COFS 3 multibody dynamics and control technology

One of the results from the model definition study showed that the maximum scale factor for a replica model is .25. This is dictated by the fixed dimensions of the Large Spacecraft Lab. Replica scaling laws were applied to simplified theoretical models of joints and the joint/tube/joint system. The practical interpretation of the results for the specific Space Station configuration under study yielded a number of conclusions which are briefly discussed. Detailed suspension analyses were conducted to evaluate the ability of the suspended scale model to emulate the dynamic behavior of the free-free Space Station. The results indicated only a slight preference for smaller scales. A candidate erectable Space Station joint was fabricated at full scale, 1/4 scale and 1/3 scale in order to assess the comparability of the scaled joints to the full scale behavior. Another important question discussed is how well the inherent damping characteristics of the scaled joints compare to those of the full scale joint. The preliminary definition study yielded three separate scale factor recommendations for the scale model

An EPIIC Vision to Evolve Project Integration, Innovation, and Collaboration with Broad Impact for How NASA Executes Complex Projects

Evolving Project Integration, Innovation, and Collaboration (EPIIC) is a vision defined to transform the way projects manage information to support real-time decisions, capture best practices and lessons learned, perform assessments, and manage risk across a portfolio of projects. The foundational project management needs for data and information will be revolutionized through innovations on how we manage and access that data, implement configuration control, and certify compliance. The embedded intelligence of new interactive data interfaces integrate technical and programmatic data such that near real time analytics can be accomplished to more efficiently and accurately complete systems engineering and project management tasks. The system-wide data analytics that are integrated into customized data interfaces allows the growing team of engineers and managers required to develop and implement major NASA missions the ability to access authoritative source(s) of system information while greatly reducing the labor required to complete system assessments. This would allow, for example, much of what is accomplished in a scheduled design review to take place as needed, between any team members, at any time. An intelligent data interface that rigorously integrates systems engineering and project management information in near real time can provide substantially greater insight for systems engineers, project managers, and the large diverse teams required to complete a complex project. System engineers, programmatic personnel (those who focus on cost, schedule, and risk), the technical engineering disciplines, and project management can realize immediate benefit from the shared vision described herein. Implementation of the vision also enables significant improvements in the performance of the engineered system being developed

Prospective longitudinal study of coagulation profiles in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome from stage I through Fontan completion

ObjectiveThe risk for thrombosis is increased after the Fontan operation. It is unknown whether children with univentricular heart disease have an intrinsic coagulation anomaly or acquire a defect in coagulation during the course of the staged repair. This prospective, longitudinal study evaluated changes in coagulation profiles in a cohort of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome from stage I palliation through completion of the Fontan operation.MethodsThirty-seven patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome were enrolled prospectively, and the concentration of factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, proteins C and S, fibrinogen, antithrombin, serum albumin, and liver enzymes were measured before stage I palliation (mean age 4 ± 2 days), before bidirectional Glenn (mean age 5.9 ± 1.8 months), before the Fontan procedure (mean age 27.1 ± 6.6 months), and after the Fontan procedure (mean age 49 ± 17.6months). Healthy children were used as age-matched controls for coagulation factors. Demographic, hemodynamic variables, and elapsed time after the Fontan procedure were evaluated as possible predictors of coagulation abnormalities.ResultsSignificantly lower levels of both procoagulation and anticoagulation factors were demonstrated through to completion of the Fontan procedure. After the Fontan procedure, there was a significantly higher factor VIII level (P < .005) but no correlation with hemodynamic variables or liver function.ConclusionThis longitudinal study in patients with identical cardiac disease and staged surgical procedures confirms the increase in factor VIII level after the Fontan procedure. This is an acquired defect, and although the cause remains to be determined, monitoring factor VIII levels after the Fontan operation could indicate a subset of patients at risk for thrombosis

Prospective longitudinal study of coagulation profiles in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome from stage I through Fontan completion

ObjectiveThe risk for thrombosis is increased after the Fontan operation. It is unknown whether children with univentricular heart disease have an intrinsic coagulation anomaly or acquire a defect in coagulation during the course of the staged repair. This prospective, longitudinal study evaluated changes in coagulation profiles in a cohort of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome from stage I palliation through completion of the Fontan operation.MethodsThirty-seven patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome were enrolled prospectively, and the concentration of factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, proteins C and S, fibrinogen, antithrombin, serum albumin, and liver enzymes were measured before stage I palliation (mean age 4 ± 2 days), before bidirectional Glenn (mean age 5.9 ± 1.8 months), before the Fontan procedure (mean age 27.1 ± 6.6 months), and after the Fontan procedure (mean age 49 ± 17.6months). Healthy children were used as age-matched controls for coagulation factors. Demographic, hemodynamic variables, and elapsed time after the Fontan procedure were evaluated as possible predictors of coagulation abnormalities.ResultsSignificantly lower levels of both procoagulation and anticoagulation factors were demonstrated through to completion of the Fontan procedure. After the Fontan procedure, there was a significantly higher factor VIII level (P < .005) but no correlation with hemodynamic variables or liver function.ConclusionThis longitudinal study in patients with identical cardiac disease and staged surgical procedures confirms the increase in factor VIII level after the Fontan procedure. This is an acquired defect, and although the cause remains to be determined, monitoring factor VIII levels after the Fontan operation could indicate a subset of patients at risk for thrombosis

