Transformation Procedure Research Articles

Numerical simulation on the eddy current electromagnetic forces and the mechanical reliability of ITER in-wall shielding blocks induced by plasma disruption events

In-wall-shielding (IWS) blocks located in ITER vacuum vessels (VVs) are used for neutron shielding. They are subjected to complex eddy current electromagnetic forces during plasma disruption events, especially for IWSs of irregular sectors. Reliable evaluation of this kind of electromagnetic force is of great significance for the structural design of IWSs as well as the safety of fusion reactors. In this paper, the eddy current electromagnetic forces on 121 IWS blocks in the irregular sector and their associated conductive parts were numerically calculated based on one of the most important disruption events (the MD UP LIN36ms disruption event). To promote the accuracy of the simulations, the excitation loads during the plasma disruption current were processed from the database simulated by DINA code into the FE (finite element) model of plasma with a special transformation procedure. The results show that the method of applying plasma current from DINA to the finite element model is reasonable and accurate. The electromagnetic forces of the blocks are demonstrated to be reliable. The block with the maximum electromagnetic force is selected for mechanical analysis, and the reliability of its components is verified.

Pre-Statistical Harmonization of Behavioral Instruments Across Eight Surveys and Trials

Data harmonization methods facilitate further use of existing studies and research resources. Most statistical harmonization methods require pooling data across studies, which is complex and requires careful scrutiny of source data. Most methods (e.g., item response theory) require datasets to have common items for linking a common construct across studies: this necessitates the qualitative process of pre-statistical harmonization. Here, we document pre-statistical harmonization of items measuring behavioral and psychological symptoms (e.g., agitation, wandering, etc.) which represent problematic behaviors among people with dementia administered in a national survey (ADAMS), evaluations conducted at Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (NACC), and in six randomized trials (COPE, TAP, ALZQOL, ACT, REACH, ADSPlus). We describe our approach to review question content and scoring procedures to establish comparability across items prior to data pooling. We identified 327 items from 15 instruments across these eight studies. We found considerable cross-study heterogeneity in administration and coding procedures for items that measure the same domain. For example, eight items were coded as count variables in some studies but as categorical variables in others. Moreover, of the 359 items, 191 are conditionally dependent on values of another item. These issues around item response heterogeneity and conditional dependency needed to be resolved prior to estimation of item response theory models for statistical co-calibration. We leveraged several rigorous data transformation procedures to address these issues, including re-coding and winsorization. This study provides guidelines for how future research may acknowledge and address similar issues in pooling behavioral and related instruments.

Evaluation of an open access generic 3D software for Orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy and the validity of orthodontic diagnostic measurements, as well as virtual tooth transformations using a generic open access 3D software compared to OrthoAnalyzer (3Shape) software; which was previously tested and proven for accuracy. Methods: 40 maxillary and mandibular single arch study models were duplicated and scanned using 3Shape laser scanner. The files were imported into the generic and OrthoAnalyzer software programs; where linear measurements were taken twice to investigate the accuracy of the program. To test the accuracy of the program format, they were printed, rescanned and imported into OrthAnalyzer. Finally, to investigate the accuracy of editing capabilities, linear and angular transformation procedures were performed, superimposed and printed to be rescanned and imported to OrthoAnalyzer for comparison. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups using the two software programs regarding the accuracy of the linear measurements (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the different formats among all the measurements, (p>0.05). The editing capabilities also showed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: The generic 3D software (Meshmixer) was valid and accurate in cast measurements and linear and angular editing procedures. It can be used for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning without added costs.

FATIGUE ASSESSMENT OF SHIP SUPERSTRUCTURE AT EXPANSION JOINT

Despite the long history of application of subdivided superstructures and deckhouses, and efforts of ship designers and researchers a sensible solution in design of reliable details at the cut endings was not found yet. It may be explained as consequence of controversial requirements in design of the cut endings.
 Fatigue design of the superstructure details is addressed to solution of the problem. Presented is an example of fatigue design of the cut ending in a fast ship superstructure based on application of modified «Strain-Life» criterion for fatigue and subsequent approach which utilizes Neuber’s formula and material cyclic properties. To realize the approach a procedure of the long-term stress distribution transformation to the block-type format is developed. Efficiency of the developed technique is illustrated by comparing the results with those of application standard S-N criteria based techniques. The results of analysis allowed selection of the expansion joint detail of the superstructure geometry and construction procedure providing necessary reliability.

