Separating temporal and topological effects in walk-based network centrality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colman, Ewan R.; Charlton, Nathaniel

2016-07-01

The recently introduced concept of dynamic communicability is a valuable tool for ranking the importance of nodes in a temporal network. Two metrics, broadcast score and receive score, were introduced to measure the centrality of a node with respect to a model of contagion based on time-respecting walks. This article examines the temporal and structural factors influencing these metrics by considering a versatile stochastic temporal network model. We analytically derive formulas to accurately predict the expectation of the broadcast and receive scores when one or more columns in a temporal edge-list are shuffled. These methods are then applied to two publicly available data sets and we quantify how much the centrality of each individual depends on structural or temporal influences. From our analysis, we highlight two practical contributions: a way to control for temporal variation when computing dynamic communicability and the conclusion that the broadcast and receive scores can, under a range of circumstances, be replaced by the row and column sums of the matrix exponential of a weighted adjacency matrix given by the data.

Do Cows Belong in Nature? The Cultural Basis of Agriculture in Sweden and Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saltzman, Katarina; Head, Lesley; Stenseke, Marie

2011-01-01

Within the now extensive recent literature on cultures of nature, agriculture has received less attention than might have been expected given its threshold role in transforming human relations with the earth and with plants and animals. The concept and practice of agriculture can be understood as central to the emergence and maintenance of the…

Striking a Balance: Academic Advising and the Advisory Working Alliance with Adult Master's-Level Credential Candidates at Regional Campuses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saunders, Cindy Franklin

2012-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the advising approaches and the training received by academic advisors to form an advisory working alliance with adult master's-level credential candidates in educator preparation programs at regional campuses in Southern and Central California. This advisory working alliance concept includes: (a)…

Light bulb heat exchanger for magnetohydrodynamic generator applications - Preliminary evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, J. M.; Hwang, C. C.; Seikel, G. R.

1974-01-01

The light-bulb heat-exchanger concept is investigated as a possible means of using a combustion heat source to supply energy to an inert gas MHD power generator system. In this concept, combustion gases flow through a central passage which consists of a duct with transparent walls through which heat is transferred by radiation to a radiation receiver which in turn heats the inert gas by convection. The effects of combustion-gas emissivity, transparent-wall-transmissivity, radiation-receiver emissivity, and the use of fins in the inert gas coolant passage are studied. The results indicate that inert gas outlet temperatures of 2500 K are possible for combustion temperatures of 3200 K and that sufficient energy can be transferred from the combustion gas to reduce its temperature to approximately 2000 K. At this temperature more conventional heat exchangers can be used.

Distributed MIMO chaotic radar based on wavelength-division multiplexing technology.

PubMed

Yao, Tingfeng; Zhu, Dan; Ben, De; Pan, Shilong

2015-04-15

A distributed multiple-input multiple-output chaotic radar based on wavelength-division multiplexing technology (WDM) is proposed and demonstrated. The wideband quasi-orthogonal chaotic signals generated by different optoelectronic oscillators (OEOs) are emitted by separated antennas to gain spatial diversity against the fluctuation of a target's radar cross section and enhance the detection capability. The received signals collected by the receive antennas and the reference signals from the OEOs are delivered to the central station for joint processing by exploiting WDM technology. The centralized signal processing avoids precise time synchronization of the distributed system and greatly simplifies the remote units, which improves the localization accuracy of the entire system. A proof-of-concept experiment for two-dimensional localization of a metal target is demonstrated. The maximum position error is less than 6.5 cm.

Effects of an injectable trace mineral supplement on first-service conception rate of dairy cows.

PubMed

Vanegas, J A; Reynolds, J; Atwill, E R

2004-11-01

A total of 825 dairy cows from a commercial dairy farm in central California were used to evaluate effects of one or 2 doses of an injectable trace mineral supplement containing 20 mg/mL of zinc, 20 mg/mL of manganese, 5 mg/mL of selenium, and 10 mg/mL of copper on first-service conception rate. Cows were randomly allocated into treatment or control group to either a single dose (experiment 1) or a double dose (experiment 2) of injected supplement. Allocation was based on days in lactation for experiment 1 and the length of gestation periods for experiment 2. In experiment 1, cows 38 to 45 d in lactation (n = 190) received a single dose of 5 mL of injected supplement. Similar cows were used as controls (n = 227). In experiment 2, cows and pregnant heifers received an initial injection of 5 mL of the mineral supplement from 2 to 3 wk precalving (n = 186). An equal dose was repeated 38 to 45 d in lactation. A similar group of cows and pregnant heifers served as controls for experiment 2 (n = 222). Health and reproductive events postcalving were recorded. In experiment 1, the odds of first-service conception were not significantly different for cows receiving a one-dose regimen of minerals compared with untreated control cows; conception rates were 26.8 and 27.5% for experiment 1 treatment and control groups, respectively. In experiment 1, the odds of first-service conception were significantly lower (odds ratio = 0.66) for cows and heifers given the 2-dose regimen of minerals compared with untreated controls; overall conception rates were 21.5 and 31.5% for experiment 2 treatment and control groups, respectively. In this intensively managed dairy herd, a single dose of injected trace minerals before breeding had no beneficial effects on first-service conception rate. However, dairy cows receiving a dose of trace minerals before calving and another dose before breeding had lower conception at first service.

Preliminary design of a solar central receiver for a site-specific repowering application (Saguaro Power Plant). Volume 1. Executive summary. Final report, October 1982-September 1983

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weber, E.R.

1983-09-01

The preliminary design of a solar central receiver repowered gas/oil fired steam-Rankine cycle electric power generation plant was completed. The design is based on a central receiver technology using molten salt (60% NaNO/sub 3/, 40% KNO/sub 3/, by weight) for the heat transport and thermal storage fluid. Unit One of APS's Saguaro power plant located 43 km (27 mi) northwest of Tucson, AZ, is to be repowered. The selection of both the site and the molten salt central receiver promotes a near-term feasibility demonstration and cost-effective power production from an advanced solar thermal technology. The recommended system concept is tomore » repower the existing electric power generating system at the minimum useful level (66 MW/sub e/ gross) using a field of 4850 Martin Marietta second-generation (58.5 m/sup 2/) heliostats and a storage capacity of 4.0 hours. The storage capacity will be used to optimize dispatch of power to the utility system. The preliminary design was based on the use of the systems approach to design where the overall project was divided into systems, each of which is clearly bounded, and performs specific functions. The total project construction cost was estimated to be 213 million in 1983 dollars. The plant will be capable of displacing fossil energy equivalent to 2.4 million barrels of No. 6 oil in its first 10 years of operation.« less

A feasibility study on solar utility total energy system /SUTES/

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bilgen, E.

1980-11-01

A fully dedicated central receiver solar utility (CRSU) designed to meet domestic energy requirements for space heating and hot water has been synthesized and assessed at the conceptual level. The solar utility total energy system (SUTES) integrates (1) a central receiver solar utility (CRSU), (2) an electrical power generating system (EPGS), (3) a hydrogen production plant (HPP), (4) a water chilling system for cooling, heat pump system (HPS), (5) necessary thermal energy storage systems (TES), (6) a district heating and cooling system (DH&CS). All subsystems are close-coupled. Using consistent costing bases, it has been found that the SUTES concept provides energy costs which are lower than those provided by a CRSU. Representative costs are $3.14/GJ versus $8.56/GJ for 10 percent recovery factor and $12.55/GJ versus $13.47/GJ for 17.5 percent recovery factor.

The application of simulation modeling to the cost and performance ranking of solar thermal power plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosenberg, L. S.; Revere, W. R.; Selcuk, M. K.

1981-01-01

A computer simulation code was employed to evaluate several generic types of solar power systems (up to 10 MWe). Details of the simulation methodology, and the solar plant concepts are given along with cost and performance results. The Solar Energy Simulation computer code (SESII) was used, which optimizes the size of the collector field and energy storage subsystem for given engine-generator and energy-transport characteristics. Nine plant types were examined which employed combinations of different technology options, such as: distributed or central receivers with one- or two-axis tracking or no tracking; point- or line-focusing concentrator; central or distributed power conversion; Rankin, Brayton, or Stirling thermodynamic cycles; and thermal or electrical storage. Optimal cost curves were plotted as a function of levelized busbar energy cost and annualized plant capacity. Point-focusing distributed receiver systems were found to be most efficient (17-26 percent).

Solar central receiver heliostat reflector assembly

DOEpatents

Horton, Richard H.; Zdeb, John J.

1980-01-01

A heliostat reflector assembly for a solar central receiver system comprises a light-weight, readily assemblable frame which supports a sheet of stretchable reflective material and includes mechanism for selectively applying tension to and positioning the sheet to stretch it to optical flatness. The frame is mounted on and supported by a pipe pedestal assembly that, in turn, is installed in the ground. The frame is controllably driven in a predetermined way by a light-weight drive system so as to be angularly adjustable in both elevation and azimuth to track the sun and efficiently continuously reflect the sun's rays to a focal zone, i.e. central receiver, which forms part of a solar energy utilization system, such as a solar energy fueled electrical power generation system. The frame may include a built-in system for testing for optical flatness of the reflector. The preferable geometric configuration of the reflector is octagonal; however, it may be other shapes, such as hexagonal, pentagonal or square. Several different embodiments of means for tensioning and positioning the reflector to achieve optical flatness are disclosed. The reflector assembly is based on the stretch frame concept which provides an extremely light-weight, simple, low-cost reflector assembly that may be driven for positioning and tracking by a light-weight, inexpensive drive system.

The prefrontal cortex: categories, concepts and cognition.

PubMed Central

Miller, Earl K; Freedman, David J; Wallis, Jonathan D

2002-01-01

The ability to generalize behaviour-guiding principles and concepts from experience is key to intelligent, goal-directed behaviour. It allows us to deal efficiently with a complex world and to adapt readily to novel situations. We review evidence that the prefrontal cortex-the cortical area that reaches its greatest elaboration in primates-plays a central part in acquiring and representing this information. The prefrontal cortex receives highly processed information from all major forebrain systems, and neurophysiological studies suggest that it synthesizes this into representations of learned task contingencies, concepts and task rules. In short, the prefrontal cortex seems to underlie our internal representations of the 'rules of the game'. This may provide the necessary foundation for the complex behaviour of primates, in whom this structure is most elaborate. PMID:12217179

Implementation of an Integrative Oncological Concept in the Daily Care of a German Certified Breast Cancer Center.

PubMed

Schad, Friedemann; Thronicke, Anja; Merkle, Antje; Steele, Megan L; Kröz, Matthias; Herbstreit, Cornelia; Matthes, Harald

2018-01-01

In recent decades the concept of integrative medicine has attracted growing interest in patients and professionals. At the Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe (GKH), a hospital specialized in anthroposophical medicine, a breast cancer center (BCC) has been successfully certified for more than 5 years. The objective of the present study was to analyze how integrative strategies were implemented in the daily care of primary breast cancer patients. Clinical, demographic, and follow-up data as well as information on non-pharmacological interventions were analyzed. In addition, BCC quality measures were compared with data of the National Breast Cancer Benchmarking Report 2016. Between 2011 and 2016, 741 primary breast cancer patients (median age 57.4 years) were treated at the GKH BCC. 91.5% of the patients showed Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage 0, I, II, or III and 8.2% were in UICC stage IV. 97% of the patients underwent surgery, 53% radiation, 38% had hormone therapy, and 25% received cytostatic drugs. 96% of the patients received non-pharmacological interventions and 32% received Viscum album L. Follow-up was performed in up to 93% of the patients 2 years after first diagnosis. Compared to nationwide benchmarking BCCs, the GKH BCC met the requirements in central items. The results of the present study show that integrative therapies offered by the concept of anthroposophical medicine can be implemented in the daily care and treatment of a certified BCC. However, as national guidelines on integrative concepts in oncology are missing, further studies are needed for a systematic evaluation of integrative treatment and care concepts in this field. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.

Feature Centrality and Property Induction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadjichristidis, Constantinos; Sloman, Steven; Stevenson, Rosemary; Over, David

2004-01-01

A feature is central to a concept to the extent that other features depend on it. Four studies tested the hypothesis that people will project a feature from a base concept to a target concept to the extent that they believe the feature is central to the two concepts. This centrality hypothesis implies that feature projection is guided by a…

Effects of Event-Related Centrality on Concept Accessibility

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mo, Lei; Chen, Hongmin; Li, Ying; Chen, Zhe; He, Xianyou

2007-01-01

In 3 experiments, we explored the accessibility of concepts of varying centrality as defined by the underlying events described in script-based passages. The accessibility of central concepts, as defined by event-relatedness, was compared to that of central concepts defined on the basis of the number of mentions in the text or based on their…

A Good Idea May Not Be Good Enough: Stakeholder Buy In to QuitConnect, a National Smokers' Registry.

PubMed

Macauda, Mark M; Thrasher, James F; Saul, Jessie E; Celestino, Paula; Cummings, K Michael; Strayer, Scott M

2017-01-01

To examine interest and concerns among those who fund and operate state-run smoking cessation helplines (quitlines) about the concept of creating a centralized smokers' registry that could be used to reengage smokers after they receive initial quitline support services. We conducted 3, hour-long focus groups with stakeholders, covering the perceived benefits and barriers to creating a smokers' registry. The focus groups were conducted via telephone. Three groups participated: quitline service providers (n = 14), quitline funders (n = 9), and national quitline partners (n = 8). Data collection: Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and coded for major relevant themes. Analysis Strategies: We used a grounded theory approach. Stakeholders were generally positive about the concept of a centralized smokers' registry (ie, QuitConnect), especially with its potential to link relapsed smokers to ongoing research studies designed to help smokers achieve abstinence from tobacco. However, stakeholders expressed concern about QuitConnect duplicating services already offered by state quitlines. Despite a common goal, many state quitline stakeholders had strong reservations about the creation of a centralized smokers' registry unless they could see clear evidence that the registry added value and was not duplicative of their existing services.

Definition study of land/sea civil user navigational location monitoring systems for NAVSTAR GPS: User requirements and systems concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Devito, D. M.

1981-01-01

A low-cost GPS civil-user mobile terminal whose purchase cost is substantially an order of magnitude less than estimates for the military counterpart is considered with focus on ground station requirements for position monitoring of civil users requiring this capability and the civil user navigation and location-monitoring requirements. Existing survey literature was examined to ascertain the potential users of a low-cost NAVSTAR receiver and to estimate their number, function, and accuracy requirements. System concepts are defined for low cost user equipments for in-situ navigation and the retransmission of low data rate positioning data via a geostationary satellite to a central computing facility.

The Abacus/Reflector and Integrated Symmetrical Concentrator: Concepts for Space Solar Power Collection and Transmission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carrington, Connie; Fikes, John; Gerry, Mark; Perkinson, Don

2000-01-01

New energy sources are vital for the development of emerging nations, and the growth of industry in developed economies. Also vital is the need for these energy sources to be clean and renewable. For the past several years, NASA has been taking a new look at collecting solar energy in space and transmitting it to Earth, to planetary surfaces, and to orbiting spacecraft. Several innovative concepts are being studied for the space segment component of solar power beaming. One is the Abacus/Reflector, a large sun-oriented array structure fixed to the transmitter, and a rotating RF reflector that tracks a receiving rectenna on Earth. This concept eliminates the need for power-conducting slip rings in rotating joints between the solar collectors and the transmitter. Another concept is the Integrated Symmetrical Concentrator (ISC), composed of two very large segmented reflectors which rotate to collect and reflect the incident sunlight onto two centrally-located photovoltaic arrays. Adjacent to the PV arrays is the RF transmitter, which as a unit track the receiving rectenna, again eliminating power-conducting joints, and in addition reducing the cable lengths between the arrays and transmitter. The metering structure to maintain the position of the reflectors is a long mast, oriented perpendicular to the equatorial orbit plane. This paper presents a status of ongoing systems studies and configurations for the Abacus/Reflector and the ISC concepts, and a top-level study of packaging for launch and assembly.

Techno-economic projections for advanced small solar thermal electric power plants to years 1990-2000

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fujita, T.; Manvi, R.; Roschke, E. J.; El-Gabalawi, N.; Herrera, G.; Kuo, T. J.; Chen, K. H.

1979-01-01

Advanced technologies applicable to solar thermal electric power systems in the 1990-200 time-frame are delineated for power applications that fulfill a wide spectrum of small power needs with primary emphasis on power ratings less than 10MWe. Projections of power system characteristics (energy and capital costs as a function of capacity factor) are made based on development of identified promising technologies and are used as the basis for comparing technology development options and combinations of these options to determine developmental directions offering potential for significant improvements. Stirling engines, Brayton/Rankine combined cycles and storage/transport concepts encompassing liquid metals, and reversible-reaction chemical systems are considered for two-axis tracking systems such as the central receiver or power tower concept and distributed parabolic dish receivers which can provide efficient low-cost solar energy collection while achieving high temperatures for efficient energy conversion. Pursuit of advanced technology across a broad front can result in post-1985 solar thermal systems having the potential of approaching the goal of competitiveness with conventional power systems.

