Impairments of manual tracking performance during spaceflight: more converging evidence from a 20-day space mission

Studies of human performance during spaceflight have consistently revealed degradations of manual tracking performance in space. The present investigation analysed these performance decrements in more detail by applying frequency-response analyses of tracking performance. It was hypothesized that tracking impairments result from two factors: at an early adaptation phase in space they primarily reflect effects of microgravity on human visuo-motor processes, whereas later into the mission they are also caused by impairments of attentional processes induced by cumulative workload and fatigue. In order to investigate this hypothesis, performance of one cosmonaut in a first-order unstable tracking task was repeatedly assessed before, during and after a 20-day space mission. Single-case statistical analyses revealed the following effects: tracking performance declined at the first assessment in space and in two later inflight sessions compared to pre-flight baseline. Whereas the early tracking decrement was mainly due to an increase of the effective time-delay during tracking and accompanied by only minor changes of mood or workload, one of the later inflight impairments was due to an increase of effective time-delay, a decreased tracking gain, and an increase of tracking remnant, and both were associated with considerably higher workload ratings. This pattern of effects supports the two-factor hypothesis.     

Electroplating of micro-patterned tools via replication of silicone rubber forms

A two-step replication process is described, allowing the non-destructive reproduction of micro-patterned tools. The first step comprises the embedding of the original part into silicone resin, the resin curing, and the separation of the part from the silicone rubber. The outstanding plasticity and the weak adherence of silicone rubber to most substrate materials facilitate retaining the original part. The second replication step, electroforming, requires silicone rubber metallization and contacting. The demonstrated technique is qualified mainly due to successful precautions against replication artifacts, related to silicone rubber deformability.     

Proteome alterations induced in human white blood cells by consumption of Brussels sprouts: Results of a pilot intervention study

Epidemiological studies indicate a correlation of cruciferous vegetables consumption with reduced incidence of cancer. This study was designed to investigate molecular mechanisms, which may help to understand the beneficial effects of Brussels sprout consumption. In order to avoid the limitations of in vitro model systems, we performed a dietary intervention study with five participants. We investigated, whether sprout consumption affects the proteome profile of primary white blood cells. In order to achieve maximal sensitivity in detecting specific adaptive proteome alterations, we metabolically labelled freshly isolated cells in the presence of ³⁵S‐methionine/cysteine and performed autoradiographic quantification of protein synthesis. Proteins were separated by 2‐DE and spots of interest were cut out, digested and identified by MS. After the intervention, we found a significant up‐regulation of the synthesis of manganese superoxide dismutase (1.56‐fold) and significant down‐regulation of the synthesis of heat shock 70 kDa protein (hsp70; 2.27‐fold). Both proteins play a role in malignant transformation of cells. Hsp‐70 is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, which leads to elimination of cancer cells, while SOD plays a key role in protection against reactive oxygen species mediated effects. Our findings indicate that the alteration of the synthesis of these proteins may be involved in the anticarcinogenic effects of cruciferous vegetables, which was observed in earlier laboratory studies with animals.     

Modeling of multileg sine-wave inverters: a geometric approach

Three fundamental sine-wave inverter topologies are analyzed: two-leg (one-phase, two-wire); three-leg (three-phase, three-wire); and four-leg (three-phase, four-wire). The topologies are “full-bridge” voltage-source inverters with LC filters suitable for producing sinusoidal output voltages. The switching states and corresponding output voltage vectors produced by each inverter are identified and presented along with an analysis of the geometric arrangement of these voltage vectors. A pattern of characteristics is established whereby the “qd” modeling forms commonly used with three-leg inverters are extended to address the expanded capabilities of the four-leg inverter. A unique 4×4 decoupling transformation matrix is presented for the four-leg inverter that enables direct transformation between the four-degree-of-freedom (DOF) leg-modulation space of the inverter and its corresponding 3-DOF output-voltage space. This is shown to be directly analogous to the well-known “abc-qd” transformation developed for the three-leg inverter. Fully decoupled models for each inverter are presented     

Set-valued maps for image segmentation

The goal of this paper is an analytical basis of a region growing method using set-valued maps. They are to provide an approach to image segmentation that does not use a priori conditions on the final segment. Seizing a suggestion of Demongeot and Leitner ([8]), we start with a compact subset of the grey-valued image, and the region growing method is based on the continuous deformation of sets for decreasing some error functional. Avoiding any further restrictions on these sets leads to describing the process as a set-valued map. The ansatz of the deforming sets utilizes reachable sets of differential inclusions that admit more than one velocity of propagation at each point. So set-valued maps underlie a mathematical segmentation problem posed and solved in the first part. Then we present a suggestion how to apply the analytical results to a very simple computer implementation. Received: 2 March 2000 / Accepted: 27 May 2001     

Family structure and the externalizing behavior of children from economically disadvantaged families.

This study examined the relations among family structure, caregiver relationship history, aspects of environmental adversity, and teacher reports about the externalizing behaviors of 6- and 7-year-old children from economically disadvantaged families. Family structure contrasted intact families, stepfamilies, single-parent families, and cohabiting families. Problem behaviors were more frequent for children from unmarried families than from married families and were more frequent for boys than for girls from cohabiting families. Relationship history reduced the effects for family structure. Children's adjustment varied with both the current status and past stability of caregiver intimate relationships for disadvantaged families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Energy Concept Adviser—A tool to improve energy efficiency in educational buildings

Educational buildings such as kindergartens, schools and universities display many similar design, operation and maintenance features in most countries. The two most noteworthy similarities amongst these building types are the high energy consumption and the necessity for retrofitting many buildings within this sector. However, studies have shown that during retrofit, energy saving measures are only rarely applied, because the decision-makers lack knowledge of investments and the efficiency of potential energy saving measures. The main goal of the International Energy Agency ECBCS Annex 36 is to provide the educational building decision-makers with sufficient data, information and tools to improve their learning and teaching environments by improving the energy efficiency of their buildings.     

Ion track-based electronic elements

In the past years, fundaments were set for a new type of electronics which is based on tracks in insulators formed by individual or multiple swift heavy ions. Due to the possibility of inserting any (semi)conducting material into these tracks, various active and passive electronic devices can be created. Among them are also transistor-like and Esaki diode-like elements. As many of these structures have sensing properties and the capability to undergo logic decisions, autonomous intelligent sensors appear to be a favourite field for future application. The use of liquid conductors may even expand the range of applicability towards medical implants.     

Properties of CsI(TI) — Renaissance of an old scintillation material

CsI(TI) is an interesting material for calorimeters in high energy physics. Properties of this material are reported.