Synthetic Instrument Research Articles

Design of a distributed synthetic instrument test equipment based on FPGA

In order to solve the problem that special test equipment can't test multiple or multiple devices at the same time, a distributed synthetic instrument testing device based on FPGA is designed. A synthetic instrument testing unit based on FPGA and a main control unit of synthetic instruments based on ARM are designed. The test equipment group implements the distributed test platform through the way of network sharing. The structure and working process of the distributed synthetic instrument detector are designed. Through the reset circuit of FPGA system, the functions of a single test device to detect multiple devices are realized. The system running test shows that the system runs stably, and the system design is reasonable and feasible.

Abstract 2539: Antiapoptotic gene expression signature reveals a combined talk to prevent apoptosis: A model to choose the proper BH-3 mimetic drug

Abstract BACKGROUND: Apoptotic regulation involves several actors which can have a positive and negative effect and may represent a target for personalized therapy. Nowadays, BCL-2 inhibitors have successfully passed preliminary phases of clinical experimentation, however the involvement of other essential proteins could represent a resistance mechanism to BCL-2 inhibitors and reveal novel therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our study aim to investigate the expression of anti-apoptotic genes in AML patients. METHODS: We performed Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 (Affymetrix) in a cohort of 59 newly diagnosed AML. K-means clustering has been used to categorize patients in different cluster. A pool of 7 healthy donors was used to normalize expression data. Survival analysis was conducted with Kaplan-Meyer method and differences in survival were assessed with Log-Rank test. RESULTS: BCL-2, MCL-1 and BCL2L1 gene expression values in 59 AML patients allowed us to establish 5 clusters (Fig. 1a): cluster 1 with the overexpression of MCL1, cluster 2 with low expression of all analyzed genes; cluster 3 with overexpression of BCL2L1, cluster 4 with overexpression of BCL-2 and cluster 5 with high values of expression of all 3 genes. Clusters 2 and 5 included the majority of patients (40/59, 68%). Furthermore, the 3-D Scatter Plot allowed us to observe how patients out of the central cloud (Clusters 2-5) always presented an overexpression of one out of the three anti-apoptotic genes. Moreover, when BCL-2 level is low (Cluster 1-2-3), MCL-1 and BCL2L1 levels are high, respectively. In term of overall survival (OS), there were no statistically significant difference between Cluster 1-3-4, where one different anti-apoptotic gene is always overexpressed. Finally, analyzing the impact of BCL-2 expression on OS in a cohort of 36 young patients treated with chemotherapy, those with high expression of the three antiapoptotic genes had worse outcome (p=0.07). CONCLUSION: BCL-2, MCL-1 and BCL2L1 expressions are quite balanced in AML patients evaluated. One out of the three genes is often overexpressed, confirming the key role of anti-apoptotic genes in leukemogenesis. Even though BCL-2 expression influence patients chemosensitivity, MCL-1 and BCL2L1 overexpression has been documented when BCL-2 is normally or downregulated. In conclusion, we suppose that BCL-2 inhibitors resistance may be caused by MCL-1 and BCL2L1 overexpression. Finally, a combined approach should be realized to switch-off leukemic anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Gene expression profile could provide a synthetic lethal instrument to choose the proper BH3-mimetic drug or combination. Supported by: ELN, AIL, AIRC, project Regione-Università 2010-12 (L. Bolondi), FP7 NGS-PTL project, HARMONY project, Fondazione del Monte BO e RA project. Citation Format: Jacopo Nanni, Giorgia Simonetti, Samantha Bruno, Giovanni Marconi, Maria Chiara Fontana, Cristina Papayannidis, Maria Chiara Abbenante, Lorenzo Montanaro, Michele Cavo, Giovanni Martinelli. Antiapoptotic gene expression signature reveals a combined talk to prevent apoptosis: A model to choose the proper BH-3 mimetic drug [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2539.

APPLICATION OF TOPSIS METHOD FOR THE EVALUATION OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY IN OECD COUNTRIES

Abstract Growing economic stratification each year in many countries is such a pressing issue that even the World Economic Forum, organized in 2014 in the luxury resort of Davos, recognized it as one of the most dangerous threats to social order. The problem of economic inequality, pushed by the apologists of economic liberalism to the margins of media discourse, once again became a “hot” topic with the World Economic Crisis in 2008, the effects of which are still felt in various countries today, and which contribute to the expansion of global social stratification. The aim of the article is to describe the sample indicators typically used by organizations, i.e. OECD, theWorld Bank to measure economic inequality in the world, and then, on the basis of these indicators, create a synthetic instrument based on TOPSIS methodology, which will allow for preparing a multi-criteria ranking of OECD countries in terms of economic inequality.