Onset about non-isothermal flow of Williamson liquid over exponential surface by computing numerical simulation in perspective of Cattaneo Christov heat flux theory

In view of increaing significance of non-isothermal flow of non-Newtonian fluids over exponential surfaces in numerous industrial and technological procedures such as film condensation, extrusion of plastic sheets, crystal growth, cooling process of metallic sheets, design of chemical processing equipment and various heat exchangers, and glass and polymer industries current disquisition is addressed. For comprehensive examination Williamson model expressing the attributes of shear thickening and thinning liquids is taken under consideration. The physical aspects of magnetic field applied in transverse direction to flow is also accounted. Heat transfer aspects are incorporated and analyzed by employing Cattaneo-Christov heat flux model. Mathematical formulation of problem is conceded in the form of PDE’s by implementing boudary layer approach and later on converted into ODE’s with the assistance of transformation procedure. The resulting equations are solved numerically using shooting and Runge–Kutta methods. Impact of involved parameters on flow distributions is displayed through graphs. From the analysis it is inferred that Cattaneo Christov heat flux law exhibits hyperbolic equation which follows the causality principle and make the problem more compatible to real world applications. It is also deduced that magnetic field suppresses the velocity field and associated boundary layer region. Decrease in temperature profile and heat transfer coefficient is found against inciting magnitude of thermal relaxation parameter. Substantial decrease in velocity is found against increasing magnitude of Williamson fluid parameter and magnetic field parameter whereas skin friction coefficient increments. Confirmation about present findings is executed by making comparison with existing literature.

Citrus Genetic Transformation: An Overview of the Current Strategies and Insights on the New Emerging Technologies.

Citrus are among the most prevailing fruit crops produced worldwide. The implementation of effective and reliable breeding programs is essential for coping with the increasing demands of satisfactory yield and quality of the fruit as well as to deal with the negative impact of fast-spreading diseases. Conventional methods are time-consuming and of difficult application because of inherent factors of citrus biology, such as their prolonged juvenile period and a complex reproductive stage, sometimes presenting infertility, self-incompatibility, parthenocarpy, or polyembryony. Moreover, certain desirable traits are absent from cultivated or wild citrus genotypes. All these features are challenging for the incorporation of the desirable traits. In this regard, genetic engineering technologies offer a series of alternative approaches that allow overcoming the difficulties of conventional breeding programs. This review gives a detailed overview of the currently used strategies for the development of genetically modified citrus. We describe different aspects regarding genotype varieties used, including elite cultivars or extensively used scions and rootstocks. Furthermore, we discuss technical aspects of citrus genetic transformation procedures via Agrobacterium, regular physical methods, and magnetofection. Finally, we describe the selection of explants considering young and mature tissues, protoplast isolation, etc. We also address current protocols and novel approaches for improving the in vitro regeneration process, which is an important bottleneck for citrus genetic transformation. This review also explores alternative emerging transformation strategies applied to citrus species such as transient and tissue localized transformation. New breeding technologies, including cisgenesis, intragenesis, and genome editing by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), are also discussed. Other relevant aspects comprising new promoters and reporter genes, marker-free systems, and strategies for induction of early flowering, are also addressed. We provided a future perspective on the use of current and new technologies in citrus and its potential impact on regulatory processes.

A data transformation process for using Benford’s Law with bounded data

Benford’s Law is an empirical observation about the frequency of digits in a variety of naturally occurring data sets. Auditors and forensic scientists have used Benford’s Law to detect erroneous data in accounting and legal usage. One well-known limitation is that Benford’s Law fails when data have clear minimum and maximum values. Many kinds of education data, including assessment scores, typically include hard maximums and therefore do not meet the parametric assumptions of Benford’s Law. This paper implements a transformation procedure which allows for assessment data to be compared to Benford’s Law. As a case study, a data quality assessment of oral language scores from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten (ECLS-K) study is used and higher risk data segments detected. The same method could be used to evaluate other concerns, such as test fraud, or other bounded datasets.

A data transformation process for using Benford's Law with bounded data

Benford's Law is an empirical observation about the frequency of digits in a variety of naturally occurring data sets. Auditors and forensic scientists have used Benford's Law to detect erroneous data in accounting and legal usage. One well-known limitation is that Benford's Law fails when data have clear minimum and maximum values. Many kinds of education data, including assessment scores, typically include hard maximums and therefore do not meet the parametric assumptions of Benford's Law. This paper implements a transformation procedure which allows for assessment data to be compared to Benford's Law. As a case study, a data quality assessment of oral language scores from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten (ECLS-K) study is used and higher risk data segments detected. The same method could be used to evaluate other concerns, such as test fraud, or other bounded datasets.

