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Kinds of Particular Terms modified by Particular Selected AbstractsA POTTED HISTORY OF 19TH-CENTURY REMOTE-AREA NURSING IN AUSTRALIA AND, IN PARTICULAR, QUEENSLANDAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2000Trudy Yuginovich ABSTRACT Knowledge of the history of remote-area nursing in Australia is necessary if we are to truly understand the processes that have dictated the boundaries and reality of the scope of practice for today's RANs (remote-area nurses). This paper briefly explores and discusses the social context and history of remote-area nursing in Australia and, in particular, Queensland during the 19th century. [source] Adaptations for Nothing in ParticularJOURNAL FOR THE THEORY OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, Issue 1 2004Simon J. Hampton An element of the contemporary dispute amongst evolution minded psychologists and social scientists hinges on the conception of mind as being adapted as opposed to adaptive. This dispute is not trivial. The possibility that human minds are both adapted and adaptive courtesy of selection pressures that were social in nature is of particular interest to a putative evolutionary social psychology. I suggest that the notion of an evolved psychological adaptation in social psychology can be retained only if it is accepted that this adaptation is for social interaction and has no rigidly fixed function and cannot be described in terms of algorithmic decision rules or fixed inferential procedures. What is held to be the reason for encephalisation in the Homo lineage and some of best atested ideas in social psychology offers license for such an approach. [source] Review article: chronic viral infection in the anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy era in inflammatory bowel diseaseALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2010M. J. SHALE Summary Background, Anti-Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy is now well established in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of opportunistic infection is recognized. However, specific considerations regarding screening, detection, prevention and treatment of chronic viral infections in the context of anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease are not widely adopted in practice. Aim, To provide a detailed and comprehensive review of the relevance of chronic viral infections in the context of anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Methods, Literature search was conducted using Medline, Pubmed and Embase using the terms viral infection, hepatitis, herpes, CMV, EBV, HPV, anti-TNF, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol and etanercept. Hepatitis B and C and HIV had the largest literature associated and these have been summarized in Tables. Results, Particular risks are associated with the use of anti-TNF drugs in patients with hepatitis B infection, in whom reactivation is common unless anti-viral prophylaxis is used. Reactivation of herpes zoster is the most common viral problem associated with anti-TNF treatment, and may be particularly severe. Primary varicella infection may present with atypical features in patients on anti-TNF. Conclusion, Appreciation of risks of chronic viral disease associated with anti-TNF therapy may permit early recognition, prophylaxis and treatment. [source] Sex differences in vocal patterns in the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Luisa F. Arnedo Abstract We investigated whether sex differences in spatial dynamics correlate with rates of staccato and neigh vocalizations in northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) at the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural,Feliciano Miguel Abdala, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 2,727 10,min focal subject samples were collected on 32 adult females and 31 adult males between April 2007 and March 2008. Compared with males, females spent a significantly lower proportion of their time in proximity to other group members and gave staccatos at significantly higher rates while feeding, resting, and traveling. Conversely, males emitted neigh vocalizations at significantly higher rates than females when feeding and resting only. Both sexes gave significantly more staccatos when feeding than when they were engaged in other activities, but their respective rates of neighs did not vary across activities. Both females and males emitted staccato vocalizations at significantly higher rates during times of the year when preferred foods were scarce, but no seasonal differences in the rates of neigh vocalizations were observed in either sex. Females and males showed a reduction in the number of neighbors following staccato vocalizations and an increase in the number of neighbors following neigh vocalizations. Our findings of sex differences in the rates of staccato and neigh vocalizations and the effects of these vocalizations on interindividual spacing are consistent with sex differences in spatial dynamics, and confirm the role of vocal communication in mediating spatial associations in this species. Am. J. Primatol. 