Visualeyes 2020: a software suite to integrate instrumentation to study the near triad of vergence

A complete instrumentation suite has been constructed for use in a randomized clinical trial to be funded from the National Institute of Health and study the underlying potential mechanism(s) of vision therapy. This suite is designed to track rotation of each eye (vergence) as well as measure the lens power of the eye\u27s lens (accommodation). The system is designed to dissect the near triad which is composed of the pupil constriction, vergence and accommodation. The visual targets are programmed to be shown on two sets of computer screens which allowed vergence, accommodation and proximal vergence cues to be presented in isolation or in combination to study the Maddox components of vergence. This instrument uses FDA approved devices for subject safety. In our custom LabView based software, the Haploscope is able to generate ocular stimuli from programmed scripts, record data, as well as perform other various experimental requirements. Post processing is done in a MATLAB GUI environment. The results support that vergence responses can be studied using one to several visual cues

Effect of surface roughness on quality perception of Laser Sintered (LS) parts

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a revolutionary technology that in recent years has become increasingly visible in mainstream media and is in the process of being developed for more widespread industrial applications. One of the challenges that has hindered the growth of AM in industry has been the aspect of surface finish, particularly in the use of Laser Sintering (LS). The surfaces produced are often perceived to be of a lower quality than those of other more traditional techniques. One of the ways in which developments have been made to address this issue is to use different post-processing techniques to achieve a variety of surface finishes. These decisions are often made by the machine manufacturers and researchers without any input from the product consumers. This thesis aims to include the consumer in the surface finish decision-making process. The main focus is to investigate the consumer perceptions of different LS surface finishes and roughness through the utilization and adaptation of human interaction and social science techniques. A group of 44 participants performed a number of blind trials on different roughness parts. It was found that up to a certain point a decrease in roughness led to a growth in perceived quality, but this increase was not infinite. All users identified roughness and smoothness as directly relating to quality; whilst other vocabulary was used to describe quality, these did not translate to “real” effects during testing. Crucially 50% of participants’ opinions of quality changed when allowed to perform a visual assessment of the parts

Effect of surface roughness on quality perception of Laser Sintered (LS) parts

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a revolutionary technology that in recent years has become increasingly visible in mainstream media and is in the process of being developed for more widespread industrial applications. One of the challenges that has hindered the growth of AM in industry has been the aspect of surface finish, particularly in the use of Laser Sintering (LS). The surfaces produced are often perceived to be of a lower quality than those of other more traditional techniques. One of the ways in which developments have been made to address this issue is to use different post-processing techniques to achieve a variety of surface finishes. These decisions are often made by the machine manufacturers and researchers without any input from the product consumers. This thesis aims to include the consumer in the surface finish decision-making process. The main focus is to investigate the consumer perceptions of different LS surface finishes and roughness through the utilization and adaptation of human interaction and social science techniques. A group of 44 participants performed a number of blind trials on different roughness parts. It was found that up to a certain point a decrease in roughness led to a growth in perceived quality, but this increase was not infinite. All users identified roughness and smoothness as directly relating to quality; whilst other vocabulary was used to describe quality, these did not translate to “real” effects during testing. Crucially 50% of participants’ opinions of quality changed when allowed to perform a visual assessment of the parts

EQ6 Calculations for Chemical Degradation of Navy Waste Packages

The Monitored Geologic Repository Waste Package Operations of the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management System Management & Operating Contractor (CRWMS M&O) performed calculations to provide input for disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the Navy (Refs. 1 and 2). The Navy SNF has been considered for disposal at the potential Yucca Mountain site. For some waste packages, the containment may breach (Ref. 3), allowing the influx of water. Water in the waste package may moderate neutrons, increasing the likelihood of a criticality event within the waste package. The water may gradually leach the fissile components and neutron absorbers out of the waste package. In addition, the accumulation of silica (SiO{sub 2}) in the waste package over time may further affect the neutronics of the system. This study presents calculations of the long-term geochemical behavior of waste packages containing the Enhanced Design Alternative (EDA) II inner shell, Navy canister, and basket components. The calculations do not include the Navy SNF in the waste package. The specific study objectives were to determine the chemical composition of the water and the quantity of silicon (Si) and other solid corrosion products in the waste package during the first million years after the waste package is breached. The results of this calculation will be used to ensure that the type and amount of criticality control material used in the waste package design will prevent criticality

