1,409 research outputs found

    Integrated payload and mission planning, phase 3. Volume 1: Integrated payload and mission planning process evaluation

    Get PDF
    The integrated payload and mission planning process for STS payloads was defined, and discrete tasks which evaluate performance and support initial implementation of this process were conducted. The scope of activity was limited to NASA and NASA-related payload missions only. The integrated payload and mission planning process was defined in detail, including all related interfaces and scheduling requirements. Related to the payload mission planning process, a methodology for assessing early Spacelab mission manager assignment schedules was defined

    Impact of new DoD directives on Marine Corps acquisition policy at Milestone IV

    Get PDF
    This thesis is an investigation of the new DoD directives concerning acquisition policy and procedures at Milestone IV. This thesis begins with background material concerning the Marine Corps acquisition process and the organizational structure of the Marine Corps Research Acquisition and Development Command. An analysis of how other Services view the activities at milestone IV is presented to provide a basis to evaluate the Marine Corps' procedural approach to a logistic review of fielded systems. Adequate evidence is cited to establish the difference between a Principal End Item Management Transfer and a Milestone IV Review. An examination of the nature, characteristics and requirements for a Fielded System Logistics Review and a Major Modification Review are presented. Procedures are developed accordingly, based on this study, and are recommended for implementation by the Marine Corps for Fielded Systems Logistics Review and for a Major Modification Review and its subsequent approval.http://archive.org/details/impactofnewdoddi1094543735Major, US Marine Corps (USMC) autho

    Technological advancements and their importance for nematode identification

    Get PDF
    Nematodes represent a species-rich and morphologically diverse group of metazoans known to inhabit both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Their role as biological indicators and as key players in nutrient cycling has been well documented. Some plant-parasitic species are also known to cause significant losses to crop production. In spite of this, there still exists a huge gap in our knowledge of their diversity due to the enormity of time and expertise often involved in characterising species using phenotypic features. Molecular methodology provides useful means of complementing the limited number of reliable diagnostic characters available for morphology-based identification. We discuss herein some of the limitations of traditional taxonomy and how molecular methodologies, especially the use of high-throughput sequencing, have assisted in carrying out large-scale nematode community studies and characterisation of phytonematodes through rapid identification of multiple taxa. We also provide brief descriptions of some the current and almost-outdated high-throughput sequencing platforms and their applications in both plant nematology and soil ecology

    Molecular Analysis Expands the Spectrum of Phenotypes Associated with GLI3 Mutations

    Get PDF
    A range of phenotypes including Greig cephalopolysyndactyly and Pallister-Hall syndromes (GCPS, PHS) are caused by pathogenic mutation of the GLI3 gene. To characterize the clinical variability of GLI3 mutations, we present a subset of a cohort of 174 probands referred for GLI3 analysis. Eighty-one probands with typical GCPS or PHS were previously reported, and we report the remaining 93 probands here. This includes 19 probands (12 mutations) who fulfilled clinical criteria for GCPS or PHS, 48 probands (16 mutations) with features of GCPS or PHS but who did not meet the clinical criteria (sub-GCPS and sub-PHS), 21 probands (6 mutations) with features of PHS or GCPS and oral-facial-digital syndrome, and 5 probands (1 mutation) with nonsyndromic polydactyly. These data support previously identified genotype-phenotype correlations and demonstrate a more variable degree of severity than previously recognized. The finding of GLI3 mutations in patients with features of oral-facial-digital syndrome supports the observation that GLI3 interacts with cilia. We conclude that the phenotypic spectrum of GLI3 mutations is broader than that encompassed by the clinical diagnostic criteria, but the genotype-phenotype correlation persists. Individuals with features of either GCPS or PHS should be screened for mutations in GLI3 even if they do not fulfill clinical criteria

    Prospectus, March 3, 1982

    Get PDF
    JOHNSON DISCUSSES REAGAN ECONOMY; News In Brief; College loan cuts hurting middle-income families; Meltdown reveals bonanza of useful items, treasures; What is intellectual freedom?: Your ideas can win; PC happenings…: Program focuses on language, Trouble falling asleep?, Winter playtime scheduled, Cowger discusses Indian lifestyle; Officers elected; Center offers counsel, U of I sponsors Engineering Open House, Apply for achievement award; Interested in singing? Here\u27s chance; Drama department presents; Circle K celebrates week of activities; From official tornado photographer to P.C. instructor: Donna Drysdale leads unusual life; Sugar Babies : tribute to evening of burlesque; Classifieds; U-2 good, not as good as crowd expected; \u27Personal Best\u27: Controversy arouses interest; Fifth-ranked baseball team back to face tough season Cobras Coverage sports insert pages 9-12https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1982/1026/thumbnail.jp

    Appearance Sharing for Collective Human Pose Estimation

    Get PDF
    Abstract. While human pose estimation (HPE) techniques usually process each test image independently, in real applications images come in collections containing interdependent images. Often several images have similar backgrounds or show persons wearing similar clothing (foreground). We present a novel human pose estimation technique to exploit these dependencies by sharing appearance models between images. Our technique automatically determines which images in the collection should share appearance. We extend the state-of-the art HPE model of Yang and Ramanan to include our novel appearance sharing cues and demonstrate on the highly challenging Leeds Sports Poses dataset that they lead to better results than traditional single-image pose estimation.

