Automatic labeling and characterization of objects using artificial neural networks

Existing NASA supported scientific databases are usually developed and managed by a team of database administrators whose main concern is the efficiency of the databases in terms of normalization and data search constructs. The populating of the database is usually done in a manual fashion by row and column as the data become available, and the data dictionary is usually defined by the same team (at times with little input from the end science user). This process is tedious, error prone and self-limiting in terms of what can be described in a relational Data Base Management System (DBMS). The next generation Earth remote sensing platforms [i.e., Earth Observing System (EOS)] will be capable of generating data at a rate of over 300 Megabits per second from a suite of instruments designed for different applications. What is needed is an innovative approach that creates object-oriented data-bases that segment, characterize, and catalog, and are manageable in a domain-specific context, and whose contents are available interactively and in near-real-time to the user community. This paper describes work in progress that utilizes an artificial neural net approach to characterize satellite imagery of undefined objects into high-level data objects. The characterized data is then dynamically allocated to an object-oriented database where it can be reviewed and accessed by a user. The definition, development, and evolution of the overall data system model are steps in the creation of an application-driven knowledge-based scientific information system.     

Nonsimultaneous auditory masking in the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Compared the frequency resolving power of 3 male budgerigar birds and 3 humans on several nonsimultaneous masking procedures in which one pure tone was used to mask another. Similar patterns of frequency selectivity were found for all 3 masking procedures (forward, backward, and combined forward/backward) for both species. Budgerigars showed considerably greater frequency resolving power on all 3 procedures than humans. Budgerigars also showed differences in frequency resolving power across masking conditions, but human Ss did not. Results indicate that the budgerigar auditory system may be even more highly tuned than was previously thought and suggest fundamental differences between the mechanisms of frequency selectivity of birds and humans. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Flood frequency and routing processes at a confluence of the middle Yellow River in China

Floods cause environmental hazards and influence on socio‐economic activities. In this study, we evaluated the historic flood frequency at a confluence in the middle Yellow River, China. A non‐parametric, multivariate, empirical, orthogonal function matrix model, which consists of time correlation coefficients of flood discharge at different gauge stations and flood events was used for the analysis of flood frequency. The model addresses the characteristics of confluent floods such as frequency and the probability in multiple tributary rivers. Flood frequency analysis is often coupled with studies of hydrological routing processes that reduce the flood capacity of the rivers. Flood routing to the confluence were simulated using kinematic wave theory. Results of this flood frequency analysis showed that flooding frequency has intensified in the past 500 years, especially during the 19th century. Flooding in streams above the confluence was more frequent than in streams below the confluence. Over the last 2000 years, concurrent flooding in multiple tributary rivers accounted for 67.5% of the total flooding in the middle Yellow River. Simulation of flood routing processes shows that the decreased flooding capacity and elevated river bed of the shrunken main channel leads to an increased flood wave propagation time (24–52.3 h) in the study area after 1995. The model indicates that human activities, such as constructions of the Sanmenxia Dam, have changed flood routing boundary conditions and have contributed to the increased flood frequency at the confluence. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The economic impact of uncertainties associated with energy-saving technologies

We will analyze the economic sensitivity of new energy-saving technologies to weather, future energy price, and system lifetime uncertainties. Graphical rate of return analysis is employed. A representative residential solar water heating investment is analyzed to illustrate the impact of uncertainties. The wide range of reasonable rates of return found suggests some considerations for policy makers and some areas of future research.     

Optimal control of auxiliary heating of passive-solar-heated buildings

Previous papers have demonstrated that low-cost off-peak electricity can be used to provide auxiliary heating for a passive-solar-heated residence. This paper describes the development of optimal control strategies for the operation of this auxiliary heating system. The temperature in the residence throughout the day as determined by computer simulation is presented for several optimal and conventional control strategies. The optimal control strategies improved the temperature control in the building compared to the conventional strategies. All strategies were shown to depend heavily on weather prediction. Computer simulations showed that errors in weather prediction had a small effect on heating cost and a large effect on being able to maintain the desired indoor temperature.     

