Academic literature on the topic 'Parameters'

Thesis (M.S. in Systems Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2006.<br>Thesis Advisor(s): David C. Jenn and Michael A. Morgan. "September 2006." Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-62). Also available in print.

Istraživanje je sprovedeno u cilju utvrđivanja uticaja ukrštanja mangulice sa durokom&nbsp; na proizvodne i zdravstvene parametre, kao i na kvalitet mesa, a sve to uporedo sa jednom modernom plemenitom rasom svinja &ndash; veliki jorkšir. U tu svrhu formirane su tri grupe &ndash; genotipa svinja, čista rasa bela mangulica (BM), melezi duroka i bele mangulice (DBM), i čista rasa veliki jorkšir (VJ), koji su smešteni u iste uslove ishrane, nege i držanja. Svinje iz grupa DBM i VJ su znatno brže prirasle do ciljane telesne mase od 150 kg u odnosu na svinje BM. Tako je melezima duroka i bele mangulice trebalo u proseku 168 dana manje, a svinjama iz grupe VJ 288 dana manje kako bi dostigli ciljanu telesnu masu u odnosu na svinje bele mangulice u čistoj rasi. Po pitanju zdravstvenog stanja i nalaza na trupovima zaklanih svinja post mortem nisu utvrđene značajne razlike. Značajne razlike su utvrđene u hematološkim i biohemijskim parametrima i to između sve tri ispitivane grupe, ali i između različitih starosnih kategorija u okviru iste ispitivane grupe, što nam ukazuje na značaj tačnijeg utvrđivanja referentnih parametara normalnih fizioloških vrednosti hematoloških i biohemijskih parametara ne samo posebno za pojedine vrste životinja, već dakako i za različite starosne kategorije u okviru iste vrste. Meso poreklom od svinja iz grupe BM imalo je najveći sadržaj intramuskularne masnoće, i tamniju i crveniju boju, dok za njima odmah slede melezi sa značajnim razlikama između sva tri ispitivana genotipa. Nadalje, meso svinja rase bela mangulica je imalo značajno veću krajnju vrednost pH, bolju sposobnost vezivanja vode, veći sadržaj kalcijuma, cinka, gvožđa, bakra i mangana, u poređenju sa druga dva genotipa. Ukrštanje bele mangulice i duroka je imalo značajan uticaj na pojedinačni sastav masnih kiselina u mesu. Međutim, zbir zasićenih, mononezasićenih i polinezasićenih masnih kiselina je ostao nepromenjen. Meso svinja rase bela mangulica i meleza dobijenih ukrštanjem svinja rasa bela mangulica i durok značajno je nežnije &ndash; mekše. Mononezasićene masne kiseline su najzastupljenije u mesu poreklom od svih životinja, dok za njima slede zasićene i na kraju polinezasićene masne kiseline. Meso poreklom od BM i DBM je imalo značajno veći sadržaj mononezasićenih masnih kiselina, i značajno manji sadržaj zasićenih masnih kiselina u odnosu na VJ. Generalno, na osnovu svih ispitanih parametara kvaliteta polutki i mesa može se konstatovati da svinje rase bela mangulica karakteriše manja mesnatost polutki, ali i meso koje ima odličan senzorski, tehnološki i nutritivni kvalitet, dok meleze svinja dobijenih ukrštanjem svinja rasa bela mangulica i durok karakteriše veća mesnatost polutki i nešto slabiji, ali još uvek veoma dobar, kvalitet mesa, te su neophodna dodatna istraživanja kako bi smo dobili i podatake o kvalitetu suvomesnatih proizvoda. Takođe, potrebna su dodatnaistraživanja, preciznijeg karaktera u pogledu kvaliteta i ekonomičnosti proizvodnje kod autohtonih rasa, kao i preispitivanje kriterijuma selekcije koji se primenjuju kod mangulice, te parametara genetskog progresa, tj. efekta selekcije, kako bi iako autohtona uhvatila korak za opstanak ili prestiž u odnosu na moderne rase svinja.<br>The research was carried out in order to determine the effect of the cross-breeding of mangulets with durok on production and health parameters, as well as on the quality of meat, all along with a modern, noble breed of pigs - a large Yorkshire. For this purpose, three groups - pig genotypes, pure breeds of white mangulica (BM), meliaceae and white manguns (DBM), and pure breed, Yorkshire (VJ), were placed in the same conditions of nutrition, care and keeping. Pigs from the DBM and VJ groups increased significantly to a target bodyweight of 150 kg compared to BM pigs. Thus, mulberry and white mangulets were average 168 days less, and 288 days lower for pigs from the VJ group in order to reach their target body mass compared to white mangun pigs in a clean race. There are no significant differences in terms of health status and findings on carcases of slaughtered pigs post-mortem. Significant differences were established in the hematological and biochemical parameters, among all three groups studied, but also between different age categories within the same investigated group, which points to the importance of more precise determination of the reference parameters of normal physiological values of hematologic and biochemical parameters not only for individual species of animals, but also for different age categories within the same species. Meat originating from pigs from the BM group had the highest content of intramuscular fat, and the darker and redder color, followed by moles with significant differences between all three investigated genotypes. Furthermore, the pig meat of the white mangulce had a significantly higher end value of pH, better water binding capacity, higher content of calcium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese, compared to the other two genotypes. The crossing of white mangulce and durok had a significant effect on the individual composition of fatty acids in the meat. However, the sum of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids remained unchanged. Meat of pig breeds white mangulica and molasses obtained by crossing the pig race white mangulica and durok is significantly more gentler - softer. Monounsaturated fatty acids are the most common in meat originating from all animals, followed by saturated and at the end of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Meat originating from BM and DBM had a significantly higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids, and significantly lower saturated fatty acid content than VJ. In general, on the basis of all the tested parameters of the quality of the halves and flesh, it can be concluded that the pig breeds of white mangulets are characterized by lower meatiness of the hemispheres, but also meat that has excellent sensory, technological and nutritive quality, while the piglets of pigs obtained by crossing the pig rasa white mangulica and durok are characterized by larger lean meat and slightly weaker but still very good quality of meat, and further research is needed in order to obtain data on the quality of the cream products. Also, additional ones are neededresearch, a more precise character in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness in autochthonous breeds, as well as the reconsideration of selection criteria applied to mangulas and parameters of genetic progress, i.e. the effect of the selection, in order to take an autochthonous step in survival or prestige in relation to modern pig breeds.

