Ant colony optimisation-direct cover: a hybrid ant colony direct cover technique for multi-level synthesis of multiple-valued logic functions

Science.gov (United States)

Abd-El-Barr, Mostafa

2010-12-01

The use of non-binary (multiple-valued) logic in the synthesis of digital systems can lead to savings in chip area. Advances in very large scale integration (VLSI) technology have enabled the successful implementation of multiple-valued logic (MVL) circuits. A number of heuristic algorithms for the synthesis of (near) minimal sum-of products (two-level) realisation of MVL functions have been reported in the literature. The direct cover (DC) technique is one such algorithm. The ant colony optimisation (ACO) algorithm is a meta-heuristic that uses constructive greediness to explore a large solution space in finding (near) optimal solutions. The ACO algorithm mimics the ant's behaviour in the real world in using the shortest path to reach food sources. We have previously introduced an ACO-based heuristic for the synthesis of two-level MVL functions. In this article, we introduce the ACO-DC hybrid technique for the synthesis of multi-level MVL functions. The basic idea is to use an ant to decompose a given MVL function into a number of levels and then synthesise each sub-function using a DC-based technique. The results obtained using the proposed approach are compared to those obtained using existing techniques reported in the literature. A benchmark set consisting of 50,000 randomly generated 2-variable 4-valued functions is used in the comparison. The results obtained using the proposed ACO-DC technique are shown to produce efficient realisation in terms of the average number of gates (as a measure of chip area) needed for the synthesis of a given MVL function.

Parametric effect during power generation from sewage sludge using prototype mfc

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Memon, A.R.; Aftab, A.

2015-01-01

Pakistan like other countries is also faced with energy crisis, for which there is a need to identify indigenous technologies along with renewable energy sources to satisfy the energy footprint of the country. Use of MFC (Microbial Fuel Cell) technique is currently a step towards this direction that can play an effective role in solving the dual problems of environmental pollution and energy shortage. In this study, sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant was collected and used as a substrate for electricity generation in association with other biomass sources. Effect of relevant parameters such as oxygen flow rate, pH and concentration on voltage generation was also analyzed. The experimental results yielded in voltage generation of 2500 mv/l for sewage sludge in comparison to that obtained using carbon manure (270 mv/l), wastewater (229 mv/l) and cow manure (330 mv/l) suggesting towards the potential of sewage sludge for power generation. (author)

ORF Alignment: NC_002939 [GENIUS II[Archive

Lifescience Database Archive (English)

Full Text Available Geobacter sulfurreducens PCA] ... Length = 81 ... Query: 1 ... MFVXXXXXXXXXXXXXXKGKRGIVKSILARARQDFNVSAAEVDL...QDVPDEAVLAFATVTG 60 ... MFV ... KGKRGIVKSILARARQDFNVSAAEVDLQDVPDEA...VLAFATVTG Sbjct: 1 ... MFVHSLCLHLHLPSHSLKGKRGIVKSILARARQDFNVSAAEVDLQDVPDEAVLAFATVTG 60 ...

Drosophila divalent metal ion transporter Malvolio is required in dopaminergic neurons for feeding decisions.

Science.gov (United States)

Søvik, E; LaMora, A; Seehra, G; Barron, A B; Duncan, J G; Ben-Shahar, Y

2017-06-01

Members of the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP) family are evolutionarily conserved metal ion transporters that play an essential role in regulating intracellular divalent cation homeostasis in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Malvolio (Mvl), the sole NRAMP family member in insects, plays a role in food choice behaviors in Drosophila and other species. However, the specific physiological and cellular processes that require the action of Mvl for appropriate feeding decisions remain elusive. Here, we show that normal food choice requires Mvl function specifically in the dopaminergic system, and can be rescued by supplementing food with manganese. Collectively, our data indicate that the action of the Mvl transporter affects food choice behavior via the regulation of dopaminergic innervation of the mushroom bodies, a principle brain region associated with decision-making in insects. Our studies suggest that the homeostatic regulation of the intraneuronal levels of divalent cations plays an important role in the development and function of the dopaminergic system and associated behaviors. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society.

Awake fiberoptic or awake video laryngoscopic tracheal intubation in patients with anticipated difficult airway management

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Rosenstock, Charlotte Vallentin; Thøgersen, Bente; Afshari, Arash

2012-01-01

Awake flexible fiberoptic intubation (FFI) is the gold standard for management of anticipated difficult tracheal intubation. The purpose of this study was to compare awake FFI to awake McGrath® video laryngoscope, (MVL), (Aircraft Medical, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom) intubation in patients...... with an anticipated difficult intubation. The authors examined the hypothesis that MVL intubation would be faster than FFI....

Multiple-valued logic design based on the multiple-peak BiCMOS-NDR circuits

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kwang-Jow Gan

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Three different multiple-valued logic (MVL designs using the multiple-peak negative-differential-resistance (NDR circuits are investigated. The basic NDR element, which is made of several Si-based metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (MOS and SiGe-based heterojunction-bipolar-transistor (HBT devices, can be implemented by using a standard BiCMOS process. These MVL circuits are designed based on the triggering-pulse control, saw-tooth input signal, and peak-control methods, respectively. However, there are some transient states existing between the multiple stable levels for the first two methods. These states might affect the circuit function in practical application. As a result, our proposed peak-control method for the MVL design can be used to overcome these transient states.

125 GeV Higgs from tree-level A-terms

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Basirnia, Aria; Egana-Ugrinovic, Daniel [New High Energy Theory Center, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854 (United States); Knapen, Simon [Berkeley Center for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States); Theoretical Physics Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States); Shih, David [New High Energy Theory Center, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854 (United States)

2015-06-22

We present a new mechanism to generate large A-terms at tree-level in the MSSM through the use of superpotential operators. The mechanism trivially resolves the A/m{sup 2} problem which plagues models with conventional, loop-induced A-terms. We study both MFV and non-MFV models; in the former, naturalness motivates us to construct a UV completion using Seiberg duality. Finally, we study the phenomenology of these models when they are coupled to minimal gauge mediation. We find that after imposing the Higgs mass constraint, they are largely out of reach of LHC Run I, but they will be probed at Run II. Their fine tuning is basically the minimum possible in the MSSM.

Light-Triggered Ternary Device and Inverter Based on Heterojunction of van der Waals Materials.

Science.gov (United States)

Shim, Jaewoo; Jo, Seo-Hyeon; Kim, Minwoo; Song, Young Jae; Kim, Jeehwan; Park, Jin-Hong

2017-06-27

Multivalued logic (MVL) devices/circuits have received considerable attention because the binary logic used in current Si complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology cannot handle the predicted information throughputs and energy demands of the future. To realize MVL, the conventional transistor platform needs to be redesigned to have two or more distinctive threshold voltages (V TH s). Here, we report a finding: the photoinduced drain current in graphene/WSe 2 heterojunction transistors unusually decreases with increasing gate voltage under illumination, which we refer to as the light-induced negative differential transconductance (L-NDT) phenomenon. We also prove that such L-NDT phenomenon in specific bias ranges originates from a variable potential barrier at a graphene/WSe 2 junction due to a gate-controllable graphene electrode. This finding allows us to conceive graphene/WSe 2 -based MVL logic circuits by using the I D -V G characteristics with two distinctive V TH s. Based on this finding, we further demonstrate a light-triggered ternary inverter circuit with three stable logical states (ΔV out of each state <0.05 V). Our study offers the pathway to substantialize MVL systems.

Effects of Variable Valve Lift on In-Cylinder Air Motion

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tianyou Wang

2015-12-01

Full Text Available An investigation into in-cylinder swirl and tumble flow characteristics with reduced maximum valve lifts (MVL is presented. The experimental work was conducted in the modified four-valve optical spark-ignition (SI test engine with three different MVL. Particle image velocimetry (PIV was employed for measuring in-cylinder air motion and measurement results were analyzed for examining flow field, swirl and tumble ratio variation and fluctuating kinetic energy distribution. Results of ensemble-averaged flow fields show that reduced MVL could produce strong swirl flow velocity, then resulted in very regular swirl motion in the late stage of the intake process. The strong swirl flow can maintain very well until the late compression stage. The reduction of MVL can also increase both high-frequency and low-frequency swirl flow fluctuating kinetic energy remarkably. Regarding tumble flow, results demonstrate that lower MVLs result in more horizontal intake flow velocity vectors which can be easily detected under the valve seat area. Although the result of lower MVLs show a higher tumble ratio when the piston is close to the bottom dead centre (BDC, higher MVLs substantially produce higher tumble ratios which can be confirmed when most cylinder area lies in the measuring range.

Temporal evolution of vasospasm and clinical outcome after intra-arterial vasodilator therapy in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Laleh Daftari Besheli

Full Text Available Intra-arterial (IA vasodilator therapy is one of the recommended treatments to minimize the impact of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced cerebral vasospasm refractory to standard management. However, its usefulness and efficacy is not well established. We evaluated the effect IA vasodilator therapy on middle cerebral artery blood flow and on discharge outcome. We reviewed records for 115 adults admitted to Neurointensive Care Unit to test whether there was a difference in clinical outcome (discharge mRS in those who received IA infusions. In a subset of 19 patients (33 vessels treated using IA therapy, we tested whether therapy was effective in reversing the trends in blood flow. All measures of MCA blood flow increased from day -2 to -1 before infusion (maximum Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV 232.2±9.4 to 262.4±12.5 cm/s [p = 0.02]; average PSV 202.1±8.5 to 229.9±10.9 [p = 0.02]; highest Mean Flow Velocity (MFV 154.3±8.3 to 172.9±10.5 [p = 0.10]; average MFV 125.5±6.3 to 147.8±9.5 cm/s, [p = 0.02] but not post-infusion (maximum PSV 261.2±14.6 cm/s [p = .89]; average PSV 223.4±11.4 [p = 0.56]; highest MFV 182.9±12.4 cm/s [p = 0.38]; average MFV 153.0±10.2 cm/s [p = 0.54]. After IA therapy, flow velocities were consistently reduced (day X infusion interaction p<0.01 for all measures. However, discharge mRS was higher in IA infusion group, even after adjusting for sex, age, and admission grades. Thus, while IA vasodilator therapy was effective in reversing the vasospasm-mediated deterioration in blood flow, clinical outcomes in the treated group were worse than the untreated group. There is need for a prospective randomized controlled trial to avoid potential confounding effect of selection bias.

Impact of bottom trawling on sediment characteristics - A study along inshore waters off Veraval coast, India

Digital Repository Service at National Institute of Oceanography (India)

Bhagirathan, U.; Meenakumari, B.; Jayalakshmy, K.V.; Panda, S.K.; Madhu, V.R.; Vaghela, D.T.

The present communication is a study on the impact of bottom trawling on the sediment characteristics along Veraval coast, which is the largest trawler port of India. Experimental bottom trawling was conducted from MFV Sagarkripa at five transects...

LHC Higgs physics beyond the Standard Model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spannowsky, M.

2007-01-01

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN will be able to perform proton collisions at a much higher center-of-mass energy and luminosity than any other collider. Its main purpose is to detect the Higgs boson, the last unobserved particle of the Standard Model, explaining the riddle of the origin of mass. Studies have shown, that for the whole allowed region of the Higgs mass processes exist to detect the Higgs at the LHC. However, the Standard Model cannot be a theory of everything and is not able to provide a complete understanding of physics. It is at most an effective theory up to a presently unknown energy scale. Hence, extensions of the Standard Model are necessary which can affect the Higgs-boson signals. We discuss these effects in two popular extensions of the Standard Model: the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and the Standard Model with four generations (SM4G). Constraints on these models come predominantly from flavor physics and electroweak precision measurements. We show, that the SM4G is still viable and that a fourth generation has strong impact on decay and production processes of the Higgs boson. Furthermore, we study the charged Higgs boson in the MSSM, yielding a clear signal for physics beyond the Standard Model. For small tan β in minimal flavor violation (MFV) no processes for the detection of a charged Higgs boson do exist at the LHC. However, MFV is just motivated by the experimental agreement of results from flavor physics with Standard Model predictions, but not by any basic theoretical consideration. In this thesis, we calculate charged Higgs boson production cross sections beyond the assumption of MFV, where a large number of free parameters is present in the MSSM. We find that the soft-breaking parameters which enhance the charged-Higgs boson production most are just bound to large values, e.g. by rare B-meson decays. Although the charged-Higgs boson cross sections beyond MFV turn out to be sizeable, only a detailed

LHC Higgs physics beyond the Standard Model

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Spannowsky, M.

2007-09-22

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN will be able to perform proton collisions at a much higher center-of-mass energy and luminosity than any other collider. Its main purpose is to detect the Higgs boson, the last unobserved particle of the Standard Model, explaining the riddle of the origin of mass. Studies have shown, that for the whole allowed region of the Higgs mass processes exist to detect the Higgs at the LHC. However, the Standard Model cannot be a theory of everything and is not able to provide a complete understanding of physics. It is at most an effective theory up to a presently unknown energy scale. Hence, extensions of the Standard Model are necessary which can affect the Higgs-boson signals. We discuss these effects in two popular extensions of the Standard Model: the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and the Standard Model with four generations (SM4G). Constraints on these models come predominantly from flavor physics and electroweak precision measurements. We show, that the SM4G is still viable and that a fourth generation has strong impact on decay and production processes of the Higgs boson. Furthermore, we study the charged Higgs boson in the MSSM, yielding a clear signal for physics beyond the Standard Model. For small tan {beta} in minimal flavor violation (MFV) no processes for the detection of a charged Higgs boson do exist at the LHC. However, MFV is just motivated by the experimental agreement of results from flavor physics with Standard Model predictions, but not by any basic theoretical consideration. In this thesis, we calculate charged Higgs boson production cross sections beyond the assumption of MFV, where a large number of free parameters is present in the MSSM. We find that the soft-breaking parameters which enhance the charged-Higgs boson production most are just bound to large values, e.g. by rare B-meson decays. Although the charged-Higgs boson cross sections beyond MFV turn out to be sizeable, only a detailed

Chiral flavor violation from extended gauge mediation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Evans, Jared A. [Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,Urbana, IL 61801 (United States); Shih, David; Thalapillil, Arun [NHETC, Department of Physics and Astronomy,Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854 (United States)

2015-07-08

Models of extended gauge mediation, in which large A-terms arise through direct messenger-MSSM superpotential couplings, are well-motivated by the discovery of the 125 GeV Higgs. However, since these models are not necessarily MFV, the flavor constraints could be stringent. In this paper, we perform the first detailed and quantitative study of the flavor violation in these models. To facilitate our study, we introduce a new tool called FormFlavor for computing precision flavor observables in the general MSSM. We validate FormFlavor and our qualitative understanding of the flavor violation in these models by comparing against analytical expressions. Despite being non-MFV, we show that these models are protected against the strongest constraints by a special flavor texture, which we dub chiral flavor violation (χFV). This results in only mild bounds from current experiments, and exciting prospects for experiments in the near future.

Short-arm human centrifugation with 0.4g at eye and 0.75g at heart level provides similar cerebrovascular and cardiovascular responses to standing.

Science.gov (United States)

Goswami, Nandu; Bruner, Michelle; Xu, Da; Bareille, Marie-Pierre; Beck, Arnaud; Hinghofer-Szalkay, Helmut; Blaber, Andrew P

2015-07-01

Orthostatic intolerance continues to be a problem with astronauts upon return to Earth as a result of cerebral and cardiovascular adaptations to weightlessness. We tested the hypothesis that artificial gravity from a short-arm human centrifuge (SAHC) could provide cerebral and cardiovascular stimuli similar to upright posture and thereby serve as a suitable countermeasure. We compared cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses before, during, and after exposure to hyper-G with that of standing in healthy young participants. The head was positioned such that the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was 0.46 m from the center of rotation. Two levels of hyper-G that provided 1g and 2g at foot level were investigated. Continuous blood pressure, heart rate, calf blood volume, MCA mean blood flow velocity (MFV) and end-tidal CO2 were measured. Blood pressure at the level of the MCA (BP-MCA) and MFV was reduced during stand and at 2g. The relationship between MFV and BP-MCA at 2g was different from supine and similar to standing, while 1g centrifugation was not different from supine. The cardiovascular system was also not different from supine at 1g but was similarly challenged in 2g compared to stand. Our data suggest that short-arm centrifugation 2g at the feet, with the head offset 0.5 m from the center, provides similar cardiovascular and cerebral responses to standing. This supports the hypothesis that passive 2g SAHC exposure at the feet could be used as a countermeasure for in-flight cardiovascular and cerebrovascular deconditioning.