72:122,128, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Brazilian Tapir Density in the Pantanal: A Comparison of Systematic Camera-Trapping and Line-Transect SurveysBIOTROPICA, Issue 2 2008Mogens Trolle ABSTRACT The density of Brazilian tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) was studied in the northeastern part of the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil using two simultaneous and independent methods: (1) systematic camera trapping combined with capture,recapture analysis, with camera traps spaced 1 km apart and distributed over 54 km2; and (2) line-transect sampling using an array of 12 linear transects, from 3.8 to 7.2 km long, covering the principal open and forest habitat types across the entire 1063 km2 SESC Pantanal Reserve. The two methods yielded conservative density estimates of 0.58 ± 0.11 tapirs/km2 (camera trapping) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.30,1.01) tapirs/km2 (line transects). The study suggests that certain Pantanal habitats and sites can sustain relatively high population densities of tapirs when these animals are protected from hunting. Further testing of the camera-trapping methodology as applied to tapirs is required, particularly focusing on extending the survey period. As it represents a relatively rapid method for estimating population density, in comparison to line-transect surveys, and as it generates information simultaneously on multiple species that are conservation priorities, we recommend that camera-trapping surveys be applied more widely across a variety of Pantanal habitats and land-use categories in order to confirm the value of the vast 140,000 km2 wilderness region for this vulnerable species. RESUMO A densidade de Tapirus terrestris foi avaliada na região Nordeste do Pantanal do Mato Grosso usando dois métodos simultâneos e independentes: 1) método sistemático com armadilhas fotográficas, combinado com análises de captura e recaptura, com câmaras fotográficas espaçadas 1 km entre si e distribuídas sobre uma área de 54 km2, dispostas em 4 grades contínuas, com 14 câmaras ativas por 9 dias consecutivos em cada grade; e 2) 12 transecções lineares variando em dimensões de 3,8,7,2 km de extensão, cobrindo os principais habitats abertos e fechados, sobre uma região de 1063 km2 da Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural SESC Pantanal. Os dois métodos resultaram em estimativas de densidade de 0.58 ± 0.11 antas/km2 (câmaras fotográficas) e 0.55 (95% intervalo de confiança 0.30,1.01) antas/km2 (transecções lineares). Os resultados sugerem que certos hábitats e áreas do Pantanal podem sustentar densidades relativamente elevadas de antas, quando protegidas da caça. A metodologia utilizando câmaras fotográficas em estudos sobre antas deve ser testada incrementando períodos de avaliação. Como o método representa uma forma rápida de avaliação das densidades populacionais, em comparação com transecções lineares, e gera informações simultâneas sobre múltiplas espécies que podem ser prioritárias para conservação, recomendamos que avaliações com armadilhas fotográficas sejam amplamente aplicadas para a espécie na variedade de hábitats do Pantanal, visando afirmar o valor dessa vasta e selvagem região de 140.000 km2. [source] ADAPTATION KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION: A CASE STUDY FOR CASE-BASED DECISION SUPPORT IN ONCOLOGYCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 3-4 2006Mathieu D'Aquin Kasimir is a case-based decision support system in the domain of breast cancer treatment. For this system, a problem is given by the description of a patient and a solution is a set of therapeutic decisions. Given a target problem, Kasimir provides several suggestions of solutions, based on several justified adaptations of source cases. Such adaptation processes are based on adaptation knowledge. The acquisition of this kind of knowledge from experts is presented in this paper. It is shown how the decomposition of adaptation processes by introduction of intermediate problems can highlight simple and generalizable adaptation steps. Moreover, some adaptation knowledge units that are generalized from those acquired for Kasimir are presented. This knowledge can be instantiated in other case-based decision support systems, in particular in medicine. [source] BUILDING A DATA-MINING GRID FOR MULTIPLE HUMAN BRAIN DATA ANALYSISCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 2 2005Ning Zhong E-science is about global collaboration in key areas of science such as cognitive science and brain science, and the next generation of infrastructure such as the Wisdom Web and Knowledge Grids. As a case study, we investigate human multiperception mechanism by cooperatively using various psychological experiments, physiological measurements, and data mining techniques for developing artificial systems which match human ability in specific aspects. In particular, we observe fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and EEG (electroencephalogram) brain activations from the viewpoint of peculiarity oriented mining and propose a way of peculiarity oriented mining for knowledge discovery in multiple human brain data. Based on such experience and needs, we concentrate on the architectural aspect of a brain-informatics portal from the perspective of the Wisdom Web and Knowledge Grids. We describe how to build a data-mining grid on the Wisdom Web for multiaspect human brain data analysis. The proposed methodology attempts to change the perspective of cognitive scientists from a single type of experimental data analysis toward a holistic view at a long-term, global field of vision. [source] Preference-Based Constrained Optimization with CP-NetsCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 2 2004Craig Boutilier Many artificial intelligence (AI) tasks, such as product configuration, decision support, and the construction of autonomous agents, involve a process of constrained optimization, that is, optimization of behavior or choices subject to given constraints. In this paper we present an approach for constrained optimization based on a set of hard constraints and a preference ordering represented using a CP-network,a graphical model for representing qualitative preference information. This approach offers both pragmatic and computational advantages. First, it provides a convenient and intuitive tool for specifying the problem, and in particular, the decision maker's preferences. Second, it admits an algorithm for finding the most preferred feasible (Pareto-optimal) outcomes that has