Kinematics of Big Biomedical Data to characterize temporal variability and seasonality of data repositories: Functional Data Analysis of data temporal evolution over non-parametric statistical manifolds

[EN] Aim: The increasing availability of Big Biomedical Data is leading to large research data samples collected over long periods of time. We propose the analysis of the kinematics of data probability distributions over time towards the characterization of data temporal variability. Methods: First, we propose a kinematic model based on the estimation of a continuous data temporal trajectory, using Functional Data Analysis over the embedding of a non-parametric statistical manifold which points represent data temporal batches, the Information Geometric Temporal (IGT) plot. This model allows measuring the velocity and acceleration of data changes. Next, we propose a coordinate-free method to characterize the oriented seasonality of data based on the parallelism of lagged velocity vectors of the data trajectory throughout the IGT space, the Auto-Parallelism of Velocity Vectors (APVV) and APVVmap. Finally, we automatically explain the maximum variance components of the IGT space coordinates by means of correlating data points with known temporal factors from the domain application. Materials: Methods are evaluated on the US National Hospital Discharge Survey open dataset, consisting of 3,25M hospital discharges between 2000 and 2010. Results: Seasonal and abrupt behaviours were present on the estimated multivariate and univariate data trajectories. The kinematic analysis revealed seasonal effects and punctual increments in data celerity, the latter mainly related to abrupt changes in coding. The APVV and APVVmap revealed oriented seasonal changes on data trajectories. For most variables, their distributions tended to change to the same direction at a 12-month period, with a peak of change of directionality at mid and end of the year. Diagnosis and Procedure codes also included a 9-month periodic component. Kinematics and APVV methods were able to detect seasonal effects on extreme temporal subgrouped data, such as in Procedure code, where Fourier and autocorrelation methods were not able to. The automated explanation of IGT space coordinates was consistent with the results provided by the kinematic and seasonal analysis. Coordinates received different meanings according to the trajectory trend, seasonality and abrupt changes. Discussion: Treating data as a particle moving over time through a multidimensional probabilistic space and studying the kinematics of its trajectory has turned out to a new temporal variability methodology. Its results on the NHDS were aligned with the dataset and population descriptions found in the literature, contributing with a novel temporal variability characterization. We have demonstrated that the APVV and APVVmat are an appropriate tool for the coordinate-free and oriented analysis of trajectories or complex multivariate signals. Conclusion: The proposed methods comprise an exploratory methodology for the characterization of data temporal variability, what may be useful for a reliable reuse of Big Biomedical Data repositories acquired over long periods of time.This work was supported by UPV grant No. PAID-00-17, and projects DPI2016-80054-R and H2020-SC1-2016-CNECT No. 727560.Sáez, C.; Garcia-Gomez, JM. (2018). Kinematics of Big Biomedical Data to characterize temporal variability and seasonality of data repositories: Functional Data Analysis of data temporal evolution over non-parametric statistical manifolds. International Journal of Medical Informatics. 119:109-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2018.09.015S10912411

Aerosol physical properties in the stratosphere (APPS) radiometer design

The measurement concepts and radiometer design developed to obtain earth-limb spectral radiance measurements for the Aerosol Physical Properties in the Stratosphere (APPS) measurement program are presented. The measurements made by a radiometer of this design can be inverted to yield vertical profiles of Rayleigh scatterers, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, aerosol extinction, and aerosol physical properties, including a Junge size-distribution parameter, and a real and imaginary index of refraction. The radiometer design provides the capacity for remote sensing of stratospheric constituents from space on platforms such as the space shuttle and satellites, and therefore provides for global measurements on a daily basis

Synthesis and error correction methods in gene fabrication

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-59).Gene Fabrication technology involves the development and optimization of methods relevant to the in vitro synthesis of any given target gene sequence(s) in the absence of template. The driving purpose of this field of research is to bring about the capability for on-demand fabrication of a DNA construct of arbitrary length and sequence quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. The first part of this document describes many of the important considerations in performing successful de novo gene synthesis from a survey of the literature as well as from our own work. Recommendations are made for a universally effective, robust, and simple protocol for potential users of gene synthesis, discussing important factors such as choice of protocol, source of commercial oligonucleotides, and polymerase choice. The second part of this document focuses on error correction. Reducing error rates is one of the main challenges in gene fabrication because high error rates preclude the possibility of fabricating long gene targets in a practical and economical manner. Improvements in error rates are essential for continued progress in the development of gene fabrication technology. I discuss the importance of error rate in gene synthesis from a practical standpoint and show results in the development of novel methods for the removal of errors from a pool of synthesized DNA.by Jason Sun-hyung Park.M.Eng

A design-with-features approach for rotational machined components

A major problem in integrating Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) arises from the difference in thinking between the design and manufacturing people. Designers think of designing a new product in terms of its intended function whereas manufacturing engineers think in terms of decomposing a product design into a set of manufacturing operations. Feature Recognition and Designing with Features have been recognised as alternative approaches to the integration of design and manufacturing functions. In this thesis the second approach has been investigated by developing a feature-based front-end to a CAD solid modeller. This produces the geometric representation of the component in terms of manufacturing features and processes, and simultaneously captures this information in a form suitable for an outline process plan. [Continues.

