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Operation
Kinds of Operation Terms modified by Operation Selected AbstractsOPTIMIZATION CRITERIA FOR BATCH RETORT BATTERY DESIGN AND OPERATION IN FOOD CANNING-PLANTSJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2003R. SIMPSON ABSTRACT Optimization of thermal processing in the commercial sterilization of canned foods is of great interest because the canning industry plays an important role within the economy of the food processing sector. Many food canning plants operate in a batch mode with a battery of individual batch retorts. The aim of this study was to propose and analyze several criteria and methodologies for optimum design and operation of such retort systems. Two criteria were proposed in the case of choosing the optimum number of retorts to be installed when designing a new batch-operated canning line. The third criterion dealt with seeking optimum process conditions for maximizing output from a fixed number of retorts when processing small batches of different products and container sizes. In the case of new plant design optimization, one objective was to determine the optimum number of retorts that would minimize on-going processing costs related to labor and energy. Retort scheduling (programming) was studied from which a simple mathematical expression was derived for this purpose. A second objective was to determine the optimum number of retorts that would maximize the net present value of initial investment. Approaches based upon engineering economics were studied from which to develop a mathematical procedure for this purpose. In the case of maximizing output from a fixed number of retorts for different products and container sizes, isolethal processes were identified for various product/containers from which a common set of process conditions could be chosen for simultaneous processing of different product lots in the same retort. [source] USING STREAM BIOASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS TO MONITOR IMPACTS OF A CONFINED SWINE OPERATION,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 3 2006Jeffrey Jack ABSTRACT: The processing of waste from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) presents a major environmental challenge. Treatment of waste and subsequent land application is a common best management practice (BMP) for these operations in Kentucky, USA, but there are few data assessing the effect of runoff from such operations on aquatic communities. The authors sampled a stream bordering a CAFO with a land application program to determine if runoff from the fertilized fields was adversely affecting stream communities. Water chemistry, periphyton, and macroinvertebrate samples from riffle habitats downstream of the CAFO were compared to samples collected from an upstream site and a control stream in 1999 and 2000. Riffle communities downstream of the fertilized fields had higher chlorophyll a levels than other sites, but there were no significant differences in macroinvertebrate numbers or in biometrics such as taxa richness among the sites. The BMP in place at this site may be effective in reducing this CAFO's impact on the stream; however, similar assessments at other CAFO sites should be done to assess their impacts. Functional measures such as nutrient retention and litter decomposition of streams impacted by CAFOs should also be investigated to ensure that these operations are not adversely affecting stream communities. [source] Deployable Truss Operation by ETS-VII Robot Arm Using Force Accommodation ControlCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2001Masahiro Nohmi An experiment for teleoperating a truss structure has been performed as part of a space robotics mission on Engineering Test Satellite No. 7 (ETS-VII). This article reports the results from truss experiments conducted by means of the ETS-VII robot arm using force accommodation control, which is a specific control law developed for the ETS-VII robot arm. With this control function, the robot arm moves toward the point where the external force becomes the command value, which is sent from the ground. This control technique is useful especially in the case of teleoperation with time delay, since excessive force and torque can be avoided, and in addition, no a priori trajectory information is required. However, the robot arm cannot attain the desired configuration for itself. These characteristics can be used for deployable and assembly truss operation, making full use of merits and avoiding demerits. The effectiveness is confirmed through an ETS-VII onboard experiment. [source] Late Presenters with Dextro-transposition of Great Arteries and Intact Ventricular Septum: To Train or Not to Train the Left Ventricle for Arterial Switch Operation?CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 6 2009Noor Mohamed Parker MBChB ABSTRACT Objective., We report our experience in managing late presenters (older than 4 weeks) with dextro-transposition of great arteries and intact ventricular septum (d-TGA/IVS) in an effort to achieve successful arterial switch operation (ASO) in a third world setting. Design., We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all late presenters with d-TGA/IVS. Patients were divided into two groups: left ventricular training (LVT) group and non-left ventricular training (non-LVT) group. LVT group underwent pulmonary artery banding and Blalock-Taussig Shunt prior to ASO. Results., Twenty-one late presenters were included in the study. In LVT group, 11 patients with median age of 6 months (range, 1,72 months) underwent LVT. Later, 8 patients with median age of 9.25 months (range, 1.33,84 months) underwent ASO. Prior to ASO, left ventricle (LV) collapse resolved in all and left ventricle to systemic pressure (LV/SP) ratio