Reconstitution of Metabolic Pathway in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Reconstitution of metabolite biosynthesis pathway plays a pivotal role in functional characterization of biosynthesis enzymes and metabolite bioengineering. Traditionally, metabolic pathways are reconstituted in bacteria or yeast due to their ease for genetic manipulation and transformation. Many plant metabolite pathways involve multiple enzyme complexes channeled on plant endomembrane system, which is absent in bacteria and yeast. Nicotiana benthamiana is particularly suitable for reconstitution plant metabolite pathway involving enzymes associated with plant endomembrane systems. Compared with other plants, N. benthamiana can be easily transiently transformed by multiple genes simultaneously by a procedure called leaf agroinfiltration. The results of transient transformation can be analyzed in several days, compared with several months with other stable transformation procedures. In this chapter, we present a protocol for multiple-gene transformation by agroinfiltration, followed by UPLC MS analysis.

A Simple Critical Response Evaluation Method for Base-Isolation Building-Connection Hybrid System Under Double Impulse as Representative of Near-Fault Ground Motion

We revisit a unique building system including a base-isolation, building-connection hybrid control system. The base-isolation system withstands pulse-type earthquake ground motions effectively and the building-connection system resists long-duration earthquake ground motions efficiently. A simple smart critical response evaluation method without nonlinear time-history response analysis is proposed for this hybrid building system under near-fault ground motions. An analytical expression of the maximum elastic-plastic deformation of a damped bilinear hysteretic single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model under critical double impulse as a representative of pulse-type ground motions derived in our previous paper plays an important role in the development of the simple critical response evaluation method. A two-step transformation procedure into an SDOF model is proposed. The first step is the transformation of the main base-isolated building into an SDOF system and the second step is the reduction of the connecting dampers supported on a sub building to a damper with a sophisticated compensation factor on an assumed rigid wall. The evaluation of damping coefficients with the consideration of yielding of the base-isolation story is a key step in this paper. Different from the previous work, the equivalent damping coefficient is derived depending on the response range before and after yielding of the base-isolation story. This treatment enhances the accuracy of the proposed method. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed response evaluation method is demonstrated by the time-history response analysis of the multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) model.

A novel dominant selection system for plant transgenics based on phosphite metabolism catalyzed by bacterial alkaline phosphatase.

Selective markers are generally indispensable in plant genetic transformation, of which the frequently used are of antibiotic or herbicide resistance. However, the increasing concerns on transgenic biosafety have encouraged many new and safe selective markers emerging, with an eminent representative as phosphite (Phi) in combination to its dehydrogenase (PTDH, e.g. PtxD). As bacterial alkaline phosphatase (BAP) can resemble PtxD to oxidatively convert toxic Phi into metabolizable phosphate (Pi), herein we harnessed it as the substitute of PtxD to develop an alternative Phi-based selection system. We first validated the Escherichia coli BAP (EcBAP) did own an extra enzymatic activity of oxidizing Phi to Pi. We further revealed EcBAP could be used as a dominant selective marker for Agrobacterium-mediated tobacco transformation. Although the involved Phi selection for transformed tobacco cells surprisingly required the presence of Pi, it showed a considerable transformation efficiency and dramatically accelerated transformation procedure, as compared to the routine kanamycin selection and the well-known PtxD/Phi system. Moreover, the EcBAP transgenic tobaccos could metabolize toxic Phi as a phosphorus (P) fertilizer thus underlying Phi-resistance, and competitively possess a dominant growth over wild-type tobacco and weeds under Phi stress. Therefore, this novel BAP/Phi-coupled system, integrating multiple advantages covering biosafe dominant selective marker, plant P utilization and weed management, can provide a PTDH-bypass technological choice to engineer transgenic plant species, especially those of great importance for sustainable agriculture.

