The economics and performance of advanced pressurized fluidized bed (PFBC) cycles developed for utility applications during the last 10 years (especially the 2nd-Generation PFBC cycle) are projected to be favorable compared to conventional pulverized coal power plants. However, the improved economics of 2nd-Generation PFBC cycles are accompanied by the perception of increased technological risk related to the pressurized carbonizer and its associated gas cleanup systems. A PFBC cycle that removed the uncertainties of the carbonizer while retaining the high efficiency and low cost of a 2nd-Generation PFBC cycle could improve the prospects for early commercialization and pave the way for the introduction of the complete 2nd-Generation PFBC cycle at some later date. One such arrangement is a PFBC cycle with natural gas topping combustion, referred to as the 1.5-Generation PFBC cycle. This cycle combines the advantages of the 2nd-Generation PFBC plant with the reduced risk associated with a gas turbine burning natural gas, and can potentially be part of a phased approach leading to the commercialization of utility 2nd-Generation PFBC cycles. The 1.5-Generation PFBC may also introduce other advantages over the more complicated 2nd-Generation PFBC system. This report describes the technical and economic evaluation of 1.5-Generation PFBC cycles for utility or industrial power generation.

A distribution of wave steepnesses from numerical models and laboratory tests is presented. Extreme wave steepness evaluated based on 18-hour numerically reproduced linear and 2nd order wave model records is compared with the steepness obtained from laboratory data. Model test data performed in the Marintek basin are considered. The numerical records are simulated by the 2nd order wave model due to Stansberg. Further, the analysis also includes comparison of extreme wave steepness prediction based on 3-hour 2nd and 3rd order numerical data generated by the 3rd order model due to Nestegaard and Stokka.

A major objective of the project is to develop a digital automatic supervisory limitation system and validate its design for the next generation= nuclear power plant. The limitation system assures that the plant does not exceed the operating limits by regulation the plant operations through on-line monitoring the operating margins of the critical parameters. A new conceptual model of power maneuverability has been proposed for the design of the limitation system and for its validation. Also, the limitation system monitors overall operation processes throughout a nuclear power plant by implementing hierarchical communication networks. Based on the conceptual design in software of the 1 st year results, the detailed design of the limitation system has been performed during the 2 nd year with constructing a prototype digital system. The system consists of the software module for plant simulation and the hardware module for implementation of limitation system and the associated interfaces in hardware. The limitation algorithm were implemented into the microprocessor and the interfaces were realized through the I/O modules. Also, these modules are incorporated into the communication networks. The products of the project could be directly applicable to the following nuclear unit adopting the limitation system, providing the bumpless transition to the commercial design phase. And the prototype evaluation scheme will be very useful for the succeeding studies related to the digital nuclear I and C fields, such as fault-tolerance design methods, software verification and validation and response time execution of digital systems. 69 refs., 3 tabs., 44 figs. (author)

2nd International Workshop on Remote Sensing of Vegetation Fluorescence, 17-19 Nov. 2004, Montreal, Canada | This paper reports on the status of the FluorMODgui, a Graphic User Interface (GUI) software package developed within the frame of the FluorMOD project "Development of a Vegetation Fluorescen...

Jet A POSF 4658 and n-dodecane/iso-octane/n-propylbenzene/1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (2nd generation surrogate) oxidation experiments were conducted in a shock tube at high pressures and at fuel lean and rich conditions to verify if the formulated surrogate fuel emulates the combustion characteristics of the jet fuel. A model was developed for the 2nd generation surrogate using an existing 1st generation surrogate model (consisting of n-decane/iso-octane/toluene) as the base model and sub-models for n-propylbenzene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene were included from the literature. The experimental work on both the Jet A and 2nd generation surrogate was performed in a heated high-pressure single pulse shock tube at equivalence ratios of 0.46, 1.86 and 0.47, 1.85, respectively. Experimental data were...

The exponential generating functions of {n^(n+m)} for arbitrary integer m are expressed as rational functions of the e.g.f. of {n^(n-1)} [the tree function] and then of the e.g.f. of {n^n} [the endofunction function]. The coefficients in these rational functions include 2nd-order Eulerian numbers (a result of L. Carlitz), 2nd-order Stirling numbers, and Stirling numbers of the first kind for negative sets (in the sense of D. Loeb). Several combinatorial identities follow.

Phospholipases are critical enzyme mediators participating in many aspects of cellular function through modulating the generation of lipid 2nd messengers, membrane physical properties, and cellular bioenergetics. Here, we demonstrate that mice null for calcium-independent phospholipase A2? (iPLA2??/...

This document provides a mapping of technical issues associated with development of the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) intermediate heat transport loop and nuclear hydrogen plant support systems to the work that has been accomplished or is currently underway in the 2nd quarter of FY07.

Stilbenoid dendrimers with stilbene in the periphery and stilbene in periphery as well as core were synthesized by convergent approach except 2nd generation dendrimer with stilbene in the periphery as well as in core (D-5). All dendrimers were characterized by standard techniques such as 1H NMR, 13C...

Visual coverage of the latest Apple hardware and software, including the most popular programs Fully updated to cover all the latest changes and features that Macs have to offer, Teach Yourself VISUALLY Macs, 2nd Edition aims at helping visual learners get the most from their Mac hardware and software. Whether you're switching from a Windows machine to a Mac or you're a veteran Mac user looking to maximize all that your system has to offer, this visual guide walks you through everything from managing your photos in iPhoto, creating award worthy home movies with iMovie, browsing the Web with Sa

Phenotypic switching is characterized as a virulence factor of Candida spp. This study was carried out to evaluate the phenotypic switching ability of C. krusei ATCC 14243 and to determine its effect on the biological properties, adherence capacity and susceptibility towards chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX). To induce switched generations C. krusei was cultured under nitrogen-depleted growth conditions by adding phloxine B. These phenotypically switched colonies were designated as the 1st generation. Subsequent sub-culturing was performed to produce the 2nd, 3rd and 4th switched generations. The recovery of the 3rd generation was the highest at 85.7% while that of the 4th generation was lower at 70.8%, and the recovery of the 1st and 2nd generations gradually reduced to 46.6% and 36.4%, respectively. All generations of C. krusei were susceptible towards CHX. The unswitched C. krusei was the most susceptible but the least adherent to coated hard surfaces. The 2nd generation was the least susceptible, but with the highest adherent ability. The minimum inhibition concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration of C. krusei of all generations were determined at 0.4 mg mL(-1) . These observations suggest that the switching activity of C. krusei induces changes to its biological properties and susceptibility towards CHX. PMID:22225549

Development of a fractional step, a Predictor-Corrector Split (PCS), or what is often known as a projection method combining hp-adaptive system in a Finite Element Method (FEM) for combustion modeling has been achieved. This model will advance the accuracy and range of applicability of the KIVA combustion model and software used typically for internal combustion engine modeling. This abstract describes a PCS hp-adaptive FEM model for turbulent reactive flow spanning all velocity regimes and fluids that is being developed for the new KIVA combustion algorithm, particularly for internal combustion engines. The method and general solver is applicable to Newtonian and non- Newtonian fluids and also for incompressible solids, porous media, solidification modeling, and fluid structure interaction problems. The fuel injection and injector modeling could easily benefit from the capability of solving the fluid structure interaction problem in an injector, helping to understand cycle to cycle variation and cavitation. This is just one example where the new algorithm differs from the old, in addition to handling Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT), although there a numerous features that makes the new system more robust and accurate. In these ways, the PCS hp-adaptive algorithm does not compete with commercial software packages, those often used in conjunction with the currently distributed KIVA codes for engine combustion modeling. In addition, choosing a local ALE method on immersed moving parts represented by overset grid that is 2nd order spatially accurate, allows for easy grid generation from CAD to fluid grid while also provide for robustness in handling any possible moving parts configuration without any code modifications. The combined methods employed produce a minimal amount of computational effort as compared to fully resolved grids at the same accuracy. We demonstrate the solver on benchmark problems for the all flow regimes as follows: (1) 2-D backward-facing step using h-adaption, (2) 2-D driven cavity, (3) 2-D natural convection in a differentially heat cavity with h-adaptation, (4) NACA 0012 airfoil in 2-D, (5) supersonic flows over compression ramps, (6) 2-D natural convection in a differentially heat cavity with hp-adaptation, (7) 3-D natural convection in a differentially heat sphere with hp-adaptation. In addition, we show the new moving parts algorithm for working for a 2-D piston; the immersed moving parts method also for valves and pistons, vanes, etc... The movement is performed using an overset grid method and is 2nd order accurate in space, and never produces a tangle grid, that is, robust system at any resolution and any parts configuration. We also show CHT for the currently distributed KIVA-4mpi software and some fairly automatic grid generation using Sandia's Cubit unstructured grid generator. A new electronic web-based manual for KIVA-4 has been developed as well.

Acoustic wave propagation in a three-dimensional heterogeneous moving atmosphere is accurately simulated with a numerical algorithm recently developed under the DOD Common High Performance Computing Software Support Initiative (CHSSI). Sound waves within such a dynamic environment are mathematically described by a set of four, coupled, first-order partial differential equations governing small-amplitude fluctuations in pressure and particle velocity. The system is rigorously derived from fundamental principles of continuum mechanics, ideal-fluid constitutive relations, and reasonable assumptions that the ambient atmospheric motion is adiabatic and divergence-free. An explicit, time-domain, finite-difference (FD) numerical scheme is used to solve the system for both pressure and particle velocity wavefields. The atmosphere is characterized by 3D gridded models of sound speed, mass density, and the three components of the wind velocity vector. Dependent variables are stored on staggered spatial and temporal grids, and centered FD operators possess 2nd-order and 4th-order space/time accuracy. Accurate sound wave simulation is achieved provided grid intervals are chosen appropriately. The gridding must be fine enough to reduce numerical dispersion artifacts to an acceptable level and maintain stability. The algorithm is designed to execute on parallel computational platforms by utilizing a spatial domain-decomposition strategy. Currently, the algorithm has been validated on four different computational platforms, and parallel scalability of approximately 85% has been demonstrated. Comparisons with analytic solutions for uniform and vertically stratified wind models indicate that the FD algorithm generates accurate results with either a vanishing pressure or vanishing vertical-particle velocity boundary condition. Simulations are performed using a kinematic turbulence wind profile developed with the quasi-wavelet method. In addition, preliminary results are presented using high-resolution 3D dynamic turbulent flowfields generated by a large-eddy simulation model of a stably stratified planetary boundary layer. Sandia National Laboratories is a operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the USDOE under contract 94-AL85000.

We developed a 2nd generation pick up for the Blu-ray disc (BD), which makes possible recording and reproducing on both BD and digital versatile disc (DVD), and has a size for audio and visual (AV) and personal computer (PC) applications. These properties are realized by a single objective lens and a newly developed hologram element. The next generation optical disc system, which is expected to enable over 15 GB recording and reproducing on an optical disc, is also expected to record and reproduce on DVD or compact disc (CD), using one pick up. In order to satisfy such demand, we have developed an objective lens with a long working distance and proposed a BD/DVD/CD compatible use technology. This paper reports the details of how we achieved a proper sized AV/PC for common use, BD/DVD recording and reproducing compatible use and the dual layer disc in the 2nd generation pick up for BD.   

In April 2007, the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics (IGG) of the Vienna University of Technology organized the 18th European VLBI for Geodesy and Astrometry (EVGA) Working Meeting, the 8th VLBI Analysis Workshop and the 2nd IVS VLBI2010 Working Meeting. 69 scientists from all over the world (20 countries) came to Vienna to present and discuss results of recent research in geodetic and astrometric VLBI. Apart from these meetings, the main focus of research in 2007 has been on VLBI2010: Simulation studies have been carried out with three different software packages: (1) the Kalman Filter version of OCCAM, (2) the Vienna VLBI Simulation Software (VVSIM), and (3) a special Precise-Point-Positioning software for VLBI simulations.

Abstract in english Water loss and sugar gain were modelling during the osmotic dehydration process of pieces of pineaplle. The transfer of solute to the fruit and the water to the solution was based on Fick's 2nd law. The three dimensional model was solved by the finite element method with the usage of the software COMSOL Multiphysics 3.2. The main and cross diffusion coefficients and the Biot number were determined on the simulation and the deviation between the experimental and the simulated data were 4,28% to sucrose and 1,66 to the water.

Facts, tips, and secrets for using the powerful—but less obvious—features of a Mac. Packed with tricks, tools, and shortcuts that you may not discover by simply working with a program or software on your Mac, Macs Portable Genius, 2nd Edition reveals smart and innovative ways to execute various tasks that can save you time and hassle. Its handy smaller trim size makes it easy for you to find essential information, coupled with savvy advice on everything from simple tasks like getting started to intermediate information and hip tips that cover how to use Macs and related hardware.: Reveals fact

The prototype free-piston Stirling-engine alternator has achieved 500 watts of power, 50 Hz, at average 500/sup 0/C heater head temperature on a solid fuel burner. Using standard scaling procedures, this machine will produce 780 watts, 60 Hz, at 700/sup 0/C. At this time, modifications are underway which will raise power and frequency to predicted levels. Additional tests are planned and a 2nd-generation design has been started. Future commercialization plans are described.

In this project, an advanced computational software tool will be developed for the design of low emission combustion systems required for Vision 21 clean energy plants. This computational tool will utilize Large Eddy Simulation (LES) methods to predict the highly transient nature of turbulent combustion. The time-accurate software will capture large scale transient motion, while the small scale motion will be modeled using advanced subgrid turbulence and chemistry closures. This three-year project is composed of: Year 1--model development/implementation, Year 2--software alpha validation, and Year 3--technology transfer of software to industry including beta testing. In this first year of the project, subgrid models for turbulence and combustion are being developed through university research (Suresh Menon-Georgia Tech and J.-Y. Chen- UC Berkeley) and implemented into a leading combustion CFD code, CFD-ACE+. The commercially available CFDACE+ software utilizes unstructured , parallel architecture and 2nd-order spatial and temporal numerics. To date, the localized dynamic turbulence model and reduced chemistry models (up to 19 species) for natural gas, propane, hydrogen, syngas, and methanol have been incorporated. The Linear Eddy Model (LEM) for subgrid combustion-turbulence interaction has been developed and implementation into CFD-ACE+ has started. Ways of reducing run-time for complex stiff reactions is being studied, including the use of in situ tabulation and neural nets. Initial validation cases have been performed. CFDRC has also completed the integration of a 64 PC cluster to get highly scalable computing power needed to perform the LES calculations ({approx} 2 million cells) in several days. During the second year, further testing and validation of the LES software will be performed. Researchers at DOE-NETL are working with CFDRC to provide well-characterized high-pressure test data for model validation purposes. To insure practical, usable software is developed, a consortium of gas turbine and industrial burner manufacturers has been established to guide and direct the software development/validation effort. The consortium members include Siemens- Westinghouse, GE Power Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Honeywell, Solar, Coen, McDermott, Vapor Power, Woodward FST, Parker Hannifin, John Zink, RamGen Power, Virginia Tech, DOE-NETL, Air Force Research Laboratory, DOE-ANL, and NASA GRC. Annual consortium meetings are being held in Huntsville, with the 2nd meeting scheduled for January 31-February 1, 2002. 2 Benefits of the program will include the ability to assess complex combustion challenges such as combustion instability, lean blowout, flashback, emissions and the effect of fuel type on performance. The software will greatly reduce development costs and the time cycle of combustor development. And perhaps the greatest benefit will be that the software will stimulate new, creative ideas to solve the combustion challenges of the Vision 21 plant.

This paper presents the studies on the enhanced coherent THz Smith-Purcell superradiation excited by two pre-bunched electron beams that pass through the 1-D sub-wavelength holes array. The Smith-Purcell superradiation has been clearly observed. The radiation emitting out from the system has the radiation angle matching the 2nd harmonic frequency component of the pre-bunched electron beams. The results show that the two electron beams can be coupled with each other through the holes array so that the intensity of the radiated field has been enhanced about twice higher than that excited by one electron beam. Consequently superradiation at the frequency of 0.62 THz can be generated with 20A/cm2 current density of electron beam based on above mechanism. The advantages of low injection current density and 2nd harmonic radiation promise the potential applications in the development of electron-beam driven THz sources. PMID:23037412

The thermodynamic properties of Al2Nd were investigated by calorimetry. The standard entropy of formation of Al2Nd at 298 K, ?fS298o(Al2Nd), was determined from measuring the heat capacities, Cp, from near absolute zero (2 K) to 300 K by the relaxation method. The standard enthalpy of formation of Al2Nd at 298 K, ?fH298o(Al2Nd), was determined by solution calorimetry in hydrochloric acid solution. The standard Gibbs energy of formation of Al2Nd at 298 K, ?fG298o(Al2Nd), was determined from these data. The results were obtained as follows: ?fS298o(Al2Nd)/J·K?1·mol?1 = ?10.7±1.2, ?fH298o(Al2Nd)/kJ·mol?1 = ?105.03±27, and ?fG298o(Al2Nd)/kJ·mol?1 = ?101.85±27.   

Managing large-scale software products is a complex software engineering task. The automation of the software development, release and distribution process is most beneficial in the large collaborations, where the big number of developers, multiple platforms and distributed environment are typical factors. This paper describes Build and Output Analyzer framework and its components that have been developed in CMS to facilitate software maintenance and improve software quality. The system allows to generate, control and analyze various types of automated software builds and tests, such as regular rebuilds of the development code, software integration for releases and installation of the existing versions.

