a new subject. To validate the proposed approach, estimated internal points were evaluated using a leave-one-out (LOO) procedure, i.e. successively considering each individual from our dataset as an extra-subject. In addition, different methods were proposed to reduce the variability in data and improve the performance of the PCA-based prediction. The best method was considered as the one providing the smallest errors between estimated and reference internal points with an average error of 8.3mm anterior-posteriorly, 6.7mm laterally and 6.5mm vertically. As the proposed approach relies on few or no bony landmarks, it could be easily applicable and generalizable to surface scans from any devices. Combined with automatic body scanning techniques, this study could potentially constitute a new step towards automatic generation of external/internal subject-specific manikins. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SU-E-T-587: Optimal Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiotherapy Treatment Planning Technique for Multiple Brain Metastases with Increasing Number of Arcs

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

Keeling, V; Hossain, S; Hildebrand, K

Purpose: To show improvements in dose conformity and normal brain tissue sparing using an optimal planning technique (OPT) against clinically acceptable planning technique (CAP) in the treatment of multiple brain metastases. Methods: A standardized international benchmark case with12 intracranial tumors was planned using two different VMAT optimization methods. Plans were split into four groups with 3, 6, 9, and 12 targets each planned with 3, 5, and 7 arcs using Eclipse TPS. The beam geometries were 1 full coplanar and half non-coplanar arcs. A prescription dose of 20Gy was used for all targets. The following optimization criteria was used (OPTmore » vs. CAP): (No upper limit vs.108% upper limit for target volume), (priority 140–150 vs. 75–85 for normal-brain-tissue), and (selection of automatic sparing Normal-Tissue-Objective (NTO) vs. Manual NTO). Both had priority 50 to critical structures such as brainstem and optic-chiasm, and both had an NTO priority 150. Normal-brain-tissue doses along with Paddick Conformity Index (PCI) were evaluated. Results: In all cases PCI was higher for OPT plans. The average PCI (OPT,CAP) for all targets was (0.81,0.64), (0.81,0.63), (0.79,0.57), and (0.72,0.55) for 3, 6, 9, and 12 target plans respectively. The percent decrease in normal brain tissue volume (OPT/CAP*100) achieved by OPT plans was (reported as follows: V4, V8, V12, V16, V20) (184, 343, 350, 294, 371%), (192, 417, 380, 299, 360%), and (235, 390, 299, 281, 502%) for the 3, 5, 7 arc 12 target plans, respectively. The maximum brainstem dose decreased for the OPT plan by 4.93, 4.89, and 5.30 Gy for 3, 5, 7 arc 12 target plans, respectively. Conclusion: Substantial increases in PCI, critical structure sparing, and decreases in normal brain tissue dose were achieved by eliminating upper limits from optimization, using automatic sparing of normal tissue function with high priority, and a high priority to normal brain tissue.« less

A structural comparison of female-male and female-female mounting in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata).

PubMed

Ottenheimer Carrier, Lydia; Leca, Jean-Baptiste; Pellis, Sergio; Vasey, Paul L

2015-10-01

In certain populations, female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) mount both males and females. Vasey (2007) proposed that female-female sexual mounting in Japanese macaques may be a neutral evolutionary by-product of a purported adaptation, namely, female-male mounting. In this study, we aim to further examine the proposed link between female-male and female-female mounting in Japanese macaques by comparing the structural characteristics that define both forms of mounting. We do so using Eshkol-Wachman Movement Notation (EWMN), a globographic reference system that can be used to describe the position of body segments. No significant differences were observed in the female mounters' positioning of eight different body segments (i.e., lower torso, mid-torso, upper torso, upper arm, lower arm, upper leg, lower leg, and foot) during female-male and female-female mounting. This finding lends support to the conclusion that female-female and female-male mounting are structurally, and thus, evolutionarily, related. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anatomy of Old Faithful From Subsurface Seismic Imaging of the Yellowstone Upper Geyser Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Sin-Mei; Ward, Kevin M.; Farrell, Jamie; Lin, Fan-Chi; Karplus, Marianne; Smith, Robert B.

2017-10-01

The Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park contains one of the highest concentrations of hydrothermal features on Earth including the iconic Old Faithful geyser. Although this system has been the focus of many geological, geochemical, and geophysical studies for decades, the shallow (<200 m) subsurface structure remains poorly characterized. To investigate the detailed subsurface geologic structure including the hydrothermal plumbing of the Upper Geyser Basin, we deployed an array of densely spaced three-component nodal seismographs in November of 2015. In this study, we extract Rayleigh wave seismic signals between 1 and 10 Hz utilizing nondiffusive seismic waves excited by nearby active hydrothermal features with the following results: (1) imaging the shallow subsurface structure by utilizing stationary hydrothermal activity as a seismic source, (2) characterizing how local geologic conditions control the formation and location of the Old Faithful hydrothermal system, and (3) resolving a relatively shallow (10-60 m) and large reservoir located 100 m southwest of Old Faithful geyser.

Impediments to recovery in New Orleans' Upper and Lower Ninth Ward: one year after Hurricane Katrina.

PubMed

Green, Rebekah; Bates, Lisa K; Smyth, Andrew

2007-12-01

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a rapid succession of plans put forward a host of recovery options for the Upper and Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. Much of the debate focused on catastrophic damage to residential structures and discussions of the capacity of low-income residents to repair their neighbourhoods. This article examines impediments to the current recovery process of the Upper and Lower Ninth Ward, reporting results of an October 2006 survey of 3,211 plots for structural damage, flood damage and post-storm recovery. By examining recovery one year after Hurricane Katrina, and by doing so in the light of flood and structural damage, it is possible to identify impediments to recovery that may disproportionately affect these neighbourhoods. This paper concludes with a discussion of how pre- and post-disaster inequalities have slowed recovery in the Lower Ninth Ward and of the implications this has for post-disaster recovery planning there and elsewhere.

Validation of the Rossmax CF175 upper-arm blood pressure monitor for home blood pressure monitoring according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu; Kang, Yuan-Yuan; Zeng, Wei-Fang; Li, Yan; Wang, Ji-Guang

2015-04-01

The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Rossmax CF175 upper-arm blood pressure monitor for home blood pressure monitoring according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension revision 2010. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were sequentially measured in 33 adult Chinese (17 women, mean age 46 years) using a mercury sphygmomanometer (two observers) and the Rossmax CF175 device (one supervisor). A total of 99 pairs of comparisons were obtained from 33 participants for judgments in two parts with three grading phases. All the blood pressure requirements were fulfilled. The Rossmax CF175 device achieved the targets in part 1 of the validation study. The number of absolute differences between the device and observers within 5, 10, and 15 mmHg was 78/99, 94/99, and 98/99, respectively, for systolic blood pressure, and 81/99, 96/99, and 97/99, respectively, for diastolic blood pressure. The device also achieved the criteria in part 2 of the validation study. Twenty-nine participants, for both of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, had at least two of the three device-observers differences within 5 mmHg (required ≥24). Only one participant for diastolic blood pressure had all three device-observers comparisons greater than 5 mmHg. The Rossmax automated oscillometric upper-arm blood pressure monitor CF175 fulfilled the requirements of the International Protocol revision 2010, and hence can be recommended for blood pressure measurement in adults.

Validation of the Andon KD-5965 upper-arm blood pressure monitor for home blood pressure monitoring according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

PubMed

Huang, Jinhua; Li, Zhijie; Li, Guimei; Liu, Zhaoying

2015-10-01

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Andon KD-5965 upper-arm blood pressure monitor according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were sequentially measured in 33 adults, with 20 women using a mercury sphygmomanometer (two observers) and the Andon KD-5965 device (one supervisor). A total of 99 pairs of comparisons were obtained from 33 participants for judgments in two parts with three grading phases. The device achieved the targets in part 1 of the validation study. The number of absolute differences between the device and observers within 5, 10, and 15 mmHg was 70/99, 91/99, and 98/99, respectively, for systolic blood pressure and 81/99, 99/99, and 99/99, respectively, for diastolic blood pressure. The device also fulfilled the criteria in part 2 of the validation study. Twenty-five and 29 participants, for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, had at least two of the three device-observers differences within 5 mmHg (required≥24). Two and one participants for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, had all three device-observers comparisons greater than 5 mmHg. According to the validation results, with better performance for diastolic blood pressure than that for systolic blood pressure, the Andon automated oscillometric upper-arm blood pressure monitor KD-5965 fulfilled the requirements of the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010, and hence can be recommended for blood pressure measurement in adults.

A Force-Velocity Relationship and Coordination Patterns in Overarm Throwing

PubMed Central

van den Tillaar, Roland; Ettema, Gertjan

2004-01-01

A force-velocity relationship in overarm throwing was determined using ball weights varying from 0.2 to 0.8 kg. Seven experienced handball players were filmed at 240 frames per second. Velocity of joints of the upper extremity and ball together with the force on the ball were derived from the data. A statistically significant negative relationship between force and maximal ball velocity, as well as between ball weight and maximal ball velocity was observed. Also, with increase of ball weight the total throwing movement time increased. No significant change in relative timing of the different joints was demonstrated, suggesting that the subjects did not change their “global ”coordination pattern (kinematics) within the tested range of ball weights. A simple model revealed that 67% of ball velocity at ball release was explained by the summation of effects from the velocity of elbow extension and internal rotation of the shoulder. With regard to the upper extremity the internal rotation of the shoulder and elbow extension are two important contributors to the total ball velocity at release. Key Points An inverse relationship between load and velocity and a linear force-velocity exists in overarm throwing with ball weights varying from 0.2 to 0.8 kg. Qualitatively, no changes in coordination pattern (relative timing) occur with increasing ball weight within the tested range of ball weights. The absolute throwing movement time increased with ball weight. Quantitatively, with regard to the upper extremity, the internal rotation of the shoulder and elbow extension are two important contributors to the total ball velocity at release. PMID:24624005

Semiconductor laser devices having lateral refractive index tailoring

DOEpatents

Ashby, Carol I. H.; Hadley, G. Ronald; Hohimer, John P.; Owyoung, Adelbert

1990-01-01

A broad-area semiconductor laser diode includes an active lasing region interposed between an upper and a lower cladding layer, the laser diode further comprising structure for controllably varying a lateral refractive index profile of the diode to substantially compensate for an effect of junction heating during operation. In embodiments disclosed the controlling structure comprises resistive heating strips or non-radiative linear junctions disposed parallel to the active region. Another embodiment discloses a multi-layered upper cladding region selectively disordered by implanted or diffused dopant impurities. Still another embodiment discloses an upper cladding layer of variable thickness that is convex in shape and symmetrically disposed about a central axis of the active region. The teaching of the invention is also shown to be applicable to arrays of semiconductor laser diodes.

Compliant electrospun silk fibroin tubes for small vessel bypass grafting.