Transformation towards a Smart Maintenance Factory: The Case of a Vessel Maintenance Depot

The conceptualization and framework of smart factories have been intensively studied in previous studies, and the extension to various business areas has been suggested as a future research direction. This paper proposes a method for extending the smart factory concept in the ship building phase to the ship servicing phase through actual examples. In order to expand the study, we identified the differences between manufacturing and maintenance. We proposed a smart transformation procedure, framework, and architecture of a smart maintenance factory. The transformation was a large-scale operation for the entire factory beyond simply applying a single process or specific technology. The transformations were presented through a vessel maintenance depot case and the effects of improvements were discussed.

Contravariant tensor algebra for anisotropic hyperelasticity

Analysis of tensors in oblique Cartesian coordinate systems always requires the definition of a set of orthogonal covariant basis vectors called the Reciprocal basis. This increases the complexity of the analysis and hence makes the method cumbersome. In this work a novel method is presented to effectively carry out the various transformations of tensors to and between oblique coordinate system/s without the need to create the covariant reciprocal basis. This will simplify the procedure of transformations involving problems where tensors are required to be defined in the oblique coordinate system. This work also demonstrates how the analysis of contravariant tensors can be applied to hyperelasticity. Continuum material and damage models can integrate this approach to model anisotropy and non linearity using a much simpler approach. The accuracy of the models was illustrated by matching the predictions to experimental results. A finite element analysis of material and damage model based on contravariant tensors was also carried out on a simple geometry with a re-entrant corner.

Pre-statistical harmonization of behavioral instruments across eight surveys and trials

BackgroundData harmonization is a powerful method to equilibrate items in measures that evaluate the same underlying construct. There are multiple measures to evaluate dementia related behavioral symptoms. Pre-statistical harmonization of behavioral instruments in dementia research is the first step to develop a statistical crosswalk between measures. Studies that conduct pre-statistical harmonization of behavioral instruments rarely document their methods in a structured, reproducible manner. This is a crucial step which entails careful review, documentation and scrutiny of source data to ensure sufficient comparability between items prior to data pooling. Here, we document the pre-statistical harmonization of items measuring behavioral and psychological symptoms among people with dementia. We provide a box of recommended procedure for future studies.MethodsWe identified behavioral instruments that are used in clinical practice, a national survey, and randomized trials of dementia care interventions. We rigorously reviewed question content and scoring procedures to establish sufficient comparability across items as well as item quality prior to data pooling. Additionally, we standardized coding to Stata-readable format, which allowed us to automate approaches to identify potential cross-study differences in items and low-quality items. To ensure reasonable model fit for statistical co-calibration, we estimated two-parameter logistic Item Response Theory models within each of the eight studies.ResultsWe identified 59 items from 11 behavioral instruments across the eight datasets. We found considerable cross-study heterogeneity in administration and coding procedures for items that measure the same attribute. Discrepancies existed in terms of directionality and quantification of behavioral symptoms for even seemingly comparable items. We resolved item response heterogeneity, missingness and skewness, conditional dependency prior to estimation of item response theory models for statistical co-calibration. We used several rigorous data transformation procedures to address these issues, including re-coding and truncation.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of each aspect involved in the pre-statistical harmonization process of behavioral instruments. We provide guidelines and recommendations for how future research may detect and account for similar issues in pooling behavioral and related instruments.

Influence Factors on Industrial Handmade Products Designed from Sugar Palm Fibers

The objective of this research was to study the results of a fibers transformation procedure from sugar palm leaves into product designs. The population group included the customer group that visited the exhibition at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Nakorn Nayok province, Thailand with a total of 1,398 people, and the Multistage Random Sampling with 5-point Rating Scale questionnaires was used in this research. Additionally, the Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient value was analyzed for the Variance at the level of 0.85 in One-Way or Single-Factor ANOVA. In this case, it was found that the customers had the satisfaction with the products based on five attributes at the most suitable level, (Mean= 4.044, S.D. = 0.837), and in the comparative pairs, there were the differences with the significance of .05, except for the unique factors and the suitable applied factors having strong relationships and the significant connections to one another.