Symmetric autocompensating quantum key distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walton, Zachary D.; Sergienko, Alexander V.; Levitin, Lev B.; Saleh, Bahaa E. A.; Teich, Malvin C.

2004-08-01

We present quantum key distribution schemes which are autocompensating (require no alignment) and symmetric (Alice and Bob receive photons from a central source) for both polarization and time-bin qubits. The primary benefit of the symmetric configuration is that both Alice and Bob may have passive setups (neither Alice nor Bob is required to make active changes for each run of the protocol). We show that both the polarization and the time-bin schemes may be implemented with existing technology. The new schemes are related to previously described schemes by the concept of advanced waves.

Maximum performance of solar heat engines: Discussion of thermodynamic availability and other second law considerations and their implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boehm, R. F.

1985-09-01

A review of thermodynamic principles is given in an effort to see if these concepts may indicate possibilities for improvements in solar central receiver power plants. Aspects related to rate limitations in cycles, thermodynamic availability of solar radiation, and sink temperature considerations are noted. It appears that considerably higher instantaneous plant efficiencies are possible by raising the maximum temperature and lowering the minimum temperature of the cycles. Of course, many practical engineering problems will have to be solved to realize the promised benefits.

[Concept of an interdisciplinary emergency department at the Schwarzwald-Baar Hospital].

PubMed

Kumle, B; Merz, S; Geiger, M; Kugel, K; Fink, U

2014-10-01

Numerous hospitals were combined years ago into a new Central Hospital for cost reasons in the Schwarzwald-Baar region. This also suggested the idea of a large central emergency department. The concept of a central emergency department is an organizational challenge, since they are directly engaged in the organizational structure of all medical departments that are involved in emergency treatment. Such a concept can only be enforced if it is supported by hospital management and all parties are willing to accept interdisciplinary and interprofessional work. In this paper, the concept of a central emergency department in a tertiary care hospital which was rebuilt as an organizationally independent unit is described. Collaborations with various departments, emergency services, and local physicians are highlighted. The processes of a central emergency department with an integrated admission department and personnel structures are described. The analysis of the concept after almost a year has shown that the integration into the clinic has been successful, the central emergency department has proven itself as a central hub and has been accepted as a unit within the hospital.

Uncertainty, God, and scrupulosity: Uncertainty salience and priming God concepts interact to cause greater fears of sin.

PubMed

Fergus, Thomas A; Rowatt, Wade C

2015-03-01

Difficulties tolerating uncertainty are considered central to scrupulosity, a moral/religious presentation of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We examined whether uncertainty salience (i.e., exposure to a state of uncertainty) caused fears of sin and fears of God, as well as whether priming God concepts affected the impact of uncertainty salience on those fears. An internet sample of community adults (N = 120) who endorsed holding a belief in God or a higher power were randomly assigned to an experimental manipulation of (1) salience (uncertainty or insecurity) and (2) prime (God concepts or neutral). As predicted, participants who received the uncertainty salience and God concept priming reported the greatest fears of sin. There were no mean-level differences in the other conditions. The effect was not attributable to religiosity and the manipulations did not cause negative affect. We used a nonclinical sample recruited from the internet. These results support cognitive-behavioral models suggesting that religious uncertainty is important to scrupulosity. Implications of these results for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ultra-high field MRI for primate imaging using the travelling-wave concept.

PubMed

Mallow, Johannes; Herrmann, Tim; Kim, Kyoung-Nam; Stadler, Joerg; Mylius, Judith; Brosch, Michael; Bernarding, Johannes

2013-08-01

Ultra-high field (UHF) neuroimaging is usually conducted with volume transmit (Tx) and phased array receive (Rx) coils, both tightly enclosing the object. The travelling-wave (TW) concept allows a remote excitation offering more flexible experimental setups. To investigate the feasibility of primate MRI in horizontal UHF MRI, we first compared the distribution of the electromagnetic fields in an oil phantom and then verified the concept with an in vivo experiment. In the phantom experiments an in-house circularly polarized hybrid birdcage coil and a self-developed patch antenna were used for Tx and an eight-element phased array antenna for Rx. B1+ fields were calculated and measured for both approaches. For in vivo experiments the Rx part was replaced with an optimized three-element phased array head coil. The SAR was calculated using field simulation. In the phantom the field distribution was homogenous in a central volume of interest of about 10 cm diameter. The TW concept showed a slightly better homogeneity. Examination of a female crab-eating macaque led to homogeneous high-contrast images with a good delineation of anatomical details. The TW concept opens up a new approach for MRI of medium-sized animals in horizontal UHF scanners.

Technical Concept Document. Central Archive for Reusable Defense Software (CARDS)

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-02-28

FeNbry 1994 INFORMAL TECHNICAL REPORT For The SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY FOR ADAPTABLE, RELIABLE SYSTEMS (STARS) Technical Concept Document Central Archive for...February 1994 INFORMAL TECHNICAL REPORT For The SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY FOR ADAPTABLE, RELIABLE SYSTEMS (STARS) Technical Concept Document Central Archive...accordance with the DFARS Special Works Clause Developed by: This document, developed under the Software Technology for Adaptable, Reliable Systems

Key concepts in consumer and community engagement: a scoping meta-review.

PubMed

Sarrami-Foroushani, Pooria; Travaglia, Joanne; Debono, Deborah; Braithwaite, Jeffrey

2014-06-13

Although consumer and community engagement (CCE) in health care is receiving increasing attention, research and practice in this area are hampered by the variability of concepts and terminology commonly employed. This scoping meta-review aims to identify key CCE concepts and examine terminology used to describe them. In a scoping meta-review, an extensive list of 47 phrases and 11 Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) was used to undertake a comprehensive and systematic search in PubMed Central, Embase, EBM reviews, CINAHL, APAPsycNET, and Scopus. 59 systematic reviews met the selection criteria and were included in the final analysis. The analysis identified nine different concepts related to CCE: shared decision making, self-management, CCE in health care systems, community-based health promotion, providing access to health care, rehabilitation, participation in research, collaboration in research design and conduct, and peer support. The identified concepts differ from each other in many aspects including the aim of the activity, the role of consumers and the type of professionals' involvement. Each concept was described by a range of terms, with some terms shared by different concepts. In addition, two overlapping concepts of patient-centeredness and patient empowerment were recognised. This study describes CCE-related key concepts and provides new insight into their relationship with different CCE-related terms. Identification of key CCE-related concepts and terms will be useful to focus future studies and initiatives and enhance production of CCE-related evidence.

Key concepts in consumer and community engagement: a scoping meta-review

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Although consumer and community engagement (CCE) in health care is receiving increasing attention, research and practice in this area are hampered by the variability of concepts and terminology commonly employed. This scoping meta-review aims to identify key CCE concepts and examine terminology used to describe them. Methods In a scoping meta-review, an extensive list of 47 phrases and 11 Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) was used to undertake a comprehensive and systematic search in PubMed Central, Embase, EBM reviews, CINAHL, APAPsycNET, and Scopus. Results 59 systematic reviews met the selection criteria and were included in the final analysis. The analysis identified nine different concepts related to CCE: shared decision making, self-management, CCE in health care systems, community-based health promotion, providing access to health care, rehabilitation, participation in research, collaboration in research design and conduct, and peer support. The identified concepts differ from each other in many aspects including the aim of the activity, the role of consumers and the type of professionals’ involvement. Each concept was described by a range of terms, with some terms shared by different concepts. In addition, two overlapping concepts of patient-centeredness and patient empowerment were recognised. Conclusions This study describes CCE-related key concepts and provides new insight into their relationship with different CCE-related terms. Identification of key CCE-related concepts and terms will be useful to focus future studies and initiatives and enhance production of CCE-related evidence. PMID:24923771

Illness self-concept in Type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional view on clinical, demographic, and psychosocial correlates.

PubMed

Luyckx, Koen; Rassart, Jessica; Weets, Ilse

2015-01-01

The present study assessed the centrality of one's illness self-concept, or the degree to which chronic illness intrudes upon one's self, in a sample of 478 18-35-year-old patients with Type 1 diabetes. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that illness self-concept centrality was a one-dimensional construct, despite the fact that three constituting components (i.e. pervasiveness, directionality, and illness self-consciousness) have been forwarded. Further, important demographic and clinical correlates of illness self-concept were identified: women, unemployed individuals, individuals with a lower educational level, and patients with an insulin pump had a more central illness self-concept. Finally, a series of correlation and regression analyses indicated that, despite the fact that illness self-concept centrality was negatively related to emotional stability, self-esteem, and diabetes integration, and positively to perceived consequences of diabetes, illness self-concept had unique predictive value over and above these variables for problem areas in diabetes and depressive symptoms. Implications and suggestions for future research are outlined.

Advanced space solar dynamic receivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strumpf, Hal J.; Coombs, Murray G.; Lacy, Dovie E.

1988-01-01

A study has been conducted to generate and evaluate advanced solar heat receiver concepts suitable for orbital application with Brayton and Stirling engine cycles in the 7-kW size range. The generated receiver designs have thermal storage capability (to enable power production during the substantial eclipse period which accompanies typical orbits) and are lighter and smaller than state-of-the-art systems, such as the Brayton solar receiver being designed and developed by AiResearch for the NASA Space Station. Two receiver concepts have been developed in detail: a packed bed receiver and a heat pipe receiver. The packed bed receiver is appropriate for a Brayton engine; the heat pipe receiver is applicable for either a Brayton or Stirling engine. The thermal storage for both concepts is provided by the melting and freezing of a salt. Both receiver concepts offer substantial improvements in size and weight compared to baseline receivers.

Performance outlook of the SCRAP receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lubkoll, Matti; von Backström, Theodor W.; Harms, Thomas M.

2016-05-01

A combined cycle (CC) concentrating solar power (CSP) plant provides significant potential to achieve an efficiency increase and an electricity cost reduction compared to current single-cycle plants. A CC CSP system requires a receiver technology capable of effectively transferring heat from concentrated solar irradiation to a pressurized air stream of a gas turbine. The small number of pressurized air receivers demonstrated to date have practical limitations, when operating at high temperatures and pressures. As yet, a robust, scalable and efficient system has to be developed and commercialized. A novel receiver system, the Spiky Central Receiver Air Pre-heater (SCRAP) concept has been proposed to comply with these requirements. The SCRAP system is conceived as a solution for an efficient and robust pressurized air receiver that could be implemented in CC CSP concepts or standalone solar Brayton cycles without a bottoming Rankine cycle. The presented work expands on previous publications on the thermal modeling of the receiver system. Based on the analysis of a single heat transfer element (spike), predictions for its thermal performance can be made. To this end the existing thermal model was improved by heat transfer characteristics for the jet impingement region of the spike tip as well as heat transfer models simulating the interaction with ambient. While the jet impingement cooling effect was simulated employing a commercial CFD code, the ambient heat transfer model was based on simplifying assumptions in order to employ empirical and analytical equations. The thermal efficiency of a spike under design conditions (flux 1.0 MW/m2, air outlet temperature just below 800 °C) was calculated at approximately 80 %, where convective heat losses account for 16.2 % of the absorbed radiation and radiative heat losses for a lower 2.9 %. This effect is due to peak surface temperatures occurring at the root of the spikes. It can thus be concluded that the geometric receiver layout assists to limit radiative heat losses.

Concept for a lunar array for very low frequency radio astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marsh, Kenneth A.; Mahoney, Michael J.; Kuiper, Thomas B. H.; Jones, Dayton L.

1992-01-01

We discuss the design considerations relevant to a very low frequency array, to be deployed on the lunar near side during an early expedition. Such an array would operate in the frequency range 1-10 MHz, and would consist nominally of 20 antennas distributed over a region approximately 40 km in extent. Each antenna station would consist of a crossed-dipole antenna, together with a receiver, digitizer, solar cells, and batteries. In addition, the station will contain a UHF transmitter for relaying the digitized signal to a central station where it will be transmitted to Earth for subsequent processing, including cross-correlation with signals from other antennas. Each antenna station (including the central station) would be deployed as a self-contained unit, mounted on a miniature robotic vehicle. No fixed structures are required for the array.

The Global Fleet Station Concept: Meeting Strategic Level Requirements

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-13

combined, and interagency assets to establish a persistent presence with a minimal footprint ashore in the Caribbean Basin and Central America in...the GFS concept and its 2007 deployment to Central America to determine if GFS meets defined strategic requirements. A qualitative analysis was...review the GFS concept and its 2007 deployment to Central America to determine if GFS meets defined strategic requirements. A qualitative analysis was

Design, construction, and testing of the direct absorption receiver panel research experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chavez, J.M.; Rush, E.E.; Matthews, C.W.

1990-01-01

A panel research experiment (PRE) was designed, built, and tested as a scaled-down model of a direct absorption receiver (DAR). The PRE is a 3-MW{sub t}DAR experiment that will allow flow testing with molten nitrate salt and provide a test bed for DAR testing with actual solar heating. In a solar central receiver system DAR, the heat absorbing fluid (a blackened molten nitrate salt) flows in a thin film down a vertical panel (rather than through tubes as in conventional receiver designs) and absorbs the concentrated solar flux directly. The ability of the flowing salt film to absorb flux directly.more » The ability of the flowing salt film to absorb the incident solar flux depends on the panel design, hydraulic and thermal fluid flow characteristics, and fluid blackener properties. Testing of the PRE is being conducted to demonstrate the engineering feasibility of the DAR concept. The DAR concept is being investigated because it offers numerous potential performance and economic advantages for production of electricity when compared to other solar receiver designs. The PRE utilized a 1-m wide by 6-m long absorber panel. The salt flow tests are being used to investigate component performance, panel deformations, and fluid stability. Salt flow testing has demonstrated that all the DAR components work as designed and that there are fluid stability issues that need to be addressed. Future solar testing will include steady-state and transient experiments, thermal loss measurements, responses to severe flux and temperature gradients and determination of peak flux capability, and optimized operation. In this paper, we describe the design, construction, and some preliminary flow test results of the Panel Research Experiment. 11 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.« less

The Concept of Expectancy: A Central Factor in Various Personality Dispositions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haugen, Richard; Ommundsen, Yngvar; Lund, Thorleif

2004-01-01

The hypothesis that the concept of expectancy is a central common core of various personality dispositions was investigated among 228 students of general education and physical education. The participants were scored on the following personality dispositions: global and academic self-concept, optimistic-pessimistic attributional style, motive to…

Organizational models of educational technology in U.S. and Canadian medical schools.

PubMed

Souza, Kevin H; Kamin, Carol; O'Sullivan, Patricia; Moses, Anna; Heestand, Diane

2008-07-01

To examine the organizational structure of educational technology units within U.S. and Canadian medical schools in order to (1) identify organization models that support educational technology, (2) describe key attributes of these models, and (3) discuss the strengths and challenges associated with these models. The authors distributed a survey to 88 schools that had previously provided information on their educational technology services and infrastructure. The authors developed the survey through a series of pilots and, then, from the data for each respondent school, created concept maps, which were used to identify organizational models. The authors conducted analyses to determine differences among models. The authors coded the comments about organizational models and identified themes. The authors received adequate data for analysis from 61 schools (69%). Four models for educational technology organizations emerged: (1) centralized units located in the school of medicine, (2) centralized units located at the health science center, (3) centralized units at the comprehensive university, and (4) no centralized unit (Dispersed Model). The majority (75%) of schools relied on some type of centralized organization. Whereas few organization attributes proved to be statistically significant, the centralized models have more resources devoted to educational technology and a closer alignment with the academic mission than the Dispersed Model. Medical schools primarily use central models. The authors recommend that schools structuring their educational technology resources consider exploration of a central model because of its focused use of resources to improve teaching and learning.

Comparative performance of solar thermal power generation concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wen, L.; Wu, Y. C.

1976-01-01

A performance comparison is made between the central receiver system (power tower) and a distributed system using either dishes or troughs and lines to transport fluids to the power station. These systems were analyzed at a rated capacity of 30 MW of thermal energy delivered in the form of superheated steam at 538 C (1000 F) and 68 atm (1000 psia), using consistent weather data, collector surface waviness, pointing error, and electric conversion efficiency. The comparisons include technical considerations for component requirements, land utilization, and annual thermal energy collection rates. The relative merits of different representative systems are dependent upon the overall conversion as expressed in the form of performance factors in this paper. These factors are essentially indices of the relative performance effectiveness for different concepts based upon unit collector area. These performance factors enable further economic tradeoff studies of systems to be made by comparing them with projected production costs for these systems.

Unpacking the species conundrum: philosophy, practice and a way forward.