The Vehicle, December 1959, Vol. 1 no. 5

Vol. 1, No. 5 Table of Contents To The Readerpage 2 JudyRobert Mills Frenchpage 3 The FarmerRobert C. Millerpage 5 Bah! Humbug!The Skepticpage 5 Looking BackwardThe Optimistpage 7 Strangers in the TownAl Brookspage 7 Not Once OnlyA.B. Carterpage 8 OlogyRon Kellypage 8 SnowJean Nightingalepage 8 Moment of PowerJ.B. Youngpage 9 LifeRobert C. Millerpage 13 The Restless SeaRhonda McGowanpage 14 Approaching of the YuleRoger Perkinspage 14 The Old ModelMary Ellen Mockbeepage 15 \u27Tis the SeasonR.M.F.page 15 The Spirit of ChristmasKathleen Ferreepage 16 Christmas in the HeartKathleen Ferreepage 16 That\u27s BoysKathleen Ferreepage 16https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1001/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, December 1959, Vol. 1 no. 5

Vol. 1, No. 5 Table of Contents To The Readerpage 2 JudyRobert Mills Frenchpage 3 The FarmerRobert C. Millerpage 5 Bah! Humbug!The Skepticpage 5 Looking BackwardThe Optimistpage 7 Strangers in the TownAl Brookspage 7 Not Once OnlyA.B. Carterpage 8 OlogyRon Kellypage 8 SnowJean Nightingalepage 8 Moment of PowerJ.B. Youngpage 9 LifeRobert C. Millerpage 13 The Restless SeaRhonda McGowanpage 14 Approaching of the YuleRoger Perkinspage 14 The Old ModelMary Ellen Mockbeepage 15 \u27Tis the SeasonR.M.F.page 15 The Spirit of ChristmasKathleen Ferreepage 16 Christmas in the HeartKathleen Ferreepage 16 That\u27s BoysKathleen Ferreepage 16https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1001/thumbnail.jp

New ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs from the European lower cretaceous demonstrate extensive ichthyosaur survival across the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary

Background Ichthyosauria is a diverse clade of marine amniotes that spanned most of the Mesozoic. Until recently, most authors interpreted the fossil record as showing that three major extinction events affected this group during its history: one during the latest Triassic, one at the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary (JCB), and one (resulting in total extinction) at the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary. The JCB was believed to eradicate most of the peculiar morphotypes found in the Late Jurassic, in favor of apparently less specialized forms in the Cretaceous. However, the record of ichthyosaurs from the Berriasian–Barremian interval is extremely limited, and the effects of the end-Jurassic extinction event on ichthyosaurs remains poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings Based on new material from the Hauterivian of England and Germany and on abundant material from the Cambridge Greensand Formation, we name a new ophthalmosaurid, Acamptonectes densus gen. et sp. nov. This taxon shares numerous features with Ophthalmosaurus, a genus now restricted to the Callovian–Berriasian interval. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates that Ophthalmosauridae diverged early in its history into two markedly distinct clades, Ophthalmosaurinae and Platypterygiinae, both of which cross the JCB and persist to the late Albian at least. To evaluate the effect of the JCB extinction event on ichthyosaurs, we calculated cladogenesis, extinction, and survival rates for each stage of the Oxfordian–Barremian interval, under different scenarios. The extinction rate during the JCB never surpasses the background extinction rate for the Oxfordian–Barremian interval and the JCB records one of the highest survival rates of the interval. Conclusions/Significance There is currently no evidence that ichthyosaurs were affected by the JCB extinction event, in contrast to many other marine groups. Ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs remained diverse from their rapid radiation in the Middle Jurassic to their total extinction at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous

Triple modality image reconstruction of PET data using SPECT, PET, CT information increases lesion uptake in images of patients treated with radioembolization with [Formula: see text] micro-spheres.

PURPOSE: Nuclear medicine imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT), single photon emission CT (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are employed in the field of theranostics to estimate and plan the dose delivered to tumors and the surrounding tissues and to monitor the effect of the therapy. However, therapeutic radionuclides often provide poor images, which translate to inaccurate treatment planning and inadequate monitoring images. Multimodality information can be exploited in the reconstruction to enhance image quality. Triple modality PET/SPECT/CT scanners are particularly useful in this context due to the easier registration process between images. In this study, we propose to include PET, SPECT and CT information in the reconstruction of PET data. The method is applied to Yttrium-90 ([Formula: see text]Y) data. METHODS: Data from a NEMA phantom filled with [Formula: see text]Y were used for validation. PET, SPECT and CT data from 10 patients treated with Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) were used. Different combinations of prior images using the Hybrid kernelized expectation maximization were investigated in terms of VOI activity and noise suppression. RESULTS: Our results show that triple modality PET reconstruction provides significantly higher uptake when compared to the method used as standard in the hospital and OSEM. In particular, using CT-guided SPECT images, as guiding information in the PET reconstruction significantly increases uptake quantification on tumoral lesions. CONCLUSION: This work proposes the first triple modality reconstruction method and demonstrates up to 69% lesion uptake increase over standard methods with SIRT [Formula: see text]Y patient data. Promising results are expected for other radionuclide combination used in theranostic applications using PET and SPECT