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Alternate Methods (alternate + methods)
Selected AbstractsA Comparison of Tabular PDF Inversion MethodsCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 1 2009D. Cline I.3.0 [Computer Graphics]: General Abstract The most common form of tabular inversion used in computer graphics is to compute the cumulative distribution table of a probability distribution (PDF) and then search within it to transform points, using an,O(log n),binary search. Besides the standard inversion method, however, several other discrete inversion algorithms exist that can perform the same transformation inO(1) time per point. In this paper, we examine the performance of three of these alternate methods, two of which are new. [source] Diet-induced phenotypic plasticity in the skull morphology of hatchery-reared Florida largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides floridanusECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 4 2005A. P. Wintzer Abstract , Hatchery-reared Florida largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides floridanus, feed on inert pellet food while their wild counterparts capture elusive prey. Differences in levels of prey elusivity often mandate the use of alternate methods of prey capture. This study examines whether elusivity-based variation in prey capture translates to a phenotypic change during skull development, and if this change results in a functional difference in the feeding mechanism. The developmental pattern of the skull was conserved between hatchery and wild bass until 80,99 mm TL. At this point, wild bass quickly developed morphological changes of the jaw apparatus including a more fusiform head and elongated jaw structures. Natural development in hatchery bass, however, was retarded at this size. Post-release, the skulls of hatchery fish converged towards those of wild bass by 135 mm TL. Despite variation in skull development, no theoretical advantage in food capture was found between these two groups. Resumen 1. Los individuos de Micropterus salmoides floridanus criados en cautividad se alimentan de cápsulas inertes de comida mientras que sus congéneres salvajes capturan presas elusivas. A menudo diferencias en los niveles de elusividad de las presas permiten la utilización de métodos alternativos para capturar presas. Este estudio examina si la variación basada en la elusividad de la captura de presas se traduce en un cambio fenotípico durante el desarrollo del cráneo y si este cambio resulta en una diferencia funcional en el mecanismo de alimentación. 2. El patrón de desarrollo del cráneo se mantuvo entre individuos criados en cautividad y en individuos salvajes hasta los 80,99 mm longitud total. En este punto, los individuos salvajes desarrollaron rápidamente cambios en el aparato mandibular incluyendo una cabeza más fusiforme y estructuras mandibulares mas alargadas. Sin embargo, en individuos de cautiverio, el desarrollo natural se retrasó en este tamaño. 3. Tras una suelta, los cráneos de individuos procedentes de cautiverio convergieron hacia los individuos salvajes en los 135 mm longitud total. A pesar de la variación en el desarrollo del cráneo, no encontramos ninguna ventaja teórica en la captura de alimento entre estos dos grupos. [source] Venous needle dislodgement during hemodialysis: An unresolved risk of catastrophic hemorrhageHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2005S. Sandroni Venous line disconnection or needle dislodgement during hemodialysis with resultant hemorrhage is a potentially lethal event. The risk is compounded by the frequent failure of standard dialysis machines to detect the event, as blood flow through the venous needle typically creates enough back pressure to prevent venous pressure alarms even if the needle is completely out of the patient's AV access. Manufacturers are well aware of the risk and device literature contains specific warnings about it. The FDA publishes reports on its website about these events; so far this year there have been seven reported events with five deaths. Informal sources indicate that the actual (unreported) occurrence is much more frequent; we are aware of four additional events within our region alone. Efforts to reduce the risk include protocols requiring the access needles to always be visible, and use of enuresis detection devices. Anecdotal experience with these efforts suggests they are not highly effective. Protocols requiring documentation of more frequent needle site checks or alternate methods of securing the needles have not been formally evaluated. However, such efforts do not address the primary problem: there is a need for an engineered solution to this problem. Requirements for such a solution include: reliable detection of needle position and blood flow discrepancies, a useful alarm, and feedback to stop the blood pump. Persistence of this problem raises issues of regulatory oversight. [source] Modified methodology for computing interference in LEO satellite environmentsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING, Issue 6 2003Raúl Chávez