PubMed

Shanker, Kartik; Vijayakumar, S P; Ganeshaiah, K N

2017-07-01

The history of ecology and evolutionary biology is rife with attempts to define and delimit species. However, there has been confusion between concepts and criteria, which has led to discussion, debate, and conflict, eventually leading to lack of consistency in delimitation. Here, we provide a broad review of species concepts, a clarification of category versus concept, an account of the general lineage concept (GLC), and finally a way forward for species discovery and delimitation. Historically, species were considered as varieties bound together by reproduction. After over 200 years of uncertainty, Mayr attempted to bring coherence to the definition of species through the biological species concept (BSC). This has, however, received much criticism, and the last half century has spawned at least 20 other concepts. A central philosophical problem is that concepts treat species as 'individuals' while the criteria for categorization treats them as 'classes'. While not getting away from this problem entirely, the GLC attempts to provide a framework where lineage divergence is influenced by a number of different factors (and correlated to different traits) which relate to the different species concepts. We also introduce an 'inclusive' probabilistic approach for understanding and delimiting species. Finally, we provide aWallacean (geography related) approach to the Linnaean problem of identifying and delimiting species, particularly for cases of allopatric divergence, and map this to the GLC. Going one step further, we take a morphometric terrain approach to visualizing and understanding differences between lineages. In summary, we argue that while generalized frameworks may work well for concepts of what species are, plurality and 'inclusive' probabilistic approaches may work best for delimitation.

Client Self-Management: Promoting Self-Help for Parents of Children in Foster-Care

PubMed Central

Angel, Bjørn Øystein

2016-01-01

Drawing upon Foucault's concepts of power, this article shows how a course given to parents whose children are in foster-care encourages a particular form of self-management—most notably, that their internal dialogues must be altered so that the parents can view themselves as people in control of their behaviour who are in a position to choose new behaviour. The article is based on a qualitative study conducted in Norway and centres on the support and development of participants in the course. Study results show increased self-confidence and self-respect in the participants, both as individuals and as parents. In addition, significant benefits were stated as finding that they could verbalise and describe difficult events and emotions, experiencing being ‘normal’ within a group and receiving feedback. From the perspective of child protective services, dialogue with parents is central, as it not only commits clients to specific behaviours, but—more importantly—commits them to a particular inner dialogue about parenthood. The course can be seen as a management tool in which the parent's ‘self’ becomes the central object, seeking to contradict the conventional conception of parents with children in foster-care as having nothing to contribute to their children's upbringing. PMID:27559212

Advanced solar receivers for space power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strumpf, H. J.; Coombs, M. G.; Lacy, D. E.

1988-01-01

A study has been conducted to generate and evaluate advanced solar heat receiver concepts suitable for orbital application with Brayton and Stirling engine cycles in the 7-kW size range. The generated receiver designs have thermal storage capability and, when implemented, will be lighter, smaller, and/or more efficient than baseline systems such as the configuration used for the Brayton solar receiver under development by Garrett AiResearch for the NASA Space Station. In addition to the baseline designs, four other receiver concepts were designed and evaluated with respect to Brayton and Stirling engines. These concepts include a higher temperature version of the baseline receiver, a packed bed receiver, a plate-fin receiver, and a heat pipe receiver. The thermal storage for all designs is provided by the melting and freezing of a salt.

Development of an English Education Course from an Examination of the Existential Concept of Authentic Existence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dillon, Ernest Wright

Since the central concerns of existentialism are the same as the central concerns of education in a democratic society, namely the fullest and freest development of the individual, existential thought was examined for the help it could give educators in more fully realizing this aim. Specifically, the central existential concept of authenticity…

Binary processing and display concepts for low-cost Omega receivers. [airborne systems simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lilley, R. W.

1974-01-01

A description is given of concepts related to plans for developing a low-cost, all-digital Omega receiver capable of offering to the small-aircraft pilot a reliable and accurate navigation aid. The receiver base considered includes a receiver front-end module, a receiver control module, a memory-aided phase-locked loop module, a housekeeping timer module, and a synthesizer module.

Cost and performance of thermal storage concepts in solar thermal systems, Phase 2-liquid metal receivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKenzie, A. W.

Cost and performance of various thermal storage concepts in a liquid metal receiver solar thermal power system application have been evaluated. The objectives of this study are to provide consistently calculated cost and performance data for thermal storage concepts integrated into solar thermal systems. Five alternative storage concepts are evaluated for a 100-MW(e) liquid metal-cooled receiver solar thermal power system for 1, 6, and 15 hours of storage: sodium 2-tank (reference system), molten draw salt 2-tank, sand moving bed, air/rock, and latent heat (phase change) with tube-intensive heat exchange (HX). The results indicate that the all sodium 2-tank thermal storage concept is not cost-effective for storage in excess of 3 or 4 hours; the molten draw salt 2-tank storage concept provides significant cost savings over the reference sodium 2-tank concept; and the air/rock storage concept with pressurized sodium buffer tanks provides the lowest evaluated cost of all storage concepts considered above 6 hours of storage.

Using conceptual spaces to fuse knowledge from heterogeneous robot platforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kira, Zsolt

2010-04-01

As robots become more common, it becomes increasingly useful for many applications to use them in teams that sense the world in a distributed manner. In such situations, the robots or a central control center must communicate and fuse information received from multiple sources. A key challenge for this problem is perceptual heterogeneity, where the sensors, perceptual representations, and training instances used by the robots differ dramatically. In this paper, we use Gärdenfors' conceptual spaces, a geometric representation with strong roots in cognitive science and psychology, in order to represent the appearance of objects and show how the problem of heterogeneity can be intuitively explored by looking at the situation where multiple robots differ in their conceptual spaces at different levels. To bridge low-level sensory differences, we abstract raw sensory data into properties (such as color or texture categories), represented as Gaussian Mixture Models, and demonstrate that this facilitates both individual learning and the fusion of concepts between robots. Concepts (e.g. objects) are represented as a fuzzy mixture of these properties. We then treat the problem where the conceptual spaces of two robots differ and they only share a subset of these properties. In this case, we use joint interaction and statistical metrics to determine which properties are shared. Finally, we show how conceptual spaces can handle the combination of such missing properties when fusing concepts received from different robots. We demonstrate the fusion of information in real-robot experiments with a Mobile Robots Amigobot and Pioneer 2DX with significantly different cameras and (on one robot) a SICK lidar.ÿÿÿÿ

A conceptual framework to facilitate the mental health of student nurses working with persons with intellectual disabilities.

PubMed

van Rensburg, Elsie S Janse; Poggenpoel, Marie; Myburgh, Chris

2015-11-25

Student nurses (SNs) experience emotional discomfort during placement in the clinical psychiatric learning environment. This may negatively influence their mental health. Limited support is available to assist both SNs working with persons with intellectual disabilities and nurse educators during clinical accompaniment. This article aims to discuss the generation of this framework to enhance student support. A theory-generative, qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual design was utilised to develop the framework by applying four steps. In step 1 concept analysis identified the central concept through field work. Data were collected from 13 SNs purposively selected from a specific higher educational institution in Gauteng through two focus group interviews, reflective journals, a reflective letter, naïve sketches, drawings and field notes and analysed with thematic coding. The central concept was identified from the results, supported by a literature review and defined by essential attributes. The central concept was classified through a survey list and demonstrated in a model case. In step 2 the central concepts were placed into relationships with each other. The conceptual framework was described and evaluated in step 3 and guidelines for implementation were described in step 4. The focus of this article will be on generating the conceptual framework. The central concept was 'the facilitation of engagement on a deeper emotional level of SNs'. The conceptual framework was described and evaluated. The conceptual framework can enhance the educational practices of nurse educators and can SN's practices of care for persons with intellectual disabilities.

Beliefs About the Causal Structure of the Self-Concept Determine Which Changes Disrupt Personal Identity.

PubMed

Chen, Stephanie Y; Urminsky, Oleg; Bartels, Daniel M

2016-10-01

Personal identity is an important determinant of behavior, yet how people mentally represent their self-concepts and their concepts of other people is not well understood. In the current studies, we examined the age-old question of what makes people who they are. We propose a novel approach to identity that suggests that the answer lies in people's beliefs about how the features of identity (e.g., memories, moral qualities, personality traits) are causally related to each other. We examined the impact of the causal centrality of a feature, a key determinant of the extent to which a feature defines a concept, on judgments of identity continuity. We found support for this approach in three experiments using both measured and manipulated causal centrality. For judgments both of one's self and of others, we found that some features are perceived to be more causally central than others and that changes in such causally central features are believed to be more disruptive to identity.

Academic Race Stereotypes, Academic Self-Concept, and Racial Centrality in African American Youth.

PubMed

Okeke, Ndidi A; Howard, Lionel C; Kurtz-Costes, Beth; Rowley, Stephanie J

2009-08-01

The relation between academic race stereotype endorsement and academic self-concept was examined in two studies of seventh- and eighth-grade African Americans. Based on expectancy-value theory, the authors hypothesized that academic race stereotype endorsement would be negatively related to self-perceptions. Furthermore, it was anticipated that the relation between stereotype endorsement and self-perceptions would be moderated by racial centrality. The hypothesis was supported in two independent samples. Among students with high racial centrality, endorsement of traditional race stereotypes was linked to lower self-perceptions of academic competence. The stereotype/self-concept relation was nonsignificant among youth for whom race was less central to their identities. These results confirm the supposition of expectancy-value theory and illustrate the interweaving of group and individual identity with motivational beliefs.

The effect of altering self-descriptive behavior on self-concept and classroom behavior.

PubMed

Lane, J; Muller, D

1977-09-01

This research examined the impact of operant reinforcement of positive self-descriptive behavior on the self-concepts and classroom behavior of 60 fifth-grade students. Three groups of 10 male and 10 female low self-concept students wrote a series of eight essays describing their school performance. The first group (P) received written reinforcement for positive self-descriptions of their school performance. The second group (G) received an equal number of reinforcements for general statements. The third group (C) received no reinforcement for written statements. Three areas of self-concept were measured with the Primary Self-Concept Inventory: personal-self, social-self, and intellectual-self. A frequency count was also made of nine classroom behaviors thought to be influenced by self-concept. The P group displayed increases in the frequency of positive self-descriptive statement and in intellectual self-concept but no changes in personal self-concept, social self-concept, or the nine classroom behaviors. The G and C groups showed no change in self-description, self-concept, or the nine classroom behaviors.

Object-oriented design and programming in medical decision support.

PubMed

Heathfield, H; Armstrong, J; Kirkham, N

1991-12-01

The concept of object-oriented design and programming has recently received a great deal of attention from the software engineering community. This paper highlights the realisable benefits of using the object-oriented approach in the design and development of clinical decision support systems. These systems seek to build a computational model of some problem domain and therefore tend to be exploratory in nature. Conventional procedural design techniques do not support either the process of model building or rapid prototyping. The central concepts of the object-oriented paradigm are introduced, namely encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism, and their use illustrated in a case study, taken from the domain of breast histopathology. In particular, the dual roles of inheritance in object-oriented programming are examined, i.e., inheritance as a conceptual modelling tool and inheritance as a code reuse mechanism. It is argued that the use of the former is not entirely intuitive and may be difficult to incorporate into the design process. However, inheritance as a means of optimising code reuse offers substantial technical benefits.

Distilling reliable remedies: Hieronymus Brunschwig's Liber de arte distillandi (1500) between alchemical learning and craft practice.

PubMed

Taape, Tillmann

2014-08-01

Hieronymus Brunschwig's Liber de arte distillandi, written in German and first published in Strasbourg in 1500, was the first printed manual on the distillation of medicinal waters. Although influential among early modern audiences and well known to modern scholars, its intriguing blend of intellectual and practical traditions has thus far received little attention. This paper identifies these strands in Brunschwig's technical instructions and shows how they intertwine in the production of reliable remedies. Exploring the intellectual dimension of Brunschwig's work, I argue that his concept of distillation is shaped by an alchemical understanding of matter, especially by the writings on 'quintessence' of the fourteenth-century alchemist John of Rupescissa. To realise this concept in the workshop, Brunschwig emphasises the central importance of the body and its senses to ensure true craftsmanship. Brunschwig's printed manual was as much a product of skilled artisanal practices as the distilled waters it describes, and I argue that it was shaped by the same concerns about technical precision and reliability.

The effects of regional insolation differences upon advanced solar thermal electric power plant performance and energy costs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Latta, A. F.; Bowyer, J. M.; Fujita, T.

1979-01-01

This paper presents the performance and cost of four 10-MWe advanced solar thermal electric power plants sited in various regions of the continental United States. Each region has different insolation characteristics which result in varying collector field areas, plant performance, capital costs, and energy costs. The paraboloidal dish, central receiver, cylindrical parabolic trough, and compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) comprise the advanced concepts studied. This paper contains a discussion of the regional insolation data base, a description of the solar systems' performances and costs, and a presentation of a range for the forecast cost of conventional electricity by region and nationally over the next several decades.

The locator system for wandering individuals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, Shayla

1992-01-01

Configurations and operation strategies are described for a wanderer locator system based on wireless radio frequency communication designed to monitor elderly patients who may wander beyond safe perimeters in the home or in an institutional setting. The modular components of this wandering notification system are (1) portable transmitter/receivers to be worn or carried by the patient and the caretaker, (2) detectors to be mounted in doorways or other perimeters of a safe area, (3) programmable central processing units to control, communicate with, and/or trace the portable and remote devices, and (4) a cathode ray tube that can display information on patient location or system status. Photographs of all system components and illustrations of operations concepts are included.

Solar central receiver reformer system for ammonia plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1980-07-01

An overview of a study to retrofit the Valley Nitrogen Producers, Inc., El Centro, California 600 ST/SD Ammonia Plant with Solar Central Receiver Technology is presented. The retrofit system consists of a solar central receiver reformer (SCRR) operating in parallel with the existing fossil fired reformer. Steam and hydrocarbon react in the catalyst filled tubes of the inner cavity receiver to form a hydrogen rich mixture which is the syngas feed for the ammonia production. The SCRR system will displace natural gas presently used in the fossil reformer combustion chamber.

The place of probability in Hilbert's axiomatization of physics, ca. 1900-1928

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verburgt, Lukas M.

2016-02-01

Although it has become a common place to refer to the 'sixth problem' of Hilbert's (1900) Paris lecture as the starting point for modern axiomatized probability theory, his own views on probability have received comparatively little explicit attention. The central aim of this paper is to provide a detailed account of this topic in light of the central observation that the development of Hilbert's project of the axiomatization of physics went hand-in-hand with a redefinition of the status of probability theory and the meaning of probability. Where Hilbert first regarded the theory as a mathematizable physical discipline and later approached it as a 'vague' mathematical application in physics, he eventually understood probability, first, as a feature of human thought and, then, as an implicitly defined concept without a fixed physical interpretation. It thus becomes possible to suggest that Hilbert came to question, from the early 1920s on, the very possibility of achieving the goal of the axiomatization of probability as described in the 'sixth problem' of 1900.

Improving Conceptions in Analytical Chemistry: The Central Limit Theorem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rodriguez-Lopez, Margarita; Carrasquillo, Arnaldo, Jr.

2006-01-01

This article describes the central limit theorem (CLT) and its relation to analytical chemistry. The pedagogic rational, which argues for teaching the CLT in the analytical chemistry classroom, is discussed. Some analytical chemistry concepts that could be improved through an understanding of the CLT are also described. (Contains 2 figures.)

Simplifying Central Place Theory Using GIS and GPS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Theo, Lisa

2011-01-01

A constant struggle for teachers at all levels is finding ways to successfully teach students complex theories and concepts. Student comprehension is often enhanced by applying these theories and concepts to real world situations. This project demonstrates central place theory by examining highway billboard signs along major Wisconsin highways. In…

International Military Cooperation: From Concepts to Constructs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

D'Orazio, Vito

2013-01-01

International cooperation on issues of security is a central concept in many theoretical debates in international relations. This dissertation is an attempt to lay the foundation for measuring military cooperation and understanding the forces brought forth through its expansion. The central notion is that the set of policies related to military…

Development of the Central Dogma Concept Inventory (CDCI) Assessment Tool

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newman, Dina L.; Snyder, Christopher W.; Fisk, J. Nick; Wright, L. Kate

2016-01-01

Scientific teaching requires scientifically constructed, field-tested instruments to accurately evaluate student thinking and gauge teacher effectiveness. We have developed a 23-question, multiple select--format assessment of student understanding of the essential concepts of the central dogma of molecular biology that is appropriate for all…

Academic Race Stereotypes, Academic Self-Concept, and Racial Centrality in African American Youth

PubMed Central

Okeke, Ndidi A.; Howard, Lionel C.; Kurtz-Costes, Beth; Rowley, Stephanie J.

2010-01-01

The relation between academic race stereotype endorsement and academic self-concept was examined in two studies of seventh- and eighth-grade African Americans. Based on expectancy-value theory, the authors hypothesized that academic race stereotype endorsement would be negatively related to self-perceptions. Furthermore, it was anticipated that the relation between stereotype endorsement and self-perceptions would be moderated by racial centrality. The hypothesis was supported in two independent samples. Among students with high racial centrality, endorsement of traditional race stereotypes was linked to lower self-perceptions of academic competence. The stereotype/self-concept relation was nonsignificant among youth for whom race was less central to their identities. These results confirm the supposition of expectancy-value theory and illustrate the interweaving of group and individual identity with motivational beliefs. PMID:20625536

Self-Identity After Bereavement: Reduced Self-Clarity and Loss-Centrality in Emotional Problems After the Death of a Loved One.