Biomass pretreatment aims at separating and providing easier access to the main biomass components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin), eventually removing lignin, preserving the hemicellulose, reducing the cellulose crystallinity and increasing the porosity of the material. Pretreatment is an essential step towards the development and industrialization of efficient 2nd generation lignocellulosic ethanol processes. The present work reviewed the main options available in pretreatment. Autohydrolysis and steam explosion were then selected for further investigation. Experimental work was carried out on batch scale reactors, using Miscanthus as biomass feedstock: the effects on sugar solubilization and degradation products generation have been examined for each of these two pretreatment syst...

This update aims to provide an evidence based review of natural and synthetic colloids with a special emphasis on the various generations of the synthetic colloid hydroxyethyl starch. The effect of 1st , 2nd and 3rd generation hetastarches on bleeding, coagulopathy, acute kidney injury and mortality will be discussed. The results of randomised controlled trials addressing morbidity and mortality outcomes of colloid versus crystalloid resuscitation in critically ill patients will be described. In addition, the rationale and evidence behind early goal directed fluid therapy (EGDFT) including a practical approach to assessment of dynamic measures of fluid responsiveness will be presented. PMID:22762464

Perhaps the most substantial single obstacle to progress of space exploration and utilization of space for human benefit is the safety & reliability and the inherent cost of launching to, and returning from, space. The primary influence in the high costs of current launch systems (the same is true for commercial and military aircraft and most other reusable systems) is the operations, maintenance and infrastructure portion of the program's total life cycle costs. Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) maintenance and design have traditionally been two separate engineering disciplines with often conflicting objectives-maximizing ease of maintenance versus optimizing performance, size and cost. Testability analysis, an element of Informed Maintenance (IM), has been an ad hoc, manual effort, in which maintenance engineers attempt to identify an efficient method of troubleshooting for the given product, with little or no control over product design. Therefore, testability deficiencies in the design cannot be rectified. It is now widely recognized that IM must be engineered into the product at the design stage itself, so that an optimal compromise is achieved between system maintainability and performance. The elements of IM include testability analysis, diagnostics/prognostics, automated maintenance scheduling, automated logistics coordination, paperless documentation and data mining. IM derives its heritage from complimentary NASA science, space and aeronautic enterprises such as the on-board autonomous Remote Agent Architecture recently flown on NASA's Deep Space 1 Probe as well as commercial industries that employ quick turnaround operations. Commercial technologies and processes supporting NASA's IM initiatives include condition based maintenance technologies from Boeing's Commercial 777 Aircraft and Lockheed-Martin's F-22 Fighter, automotive computer diagnostics and autonomous controllers that enable 100,000 mile maintenance free operations, and locomotive monitoring system software. This paper will summarize NASA's long-term strategy, development, and implementation plans for Informed Maintenance for next generation RLVs. This will be done through a convergence into a single IM vision the work being performed throughout NASA, industry and academia. Additionally, a current status of IM development throughout NASA programs such as the Space Shuttle, X-33, X-34 and X-37 will be provided and will conclude with an overview of near-term work that is being initiated in FY00 to support NASA's 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Program. .

BACKGROUND: TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) are the diagnostic hallmark of Graves' disease (GD) and immunoassays for their detection have been available for more than 30years over three generations of laboratory methods. Despite a growing body of data produced by clinical and laboratory research which demonstrates its elevated sensitivity and specificity, TRAb testing is poorly used for diagnosing GD. The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis is to verify the diagnostic performance of TRAb detected with 2nd and 3rd generation immunoassay methods. METHODS: We searched for English articles using MEDLINE with the search terms "TSH receptor antibody assay", "TSH Receptor antibody tests" and "Graves' disease". We analyzed studies reporting on TSH receptor antibody tests performed by quantitative immunoassays, on untreated patients with GD as the index disease (sensitivity) and on a control group of either healthy subjects or patients affected by other thyroid diseases (specificity). A total of 681 titles were initially identified with the search strategy described. 560 publications were excluded based on abstract and title. Full-text review was undertaken as the next step on 111 publications providing data on TRAb testing; 58 articles were subsequently excluded because they did not include untreated GD patients, or used either bioassays or 1st generation immunoassays. 32 were also excluded because they included data only on sensitivity or only on specificity of the assay, or were duplicates. Finally, 21 articles were selected for meta-analysis. Extraction of data from selected articles was performed by two authors independently, using predefined criteria: the number of patients with GD and the number of healthy or diseased controls; specification of the analytical method used to detect TRAb; sensitivity and specificity of the assay. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that the overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of the 2nd and 3rd generation TRAb assays are 97.1% and 97.4%, and 98.3% and 99.2%, respectively, with little difference between the types of immunoassay methods employed (human or porcine receptor, manual or automated procedure). The likelihood of a TRAb-positive individual to have GD is 1367- to 3420-fold greater (depending upon the type of assay) compared to a TRAb-negative person. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the meta-analysis showed that TRAb measured with 2nd and 3rd generation immunoassay methods have very high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of GD. The difference between 2nd and 3rd generation methods is small and is equally useful. In contrast with recommendations made by clinical endocrinologists who are not familiar with the state of the art in diagnostic technologies of autoimmunology laboratories, we propose a wide application of these tests in clinical practice to screen all hyperthyroid patients. PMID:22776786

This is the latest in a series of LDRD's that we have been conducting with Florida State University/Florida A&M University (FSU/FAMU) under the campus executive program. This research builds on the earlier projects; ''Development of Highly Integrated Magnetically and Electrostatically Actuated Micropumps'' (SAND2003-4674) and ''Development of Magnetically and Electrostatically Driven Surface Micromachined Pumps'' (SAND2002-0704P). In this year's LDRD we designed 2nd generation of surface micromachined (SMM) gear and viscous pumps. Two SUMMiT{trademark} modules full of design variations of these pumps were fabricated and one SwIFT{trademark} module is still in fabrication. The SwIFT{trademark} fabrication process results in a transparent pump housing cover that will enable visualization inside the pumps. Since the SwIFT{trademark} pumps have not been tested as they are still in fabrication, this report will focus on the 2nd generation SUMMiT{trademark} designs. Pump testing (pressure vs. flow) was conducted on several of the SUMMiT{trademark} designs resulting in the first pump curve for this class of SMM pumps. A pump curve was generated for the higher torque 2nd generation gear pump designed by Jason Hendrix of FSU. The pump maximum flow rate at zero head was 6.5 nl/s for a 30V, 30 Hz square wave signal. This level of flow rate would be more than adequate for our typical SMM SUMMiT{trademark} or SwIFT{trademark} channels which have typical volumes on the order of 50 pl.

CDIO means bringing the engineer's daily life and working practice into the educational system. In our opinion this is best done by selecting an appropriate project from industry. In this paper we describe how we have mapped an industrial IT project to a 2nd semester design-build project in the Diploma IT program at the Technical University of Denmark. The system in question is a weighing system operating in a LAN environment. The system is used in the medical industry for producing tablets. We present the design of a curriculum to support the development of major components of the weighing system. A simple teaching model for software engineering is presented which combines technical disciplines with disciplines from section 2-4 in the CDIO syllabus. The implementation of a joint project involving several courses supports the CDIO perspective. Already the traditional IT-diploma education for decades has included many of the essential features of the CDIO (for example, focus on teamwork, development of social skills, the open nature of design problems). The specific project has previously been conducted on 5th Semester The project has now been brought forward to the 2nd semester of study. A successful implementation at this level requires careful planning of activities through the semester. Principles of the CDIO have been of great help in this regard. Finally we draw conclusions and give our recommendations based on those.

APGEN (Activity Plan GENerator - 314), a multi-mission planning tool, must interface with external software to vest serve its users. AP-GEN's original method for incorporating external software, the User-Defined library mechanism, has been very successful in allowing APGEN users access to external software functionality.

Based on Campbell's (1990, Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2nd ed., Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, 687-732) multi-factorial model of job performance, the Expatriate Performance Scales were developed to measure components of expatriate performance. Item generation for the scales was informed by job performance theory, content analysis of interviews with expatriates and item sorting by subject matter experts. The scales (48 items) were administered to 106 Australian expatriates in the Special Administrative Regions of China. Data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis as well as tests for criterion, convergent and discriminant validity. These procedures resulted in 32 items measuring an amended model of expatriate performance...

Background/Aims Weight gain is an undesirable side effect of treatment with 2nd/3rd generation antipsychotic drugs which may have genetic determinants. A number of candidate genes have been analyzed but no genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yet been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of extreme weight gain (EWG) among adult users of 2nd/3rd generation antipsychotic medications for future GWAS. Methods A standardized dataset was extracted on antipsychotic medications users at Group Health and Geisinger Health System from 2004–2010 that included demographics, enrollment, vitals, and pharmacy data. Electronic health record search algorithms were used to identify adult subjects with body weight increases of 15%+ within one year of the initiation of new 2nd/3rd generation antipsychotic drugs. To adjudicate the association of EWG with drug treatment, SAS was used to plot and visually inspect a single graph for each episode that encompassed all weight measurements, antipsychotic orders/fills, pregnancy- and cancer-related visits, and steroid and insulin orders/fills over time. The rate of EWG was then compared among the common types of antipsychotic medications. Results There were 7128 episodes of antipsychotic use that qualified for analysis (5251 patients). The most common medication types were quetiapine (n=2543), risperidone (n=1817), aripiprazole (n=1315), olanzapine (n=971), and ziprasidone (n=413). The least common medications were clozapine (n=37), olanzapine/fluoxetine (n=23), and paliperidone (n=9). EWG was identified for 275 of the 7128 episodes (3.86 per 100 episodes). EWG was significantly different among common medication types (p-valuerisperidone (3.58 per 100 episodes, 95% CI=[3.14, 4.07]), and aripiprazole (3.50 per 100 episodes, 95% CI=[2.65, 4.62]). For ziprasidone, EWG was 2–3 fold lower (1.69 per 100 episodes, 95% CI=[1.46, 1.96]). EWG was not significantly different between Geisinger and Group Health (4.43 per 100 episodes versus 3.65 per 100 episodes, p=0.157). Discussion Rates of EWG differed significantly by type of 2nd/3rd generation antipsychotic medication, which was consistent in two geographically diverse populations. Future GWAS may help determine if genetic determinants of EWG are drug specific.

This study hypothesized that increased intensity of graphic information, presented in computer-generated instruction, could be differentially beneficial for students with hyperactivity and inattention by improving their ability to sustain attention and hold information in-mind. To this purpose, 18 2nd?4th grade students, recruited from general education classes, were presented with sequenced geometry instruction, which involved projections of solid geometric images accompanied by text and color. Children were randomly assigned to two levels of intensity: high visual intensity (HVI) with information from the light source (e.g., contrasts, shadows) and low intensity (LVI) projecting only a single value. In support of theoretical predictions, students with hyperactivity/inattention performed ...

Self-assembled peptide nanotubes (PNT) are unique nanoscale objects having a great potential for a multitude of applications. Strong piezoactivity and polar properties in aromatic dipeptides were recently observed in stand-alone nanotubes using piezoresponse force microscopy and 2nd harmonic generation. In this work, we report macroscopic dielectric and polarization vs. field measurements on pressed PNTs before and after annealing at 150 °C. The results corroborate nanoscale study and present a clear evidence of ferroelectric-like behaviour and phase transition in this technologically important material. The dielectric constant of PNT pellets obeys apparent Curie-Weiss (CW) law with the CW constant C ~ 230 °C and transition temperature at T ~ 142 °C.

IEC 60880 introduces detail requirements to apply model based software engineering tools which can generate qualified source codes in the safety critical software. These tools were already applied to the developments of safety critical software in the Nuclear Power Plant of European Union. However, in Korea, all of design works were performed by engineers where human errors can be introduced. This traditional approach is hard to verify and validate the function block diagrams. KEPCO E and C develops PPS and QIAS-P software in SUN 1 and 2 and needs to adopt the efficient way of developing safety critical software and keeping same reliability of software with previous software. KEPCO E and C is planning to apply a software engineering tools in software development process. KEPCO E and C evaluated several tools in order to select the most appropriate tool in its new development environment

April 24-29, European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2nd General Assembly, ... May, 22-25: 3rd International Workshop on SPACE MICROBIOLOGY, Mol, ... June 20- 24: Singapore, 2nd Asian Oceanian Geophysical Society assembly AOGS ...

Simulation of stresses during heat treatment relates usually to furnace heating. Induction heating provides a very different evolution of temperature in the part and therefore different stresses. This may be positive for service properties or negative, reducing component strength or even causing cracks. A method of coupled simulation between electromagnetic, thermal, structural, stress, and deformation phenomena during induction tube hardening is described. Commercial software package ELTA is used to calculate the power density distribution in the load resulting from the induction heating process. The program DANTE is used to predict temperature distribution, phase transformations, stress state, and deformation during heating and quenching. Analyses of stress and deformation evolution were made on a simple case of induction hardening of external (1st case) and internal (2nd case) surfaces of a thick-walled tubular body.

Power quality problems usually appear in the form of voltage sags, transients and harmonics. From these three broad categories of power quality problems, voltage dips account the most disturbances experienced by industrial customers. Voltage dips generally refer to instantaneous short-duration voltage variations. The aim of this paper is to have an idea about voltage dip performance of Turkey Transmission System. Turkey's transmission system has 21 regions. For simulations, 2nd region, which includes Istanbul city's area is heavy loaded, is selected. For purposes of early warning and later analysis of voltage dip performance of the whole transmission system, is used to compare with results constructed fault statics from SIMPOW DIPS analysis program real data. SIMPOW DIPS software enables to calculate dip frequency for all busses and lines.

Research has been conducted under United States Department of Energy Contract (USDOE) DE-AC21-86MC21023 to develop a new type of coal-fired plant for electric power generation. This new type of plant, called a Second Generation Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion Plant (2nd Gen PFB), offers the promise of efficiencies greater than 48%, with both emissions and a cost of electricity that are significantly lower than those of conventional pulverized coal-fired (PC) plants with wet flue gas desulfurization/scrubbers. The 2nd Gen PFB plant incorporates the partial gasification of coal in a carbonizer, the combustion of carbonizer char in a pressurized circulating fluidized (PCFB) bed boiler, and the combustion of carbonizer syngas in a topping combustor to achieve gas turbine inlet temperatures of 2700 F and higher. Under the USDOE Clean Coal V Demonstration Plant Program, a nominal 260 MWe plant demonstrating 2nd Gen PFB technology has been proposed for construction at the McIntosh Power Plant of the City of Lakeland, Florida. In the September-December 1997 time period, four test runs were conducted in Foster Wheeler's 12-inch diameter carbonizer pilot plant in Livingston New Jersey to ascertain carbonizer performance characteristics with the Kentucky No. 9 coal and Florida limestone proposed for use in the Lakeland plant. The tests were of a short-term nature exploring carbonizer carbon conversions, sulfur capture efficiencies and syngas alkali levels. The tests were successful; observed carbonizer performance was in agreement with predictions and no operating problems, attributed to the planned feedstocks, were encountered. The results of the four test runs are reported herein.

...work-hours per engine to replace the gas turbine discs and blades. The average...replace the Arriel 1B 2nd stage turbine disk and blades with an inspected 2nd...flight on engines with a 2nd stage turbine disk having accumulated more than...

Motivation: The next generation sequencing technologies are generating billions of short reads daily. Resequencing and personalized medicine need much faster software to map these deep sequencing reads to a reference genome, to identify SNPs or rare transcripts.

A reliability testing was performed for the software of Shutdown(SDS) Computers for Wolsong Nuclear Power Plants Units 2, 3 and 4. profiles to the SDS Computers and compared the outputs with the predicted results generated by the oracle. Test softwares were written to execute the test automatically. Random test profiles were generated using analysis code. 11 refs., 1 fig.

The Reionization And Transients InfraRed (RATIR) camera has been built for rapid Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) followup and will provide quasi-simultaneous imaging in ugriZY JH. The optical component uses two 2048 × 2048 pixel Finger Lakes Imaging ProLine detectors, one optimized for the SDSS u, g, and r bands and one optimized for the SDSS i band. The infrared portion incorporates two 2048 × 2048 pixel Teledyne HgCdTe HAWAII-2RG detectors, one with a 1.7-micron cutoff and one with a 2.5-micron cutoff. The infrared detectors are controlled by Teledyne's SIDECAR (System for Image Digitization Enhancement Control And Retrieval) ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). While other ground-based systems have used the SIDECAR before, this system also utilizes Teledyne's JADE2 (JWST ASIC Drive Electronics) interface card and IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Here we present a summary of the software developed to interface the RATIR detectors with Remote Telescope System, 2nd Version (RTS2) software. RTS2 is an integrated open source package for remote observatory control under the Linux operating system and will autonomously coordinate observatory dome, telescope pointing, detector, filter wheel, focus stage, and dewar vacuum compressor operations. Where necessary we have developed custom interfaces between RTS2 and RATIR hardware, most notably for cryogenic focus stage motor drivers and temperature controllers. All detector and hardware interface software developed for RATIR is freely available and open source as part of the RTS2 distribution.