L'espondilolistesi en el mielomeningocele (MMC) ha estat poc estudiada. La bibliografia només recull un article, al Journal of Pediatrics Orthopaedics l'any 1994 de Stanitski, que mostra una prevalença d'espondilolistesi (SPL) similar a la població general. Es creu que el defecte de l’arc posterior en el MMC proporciona les condicions necessàries pel desenvolupament de l’espondilolistesi amb una freqüència superior a la població general. Per aquest motiu es planteja un estudi que constati la seva prevalença i els factors que la predisposen en la població amb MMC de la Unitat d’Espina Bífida de l’Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron. METODOLOGIA: Es tracta d’un estudi observacional transversal de 195 pacients amb MMC. S'exclouen altres tipus de disrafisme, els menors de 10 anys, els que no disposin de Rx adequada per valorar els paràmetres raquipelvians, els que tenen escoliosi severa que no permet la valoració de la zona i els intervinguts de raquis. Es valora la incidència pelviana (PI), el pendent sacre (SS), la lordosi lumbar (LL) i la inclinació pelviana (PT) juntament a les ratios derivades i variables clíniques extretes de qüestionari de recollida com ara són: sexe, nivell de raquisquisi, lesió neurològica sobreafegida, flexe de maluc, flexe de genoll, escoliosi, escala de Hoffer, nivell funcional i marxa. RESULTATS: es van analitzar 195 subjeces afectes de MMC amb una distribució per sexes de 55% homes i 45% dones, i una mitjana d'edat de 27,7 anys (10-61). El 87,2% de la mostra presentaven hidrocefàlia, sent derivada en el 82% dels casos. El 19,48% dels pacients presenten una lesió neurològica associada, sent la patologia més freqüentment recollida la siringomièlia. Referent a la marxa, el 69,8% eren deambulants comunitaris mentre que el 30,2% es desplaçaven en cadira de rodes. La mitjana d'adquisició de la marxa va ser de 33 mesos (12-144); la pèrdua de nivell funcional es constata en el 28,96%. El 78% dels pacients tenen el nivell de raquisquisi a L3L4L5. La prevalença d'espondilolistesi en el mielomenigocele és del 20%, sent significativament diferent de la població general (p<0,001), en el 100% dels casos es localitza a L5S1 i és de baix grau. La mitjana de lliscament d’SPL és de 17,8% +/-6. A les variables clíniques només es constata significació estadística amb la variable marxa (p=0.030). Les mitjanes dels paràmetres raquipelvians són PI 63,92º+/-19,8º, PT (sedestació; bipedestació) 33+/-30; 52+/-17, SS (sedestació; bipedestació) 33+/-30; 10+/-18, LL (sedestació; bipedestació) 37+/-15,5; 59+/-20. Existeix significació estadística de LL amb SPL (p=0.013) i una tendència a la significació estadística de SS amb SPL (p=0,056). Analitzant el grup que camina, s'evidencia que els valors de LL i SS són significativament superiors (p=0,001 i p=0,003) en els subjectes amb SPL. CONCLUSIONS: la prevalença d'espondilolistesi és del 20% en la població de mielomeningoceles estudiada i es relaciona amb la capacitat de marxa i un augment de la lordosi lumbar (LL) i el pendent sacre (SS).<br>The spondylolisthesis in myelomeningocele (MMC) has not been studied so much. In the literature, we can only find an article, in the Journal of Pediatrics Orthopaedics written in 1994 by Stanitski, showing a prevalence of spondylolisthesis (SPL) similar to the general population. It is belived that the defect of the posterior arch in MMC provides the necessary conditions for the development of spondylolisthesis with a higher frequency than in general population. For this reason we propose an study to verify the prevalence and the factors that predispose SPL in a population of MMC in Spina Bifida Unit at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study of 195 patients with MMC. Exclusion criteria: other types of dysraphism, patients under 10 years-old, those without a good Rx for assessing the spinopelvic parameters, those with sever scoliosis and patients with spine surgery. We measured the pelvic incidence (PI), the sacral slope (SS), the lumbar lordosis (LL) and pelvic tilt (PT), with their ratios. Clinical variables such as sex, level of rachischisis, acquired neurological damage, hip flexum, knee flexum, scoliosis, Hoffer scale, functional and walking level, were also analyzed. RESULTS: we analyzed 195 subjects with MMC, 55% male and 45% female, with an average age of 27.7 years-old (10-61). 87.2% of these patients presented hydrocephalus, being derivated in the 82% of cases. 19.48% of them presented acquired neurological damage, being syringomyelia the commonest. 69.8% of them were able to walk while 30.2% were wheelchair users. The average age for walking was 33 months (12-144) and the functional loss was seen in 28.96% of MMC. 78% of patients had the level of rachischisi in L3L4L5. Prevalence of SPL in MMC is 20%, being significantly higher than in general population (p>0.001), in 100% of cases the level was L5S1 and low grade. The slipping average of SPL was 17.8% +/- 6%. Only the variable walking was statistically significant (p=0.030) in clinical variable group. The average of spinopelvic parameters was: PI 63.92º +/-19.8º, PT (seated; standing) 33+/-30; 52+/-17, SS (seated; standing) 33+/-30;10+/-18, LL (seated; standing) 37 +/- 15.5; 59 +/- 20. We found statistical significance between SPL and LL (p=0.013) and a tendency to signification of SS with SPL (p=0.056). Analyzing the walking group, we note that LL and SS values are significantly higher (p=0.001 and p=0.003) in subjects with SPL. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of spondylolisthesis is 20% in this population and is related with walking, and an increase of lumbar lordosis (LL) and sacral slope (SS).