PubMed

Boelen, Paul A

2017-05-01

There is evidence that both the centrality of a loss-event as well as reduced self-concept clarity are involved in emotional problems after the death of a loved one. One issue that is still unexplored is the relative importance of these two concepts in predicting bereavement outcome. The current study examined the degree to which both concepts contribute to emotional distress after loss, both concurrently and longitudinally. Data were available from 124 individuals, all bereaved within the previous half year, who completed measures of prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress, and depression at inclusion into the study and again 6 months later. Loss-centrality and self-unclarity were associated with all three outcome measures, in cross-sectional analyses. Longitudinal analyses indicated that loss-centrality predicted symptom levels of prolonged grief, self-unclarity predicted symptom levels of depression, and both loss-centrality and self-unclarity were associated with posttraumatic stress 6 months after baseline. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Mantle transition zone beneath central-eastern Greenland: Possible evidence for a deep tectosphere from receiver functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraft, Helene Anja; Vinnik, Lev; Thybo, Hans

2018-03-01

We investigate the mantle of central-eastern Greenland by using recordings with data from 24 local broad-band seismograph stations. We apply P wave receiver function technique and evaluate the difference in the arrival times of seismic phases that are formed by P to SV mode conversion at the 410-km and 660-km seismic discontinuities. These boundaries mark the top and bottom of the mantle transition zone (MTZ). The difference in the arrival time of the phases from the 410-km and 660-km discontinuities is sensitive to the thickness of the MTZ and relatively insensitive to volumetric velocity anomalies above the 410-km discontinuity. Near the east coast of Greenland in the region of the Skaergaard basalt intrusions we find two regions where the differential time is reduced by more than 2 s. The 410-km discontinuity in these regions is depressed by more than 20 km. The depression may be explained by a temperature elevation of 150 °C. We hypothesize that the basaltic intrusions and the temperature anomalies at a depth of 400 km are, at least partly, effects of the passage of Greenland over the Iceland hotspot at about 55 Ma. This explanation is consistent with the concept of tectosphere and implies that the upper mantle to a depth of 400 km translates coherently with the Greenland plate.

Where Is the Imbalance?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, John H. F.

2009-01-01

For many researchers, the concept of a power imbalance is central to the understanding of bullying, and its presence in the bully-victim relationship is a prerequisite condition that needs to be fulfilled before bullying is deemed to have taken place. Despite the concept's central importance in many definitions of bullying, the nature of the power…

Impact of Aerosols on Atmospheric Attenuation Loss in Central Receiver Systems: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sengupta, M.; Wagner, M. J.

2011-08-01

Atmospheric attenuation loss between the heliostat field and receiver has been recognized as a significant source of loss in Central Receiver Systems. In clear sky situations, extinction of Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) is primarily by aerosols in the atmosphere. When aerosol loading is high close to the surface the attenuation loss between heliostat and receivers is significantly influenced by the amount of aerosols present on a particular day. This study relates measured DNI to aerosol optical depths close to the surface of the earth. The model developed in the paper uses only measured DNI to estimate the attenuation between heliostatmore » and receiver in a central receiver system. The requirement that only a DNI measurement is available potentially makes the model a candidate for widespread use.« less

University Students' Conceptions about the Concept of Gene: Interest of Historical Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boujemaa, Agorram; Pierre, Clement; Sabah, Selmaoui; Salaheddine, Khzami; Jamal, Chafik; Abdellatif, Chiadli

2010-01-01

Concepts of genetics are often difficult to teach, specifically the central concept of gene. Even the scientists disagree when defining this concept. This paper investigates university students' understanding about the gene and its functions. The results show the dominance of two conceptions of the gene: the Neoclassical model and the Mendelian…

Low-temperature thermal control for a lunar base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swanson, Theodore D.; Radermacher, Reinhard; Costello, Frederick A.; Moore, James S., Jr.; Mengers, David R.

1990-01-01

The generic problem of rejecting low- to moderate-temperature heat from space facilities located in a hot thermal sink environment is studied, and the example of a lunar base located near the equator is described. The effective thermal sink temperature is often above or near nominal room temperature. A three heat pump assisted thermal bus concept appears to be the most viable as they are the least sensitive to environmental conditions. Weight estimates are also developed for each of the five thermal control concepts studied: (1) 149kg/kW for a central thermal loop with unitary heat pumps; (2) 133 kg/kW for a conventional bus connected to large, central heat pumps at the radiator; (3) 134 kg/kW for a central, dual loop heat pump concept; (4) 95 kg/kW for the selective field-of-view radiator; and (5) 126 kg/kW for the regolith concept.

The Central Nervous Connections Involved in the Vomiting Reflex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brizzee, K. R.; Mehler, W. R.

1986-01-01

The vomiting reflex may be elicited by a number of different types or classes of stimuli involving many varieties of receptor structures and considerable diversity in afferent pathways and central connections. Central relay or mediating structures thus may vary widely according to the type of initial emetic stimulus. The emetic circuits which have been most completely delineated to date are probably those in which the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ) in the Area Postrema (AP) functions as a key mediating structure. Even in this system, however, there are large gaps in our knowledge of the nerve tracts and central nervous connections involved. Knowledge of most other emetic circuits subserving the emetic reflex resulting from many diverse types of stimuli such, for example, as emotional stress (e.g. psychogenic vomiting, Wruble et al. 1982), pain (e.g. testicular trauma), and chemical or mechanical irritation of the gastrointestinal tract or urinary tract is quite incomplete at this time, thus precluding any very adequate description of their central connections at present. One physiological system, however, which has received considerable attention recently in relation to the vomiting reflex elicited by motion stimuli is the vestibular system. Due to the paucity of data on central nervous connections of several or the non-vestibular types of emetic stimuli cited above, we will devote most of our attention in this brief review to the central connections of the vestibular system which seem likely to be involved in the vomiting response to motion stimuli. However, the latter part of the review will be concerned with the concept of the reticular vomiting centre in relation to the ParviCellular Reticular Formation (PCRF), and will thus probably pertain to all of the many classes of emetic stimuli since it will address the question of the final common emetic pathway.

The development of an advanced generic solar dynamic heat receiver thermal model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Y. C.; Roschke, E. J.; Kohout, L.

1988-01-01

An advanced generic solar dynamic heat receiver thermal model under development which can analyze both orbital transient and orbital average conditions is discussed. This model can be used to study advanced receiver concepts, evaluate receiver concepts under development, analyze receiver thermal characteristics under various operational conditions, and evaluate solar dynamic system thermal performances in various orbit conditions. The model and the basic considerations that led to its creation are described, and results based on a set of baseline orbit, configuration, and operational conditions are presented to demonstrate the working of the receiver model.

Health, vital goals, and central human capabilities.

PubMed

Venkatapuram, Sridhar

2013-06-01

I argue for a conception of health as a person's ability to achieve or exercise a cluster of basic human activities. These basic activities are in turn specified through free-standing ethical reasoning about what constitutes a minimal conception of a human life with equal human dignity in the modern world. I arrive at this conception of health by closely following and modifying Lennart Nordenfelt's theory of health which presents health as the ability to achieve vital goals. Despite its strengths I transform Nordenfelt's argument in order to overcome three significant drawbacks. Nordenfelt makes vital goals relative to each community or context and significantly reflective of personal preferences. By doing so, Nordenfelt's conception of health faces problems with both socially relative concepts of health and subjectively defined wellbeing. Moreover, Nordenfelt does not ever explicitly specify a set of vital goals. The theory of health advanced here replaces Nordenfelt's (seemingly) empty set of preferences and society-relative vital goals with a human species-wide conception of basic vital goals, or 'central human capabilities and functionings'. These central human capabilities come out of the capabilities approach (CA) now familiar in political philosophy and economics, and particularly reflect the work of Martha Nussbaum. As a result, the health of an individual should be understood as the ability to achieve a basic cluster of beings and doings-or having the overarching capability, a meta-capability, to achieve a set of central or vital inter-related capabilities and functionings. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

HEALTH, VITAL GOALS, AND CENTRAL HUMAN CAPABILITIES

PubMed Central

Venkatapuram, Sridhar

2013-01-01

I argue for a conception of health as a person's ability to achieve or exercise a cluster of basic human activities. These basic activities are in turn specified through free-standing ethical reasoning about what constitutes a minimal conception of a human life with equal human dignity in the modern world. I arrive at this conception of health by closely following and modifying Lennart Nordenfelt's theory of health which presents health as the ability to achieve vital goals. Despite its strengths I transform Nordenfelt's argument in order to overcome three significant drawbacks. Nordenfelt makes vital goals relative to each community or context and significantly reflective of personal preferences. By doing so, Nordenfelt's conception of health faces problems with both socially relative concepts of health and subjectively defined wellbeing. Moreover, Nordenfelt does not ever explicitly specify a set of vital goals. The theory of health advanced here replaces Nordenfelt's (seemingly) empty set of preferences and society-relative vital goals with a human species-wide conception of basic vital goals, or ‘central human capabilities and functionings’. These central human capabilities come out of the capabilities approach (CA) now familiar in political philosophy and economics, and particularly reflect the work of Martha Nussbaum. As a result, the health of an individual should be understood as the ability to achieve a basic cluster of beings and doings—or having the overarching capability, a meta-capability, to achieve a set of central or vital inter-related capabilities and functionings. PMID:22420910

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current concepts and new therapeutic options].

PubMed

Klemmer, A; Greulich, T; Koczulla, A R; Vogelmeier, C F

2014-04-01

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very common chronic disease with increasing prevalence. Inhaled particles and gases (in particular tobacco smoke) induce chronic inflammation of the airways accompanied by a not fully reversible airflow limitation. Destruction of lung tissue and deterioration of gas exchange may follow. In parallel, several comorbidities can be observed. The COPD assessment was revised and now takes into account lung function, the patients' symptoms, and history of exacerbations. More recently, several new long-acting bronchodilators received approval. Combination products, consisting of long-acting β2-agonists and long-acting anticholinergics, and a new combination of a long-acting β-agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid will follow in the near future. Smoking cessation is of central importance.

An examination of the factors affecting people's participation in future health examinations based on community health exam interventions.

PubMed

Tu, Shih-Kai; Liao, Hung-En

2014-01-01

Community-based intervention health examinations were implemented at a health care facility to comply with the government's primary health care promotion policy. The theory of planned behavior model was applied to examine the effect that community-based health examinations had on people's health concepts regarding seeking future health examinations. The research participants were individuals who had received a health examination provided at two branches of a hospital in central Taiwan in 2012. The hospital's two branches held a total of 14 free community-based health examination sessions. The hospital provided health examination equipment and staff to perform health examinations during public holidays. We conducted an exploratory questionnaire survey to collect data and implemented cross-sectional research based on anonymous self-ratings to examine the public's intention to receive future community-based or hospital-based health examinations. Including of 807 valid questionnaires, accounting for 89.4% of the total number of questionnaires distributed. The correlation coefficients of the second-order structural model indicate that attitudes positively predict behavioral intentions (γ = .66, p < .05), and subjective norms also positively predict behavioral intentions (γ = .66, p < .01). By contrast, perceived behavioral control has no significant relationship with behavioral intentions (γ = -.71, p > .05). The results of the first-order structural model indicated that the second-order constructs had a high explanatory power for the first-order constructs. People's health concepts regarding health examinations and their desire to continue receiving health examinations must be considered when promoting health examinations in the community. Regarding hospital management and the government's implementation of primary health care, health examination services should address people's medical needs to increase coverage and participation rates and reduce the waste of medical resources.

Advanced Thermal Storage for Central Receivers with Supercritical Coolants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelly, Bruce D.

2010-06-15

The principal objective of the study is to determine if supercritical heat transport fluids in a central receiver power plant, in combination with ceramic thermocline storage systems, offer a reduction in levelized energy cost over a baseline nitrate salt concept. The baseline concept uses a nitrate salt receiver, two-tank (hot and cold) nitrate salt thermal storage, and a subcritical Rankine cycle. A total of 6 plant designs were analyzed, as follows: Plant Designation Receiver Fluid Thermal Storage Rankine Cycle Subcritical nitrate salt Nitrate salt Two tank nitrate salt Subcritical Supercritical nitrate salt Nitrate salt Two tank nitrate salt Supercritical Lowmore » temperature H2O Supercritical H2O Two tank nitrate salt Supercritical High temperature H2O Supercritical H2O Packed bed thermocline Supercritical Low temperature CO2 Supercritical CO2 Two tank nitrate salt Supercritical High temperature CO2 Supercritical CO2 Packed bed thermocline Supercritical Several conclusions have been drawn from the results of the study, as follows: 1) The use of supercritical H2O as the heat transport fluid in a packed bed thermocline is likely not a practical approach. The specific heat of the fluid is a strong function of the temperatures at values near 400 °C, and the temperature profile in the bed during a charging cycle is markedly different than the profile during a discharging cycle. 2) The use of supercritical CO2 as the heat transport fluid in a packed bed thermocline is judged to be technically feasible. Nonetheless, the high operating pressures for the supercritical fluid require the use of pressure vessels to contain the storage inventory. The unit cost of the two-tank nitrate salt system is approximately $24/kWht, while the unit cost of the high pressure thermocline system is nominally 10 times as high. 3) For the supercritical fluids, the outer crown temperatures of the receiver tubes are in the range of 700 to 800 °C. At temperatures of 700 °C and above, intermetallic compounds can precipitate between, and within, the grains of nickel alloys. The precipitation leads to an increase in tensile strength, and a decrease in ductility. Whether the proposed tube materials can provide the required low cycle fatigue life for the supercritical H2O and CO2 receivers is an open question. 4) A ranking of the plants, in descending order of technical and economic feasibility, is as follows: i) Supercritical nitrate salt and baseline nitrate salt: equal ratings ii) Low temperature supercritical H2O iii) Low temperature supercritical CO2 iv) High temperature supercritical CO2 v) High temperature supercritical H2O 5) The two-tank nitrate salt thermal storage systems are strongly preferred over the thermocline systems using supercritical heat transport fluids.« less

Fibromyalgia and overlapping disorders: the unifying concept of central sensitivity syndromes.

PubMed

Yunus, Muhammad B

2007-06-01

To discuss fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and overlapping conditions, eg, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome, within the concept of central sensitivity syndromes (CSS). A critical overview of the literature and incorporation of the author's own views. The concept of CSS seems viable. It is based on mutual associations among the CSS conditions as well as the evidence for central sensitization (CS) among several CSS members. However, such evidence is weak or not available in other members at this time, requiring further studies. The biology of CSS is based on neuroendocrine aberrations, including CS, that interact with psychosocial factors to cause a number of symptoms. CSS is an important new concept that embraces the biopsychosocial model of disease. Further critical studies are warranted to fully test this concept. However, it seems to have important significance for new directions for research and patient care involving physician and patient education. Each patient, irrespective of diagnosis, should be treated as an individual considering both the biological and psychosocial contributions to his or her symptoms and suffering.

Comparing Self-Concept Among Youth Currently Receiving Inpatient Versus Outpatient Mental Health Services

PubMed Central

Choi, Chris; Ferro, Mark A.

2018-01-01

Objective This study compared levels of self-concept among youth who were currently receiving inpatient versus outpatient mental health services. Method Forty-seven youth were recruited from the Child & Youth Mental Health Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Self-concept was measured using the Self-Perception Profile for Children and Adolescents. Results The mean age was 14.5 years and most participants were female (70.2%). ANOVAs comparing self-concept with population norms showed large significant effects (d = 0.77 to 1.93) indicating compromised self-concept among youth receiving mental health services. Regression analyses controlling for patient age, sex, family income, and diagnoses of major depressive disorder, generalized social phobia, and generalized anxiety showed that the inpatient setting was a significant predictor of lower global self-worth (β=−.26; p=.035). Conclusions Compared to outpatients, inpatients generally reported lower self-concept, but differences were significant only for global self-worth. Future research replicating this finding and assessing its clinical significance is encouraged. PMID:29375635

Comparing Self-Concept Among Youth Currently Receiving Inpatient Versus Outpatient Mental Health Services.

PubMed

Choi, Chris; Ferro, Mark A

2018-01-01

This study compared levels of self-concept among youth who were currently receiving inpatient versus outpatient mental health services. Forty-seven youth were recruited from the Child & Youth Mental Health Program at McMaster Children's Hospital. Self-concept was measured using the Self-Perception Profile for Children and Adolescents. The mean age was 14.5 years and most participants were female (70.2%). ANOVAs comparing self-concept with population norms showed large significant effects (d = 0.77 to 1.93) indicating compromised self-concept among youth receiving mental health services. Regression analyses controlling for patient age, sex, family income, and diagnoses of major depressive disorder, generalized social phobia, and generalized anxiety showed that the inpatient setting was a significant predictor of lower global self-worth (β=-.26; p=.035). Compared to outpatients, inpatients generally reported lower self-concept, but differences were significant only for global self-worth. Future research replicating this finding and assessing its clinical significance is encouraged.

Comparing Self-Concept Among Youth Currently Receiving Inpatient Versus Outpatient Mental Health Services

PubMed Central

Choi, Chris; Ferro, Mark A.