Light non-degenerate squarks at the LHC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mahbubani, Rakhi

2012-12-01

Experimental bounds on squarks of the first two generations assume their masses to be eightfold degenerate, and consequently constrain them to be heavier than ∝1.4 TeV when the gluino is lighter than 2.5 TeV. The assumption of squark-mass universality is neither a direct consequence of Minimal Flavor Violation (MFV), which allows for splittings within squark generations, nor a prediction of supersymmetric alignment models, which allow for splittings between generations. We reinterpret a recent CMS multijet plus missing energy search allowing for deviations from U(2) universality, and find significantly weakened squark bounds: a 400 GeV second-generation squark singlet is allowed, even with exclusive decays to a massless neutralino; and in an MFV scenario, the down-type squark singlets can be as light as 600 GeV provided the up-type singlets are pushed up to 1.8 TeV, for a 1.5 TeV gluino and decoupled doublet squarks.

Light non-degenerate squarks at the LHC

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mahbubani, Rakhi [CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research, Geneva (Switzerland). Theory Div.; Papucci, Michele; Ruderman, Joshua T. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, CA (United States). Theoretical Physics Group; California Univ., Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Physics; Perez, Gilad [CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research, Geneva (Switzerland). Theory Div.; Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot (Israel). Dept. of Particle Physics and Astrophysics; Weiler, Andreas [Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg (Germany)

2012-12-15

Experimental bounds on squarks of the first two generations assume their masses to be eightfold degenerate, and consequently constrain them to be heavier than {proportional_to}1.4 TeV when the gluino is lighter than 2.5 TeV. The assumption of squark-mass universality is neither a direct consequence of Minimal Flavor Violation (MFV), which allows for splittings within squark generations, nor a prediction of supersymmetric alignment models, which allow for splittings between generations. We reinterpret a recent CMS multijet plus missing energy search allowing for deviations from U(2) universality, and find significantly weakened squark bounds: a 400 GeV second-generation squark singlet is allowed, even with exclusive decays to a massless neutralino; and in an MFV scenario, the down-type squark singlets can be as light as 600 GeV provided the up-type singlets are pushed up to 1.8 TeV, for a 1.5 TeV gluino and decoupled doublet squarks.

Viable and testable SUSY GUTs with Yukawa unification the case of split trilinears

CERN Document Server

Guadagnoli, Diego; Straub, David M

2009-01-01

We explore general SUSY GUT models with exact third-generation Yukawa unification, but where the requirement of universal soft terms at the GUT scale is relaxed. We consider the scenario in which the breaking of universality inherits from the Yukawa couplings, i.e. is of minimal flavor violating (MFV) type. In particular, the MFV principle allows for a splitting between the up-type and the down-type soft trilinear couplings. We explore the viability of this trilinear splitting scenario by means of a fitting procedure to electroweak observables, quark masses as well as flavor-changing neutral current processes. Phenomenological viability singles out one main scenario. This scenario is characterized by a sizable splitting between the trilinear soft terms and a large mu term. Remarkably, this scenario does not invoke a partial decoupling of the sparticle spectrum, as in the case of universal soft terms, but instead it requires part of the spectrum, notably the lightest stop, the gluino and the lightest charginos...

Cycle-to-cycle variation analysis of in-cylinder flow in a gasoline engine with variable valve lift

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Daming; Wang, Tianyou; Jia, Ming; Wang, Gangde

2012-09-01

In spark ignition engines, cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) limits the expansion of the operating range because it induces the load variations and the occurrence of misfire and/or knock. Variable valve actuation (VVA) or variable valve lift (VVL) has been widely used in SI engines to improve the volumetric efficiency or to reduce the pumping losses. It is necessary to investigate the CCV of in-cylinder gas motion and mixing processes in SI engines with VVA/VVL system. This study is aimed to analyze the CCV of the tumble flow in a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine when VVL is employed. Cycle-resolved digital particle image velocimetry (CRD-PIV) data were acquired for the in-cylinder flow field of a motored four-stroke multi-valve GDI optical engine. The CCV of in-cylinder gas motion with a series of valve profiles and different maximum valve lift (MVL) was analyzed, including cyclic variation characteristics of bulk flow (tumble centre and tumble ratio), large- and small-scale fluctuation, total kinetic energy, and circulation. The results show that the CCV of the in-cylinder flow is increased with reduced MVL. With lower MVLs, stable tumble flow cannot be formed in the cylinder, and the ensemble-averaged tumble ratio decreases to zero before the end of the compression stroke due to violent variation. In addition, the evolution of the circulation shows larger variation with lower MVLs that indicates the `spin' of the small-scale eddy in the flow field presents violent fluctuation from one cycle to another, especially at the end of the compression stroke. Moreover, the analyze of the kinetic energy indicates the total energy of the flow field with lower MVLs increases significantly comparing with higher MVL conditions due to the intake flow jet at the intake valve seat in the intake stroke. However, the CCV of the in-cylinder flow becomes more violent under lower MVL conditions, especially for the low-frequency fluctuation kinetic energy. Thus, present strong

Emerging category representation in the visual forebrain hierarchy of pigeons (Columba livia).

Science.gov (United States)

Azizi, Amir Hossein; Pusch, Roland; Koenen, Charlotte; Klatt, Sebastian; Bröcker, Franziska; Thiele, Samuel; Kellermann, Janosch; Güntürkün, Onur; Cheng, Sen

2018-06-06

Recognizing and categorizing visual stimuli are cognitive functions vital for survival, and an important feature of visual systems in primates as well as in birds. Visual stimuli are processed along the ventral visual pathway. At every stage in the hierarchy, neurons respond selectively to more complex features, transforming the population representation of the stimuli. It is therefore easier to read-out category information in higher visual areas. While explicit category representations have been observed in the primate brain, less is known on equivalent processes in the avian brain. Even though their brain anatomies are radically different, it has been hypothesized that visual object representations are comparable across mammals and birds. In the present study, we investigated category representations in the pigeon visual forebrain using recordings from single cells responding to photographs of real-world objects. Using a linear classifier, we found that the population activity in the visual associative area mesopallium ventrolaterale (MVL) distinguishes between animate and inanimate objects, although this distinction is not required by the task. By contrast, a population of cells in the entopallium, a region that is lower in the hierarchy of visual areas and that is related to the primate extrastriate cortex, lacked this information. A model that pools responses of simple cells, which function as edge detectors, can account for the animate vs. inanimate categorization in the MVL, but performance in the model is based on different features than in MVL. Therefore, processing in MVL cells is very likely more abstract than simple computations on the output of edge detectors. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Diagnostic examination performance by using microvascular leakage, cerebral blood volume, and blood flow derived from 3-T dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced perfusion MR imaging in the differentiation of glioblastoma multiforme and brain metastasis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Server, Andres; Nakstad, Per H.; Orheim, Tone E.D.; Graff, Bjoern A.; Josefsen, Roger; Kumar, Theresa

2011-01-01

Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has limited capacity to differentiate between glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and metastasis. The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare microvascular leakage (MVL), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and blood flow (CBF) in the distinction of metastasis from GBM using dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced perfusion MR imaging (DSC-MRI), and (2) to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of perfusion and permeability MR imaging. A prospective study of 61 patients (40 GBMs and 21 metastases) was performed at 3 T using DSC-MRI. Normalized rCBV and rCBF from tumoral (rCBVt, rCBFt), peri-enhancing region (rCBVe, rCBFe), and by dividing the value in the tumor by the value in the peri-enhancing region (rCBVt/e, rCBFt/e), as well as MVL were calculated. Hemodynamic and histopathologic variables were analyzed statistically and Spearman/Pearson correlations. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for each of the variables. The rCBVe, rCBFe, and MVL were significantly greater in GBMs compared with those of metastases. The optimal cutoff value for differentiating GBM from metastasis was 0.80 which implies a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 86%, and a negative predictive value of 97% for rCBVe ratio. We found a modest correlation between rCBVt and rCBFt ratios. MVL measurements in GBMs are significantly higher than those in metastases. Statistically, both rCBVe, rCBVt/e and rCBFe, rCBFt/e were useful in differentiating between GBMs and metastases, supporting the hypothesis that perfusion MR imaging can detect infiltration of tumor cells in the peri-enhancing region. (orig.)

Diagnostic examination performance by using microvascular leakage, cerebral blood volume, and blood flow derived from 3-T dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced perfusion MR imaging in the differentiation of glioblastoma multiforme and brain metastasis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Server, Andres; Nakstad, Per H. [Oslo University Hospital-Ullevaal, Section of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo (Norway); University of Oslo, Oslo (Norway); Orheim, Tone E.D. [Oslo University Hospital, Interventional Centre, Oslo (Norway); Graff, Bjoern A. [Oslo University Hospital-Ullevaal, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo (Norway); Josefsen, Roger [Oslo University Hospital-Ullevaal, Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo (Norway); Kumar, Theresa [Oslo University Hospital-Ullevaal, Department of Pathology, Oslo (Norway)

2011-05-15

Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has limited capacity to differentiate between glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and metastasis. The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare microvascular leakage (MVL), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and blood flow (CBF) in the distinction of metastasis from GBM using dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced perfusion MR imaging (DSC-MRI), and (2) to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of perfusion and permeability MR imaging. A prospective study of 61 patients (40 GBMs and 21 metastases) was performed at 3 T using DSC-MRI. Normalized rCBV and rCBF from tumoral (rCBVt, rCBFt), peri-enhancing region (rCBVe, rCBFe), and by dividing the value in the tumor by the value in the peri-enhancing region (rCBVt/e, rCBFt/e), as well as MVL were calculated. Hemodynamic and histopathologic variables were analyzed statistically and Spearman/Pearson correlations. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for each of the variables. The rCBVe, rCBFe, and MVL were significantly greater in GBMs compared with those of metastases. The optimal cutoff value for differentiating GBM from metastasis was 0.80 which implies a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 86%, and a negative predictive value of 97% for rCBVe ratio. We found a modest correlation between rCBVt and rCBFt ratios. MVL measurements in GBMs are significantly higher than those in metastases. Statistically, both rCBVe, rCBVt/e and rCBFe, rCBFt/e were useful in differentiating between GBMs and metastases, supporting the hypothesis that perfusion MR imaging can detect infiltration of tumor cells in the peri-enhancing region. (orig.)

Association between two distinct executive tasks in schizophrenia: a functional transcranial Doppler sonography study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Theodoridou Anastasia

2006-05-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder involving impairments in executive functioning, which are important cognitive processes that can be assessed by planning tasks such as the Stockings of Cambridge (SOC, and tasks of rule learning/abstraction such as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST. We undertook this study to investigate the association between performance during separate phases of SOC and WCST, including mean cerebral blood flow velocity (MFV measurements in chronic schizophrenia. Methods Functional transcranial Doppler sonography (fTCD was used to assess bilateral MFV changes in the middle (MCA and anterior (ACA cerebral arteries. Twenty-two patients with chronic schizophrenia and 20 healthy subjects with similar sociodemographic characteristics performed SOC and WCST during fTCD measurements of the MCA and the ACA. The SOC was varied in terms of easy and difficult problems, and also in terms of separate phases, namely mental planning and movement execution. The WCST performance was assessed separately for maintaining set and set shifting. This allowed us to examine the impact of problem difficulty and the impact of separate phases of a planning task on distinct intervals of WCST. Simultaneous registration of MFV was carried out to investigate the linkage of brain perfusion during the tasks. Results In patients, slowing of movement execution during easy problems (SOC was associated with slowing during maintaining set (WCST (P Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate performance and brain perfusion abnormalities in the association pattern of two different tasks of executive functioning in schizophrenia, and they support the notion that executive functions have a pathological functional correlate predominantly in the lateral hemispheres of the brain. This study also underpins the scientific potential of fTCD in assessing brain perfusion in patients with schizophrenia.

Cerebral blood flow response to flavanol-rich cocoa in healthy elderly humans

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Farzaneh A Sorond

2008-04-01

Full Text Available Farzaneh A Sorond1,2, Lewis A Lipsitz2,4, Norman K Hollenberg3,5, Naomi DL Fisher31Department of Neurology, Stroke Division; 2Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA; 3Department of Medicine, Endocrine-Hypertension Division; 4Department of Medicine, Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; 5Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MABackground and Purpose: Cerebral ischemia is a common, morbid condition accompanied by cognitive decline. Recent reports on the vascular health benefits of flavanol-containing foods signify a promising approach to the treatment of cerebral ischemia. Our study was designed to investigate the effects of flavanol-rich cocoa (FRC consumption on cerebral blood flow in older healthy volunteers.Methods: We used transcranial Doppler (TCD ultrasound to measure mean blood flow velocity (MFV in the middle cerebral artery (MCA in thirty-four healthy elderly volunteers (72 ± 6 years in response to the regular intake of FRC or flavanol-poor cocoa (FPC.Results: In response to two weeks of FRC intake, MFV increased by 8% ± 4% at one week (p = 0.01 and 10% ± 4% (p = 0.04 at two weeks. In response to one week of cocoa, significantly more subjects in the FRC as compared with the FPC group had an increase in their MFV (p < 0.05.Conclusions: In summary, we show that dietary intake of FRC is associated with a significant increase in cerebral blood flow velocity in the MCA as measured by TCD. Our data suggest a promising role for regular cocoa flavanol’s consumption in the treatment of cerebrovascular ischemic syndromes, including dementias and stroke.Keywords: cerebral blood flow, flavanol, cocoa, transcranial Doppler ultrasound

Minimal flavour violation an effective field theory approach

CERN Document Server

D'Ambrosio, G.; Isidori, G.; Strumia, A.

2002-01-01

We present a general analysis of extensions of the Standard Model which satisfy the criterion of Minimal Flavour Violation (MFV). We define this general framework by constructing a low-energy effective theory containing the Standard Model fields, with one or two Higgs doublets and, as the only source of SU(3)^5 flavour symmetry breaking, the background values of fields transforming under the flavour group as the ordinary Yukawa couplings. We analyse present bounds on the effective scale of dimension-six operators, which range between 1 and 10 TeV, with the most stringent constraints imposed by B -> X_s gamma. In this class of theories, it is possible to relate predictions for FCNC processes in B physics to those in K physics. We compare the sensitivity of various experimental searches in probing the hypothesis of MFV. Within the two-Higgs-doublet scenario, we develop a general procedure to obtain all tan(beta)-enhanced Higgs-mediated FCNC amplitudes, discussing in particular their impact in B -> l^+l^-, Delta...

Constraints on supersymmetric flavour models from b→sγ

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Olive, Keith A.; Velasco-Sevilla, L.

2008-01-01

We consider the effects of departures from minimal flavour violations (MFV) in the context of CMSSM-like theories. Second and third generation off-diagonal elements in the Yukawa, sfermion, and trilinear mass matrices are taken to be non-zero at the GUT scale. These are run down together with MSSM parameters to the electroweak scale. We apply constraints from fermion masses and CKM matrix elements to limit the range of the new free parameters of the model. We determine the effect of the departure from MFV on the branching ratio of b→s γ. We find that only when the expansion parameter in the down-squark sector is relatively large there is a noticeable effect, which tends to relax the lower limit from b→s γ on the universal gaugino mass. We also find that the expansion parameter associated with the slepton sector needs to be smaller than the corresponding parameter in the down-squark sector in order to be compliant with the bound imposed by the branching ratio of τ→μγ.

