Improved Estimation of ADCP Apparent Bed-Load Velocity Using a Real-Time Kalman Filter

An estimate of apparent bed-load velocity (v) can be derived from the difference between differential global positioning system (DGPSs) and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) bottom track (BT) measurements when BT is biased by a moving bottom. A Kalman filter has been developed to integrate GPS and bottom track data to improve estimation of boat velocity during ADCP measurements under moving bed conditions (Rennie and Rainville, 2008, J. Hydraulic Eng., in review). The boat velocity estimated using the Kalman filter is superior to boat velocity from raw GPS data. In this paper we assess the improvement in estimation of v using the Kalman filter as opposed to raw GPS data. Specifically, a synthetic moving bed bias was generated for 22 repeat transects of the Gatineau River, Quebec. The synthetic moving bed bias had mean, variance, and distribution across the section as typically observed during bed-load transport conditions, and had the advantage that it was known explicitly. The errors in estimated apparent bed-load velocity derived using either raw DGPS data or the Kalman filter boat velocity were compared. It was found that the improved boat velocity from the Kalman filter yielded significantly (α = 0.05) better estimates of v, (e.g., 61% reduction in error when the Kalman filter boat velocity was used instead of wide area augmentation system GGA), because boat velocity errors were reduced. Tests with real moving bed data confirmed the Kalman filter was able to significantly reduce errors in bed load calculated with stand alone GPS.     

Functional status of musculo-venous pump of shin in various types of of operations for varicose disease

Functional conditions of the muscular-venous pump of the shin were studied in 280 patients with varicose veins before surgery, in 164 patients in remote terms after various operations and in 54 healthy subjects on the base of guantitative plethysmographic estimation of hemodynamic parameters. At the stage of compensation all volume indices of the bloodflow were close to normal values; in the stage of decompensation the substantial increase of volume effectiveness and volume flow velocity was observed at carrying out the test for direct deep blood flow when walking. It was determined that in natural condition for venous hemodynamics the adaptation mechanisms of musculo-venous pump were not realized. The operation of Linton upsets the function of musculo-venous pump of the shin. The Kocket operation does not eliminate the pathologic overload when working due to insufficient radicalism in liquidation of perforation escape (steal phenomena). The subfascial ligation of perforating veins of the shin through the minor approach, used in clinical practice, proved to be sufficiently radical and does not impair the function of the musculo-venous pump of the shin.     

Algorithm of the noninvasive diagnosis method on the atherosclerosis by ultrasonic Doppler effect

Previously we proposed Acoustical Imaging and Processing Method to measure the viscoelastic property of the blood vessels of a canine and the related materials using Ultrasonic Doppler Effect Measurement. Furthermore, its theoretical foundation was presented. In this paper, this method is applied to measure the viscoelastic mechanical property, that is, the mechanical degradation of human blood vessels by a percutaneous noninvasive method. Based on these results, we proposed the algorithm of the noninvasive estimation method on the viscoelastic mechanical property of the blood vessel by using Doppler Effect Sensor. This method makes it possible to discriminate the blood vessel with arteriosclerosis from a normal blood vessel. Clinical applications were successfully performed using our developed computer software based on our proposed algorithm.     

基于HP滤波—AR模型—GARCH族模型对黄金价格预测研究

黄金作为一种特殊的贵金属,不仅其本身具有货币和商品的双重功能,而且对经济领域有着重要影响,因此预测黄金价格趋势对社会经济发展具有重要意义。文中提出了一种新的预测方法:首先采用HP滤波将时间序列分解为趋势要素序列和周期波动序列;然后针对不同序列的性质,对趋势要素序列采用自回归模型(AR)拟合预测,对周期波动序列采用ARMA-GARCH族模型拟合预测;最后将两个预测序列相加与原序列比较;预测结果在模型精度和范围上均令人满意。     

Pursuit eye movements and the depth-movement phenomenon in dynamic visual noise

The ability to generate voluntary pursuit eye movements in the absence of retinal-contour motion cues was assessed on the basis of observers' perceptions of depth and motion when they viewed dynamic visual noise with a filter over one eye. The results indicated that the depth-movement phenomenon yielded robust pursuit with the velocity an inverse function of filter density. These data suggest that retinal-contour motion cues are not necessary and that perceived motion is sufficient to drive pursuit.     