'Reverse Spreads Find the Trends', Futures Magazine (Modern Trader)

There is a conventional division of trading techniques into two classes: mean reversion and trend-following. The trader can create a synthetic instrument that wittingly possesses trend behavior attributes along with memory as well as a prevailing noise component. In this case, a trader controls a synthetic market structure. Two relationship models can be assigned to each type of trading class: partnership “win-win” (mean-reversion) strategies or competition “win-lose” (trend-following) strategies. Instruments based on the “win-win” model mostly demonstrate market efficiency with a normal distribution of returns. A different class of instruments are based on the “win-lose” competitive model. Spread composition based on the “win-lose” model can be a possible way to follow the trend effectively. Imagine a Google/Apple (APPL) stock spread, formed by the shares of these two high-tech competitors. Under certain conditions, this instrument is distinguished by long-term trends and short-lived flat periods.Correlation analysis is one of the simplest and most affordable approaches used for identifying asset relationships. A negative correlation between two assets shows that a mean basic asset growth corresponds to a drop in the other asset and vice versa. As a result, a small fluctuation of a basic asset, caused by some systematic market factors, should develop into a spread trend. A flat movement pattern becomes unstable for reverse spreads because a small fluctuation leads to amplifying volatility. The effect in the related asset may change based on the inertia property of the asset itself. Here, we may define a reverse spread as a spread instrument of inverse statistical relationship between two underlying assets.

Testing software defined and cognitive radios using software defined synthetic instruments

Software Defined Radios (SDRs) are wireless communication systems in which many of the radios’ important functional elements, including filtering, frequency translation and modulation/demodulation, are implemented in software via Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques using embedded processors and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) as described by Harris and Lowdermilk in 2010 [1]. SDRs differ from traditional radios that typically employ custom silicon to implement such functions. SDRs exhibit several advantages over traditional radios, including re-configurability and reduced development costs and time-to-market since they do not require custom silicon. SDRs also enjoy long life cycles, since they can readily be adapted to meet future needs. Cognitive Radios (CRs) are a special class of SDRs that employ adaptive DSP technologies to implement spectral management. This enables CRs to deliver improved effective bandwidth, quality of service, and enhanced security, which have become increasingly important in modern commercial and military wireless communications applications.

Checklists to manage Pain Induced by Exercise and Mobilization (PIEM) during physical therapy programs: PIEM checklists for practitioners and physiotherapists

ObjectivesIdentify key informational and educational items (“messages”) to provide to physicians (general practitioners and specialists) and physiotherapists for the management of pain induced by exercise and mobilization (PIEM). Develop checklists to improve this management in daily practice. Material and methodsThe Delphi method for consensus-building was used to identify informational and educational messages for health professionals who deal with PIEM. Informed by the results of an extensive qualitative study, a panel of experts from 5 medical and paramedical disciplines concerned with PIEM and a representative of a patients’ association were interviewed individually and iteratively in order to obtain a single, convergent opinion. ResultsDelphi consultation helped to determine 9 areas corresponding to 54 key messages of information and education for doctors and physiotherapists who deal with PIEM. These messages relate to: defining, characterizing, identifying, and evaluating PIEM; identifying factors that may cause or increase this pain; informing the patient in order to avoid misinterpretation of PIEM; preventing and treating PIEM; and dealing with it during physical therapy sessions. The method also enabled us to develop 2 synthetic instruments (checklists) — 1 for physicians and 1 for physiotherapists — to help with the management of this pain. ConclusionConsulting a panel of experts comprising different categories of actors dealing with PIEM on the basis of a thorough qualitative diagnosis in order to identify messages for a training program makes it possible to harmonize programs with the expectations of patients and the problems encountered by professionals. The formulation of this program and the institutionalization of two checklists should enable health professionals to identify, qualify, and deal more effectively with PIEM.

The structural and dynamic responses of Stange Ice Shelf to recent environmental change

AbstractStange Ice Shelf is the most south-westerly ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula, a region where positive trends in atmospheric and oceanic temperatures have been recently documented. In this paper, we use a range of remotely sensed datasets to evaluate the structural and dynamic responses of Stange Ice Shelf to these environmental changes. Ice shelf extent and surface structures were examined at regular intervals from optical and radar satellite imagery between 1973 and 2011. Surface speeds were estimated in 1989, 2004 and 2010 by tracking surface features in successive satellite images. Surface elevation change was estimated using radar altimetry data acquired between 1992 and 2008 by the European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS) -1, -2 and Envisat. The mean number of surface melt days was estimated using the intensity of backscatter from Envisat’s Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument between 2006 and 2012. These results show significant shear fracturing in the southern portion of the ice shelf linked to enhanced flow speed as a consequence of measured thinning. However, we conclude that, despite the observed changes, Stange Ice Shelf is currently stable.