was 0.81 (range, 0.76,0.95) in 4 patients. Two patients who had LVT for ,14 days required postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support due to LV dysfunction. Seven patients survived to discharge. In non-LVT group, 10 patients with median age of 2.5 months (range, 1,98 months) underwent ASO. Five patients had LV collapse, and median LV/SP ratio was 0.67 (range, 0.56,1.19) in 5 patients. Seven patients needed ECMO support. Seven patients survived to discharge. Conclusion., Late presenters with d-TGA/IVS, who have LV collapse on echocardiography and/or a LV/SP ratio <0.67 on cardiac catheterization, should be subjected to LVT preferably for duration of longer than 14 days in order to avoid potential ECMO use. [source] Protein-Losing Enteropathy after Fontan OperationCONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 5 2007Jack Rychik MD ABSTRACT Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a poorly understood and enigmatic disease process affecting patients with single ventricle after Fontan operation. In those afflicted, PLE after Fontan operation results in significant morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of the disease is unknown; however, a proposed mechanism incorporates a combination of phenomena including: (1) altered hemodynamics, specifically low cardiac output; (2) increased mesenteric vascular resistance; (3) systemic inflammation; and (4) altered enterocyte basal membrane glycosaminoglycan make-up. A paradigm for the clinical management of PLE after Fontan operation is proposed. [source] Fontan Operation and the Single VentricleCONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 1 2007Jamil A. AboulHosn MD ABSTRACT The Fontan operation has gone through multiple incarnations since Fontan and Baudet's initial description in 1971. Through the medical dossier of a patient with a single ventricle, we plot the history of medical, surgical, and percutaneous interventions over the past 40 years, specifically focusing on the Fontan procedure, its development, indications, sequelae, and complications. Cardiac computed tomography with angiography is highlighted as a noninvasive imaging tool for the evaluation of the complex Fontan circulation. [source] Physics Programme for Initial Operation of Wendelstein 7-XCONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 8 2010H.-S. Bosch Abstract It is the mission of the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator to demonstrate the reactor potential of the optimized stellarator line. Therefore W7-X has to demonstrate high-power, steady-state operation. After completion of its construction and commissioning of the device, a first operational phase is planned to investigate basic stellarator properties and to prepare later steady-state operation of Wendelstein 7-X. The physics programme for this initial operation period has been developed recently to comply with the physics goals of W7-X and will be discussed in this paper (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] "Noise and Flutter": American Propaganda Strategy and Operation in India during World War IIDIPLOMATIC HISTORY, Issue 2 2010Eric D. Pullin First page of article [source] Miniature Biofuel Cells with Improved Stability Under Continuous OperationELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 19-20 2006Michael Abstract We have developed miniature biofuel cells (BFCs) with dimensions as small as 12×12×9,mm by adopting the design of stackable proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The enzymatic anodes were constructed by using stabilized glucose oxidase (GOx) in the form of crosslinked enzyme clusters (CECs) on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The combination of stabilized GOx and unbuffered fuel solution resulted in stabilized performance of miniature BFCs under continuous operation for more than 16 hours. This unprecedentedly high operational stability of miniature BFCs opens up new possibilities for many BFC applications. [source] Infrastructure Financing and Operation in the Contemporary CityGEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2010PHILLIP M. O'NEILL Abstract The provision of large economic infrastructure in Australian cities is widely seen to be in crisis. This paper examines the reasons why crisis has arisen in the urban infrastructure sector and what might be done to redress this. The analysis and the argument are based on a resuscitation of the ideas and ideals of infrastructure provision and how these have been eroded. The paper shows how these ideas/ideals once underpinned the formulation of state role, governance and regulation systems, financial arrangements, and even community need and expectation. Critical to this was an acceptance of the ideals of universality, access, bundling and free positive externalities, and the belief that these should be assembled necessarily as part of any urban infrastructure roll-out. This package became instinctive in post-war economic and urban management. Yet this instinct has been lost as governments shift from models of infrastructure provision to infrastructure procurement where a major role for the private sector is now common. While such an involvement has its benefits, there are concerns for the urban condition when privatisation of infrastructure construction, delivery and operation becomes dominant. Citing Graham and Marvin (2001), the paper argues that, where once infrastructure was the key device for integrating the elements of the city and its people, the way it is now being delivered produces a splintered urbanism. There is an urgent need, then, to re-think what infrastructure means in today's urban context and thereafter to re-assess the criteria for deciding what infrastructure is to be provided, in what form it should be provided, who should