2018-01-01

Objective This study compared levels of self-concept among youth who were currently receiving inpatient versus outpatient mental health services. Method Forty-seven youth were recruited from the Child & Youth Mental Health Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Self-concept was measured using the Self-Perception Profile for Children and Adolescents. Results The mean age was 14.5 years and most participants were female (70.2%). ANOVAs comparing self-concept with population norms showed large significant effects (d = 0.77 to 1.93) indicating compromised self-concept among youth receiving mental health services. Regression analyses controlling for patient age, sex, family income, and diagnoses of major depressive disorder, generalized social phobia, and generalized anxiety showed that the inpatient setting was a significant predictor of lower global self-worth (β=−.26; p=.035). Conclusions Compared to outpatients, inpatients generally reported lower self-concept, but differences were significant only for global self-worth. Future research replicating this finding and assessing its clinical significance is encouraged. PMID:29399020

Fiber optic interconnect and optoelectronic packaging challenges for future generation avionics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beranek, Mark W.

2007-02-01

Forecasting avionics industry fiber optic interconnect and optoelectronic packaging challenges that lie ahead first requires an assumption that military avionics architectures will evolve from today's centralized/unified concept based on gigabit laser, optical-to-electrical-to-optical switching and optical backplane technology, to a future federated/distributed or centralized/unified concept based on gigabit tunable laser, electro-optical switch and add-drop wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. The requirement to incorporate avionics optical built-in test (BIT) in military avionics fiber optic systems is also assumed to be correct. Taking these assumptions further indicates that future avionics systems engineering will use WDM technology combined with photonic circuit integration and advanced packaging to form the technical basis of the next generation military avionics onboard local area network (LAN). Following this theme, fiber optic cable plants will evolve from today's multimode interconnect solution to a single mode interconnect solution that is highly installable, maintainable, reliable and supportable. Ultimately optical BIT for fiber optic fault detection and isolation will be incorporated as an integral part of a total WDM-based avionics LAN solution. Cost-efficient single mode active and passive photonic component integration and packaging integration is needed to enable reliable operation in the harsh military avionics application environment. Rugged multimode fiber-based transmitters and receivers (transceivers) with in-package optical BIT capability are also needed to enable fully BIT capable single-wavelength fiber optic links on both legacy and future aerospace platforms.

Contextual Processing of Abstract Concepts Reveals Neural Representations of Non-Linguistic Semantic Content

PubMed Central

Wilson-Mendenhall, Christine D.; Simmons, W. Kyle; Martin, Alex; Barsalou, Lawrence W.

2014-01-01

Concepts develop for many aspects of experience, including abstract internal states and abstract social activities that do not refer to concrete entities in the world. The current study assessed the hypothesis that, like concrete concepts, distributed neural patterns of relevant, non-linguistic semantic content represent the meanings of abstract concepts. In a novel neuroimaging paradigm, participants processed two abstract concepts (convince, arithmetic) and two concrete concepts (rolling, red) deeply and repeatedly during a concept-scene matching task that grounded each concept in typical contexts. Using a catch trial design, neural activity associated with each concept word was separated from neural activity associated with subsequent visual scenes to assess activations underlying the detailed semantics of each concept. We predicted that brain regions underlying mentalizing and social cognition (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex, superior temporal sulcus) would become active to represent semantic content central to convince, whereas brain regions underlying numerical cognition (e.g., bilateral intraparietal sulcus) would become active to represent semantic content central to arithmetic. The results supported these predictions, suggesting that the meanings of abstract concepts arise from distributed neural systems that represent concept-specific content. PMID:23363408

Predicting Eight Grade Students' Equation Solving Performances via Concepts of Variable and Equality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ertekin, Erhan

2017-01-01

This study focused on how two algebraic concepts- equality and variable- predicted 8th grade students' equation solving performance. In this study, predictive design as a correlational research design was used. Randomly selected 407 eight-grade students who were from the central districts of a city in the central region of Turkey participated in…

Eurelios - The 1-MW(el) helioelectric power plant of the European Community Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borgese, D.; Dinelli, G.; Faure, J. J.; Gretz, J.; Schober, G.

1984-02-01

The Eurelios solar thermal electricity-generating plant is based on the central receiver principle. Mirror surfaces totaling 6200 sq m are mounted on 182 heliostats which reflect solar flux into a central receiver atop a 55-m high tower. Water is circulated through the receiver, which converts it to steam that in turn drives a turbine generator. A bypass is used for start-up and shut-down procedures, and a thermal buffer system has been incorporated so that the plant can continue operating without solar energy input over a period of 30 min. Attention is given to heliostat and central receiver design details and optical performance values.

Distilling Reliable Remedies: Hieronymus Brunschwig’s Liber de arte distillandi (1500) Between Alchemical Learning and Craft Practice

PubMed Central

Taape, Tillmann

2017-01-01

Hieronymus Brunschwig’s Liber de arte distillandi, written in German and first published in Strasbourg in 1500, was the first printed manual on the distillation of medicinal waters. Although influential among early modern audiences and well-known to modern scholars, its intriguing blend of intellectual and practical traditions has thus far received little attention. This paper identifies these strands in Brunschwig’s technical instructions and shows how they intertwine in the production of reliable remedies. Exploring the intellectual dimension of Brunschwig’s work, I argue that his concept of distillation is shaped by an alchemical understanding of matter, especially by the writings on ‘quintessence’ of the fourteenth-century alchemist John of Rupescissa. To realise this concept in the workshop, Brunschwig emphasises the central importance of the body and its senses to ensure true craftsmanship. Brunschwig’s printed manual was as much a product of skilled artisanal practices as the distilled waters it describes, and I argue that it was shaped by the same concerns about technical precision and reliability. PMID:25276873

THE THEME-CONCEPT UNIT IN LITERATURE.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

HILLOCKS, GEORGE, JR.

A SUGGESTED UNIT FRAMEWORK WAS DEVELOPED AS A METHOD OF TEACHING SEVENTH-GRADE LITERATURE AT EUCLID CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN EUCLID, OHIO. THE UNIT WAS DIVIDED INTO SIX MAJOR SECTIONS--(1) DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT, (2) APPLICATION OF THE CONCEPT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A TEACHER, (3) REVISION OF THE CONCEPT, (4) APPLICATION OF THE CONCEPT BY…

Threshold Concepts in Finance: Student Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoadley, Susan; Kyng, Tim; Tickle, Leonie; Wood, Leigh N.

2015-01-01

Finance threshold concepts are the essential conceptual knowledge that underpin well-developed financial capabilities and are central to the mastery of finance. In this paper we investigate threshold concepts in finance from the point of view of students, by establishing the extent to which students are aware of threshold concepts identified by…

Central gender theoretical concepts in health research: the state of the art.

PubMed

Hammarström, Anne; Johansson, Klara; Annandale, Ellen; Ahlgren, Christina; Aléx, Lena; Christianson, Monica; Elwér, Sofia; Eriksson, Carola; Fjellman-Wiklund, Anncristine; Gilenstam, Kajsa; Gustafsson, Per E; Harryson, Lisa; Lehti, Arja; Stenberg, Gunilla; Verdonk, Petra

2014-02-01

Despite increasing awareness of the importance of gender perspectives in health science, there is conceptual confusion regarding the meaning and the use of central gender theoretical concepts. We argue that it is essential to clarify how central concepts are used within gender theory and how to apply them to health research. We identify six gender theoretical concepts as central and interlinked-but problematic and ambiguous in health science: sex, gender, intersectionality, embodiment, gender equity and gender equality. Our recommendations are that: the concepts sex and gender can benefit from a gender relational theoretical approach (i.e., a focus on social processes and structures) but with additional attention to the interrelations between sex and gender; intersectionality should go beyond additive analyses to study complex intersections between the major factors which potentially influence health and ensure that gendered power relations and social context are included; we need to be aware of the various meanings given to embodiment, which achieve an integration of gender and health and attend to different levels of analyses to varying degrees; and appreciate that gender equality concerns absence of discrimination between women and men while gender equity focuses on women's and men's health needs, whether similar or different. We conclude that there is a constant need to justify and clarify our use of these concepts in order to advance gender theoretical development. Our analysis is an invitation for dialogue but also a call to make more effective use of the knowledge base which has already developed among gender theorists in health sciences in the manner proposed in this paper.

Analysis of Withdrawal Rates of Students Receiving Financial Aid at Central Florida Community College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sutton, Lawrence S.

The purpose of this study was to determine if students enrolled at Central Florida Community College (CFCC) who receive financial aid withdraw from college credit classes at a significantly higher rate than those not receiving such aid. A secondary purpose was to determine if GI Bill recipients withdraw at a significantly higher rate than other…

76 FR 60475 - Issuance of a Loan Guarantee to Tonopah Solar Energy, LLC, for the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-29

... in the center of a solar field (called the central receiver). The proposed solar power facility is to... field. The solar collecting tower/central receiver system will generate electric power from sunlight by focusing concentrated solar radiation onto a tower-mounted receiver. The solar collecting tower will be a...

Cergop-2, A Multipurpose and Interdisciplinary Sensor Array For Environmental Research In Central Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pesec, P.

The project CERGOP-2 (second phase of the Central Europe Regional Geodynamics Project)was initiated 1998, as a successor of CERGOP 1993/1998. During the follow- ing 3 years a new concept was worked out which finally was submitted for EU-support under the Sub-Programme Environment and Sustainable Development (5. FP) Octo- ber 2001. In the meanwhile the proposal received a "go" which implies a ranking in the final set of proposals forseen for eventual financial support. 14 contractors out of 13 countries contributed to the formulation of the proposal, the planned actions comprize the consolidation of the GPS-network,which covers about 15 % of the European territory, the final aim being the establishment of a velocity field which allows for the derivation of strain-fields and the monitoring of energy transfer for geodynamic studies and hazard mitigation. This paper will give an overview of the required actions and the expected results, paying special attention to near real-time information and regional geodynamic inves- tigations of seismic active regions.

Tracking the Resolution of Student Misconceptions about the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology†

PubMed Central

Briggs, Amy G.; Morgan, Stephanie K.; Sanderson, Seth K.; Schulting, Molly C.; Wieseman, Laramie J.

2016-01-01

The goal of our study was to track changes in student understanding of the central dogma of molecular biology before and after taking a genetics course. Concept maps require the ability to synthesize new information into existing knowledge frameworks, and so the hypothesis guiding this study was that student performance on concept maps reveals specific central dogma misconceptions gained, lost, and retained by students. Students in a genetics course completed pre- and posttest concept mapping tasks using terms related to the central dogma. Student maps increased in complexity and validity, indicating learning gains in both content and complexity of understanding. Changes in each of the 351 possible connections in the mapping task were tracked for each student. Our students did not retain much about the central dogma from their introductory biology courses, but they did move to more advanced levels of understanding by the end of the genetics course. The information they retained from their introductory courses focused on structural components (e.g., protein is made of amino acids) and not on overall mechanistic components (e.g., DNA comes before RNA, the ribosome makes protein). Students made the greatest gains in connections related to transcription, and they resolved the most prior misconceptions about translation. These concept-mapping tasks revealed that students are able to correct prior misconceptions about the central dogma during an intermediate-level genetics course. From these results, educators can design new classroom interventions to target those aspects of this foundational principle with which students have the most trouble. PMID:28101260

Tracking the Resolution of Student Misconceptions about the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology.

PubMed

Briggs, Amy G; Morgan, Stephanie K; Sanderson, Seth K; Schulting, Molly C; Wieseman, Laramie J

2016-12-01

The goal of our study was to track changes in student understanding of the central dogma of molecular biology before and after taking a genetics course. Concept maps require the ability to synthesize new information into existing knowledge frameworks, and so the hypothesis guiding this study was that student performance on concept maps reveals specific central dogma misconceptions gained, lost, and retained by students. Students in a genetics course completed pre- and posttest concept mapping tasks using terms related to the central dogma. Student maps increased in complexity and validity, indicating learning gains in both content and complexity of understanding. Changes in each of the 351 possible connections in the mapping task were tracked for each student. Our students did not retain much about the central dogma from their introductory biology courses, but they did move to more advanced levels of understanding by the end of the genetics course. The information they retained from their introductory courses focused on structural components (e.g., protein is made of amino acids) and not on overall mechanistic components (e.g., DNA comes before RNA, the ribosome makes protein). Students made the greatest gains in connections related to transcription, and they resolved the most prior misconceptions about translation. These concept-mapping tasks revealed that students are able to correct prior misconceptions about the central dogma during an intermediate-level genetics course. From these results, educators can design new classroom interventions to target those aspects of this foundational principle with which students have the most trouble.

Phased-array laser radar: Concept and application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kadrmas, K. A.

1973-01-01

The design and construction of a coaxial transmitter-receiver combination was investigated. Major emphasis was placed on simple permanent optical alignment, transmitter-receiver field of view matching, use of a pulsed gas laser as a transmitter maximum optical efficiency, complete digital control of data acquisition, and optical mount pointing and tracking. Also a means of expanding the coaxial transmitter-receiver concept to allow phased-array lidar, par-lidar was described.

Adaptive jammer nulling in EHF communications satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhagwan, Jai; Kavanagh, Stephen; Yen, J. L.

A preliminary investigation is reviewed concerning adaptive null steering multibeam uplink receiving system concepts for future extremely high frequency communications satellites. Primary alternatives in the design of the uplink antenna, the multibeam adaptive nulling receiver, and the processing algorithm and optimization criterion are discussed. The alternatives are phased array, lens or reflector antennas, nulling at radio frequency or an intermediate frequency, wideband versus narrowband nulling, and various adaptive nulling algorithms. A primary determinant of the hardware complexity is the receiving system architecture, which is described for the alternative antenna and nulling concepts. The final concept chosen will be influenced by the nulling performance requirements, cost, and technological readiness.

Learning Our Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laverty, Megan J.

2009-01-01

Richard Stanley Peters appreciates the centrality of concepts for everyday life, however, he fails to recognize their pedagogical dimension. He distinguishes concepts employed at the first-order (our ordinary language-use) from second-order conceptual clarification (conducted exclusively by academically trained philosophers). This distinction…

[The Bremen periodic health exam - feasibility of a new concept].

PubMed

Schmiemann, Guido; Biesewig-Siebenmorgen, Jürgen; Gebhardt, Klaus; Egidi, Günther

2014-01-01

All members of the Statutory Health Insurance are entitled to receive preventive health examinations. The current concept, however, does not take individual risk factors into account systematically. To improve this, the "Bremen Health Examination" was developed. The central component is a screening questionnaire to be completed by the patient, which is stratified by age, i.e., 35 to 69 years and ≥ 70 years. The feasibility and acceptance of this concept have been assessed. In a prospective observational study, a selected sample of general practitioners (GPs) was asked to implement the questionnaires during all preventive health examinations within a four-week period. The GPs subsequently answered content-related questions as well as Likert-scaled questions on the relevance of the issues addressed, and the feasibility of the new concept. 17 out of 20 GPs approached for the study included a total of 171 patients. On average, the patients in the two groups were 52 and 75 years of age, respectively, and answered 4.4 prompting questions positively. Age and gender had no significant effect on the frequency of "positively" answered questions. Implementing the questionnaire extended the duration of the health examination, however, GPs overall rated the time required for discussing newly assessed problems as adequate (four-level Likert scale, 1=yes; 4=no; Ø 1.59; SD 0.77). The implementation of the Bremen Health Examination appears to be feasible from the GP perspective. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Development of the Central Dogma Concept Inventory (CDCI) Assessment Tool

PubMed Central

Newman, Dina L.; Snyder, Christopher W.; Fisk, J. Nick; Wright, L. Kate

2016-01-01

Scientific teaching requires scientifically constructed, field-tested instruments to accurately evaluate student thinking and gauge teacher effectiveness. We have developed a 23-question, multiple select–format assessment of student understanding of the essential concepts of the central dogma of molecular biology that is appropriate for all levels of undergraduate biology. Questions for the Central Dogma Concept Inventory (CDCI) tool were developed and iteratively revised based on student language and review by experts. The ability of the CDCI to discriminate between levels of understanding of the central dogma is supported by field testing (N = 54), and large-scale beta testing (N = 1733). Performance on the assessment increased with experience in biology; scores covered a broad range and showed no ceiling effect, even with senior biology majors, and pre/posttesting of a single class focused on the central dogma showed significant improvement. The multiple-select format reduces the chances of correct answers by random guessing, allows students at different levels to exhibit the extent of their knowledge, and provides deeper insight into the complexity of student thinking on each theme. To date, the CDCI is the first tool dedicated to measuring student thinking about the central dogma of molecular biology, and version 5 is ready to use. PMID:27055775

A Comparison of Concept Development and Human Figure Drawings of Children Who Receive Preschool Education vs Those Who Do Not

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balat, Gulden Uyanik

2010-01-01

This study evaluated from a developmental point of view the basic concept knowledge and human figure drawings of children who did and did not attend preschool. A total of 118 children who received preschool education and 147 children who did not do so participated in the study. The mean age of children was 75.4 months. Their concept knowledge was…

Therapeutic use of "prizing" and its effect on self-concept of elderly clients in nursing homes and group homes.

