129 research outputs found
Automatic methods for motor intention recognition from spike rates
No full textIn this paper we present a method for automatic detection of motor intention from in vivo neuronal recordings in monkeys. The analysis relies on a data base of spike trains collected in a series of experiments aiming to study the hand-eye coordination mechanisms in primates. The neural activity is recorded using a multi-electrode system that can monitor up to fourteen neurons at time. In this work we analyze the possibility to “read” the motor intention from the set of simultaneously recorded spike trains, by combining the information from all the available recordings. We show that the information of interest can be successfully extracted from the data, under some constraints. First, we show the analysis of spike trains, segmented according to the behavioral epochs defined by the experiments protocol, and give the discussion of the proposed method performance in extracting the information of interest, i.e. the presence/absence of motor intention. Also, we consider a less ’controlled’ analysis of entire spike trains, without segmenting, where the relevant information is more mixed with the side-effect processes, and accordingly, more difficult to recognize.LANO
Heisenberg and the philosophy of nature
No full textThis paper is a theoretical contribution to the reconstruction of Heisenberg's concept in the science of the Philosophy of Nature. In order to expound Heisenberg's theory of elementary particles, the author discusses epistemological, ontological and logical problems of the contemporary physics, especially of the quantum theory.</jats:p
Some thoughts about remembering the past as the foundation of peace building
No full textThe author answered the Victimology Society’s call for the proposals about constructive ways of dealing with the past in Serbia. In this paper he is presenting his main ideas in that regard: celebration of the Day for the truth and reconciliation, cooperation between different groups within the society and development of positive memory
OSCE in early 21st century: The place, role and scope
No full textThe author firstly deals with the genesis and evolution of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe comparing the basic characteristics of OSCE with those of the previous CSCE. Then follows an analytical survey of the CSCE/OSCE activities in the 1990s, which are grouped into the following three fields: institutional build-up of the Organization, normative and programmatic activity as well as the operational and implementation activity. The author makes an analysis of the Charter for European Security adopted at 1999 OSCE Istanbul summit. The final part projects what further development and role of OSCE is likely to be in the field of security and co-operation in the Euro-Atlantic region, pointing out that in the foreseeable period OSCE will probably mainly retain its present role, significance and the structure of activities, unless some unexpected events occur in the sphere of international affairs. [Objavljujemo posthumno poslednji rad dr Ljubivoja Aćimovića, naučnog savetnika u Institutu za međunarodnu politiku i privredu, koji je provobitno publikovan u našem časopisu u broju 3, 2000. godine. Naš kolega je preminuo 1. januara 2013. godine.
Understanding the supply chain
No full textSupply chain management represents new business philosophy and includes strategically positioned and much wider scope of activity in comparison with its "older brother" - management of logistics. Philosophy of the concept of supply chain is directed to more coordination of key business functions of every link in distribution chain in the process of organization of the flow of both goods and information, while logistic managing instruments are focused on internal optimum of flows of goods and information within one company. Applying the concept of integrated supply chain among several companies makes the importance of operative logistics activity even greater on the level of one company, thus advancing processes of optimum and coordination within and between different companies and confirms the importance of logistics performances for the company’s profitability. Besides the fact that the borders between companies are being deleted, this concept of supply chain in one distribution channel influences increasing of importance of functional, i.e. traditional business managing approaches but instead it points out the importance of process managing approaches. Although the author is aware that "there is nothing harder, more dangerous and with uncertain success, but to find a way for introducing some novelties (Machiavelli), it would be even his additional stimulation for trying to bring closer the concept and goals of supply chain implementation that are identified in key, relevant, modern, theoretical and consulting approaches in order to achieve better understanding of the subject and faster implementation of the concept of supply chain management by domestic companies
Disease management in apples using trunk injection delivery of plant protective compounds
No full textThe two most important pathogens of apple Erwinia amylovora (fire blight) and Venturia inaequalis (apple scab) require pesticide sprays for control. This leads to accumulating side effects such as disease resistance, contamination of environment, elevated fungicide residues in fruit, and increased health risks to consumers and workers. While sprays are effective for disease control, need for increasing the sustainability of apple production by reducing pesticide use in the environment incited our research on delivering pesticides via trunk injection. This method delivers the compound into the canopy via tree xylem and could increase the efficiency in disease control. To find out how, where and when injected compounds distribute in the apple tree, thus affecting the efficiency in pest control, we injected imidacloprid through 1, 2, 4, or 8 injection ports per tree. By quantifying leaf residues we demonstrated variable spatial distribution of imidacloprid in the canopy. Spatial