provide it, who should pay, and who should operate it. [source] Charge Generation and Photovoltaic Operation of Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Incorporating a High Extinction Coefficient Indolene-Based SensitizerADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009Henry J. Snaith Abstract An investigation of the function of an indolene-based organic dye, termed D149, incorporated in to solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells using 2,2,,7,7,-tetrakis(N,N -di- p -methoxypheny-amine)-9,9,-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) as the hole transport material is reported. Solar cell performance characteristics are unprecedented under low light levels, with the solar cells delivering up to 70% incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) and over 6% power conversion efficiency, as measured under simulated air mass (AM) 1.5 sun light at 1 and 10,mW cm,2. However, a considerable nonlinearity in the photocurrent as intensities approach "full sun" conditions is observed and the devices deliver up to 4.2% power conversion efficiency under simulated sun light of 100,mW cm,2. The influence of dye-loading upon solar cell operation is investigated and the thin films are probed via photoinduced absorption (PIA) spectroscopy, time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), and photoluminescence quantum efficiency (PLQE) measurements in order to deduce the cause for the non ideal solar cell performance. The data suggest that electron transfer from the photoexcited sensitizer into the TiO2 is only between 10 to 50% efficient and that ionization of the photo excited dye via hole transfer directly to spiro-OMeTAD dominates the charge generation process. A persistent dye bleaching signal is also observed, and assigned to a remarkably high density of electrons "trapped" within the dye phase, equivalent to 1.8,×,1017,cm,3 under full sun illumination. it is believed that this localized space charge build-up upon the sensitizer is responsible for the non-linearity of photocurrent with intensity and nonoptimum solar cell performance under full sun conditions. [source] Optimization of Full-Scale Permanganate ISCO System Operation: Laboratory and Numerical StudiesGROUND WATER MONITORING & REMEDIATION, Issue 4 2008Jeffrey L. Heiderscheidt Laboratory characterization studies, one-dimensional flow-through studies, and numerical model simulations were conducted to examine site conditions and system features that may have adversely affected in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) performance at the Naval Training Center's (NTC) Operable Unit 4 located in Orlando, Florida, and to identify potential ISCO system modifications to achieve the desired remediation performance. At the NTC site, ISCO was implemented using vertical injection wells to deliver potassium permanganate into a ground water zone for treatment of tetrachloroethylene and its breakdown products. However, oxidant distribution was much more limited than anticipated. Characterization studies revealed that the ground water zone being treated by ISCO was very fine sand with a small effective particle size and low uniformity coefficient, along with a high organic carbon content, high natural oxidant demand (NOD), and a high ground water dissolved solids concentration, all of which contributed to full-scale ISCO application difficulties. These site conditions contributed to injection well permeability loss and an inability to achieve the design oxidant injection flow rate, limiting the actual oxidant distribution at the site. Flow-through experiments demonstrated that more favorable oxidant delivery and distribution conditions are enabled by applying a lower oxidant concentration at a faster delivery rate for a greater number of pore volumes. Numerical simulations, run for a variety of conditions (injection/extraction well flow rates, injected oxidant concentration, amount of NOD present, and NOD oxidation rate), also revealed that low,oxidant concentration injection at a high flow rate is a more effective method to deliver the required mass of oxidant to the target treatment zone. [source] Incorporating Penalty Function to Reduce Spill in Stochastic Dynamic Programming Based Reservoir Operation of Hydropower PlantsIEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2010Deependra Kumar Jha Non-member Abstract This paper proposes a framework that includes a penalty function incorporated stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) model in order to derive the operation policy of the reservoir of a hydropower plant, with an aim to reduce the amount of spill during operation of the reservoir. SDP models with various inflow process assumptions (independent and Markov-I) are developed and executed in order to derive the reservoir operation policies for the case study of a storage type hydropower plant located in Japan. The policy thus determined consists of target storage levels (end-of-period storage levels) for each combination of the beginning-of-period storage levels and the inflow states of the current period. A penalty function is incorporated in the classical SDP model with objective function that maximizes annual energy generation through operation of the reservoir. Due to the inclusion of the penalty function, operation policy of the reservoir changes in a way that ensures reduced spill. Simulations are carried out to identify reservoir storage guide curves based on the derived operation policies. Reservoir storage guide curves for different values of the coefficient of penalty function , are plotted for a study horizon of 64 years, and the corresponding average annual spill values are compared. It is observed that, with increasing values of ,, the average annual spill decreases; however, the simulated