PubMed

Williams-Barnard, C L; Lindell, A R

1992-01-01

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of nurse high prizing and nurse low prizing during group therapy in changing the self-concept of institutionalized aged persons. The hypothesis tested was that institutionalized aged clients participating in group therapy who receive nurse high prizing will show an increase in self-concept as measured by the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS) when compared with those aged clients in the same settings participating in group therapy who receive nurse low prizing or those aged clients constituting the matched control groups. The study used an existing data source generated from the research of Williams and Lindell to conduct a secondary analysis of a variable not previously investigated. Mean difference scores from the posttest total self-concept score and subscales of the TSCS were analyzed in conjunction with the levels of prizing within the experimental and control groups. Using the Scale for Rating Prizing, two nurse raters judged the degree of prizing on 40 randomly extracted video segments. The findings indicated that 47.1% of those subjects who received low prizing decreased in self-concept; 68.4% of those who received high prizing increased in self-concept. No change in self-concept was noted in the control group. Findings were significant at the .0001 level. Investigating the effect of nurse high and low levels of prizing on client self-concept completes the Rogerian trilogy of therapist-offered conditions with this same sample of subjects. Extension of previous studies adds to the ever-growing body of nursing knowledge and increases the certitude, casualty, and generalizability of such investigations.

Design for On-Sun Evaluation of Evaporator Receivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaworske, Donald A.; Colozza, Anthony; Sechkar, Edward A.

2011-01-01

A heat pipe designed for operation as a solar power receiver should be optimized to accept the solar energy flux and transfer this heat into a reactor. Optical properties of the surface, thermal conductance of the receiver wall, contact resistance of the heat pipe wick, and other heat pipe wick properties ultimately define the maximum amount of power that can be extracted from the concentrated sunlight impinging on the evaporator surface. Modeling of solar power receivers utilizing optical and physical properties provides guidance to their design. On-sun testing is another important means of gathering information on performance. A test rig is being designed and built to conduct on-sun testing. The test rig is incorporating a composite strip mirror concentrator developed as part of a Small Business Innovative Research effort and delivered to NASA Glenn Research Center. In the strip concentrator numerous, lightweight composite parabolic strips of simple curvature were combined to form an array 1.5 m x 1.5 m in size. The line focus of each strip is superimposed in a central area simulating a point of focus. A test stand is currently being developed to hold the parabolic strip concentrator, track the sun, and turn the beam downward towards the ground. The hardware is intended to be sufficiently versatile to accommodate on-sun testing of several receiver concepts, including those incorporating heat pipe evaporators. Characterization devices are also being developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the solar concentrator, including a receiver designed to conduct calorimetry. This paper describes the design and the characterization devices of the on-sun test rig, and the prospect of coupling the concentrated sunlight to a heat pipe solar power receiver developed as part of another Small Business Innovative Research effort.

A tactile paging system for deaf-blind people, phase 1. [human factors engineering of bioinstrumentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baer, J. A.

1976-01-01

A tactile paging system for deaf-blind people has been brought from the concept stage to the development of a first model. The model consists of a central station that transmits coded information via radio link to an on-body (i.e., worn on the wrist) receiving unit, the output from which is a coded vibrotactile signal. The model is a combination of commercially available equipment, customized electronic circuits, and electromechanical transducers. The paging system facilitates communication to deaf-blind clients in an institutional environment as an aid in their training and other activities. Several subunits of the system were individually developed, tested, and integrated into an operating system ready for experimentation and evaluation. The operation and characteristics of the system are described and photographs are shown.

The structure and regulation of the Irish equine industries: Links to considerations of equine welfare

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

The equine industries in Ireland are vibrant and growing. They are broadly classified into two sectors: Thoroughbred racing, and sports and leisure. This paper describes these sectors in terms of governance, education and training in equine welfare, and available data concerning horse numbers, identification, traceability and disposal. Animal welfare, and specifically equine welfare, has received increasing attention internationally. There is general acceptance of concepts such as animal needs and persons' responsibilities toward animals in their care, as expressed in the 'Five Freedoms'. As yet, little has been published on standards of equine welfare pertaining to Ireland, or on measures to address welfare issues here. This paper highlights the central role of horse identification and legal registration of ownership to safeguard the health and welfare of horses. PMID:21851704

Newman Unit 1 advanced solar repowering advanced conceptual design. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

1982-04-01

The Newman Unit 1 solar repowering design is a water/steam central receiver concept supplying superheated steam. The work reported is to develop a refined baseline conceptual design that has potential for construction and operation by 1986, makes use of existing solar thermal technology, and provides the best economics for this application. Trade studies performed in the design effort are described, both for the conceptual design of the overall system and for the subsystem conceptual design. System-level functional requirements, design, operation, performance, cost, safety, environmental, institutional, and regulatory considerations are described. Subsystems described include the collector, receiver, fossil energy, electrical powermore » generating, and master control subsystems, site and site facilities. The conceptual design, cost, and performance of each subsystem is discussed at length. A detailed economic analysis of the repowered unit is made to realistically assess the economics of the first repowered unit using present cost data for a limited production level for solar hardware. Finally, a development plan is given, including the design, procurement, construction, checkout, startup, performance validation, and commercial operation. (LEW)« less

Work, Recovery, and Comorbidity in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Remediation

PubMed Central

McGurk, Susan R.; Mueser, Kim T.; DeRosa, Thomas J.; Wolfe, Rosemarie

2009-01-01

Employment is central to the concept of recovery in severe mental illness. However, common comorbid conditions present significant obstacles to consumers seeking employment and benefiting from vocational rehabilitation. We review research on the effects of three common comorbid conditions on work and response to vocational rehabilitation, including cognitive impairment, substance abuse, and medical conditions, followed by research on vocational rehabilitation. We then present the results of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of adding cognitive remediation to a vocational rehabilitation program compared with vocational rehabilitation alone in 34 consumers with severe mental illness. Consumers who received both cognitive remediation and vocational rehabilitation demonstrated significantly greater improvements on a cognitive battery over 3 months than those who received vocational rehabilitation alone and had better work outcomes over the 2-year follow-up period. Substance abuse was associated with worse employment outcomes, but did not interact with treatment group, whereas medical comorbidity was not related to work outcomes. More research is warranted to evaluate the interactions between substance abuse and medical comorbidity with vocational rehabilitation and cognitive remediation. PMID:19269925

Preliminary design of a solar central receiver for site-specific repowering application (Saguaro Power Plant). Volume II. Preliminary design. Final report, October 1982-September 1983

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weber, E.R.

1983-09-01

The solar central receiver technology, site, and specific unit for repowering were selected in prior analyses and studies. The objectives of this preliminary design study were to: develop a solar central receiver repowering design for Saguaro that (1) has potential to be economically competitive with fossil fueled plants in near and long term applications, (2) has the greatest chance for completion without further government funding, (3) will further define technical and economic feasibility of a 66 MWe gross size plant that is adequate to meet the requirements for utility and industrial process heat applications, (4) can potentially be constructed andmore » operated within the next five years, and (5) incorporates solar central receiver technology and represents state-of-the-art development. This volume on the preliminary design includes the following sections: executive summary; introduction; changes from advanced conceptual design; preliminary design; system characteristics; economic analysis; and development plan.« less

The Woodlands, Texas.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McHaney, Larry J.; Bernhardt, Jerry

1988-01-01

The authors describe the "central project" concept for implementing technology education while addressing education reform. The central project is a topic around which students, teachers, administrators, and the community focus their energies as a team. At McCullough High School (Texas), the central project involved design and…

Learning Outcomes as a Key Concept in Policy Documents throughout Policy Changes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prøitz, Tine Sophie

2015-01-01

Learning outcomes can be considered to be a key concept in a changing education policy landscape, enhancing aspects such as benchmarking and competition. Issues relating to concepts of performance have a long history of debate within the field of education. Today, the concept of learning outcomes has become central in education policy development,…

Selection and Analysis of Social Studies Concepts for Inclusion in Tests of Concept Attainment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tabachnick, B. Robert; And Others

Major social studies concepts taught to fourth graders in Madison, Wisconsin, were identified by examining the school district course of study and social studies textbooks and by consulting central office supervisors and teachers. The concepts identified in this manner fell into three major categories: Geographic Region, Man and Society, and Map…

Effects of Multidimensional Concept Maps on Fourth Graders' Learning in Web-Based Computer Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Hwa-Shan; Chiou, Chei-Chang; Chiang, Heien-Kun; Lai, Sung-Hsi; Huang, Chiun-Yen; Chou, Yin-Yu

2012-01-01

This study explores the effect of multidimensional concept mapping instruction on students' learning performance in a web-based computer course. The subjects consisted of 103 fourth graders from an elementary school in central Taiwan. They were divided into three groups: multidimensional concept map (MCM) instruction group, Novak concept map (NCM)…

Parallel Evolution in Science: The Historical Roots and Central Concepts of General Systems Theory; and "General Systems Theory,""Modern Organizational Theory," and Organizational Communication.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lederman, Linda Costigan; Rogers, Don

The two papers in this document focus on general systems theory. In her paper, Linda Lederman discusses the emergence and evolution of general systems theory, defines its central concepts, and draws some conclusions regarding the nature of the theory and its value as an epistemology. Don Rogers, in his paper, relates some of the important features…

A new concept for medical imaging centered on cellular phone technology.

PubMed

Granot, Yair; Ivorra, Antoni; Rubinsky, Boris

2008-04-30

According to World Health Organization reports, some three quarters of the world population does not have access to medical imaging. In addition, in developing countries over 50% of medical equipment that is available is not being used because it is too sophisticated or in disrepair or because the health personnel are not trained to use it. The goal of this study is to introduce and demonstrate the feasibility of a new concept in medical imaging that is centered on cellular phone technology and which may provide a solution to medical imaging in underserved areas. The new system replaces the conventional stand-alone medical imaging device with a new medical imaging system made of two independent components connected through cellular phone technology. The independent units are: a) a data acquisition device (DAD) at a remote patient site that is simple, with limited controls and no image display capability and b) an advanced image reconstruction and hardware control multiserver unit at a central site. The cellular phone technology transmits unprocessed raw data from the patient site DAD and receives and displays the processed image from the central site. (This is different from conventional telemedicine where the image reconstruction and control is at the patient site and telecommunication is used to transmit processed images from the patient site). The primary goal of this study is to demonstrate that the cellular phone technology can function in the proposed mode. The feasibility of the concept is demonstrated using a new frequency division multiplexing electrical impedance tomography system, which we have developed for dynamic medical imaging, as the medical imaging modality. The system is used to image through a cellular phone a simulation of breast cancer tumors in a medical imaging diagnostic mode and to image minimally invasive tissue ablation with irreversible electroporation in a medical imaging interventional mode.

Benefits of Using Pairwise Trajectory Management in the Central East Pacific

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chartrand, Ryan; Ballard, Kathryn

2017-01-01

Pairwise Trajectory Management (PTM) is a concept that utilizes airborne and ground-based capabilities to enable airborne spacing operations in procedural airspace. This concept makes use of updated ground automation, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and on board avionics generating real time guidance. An experiment was conducted to examine the potential benefits of implementing PTM in the Central East Pacific oceanic region. An explanation of the experiment and some of the results are included in this paper. The PTM concept allowed for an increase in the average time an aircraft is able to spend at its desired flight level and a reduction in fuel burn.

78 FR 65237 - Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Central, AK

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-31

...-0017; Airspace Docket No. 13-AAL-1] Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Central, AK AGENCY... action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Central Airport, Central, AK. Controlled airspace is... of aircraft operations at Central Airport, Central, AK. DATES: Comments must be received on or before...

Airflow Assists Solar Receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Revere, W. R.; Laumann, E. A.

1984-01-01

Heat loss by convection reduced. Simplified solar receiver concept involves inwardly directed flow of cooling air and "air door" to reduce loss by convection. Receiver is constructed from inexpensive materials.

Some Student Conceptions of Electromagnetic Induction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thong, Wai Meng; Gunstone, Richard

2008-01-01

Introductory electromagnetism is a central part of undergraduate physics. Although there has been some research into student conceptions of electromagnetism, studies have been sparse and separated. This study sought to explore second year physics students' conceptions of electromagnetism, to investigate to what extent the results from the present…

How to sell coal without penalties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gould, G.

1977-06-01

The total heat content of a coal shipment is a constant, not a variable quantity. This provides the cornerstone of a fundamentally sound concept that could replace the conventional as-received Btu concept. It is the CEC Btu concept, the Constant Energy Content, to distinguish it from the conventional as-received Btu concept. There are several major advantages of the CEC Btu concept: It denies the fallacies of conventional as-received Btu concepts and will thus diminish the potentials for error arising out of such misconceptions as well as avoid the pyschological handicap of penalty thinking. It should simplify reaching agreement on pricemore » and quality. It provides the opportunity for buyer and seller to share equitably in the costs of transporting the non-commodity water in a way that is readily observable and accountable. It places correct emphasis on the need for weighing and sampling the coal simultaneously enough to preclude material change in moisture content between the two events. It should not be difficult to implement because the means in many cases are at hand, it requires no change in laboratory analysis or reporting of results and evaluation of competitive values on a cost per million Btu basis is already common practice.« less

A concentrated solar cavity absorber with direct heat transfer through recirculating metallic particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sarker, M. R. I., E-mail: islamrabiul@yahoo.com; Saha, Manabendra, E-mail: manabendra.saha@adelaide.edu.au, E-mail: manab04me@gmail.com; Beg, R. A.

A recirculating flow solar particle cavity absorber (receiver) is modeled to investigate the flow behavior and heat transfer characteristics of a novel developing concept. It features a continuous recirculating flow of non-reacting metallic particles (black silicon carbide) with air which are used as a thermal enhancement medium. The aim of the present study is to numerically investigate the thermal behavior and flow characteristics of the proposed concept. The proposed solar particle receiver is modeled using two phase discrete particle model (DPM), RNG k-flow model and discrete ordinate (DO) radiation model. Numerical analysis is carried out considering a solar receiver withmore » only air and the mixture of non-reacting particles and air as a heat transfer as well as heat carrying medium. The parametric investigation is conducted considering the incident solar flux on the receiver aperture and changing air flow rate and recirculation rate inside the receiver. A stand-alone feature of the recirculating flow solar particle receiver concept is that the particles are directly exposed to concentrated solar radiation monotonously through recirculating flow inside the receiver and results in efficient irradiation absorption and convective heat transfer to air that help to achieve high temperature air and consequently increase in thermal efficiency. This paper presents, results from the developed concept and highlights its flow behavior and potential to enhance the heat transfer from metallic particles to air by maximizing heat carrying capacity of the heat transfer medium. The imposed milestones for the present system will be helpful to understand the radiation absorption mechanism of the particles in a recirculating flow based receiver, the thermal transport between the particles, the air and the cavity, and the fluid dynamics of the air and particle in the cavity.« less

Development and Assessment of a Diagnostic Tool to Identify Organic Chemistry Students' Alternative Conceptions Related to Acid Strength

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McClary, LaKeisha M.; Bretz, Stacey Lowery

2012-01-01

The central goal of this study was to create a new diagnostic tool to identify organic chemistry students' alternative conceptions related to acid strength. Twenty years of research on secondary and college students' conceptions about acids and bases has shown that these important concepts are difficult for students to apply to qualitative problem…

Iatrogenic chylothorax due to pleural cavity extravasation of total parenteral nutrition in two adults receiving nutrition through a peripherally inserted central catheter.

PubMed

Johnson, Thomas J; Jamous, Fady G; Kooistra, Alma; Zawada, Edward T

2010-02-01

Extravasation of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) delivered via central lines is a known potential complication, but significant extravasations of infusate into the pleural space when using peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have not been reported in adults. We report 2 cases ofpleural cavity extravasation ofTPN delivered via a PICC. Measurement of the glucose level of the effusate is a quick way to determine the presence of TPN and should be considered in any patient receiving TPN via any type of central line with a rapidly developing effusion.

Atomoxetine improved attention in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia in a 16 week, acute, randomized, double-blind trial.

PubMed

Wietecha, Linda; Williams, David; Shaywitz, Sally; Shaywitz, Bennett; Hooper, Stephen R; Wigal, Sharon B; Dunn, David; McBurnett, Keith

2013-11-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate atomoxetine treatment effects in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD-only), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with comorbid dyslexia (ADHD+D), or dyslexia only on ADHD core symptoms and on sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT), working memory, life performance, and self-concept. Children and adolescents (10-16 years of age) with ADHD+D (n=124), dyslexia-only (n=58), or ADHD-only (n=27) received atomoxetine (1.0-1.4 mg/kg/day) or placebo (ADHD-only subjects received atomoxetine) in a 16 week, acute, randomized, double-blind trial with a 16 week, open-label extension phase (atomoxetine treatment only). Changes from baseline were assessed to weeks 16 and 32 in ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Parent-Version:Investigator-Administered and Scored (ADHDRS-IV-Parent:Inv); ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Teacher-Version (ADHDRS-IV-Teacher-Version); Life Participation Scale-Child- or Parent-Rated Version (LPS); Kiddie-Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (K-SCT) Interview; Multidimensional Self Concept Scale (MSCS); and Working Memory Test Battery for Children (WMTB-C). At week 16, atomoxetine treatment resulted in significant (p<0.05) improvement from baseline in subjects with ADHD+D versus placebo on ADHDRS-IV-Parent:Inv Total (primary outcome) and subscales, ADHDRS-IV-Teacher-Version Inattentive subscale, K-SCT Interview Parent and Teacher subscales, and WMTB-C Central Executive component scores; in subjects with Dyslexia-only, atomoxetine versus placebo significantly improved K-SCT Youth subscale scores from baseline. At Week 32, atomoxetine-treated ADHD+D subjects significantly improved from baseline on all measures except MSCS Family subscale and WMTB-C Central Executive and Visuo-spatial Sketchpad component scores. The atomoxetine-treated dyslexia-only subjects significantly improved from baseline to week 32 on ADHDRS-IV-Parent:Inv Inattentive subscale, K-SCT Parent and Teacher subscales, and WMTB-C Phonological Loop and Central Executive component scores. The atomoxetine-treated ADHD-only subjects significantly improved from baseline to Week 32 on ADHDRS-Parent:Inv Total and subscales, ADHDRS-IV-Teacher-Version Hyperactive/Impulsive subscale, LPS Self-Control and Total, all K-SCT subscales, and MSCS Academic and Competence subscale scores. Atomoxetine treatment improved ADHD symptoms in subjects with ADHD+D and ADHD-only, but not in subjects with dyslexia-only without ADHD. This is the first study to report significant effects of any medication on SCT. This study was registered at: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home, NCT00607919.

