Turnkey System Research Articles

Defect characterization in commercial carbon-carbon composites

A relatively inexpensive and easy to operate custom built infrared thermography (IRT) system was developed and utilized for the detection and characterization of defects in Carbon-Carbon (C/C) composite aircraft brake disks. This method uses an active infrared thermography (IRT) approach, i.e. Flash Heating method, for a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of C/C brake disk materials. The experimental results obtained from the developed system were then compared with commercial IRT turn-key system. In addition, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was also carried out to determine the detectible defect depth and diameter of the defects in C/C composites to validate the experimental results. The experimental results were compared to the FEA results and it was found that they were in good agreement with one another.

Application of a Rules-based Natural Language Parser to Critical Value Reporting in Anatomic Pathology

Critical values in anatomic pathology are rare occurrences and difficult to define with precision. Nevertheless, accrediting institutions require effective and timely communication of all critical values generated by clinical and anatomic laboratories. Provisional gating criteria for potentially critical anatomic diagnoses have been proposed, with some success in their implementation reported in the literature. Ensuring effective communication is challenging, however, making the case for programmatic implementation of a turnkey-style integrated information technology solution. To address this need, we developed a generically deployable laboratory information system-based tool, using a tiered natural language processing predicate calculus inference engine to identify qualifying cases that meet criteria for critical diagnoses but lack an indication in the electronic medical record for an appropriate clinical discussion with the ordering physician of record. Using this tool, we identified an initial cohort of 13,790 cases over a 49-month period, which were further explored by reviewing the available electronic medical record for each patient. Of these cases, 35 (0.3%) were judged to require intervention in the form of direct communication between the attending pathologist and the clinical physician of record. In 8 of the 35 cases, this intervention resulted in the conveyance of new information to the requesting physician and/or a change in the patient's clinical plan. The very low percentage of such cases (0.058%) illustrates their rarity in daily practice, making it unlikely that manual identification/notification approaches alone can reliably manage them. The automated turnkey system was useful in avoiding missed handoffs of significant, clinically actionable diagnoses.

A simple introduction to multiphoton microscopy

Multiphoton microscopy is a powerful technique based on complex quantum mechanical effects. Thanks to the development of turnkey mode-locked laser systems, multiphoton microscopy is now available for everyone to use without extreme complexity. In this short introduction, we describe qualitatively the important concepts underlying the most commonly used type of multiphoton microscopy (two-photon excitation). We elucidate how those properties lead to the powerful results that have been achieved using this technique. As with any technique, two-photon excitation microscopy has limitations that we describe, and we provide examples of particular classes of experiments where two-photon excitation microscopy is advantageous over other approaches. Finally, we briefly describe other useful multiphoton microscopy approaches, such as three-photon excitation and second harmonic generation imaging.

<em>In vivo</em> Laser Axotomy in <em>C. elegans</em>

Neurons communicate with other cells via axons and dendrites, slender membrane extensions that contain pre- or post-synaptic specializations. If a neuron is damaged by injury or disease, it may regenerate. Cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the ability of a neuron to regenerate and restore function. Recently, the nematode C. elegans has emerged as an excellent model organism to identify genes and signaling pathways that influence the regeneration of neurons1-6. The main way to initiate neuronal regeneration in C. elegans is laser-mediated cutting, or axotomy. During axotomy, a fluorescently-labeled neuronal process is severed using high-energy pulses. Initially, neuronal regeneration in C. elegans was examined using an amplified femtosecond laser5. However, subsequent regeneration studies have shown that a conventional pulsed laser can be used to accurately sever neurons in vivo and elicit a similar regenerative response1,3,7. We present a protocol for performing in vivo laser axotomy in the worm using a MicroPoint pulsed laser, a turnkey system that is readily available and that has been widely used for targeted cell ablation. We describe aligning the laser, mounting the worms, cutting specific neurons, and assessing subsequent regeneration. The system provides the ability to cut large numbers of neurons in multiple worms during one experiment. Thus, laser axotomy as described herein is an efficient system for initiating and analyzing the process of regeneration.