    A new conceptual framework for revenge firesetting

    Get PDF
    Revenge has frequently been acknowledged to account for a relatively large proportion of motives in deliberate firesetting. However, very little is actually known about the aetiology of revenge firesetting. Theoretical approaches to revenge-seeking behaviour are discussed. A brief review of how revenge is accounted for in existing theoretical explanations of deliberate firesetting and the known characteristics of revenge firesetters are provided. On this basis, the authors suggest, as a motive, revenge firesetting has to date been misconceptualised. A new conceptual framework is thus proposed, paying particular attention to the contextual, affective, cognitive, volitional and behavioural factors which may influence and generate a single episode of revenge firesetting. Treatment implications and suggestions for future research are also provided

    Behavioral deficits, early gliosis, dysmyelination and synaptic dysfunction in a mouse model of mucolipidosis IV

    Get PDF
    Mucolipidosis IV (MLIV) is caused by mutations in the gene MCOLN1. Patients with MLIV have severe neurologic deficits and very little is known about the brain pathology in this lysosomal disease. Using an accurate mouse model of mucolipidosis IV, we observed early behavioral deficits which were accompanied by activation of microglia and astrocytes. The glial activation that persisted during the course of disease was not accompanied by neuronal loss even at the late stage. In vivo [Ca2+]-imaging revealed no changes in resting [Ca2+] levels in Mcoln1−/− cortical neurons, implying their physiological health. Despite the absence of neuron loss, we observed alterations in synaptic plasticity, as indicated by elevated paired-pulse facilitation and enhanced long-term potentiation. Myelination deficits and severely dysmorphic corpus callosum were present early and resembled white matter pathology in mucolipidosis IV patients. These results indicate the early involvement of glia, and challenge the traditional view of mucolipidosis IV as an overtly neurodegenerative condition. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40478-014-0133-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

    A niche perspective on the range expansion of symbionts

    Get PDF
    Range expansion results from complex eco-evolutionary processes where range dynamics and niche shifts interact in a novel physical space and/or environment, with scale playing a major role. Obligate symbionts (i.e. organisms permanently living on hosts) differ from free-living organisms in that they depend on strong biotic interactions with their hosts which alter their niche and spatial dynamics. A symbiotic lifestyle modifies organism–environment relationships across levels of organisation, from individuals to geographical ranges. These changes influence how symbionts experience colonisation and, by extension, range expansion. Here, we investigate the potential implications of a symbiotic lifestyle on range expansion capacity. We present a unified conceptual overview on range expansion of symbionts that integrates concepts grounded in niche and metapopulation theories. Overall, we explain how niche-driven and dispersal-driven processes govern symbiont range dynamics through their interaction across scales, from host switching to geographical range shifts. First, we describe a background framework for range dynamics based on metapopulation concepts applied to symbiont organisation levels. Then, we integrate metapopulation processes operating in the physical space with niche dynamics grounded in the environmental arena. For this purpose, we provide a definition of the biotope (i.e. living place) specific to symbionts as a hinge concept to link the physical and environmental spaces, wherein the biotope unit is a metapopulation patch (either a host individual or a land fragment). Further, we highlight the dual nature of the symbionts' niche, which is characterised by both host traits and the external environment, and define proper conceptual variants to provide a meaningful unification of niche, biotope and symbiont organisation levels. We also explore variation across systems in the relative relevance of both external environment and host traits to the symbiont's niche and their potential implications on range expansion. We describe in detail the potential mechanisms by which hosts, through their function as biotopes, could influence how some symbionts expand their range – depending on the life history and traits of both associates. From the spatial point of view, hosts can extend symbiont dispersal range via host-mediated dispersal, although the requirement for among-host dispersal can challenge symbiont range expansion. From the niche point of view, homeostatic properties of host bodies may allow symbiont populations to become insensitive to off-host environmental gradients during host-mediated dispersal. These two potential benefits of the symbiont–host interaction can enhance symbiont range expansion capacity. On the other hand, the central role of hosts governing the symbiont niche makes symbionts strongly dependent on the availability of suitable hosts. Thus, environmental, dispersal and biotic barriers faced by suitable hosts apply also to the symbiont, unless eventual opportunities for host switching allow the symbiont to expand its repertoire of suitable hosts (thus expanding its fundamental niche). Finally, symbionts can also improve their range expansion capacity through their impacts on hosts, via protecting their affiliated hosts from environmental harshness through biotic facilitation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
    corecore