Atomoxetine Improved Attention in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Dyslexia in a 16 Week, Acute, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial

PubMed Central

Williams, David; Shaywitz, Sally; Shaywitz, Bennett; Hooper, Stephen R.; Wigal, Sharon B.; Dunn, David; McBurnett, Keith

2013-01-01

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate atomoxetine treatment effects in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD-only), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with comorbid dyslexia (ADHD+D), or dyslexia only on ADHD core symptoms and on sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT), working memory, life performance, and self-concept. Methods Children and adolescents (10–16 years of age) with ADHD+D (n=124), dyslexia-only (n=58), or ADHD-only (n=27) received atomoxetine (1.0–1.4 mg/kg/day) or placebo (ADHD-only subjects received atomoxetine) in a 16 week, acute, randomized, double-blind trial with a 16 week, open-label extension phase (atomoxetine treatment only). Changes from baseline were assessed to weeks 16 and 32 in ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Parent-Version:Investigator-Administered and Scored (ADHDRS-IV-Parent:Inv); ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Teacher-Version (ADHDRS-IV-Teacher-Version); Life Participation Scale—Child- or Parent-Rated Version (LPS); Kiddie-Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (K-SCT) Interview; Multidimensional Self Concept Scale (MSCS); and Working Memory Test Battery for Children (WMTB-C). Results At week 16, atomoxetine treatment resulted in significant (p<0.05) improvement from baseline in subjects with ADHD+D versus placebo on ADHDRS-IV-Parent:Inv Total (primary outcome) and subscales, ADHDRS-IV-Teacher-Version Inattentive subscale, K-SCT Interview Parent and Teacher subscales, and WMTB-C Central Executive component scores; in subjects with Dyslexia-only, atomoxetine versus placebo significantly improved K-SCT Youth subscale scores from baseline. At Week 32, atomoxetine-treated ADHD+D subjects significantly improved from baseline on all measures except MSCS Family subscale and WMTB-C Central Executive and Visuo-spatial Sketchpad component scores. The atomoxetine-treated dyslexia-only subjects significantly improved from baseline to week 32 on ADHDRS-IV-Parent:Inv Inattentive subscale, K-SCT Parent and Teacher subscales, and WMTB-C Phonological Loop and Central Executive component scores. The atomoxetine-treated ADHD-only subjects significantly improved from baseline to Week 32 on ADHDRS-Parent:Inv Total and subscales, ADHDRS-IV-Teacher-Version Hyperactive/Impulsive subscale, LPS Self-Control and Total, all K-SCT subscales, and MSCS Academic and Competence subscale scores. Conclusions Atomoxetine treatment improved ADHD symptoms in subjects with ADHD+D and ADHD-only, but not in subjects with dyslexia-only without ADHD. This is the first study to report significant effects of any medication on SCT. Clinical Trials Registration This study was registered at: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home, NCT00607919. PMID:24206099

Assessing Environmental Understanding: An Application of the Concept Mapping Strategy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andrews, Kristen E.; Tressler, Kurt D.; Mintzes, Joel J.

2008-01-01

Despite its importance as a central goal in environmental education, there appears to be little consensus about how best to document, assess and evaluate understanding of environmental concepts. This illustrative case study describes and demonstrates the use of the concept mapping strategy as an effective tool for assessing environmental…

Pupils' View of Mathematics: Initial Report for an International Comparison Project. Research Report 152.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pehkonen, Erkki

This report describes the theoretical background of an international comparison project on pupils' mathematical beliefs and outlines its realization. The first chapter briefly discusses problems with the underlying concepts of "belief" and "conception." The central concept, view of mathematics, is introduced in the second…

University Students' Understanding of the Concepts Empirical, Theoretical, Qualitative and Quantitative Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murtonen, Mari

2015-01-01

University research education in many disciplines is frequently confronted by problems with students' weak level of understanding of research concepts. A mind map technique was used to investigate how students understand central methodological concepts of empirical, theoretical, qualitative and quantitative. The main hypothesis was that some…

A user's manual for DELSOL3: A computer code for calculating the optical performance and optimal system design for solar thermal central receiver plants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kistler, B.L.

DELSOL3 is a revised and updated version of the DELSOL2 computer program (SAND81-8237) for calculating collector field performance and layout and optimal system design for solar thermal central receiver plants. The code consists of a detailed model of the optical performance, a simpler model of the non-optical performance, an algorithm for field layout, and a searching algorithm to find the best system design based on energy cost. The latter two features are coupled to a cost model of central receiver components and an economic model for calculating energy costs. The code can handle flat, focused and/or canted heliostats, and externalmore » cylindrical, multi-aperture cavity, and flat plate receivers. The program optimizes the tower height, receiver size, field layout, heliostat spacings, and tower position at user specified power levels subject to flux limits on the receiver and land constraints for field layout. DELSOL3 maintains the advantages of speed and accuracy which are characteristics of DELSOL2.« less

Factors associated with first service conception in artificially inseminated nulliparous Holstein heifers.

PubMed

Donovan, G Arthur; Bennett, Fred L; Springer, Frederick S

2003-06-01

Animal and management factors associated with first service conception in nulliparous dairy heifers were determined in 601 Holstein heifers from a dairy farm in north central Florida. Animal data collected included body weight, height at the withers and tail head, body condition score at 6 months of age and just prior to first artificial insemination (AI), and pelvimetry measurements taken just prior to first AI. Management data included season of first AI, inseminator, service sire, method of estrus detection, whether the estrus of first insemination was induced using prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)), and whether the heifer received a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine within 21 days of first insemination. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Heifers inseminated in the summer were more than four times less likely to become pregnant to first insemination than heifers bred during the rest of the year (odds ratio (OR)=0.24; 95% CI=0.14, 0.41). Using secondary signs for estrus detection instead of standing estrus resulted in significantly reduced odds of conception to first service (OR=0.37; 95% CI 0.13, 1.02). Also, heifers inseminated at estrus induced by PGF(2alpha) were approximately one-third less likely to conceive than those heifers inseminated to a naturally occurring estrus (OR=0.66; 95% CI 0.46, 0.95). An interaction between pelvic size and breeding season was found indicating that large pelvic size had a significant positive effect on fertility in the summer, but was not associated with conception to first service in the winter.

The gray area between synapse structure and function-Gray's synapse types I and II revisited.

PubMed

Klemann, Cornelius J H M; Roubos, Eric W

2011-11-01

On the basis of ultrastructural parameters, the concept was formulated that asymmetric Type I and symmetric Type II synapses are excitatory and inhibitory, respectively. This "functional Gray synapses concept" received strong support from the demonstration of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in Type I synapses and of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid in Type II synapses, and is still frequently used in modern literature. However, morphological and functional evidence has accumulated that the concept is less tenable. Typical features of synapses like shape and size of presynaptic vesicles and synaptic cleft and presence of a postsynaptic density (PsD) do not always fit the postulated (excitatory/inhibitory) function of Gray's synapses. Furthermore, synapse function depends on postsynaptic receptors and associated signal transduction mechanisms rather than on presynaptic morphology and neurotransmitter type. Moreover, the notion that many synapses are difficult to classify as either asymmetric or symmetric has cast doubt on the assumption that the presence of a PsD is a sign of excitatory synaptic transmission. In view of the morphological similarities of the PsD in asymmetric synapses with membrane junctional structures such as the zonula adherens and the desmosome, asymmetric synapses may play a role as links between the postsynaptic and presynaptic membrane, thus ensuring long-term maintenance of interneuronal communication. Symmetric synapses, on the other hand, might be sites of transient communication as takes place during development, learning, memory formation, and pathogenesis of brain disorders. Confirmation of this idea might help to return the functional Gray synapse concept its central place in neuroscience. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Hybrid solar central receiver for combined cycle power plant

DOEpatents

Bharathan, Desikan; Bohn, Mark S.; Williams, Thomas A.

1995-01-01

A hybrid combined cycle power plant including a solar central receiver for receiving solar radiation and converting it to thermal energy. The power plant includes a molten salt heat transfer medium for transferring the thermal energy to an air heater. The air heater uses the thermal energy to preheat the air from the compressor of the gas cycle. The exhaust gases from the gas cycle are directed to a steam turbine for additional energy production.

Solar central receiver reformer system for ammonia plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1980-07-01

Details of the conceptual design, economic analysis, and development plan for a solar central receiver system for retrofitting the Valley Nitrogen Producers, Inc., El Centro, California 600 ST/SD Ammonia Plant are presented. The retrofit system consists of a solar central receiver reformer (SCRR) operating in parallel with the existing fossil fired reformer. Steam and hydrocarbon react in the catalyst filled tubes of the inner cavity receiver to form a hydrogen rich mixture which is the syngas feed for the ammonia production. The SCRR system displaces natural gas presently used in the fossil reformer combustion chamber. The solar reformer retrofit system characteristics and its interface with the existing plant are simple, incorporating state of the art components with proven technology. A northfield composed of one thousand forty second generation heliostats provides solar energy to the receiver which is positioned on top of a 90 meter high steel tower. The overall economics of this system can provide over 20% discount cash flow rate of return with proper investment and market conditions.

The Structures of Centralized Governmental Privacy Protection: Approaches, Models, and Analysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jaeger, Paul T.; McClure, Charles R.; Fraser, Bruce T.

2002-01-01

Asserts that the federal government should adopt a centralized governmental structure for the privacy protection of personal information and data. Discusses the roles of federal law, federal agencies, and the judiciary; the concept of information privacy; the impact of current technologies; and models of centralized government structures for…

Wonder and the clinical encounter.

PubMed

Evans, H M

2012-04-01

In terms of intervening in embodied experience, medical treatment is wonder-full in its ambition and its metaphysical presumption; yet, wonder's role in clinical medicine has received little philosophical attention. In this paper, I propose, to doctors and others in routine clinical life, the value of an openness to wonder and to the sense of wonder. Key to this is the identity of the central ethical challenges facing most clinicians, which is not the high-tech drama of the popular conceptions of medical ethics but, rather, the routine of patients' undramatic but unremitting demands for the clinician's time and respectful attention. Wonder (conceived as an intense and transfiguring attentiveness) is a ubiquitous ethical source, an alternative to the more familiar respect for rational autonomy, a source of renewal galvanizing diagnostic imagination, and a timely recalling of the embodied agency of both patient and clinician.

High voltage systems (tube-type microwave)/low voltage system (solid-state microwave) power distribution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nussberger, A. A.; Woodcock, G. R.

1980-01-01

SPS satellite power distribution systems are described. The reference Satellite Power System (SPS) concept utilizes high-voltage klystrons to convert the onboard satellite power from dc to RF for transmission to the ground receiving station. The solar array generates this required high voltage and the power is delivered to the klystrons through a power distribution subsystem. An array switching of solar cell submodules is used to maintain bus voltage regulation. Individual klystron dc voltage conversion is performed by centralized converters. The on-board data processing system performs the necessary switching of submodules to maintain voltage regulation. Electrical power output from the solar panels is fed via switch gears into feeder buses and then into main distribution buses to the antenna. Power also is distributed to batteries so that critical functions can be provided through solar eclipses.

[Pediatric neurotransmitter disease in Japan].

PubMed

Shintaku, Haruo

2012-09-01

Pediatric neurotransmitter disease (PND) encompasses a range of rare genetic disorders that affect the metabolism of neurotransmitters in children. While these neurological disorders are often studied independently of each other, they all manifest central nervous system symptoms and require proper diagnosis and intervention at early stages. Since clinical symptoms of PND can be nonspecific, the conditions are often under-diagnosed, leaving patients without a chance to receive effective treatment. Envisioning PND as a whole, a comprehensive research effort is underway for a better understanding of pathophysiology and epidemiology in Japan, and toward the establishment of diagnostic criteria. The early diagnosis and development of new effective therapies are of urgent importance for these rare disorders that are not covered by newborn mass screening. For rarer forms of PND, at the same time, it is important to encourage recognition and understanding of the disease concept among healthcare professionals.

Method and system for source authentication in group communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roy-Chowdhury, Ayan (Inventor); Baras, John S. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A method and system for authentication is provided. A central node for issuing certificates to a plurality of nodes associated with the central node in a network is also provided. The central node receives a first key from at least one node from among the plurality of nodes and generates a second key based on the received first key and generates a certificate for the at least one node. The generated certificate is transmitted to the at least one node.

Ethnography: studying the fate of health promotion in coronary families.

PubMed

Preston, R M

1997-03-01

The concept of the 'mindful body', 'coronary candidacy' and "prevention paradox' are three of many interesting themes explored in this paper which examines how, and to what extent, health information is received and translated into the daily domestic setting by coronary family groups. Taking an ethnographic approach to collecting data highlights both the advantages and disadvantages of this methodology in practice. Certainly, the emergence of a health promotion orientation in health care is an area which is intimately connected to aspects of human culture and society that have long been a central concern of anthropologists. This mini-ethnography provides an anthropological understanding of the knowledge, beliefs and behaviours associated with heart disease and its prevention. The concept of the 'mindful body' is provided as a critical interpretive approach to analysing the potential outcome of prescribed lifestyle changes, as given to coronary sufferers and their families during the period following coronary artery bypass surgery. Data drawn from this study confirms the evidence of lay epidemiology which works within the cultural field of fate, luck and destiny, and which has interesting implications as to how nurses might plan for their health promotion strategies in the future.

Innateness and the instinct to learn.

PubMed

Marler, Peter

2004-06-01

Concepts of innateness were at the heart of Darwin's approach to behavior and central to the ethological theorizing of Lorenz and, at least to start with, of Tinbergen. Then Tinbergen did an about face, and for some twenty years the term 'innate' became highly suspect. He attributed the change to Lehrman's famous 1953 critique in which he asserted that classifying behaviors as innate tells us nothing about how they develop. Although Lehrman made many valid points, I will argue that this exchange also led to profound misunderstandings that were ultimately damaging to progress in research on the development of behavior. The concept of 'instincts to learn', receiving renewed support from current theorizing among geneticists about phenotypic plasticity, provides a potential resolution of some of the controversies that Lehrman created. Bioacoustical studies, particularly on song learning in birds, serve both to confirm some of Lehrman's anxieties about the term 'innate', but also to make a case that he threw out the genetic baby with the bathwater. The breathtaking progress in molecular and developmental genetics has prepared the way for a fuller understanding of the complexities underlying even the simplest notions of innate behavior, necessary before we can begin to comprehend the ontogeny of behavior.

Development and validation of a measure of criminal social identity within a sample of Polish recidivistic prisoners.

PubMed

Boduszek, Daniel; Adamson, Gary; Shevlin, Mark; Hyland, Philip

2012-12-01

Social identity is a well-established theoretical concept within psychological research; however, the role of criminal social identity has received far less research attention. One salient reason for the limited research relating to the concept of criminal social identity is the absence of a specific measure. To develop and test the construct validity of a new measure of criminal social identity (MCSI) and to provide additional evidence relating to Cameron's three-factor conceptualisation of social identity. The eight-item MCSI was used to collect data from recidivists incarcerated in high-security prison (N=312) to assess criminal social identification. These data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis. Three alternative models of criminal social identity were specified and tested in Mplus 6, and results revealed that the data were best explained by a three-factor model of criminal social identity (cognitive centrality, in-group affect and in-group ties). The current study is important in terms of future research in criminology and psychology because the MCSI provides the first reliable MCSI, which was developed and validated on a relatively large recidivistic prison sample. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Use Dose Bricks Concept to Implement Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treatment Planning

PubMed Central

Wu, Jia-Ming; Yu, Tsan-Jung; Yeh, Shyh-An; Chao, Pei-Ju; Huang, Chih-Jou

2014-01-01

Purpose. A “dose bricks” concept has been used to implement nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment plan; this method specializes particularly in the case with bell shape nasopharyngeal carcinoma case. Materials and Methods. Five noncoplanar fields were used to accomplish the dose bricks technique treatment plan. These five fields include (a) right superior anterior oblique (RSAO), (b) left superior anterior oblique (LSAO), (c) right anterior oblique (RAO), (d) left anterior oblique (LAO), and (e) superior inferior vertex (SIV). Nondivergence collimator central axis planes were used to create different abutting field edge while normal organs were blocked by multileaf collimators in this technique. Results. The resulting 92% isodose curves encompassed the CTV, while maximum dose was about 115%. Approximately 50% volume of parotid glands obtained 10–15% of total dose and 50% volume of brain obtained less than 20% of total dose. Spinal cord receives only 5% from the scatter dose. Conclusions. Compared with IMRT, the expenditure of planning time and costing, “dose bricks” may after all be accepted as an optional implementation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma conformal treatment plan; furthermore, this method also fits the need of other nonhead and neck lesions if organ sparing and noncoplanar technique can be executed. PMID:24967395

Informed consent in Malaysia: an overview.

