A rapid method for the analysis of hydrogenated fats by GC with IR detection

A rapid method for analysis of trans and cis FA in hydrogenated fats has been developed. The method is based on a single anlaysis by CG with IR detection. Multivariate partial least squares regression is applied on the IR spectra to predict the number of cis and trans double bonds. For each chain length the method provides information about the amount of the saturated FA, the amount of trans monoenes, the amount of cis monoenes, the amount of PUFA, and the average number of cis and trans double bonds in PUFA. The method has been validated by summing the values to a total trans value and total unsaturation. These sum values were compared with total trans unsaturation, as determined by AOCS method Cd 14-95, and iodine value, as determined by AOCS Cd 1d-92.     

Temperature Dependence of the Surface Tension between Liquid Helium-4 and Cesium

Pricaupenko and Treiner ¹ predicted a small but non-negligible temperature dependence of the surface tension between liquid helium and cesium. However, when the effects of bulk phonons in both liquid and solid are taken into account, the temperature dependence is found to be significantly weaker. The effect of surface adsorption, surface stress and surface elasticity are also considered, and found to be negligible. Experimental results have so far been contradictory.     

Multi-objective optimization for efficient motion of underwater snake robots

Underwater snake robots constitute a bio-inspired solution within underwater robotics. Increasing the motion efficiency in terms of the forward speed by improving the locomotion methods is a key issue for underwater robots. Furthermore, the energy efficiency is one of the main challenges for long-term autonomy of these systems. In this study, we will consider both these aspects of efficiency, which in some cases can be conflicting. To this end, we formulate a multi-objective optimization problem to minimize power consumption and maximize forward velocity. In particular, the optimal values of the gait parameters for different motion patterns are calculated in the presence of trade-offs between power consumption and velocity. As is the case with all multi-objective optimization problems, the solution is not a single point but rather a set of points. We present a weighted-sum method to combine power consumption and forward velocity optimization problems. Particle swarm optimization is applied to obtain optimal gait parameters for different weighting factors. Trade-off curves or Pareto fronts are illustrated in a power consumption–forward velocity plane for both lateral and eel-like motion pattern. They give information on objective trade-offs and can show how improving power consumption is related to deteriorating the forward velocity along the trade-off curve. Therefore, decision makers can specify the preferred Pareto optimal point along the trade-off curve. Moreover, we address some interesting questions regarding the optimal gait parameters, which is a significant issue for the control of underwater snake robots in the future.     

Supporting fine-grained generative model-driven evolution

In the standard generative Model-driven Architecture (MDA), adapting the models of an existing system requires re-generation and restarting of that system. This is due to a strong separation between the modeling environment and the runtime environment. Certain current approaches remove this separation, allowing a system to be changed smoothly when the model changes. These approaches are, however, based on interpretation of modeling information rather than on generation, as in MDA. This paper describes an architecture that supports fine-grained evolution combined with generative model-driven development. Fine-grained changes are applied in a generative model-driven way to a system that has itself been developed in this way. To achieve this, model changes must be propagated correctly toward impacted elements. The impact of a model change flows along three dimensions: implementation, data (instances), and modeled dependencies. These three dimensions are explicitly represented in an integrated modeling-runtime environment to enable traceability. This implies a fundamental rethinking of MDA.     

Rethinking the role of social theory in socio-technical analysis: a critical realist approach to aircraft maintenance

Based on empirical research within the aviation industry we have come to some surprising and sometimes counterintuitive conclusions concerning aircraft maintenance that are relevant for the discussion of social theory and its application towards the explanation and management of socio-technical systems. In this article, the human role in the activity of aircraft maintenance is taken as an example to illustrate the need for critical discussions on social theory in order to better understand safety in socio-technical systems This challenges us to consider the theoretical basis related to how we currently approach the human factor in management of such systems. We propose in the article that Roy Bhaskars' book “The possibility of naturalism—a philosophical critique of the contemporary human sciences (1979)” delivers a compelling social theory from which follows a social ontology of the objects of socio-technical systems that is a necessary precursor to developing applied models and empirical accounts of socio-technical systems.     

Infants' sensitivity to relative size information for distance.

