Estimation of

Bayesian model calibration has become a powerful tool for the analysis of experimental data coupled with a physics-based mathematical model. The forward problem of prediction, especially within the range of data, is generally well-posed. There are many well-known issues with the approach when solving the inverse problem of parameter estimation, especially when the calibration parameters have physical interpretations. In this poster, we explore several techniques to identify and overcome these challenges. First, we consider regularization, which refers to the process of constraining the solution space in a meaningful and reasonable way. This is accomplished via the Moment Penalization prior distribution and the associated probability of prior coherency. Secondly, we consider a pseudo-Bayesian approach which we refer to as modularization. By focusing on a small number of parameters which are considered of-interest and forfeiting the ability to learn about the remaining parameters, robust inferential procedures can sometimes be obtained. These ideas are illustrated using several simple examples and a dynamic material property application where material properties of Tantalum are estimated

Greater Physiological Responses While Playing XBox Kinect Compared to Nintendo Wii

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(2): 164-173, 2015. Increasing popularity of active video game use as a mode of physical activity prompted this investigation into the physiological differences to playing the Nintendo WiiTM and XBox KinectTM. Differences in motion capture technology between these systems suggests that using one may result in different movement patterns, and therefore physiological responses, than the other. The purpose of this study was to compare the average (10 minute) and peak heart rate (HR, bpm), oxygen consumption (VO2 mL . kg-1 . min-1), and energy expenditure (EE, kcal . kg-1 . hr-1), while playing Boxing and Just Dance 2 (JD2) on the WiiTM and KinectTM. Fifteen college students (7 female, 8 male) completed 10-minute game sessions for WiiTM and KinectTM Boxing, and WiiTM and KinectTM JD2, in random order. Comparisons for average and peak HR, VO2, and EE were made. Average and peak HR, VO2, and EE were greater (p\u3c0.05) while playing Boxing on the KinectTM when compared to Boxing on the WiiTM. Average and peak VO2 and EE were greater (p\u3c0.05) while playing JD2 on the KinectTM when compared to JD2 on the WiiTM. Peak VO2 surpassed the moderate exercise intensity threshold only while playing KinectTM Boxing and KinectTM JD2. Higher physiological responses were experienced when playing Boxing and JD2 on the KinectTM versus the WiiTM. When using active video games as a form of physical activity, these findings demonstrate that the KinectTM is a better choice than the WiiTM

Midterm Results of an Anatomical Radial Head Arthroplasty for Treating Fractures and Degenerative Joint Diseases of the Radial Head

Background: Radial head arthroplasty (RHA) is typically performed to restore elbow stability or function in patients with fractures or degenerative joint diseases. The procedure requires a specific operating technique to avoid complications such as overstuffing, capitellar erosion, stiffness, instability, micro motion, and loosening. It is difficult to restore native radial head function reliably. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 45 patients who underwent radial head arthroplasty using the ALIGN radial head implant (ALIGN Radial Head System, Skeletal Dynamics, Miami, FL) at our institution. A total of 15 patients met inclusion criteria and were contacted to complete a QuickDASH questionnaire, with additional questions on range of motion, strength, stability, pain, and satisfaction. The monoblock ALIGN implant has a long, press-fit stem coated in titanium plasma spray (TPS), is comprised of cobalt chrome, and is anatomically aligned by the provided alignment jig. Results: Of the 15 patients, one reported severe loss of motion. No patient reported severe loss of strength, loss of stability, or pain. The average QuickDASH score was 12.62 (SD, 18.06) of 100, and the average patient satisfaction score was 8.80 (SD, 2.18) of 10. Conclusions: Radial head arthroplasty may result in suboptimal performance. Functional outcomes after using this implant with monoblock design have been favorable. The design may accurately replicate the anatomical function of the native radial head, and the long, TPS-coated press-fit stem may provide more stability and osseous integration than other implants. The results of this study indicated satisfactory midterm results after use of the ALIGN implant in radial head arthroplasty

