Total Least Squares Fitting of Bezier and B-Spline Curves to Ordered Data. Computer Aided Geometric Design

We begin by considering the problem of fitting a single Bézier curve segment to a set of ordered data so that the error is minimized in the total least squares sense. We develop an algorithm for applying the Gauss–Newton method to this problem with a direct method for evaluating the Jacobian based on implicitly differentiating a pseudo-inverse. We then demonstrate the simple extension of this algorithm to B-spline curves. We present some experimental results for both cases

Handling with small chandelier trimmings from the forming machine to enter of cooling conveyor furnace

katedra: KSR; přílohy: 1 CD ROM, 5 VÝKRESŮ; rozsah: 57The thesis deals with solution of handing small chandelier trimmings for the lately installed technology - between forming presses on without overflow glass metl forming and enter belt of cooling conveyor furnace. The main aim is to suggest a solution of carefully manipulation which will respect the production technology and also the dispositional options for smelting works. The main part of work is focused on accurate design of solutions on the selected variant, which is supported by calculations and drawings.Předkládaná diplomová práce se zabývá řešením manipulace malých lustrových ověsů u nově instalované technologie ? mezi tvarovacími lisy na bezbrokové tvarování a vstupním pásem chladící pásové pece. Cílem řešení je navrhnout variantu šetrné manipulace, která bude respektovat technologii výroby a zároveň i dispoziční možnosti na huti. Hlavní část práce se zaměřuje na přesné konstrukční řešení vybrané varianty, které je podpořené výpočty a výkresy

Proposing and Verification of the Financial Plan for Start-ups

Diplomová práce je zaměřena na navržení a verifikaci finančního plánu pro start-upy. Teoretická část vymezuje podstatu finančního plánování včetně specifik plánování start-upových firem. Na základě finančního plánování jsou vymezeny přístupy, metody a postupové kroky dle vybraných autorů. V další části jsou charakterizovány dva vybrané start-upy a start-upové firmy obecně. V praktické části je proveden návrh struktury a dílčích částí finančního plánu. Dále je tento návrh verifikován formou dvou vybraných start-up firem. Implementace plánu je znázorněna v programu MS Excel. V závěru práce je navržen finanční plán včetně postupových kroků, doporučení pro realizaci a doporučení na zpracování speciálního webu pro finanční plánování.The thesis is focused on the proposal and verification of the financial plan for start-ups. The theoretical part defines the essence of financial planning including the specifics of start-up companies planning. On the basis of financial planning are stated approaches, methods and progress steps, which are defined according to selected authors. In the next part are characterized two selected start-ups and the start-ups companies in general. In the practical part there is a proposal of the structure and partial parts of the financial plan. Furthermore, this proposal is verified by two selected start-up companies. The plan implementation is shown in MS Excel. At the end of the thesis is proposed a financial plan including steps, recommendations for implementation and recommendations for processing a special website for financial planning.152 - Katedra podnikohospodářskávýborn

Příprava a charakterizace nových materiálů pro metatéze a adsorpci

Hlavním cílem této práce bylo ukázat univerzální použití křemičitých mezoporézních materiálů s pravidelnou strukturou, zejména v adsorpci a katalýze. Z těchto důvodů byla zvolena čtyři mezoporézní molekulová síta (SBA-15, SBA-16, MCM-41 a MCM-48) s různou strukturou a texturními vlastnostmi. Abychom dokázali, že molekulová síta jsou vhodná pro adsorbci CO2, oxid hořečnatý a uhličitan draselný byly včleňovány (inkorporovány) do různých druhů silikátových materiálů: SBA-15, SBA-16 a MCM-48. K zamezení destrukce mezoporézního materiálu byl vyvinut nový proces přípravy založený na srážení octanu hořečnatého na silikátovém povrchu používaných molekulových sít. Chemická konverze (in situ) octanu hořečnatého poskytla šťavelan hořečnatý. Po kalcinaci takto modifikovaných materiálů bylo dosaženo vzniku oxidu hořečnatého na jejich povrchu. Silika obsahující MgO byla impregnována šťavelanem draselným, který byl následně přeměněn (konvertován) na uhličitan draselný. Všechny syntetizované adsorbenty si zachovaly charakteristické vlastnosti mezoporézních molekulových sít (velký objem a úzká distribuce velikosti pórů). Porovnáním adsorpčních izoterem CO2 získaných na připravených materiálech vyplývá, že adsorpční vlastnosti těchto materiálů jsou závislé na typu mezoporézní struktury. Silika SBA-15 obsahující MgO...The main objective of this work was to evidence versatile applications of ordered siliceous mesoporous materials, especially in adsorption and catalysis. For these reasons four mesoporous molecular sieves (SBA-15, SBA-16, MCM-41, and MCM-48) with different structures and textural properties have been chosen. To show the possible application of mesoporous molecular sieves as a CO2 adsorbent, magnesium oxide, and potassium carbonate were incorporated into SBA-15, SBA-16, and MCM-48 silicas. In order to avoid destruction of silica supports, a novel procedure based on the precipitation of magnesium acetate on the silica surface was developed. Subsequent in situ chemical conversion of magnesium acetate provided magnesium oxalate, while magnesium oxide was formed by calcination. To introduce potassium carbonate, silica modified with MgO was impregnated with potassium oxalate followed by its conversion to carbonate. All prepared mesoporous adsorbents preserved characteristic features of mesoporous molecular sieve (large surface areas, narrow pore size distributions). The comparison of carbon dioxide isotherms obtained on prepared samples revealed that their adsorption properties are influenced by the type of mesoporous structure. The SBA-15 silica containing magnesium oxide and promoted by potassium...Katedra fyzikální a makromol. chemieDepartment of Physical and Macromolecular ChemistryPřírodovědecká fakultaFaculty of Scienc

Rehabilitation Therapy in Older Acute Heart Failure Patients (REHAB-HF) trial: Design and rationale.