the following anytime property: the set of preferred feasible outcomes are enumerated without backtracking. In particular, the first feasible solution generated by this algorithm is Pareto optimal. [source] Inhomogeneous volumetric Laplacian deformation for rhinoplasty planning and simulation systemCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 3-4 2010Sheng-hui Liao Abstract This paper presents an intuitive rhinoplasty planning and simulation system, to provide high quality prediction of postoperative appearance, and design patient specific nose prosthesis automatically. The key component is a novel volumetric Laplacian deformation tool inspired by the state-of-the-art differential surface deformation techniques. Working on the volumetric domain and incorporating inhomogeneous material from CT data make the new approach suitable for soft tissue simulation. In particular, the system employs a special sketch contour driving deformation interface, which can provide realistic 3D rhinoplasty simulation with intuitive and straightforward 2D manipulation. When satisfied with the appearance, the change of soft tissue before and after simulation is utilized to generate the individual prosthesis model automatically. Clinical validation using post-operative CT data demonstrated that the system can provide prediction results of high quality. And the surgeons who used the system confirmed that this planning system is attractive and has potential for daily clinical practice. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A kaleidoscope as a cyberworld and its animation: linear architecture and modeling based on an incrementally modular abstraction hierarchyCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 3-4 2006Tosiyasu L. Kunii Abstract An incrementally modular abstraction hierarchy is known to effectively linearize cyberworlds and virtual worlds, which are combinatorially exploding and hardly managed. It climbs down from general level to specific model preserving the higher level modules as invariants. It not only prevents the combinatorial explosion but also benefits the reuse, development, testing and validation of cyberworld resources. By applying this incrementally modular abstraction hierarchy to a kaleidoscope animation, its architecture and modeling is also specified in this paper as a typical case of cyberworlds. In particular, a homotopy lifting property and a homotopy extension property, which satisfy a duality relation, are also described to show how a kaleidoscope world is systematically created top-down from the whole system and bottom-up from the components. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Capturing human motion using body-fixed sensors: outdoor measurement and clinical applicationsCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 2 2004Kamiar Aminian Abstract Motion capture is mainly based on standard systems using optic, magnetic or sonic technologies. In this paper, the possibility to detect useful human motion based on new techniques using different types of body-fixed sensors is shown. In particular, a combination of accelerometers and angular rate sensors (gyroscopes) showed a promising design for a hybrid kinematic sensor measuring the 2D kinematics of a body segment. These sensors together with a portable datalogger, and using simple biomechanical models, allow capture of outdoor and long-term movements and overcome some limitations of the standard motion capture systems. Significant parameters of body motion, such as nature of motion (postural transitions, trunk rotation, sitting, standing, lying, walking, jumping) and its spatio-temporal features (velocity, displacement, angular rotation, cadence and duration) have been evaluated and compared to the camera-based system. Based on these parameters, the paper outlines the possibility to monitor physical activity and to perform gait analysis in the daily environment, and reviews several clinical investigations related to fall risk in the elderly, quality of life, orthopaedic outcome and sport performance. Taking advantage of all the potential of these body-fixed sensors should be promising for motion capture and particularly in environments not suitable for standard technology such as in any field activity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Generation of a virtual reality-based automotive driving training system for CAD educationCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 2 2009Janus Liang Abstract Designing and constructing a virtual reality-based system is useful for educating students about scenario planning, geometric modeling and computer graphics. In particular, students are exposed to the practical issues surrounding topics such as geometric modeling, rendering, collision detection, model animation and graphical design. Meanwhile, building an application system provides students exposure to the real-world side of software engineering that they are typically shielded from in the traditional computer class. This study is a description of the experiences with instructing "Computer-aided Industrial design" and "OOP," two introductory classes that focus on designing and generating the VR based system possible in the course of a semester and then "VR System," an advanced course in the next semester. This study emphasizes the continuing evolution in the training and educational needs of students of CAD-systems. This study breaks down an automobile driving training system into different components that are suitable for individual student projects and discusses the use of modern graphical design tools such as 3ds MAX for artistic design in this system. The conclusion of this study proposes a rough schedule for developing a VR based system during the course of a semester and an overview is given of a concept of a virtual reality-based design and constructing system that is being