Performance index sensitivity of the constrained minimum variance input-output estimator

After some general considerations, the variations of the performance index under different error conditions are investigated. The specific effects discussed are the misestimation of the process parameters and that of the zero-shift noise covariance matrix and also the non-zero mean of the noise. The theoretical considerations are substantiated by simulation results.     

Intracranial androgenic activation of male-typical behaviours in house mice: concurrent stimulation of the medial preoptic area and medial nucleus of the amygdala

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to develop a reliable and valid tool for quantifying patient-rated wrist pain and disability. DESIGN: Survey, tool development, reliability, and validity study. SETTING: Upper extremity unit. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred members of the International Wrist Investigators were surveyed by mail to assist in development of the scale. Patients with distal radius (n = 64) or scaphoid (n = 35) fractures were enrolled in a reliability study, and 101 patients with distal radius fractures were enrolled in a validity study. INTERVENTION: Information from the expert survey, biomechanical literature, and patient interviews was used as a basis for item generation and definition of structural limitations for a scale that would be practical in the clinic. Patients with distal radius or scaphoid fractures completed the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) on two occasions to determine test-retest reliability. Patients with distal radius fractures (n = 101) completed the PRWE and the SF-36 and were tested with traditional impairment measures at baseline and at two, three, and six months after fracture to determine construct and criterion validity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reliability coefficients (ICCs) and validity correlations (Pearson product moment correlations). RESULTS: Patient opinions on pain and on ability to do activities of daily living and work were thought to be the most important dimensions to include in subjective outcome tools. Brevity and simplicity were seen as essential in the clinic environment. A fifteen-item questionnaire (the PRWE) was designed to measure wrist pain and disability. Test-retest reliability was excellent (ICCs > 0.90). Validity assessment demonstrated that the instrument detected significant differences over time (p < 0.01) and was appropriately correlated with alternate forms of assessing parameters of pain and disability. CONCLUSIONS: The PRWE provides a brief, reliable, and valid measure of patient-rated pain and disability.     

Automated effect-specific mammographic pattern measures

We investigate the possibility to develop methodologies for assessing effect specific structural changes of the breast tissue using a general statistical machine learning framework. We present an approach of obtaining objective mammographic pattern measures quantifying a specific biological effect, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We compare results using this approach to using standard density measures. We show that the proposed method can quantify both age related effects and effects caused by HRT. Age effects are significantly detected by our method where standard methodologies fail. The separation of HRT subpopulations using our approach is comparable to the best methodology, which is interactive.      

Compact spectrum splitting photovoltaic module with high efficiency

We have designed, fabricated, and tested a small, integrated photovoltaic module comprised of two separately‐contacted, high efficiency, multijunction solar cells and non‐imaging optics that both concentrate and spectrally split the incoming light. This hybrid design allows us to individually optimize the tandem cells and optical elements. The system has a measured module efficiency, including optical and packaging losses but not power combination losses, of 38.5 ± 1.9% under the AM1.5 direct terrestrial spectrum. The internal optics concentrate the light by a factor of approximately 20. We find excellent agreement between the modeled and measured performance. This is the highest confirmed conversion efficiency demonstrated for a photovoltaic module. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of pallet top deck stiffness on the compression strength of asymmetrically supported corrugated boxes

During unitized shipment, the components of unit loads are interacting with each other. During floor stacking of unit loads, the load on the top of the pallet causes the top deck of the pallet to bend, which creates an uneven top deck surface resulting in uneven or asymmetrical support of the corrugated boxes. This asymmetrical support could significantly affect the strength of the corrugated boxes, and it depends on the top deck stiffness of the pallet. This study is aimed at investigating how the variations of pallet top deck stiffness and the resulting asymmetric support affect corrugated box compression strength. The study used a scaled-down unit load compression test on quarter-scale pallet designs with different deckboard thicknesses using four different corrugated box designs. Pallet top deck stiffness was determined to have a significant effect on box compression strength. There was a 27%–37% increase in box compression strength for boxes supported by high-stiffness pallets in comparison with low-stiffness pallets. The fact that boxes were weaker on low-stiffness pallets could be explained by the uneven pressure distribution between the pallet deck and bottom layer of boxes. Pressure data showed that a higher percentage of total pressure was located under the box sidewalls that were supported on the outside stringers of low-stiffness pallets in comparison with high-stiffness pallets. This was disproportionately loading one side of the box. Utilizing the effects of pallet top deck stiffness on box compression performance, a unit load cost analysis is presented showing that a stiffer pallet can be used to carry boxes with less board material; hence, it can reduce the total unit load packaging cost.     

Absorption methods for the determination of mass transfer parameters of packing internals: A literature review

Methods for the determination of mass‐transfer coefficients and effective interfacial areas in packed absorption columns are reviewed. For each parameter, the methods are grouped into categories on the basis of their physical principle; the chemical systems used, experimental protocol, and the advantages and inconveniences are discussed. The treatment of end effects, the influence of packed bed height, and the recent efforts in standardization of measurement methods are also treated. The aim of the review is to give a broad overview of the methods used in literature in the last eight decades, some of which might be reconsidered in the light of modern measurement techniques and to evaluate them in relation to precision, practicality and hazardousness thereby to facilitate the search for reliable, precise, and convenient experimental practices. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3246–3275, 2017     

Epigenetic Regulation of Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammation in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Once perceived as a disorder treated by vasodilation, pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) has emerged as a pulmonary vascular disease with severe endothelial cell dysfunction. In the absence of a cure, many studies seek to understand the detailed mechanisms of EC regulation to potentially create more therapeutic options for PAH. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by complex phenotypic changes including unchecked proliferation, apoptosis-resistance, enhanced inflammatory signaling and metabolic reprogramming. Recent studies have highlighted the role of epigenetic modifications leading to pro-inflammatory response pathways, endothelial dysfunction, and the progression of PAH. This review summarizes the existing literature on epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, which can lead to aberrant endothelial function. Our goal is to develop a conceptual framework for immune dysregulation and epigenetic changes in endothelial cells in the context of PAH. These studies as well as others may lead to advances in therapeutics to treat this devastating disease.     

Modified fully utilized design (MFUD) method for stress and displacement constraints

The traditional fully stressed method performs satisfactorily for stress-limited structural design. When this method is extended to include displacement limitations in addition to stress constraints, it is known as the Fully Utilized Design (FUD). Typically, the FUD produces an overdesign, which is the primary limitation of this otherwise elegant method. We have modified FUD in an attempt to alleviate the limitation. This new method, called the Modified Fully Utilized Design (MFUD) method, has been tested successfully on a number of problems that were subjected to multiple loads and had both stress and displacement constraints. The solutions obtained with MFUD compare favourably with the optimum results that can be generated by using non-linear mathematical programming techniques. The MFUD method appears to have alleviated the overdesign condition and offers the simplicity of a direct, fully stressed type of design method that is distinctly different from optimization and optimality criteria formulations. The MFUD method is being developed for practicing engineers who favour traditional design methods rather than methods based on advanced calculus and non-linear mathematical programming techniques. The Integrated Force Method (IFM) was found to be the appropriate analysis tool in the development of the MFUD method. In this paper, the MFUD method and its optimality are examined along with a number of illustrative examples. © 1998 This paper was produced under the auspices of the U.S. Government and it is therefore not subject to copyright in the U.S.