High data rate optical transceiver terminal

The objectives of this study were: (1) to design a 400 Mbps optical transceiver terminal to operate from a high-altitude balloon-borne platform in order to permit the quantitative evaluation of a space-qualifiable optical communications system design, (2) to design an atmospheric propagation experiment to operate in conjunction with the terminal to measure the degrading effects of the atmosphere on the links, and (3) to design typical optical communications experiments for space-borne laboratories in the 1980-1990 time frame. As a result of the study, a transceiver package has been configured for demonstration flights during late 1974. The transceiver contains a 400 Mbps transmitter, a 400 Mbps receiver, and acquisition and tracking receivers. The transmitter is a Nd:YAG, 200 Mhz, mode-locked, CW, diode-pumped laser operating at 1.06 um requiring 50 mW for 6 db margin. It will be designed to implement Pulse Quaternary Modulation (PQM). The 400 Mbps receiver utilizes a Dynamic Crossed-Field Photomultiplier (DCFP) detector. The acquisition receiver is a Quadrant Photomultiplier Tube (QPMT) and receives a 400 Mbps signal chopped at 0.1 Mhz

Life Factors Affecting U.S. Army Junior-Enlisted Soldiers in Reaching Their Educational Goals

This study focused on drawing a picture of the dynamics and educational experiences of U.S. Army junior-enlisted soldiers in the rank of specialist in the RA. Those soldiers are eligible to participate in the U.S. Army’s VolEd Program available worldwide. According to Gleiman and Zacharakis (2016): The military relies on continuing professional education as a key component to the success of its organization. With decreasing budgets and increasing importance for a force that operates efficiently and thinks critically, the cognitive tension among training, education, and learning come center stage. (p. 81) The researcher formed the research questions (RQs) sought to generate information about how soldiers use their educational benefits to forecast possible Army’s VolEd enhancements to ensure the Army’s leadership development goals are met. The U.S. Army’s ITAPDB was used to gather the pre-existing data and to provide analysis. Statistical analysis determined there were few significant relationships between demographic, educational, and military-service related variable groups. However, stronger statistical significance was found when a cross-variable approach was implemented. Within the context of this model, the demographic variables of marital status, soldier’s age, and ethnicity had statistically significant differences on average grade point average (GPA) and end-of-course passing grades. The military service related variables of a soldier’s military occupational specialty/career management field/pay entrance basic date (MOS/CMF/PEBD) and years in service indicated statistically significant differences on GPA and passing grades. The educational variables of GPA, class count, Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP), CivEd level, and general technical (GT) score showed statistically significant differences on GPA and passes. In addition, when examining between-group covariances, the variable of soldier’s age indicated a statistically significant difference on GT score and CivEd level. Finally, when examining the quantitative comparison between TA and non-TA user groups, findings showed that CivEd and PEBD, CivEd and age, CivEd and number of years in service, and GT score and MOS for both TA and non-TA users were statistically significant. By knowing the factors that influenced a soldier’s degree completion, and understanding mechanisms behind the process of participation in adult lifelong learning, the U.S. Army can improve measures that influence satisfaction of education benefits and can provide an improved overall perspective on a soldier’s participation in VolEd Program. This study may help refine and redesign the U.S. Army’s VolEd policies and procedures to enhance the program participation in alignment with the U.S. Army’s goal to shape and guide the development of future organizational leaders, while increasing the collective understanding of leader development dynamics through VolEd within and beyond the American military context

Being intercultural: Young people, experiencing change and developing competence in an international school

Despite the increasing mobility of some families, it is rare to find studies that examine the intercultural competence of young people within changeable and culturally diverse settings. The seventeen participants in this qualitative study attended an international school in South-east Asia that caters predominantly for multinational, multicultural and mobile families. The young people were interviewed about their perceptions of being international and intercultural. Analysis of the data focused on the intercultural competences used by the young people, and the social integration processes in which they are situated. It identified knowledge, attitudes and/or behaviour components that demonstrate their intercultural competences. These were abstracted and labelled as change management, fitting in and perspective taking. The research also analysed the young people's perceptions of the processes they use to initiate and manage social relationships. The result is a model of social integration in a South-east Asian international school. It reveals the functions and interrelationship of these Intercultural competences, and highlights the role of mindfulness and locus of control within this social framework. The study presents two major findings. Firstly, that change can bring about conditions, and operate as a process, that may create competence under certain circumstances. Secondly, that social integration processes may become more predictable and intercultural competences increasingly embedded, with multiple intercultural experiences. This research emphasizes that schools can support young people in managing challenging and difficult circumstances. In particular, operational conditions embedded in both the formal and hidden curriculum can nurture competence, even in dynamic situations. The findings have implications for existing theories of change and mobility, intercultural competence and cross cultural adaptation

Space programs summary no. 37-32, volume iv, for the period 1 february - 31 march 1965. supporting research and advanced development

Space programs on telecommunications, space science, propulsion, engineer mechanics, guidance and control, systems, and project engineerin

Development of a model for smart card based access control in multi-user, multi-resource, multi-level access systems

The primary focus of this research is an examination of the issues involved in the granting of access in an environment characterised by multiple users, multiple resources and multiple levels of access permission. Increasing levels of complexity in automotive systems provides opportunities for improving the integration and efficiency of the services provided to the operator. The vehicle lease / hire environment provided a basis for evaluating conditional access to distributed, mobile assets where the principal medium for operating in this environment is the Smart Card. The application of Smart Cards to existing vehicle management systems requires control of access to motor vehicles, control of vehicle operating parameters and secure storage of operating information. The issues addressed include examination of the characteristics of the operating environment, development of a model and design, simulation and evaluation of a multiple application Smart Card. The functions provided by the card include identification and authentication, secure hash and encryption functions which may be applied, in general, to a wide range of access problems. Evaluation of the algorithms implemented indicate that the Smart Card design may be provably secure under single use conditions and conditionally secure under multiple use conditions. The simulation of the card design provided data to support further research and shows the design is practical and able to be implemented on current Smart Card types