PubMed

Marelli, Benedetto; Alessandrino, Antonio; Farè, Silvia; Freddi, Giuliano; Mantovani, Diego; Tanzi, Maria Cristina

2010-10-01

Processing silk fibroin (SF) by electrospinning offers a very attractive opportunity for producing three-dimensional nanofibrillar matrices in tubular form, which may be useful for a biomimetic approach to small calibre vessel regeneration. Bypass grafting of small calibre vessels, with a diameter less than 6mm, is performed mainly using autografts, like the saphenous vein or internal mammary artery. At present no polymeric grafts made of SF are commercially available, mainly due to inadequate properties (low compliance and lack of endothelium cells). The aim of this work was to electrospin SF into tubular structures (Ø=6mm) for small calibre vessel grafting, characterize the morphological, chemico-physical and mechanical properties of the electrospun SF structures and to validate their potential to interact with cells. The morphological properties of electrospun SF nanofibres were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Chemico-physical analyses revealed an increase in the crystallinity of the structure of SF nanofibres on methanol treatment. Mechanical tests, i.e. compliance and burst pressure measurements, of the electrospun SF tubes showed that the inner pressure to radial deformation ratio was linear for elongation up to 15% and pressure up to 400 mm Hg. The mean compliance value between 80 and 120 mm Hg was higher than the values reported for both Goretex(R) and Dacron(R) grafts and for bovine heterografts, but still slightly lower than those of saphenous and umbilical vein, which nowadays represent the gold standard for the replacement of small calibre arteries. The electrospun tubes resisted up to 575+/-17 mmHg, which is more than four times the upper physiological pressure of 120 mmHg and more than twice the pathological upper pressures (range 180-220 mmHg). The in vitro tests showed a good cytocompatibility of the electrospun SF tubes. Therefore, the electrospun SF tubes developed within this work represent a suitable candidate for small calibre blood vessel replacement. 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Correlation among ultrasound, cross-sectional anatomy, and histology of the sciatic nerve: a review.

PubMed

Moayeri, Nizar; van Geffen, Geert J; Bruhn, Jörgen; Chan, Vincent W; Groen, Gerbrand J

2010-01-01

Efficient identification of the sciatic nerve (SN) requires a thorough knowledge of its topography in relation to the surrounding structures. Anatomic cross sections in similar oblique planes as observed during SN ultrasonography are lacking. A survey of sonoanatomy matched with ultrasound views of the major SN block sites will be helpful in pattern recognition, especially when combined with images that show the internal architecture of the nerve. From 1 cadaver, consecutive parts of the upper leg corresponding to the 4 major blocks sites were sectioned and deeply frozen. Using cryomicrotomy, consecutive transverse sections were acquired and photographed at 78-microm intervals, along with histologic sections at 5-mm intervals. Multiplanar reformatting was done to reconstruct the optimal planes for an accurate comparison of ultrasonography and gross anatomy. The anatomic and histologic images were matched with ultrasound images that were obtained from 2 healthy volunteers. By simulating the exact position and angulation as in the ultrasonographic images, detailed anatomic overviews of SN and adjacent structures were reconstructed in the gluteal, subgluteal, midfemoral, and popliteal regions. Throughout its trajectory, SN contains numerous fascicles with connective and adipose tissues. In this study, we provide an optimal matching between histology, anatomic cross sections, and short-axis ultrasound images of SN. Reconstructing ultrasonographic planes with this high-resolution digitized anatomy not only enables an overview but also shows detailed views of the architecture of internal SN. The undulating course of the nerve fascicles within SN may explain its varying echogenic appearance during probe manipulation.

Alveoli, teeth, and tooth loss: Understanding the homology of internal mandibular structures in mysticete cetaceans

PubMed Central

Pyenson, Nicholas D.; Uhen, Mark D.; Marshall, Christopher D.

2017-01-01

The evolution of filter feeding in baleen whales (Mysticeti) facilitated a wide range of ecological diversity and extreme gigantism. The innovation of filter feeding evolved in a shift from a mineralized upper and lower dentition in stem mysticetes to keratinous baleen plates that hang only from the roof of the mouth in extant species, which are all edentulous as adults. While all extant mysticetes are born with a mandible lacking a specialized feeding structure (i.e., baleen), the bony surface retains small foramina with elongated sulci that often merge together in what has been termed the alveolar gutter. Because mysticete embryos develop tooth buds that resorb in utero, these foramina have been interpreted as homologous to tooth alveoli in other mammals. Here, we test this homology by creating 3D models of the internal mandibular morphology from terrestrial artiodactyls and fossil and extant cetaceans, including stem cetaceans, odontocetes and mysticetes. We demonstrate that dorsal foramina on the mandible communicate with the mandibular canal via smaller canals, which we explain within the context of known mechanical models of bone resorption. We suggest that these dorsal foramina represent distinct branches of the inferior alveolar nerve (or artery), rather than alveoli homologous with those of other mammals. As a functional explanation, we propose that these branches provide sensation to the dorsal margin of the mandible to facilitate placement and occlusion of the baleen plates during filer feeding. PMID:28542468

The upper-mantle transition zone beneath the Chile-Argentina flat subduction zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagdo, Paula; Bonatto, Luciana; Badi, Gabriela; Piromallo, Claudia

2016-04-01

The main objective of the present work is the study of the upper mantle structure of the western margin of South America (between 26°S and 36°S) within an area known as the Chile-Argentina flat subduction zone. For this purpose, we use teleseismic records from temporary broad band seismic stations that resulted from different seismic experiments carried out in South America. This area is characterized by on-going orogenic processes and complex subduction history that have profoundly affected the underlying mantle structure. The detection and characterization of the upper mantle seismic discontinuities are useful to understand subduction processes and the dynamics of mantle convection; this is due to the fact that they mark changes in mantle composition or phase changes in mantle minerals that respond differently to the disturbances caused by mantle convection. The discontinuities at a depth of 410 km and 660 km, generally associated to phase changes in olivine, vary in width and depth as a result of compositional and temperature anomalies. As a consequence, these discontinuities are an essential tool to study the thermal and compositional structure of the mantle. Here, we analyze the upper-mantle transition zone discontinuities at a depth of 410 km and 660 km as seen from Pds seismic phases beneath the Argentina-Chile flat subduction.

Oblique reactivation of lithosphere-scale lineaments controls rift physiography - the upper-crustal expression of the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone, offshore southern Norway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, Thomas B.; Jackson, Christopher A.-L.; Bell, Rebecca E.; Duffy, Oliver B.

2018-04-01

Pre-existing structures within sub-crustal lithosphere may localise stresses during subsequent tectonic events, resulting in complex fault systems at upper-crustal levels. As these sub-crustal structures are difficult to resolve at great depths, the evolution of kinematically and perhaps geometrically linked upper-crustal fault populations can offer insights into their deformation history, including when and how they reactivate and accommodate stresses during later tectonic events. In this study, we use borehole-constrained 2-D and 3-D seismic reflection data to investigate the structural development of the Farsund Basin, offshore southern Norway. We use throw-length (T-x) analysis and fault displacement backstripping techniques to determine the geometric and kinematic evolution of N-S- and E-W-striking upper-crustal fault populations during the multiphase evolution of the Farsund Basin. N-S-striking faults were active during the Triassic, prior to a period of sinistral strike-slip activity along E-W-striking faults during the Early Jurassic, which represented a hitherto undocumented phase of activity in this area. These E-W-striking upper-crustal faults are later obliquely reactivated under a dextral stress regime during the Early Cretaceous, with new faults also propagating away from pre-existing ones, representing a switch to a predominantly dextral sense of motion. The E-W faults within the Farsund Basin are interpreted to extend through the crust to the Moho and link with the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone, a lithosphere-scale lineament, identified within the sub-crustal lithosphere, that extends > 1000 km across central Europe. Based on this geometric linkage, we infer that the E-W-striking faults represent the upper-crustal component of the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone and that the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone represents a long-lived lithosphere-scale lineament that is periodically reactivated throughout its protracted geological history. The upper-crustal component of the lineament is reactivated in a range of tectonic styles, including both sinistral and dextral strike-slip motions, with the geometry and kinematics of these faults often inconsistent with what may otherwise be inferred from regional tectonics alone. Understanding these different styles of reactivation not only allows us to better understand the influence of sub-crustal lithospheric structure on rifting but also offers insights into the prevailing stress field during regional tectonic events.

An Analysis of Two Thunderstorms Producing Five Negative Sprites on 12 September 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boggs, L.; Liu, N.; Splitt, M. E.; Lazarus, S. M.; Cummer, S. A.; Rassoul, H.

2015-12-01

We present a detailed analysis of the thunderstorms and the parent lightning discharge morphologies of five confirmed negative sprites taking place in two different thunderstorms. These two thunderstorms took place in east-central and south Florida on 12 September 2014. We utilized several lightning location networks, remote magnetic field measurements, dual polarization radar, and balloon borne soundings in our analysis. Each parent discharge was immediately preceded by intra-cloud (IC) discharges between the mid-level negative and upper positive charge regions. This either allowed a second upward negative leader to escape the upper positive charge region, or encouraged a downward negative leader to be initiated and connect with ground. The discharges found in this study support the findings of Lu et al., 2012 [JGR,117, D04212, 2012] that negative sprite-parent lightning consists primarily of hybrid intra-cloud negative cloud-to-ground (IC-NCG) and bolt-from-the-blue (BFB) lightning. Our work finds these unique discharges form in thunderstorms that have an excess of mid-level negative charge and weakened upper positive charge. Due to this charge structure, these unusual discharges transfer more charge to the ground than typical negative cloud-to-ground discharges. Our study suggests that the key difference separating bolt-from-the-blue and gigantic jet discharges is an asymmetric charge structure. This acts to bring the negative leader exiting the thundercloud closer to the lateral positive screening layer, encouraging the negative leader to turn towards ground. This investigation reveals IC discharges that involve multiple convective cells and come to ground as a negative CG discharge, a breed of hybrid IC-NCG discharges, also transfer more negative charge to ground than typical negative CG discharges and are able to initiate negative sprites. From this work, the charge structures mentioned above resulted from tall, intense convective cells with low CG flash rates with high wind shear in the mid to upper regions of the cloud. This acted to create a large reservoir of mid-level negative charge and create a general asymmetry to the charge structure. The wind shear in the upper regions also acted to weaken the upper positive charge by turbulent mixing with the upper negative screening charge layer.

Upper Neogene stratigraphy and tectonics of Death Valley - A review

USGS Publications Warehouse

Knott, J.R.; Sarna-Wojcicki, A. M.; Machette, M.N.; Klinger, R.E.

2005-01-01

New tephrochronologic, soil-stratigraphic and radiometric-dating studies over the last 10 years have generated a robust numerical stratigraphy for Upper Neogene sedimentary deposits throughout Death Valley. Critical to this improved stratigraphy are correlated or radiometrically-dated tephra beds and tuffs that range in age from > 3.58 Ma to < 1.1 ka. These tephra beds and tuffs establish relations among the Upper Pliocene to Middle Pleistocene sedimentary deposits at Furnace Creek basin, Nova basin, Ubehebe-Lake Rogers basin, Copper Canyon, Artists Drive, Kit Fox Hills, and Confidence Hills. New geologic formations have been described in the Confidence Hills and at Mormon Point. This new geochronology also establishes maximum and minimum ages for Quaternary alluvial fans and Lake Manly deposits. Facies associated with the tephra beds show that ???3.3 Ma the Furnace Creek basin was a northwest-southeast-trending lake flanked by alluvial fans. This paleolake extended from the Furnace Creek to Ubehebe. Based on the new stratigraphy, the Death Valley fault system can be divided into four main fault zones: the dextral, Quaternary-age Northern Death Valley fault zone; the dextral, pre-Quaternary Furnace Creek fault zone; the oblique-normal Black Mountains fault zone; and the dextral Southern Death Valley fault zone. Post -3.3 Ma geometric, structural, and kinematic changes in the Black Mountains and Towne Pass fault zones led to the break up of Furnace Creek basin and uplift of the Copper Canyon and Nova basins. Internal kinematics of northern Death Valley are interpreted as either rotation of blocks or normal slip along the northeast-southwest-trending Towne Pass and Tin Mountain fault zones within the Eastern California shear zone. ?? 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hydrographic and particle distributions over the Palos Verdes continental shelf: Spatial, seasonal and daily variability

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jones, B.H.; Noble, M.A.; Dickey, T.D.

