A methodology for user directed search in evolutionary design

A designer should be able to express their intentions with a design tool. This work describes a methodology that enables the architect to directly interact with the encoding of designs they find aesthetically pleasing. Broadening interaction beyond simple evaluation increases the amount of feedback and bias a user can apply to the search. Increased feedback will have the effect of directing the algorithm to more fruitful areas of the search space. We conduct trials on two interfaces for making localised changes to a design in order to evaluate if the user is capable of directing search. In addition, an examination of the locality of changes made by the users provides an insight into how they explore the search space. The results show that a suitably designed interface is capable of directing search and that the participants used different magnitudes of change during directed search.     

Photovoltaics as a demand-side management technology: An analysis of peak-shaving and direct load control options

For photovoltaic (PV) technology to play an increasing role in the utility sector at its present price, the technology needs to be developed in a manner that is consistent with, and takes advantage of, the economics of the demand-side management (DSM) market. High-value applications in this direction are for photovoltaics to perform a DSM function either as a direct load control (DLC) device or as a peak-shaving option, which has the effect of raising the end-use efficiency of customers' electrical equipment. This paper describes two PV-DSM applications involving a water heater and an air conditioner studied at a residential PV test facility, Solar One House, located on the campus of the University of Delaware. A single 55-W PV module directly connected to an electric water heater was found to offset standby and mixing losses, resulting in a 2°C increase in water temperature at the end of the afternoon compared to the standard DLC (grid-disconnected) case. A conservatively sized PV array without storage could meet the house air-conditioning load over 97% of the time from noon to 3 p.m., but only 69% from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. If a PV system is combined with an air-conditioning cycling program, success rates for supply of an air-conditioning load are greatly increased, meeting almost 100% of the load between noon and 3 p.m. and 85% during 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Furthermore, our results suggest that a modest-size PV array with storage could significantly shave peak air-conditioning loads during 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., thus reducing the peak demand faced by a utility. Preliminary analyses support the economic compatibility of a PV system as a DLC device or a peak-shaving tool.     

Clinical and Genetic Re-Evaluation of Inherited Retinal Degeneration Pedigrees following Initial Negative Findings on Panel-Based Next Generation Sequencing

Although rare, inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are the most common reason for blind registration in the working age population. They are highly genetically heterogeneous (>300 known genetic loci), and confirmation of a molecular diagnosis is a prerequisite for many therapeutic clinical trials and approved treatments. First-tier genetic testing of IRDs with panel-based next-generation sequencing (pNGS) has a diagnostic yield of ≈70–80%, leaving the remaining more challenging cases to be resolved by second-tier testing methods. This study describes the phenotypic reassessment of patients with a negative result from first-tier pNGS and the rationale, outcomes, and cost of second-tier genetic testing approaches. Removing non-IRD cases from consideration and utilizing case-appropriate second-tier genetic testing techniques, we genetically resolved 56% of previously unresolved pedigrees, bringing the overall resolve rate to 92% (388/423). At present, pNGS remains the most cost-effective first-tier approach for the molecular assessment of diverse IRD populations Second-tier genetic testing should be guided by clinical (i.e., reassessment, multimodal imaging, electrophysiology), and genetic (i.e., single alleles in autosomal recessive disease) indications to achieve a genetic diagnosis in the most cost-effective manner.     

Experimental thermal–hydraulic evaluation of CuO nanofluids in microchannels at various concentrations with and without suspension enhancers

This experimental study focuses on the effect of two important factors on the heat transfer and flow properties of copper oxide (CuO)/water nanofluids in a parallel microchannel flow configuration. The first factor considered is the solid media (CuO) concentration. In this investigation, concentration values of 0.005%, 0.01%, and 0.1% by volume were tested. The second factor is the use of a surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), as a suspension enhancer. All together, these two factors led to a total of six types of nanofluids, which were tested in addition to pure water, the reference fluid. The experimental setup allowed for the determination of the hydrodynamic and thermal performance of each nanofluid. In addition, a selection of the nanofluids were characterized by the use of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) techniques. The DLS transient settling measurements showed that for a nanofluid with a concentration of 0.1% by volume, the nanoparticle dispersion and suspension is negatively affected unless a surfactant is used. Hydrodynamic losses, which were evaluated by comparing the effect of the imposed pressure drop on the mass flow rate, were not meaningfully affected by the composition of the nanofluids tested. The measurements also showed that nanofluids containing a surfactant generally provided a modest increase in heat transfer rate when compared with tests performed using pure water. The largest increase was about 17% for a fluid with a concentration of 0.01% by volume. Consequently, the gains in heat transfer do not appear to be accompanied by a significant pumping power penalty. The results of this study suggest that the use of a surfactant is essential in maintaining a proper suspension of nanoparticles in the fluid, especially at higher concentrations.     