The fact that material degradation can be calculated by measuring nonlinear acoustic effect has been proposed by previous studies. They reported that the most conventional method to measure nonlinear acoustic effect is to measure the absolute magnitude of the fundamental and 2nd order harmonic frequency component in the propagated ultrasonic wave. For this aim, power spectral analysis technique has been used widely. However, there is a fatal disadvantage in using power spectrum in that the gaussian additive noise superimposed in the wave signal remains in the power spectrum domain. Moreover, the magnitude of the 2nd order harmonic frequency component generated by nonlinear effect is so small that it may be suppressed by the noise remaining in the power spectrum domain. This paper proposes the bispectrum analysis method to overcome this problem. In order to evaluate the performance of our proposed bispectrum method, several sham signals with different SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) were generated in a computer based on the nonlinear wave signal model, and the nonlinear parameter ? was estimated in both methods of power spectrum and bispectrum to compare the accuracy. Simulation results showed that the bispectrum method was more stable and could estimate closer nonlinear parameter to the true value than the power spectrum method. Also, in order to verify that our method is applicable to the actual signal, the bispectrum method was applied to the actual experimental signals that were obtained from the transmission test in several SS41 specimens with different degrees of degradation.   

The process of testing any software system is an enormous task which is time consuming and costly. The time and required effort to do sufficient testing grow, as the size and complexity of the software grows, which may cause overrun of the project budget, delay in the development of software system or some test cases may not be covered. During SDLC (software development life cycle), generally the software testing phase takes around 40-70% of the time and cost. State-based testing is frequently used in software testing. Test data generation is one of the key issues in software testing. A properly generated test suite may not only locate the errors in a software system, but also help in reducing the high cost associated with software testing. It is often desired that test data in the form of test sequences within a test suite can be automatically generated to achieve required test coverage. This paper proposes an optimization approach to test data generation for the state-based software testing. In this paper, ...

The purpose of this study was to add to the understanding of the effects of perceived parental engagement on adolescents? academic achievement in immigrant families. Self-report data were collected from 1,245 adolescents in immigrant families from four high schools in Los Angeles County. The sample characteristics follow: 13?16?years old (M?=?14.5); 58.9% female, 41.1% male; 57.5% Latino; 40.6% 1st generation youth (i.e., foreign born), 59.4% 2nd generation youth. After controlling for parental educational attainment, parental engagement variables were indirectly related to grades through youths? academic engagement. Multigroup SEM indicated some differences between genders, generational statuses, and ethnicities (Latinos versus others). Adolescents? perceptions of monitoring by mothers an...

We investigate the use of 2nd-generation High-Temperature Superconductors (2G-HTSs) in the rotors of electrical motors and generators. For these devices the conductor must be wound into robust impregnated coils, which are operated in vacuum at temperatures around 30K, in strong magnetic fields of about 2T. Differences in thermal contraction between the coil former, conductor constituents, impregnation resin, bandage and heat-sink materials (assembled at room temperature) cause mechanical stresses at operating temperature. Rotating-machine operation adds Lorentz forces and challenging centripetal accelerations up to thousands of g. Second generation-HTS conductors withstand large tensile stresses in axial direction and compression in normal direction. However, shear stresses, axial compress...

A detailed set of calculations was carried out for the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) using the SN2ND solver of the UNIC code which is part of the SHARP multi-physics code being developed under the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program in DOE-NE. The primary motivation of this work is to assess whether high fidelity deterministic transport codes can tackle coupled dynamics simulations of the ATR. The successful use of such codes in a coupled dynamics simulation can impact what experiments are performed and what power levels are permitted during those experiments at the ATR. The advantages of the SN2ND solver over comparable neutronics tools are its superior parallel performance and demonstrated accuracy on large scale homogeneous and heterogeneous reactor geometries. However, it should be noted that virtually no effort from this project was spent constructing a proper cross section generation methodology for the ATR usable in the SN2ND solver. While attempts were made to use cross section data derived from SCALE, the minimal number of compositional cross section sets were generated to be consistent with the reference Monte Carlo input specification. The accuracy of any deterministic transport solver is impacted by such an approach and clearly it causes substantial errors in this work. The reasoning behind this decision is justified given the overall funding dedicated to the task (two months) and the real focus of the work: can modern deterministic tools actually treat complex facilities like the ATR with heterogeneous geometry modeling. SN2ND has been demonstrated to solve problems with upwards of one trillion degrees of freedom which translates to tens of millions of finite elements, hundreds of angles, and hundreds of energy groups, resulting in a very high-fidelity model of the system unachievable by most deterministic transport codes today. A space-angle convergence study was conducted to determine the meshing and angular cubature requirements for the ATR, and also to demonstrate the feasibility of performing this analysis with a deterministic transport code capable of modeling heterogeneous geometries. The work performed indicates that a minimum of 260,000 linear finite elements combined with a L3T11 cubature (96 angles on the sphere) is required for both eigenvalue and flux convergence of the ATR. A critical finding was that the fuel meat and water channels must each be meshed with at least 3 'radial zones' for accurate flux convergence. A small number of 3D calculations were also performed to show axial mesh and eigenvalue convergence for a full core problem. Finally, a brief analysis was performed with different cross sections sets generated from DRAGON and SCALE, and the findings show that more effort will be required to improve the multigroup cross section generation process. The total number of degrees of freedom for a converged 27 group, 2D ATR problem is {approx}340 million. This number increases to {approx}25 billion for a 3D ATR problem. This scoping study shows that both 2D and 3D calculations are well within the capabilities of the current SN2ND solver, given the availability of a large-scale computing center such as BlueGene/P. However, dynamics calculations are not realistic without the implementation of improvements in the solver.

In vivo, some proteins exist as monomers and others as oligomers. Oligomers can be further classified into homo-oligomers (formed by identical subunits) and hetero-oligomers (formed by different subunits), and they form the structural components of various biological functions, including cooperative effects, allosteric mechanism and ion-channel gating. Therefore, with the avalanche of protein sequences generated in the post-genomic era, it is very important for both basic research and the pharmaceutical industry to acquire the possible knowledge about quaternary structural attributes of their proteins of interest. In view of this, a high throughput method (DWT_DT), a 2-layer approach by fusing discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and decision-tree algorithm (DT) with physicochemical features, has been developed to predict protein quaternary structures. The 1st layer is to assign a query protein to one of the 10 main quaternary structural attributes. The 2nd layer is to evaluate whether the protein in question is composed of homo- or hetero-oligomers. The overall accuracy by jackknife test for the 1st layer identification was 89.60%. The overall accuracy of the 2nd layer varies from 88.23 to 100%. The results suggest that this newly developed protocol (DWT_DT) is very promising in predicting quaternary structures with complicated composition. PMID:22990717

Preliminary dislocation g{center_dot}b analysis revealed that following room temperature deformation at low strain rate the majority of the dislocations are a-dislocations lying on basal planes, 2nd order pyramidal (a/2 + c) slip on [1211], and 1st order pyramidal a-slip on [1011]. Increasing the rate of deformation at room temperature to 6000 s{sup {minus}1} is seen to result in increased a-slip on prism planes and a decreased amount of basal slip. At high-strain-rates and elevated temperatures the substructure was seen to be generally similar to that observed following high-rate deformation at room temperature except for an increased amount of basal slip and a somewhat higher incidence of 2nd order pyramidal slip. The defect generation and the rate sensitivity of Ti-24.5Al-10.5Nb-1.5Mo are discussed as a function of strain rate and temperature and contrasted to that observed in conventional titanium alloys and TiAl.

We begin 2000 with a message about our plans for JCE Software and what you will be seeing in this column as the year progresses. Floppy Disk --> CD-ROM Most software today is distributed on CD-ROM or by downloading from the Internet. Several new computers no longer include a floppy disk drive as "standard equipment". Today's software no longer fits on one or two floppies (the installation software alone can require two disks) and the cost of reproducing and distributing several disks is prohibitive. In short, distribution of software on floppy disks is no longer practical. Therefore, JCE Software will distribute all new software publications on CD-ROM rather than on disks. Regular Issues --> Collections Distribution of all our software on CD-ROM allows us to extend our concept of software collections that we started with the General Chemistry Collection. Such collections will contain all the previously published software that is still "in print" (i.e., is compatible with current operating systems and hardware) and any new programs that fall under the topic of the collection. Proposed topics in addition to General Chemistry currently include Advanced Chemistry, Instrument and Laboratory Simulations, and Spectroscopy. Eventually, all regular issues will be replaced by these collections, which will be updated annually or semiannually with new programs and updates to existing programs. Abstracts for all new programs will continue to appear in this column when a collection or its update is ready for publication. We will continue to offer special issues of single larger programs (e.g. Periodic Table Live!, Chemistry Comes Alive! volumes) on CD-ROM and video on videotape. Connect with Your Students outside Class JCE Software has always offered network licenses to allow instructors to make our software available to students in computer labs, but that model no longer fits the way many instructors and students work with computers. Many students (or their families) own a personal computer allowing them much more flexibility than a campus computer lab. Many instructors utilize the World Wide Web, creating HTML pages for students to use. JCE Software has options available to take advantage of both of these developments. Software Adoption To provide students who own computers access to JCE Software programs, consider adopting one or more of our CD-ROMs as you would a textbook. The General Chemistry Collection has been adopted by several general chemistry courses. We can arrange to bundle CDs with laboratory manuals or to be sold separately to students through the campus bookstore. The cost per CD can be quite low (as little as $5) when large numbers are ordered, making this a cost-effective method of allowing students access to the software they need whenever and wherever they desire. Web-Ready Publications Several JCE Software programs use HTML to present the material. Viewed with the ubiquitous Internet Browser, HTML is compatible with both Mac OS and Windows (as well most other current operating systems) and provides a flexible hypermedia interface that is familiar to an increasing number of instructors and students. HTML-based publications are also ready for use on local intranets, with appropriate licensing, and can be readily incorporated into other HTML-based materials. Already published in this format are: Chemistry Comes Alive!, Volumes 1 and 2 (Special Issues 18 and 21), Flying over Atoms (Special Issue 19), and Periodic Table Live! Second Edition (Special Issue 17). Solid State Resources Second Edition (Special Issue 12) and Chemistry Comes Alive!, Volume 3 (Special Issue 23) will be available soon. Other submissions being developed in HTML format include ChemPages Laboratory and Multimedia General Chemistry Problems. Contact the JCE Software office to learn about licensing alternatives that take advantage of the World Wide Web. Periodic Table Live! 2nd ed. is one of JCE Software's "Web-ready" publications. Publication Plans for 2000 We have several exciting new issues planned for publication in the coming year. Chemistry Comes Alive! The Chemistry Comes Alive! (CCA!) series continues with additional CD-ROMs for Mac OS and Windows. Each volume in this series contains video and animations of chemical reactions that can be easily incorporated into your own computer-based presentations. Our digital video now uses state-of-the-art compression that yields higher quality video with smaller file sizes and data rates more suited for WWW delivery. Video for Periodic Table Live! 2nd edition, Chemistry Comes Alive! Volumes 3, ChemPages Laboratory, and Multimedia General Chemistry Problems use this new format. We will be releasing updates of CCA! Volumes 1 and 2 to take advantage of this new technology. We are very pleased with the results and think you will be also. The reaction of aluminum with chlorine is included in Chemistry Comes Alive! Volume 3. ChemPages Laboratory ChemPages Laboratory, developed by the New Traditions Curriculum Project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is an HTML-based CD-ROM for Mac OS and Windows that contains lessons and tutorials to prepare introductory chemistry students to work in the laboratory. It includes text, photographs, computer graphics, animations, digital video, and voice narration to introduce students to the laboratory equipment and procedures. ChemPages Laboratory teaches introductory chemistry students about laboratory instruments, equipment, and procedures. Versatile Video Video demonstrating the "drinking bird" is included in the Chemistry Comes Alive! video collection. Video from this collection can be incorporated into many other projects. As an example, David Whisnant has used the drinking bird in his Multimedia General Chemistry Problems, where students view the video and are asked to explain why the bird bobs up and down. JCE Software anticipates publication of Multimedia General Chemistry Problems on CD-ROM for Mac OS and Windows in 2000. It will be "Web-ready". General Chemistry Collection, 4th Edition The General Chemistry Collection will be revised early in the summer and CDs will be shipped in time for fall adoptions. The 4th edition will include JCE Software publications for general chemistry published in 1999, as well as any programs for general chemistry accepted in 2000. Regular Issues We have had many recent submissions and submissions of work in progress. In 2000 we will work with the authors and our peer-reviewers to complete and publish these submissions individually or as part of a software collection on CD-ROM. An Invitation In collaboration with JCE Online we plan to make available in 2000 more support files for JCE Software. These will include not only troubleshooting tips and technical support notes, but also supporting information submitted by users such as lessons, specific assignments, and activities using JCE Software publications. All JCE Software users are invited to contribute to this area. Get in touch with JCE Software and let us know how you are using our materials so that we can share your ideas with others! Although the word software is in our name, many of our publications are not traditional software. We also publish video on videotape, videodisc, and CD-ROM and electronic documents (Mathcad and Mathematica, spreadsheet files and macros, HTML documents, and PowerPoint presentations). Most chemistry instructors who use a computer in their teaching have created or considered creating one or more of these for their classes. If you have an original computer presentation, electronic document, animation, video, or any other item that is not printed text it is probably an appropriate submission for JCE Software. By publishing your work in any branch of the Journal of Chemical Education, you will share your efforts with chemistry instructors and students all over the world and get professional recognition for your achievements. All JCE Software publications are Y2K compliant.

Software testing is an important and valuable part of the software development life cycle. Due to time, cost and other circumstances, exhaustive testing is not feasible that's why there is a need to automate the software testing process. Testing effectiveness can be achieved by the State Transition Testing (STT) which is commonly used in real time, embedded and web-based type of software systems. Aim of the current paper is to present an algorithm by applying an ant colony optimization technique, for generation of optimal and minimal test sequences for behavior specification of software. Present paper approach generates test sequence in order to obtain the complete software coverage. This paper also discusses the comparison between two metaheuristic techniques (Genetic Algorithm and Ant Colony optimization) for transition based testing

In a few years, the second generation instruments of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) will routinely provide observations with 4 to 6 telescopes simultaneously. To reach their ultimate performance, they will need a fringe sensor capable to measure in real time the randomly varying optical paths differences. A collaboration between LAOG (PI institute), IAGL, OCA and GIPSA-Lab has proposed the Planar Optics Phase Sensor concept to ESO for the 2nd Generation Fringe Tracker. This concept is based on the integrated optics technologies, enabling the conception of extremely compact interferometric instruments naturally providing single-mode spatial filtering. It allows operations with 4 and 6 telescopes by measuring the fringes position thanks to a spectrally dispersed ABCD method. We present here the main analysis which led to the current concept as well as the expected on-sky performance and the proposed design.

A new 3rd generation recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII), GreenGene F (WHO INN: beroctocog alfa), which is a highly homogenous B-domain deleted FVIII protein comprising of two peptides as heavy chain (A1 and A2 domain) and light chain (A3, C1, and C2 domain) at 80 and 90 kDa, was developed from its predecessor product GreenGene (2nd generation product previously approved by Korea FDA after clinical studies in South Korea) by process improvements of i) addition of Solvent/Detergent treatment for virus inactivation, ii) nanofiltration (20 nm pore size) for viral removal and iii) alterations to an albumin-free formulation to minimize the risk of viral contamination. An assessment of comparability between the two products was made to see if process improvements for safer product manufacturing aff...

Biofuels have been identified as a potential short-term solution for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transport. Currently, ‘1st generation’ biofuels are produced from food crops, but there are concerns with the indirect effects of utilising edible crops for fuel. There is increased interest in producing ‘2nd generation’ biofuels from woody crops and straw, as these can be grown on lower grade land or do not compete directly with food. In order to ensure that biofuels actually deliver emission savings, the overall GHG balance of producing them must be calculated accurately, and compared with conventional fossil fuels. The GHG balance can vary significantly however, depending on biomass type, the production processes, the indirect effects, an...

The proposed system, ACTS(Alarm Cause Tracking System), in the 1st development period(2002. 7 {approx} 2003. 6), tracks and displays the causes of alarms on-line from computerized logic diagrams. And the system highlights the specific procedures related the causes in the procedure of the alarm. But, some problems were found in ACTS on editing logic diagram and logic processing in realtime for 2000 logic diagrams. In 2nd development period, we improved the data structure of graphic information for logic diagram and changed function oriented programming to object oriented programming for logic elements. Also, the display of precedent alarms which introduce many following alarms is provided to avoid confusion from the followed nuisance alarms. And logic input signal generator was developed to test the ACTS which generates input signal in time sequence of events acquired from simulator or real plant.

This paper reports a use of high temperature superconductors for detecting defects in ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials. The magnetometer uses the even harmonics generated in a sample of YBaCuO when it is driven by an audio frequency magnetic field. These harmonics arise from the non-linear modulation of the critical flux state as vortices are swept through the intergranular spaces of the superconductor, and their amplitude is very strongly dependent on dc magnetic field. The authors use two samples of YBaCuO of identical geometry placed in coaxial coils in the form of a gradiometer and driven at 10 KHz. In the balanced systems, no net 2nd harmonic is generated.