2002-01-01

Moorings and towyo mapping were used to study the temporal and spatial variability of physical processes and suspended particulate material over the continental shelf of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southwestern Los Angeles, California during the late summer of 1992 and winter of 1992-93. Seasonal evolution of the hydrographic structure is related to seasonal atmospheric forcing. During summer, stratification results from heating of the upper layer. Summer insolation coupled with the stratification results in a slight salinity increase nearsurface due to evaporation. Winter cooling removes much of the upper layer stratification, but winter storms can introduce sufficient quantities of freshwater into the shelf water column again adding stratification through the buoyancy input. Vertical mixing of the low salinity surface water deeper into the water column decreases the sharp nearsurface stratification and reduces the overall salinity of the upper water column. Moored conductivity measurements indicate that the decreased salinity persisted for at least 2 months after a major storm with additional freshwater inputs through the period. Four particulate groups contributed to the suspended particulate load in the water column: phytoplankton, resuspended sediments, and particles in treated sewage effluent were observed in every towyo mapping cruise; terrigenous particles are introduced through runoff from winter rainstorms. Terrigenous suspended particulate material sinks from the water column in <9 days and phytoplankton respond to the stormwater input of buoyancy and nutrients within the same period. The suspended particles near the bottom have spatially patchy distributions, but are always present in hydrographic surveys of the shelf. Temporal variations in these particles do not show a significant tidal response, but they may be maintained in suspension by internal wave and tide processes impinging on the shelf. ?? 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of virtual reality for stroke individuals based on the International Classification of Functioning and Health: a systematic review.

PubMed

Palma, Gisele Carla Dos Santos; Freitas, Tatiana Beline; Bonuzzi, Giordano Márcio Gatinho; Soares, Marcos Antonio Arlindo; Leite, Paulo Henrique Wong; Mazzini, Natália Araújo; Almeida, Murilo Ruas Groschitz; Pompeu, José Eduardo; Torriani-Pasin, Camila

2017-05-01

This review determines the effects of virtual reality interventions for stroke subjects based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability,and Health (ICF) framework. Virtual reality is a promising tool for therapy for stroke rehabilitation, but the effects of virtual reality interventions on post-stroke patients based on the specific ICF domains (Body Structures, Body Functions, Activity, and Participation) have not been investigated. A systematic review was conducted, including trials with adults with a clinical diagnosis of a chronic, subacute, or acute stroke. Eligible trials had to include studies with an intervention protocol and follow-up, with a focus on upper limbs and/or lower limbs and/or balance. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) was used to assess the methodological quality of randomized controlled trials. Each trial was separated according to methodological quality into a high-quality trial (PEDro ≥ 6) and a low-quality trial (PEDro ≤ 6). Only high-quality trials were analyzed specifically based on the outcome of these trials. In total, 54 trials involving 1811 participants were included. Of the papers included and considered high quality, 14 trials evaluated areas of the Body Structures component, 20 trials of the Body Functions domain, 17 trials of the Activity component, and 8 trials of the Participation domain. In relation to ICF Part 2, four trials evaluated areas of the Personal Factors component and one trial evaluated domains of the Environmental Factors component. The effects of virtual reality on stroke rehabilitation based on the ICF framework are positive in Body Function and Body Structure. However, the results in the domains Activity and Participation are inconclusive. More high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of virtual reality in the domains of Activity and Participation.

Subglacial Depositional Processes in the Port Askaig Formation (Neoproterozoic) of Ireland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knight, J.

2004-12-01

The Port Askaig Formation was deposited during the Vendian glaciation (c. 650 Ma) and is a range of tillites that outcrop discontinuously from Banffshire (Scotland) to Connemara (Ireland). Sedimentary structures commonly observed include dropstones and sediment drapes, interpreted as deposition from a floating glacial ice shelf in a shallow marginal sea. Other structures, such as intersecting clastic dikes, have been interpreted as evidence for subaerial exposure of the tillite surface. Exposures of the Port Askaig Formation were examined at its Irish type area at Kiltyfanned Lough, County Donegal. Here, homogeneous sandy beds with internal planar bedding structures are separated by laminated fine sand beds which have erosional upper surfaces. The laminated beds are clast-free and individual laminae are laterally continuous and undisturbed. Larger clasts lie bed-parallel and are draped by overlying beds. Occasionally drapes are asymmetric with a thickened sediment prow, suggestive of flow direction. The clastic dikes are polygonal in plan view, may be isolated or interconnected, and are often arranged in parallel sheets which pinch out laterally. Internally, the clastic dikes are infilled with coarse sand to gravel. Infills are often aligned parallel to dike margins. The presence of draped and deformed sediments suggest a subglacial environment with free water availability. The flat-lying morphology of clasts also favours a subglacial rather than a full marine environment. The morphology and disposition of clastic dikes is interpreted as due to subglacial hydrofracturing of a till sheet and upward passage of sediment-charged water through the fracture zone, which is known from late Pleistocene and Precambrian tillites elsewhere. Variations in water availability can be reconciled by a sub-ice shelf depositional model with spatial and temporal changes in tidally-induced ice-bed coupling.

Constraints on Thermochemical Convection of the Mantle from Plume-related Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, S.

2005-05-01

Although geochemical observations have long suggested a layered mantle with more enriched mantle material in the bottom layer to provide a significant amount of heat to the top layer, the nature of such a layering remains unclear. An important observation that has been used to argue against the conventional layered mantle model (i.e., the layering at the 670 km depth) was the plume heat flux [Davies, 1999]. Plume heat flux is estimated as ~ 3.5 TW, or 10% of the surface heat flux [Davies, 1988; Sleep, 1990]. In this study, we demonstrate with 3-D spherical models of mantle convection with depth- and temperature-dependent viscosity that observed plume heat flux, plume excess temperature (<350°C), and upper mantle temperature (~ 1300°C) can pose important constraints on the layered mantle convection. We show that for a purely thermal convection model (i.e., a whole mantle convection), the observations of plume heat flux, plume excess temperature, and upper mantle temperature can be simultaneously explained only when internal heating rate is about 65%. For smaller internal heating rate, plume heat flux and plume excess temperature would be too large, and upper mantle temperature would be too small, compared with the observed. This suggests that for a whole mantle convection the CMB heat flux needs to be > 10 TW. For a core with no significant heat producing elements, such large CMB heat flux may lead to too rapid cooling of the core or a too young inner core. A layered mantle convection may help reduce the CMB heat flux. For layered convection models, we found that the top layer needs to be ~70% internally heated to explain the upper mantle temperature and plume-related observations, and this required internal heating ratio is insensitive to the layer thickness for the bottom layer (we used ~600 km and 1100 km thicknesses). This result suggests that heat generation rate for the bottom layer cannot be significantly larger (< a factor of 2) than that for the top layer. thus challenging the conventional geochemical inference for an significantly enriched bottom layer. However, this is more consistent with recent estimate of the MORB source composition that increases heat producing element concentration by a factor of three compared with the previously proposed.

SAS and SPSS macros to calculate standardized Cronbach's alpha using the upper bound of the phi coefficient for dichotomous items.

PubMed

Sun, Wei; Chou, Chih-Ping; Stacy, Alan W; Ma, Huiyan; Unger, Jennifer; Gallaher, Peggy

2007-02-01

Cronbach's a is widely used in social science research to estimate the internal consistency of reliability of a measurement scale. However, when items are not strictly parallel, the Cronbach's a coefficient provides a lower-bound estimate of true reliability, and this estimate may be further biased downward when items are dichotomous. The estimation of standardized Cronbach's a for a scale with dichotomous items can be improved by using the upper bound of coefficient phi. SAS and SPSS macros have been developed in this article to obtain standardized Cronbach's a via this method. The simulation analysis showed that Cronbach's a from upper-bound phi might be appropriate for estimating the real reliability when standardized Cronbach's a is problematic.

Separator

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

Ashbrook, C.L.

1970-09-22

A separator consists of a housing having an upper fluid inlet and a lower fluid outlet in the sides of the housing. An inverted conical tube is disposed internally of the housing and is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The upper fluid inlet tangentially intersects the inverted conical tube so as to create a rotating vortex upon introduction of the mixture. Axially disposed within the vortex tube at the upper end is a withdrawal tube for removing lighter mixture components that are drawn toward the center of the tube. At the lower end of the vortex tube ismore » an adjustable impact plate for transmitting a concussion wave through the vortexed body, so as to cause cavitation. Heavier mixture components gravitate toward the lower fluid outlet and are withdrawn through it. (7 claims)« less

Design of a wearable cable-driven upper limb exoskeleton based on epicyclic gear trains structure.

PubMed

Xiao, Feiyun; Gao, Yongsheng; Wang, Yong; Zhu, Yanhe; Zhao, Jie

2017-07-20

Many countries, including Japan, Italy, and China are experiencing demographic shifts as their populations age. Some basic activities of daily living (ADLs) are difficult for elderly people to complete independently due to declines in motor function. In this paper, a 6-DOF wearable cable-driven upper limb exoskeleton (CABexo) based on epicyclic gear trains structure is proposed. The main structure of the exoskeleton system is composed of three epicyclic gear train sections. This new exoskeleton has a parallel mechanical structure to the traditional serial structure, but is stiffer and has a stronger carrying capacity. The traditional gear transmission structure is replaced with a cable transmission system, which is quieter, and has higher accuracy and smoother transmission. The static workspace of the exoskeleton is large enough to meet the demand of assisting aged and disabled individuals in completing most of their activities of daily living (ADLs).

Three-dimensional shear wave velocity structure in the Atlantic upper mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, Esther Kezia Candace

Oceanic lithosphere constitutes the upper boundary layer of the Earth's convecting mantle. Its structure and evolution provide a vital window on the dynamics of the mantle and important clues to how the motions of Earth's surface plates are coupled to convection in the mantle below. The three-dimensional shear-velocity structure of the upper mantle beneath the Atlantic Ocean is investigated to gain insight into processes that drive formation of oceanic lithosphere. Travel times are measured for approximately 10,000 fundamental-mode Rayleigh waves, in the period range 30-130 seconds, traversing the Atlantic basin. Paths with >30% of their length through continental upper mantle are excluded to maximize sensitivity to the oceanic upper mantle. The lateral distribution of Rayleigh wave phase velocity in the Atlantic upper mantle is explored with two approaches. One, phase velocity is allowed to vary only as a function of seafloor age. Two, a general two-dimensional parameterization is utilized in order to capture perturbations to age-dependent structure. Phase velocity shows a strong dependence on seafloor age, and removing age-dependent velocity from the 2-D maps highlights areas of anomalously low velocity, almost all of which are proximal to locations of hotspot volcanism. Depth-dependent variations in vertically-polarized shear velocity (Vsv) are determined with two sets of 3-D models: a layered model that requires constant VSV in each depth layer, and a splined model that allows VSV to vary continuously with depth. At shallow depths (˜75 km) the seismic structure shows the expected dependence on seafloor age. At greater depths (˜200 km) high-velocity lithosphere is found only beneath the oldest seafloor; velocity variations beneath younger seafloor may result from temperature or compositional variations within the asthenosphere. The age-dependent phase velocities are used to constrain temperature in the mantle and show that, in contrast to previous results for the Pacific, phase velocities for the Atlantic are not consistent with a half-space cooling model but are best explained by a plate-cooling model with thickness of 75 km and mantle temperature of 1400°C. Comparison with data such as basalt chemistry and seafloor elevation helps to separate thermal and compositional effects on shear velocity.