Weltanschauung, From Concept to a Rough Guide Questionnaire on Personality

This paper is focused on an interdisciplinary meeting between psychology and philosophy (personality and Weltanschauung), resulted in a synthetic investigative instrument - a questionnaire, also fast and key-oriented towards personality's resorts, values and motivation, showed in attitudes and behaviors. I consider it as a welcome systemic rough guide concerning the subject's frame of reference, at both discursive and latent levels. The investigator (which may be psychological counselor, adviser on career, therapist or simply any enough self-interested person) can identify the dominant type of individual adaptation at some point in ontogenesis and may be also guided on adaptation's degree (the strength, the coherence and the flexibility of ego).

Economic theories of conservation of budget deficit

Modern fiscal policy has adopted the approach according to which budget is increasingly being viewed as a tool of development and stabilization policy, rather than an instrument of necessary social functions of a country. In fiscal theory and policy, the policy related to macro-budget financing is viewed as the synthesis of public revenues and public expenses policies, being a very effective instrument of stabilization policy, as well as a synthetic instrument of fiscal and monetary policy, initiating and stimulating economic growth. Corporate policy of micro-budget financing presents a synthesis of revenue policy of company and public revenues, and a synthesis of business and fiscal and monetary policies.

First Results of Monitoring Nature Conservation Sites in Alpine Region by Using Very High Resolution (VHR) X-Band SAR Data

The exploitation of X-band imagery is currently being used in the field of agriculture for the discrimination of crop types and is also recently addressed for challenging tasks such as surface roughness and soil moisture retrieval. We investigated the potential of multi-temporal COSMO-SkyMed data for the monitoring of Natura 2000 habitats in alpine region. Short revisit time of currently available VHR synthetic aperture radar instruments (like TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed etc.) and their all-weather (day/night) image acquisition capability provides an additional advantage of continuous monitoring of nature conservation sites in particular which are small in size. Preliminary analysis of VV and VH signals indicates a predominant effect of attenuation with respect to the volume contribution as expected in case of X-band for the reduced penetration capabilities in the canopy. Significant changes in the VV signals are mainly ascribed to grazing/mowing event which reduces the canopy layer and then the signal attenuation. The final results are in agreement with the ancillary data (Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI)) and management rule record for Natura 2000 habitats present in the alpine region.

Perception of Musical Timbre by Cochlear Implant Listeners

Several studies have shown that the ability to identify the timbre of musical instruments is reduced in cochlear implant (CI) users compared with normal-hearing (NH) listeners. However, most of these studies have focused on tasks that require specific musical knowledge. In contrast, the present study investigates the perception of timbre by CI subjects using a multidimensional scaling (MDS) paradigm. The main objective was to investigate whether CI subjects use the same cues as NH listeners do to differentiate the timbre of musical instruments. Three groups of 10 NH subjects and one group of 10 CI subjects were asked to make dissimilarity judgments between pairs of instrumental sounds. The stimuli were 16 synthetic instrument tones spanning a wide range of instrument families. All sounds had the same fundamental frequency (261 Hz) and were balanced in loudness and in perceived duration before the experiment. One group of NH subjects listened to unprocessed stimuli. The other two groups of NH subjects listened to the same stimuli passed through a four-channel or an eight-channel noise vocoder, designed to simulate the signal processing performed by a real CI. Subjects were presented with all possible combinations of pairs of instruments and had to estimate, for each pair, the amount of dissimilarity between the two sounds. These estimates were used to construct dissimilarity matrices, which were further analyzed using an MDS model. The model output gave, for each subject group, an optimal graphical representation of the perceptual distances between stimuli (the so-called "timbre space"). For all groups, the first two dimensions of the timbre space were strikingly similar and correlated strongly with the logarithm of the attack time and with the center of gravity of the spectral envelope, respectively. The acoustic correlate of the third dimension differed across groups but only accounted for a small proportion of the variance explained by the MDS solution. Surprisingly, CI subjects and NH subjects listening to noise-vocoded simulations gave relatively more weight to the spectral envelope dimension and less weight to the attack-time dimension when making their judgments than NH subjects listening to unprocessed stimuli. One possible reason for the relatively higher salience of spectral envelope cues in real and simulated CIs may be that the degradation of local fine spectral details produced a more stable spectral envelope across the stimulus duration. The internal representation of musical timbre for isolated musical instrument sounds was found to be similar in NH and in CI listeners. This suggests that training procedures designed to improve timbre recognition in CIs will indeed train CI subjects to use the same cues as NH listeners. Furthermore, NH subjects listening to noise-vocoded sounds appear to be a good model of CI timbre perception as they show the same first two perceptual dimensions as CI subjects do and also exhibit a similar change in perceptual weights applied to these two dimensions. This last finding validates the use of simulations to evaluate and compare training procedures to improve timbre perception in CIs.