uniformity of distribution increased with more injection ports and 4 ports provided uniform distribution. To demonstrate the efficiency of injected compounds in fire blight and apple scab control we injected apple trees with antibiotics, plant resistance inducers, and fungicides. Antibiotics, potassium phosphites (PJ) and acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) provided weak control of blossom and shoot blight while oxytetracycline was the most efficient. ASM and PJ significantly expressed PR-1, 2, and 8 protein genes showing resistance activation in apple leaves (SAR) which suppressed the pathogen. Four injections of PJ in spring controlled leaf apple scab for 2 seasons, similar to 2 seasons of standard sprays. To optimize injections for apple scab control we evaluated 1-2 and 4 cross-seasonal and 1-2 seasonal injections of PJ and fungicides. PJ provided better scab control than propiconazole, cyprodinil and difenoconazole and showed better or equal and more persistent scab control with fewer injections than sprays. Control varied among canopy organs due to different transpiration, with best scab control on shoots, fruit, and then spurs. Good scab control is provided by 2-3 spring injections. Residues of synthetic fungicides in fruit were always below the residue tolerances. Fall injection did not improve apple scab control. To get temporally uniform imidacloprid distribution in the crown, best results were achieved by injection dose delivery at 4 times, 14 days apart. Injection method comparison showed that drill-based injection of the liquid imidacloprid formulation provided the highest residue concentration in the canopy when compared to other injection methods. Comparison of 7 trunk injection devices showed that drill-based devices did not provide higher residue concentration of cyprodinil and difenoconazole in apple leaf canopy when compared to needle-insertion device Bite, while Wedgle was similar. All the injection devices allowed similar apple scab control with fungicides. When monitoring the rate of trunk injection port healing in apple trees, we found that port closure with callus lasted for 1-1.3 and >2 years depending on the port size and type. Port closure was faster on the ports with smaller diameters. Around all injection port types, bark cracking due to frost events was higher in vertical direction of the trunk. The visible port depth declined faster on port from 11/64" drill bit and on lenticular injection port from double-edge blade, versus the port from 3/8" drill bit. When the port from 3/8" drill bit was sealed with an Arborplug, visible and covered port depths significantly increased in time due to callus formation on the top and laterally, around the plug. Overall, trunk injection of injection formulated pesticides could be a viable option for disease control in apples with minimal impact of injection ports on the tree.Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Plant Pathology, 2014Includes bibliographical reference
Calculating humanitarian response capacity
No full textThesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-65).Since the year 2000, at least 300 disasters occurred annually, catching more than 100 million people unprepared and in need of international assistance every year. The United Nations operates five humanitarian response depots (UNHRDs), stocked with over 1,000 types of humanitarian relief items. In the event of an emergency, the UNHRDs deploy the pre-positioned stocks to meet the initial demand of those people affected. Our thesis evaluates the response capacity of the UNHRDs to a single potential disaster: what percentage of total affected people can be served and in what time period. Developed from a stochastic linear programming model, this two-part index assumes that the depots operate as a network, lead times are proportional to distances from depots, and stockpiles are optimized individually for each relief item. Given a specific level of initial inventory for each item, the model also provides insight into how to distribute relief items throughout the five depots to minimize the expected delivery time. Based on a marginal benefit analysis, each unit of inventory is allocated to a depot to minimize the total expected delivery times to disasters. We describe how the UNHRDs and other humanitarian relief organizations can strategically pre-position limited emergency relief resources to maximize their capacity to respond to disasters.by Kathryn K. Nishimura and Jian Wang.M.Eng.in Logistic
Whole-canopy source-sink balance at bloom dictates fruit set in cv. Pinot noir subjected to early leaf removal
No full textSevere prebloom leaf removal dramatically affects the source-sink balance in grapevines, leading to a reduction in fruit set. In this study, carried on for two consecutive years, the impact of defoliation at bloom was evaluated with the objective to assess the capacity of developing inflorescences to attract photosynthates from adjacent shoots subjected to varying source/sink manipulations. In Pinot noir trained to a bilateral cordon, untreated vines (UT-UT) were compared to a treatment where shoots on one-half of the vines were subjected to the removal of 10 basal leaves at bloom (UT-LR). Another set of vines underwent sink removal (inflorescences and shoot apex) at bloom on half of the shoots by hand thinning (TFR-UT). A final treatment consisted of removing 10 basal leaves on half of the shoots and removing sinks on the other half of the canopy (TFR-LR). Following treatment application, shoot leaf area retained was similar to 40% of the total in UT-LR and TFR-LR. UT-LR reduced the whole canopy leaf area available per inflorescence by similar to 44% when compared to UT-UT. TFR-LR did not affect this balance. In UT-LR, fruit set was significantly reduced (-36% as compared to UT-UT), whereas it was unaffected by TFR-LR and TFR-UT. Independent of treatments, fruit set in both seasons was correlated with whole-canopy leaf area per inflorescence at bloom and not with the single shoot leaf area retained after early leaf removal
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