The expression of the future in contemporary spoken French

This investigation will be based on a consensus of majority opinions expressed by the grammars listed in the bibliography. This consensus may be summarised as follows: A Temporal Future (i) by the present tense to denote immediacy. (ii) by aller + infinitive to denote a near and immediate future. (iii) by the inflected future to express a more general, remote and hypothetical future. (iv) by devoir + infinitive and the constructions etre en passe de, etre sur le point de, etre pres de and etre pour'. These will be termed 'demi-auxiliaires'. Devoir + infinitive to express near and indeterminate future actions. The demi-auxiliaires to express temporal futures. B Modal Future (i) by the inflected future used as an imperative. (ii) by the inflected future used as an attenuated affirmation. (iii) by the inflected future used to denote a possibility, an eventuality (conjectural future).The consensus will be set against the findings of the grammars. It will form a basis of comparison for the listing of those grammatical statements which differ from it. The consensus itself will then be examined in the light of examples from contemporary French speech to see if it is upheld. The divergencies will also be examined in the same way to see if any of them are supported by current usage. If so, they may well indicate a new trend in the spoken language. Some examples of recorded French speech will then be looked at which express future constructions which werenot specifically mentioned in the grammars. These, too, may indicate new ways of expressing the future. Finally, an attempt will be made to establish a number of tendencies which reflect the way in which the future is expressed in contemporary, spoken French.<p

In-Drift Accumulation of Fissile Material From Waste Packages Containing Plutonium Disposition Waste Form

The objective of this calculation is to provide estimates of the amount of fissile material flowing out of the waste package (source term) and the accumulation of fissile elements (U and Pu) in a crushed-tuff invert. These calculations provide input for the analysis of repository impacts of the Pu-ceramic waste forms. In particular, the source term results are used as input to the far-field accumulation calculation reported in Ref. 51, and the in-drift accumulation results are used as inputs for the criticality calculations reported in Ref. 2. The results are also summarized and interpreted in Ref. 52. The scope of this calculation is the waste package (WP) Viability Assessment (VA) design, which consists of an outer corrosion-allowance material (CAM) and an inner corrosion-resistant material (CRM). This design is used in this calculation in order to be consistent with earlier Pu-ceramic degradation calculations (Ref. 15). The impact of the new Enhanced Design Alternative-I1 (EDA-11) design on the results will be addressed in a subsequent report. The design of the invert (a leveling foundation, which creates a level surface of the drift floor and supports the WP mounting structure) is consistent with the EDA-I1 design. The invert will be composed of crushed stone and a steel support structure (Ref. 17). The scope of this calculation is also defined by the nominal degradation scenario, which involves the breach of the WP (Section 10.5.1.2, Ref. 48), followed by the influx of water. Water in the WP may, in time, gradually leach the fissile components and neutron absorbers out of the ceramic waste forms. Thus, the water in the WP may become laden with dissolved actinides (e.g., Pu and U), and may eventually overflow or leak from the WP. Once the water leaves the WP, it may encounter the invert, in which the actinides may reprecipitate. Several factors could induce reprecipitation; these factors include: the high surface area of the crushed stone, and the presence of reactive components in the stone (such as calcium and silica); the contrasting chemistry of water trapped in the pores of the invert; and the possible presence of reducing materials in the support structure. This calculation estimates the amounts of Pu and U that may accumulate in the invert as a consequence of chemical precipitation. The degradation scenario is consistent with the overall degradation analysis methodology outlined in Section 3.1 of the Disposal Criticality Analysis Methodology Topical Report (Ref. 47). Specifically, the scenario NF-1 b of Figure 3-2a of that document prescribes the processes analyzed in this calculation. The only difference is that the present calculation extends the possibilities of in-drift interacting materials to include incompletely oxidized iron, which was not a major constituent of the drift at the time the Topical Report was written

Is There Chronic Brain Damage in Retired NFL Players? Neuroradiology, Neuropsychology, and Neurology Examinations of 45 Retired Players