Apparent body tilt and postural aftereffect

Apparent orientation of the body tilted laterally in the frontal plane was studied with the methods of absolute judgments in four experiments. In Experiment 1, 17 subjects, who maintained the normal adaptation of body to gravity, estimated their body tilts under the condition of seeing the gravitational vertical and under the condition of eliminating it. The results showed that (1) there was not a significant difference between the two conditions and (2) the small tilts of less than 45 degrees were exactly estimated, whereas the large tilts of 45 degrees-108 degrees were overestimated. In Experiment 2, 10 subjects estimated their body tilts under three velocities of a rotating chair on which each subject was placed. Although both body tilt and chair velocity were found to influence tilt estimation, the effect of body tilt was overwhelmingly greater than that of chair velocity. In Experiment 3, 11 subjects adapted their bodies to a 72 degrees left tilt for 10 min and then estimated various body tilts around the adapting tilt. The estimations obtained under the 72 degrees adaptation were lower than those obtained under the 0 degree adaptation, and this reduction was greater for the test tilt that was farther away from the adapting tilt. In Experiment 4, 11 subjects adjusted their own body tilts to designated angles. The results confirmed the outcomes of absolute estimation in Experiments 1-3. From these findings and past literature, the judgments of body tilt were considered to be subserved by a single sensory process that was based on the cutaneous and muscular proprioceptors, rather than the vestibular and joint proprioceptors.     

Nontriggered magnetic resonance velocity measurement of the time-average of pulsatile velocity

The feasibility of the determination of the time-average of pulsatile velocity obtained via a nontriggered magnetic resonance (MR) acquisition is studied. The advantage of this method, in comparison with a triggered acquisition, is a considerable reduction (approximately 15x) in acquisition time. However, pulsatility causes image artifacts, known as ghosts, and the Fourier transform technique required for the imaging procedure accomplishes time-averaging of the complex MR signal. Both effects can result in errors in the velocity determined. Calculations show that these errors depend on the velocity time function and the acquisition parameters. In vivo comparison of triggered and nontriggered MR velocity measurements in the femoral artery of volunteers (n = 7) shows larger statistical and systematic errors in the latter, which depend on the excitation angle. Therefore, this nontriggered average velocity measurement is only useful as a fast and rough estimation of the time-averaged velocity.     

Longitudinal study of bowel and bladder control by day and at night in the first six years of life. II: The r?le of potty training and the child''s initiative

In all of the vertebrates, beginning from the most primitive ones, an universal principle of structural, functional and chemical organization of the nephron is noted. The main trend of progressive evolution of kidney function (both in phylogenesis of vertebrates and ontogenesis of birds and mammals) is the increase of the intensity of filtration-reabsorption mechanism of urine formation. The development of secretory apparatus is considered as an adaptation to the conditions in which this mechanism is not sufficient to provide the necessary level of excretion. It is suggested that secretory mechanism is formed in close relation to cellular system of reabsorption of sodium and chloride. The presence in lamprey kidney of a loop which is similar to Henle's loop in mammals and birds indicates that the development of the system of osmotic concentration conditioned by the formation in the kidney of the medulla and from a sharp increase in renal arterial blood supply.     

基于快速SR-UKF的锂离子动力电池SOC联合估计

针对标准无迹卡尔曼滤波(Unscented Kalman filter, UKF) 算法本身存在着因状态误差协方差矩阵无法实现Cholesky分解而导致滤波发散的隐患,以及在电池状态估计过程中由离线标定的电池等效模型参数而造成的累积误差的问题,本文发展了一种平方根无迹卡尔曼滤波(Square-root unscented Kalman filter, SR-UKF)算法,并设计了一种电池状态联合估计策略。首先快速SR-UKF算法通过对观测方程进行准线性化处理,降低了每次无迹变换时的计算开销;然后在迭代过程中,用状态误差协方差矩阵的平方根代替状态误差协方差矩阵,该平方根是由QR分解与 Cholesky因子的一阶更新得到,解决了UKF 算法迭代过程中可能由计算累积误差引起状态误差协方差矩阵负定而导致滤波结果发散的问题,保证了电池荷电状态(State of charge,SOC)在线滚动估计的数值稳定性;最后采用联合估计策略,对电池等效模型参数进行实时辨识,保证了电池等效模型的准确性与有效性,从而提高了电池SOC的估计精度。仿真对比结果验证了快速SR-UKF算法以及电池状态联合估计策略的可行性与鲁棒性。      