DFBS is a digitized version of the famous Markarian survey (or the First Byurakan Survey, FBS). The project has been carried out by teams from Byurakan, Rome and Cornell, using an EPSON Expression 1680 Pro scanner. The DFBS will serve as a unique spectroscopic database for studies in large areas (total surface is 17,000 sq. degrees) at high galactic latitudes, approximate classification for objects (20,000,000 objects are present), selection of samples of objects for definite studies (UV-excess objects, extremely red objects, variables, etc.). A joint usage of the direct images and spectra give larger possibilities for various studies and more efficient use of the survey. Using the dedicated BSpec software written by one of the authors (GC), we have obtained a list of DFBS stars, their positions, B and R magnitudes, and preliminarily classification for DFBS zones with central DEC=+39° and DEC=+43°. The spectral length l>90pix (compared to the total length 10^7pix) was used as a criterion to search for UV-excess objects, as this corresponds to the criteria used during the 2nd part of the FBS. However, the spectra of objects with B80pix), as their spectra are shorter. An additional point for the UV excess object classification is the following: the spectra of the UV-excess objects are divided into two parts by a sensitivity gap in green; the red-yellow part of the spectra must be weaker and the blue-ultraviolet part must be brighter and more extended. We started the project in the DFBS zone +39° and +43° to compare the results with those obtained before during the 2nd part of the FBS. Later on, cross-correlations with available catalogs and a multi-wavelength analysis was made for the found objects. The preliminary results of the search and studies will be reported.

Research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and software engineering is important to both AI researchers and software engineers. For AI, programming is a domain that stimulates research in knowledge representation and automated reasoning. In software engineering, AI techniques are being applied to a new generation of programming tools. This book covers a wide spectrum of work in this area. Some of the topics covered include deductive synthesis, program verification, and transformational approaches.

Ames Research Graphics System (ARCGRAPH) collection of software libraries and software utilities assisting researchers in generating, manipulating, and visualizing graphical data. Defines metafile format containing device-independent graphical data. File format used with various computer-graphics-manipulation and -animation software packages at Ames, including SURF (COSMIC Program ARC-12381) and GAS (COSMIC Program ARC-12379). Consists of two-stage "pipeline" used to put out graphical primitives. ARCGRAPH libraries developed on VAX computer running VMS.

Further development of a combustion Large Eddy Simulation (LES) code for the design of advanced gaseous combustion systems is described in this fifth quarterly report. CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC) is developing the LES module within the parallel, unstructured solver included in the commercial CFD-ACE+ software. In this quarter, in-situ adaptive tabulation (ISAT) for efficient chemical rate storage and retrieval was further tested in the LES code. The use of multiple trees and periodic tree dumping was investigated. Implementation of the Linear Eddy Model (LEM) for subgrid chemistry was finished for serial applications. Validation of the model on a backstep reacting case was performed. Initial calculations of the SimVal experiment were performed for various barrel lengths, equivalence ratio, combustor shapes, and turbulence models. The effects of these variables on combustion instability was studied. Georgia Tech continues the effort to parameterize the LEM over composition space so that a neural net can be used efficiently in the combustion LES code. Next quarter, the 2nd consortium meeting will be held at CFDRC. LES software development and testing will continue. Alpha testing of the code will be performed on cases of interest to the industrial consortium. Optimization of subgrid models will be pursued, particularly with the ISAT approach. Also next quarter, the demonstration of the neural net approach, for chemical kinetics speed-up in CFD-ACE+, should be accomplished.

In January of 1991, NAS users were sent a survey on Geometry Manipulation and Grid Generation software. Survey questions related to the user's current software and desired software and support. Thirty-four people responded. This document includes the specific comments received from the users as well as a summary of the responses. The users felt that government sponsored Geometry Manipulation systems are inadequate; commercial systems are expensive but capable. Grid Generation tools are inadequate. Currently, GRIDGEN is the best. NAS should coordinate and disseminate information through seminars, libraries, and documentation. NAS should develop basic technology and comprehensive grid generation tools.

The updating and testing software for general satellite-borne IR sensor electronics, nonuniform detector responsivity, and optional rotation of the field of view around the telescope line of sight are described. Two standardized packages of software useful for optimizing the sensor parameters and for generating calibration data relative to the specific mission were produced.

Application generators have been demonstrated as a successful approach to achieving software reuse and typically yields higher productivity gains than methods such as component-based reuse. Despite their advantages, industrial software developers are reluctant to adopt these methods due to the lack ...

Lethal sectoring (LS) is the process for survival in which lethal damage remaining in irradiated cells is eliminated as lethal sector (offspring without reproductive integrity). This process occurs through the postirradiation 1st to 4th divisions with the accompanying appearance of a clonogenic progenitor (clonogen) (clonogenic sectoring: CS). The features of LS or CS and genomic instability (GI) were explored by analyzing the pedigrees of HeLa cells surviving ?- (0.45 Gy) or X-irradiation (3 Gy) (20% survival dose). Most (~70%) of the lethal latent damage was eliminated from ?-particle survivors through the 1st to 2nd divisions, but it persisted in X-ray survivors until the 2nd generation. Although the frequency of CS was similar to that of LS for ?-irradiation, CS was higher than LS for X-irradiation. Nonlethal damage remaining in the clonogens led to an elevated incidence of delayed cell death in their progeny. The mean incidence was higher for ?-particle (16.3%) than X-ray survivors (8.3%), indicating the greater potentiality for GI by ?-particles. Evidence is available to suggest the intrinsic difference in the mechanisms of GI induction by these two radiations: the association of misrepaired clustered DNA damage (CD) with ?-particles and unrepaired PLD with X-rays. A novel phenomenon, "delayed division delay (DDD)" was noticed, though occasionally (~10% per cell), with the progeny during the postirradiation 1st-3rd generations. DDD was much longer in ?- (mean: ~11 h) than X-irradiated cells (~4 h). Supposedly DDD was triggered by delayed chromosome breakage. However, a significant shortening of cell-cycle time at the postirradiation 1st generation was recognized with X-ray survivors.   

A computer software package that was developed to facilitate analysis, evaluation, and control during coal cleaning is described. The Coal Preparation Software (COPS) package handles and manipulates data, analyzes washability, evaluates performance, predicts size and density, and generates graphic output, including attrition curves. The Separation ChARacteristics Estimation (SCARE) software package was developed to balance data on density and size separation. The software packages have proven successful in application to a number of projects conducted for the Canadian coal preparation industry. 13 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.

This article presented Pandell's EANexus v.2.5 software which includes an economic analysis case wizard to help junior and intermediate oil producers acquire and evaluate basic economic information about their assets. The software helps guide engineers and geologists through the development of well cases and comprehensive economic analysis. The software is particularly useful given the changes to the royalty regime in Alberta. The EANexus is an economic, budgeting and reserve reporting software that features automatic price deck updates and a built-in case wizard that prompts users with questions. Separate reports can be generated by analyzing well cases in various provinces and comparing results. 1 ref., 1 fig.

A collaborative software development approach is described. The software product is an adaptation of proven computational capabilities combined with new capabilities to form the Agency's next generation aerothermodynamic and aerodynamic analysis and design tools. To efficiently produce a cohesive, robust, and extensible software suite, the approach uses agile software development techniques; specifically, project retrospectives, the Scrum status meeting format, and a subset of Extreme Programming's coding practices are employed. Examples are provided which demonstrate the substantial benefits derived from employing these practices. Also included is a discussion of issues encountered when porting legacy Fortran 77 code to Fortran 95 and a Fortran 95 coding standard.

A method of automated testing of software has been developed that provides an alternative to the conventional mostly manual approach for software testing. The method combines (1) automated generation of test cases on the basis of systematic exploration of the input domain of the software to be tested with (2) run-time analysis in which execution traces are monitored, verified against temporal-logic specifications, and analyzed by concurrency-error-detection algorithms. In this new method, the user only needs to provide the temporal logic specifications against which the software will be tested and the abstract description of the input domain.

The bootstrap relation is discussed up to the 2nd order. From the strong bootstrap condition and a specific ansatz to solve it the 2nd order corrections are obtained to both forward and nonforward interaction of reggeized gluons in the octet colour channel. The obtained forward kernel coincides with the logarithmic term plus two first non-logarithmic terms in the Pomeron 2nd order kernel. Both forward and nonforward kernels are found to be infrared finite.

Apr 1, 2008 ... Evaluation of Reliability of Software Intensive Systems . ...... next generation and future spacecraft concepts and proposals. ...... environments, wind tunnel tests, buckling, and modal survey tests) are required to validate ...

Abstract: This software, written separately in C and MATLAB as stand-alone ... and contains compressed versions of generator and parity-check matrices ... Accessibility: Unclassified; Publicly available; Unlimited; Copyright, Distribution as joint ...

distributed processing, repeatable software engineering processes, and high- fidelity .... other support roles, and creation of custom unit-of-work generators for ... retrieval and storage for a given unit of work and the MATLAB algorithms that ...

Results after matrix operations. General Use;. MATLAB. Basic Infrastructure ..... All implementations are published and/or distributed as a library ..... The trajectory and trajectory generator constructs are software modules that are responsible for ...

The distributed test runs of the software system produce vast amounts of data ... analysis and visualization is controlled via a Matlab graphical user interface. ... oriented approach and automatic code generation to facilitate the construction of ...

This report contains papers on the following accelerator topics: current alignment topics; toolboxes: instrumentation, software, and methods; fiducialization of conventional magnets; fiducialization of superconducting magnets; and next generation linear colliders.

3.4.3 Region selectionbasedon laser/camera triangulation ..... 67 ...... The LSE method has beensimulated in software and tested .... camera, and rl - rg, tx, tv and tz are elements ...... technique in finite element mesh generation is to recursively ...

The Investigation-Derived Waste Program is a software application that was developed to identify the groundwater monitoring wells at the Savannah River Site that require containerization and treatment for purge water generated during sampling.

to perform bone mineral density studies on the International Space Station. The use of a ... experiments and the ability of the software to generate computed tomographic (CT) images ..... pulse with the correct temporal shape. That is, the soft ...

The concept of an algorithmic microcontroller has been investigated. Software has been created which, when supplied with design parametrics, will generate several representation of the desire instance. This paper discusses the methodology followed during ...

Techniques such as verification condition generation, predicate abstraction, and expressive type systems reduce software verification to proving formulas in expressive logics. Programs and their specifications often make use of data structures such as sets, multisets, algebraic data types, or graphs...

Coal fires occur in many countries all over the world (e.g. Australia, China, India, Indonesia, USA and Russia) in underground and on surface. In China the most coal fires occur especially in the North. Economical and environmental damages are the negative effects of the coal fires: coal fires induce open fractures and fissures within the seam and neighbouring rocks. So that these are the predominant pathways for oxygen flow and exhaust gases from a coal fire. All over northern China there are a large number of coal fires, which cause and estimated yearly coal loss of between 100 and 200 million tons ([1], [2], [3]). Spontaneous combustion is a very complicated process and is influenced by number of factors. The process is an exothermic reaction in which the heat generated is dissipated by conduction to the surrounding environment, by radiation, by convection to the ventilation flow, and in some cases by evaporation of moisture from the coal [4]. The coal fires are very serious in China, and the dangerous extent of spontaneous combustion is bad which occupies about 72.9% in mining coal seams. During coal mining in China, the coal fires of spontaneous combustion are quite severity. The dangerous of coal spontaneous combustion has been in 56% of state major coalmines [5]. The 2D and 3D-simulation models describing coal fire damages are strong tools to predict fractures and fissures, to estimate the risk of coal fire propagation into neighbouring seams, to test and evaluate coal fire fighting and prevention methods. The numerical simulations of the rock mechanical model were made with the software for geomechanical and geotechnical calculations, the programs FLAC and FLAC3D [6]. To fight again the coal fires, exist several fire fighting techniques. Water, slurries or liquefied nitrogen can be injected to cool down the coal or cut of air supply with the backfill and thereby extinct the fire. Air supply also can be cut of by covering the coal by soil or sealing of the coal mine with the backfill. A smaller fires can also be handled by taking out burning coal by bulldozing techniques described above are applicable to small fires, but they do not work well in extinction of large coal fires. References [1] http://www.coalfire.caf.dlr.de [2] Schalke, H.J.W.G.; Rosema, A.; Van Genderen, J.L. (1993): Environmental monitoring of coal fires in North China. Project Identification Mission Report. Report Remote Sensing Programme Board, Derft, the Netherlands. [3] Zhang, X.; Kroonenberg, S. B.; De Boer, C. B. (2004): Dating of coal fires in Xinjiang, north-west China. Terra Nova. Band 16, No 2, S. 68-74. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2004.00532.x [4] Deng Jun, Hou Shuang, Li Huirong, e.t.c (2006): Oxidation Mechanism at Initial Stage of a Simulated Coal Molecule with -CH2O-[J]. Journal of Changchun University of Science and Technology, 29(2), P. 84-87. [5] Deng, Jun (2008): Presentation. Chinese Researches and Practical Experiences on Controlling Underground Coal Fires. The 2nd Australia-China Symposium on Science, Technology and Education. 15-18 October 2008, Courtyard Marriott, Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. [6] Itasca (2003): FLAC, Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua. Itasca Consultants Group, Inc., Minneapolis.

Abstract in portuguese o objetivo do estudo foi verificar a eficácia da intervenção com o software Alfabetização Fônica Computadorizada em alunos com deficiência mental. O software possibilita a realização de atividades que desenvolvem a consciência fonológica e a compreensão das relações grafofonêmicas. Participaram do estudo 22 crianças e adolescentes com idades entre 10 a 17 anos. Foi feita avaliação inicial do nível intelectual com a Escala de Maturidade Mental Columbia e (more) a Escala de Inteligência Weschsler para Crianças. Os participantes foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: experimental e controle. Os grupos foram pareados por sexo, idade e nível de inteligência. A Bateria de Avaliação de Leitura e Escrita e a Prova de Consciência Fonológica por Produção Oral foram aplicadas no início e término do estudo. Dezesseis sessões individuais com o software "Alfabetização Fônica Computadorizada" foram conduzidas com os participantes do grupo experimental. Os resultados indicaram melhora nas habilidades de escrita e leitura e nos indicadores de consciência fonológica apenas para as crianças e adolescentes do grupo experimental. Comparação com dados normativos identificaram que os participantes do grupo experimental apresentavam um desempenho semelhante ao de crianças no final do ensino infantil e, após a intervenção o desempenho era semelhante aqueles da 2ª série do ensino fundamental. Abstract in english the aim of the study was to verify the effectiveness of computer based intervention with the Phonological Awareness Literacy Software for students with intellectual disabilities. The software enables participation in activities that stimulate the development of phonological awareness and grapheme to phoneme conversion. Twenty-two children and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17 years participated in the study. Initial evaluation of cognitive development level was perf (more) ormed using the Columbia Mental Maturity Scale and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. All the participants were randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control. The groups were matched for sex, age, and cognitive development level. The Reading and Writing Tests Battery and The Verbal Phonological Awareness Test were used for assessment at the beginning and end of the intervention program. Sixteen individual sessions were run with the experimental group participants using the Computerized Phonological Reading software. The results indicated improvements in writing, reading and phonological awareness skills only for the experimental group. Comparison with normative data showed that before the intervention the experimental group's performance was on the level of pre-school children, but after the intervention, they tested at the 2nd grade level.

The TMACS Software Project Test Procedures translate the project`s acceptance criteria into test steps. Software releases are certified when the affected Test Procedures are successfully performed and the customers authorize installation of these changes. This Test Procedure addressed the report generation capability of the TMACS. The features to be tested are generation of the alarm history report, equipment failure report, single-shell tank report and double-shell tank report.

Further development of a combustion Large Eddy Simulation (LES) code for the design of advanced gaseous combustion systems is described in this sixth quarterly report. CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC) is developing the LES module within the parallel, unstructured solver included in the commercial CFD-ACE+ software. In this quarter, in-situ adaptive tabulation (ISAT) for efficient chemical rate storage and retrieval was implemented and tested within the Linear Eddy Model (LEM). ISAT type 3 is being tested so that extrapolation can be performed and further improve the retrieval rate. Further testing of the LEM for subgrid chemistry was performed for parallel applications and for multi-step chemistry. Validation of the software on backstep and bluff-body reacting cases were performed. Initial calculations of the SimVal experiment at Georgia Tech using their LES code were performed. Georgia Tech continues the effort to parameterize the LEM over composition space so that a neural net can be used efficiently in the combustion LES code. A new and improved Artificial Neural Network (ANN), with log-transformed output, for the 1-step chemistry was implemented in CFDRC's LES code and gave reasonable results. This quarter, the 2nd consortium meeting was held at CFDRC. Next quarter, LES software development and testing will continue. Alpha testing of the code will continue to be performed on cases of interest to the industrial consortium. Optimization of subgrid models will be pursued, particularly with the ISAT approach. Also next quarter, the demonstration of the neural net approach, for multi-step chemical kinetics speed-up in CFD-ACE+, will be accomplished.