Cycle-to-cycle variation analysis of in-cylinder flow in a gasoline engine with variable valve lift

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liu, Daming; Wang, Tianyou; Wang, Gangde [Tianjin University, State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin (China); Jia, Ming [Dalian University of Technology, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian (China)

2012-09-15

In spark ignition engines, cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) limits the expansion of the operating range because it induces the load variations and the occurrence of misfire and/or knock. Variable valve actuation (VVA) or variable valve lift (VVL) has been widely used in SI engines to improve the volumetric efficiency or to reduce the pumping losses. It is necessary to investigate the CCV of in-cylinder gas motion and mixing processes in SI engines with VVA/VVL system. This study is aimed to analyze the CCV of the tumble flow in a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine when VVL is employed. Cycle-resolved digital particle image velocimetry (CRD-PIV) data were acquired for the in-cylinder flow field of a motored four-stroke multi-valve GDI optical engine. The CCV of in-cylinder gas motion with a series of valve profiles and different maximum valve lift (MVL) was analyzed, including cyclic variation characteristics of bulk flow (tumble centre and tumble ratio), large- and small-scale fluctuation, total kinetic energy, and circulation. The results show that the CCV of the in-cylinder flow is increased with reduced MVL. With lower MVLs, stable tumble flow cannot be formed in the cylinder, and the ensemble-averaged tumble ratio decreases to zero before the end of the compression stroke due to violent variation. In addition, the evolution of the circulation shows larger variation with lower MVLs that indicates the 'spin' of the small-scale eddy in the flow field presents violent fluctuation from one cycle to another, especially at the end of the compression stroke. Moreover, the analyze of the kinetic energy indicates the total energy of the flow field with lower MVLs increases significantly comparing with higher MVL conditions due to the intake flow jet at the intake valve seat in the intake stroke. However, the CCV of the in-cylinder flow becomes more violent under lower MVL conditions, especially for the low-frequency fluctuation kinetic energy. Thus, present

Mapeamento do fluxo de valor do projeto executivo de arquitetura em um órgão público

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mariana Monteiro Xavier de Lima

2010-05-01

Full Text Available O presente trabalho propõe empregar a ferramenta Lean de Mapeamento do Fluxo de Valor (MFV para analisar um processo administrativo de um órgão público responsável pela elaboração de projetos voltados à habitação de interesse social. Parte-se da hipótese de que o extenso lead time do processo de elaboração de projetos é conseqüência dos desperdícios existentes. O MFV representa o fluxo de informações ao longo do tempo, o que possibilita o levantamento do tempo e dos demais recursos despendidos para a realização das atividades e a proposição de melhorias, a fim de racionalizar o processo. Este artigo foi desenvolvido a partir de um estudo exploratório, que consistiu na aplicação do MFV ao processo de elaboração do projeto executivo de arquitetura na Fundação de Desenvolvimento Habitacional da Prefeitura Municipal de Fortaleza – Habitafor. A metodologia para aplicação desta ferramenta baseou-se em propostas encontradas na literatura sobre o tema para o emprego do MFV em ambientes administrativos. Apresenta-se como resultados os mapas atual e futuro com possíveis sugestões de melhoria para o processo analisado. As alterações no processo analisado, para reduzir o lead time e garantir a estabilidade do fluxo, foram: disponibilidade online das informações relativas aos terrenos da prefeitura, inclusão no quadro de funcionários de um auxiliar administrativo e um gestor do fluxo de valor e das melhorias, emprego do safety resources, agrupamento de equipes de trabalho e padronização de procedimentos entre órgãos envolvidos no processo. Com a implantação das alterações propostas ao fluxo, estima-se uma redução de 34,2% do lead time do processo através da redução dos retrabalhos e o tempo de profissionais gastos com atividades que não agregam valor. Para que o resultado seja comprovado é necessário, em trabalhos futuros, a implementação das melhorias propostas. O estudo contribui para a

Multi-Robot Planetary Exploration Command and Control, Phase I

Data.gov (United States)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration — Aurora Flight Sciences, The MIT Manned Vehicle Laboratory (MVL), and the MIT Humans and Automation Laboratory (HAL) together propose to adapt existing software,...

Forensic Science.

Science.gov (United States)

Brettell, T. A.; Saferstein, R.

1989-01-01

Presents a review of articles appealing to forensic practitioners. Topics include: drugs and poisons, forensic biochemistry, and trace evidence. Lists noteworthy books published on forensic science topics since 1986. (MVL)

A Low-Cost Precision Colorimeter.

Science.gov (United States)

Jaffar, M.; Zahid, Qazi

1988-01-01

Presents the construction aspects of a simple but reliable colorimeter made from locally available components. Notes the absorption range to be 400-750-nm. Lists seven experiments done on the instrument. (MVL)

From Greeks to Today: Cipher Trees and Computer Cryptography.

Science.gov (United States)

Grady, M. Tim; Brumbaugh, Doug

1988-01-01

Explores the use of computers for teaching mathematical models of transposition ciphers. Illustrates the ideas, includes activities and extensions, provides a mathematical model and includes computer programs to implement these topics. (MVL)

Computation of Galois field expressions for quaternary logic functions on GPUs

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gajić Dušan B.

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Galois field (GF expressions are polynomials used as representations of multiple-valued logic (MVL functions. For this purpose, MVL functions are considered as functions defined over a finite (Galois field of order p - GF(p. The problem of computing these functional expressions has an important role in areas such as digital signal processing and logic design. Time needed for computing GF-expressions increases exponentially with the number of variables in MVL functions and, as a result, it often represents a limiting factor in applications. This paper proposes a method for an accelerated computation of GF(4-expressions for quaternary (four-valued logic functions using graphics processing units (GPUs. The method is based on the spectral interpretation of GF-expressions, permitting the use of fast Fourier transform (FFT-like algorithms for their computation. These algorithms are then adapted for highly parallel processing on GPUs. The performance of the proposed solutions is compared with referent C/C++ implementations of the same algorithms processed on central processing units (CPUs. Experimental results confirm that the presented approach leads to significant reduction in processing times (up to 10.86 times when compared to CPU processing. Therefore, the proposed approach widens the set of problem instances which can be efficiently handled in practice. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ON174026 i br. III44006

Procedural and Logic Programming: A Comparison.

Science.gov (United States)

Watkins, Will; And Others

1988-01-01

Examines the similarities and fundamental differences between procedural programing and logic programing by comparing LogoWriter and PROLOG. Suggests that PROLOG may be a good first programing language for students to learn. (MVL)

The retrovirus MA and PreTM proteins follow immature MVL cores

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Andersen, Klaus Bahl

2013-01-01

Detergent can dissolve retrovirus, exept the immature core. Here we show that the Matrix protein (MA) and the Transmembrane protein in its immature form (PreTM) bind to the retrovirus core. These attachments explain the attachment in the virus particle and the dynamics of the ability to fuse with...

Safety in the Chemical Laboratory: Certifications for Professional Hazardous Materials and Waste Management.

Science.gov (United States)

Fischer, Kenneth E.

1988-01-01

Discusses the need for determining a curriculum to provide qualified hazardous waste personnel. Describes the needed role of colleges and universities and current hazardous materials certification requirements. Lists requirements for 18 professional certifications. (MVL)

Thermal Conductivity and Liquid Crystal Thermometers.

Science.gov (United States)

Edge, R. D., Ed.

1993-01-01

Describes using stock liquid crystal postcards as inexpensive classroom thermometers. Also suggests using these postcards as a good visual temperature indicator for classroom demonstrations such as temperature gradients. One such activity is provided. (MVL)

Filtrates & Residues: Experimental Work with Tin (II) Chloride in a High School.

Science.gov (United States)

Sanchez, Manuela Martin

1988-01-01

Presents a high school chemistry lab experiment using tin (II) chloride to explore the concepts of hydrolysis, Le Chatelier's principle, and electrolysis. Presents methodology and the chemistry involved. Offers questions for the students. (MVL)

Course Syllabus--Culture, Science and Technology.

Science.gov (United States)

Coleman, Sam

1988-01-01

Presents a course syllabus and requirements for an anthropology course on the cross-cultural analysis of the relationships between technology, science, and social organization. Provides daily topics, suggested text readings, and reference articles. (MVL)

Demonstrating Paramagnetism Using Liquid Nitrogen.

Science.gov (United States)

Simmonds, Ray; And Others

1994-01-01

Describes how liquid nitrogen is attracted to the poles of neodymium magnets. Nitrogen is not paramagnetic, so the attraction suggests that the liquid nitrogen contains a small amount of oxygen, which causes the paramagnetism. (MVL)

Advanced Undergraduate Experiments in Thermoanalytical Chemistry.

Science.gov (United States)

Hill, J. O.; Magee, R. J.

1988-01-01

Describes several experiments using the techniques of thermal analysis and thermometric titrimetry. Defines thermal analysis and several recent branches of the technique. Notes most of the experiments use simple equipment and standard laboratory techniques. (MVL)

Expert Systems for the Analytical Laboratory.

Science.gov (United States)

de Monchy, Allan R.; And Others

1988-01-01

Discusses two computer problem solving programs: rule-based expert systems and decision analysis expert systems. Explores the application of expert systems to automated chemical analyses. Presents six factors to consider before using expert systems. (MVL)

Microcontrollers in the Laboratory.

Science.gov (United States)

Williams, Ron

1989-01-01

Described is the use of automated control using microcomputers. Covers the development of the microcontroller and describes advantages and characteristics of several brands of chips. Provides several recent applications of microcontrollers in laboratory automation. (MVL)

Choosing the Right Desktop Publisher.

Science.gov (United States)

Eiser, Leslie

1988-01-01

Investigates the many different desktop publishing packages available today. Lists the steps to desktop publishing. Suggests which package to use with specific hardware available. Compares several packages for IBM, Mac, and Apple II based systems. (MVL)

A Rutherford Scattering Simulation with Microcomputer Graphics.

Science.gov (United States)

Calle, Carlos I.; Wright, Lavonia F.

1989-01-01

Lists a program for a simulation of Rutherford's gold foil experiment in BASIC for both Apple II and IBM compatible computers. Compares Rutherford's model of the atom with Thompson's plum pudding model of the atom. (MVL)

Undergraduate Education in Hydrogeology.

Science.gov (United States)

Tinker, John Richard, Jr.

1989-01-01

Discusses a course at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire which improved instruction in physical hydrogeology, chemical hydrogeology, and water resources. Describes 14 laboratory activities including objectives, methods, and a list of equipment needed. (Author/MVL)

Petroleum.

Science.gov (United States)

McManus, T. R.; And Others

1989-01-01

This review of petroleum covers: crude oil; fuels, gaseous and liquid; lubricants, oils, and greases; asphalts, bitumens, tars, and pitches; hydrocarbons; physical properties; metals in oil; nonmetallic elements and heterocompounds; and analytical methods and apparatus. (MVL)

Velocimetria Doppler no período neonatal em recém-nascidos a termo pequenos para idade gestacional Neonatal Doppler velocimetry in full term small-for-gestational age newborns

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Iracema Augusta Carvalho Cortez Muniz

2003-09-01

cerebral artery (ACA. Doppler measurements were different statistically between the groups only for values related to peak systolic flow velocity (PSFV and mean flow velocity (MFV in the ACA. There was no significant difference for any evaluated parameters of flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA. It was concluded that SGA newborns showed PSFV and MFV significantly reduced only in the ACA. Weight/gestational age, neonatal polycythemia and mean arterial blood pressure values were statistically related to MFV in the ACA. In presence of fetal suffering, mean arterial blood pressure values and smoking in the pregnancy were statistically related to MFV in the MCA.

Investigating AI with BASIC and Logo: Helping the Computer to Understand INPUTS.

Science.gov (United States)

Mandell, Alan; Lucking, Robert

1988-01-01

Investigates using the microcomputer to develop a sentence parser to simulate intelligent conversation used in artificial intelligence applications. Compares the ability of LOGO and BASIC for this use. Lists and critiques several LOGO and BASIC parser programs. (MVL)

Biosynthesis of the sesquiterpene germacrene D in Solidago canadensis: 13C and (2)H labeling studies.

Science.gov (United States)

Steliopoulos, Panagiotis; Wüst, Matthias; Adam, Klaus-Peter; Mosandl, Armin

2002-05-01

The biogenetic origin of the isoprenoid building blocks of the sesquiterpene germacrene D was studied in Solidago canadensis. Feeding experiments were carried out with 1-[5,5-D(2)]deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate (D(2)-DOXP), [5-13C]mevalonolactone (13C-MVL) and [1-13C]-D-glucose. The hydrodistillate of a cut shoot fed with D(2)-DOXP was investigated by enantio-MDGC-MS and the volatile fraction of a shoot supplied with 13C-MVL was examined by GC-C-IRMS. The incorporation of [1-13C]-D-glucose was analyzed by quantitative 13C NMR spectroscopy after isolation of germacrene D from the essential oil. Our labeling studies revealed that the biosynthesis of the C-15 skeleton of sesquiterpene germacrene D in Solidago canadensis proceeds predominantly via the methylerythritol phosphate pathway.

The Greenhouse Effect in a Vial.

Science.gov (United States)

Golden, Richard; Sneider, Cary

1989-01-01

Presents an example of a greenhouse-effect experiment from the Climate Protection Institute. Analyzes the amount of carbon dioxide in ambient air, human exhalation, automobile exhaust, and nearly pure carbon dioxide by titrating with ammonia and bromthymol blue. (MVL)

DOS.

Science.gov (United States)

Traven, Bill

1988-01-01

Discusses using the DOS PATH command (for MS-DOS) to enable the microcomputer user to move from directory to directory on a hard drive. Lists the commands to be programed, gives examples, and explains the use of each. (MVL)

Contest Physics.

Science.gov (United States)

Moehnke, Randy

1994-01-01

Discusses the use of contests to keep physics interesting and exciting for the students. Includes: balloon car, egg drop, tennis ball catapult, bridge building, mousetrap vehicle, musical instrument, slide photo, electric junk dissection, windmill generator, and solar heater. (MVL)

Qualitative Aspects of UV-Vis Spectrophotometry of Beta-Carotene and Lycopene.

Science.gov (United States)

Tan, Barrie; Soderstrom, David N.

1989-01-01

Explores the structural behavior of polyenic pi systems such as isomerization and conjugation. Uses the simultaneous spectrophotometric analysis of a beta-carotene and lycopene mixture. Presents an empirical method to determine the number of double bonds in the polyenic carotenoid. (MVL)

An Exercise on Magnetic-Anomaly Profiles and the Geomagnetic Polar-Reversal Time Scale.

Science.gov (United States)

Shea, James Herbert

1988-01-01

Develops an exercise in which students use magnetic-profile data gathered in the South Pacific to test the Vine-Matthews-Morley hypothesis. Uses the Eltanin 19N and 20N profiles. Relates the exercise to 20 current geology texts. (MVL)

Insights: Simple Models for Teaching Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle.

Science.gov (United States)

Russell, Joan M.

1988-01-01

Presents three models that have been effective for teaching chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier's principle: (1) the liquid transfer model, (2) the fish model, and (3) the teeter-totter model. Explains each model and its relation to Le Chatelier's principle. (MVL)

Gender-related asymmetric brain vasomotor response to color stimulation: a functional transcranial Doppler spectroscopy study.

Science.gov (United States)

Njemanze, Philip C

2010-11-30

The present study was designed to examine the effects of color stimulation on cerebral blood mean flow velocity (MFV) in men and women. The study included 16 (8 men and 8 women) right-handed healthy subjects. The MFV was recorded simultaneously in both right and left middle cerebral arteries in Dark and white Light conditions, and during color (Blue, Yellow and Red) stimulations, and was analyzed using functional transcranial Doppler spectroscopy (fTCDS) technique. Color processing occurred within cortico-subcortical circuits. In men, wavelength-differencing of Yellow/Blue pairs occurred within the right hemisphere by processes of cortical long-term depression (CLTD) and subcortical long-term potentiation (SLTP). Conversely, in women, frequency-differencing of Blue/Yellow pairs occurred within the left hemisphere by processes of cortical long-term potentiation (CLTP) and subcortical long-term depression (SLTD). In both genders, there was luminance effect in the left hemisphere, while in men it was along an axis opposite (orthogonal) to that of chromatic effect, in women, it was parallel. Gender-related differences in color processing demonstrated a right hemisphere cognitive style for wavelength-differencing in men, and a left hemisphere cognitive style for frequency-differencing in women. There are potential applications of fTCDS technique, for stroke rehabilitation and monitoring of drug effects.