Dinoflagellates: Fossil motile-stage tests from the upper cretaceous of the Northern New Jersey coastal plain

USGS Publications Warehouse

May, F.E.

1976-01-01

Fossil dinoflagellate tests have been considered to represent encysted, nonmotile stages. The discovery of flagellar porelike structures and probable trichocyst pores in the Upper Cretaceous genus Dinogymnium suggests that motile stage tests are also preserved as acid-resistant, organic-walled microfossils.

Scientific Explanations in Greek Upper Secondary Physics Textbooks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Velentzas, Athanasios; Halkia, Krystallia

2018-01-01

In this study, an analysis of the structure of scientific explanations included in physics textbooks of upper secondary schools in Greece was completed. In scientific explanations for specific phenomena found in the sample textbooks, the "explanandum" is a logical consequence of the "explanans," which in all cases include at…

78 FR 65166 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-31

... the upper deck tension ties of the fuselage are subject to widespread fatigue damage. We are issuing this AD to prevent widespread fatigue damage of certain fuselage upper deck tension ties, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. DATES: This AD is effective December 5, 2013. The...

49 CFR 178.337-3 - Structural integrity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... each case, the forces applied must be 0.35 times the vertical reaction at the suspension assembly... assembly of a trailer; or the horizontal pivot of the upper coupler (fifth wheel) or turntable; or... reaction at the suspension assembly of a trailer; or the horizontal pivot of the upper coupler (fifth wheel...

49 CFR 178.337-3 - Structural integrity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... each case, the forces applied must be 0.35 times the vertical reaction at the suspension assembly... assembly of a trailer; or the horizontal pivot of the upper coupler (fifth wheel) or turntable; or... reaction at the suspension assembly of a trailer; or the horizontal pivot of the upper coupler (fifth wheel...

49 CFR 178.337-3 - Structural integrity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... each case, the forces applied must be 0.35 times the vertical reaction at the suspension assembly... assembly of a trailer; or the horizontal pivot of the upper coupler (fifth wheel) or turntable; or... reaction at the suspension assembly of a trailer; or the horizontal pivot of the upper coupler (fifth wheel...

Sample Size Limits for Estimating Upper Level Mediation Models Using Multilevel SEM

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Xin; Beretvas, S. Natasha

2013-01-01

This simulation study investigated use of the multilevel structural equation model (MLSEM) for handling measurement error in both mediator and outcome variables ("M" and "Y") in an upper level multilevel mediation model. Mediation and outcome variable indicators were generated with measurement error. Parameter and standard…

Heterogeneity of the North Atlantic oceanic lithosphere based on integrated analysis of GOCE satellite gravity and geological data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barantseva, Olga; Artemieva, Irina; Thybo, Hans; Herceg, Matija

2015-04-01

We present the results from modelling the gravity and density structure of the upper mantle for the off-shore area of the North Atlantic region. The crust and upper mantle of the region is expected to be anomalous: Part of the region affected by the Icelandic plume has an anomalously shallow bathymetry, whereas the northern part of the region is characterized by ultraslow spreading. In order to understand the links between deep geodynamical processes that control the spreading rate, on one hand, and their manifestations such as oceanic floor bathymetry and heat flow, on the other hand, we model the gravity and density structure of the upper mantle from satellite gravity data. The calculations are based on interpretation of GOCE gravity satellite data for the North Atlantics. To separate the gravity signal responsible for density anomalies within the crust and upper mantle, we subtract the lower harmonics caused by deep density structure of the Earth (the core and the lower mantle). The gravity effect of the upper mantle is calculated by subtracting the gravity effect of the crust for two crustal models. We use a recent regional seismic model for the crustal structure (Artemieva and Thybo, 2013) based om seismic data together with borehole data for sediments. For comparison, similar results are presented for the global CRUST 1.0 model as well (Laske, 2013). The conversion of seismic velocity data for the crustal structure to crustal density structure is crucial for the final results. We use a combination of Vp-to-density conversion based on published laboratory measurements for the crystalline basement (Ludwig, Nafe, Drake, 1970; Christensen and Mooney, 1995) and for oceanic sediments and oceanic crust based on laboratory measurements for serpentinites and gabbros from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Kelemen et al., 2004). Also, to overcome the high degree of uncertainty in Vp-to-density conversion, we account for regional tectonic variations in the Northern Atlantics as constrained by numerous published seismic profiles and potential-field models across the Norwegian off-shore crust (e.g. Breivik et al., 2005, 2007). The results demonstrate the presence of strong gravity and density heterogeneity of the upper mantle in the North Atlantic region. In particular, there is a sharp contrast at the continent-ocean transition, which also allows for recognising mantle gravity anomalies associated with continental fragments and with anomalous oceanic lithosphere.

Potential for water-quality degradation of interconnected aquifers in west-central Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Metz, P.A.; Brendle, D.L.

1996-01-01

Thousands of deep artesian wells were drilled into the Upper Floridan aquifer in west-central Florida prior to well-drilling regulations adopted in the 1970's. The wells were usually completed with a short length of casing through the unconsolidated sediments and were left open to multiple aquifers containing water of varying quality. These open boreholes serve as a potential source of water-quality degradation within the aquifers when vertical internal borehole flow is induced by hydraulic-head differences. Thispotential for water-quality degradation exists in west-central Florida where both the intermediate aquifer system and Upper Floridan aquifer exist. Measurements of caliper, temperature, gamma, fluid conductivity, and flow were obtained in 87 wells throughout west-central Florida to determine the occurrence of interaquifer borehole flow between the intermediate aquifer system and the Upper Floridan aquifer. Flow measurements were made using an impeller flowmeter, a heat-pulse flowmeter, and a video camera with an impeller flowmeter attachment. Of the 87 wells measured with the impeller flowmeter, 17 had internal flow which ranged from 10 to 300 gallons per minute. A heat-pulse flowmeter was used in 19 wells in which flow was not detected using the impeller flowmeter. Of these 19 wells, 18 had internal flow which ranged from 0.3 to 10gallons per minute. Additionally, water-quality samples were collected from specific contributing zones in wells that had internal flow. Analysis of geophysical and water-quality data indicates degradation of water quality has occurred from mineralized ground water flowing upward from the Upper Floridan aquifer into the intermediate aquifer system through both uncased boreholes and corroded black-iron well casings. In areas where there is a downward component of flow, data indicate that potable water from the intermediate aquifer system is artificially recharging the Upper Floridan aquifer through open boreholes. A geographical area was defined where there is a potential for water- quality degradation due to improperly cased wells. This area was delineated based on where there is an upward component of ground-water flow and where there is an occurrence of poor-quality water. The delineated area includes parts of Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, De Soto, and Hardee Counties. To prevent further contamination of the aquifers, the Southwest Florida Water Management District began the Quality of Water Improvement Program in 1974 to restore hydrologic conditions altered by improperly constructed wells or deteriorating casings. As of May 1994, more than 3,000 wells have been inspected and approximately 1,350 have been plugged. To minimize interaquifer contamination, existing wells, especially ones with black-iron casing, should be inspected and, if necessary, repaired with new casing or plugged.

Profiling the robustness, efficiency and limits of the forward-adjoint method for 3-D mantle convection modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Price, M. G.; Davies, J. H.

2018-02-01

Knowledge of Earth's past mantle structure is inherently unknown. This lack of knowledge presents problems in many areas of Earth science, including in mantle circulation modelling (MCM). As a mathematical model of mantle convection, MCMs require boundary and initial conditions. While boundary conditions are readily available from sources such as plate reconstructions for the upper surface, and as free slip at the core-mantle boundary, the initial condition is not known. MCMs have historically `created' an initial condition using long `spin up' processes using the oldest available plate reconstruction period available. While these do yield good results when models are run to present day, it is difficult to infer with confidence results from early in a model's history. Techniques to overcome this problem are now being studied in geodynamics, such as by assimilating the known internal structure (e.g. from seismic tomography) of Earth at present day backwards in time. One such method is to use an iterative process known as the forward-adjoint method. While this is an efficient means of solving this inverse problem, it still strains all but the most cutting edge computational systems. In this study we endeavour to profile the effectiveness of this method using synthetic test cases as our known data source. We conclude that savings in terms of computational expense for forward-adjoint models can be achieved by streamlining the time-stepping of the calculation, as well as determining the most efficient method of updating initial conditions in the iterative scheme. Furthermore, we observe that in the models presented, there exists an upper limit on the time interval over which solutions will practically converge, although this limit is likely to be linked to Rayleigh number.

MAVEN observations of the Mars upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and solar wind interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jakosky, Bruce M.

2017-09-01

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission to Mars has been operating in orbit for more than a full Martian year. Observations are dramatically changing our view of the Mars upper atmosphere system, which includes the upper atmosphere, ionosphere, coupling to the lower atmosphere, magnetosphere, and interactions with the Sun and the solar wind. The data are allowing us to understand the processes controlling the present-day structure of the upper atmosphere and the rates of escape of gas to space. These will tell us the role that escape to space has played in the evolution of the Mars atmosphere and climate.

Implication of Broadband Dispersion Measurements in Constraining Upper Mantle Velocity Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuponiyi, A.; Kao, H.; Cassidy, J. F.; Darbyshire, F. A.; Dosso, S. E.; Gosselin, J. M.; Spence, G.

2017-12-01

Dispersion measurements from earthquake (EQ) data are traditionally inverted to obtain 1-D shear-wave velocity models, which provide information on deep earth structures. However, in many cases, EQ-derived dispersion measurements lack short-period information, which theoretically should provide details of shallow structures. We show that in at least some cases short-period information, such as can be obtained from ambient seismic noise (ASN) processing, must be combined with EQ dispersion measurements to properly constrain deeper (e.g. upper-mantle) structures. To verify this, synthetic dispersion data are generated using hypothetical velocity models under four scenarios: EQ only (with and without deep low-velocity layers) and combined EQ and ASN data (with and without deep low-velocity layers). The now "broadband" dispersion data are inverted using a trans-dimensional Bayesian framework with the aim of recovering the initial velocity models and assessing uncertainties. Our results show that the deep low-velocity layer could only be recovered from the inversion of the combined ASN-EQ dispersion measurements. Given this result, we proceed to describe a method for obtaining reliable broadband dispersion measurements from both ASN and EQ and show examples for real data. The implication of this study in the characterization of lithospheric and upper mantle structures, such as the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundary (LAB), is also discussed.

Complex metabolic oscillations in plants forced by harmonic irradiance.

PubMed Central

Nedbal, Ladislav; Brezina, Vítezslav

2002-01-01

Plants exposed to harmonically modulated irradiance, approximately 1 + cos(omegat), exhibit a complex periodic pattern of chlorophyll fluorescence emission that can be deconvoluted into a steady-state component, a component that is modulated with the frequency of the irradiance (omega), and into at least two upper harmonic components (2omega and 3omega). A model is proposed that accounts for the upper harmonics in fluorescence emission by nonlinear negative feedback regulation of photosynthesis. In contrast to simpler linear models, the model predicts that the steady-state fluorescence component will depend on the frequency of light modulation, and that amplitudes of all fluorescence components will exhibit resonance peak(s) when the irradiance frequency is tuned to an internal frequency of a regulatory component. The experiments confirmed that the upper harmonic components appear and exhibit distinct resonant peaks. The frequency of autonomous oscillations observed earlier upon an abrupt increase in CO(2) concentration corresponds to the sharpest of the resonant peaks of the forced oscillations. We propose that the underlying principles are general for a wide spectrum of negative-feedback regulatory mechanisms. The analysis by forced harmonic oscillations will enable us to examine internal dynamics of regulatory processes that have not been accessible to noninvasive fluorescence monitoring to date. PMID:12324435

Saturn's very axisymmetric magnetic field: No detectable secular variation or tilt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Hao; Russell, Christopher T.; Christensen, Ulrich R.; Dougherty, Michele K.; Burton, Marcia E.