In vivo laser axotomy in C. elegans.

Neurons communicate with other cells via axons and dendrites, slender membrane extensions that contain pre- or post-synaptic specializations. If a neuron is damaged by injury or disease, it may regenerate. Cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the ability of a neuron to regenerate and restore function. Recently, the nematode C. elegans has emerged as an excellent model organism to identify genes and signaling pathways that influence the regeneration of neurons1-6. The main way to initiate neuronal regeneration in C. elegans is laser-mediated cutting, or axotomy. During axotomy, a fluorescently-labeled neuronal process is severed using high-energy pulses. Initially, neuronal regeneration in C. elegans was examined using an amplified femtosecond laser5. However, subsequent regeneration studies have shown that a conventional pulsed laser can be used to accurately sever neurons in vivo and elicit a similar regenerative response1,3,7.We present a protocol for performing in vivo laser axotomy in the worm using a MicroPoint pulsed laser, a turnkey system that is readily available and that has been widely used for targeted cell ablation. We describe aligning the laser, mounting the worms, cutting specific neurons, and assessing subsequent regeneration. The system provides the ability to cut large numbers of neurons in multiple worms during one experiment. Thus, laser axotomy as described herein is an efficient system for initiating and analyzing the process of regeneration.

Stochastic analysis of heart rate variability: Respiration asymmetry and echocardiographic parameters

Objectives: Until now, the creation of massive (long-term and multichannel) waveform databases in intensive care required an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, engineers, and informaticians and, in most cases, also design-specific software and hardware development. Recently, several commercial software tools for waveform acquisition became available. Although commercial products and even turnkey systems are now being marketed as simple and effective, the performance of those solutions is not known. The additional expense upfront may be worthwhile if commercial software can eliminate the need for custom software and hardware systems and the associated investment in teams and development. Methods: We report the development of a computer system for long-term, large-scale recording and storage of multichannel physiologic signals that was built using commercial solutions (software and hardware) and existing hospital IT infrastructure. Results: Both numeric (1 Hz) and waveform (62.5-500 Hz) data were captured from 24 SICU bedside monitors simultaneously and stored in a file-based vital sign data bank (VSDB) during 1-year period (total DB size is 4.21 TB). In total, physiologic signals were recorded from 1175 critically ill patients. Up to 6 electrocardiographic leads, all other monitored waveforms, and all monitored numeric data were recorded in most of the cases. Several data sets from our VSDB are available online (www.burykin.com/sbt/), and more will be uploaded on “PhysioNet Works” (http://physionet.org/ data-sharing/). Conclusions: We describe the details of the building blocks of our system, provide description of 3 data sets exported from our VSDB, and compare the contents of our VSDB with other available waveform databases. Finally, we summarize lessons learned during recording, storage, and preprocessing of physiologic signals.

Using “off-the-shelf” tools for terabyte-scale waveform recording in intensive care: Computer system design, database description and lessons learned

Until now, the creation of massive (long-term and multichannel) waveform databases in intensive care required an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, engineers and informaticians and, in most cases, also design-specific software and hardware development. Recently, several commercial software tools for waveform acquisition became available. Although commercial products and even turnkey systems are now being marketed as simple and effective, the performance of those solutions is not known. The additional expense upfront may be worthwhile if commercial software can eliminate the need for custom software and hardware systems and the associated investment in teams and development. We report the development of a computer system for long-term large-scale recording and storage of multichannel physiologic signals that was built using commercial solutions (software and hardware) and existing hospital IT infrastructure. Both numeric (1 Hz) and waveform (62.5–500 Hz) data were captured from 24 SICU bedside monitors simultaneously and stored in a file-based vital sign data bank (VSDB) during one-year period (total DB size is 4.21 TB). In total, vital signs were recorded from 1175 critically ill patients. Up to six ECG leads, all other monitored waveforms, and all monitored numeric data were recorded in most of the cases. We describe the details of building blocks of our system, provide description of three datasets exported from our VSDB and compare the contents of our VSDB with other available waveform databases. Finally, we summarize lessons learned during recording, storage, and pre-processing of physiologic signals.