AaHY5 ChIP-seq based on transient expression system reveals the role of AaWRKY14 in artemisinin biosynthetic gene regulation

ChIP-seq (Chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing) is the gold standard for determining genome-wide in vivo transcription factor binding sites, the first step for targets prediction and network construction. For non-model plants, it is challenging to perform ChIP-seq due to the difficulty in generating stable transgenic plants. AaHY5 is a positive regulator in artemisinin biosynthesis, whose detailed mode of action remains elusive. Here, we established a protoplast transformation procedure for Artemisia annua by optimizing different conditions in protoplast isolation and transfection. We then performed AaHY5 ChIP-seq based on the established transient expression system. Combining RNA-seq data for various tissues, we identified four transcription factors (one MYB and three WRKY family members) in AaHY5 targets that potentially regulated artemisinin biosynthesis. The three WRKY transcription factors could be induced by light and the overexpression of AaHY5 and upregulate two artemisinin biosynthetic genes, ADS and CYP71AV1. Furthermore, AaWRKY14 showed transcriptional activation activity on artemisinin biosynthetic gene CYP71AV1. Together, AaWRKY14 was identified as a potential transcription factor linking AaHY5 and the artemisinin biosynthetic gene regulation.

DYNAMIC HANDWRITTEN SIGNATURE IDENTIFICATION USING SPIKING NEURAL NETWORK

The article proposes a method for dynamic signature identification based on a spiking neural network. Three dynamic signature parameters l(t), xy(t), p(t) are used, which are invariant to the signature slope angle, and after their normalization, also to the signature spatial and temporal scales. These dynamic parameters are fed to the spiking neural network for recognition simultaneously in the form of time series without preliminary transformation into a vector of static features, which, on the one hand, simplifies the method due to the absence of complex computational transformation procedures, and on the other hand, prevents the loss of useful information, and therefore increases the accuracy and reliability of signature identification and recognition (especially when recognizing forged signatures that are highly correlated with the genuine). The spiking neural network used has a simple training procedure, and not all neurons of the network are trained, but only the output ones. If it is necessary to add new signatures, it is not necessary to retrain the entire network as a whole, but it is enough to add several output neurons and learn only their connections. In the results of experimental studies of the software implementation of the proposed system, it’s EER = 3.9% was found when identifying skilled forgeries and EER = 0.17% when identifying random forgeries.

Temporal smoothing - A step forward for time-spectral methods

Time-spectral methods may feature substantial advantages over time-stepping solvers for solution of initial-value ODEs and PDEs, but their efficiency depends on the smoothness of the solution. We present two methods to overcome this problem. The first involves transforming the differential equation to an equation for a new variable, related to the time-integrated solution, before applying the solution algorithm. In the second method, a procedure for transformation to exact differential equations of a running average is outlined. Examples of solution of stiff problems and problems with multiple time scales are presented, employing the time-spectral Generalized Weighted Residual Method (GWRM). It is found that the smoothing algorithms have a significant positive effect on convergence.

Characterization and Transformation of reg Cluster Genes in Volvox powersii Enable Investigation of Convergent Evolution of Cellular Differentiation in Volvox

The evolution of germ-soma cellular differentiation represents a key step in the evolution of multicellular individuality. Volvox carteri and its relatives, the volvocine green algae, provide a model system for studying the evolution of cellular differentiation. In V. carteri, the regA gene controls somatic cell differentiation and is found in a group of paralogs called the reg cluster, along with rlsA, rlsB, and rlsC. However, the developmental program of V. carteri is derived compared to other volvocine algae. Here we examine Volvox powersii which possesses an ancestral developmental program and independent evolution of the Volvox body plan. We sequenced the reg cluster from V. powersii wild-type and a mutant with fewer cells and altered germ-soma ratio. We found that the mutant strain's rlsB gene has a deletion predicted to cause a truncated protein product. We developed a genetic transformation procedure to insert wild-type rlsB into the mutant strain. Transformation did not result in phenotypic rescue, suggesting the rlsB mutation is insufficient for generating the mutant phenotype. The transformation techniques and sequences described here provide essential tools to study V. powersii, a species well suited for studying the evolution of cellular differentiation and convergent evolution of Volvox morphology.

A load balancing algorithm for the parallel automated multilevel substructuring method

The objective of this paper is to present a load balancing algorithm for the parallel automated multilevel substructuring (PAMLS) method. In the PAMLS method, load balancing is highly dependent on the computation time for the transformation and back transformation procedures corresponding to substructures. To balance the workload among threads, the proposed algorithm consists of two types of granularity: coarse-grained and fine-grained parallel algorithms. According to the level of substructures, the coarse-grained parallel algorithm splits both the transformation and back transformation procedures and assigns them to threads. Through fine-grained parallelism, more threads are exploited for the transformation of each substructure compared to threads used in the original PAMLS method. Without repartitioning, the proposed algorithm significantly improves the efficiency of the PAMLS method.