2011-04-01

Saturn is the only planet in the solar system whose observed magnetic field is highly axisymmetric. At least a small deviation from perfect symmetry is required for a dynamo-generated magnetic field. Analyzing more than six years of magnetometer data obtained by Cassini close to the planet, we show that Saturn's observed field is much more axisymmetric than previously thought. We invert the magnetometer observations that were obtained in the "current-free" inner magnetosphere for an internal model, varying the assumed unknown rotation rate of Saturn's deep interior. No unambiguous non-axially symmetric magnetic moment is detected, with a new upper bound on the dipole tilt of 0.06°. An axisymmetric internal model with Schmidt-normalized spherical harmonic coefficients g10 = 21,191 ± 24 nT, g20 = 1586 ± 7 nT. g30 = 2374 ± 47 nT is derived from these measurements, the upper bounds on the axial degree 4 and 5 terms are 720 nT and 3200 nT respectively. The secular variation for the last 30 years is within the probable error of each term from degree 1 to 3, and the upper bounds are an order of magnitude smaller than in similar terrestrial terms for degrees 1 and 2. Differentially rotating conducting stable layers above Saturn's dynamo region have been proposed to symmetrize the magnetic field (Stevenson, 1982). The new upper bound on the dipole tilt implies that this stable layer must have a thickness L >= 4000 km, and this thickness is consistent with our weak secular variation observations.

Mechanisms of postprandial abdominal bloating and distension in functional dyspepsia.

PubMed

Burri, Emanuel; Barba, Elizabeth; Huaman, Jose Walter; Cisternas, Daniel; Accarino, Anna; Soldevilla, Alfredo; Malagelada, Juan-R; Azpiroz, Fernando

2014-03-01

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal bloating exhibit abnormal responses of the abdominal wall to colonic gas loads. We hypothesised that in patients with postprandial bloating, ingestion of a meal triggers comparable abdominal wall dyssynergia. Our aim was to characterise abdominal accommodation to a meal in patients with postprandial bloating. A test meal (0.8 kcal/ml nutrients plus 27 g/litre polyethylenglycol 4000) was administered at 50 ml/min as long as tolerated in 10 patients with postprandial bloating (fulfilling Rome III criteria for postprandial distress syndrome) and 12 healthy subjects, while electromyographic (EMG) responses of the anterior wall (upper and lower rectus, external and internal oblique via bipolar surface electrodes) and the diaphragm (via six ring electrodes over an oesophageal tube in the hiatus) were measured. Means +/- SD were calculated. Healthy subjects tolerated a meal volume of 913±308 ml; normal abdominal wall accommodation to the meal consisted of diaphragmatic relaxation (EMG activity decreased by 15±6%) and a compensatory contraction (25±9% increase) of the upper abdominal wall muscles (upper rectus and external oblique), with no changes in the lower anterior muscles (lower rectus and internal oblique). Patients tolerated lower volume loads (604±310 ml; p=0.030 vs healthy subjects) and developed a paradoxical response, that is, diaphragmatic contraction (14±3% EMG increment; p<0.01 vs healthy subjects) and upper anterior wall relaxation (9±4% inhibition; p<0.01 vs healthy subjects). In functional dyspepsia, postprandial abdominal distension is produced by an abnormal viscerosomatic response to meal ingestion that alters normal abdominal accommodation.

Relationship Between Physical Qualities and Minutes Played in International Women's Rugby Sevens.

PubMed

Goodale, Tyler L; Gabbett, Tim J; Stellingwerff, Trent; Tsai, Ming-Chang; Sheppard, Jeremy M

2016-05-01

To investigate the physical qualities that differentiate playing minutes in international-level women's rugby sevens players. Twenty-four national-level female rugby sevens players underwent measurements of anthropometry, acceleration, speed, lower- and upper-body strength, lower-body power, and aerobic fitness. Playing minutes in international competition were used to differentiate players into 2 groups, a high- or low-playing-minutes group. Playing minutes were related to team selection, which was determined by the coaching staff. Playing minutes were therefore used to differentiate performance levels. Players in the high-playing-minutes group (≥70 min) were older (mean ± SD 24.3 ± 3.1 vs 21.2 ± 4.3 y, P = .05, effect size [ES] = 0.77 ± 0.66, 90% confidence limit) and had greater experience in a national-training-center environment (2.4 ± 0.8 vs 1.7 ± 0.9 y, P = .03, ES = 0.83 ± 0.65), faster 1600-m time (374.5 ± 20.4 vs 393.5 ± 29.8 s, P = .09, ES = -0.70 ± 0.68), and greater 1-repetition-maximum upper-body strength (bench press 68.4 ± 6.3 vs 62.2 ± 8.1 kg, P = .07, ES = 0.80 ± 0.70, and neutral-grip pull-up 84.0 ± 8.2 vs 79.1 ± 5.4 kg, P = .12, ES = 0.68 ± 0.72) than athletes who played fewer minutes. Age (rs = .59 ± ~.28), training experience (rs = .57 ± ~.29), bench press (r = .44 ± ~.36), and 1600-m time (r = -.43 ± ~.34) were significantly associated with playing minutes. Neutral-grip pull-up and bench press contributed significantly to a discriminant analysis. The average squared canonical correlation was .46. The discriminant analysis predicted 7 of 9 and 6 of 10 high- and low-playing-minutes athletes, respectively. Age, training experience, upper-body strength, and aerobic fitness differentiated athlete playing minutes in international women's rugby sevens.

BSRs Elevated by Fluid Upwelling on the Upper Amazon Fan : Bottom-up Controls on Gas Hydrate Stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Praeg, D.; Silva, C. G.; dos Reis, A. T.; Ketzer, J. M.; Unnithan, V.; Perovano Da Silva, R. J.; Cruz, A. M.; Gorini, C.

2017-12-01

The stability of natural gas hydrate accumulations on continental margins has mainly been considered in terms of changes in seawater pressures and temperatures driven from above by climate. We present evidence from the Amazon deep-sea fan for stability zone changes driven from below by fluid upwelling. A grid of 2D and 3D multichannel seismic data show the upper Amazon fan in water depths of 1200-2000 m to contain a discontinuous bottom-simulating seismic reflection (BSR) that forms `patches' 10-50 km wide and up to 140 km long, over a total area of at least 5000 km2. The elongate BSR patches coincide with anticlinal thrust-folds that record on-going gravitational collapse of the fan above décollements at depths of up to 10 km. The BSR lies within 100-300 m of seafloor, in places rising beneath features that seafloor imagery show to be pockmarks and mud volcanoes, some venting gas to the water column. The BSR patches are up to 500 m shallower than predicted for methane hydrate based on geothermal gradients as low as 17˚C/km measured within the upper fan, and inversion of the BSR to obtain temperatures at the phase boundary indicates gradients 2-5 times background levels. We interpret the strongly elevated BSR patches to record upwelling of warm gas-rich fluids through thrust-fault zones 101 km wide. We infer this process to favour gas hydrate occurrences that are concentrated in proportion to flux and locally pierced by vents, and that will be sensitive to temporal variations in the upward flux of heat and gas. Thus episodes of increased flux, e.g. during thrusting, could dissociate gas hydrates to trigger slope failures and/or enhanced gas venting to the ocean. Structurally-driven fluid flow episodes could account for evidence of recurrent large-scale failures from the compressive belt on the upper fan during its Neogene collapse, and provide a long-term alternative to sea level triggering. The proposed mechanism of upward flux links the distribution and stability of gas hydrate occurrences (and gas vents) to the internal dynamics of deep-sea depocentres, in all water depths that structural pathways for fluid migration may form. Gravitational collapse is increasingly recognized to affect passive continental margins, and our findings challenge global models of hydrate inventory over time based solely on in situ methanogenesis.

Modeling the three-dimensional structure of macroscopic magma transport systems: Application to Kilauea volcano, Hawaii

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

Ryan, M.P.; Koyanagi, R.Y.; Fiske, R.S.

1981-08-10

We report the results of modeling the three-dimensional internal structure of Kilauea's magmatic passageways. The approach uses a clear plexiglass model containing equally-spaced levels upon which well-located seismic hypocenters are plotted. Application of constraining geologic and geophysical criteria to this distributed volume of earthquakes permits the interpretation of seismic structures produced by fracturing in response to locally high fluid pressures. Four magma transport and storage structures produce have been identified within and beneath Kilauea: (1) Primary conduit. The conduit transporting magma into Kilauea's summit storage reservoir rises from the model base (14.6 km) to 6.5 km depth level. It ismore » a zone of intense fracturing and inferred intrusion, whose horizontal sections are elliptical in planform. Over its height, the average major axis of component horizontal section is 3.3 km, with an average minor axis of 1.7 km. This yields an aspect ratio of xi = 0.52. At the 14.6 km level, the strike of the major axis is N67 /sup 0/E. During passage from the upper mantle through the oceanic crust, this axis rotates in a right-handed sense, until the strike is N41 /sup 0/W at the 6.5 km level. (2) Magma chamber complex floor. The interval from 6.5 to 5.7 km, immediately over the primary conduit, is aseismic. This suggests differentially high fluid-to-rock ratios, and relatively weak pathways for further vertical transport into higher levels of the storage complex, as well as lateral leakage eastward into the Mauna Ulu staging area: for later vertical ascent beneath the upper east rift zone. Seismicity within the immediately subjacent rocks that form the top of the primary conduit (at 6.5 km) suggests that this inferred magma-rich horizon forms the effective floor of the summit storage complex. (3) Magma chamber crown. Intense seismicity over the 1.1--1.9 km depth interval defines an elliptical region in plan view.« less

The Effects of Rapid Sedimentation upon Continental Breakup: Kinematic and Thermal Modeling of the Salton Trough, Southern California, Based upon Recent Seismic Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, L.; Hole, J. A.; Lowell, R. P.; Stock, J. M.; Fuis, G. S.

2016-12-01

The Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP) illuminated crustal and upper mantle structure of the Salton Trough, the northern-most rift segment of the Gulf of California plate boundary. The crust is 17-18 km thick and homogeneous for 100 km in the plate motion direction. New crust is being created by distributed rift magmatism, Colorado River sedimentation, and metamorphism of the sediment. A 5 km thick pre-existing crustal layer may still exist. The crust has not broken apart to enable initiation of seafloor spreading. A one-dimensional time-dependent kinematic and thermal model was developed to simulate these observations. We assume that all crustal layers are stretched uniformly during extension. Distributed mafic magmatism and sedimentation are added simultaneously to compensate for the crustal thinning. The ratio of magmatism to sedimentation is constrained by the seismic observations. Heat is transported by thermal conduction and by advection due to stretching of the crust. A constant temperature boundary at the Moho is used to represent partial melting in the upper mantle. Assuming a constant plate motion rate, the zone of active rifting extends linearly with time. The crustal thickness and internal structure also evolve with time. The model constraints are the observed seismic structure and heat flow. The model rapidly reaches quasi-steady state, and could continue for many millions of years. The observed seismic structure and heat flow are reproduced after 3 Myr. The yield strength profile calculated from lithology and model temperature indicates that ductile deformation in the middle and lower crust dominates the crustal rheology. Rapid sedimentation delays crustal breakup and the initiation of seafloor spreading by maintaining the thickness of the crust and keeping it predominantly ductile. This process probably occurs wherever a large river flows into an active rift driven by far-field extension. It may have built passive margins in many locations globally, such as the Gulf of Mexico. This type of passive margin consists of mostly new crust created by magmatism and metamorphism of sediment. Along such margins, metamorphosed sediment could be misinterpreted as stretched pre-existing continental crust.