Two-color CO2/HeNe laser interferometer for C-2 experiment

A six-channel two-color interferometer has been developed for plasma electron density measurements in the C-2 field reversed configuration experiment. A CO(2) laser is utilized as the main probe beams, while copropagating visible HeNe laser beams are mainly sensitive to vibration. Density measurements in C-2 plasmas have shown that this is a reliable turn-key system. The maximum residual phase noise after vibration compensation is less than ±5°, corresponding to a line integral density of 3×10(18) m(-2). The time resolution for routine operation is 2 μs.

Close range photogrammetry for industrial applications

This article summarizes recent developments and applications of digital photogrammetry in industrial measurement. Industrial photogrammetry covers a wide field of different practical challenges in terms of specified accuracy, measurement speed, automation, process integration, cost-performance ratio, sensor integration and analysis. On-line and off-line systems are available, offering general purpose systems on the one hand and specific turnkey systems for individual measurement tasks on the other. Verification of accuracy and traceability to standard units with respect to national and international standards is inevitable in industrial practice. System solutions can be divided into the measurement of discrete points, deformations and motions, 6DOF parameters, 3D contours and 3D surfaces. Recent and future developments concentrate on higher dynamic applications, integration of systems into production chains, multi-sensor solutions and still higher accuracy and lower costs.

Selecting Appropriate Project Delivery System: Fuzzy Approach with Risk Analysis

The selection of an appropriate project delivery system that suits all project and owner needs is one of the key decisions to a successful project. Therefore, this decision should be made based on thorough analysis. In this paper, a fuzzy multiattribute decision-making (FMADM) model is developed. The model accounts for uncertainties and imprecision in the decision space as well as fuzziness in the nature of the decision attributes. The model utilizes fuzzy decision-making approach in order to evaluate the membership function corresponding to the utility of each project delivery alternative. Project delivery system alternatives are ranked using fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method based on their utility membership functions and by evaluating the distance of each project delivery alternative from fuzzy ideal solutions. In the TOPSIS method, alternatives are ranked based on their closeness coefficient (CC). In addition, the risk attitude of the decision maker is considered in the model by using derived utility membership functions corresponding to the risk attitude of the decision maker. The model is applied to a petrochemical project as a case study. In the case study, the model outcome that ranked Turnkey system as the best system conforms to the lessons learned by the decision maker from several past projects. Moreover, sensitivity analysis is done in the case study. The results show the significant value of the FMADM model for selecting appropriate project delivery system for projects.

太陽電池産業のターンキー・システムとアーキテクチャ 単モジュール産業における競争戦略

太陽電池産業のターンキー・システムとアーキテクチャ 単モジュール産業における競争戦略

Comparison of turbulence length scales assessed with three measurement systems in increasingly complex turbulent flows

Abstract This paper proposes to compare turbulence length scales measured with three different experimental systems commonly used in aerodynamic measurements, namely hot wire anemometer, Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Particle Image Velocimetry, using turn-key systems from Dantec and TSI, and for three different turbulent flows: a homogeneous and isotropic turbulent flow, a homogeneous shear flow and the wake of a porous disc. This study will show that Taylor macro scale assessment is not clearly dependent on the experimental system used, except for nonconstant shear, where the measurement volume size seems to be a critical parameter. On the other hand, Taylor micro-scale is highly dependent on the space or time resolution of the correlation and on the presence of random measurement noise. Among the three systems, only the hot wire anemometer seems to provide the right requirements to properly assess the Taylor micro-scale.

Electron density measurements of a field-reversed configuration plasma using a novel compact ultrastable second-harmonic interferometer

A compact high-sensitivity second-harmonic interferometer for line-integrated electron density measurements on a large plasma machine is presented. The device is based on a fiber coupled near-infrared continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser and is remotely controlled. The performances of the instrument are tested on the Irvine field-reversed configuration machine, and a sensitivity of few 10(14) cm(-2) in measuring line integrated electron density is demonstrated with a time resolution of a few microseconds. The interferometer is self calibrated, has an impressive stability, and it does not require any further alignment after proper installation. These features make this device a real turn-key system suitable for electron density measurement in large plasma machines.