BACKGROUND: Neuropathology and surveys of retired National Football League (NFL) players suggest that chronic brain damage is a frequent result of a career in football. There is limited information on the neurological statuses of living retired players. This study aimed to fill the gap in knowledge by conducting in-depth neurological examinations of 30- to 60-year-old retired NFL players. HYPOTHESIS: In-depth neurological examinations of 30- to 60-year-old retired players are unlikely to detect objective clinical abnormalities in the majority of subjects. STUDY DESIGN: A day-long medical examination was conducted on 45 retired NFL players, including state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; susceptibility weighted imaging [SWI], diffusion tensor imaging [DTI]), comprehensive neuropsychological and neurological examinations, interviews, blood tests, and APOE (apolipoprotein E) genotyping. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Participants\u27 histories focused on neurological and depression symptoms, exposure to football, and other factors that could affect brain function. The neurological examination included Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) evaluation of cognitive function and a comprehensive search for signs of dysarthria, pyramidal system dysfunction, extrapyramidal system dysfunction, and cerebellar dysfunction. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) measured depression. Neuropsychological tests included pen-and-paper and ImPACT evaluation of cognitive function. Anatomical examination SWI and DTI MRI searched for brain injuries. The results were statistically analyzed for associations with markers of exposure to football and related factors, such as body mass index (BMI), ethanol use, and APOE4 status. RESULTS: The retired players\u27 ages averaged 45.6 +/- 8.9 years (range, 30-60 years), and they had 6.8 +/- 3.2 years (maximum, 14 years) of NFL play. They reported 6.9 +/- 6.2 concussions (maximum, 25) in the NFL. The majority of retired players had normal clinical mental status and central nervous system (CNS) neurological examinations. Four players (9%) had microbleeds in brain parenchyma identified in SWI, and 3 (7%) had a large cavum septum pellucidum with brain atrophy. The number of concussions/dings was associated with abnormal results in SWI and DTI. Neuropsychological testing revealed isolated impairments in 11 players (24%), but none had dementia. Nine players (20%) endorsed symptoms of moderate or severe depression on the BDI and/or met criteria for depression on PHQ; however, none had dementia, dysarthria, parkinsonism, or cerebellar dysfunction. The number of football-related concussions was associated with isolated abnormalities on the clinical neurological examination, suggesting CNS dysfunction. The APOE4 allele was present in 38% of the players, a larger number than would be expected in the general male population (23%-26%). CONCLUSION: MRI lesions and neuropsychological impairments were found in some players; however, the majority of retired NFL players had no clinical signs of chronic brain damage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results need to be reconciled with the prevailing view that a career in football frequently results in chronic brain damage

Corrosion and mass transport processes in Carbon steel miniature waste packages

In this study, we have systematically investigated corrosion and mass transport processes in carbon steel miniature waste packages (MWP) in dynamic systems (water in, water out) under varying chemical conditions. The MWP were fabricated to have similar configuration to the DOE Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) waste package and that individual components to be in scale with each other compare to the SNF waste package. Two MWP configurations were studied: a bathtub model and a flow-through model. By slowly dripping 4 different solutions (groundwater obtained from well water J-13 located near Yucca Mountain, and J-13 water adjusted to low-pH, high-salinity, and high salinity-high nitrate) into the MWP, we were able to investigate the manner of oxidation, identify transported minerals contained in the effluent, and characterize the mass transport in terms of particle size. Manner of oxidation. Through time-lapse digital photography, we were able to document the process of corrosion within a glass walled MWP. Formation of colored corrosion products including short-lived colored complexes was noted. A sequence of possible corrosion products was proposed. The availability of oxygen and limitation of diffusion through corrosion products lowers the rate of the corrosion process. In most cases the MWP exit hole sealed within 4 weeks of water introduction, resulting in overflow from the top of the MWP. This self-sealing is likely due to the larger molar volume of the corrosion products. The overflow water traveled on the outer surface of the MWP and hung at bottom before dripping out. Under these conditions corrosion to the bottom of the MWP was observed and eventual bottom failure is likely. It is recommended an addition of a skirt to the actual waste packages to deflect water away from the waste package. Identification of Transported Minerals. Through X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy studies of solids in the MWP effluent, we discovered that secondary minerals, such as goethite were prevalent. Many of these corrosion products were amorphous and would expect to have different properties (buffering, sorption) compared to more crystalline minerals. Individual particles ranged from about 0.2 to 0.8 (J,m in diameter and larger conglomerates of particles up to several um in diameter were also present. Mass Transport of Solids. The greatest mass of solids transported out of the MWP occurred under acidic conditions followed by the control (J-13) solution. The salt (high ionic strength) solutions were more variable due to experimental difficulties but appear not to enhance the corrosion process. The nature of the transported material also differed by solution-type. As expected, most of the iron (\u3e80%) was found in the dissolved state under acidic conditions, while solids (\u3e0.45um in diameter) dominated in the effluent of the other solutions