Minimal flavor violation in the lepton sector of the Randall-Sundrum model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen Muchun; Yu Haibo

2009-01-01

We propose a realization of Minimal Flavor Violation in the lepton sector of the Randall-Sundrum model. With the MFV assumption, the only source of flavor violation are the 5D Yukawa couplings, and the usual two independent sources of flavor violation are related. In the limit of massless neutrinos, the bulk mass matrices and 5D Yukawa matrices are simultaneously diagonalized, and hence the absence of FCNCs. In the case of massive neutrinos, the contributions to FCNCs in the charged lepton sector are highly suppressed, due to the smallness of neutrino masses. In addition, the MFV assumption also allows suppressing one-loop charged current contributions to flavor changing processes by reducing the size of the Yukawa couplings, which is not possible in the generic anarchical case. We found that the first KK mass scale as low as ∼3 TeV can be allowed. In both cases, we present a set of numerical results that give rise to realistic lepton masses and mixing angles. Mild hierarchy in the 5D Yukawa matrix of O(25) in our numerical example is required to be consistent with two large and one small mixing angles. This tuning could be improved by having a more thorough search of the parameter space

Computer Series, 98. Electronics for Scientists: A Computer-Intensive Approach.

Science.gov (United States)

Scheeline, Alexander; Mork, Brian J.

1988-01-01

Reports the design for a principles-before-details presentation of electronics for an instrumental analysis class. Uses computers for data collection and simulations. Requires one semester with two 2.5-hour periods and two lectures per week. Includes lab and lecture syllabi. (MVL)

Engineering in the '90s: Strength in Diversity.

Science.gov (United States)

Troxler, G. William

1989-01-01

Discusses the relative roles of engineering and engineering technology. Questions where the baccalaureate engineering technology graduate fits within the engineering field. Lists four methods to improve marketing engineering to potential students and the public. Presents job production and the international picture. (MVL)

Cation Hydration Constants by Proton NMR: A Physical Chemistry Experiment.

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, Robert L.; And Others

1988-01-01

Studies the polarization effect on water by cations and anions. Describes an experiment to illustrate the polarization effect of sodium, lithium, calcium, and strontium ions on the water molecule in the hydration spheres of the ions. Analysis is performed by proton NMR. (MVL)

The Determination of the Concentrations of Sugar Solutions by Laser Refractometry.

Science.gov (United States)

Hughes, Elvin, Jr.; And Others

1988-01-01

Presents an easily performed experiment to determine sucrose concentrations using a laser and a hollow glass prism. The experiment is suggested for high school, freshman college, and instrumental analysis classes. Notes an Erlenmeyer flask can be used instead of a prism. (MVL)

At Age 100, Chemical Engineering Education Faces Changing World.

Science.gov (United States)

Krieger, James

1988-01-01

Stresses the need for chemical engineering education to keep abreast of current needs. Explores the need for global economics, marketing strategy, product differentiation, and patent law in the curriculum. Questions the abilities of current chemical engineering graduate students in those areas. (MVL)

Computers in Science and Mathematics Education in the ASEAN Region.

Science.gov (United States)

Talisayon, Vivien M.

1989-01-01

Compares policies and programs on computers in science and mathematics education in the six ASEAN countries: Brunei, Indonesia; Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Limits discussion to the computer as a teaching aid and object of study, attendant problems, and regional cooperation. (MVL)

A Constructive Induction Approach to Computer Immunology

Science.gov (United States)

1999-03-01

LVM98] Lamont, Gary B., David A. Van Veldhuizen , and Robert E Marmelstein, A Distributed Architecture for a Self-Adaptive Computer Virus...Artificial Intelligence, Herndon, VA, 1995. [MVL98] Marmelstein, Robert E., David A. Van Veldhuizen , and Gary B. Lamont. Modeling & Analysis

GRADING: Involving Students in a Time-saving Solution to the Homework Problem.

Science.gov (United States)

Mafi, Mohammad

1989-01-01

A procedure where homework assignments are collected, graded, and returned each week is suggested. Students were used to grade each other's homework against copies of the solutions according to criteria established at the beginning of the course. Student response has been positive. (MVL)

Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Using Elemental Aluminum Catalyst: An Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment.

Science.gov (United States)

Meeks, B. Spencer; Lucas, Anita R.

1989-01-01

Provides methodology for carrying out the synthesis of sec-butyltoluene by the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of toluene. Suggests using simple elemental aluminum as the catalyst in place of AlCl3 or amalgamated aluminum. Notes satisfactory results for both macro- and microscale operations. (MVL)

The Synthesis of Methyl Salicylate: Amine Diazotization.

Science.gov (United States)

Zanger, Murray; McKee, James R.

1988-01-01

Notes that this experiment takes safety and noncarcinogenic reactants into account. Demonstrates the use of diazonium salts for the replacement of an aromatic amine group by a phenolic hydroxyl. Involves two pleasant-smelling organic compounds, methyl anthranilate (grape) and methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen). (MVL)

Inventory Control: Construction of a Photoelectric Colorimeter and Application to Students' Experiments.

Science.gov (United States)

Matsuo, Tsutomu; And Others

1989-01-01

Presented is a photoelectric colorimeter which can be assembled by the student. Reports that it can do many of the same analyses as the SPEC 20 but at a greatly reduced cost using older technology. Presents several experiments to use with the colorimeter. (MVL)

Two approaches towards the flavour puzzle. Dynamical minimal flavour violation and warped extra dimensions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Albrecht, Michaela E.

2010-08-16

The minimal-flavour-violating (MFV) hypothesis considers the Standard Model (SM) Yukawa matrices as the only source of flavour violation. In this work, we promote their entries to dynamical scalar spurion fields, using an effective field theory approach, such that the maximal flavour symmetry (FS) of the SM gauge sector is formally restored at high energy scales. The non-vanishing vacuum expectation values of the spurions induce a sequence of FS breaking and generate the observed hierarchy in the SM quark masses and mixings. The fact that there exists no explanation for it in the SM is known as the flavour puzzle. Gauging the non-abelian subgroup of the spontaneously broken FS, we interpret the associated Goldstone bosons as the longitudinal degrees of freedom of the corresponding massive gauge bosons. Integrating out the heavy Higgs modes in the Yukawa spurions leads directly to flavour-changing neutral currents (FCNCs) at tree level. The coefficients of the effective four-quark operators, resulting from the exchange of heavy flavoured gauge bosons, strictly follow the MFV principle. On the other hand, the Goldstone bosons associated with the global abelian symmetry group behave as weakly coupled axions which can be used to solve the strong CP problem within a modified Peccei-Quinn formalism. Models with a warped fifth dimension contain five-dimensional (5D) fermion bulk mass matrices in addition to their 5D Yukawa matrices, which thus represent an additional source of flavour violation beyond MFV. They can address the flavour puzzle since their eigenvalues allow for a different localisation of the fermion zero mode profiles along the extra dimension which leads to a hierarchy in the effective four-dimensional (4D) Yukawa matrices. At the same time, the fermion splitting introduces non-universal fermion couplings to Kaluza-Klein (KK) gauge boson modes, inducing tree-level FCNCs. Within a Randall-Sundrum model with custodial protection (RSc model) we carefully work

Two approaches towards the flavour puzzle. Dynamical minimal flavour violation and warped extra dimensions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Albrecht, Michaela E.

2010-01-01

The minimal-flavour-violating (MFV) hypothesis considers the Standard Model (SM) Yukawa matrices as the only source of flavour violation. In this work, we promote their entries to dynamical scalar spurion fields, using an effective field theory approach, such that the maximal flavour symmetry (FS) of the SM gauge sector is formally restored at high energy scales. The non-vanishing vacuum expectation values of the spurions induce a sequence of FS breaking and generate the observed hierarchy in the SM quark masses and mixings. The fact that there exists no explanation for it in the SM is known as the flavour puzzle. Gauging the non-abelian subgroup of the spontaneously broken FS, we interpret the associated Goldstone bosons as the longitudinal degrees of freedom of the corresponding massive gauge bosons. Integrating out the heavy Higgs modes in the Yukawa spurions leads directly to flavour-changing neutral currents (FCNCs) at tree level. The coefficients of the effective four-quark operators, resulting from the exchange of heavy flavoured gauge bosons, strictly follow the MFV principle. On the other hand, the Goldstone bosons associated with the global abelian symmetry group behave as weakly coupled axions which can be used to solve the strong CP problem within a modified Peccei-Quinn formalism. Models with a warped fifth dimension contain five-dimensional (5D) fermion bulk mass matrices in addition to their 5D Yukawa matrices, which thus represent an additional source of flavour violation beyond MFV. They can address the flavour puzzle since their eigenvalues allow for a different localisation of the fermion zero mode profiles along the extra dimension which leads to a hierarchy in the effective four-dimensional (4D) Yukawa matrices. At the same time, the fermion splitting introduces non-universal fermion couplings to Kaluza-Klein (KK) gauge boson modes, inducing tree-level FCNCs. Within a Randall-Sundrum model with custodial protection (RSc model) we carefully work

Young Scientists Discuss Recent Advances, Future Challenges.

Science.gov (United States)

Baum, Rudy M.

1989-01-01

Discusses a National Academy of Science forum at which a group of outstanding young researchers in astronomy, molecular and developmental biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, atmospheric science, and materials science met for three days of formal presentations and informal conversations. Provides a short synopsis of major speakers. (MVL)

Are High School Students Ready for Recombinant DNA?: The UOP Experience.

Science.gov (United States)

Minch, Michael J.

1989-01-01

Discusses a three-week summer college honors course for talented high school juniors with three exams, lab six days a week, a research paper, field trips, and student panel discussions. Presents an overview of the course. Describes the lab which uses "E. coli" for DNA recombination. (MVL)

Humans and Robots. Educational Brief.

Science.gov (United States)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC.

This brief discusses human movement and robotic human movement simulators. The activity for students in grades 5-12 provides a history of robotic movement and includes making an End Effector for the robotic arms used on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). (MVL)

Logic Programming: PROLOG.

Science.gov (United States)

Lopez, Antonio M., Jr.

1989-01-01

Provides background material on logic programing and presents PROLOG as a high-level artificial intelligence programing language that borrows its basic constructs from logic. Suggests the language is one which will help the educator to achieve various goals, particularly the promotion of problem solving ability. (MVL)

Polarization encoded all-optical quaternary R-S flip-flop using binary latch

Science.gov (United States)

Chattopadhyay, Tanay; Roy, Jitendra Nath; Chakraborty, Ajoy Kumar

2009-04-01

The developments of different multi-valued logic (MVL) systems have received considerable interests in recent years all over the world. In electronics, efforts have already been made to incorporate multi-valued system in logic and arithmetic data processing. But, very little efforts have been given in realization of MVL with optics. In this paper we present novel designs of certain all-optical circuits that can be used for realizing multi-valued logic functions. Polarization encoded all-optical quaternary (4-valued) R-S flip-flop is proposed and described. Two key circuits (all-optical encoder/decoder and a binary latch) are designed first. They are used to realize quaternary flip-flop in all-optical domain. Here the different quaternary logical states are represented by different polarized state of light. Terahertz Optical Asymmetric Demultiplexer (TOAD) based interferometric switch can take an important role. Computer simulation result confirming described methods and conclusion are given in this paper.

Laboratory Connections--Gas Monitoring Transducers Part III: Combustible Gas Sensors.

Science.gov (United States)

Powers, Michael H.; Dahman, Doug

1989-01-01

Describes an interface that uses semiconductor metal oxides to detect low gas concentrations. Notes the detector has long life, high stability, good reproducibility, low cost, and is able to convert the gas concentration to an electrical signal with a simple circuit. Theory, schematic, and applications are provided. (MVL)

Reviews.

Science.gov (United States)

Science Teacher, 1989

1989-01-01

Describes two software programs for the Apple II series and TRS-80 Models III and IV: (1) "Personal Energy Inventory" (grades 9-12, records and manages data, not considered user friendly); (2) "Energy Conservation" (grades 7-12, aids in converting and problem solving, uses drill and practice). (MVL)

Vector flow mapping in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to assess the relationship of early systolic left ventricular flow and the mitral valve.

Science.gov (United States)

Ro, Richard; Halpern, Dan; Sahn, David J; Homel, Peter; Arabadjian, Milla; Lopresto, Charles; Sherrid, Mark V

2014-11-11

The hydrodynamic cause of systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) is unresolved. This study hypothesized that echocardiographic vector flow mapping, a new echocardiographic technique, would provide insights into the cause of early SAM in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We analyzed the spatial relationship of left ventricular (LV) flow and the mitral valve leaflets (MVL) on 3-chamber vector flow mapping frames, and performed mitral valve measurements on 2-dimensional frames in patients with obstructive and nonobstructive HCM and in normal patients. We compared 82 patients (22 obstructive HCM, 23 nonobstructive HCM, and 37 normal) by measuring 164 LV pre- and post-SAM velocity vector flow maps, 82 maximum isovolumic vortices, and 328 2-dimensional frames. We observed color flow and velocity vector flow posterior to the MVL impacting them in the early systolic frames of 95% of obstructive HCM, 22% of nonobstructive HCM, and 11% of normal patients (p 60° of local vector flow onto the posterior surface of the leaflets whether the flow was ejection (59%) or the early systolic isovolumic vortex (41%). Ricochet of vector flow, rebounding off the leaflet into the cul-de-sac, was noted in 82% of the obstructed HCM, 9% of nonobstructive HCM, and none (0%) of the control patients (p Flow velocities in the LV outflow tract on the pre-SAM frame 1 and 2 mm from the tip of the anterior leaflet were low: 39 and 43 cm/s, respectively. Early systolic flow impacts the posterior surfaces of protruding MVL initiating SAM in obstructive HCM. Copyright © 2014 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Solution Calorimetry Experiments for Physical Chemistry.

Science.gov (United States)

Raizen, Deborah A.; And Others

1988-01-01

Presents two experiments: the first one measures the heat of an exothermic reaction by the reduction of permanganate by the ferris ion; the second one measures the heat of an endothermic process, the mixing of ethanol and cyclohexane. Lists tables to aid in the use of the solution calorimeter. (MVL)

Cobalt(II) and Cobalt(III) Coordination Compounds.

Science.gov (United States)

Thomas, Nicholas C.; And Others

1989-01-01

Presents a laboratory experiment which illustrates the formation of tris(phenanthroline)cobalt complexes in the 2+ and 3+ oxidation states, the effect of coordination on reactions of the ligand, and the use of a ligand displacement reaction in recovering the transformed ligand. Uses IR, UV-VIS, conductivity, and NMR. (MVL)

A Rapid Synthetic Method for the Preparation of Two Tris-Cobalt(III) Compounds.

Science.gov (United States)

Jackman, Donald C.; Rillema, D. Paul

1989-01-01

Reports a method of preparation for tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) and tris(2,2'-bipyridine)cobalt(III) that will shorten the preparation time by approximately 3 hours. Notes the time for synthesis and isolation of compound one was 1 hour (yield 38 percent) while compound two took 50 minutes (yield 71%). (MVL)

Byte-Size Ideas.