Abstract in spanish Objetivo: Describir la distribución geográfica de los casos de fiebre de dengue en zonas anegadas de Villahermosa, Tabasco, México, en el año 2010. Métodos: Estudio transversal, descriptivo. Universo en estudio: colonias con antecedentes de anegación durante las inundaciones del Estado, ubicadas en Villahermosa, Tabasco: Gaviotas Norte, Gaviotas Sur, La Manga 1ª Sección, La Manga 2ª Sección y La Manga 3ª Sección. Muestra: no probabilís-tica por conveniencia. (more) Variables: ubicación, caso de fiebre de dengue. Análisis: estadística descriptiva. Software: SPSS versión 11.0. Resultados: Se incluyeron 540 sujetos, distribuidos en Gaviotas Norte 36,1%; Gaviotas Sur 24,8%; La Manga 1a Sección 13,8%; La Manga 2a Sección 13,2%; La Manga 3a Sección 2,1%. Se encontraron tres casos con serología positiva a IgG (0,6%) y cinco casos con serología positiva a IgM (0,9%). La distribución geográfica de los casos guardó relación con la cercanía a dos cuerpos de agua: Río Grijalva y Laguna El Encanto. Conclusiones: Es necesario reforzar las intervenciones preventivas en zonas cercanas a cuerpos de agua dulce. Abstract in english Objective: To describe the geographical distribution of dengue fever cases in flooded areas of Villahermosa, Tabasco, in 2010. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Universe: Colonies with antecedents of flooding during the inundation of the State, located in Villahermosa, Tabasco: Gaviotas Norte, Gaviotas Sur, La Manga 1th Section, La Manga 2nd Section and La Manga 3th Section. Convenience sample without randomization. Variables: location, dengue fever case. Analy (more) sis: descriptive statistic. Software: SPSS version 11.0. Results: 540 individuals were included. The distribution was: Gaviotas Norte, 36.1%; Gaviotas Sur, 24.8%; La Manga 1th Section, 13.8%; La Manga 2nd Section, 13.2%; and La Manga 3th Section, 12.1%. We found three cases with positive serology of IgG (0.6%) and five cases of positive IgM (0.9%). The geographical distribution was associated with the proximity to two water bodies: Rio Grijalva and Laguna El Encanto. Conclusions: It is necessary to reinforce preventive interventions in the proximity of bodies of fresh water.

Within a phonon-assisted resonance level model we develop a self-consistent procedure for calculating electron transport currents in molecular junctions with intermediate to strong electron-phonon interaction. The scheme takes into account the mutual influence of the electron and phonon subsystems. It is based on the 2nd order cumulant expansion, used to express the correlation function of the phonon shift generator in terms of the phonon momentum Green function. Equation of motion (EOM) method is used to obtain an approximate analog of the Dyson equation for the electron and phonon Green functions in the case of many-particle operators present in the Hamiltonian. To zero-order it is similar in particular cases (empty or filled bridge level) to approaches proposed earlier. The importance of self-consistency in resonance tunneling situations (partially filled bridge level) is stressed. We confirm, even for strong vibronic coupling, a previous suggestion concerning the absence of phonon sidebands in the current...

This study hypothesized that increased intensity of graphic information, presented in computer-generated instruction, could be differentially beneficial for students with hyperactivity and inattention by improving their ability to sustain attention and hold information in-mind. To this purpose, 18 2nd-4th grade students, recruited from general education classes, were presented with sequenced geometry instruction, which involved projections of solid geometric images accompanied by text and color. Children were randomly assigned to two levels of intensity: high visual intensity (HVI) with information from the light source (e.g., contrasts, shadows) and low intensity (LVI) projecting only a single value. In support of theoretical predictions, students with hyperactivity/inattention performed better than typical comparisons during the performance of advanced problems in the HVI condition. Furthermore, the students with inattention demonstrated significantly better performance in the HVI than in the LVI condition. Educational, research, and development implications of these findings were discussed. (Contains 3 figures, 1 footnote, and 2 tables.)

This report summarises the results of a detailed investigation of the status of embedded wind power in Germany and Denmark and combined heat and power (CHP) in the Netherlands. The introduction considers the global development of wind energy and compares the structure of the electric power industry in the three countries relative to that in the UK. The establishment of distributed generation (DG) connections for wind power and CHP, and commercial issues associated with new connections are reviewed in the 2nd section of the report. The 3rd section focuses on system operation of the distributed network, while practical system operational issues for the UK and recent developments in Europe are examined in the 4th and 5th sections. The final section presents conclusions and recommendations.

The International Rosetta Mission was launched on 2nd March 2004 on its 10 years journey to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Rosetta will reach the comet in 2014, orbit it for about 1.5 years down to distances of a few kilometres and deliver the Lander Philae onto its surface. Following the fly-by of Asteroid (21-)Lutetia in 2010, Rosetta continued its travel towards the planned comet encounter in 2014. In this phase Rosetta became the solar-powered spacecraft that reached the largest Sun distances in history of spaceflight, up to an aphelion at 5.3AU in October 2012. At distances above 4.5AU the spacecraft's solar generator power is not sufficient to keep all spacecraft systems active. Therefore in June 2011 the spacecraft was spun up to provide gyroscopic stabilisation, and most of its o...

Finding an energy efficient replacement of incandescent candle lamp has been a technical challenge. Compact fluorescent lamps, for example, can be miniaturized to fit the form factor of a candle lamp but they fail to reproduce its "sparkle" effect. Empowered by solid state lighting technology along with original optical design, Philips has successfully developed LED-powered candle lamps "Novallure" with great energy savings (2W power consumption with lumen output of 55 lumen) and the "butterfly" radiation pattern that mimics the sparkle effect from an incandescent candle lamp. With new high performance LED packages, novel under-cut prismatic optics and state-of-the-art electronic driver solution and thermal solution, we have developed a 2nd generation Novallure with breakthrough performance: a dimmable 2700K 136 lumen LED candle lamp with CRI 90.

The publication presents the results of assessment of impact of genetically modified (GM) maize Liberty Link on prenatal and postnatal development of progeny of 3 generations of Wistar rats. A total of 630 adult animals and 2837 pups were used in the experiment. The animals were divided into 5 groups which got the diets with inclusion of maize: the animals of the experimental group got the diet with the GM-maize, animals of the control group - with near isogenic conventional analogue of the GM-maize, animals of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd reference groups - conventional varieties of maize ROSS 144 MV, ROSS 197 MVW, Dokuchayevskaya 250 MV respectively. The maize was included in the diet at maximum possible level not violating the balance of basic nutrients. Analysis of the data obtained during the study did not reveal any impact of GM-maize on rat progeny development. PMID:21574464

A DIII-S series digital protection relay has been put to practical use and delivered to clients such as electric power companies, developed with the mottoes of 'Slim and Simple (size and power consumption 50% less than the conventional model), Smart (performance and functions in compliance with Denkyo Research 2nd generation digital relay specifications), and Standard (orientation toward standardization)'. A DIII-S series digital protection relay is compatible with various human interfaces (HI) and communication interfaces, and is equipped with functions optimum for the protection of lower-order system transmission lines (distance relays, PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) current differential relays, etc.), general industries, electric railways, etc. The DIII-S relay was given a Good Design Award for fiscal 1999 by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization. (translated by NEDO)

The first firing cycle is very important during cold-start for all types of spark ignition engines. In addition, the combustion characteristics of the first firing cycle affect combustion and emissions in the following cycles. However, the first-cycle fuel-air mixing, combustion and emissions generation within the cylinder of a two-stage direct-injection (TSDI) engine during cold start is not completely understood. Based on the total stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and local richer mixture startup strategy, the first-cycle firing and combustion characteristic at cold start were investigated in a two-stage direct injection (TSDI) gasoline engine. In addition, the effects of the first injection timing, second injection timing, 1st and 2nd fuel injection proportion and total excess air ratio on...

In this paper, we study the feasibility of obtaining near-infrared spectra of bright extrasolar planets with the 2nd generation VLTI Spectro-Imager instrument (VSI), which has the required angular resolution to resolve nearby hot Extrasolar Giant Planets (EGPs) from their host stars. Taking into account fundamental noises, we simulate closure phase measurements of several extrasolar systems using four 8-m telescopes at the VLT and a low spectral resolution (R = 100). Synthetic planetary spectra from T. Barman are used as an input. Standard chi2-fitting methods are then used to reconstruct planetary spectra from the simulated data. These simulations show that low-resolution spectra in the H and K bands can be retrieved with a good fidelity for half a dozen targets in a reasonable observing time (about 10 hours, spread over a few nights). Such observations would strongly constrain the planetary temperature and albedo, the energy redistribution mechanisms, as well as the chemical composition of their atmospheres...

We analyze theoretically limitations on brightness enhancement of a multimode pump beam into a diffraction-limited Stokes beam in efficient cladding-pumped fiber Raman amplifiers. Firstly, the power-scaling of the 1st Stokes (hence the brightness enhancement) is limited by the generation of the 2nd order Stokes. Thus using a spectral waveguide filter such as a W-type fiber core, it is possible to improve this limit to nearly five times that of a normal fiber without spectral filter. Secondly, we analyze limits set by glass damage, propagation loss, and pump-signal pulse walk-off in the multimode fiber. We show that a well-designed fiber with a propagation loss of 3.5 dB/km allows for a pump-to-signal brightness improvement of over 1000 times for pulses longer than 40 ns and up to 3500 times in the cw regime.

New end-on measurements have taken of the areal electron density distribution of wire array z-pinches during the ablation phase. These measurements have been used to investigate the differences in dynamics between aluminium and tungsten arrays. The experiments were carried out on the 1.4 MA peak current, 240ns rise-time MAGPIE generator at Imperial College, London. The measurements were taken using a two colour Mach-Zender style imaging interferometer. Probing is provided by the 2nd and 3rd harmonics (532nm and 355nm) of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a pulse duration of 500ps. Analysis of the results is presented and comparisons made to both the rocket model and simulations produced using the GORGON MHD code.

Purpose: Recent innovations in CT enable the evolution from mere morphologic imaging to dynamic and functional testing. We describe our initial experience performing myocardial stress perfusion CT in a clinical population with acute chest pain. Methods and materials: Myocardial stress perfusion CT was performed on twenty consecutive patients (15 men, 5 women; mean age 65+/-8 years) who presented with acute chest pain and were clinically referred for stress/rest SPECT and cardiac MRI. Prior to CT each patient was randomly assigned either to Group A or to Group B in a consecutive order (10 patients per group). Group A underwent adenosine-stress dynamic real-time myocardial perfusion CT using a novel ''shuttle'' mode on a 2nd generation dual-source CT. Group B underwent adenosine-stress first...

X-shooter is the first 2nd generation instrument of the ESO Very Large Telescope(VLT). It is a very efficient, single-target, intermediate-resolution spectrograph that was installed at the Cassegrain focus of UT2 in 2009. The instrument covers, in a single exposure, the spectral range from 300 to 2500 nm. It is designed to maximize the sensitivity in this spectral range through dichroic splitting in three arms with optimized optics, coatings, dispersive elements and detectors. It operates at intermediate spectral resolution (R~4,000 - 17,000, depending on wavelength and slit width) with fixed echelle spectral format (prism cross-dispersers) in the three arms. It includes a 1.8"x4" Integral Field Unit as an alternative to the 11" long slits. A dedicated data reduction package delivers fully calibrated two-dimensional and extracted spectra over the full wavelength range. We describe the main characteristics of the instrument and present its performance as measured during commissioning, science verification and ...

A fully integrated Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) based transmitter and I/Q Local Oscillating (LO) signal generator used for half-duplex Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) transceivers is proposed. Instead of one 430?435?MHz PLL for frequency synthesizing, a 1.72?1.74?GHz PLL is designed together with a 1/4 frequency divider. Then the chip area of the inductors in the Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) is decreased to about 1/16, and I/Q dual-path LO signals can be obtained without additional power consumption. A Gray-code controlled prescaler is proposed to avoid the glitches and uncertain states, and then the frequency dividing accuracy is improved by 17%. A Gauss Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) transmitter with a pipeline modulator is proposed, the 1st and 2nd Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR) ar...

Around-the-clock exposure of rabbits for 2 months to a 1 kv/m industrial frequency electromagnetic field produced an activation of blood serum lysozyme, and a significant decline in ..beta..-lysine titer and general bactericidal potency of blood serum. The changes were short-lived and labile. Daily 2-hr exposures of rats to 7 or 15 kv/m caused an increased complement activity of blood serum in the 2nd and 3rd months of exposure. However, the general bactericidal potency was not affected. Volunteers who spent 2 hr/day for 1 month in a 5 kv/m electric field, generated by a 330 kv superhigh-voltage line under natural conditions, showed no significant changes of indicators of natural immunity. Similar observations were made with volunteers exposed for 10 days three times daily for 30 min to 12 kv/m and 15 kv/m electric fields.

Background: Standardization of quantitative HIV-1 tests to a global primary standard is required by regulatory authorities to ensure comparability of test results across different assays and platforms of different manufacturers. Objectives and study design: Three generations of quantitative HIV-1 tests, the COBAS AMPLICOR HIV-1 Monitor Test, v1.5 (HIV-1 Monitor test v1.5); the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 Test (HIV-1 TaqMan test v1.0); and the dual-target-based COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 Test, v2.0 (HIV-1 TaqMan test v2.0), were assessed for accuracy to World Health Organization (WHO) 2nd International Standard for human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) RNA (NIBSC code 97/650) at concentration levels below 1667IU/mL including relevant medical decision points. Results: With th...

The Emerging Communication Technology (ECT) project investigated three First Mile communication technologies in support of NASA s Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle (2nd Gen RLV), Orbital Space Plane, Advanced Range Technology Working Group (ARTWG) and the Advanced Spaceport Technology Working Group (ASTWG). These First Mile technologies have the purpose of interconnecting mobile users with existing Range Communication infrastructures. ECT was a continuation of the Range Information System Management (RISM) task started in 2002. RISM identified the three advance communication technologies investigated under ECT. These were Wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi), Free Space Optics (FSO), and Ultra Wideband (UWB). Due to the report s size, it has been broken into three volumes: 1) Main Report 2) Appendices 3) UWB.

Abstract The mathematical modeling of migration of additives from plastics to food simulants was studied using experimental data published in the literature, following two routes: the conventional approach using the solution of Fick's 2nd law, and a kinetic model based on the Weibull distribution function. The objective of this comparison was to permit using a mathematically simpler model equally able to describe migration data, and that could have a generally wider applicability by describing situations more complex than those that simple diffusional phenomena can describe. The relationship between the parameters of the two models was analyzed by regression of data generated by Fick's law using the Weibull model. The results show that the time constant parameter is related to the diffusio...

Abstract Following the 53(rd) annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Diego in December 2011, a group of clinical and laboratory investigators convened for the 6(th) post-ASH International Workshop on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). The workshop took place on the 13(th)-14(th) December at the Estancia, La Jolla, California, USA. This report summarizes the most recent advances in the biology and therapy of CML that were presented at ASH and discussed at the Workshop. Preclinical studies focused on the CML stem cell and its niche, and on early results of deep sequencing of CML genomes. Clinical advances include updates on 2(nd) and 3(rd) generation TKIs, molecular monitoring, TKI discontinuation studies, and new therapeutic agents. A report summarizing the pertinent advances in MPN has been published separately. PMID:23121619

BACKGROUND: Testosterone concentrations in normally cycling women are assumed to be elevated around the time of ovulation. The clinical relevance of changing testosterone concentrations during the menstrual cycle, however, is unclear. Poor performance of current direct immunoassays for testosterone at low concentrations confounds this issue. Therefore, our objective was to assess daily testosterone fluctuation during the menstrual cycle by a thoroughly validated isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS) method and to evaluate whether an ARCHITECT® 2nd Generation Testosterone fully automated immunoassay is equally suited for this purpose. METHODS: Testosterone was measured in serum obtained daily during the menstrual cycle of 25 healthy women, characterized by biochemical and physical examination. RESULTS: Performance of the ID-LC-MS/MS method was concordant with a published reference method (y=1.007x-0.056nmol/L; r=0.9998). Comparison of the immunoassay to ID-LC-MS/MS yielded y=1.095x+0.104nmol/L (r=0.9031). Overall, testosterone concentrations were higher mid-cycle, but a peak was not discernible in each individual. Apart from a persistent positive bias, the immunoassay measured the same testosterone profiles as the ID-LC-MS/MS method. The reference interval in women was 0.30-1.69nmol/L (8.7-48.7ng/dL) for ID-LC-MS/MS and 0.50-2.00nmol/L (14.4-57.7ng/dL) for the immunoassay. CONCLUSION: The elevation of mid-cycle testosterone concentrations is statistically significant, although not clinically relevant since day-to-day variation is higher and independent of the menstrual cycle. In this light, a single testosterone measurement might not be reflective of the overall testosterone status in an individual. Measurements obtained using the 2nd generation immunoassay gave comparable results across the menstrual cycle. PMID:23127814

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) received funding from DOE EM-21, Office of Cleanup Technologies, to develop the rotary microfilter for high level radioactive service. One aspect of this project evaluated alternative filter media to select one for the 2nd generation rotary microfilter being procured as a prefilter to a small column ion exchange process. The authors conducted screening tests on a variety of filter media and pore sizes using a stirred cell followed by pilot-scale testing on a more limited number of filter media and pore sizes with a three disk rotary microfilter. These tests used 5.6 molar sodium supernate, and sludge plus monosodium titanate (MST) solids. The conclusions from this work are: (1) The 0.1 {micro} nominal TruMem{reg_sign} ceramic and the Pall PMM M050 (0.5 {micro} nominal) stainless steel filter media produced the highest flux in rotary filter testing. (2) The Pall PMM M050 media produced the highest flux of the stainless steel media tested in rotary filter testing. (3) The Pall PMM M050 media met filtrate quality requirements for the rotary filter. (4) The 0.1 {micro} TruMem{reg_sign} and 0.1 {micro} Pall PMM media met filtrate quality requirements as well. (5) The Pall PMM M050 media produced comparable flux to the 0.1 {micro} TruMem{reg_sign} media, and proved more durable and easier to weld. Based on these test results, the authors recommend Pall PMM M050 filter media for the 2nd generation rotary microfilter.