BACKGROUND: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a leading cause of hospitalization in older persons in the United States. Reduced physical function and frailty are major determinants of adverse outcomes in older patients with hospitalized ADHF. However, these are not addressed by current heart failure (HF) management strategies and there has been little study of exercise training in older, frail HF patients with recent ADHF. HYPOTHESIS: Targeting physical frailty with a multi-domain structured physical rehabilitation intervention will improve physical function and reduce adverse outcomes among older patients experiencing a HF hospitalization. STUDY DESIGN: REHAB-HF is a multi-center clinical trial in which 360 patients ≥60 years hospitalized with ADHF will be randomized either to a novel 12-week multi-domain physical rehabilitation intervention or to attention control. The goal of the intervention is to improve balance, mobility, strength and endurance utilizing reproducible, targeted exercises administered by a multi-disciplinary team with specific milestones for progression. The primary study aim is to assess the efficacy of the REHAB-HF intervention on physical function measured by total Short Physical Performance Battery score. The secondary outcome is 6-month all-cause rehospitalization. Additional outcome measures include quality of life and costs. CONCLUSIONS: REHAB-HF is the first randomized trial of a physical function intervention in older patients with hospitalized ADHF designed to determine if addressing deficits in balance, mobility, strength and endurance improves physical function and reduces rehospitalizations. It will address key evidence gaps concerning the role of physical rehabilitation in the care of older patients, those with ADHF, frailty, and multiple comorbidities

Acute Skeletal Muscle Wasting and Dysfunction Predict Physical Disability at Hospital Discharge in Patients with Critical Illness

BACKGROUND: Patients surviving critical illness develop muscle weakness and impairments in physical function; however, the relationship between early skeletal muscle alterations and physical function at hospital discharge remains unclear. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in muscle size, strength and power assessed in the intensive care unit (ICU) predict physical function at hospital discharge. METHODS: Study design is a single-center, prospective, observational study in patients admitted to the medicine or cardiothoracic ICU with diagnosis of sepsis or acute respiratory failure. Rectus femoris (RF) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscle ultrasound images were obtained day one of ICU admission, repeated serially and assessed for muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), layer thickness (mT) and echointensity (EI). Muscle strength, as measured by Medical Research Council-sum score, and muscle power (lower-extremity leg press) were assessed prior to ICU discharge. Physical function was assessed with performance on 5-times sit-to-stand (5STS) at hospital discharge. RESULTS: Forty-one patients with median age of 61 years (IQR 55-68), 56% male and sequential organ failure assessment score of 8.1 ± 4.8 were enrolled. RF muscle CSA decreased significantly a median percent change of 18.5% from day 1 to 7 (F = 26.6, p = 0.0253). RF EI increased at a mean percent change of 10.5 ± 21% in the first 7 days (F = 3.28, p = 0.081). At hospital discharge 25.7% of patients (9/35) met criteria for ICU-acquired weakness. Change in RF EI in first 7 days of ICU admission and muscle power measured prior to ICU were strong predictors of ICU-AW at hospital discharge (AUC = 0.912). Muscle power at ICU discharge, age and ICU length of stay were predictive of performance on 5STS at hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: ICU-assessed muscle alterations, specifically RF EI and muscle power, are predictors of diagnosis of ICU-AW and physical function assessed by 5x-STS at hospital discharge in patients surviving critical illness

Perfluorinated Compounds in Aquatic Organisms at Various Trophic Levels in a Great Lakes Food Chain

Trophic transfer of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and other related perfluorinated compounds was examined in a Great Lakes benthic foodweb including water–algae–zebra mussel–round goby–smallmouth bass. In addition, perfluorinated compounds were measured in livers and eggs of Chinook salmon and lake whitefish, in muscle tissue of carp, and in eggs of brown trout collected from Michigan. Similarly, green frog livers, snapping turtle plasma, mink livers, and bald eagle tissues were analyzed to determine concentrations in higher trophic-level organisms in the food chain. PFOS was the most widely detected compound in benthic organisms at various trophic levels. Concentrations of PFOS in benthic invertebrates such as amphipods and zebra mussels were approximately 1000-fold greater than those in surrounding water, which suggested a bioconcentration factor (BCF; concentration in biota/concentration in water) of 1000 in benthic invertebrates. Concentrations of PFOS in round gobies were two- to fourfold greater than those in their prey organisms such as zebra mussels and amphipods. Concentrations of PFOS in predatory fishes (Chinook salmon and lake whitefish) were 10 to 20-fold greater than those in their prey species. Concentrations of PFOS in mink and bald eagles were, on average, 5- to 10-fold greater than those in Chinook salmon, carp, or snapping turtles. Because of the accumulation of PFOS in liver and blood, the biomagnification factor (BMF) of perfluorinated compounds in higher trophic-level organisms such as salmonid fishes, mink, and eagles were based on the concentrations in livers or plasma. Overall, these results suggest a BCF of PFOS of approximately 1000 (whole-body based) in benthic invertebrates, and a BMF of 10 to 20 in mink or bald eagles, relative to their prey items. Eggs of fish contained notable concentrations of PFOS, suggesting oviparous transfer of this compound. PFOA was found in water, but its biomagnification potential was lower than that of PFOS.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48085/1/244_2004_Article_133.pd