developed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 17: 148,166, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae20178 [source] Strategies for the numerical integration of DAE systems in multibody dynamicsCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 2 2004E. Pennestrì Abstract The number of multibody dynamics courses offered in the university is increasing. Often the instructor has the necessity to go through the steps of an algorithm by working out a simple example. This gives the student a better understand of the basic theory. This paper provides a tutorial on the numerical integration of differential-algebraic equations (DAE) arising from the dynamic modeling of multibody mechanical systems. In particular, some algorithms based on the orthogonalization of the Jacobian matrix are herein discussed. All the computational steps involved are explained in detail and by working out a simple example. It is also reported a brief description and an application of the multibody code NumDyn3D which uses the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) approach. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 12: 106,116, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20005 [source] Facilitating process control teaching and learning in a virtual laboratory environmentCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 2 2002T. Murphy Abstract The rapid pace of technological developments and the high cost of engineering equipment, pose several challenges to traditional modes of engineering education. Innovations in education are desirable. In particular, education on practical aspects of engineering and personnel training can be enhanced through the use of virtual laboratories. Such educative experiences allow a student to better understand the theoretical aspects of the discipline in addition to its integration with practical knowledge. In this work, the development, set-up and application of a virtual twin heat exchanger plant is described. The philosophy and methodology of our approach is described, including the implementation details and our experience in using it. The effectiveness of the platform in educating students and in training industrial personnel is described. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 10: 79,87, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com.); DOI 10.1002/cae.10011 [source] GraphDice: A System for Exploring Multivariate Social NetworksCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2010A. Bezerianos Abstract Social networks collected by historians or sociologists typically have a large number of actors and edge attributes. Applying social network analysis (SNA) algorithms to these networks produces additional attributes such as degree, centrality, and clustering coefficients. Understanding the effects of this plethora of attributes is one of the main challenges of multivariate SNA. We present the design of GraphDice, a multivariate network visualization system for exploring the attribute space of edges and actors. GraphDice builds upon the ScatterDice system for its main multidimensional navigation paradigm, and extends it with novel mechanisms to support network exploration in general and SNA tasks in particular. Novel mechanisms include visualization of attributes of interval type and projection of numerical edge attributes to node attributes. We show how these extensions to the original ScatterDice system allow to support complex visual analysis tasks on networks with hundreds of actors and up to 30 attributes, while providing a simple and consistent interface for interacting with network data. [source] Time-Adaptive Lines for the Interactive Visualization of Unsteady Flow Data SetsCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 8 2009N. Cuntz I.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Line and Curve Generation; I.3.1 [Computer Graphics]: Parallel Processing Abstract The quest for the ideal flow visualization reveals two major challenges: interactivity and accuracy. Interactivity stands for explorative capabilities and real-time control. Accuracy is a prerequisite for every professional visualization in order to provide a reliable base for analysis of a data set. Geometric flow visualization has a long tradition and comes in very different flavors. Among these, stream, path and streak lines are known to be very useful for both 2D and 3D flows. Despite their importance in practice, appropriate algorithms suited for contemporary hardware are rare. In particular, the adaptive construction of the different line types is not sufficiently studied. This study provides a profound representation and discussion of stream, path and streak lines. Two algorithms are proposed for efficiently and accurately generating these lines using modern graphics hardware. Each includes a scheme for adaptive time-stepping. The adaptivity for stream and path lines is achieved through a new processing idea we call ,selective transform feedback'. The adaptivity for streak lines combines adaptive time-stepping and a geometric refinement of the curve itself. Our visualization is applied, among others, to a data set representing a simulated typhoon. The storage as a set of 3D textures requires special attention. Both algorithms explicitly support this storage, as well as the use of precomputed adaptivity information. [source] Animating Quadrupeds: Methods and ApplicationsCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 6 2009Ljiljana Skrba I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: 3D Graphics and Realism , Animation Abstract Films like Shrek, Madagascar, The Chronicles of Narnia and Charlotte's web all have something in common: realistic quadruped animations. While the animation of animals has been popular for a long time, the technical challenges associated with creating highly realistic, computer