Santiago Abstract Computing interference is very important in satellite networks design in order to assure the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) with other radiocommunication systems. There are different methods to compute interference in geostationary (GEO) satellite systems including conventional methods using link budget equations and alternate methods such as increase in noise temperature. However, computing interference in low earth orbit (LEO) systems represents a different problem. Due to the special characteristics of this kind of orbits, the elevation angle at any site changes continuously over time, meaning a time dependent change of the propagation path length between an interfering transmitter and an interfered-with receiver, and of the discrimination provided by the transmitting and/or the receiving antenna. Thus, conventional interference prediction methods developed for fixed links must be adapted to the case of LEO systems. To overcome this problem a mathematical model that characterizes the path length variations by an average value obtained from the probability density function of the varying distance between an interfering transmitter and an interfered- with receiver is proposed in this paper. This average path length enables the use of conventional link budget methods to reduce the computation time for the evaluation of interference in LEO satellite environments. Two practical examples show the possible applications of the proposed model. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Detection of Chlamydiaceae DNA in veterinary specimens using a family-specific PCRLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007K. Condon Abstract Aims:, The aim of this work was to develop a rapid molecular test for the detection of the Chlamydiaceae family, irrespective of the species or animal host. Methods and Results:, The method described herein is a polymerase chain reaction targeting the 16S rRNA gene of the Chlamydiaceae family, and the results demonstrate that the test reacts with five reference Chlamydiaceae but none of the 19 other bacterial species or five uninfected animal tissues tested. The results also indicate the enhanced sensitivity of this test when compared with conventional culture or serology techniques. This is demonstrated through parallel testing of six real clinical veterinary cases and confirmatory DNA sequence analysis. Conclusions, Significance and Impact of the Study:, This test can be used by veterinary diagnostic laboratories for rapid detection of Chlamydiaceae in veterinary specimens, with no restriction of chlamydial species or animal host. The test does not differentiate chlamydial species, and if required, speciation must be carried out retrospectively using alternate methods. However, for the purpose of prescribing therapy for chlamydiosis, this test would be an invaluable laboratory tool. [source] Digit ratios (2D:4D) determined by computer-assisted analysis are more reliable than those using physical measurements, photocopies, and printed scansAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Heather C. Allaway Prenatal androgens influence the second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) of hands with men having lower ratios than women. Numerous methods are used to assess 2D:4D including, physical measurements with calipers, and measurements made from photocopies, scanned images, digital photographs, radiographs, and scaled tubes. Although each method appears relatively reliable, agreement upon a gold standard is necessary to better explore the putative effects of prenatal androgens. Our objective was to assess the level of intra and interobserver reliability when evaluating 2D:4D using four techniques: (1) physical measurements, (2) photocopies, (3) printed scanned images, and (4) computer-assisted image analysis. Physical measurements, photocopies, and printed scanned images were measured with Vernier calipers. Scanned images were also measured with computer-based calipers. Measurements were made in 30 men and 30 women at two different time points, by three experienced observers. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to assess the level of reliability. Intraobserver reliability was best for computer-assisted (0.957), followed by photocopies (0.939), physical measurements (0.925), and printed scans (0.842; P = 0.015). Interobserver reliability was also greatest for computer-assisted (0.892), followed by photocopies (0.858), physical measurements (0.795), and printed scans (0.761; P = 0.001). Mean 2D:4D from physical measurements were higher than all other techniques (P < 0.0001). Digit ratios determined from computer-assisted, physical measurements, and printed scans were more reliable in men than women (P = 0.009, P = 0.017, and P = 0.012, respectively). In summary, 2D:4D determined from computer-assisted analysis yielded the most accurate and consistent measurements among observers. Investigations of 2D:4D should use computer-assisted measurements over alternate methods whenever possible. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||