In Vivo Imaging of Mammalian Cells: Image Acquisition and Analysis: Figure 1.

INTRODUCTIONLive cell imaging provides a powerful technique for the analysis of molecular dynamics within cells. Advances in imaging technology and probe design have established this approach as an important tool in modern biology. It is now possible to obtain commercial turnkey systems for digital imaging using a number of different imaging modalities. Nevertheless, it still requires considerable technical care and expertise to conduct a successful experiment. To perform a successful imaging experiment, it is important to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (S:N) while minimizing damage to the cells. In this article, we focus on the use of fluorescence microscopy in live cell imaging, although most of the points discussed are relevant to any type of imaging. We describe many of the methods and considerations that are required for performing a successful imaging experiment in living cells. However, we do not provide a single recipe for success: The approach is much too empirical and depends on careful observation of the particular cells under investigation.

The Cell Cycle Ontology: an application ontology supporting the study of cell cycle control

AbstractThe Cell Cycle Ontology (CCO) is an application ontology that automatically captures and integrates detailed knowledge on the cell cycle process by combining, interlinking and enriching knowledge from various sources. CCO uses Semantic Web technologies, and it is accessible via the web for browsing, visualising, advanced querying, and computational reasoning. CCO facilitates a detailed analysis of cell cycle related molecular network components. Through querying and automated reasoning, it may provide new hypotheses to help steer a systems biology approach to biological network building. The ontology is available on "http://www.cellcycleontology.org":http://www.cellcycleontology.org. Visual exploration can be done via the BioPortal, the Ontology Lookup Service, the Ontology Online service, or the DIAMONDS platform.*The Cell Cycle Ontology*The Cell Cycle Ontology captures detailed information (in terms and relationships) of the cell cycle process by combining representations from several, public sources.1 CCO supports four model organisms (H. sapiens, A. thaliana, S. pombe and S. cerevisiae) with separate ontologies and one integrated ontology. It is an application ontology that is supplied as an integrated turnkey system for exploratory analysis, advanced querying, and automated reasoning.CCO holds more than 13,000 concepts and 30 types of relationships. CCO comprises data from existing resources such as the Gene Ontology (GO), the Relations Ontology (RO), the IntAct database (MI), the NCBI taxonomy, the UniProt Knowledge Base as well as orthology data. An automatic pipeline builds CCO from scratch periodically: initially some existing ontologies (GO, RO, MI, in-house ones) are automatically fetched, integrated and merged, producing a core cell cycle ontology. Then, organism-specific protein and gene data are added from UniProt and from the GO Annotation files, generating four organism-specific ontologies. Those four ontologies are merged and more terms are included from an ontology built automatically from the OrthoMCL execution on the cell cycle proteins.*Formats and queries*CCO is built in the OBOF format with ONTO-PERL and exported to other formats later.2 CCO is available in: OBOF, RDF, XML, OWL, GML, and DOT. The Semantic Web formats RDF and OWL allow queries on CCO. In a SPARQL endpoint complex queries on the RDF format can be formulated, such as “retrieve all the core cell cycle proteins in S. cerevisiae that are located in the cytoplasm and that have a hydrolysisrelated function”.Relational closures are pre-inferenced in the RDF triple store, by operating SPARUL update queries over CCO and Metarel. This allows for very simple and responsive queries over long chains of relations in CCO.Finally, during the maintenance phase, a semantic improvement on the OWL version is carried out: Ontology Design Patterns are included using the Ontology Pre-Processor Language. The resulting CCO is designed to provide a richer view of the cell cycle regulatory process, in particular by accommodating the intrinsic dynamics of this process.*References*1. Antezana E, Egaña M, Blondé W et al. The Cell Cycle Ontology: An application ontology for the representation and integrated analysis of the cell cycle process, Genome Biology, 2009, 10:52. Antezana E, Egaña M, De Baets B, Kuiper M, Mironov V. ONTO-PERL: an api supporting the development and analysis of bio-ontologies. Bioinformatics, 2008, pp. 885–887.