Measurement Biases in the Bender Element Test

This paper reconsiders the signals that are transmitted in bender element tests and the associated transfer functions to identify the problems that bias the velocity (travel time) determination. The findings of the numerical and physical experiments show that errors appearing in the velocity estimation can be traced to (1) the near-field effect and (2) the influence caused by the transfer function of the receiver system, HR. The second factor also creates distinguishing changes between the source and receiver signals. In a two-receiver measurement system, the accurate travel time (velocity) can be identified by the cross correlation of the two receiver signals only if the near field is not pronounced and the two receivers possess very similar transfer functions. The near-field effect can be effectively avoided by placing the sensors at r1/λ ≥ 2 and r1/r2 ≥ 2, where r1 and r2=distances between the source and the first and second receivers, respectively, and λ=wavelength. In a one-receiver measurement system, the inherent time delay caused by the transfer function of the receiver system, HR, has to be quantified and corrected. The near-field effect also can be avoided by placing the receiver at least 2λ away from the source.     

Dynamic pressure in the superficial and deep crural veins in uncomplicated varicosity without incompetence of communicant veins

Synchronous phlebotonometry was performed on 30 lower extremities in 27 patients. Various pressure dynamics was observed in the proximal and distal segments of profound veins. Dynamic phlebohypertension was found not only in superficial but also in deep-seated veins. The escape of superficial veins resulted in normalization of pressure in both systems. The more intensive muscle contractions under conditions of normal blood circulation the greater a reduction of pressure phases in the crural vein distal segment this factor may be used as a test for estimation of the vein-muscle pump function.     

The impact of ischemic heart disease on main pulmonary artery blood flow patterns: a comparison between magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping and transesophageal color Doppler

OBJECTIVE: To give a detailed evaluation on main pulmonary artery blood velocity patterns, in patients with ischemic heart disease and to provide recommendations for pulsed Doppler sample volume placement, in order to optimize cardiac output estimation. METHODS: Using magnetic resonance phase and esophageal color Doppler velocity mapping in 12 patients with ischemic heart disease and undergoing coronary artery by-pass grafting, very similar data on pulmonary artery blood velocity patterns were provided for comparison with each other. RESULTS: Peak blood velocities were located in the inferior half of the main pulmonary artery cross-sectional area. Early after peak systole the highest velocities shifted towards the superior/left (major curvature) with a simultaneous decrease in velocities inferiorly. The velocity decrease further evolved into retrograde flow to the inferior/right (minor curvature). This feature was significantly enhanced compared to earlier findings in healthy volunteers. The mean temporal blood velocity profiles were asymmetrically skewed, thereby giving unreliable cardiac output estimates based on single point Doppler blood velocity recordings. The error incurred may amount to more than 100% in extreme cases. According to our data, optimal assessment of cardiac output should be based on multiple sample volumes placed along the inferior/right to superior/left diameter. CONCLUSIONS: MR-phase velocity mapping and multiplane transesophageal color Doppler recordings provided similar blood velocity patterns in patients with ischemic heart disease. The skewness of the mean temporal blood velocity profile is enhanced compared with healthy subjects, resulting in error in the assessment of CO by means of pulsed Doppler echocardiography. By using multiple Doppler sample volumes, the error can be minimized.     