Imaging Bolometers for Visualization of Plasma Radiation and Cross-Validation of Three Dimensional Impurity Transport Models for the Large Helical Device

The InfraRed imaging Video Bolometer (IRVB) measures the radiation from the plasma in two dimensions, giving an image of the plasma radiation power loss. Using a geometry matrix calculated from a model of the LHD first wall, the IRVB sightline geometry and a three dimensional (3D) plasma grid, a synthetic instrument is developed using the 3D carbon impurity radiation results of the EMC3-EIRENE edge impurity transport code as an input. The output of the synthetic instrument are images of the plasma radiation at the IRVB foil due to the EMC3-EIRENE code, which are qualitatively compared with preliminary experimental images from the IRVB. Such a comparison for detached discharges in LHD in which an externally induced m/n = 1/1 magnetic island is applied shows that when the magnetic island is moved 36 degrees toroidally the enhanced radiation in the x-points of the magnetic island also moves as predicted by the EMC3-EIRENE code.

Reexamining the Relationship Between Audit and Nonaudit Fees

The authors introduce some new econometric tests and techniques for identifying and overcoming the problem of weak instruments in the context of joint provision of audit and nonaudit fees. The authors use this context because identifying appropriate instruments is difficult due to the lack of theoretical guidance as well as due to the difficulty in intuitively identifying instruments that satisfy the econometric requirements. The authors introduce a battery of empirical tests based on recent developments in econometrics to test for the appropriateness of the instruments. The authors then illustrate two approaches of using instruments from existing data: the size industry average portfolio approach and the synthetic-instrument approach. Although the approach using synthetic instruments sidesteps issues of identifying proxies with desirable properties, it requires some stringent assumptions that cannot be directly tested. However, as a methodological alternative, this approach can be used for robustness tests. The authors find that when the instruments are not weak, audit and nonaudit fees are positively associated. This relationship holds for audit and tax-related nonaudit fees as well. Overall, the evidence suggests the existence of economies of scope benefits from the joint supply of audit and nonaudit services. Methodologically, the authors illustrate the importance of testing the appropriateness of the instruments utilized when accounting for endogeneity.

Design and realization of serial bus synthetic instrument

Design and realization of serial bus synthetic instrument

Determination of Surface Tension of the Freeze Slag in Reaction Shaft of Flash Smelting Furnace

According to the reaction shaft operation characteristics during the flash smelting process, 15 groups of slag samples containing high Fe3O4were prepared by some chemical reagents, and then the slag surface tensions were measured using a RTW-10 type synthetic test instrument for melt physical property by means of suspension link. The effects of temperature ( T ), basicity ( B ), the Fe/SiO2ratio (mFe/mSiO2), Fe3O4content (ωFe3O4), Cu2O content (ωCu2O), MgO content (ωMgO) and CaO content (ωCaO) on the slag surface tension (δ) were also studied. Results show that δ fluctuate between 0.3N/m to 0.8 N/m, and is increased with the increase of T, B, mFe/mSiO2, ωCu2O, ωMgOand ωCaO, and with the decrease of ωFe3O4, under the range of slag contents: mFe/mSiO21.36~1.78, ωFe3O417.83%~21.18%,ωCu2O3.51%~8.34%,ωMgO2.21%~6.57%,ωCaO6.22%~9.87% and the temperature range of 1380°C to 1500°C. To make the freeze slag adhere to the reaction shaft inner wall easily, the Fe3O4content in freeze slag should be increased and the inner chamber temperature of reaction shaft should be controlled appropriately.