average annual energy value is marginally reduced. The average annual energy generation can be checked vis-à-vis the average annual spill reduction, and the optimal value of , can be identified based on the cost functions associated with energy and spill. © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Continuous Tuning of Organic Transistor Operation from Enhancement to Depletion ModeADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Piero Cosseddu An organic field-effect transistor able to switch from depletion (normally on) to enhancement (normally off) mode was obtained thanks to the composition of the mixed semiconductor that forms the device channel. The threshold voltage of the device can be predictably tuned from positive to negative values by adjusting the composition of a mixture of sexithiophene derivatives that are able to achieve a perfect intercalation inside the thin film. [source] Transobturatory tension-free composite sling for urethral support in patients with stress urinary incontinence: Favorable experience after 1 year follow upINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 6 2006IVAN IGNJATOVIC Objective:, Symptomatic, anatomic and urodynamic results of a composite transobturatory tension-free sling with an absorbable middle part, in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), were studied. Methods:, A prospective study in 40 women with SUI was performed. Symptoms, urodynamics and anatomical improvements were evaluated separately. Surgery was performed with the transobturatory approach. Results:, All patients had both clinically and urodynamically confirmed SUI. Clinical outcome was favorable in 36/40 (90%) patients, after 1 year. Operation improved the position of the bladder neck (2.8 cm and 1.4 cm below the pubic bone, respectively) and significantly decreased mobility of the bladder neck during abdominal straining (3.3 cm and 1.7 cm, respectively). Both symptoms and quality of life were significantly improved 1 month after the surgery. Postoperative maximum flow was lower than the preoperative one but with borderline significance (25.8 and 23.7 mL/s; P = 0.05). Pressure flow study showed unobstructed voiding both preoperatively and postoperatively. Detrusor pressure at the maximum flow was increased (20, 4 and 22, 8 cmH2O, respectively) but not significantly. Conclusion:, Our results confirmed a high objective cure rate, improvement of symptoms and quality of life, and at the same time, corrected position of the bladder neck and unobstructed voiding. [source] Association between the Provision Characteristics and Operation of Supported Housing Services and Resident OutcomesJOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 4 2002David Felce [source] Safety and Efficacy of Arterial Switch Operation in Previously Inoperable PatientsJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 4 2010Liu Ying-long M.D. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ASO in these selected subset patients. Methods: The records of 86 patients older than six months with complete transposition of the great arteries and ventricular septal defect or Taussig-Bing anomaly and severe PAH who underwent ASO at our institution from May 2000 to October 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty survivors were followed-up. Results: There were six hospital deaths (7.0%, 95% confidence limit 1.6 to 12.4%). From January 2006 to October 2008, 46 consecutive ASOs were performed with no death. Operative mortality and mobility decreased significantly (p = 0.008 and p = 0.046, respectively). The median duration of follow-up was 42.1 ± 28.8 months (range, 2.0 to 99.5). Two late deaths occurred. Latest follow-up data showed that 2.8% of survivors were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and 97.2% were in NYHA class I. Conclusions: Excellent early and mid-term results of ASO are obtained from patients older than six months with complete transposition of the great arteries and ventricular septal defect or Taussig-Bing anomaly and severe PAH in current era, and ASO is safe and effective in these selected subset patients. (J Card Surg 2010;25:400-405) [source] An Alternative Technique for the Atrial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries in an Unoperated Adult PatientJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 4 2010Sachin Talwar M.Ch. The relevant literature on late natural survivors with this condition is reviewed and the technical aspects of an alternative technique for accomplishing a successful atrial switch in this situation are discussed. (J Card Surg 2010;25:406-409) [source] Early Pulmonary Embolectomy for Acute Pulmonary Embolus: An Operation Whose Time Has ComeJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 3 2010Harold L. Lazar M.D. (J Card Surg 2010;25:259-260) [source] Autologous Pericardium Patch Aneurysm after Ventricular Septal Defect Closure and Arterial Switch OperationJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 4 2009Fernando A. Atik M.D. Four months later, the child came back with right ventricular inflow obstruction related to aneurysmal pericardial patch, severe tricuspid regurgitation, and severe supra-valvular pulmonic stenosis. At reoperation, there was a redundant, aneurysmal pericardial patch densely adherent to the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve, which was damaged. The pericardial patch was replaced, the pulmonary artery enlarged, and tricuspid valve repaired. Postoperative course was uneventful, but residual moderate tricuspid regurgitation required intensive medical treatment. [source] Predictors of Failure to Cure Atrial Fibrillation with the Mini-Maze OperationJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 1 2004Zoltan A. Szalay M.D. A reduction in the number of right and left atrial