Efficiency Optimization of MISO Converter

In recent years, there has been a rapidly growing need for sustainable energy sources. This need comes from the increasing threat of climate change, significant population growth, as well as the effort to bring electricity to rural and underdeveloped areas across the world. The DC House project at Cal Poly aims to address these issues. The Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) converter is an integral part of the DC House project. The MISO converter is a system that connects multiple power sources to a DC bus. This allows the DC House to be powered by multiple types of renewable energy sources, including solar power, wind power, hydro power, and human power. The MISO converter has a nominal input of 24V and a nominal output of 48V with a maximum power rating of 150W. Improvements can be made to the current low-cost MISO to increase efficiency and decrease costs. Several considerations that can be implemented include but are not limited to component selections, board size and layout, and more relaxed design constraints especially for those requirements that were met with significant margin. This project entails the second revision of the low-cost MISO Boost converter incorporating improvements as previously mentioned. Simulation results of the proposed design show that the proposed design meet all design requirements including reduced cost and physical size. Hardware implementation unfortunately did not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic which caused campus shutdown and thus our inability to access the power electronics lab

Using Activity-Based Costing to Create Transparency and Consistency in Accounting for Division I Intercollegiate Athletics

The financial challenges currently faced by NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics programs have been of interest to academics and practitioners alike. According to the 2004–08 NCAA Revenues and Expenses Report, less than 6% of Division I athletics programs were profitable each year from 2004 to 2008 (Fulks, 2009). For the other 94% of programs, there is a reliance on institutional funding to sustain athletic operations (Fulks). Exacerbating this trend, the economic downturn in the United States is forcing institutions to make difficult spending decisions across all campus programs, including intercollegiate athletics. Currently, there are inconsistencies in the accounting practices of intercollegiate athletic departments; especially as those practices relate to allocation of costs (Sperber, 2000; Thelin, 2000; Zimbalist, 2006). The lack of consistency hinders the ability of institutional leaders to make informed decisions about athletics spending. This cross-disciplinary, conceptual paper examines how Activity-Based Costing (ABC), a prominent management accounting cost allocation method, can be applied to NCAA Division I athletic departments. At a time when expenses are outpacing revenues and reliance on institutional support is great, athletic administrators must be armed with accurate information about the costs associated with the operation of each sport program to help in making difficult financial decisions commonplace in today’s economic climate

Cas9+ conditionally-immortalized macrophages as a tool for bacterial pathogenesis and beyond.

Macrophages play critical roles in immunity, development, tissue repair, and cancer, but studies of their function have been hampered by poorly-differentiated tumor cell lines and genetically-intractable primary cells. Here we report a facile system for genome editing in non-transformed macrophages by differentiating ER-Hoxb8 myeloid progenitors from Cas9-expressing transgenic mice. These conditionally immortalized macrophages (CIMs) retain characteristics of primary macrophages derived from the bone marrow yet allow for easy genetic manipulation and a virtually unlimited supply of cells. We demonstrate the utility of this system for dissection of host genetics during intracellular bacterial infection using two important human pathogens: Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

DISTÚRBIOS PSÍQUICOS MENORES EM TRABALHADORES DE ENFERMAGEM DE UM BLOCO CIRÚRGICO

Objetivo: analisar a proporção e os fatores associados aos Distúrbios Psíquicos Menores em trabalhadores de enfermagem de um Bloco Cirúrgico. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 54 trabalhadores de enfermagem. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se questionário estruturado contendo características sociodemográficas e ocupacionais, a versão brasileira do Self Reporting Questionnaire-20 e o Demand Control Support Questionnaire. Resultados: a proporção de Distúrbios Psíquicos Menores foi de 24,1%. Em relação aos aspectos psicossociais, foram predominantemente classificados como desenvolvendo um trabalho com baixa demanda psicológica (63,0%), baixo controle (70,4%) e baixo apoio social (72,2%). Das variáveis investigadas, apresentaram associação estatisticamente significativa com o desfecho o sexo feminino e o controle no trabalho. Conclusão: os resultados evidenciaram a proporção de 24,1% para os Distúrbios Psíquicos Menores nos trabalhadores de enfermagem do local estudado; quanto aos fatores associados, o sexo feminino e o controle no trabalho apresentaram associação significativa com o desfecho.Descritores: Centro Cirúrgico. Enfermagem. Saúde do Trabalhador. Trabalhadores. Transtornos Mentais

Resenha

FRANCIONE, G. L. Animals as Persons: Essays on the abolition of animal exploitation. New York: Columbia University Press, 2008, 256 páginas