generated creatures have been receiving increasing attention recently. The entertainment, education and medical industries have increased the demand for simulation of realistic animals in the computer graphics area. In order to achieve this, several challenges need to be overcome: gathering and processing data that embodies the natural motion of an animal , which is made more difficult by the fact that most animals cannot be easily motion-captured; building accurate kinematic models for animals, with adapted animation skeletons in particular; and developing either kinematic or physically-based animation methods, either by embedding some a priori knowledge about the way that quadrupeds locomote and/or adopting examples of real motion. In this paper, we present an overview of the common techniques used to date for realistic quadruped animation. This includes an outline of the various ways that realistic quadruped motion can be achieved, through video-based acquisition, physics based models, inverse kinematics or some combination of the above. [source] Direct Visualization of Deformation in VolumesCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2009Stef Busking Abstract Deformation is a topic of interest in many disciplines. In particular in medical research, deformations of surfaces and even entire volumetric structures are of interest. Clear visualization of such deformations can lead to important insight into growth processes and progression of disease. We present new techniques for direct focus+context visualization of deformation fields representing transformations between pairs of volumetric datasets. Typically, such fields are computed by performing a non-rigid registration between two data volumes. Our visualization is based on direct volume rendering and uses the GPU to compute and interactively visualize features of these deformation fields in real-time. We integrate visualization of the deformation field with visualization of the scalar volume affected by the deformations. Furthermore, we present a novel use of texturing in volume rendered visualizations to show additional properties of the vector field on surfaces in the volume. [source] Sub-Voxel Topology Control for Level-Set SurfacesCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2003Stephan Bischoff Active contour models are an efficient, accurate, and robust tool for the segmentation of 2D and 3D image data. In particular, geometric deformable models (GDM) that represent an active contour as the level set of an implicitfunction have proven to be very effective. GDMs, however, do not provide any topology control, i.e. contours maymerge or split arbitrarily and hence change the genus of the reconstructed surface. This behavior is inadequate insettings like the segmentation of organic tissue or other objects whose genus is known beforehand. In this paperwe describe a novel method to overcome this limitation while still preserving the favorable properties of the GDMsetup. We achieve this by adding (sparse) topological information to the volume representation at locations whereit is necessary to locally resolve topological ambiguities. Since the sparse topology information is attached to theedges of the voxel grid, we can reconstruct the interfaces where the deformable surface touches itself at sub-voxelaccuracy. We also demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of our method. [source] Dynamic Textures for Image-based Rendering of Fine-Scale 3D Structure and Animation of Non-rigid MotionCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2002Dana Cobza The problem of capturing real world scenes and then accurately rendering them is particularly difficult for fine-scale 3D structure. Similarly, it is difficult to capture, model and animate non-rigid motion. We present a method where small image changes are captured as a time varying (dynamic) texture. In particular, a coarse geometry is obtained from a sample set of images using structure from motion. This geometry is then used to subdivide the scene and to extract approximately stabilized texture patches. The residual statistical variability in the texture patches is captured using a PCA basis of spatial filters. The filters coefficients are parameterized in camera pose and object motion. To render new poses and motions, new texture patches are synthesized by modulating the texture basis. The texture is then warped back onto the coarse geometry. We demonstrate how the texture modulation and projective homography-based warps can be achieved in real-time using hardware accelerated OpenGL. Experiments comparing dynamic texture modulation to standard texturing are presented for objects with complex geometry (a flower) and non-rigid motion (human arm motion capturing the non-rigidities in the joints, and creasing of the shirt). Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): I.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Image Based Rendering [source] Simulation of Accuracy Performance for Wireless Sensor-Based Construction Asset TrackingCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009Miros, aw J. Skibniewski In particular, identifying the location of distributed mobile entities throughout wireless communications becomes the primary task to realize the remote tracking and monitoring of the construction assets. Even though several alternative solutions have been introduced by utilizing recent technologies, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) and the global positioning system (GPS), they could not provide a solid direction to accurate and scalable tracking frameworks in large-scale construction domains due to limited capability and inflexible networking architectures. This article introduces a new tracking architecture using wireless sensor modules and shows an accuracy performance using a numerical simulation approach based on the