In Exp I, 40 203–231 day old infants were used to test the hypothesis that sensitivity to pictorial depth information emerges between 5 and 7 mo of age. Pairs of discs and triangles (identical except in size) were presented to Ss to test their reaching preference or lack of it under either monocular or binocular conditions. In Exp II, 20 157–270 day old and 40 140–256 day old infants were tested with the same apparatus and procedures but were moved closer to the objects. Results show that Ss in both experiments were sensitive to relative size. Under monocular viewing conditions, both 203–231 and 157–270 days old Ss showed a preference to reach for the larger object of the pair. Under binocular viewing conditions, no difference in number of reaches for the large and small objects was found in either group. The lack of reaching preference in the binocular condition suggests that the reaching preference observed in the monocular condition was due to the perceived spatial locations of the objects and not to a preference to reach for the larger object without regard to distance. Ss in the youngest age group (140–256 days old) gave no evidence of sensitivity to relative size. Findings support the hypothesis. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Singularity-free dynamic equations of vehicle–manipulator systems

In this paper we derive the singularity-free dynamic equations of vehicle–manipulator systems using a minimal representation. These systems are normally modeled using Euler angles, which leads to singularities, or Euler parameters, which is not a minimal representation and thus not suited for Lagrange’s equations. We circumvent these issues by introducing quasi-coordinates which allows us to derive the dynamics using minimal and globally valid non-Euclidean configuration coordinates. This is a great advantage as the configuration space of the vehicle in general is non-Euclidean. We thus obtain a computationally efficient and singularity-free formulation of the dynamic equations with the same complexity as the conventional Lagrangian approach. The closed form formulation makes the proposed approach well suited for system analysis and model-based control. This paper focuses on the dynamic properties of vehicle–manipulator systems and we present the explicit matrices needed for implementation together with several mathematical relations that can be used to speed up the algorithms. We also show how to calculate the inertia and Coriolis matrices and present these for several different vehicle–manipulator systems in such a way that this can be implemented for simulation and control purposes without extensive knowledge of the mathematical background. By presenting the explicit equations needed for implementation, the approach presented becomes more accessible and should reach a wider audience, including engineers and programmers.     

Synovial sarcoma. Evaluation of prognosis with emphasis on the study of DNA ploidy and proliferation (PCNA and Ki-67) markers

Controversy still exists regarding the validity of parameters commonly used in the evaluation of prognosis of patients with synovial sarcoma (SS). Forty-nine cases of previously untreated primary SS (23 females and 26 males, ranging in age from 7 to 81, with 31 tumors located in the lower extremity, 8 at the upper extremity and 10 at the trunchus), without regional lymph-node or distant metastases were studied. We investigated the relationship between (flow and image) DNA cytometry, proliferation activity, clinicopathologic parameters, and relapse-free and overall survival of the patients. The prognostic value of gender, age, duration of symptoms, location, compartmentalization, size, adequacy of surgical margins, residual tumor, adjuvant therapy, histologic subtype, extent of necrosis, glandular differentiation, calcification, and extent of hemangiopericytic areas, mitotic rate, amount of mast cells, blood vessel invasion, histologic (UICC and NCI) grades, DNA ploidy, percentage of cells in S and S+G2 phases, PCNA and Ki-67 labeling indices (LI), and TNM (UICC) stage of the tumors, were evaluated by univariate and multivariate (Cox hazard model) analyses. Short duration of symptoms (<12 months), biphasic SS, scarcity of mast cells (<10/10 HPF), high mitotic rate (> or =10/10 HPF), high histologic grade (grade 3), high PCNA-LI (> or =20%), high Ki-67-LI (> or =10%), DNA aneuploidy, and advanced TNM stage (stage III) were features associated with significantly shorter relapse-free and overall 5-year survival rates in the univariate analyses. Scarcity of mast cells, high mitotic rate, or high PCNA-LI were significant predictors of poor survival, in addition to TNM stage in the multivariate analyses. The amount of mast cells was inversely correlated with mitotic rate and PCNA-LI. Scarcity of mast cells, high mitotic rate, or high PCNA-LI are factors associated with poor prognosis, in addition to advanced TNM stage in patients with localized SS.     

NorshipS: A decision support system for analyses of bulk shipping markets

This paper reports on the design and implementation of NorshipS which is an interactive system for analyses of bulk shipping markets. The purpose is to enhance the knowledge of how interactive model-based systems may increase the effectiveness of decision making in complex and dynamic situations. NorshipS is explicitly designed to enhance shipping managers' understanding of shipping markets and to facilitate analyses of uncertainty. In this paper, we present our design considerations and illustrate how the system can support shipping managers in interpretation of market signals and generation and analysis of scenarios. A preliminary evaluation of the system is given, and directions for further research are proposed.