Science.gov (United States)

Peng, John; And Others

1988-01-01

Discusses four applications of the microcomputer to the classroom: (1) a program listing of how to draw circles on the Apple II computers; (2) using a database to help write stories; (3) switching computers with others while writing stories to encourage creativity; and (4) a listing of a LOGO kaleidoscope program. (MVL)

Financial market volatility and contagion effect: A copula-multifractal volatility approach

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Wang; Wei, Yu; Lang, Qiaoqi; Lin, Yu; Liu, Maojuan

2014-03-01

In this paper, we propose a new approach based on the multifractal volatility method (MFV) to study the contagion effect between the U.S. and Chinese stock markets. From recent studies, which reveal that multifractal characteristics exist in both developed and emerging financial markets, according to the econophysics literature we could draw conclusions as follows: Firstly, we estimate volatility using the multifractal volatility method, and find out that the MFV method performs best among other volatility models, such as GARCH-type and realized volatility models. Secondly, we analyze the tail dependence structure between the U.S. and Chinese stock market. The estimated static copula results for the entire period show that the SJC copula performs best, indicating asymmetric characteristics of the tail dependence structure. The estimated dynamic copula results show that the time-varying t copula achieves the best performance, which means the symmetry dynamic t copula is also a good choice, for it is easy to estimate and is able to depict both the upper and lower tail dependence structure. Finally, with the results of the previous two steps, we analyze the contagion effect between the U.S. and Chinese stock markets during the subprime mortgage crisis. The empirical results show that the subprime mortgage crisis started in the U.S. and that its stock market has had an obvious contagion effect on the Chinese stock market. Our empirical results should/might be useful for investors allocating their portfolios.

LEAN ARCHIVES: O emprego do Lean Office na gestão de arquivos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marcelo Cavaglieri

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Resumo Neste estudo, buscou-se aplicar o Lean office na gestão de arquivos tendo como objetivo verificar a aplicabilidade do pensamento Lean na arquivística. Quanto ao método utilizado, caracteriza-se por ser uma pesquisa-ação, de abordagem quali-quantitativa, classificada como exploratória e descritiva. A coleta dos dados realizou-se por meio de observação participante, entrevista não estruturada e realização de um grupo focal. Em relação à aplicação da pesquisa, seguiram-se os seguintes passos: Treinamento e conscientização dos colaboradores para o pensamento Lean; MFV - estado atual; MFV - estado Futuro; Plano de ação e Avaliação e discussão dos resultados. Entre os resultados obtidos da pesquisa realizada, destaca-se, de forma quantitativa, a redução de desperdícios com ganhos significativos do Lead Time, diminuindo o tempo gasto para processar as atividades e tempo em que o material fica parado, esperando para ser processado. Ganhos financeiros também foram obtidos, com mais aproveitamento dos recursos e uma reformulação na forma de guardar os documentos. De forma qualitativa, destaca-se um melhor ambiente de trabalho com práticas da gestão visual para comunicação das informações e aumento da eficiência do serviço prestado, gerando mais satisfação do cliente.

Aplicação e análise das ferramentas benchmarking enxuto e mapeamento do fluxo de valor

OpenAIRE

Dal Forno, Ana Julia

2008-01-01

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção. Para o diagnóstico dos sistemas produtivos há os métodos de Mapeamento de Fluxo de Valor (MFV) e Benchmarking Enxuto (BME), este desenvolvido pelo Laboratório de Simulação de Sistemas de Produção (LSSP) da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC). Este trabalho tem por objetivo descrever a aplicação desses dois métodos em três empresas de Santa Cata...

Supersymmetry Without (Too Much) Prejudice

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rizzo, Thomas G.; /SLAC

2010-08-26

We have recently completed a detailed scan of the 19-dimensional parameter space of the phenomenological MSSM, i.e., the CP-conserving MSSM [Minimal Supersymmtric Standard Model] assuming Minimal Flavor Violation (MFV) with the first two sfermion generations degenerate. We found a large set of parameter space points that satisfied all of the existing experimental and theoretical constraints. This analysis allows us to examine the general features of the MSSM without reference to any particular SUSY breaking scenario or any other assumptions about physics at higher scales. This study opens up new possibilities for SUSY phenomenology both at colliders and in astrophysical observations.

Supersymmetry Without (Too Much) Prejudice

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2010-01-01

We have recently completed a detailed scan of the 19-dimensional parameter space of the phenomenological MSSM, i.e., the CP-conserving MSSM (Minimal Supersymmtric Standard Model) assuming Minimal Flavor Violation (MFV) with the first two sfermion generations degenerate. We found a large set of parameter space points that satisfied all of the existing experimental and theoretical constraints. This analysis allows us to examine the general features of the MSSM without reference to any particular SUSY breaking scenario or any other assumptions about physics at higher scales. This study opens up new possibilities for SUSY phenomenology both at colliders and in astrophysical observations.

Supersymmetry Without (Too Much) Prejudice

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rizzo, Thomas G.

2010-01-01

We have recently completed a detailed scan of the 19-dimensional parameter space of the phenomenological MSSM, i.e., the CP-conserving MSSM assuming Minimal Flavor Violation(MFV) with the firs two sfermion generations degenerate. We found a large set of parameter space points that satisfie all of the existing experimental and theoretical constraints. This analysis allows us to examine the general features of the MSSM without reference to any particular SUSY breaking scenario or any other assumptions about physics at higher scales. This study opens up new possibilities for SUSY phenomenology both at colliders and in astrophysical observations.

Aplicação do mapeamento de fluxo de valor para avaliação de um sistema de produção

OpenAIRE

Vieira, Maurício Garcia

2006-01-01

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnologico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Mecânica O objetivo deste trabalho é fazer uma análise e propor melhorias, do ponto de vista da manufatura enxuta, para o fluxo de valor de uma empresa. Essa análise e as ações de melhoria foram auxiliadas através da ferramenta de Mapeamento de Fluxo de Valor (MFV) e dos conceitos da manufatura enxuta, como o mecanismo da função produção. O Mapeamento do Fluxo de ...

Porcine skin visible lesion thresholds for near-infrared lasers including modeling at two pulse durations and spot sizes.

Science.gov (United States)

Cain, C P; Polhamus, G D; Roach, W P; Stolarski, D J; Schuster, K J; Stockton, K L; Rockwell, B A; Chen, Bo; Welch, A J

2006-01-01

With the advent of such systems as the airborne laser and advanced tactical laser, high-energy lasers that use 1315-nm wavelengths in the near-infrared band will soon present a new laser safety challenge to armed forces and civilian populations. Experiments in nonhuman primates using this wavelength have demonstrated a range of ocular injuries, including corneal, lenticular, and retinal lesions as a function of pulse duration. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) laser safety standards have traditionally been based on experimental data, and there is scant data for this wavelength. We are reporting minimum visible lesion (MVL) threshold measurements using a porcine skin model for two different pulse durations and spot sizes for this wavelength. We also compare our measurements to results from our model based on the heat transfer equation and rate process equation, together with actual temperature measurements on the skin surface using a high-speed infrared camera. Our MVL-ED50 thresholds for long pulses (350 micros) at 24-h postexposure are measured to be 99 and 83 J cm(-2) for spot sizes of 0.7 and 1.3 mm diam, respectively. Q-switched laser pulses of 50 ns have a lower threshold of 11 J cm(-2) for a 5-mm-diam top-hat laser pulse.

Multi-valued and Fuzzy Logic Realization using TaOx Memristive Devices.

Science.gov (United States)

Bhattacharjee, Debjyoti; Kim, Wonjoo; Chattopadhyay, Anupam; Waser, Rainer; Rana, Vikas

2018-01-08

Among emerging non-volatile storage technologies, redox-based resistive switching Random Access Memory (ReRAM) is a prominent one. The realization of Boolean logic functionalities using ReRAM adds an extra edge to this technology. Recently, 7-state ReRAM devices were used to realize ternary arithmetic circuits, which opens up the computing space beyond traditional binary values. In this manuscript, we report realization of multi-valued and fuzzy logic operators with a representative application using ReRAM devices. Multi-valued logic (MVL), such as Łukasiewicz logic generalizes Boolean logic by allowing more than two truth values. MVL also permits operations on fuzzy sets, where, in contrast to standard crisp logic, an element is permitted to have a degree of membership to a given set. Fuzzy operations generally model human reasoning better than Boolean logic operations, which is predominant in current computing technologies. When the available information for the modelling of a system is imprecise and incomplete, fuzzy logic provides an excellent framework for the system design. Practical applications of fuzzy logic include, industrial control systems, robotics, and in general, design of expert systems through knowledge-based reasoning. Our experimental results show, for the first time, that it is possible to model fuzzy logic natively using multi-state memristive devices.

Minimal flavour violation and neutrino masses without R-parity

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Arcadi, G.; Di Luzio, L.; Nardecchia, M.

2012-01-01

symmetry breaking all the couplings of the superpotential including the R-parity violating ones. If R-parity violation is responsible for neutrino masses, our setup can be seen as an extension of MFV to the lepton sector. We analyze two patterns based on the non-abelian flavour symmetries SU(3)(4) circle...... times SU(4) and SU(3)(5). In the former case the total lepton number and the lepton flavour number are broken together, while in the latter the lepton number can be broken independently by an abelian spurion, so that visible effects and peculiar correlations can be envisaged in flavour changing charged...

Parity generator and parity checker in the modified trinary number system using savart plate and spatial light modulator

Science.gov (United States)

Ghosh, Amal K.

2010-09-01

The parity generators and the checkers are the most important circuits in communication systems. With the development of multi-valued logic (MVL), the proposed system with parity generators and checkers is the most required using the recently developed optoelectronic technology in the modified trinary number (MTN) system. This system also meets up the tremendous needs of speeds by exploiting the savart plates and spatial light modulators (SLM) in the optical tree architecture (OTA).

Synthesis and Analysis of a Quaternary Static RAM Using Quantizing Circuits

Science.gov (United States)

Syuto, Makoto; Magata, Hiroshi; Tanno, Koichi; Ishizuka, Okihiko

1999-09-01

In this paper, a voltage mode multiple valued static random access memory (MVSRAM) with a multiple valued quantizer is described. The proposed circuit has the merits of simplicity and low cost on fabrication, since it is implemented by standard CMOs process, instead of the conventional multi-level ion implantation usually applied in the voltage-mode multi-valued logic (MVL) circuit. The performance of the proposed MVSRAM is estimated by HSPICE simulations with MOSIS 2.0 microns CMOs process parameter.

Age-related differences in skeletal muscle microvascular response to exercise as detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Science.gov (United States)

Hildebrandt, Wulf; Schwarzbach, Hans; Pardun, Anita; Hannemann, Lena; Bogs, Björn; König, Alexander M; Mahnken, Andreas H; Hildebrandt, Olaf; Koehler, Ulrich; Kinscherf, Ralf

2017-01-01

Aging involves reductions in exercise total limb blood flow and exercise capacity. We hypothesized that this may involve early age-related impairments of skeletal muscle microvascular responsiveness as previously reported for insulin but not for exercise stimuli in humans. Using an isometric exercise model, we studied the effect of age on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) parameters, i.e. microvascular blood volume (MBV), flow velocity (MFV) and blood flow (MBF) calculated from replenishment of Sonovue contrast-agent microbubbles after their destruction. CEUS was applied to the vastus lateralis (VLat) and intermedius (VInt) muscle in 15 middle-aged (MA, 43.6±1.5 years) and 11 young (YG, 24.1±0.6 years) healthy males before, during, and after 2 min of isometric knee extension at 15% of peak torque (PT). In addition, total leg blood flow as recorded by femoral artery Doppler-flow. Moreover, fiber-type-specific and overall capillarisation as well as fiber composition were additionally assessed in Vlat biopsies obtained from CEUS site. MA and YG had similar quadriceps muscle MRT-volume or PT and maximal oxygen uptake as well as a normal cardiovascular risk factors and intima-media-thickness. During isometric exercise MA compared to YG reached significantly lower levels in MFV (0.123±0.016 vs. 0.208±0.036 a.u.) and MBF (0.007±0.001 vs. 0.012±0.002 a.u.). In the VInt the (post-occlusive hyperemia) post-exercise peaks in MBV and MBF were significantly lower in MA vs. YG. Capillary density, capillary fiber contacts and femoral artery Doppler were similar between MA and YG. In the absence of significant age-related reductions in capillarisation, total leg blood flow or muscle mass, healthy middle-aged males reveal impaired skeletal muscle microcirculatory responses to isometric exercise. Whether this limits isometric muscle performance remains to be assessed.

Early and late effects of the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin in a rat model of post-myocardial infarction heart failure

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

van Gilst Wiek H

2011-09-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Progressive remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Recently, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1 was shown to have cardioprotective effects, but treatment with GLP-1 is limited by its short half-life. It is rapidly degraded by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4, an enzyme which inhibits GLP-1 activity. We hypothesized that the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin will increase levels of GLP-1 and may exert protective effects on cardiac function after MI. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were either subjected to coronary ligation to induce MI and left ventricular (LV remodeling, or sham operation. Parts of the rats with an MI were pre-treated for 2 days with the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin (MI-Vildagliptin immediate, MI-VI, 15 mg/kg/day. The remainder of the rats was, three weeks after coronary artery ligation, subjected to treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin (MI-Vildagliptin Late, MI-VL or control (MI. At 12 weeks, echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics were measured and molecular analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results Vildagliptin inhibited the DPP-4 enzymatic activity by almost 70% and increased active GLP-1 levels by about 3-fold in plasma in both treated groups (p Conclusion Vildagliptin increases the active GLP-1 level via inhibition of DPP-4, but it has no substantial protective effects on cardiac function in this well established long-term post-MI cardiac remodeling model.

Tracheal intubation in patients with anticipated difficult airway using Boedeker intubation forceps and McGrath videolaryngoscope

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Strøm, C; Barnung, S; Kristensen, M S

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: Videolaryngoscopes with sharp angulated blades improve the view of the vocal cords but this does not necessarily result in higher success rates of intubation The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using Boedeker intubation forceps in conjunction with McGrath Series 5 Vi...... by using a styletted tube. CONCLUSION(S): Most patients with anticipated difficult intubation can be successfully intubated with Boedeker intubation forceps and MVL. However, endotracheal tube placement failed in 3/25 patients despite a good laryngeal view....

Age-related differences in skeletal muscle microvascular response to exercise as detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wulf Hildebrandt

Full Text Available Aging involves reductions in exercise total limb blood flow and exercise capacity. We hypothesized that this may involve early age-related impairments of skeletal muscle microvascular responsiveness as previously reported for insulin but not for exercise stimuli in humans.Using an isometric exercise model, we studied the effect of age on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS parameters, i.e. microvascular blood volume (MBV, flow velocity (MFV and blood flow (MBF calculated from replenishment of Sonovue contrast-agent microbubbles after their destruction. CEUS was applied to the vastus lateralis (VLat and intermedius (VInt muscle in 15 middle-aged (MA, 43.6±1.5 years and 11 young (YG, 24.1±0.6 years healthy males before, during, and after 2 min of isometric knee extension at 15% of peak torque (PT. In addition, total leg blood flow as recorded by femoral artery Doppler-flow. Moreover, fiber-type-specific and overall capillarisation as well as fiber composition were additionally assessed in Vlat biopsies obtained from CEUS site. MA and YG had similar quadriceps muscle MRT-volume or PT and maximal oxygen uptake as well as a normal cardiovascular risk factors and intima-media-thickness.During isometric exercise MA compared to YG reached significantly lower levels in MFV (0.123±0.016 vs. 0.208±0.036 a.u. and MBF (0.007±0.001 vs. 0.012±0.002 a.u.. In the VInt the (post-occlusive hyperemia post-exercise peaks in MBV and MBF were significantly lower in MA vs. YG. Capillary density, capillary fiber contacts and femoral artery Doppler were similar between MA and YG.In the absence of significant age-related reductions in capillarisation, total leg blood flow or muscle mass, healthy middle-aged males reveal impaired skeletal muscle microcirculatory responses to isometric exercise. Whether this limits isometric muscle performance remains to be assessed.

