PQL: A Declarative Query Language over Dynamic Biological Schemata

We introduce the PQL query language (PQL) used in the GeneSeek genetic data integration project. PQL incorporates many features of query languages for semi-structured data. To this we add the ability to express metadata constraints like intended semantics and database curation approach. These constraints guide the dynamic generation of potential query plans. This allows a single query to remain relevant even in the presence of source and mediated schemas that are continually evolving, as is often the case in data integration

A haptic control system for functional electrical stimulation of paraplegic legs

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a means by which paraplegic men and women can use their natural legs for walking. In FES the impaired muscles are stimulated with electricity in a proper cycle to cause the legs to move in a walking pattern. It can be greatly beneficial for paraplegics however, current systems are not widely used because they are difficult to control in a useful manner. The system proposed here uses a haptic interface, one that utilizes the sense of touch, attached to a user’s index and middle fingers. The haptic device allows the wearer to feel with the fingers what would normally be felt by the feet. Movement of the fingers is monitored and the positions of the two fingertips can be used to dictate the appropriate positions for the feet to be moved to using FES. Therefore, by moving the fingers in a cyclic pattern similar to that of walking, a stimulation pattern needed for activation of leg muscles to allow walking can be generated. Further, by having the sense of feeling for the feet translated to the fingers a person could have improved control over their legs. To test the feasibility of this system a virtual simulation was developed. The simulation navigated a virtual environment using the finger walking technique. The trajectory and velocity of the movements of the subjects was compared to normal human gait and it was found that finger walking greatly resembles natural human gait. Further, it was determined that control was enhanced by haptic feedback. These results show that FES walking can benefit from a controller that incorporates haptics

Mass study for modular approaches to a solar electric propulsion module

The propulsion module comprises six to eight 30-cm thruster and power processing units, a mercury propellant storage and distribution system, a solar array ranging in power from 18 to 25 kW, and the thermal and structure systems required to support the thrust and power subsystems. Launch and on-orbit configurations are presented for both modular approaches. The propulsion module satisfies the thermal design requirements of a multimission set including: Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter orbiters, a 1-AU solar observatory, and comet and asteroid rendezvous. A detailed mass breakdown and a mass equation relating the total mass to the number of thrusters and solar array power requirement is given for both approaches

Modular thrust subsystem approaches to solar electric propulsion module design

Three approaches are presented for packaging the elements of a 30 cm ion thruster subsystem into a modular thrust subsystem. The individual modules, when integrated into a conceptual solar electric propulsion module are applicable to a multimission set of interplanetary flights with the space shuttle interim upper stage as the launch vehicle. The emphasis is on the structural and thermal integration of the components into the modular thrust subsystems. Thermal control for the power processing units is either by direct radiation through louvers in combination with heat pipes or an all heat pipe system. The propellant storage and feed system and thruster gimbal system concepts are presented. The three approaches are compared on the basis of mass, cost, testing, interfaces, simplicity, reliability, and maintainability

A New Technique for Predicting the Sky-View Factor for Urban Heat Island Assessment

The urban heat island (UHI) has been documented in large and small urban areas worldwide . Many metrics have been created to model the UHI . Among these, sky-view factor (SVF) has been accepted as a robust survey technique for capturing the urban geometry associated with longwave radiation storage and thus the urban heat island . SVF assessment has improved both in collecting and processing, but has limitations for modeling the UHI, as its accuracy is limited to areas of high urban density and geometry commonly found in the arrangement of human built landscapes . This paper develops a simple, more applicable, rapid and objective method for modeling UHI metrics using known surface geometry . We collected f ield data for SVF for 13 sites in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, and quantified SVF using f ish-eye photography . Regression results suggest that a geometric parameter (combining a height/width ratio and a built-up ratio) is the best predictor of SV

Effect of Thickness on Structural, Optical and Sensing Properties of SnS Thin Films Prepared by Ultrasonic Nebulizer Method

Thin Film of tin sulfide with different thickness (100, 250, 450, 600 ) nm have been prepared on pre-heated glass substrates up to (430oC)by Ultrasonic Nebulizer Deposition (UND). The effect of thickness on the structural, optical, and gas sensing properties of films has been investigated. The results of the XRD show that the film which deposited with thickness (100 and 250) nm exhibit only SnS phase with (111) orientation, and with thickness (450 and 600) nm crystallized in the mixed phase SnS and Sn2S3depending upon the films thickness. Atomic force measurement showed the grain size increase with thickness in the range of (76.08 - 105.67 nm).The optical properties of the films have been studied over a wavelength (370-1100) nm. The calculated optical energy band gap values were between 1.3 and 2.4 eV, depending on the film thickness and in which phase crystallized. The effect of thickness and operating temperature on performance of the sensor material has been investigated to choice optimum thickness and temperature for each ethanol and ammonia gases. The films with 600 nm thickness showed high response and excellent sensitivity for ethanol and ammonia gases at low temperature (140,110)oC and high temperature (380,240) oC respectively