incisions could decrease the operative time. The aim of this study was to assess the results of a mini-maze operation and to define predictors of its failure. Methods: Between 1995 and 2000, 72 patients (mean age 64 ± 9 years) undergoing cardiac surgery had a concomitant mini-maze operation for symptomatic chronic atrial fibrillation. Three and 12 months postoperatively, heart rhythm and left atrial transport functions were assessed by electrophysiology, echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of failure of the mini-maze operation. Results: Operative mortality was 1.4% (1/72). Death during follow-up occurred in 5.6% of patients (4/71), in one due to chronic heart failure. After 1 year, 80% of patients (48/60) were either in sinus rhythm (n = 43; 72%) or had a pacemaker (n = 5; 8%) implanted due to sick sinus syndrome. Intermittent and chronic atrial fibrillation was found in 20% of patients (12/60). Preoperative duration of atrial fibrillation (p = 0.05), preoperative left atrial diameter (p = 0.001), preoperative right atrial diameter (p = 0.02), a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.03), an increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (p = 0.04), and the presence of mitral valve stenosis (p = 0.001) were found to be univariate predictors of failure of the mini-maze operation 1 year postoperatively. Multivariate analysis defined preoperative diagnosis of mitral valve stenosis (p = 0.005; OR 117.5), longer duration of preoperative atrial fibrillation (p = 0.01; OR 1.33), and increased preoperative left ventricular end-systolic diameter (p = 0.02; OR 1.2) as incremental independent risk factors for failure of the mini-maze operation to cure chronic atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: The mini-maze operation is a safe procedure with similar results to that of Cox's Maze-III operation. The less-invasive mini-maze operation could be applicable even to patients with severely reduced left ventricular function, in whom complex cardiac surgery has to be performed concomitantly as well as in those presenting severe comorbidities. (J Card Surg 2004;19:1-6) [source] Dor Operation for a Young Male with Left Ventricular Aneurysm due to Spontaneous Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery DissectionJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 1 2004Masato Nakajima M.D. We describe a young male who had a myocardial infarction with left ventricular aneurysm due to spontaneous left anterior descending coronary artery dissection. He was successfully treated with Dor's left ventriculoplasty without coronary artery revascularization. The Dor procedure was a simple and effective treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which the Dor procedure was used to treat spontaneous coronary artery dissection with left ventricular aneurysm. (J Card Surg 2004;19:54-56) [source] Aortic Valve-Sparing Operation in Dilatation of the Ascending AortaJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 6 2000René Prêtre M.D. No abstract is available for this article. [source] Ultrafiltration of industrial waste liquors from the manufacture of soy protein concentratesJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2006Andrés Moure Abstract Protein-containing waste liquors from the manufacture of soy protein concentrates were processed by ultrafiltration to recover soluble protein using three different membranes (with molecular weight cut-offs of 10, 30 and 50 kDa). Operating at 20 °C under reversible conditions, the experimental data of the normalized permeate flux (NPF) obtained at various transmembrane pressures were well described by a model reported in the literature. For each membrane and transmembrane pressure, the values of the parameters involved in the model were calculated. Operating at selected transmembrane pressures, protein rejections of 0.705, 0.747 and 0.637 were determined for the 10, 30 and 50 kDa membranes, respectively. Operation with the 10 kDa membrane at temperatures in the range 30,50 °C and operation with the 30 or 50 kDa membranes at 40 or 50 °C resulted in hysteresis. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Case study: A novel surface scanning systemJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 7 2005K. W. Tam This paper presents the design and development of a novel surface scanning system that employs an array of 144 equal spaced probing pins for capturing the surface coordinates of an object simultaneously. Operation of the system is computer driven. The captured surface data is saved in a point-cloud data file, which can be postprocessed by a CAD system to construct a surface model of the scanned object. The created CAD model can be used to facilitate the design and making of thermoforming moulds. The thermoforming moulds are to be used for forming plastic sheets for packaging consumer products for retail selling. A prototype of the system has been built. Test results demonstrate that the developed system can satisfy the technical and economical requirements of the packaging industry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] An autonomous tracked vehicle with omnidirectional sensingJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 8 2004R. David Hampton Operation of an autonomous vehicle along a marked path, in an obstacle-laden environment, requires path detection, relative position detection and control, and obstacle detection and avoidance. The design solution of the team from the U.S. Military Academy is a tracked vehicle operating open-loop in response to position information from an omnidirectional mirror, and to obstacle-detection input from the mirror and from a scanning laser. The use of a tracked rather than a wheeled vehicle is the team's open-loop solution to the problem of wheeled-vehicle