Mudanças de forecast na indústria automobilística: iniciativas para a estruturação dos processos de tomada de decisão e processamento da informação Changes in automotive industry forecasting: initiatives for structuring the processes of decision-making and information processing

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Frederico Roldan

2004-12-01

Full Text Available O presente artigo visa identificar que aspectos da literatura corrente sobre o processo de tomada de decisões, aliados à ferramenta de Mapeamento do Fluxo de Valor (MFV - derivada da abordagem de manufatura enxuta -, podem ser aplicados ao processo de mudanças de forecast de produção na indústria automobilística. Proposições teóricas e suas implicações metodológicas são discutidas do ponto de vista prático, em um caso real no mercado brasileiro. São feitas recomendações visando melhorar este processo, trazendo maior clareza, objetividade e racionalidade, além de promover o fortalecimento da competitividade desta indústria e de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Desta forma, a idéia de combinar a aplicação da ferramenta de MFV, adaptada para processos administrativos, com sugestões baseadas em teorias descritivas e normativas da engenharia de tomada de decisão, se mostra promissora, podendo contribuir para melhorar a qualidade e eficiência no processo estudado.This paper identifies the aspects of the current literature on the decision-making process and Value Stream Mapping (VSM - a tool derived from the lean thinking approach - that can be applied to improve the process of production forecast changes in the automotive industry. The theoretical propositions and their methodological implications are discussed from the practical viewpoint, focusing on the real case of an auto manufacturer in the Brazilian market. Recommendations are made to improve this process and make it clear, objective and rational, as well as to strengthen the competitiveness of this industry and its supply chain. The idea of combining the application of VSM adapted to administrative environments and processes with suggestions based on normative and descriptive theories about decision-making engineering seems promising and may contribute to improve the quality and efficiency of this process.

Porcine skin damage thresholds for pulsed nanosecond-scale laser exposure at 1064-nm

Science.gov (United States)

DeLisi, Michael P.; Peterson, Amanda M.; Noojin, Gary D.; Shingledecker, Aurora D.; Tijerina, Amanda J.; Boretsky, Adam R.; Schmidt, Morgan S.; Kumru, Semih S.; Thomas, Robert J.

2018-02-01

Pulsed high-energy lasers operating in the near-infrared (NIR) band are increasingly being used in medical, industrial, and military applications, but there are little available experimental data to characterize their hazardous effects on skin tissue. The current American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z136.1-2014) defines the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) on the skin as either a single-pulse or total exposure time limit. This study determined the minimum visible lesion (MVL) damage thresholds in Yucatan miniature pig skin for the single-pulse case and several multiple-pulse cases over a wide range of pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) (10, 125, 2,000, and 10,000 Hz) utilizing nanosecond-scale pulses (10 or 60 ns). The thresholds are expressed in terms of the median effective dose (ED50) based on varying individual pulse energy with other laser parameters held constant. The results confirm a decrease in MVL threshold as PRF increases for exposures with a constant number of pulses, while also noting a PRF-dependent change in the threshold as a function of the number of pulses. Furthermore, this study highlights a change in damage mechanism to the skin from melanin-mediated photomechanical events at high irradiance levels and few numbers of pulses to bulk tissue photothermal additivity at lower irradiance levels and greater numbers of pulses. The observed trends exceeded the existing exposure limits by an average factor of 9.1 in the photothermally-damaged cases and 3.6 in the photomechanicallydamaged cases.

A Paraconsistent Higher Order Logic

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Villadsen, Jørgen

2004-01-01

of paraconsistent logics in knowledge-based systems, logical semantics of natural language, etc. Higher order logics have the advantages of being expressive and with several automated theorem provers available. Also the type system can be helpful. We present a concise description of a paraconsistent higher order...... of the logic is examined by a case study in the domain of medicine. Thus we try to build a bridge between the HOL and MVL communities. A sequent calculus is proposed based on recent work by Muskens. Many non-classical logics are, at the propositional level, funny toys which work quite good, but when one wants...

Implications for new physics from B-bar 0->π0π0 and B-bar 0->K-bar 0K0

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cheng Jianfeng; Gao Yuanning; Huang Chaoshang; Wu Xiaohong

2006-01-01

We have analyzed the B-bar 0 ->π 0 π 0 puzzle in three kinds of models beyond the standard model (SM). It is shown that the minimal flavor violation (MFV) models, the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM), and the two Higgs doublet models (2HDM) I and II cannot give an explanation of the B-bar 0 ->π 0 π 0 puzzle within 1σ experimental bounds and the model III 2HDM can explain the puzzle without a conflict with other experimental measurements. If the constraint on C 8g from b->sg is not imposed, for all kinds of insertions considered there are regions of parameter space, where the scalar quark mass is larger (much larger) than the gluino mass in the case of LR or RL (LL or RR), in which the puzzle can be resolved within 1σ experimental bounds

Triangular Norms, Triangular Conorms, and Some Related Concepts

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Angel Garrido

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Abstract. Mathematically considered, a Triangular Norm is a kind of binary operation frequently used in the context of Probabilistic Metric Spaces, but also in other very interesting fields, as may be Fuzzy Logic, or in general, in Multi-Valued Logic (MVL. The T-conorm, or S-norm, is a dual concept. Both ideas allow us to generalize the intersection and the union in a Lattice, or disjunction and conjunction in Logic. Also may be very interesting to introduce a special class of real monotone operations. We refer to the so-called Copulas, very useful in many fields. So, we offer now a comprehensive analysis of all these aggregation operators.

Precision calculations in supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Slavich, P.

2013-01-01

This dissertation is organized as follows: in the next chapter I will summarize the structure of the supersymmetric extensions of the standard model (SM), namely the MSSM (Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model) and the NMSSM (Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model), I will provide a brief overview of different patterns of SUSY (supersymmetry) breaking and discuss some issues on the renormalization of the input parameters that are common to all calculations of higher-order corrections in SUSY models. In chapter 3 I will review and describe computations on the production of MSSM Higgs bosons in gluon fusion. In chapter 4 I will review results on the radiative corrections to the Higgs boson masses in the NMSSM. In chapter 5 I will review the calculation of BR(B → X s γ in the MSSM with Minimal Flavor Violation (MFV). Finally, in chapter 6 I will briefly summarize the outlook of my future research. (author)

Early and late effects of the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin in a rat model of post-myocardial infarction heart failure

Science.gov (United States)

2011-01-01

Background Progressive remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Recently, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 was shown to have cardioprotective effects, but treatment with GLP-1 is limited by its short half-life. It is rapidly degraded by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), an enzyme which inhibits GLP-1 activity. We hypothesized that the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin will increase levels of GLP-1 and may exert protective effects on cardiac function after MI. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were either subjected to coronary ligation to induce MI and left ventricular (LV) remodeling, or sham operation. Parts of the rats with an MI were pre-treated for 2 days with the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin (MI-Vildagliptin immediate, MI-VI, 15 mg/kg/day). The remainder of the rats was, three weeks after coronary artery ligation, subjected to treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin (MI-Vildagliptin Late, MI-VL) or control (MI). At 12 weeks, echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics were measured and molecular analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results Vildagliptin inhibited the DPP-4 enzymatic activity by almost 70% and increased active GLP-1 levels by about 3-fold in plasma in both treated groups (p vildagliptin, either early or late, did not reverse cardiac remodeling. ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) and BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) mRNA levels were significantly increased in all 3 MI groups, but no significant reductions were observed in both vildagliptin groups. Vildagliptin also did not change cardiomyocyte size or capillary density after MI. No effects were detected on glucose level and body weight in the post-MI remodeling model. Conclusion Vildagliptin increases the active GLP-1 level via inhibition of DPP-4, but it has no substantial protective effects on cardiac function in this well established long-term post-MI cardiac remodeling model. PMID:21955567

A Spatiotemporal Multi-View-Based Learning Method for Short-Term Traffic Forecasting

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shifen Cheng

2018-06-01

Full Text Available Short-term traffic forecasting plays an important part in intelligent transportation systems. Spatiotemporal k-nearest neighbor models (ST-KNNs have been widely adopted for short-term traffic forecasting in which spatiotemporal matrices are constructed to describe traffic conditions. The performance of the models is closely related to the spatial dependencies, the temporal dependencies, and the interaction of spatiotemporal dependencies. However, these models use distance functions and correlation coefficients to identify spatial neighbors and measure the temporal interaction by only considering the temporal closeness of traffic, which result in existing ST-KNNs that cannot fully reflect the essential features of road traffic. This study proposes an improved spatiotemporal k-nearest neighbor model for short-term traffic forecasting by utilizing a multi-view learning algorithm named MVL-STKNN that fully considers the spatiotemporal dependencies of traffic data. First, the spatial neighbors for each road segment are automatically determined using cross-correlation under different temporal dependencies. Three spatiotemporal views are built on the constructed spatiotemporal closeness, periodic, and trend matrices to represent spatially heterogeneous traffic states. Second, a spatiotemporal weighting matrix is introduced into the ST-KNN model to recognize similar traffic patterns in the three spatiotemporal views. Finally, the results of traffic pattern recognition under these three spatiotemporal views are aggregated by using a neural network algorithm to describe the interaction of spatiotemporal dependencies. Extensive experiments were conducted using real vehicular-speed datasets collected on city roads and expressways. In comparison with baseline methods, the results show that the MVL-STKNN model greatly improves short-term traffic forecasting by lowering the mean absolute percentage error between 28.24% and 46.86% for the city road dataset and

SIMPLIFIED DIAGNOSIS OF MALARIA INFECTION: GFM/PCR/ELISA A SIMPLIFIED NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION TECHNIQUE BY PCR/ELISA

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ricardo Luiz Dantas MACHADO

1998-09-01

Full Text Available We report an adaptation of a technique for the blood sample collection (GFM as well as for the extraction and amplification of Plasmodium DNA for the diagnosis of malaria infection by the PCR/ELISA. The method of blood sample collection requires less expertise and saves both time and money, thus reducing the cost by more than half. The material is also suitable for genetic analysis in either fresh or stored specimens prepared by this method.Relatamos a adaptação de uma técnica para coleta de amostras (MFV e outra para extração, amplificação de DNA de parasitas da malária para diagnóstico por PCR/ELISA. O método de coleta de amostras requer menos habilidade e economisa tempo e dinheiro, assim reduzindo a mais da metade o custo. O material é também adequado para análise genética em especimens frescos ou estocados, preparados por este método.

Prediction of octanol-water partition coefficients of organic compounds by multiple linear regression, partial least squares, and artificial neural network.

Science.gov (United States)

Golmohammadi, Hassan

2009-11-30

A quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) study was performed to develop models those relate the structure of 141 organic compounds to their octanol-water partition coefficients (log P(o/w)). A genetic algorithm was applied as a variable selection tool. Modeling of log P(o/w) of these compounds as a function of theoretically derived descriptors was established by multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least squares (PLS), and artificial neural network (ANN). The best selected descriptors that appear in the models are: atomic charge weighted partial positively charged surface area (PPSA-3), fractional atomic charge weighted partial positive surface area (FPSA-3), minimum atomic partial charge (Qmin), molecular volume (MV), total dipole moment of molecule (mu), maximum antibonding contribution of a molecule orbital in the molecule (MAC), and maximum free valency of a C atom in the molecule (MFV). The result obtained showed the ability of developed artificial neural network to prediction of partition coefficients of organic compounds. Also, the results revealed the superiority of ANN over the MLR and PLS models. Copyright 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Hierarchy Problem and the Self-Localized Higgs

CERN Document Server

Burgess, C P; van Nierop, Leo

2008-01-01

We examine brane-world scenarios in which all the observed Standard Model particles reside on a brane but the Higgs is an elementary extra-dimensional scalar in the bulk. We show that, for codimension 2 branes, often-neglected interactions between the bulk Higgs and the branes cause two novel effects. First, they cause to depend only logarithmically on the UV-sensitive coefficient, m_B^2, of the mass term, m_B^2 H^*H, of the bulk potential, thus providing a new mechanism for tackling the hierarchy problem. Second, the Higgs brane couplings cause the lowest mass KK mode to localize near the brane without any need for geometrical effects like warping. We explore some preliminary implications such models have for the Higgs signature at the LHC, both in the case where the extra dimensions arise at the TeV scale, and in ADD models having Large Extra Dimensions. Novel Higgs features include couplings to fermions which are generically stronger than the Standard Model values, m_f/v, despite the fermions acquiring th...

Predictions for $b \\rightarrow ss\\overline{d}$ and $b \\rightarrow dd\\overline{s}$ decays in the SM and with new physics

CERN Document Server

Pirjol, Dan

2010-01-01

The b -> ssdbar and b -> ddsbar decays are highly suppressed in the SM, and are thus good probes of new physics (NP) effects. We discuss in detail the structure of the relevant SM effective Hamiltonian pointing out the presence of nonlocal contributions which can be about \\lambda^{-4} (m_c^2/m_t^2) ~ 30% of the local operators (\\lambda = 0.21 is the Cabibbo angle). The matrix elements of the local operators are computed with little hadronic uncertainty by relating them through flavor SU(3) to the observed \\Delta S = 0 decays. We identify a general NP mechanism which can lead to the branching fractions of the b\\to ss\\bar d modes at or just below the present experimental bounds, while satisfying the bounds from K-Kbar and B_{(s)}-Bbar_{(s)} mixing. It involves the exchange of a NP field carrying a conserved charge, broken only by its flavor couplings. The size of branching fractions within MFV, NMFV and general flavor violating NP are also predicted. We show that in the future energy scales higher than 10^3 TeV...

Value of Perfusion CT, Transcranial Doppler Sonography, and Neurological Examination to Detect Delayed Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kunze, E.; Raslan, F.; Stetter, Ch.; Lee, J.Y.; Solymosi, L.; Ernestus, R.I.; Vince, G.H.; Westermaier, Th.; Pham, M.; Solymosi, L.

2012-01-01

Background. If detected in time, delayed cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may be treated by balloon angioplasty or chemical vasospasmolysis in order to enhance cerebral blood flow (CBF) and protect the brain from ischemic damage. This study was conceived to compare the diagnostic accuracy of detailed neurological examination, Transcranial Doppler Sonography (TCD), and Perfusion-CT (PCT) to detect angiographic vasospasm. Methods. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of delayed ischemic neurological deterioration (DIND), pathological findings on PCT-maps, and accelerations of the mean flow velocity (MVF) were calculated. Results. The accuracy of DIND to predict angiographic vasospasm was 0.88. An acceleration of MFV in TCD (>140 cm/s) had an accuracy of 0.64, positive PCT-findings of 0.69 with a higher sensitivity, and negative predictive value than TCD. Interpretation. Neurological assessment at close intervals is the most sensitive and specific parameter for cerebral vasospasm. PCT has a higher accuracy, sensitivity and negative predictive value than TCD. If detailed neurological evaluation is possible, it should be the leading parameter in the management and treatment decisions. If patients are not amenable to detailed neurological examination, PCT at regular intervals is a helpful tool to diagnose secondary vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH

Produção de forragem do capim-Tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia-1 pastejado em diferentes alturas Forage production of Tanzaniagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania-1 grazed at different heights

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Clovenilson Cláudio Perissato Cano

2004-12-01

Full Text Available Objetivou-se, com este experimento, avaliar a massa de forragem (MF, massa de lâmina verde (MLV, massa de colmo + bainha verde (MCV, massa de material morto (MMM, massa de forragem verde (MFV, relação folha/colmo (F/C, taxa de acúmulo de massa seca (TAMS, acúmulo de massa de forragem (AMF, índice de área foliar (IAF, porcentagem de solo descoberto (SD e porcentagem de solo coberto com liteira (SCL em pastagem de capim-Tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia-1 manejada em quatro alturas do dossel forrageiro (20, 40, 60 e 80 cm. O método de pastejo utilizado foi o de lotação contínua e taxa de lotação variável, com novilhos da raça Nelore com peso médio de 340 kg. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com duas repetições e realizaram-se cinco avaliações. MLV, MCV, MMM, MFV, MF, IAF, TAMS e AMF aumentaram com o avanço da altura do dossel, sendo que a porcentagem de SD, SCL e material morto diminui em pastos mais altos. O manejo do capim-Tanzânia nas alturas de 40 e 60 cm, apresentou as melhores respostas de composição morfológica, garantindo boa oferta de folhas, de cobertura do solo e taxa de acúmulo de massa seca. As alturas de 20 e 80 cm não devem ser recomendadas para o manejo do capim-Tanzânia quando o objetivo for produção com qualidade e quantidade.This experiment was conducted out to evaluate the forage mass (FM, green leaf lamina mass (GLLM, green stem + leaf sheath mass (GSSM, mass of dead material (MDM, green forage mass (GMF, total forage mass (TFM, leaf/stem ratio (L/S, dry matter accumulation rate (DMAR, leaf area index (LAI, % of bare soil (BS and litter cover percentage (LCP in Tanzaniagrass pasture (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania-1 managed at four different sward heights (20, 40, 60 and 80 cm. The grazing method was the continuous stocking with variable stocking rate, and the grazing animals were Nellore steers with average weight of 340 kg. The completely

Single-electron transistors fabricated with sidewall spacer patterning

Science.gov (United States)

Park, Byung-Gook; Kim, Dae Hwan; Kim, Kyung Rok; Song, Ki-Whan; Lee, Jong Duk

2003-09-01

We have implemented a sidewall spacer patterning method for novel dual-gate single-electron transistor (DGSET) and metal-oxide-semiconductor-based SET (MOSET) based on the uniform SOI wire, using conventional lithography and processing technology. A 30 nm wide silicon quantum wire is defined by a sidewall spacer patterning method, and depletion gates for two tunnel junctions of the DGSET are formed by the doped polycrystalline silicon sidewall. The fabricated DGSET and MOSET show clear single-electron tunneling phenomena at liquid nitrogen temperature and insensitivity of the Coulomb oscillation period to gate bias conditions. On the basis of the phase control capability of the sidewall depletion gates, we have proposed a complementary self-biasing method, which enables the SET/CMOS hybrid multi-valued logic (MVL) to operate perfectly well at high temperature, where the peak-to-valley current ratio of Coulomb oscillation severely decreases. The suggested scheme is evaluated by SPICE simulation with an analytical DGSET model, and it is confirmed that even DGSETs with a large Si island can be utilized efficiently in the multi-valued logic.