The crust and upper mantle of central East Greenland - implications for continental accretion and rift evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schiffer, Christian; Balling, Niels; Ebbing, Jörg; Holm Jacobsen, Bo; Bom Nielsen, Søren

2016-04-01

The geological evolution of the North Atlantic Realm during the past 450 Myr, which has shaped the present-day topographic, crustal and upper mantle features, was dominated by the Caledonian orogeny and the formation of the North Atlantic and associated igneous activity. The distinct high altitude-low relief landscapes that accompany the North Atlantic rifted passive margins are the focus of a discussion of whether they are remnant and modified Caledonian features or, alternatively, recently uplifted peneplains. Teleseismic receiver function analysis of 11 broadband seismometers in the Central Fjord Region in East Greenland indicates the presence of a fossil subduction complex, including a slab of eclogitised mafic crust and an overlying wedge of hydrated mantle peridotite. This model is generally consistent with gravity and topography. It is shown that the entire structure including crustal thickness variations and sub-Moho heterogeneity gives a superior gravity and isostatic topographic fit compared to a model with a homogeneous lithospheric layer (1). The high topography of >1000 m in the western part of the area is supported by the c. 40 km thick crust. The eastern part requires buoyancy from the low velocity/low density mantle wedge. The geometry, velocities and densities are consistent with structures associated with a fossil subduction zone. The spatial relations with Caledonian structures suggest a Caledonian origin. The results indicate that topography is isostatically compensated by density variations within the lithosphere and that significant present-day dynamic topography seems not to be required. Further, this structure is suggested to be geophysically very similar to the Flannan reflector imaged north of Scotland, and that these are the remnants of the same fossil subduction zone, broken apart and separated during the formation of the North Atlantic in the early Cenozoic (2). 1) Schiffer, C., Jacobsen, B.H., Balling, N., Ebbing, J. and Nielsen, S.B., 2015. The East Greenland Caledonides - teleseismic signature, gravity and isostasy. Geophysical Journal International, 203, 1400-1418. 2) Schiffer, C., Stephenson, R.A., Petersen, K.D., Nielsen, S.B., Jacobsen, B.H., Balling, N. and Macdonald, D.I.M., 2015. A sub-crustal piercing point for North Atlantic reconstructions and tectonic implications. Geology, 43, 1087-1090.

An analysis of the vertical structure equation for arbitrary thermal profiles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cohn, Stephen E.; Dee, Dick P.

1989-01-01

The vertical structure equation is a singular Sturm-Liouville problem whose eigenfunctions describe the vertical dependence of the normal modes of the primitive equations linearized about a given thermal profile. The eigenvalues give the equivalent depths of the modes. The spectrum of the vertical structure equation and the appropriateness of various upper boundary conditions, both for arbitrary thermal profiles were studied. The results depend critically upon whether or not the thermal profile is such that the basic state atmosphere is bounded. In the case of a bounded atmosphere it is shown that the spectrum is always totally discrete, regardless of details of the thermal profile. For the barotropic equivalent depth, which corresponds to the lowest eigen value, upper and lower bounds which depend only on the surface temperature and the atmosphere height were obtained. All eigenfunctions are bounded, but always have unbounded first derivatives. It was proved that the commonly invoked upper boundary condition that vertical velocity must vanish as pressure tends to zero, as well as a number of alternative conditions, is well posed. It was concluded that the vertical structure equation always has a totally discrete spectrum under the assumptions implicit in the primitive equations.

An analysis of the vertical structure equation for arbitrary thermal profiles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cohn, Stephen E.; Dee, Dick P.

1987-01-01

The vertical structure equation is a singular Sturm-Liouville problem whose eigenfunctions describe the vertical dependence of the normal modes of the primitive equations linearized about a given thermal profile. The eigenvalues give the equivalent depths of the modes. The spectrum of the vertical structure equation and the appropriateness of various upper boundary conditions, both for arbitrary thermal profiles were studied. The results depend critically upon whether or not the thermal profile is such that the basic state atmosphere is bounded. In the case of a bounded atmosphere it is shown that the spectrum is always totally discrete, regardless of details of the thermal profile. For the barotropic equivalent depth, which corresponds to the lowest eigen value, upper and lower bounds which depend only on the surface temperature and the atmosphere height were obtained. All eigenfunctions are bounded, but always have unbounded first derivatives. It was proved that the commonly invoked upper boundary condition that vertical velocity must vanish as pressure tends to zero, as well as a number of alternative conditions, is well posed. It was concluded that the vertical structure equation always has a totally discrete spectrum under the assumptions implicit in the primitive equations.

Quantifying the relationship between vehicle interior geometry and child restraint systems.

PubMed

Sherwood, C P; Abdelilah, Y; Crandall, J R

2006-01-01

The prevention of interactions of children or child restraints with other vehicle structures is critical to child passenger safety. Fifteen current vehicles and seven rear and forward facing child restraint systems were measured in an attempt to quantify the available distance between child restraints and these vehicle structures. Rear facing child restraints exhibited such small amounts of clearance that contact would be expected in the majority of frontal crashes. Upper tethers are critical in the prevention of head contact, while head contact is likely when the upper tether is not used.

Parametric study of a simultaneous pitch/yaw thrust vectoring single expansion ramp nozzle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schirmer, Alberto W.; Capone, Francis J.

1989-01-01

In the course of the last eleven years, the concept of thrust vectoring has emerged as a promising method of enhancing aircraft control capabilities in post-stall flight incursions during combat. In order to study the application of simultaneous pitch and yaw vectoring to single expansion ramp nozzles, a static test was conducted in the NASA-Langley 16 foot transonic tunnel. This investigation was based on internal performance data provided by force, mass flow and internal pressure measurements at nozzle pressure ratios up to 8. The internal performance characteristics of the nozzle were studied for several combinations of six different parameters: yaw vectoring angle, pitch vectoring angle, upper ramp cutout, sidewall hinge location, hinge inclination angle and sidewall containment. Results indicated a 2-to- 3-percent decrease in resultant thrust ratio with vectoring in either pitch or yaw. Losses were mostly associated with the turning of supersonic flow. Resultant thrust ratios were also decreased by sideways expansion of the jet. The effects of cutback corners in the upper ramp and lower flap on performance were small. Maximum resultant yaw vector angles, about half of the flap angle, were achieved for the configuration with the most forward hinge location.

History and Evolution of Precambrian plate tectonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, Ria; Gerya, Taras

2014-05-01

Plate tectonics is a global self-organising process driven by negative buoyancy at thermal boundary layers. Phanerozoic plate tectonics with its typical subduction and orogeny is relatively well understood and can be traced back in the geological records of the continents. Interpretations of geological, petrological and geochemical observations from Proterozoic and Archean orogenic belts however (e.g., Brown, 2006), suggest a different tectonic regime in the Precambrian. Due to higher radioactive heat production the Precambrian lithosphere shows lower internal strength and is strongly weakened by percolating melts. The fundamental difference between Precambrian and Phanerozoic tectonics is therefore the upper-mantle temperature, which determines the strength of the upper mantle (Brun, 2002) and the further tectonic history. 3D petrological-thermomechanical numerical modelling experiments of oceanic subduction at an active plate at different upper-mantle temperatures show these different subduction regimes. For upper-mantle temperatures < 175 K above the present day value a subduction style appears which is close to present day subduction but with more frequent slab break-off. At upper-mantle temperatures 175 - 250 K above present day values steep subduction continues but the plates are weakened enough to allow buckling and also lithospheric delamination and drip-offs. For upper-mantle temperatures > 250 K above the present day value no subduction occurs any more. The whole lithosphere is delaminating and due to strong volcanism and formation of a thicker crust subduction is inhibited. This stage of 200-250 K higher upper mantle temperature which corresponds roughly to the early Archean (Abbott, 1994) is marked by strong volcanism due to sublithospheric decompression melting which leads to an equal thickness for both oceanic and continental plates. As a consequence subduction is inhibited, but a compressional setup instead will lead to orogeny between a continental or felsic terrain and an oceanic or mafic terrain as well as internal crustal convection. Small-scale convection with plume shaped cold downwellings also in the upper mantle is of increased importance compared to the large-scale subduction cycle observed for present temperature conditions. It is also observed that lithospheric downwellings may initiate subduction by pulling at and breaking the plate. References: Abbott, D., Drury, R., Smith, W.H.F., 1994. Flat to steep transition in subduction style. Geology 22, 937-940. Brown, M., 2006. Duality of thermal regimes is the distinctive characteristic of plate tectonics since the neoarchean. Geology 34, 961-964. Brun, J.P., 2002. Deformation of the continental lithosphere: Insights from brittle-ductile models. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 200, 355-370.

Birch's Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, D. L.

2002-12-01

Francis Birch's 1952 paper started the sciences of mineral physics and physics of the Earth's interior. Birch stressed the importance of pressure, compressive strain and volume in mantle physics. Although this may seem to be an obvious lesson many modern paradoxes in the internal constitution of the Earth and mantle dynamics can be traced to a lack of appreciation for the role of compression. The effect of pressure on thermal properties such as expansivity can gravitational stratify the Earth irreversibly during accretion and can keep it chemically stratified. The widespread use of the Boussinesq approximation in mantle geodynamics is the antithesis of Birchian physics. Birch pointed out that eclogite was likely to be an important component of the upper mantle. Plate tectonic recycling and the bouyancy of oceanic crust at midmantle depths gives credence to this suggestion. Although peridotite dominates the upper mantle, variations in eclogite-content may be responsible for melting- or fertility-spots. Birch called attention to the Repetti Discontinuity near 900 km depth as an important geodynamic boundary. This may be the chemical interface between the upper and lower mantles. Recent work in geodynamics and seismology has confirmed the importance of this region of the mantle as a possible barrier. Birch regarded the transition region (TR ; 400 to 1000 km ) as the key to many problems in Earth sciences. The TR contains two major discontinuities ( near 410 and 650 km ) and their depths are a good mantle thermometer which is now being exploited to suggest that much of plate tectonics is confined to the upper mantle ( in Birch's terminology, the mantle above 1000 km depth ). The lower mantle is homogeneous and different from the upper mantle. Density and seismic velocity are very insensitive to temperature there, consistent with tomography. A final key to the operation of the mantle is Birch's suggestion that radioactivities were stripped out of the deeper parts of Earth and placed in the crust and upper mantle. This resolves the lower mantle overheating paradox but the stratified mantle slows down the cooling of the Earth. A completely thermodynamically self-consistent treatment of mantle dynamics, with volume and temperature-dependent parameters has not yet been attempted but the essence of this approach is contained in the 1952 paper, which is must reading for all students of Earth's interior. One implication of this paper is that lower mantle structures should be gigantic and long-lived, a prediction spectacularly confirmed by modern seismic tomography.

A comparison of the structure and flow characteristics of the upper troposphere and stratosphere of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adler, R. F.