Investigation of a synthetic aluminosilicate inorganic polymer

A melt-quenched of mixture of alumina and silica (46 wt% Al₂O₃ or Al₂O₃(SiO₂)₂) was found to react with an alkaline silicate solution (Na₂O)(SiO₂)_1.2(H₂O)_9.5) at low-temperatures to form a synthetic aluminosilicate inorganic polymer. The as-quenched material consisted of a mixture of amorphous and crystalline phases with a range of aluminium coordination environments. Upon reaction with the alkaline silicate solution, solid-state aluminium and silicon magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (SS ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si MAS NMR) indicated that a conversion to four-fold aluminium coordination environments occurred, consistent with the formation of a three-dimensional cross-linked inorganic polymer comprised of NaAlO₄ and SiO₄ tetrahedra. Mechanical testing showed the compressive strength of the inorganic polymer increased as the Na₂O/Al₂O₃ molar ratio decreased. Solution studies indicated that 73% of the aluminosilicate starting material was reactive. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the inorganic polymers had a porous nanoscale grain structure. Open porosity was confirmed by relatively high specific surface area values. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental x-ray composition mapping showed that the high-strength specimens had a composite microstructure consisting of 40% unreacted Al₂O₃(SiO₂)₂ and an inorganic polymer binder Na₂O · Al₂O₃(SiO₂)_3.4. The high compressive strengths have been rationalized by this in-situ particle reinforced composite structure, consisting of 10 m agglomerates of unreacted starting material bonded within a sub-micron aluminosilicate/inorganic polymer matrix.     

On the structure of social self-concept for pre-, early-, and late adolescents: A test of the Shavelson, Hubner, and Stanton (1976) model.

This study is the first to empirically validated the social self-concept of the R. J. Shavelson, J. J. Hubner, and G. C. Stanton (see record 1978-30429-001) model. The primary purpose was to test for each of 3 age groups—preadolescents (Grade 3), early adolescents (Grade 7), and late adolescents (Grade 11)—3 hypotheses bearing on the structure of social self-concept within the context of this model: (a) that it is multidimensional, (b) that it is hierarchically ordered, and (c) that it becomes increasingly differentiated with age. Given evidence of a hierarchical social self-concept structure, a secondary focus of the study was to determine the extent to which this pattern held across age. On the basis of the analysis of covariance structures within the framework of confirmatory factor analysis, results revealed a multidimensional social self-concept structure that becomes increasingly differentiated and a hierarchical ordering that becomes better defined with age. Overall, findings were consistent with both the R. J. Shavelson et al. (1976) conceptualization of self-concept structure and developmental processes that underlie self-concept formation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Megavoltage imaging with low Z targets: implementation and characterization of an investigational system

The poor quality of stereotactic radiotherapy portal images is a limiting factor in precise image registration. To alleviate this problem, a low atomic number (Z) target was implemented on our Siemens MXE linear accelerator. This investigational system was used to assess the performance of various target materials by filming an aluminum contrast object. Beryllium, carbon and conventional target materials were studied. The bremsstrahlung spectra of these materials were simulated using Monte Carlo techniques. These spectra were used to calculate the dependence of narrow beam contrast on phantom thickness for verification of the data measured from film. A Monte Carlo simulation of the beryllium spectrum in a wide beam geometry was used to evaluate the effect of phantom-to-film distance on contrast. Although the same degree of contrast improvement with distance was not realized in practice, the improvement in image quality rivaled that achieved using a scatter reduction grid. A comparison of conventional localization images of the head and neck of an anthropomorphic phantom with images produced with a beryllium or carbon target and a mammography film and screen system supports earlier suggestions that the technique is clinically useful.     

A two-term MEDLINE search strategy for identifying randomized trials in obstetrics and gynecology

In this study, we examined whether endothelin (ET) plays a role in the short-term increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) after nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs). Experiments were performed by using Inactin-anesthetized male SHRSPs that were pretreated with chlorisondamine to block reflex autonomic cardiovascular effects. Injection of L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.v.), but not D-NAME, produced rapid and marked increases (74 +/- 3 mm Hg) in MAP that were sustained for >1 h. In SHRSPs that were treated with the ET(A/B) receptor antagonist, L-754,142 (15 mg/kg + 15 mg/kg/h), L-NAME increased MAP by 45 +/- 4 mm Hg (p < 0.0001 compared with L-NAME alone). L-754,142 blocked pressor responses to big ET-1 by >90% but was without effect on pressor responses to norepinephrine. Plasma levels of ET-1 averaged 5 +/- 1 pg/ml in animals given vehicle and were slightly increased in animals given either L-NAME alone (7 +/- 2 pg/ml) or L-754,142 alone (7 +/- 2 pg/ml) but increased markedly when L-NAME and L-754,142 were given together (114 +/- 18 pg/ml). This may relate to an effect of L-754,142 to block ET-receptor-mediated clearance of ET-1. We conclude that ET plays a role in the short-term pressor response after NOS inhibition in SHRSPs.