Distinguishing between MSSM and NMSSM through ΔF=2 processes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kumar, Jacky [Department of High Energy Physics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research,Ist Homi Bhabha road, 400 005 Mumbai (India); Paraskevas, Michael [Department of Physics, Division of Theoretical Physics, University of Ioannina,GR 45110 Ioannina (Greece)

2016-10-25

We study deviations between MSSM and Z{sub 3}-invariant NMSSM, with respect to their predictions in ΔF=2 processes. We find that potentially significant effects arise either from the well known double-penguin diagrams, due to the extra scalar NMSSM states, or from neutralino-gluino box contributions, due to the extended neutralino sector. Both are discussed to be effective in the large tan β regime. Enhanced genuine-NMSSM contributions in double penguins are expected for a light singlet spectrum (CP-even, CP-odd), while the magnitude of box effects is primarily controlled through singlino mixing. The latter is found to be typically subleading (but non-negligible) for λ≲0.5, however it can become dominant for λ∼O(1). We also study the low tan β regime, where a distinction between MSSM and NMSSM can come instead due to experimental constraints, acting differently on the allowed parameter space of each model. To this end, we incorporate the LHC Run-I limits from H→Z Z, A→h Z and H{sup ±}→τ ν non-observation along with Higgs observables and set (different) upper bounds for new physics contributions in ΔF=2 processes. We find that a ∼25% contribution in ΔM{sub s(d)} is still possible for MFV models, however such a large effect is nowadays severely constrained for the case of MSSM, due to stronger bounds on the charged Higgs masses.

Vitamin E - its status and role in leukemia and lymphoma

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dasgupta, J.; Das, S.; Sanyal, U.

1993-01-01

A comparative study has been performed on the relationship between vitamin E and immuno-function in normal and malignant condition in human and murine systems. Further, the effects of supplemental vitamin E on tumor take, host survival and tumor growth has been studied in a transplantable lymphoma in mice. Vitamin E was assayed in serum samples from normal subjects and from patient with leukemia and lymphoma by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) The murine group included Dalton's ascite lymphoma (DL), Schwartz lymphoblastic leukemia (SVL) and Moloney lymphoblastic leukemia (MVL). Serum vitamin E was found to be lower than that of the normal controls in all cases of leukemia and lymphoma both in human and lymphoma. Supplementary vitamin E administered at the initial phase of development of murine lymphomas reduced the rate of tumor growth, improved host survival and elevated serum vitamin E level. Vitamin E supplementation also activated specific induced blastogenesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and elevated serum IgG level. IgM remained unaltered and and macrophage activity did not seem to be affected. The present findings indicated a low status of vitamin E in tumor bearing host and beneficial effect of supplemental vitamin E on the host which was mediated by the host immune system. (author)

Extended minimal flavour violating MSSM and implications for B physics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ali, A.; Lunghi, E.

2001-05-01

Current world average of the CP asymmetry a ψK , obtained from the rate differences in the decays B 0 →(JψK s ), (J/ψK L ) and their charge conjugates, is barely compatible with the standard model (SM) predictions resulting from the unitarity of the CKM matrix. Indirect estimate of this CP asymmetry in the so-called minimal flavour violating (MFV) supersymmetric extensions of the standard model, in which the CKM matrix remains the only flavour changing structure, is similar to the one in the SM. If the present experimental trend yielding δa ψK ≡a ψK exp -a ψK SM ψK at the cost of introducing an additional flavour changing structure beyond the CKM matrix. We analyze the compatibility of this model with present data and suggest specific tests in forthcoming experiments in B-meson decays. In addition to the CP-asymmetries in B-meson decays, such as a ψK and a ππ , we emphasize measurements of the radiative transition b→dγ as sensitive probes of the postulated flavour changing structure. This is quantified in terms of the ratio R(ργ/K*γ)=2B(B 0 →ρ 0 γ)/B(B 0 →K* 0 γ), the isospin violating ratio Δ ±0 =B(B ± →ρ ± γ)-/2B(B 0 →ρ 0 γ)-1, and the CP-asymmetry in the decay rates for B + →ρ + γ and its charge conjugate. (orig.)

Real-time vision systems

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Johnson, R.; Hernandez, J.E.; Lu, Shin-yee [Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)

1994-11-15

Many industrial and defence applications require an ability to make instantaneous decisions based on sensor input of a time varying process. Such systems are referred to as `real-time systems` because they process and act on data as it occurs in time. When a vision sensor is used in a real-time system, the processing demands can be quite substantial, with typical data rates of 10-20 million samples per second. A real-time Machine Vision Laboratory (MVL) was established in FY94 to extend our years of experience in developing computer vision algorithms to include the development and implementation of real-time vision systems. The laboratory is equipped with a variety of hardware components, including Datacube image acquisition and processing boards, a Sun workstation, and several different types of CCD cameras, including monochrome and color area cameras and analog and digital line-scan cameras. The equipment is reconfigurable for prototyping different applications. This facility has been used to support several programs at LLNL, including O Division`s Peacemaker and Deadeye Projects as well as the CRADA with the U.S. Textile Industry, CAFE (Computer Aided Fabric Inspection). To date, we have successfully demonstrated several real-time applications: bullet tracking, stereo tracking and ranging, and web inspection. This work has been documented in the ongoing development of a real-time software library.

Assessment of cerebrovascular reactivity during major depression and after remission of disease

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Vakilian Alireza

2010-01-01

Full Text Available Background: There are a growing number of studies suggesting that depression may increase the risk of stroke. Impaired autoregulation of vascular tone may contribute to a higher risk of developing cerebrovascular diseases. Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR reflects the compensatory dilatory capacity of cerebral arterioles to a dilatory stimulus and is an important mechanism that ensures constant cerebral blood flow. There is a hypothesis that CVR is reduced in major depression, which would explain the association between depression and stroke. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of depression on CVR in cerebral vessels by comparing CVR during the depression phase with that during remission. Material and Methods: Using the apnea test, we assessed CVR in 16 patients with unipolar depression during disease and after remission of disease by calculating the increase in cerebral blood flow velocity after breath-holding (the apnea test. Blood flow velocities were measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD. Results: CVR was significantly reduced in the depression phase in comparison to that in the remission phase. However, this change was not seen in all the patients. Conclusion: CVR was reduced in most of the depressed patients. The decreased CVR, as indicated by the changes in peak systolic velocity (PSV and mean flow velocity (MFV of the middle cerebral artery, in depressed patients was more marked on the right side, which could point to a vascular basis for some kinds of depression. We recommend that other studies, with larger samples, be done; future studies should assess whether the changes in the CVR varies with the severity and type of depression.

Comportamento ingestivo de novilhos mestiços em pastagens tropicais manejadas em diferentes alturas Chewing behavior of crossbred beef steers on tropical pasture managed at different heights

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fabíola Cristine de Almeida Rego

2006-08-01

Full Text Available Foi avaliado o comportamento ingestivo de novilhos mestiços em pastagens exclusivas de capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha Stapf Hoesch cv. Marandu, capim-tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia e amendoim forrageiro (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo e em pastagem consorciada de capim-marandu e amendoim forrageiro, em resposta à altura do relvado. As parcelas foram reguladas em seis alturas nas pastagens de gramíneas e, naquelas de amendoim forrageiro e consorciada, foram rebaixadas simulando o pastejo intermitente. A quantidade de forragem ingerida pelo animal foi determinada pela técnica de dupla pesagem. A taxa de ingestão (TI, g MS/minuto foi estudada em função da altura da pastagem (A e da massa de folhas (MFV, denominadas variável Z no modelo: TI = TImax (1 - e(-K x Z; em que: TImax é o parâmetro que representa a taxa de ingestão potencial máxima (g MS/min; k é o parâmetro que representa a variação em TI para cada unidade de variação em Z. A TI variou conforme a altura da pastagem para todas as espécies, mas, para a MFV, variou apenas nas pastagens de amendoim forrageiro e capim-marandu. A TI potencial em função da altura da pastagem foi de 66,49 g MS/minuto, independentemente da pastagem avaliada, e foi mais sensível à variação na altura para o amendoim forrageiro, em comparação às demais pastagens (k = 0,09 vs 0,039. A fração tempo despendido/g MS ingerido/bocado foi maior para o capim-tanzânia e a pastagem consorciada, com valores de 3,16 e 2,83 segundos, respectivamente. Para manipulação do capim-marandu e do amendoim forrageiro, o tempo despendido foi 0,80 e 0,68 segundo, respectivamente. A estratégia do animal para manter a TI elevada na pastagem de amendoim forrageiro foi aumentar a taxa de bocados e, nas demais pastagens, aumentar a ingestão por bocado.The chewing behavior of crossbred beef steers grazing pure swards of marandugrass (Brachiaria brizantha Stapf Hoesch cv. Marandu, tanzaniagrass

Ultrasonographic evaluation of cerebral arterial and venous haemodynamics in multiple sclerosis: a case-control study.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Pasquale Marchione

Full Text Available OBJECTIVE: Although recent studies excluded an association between Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency and Multiple Sclerosis (MS, controversial results account for some cerebrovascular haemodynamic impairment suggesting a dysfunction of cerebral autoregulation mechanisms. The aim of this cross-sectional, case-control study is to evaluate cerebral arterial inflow and venous outflow by means of a non-invasive ultrasound procedure in Relapsing Remitting (RR, Primary Progressive (PP Multiple Sclerosis and age and sex-matched controls subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All subjects underwent a complete extra-intracranial arterial and venous ultrasound assessment with a color-coded duplex sonography scanner and a transcranial doppler equipment, in both supine and sitting position by means of a tilting chair. Basal arterial and venous morphology and flow velocities, postural changes in mean flow velocities (MFV of middle cerebral arteries (MCA, differences between cerebral venous outflow (CVF in clinostatism and in the seated position (ΔCVF and non-invasive cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP were evaluated. RESULTS: 85 RR-MS, 83 PP-MS and 82 healthy controls were included. ΔCVF was negative in 45/85 (52.9% RR-MS, 63/83 (75.9% PP-MS (p = 0.01 and 11/82 (13.4% controls (p<0.001, while MFVs on both MCAs in sitting position were significantly reduced in RR-MS and PP-MS patients than in control, particularly in EDSS ≥ 5 subgroup (respectively, 42/50, 84% vs. 66/131, 50.3%, p<0.01 and 48.3 ± 2 cm/s vs. 54.6 ± 3 cm/s, p = 0.01. No significant differences in CPP were observed within and between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative evaluation of cerebral blood flow (CBF and CVF and their postural dependency may be related to a dysfunction of autonomic nervous system that seems to characterize more disabled MS patients. It's not clear whether the altered postural control of arterial inflow and venous outflow is a specific MS condition or simply an

Flavour physics and extra-dimensions

Science.gov (United States)

Iyer, Abhishek M.

2018-05-01

Randall-Sundrum (RS) model of warped extra-dimensions were originally proposed to explain the Planck-weak scale hierarchy. It was soon realised that modifications of the original setup, by introducing the fields in the bulk, has several interesting features. In particular it imbues a rich flavour structure to the fermionic sector thereby offering an understanding of the Yukawa hierarchy problem. This construction is also useful in explaining the recently observed deviations in the decay of the B mesons. We consider two scenarios to this effect : A) Right handed muon fields coupled more to NP that the corresponding muon doublets (unorthodox case). Non-universality exists in the right handed sector. B) Standard scenario with anomalies explained primarily by non-universal couplings to the lepton doublets. Further, we establish correlation with the parameter space consistent with the flavour anomalies in the neutral current sector and obtain predictions for rare K- decay which are likely to be another candle for NP with increased precision. The prediction for rare K- decays are different according to the scenario, thereby serving as a useful discriminatory tool. We also discussthe large flavour violation in the lepton sector and present an example with the implementation of bulk leptonic MFV which is essential to realize the model with low KK scales. Further we consider a radical solution, called GUT RS models, where the RS geometry can work as theory of flavour in the absence of flavour symmetries. In this case the low energy brane corresponds to the GUT scale as a result of which RS is no longer solution to the gauge hierarchy problem. The Kaluza Klein (KK) modes in this setup are naturally heavy due to which the low energy constraints can be easily avoided. We use this framework to discuss the supersymmetric version of the RS model and provide means to test this scenario by considering rare lepton decays like τ → μγ.

Optimizing cationic and neutral lipids for efficient gene delivery at high serum content.

Science.gov (United States)

Chan, Chia-Ling; Ewert, Kai K; Majzoub, Ramsey N; Hwu, Yeu-Kuang; Liang, Keng S; Leal, Cecília; Safinya, Cyrus R

2014-01-01

Cationic liposome (CL)-DNA complexes are promising gene delivery vectors with potential application in gene therapy. A key challenge in creating CL-DNA complexes for application is that their transfection efficiency (TE) is adversely affected by serum. In particular, little is known about the effects of a high serum content on TE, even though this may provide design guidelines for application in vivo. We prepared CL-DNA complexes in which we varied the neutral lipid [1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerophosphatidylcholine, glycerol-monooleate (GMO), cholesterol], the headgroup charge and chemical structure of the cationic lipid, and the ratio of neutral to cationic lipid; we then measured the TE of these complexes as a function of serum content and assessed their cytotoxicity. We tested selected formulations in two human cancer cell lines (M21/melanoma and PC-3/prostate cancer). In the absence of serum, all CL-DNA complexes of custom-synthesized multivalent lipids show high TE. Certain combinations of multivalent lipids and neutral lipids, such as MVL5(5+)/GMO-DNA complexes or complexes based on the dendritic-headgroup lipid TMVLG3(8+) exhibited high TE both in the absence and presence of serum. Although their TE still dropped to a small extent in the presence of serum, it reached or surpassed that of benchmark commercial transfection reagents, particularly at a high serum content. Two-component vectors (one multivalent cationic lipid and one neutral lipid) can rival or surpass benchmark reagents at low and high serum contents (up to 50%, v/v). We propose guidelines for optimizing the serum resistance of CL-DNA complexes based on a given cationic lipid. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Supra-threshold epidermis injury from near-infrared laser radiation prior to ablation onset

Science.gov (United States)

DeLisi, Michael P.; Peterson, Amanda M.; Lile, Lily A.; Noojin, Gary D.; Shingledecker, Aurora D.; Stolarski, David J.; Zohner, Justin J.; Kumru, Semih S.; Thomas, Robert J.