1974-01-01

The general circulations of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are compared with regard to the upper troposphere and stratosphere using atmospheric structure obtained from satellite, multi-channel radiance data. Specifically, the data are from the Satellite Infrared Spectrometer (SIRS) instrument aboard the Nimbus 3 spacecraft. The inter-hemispheric comparisons are based on two months of data (one summer month and one winter month) in each hemisphere. Topics studied include: mean meridional circulation in the Southern Hemisphere stratosphere; magnitude and distribution of tropospheric eddy heat flux; magnitudes of energy cycle components; and the relation of vortex structure to the breakdown climatology of the Antarctic stratospheric polar vortex.

DETAIL VIEW OF UPPER TRAM TERMINAL STRUCTURE, LOOKING NORTHEAST TOWARD ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

DETAIL VIEW OF UPPER TRAM TERMINAL STRUCTURE, LOOKING NORTHEAST TOWARD THE REAR OF THE STRUCTURE. THE WHEELS AT THE TOP OF THE TRAM BUCKETS RODE OFF THE STATIONARY CABLES ONTO THE TRACK SUPPORTED BY THE "C" IRONS SUSPENDED FROM THE TOP TIMBERS, CLEARLY SEEN AT THE TOP OF THE FRAME. THE ANCHOR POINTS FOR THE TWO STATIONARY CABLES ARE AT BOTTOM CENTER, JUST BELOW THE CABLE WHEEL. THE MAIN CABLE WHEEL IS IN THE DISTANCE AT CENTER LEFT. THE ORE CHUTES COMING FROM THE ORE BIN ARE AT LEFT CENTER EDGE. TRAM BUCKETS WERE CHARGED HERE. - Keane Wonder Mine, Park Route 4 (Daylight Pass Cutoff), Death Valley Junction, Inyo County, CA

Solar wind and high energy particle effects in the middle atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lastovicka, Jan

1989-01-01

The solar wind variability and high energy particle effects in the neutral middle atmosphere are not much known. These factors are important in the high latitude upper mesosphere, lower thermosphere energy budget. They influence temperature, composition (minor constituents of nitric oxide, ozone), circulation (wind system) and airflow. The vertical and latitudinal structures of such effects, mechanisms of downward penetration of energy and questions of energy abundance are largely to be solved. The most important recent finding seems to be the discovery of the role of highly relativistic electrons in the middle atmosphere at L = 3 - 8 (Baker et al., 1987). The solar wind and high energy particle flux variability appear to form a part of the chain of possible Sun-weather (climate) relationships. The importance of such studies in the nineties is emphasized by their role in big international programs STEP and IGBP - Global Change.

Breathers in a locally resonant granular chain with precompression

DOE PAGES

Liu, Lifeng; James, Guillaume; Kevrekidis, Panayotis; ...

2016-09-01

Here we study a locally resonant granular material in the form of a precompressed Hertzian chain with linear internal resonators. Using an asymptotic reduction, we derive an effective nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) modulation equation. In turn, this leads us to provide analytical evidence, subsequently corroborated numerically, for the existence of two distinct types of discrete breathers related to acoustic or optical modes: (a) traveling bright breathers with a strain profile exponentially vanishing at infinity and (b) stationary and traveling dark breathers, exponentially localized, time-periodic states mounted on top of a non-vanishing background. Moreover, the stability and bifurcation structure of numerically computedmore » exact stationary dark breathers is also examined. Stationary bright breathers cannot be identified using the NLS equation, which is defocusing at the upper edges of the phonon bands and becomes linear at the lower edge of the optical band.« less

Specification goals for a Mars seismic network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Paul M.

1990-01-01

A seismic network on Mars should have enough stations (e.g., 24) to characterize the seismicity of the planet for comparison with a diversity of structural features; be comprised of low noise stations, preferably underground, 3 to 4 orders of magnitude more sensitive than those used on Viking; record over a sufficient band-width (DC-30 Hz) to detect micro-earthquakes to normal modes; and record for a sufficient duration (10 years) and data rate (10(exp 8) Mb/day/station) to obtain a data set comparable to that from the Apollo mission to the Moon so that locations of major internal boundaries can be inferred, such as those in the Earth, i.e., crust - lithosphere - asthenosphere - upper - lower phase transitions - outer - inner core. The proposed Mars Global Network Mission provides an opportunity to sense the dynamics and probe the interior of the planet. The seismic objectives, the availability of the instrumentation and trade-offs to meet them are discussed.

The home stroke rehabilitation and monitoring system trial: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Linder, Susan M; Rosenfeldt, Anson B; Reiss, Aimee; Buchanan, Sharon; Sahu, Komal; Bay, Curtis R; Wolf, Steven L; Alberts, Jay L

2013-01-01

Because many individuals poststroke lack access to the quality and intensity of rehabilitation to improve upper extremity motor function, a home-based robotic-assisted upper extremity rehabilitation device is being paired with an individualized home exercise program. The primary aim of this project is to determine the effectiveness of robotic-assisted home therapy compared with a home exercise program on upper extremity motor recovery and health-related quality of life for stroke survivors in rural and underserved locations. The secondary aim is to explore whether initial degree of motor function of the upper limb may be a factor in predicting the extent to which patients with stroke may be responsive to a home therapy approach. We hypothesize that the home exercise program intervention, when enhanced with robotic-assisted therapy, will result in significantly better outcomes in motor function and quality of life. A total of 96 participants within six-months of a single, unilateral ischemic, or hemorrhagic stroke will be recruited in this prospective, single-blind, multisite randomized clinical trial. The primary outcome is the change in upper extremity function using the Action Research Arm Test. Secondary outcomes include changes in: upper extremity function (Wolf Motor Function Test), upper extremity impairment (upper extremity portion of the Fugl-Meyer Test), self-reported quality of life (Stroke Impact Scale), and affect (Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). Similar or greater improvements in upper extremity function using the combined robotic home exercise program intervention compared with home exercise program alone will be interpreted as evidence that supports the introduction of in-home technology to augment the recovery of function poststroke. © 2012 The Authors. International Journal of Stroke © 2012 World Stroke Organization.

A Modeling Pattern for Layered System Interfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shames, Peter M.; Sarrel, Marc A.

2015-01-01

Communications between systems is often initially represented at a single, high level of abstraction, a link between components. During design evolution it is usually necessary to elaborate the interface model, defining it from several different, related viewpoints and levels of abstraction. This paper presents a pattern to model such multi-layered interface architectures simply and efficiently, in a way that supports expression of technical complexity, interfaces and behavior, and analysis of complexity. Each viewpoint and layer of abstraction has its own properties and behaviors. System elements are logically connected both horizontally along the communication path, and vertically across the different layers of protocols. The performance of upper layers depends on the performance of lower layers, yet the implementation of lower layers is intentionally opaque to upper layers. Upper layers are hidden from lower layers except as sources and sinks of data. The system elements may not be linked directly at each horizontal layer but only via a communication path, and end-to-end communications may depend on intermediate components that are hidden from them, but may need to be shown in certain views and analyzed for certain purposes. This architectural model pattern uses methods described in ISO 42010, Recommended Practice for Architectural Description of Software-intensive Systems and CCSDS 311.0-M-1, Reference Architecture for Space Data Systems (RASDS). A set of useful viewpoints and views are presented, along with the associated modeling representations, stakeholders and concerns. These viewpoints, views, and concerns then inform the modeling pattern. This pattern permits viewing the system from several different perspectives and at different layers of abstraction. An external viewpoint treats the systems of interest as black boxes and focuses on the applications view, another view exposes the details of the connections and other components between the black boxes. An internal view focuses on the implementation within the systems of interest, either showing external interface bindings and specific standards that define the communication stack profile or at the level of internal behavior. Orthogonally, a horizontal view isolates a single layer and a vertical viewpoint shows all layers at a single interface point between the systems of interest. Each of these views can in turn be described from both behavioral and structural viewpoints.

Cloud and radiative heating profiles associated with the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jinwon; Waliser, Duane E.; Cesana, Gregory V.; Jiang, Xianan; L'Ecuyer, Tristan; Neena, J. M.

2018-03-01

The cloud water content (CW) and radiative heating rate (QR) structures related to northward propagating boreal summer intraseasonal oscillations (BSISOs) are analyzed using data from A-train satellites in conjunction with the ERA-Interim reanalysis. It is found that the northward movement of CW- and QR anomalies are closely synchronized with the northward movement of BSISO precipitation maxima. Commensurate with the northward propagating BSISO precipitation maxima, the CW anomalies exhibit positive ice (liquid) CW maxima in the upper (middle/low) troposphere with a prominent tilting structure in which the low-tropospheric (upper-tropospheric) liquid (ice) CW maximum leads (lags) the BSISO precipitation maximum. The BSISO-related shortwave heating (QSW) heats (cools) the upper (low) troposphere; the longwave heating (QLW) cools (heats) the upper (middle/low) troposphere. The resulting net radiative heating (QRN), being dominated by QLW, cools (heats) the atmosphere most prominently above the 200 hPa level (below the 600 hPa level). Enhanced clouds in the upper and middle troposphere appears to play a critical role in increasing low-level QLW and QRN. The vertically-integrated QSW, QLW and QRN are positive in the region of enhanced CW with the maximum QRN near the latitude of the BSISO precipitation maximum. The bottom-heavy radiative heating anomaly resulting from the cloud-radiation interaction may act to strengthen convection.

Structure of the pelagic cnidarian community in Lützow-Holm Bay in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toda, R.; Moteki, M.; Ono, A.; Horimoto, N.; Tanaka, Y.; Ishimaru, T.

2010-08-01

The structure of the pelagic cnidarian community in Lützow-Holm Bay in the Indian sector of East Antarctica was investigated in January 2005 and 2006. Zooplankton samples from six discrete depths (surface to 2000 m) obtained using an RMT-8 yielded 4666 individuals of 31 species of cnidarian. Cnidarian abundance and carbon biomass were far greater in 2005 than in 2006. The biomass of macrozooplankton was large in the upper 200 m in 2005, but concentrated at 200-500 m in 2006, except for Euphausiacea. The most dominant species was Diphyes antarctica, followed by Dimophyes arctica and Muggiaea bargmannae. Four species had never been collected from East Antarctica; of these, Solmissus incisa was a first record in the Southern Ocean. Cluster analysis revealed the following three major communities: the epipelagic (0-200 m), in summer surface, winter, and upper modified circumpolar deep waters (MCDW); the upper mesopelagic (200-500 m), in upper MCDW; and the lower meso- and bathypelagic (500-2000 m), in lower MCDW. The epipelagic and lower meso- and bathypelagic communities are likely reduced in abundance/biomass when primary production is low, due to bottom-up control, while the upper mesopelagic community remains stable.

East African upper mantle shear wave velocity structure derived from Rayleigh wave tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Donnell, J.; Nyblade, A.; Adams, A. N.; Mulibo, G.; Tugume, F.

2011-12-01

An expanded model of the three-dimensional shear wave velocity structure of the upper mantle beneath East Africa is being developed using data from the latest phases of the AfricaArray East African Seismic Experiment in conjunction with data from preceding studies. The combined dataset encompasses seismic stations which span Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. From the new data, fundamental mode Rayleigh wave phase velocities are being measured at periods ranging from 20 to 180 seconds using the two-plane-wave method. These measurements will be combined with similarly processed measurements from previous studies and inverted for an upper mantle three-dimensional shear wave velocity model. In particular, the model will further constrain the morphology of the low velocity anomaly which underlies the East African Plateau extending to the southwest beneath Zambia.