slippage on wet and sandy surfaces. The vehicleresponds to sensor information from (1) a digital camera-mounted parabolic omnidirectional mirror for visual inputs and (2) a scanning laser for detecting obstacles in relief. Raw sensor data is converted synchronously into a global virtual context, which places the vehicle's center at the origin of a 2-D Cartesian coordinate system. A four-phase process is used to convert the camera's inputs into the data structures needed to reason about the vehicle's position relative to the course. Development of the path plan proceeds incrementally, using a space-sweeping algorithm to identify safe paths along waypoints within the course boundaries. An attempt is made to minimize translation errors by favoring paths which exhibit fewer sharp turns. Integration of Intel's OpenCV computer vision library and the Independent JPEG Group's JPEG library allow for very good encapsulation of the low-level functions needed to do most of the image processing. Ada95 is the language of choice for the majority of the team-developed software, except where needed to interface to motors and sensors. Use of an object-oriented high-level language has been invaluable in leveraging the efforts of previous years' development activities, and for maximizing the ability to log or otherwise respond to anomalous behavior. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Modeling of the Cod Desalting OperationJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2004J. M. Barat ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to apply mathematical expressions commonly used in the analysis of mass-transfer processes to the study of the cod desalting operation to be able to predict the changes suffered by cod during the process. The NaCl concentration in the cod liquid phase at equilibrium was well predicted by using a mass balance. It was observed that the changes in the cod liquid phase concentration and the total weight changes throughout the process could be predicted by using a pseudo-diffusional approach or a biexponential equation, whereas a linear relation was observed between the NaCl cod liquid phase concentration and the cod density. [source] A classification of computer security incidents based on reported attack dataJOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND OFFENDER PROFILING, Issue 2 2005Maria Kjaerland Abstract Previous studies of computer criminals have attempted to differentiate between offenders, but have not used data from the actual attacks. Drawing on theories from investigative psychology as well as information security, the current study differentiates 2755 computer security incidents using information about Method of Operation (MO), Impact, and Source Sector from reported attacks. Multivariate statistical analyses were applied on the data-matrix of 22 variables and showed the co-occurrences of various aspects of computer security incidents. A radex structure emerged where the high frequency variables were positioned in the centre of the data-plot. Based on a previously developed taxonomy of cyber intrusions, the results of the analysis showed that it was possible to draw inferences about the less informative category of Objective, from information about Attacker, Tools, Access, and Results. By applying the division-lines indicating the Objectives of Challenge/Status, Destruction, Political Gain and Financial Gain on the SSA-plot, it was shown how the taxonomies could be further developed by taking into account the relationships between the categories. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] RESERVOIR OPERATION ANI EVALUATION OF DOWNSTREAM FLOW AUGMENTATION,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 3 2001Mahesh Kumar Sahu ABSTRACT: Operation of a storage-based reservoir modifies the downstream flow usually to a value higher than that of natural flow in dry season. This could be important for irrigation, water supply, or power production as it is like an additional downstream benefit without any additional investment. This study addresses the operation of two proposed reservoirs and the downstream flow augmentation at an irrigation project located at the outlet of the Gandaki River basin in Nepal. The optimal operating policies of the reservoirs were determined using a Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP) model considering the maximization of power production. The modified flows downstream of the reservoirs were simulated by a simulation model using the optimal operating policy (for power maximization) and a synthetic long-term inflow series. Comparing the existing flow (flow in river without reservoir operation) and the modified flow (flow after reservoir operation) at the irrigation project, the additional amount of flow was calculated. The reliability analysis indicated that the supply of irrigation could be increased by 25 to 100 percent of the existing supply over the dry season (January to April) with a reliability of more than 80 percent. [source] The Organization and Operation of Teen Courts in the United States: A Comparative Analysis of LegislationJUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2002MICHELLE E. HEWARD J.D. ABSTRACT Teen courts are juvenile justice diversion programs found in most states. Programs vary significantly between, and even within, states, making regulation cumbersome. Their grass roots nature requires legislative latitude so each program can meet the specific needs of the communities they serve. States have passed both specific and broad legislation acknowledging their existence and providing referral sources. This article examines teen court legislation from every state, analyzes each, and draws conclusions about teen courts from a legislative perspective. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||