GZF型高频振动反吸清灰袋式除尘器的性能改进

通过介绍、分析GZF型高频振动以吸清灰袋式除尘器的结构、原理及在实际运动过程中存在的问题,提出了二种对其性能改进的方案。     

Genetic polymorphisms as risk factors for coronary artery disease

The acute myocardial infarction is a multi factor disease, and various risk factors participate in its occurrence and progression. Recently, many investigators have paid their attention to the genetic polymorphisms as new risk factors for coronary artery disease. These include the polymorphisms or mutations of the gene which relates to hypertension, diabetes, the platelet function, the property of the blood vessel, the blood coagulation fibrinogenolysis system, and serum lipids. The tendency toward the occurrence and progression of coronary artery disease might be decided genetically by combining these genetic polymorphisms.     

A model for the responses of low-frequency auditory-nerve fibers in cat

A computational model was developed for the responses of low-frequency auditory-nerve (AN) fibers in cat. The goal was to produce realistic temporal response properties and average discharge rates in response to simple and complex stimuli. Temporal and average-rate properties of AN responses change as a function of sound-pressure level due to nonlinearities in the auditory periphery. The input stage of the AN model is a narrow-band filter that simulates the mechanical tuning of the basilar membrane. The parameters of this filter vary continuously as a function of stimulus level via a feedback mechanism, simulating the compressive nonlinearity associated with the mechanics of the basilar membrane. A memoryless, saturating nonlinearity and two low-pass filters simulate transduction and membrane properties of the inner hair cell (IHC). A diffusion model for the IHC-AN synapse introduces adaptation. Finally, a nonhomogeneous Poisson process, modified by absolute and relative refractoriness, provides the output discharge times. Responses to several different stimuli are presented. These responses illustrate nonlinear temporal response properties that cannot be achieved with linear models for AN fibers.     

冲击荷载对具有轴向静应力红砂岩应力波传播速度的影响特性

岩体工程爆破开挖时,距爆源不同距离处的围岩体承受不同大小的冲击荷载和地应力。为研究冲击荷载和地应力对岩石应力波传播速度的影响,利用改进SHPB试验装置对红砂岩进行应力波传播试验,设置7个等级的轴向静应力和冲击速度,分别模拟工程中的地应力和冲击荷载大小。基于试验得到入射波和透射波起跳点的时间差,计算岩石的应力波传播速度,得到静应力和冲击速度对应力波传播速度的影响规律。构建岩石应力波传播速度与冲击速度的关系经验模型,探索拟合参数随轴向静应力的变化规律。通过测量冲击试验后岩石的声波波速,得到受载后岩石声波波速随冲击速度的变化规律,探究动载荷对岩石应力波传播速度的影响机理。研究结果表明,具有轴向静应力岩石的应力波传播速度随冲击速度的增加先增大后减小,二者呈高斯函数的变化关系。轴向静应力显著影响应力波传播速度与冲击速度的变化关系,各个拟合参数随着轴向静应力的增大呈现不同的变化趋势。在不同的轴向静应力工况下,受载后岩石的声波波速随着冲击速度的增大呈现“平缓减小—急剧减小”的变化趋势。研究结果有助于分析深部工程岩体爆破开挖应力波的传播规律以及邻近结构的稳定性分析。     

The feasibility of CEF (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, 5-FU) regimen in the adjuvant setting of primary breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: The assay of dried blood spots on filter paper to determine blood glucose concentration has been used to detect hypoglycaemia in out patients. We assessed the accuracy of this approach in assaying blood glucose concentrations in the hypoglycaemic range. DESIGN: Volunteers were rendered hypoglycaemic by intravenous infusion of insulin. The glucose concentration in simultaneously taken blood samples was measured either fresh or after drying on filter paper. PATIENTS: Twenty-four healthy young volunteers and 9 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes were studied. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma glucose concentrations were measured using a standard auto analyser glucose oxidase method. Whole blood taken simultaneously was placed on prepared filter paper and allowed to dry; glucose concentration was then measured using a well-established technique. A correction factor was applied to convert the glucose concentration of plasma to that of whole blood. The relationship between glucose concentrations measured by the two methods was determined by regression coefficient. RESULTS: In the unequivocally hypoglycaemic range (plasma < or = 2.5 mmol/l), corrected dried blood spot glucose concentrations significantly correlated with standard plasma glucose concentrations (r = 0.81; P < 0.001). The dried blood spot method had a sensitivity of 91%. In the range designated probable hypoglycaemia (plasma < or = 3.3 mmol/l), there was also significant correlation (r = 0.90; P < 0.001) and the sensitivity was 96%. The specificity of the dried blood spot method was 100% in both ranges. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of glucose concentrations in dried blood spots is specific and sensitive in the hypoglycaemic range. The present study indicates that hypoglycaemia may be excluded or confirmed respectively when levels in excess of 3.7 or below 2.8 mmol/l are found in uncorrected dried blood spot analysis.     