Organized structure in a periodically diverging-converging turbulent channel gas flow was investigated using conditional sampling. The organized structure of shear turbulent flow in the vicinity of wall surface is called 'burst phenomenon' and plays a predominant role in the generation of turbulence and Reynolds shear stress. The lower side of the experimental channel is flat and the upper side wall is corrugate. In the quadrant analysis technique, the 2nd quadrant is the eJection process where low-speed fluid is jetted outside; the 4th quadrant is the sweep process where high-speed fluid marches toward the wall surface; and both processes make positive contributions to Reynolds shear stress generation. The 1st and 3rd quadrants are outward and wall-directed interactions respectively, making negative contributions to Reynolds shear stress generation. Deceleration increases the frequency of burst generation and increases their amplitude. Contribution from ejection to Reynolds shear stress is large in the deceleration region. Contribution from sweep is not large. Lasting time is more important than the generation period of each quadrant for Reynolds shear stress generation. 11 refs., 12 figs.

With the increasing role that software systems play in our daily lives, software quality has become extremely important. Software quality is impacted by the efficiency of the software testing process. There are a growing number of software testing methodologies, models, and initiatives to satisfy the need to improve software quality. The main assumption in these methodologies has been that software testing is principally a technology phenomenon and inadequate attention has been given to understanding of information in relation to the people who are using them in this field. The purpose of this research is to investigate use of information by people in software testing. This research was done using grounded theory as it provided the best tools for theory generation from the collected field data. Data was gathered by interviewing thirty-four software testers. This study investigates how software testers conceptualize, seek, and use information. In addition, this study explores the effect of organizational, behavioral, and ethical factors influencing software testing. The main finding of the research is a framework of the use of information in software testing. The framework of information use has eight main categories: information seeking elements, domain knowledge, individual role context, organizational environment, meta-information, testing strategy, information use behaviors, and decision making process information use behaviors being the core category. The study also shows that project size and duration play a key role in information seeking, information use behaviors, and testing methodology used. Whereas small projects tend to be more context driven and ad hoc, the more complex and lengthier the software project gets the more it tends to follow some sort of best practices and a more standard model driven approach. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.

Functions of the Institute for New Generation Technology (ICOT) are to design hardware and software for fifth-generation subsystems and to build the knowledge-processing software. One of ICOT's software projects for the fifth-generation computer is an enhanced version of PROLOG. PROLOG is easily the best-known manifestigation of logic programming. Prolog's power and high-level nature let it manipulate symbolic data bases in a simple way that is ideal for artificial intelligence applications as expert systems. The Japanese chose logic programming because it works in parallel rather than serially, and parallel processing is the key to their fifth-generation effort. The real attraction of logic programming is that it shields the user from the technology, because there is nothing in the language that suggests the machine is sequential. This paper centres around PROLOG picked as the base language for ICOT's fifth-generation computer. 11 references.

This study examined the impact of road networks on the distribution of dengue fever cases in Trinidad, West Indies. All confirmed cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) observed during 1998 were georeferenced and spatially located on a road map of Trinidad using Geographic Information Systems software. A new digital geographic layer representing these cases was created and the distances from these cases to the nearest classified road category (5 classifications based on a functional utility system) were examined. The distance from each spatially located DHF case to the nearest road in each of the 5 road subsets was determined and then subjected to an ANOVA and t-test to determine levels of association between minor road networks (especially 3rd and 4th class roads) and DHF cases and found DHF cases were located away from forests, especially 5th class roads). The frequency of DHF cases to different road classes was: 0% (1st class roads), 7% (2nd class roads), 32% (3rd class roads), 57% (4th class roads) and 4% (5th class road). The data clearly demonstrated that both class 3 and class 4 roads account for 89% of nearby dengue cases. These results represent the first evidence of dengue cases being found restricted between forested areas and major highways and would be useful when planning and implementing control strategies for dengue and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. PMID:22609547

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of computer assisted grammar teaching on the academic success of classroom teacher candidates. The study group consists of 2nd grade students from Karadeniz Technical University Fatih, Faculty of Education, Department of Classroom Teaching in the educational year of 2010 to 2011. Experimental pattern with pretest-posttest groups was applied in the study. The experimental and control groups were selected randomly. "Grammar Achievement Test" developed by the researcher was used as data collection tool in the study. The achievement test had 33 items. Data obtained were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 16.0 software package. T-test method was used for independent groups and dependent groups in data analysis. At the end of the study, it was determined that there was an increase in the academic success of students both from the experimental and control groups in their grammar courses. However, it was ascertained that the increase in the academic success of students in the experimental group where the courses were given by the computer assisted teaching method was higher in comparison to students from the control group where courses were given by conventional teaching methods. (Contains 2 figures and 4 tables.)

Batzer, Darold, P., Susan E. Dietz-Brantley, Barbera E. Taylor, and Adrienne E. DeBiase. 2005. Evaluating regional differences in macroinvertebrate communities from forested depressional wetlands across eastern and central North America. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 24(2):403-414. Abstract. Forested depressional wetlands are an important seasonal wetland type across eastern and central North America. Macroinvertebrates are crucial ecosystem components of most forested depressional wetlands, but community compositions can vary widely across the region. We evaluated variation in macroinvertebrate faunas across eastern and central North America using 5 published taxa lists from forested depressional wetlands in Michigan, Ontario, Wisconsin, Florida, and Georgia. We supplemented those data with quantitative community descriptions generated from 17 forested depressional wetlands in South Carolina and 74 of these wetlands in Minnesota. Cluster analysis of presence/absence data from these 7 locations indicated that distinct macroinvertebrate communities existed in northern and southern areas. Taxa characteristic of northern forested depressionalwetlands included Sphaeriidae, Lumbriculidae, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Limnephilidae, Chirocephalidae, and Hirudinea (Glossophoniidae and/or Erpodbellidae) and taxa characteristic of southern sites included Asellidae, Crangonyctidae, Noteridae, and Cambaridae. Quantitative sampling in South Carolina and Minnesota indicated that regionally characteristic taxa included some of the most abundant organisms, with Sphaeriidae being the 2nd most abundant macroinvertebrate in Minnesota wetlands and Asellidae being the 2nd most abundant macroinvertebrate in South Carolina wetlands. Mollusks, in general, were restricted to forested depressional wetlands of northern latitudes, a pattern that may reflect a lack of Ca needed for shell formation in acidic southern sites. Differences in community composition probably translate into region-specific differences in the ecological functions performed by macroinvertebrates in forested depressional wetlands.

The CEASIOM software developed in the EU-funded collaborative research project SimSAC generates stability and control data for preliminary aircraft design using different methods of varying fidelity. In order to obtain the aerodynamic derivatives by CFD, the aircraft geometry must be defined, computational meshes generated, and numerical parameters set for the flow solvers. An approach to automation of the process is discussed, involving geometry generation and mesh generation for inviscid as well as RANS flow models.

Background In advanced gastric cancer (AGC), several prognostic factors for survival time in first-line chemotherapy (1st-CTX) have been reported. However, there are few reports about the relationship between the effects of 1st-CTX and survival time from the start of 2nd-CTX (2nd-MST). Objectives To evaluate between the effects of S-1 + CDDP (SP) therapy as 1st-CTX and 2nd-MST in patients with AGC. Patients and methods The subjects were 32 patients who were treated with SP therapy as 1st-CTX between October 2002 and December 2010 at our institute. The main selection criteria were as follows: with measurable lesions, treated with Irinotecan (CPT-11) or weekly Paclitaxel (wTXL) as 2nd-CTX. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to examine the correlation between 2nd-MST and th...

The objective of the project has been to develop a compact fuel cell generator using methanol as fuel. The DMFC module will be tested as power generator for internal transport using a Mini Crosser electric wheelchair for elderly and disabled people. The main advantage is the potential enhanced operation time (enhanced range) and the abbreviated recharge time compared with rechargeable batteries. The project approach was to use a hybrid system comprising a DMFC and a battery. The Hybrid system enables the usage of the battery to cover the dynamic power requirements while operating the DMFC generator at a constant load charging the battery. The project result is a functioning vehicle with a 600W DMFC system installed. The DMFC system has been tested independently and together with the vehicle where test results have been gathered. It was not possible within the project to make a compact installation in the existing battery box of the vehicle, but it is illustrated that it will be possible to make the full installation of a 2nd generation system in the vehicle. On the commercial side it is concluded that there can be a potential market entry opportunity if the DMFC system can meet commercialisation targets. It is also concluded that usage of a DMFC system in a closed wheel chair would give the possibility to use the produced heat from the fuel cell and thereby eliminate the requirement for an additional heater on the vehicle. (au)

Defect estimation and prediction are some of the main modulating factors for the success of software projects in any software industry. Maturity and competency of a project manager in efficient prediction and estimation of resource capabilities are one of the strategic driving forces towards the generation of high quality software. Currently, there are no estimation techniques developed through empirical analysis to evaluate the decision capability of a project manager towards resource allocation for effective defect management. This paper brings out an empirical study carried out in a product based software organization. Our deep investigation on several projects throws light on the impact of decision capability of project manager towards accomplishment of an aforementioned objective. The paper enables project managers to gain further awareness towards the significance of predictive positioning in resource allocation in order to develop high quality defect-free software products. It also enhances the maturit...

Context Emerging multicores and clusters of multicores that may operate in parallel have set a new challenge - development of massively parallel software composed of thousands of loosely coupled or even completely independent threads/processes, such as MapReduce and Java 3.0 workers, or Erlang processes, respectively. Testing and verification is a critical phase in the development of such software products. Objective Generating test cases based on operational profiles and certifying declared operational reliability figure of the given software product is a well-established process for the sequential type of software. This paper proposes an adaptation of that process for a class of massively parallel software - large-scale task trees. Method The proposed method uses statistical usage testin...

Databases and software tools for electric power distribution systems have not been integrated, and this leads to extra costs and restrictions imposed on utilities and other stakeholders. For example, distributed resource integration studies and modern grid technology assessments are more difficult and costly. New vendors face high market entry barriers, because it’s necessary to interface with large and customized data systems at each potential utility customer. This project promotes data and software tool integration, through a set of data translators based on a common object model. The data translators are delivered as open-source software, using appropriate Web software technologies. The parties who benefit include electric utilities (and their ratepayers), researchers at government laboratories and universities, small software companies wishing to enter the electric utility market, and parties wishing to interconnect distributed generation to a utility system.

Generative Programming (GP) is a computing paradigm allowing automatic creation of entire software families utilizing the configuration of elementary and reusable components. GP can be projected on different technologies, e.g. C++-templates, Java-Beans, Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP), or Frame technology. This paper focuses on Frame Technology, which aids the possible implementation and completion of software components. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the GP paradigm in the area of GUI application generation. It demonstrates how automatically customized executable applications with GUI parts can be generated from an abstract specification.

Abstract in spanish Los conceptos ontológicos se suelen acercar más a la ingeniería del conocimiento, por lo que los ingenieros del software no los suelen aplicar para resolver problemas de su área. Es necesario que los ingenieros de software se apropien de las ontologías, pues éstas proporcionan un vocabulario común, que podría contribuir en la solución de problemas recurrentes en ingeniería del software, tales como la dificultad de la comunicación entre analista e interesado par (more) a definir los requisitos de un sistema, la baja reutilización de componentes y la escasa generación automática de código, entre otros. En este artículo se presenta un primer enlace entre las ontologías y la ingeniería de software mediante la recopilación y análisis de la literatura relativa a la utilización de las ontologías en las diferentes fases del ciclo de vida de un producto de software. Abstract in english Ontology concepts have been traditionally linked to knowledge engineering and software engineers have not applied them to solve problems of this area. It is necessary that software engineers use these ontologies, since they provide a common language, which can contribute to the solution of some common software engineering problems like difficulties in communication between the analyst and the interested person in order to define a system requirements, the low components r (more) e-use, and scarce automatic generation in code generation, among others. In this paper, a first encounter between ontologies and software engineering by means of a state-of-the-art analysis related to the use of ontologies in several phases of software development life cycle is presented.

The authors have noticed in the recent grid generation literature an emphasis on the automation of structured grid generation. The motivation behind such work is clear; grid generation is easily the most despised task in the grid-analyze-visualize triad of computational analysis (CA). However, because grid generation is closely coupled to both the design and analysis software and because quantitative measures of grid quality are lacking, 'push button' grid generation usually results in a compromise between speed, control, and quality. Overt emphasis on automation obscures the substantive issues of providing users with flexible tools for generating and modifying high quality grids in a design environment. In support of this paper's tongue-in-cheek title, many features of the Gridgen software are described. Gridgen is by no stretch of the imagination an automatic grid generator. Despite this fact, the code does utilize many automation techniques that permit interesting regenerative features.

This viewgraph presentation provides information on research undertaken by NASA to facilitate the development of information technologies. Specific ideas covered here include: 1) Bio/nano technologies: biomolecular and nanoscale systems and tools for assembly and computing; 2) Evolvable hardware: autonomous self-improving, self-repairing hardware and software for survivable space systems in extreme environments; 3) High Confidence Software Technologies: formal methods, high-assurance software design, and program synthesis; 4) Intelligent Controls and Diagnostics: Next generation machine learning, adaptive control, and health management technologies; 5) Revolutionary computing: New computational models to increase capability and robustness to enable future NASA space missions.

The vision of model-based software engineering is to make models the main focus of software development and to automatically generate software from these models. Part of that idea works already today. But, there are still difficulties when it comes to behaviour. Actually, there is no lack in models for behaviour, but a lack of concepts for integrating them with the other models and with existing code. In this paper, we discuss some of the main challenges in behaviour modelling and integration and present some ideas on how to overcome them -- and, still, many open issues.

This chapter deals with expert systems (ES) development as the final product of a software product line (SPL). We take into account software variability management in the ES domain. Two kinds of variability emerge: variability in the behavior as well as in the structure of such systems. Experts' knowledge is captured using domain conceptual models in order to manage the variability and functionality of the ES. The ES are constructed using our baseline-oriented modeling (BOM) approach. BOM is a framework that automatically generates software applications as PRISMA architectural models by using SPL techniques. We follow the model-driven architecture (MDA) initiative for building domain models, which are automatically transformed into executable applications.

A technique for dynamically testing digital flight-control system software on a module-by-module basis is described. Each test module is repetitively executed faster than real-time with an exhaustive input sequence. Outputs of the test module are compared with outputs generated by an alternate, simpler implementation for the same input data. Discrepancies between the two sets of output indicate the possible presence of a software error. The results of an implementation of this technique in the Digital Flight-Control System Software Verification Laboratory are discussed.

This plan describes the activities to be performed and the controls to be applied to the process of specifying, developing, and qualifying the data acquisition software for the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Transportation System Subsystem 143 Instrumentation and Data Acquisition System (IDAS). This plan will serve as a software quality assurance plan, a verification and validation (V and V) plan, and a configuration management plan.

The overall objective of this thesis research is to design and develop new polymer membranes that overcome several limitations that exist in conventional water filtration membranes. Two separate research thrusts were explored. In the first study, new polymer coatings for water ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were developed to reduce protein adsorption and fouling. Fifteen different functional monomers were synthesized, coated, and polymerized onto UF supports. Their resistance to protein adsorption and membrane protein fouling were then examined. For the first time, certain simple quaternary phosphonium- and ammonium-based polymer coatings were shown to be effective at resisting protein adsorption and membrane fouling. The second research objective is to design and develop new nanoporous polymer membranes with uniform, sub-1-nanometer pores for water purification via a size-exclusion mechanism. Cross-linkable lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) were examined due to their ability to self-organize into regular, porous nanostructures when mixed with water. Photo-radical cross-linking of these LLC assemblies resulted in robust polymer membranes with uniform nanopores. A 1st-generation LLC membrane containing a type I bicontinuous cubic (QI) phase structure and 3D-interconnected nanopores was made using a gemini phosphonium monomer. Comprehensive water filtration experiments and the use of a modified Donnan-steric pore model (DSPM) showed that this membrane has an effective pore diameter of 0.90 nm with a monodisperse pore size. It can remove small organic and inorganic solutes better than a nanofiltration (NF) membrane and almost as well as a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. It also resisted chlorine degradation and protein adsorption. However, this monomer is difficult and expensive to synthesis and process. A 2 nd-generation QI-phase gemini ammonium-based monomer was developed to overcome these issues. Two homologues were found to form Q I-phase. Water transport studies using supported QI-phase membranes of the 2nd-generation monomer demonstrated their ability to rejected solutes at a similar level to the 1st-generation system. Additionally, they are significantly easier and less expensive to process and synthesize. Potentially, these nanoporous polymer membranes have applications in water desalination and NF. Future work will examine thin-film processing and controlling the pore diameter of these LLC membranes in the 0.5--5 nm range.

The CISN Testing Center (CTC) is designed to provide automated and interactive performance evaluations of ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system performance. The CTC software consists of two main parts: (1) software programs that input ShakeAlert EEW performance reports, match ShakeAlert forecasts to observational data, and generate a variety of EEW system performance summaries, and (2) an automated testing framework that can input ShakeAlert EEW performance reports, retrieve ANSS observational data, and produce performance summaries on a daily, or event, basis. The interactive capabilities of the CTC software may be useful for offline testing of ShakeAlert system. The automated capabilities of the CTC software are designed to support ongoing ShakeAlert performance evaluations. The CTC software implements a number of standard EEW performance summaries including magnitude forecast error and location forecast error with evaluation of ShakeAlert ground motion forecasts such as peak velocity under development. The CTC software is distributed as open-source scientific software to support transparency in evaluation processing and to support testing software re-use within ShakeAlert development groups.