time-of-flight method. By combining radio frequency (RF) and ultrasound (US) signals, the simulation results showed an enhanced accuracy performance over the utilization of an RF signal only. The proposed approach can provide potential guidelines for further exploration of hardware/software design and for experimental analysis to implement the framework of tracking construction assets. [source] A Risk-Cost Optimized Maintenance Strategy for Corrosion-Affected Concrete StructuresCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2007Chun-Qing Li It is also observed that some severely deteriorated concrete structures survive for many years without maintenance. This raises the question of why and how to maintain corrosion-affected concrete structures, in particular in the climate of an increasing scarcity of resources. The present article attempts to formulate a maintenance strategy based on risk-cost optimization of a structure during its whole service life. A time-dependent reliability method is employed to determine the probability of exceeding a limit state at each phase of the service life. To facilitate practical application of the formulated maintenance strategy, an algorithm is developed and programmed in a user-friendly manner with a worked example. A merit of the proposed maintenance strategy is that models used in risk assessment for corrosion-affected concrete structures are related to some of the design criteria used by practitioners. It is found in the article that there exists an optimal number of maintenances for cracking and delamination that returns the minimum total cost for the structure in its whole life. The maintenance strategy presented in the article can help structural engineers, operators, and asset managers develop a cost-effective management scheme for corrosion-affected concrete structures. [source] Wavelet Transforms for System Identification in Civil EngineeringCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2003T. Kijewski Although challenges did not surface in prior applications concerned with mechanical systems, which are characterized by higher frequency and broader-band signals, the transition to the time-frequency domain for the analysis of civil engineering structures highlighted the need to understand more fully various processing concerns, particularly for the popular Morlet wavelet. In particular, as these systems may possess longer period motions and thus require finer frequency resolutions, the particular impacts of end effects become increasingly apparent. This study discusses these considerations in the context of the wavelet's multi-resolution character and includes guidelines for selection of wavelet central frequencies, highlights their role in complete modal separation, and quantifies their contributions to end-effect errors, which may be minimized through a simple padding scheme. [source] Enhancing Neural Network Traffic Incident-Detection Algorithms Using WaveletsCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2001A. Samant Researchers have presented freeway traffic incident-detection algorithms by combining the adaptive learning capability of neural networks with imprecision modeling capability of fuzzy logic. In this article it is shown that the performance of a fuzzy neural network algorithm can be improved through preprocessing of data using a wavelet-based feature-extraction model. In particular, the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) denoising and feature-extraction model proposed by Samant and Adeli (2000) is combined with the fuzzy neural network approach presented by Hsiao et al. (1994). It is shown that substantial improvement can be achieved using the data filtered by DWT. Use of the wavelet theory to denoise the traffic data increases the incident-detection rate, reduces the false-alarm rate and the incident-detection time, and improves the convergence of the neural network training algorithm substantially. [source] The life of , and ,,A tutorial review of the ubiquitous use of these symbols in Zeeman and magnetic-resonance spectroscopyCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 2 2008John Ashley Weil Abstract Certain concepts and symbolism as applied to electromagnetic radiation and especially the concept of photons are discussed and (perhaps) clarified. A useful summary of the properties of photons is provided, and the concept of polarization is discussed. In particular, the common usage in Zeeman and magnetic-resonance (EPR and NMR) spectroscopy of the symbols , and , is examined herein, both from the historical viewpoint and the scientific standpoint, and certain errors and fallacies are brought to attention. Brief reference to relevant recent work published on dynamic nuclear polarization and on pulse EPR is included. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 134,142, 2008. [source] Dynamic study of cerebral bioenergetics and brain function using in vivo multinuclear MRS approachesCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 2 2005Wei Chen Abstract One of the greatest merits of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methodology used in biomedical research and clinical settings is its capability of measuring various physiological parameters in vivo. Besides MR imaging (MRI), which has been routinely applied to obtain vital information in living organs at normal and diseased states, in vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) provides an invaluable tool for determining metabolites, chemical reaction rates, bioenergetics, and their dynamic changes in the human and animals noninvasively. These MRS capabilities are further enhanced at high/ultrahigh magnetic fields because of significant gain in NMR detection sensitivity and improvement in the spectral resolution. Recent progress has shown that in vivo MRS holds great promise in many biomedical research