Medusa: a scalable MR console using USB.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequence consoles typically employ closed proprietary hardware, software, and interfaces, making difficult any adaptation for innovative experimental technology. Yet MRI systems research is trending to higher channel count receivers, transmitters, gradient/shims, and unique interfaces for interventional applications. Customized console designs are now feasible for researchers with modern electronic components, but high data rates, synchronization, scalability, and cost present important challenges. Implementing large multichannel MR systems with efficiency and flexibility requires a scalable modular architecture. With Medusa, we propose an open system architecture using the universal serial bus (USB) for scalability, combined with distributed processing and buffering to address the high data rates and strict synchronization required by multichannel MRI. Medusa uses a modular design concept based on digital synthesizer, receiver, and gradient blocks, in conjunction with fast programmable logic for sampling and synchronization. Medusa is a form of synthetic instrument, being reconfigurable for a variety of medical/scientific instrumentation needs. The Medusa distributed architecture, scalability, and data bandwidth limits are presented, and its flexibility is demonstrated in a variety of novel MRI applications.

Estimating signal loss in regularized GRACE gravity field solutions

SUMMARY Gravity field solutions produced using data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission are subject to errors that increase as a function of increasing spatial resolution. Two commonly used techniques to improve the signal-to-noise ratio in the gravity field solutions are post-processing, via spectral filters, and regularization, which occurs within the least-squares inversion process used to create the solutions. One advantage of post-processing methods is the ability to easily estimate the signal loss resulting from the application of the spectral filter by applying the filter to synthetic gravity field coefficients derived from models of mass variation. This is a critical step in the construction of an accurate error budget. Estimating the amount of signal loss due to regularization, however, requires the execution of the full gravity field determination process to create synthetic instrument data; this leads to a significant cost in computation and expertise relative to post-processing techniques, and inhibits the rapid development of optimal regularization weighting schemes. Thus, while a number of studies have quantified the effects of spectral filtering, signal modification in regularized GRACE gravity field solutions has not yet been estimated. In this study, we examine the effect of one regularization method. First, we demonstrate that regularization can in fact be performed as a post-processing step if the solution covariance matrix is available. Regularization then is applied as a post-processing step to unconstrained solutions from the Center for Space Research (CSR), using weights reported by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales/Groupe de Recherches de geodesie spatiale (CNES/GRGS). After regularization, the power spectra of the CSR solutions agree well with those of the CNES/GRGS solutions. Finally, regularization is performed on synthetic gravity field solutions derived from a land surface model, revealing that in some locations significant signal loss can result from regularization. This signal loss is similar in magnitude to estimated signal loss in post-filtered solutions. End-users of GRACE data can use this method to improve the error budgets of GRACE time-series, or to restore the power lost through regularization using a scaling technique.

Convexity in the Oil-CDS Relationship and Synthetic Option Creation

Due to the convex relationship between oil and CDS, it is possible to generate new synthetic instrument.

Oriented Graph Signal Decomposition Model Based on TSF and its Application

Aiming to alleviate the limited test resource situation, oriented graph signal decomposition model is proposed based on the complex signal synthesis method of TSF(Test Signal Framework) in STD(Signal and Test Definition) standard. This paper establishes signal decomposition models for stimulus signal and response signal; which has carried on the detailed analysis and the discussion about this signal model. A series of recursion expressions are put forward to acquire the signal’s (physical characteristics’s of a signal) origination through the deduce process layer by layer. This signal model can be used for any complex signals, and has nothing to do with the specific equipment, while it is completely reusable and portable. When the platform’s independent resources cannot meet the signal requirements, by means of the signal model the combination of the independent resources can be used to achieve the automatic allocation of the stimulus /measurement resources. The signal model also provides an implementation approach that is used to the interchanges between synthetic instruments and the instrument combinations as well as the interchanges between the instrumens combinations. So that it can save the system resources and reduce the cost greatly.

Reexamining the Relation Between Audit and Non-Audit Fees: Dealing with Weak Instruments in Two-Stage Least Squares Estimation

We introduce some new econometric tests and techniques for identifying and overcoming the problem of weak instruments in the context of joint provision of audit and non-audit fees. We use this context because identifying appropriate instruments is difficult due to the lack of theoretical guidance as well as the difficulty in intuitively identifying instruments that satisfy the econometric requirements. We introduce a battery of empirical tests based on recent developments in econometrics to test for the appropriateness of the instruments. We then illustrate two approaches of using instruments from existing data: the size-industry average portfolio approach and the synthetic instrument approach. While the approach using synthetic instruments side-steps issues of identifying proxies with desirable properties, it requires some stringent assumptions that cannot be directly tested. However, as a methodological alternative, this approach can be used for robustness tests. We find that when the instruments are not weak, audit and non-audit fees are positively associated. This relationship holds for audit and tax-related non-audit fees as well. Overall, the evidence suggests the existence of economies of scope benefits from the joint supply of audit and non-audit services. Methodologically, we illustrate the importance of testing the appropriateness of the instruments utilized when accounting for endogeneity.