2,282 research outputs found
Labeless and reversible immunosensor assay based upon an electrochemical current-transient protocol
A novel labeless and reversible immunoassay based upon an electrochemical
current-transient protocol is reported which offers many advantages in
comparison to classical immuno-biochemical analyses in terms of simplicity,
speed of response, reusability and possibility of multiple determinations.
Conducting polypyrrole films containing antibodies against 1) Bovine Serum
Albumin (BSA) and 2) Digoxin were deposited on the surface of platinum
electrodes to produce conductive affinity matrices having clearly defined
binding characteristics. The deposition process has been investigated using 125I
labelled anti-digoxin to determine optimal fabrication protocols. Antibody
integrity and activity, together with non-specific binding of antigen on the
conducting matrix have also been investigated using tritiated digoxin to probe
polypyrrole/anti-digoxin films. Amperometric responses to digoxin were recorded
in flow conditions using these films, but the technique was limited in use
mainly due to baseline instability. Anti-BSA - polypyrrole matrices were
investigated in more detail in both flow and quiescent conditions. No observable
response was found in flow conditions, however under quiescent conditions (in
non-stirred batch cell), anti-BSA – polypyrrole films have been demonstrated to
function as novel quantitative chronoamperometric immuno-biosensors when
interrogated using a pulsed potential waveform. The behaviour of the electrodes
showed that the antibody/antigen binding and/or interaction process underlying
the response observed was reversible in nature, indicating that the electrodes
could be used for multiple sensing protocols. Calibration profiles for BSA
demonstrated linearity for a concentration range of 0-50 ppm but tended towards
a plateau at higher concentrations. Factors relating to replicate sensor
production, sample measurement and reproducibility are discuss
Enabling Explainable Fusion in Deep Learning with Fuzzy Integral Neural Networks
Information fusion is an essential part of numerous engineering systems and
biological functions, e.g., human cognition. Fusion occurs at many levels,
ranging from the low-level combination of signals to the high-level aggregation
of heterogeneous decision-making processes. While the last decade has witnessed
an explosion of research in deep learning, fusion in neural networks has not
observed the same revolution. Specifically, most neural fusion approaches are
ad hoc, are not understood, are distributed versus localized, and/or
explainability is low (if present at all). Herein, we prove that the fuzzy
Choquet integral (ChI), a powerful nonlinear aggregation function, can be
represented as a multi-layer network, referred to hereafter as ChIMP. We also
put forth an improved ChIMP (iChIMP) that leads to a stochastic gradient
descent-based optimization in light of the exponential number of ChI inequality
constraints. An additional benefit of ChIMP/iChIMP is that it enables
eXplainable AI (XAI). Synthetic validation experiments are provided and iChIMP
is applied to the fusion of a set of heterogeneous architecture deep models in
remote sensing. We show an improvement in model accuracy and our previously
established XAI indices shed light on the quality of our data, model, and its
decisions.Comment: IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy System
Financial health indicators: an analysis of financial statement information to determine the financial health of DoD contractors
MBA Professional ReportPrior to awarding a contract, government contracting officers must be able to determine the financial health of prospective contractors. In fact, according to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 9.104- 1(a), the very first general requirement to being considered a responsible prospective contractor is to show adequate financial resources to perform the contract or the ability to obtain financing. The purpose of this research is to identify a financial assessment framework that could assist DOD contracting officers with determining the financial health of potential DOD contractors. This research study may help DOD contracting officers determine the financial health of potential contractors prior to awarding a contract. The findings of this study provide a recommended framework that a contracting officer could follow in order to assess the financial health of a prospective contractor. The framework includes a ratio analysis using selected ratios compiled by this study, as well as a comparative analysis using industry average driven data. The framework also incorporates horizontal and vertical analyses, as well as bankruptcy and fraud analyses. The financial assessment framework created in this study is a comprehensive financial health assessment tool that can be utilized by DOD contracting officers.http://archive.org/details/financialhealthi1094551703Lieutenant Commander, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited
The Relationship Between Stride Rates, Lengths and Body Size and their Affect on Elite Triathletes’ Running Performance During Competition
Previous research has suggested that a degree of predictability exists in the relationship between self-selected running stride rates (SR) and stride lengths (SL) with measures of body size such as mass, height and limb lengths. Significant correlations have also been revealed between these body size measures and performance and between SL and performance. However, there is also evidence to suggest that triathlon performance may be related to maintaining a longer SL during the final run. Hence, the aim of this investigation was to examine whether there was any relationship between SR and SL, with body masses and heights of senior elite triathletes during the run stage of a triathlon. The SRs and SLs of 37 male senior elite Triathlon World Championships competitors were analysed via videography and Video Expert II Coach. These values were correlated with the athletes’ body masses and heights (p\u3c0.01). The results indicated a limited relationship between height and mass with SR in the early stages of the run. However, a significant, positive correlation existed between SL and height at all points from 3 km to the end of the run. Those triathletes who were taller used longer strides. Further research is warranted to examine the effects of cycling on the subsequent run discipline during triathlon and if body size and shape of triathletes have evolved as the young sport of triathlon develops
Cadence, Stride Rate and Stride Length During Triathlon Competition
Triathlon research shows cycling alters the physiological response of subsequent running but, at present, biomechanical changes are unresolved. This study examined cycling cadence and running stride rate (SR) and length (SL) used by senior elite triathletes during competition. These variables were then compared to running and triathlon performance.
Data from 51 elite male World Championships triathletes were analysed via video recordings and Video Expert II Coach. Triathletes revealed consistent cadences throughout the majority of the cycle (96.8 +2.7 rpm) and run (90.9 +2.4 rpm) disciplines. However, a cadence increase (99.6 +5.7 rpm) was recorded at the completion of the cycle prior to running. Running SR and SL was significantly lower at the end of the run indicating a level of fatigue (p\u3c0.01). Running SL was significantly and positively correlated with running and triathlon performance (p\u3c0.01) suggesting those that could maintain a longer SL had a faster run and better final finishing position
Numerical Prediction of Radiation Measurements Taken in the X2 Facility for Mars and Titan Gas Mixtures
Thermochemical relaxation behind a normal shock in Mars and Titan gas mixtures is simulated using a CFD solver, DPLR, for a hemisphere of 1 m radius; the thermochemical relaxation along the stagnation streamline is considered equivalent to the flow behind a normal shock. Flow simulations are performed for a Titan gas mixture (98% N2, 2% CH4 by volume) for shock speeds of 5.7 and 7.6 km/s and pressures ranging from 20 to 1000 Pa, and a Mars gas mixture (96% CO2, and 4% N2 by volume) for a shock speed of 8.6 km/s and freestream pressure of 13 Pa. For each case, the temperatures and number densities of chemical species obtained from the CFD flow predictions are used as an input to a line-by-line radiation code, NEQAIR. The NEQAIR code is then used to compute the spatial distribution of volumetric radiance starting from the shock front to the point where thermochemical equilibrium is nominally established. Computations of volumetric spectral radiance assume Boltzmann distributions over radiatively linked electronic states of atoms and molecules. The results of these simulations are compared against experimental data acquired in the X2 facility at the University of Queensland, Australia. The experimental measurements were taken over a spectral range of 310-450 nm where the dominant contributor to radiation is the CN violet band system. In almost all cases, the present approach of computing the spatial variation of post-shock volumetric radiance by applying NEQAIR along a stagnation line computed using a high-fidelity flow solver with good spatial resolution of the relaxation zone is shown to replicate trends in measured relaxation of radiance for both Mars and Titan gas mixtures
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