Noise reduction in three-dimensional phase-contrast MR velocity measurements

The authors have developed a method to reduce noise in three-dimensional (3D) phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) velocity measurements by exploiting the property that blood is incompressible and, therefore, the velocity field describing its flow must be divergence-free. The divergence-free condition is incorporated by a projection operation in Hilbert space. The velocity field obtained with 3D phase-contrast MR imaging is projected onto the space of divergence-free velocity fields. The reduction of noise is achieved because the projection operation eliminates the noise component that is not divergence-free. Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) gains on the order of 15%-25% were observed. The immediate effect of this noise reduction manifests itself in higher-quality phase-contrast MR angiograms. Alternatively, the S/N gain can be traded for a reduction in imaging time and/or improved spatial resolution.     

Functional radiology of the liver: magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic Resonance (MR) images sensitive to the flowing blood are defined as images of MR angiography. Proton movement within a magnetic field modifies both the intensity and the phase of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signal; two techniques of MR angiography are thus distinguished: (TOF) the "time of flight" (intensity) and the "phase-contrast" (phase) technique. In the time of flight MR angiography the blood may appear as hypointense or hyperintense compared to stationary tissues. Blood hypointensity in vessels is due to the flow void phenomenon while hyperintensity is due to the phenomenon of flow-related enhancement. In phase contrast MR angiography, protons moving within a magnetic field modify their phase directly proportional to the displacement velocity and gradient intensity. Moreover, MRI allows noninvasive measurement of blood flow. Flow velocity is measured with TOF sequences or phase-contrast sequences. In TOF sequences quantitative measurement is performed with the bolus tracking procedure. In contrast-phase sequences the velocity is measured based on the extent of signal phase modification induced by the proton displacement velocity. The recent use of liver-specific contrast media supplies information on parenchymal liver function.     

Hemodynamics in nailfold capillaries of patients with systemic scleroderma: synchronous measurements of capillary blood pressure and red blood cell velocity

There is increasing evidence that endothelial damage occurs at a very early stage during the course of systemic scleroderma. Endothelial damage is accompanied by impaired microvascular function, which has clearly failed in patients with systemic scleroderma, as evidenced by necrosis of the fingertips in severe cases. We investigated two important determinants of microvascular function, namely capillary blood pressure and capillary red blood cell velocity, simultaneously in the same capillary. In patients with systemic scleroderma and in healthy volunteers matched for age and sex, capillary blood pressure was measured by direct cannulation and capillary red blood cell velocity by video microscopy. Capillary blood pressure and capillary red blood cell velocity were significantly lower in patients (14.27 +/- 4.34 mmHg, 230 +/- 310 microm per s) than in healthy controls (19.06 +/- 3.69 mmHg, p < 0.008, and 910 +/- 240 microm per s, p < 0.003) at an ambient temperature of 22 degrees C, whereas no significant difference in skin temperature was observed (23.7 +/- 0.9 degrees C vs 24.7 +/- 1.9 degrees C) and no occlusion of finger arteries was detected. Capillary blood pressure in enlarged capillaries did not differ from that in normal-shaped capillaries in the patients (correlation of diameter and capillary blood pressure, R2 = 0.04), which was also the case with capillary red blood cell velocity (R2 = 0.13). Capillary pulse pressure amplitude and capillary red blood cell velocity showed a strong correlation (R2 = 0.81), suggesting that the pressure gradient across the capillary loop, which is the driving force for capillary red blood cell velocity, was mainly dependent on precapillary resistance. These observations reflect the inadequate microvascular function in systemic scleroderma, which may be due mainly to a pathophysiologic functional increase in precapillary resistance, even at comfortable ambient temperatures.