2017-02-01

With continued advancement of solid-state laser technology, high-energy lasers operating in the near-infrared (NIR) band are being applied in an increasing number of manufacturing techniques and medical treatments. Safety-related investigations of potentially harmful laser interaction with skin are commonplace, consisting of establishing the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) thresholds under various conditions, often utilizing the minimally-visible lesion (MVL) metric as an indication of damage. Likewise, characterization of ablation onset and velocity is of interest for therapeutic and surgical use, and concerns exceptionally high irradiance levels. However, skin injury response between these two exposure ranges is not well understood. This study utilized a 1070-nm Yb-doped, diode-pumped fiber laser to explore the response of excised porcine skin tissue to high-energy exposures within the supra-threshold injury region without inducing ablation. Concurrent high-speed videography was employed to assess the effect on the epidermis, with a dichotomous response determination given for three progressive damage event categories: observable permanent distortion on the surface, formation of an epidermal bubble due to bounded intra-cutaneous water vaporization, and rupture of said bubble during laser exposure. ED50 values were calculated for these categories under various pulse configurations and beam diameters, and logistic regression models predicted injury events with approximately 90% accuracy. The distinction of skin response into categories of increasing degrees of damage expands the current understanding of high-energy laser safety while also underlining the unique biophysical effects during induced water phase change in tissue. These observations could prove useful in augmenting biothermomechanical models of laser exposure in the supra-threshold region.

Publicidad y promoción de medicamentos: regulaciones y grado de acatamiento en cinco países de América Latina Drug advertising and promotion: regulations and extent of compliance in five Latin American countries

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Claudia Vacca

2011-02-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: Analizar las distintas regulaciones sobre promoción de fármacos y su grado de acatamiento reflejado en piezas publicitarias expuestas al público en Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua y Perú. MÉTODOS: Se recogieron 683 piezas promocionales expuestas en establecimientos de salud, farmacias y en la vía pública, de las cuales 132 piezas seleccionadas al azar fueron objeto de análisis. Se examinaron las regulaciones sobre publicidad farmacéutica -incluidas sus coincidencias con los criterios éticos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS- tomadas de los sitios web oficiales y mediante entrevistas con los responsables de los organismos regulatorios y ministerios de salud de los cinco países del estudio. Se evaluaron los contenidos de los materiales de la muestra para determinar su grado de acatamiento respecto a las regulaciones nacionales y las recomendaciones sobre promoción de medicamentos de la OMS. RESULTADOS: Los países cuentan con regulaciones que incorporan los criterios éticos de la OMS. Más de 80% de las piezas analizadas incluían las indicaciones del fármaco y más de 70% omitían información sobre efectos adversos. Cincuenta por ciento de los anuncios de medicamentos de venta libre (MVL expuestos en farmacias incluían indicaciones no aprobadas por la autoridad sanitaria correspondiente. En los anuncios expuestos en farmacias, no se hallaron diferencias significativas entre los riesgos de la información inadecuada con relación a su condición de venta (MVL o medicamentos de venta con prescripción médica. El riesgo relativo de ausencia de información sobre posología fue de 2,08 (intervalo de confianza de 95% 1,32-3,39 en las piezas distribuidas en farmacias, comparadas con las expuestas en establecimientos de salud. CONCLUSIONES: Si bien en general los cinco países del estudio incorporan en sus regulaciones sobre promoción y publicidad de medicamentos las recomendaciones de la OMS, con

A Brief History of Fuzzy Logic

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Angel Garrido

2012-04-01

Full Text Available

The problems of uncertainty, imprecision and vagueness have been discussed for many years. These problems have been major topics in philosophical circles with much debate, in particular, about the nature of vagueness and the ability of traditional Boolean logic to cope with concepts and perceptions that are imprecise or vague. The Fuzzy Logic (which is usually translated into Castilian by “Lógica Borrosa”, or “Lógica Difusa”, but also by “Lógica Heurística” can be considered a bypass-valued logics (Multi-valued Logic, MVL, its acronym in English. It is founded on, and is closely related to-Fuzzy Sets Theory, and successfully applied on Fuzzy Systems. You might think that fuzzy logic is quite recent and what has worked for a short time, but its origins date back at least to the Greek philosophers and especially Plato (428-347 B.C.. It even seems plausible
to trace their origins in China and India. Because it seems that they were the first to consider that all things need not be of a certain type or quit, but there are a stopover between. That is, be the pioneers in considering that there may be varying degrees of truth and falsehood. In case of colors, for example, between white and black there is a whole infinite scale: the shades of gray. Some recent theorems show that in principle fuzzy logic can be used to model any continuous system, be it based
in AI, or physics, or biology, or economics, etc. Investigators in many fields may find that fuzzy, commonsense models are more useful, and many more accurate than are standard mathematical ones. We analyze here the history and development of this problem: Fuzziness, or “Borrosidad” (in Castilian, essential to work with Uncertainty.

The effect of combined treatment with transcranial direct current stimulation on cerebral blood flow in patients with cerebral palsy

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

K. V. Yatsenko

2017-02-01

Full Text Available There is a close link between the activity of the brain and cerebral blood supply. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS modulates the activity of the cerebral cortex and thus affects the cerebral blood flow. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of combined treatment with tDCS on cerebral blood flow in patients with cerebral palsy (CP. Materials and Methods. 60 patients with various forms of cerebral palsy were examined and received the course of treatment. The comparison group was formed from 30 children who received the course of basic medical and rehabilitation procedures. The main group included 30 children who, in addition to the same therapy, received a course of tDCS. A transcranial Doppler ultrasound examination of head blood vessels was used for the study of cerebral hemodynamics in children with cerebral palsy before and after combined treatment with tDCS. Results. tDCS reduced asymmetry coefficient of blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA by 12.3 %, whereas in the comparison group only by 2.5 %; in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA – 9.5 %, while in the comparison group – 0.8 %. tDCS significantly reduced the high mean blood flow velocity per cycle (MFV in the basilar artery (BA, MCA and ACA (21.7 %, 18.3 % and 7.8 %, respectively; in the comparison group no statistically significant positive dynamics was observed. tDCS significantly increased the low MVF in the BA, MCA and ACA (29.7 %, 21.2 % and 9.7 % respectively; a statistically significant increase of MVF by 9.9 % was only in the CMA in the comparison group of patients. Conclusions. Our data indicate that the use of tDCS in the combined treatment of CP patients improves cerebral hemodynamics in 87 % of patients, in contrast to 52 % in the comparison group. The addition of transcranial direct current stimulation method to the complex treatment of patients with cerebral palsy improves the effectiveness of treatment and may also

Post-warm-up muscle temperature maintenance: blood flow contribution and external heating optimisation.

Science.gov (United States)

Raccuglia, Margherita; Lloyd, Alex; Filingeri, Davide; Faulkner, Steve H; Hodder, Simon; Havenith, George

2016-02-01

Passive muscle heating has been shown to reduce the drop in post-warm-up muscle temperature (Tm) by about 25% over 30 min, with concomitant sprint/power performance improvements. We sought to determine the role of leg blood flow in this cooling and whether optimising the heating procedure would further benefit post-warm-up T m maintenance. Ten male cyclists completed 15-min sprint-based warm-up followed by 30 min recovery. Vastus lateralis Tm (Tmvl) was measured at deep-, mid- and superficial-depths before and after the warm-up, and after the recovery period (POST-REC). During the recovery period, participants wore water-perfused trousers heated to 43 °C (WPT43) with either whole leg heating (WHOLE) or upper leg heating (UPPER), which was compared to heating with electrically heated trousers at 40 °C (ELEC40) and a non-heated control (CON). The blood flow cooling effect on Tmvl was studied comparing one leg with (BF) and without (NBF) blood flow. Warm-up exercise significantly increased Tmvl by ~3 °C at all depths. After the recovery period, BF Tmvl was lower (~0.3 °C) than NBF Tmvl at all measured depths, with no difference between WHOLE versus UPPER. WPT43 reduced the post-warm-up drop in deep-Tmvl (-0.12 °C ± 0.3 °C) compared to ELEC40 (-1.08 ± 0.4 °C) and CON (-1.3 ± 0.3 °C), whereas mid- and superficial-Tmvl even increased by 0.15 ± 0.3 and 1.1 ± 1.1 °C, respectively. Thigh blood flow contributes to the post-warm-up Tmvl decline. Optimising the external heating procedure and increasing heating temperature of only 3 °C successfully maintained and even increased T mvl, demonstrating that heating temperature is the major determinant of post-warm-up Tmvl cooling in this application.

A healthy diet with and without cereal grains and dairy products in patients with type 2 diabetes: study protocol for a random-order cross-over pilot study--Alimentation and Diabetes in Lanzarote--ADILAN.

Science.gov (United States)

Fontes-Villalba, Maelán; Jönsson, Tommy; Granfeldt, Yvonne; Frassetto, Lynda A; Sundquist, Jan; Sundquist, Kristina; Carrera-Bastos, Pedro; Fika-Hernándo, María; Picazo, Óscar; Lindeberg, Staffan

2014-01-02

lipids, blood pressure, C-reactive protein, body composition, quality of life, subjective experience with the two diets, satiety scores and changes in medication. Using these results, we will assess the need to conduct larger and longer studies with similar design. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01891955 and Spanish Agency of Medication and Sanitary Products (AEMPS) registration code: MFV-ADI-2013-01.

A healthy diet with and without cereal grains and dairy products in patients with type 2 diabetes: study protocol for a random-order cross-over pilot study - Alimentation and Diabetes in Lanzarote -ADILAN

Science.gov (United States)

2014-01-01

glucose tolerance test, blood lipids, blood pressure, C-reactive protein, body composition, quality of life, subjective experience with the two diets, satiety scores and changes in medication. Discussion Using these results, we will assess the need to conduct larger and longer studies with similar design. Trial registration This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01891955 and Spanish Agency of Medication and Sanitary Products (AEMPS) registration code: MFV-ADI-2013-01. PMID:24383431

No Prejudice in Space

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cotta, R.C.; Gainer, J.S.; Hewett, J.L.; Rizzo, T.G.; /SLAC

2010-08-26

We present a summary of recent results obtained from a scan of the 19-dimensional parameter space of the pMSSM and its implications for dark matter searches. We have generated a large set of points in parameter space (which we call 'models') for the 19-parameter CP-conserving pMSSM, where MFV has been assumed. We subjected these models to numerous experimental and theoretical constraints to obtain a set of {approx}68 K models which are consistent with existing data. We attempted to be somewhat conservative in our implementation of these constraints; in particular we only demanded that the relic density of the LSP not be greater than the measured value of {Omega}H{sup 2} for non-baryonic dark matter, rather than assuming that the LSP must account for the entire observed relic density. Examining the properties of the neutralinos in these models, we find that many are relatively pure gauge eigenstates with Higgsinos being the most common, followed by Winos. The relative prevalence of Higgsino and Wino LSPs leads many of our models to have a chargino as nLSP, often with a relatively small mass splitting between this nLSP and the LSP; this has important consequences in both collider and astroparticle phenomenology. We find that, in general, the LSP in our models provides a relatively small ({approx} 4%) contribution to the dark matter, however there is a long tail to this distribution and a substantial number of models for which the LSP makes up all or most of the dark matter. Typically these neutralinos are mostly Binos. Examining the signatures of our models in direct and indirect dark matter detection experiments, we find a wide range of signatures for both cases. In particular, we find a much larger range of WIMP-nucleon cross sections than is found in any particular model of SUSY-breaking. As these cross sections also enter the regions of parameter space suggested by non-SUSY models, it appears that the discovery of WIMPs in direct detection experiments

No Prejudice in Space

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2010-01-01

We present a summary of recent results obtained from a scan of the 19-dimensional parameter space of the pMSSM and its implications for dark matter searches. We have generated a large set of points in parameter space (which we call 'models') for the 19-parameter CP-conserving pMSSM, where MFV has been assumed. We subjected these models to numerous experimental and theoretical constraints to obtain a set of ∼68 K models which are consistent with existing data. We attempted to be somewhat conservative in our implementation of these constraints; in particular we only demanded that the relic density of the LSP not be greater than the measured value of (Omega)H 2 for non-baryonic dark matter, rather than assuming that the LSP must account for the entire observed relic density. Examining the properties of the neutralinos in these models, we find that many are relatively pure gauge eigenstates with Higgsinos being the most common, followed by Winos. The relative prevalence of Higgsino and Wino LSPs leads many of our models to have a chargino as nLSP, often with a relatively small mass splitting between this nLSP and the LSP; this has important consequences in both collider and astroparticle phenomenology. We find that, in general, the LSP in our models provides a relatively small (∼ 4%) contribution to the dark matter, however there is a long tail to this distribution and a substantial number of models for which the LSP makes up all or most of the dark matter. Typically these neutralinos are mostly Binos. Examining the signatures of our models in direct and indirect dark matter detection experiments, we find a wide range of signatures for both cases. In particular, we find a much larger range of WIMP-nucleon cross sections than is found in any particular model of SUSY-breaking. As these cross sections also enter the regions of parameter space suggested by non-SUSY models, it appears that the discovery of WIMPs in direct detection experiments might not be sufficient to

A Meta-Analysis of Circulating Microvesicles in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Zhida; Cai, Wang; Hu, Shaolan; Xia, Yufei; Wang, Yao; Zhang, Qi; Chen, Liming

2017-07-10

,13, 4.34)], foram maiores em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio. No entanto, os níveis de MVL [DMP = 0,73, IC 95% (-0,57, 2,03)] não foram alterados significativamente em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio. MVAs, MVPs e MVEs podem ser biomarcadores potenciais para o infarto do miocárdio.

The Challenges of Flavour Physics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Isidori, Gino [Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare - INFN, Sezione di Pisa, 56127 Pisa (Italy); Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Institute for Advanced Study - IAS-TUM, Lichtenbergstrasse 2a, 85748 Garching (Germany)

2010-07-01

This presentation deals with the 'big' challenges of flavour physics. To a large extent, the origin of 'flavour' is still a mystery... Our 'ignorance' can be summarized by the following two open questions: What determines the observed pattern of masses and mixing angles of quarks and leptons? Which are the sources of flavour symmetry breaking accessible at low energies? Some 'popular' answers to the first question are obtained by means of Abelian or non-Abelian continuous flavour symmetries, Discrete flavour symmetries, Fermion profiles in extra dimensions, but other options are also possible. In all cases it is quite easy to reproduce the observed mass matrices in terms of a reduced number of free parameters, while it is difficult to avoid problems with FCNCs (without some amount of fine-tuning). Hard to make progress without knowing the ultraviolet completion of the SM. Answering the second question is more easy: It can be formulated independently of the UV completion of the theory. It is mainly a question of precision (both on the theory and on the experimental side). The good overall consistency of the experimental constraints appearing in the so-called CKM fits seems to indicate there is not much room for new sources of flavour symmetry breaking. Despite the overall success of the 'standard picture' looking more closely there a few 'anomalies' that is worth to investigate in more detail. Three particularly interesting cases are: The sin(2{beta}) tension in the CKM fit, the CP violation in B{sub s} mixing and B(B {yields} {tau}{nu}). Several attempts to explain these effects have appeared in the recent literature. In particular there is three classes of models where there has been considerable activity in the last few months, and which are quite interesting because of clear correlations among various observables: Two Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) with MFV, large tan{beta} and flavour-blind phases, Right