The first generation of high performance thermal imaging sensors in the UK was based on two axis opto-mechanical scanning systems and small (4-16 element) arrays of the SPRITE detector, developed during the 1970s. Almost two decades later, a 2nd Generation system, STAIRS C was introduced, based on single axis scanning and a long linear array of approximately 3000 elements. The UK has now begun the industrialisation of 3rd Generation High Performance Thermal Imaging under a programme known as "Albion". Three new high performance cadmium mercury telluride arrays are being manufactured. The CMT material is grown by MOVPE on low cost substrates and bump bonded to the silicon read out circuit (ROIC). To maintain low production costs, all three detectors are designed to fit with existing standard Integrated Detector Cooling Assemblies (IDCAs). The two largest focal planes are conventional devices operating in the MWIR and LWIR spectral bands. A smaller format LWIR device is also described which has a smart ROIC, enabling much longer stare times than are feasible with conventional pixel circuits, thus achieving very high sensitivity. A new reference surface technology for thermal imaging sensors is described, based on Negative Luminescence (NL), which offers several advantages over conventional peltier references, improving the quality of the Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) algorithms.

The characteristic properties, principles, structure and functions of the spent resin volume reduction system using Inductively Coupled Plasma (IC Plasma) are explained. The object of this system is to reduce radioactive spent ion exchange resin generated by the nuclear installations. We developed a system with 20m{sup 3} throughout of spent resin and confirmed the followings; (1) the large volume reduction (95% reduction volume rate) was performed without generating soot and tar, (2) it indicated an increase of processing rate by about 8 times and (3) the residue was sand and has good wetting to produce cement with homogeneity and strength. In plasma, very active atomic oxygen and ion are generated. Spent resins are heated at about 400degC and thermal cracking of resin was proceeded by plasma (1st process). Then, it was heated at 700degC and cracked with oxygen (2nd process) and produced CO{sub 2}, CO, H{sub 2}O, SOx and NOx. These gases are evacuated. The metal ions adsorbed are changed to metal oxides in residue. (S.Y.)

We propose an FPGA-based high-speed search system for cryptosystems that employ a passphrase-based security scheme. We first choose PGP as an example of such cryptosystems, clear several hurdles for high throughputs and manage to develop a high-speed search system for it. As a result we achieve a throughput of 1.1 × 105 passphrases per second, which is 38 times the speed of the fastest software. Furthermore we can do many flexible passphrase generations in addition to a simple brute force one because we assign the passphrase generation operation to software. In fact we implement a brute force and a dictionary-based ones, and get the same maximum throughput as above in both cases. We next consider the speed of passphrase generation in order to apply our system to other cryptosystems than PGP, and implement a hardware passphrase generator to achieve higher throughputs. In the PGP case, the very heavy iteration of hashing, 1025 times in our case, lowers the total throughput linearly, and makes the figure 1.1 × 105 suffice. In other cases without any such iteration structure, we have to generate even more passphrases, for example 108 per second. That can easily exceed the generation speed that software can offer and thus we conclude that it is now necessary to place the passphrase generation in hardware instead of in software.   

Two populations (Replications 1 and 2) were selected for 8 generations with fenvalerate at a LD50 dose to compare the biotic performances and fitness of resistant and susceptible strains of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella. The LD50 value rose gradually from 1.4×10?3 ?g/larva to 6.7×10?2 ?g/larva in Replication 1 and to 4.9×10?2 ?g/larva in Replication 2. The resistance ratio was thus 67-fold and 49-fold respectively. The eggs of the selected strain were significantly smaller than those of the non-selected strain within 2 or 3 generations, then became stabilized in Replication 1 and fluctuated in Replication 2 at 1.20×10?2 mm3. The size of the non-selected strain fluctuated around 1.35×10?2 mm3 in both replications. To investigate the genetic changes in biotic performances of DBM in the selected strain, offspring of the selected and non-selected strains were individually reared at every other generation. The survival rate of immature stages, developmental period, pupal weight, adult longevity, fecundity of females and size of eggs laid by females were compared between the two strains. The survival rate of the selected strain was significantly lower than that of the non-selected strain in the 2nd generation. The survival rate of the selected strain also tended to be lower in the other generation. The fecundity of females of the selected strain tended to be higher than in the non-selected strain. The eggs of the selected strain were significantly smaller than those of the non-selected strain in all generations. The development period, pupal weight and longevity of adults did not significantly differ between the two strains in any generation. These results suggest that successive selection with fenvalerate at a sublethal LD50 dose yielded a fitness disadvantage in the DBM population.   

The egg parasitoid, Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is the most important and widely distributed species of Trichogramma in Iran. It attacks eggs of several lepidopterous pests, and is a major biological control agent. Rearing parasitoids is necessary for experimental work, and, potentially, for mass release in the field. Selecting a suitable host is critical for developing a successful rearing method. If other conditions are the same, the rate of population increase will be a suitable indicator of parasitoid performance on different hosts. However, conclusions based on a single generation can be misleading because of the learning ability of parasitoids. Life history parameters of T. brassicae were studied on two hosts easily reared in the laboratory, Anagasta kuehniella Zeller, and Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). All the experiments were carried out at 24 +/- 1 degrees C, 65+/-10% RH, and 16:8 L:D photoperiod. Eight parameters including gross and net reproductive rates (GRR and R(0) respectively), intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)), finite rate of population increase (lambda), intrinsic birth and death rates (b and d respectively), cohort generation time (T), and doubling time (DT) were compared between two hosts for two generations. All parameters showed a highly significant difference (alpha = 0.01) between hosts. GRR, R(0), r(m), lambda, and b were higher, while d, T, and DT were lower in Anagasta than Plodia. The intrinsic rate of natural increase was 0.2912 and 0.2145 female/female/day and net replacement rate was 45.51 and 19.26 female/female/generation in Anagasta and Plodia respectively. Differences between generations were significant except for r(m), lambda, and d. The net replacement rate was 28.56 and 39 in the 1(st) and 2(nd) generations respectively. These results showed that A. kuehniella was a better host than P. interpunctella. Higher reproduction occurred in the second generation that may be due to increased adaptation to experimental conditions. PMID:20050771

CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+, CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+·0.02B2O3 and CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+·0.02SiO2 with persistent luminescence were prepared by a high-temperature state reaction in a reductive atmosphere. The effects of B3+ and Si4+ on the luminescence of CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+ were studied. The emission spectra of these three kinds of phosphors are very similar. CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+·0.02SiO2 has the highest initial luminance, but it decays very quickly. CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+·0.02B2O3 has the higher initial luminance and decays more slowly compared to CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+, and exhibits a much better persistent luminescence property. Those different effects can be described to different structural trap levels induced by B3+ and Si4+ doping, which has been conformed by thermoluminescence (TL) methods.

This work involved the study of biodegradable and biocompatible materials that have the potential to modify tissue engineering scaffolds through self assembly, generating multiple layers that deliver bioactivity. Diblock biomaterials containing cholesteryl moieties and oligomers of lactic acid units were found to form single crystals when precipitated from hot ethanol and smectic liquid crystalline phases when cast as a film. Cell culture experiments on these films with 3T3 and 3T6 fibroblasts indicated that these ordered materials form surfaces with specific chemistries that favored cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation suggesting the potential of mediating human tissue repair. The author believes the cholesteryl moieties found on the surface play a key role in determining cell behavior. Cholesteryl-(L-lactic acid) diblock molecules were then functionalized with moieties including vitamin Bx, cholesterol, and the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. An unstable activated ester between indomethacin and the diblock molecule resulted in the release of indomethacin into the culture medium which inhibited the proliferation of 3T3 fibroblasts. Finally, a series of molecules were designed to incorporate dendrons based on amino acids at the termini of the diblock structures. It was determined that lysine, a basic amino acid, covalently coupled to cholesteryl-(L-lactic acid) can promote cell adhesion and spreading while negatively charged and zwitterionic 2nd generation dendrons based on aspartic acid do not. Incorporation of the well known arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence, which is found in many adhesive proteins, to the dendrons imparted integrin-mediated cell adhesion as evidenced by the formation of stress fibers. We also explored the capacity of integrin receptors to bind to ligands that are not the linear form of RGD, but have R, G, and D spatially positioned to mimic the linear RGD environments. For this purpose, the arms of the 2 nd generation lysine dendrons were functionalized with R, G, and D to yield an 'R,G,D library' of molecules. These materials were found to promote adhesion of 3T3 fibroblasts through integrin receptors. A dendron is multifunctional and allows a large degree of functionality in chemical design.

This software package processes Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) Level 2 swath standard product geophysical parameters, and generates global, colorized, annotated maps. It automatically generates daily and multi-day averaged colorized and annotated maps of various AIRS Level 2 swath geophysical parameters. It also generates AIRS input data sets for Eyes on Earth, Puffer-sphere, and Magic Planet. This program is tailored to AIRS Level 2 data products. It re-projects data into 1/4-degree grids that can be combined and averaged for any number of days. The software scales and colorizes global grids utilizing AIRS-specific color tables, and annotates images with title and color bar. This software can be tailored for use with other swath data products for the purposes of visualization.

A software package for generating and analyzing photoelastic images on infinite rectangular plates, subjected to in-plane loads, is being presented. It allows the user to generate photoelastic images as produced in a polariscope fed by monochromatic light. Both circular and plane polariscopes in conditions of dark or light field can be selected. Tools for obtaining light intensity distributions along horizontal and vertical lines and for extracting darkest regions of photoelastic fringes are also available. The extraction of such regions can be done by digital image processing (DIP). This process produces thin lines, from which main stresses and intensity factor used in the Fracture Mechanics can be obtained. The software was developed for running on DOS environment in Super VGA mode. The synthetic photoelastic images are generated in 64 gray levels. This software is a useful tool for teaching the fundamentals of photoelasticity and will help the researchers in the development of photoelastic experiments. (author). 6 fefs., 7 figs.

Sponsored by Department of Energy, Washington, DC.The advanced CFDRC software package was installed on a SUN-SPARC dual processor workstation (UTPA funded). The literature pertinent to the project was collected. The physical model was set and all parameters and variables were identified. Based on the physical model, the geometric modeling and grid generation processes were performed using the CFD-GEOM (Interactive Geometric Modeling and Grid Generation software). A total number of 11160 cells (24845) were generated. The venturis in the cascade were modeled as two-dimensional axisymmetric convergent nozzles around the jet. With the cascade being added to the jet, the geometric complexity of the problem increased; which required multi-domain structured grid systems to be connected and matched on the boundaries. The natural gas/propane jet diffusion flame is being numerically analyzed. The numerical computations are being conducted using the CFDRC-ACE+ (advanced computational environment) software package.

The car control adaptations are used in vehicles in order to facilitate the driving to persons with physical handicaps. This does not have to suppose a decrease of the passive safety that is required to the vehicles. In order to analyze this relation there will be characterized the different control adaptations that are in use together with the different devices of passive safety that can be mounted in the vehicles in diverse cases of impact in order to generate models of simulation. The methodology used to generate this simulation consists of the first phase in which there develops the three-dimensional model of the driving place. For it, there has been used a commercial software of three-dimensional design. Once realized this one divides, the model is imported to the finite elements software in which meshing is generated. Finally, dynamic simulation software is used to assign the most important characteristics like material properties, contact interfaces, gas expansion models, airbag fold types, etc.

Abstract in portuguese Este artigo teve por objetivo levantar as opiniões de alunos e professores sobre o software "Sinais Vitais". O trabalho foi desenvolvido no Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Ceará. Trabalhou-se com um total de seis alunos e três professores, os quais foram submetidos a uma entrevista após a utilização do software. As entrevistas geraram dez categorias, as quais foram separadas em dois temas: Características que estimularam a utilização do soft (more) ware "Sinais Vitais" e Software educacionalmente correto. Concluiu-se que os professores valorizaram a correção do conteúdo, enquanto os alunos enfocaram mais a dinâmica do programa. Abstract in spanish Este artículo tuvo por objetivo levantar las opiniones de alumnos y profesores sobre el software "Señales Vitales". El trabajo fue desarrollado en el Departamento de Enfermería de la Universidad Federal de Ceará. Se trabajó con un total de 6 alumnos y 3 profesores, los cuales fueron sometidos a una entrevista después de la utilización del software. Las entrevistas generaron 10 categorías, que fueron separadas en dos temas: Características que estimularon la utili (more) zación del software "Señales Vitales"; y software educativamente correcto. Se concluyó que los profesores valoraron la corrección del contenido, mientras que los alumnos enfocaron más la dinámica del programa. Abstract in english This article had for objective to get students' and teacher's opinions about "Vital Signals" software. The investigation was developed in the Nursing Department of the Federal University of Ceará. The sample population was a total of 6 students and 3 teachers, who were submitted to an interview after using the software. The interviews generated 10 categories, which were separated in two themes: Features which stimulated the use of the "Vital Signals" software; and softwa (more) re educationally correct. The results showed that the teachers valued the correction of the content, while the students focused more on the dynamics of the program.

An rf accelerator that adds significant gyration energy to a relativistic electron beam, and mechanisms for extracting coherent radiation from the beam, are described. The accelerator is a cyclotron autoresonance accelerator (CARA), underlying theory and experimental tests of which are reviewed. The measurements illustrate the utility of CARA in preparing beams for high harmonic gyro interactions. Examples of preparation of gyrating axis-encircling beams of {approximately}400kV, 25 A with 1{lt}a{lt}2 using a 2.856 GHz CARA are discussed. Generation of MW-level harmonic power emanating from a beam prepared in CARA into an output cavity structure is predicted by theory. First measurements of intense superradiant 2nd through 6th harmonic emission from a CARA beam are described. Gyroharmonic conversion (GHC) at MW power levels into an appropriate resonator can be anticipated, in view of the results described here. Another radiation mechanism, closely related to GHC, is also described. This mechanism, dubbed {open_quotes}co-generation,{close_quotes} is based on the fact that the lowest TE{sub sm} mode in a cylindrical waveguide at frequency sw with group velocity nearly identical to group velocity for the TE{sub 11} mode at frequency w is that with s=7, m=2. This allows coherent radiation to be generated at the 7th harmonic co-existent with CARA and in the self-same rf structure. Conditions are found where co-generation of 7th harmonic power at 20 GHz is possible with overall efficiency greater than 80{percent}. It is shown that operation of a cw co-generator can take place without need of a power supply for the gun. Efficiency for a multi-MW 20 GHz co-generator is predicted to be high enough to compete with other sources, even after taking into account the finite efficiency of the rf driver required for CARA. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

Japan's government-supported fifth-generation computer project has had a pronounced effect on the American computer and information systems industry. The US firms are intensifying their research on and production of intelligent supercomputers, a combination of computer architecture and artificial intelligence software programs. While the present generation of computers is built for the processing of numbers, the new supercomputers will be designed specifically for the solution of symbolic problems and the use of artificial intelligence software. This article discusses new and exciting developments that will increase computer capabilities in the 1990s. 4 references.

Methods for building Pro/ENGINEER models which allowed integration with structural and thermal mesh generation and analyses software without recreating geometry were evaluated. This study was not intended to be an in-depth study of the mechanics of Pro/ENGINEER or of mesh generation or analysis software, but instead was a first cut attempt to provide recommendations for Sandia personnel which would yield useful analytical models in less time than an analyst would require to create a separate model. The study evaluated a wide variety of geometries built in Pro/ENGINEER and provided general recommendations for designers, drafters, and analysts.

This brief paper: (1) Discusses strategies to generate random test cases that can be used to extensively test any Linear Distance Program (LDP) software. (2) Gives three numerical examples of input cases generated by this strategy that cause problems in the Lawson and Hanson LDP module. (3) Proposes, as a standard matter of acceptable implementation procedures, that (unless it is done internally in the software itself, but, in general, this seems to be much rarer than one would expect) all users should test the returned output from any LDP module for self-consistency since it incurs only a small amount of added computational overhead and it is not hard to do.

Summary: Next-generation sequencing can provide insight into protein–DNA association events on a genome-wide scale, and is being applied in an increasing number of applications in genomics and meta-genomics research. However, few software applications are available for interpreting these experiments. We present here an efficient application for use with chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP-Seq) experimental data that includes novel functionality for identifying areas of gene enrichment and transcription factor binding site locations, as well as for estimating DNA fragment size distributions in enriched areas. The FindPeaks application can generate UCSC compatible custom ‘WIG’ track files from aligned-read files for short-read sequencing technology. The software appli...

A computational phantom with moving arms and legs and an accompanying graphical user interface, PIMAL, was previously developed to enable radiation dose estimation for different postures in a user-friendly manner. This initial version of the software was useful in adjusting the posture, generating the corresponding MCNP input file, and performing the radiation transport simulations for dose calculations using MCNP5 or MCNPX. However, it only included one mathematical phantom model (hermaphrodite) and allowed only isotropic point sources. Recently, the software was enhanced by adding two more mathematical phantom models, a male and female, and the source features were enhanced significantly by adding internal and external source options in a pull-down menu. Although the initial version of the software included only a mathematical hermaphrodite phantom, the features and models in the software are constantly being enhanced by adding more phantoms as well as other options to enable dose assessment for different configurations/cases in a user-friendly manner. In this latest version of the software, ICRP's recently released reference male and female voxel phantoms are included in a pull-down menu. The male and female models are described using 7 and 14 million voxels, respectively. Currently, the software is being modified further to include the International Commission on Radiation Protection's (ICRP) reference male and female voxel phantoms. Additionally, some case studies are being implemented and included in a library of input files. This paper describes recent updates to the software.