The role of the space industry in building capacity in emerging space nations

The space industry in established space-faring nations is playing an increasingly important role in the development of capacity in emerging space nations. The role of industry ranges from provision of turn-key systems, to provision of training and joint development of satellites in partnership with emerging space countries. Ranked number 1 worldwide in terms of satellites ordered in 2006, Thales Alenia Space is at the heart of the most high performance satellite technologies in both civil and defense sectors. The company has been involved in parterships with a number of emerging space nations. This paper discusses several key factors for successful interaction of industry with national space programmes in emerging space nations.

Ultrafast optics: Imaging and manipulating biological systems

The rapid evolution of ultrafast optics technology over the past two decades has opened the window to a broad range of applications in biology and medicine. Compact, reliable, and turn-key ultrafast laser systems are enabling cutting-edge science to take place in everyday laboratories and clinics. Led by the discovery of two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy nearly 20 years ago, the biological imaging community is exploring unique image contrast mechanisms and pushing spatial and temporal resolution to new limits. Concurrent with advancements in imaging are developments in the precision application of extremely high peak intensities available in ultrashort pulses for disrupting or manipulating targeted locations in biological systems on the submicron scale while leaving surrounding tissue healthy. The ability for scientists to selectively discriminate structures of interest at the cellular and subcellular levels under relevant physiological conditions shows tremendous promise for accelerating the path to understanding biological functions at the most fundamental level.

Welding with High Power Diode Lasers

AbstractThe new HighLight 1000F from Coherent is a fiber‐delivered, high power direct diode laser system for industrial metal fabrication uses. Specifically, this turnkey system produces 1 kW of high brightness output at 980 nm from a 600 μm core fiber having a numerical aperture of 0.22. This fiber, which is available in lengths from 5 m to 20 m, is terminated with an industry standard fiber connector making it compatible with common beam delivery accessories and process heads. This article provides an overview of the system's new possibilities.

Prototyping studies for the Blanket Shield Module of the ITER ECH Upper Port Plug

A team of European associations is planning to procure ECH launcher turnkey systems for MHD control in the ITER plasma. ECH launchers will be installed to four ports on the upper level of the ITER vacuum vessel (VV). The structural system of the launchers accommodates the mm-wave components, cooling devices and elements for nuclear shielding. Its main components are the Blanket Shield Module (BSM), including the plasma facing First Wall Panel (FWP) and the port plug mainframe. A removable flange connection between the BSM and the main frame provides access to the internals. Appropriate remote handling capability is also taken as a design requirement. The BSM with the flange connection will be exposed to substantial nuclear heat loads. The manufacturing of machined components requires complex shaping with small tolerances and good quality of the surfaces due to operation under vacuum conditions. For the BSM and the front segment of the main frame a rigid double wall structure with meandering rectangular cooling channels was designed and analysed to meet these requirements. To investigate industrial manufacturing routes, a typical single-piece sample was machined and the manufacturing process was evaluated. Further two prototypes of a characteristic section of the BSM were manufactured, using two different fabrication techniques. These are (a) Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), which combines the sintering of metal powder inside of welded capsules and diffusion welding of solid parts and (b) brazing of bent and machined individual parts. The prototypes are under study at the Launcher Handling Test facility (LHT) at FZK, which offers a water circuit to provide coolant with adjustable parameters, simulating different ITER operating conditions. Extensive test series were performed to validate underlying analysis related to homogenous temperature distribution, tolerable pressure drop within the cooling paths and removal of applied heat loads.

Science experimentsviatelepresence at a synchrotron radiation source facility

Station 9.8 is one of the most oversubscribed and high-throughput stations at the Synchrotron Radiation Source, Daresbury, whereby awarded experimental time is limited, data collections last normally no longer than an hour, user changeover is normally every 24 h, and familiarity with the station systems can be low. Therefore time lost owing to technical failures on the station has a dramatic impact on productivity. To provide 24 h support, the application of a turnkey communication system has been implemented, and is described along with additional applications including its use for inter-continental classroom instruction, user training and remote participation.