This study focuses on evaluating a system containing five different mappings of physical movement parameters to auditory parameters. Physical parameter variables such as size, location, among others, were obtained by using a motion tracking system, where the two hands of the user would work as rigid bodies. Translating these variables to auditory parameter variables gave the ability to control different parameters of MIDI files. The aim of the study was to determine how well a total of five participants, all with prior musical knowledge and experience, could adapt to the system concerning both user generated data as well as overall user experience. The study showed that the participants developed a positive personal engagement with the system and this way of audio and music alteration. Exploring the initial mappings of the system established ideas for future development of the system in potential forthcoming work.

The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate the dietary intake of pregnant women living in this geographical area, evaluate how their diets related to their iron status, how their nutrient intakes compared with other studies, and how their iron status and diet affected infant iron status and development, as assessed by the Bayley Scale of Infant Development. The study involved 32 pregnant women who were between 8 to 14 weeks gestation and 20 to 35 years of age. They were followed through pregnancy and their infants were followed until three months of age. Three-day dietary records, a questionnaire and a blood sample were completed at the initial visit (8 to 14 weeks gestation). Six of the nutrients analyzed were consumed in amounts less than the Recommended Dietary Allowances: iron 77%, magnesium 58%, zinc 51%, vitamin B6 65%, folacin 30% and pantothenic acid 89%. Use of a prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement was beneficial in increasing most of these nutrients to within acceptable range. Zinc was not included in the supplement and thus remained at 51 % of the RDA. Magnesium was increased to 80% of the RDA. Nutrient intakes were very similar to the USDA Nationwide Food Consumption Survey for pregnant women (1985). Mean iron status of the subjects was within acceptable range. A food frequency questionnaire and a blood sample were analyzed at 32 weeks gestation. Iron and vitamin C intake remained fairly constant throughout pregnancy. Fifty-six percent of the subjects had become depleted of iron stores at this time. Cord blood analysis revealed a relationship between maternal iron status and infant iron status at birth. Infant iron status and diet were analyzed at three months gestational stage. Infant iron status appeared to be within normal range. Maternal iron status and diet did not have a significant effect on infant iron status or infant development as assessed by the Bayley Scale of Infant Development.