This document is the Software Configuration Management Plan (SCMP) for the Federal Emergency Management Information System (FEMIS) project. FEMIS is an automated decision support system that integrates the planning and analysis, operations and response, and recovery phases of emergency management. It has broad application across the full range of emergency planning and operations. The SCMP will describe the configuration management system to be used for the control and maintenance of the software and associated documentation during development, test, and production of the FEMIS project. This plan provides information on the requirements and procedures necessary for the configuration management activities of FEMIS. It identifies the software configuration management requirements and establishes the methodology for generating configuration identifiers, controlling engineering changes, maintaining status accounting, and performing audits and reviews during the design and development of software configuration items. This plan defines the Software Configuration Management (SCM) activities necessary for maintaining all support software items and associated documentation being developed, procured, tested, sustained and kept in the production environment for FEMIS. It will apply to all phases of the software development life cycle, up to and including the time of delivery to the customer.

In June 1982, the Coal Gasification Committee was established to smoothly promote the coal technology development, and the activities were reported in September 1982. In the committee meeting of the Coal Gasification Committee, the following were approved: suspension of the R and D on 'pressurized fluidized hydrogasification' of which the development has been proceeded with under the Sunshine Project; start of 'development of multi-purpose high-temperature gasifier.' In the meeting of the high-calorie gasification section,' discussion was made about 'feasibility study of the process of pressurized fluidized hydrogasification.'The start of 'development of multi-purpose high-temperature gasifier' was also approved. Further, proposals were arranged for the operational study of a 7,000 Nm{sup 3}/d class plant. In the meeting of the gasification power generation section, report was made on the progress of development in the Yubari test field and R and D on fluidized bed system low-calorie coal gasification (basic design of 1,000t/d 100,000kW class combined cycle power generation). In the 2nd section meeting, discussion was made on a plant tour to the Yubari test field and the state of R and D. In the 3rd section meeting, report was made on the equipment for the basic experiment on entrained bed gasification. (NEDO)

Ground based near-infrared observations have long been plagued by poor sensitivity when compared to visible observations as a result of the bright narrow line emission from atmospheric OH molecules. The GNOSIS instrument recently commissioned at the Australian Astronomical Observatory uses Photonic Lanterns in combination with individually printed single mode fibre Bragg gratings to filter out the brightest OH-emission lines between 1.47 and 1.70?m. GNOSIS, reported in a separate paper in this conference, demonstrates excellent OH-suppression, providing very “clean” filtering of the lines. It represents a major step forward in the goal to improve the sensitivity of ground based near-infrared observation to that possible at visible wavelengths, however, the filter units are relatively bulky and costly to produce. The 2nd generation fibre OH-Suppression filters based on multicore fibres are currently under development. The development aims to produce high quality, cost effective, compact and robust OH-Suppression units in a single optical fibre with numerous isolated single mode cores that replicate the function and performance of the current generation of “conventional” photonic lantern based devices. In this paper we present the early results from the multicore fibre development and multicore fibre Bragg grating imprinting process.

Sexual maturity, ovulation mode, litter size, gestation period and longevity of captive Anderson's red-backed voles Eothenomys andersoni from the Kii Peninsula were investigated on 22 voles (9 males and 13 females) captured from December 1988 to March 1990, and 84 offspring of the 2nd and 3rd generations bred from the above wild-caught voles. As the result, the presence of spermatozoa in males began to be recognized on day 60, and all females had perforated vaginas by day 90, when they attained sexual maturity. The ovarian ova were found to be in prophase of the meiosis I in estrus but unmated females, and entered into metaphase of the meiosis I 5 hr after coitus. Ten hr after coitus, the ova advanced to metaphase of the meiosis II just before ovulation. Fifteen hr after coitus, the fertilized ova reached either pronucleus formation or metaphase of the 1st cleavage, and 20 hr after coitus the ova were at the two-celled stage. Accordingly, it was revealed that the time required for reflex ovulation after coitus was between 10 and 15 hr. The gestation period was 20 days, and the litter size of the wild-caught generation was 3.88 (n=25), which was considered incongruently small, given the presence of eight mammae. The maximum life-span recorded was 1,243 days for females and 1,098 days for males, and the physiological longevity was considered to be nearly 3 years.   

In this study, we present a 2nd generation genetic linkage map of a cross between the North American species Heterobasidion irregulare and H. occidentale, based on the alignment of the previously published 1st generation map to the parental genomes. We anchored 216 of the original 308 AFLP markers to their respective restriction sites using an in silico-approach. The map resolution was improved by adding 146 sequence-tagged microsatellite markers and 39 sequenced gene markers. The new markers confirmed the positions of the anchored AFLP markers, fused the original 39 linkage groups together into 17, and fully expanded 12 of these to single groups covering entire chromosomes. Map coverage of the genome increased from 55.3% to 92.8%, with 96.3% of 430 markers collinearly aligned with the genome sequence. The anchored map also improved the H. irregulare assembly considerably. It identified several errors in scaffold arrangements and assisted in reducing the total number of major scaffolds from 18 to 15. This denser, more comprehensive map allowed sequence-based mapping of three intersterility loci and one mating type locus. This demonstrates the possibility to utilize an in silico procedure to convert anonymous markers into sequence-tagged ones, as well as the power of a sequence-anchored linkage map and its usefulness in the assembly of a whole genome sequence. PMID:20627939

Sixteen 1st-generation Asian Indian mothers and fathers were interviewed about the influence of immigration on retention of their own ethnic identity and their ability to promote a sense of ethnic identity in their 2nd-generation children. Data were analyzed with the consensual qualitative research methodology (C. E. Hill et al., 2005) and revealed ethnic identity retention to be influenced by engagement in cultural celebrations and activities, a need to hold onto tradition and upbringing, family ties, social support, and a rejection of perceived Western values. Ethnic identity retention was challenged by environmental obstacles and barriers within American society, loss of familial support, lack of cultural continuity, and an inability to have the "best of both worlds." Furthermore, participants identified specific values and strategies relevant to transmitting an ethnic identity to their children as well as specific challenges to this process, including limited familial and communal guidance and modeling, obstacles from Western culture, an inability to apply their own experience or upbringing, a lack of cultural knowledge, and the potential for intermarriage. Implications of the findings are discussed.

A field test was performed in order to apply a photovoltaic power generation to a university. A long-term operation has been carried out under the actual load starting in fiscal 1995, using a model system for photovoltaic power generation installed in fiscal 1994 on the second floor roof in the center building of the Department of Technology, Shiga Prefectural University. The purpose was to use it as a power source for lighting and motive power in the Department building. The system is a 15kW (inverter rated capacity) low-tension interconnection system with reverse power flow. The solar cell is provided with the maximum output of 17.550Wp with an array structure of 10 serial by 27 parallel circuits (monocrystal module), facing due south with an angle of elevation at 35 degrees. The data for verifying reliability and safety had a number of missing areas due to service interruption accompanying the 2nd stage of the construction; therefore, the verification was insufficient. The installation site was near Lake Biwa and very suitable for the PR effect in the utilization of pollution-free solar energy. Attracting attention of various groups from all quarters, the system brought visitors in excess of 5,000 from high school students, PTA`s, administrations and other universities. Activities for the popularization and enlightenment were positively carried out on each visit.

Unstructured mesh generation has long been a labor-intensive and time-consuming aspect of hydrologic modeling. This is largely due to the iterative nature of the process and the limited integration between the specialized mesh generation software and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). To facilitate mesh generation for integrated hydrologic models, a triangular finite-element mesh generator was directly embedded into a GIS platform. Additionally, a set of tools were developed to efficiently address some of the common issues that arise in a linked GIS-mesh generator software. These issues are (i) alignment of common geographic features that appear in multiple GIS features, (ii) redefining vertices with uniform spacing along GIS features, (iii) refinement of the mesh around selected GIS fe...

A Downhole Steam Generation System brings oil up from deep reservoirs. The system, developed by Foster-Miller Associates consists of a steam generator, a "packer" that keeps the steam from leaking up the wellbore, and tube string that supplies air, fuel, water and hydraulics to the generator and packer; all are encased in a standard seven-inch well casing. Downhole means that the steam generator is located far down the well casing rather than on the surface. This design is more efficient than surface generated steam. A COSMIC (Computer Software Management and Information Center) program aided in the design.

The purpose of this Software Platform Evaluation (SPE) is to document the top-level evaluation of potential software platforms on which to construct a simulation model that satisfies the requirements for a Verifiable Fuel Cycle Simulation Model (VISION) of the Advanced Fuel Cycle (AFC). See the Software Requirements Specification for Verifiable Fuel Cycle Simulation (VISION) Model (INEEL/EXT-05-02643, Rev. 0) for a discussion of the objective and scope of the VISION model. VISION is intended to serve as a broad systems analysis and study tool applicable to work conducted as part of the AFCI (including costs estimates) and Generation IV reactor development studies. This document will serve as a guide for selecting the most appropriate software platform for VISION. This is a “living document” that will be modified over the course of the execution of this work.

Grounded Theory is a research method that generates theory from data and is useful for understanding how people resolve problems that are of concern to them. Although the method looks deceptively simple in concept, implementing Grounded Theory research can often be confusing in practice. Furthermore, despite many papers in the social science disciplines and nursing describing the use of Grounded Theory, there are very few examples and relevant guides for the software engineering researcher. This paper describes our experience using classical (i.e., Glaserian) Grounded Theory in a software engineering context and attempts to interpret the canons of classical Grounded Theory in a manner that is relevant to software engineers. We provide model to help the software engineering researchers inte...

Search-based software testing is the application of metaheuristic search techniques to generate software tests. The test adequacy criterion is transformed into a fitness function and a set of solutions in the search space are evaluated with respect to the fitness function using a metaheuristic search technique. The application of metaheuristic search techniques for testing is promising due to the fact that exhaustive testing is infeasible considering the size and complexity of software under test. Search-based software testing has been applied across the spectrum of test case design methods; this includes white-box (structural), black-box (functional) and grey-box (combination of structural and functional) testing. In addition, metaheuristic search techniques have also been applied to test...

The Department of Energy is developing an estimate of the undeveloped hydropower potential in this country. The Hydropower Evaluation Software is a computer model that was developed by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory for this purpose. The software measures the undeveloped hydropower resources available in the United States, using uniform criteria for measurement. The software was developed and tested using hydropower information and data provided by the Southwestern Power Administration. It is a menu-driven software program that allows the personal computer user to assign environmental attributes to potential hydropower sites, calculate development suitability factors for each site based on the environmental attributes present, and generate reports based on these suitability factors. This report details the resource assessment results for the State of Iowa.

Researchers must often write their own simulation and analysis software. During this process they simultaneously confront both computational and scientific problems. Current strategies for aiding the generation of performance-oriented programs do not abstract the software development from the science. Furthermore, the problem is becoming increasingly complex and pressing with the continued development of many-core and heterogeneous (CPU-GPU) architectures. To acbieve high performance, scientists must expertly navigate both software and hardware. Co-design between computer scientists and research scientists can alleviate but not solve this problem. The science community requires better tools for developing, optimizing, and future-proofing codes, allowing scientists to focus on their research while still achieving high computational performance. Scout is a parallel programming language and extensible compiler framework targeting heterogeneous architectures. It provides the abstraction required to buffer scientists from the constantly-shifting details of hardware while still realizing higb-performance by encapsulating software and hardware optimization within a compiler framework.

ROC studies require complex procedures to select cases from many data samples, and to set confidence levels in each selected case to generate ROC curves. In some observer performance studies, researchers have to develop software with specific graphical user interface (GUI) to obtain confidence levels from readers. Because ROC studies could be designed for various clinical situations, it is difficult task for preparing software corresponding to every ROC studies. In this work, we have developed software for recording confidence levels during observer studies on tiny personal handheld devices such as iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. To confirm the functions of our software, three radiologists performed observer studies to detect lung nodules by using public database of chest radiograms published by Japan Society of Radiological Technology. The output in text format conformed to the format for the famous ROC kit from the University of Chicago. Times required for the reading each case was recorded very precisely.

We demonstrate the next generation of monitor and control software for Caltech's Millimeter Array at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. The software is based on a client/server architecture and provides remote access for controlling, monitoring and troubleshooting the array. The client is written in Java and thus provides a Web based interface that is supported on many machine architectures and operating systems. The server software is developed in C++ and runs on a UNIX host machine. Data from the microcomputers embedded in the array are transported to the UNIX host shared memory area where they are then available to the server programs. Security algorithms are implemented to authenticate remote access for control of the array. The design of the software makes it portable to other observatories with little modification.

The Department of Energy is developing an estimate of the undeveloped hydropower potential in this country. The Hydropower Evaluation Software is a computer model that was developed by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory for this purpose. The software measures the undeveloped hydropower resources available in the United States, using uniform criteria for measurement. The software was developed and tested using hydropower information and data provided by the Southwestern Power Administration. It is a menu-driven software program that allows the personal computer user to assign environmental attributes to potential hydropower sites, calculate development suitability factors for each site based on the environmental attributes present, and generate reports based on these suitability factors. This report details the resource assessment results for the State of Wisconsin.

Our previous study showed that inbred mice strains such as C57BL/6CrSlc (B6) and C3H/HeSlc (C3H) revealed high and low caries susceptibility, respectively. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was performed by a genome-wide scan on genetic crosses of B6 and C3H mice. The analysis showed that two effective values, one significant QTL was found on chromosome2, and the other suggestive QTL was detected on chromosome8. For the elucidation of the causative genes of dental caries susceptibility, we constructed mice termed consomic mice (B6-Chr.2C3H), in which the chromosome2 derived from B6 was replaced by that of C3H. For establishment of consomic mice, 2nd generation mice were obtained by mating B6 and F1 (B6×C3H). Microsatellite markers were used during confirmation of the genomic recombination. The recombination mice showing heterozygous genotype on the whole chromosome2 were crossed to the next generation continuously. Until the 13th generation, the mice were continuously genetically crossed by backcross and the genotype of all chromosomes was checked. The selected mice of the 13th generation were checked for heterozygous genotype of B6 and C3H on chromosome2, and whether all were homozygous for B6 on all chromosomes except chromosome2 and finally B6-Chr.2C3H were established by intercrossing the selected mice of 13th generation. We established consomic mice that can be used as an experimental model for investigating the causative genes of dental caries susceptibility.   

One of the critical phases in the development of a spacecraft attitude control system (ACS) is the testing of its flight software. The testing (and test verification) of ACS flight software requires a mix of skills involving software, knowledge of attitude control, and attitude control hardware, data manipulation, and analysis. The process of analyzing and verifying flight software test results often creates a bottleneck which dictates the speed at which flight software verification can be conducted. In the development of the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) spacecraft ACS subsystem, an integrated design environment was used that included a MAP high fidelity (HiFi) simulation, a central database of spacecraft parameters, a script language for numeric and string processing, and plotting capability. In this integrated environment, it was possible to automate many of the steps involved in flight software testing, making the entire process more efficient and thorough than on previous missions. In this paper, we will compare the testing process used on MAP to that used on other missions. The software tools that were developed to automate testing and test verification will be discussed, including the ability to import and process test data, synchronize test data and automatically generate HiFi script files used for test verification, and an automated capability for generating comparison plots. A summary of the benefits of applying these test methods on MAP will be given. Finally, the paper will conclude with a discussion of re-use of the tools and techniques presented, and the ongoing effort to apply them to flight software testing of the Triana spacecraft ACS subsystem.

Topics: Optoelectronic Sensor System for Guidance in Docking; Hybrid Piezoelectric/Fiber-Optic Sensor Sheets; Multisensor Arrays for Greater Reliability and Accuracy; Integrated-Optic Oxygen Sensors; Ka-Band Autonomous Formation Flying Sensor; CMOS VLSI Active-Pixel Sensor for Tracking; Lightweight, Self-Deploying Foam Antenna Structures; Electrically Small Microstrip Quarter-Wave Monopole Antennas; A 2-to-28-MHz Phase-Locked Loop; Portable Electromyograph; Open-Source Software for Modeling of Nanoelectronic Devices; Software for Generating Strip Maps from SAR Data; Calibration Software for use with Jurassicprok; Software for Probabilistic Risk Reduction; Software Processes SAR Motion-Measurement Data; Improved Method of Purifying Carbon Nanotubes; Patterned Growth of Carbon Nanotubes or Nanofibers; Lightweight, Rack-Mountable Composite Cold Plate/Shelves; SiC-Based Miniature High-Temperature Cantilever Anemometer; Inlet Housing for a Partial-Admission Turbine; Lightweight Thermoformed Structural Components and Optics; Growing High-Quality InAs Quantum Dots for Infrared Lasers; Selected Papers on Protoplanetary Disks; Module for Oxygenating Water without Generating Bubbles; Coastal Research Imaging Spectrometer; Rapid Switching and Modulation by use of Coupled VCSELs; Laser-Induced-Fluorescence Photogrammetry and Videogrammetry; Laboratory Apparatus Generates Dual-Species Cold Atomic Beam; Laser Ablation of Materials for Propulsion of Spacecraft; Small Active Radiation Monitor; Hybrid Image-Plane/Stereo Manipulation; Partitioning a Gridded Rectangle into Smaller Rectangles; Digital Radar-Signal Processors Implemented in FPGAs; Part 1 of a Computational Study of a Drop-Laden Mixing Layer; and Some Improvements in Signal-Conditioning Circuits.