areas,in particular, brain research. This article provides a broad review of (i) in vivo multinuclear MRS approaches, (ii) advanced MRS methodologies, and (iii) MRS applications for determining cerebral metabolism as well as bioenergetics at resting brain state and their dynamic changes in response to brain activation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 27A: 84-121, 2005 [source] NMR studies of surfactantsCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 2 2004Olle Söderman Abstract Surfactant molecules are amphipathic and posses complicated solution chemistry and self-assembly properties. In addition to being of enormous practical significance, the physical characterization of surfactant systems presents a rich area of condensed matter physics. This article focuses on the application and interpretation of the commonly used NMR approaches for probing these systems. In particular, the use of NMR relaxation, diffusometry and, more briefly, electrophoretic NMR to determine characteristics such as micellar size and structure, ion-binding and solubilization are considered. The application of these NMR techniques is illustrated by a number of pertinent examples. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 23A:, 121,135, 2004. [source] Maximum likelihood constrained deconvolution.CONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 2 2003II: Application to experimental two-, three-dimensional NMR spectra Abstract The maximum likelihood method (MLM) and related protocols were applied to the experimental 2-D nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) spectrum of a 24-nucleotide RNA hairpin loop molecule. The output becomes more valuable when diagonal symmeterization is followed by MLM. This symmeterized maximum likelihood (SML) protocol restores the original spectral information with high fidelity by accurately partitioning components from overlapped peaks and provides substantial improvements in line shape and spectral resolution, in particular in the F1 dimension. These advantages lead to a simpler interpretation of the resonance frequencies, intensities, multiplet fine structure, and J -coupling values from a heavily overlapped peak region. This promises a more effective tool for peak picking, assignment, and integration. Also, application of MLM and related protocols to the 2-D NOE proton spectrum of a 24-mer RNA dramatically increases the number of NOE-based distance constraints that can be used for determination of its 3-D molecular structure. By application of 3-D MLM to a simple 3-D spectrum, the spectral resolution and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio was greatly improved by effective line sharpening and reduction of cross-talk between planes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 18A: 146,156, 2003 [source] Perfusion-based functional magnetic resonance imaging,CONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 1 2003Afonso C. Silva Abstract The measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a very important way of assessing tissue viability, metabolism, and function. CBF can be measured noninvasively with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by using arterial water as a perfusion tracer. Because of the tight coupling between neural activity and CBF, functional MRI (fMRI) techniques are having a large impact in defining regions of the brain that are activated due to specific stimuli. Among the different fMRI techniques, CBF-based fMRI has the advantages of being specific to tissue signal change, a critical feature for quantitative measurements within and across subjects, and for high-resolution functional mapping. Unlike the conventional blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) technique, the CBF change is an excellent index of the magnitude of neural activity change. Thus, CBF-based fMRI is the tool of choice for longitudinal functional imaging studies. A review of the principles and theoretical backgrounds of both continuous and pulsed arterial spin labeling methods for measuring CBF is presented, and a general overview of their current applications in the field of functional brain mapping is provided. In particular, examples of the use of CBF-based fMRI to investigate the fundamental hemodynamic responses induced by neural activity and to determine the signal source of the most commonly used BOLD functional imaging are reviewed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 16A: 16,27, 2003 [source] Maximizing revenue in Grid markets using an economically enhanced resource managerCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 14 2010M. Macías Abstract Traditional resource management has had as its main objective the optimization of throughput, based on parameters such as CPU, memory, and network bandwidth. With the appearance of Grid markets, new variables that determine economic expenditure, benefit and opportunity must be taken into account. The Self-organizing ICT Resource Management (SORMA) project aims at allowing resource owners and consumers to exploit market mechanisms to sell and buy resources across the Grid. SORMA's motivation is to achieve efficient resource utilization by maximizing revenue for resource providers and minimizing the cost of resource consumption within a market environment. An overriding factor in Grid markets is the need to ensure that the desired quality of service levels meet the expectations of market participants. This paper explains the proposed use of an economically enhanced resource manager (EERM) for resource provisioning based on economic models. In particular, this paper describes techniques used by the EERM to support revenue maximization across multiple service level agreements and provides an application scenario to demonstrate its usefulness and effectiveness. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||