Robust high precision control of spacecraft formation flying is one of the most important techniques required for high-resolution interferometry missions in the complex deep-space environment. The thesis is focussed on the design of an invariant stringent performance controller for the Sun-Earth L2 point formation flying system over a wide range of conditions while maintaining system robust stability in the presence of parametric uncertainties. A Quasi-Linear Parameter-Varying (QLPV) model, generated without approximation from the exact nonlinear model, is developed in this study. With this QLPV form, the model preserves the transparency of linear controller design while reflecting the nonlinearity of the system dynamics. The Polynomial Eigenstructure Assignment (PEA) approach used for Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) and Linear Parameter-Varying (LPV ) models is extended to use the QLPV model to perform a form of dynamic inversion for a broader class of nonlinear systems which guarantees specific system performance. The resulting approach is applied to the formation flying QLPV model to design a PEA controller which ensures that the closed-loop performance is independent of the operating point. Due to variation in system parameters, the performance of most closed-loop systems are subject to model uncertainties. This leads naturally to the need to assess the robust stability of nonlinear and uncertain systems. This thesis presents two approaches to this problem, in the first approach, a polynomial matrix method to analyse the robustness of Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems for an intersectingD-region,which can copewith time-invariant uncertain systems is developed. In the second approach, an affine parameterdependent Lyapunov function based Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) condition is developed to check the robust D-stability of QLPV uncertain systems.

This thesis deals with the estimation of synchronization parameters in {Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing} (OFDM) communication systems and in active ultrasonic measuring systems. Estimation methods for the timing and frequency offset and for the attenuation taps of the frequency selective channel are presented and investigated.In OFDM communication systems the estimation of the timing offset of the transmitted data frame is one important parameter. This offset provides the receiver with a means of synchronizing its sampling clock to that of the transmitter. A second important parameter is the offset in the carrier frequency used by the receiver to demodulate the received signal.For OFDM systems using a cyclic prefix, the joint {Maximum Likelihood} (ML) estimation of the timing and carrier frequency offset is introduced. The redundancy introduced by the prefix is exploited optimally. This novel method is derived for a non-dispersive channel. Its performance, however, is also evaluated for a frequency-selective Rayleigh-fading radio channel. Time dispersion causes an irreducible error floor in this estimator's performance. This error floor is the limiting factor for the applicability of the timing estimator. Depending on the requirements, it may be used in either an acquisition or a tracking mode. For the frequency estimator the error floor is low enough to allow for stable frequency tracking.A low-complex variant of the timing offset estimator is presented allowing a simple implementation. This is the ML estimator, given a 2-bit representation of the received signal as the sufficient statistics. Its performance is evaluated for a frequency-selective Rayleigh-fading radio channel and for a twisted-pair copper channel. Simulations show this estimator to have a similar error floor as the full resolution ML estimator.The problem of estimating the propagation time of a signal is also of interest in active pulse echo systems, such as are used in, {\it e.g.}, radar, medical imaging, and geophysics. The {Minimum Mean Squared Error} (MMSE) estimator of arrival time is derived and investigated for an active airborne ultrasound measurement system. Besides performing better than the conventional {\it Maximum a Posteriori} (MAP) estimator, this method can be used to develop different estimators in situations where the system Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) is unknown.Coherent multi-amplitude OFDM receivers generally need to compensate for a frequency selective channel in order to detect transmitted data symbols reliably. For this purpose, a channel equalizer needs to be fed estimates of the subchannel attenuations.The linear MMSE estimator of these attenuations is presented. Of all linear estimators, this estimator optimally makes use of the frequency correlation between the subchannel attenuations. Low-complex modified estimators are proposed and investigated. The proposed modifications cause an irreducible error floor for this estimator's performance, but simulations show that for SNR values up to 20~dB, the improvement of a modified estimator compared to the Least Squares (LS) estimator is at least 3~dB.<br>Godkänd; 1996; 20080328 (ysko)