Structural Properties of the Caenorhabditis elegans Neuronal Network

Despite recent interest in reconstructing neuronal networks, complete wiring diagrams on the level of individual synapses remain scarce and the insights into function they can provide remain unclear. Even for Caenorhabditis elegans, whose neuronal network is relatively small and stereotypical from animal to animal, published wiring diagrams are neither accurate nor complete and self-consistent. Using materials from White et al. and new electron micrographs we assemble whole, self-consistent gap junction and chemical synapse networks of hermaphrodite C. elegans. We propose a method to visualize the wiring diagram, which reflects network signal flow. We calculate statistical and topological properties of the network, such as degree distributions, synaptic multiplicities, and small-world properties, that help in understanding network signal propagation. We identify neurons that may play central roles in information processing and network motifs that could serve as functional modules of the network. We explore propagation of neuronal activity in response to sensory or artificial stimulation using linear systems theory and find several activity patterns that could serve as substrates of previously described behaviors. Finally, we analyze the interaction between the gap junction and the chemical synapse networks. Since several statistical properties of the C. elegans network, such as multiplicity and motif distributions are similar to those found in mammalian neocortex, they likely point to general principles of neuronal networks. The wiring diagram reported here can help in understanding the mechanistic basis of behavior by generating predictions about future experiments involving genetic perturbations, laser ablations, or monitoring propagation of neuronal activity in response to stimulation

Preliminary design of a redundant strapped down inertial navigation unit using two-degree-of-freedom tuned-gimbal gyroscopes

This redundant strapdown INS preliminary design study demonstrates the practicality of a skewed sensor system configuration by means of: (1) devising a practical system mechanization utilizing proven strapdown instruments, (2) thoroughly analyzing the skewed sensor redundancy management concept to determine optimum geometry, data processing requirements, and realistic reliability estimates, and (3) implementing the redundant computers into a low-cost, maintainable configuration

Distributed Smart City Services for Urban Ecosystems

A Smart City is a high-performance urban context, where citizens live independently and are more aware of the surrounding opportunities, thanks to forward-looking development of economy politics, governance, mobility and environment. ICT infrastructures play a key-role in this new research field being also a mean for society to allow new ideas to prosper and new, more efficient approaches to be developed. The aim of this work is to research and develop novel solutions, here called smart services, in order to solve several upcoming problems and known issues in urban areas and more in general in the modern society context. A specific focus is posed on smart governance and on privacy issues which have been arisen in the cellular age

Valuing the welfare effects of air pollution in the Jinchuan mining area

Het hoofddoel van dit proefschrift is de meting van de invloed van luchtvervuiling op welzijn in de Jinchuan mijnstreek, China. De eerste onderzoeksvraag luidt: wat is de relatie tussen kennis van de lokale luchtvervuiling en de perceptie van gezondheidsrisico’s ervan? Bovendien, hoe worden deze beide variabelen beïnvloed door sociale en demografische karakteristieken? Ten tweede, wat zijn de voornaamste determinanten van de wijze waarop de inwoners van Jinchuan zichzelf en hun familieleden beschermen tegen deze gezondheidsrisico’s? En, welke bedragen zijn mensen bereid uit te geven aan het verlagen van de gezondheidsrisico’s? Ten derde, hoe beïnvloedt luchtvervuiling subjectief welzijn oftewel geluk? Het onderzoek laat zien dat kennis van de ernst van de lokale luchtvervuiling een positief effect heeft op de perceptie van gezondheidsrisico’s. Daarnaast spelen sociaalpsychologische karakteristieken, vooral inkomen en opleidingsniveau, een rol. Het onderzoek laat verder zien dat de perceptie van gezondheidsrisico’s mensen aanzet tot risico beperkende maatregelen. De betalingsbereidheid hiervoor kan oplopen tot 3,5% van het gezinsinkomen (voor longkanker). Tenslotte blijkt uit het onderzoek dat vermindering van luchtvervuiling de mate van welzijn (geluk) sterk verhoogt, al hebben verhoging van inkomen en opleidingsniveau een groter effect. Uit het onderzoek volgt dat vermindering van luchtvervuiling een belangrijk lange termijn beleidsdoel is. Daarnaast verdient het aanbeveling dat de lokale overheid dagelijks informatie verschaft over de mate van luchtvervuiling en de wijze waarop men daartegen beschermende maatregelen kan nemen. Tenslotte, dient een veiliger afstand tussen enerzijds woongebieden en anderzijds de locatie van de mijnbouw en aanverwante industriële activiteiten nagestreefd te worden

An experimental Rayleigh laser guide star ground layer adaptive optics system for the William Herschel telescope

The design of an experimental ground layer adaptive optics (GLAO) system that uses a low altitude Rayleigh laser guide star as a wavefront reference source is presented. GLAO is a technique for achieving wide-field partial adaptive optics correction of the aberrations in a wavefront due to the effects of propagation through a turbulent atmosphere. The theoretical performance of the GLAO sub-systems, such as the laser launch system, wavefront sensor and optical train are analysed and compared, where possible, to measurements taken both under laboratory conditions and on-sky at the William Herschel Telescope

Pilot\u27s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, 2016

The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge provides basic knowledge that is essential for pilots. This handbook introduces pilots to the broad spectrum of knowledge that will be needed as they progress in their pilot training. Except for the Code of Federal Regulations pertinent to civil aviation, most of the knowledge areas applicable to pilot certification are presented. The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge provides basic knowledge for the student pilot learning to fly, as well as pilots seeking advanced pilot certification. For detailed information on a variety of specialized flight topics, see specific Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handbooks and Advisory Circulars (ACs). Occasionally the word “must” or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). It is essential for persons using this handbook to become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). The AIM is available online at www.faa.gov. The current Flight Standards Service airman training and testing material and learning statements for all airman certificates and ratings can be obtained from https://www.faa.gov

Pilot\u27s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, 2016

The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge provides basic knowledge that is essential for pilots. This handbook introduces pilots to the broad spectrum of knowledge that will be needed as they progress in their pilot training. Except for the Code of Federal Regulations pertinent to civil aviation, most of the knowledge areas applicable to pilot certification are presented. The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge provides basic knowledge for the student pilot learning to fly, as well as pilots seeking advanced pilot certification. For detailed information on a variety of specialized flight topics, see specific Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handbooks and Advisory Circulars (ACs). Occasionally the word “must” or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). It is essential for persons using this handbook to become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). The AIM is available online at www.faa.gov. The current Flight Standards Service airman training and testing material and learning statements for all airman certificates and ratings can be obtained from https://www.faa.gov

Air Traffic Management Abbreviation Compendium

As in all fields of work, an unmanageable number of abbreviations are used today in aviation for terms, definitions, commands, standards and technical descriptions. This applies in general to the areas of aeronautical communication, navigation and surveillance, cockpit and air traffic control working positions, passenger and cargo transport, and all other areas of flight planning, organization and guidance. In addition, many abbreviations are used more than once or have different meanings in different languages. In order to obtain an overview of the most common abbreviations used in air traffic management, organizations like EUROCONTROL, FAA, DWD and DLR have published lists of abbreviations in the past, which have also been enclosed in this document. In addition, abbreviations from some larger international projects related to aviation have been included to provide users with a directory as complete as possible. This means that the second edition of the Air Traffic Management Abbreviation Compendium includes now around 16,500 abbreviations and acronyms from the field of aviation