Satellite ozone measurements and the detection of trends

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilsenrath, Ernest

1990-01-01

Due to the international scientific community's concern with the problem of anthropogenic gas-caused depletion of the ozone layer, an international observational program has been established to conduct stratospheric studies for at least a decade. These observations, which will be performed both by the Space Shuttle and the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, will encompass the energy input by solar UV irradiance, source and intermediate gases in ozone chemistry, and the global distributions of these ozone-affecting gases by winds.

The Control Based on Internal Average Kinetic Energy in Complex Environment for Multi-robot System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Mao; Tian, Yantao; Yin, Xianghua

In this paper, reference trajectory is designed according to minimum energy consumed for multi-robot system, which nonlinear programming and cubic spline interpolation are adopted. The control strategy is composed of two levels, which lower-level is simple PD control and the upper-level is based on the internal average kinetic energy for multi-robot system in the complex environment with velocity damping. Simulation tests verify the effectiveness of this control strategy.

Modeling Human Serum Albumin Tertiary Structure to Teach Upper-Division Chemistry Students Bioinformatics and Homology Modeling Basics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Petrovic, Dus?an; Zlatovic´, Mario

2015-01-01

A homology modeling laboratory experiment has been developed for an introductory molecular modeling course for upper-division undergraduate chemistry students. With this experiment, students gain practical experience in homology model preparation and assessment as well as in protein visualization using the educational version of PyMOL…

POSITION AND MOTION, A SCIENCE UNIT FOR THE UPPER ELEMENTARY GRADES, STUDENT MANUAL.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

BERGER, CARL; MONTGOMERY, MARSHALL

THIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS IN UPPER ELEMENTARY GRADES STUDYING THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT STUDY (SCIS) UNIT "POSITION AND MOTION". THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT FOLLOWS A CYCLE OF PRELIMINARY EXPLORATION, INVENTION OF SPECIFIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO REFERENCE FRAMES, AND DISCOVERY OF THE USEFULNESS OF THE CONCEPT.…

Heritage Languages at Upper Secondary Level in South Australia: A Struggle for Legitimacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mercurio, Antonio; Scarino, Angela

2005-01-01

This paper describes how more than 40 languages gained and retained legitimacy as subjects for graduation from upper secondary schooling and for tertiary entrance selection in the South Australian educational system. Essentially the process required conforming with administrative, curriculum and community structures and fitting the mould of…

The Benefits of Departmentalization in Upper Elementary Grades for Students and Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Malissa Lee

2013-01-01

This study addressed the benefits of departmentalization in upper elementary grades for students and teachers. The variables of gender and classroom structure (departmentalized versus self-contained) were considered for student participants (n = 125). Results for students were evaluated on pre-test and post-test data using the following measures:…

The Effects of Surface Structure Variables on Performance in Reading Comprehension Tests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Drum, Priscilla; And Others

1981-01-01

Concludes that reading comprehension tests that are valid for beginning readers should incorporate different factors than tests appropriate for upper elementary readers, since word recognition and word meaning are prime sources of difficulty for younger readers while content density depresses the performance of readers in upper elementary grades.…

Low operation voltage of GaN-based LEDs with Al-doped ZnO upper contact directly on p-type GaN without insert layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, P. H.; Chen, Yu An; Chang, L. C.; Lai, W. C.; Kuo, Cheng Huang

2015-07-01

Al-doped ZnO (AZO) film was evaporated on double-side polished sapphire, p-GaN layers, n+-InGaN-GaN short-period superlattice (SPS) structures, and GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by e-beam. The AZO film on the p-GaN layer after thermal annealing exhibited an extremely high transparency (98% at 450 nm) and a small specific contact resistance of 2.19 × 10-2 Ω cm2, which was almost the same as that of as-deposited AZO on n+-SPS structure. With 20 mA injection current, the forward voltages were 3.30 and 3.27 V, whereas the output powers were 4.32 and 4.07 mW for the LED with AZO on insert n+-SPS upper contact and the LED with AZO on p-GaN upper contact (without insert layer), respectively. The small specific contact resistance and low operation voltage of LED with AZO on p-GaN upper contact was achieved by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process.

Anatomy of the Orphan Stream using RR Lyrae Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendel, David; Johnston, Kathryn; Scowcroft, Victoria; SMHASH

2018-01-01

Stellar tidal streams provide an opportunity to study the motion and structure of the disrupting galaxy as well as the gravitational potential of its host. Streams around the Milky Way are especially promising as new datasets make additional phase space dimensions available as constraints. We present observations of 32 stars thought to be RR Lyrae in the Orphan tidal stream as part of the {\\it Spitzer} Merger History and Shape of the Galactic Halo (SMHASH) program. The extremely tight correlation between the periods, luminosities, and metallicities of RR Lyrae variable stars in the {\\it Spitzer} IRAC $3.6\\mu$m band allows the determination of precise distances to individual stars; the median statistical distance uncertainty in this sample is $2.5\\%$. By fitting orbits in an example potential we obtain an upper limit on the mass of the Milky Way interior to 60 kpc of $\\mathrm{3.9_{-0.8}^{+1.2}\\times 10^{11} M_\\odot}$, bringing estimates based on the Orphan stream in line with those using other tracers. The SMHASH data also resolves the stream in line-of-sight depth, allowing unprecedented access its internal structure. Comparing this structure with n-body models we find that Orphan had an initial dark halo mass $\\sim \\mathrm{3 \\times 10^{9} M_\\odot}$, placing the progenitor amongst the classical dwarf spheriodals.

Numerical analysis for sea wave loading on the pile foundation of detached structures by using CADMAS-SURF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuda, Tatsuya; Miura, Kinya; Sawada, Yayoi

2017-10-01

This study investigated the characteristics of wave forces loading on the detached structure that consisted of an upper structure and a pile foundation. In this study, structure stability was also considered on the results obtained from previous studies on the instability of seabed induced by wave force. When a wave force acted on the structure, an external force acted on the pile foundation as if pulling out the foundation on the outer harbor side and pushing it in on the inner harbor. The effective stress in seabed was increase so the pile foundation was considered to maintain sufficient bearing capacity. Subsequently, when the bearing capacity of the ground was decreased because the water pressure in the ground surface layer decreased, the pile foundation will be aggravated settled down. The external force acting on the pile foundation was not same on outer harbor and inner harbor with the form of the upper structure. As a result, we found that the strain will be generated on the structure.

Intensified Training Period Increases Salivary IgA Responses But Does Not Affect the Severity of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms in Prepuberal Rhythmic Gymnasts.

PubMed

Antualpa, Kizzy; Aoki, Marcelo Saldanha; Moreira, Alexandre

2018-05-01

This study examined the effect of a 4-week intensified training (IT) period, followed by a 2-week tapering period (TP), on salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA), salivary cortisol, and the severity of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms in 23 rhythmic gymnasts [12.1 (2.6) y; 143.9 (13.7) cm; 37.2 (9.4) kg]. Saliva sampling was conducted at pre- and post-IT, and post-TP (analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-21) questionnaire was completed daily to analyze the severity of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. The session rating of the perceived exertion was used to determine the internal training load and the acute:chronic workload ratio. A higher SIgA concentration [SIgA abs (μg/mL); F = 7.6; P = .001] for post-IT [234 (104)] versus pre-IT [173 (91)], and post-TP [182 (70)], and a higher SIgA secretion rate [SIgA rate (μg/min); F = 3.4; P = .04] for post-IT [69 (28)] versus pre-IT [55 (27)], and post-TP [58 (22)] were observed. No significant change was observed for cortisol (F = 0.81; P = .45) or for the severity of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms (χ 2  = 2.81; P = .24). Internal training load was higher during IT (vs TP; effect size = 2.37). The acute:chronic workload for the IT weeks varied from 1.2 (0.3) to 1.4 (0.3). These results suggest that a 4-week IT may temporarily augment the oral mucosal immunity, and an acute:chronic workload of 1.2-1.4 seems to be a safe approach to periodized training loads in youth rhythmic gymnasts.

Academic success or failure in nursing students: results of a retrospective observational study.

PubMed

Lancia, Loreto; Petrucci, Cristina; Giorgi, Fabio; Dante, Angelo; Cifone, Maria Grazia

2013-12-01

Nursing student academic failure is a phenomenon of growing international interest, not only because of its economic impact but also because it negatively affects the availability of future nurses in different healthcare systems. To recruit the students with the highest probability of academic success, an open challenge for universities is to recruit students who have previously demonstrated superior scholastic aptitudes that appear to be associated with a greater likelihood of academic success. Documenting the relationship between the selection methods used when selecting nursing students and academic failure will contribute to the international debate concerning the optimisation of the selection strategies. The principal aim of this study was to investigate the role in predicting nursing student academic success of (1) the upper-secondary diploma grades and (2) the score obtained by students in the nursing degree program admission test. A retrospective observational study was conducted. Five cohorts of nursing students, matriculated in consecutive academic years from 2004 to 2008, in an Italian bachelor's degree program were observed retrospectively. Overall, 61.2% of the 1006 considered students concluded their degree within the legal duration allowed for the nursing degree. Students who failed were those who had lowest grades associated with their upper-secondary diploma coursework (p=0.000) and were male (p=0.000). The grades associated with the upper-secondary diploma coursework, unlike the admission test score, correlates positively with the final degree grade and the average value of degree program examination scores. No correlation was found between the upper-secondary diploma coursework grades and the scores obtained in the test for the nursing degree program admission test (r=-0.037). These results suggest that upper-secondary diploma coursework grades are a parameter that should receive great consideration, especially in cases where there are planned numbers of incoming nursing degree students. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Upper Limb Outcome Measures Used in Stroke Rehabilitation Studies: A Systematic Literature Review

PubMed Central

Santisteban, Leire; Térémetz, Maxime; Bleton, Jean-Pierre; Baron, Jean-Claude; Maier, Marc A.; Lindberg, Påvel G.

2016-01-01

Background Establishing which upper limb outcome measures are most commonly used in stroke studies may help in improving consensus among scientists and clinicians. Objective In this study we aimed to identify the most commonly used upper limb outcome measures in intervention studies after stroke and to describe domains covered according to ICF, how measures are combined, and how their use varies geographically and over time. Methods Pubmed, CinHAL, and PeDRO databases were searched for upper limb intervention studies in stroke according to PRISMA guidelines and477 studies were included. Results In studies 48different outcome measures were found. Only 15 of these outcome measures were used in more than 5% of the studies. The Fugl-Meyer Test (FMT)was the most commonly used measure (in 36% of studies). Commonly used measures covered ICF domains of body function and activity to varying extents. Most studies (72%) combined multiple outcome measures: the FMT was often combined with the Motor Activity Log (MAL), the Wolf Motor Function Test and the Action Research Arm Test, but infrequently combined with the Motor Assessment Scale or the Nine Hole Peg Test. Key components of manual dexterity such as selective finger movements were rarely measured. Frequency of use increased over a twelve-year period for the FMT and for assessments of kinematics, whereas other measures, such as the MAL and the Jebsen Taylor Hand Test showed decreased use over time. Use varied largely between countries showing low international consensus. Conclusions The results showed a large diversity of outcome measures used across studies. However, a growing number of studies used the FMT, a neurological test with good psychometric properties. For thorough assessment the FMT needs to be combined with functional measures. These findings illustrate the need for strategies to build international consensus on appropriate outcome measures for upper limb function after stroke. PMID:27152853