Self-contained Data Research Articles

VBASE2, an integrative V gene database

The database VBASE2 provides germ-line sequences of human and mouse immunoglobulin variable (V) genes. It acts as an interconnecting platform between several existing self-contained data systems: VBASE2 integrates genome sequence data and links to the V genes in the Ensembl Genome Browser. For a single V gene sequence, all references to the EMBL nucleotide sequence database are provided, including references for V(D)J rearrangements. Furthermore, cross-references to the VBASE database, the IMGT database and the Kabat database are available. A DAS server allows the display of VBASE2 V genes within the Ensembl Genome Browser. VBASE2 can be accessed either by a web-based text query or by a sequence similarity search with the DNAPLOT software. VBASE2 is available at http://www.vbase2.org, and the DAS server is located at http://www.dnaplot.com/das.

Modelling of the life cycle of products with data acquisition features

Domestic appliances are long-lived and relatively expensive products that come under the new EC electrical waste recovery directive. In the UK, washing machines in particular tend to be unreliable; increasing the reuse of components could improve the economics of end-of-life operations. Trends in appliance design are towards more sophisticated control and networking; this makes adding functions to record data on the use of the machines feasible. The data would also have value for life cycle environmental assessment. This paper reports on the development of self-contained data acquisition units for washing machines based on a microcontroller and non-volatile memory. The data has applications in design, marketing and servicing as well as end-of-life. A batch of units have been manufactured and tested on limited field trials in washing machines. Ten parameters are continuously monitored, timed and/or recorded during appliance operation; error conditions are also logged for use during servicing. The data is then downloaded, either during servicing or at end-of-life; the dynamic data from use is combined with static data from manufacture. The information system which links all parties interested in the data is the key aspect of life cycle data acquisition. Two models are described which evaluate the economic benefits of adding such functions to products: a steady-state model as used by previous authors who were concerned with end-of-life product treatment and a more sophisticated transient model that accurately reflects the limited life of designs. Results show that in this case, more reusable components arise from servicing rather than from end-of-life recovery of parts. The cost savings from increased reuse are also estimated to be comparable to the additional cost of the system; greater savings could well arise from the use of the use data in marketing.

A Novel Measuring Instrument for Pyro-Processes

A unique self-contained data acquisition unit consisting of multiple sensing elements and recording electronic components installed in a heat resistant capsule is currently being developed at SUWIC. This unit can be introduced into a process system with the raw feed material and experiences the same conditions as the material being processed, as it simultaneously measures the temperature, gas compositions and heat fluxes in the system. At the end of the process, the instrument can be recovered, and the data recorded and stored in its memory unit downloaded to a computer. This instrument is applicable to pyro-processes such as incineration, power generation and steel processing, as well as to the food industry.

623 Does the Aquadome Ameliorate Diural Fluctuations

A major limitation to plant growth in spring is low night temperatures. A variety of plant protection systems have been developed to keep the temperatures around the plant warmer than the ambient air. One system that has been developed for use with individual plants is a double walled stiff plastic tent. The space between the walls can be either filled with water or air. The top of the tent can be either open or closed. The objective of this investigation is to quantify the effect of these protection systems under controlled environmental conditions. Two wash-tubs filled with wet soil were placed in a controlled environment growth chamber. One tent was placed on the soil surface of each tub. The chamber was programmed to simulate a cold night. Temperatures started at 20 °C and then decreased to –5 °C at a rate of about 4 °C/h. During this time, ambient air temperature, jacket temperature, soil temperature, and air inside the tent was measured continuously with self-contained data loggers. Water filled tents delayed the time it took for the inside temperature to reach the outside temperature by 2 hours. There was not apparent effect on soil temperature. The effect of water vs. air-filled jackets and the effect of capping the top will also be presented.

JIGSAW: a gamma ray data acquisition, display and analysis program

The authors report on work performed to date on JIGSAW, a self-contained data acquisition, display, and analysis system designed to collect data from multiple gamma-ray detectors. The data acquisition system utilizes commercially available VMEbus and NIM hardware modules, and the VME exec real-time operating system. A Unix-based software package, written in ANSI standard C and with the X11 graphics routines, allows the user to view the acquired spectra. Analysis of the histograms can be performed in background during the run with the ROBFIT (R.L. Coldwell and G.J. Bamford, 1991) suite of curve fitting routines.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Focus groups: A new tool for qualitative research

Focus groups have received little attention from sociologists, although they are a commonly used qualitative technique in market research. The data collected in focus group sessions typically consist of tape-recorded group discussions among four to ten participants who share their thoughts and experiences on a set of topics selected by the researcher. We present a brief description of dimensions along which focus groups vary in their format and relate these dimensions to an example from our own focus groups, where the topic is how people think about the causes and prevention of heart attacks. We compare focus groups to informant interviews and participant observation, and we describe their application, either as a self-contained data collection strategy, or in conjunction with other qualitative and quantitative methods. We conclude with a discussion of the value of focus groups in triangulating data collection from several different methods.

A self-contained tethered balloon sounding system

A versatile tethered balloon sounding system capable of measuring horizontal-vector wind, temperature, humidity and pressure altitude is described. It has a novel combination of features which include low weight, low power consumption, completely self-contained operation and good data accuracy at reasonable cost.

Differential Testing and the Evaluation of Thermal Activation Parameters

Abstract Thermally activated mechanisms of dislocation motion and interaction account for the dependence of stress on strain, temperature, and time during plastic deformation. Much of the recent activity in identifying particular mechanisms has involved the use of differential type thermomechanical tests. Due to certain basic and recurrent oversights in applying thermal activation theory to such test data, the results are oftentimes misleading. These limitations are identified and explored. Minimum requirements for an accurate characterization of strain history effects are established. A limited amount of self-contained isothermal data, for aluminum and lead, have been obtained in the intermediate strain-rate range which critically test the hypotheses. The present results indicate that the results reported by others may be in substantial error. Much of the discussion presented also applies, in its most basic form, to the evaluation of constitutive models which are not microstructurally based.

A Kernel System for information system development, evolution, and operation

We believe that the current boundaries and distinctions between operating systems, data base management systems (both “host language” and “self-contained”), programming language processors (both interpretive and compiled), programming support systems (library management, testing, and integration services), instructional systems, and certain other generalized data processing services, can and should be eliminated. That is, we believe that all these seemingly separate functions, which are currently separate for historical reasons as much as any other, can and should be addressed by a single integrated (but subsettable) “Kernel System”. We also believe that with the proper system architecture and implementation techniques (e.g., top-down and structured programming) and with the wholesale elimination of duplicated functions, a Kernel System can be built that would address the sum total of these functions and, at the same time, remain comparable in size and complexity to a typical self-contained data base management system alone. Further, such a structured Kernel System would be much better able to support the development, continued evolution, and operation of both itself and its applications.