An overview of FDA medical device regulation as it relates to deep brain stimulation devices.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is charged with assuring the safety and effectiveness of a variety of medical products and the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health is responsible for premarket and postmarket regulation of medical devices. In this paper, we review--from device classification and clinical studies to the final marketing application--FDA's premarket requirements and postmarket requirements as they relate to deep brain stimulation devices.     

Some nitrosoamino acids in bacon adipose tissue and their contribution to the total N-nitroso compound concentration

Zusammenfassung Der Gehalt an Nitrosoaminosäuren und ihr Anteil an den Gesamt-N-Nitrosoverbindungen im Fettgewebe von rohem Schinkenspeck wurde untersucht. In 80% der Proben wurde ein Gehalt an Nitrosoaminosäuren von bis zu 0,2 mg/kg festgestellt. Scheinbare Gesamt-N-Nitrosoverbindungen waren in allen Proben in einer Konzentration von 0,4 bis 3,7 mg (N-NO)/kg vorhanden. Die eigentlichen Nitrosoaminosäuren machen nur etwa 1% der scheinbaren Gesamt-N-Nitrosoverbindungen aus. Die Mehrzahl der scheinbaren Gesamt-N-Nitrosoverbindungen im Fettgewebe findet sich im nichtlöslichen Bindegewebe, wobei der verbleibende Rest chloroformlöslich ist.Summary The levels of nitrosoamino acids and apparent total N-nitroso compounds in the adipose tissue of raw bacon have been examined. Nitrosoamino acids were detected in 80% of the samples in levels of up to 0.2 mg/kg. Apparent total N-nitroso compounds were present in all samples in concentrations of between 0.4 and 3.7 mg (N-NO)/kg. Nitrosoamino acids accounted for approximately only 1 % of the apparent total N-nitroso compounds. The majority of the apparent total N-nitroso compounds in the adipose tissue were associated with the insoluble connective tissue fraction, with the remainder present as chloroform soluble species.

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Einige Nitrosoaminosäuren im fettgewebe von Schinkenspeck und ihr anteil an der Konzentration der Gesamt-N-Nitrosoverbindungen

     

Vers une méthodologie de validation trans-culturelle de questionnaires psychologiques: Implications pour la recherche en langue fran?aise.

Proposes a cross-cultural validation methodology that allows for the validation of French versions of English psychological scales. The 7 basic steps in the method are described: (1) preparation of a preliminary French version; (2) evaluation and modification of the preliminary version; (3) evaluation of the experimental French version in a pretest; (4) evaluation of content and concomitant validity; (5) evaluation of reliability; (6) evaluation of construct validity; and (7) preparation of norms for the French version. Examples of each step are presented. (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Near-Optimal Signal Preprocessor for Positive Cardiac Arrhythmia Identification

Extremely high reliability of waveform detection is fundamental for computer-assisted identification of cardiac arrhythmias. The problem is formulated in terms of one of the basic aspects in digital signal processing, namely, detection of an unknown deterministic signal in noise. The signal is considered band limited and the noise as Gaussian with zero mean. The theory presented leads to an energy based detector. No a priori assumption is made about the morphology of the waveforms to be detected; only energy thresholding is necessary for event detection. The addition of a linear filter as a front end to the energy detector has resulted in an entire detection process described as suboptimal matched nonlinear filtering. The SNR gain at the input of the energy detector has given performances almost identical to the matched filter. The method has been implemented with an original fast algorithm to allow reasonable execution time for the processing of continuous long-duration signals (1 h). The design of such a fillter is described along with its application to the processing of two simultaneously recorded cardiac signals. The two signals are an auricular electrogram (OEG from an esophageal pill electrode) and an ECG (lead II or III). Systematic evaluation and detection performance results show that the proposed method could be seriously considered as a near-optimal approach to waveform detection, since it is based on proven signal processing theory and is far superior to heuristic methods.