PubMed

Che Ngah, Anisah

2005-01-01

The right of a person to control his body is a concept that has long been recognized in Malaysia under the law of torts. The purpose of requiring informed consent is to preserve that right in medical decision-making. Informed Consent is a relatively new concept in medical litigation cases. However in the late 1990's, it has become one of the important claims under negligence made against the doctor for failure to disclose relevant information to patients in respect of the treatment proposed. Whether Malaysia has begun to recognize patient's right to decision-making is yet to be seen. Furthermore the social-cultural relationship between doctors and patients had to be considered. In this respect, the researcher had conducted interviews with doctors and patients to gauge their reaction towards a shared process of decision-making, which is the central issue in the doctrine of informed consent. Findings suggest that in society where primary health care is the main thrust to achieve health for all, the possibility of recognition of the rights of patients to receive information before making decisions about treatment appears remote. The findings also underscore the importance of incorporating aspects of informed consent as part of providing quality service to patients.

Enhancing Motivation and Acquisition of Coordinate Concepts by Using Concept Trees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hirumi, Atsusi; Bowers, Dennis R.

1991-01-01

Examines the effects of providing undergraduate learners with graphic illustrations of coordinate concept relationships to supplement text-based instruction. Half of those reading a specific passage received a graphic concept tree. That group outperformed those who did not, reporting significantly higher amounts of attenuation, confidence, and…

Antifungal catheter lock therapy for the management of a persistent Candida albicans bloodstream infection in an adult receiving hemodialysis.

PubMed

Paul DiMondi, V; Townsend, Mary L; Johnson, Melissa; Durkin, Michael

2014-07-01

Antifungal catheter lock therapy (AfLT) with liposomal amphotericin B has been used in the treatment of pediatric central line infections caused by Candida species; however, reports describing the use of liposomal amphotericin B lock therapy in the adult hemodialysis patient population are lacking. Management of central line-associated candidemia with systemic therapy alone is often challenging due to the propensity of Candida species to form biofilms on foreign bodies. We describe a 64-year-old woman who was receiving hemodialysis 3 times/week and was hospitalized with persistent fungemia. Despite receiving intravenous micafungin, she had multiple positive blood cultures for Candida albicans, which finally cleared after 7 days. Her double-lumen catheter was considered the most likely nidus of infection. Although catheter removal would have been preferred, this was not possible given her vasculopathy, history of multiple bloodstream infections, and lack of other available sites for vascular access. Catheter exchange was performed, and liposomal amphotericin B AfLT was administered in combination with intravenous micafungin for a total of 6 days. During this time, the patient experienced no discernible adverse effects secondary to AfLT. At discharge, AfLT was discontinued, and intravenous micafungin was changed to oral fluconazole. After 6 months of treatment, the patient remained culture negative and maintained her dialysis access. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of liposomal amphotericin B catheter lock therapy used to manage a persistent C. albicans bloodstream infection in an adult receiving hemodialysis. AfLT is a novel concept for treating catheter-associated fungal infections. Liposomal amphotericin B was chosen based on its favorable in vitro activity against Candida species biofilms in catheter lock environments. We identified several barriers to implementing AfLT, and these issues may prohibit the use of AfLT. This case report illustrates the benefits and challenges of managing catheter-associated fungal infections with AfLT. Further study is required to examine the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of this approach. © 2014 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.

Dynamic detailed model of a molten salt tower receiver, with ThermoSysPro library: Impacts of several failures or operational transients on the receiver dynamic behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hefni, Baligh El; Bourdil, Charles

2017-06-01

Molten salt technology represents nowadays the most cost-effective technology for electricity generation for solar power plant. The molten salt tower receiver is based on a field of individually sun-tracking mirrors (heliostats) that reflect the incident sunshine to a receiver at the top of a centrally located tower. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of several transients issued from different scenarios (failure or normal operation mode) on the receiver dynamic behavior. A dynamic detailed model of Solar Two molten salt central receiver has been developed. The component model is meant to be used for receiver modeling with the ThermoSysPro library, developed by EDF. The paper also gives the results of the dynamic simulation for the selected scenarios on Solar Two receiver.

Hybrid solar central receiver for combined cycle power plant

DOEpatents

Bharathan, D.; Bohn, M.S.; Williams, T.A.

1995-05-23

A hybrid combined cycle power plant is described including a solar central receiver for receiving solar radiation and converting it to thermal energy. The power plant includes a molten salt heat transfer medium for transferring the thermal energy to an air heater. The air heater uses the thermal energy to preheat the air from the compressor of the gas cycle. The exhaust gases from the gas cycle are directed to a steam turbine for additional energy production. 1 figure.

Central Distractors in Force Concept Inventory Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scott, Terry F.; Schumayer, Dániel

2018-01-01

The Force Concept Inventory was designed to poll the Newtonian conception of force. While there are many in-depth studies analyzing response data that look at the structure of the correct answers, we believe that the incorrect answers also carry revealing information about the students' worldview. The inventory was originally designed so that the…

Peters' Concept of "Education as Initiation": Communitarian or Individualist?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cotter, Richard

2013-01-01

A central element of Richard Peters' philosophy of education has been his analysis of "education as initiation". Understanding initiation is internally related to concepts of community and what it may mean to be a member. The concept of initiation assumes a mutually interdependent, dynamic relationship between the individual and community that…

The Concept of "Ubuntu": Africa's Most Important Contribution to Multicultural Education?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Le Roux, Johann

2000-01-01

Examines the African concept of "ubuntu", which indicates an inner state of almost complete humanization and is the essence of community and commonality. Discusses how ubuntu could contribute to multi-cultural education. Central to the concept of ubuntu, and much like the philosophy underlying multi-cultural education, is that caring for…

Mastery of Scientific Argumentation on the Concept of Neutralization in Chemistry: A Malaysian Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heng, Lee Ling; Surif, Johari; Seng, Cher Hau; Ibrahim, Nor Hasniza

2015-01-01

Purpose: Argumentative practices are central to science education, and have recently been emphasised to promote students' reasoning skills and to develop student's understanding of scientific concepts. This study examines the mastery of scientific argumentation, based on the concept of neutralisation, among secondary level science students, when…

Factors Related to Students' Learning of Biomechanics Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsieh, ChengTu; Smith, Jeremy D.; Bohne, Michael; Knudson, Duane

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to replicate and expand a previous study to identify the factors that affect students' learning of biomechanical concepts. Students were recruited from three universities (N = 149) located in the central and western regions of the United States. Data from 142 students completing the Biomechanics Concept Inventory…

The Action Competence Approach in Environmental Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jensen, Bjarne Bruun; Schnack, Karsten

2006-01-01

In this article, the concept of action competence is presented and an attempt is made to locate it within the concept of general educational theory. The concept of action competence, it is argued, should occupy a central position in the theory of environmental education as many of the crucial educational problems concerning a political liberal…

Paralyses or Battlefields: Pedagogy and a Proposed Parricide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steinnes, Jenny

2006-01-01

In this article I am proposing a post-structuralist treatment of some concepts central to a pedagogical agenda. These are concepts of territorial implications, such as democracy, nationality, patriotism and the foreign, concepts closely linked to The Enlightenment and to education. I am proposing this because these might be the times, for…

Assessing Understanding of the Energy Concept in Different Science Disciplines

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Mihwa; Liu, Xiufeng

2016-01-01

Energy is one of the most central and richly connected ideas across all science disciplines. The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement instrument for assessing students' understanding of the energy concept within and across different science disciplines. To achieve this goal, the Inter-Disciplinary Energy concept Assessment (IDEA) was…

Teaching the Concept of the Sampling Distribution of the Mean

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aguinis, Herman; Branstetter, Steven A.

2007-01-01

The authors use proven cognitive and learning principles and recent developments in the field of educational psychology to teach the concept of the sampling distribution of the mean, which is arguably one of the most central concepts in inferential statistics. The proposed pedagogical approach relies on cognitive load, contiguity, and experiential…

Learning and New Sociability: Schooling and the Concept of the Child in the Spanish Enlightenment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caruso, Marcelo

2012-01-01

The article presents evidence of a shift in the conception of childhood towards communication, social intercourse and interaction as central forces in shaping children's identities in Spain during the last decades of the eighteenth century. Following a significant shift of meaning regarding the concept of children's "inclinations", the…

The spatial equity principle in the administrative division of the Central European countries

PubMed Central

Klapka, Pavel; Bačík, Vladimír; Klobučník, Michal

2017-01-01

The paper generally builds on the concept of justice in social science. It attempts to interpret this concept in a geographical and particularly in a spatial context. The paper uses the concept of accessibility to define the principle of spatial equity. The main objective of the paper is to propose an approach with which to assess the level of spatial equity in the administrative division of a territory. In order to fulfil this objective the paper theoretically discusses the concept of spatial equity and relates it to other relevant concepts, such as spatial efficiency. The paper proposes some measures of spatial equity and uses the territory of four Central European countries (Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia) as example of the application of the proposed measures and the corroboration of the proposed approach. The analysis is based on the administrative division of four countries and is carried out at different hierarchical levels as defined by the Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics (NUTS). PMID:29091953

Ceramic high temperature receiver design and tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, S. B.

1982-01-01

The High Temperature Solar Thermal Receiver, which was tested a Edwards AFB, CA during the winter of 1980-1981, evolved from technologies developed over a five year period of work. This receiver was tested at the Army Solar Furnace at White Sands, NM in 1976. The receiver, was tested successfully at 1768 deg F and showed thermal efficiencies of 85%. The results were sufficiently promising to lead ERDA to fund our development and test of a 250 kW receiver to measure the efficiency of an open cavity receiver atop a central tower of a heliostat field. This receiver was required to be design scalable to 10, 50, and 100 MW-electric sizes to show applicability to central power tower receivers. That receiver employed rectagular silicon carbide panels and vertical stanchions to achieve scalability. The construction was shown to be fully scalable; and the receiver was operated at temperatures up to 2000 deg F to achieve the performance goals of the experiment during tests at the GIT advanced components test facility during the fall of 1978.

ERDA's central receiver solar thermal power system studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lippy, L. J.; Heaton, T. R.

1977-01-01

The utilization of solar energy for electrical power production was studied. Efforts underway on the central receiver solar thermal power system are presented. Preliminary designs are included of pilot plant utilizing large numbers of heliostats in a collector field. Safety hazards are also discussed, as well as the most beneficial location of such a plant within the United States.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma can be histologically diagnosed after previous corticosteroid use: a pilot study to determine whether corticosteroids prevent the diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma.

PubMed

Porter, Alyx B; Giannini, Caterina; Kaufmann, Timothy; Lucchinetti, Claudia F; Wu, Wenting; Decker, Paul A; Atkinson, John L D; O'Neill, Brian Patrick

2008-05-01

The objective is to determine whether corticosteroid administration before biopsy prevents histopathological diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). A retrospective review was performed of immunocompetent PCNSL patients from 1985 to 2005. A total of 109 patients was identified. Sixty-eight (63.6%) patients received corticosteroids before diagnosis. Thirteen patients (of 109; 12%) had undergone repeat brain biopsy to confirm PCNSL. These included 8 (of 68) patients who had received corticosteroids (12%), and 5 (of 39) who had not (13%) (p = 1.0). The majority of PCNSL patients who received corticosteroids before diagnosis did not experience significant radiographic change or require second biopsy for diagnosis.

It's Who I Am: Student Identity Centrality and College Student Success

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowman, Nicholas A.; Felix, Vivienne

2017-01-01

Despite considerable research on student retention and persistence, college graduation rates remain modest. This article proposes the concept of student identity centrality, which is defined as the extent to which being a student is important to one's self-image or identity. This study found student identity centrality was positively related to…

Visualizing the Central Limit Theorem through Simulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruggieri, Eric

2016-01-01

The Central Limit Theorem is one of the most important concepts taught in an introductory statistics course, however, it may be the least understood by students. Sure, students can plug numbers into a formula and solve problems, but conceptually, do they really understand what the Central Limit Theorem is saying? This paper describes a simulation…

The application of spaceborne GPS to atmospheric limb sounding and global change monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melbourne, W. G.; Davis, E. S.; Duncan, C. B.; Hajj, G. A.; Hardy, K. R.; Kursinski, E. R.; Meehan, T. K.; Young, L. E.; Yunck, T. P.

1994-01-01

This monograph is intended for readers with minimal background in radio science who seek a relatively comprehensive treatment of the mission and technical aspects of an Earth-orbiting radio occultation satellite. Part 1 (chapters 1-6) describes mission concepts and programmatic information; Part 2 (chapters 7-12) deals with the theoretical aspects of analyzing and interpreting radio occultation measurements. In this mission concept the navigation signals from a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite that is being occulted by the Earth's limb are observed by a GPS flight receiver on board a low Earth orbiter (LEO) satellite. This technique can be used to recover profiles of the Earth's atmospheric refractivity, pressure, and temperature using small, dedicated, and relatively low-cost space systems. Chapter 2 summarizes the basic space system concepts of the limb-sounding technique and describes a low-cost strawman demonstration mission. Chapter 3 discusses some of the scientific benefits of using radio occultation on a suite of small satellites. Chapter 4 provides a more detailed discussion of several system elements in a radio occultation mission, including the launch system for small payloads, the LEO microsat, the GPS constellation, the GPS flight receiver payload, the mission operations ground control and data receiving system, the ground-based GPS global tracking network for precision orbit determination, and the central data processing and archive system. Chapter 5 addresses the various technology readiness questions that invariably arise. Chapter 6 discusses the overall costs of a demonstration mission such as GPS/MET (meteorological) proposed by the University Navstar Consortium (UNAVCO). Chapter 7 describes a geometrical optics approach to coplanar atmospheric occultation. Chapter 8 addresses major questions regarding accuracy of the occultation techniques. Chapter 9 describes some simulations that have been performed to evaluate the sensitivity of the recovered profiles of atmospheric parameters to different error sources, such as departure from spherical symmetry, water vapor, etc. Chapter 10 discusses horizontal and vertical resolution associated with limb sounders in general. Chapter 11 treats selected Fresnel diffraction techniques that can be used in radio occultation measurements to sharpen resolution. Chapter 12 provides brief discussions on selected special topics, such as strategies for handling interference and multipath processes that may arise for rays traveling in the lower troposphere.

Some comments on the nature and use of the concept of psyche in psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

PubMed

Brookes, Crittenden E

2004-01-01

The term psyche is central to the field of mental health and dysfunction. And yet the term is seldom talked about directly, and is seldom elaborated by the professionals who function under its rubric. This article elaborates this term, and sets forth a definition for the purposes of psychology and psychodynamics as science in the sense of the establishment of psychological knowledge. Psyche is defined in this article as a hypothetical construct, as outlined in the classic article in the theory of psychological science by MacCorquodale and Meehl (1948). Psyche is to be distinguished from the concept of mind, which is identified here as a strictly phenomenological (subjective) concept. Use of psyche in this way allows it to be utilized in descriptions of its dynamics (psychodynamics), as a central concept in a science which utilizes phenomenological (subjective rather than objective) data.

Volumic visual perception: principally novel concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrov, Valery

1996-01-01

The general concept of volumic view (VV) as a universal property of space is introduced. VV exists in every point of the universe where electromagnetic (EM) waves can reach and a point or a quasi-point receiver (detector) of EM waves can be placed. Classification of receivers is given for the first time. They are classified into three main categories: biological, man-made non-biological, and mathematically specified hypothetical receivers. The principally novel concept of volumic perception is introduced. It differs chiefly from the traditional concept which traces back to Euclid and pre-Euclidean times and much later to Leonardo da Vinci and Giovanni Battista della Porta's discoveries and practical stereoscopy as introduced by C. Wheatstone. The basic idea of novel concept is that humans and animals acquire volumic visual data flows in series rather than in parallel. In this case the brain is free from extremely sophisticated real time parallel processing of two volumic visual data flows in order to combine them. Such procedure seems hardly probable even for humans who are unable to combine two primitive static stereoscopic images in one quicker than in a few seconds. Some people are unable to perform this procedure at all.

Evaluating risk assessments using receiver operating characteristic analysis: rationale, advantages, insights, and limitations.

PubMed

Mossman, Douglas

2013-01-01

The last two decades have witnessed major changes in the way that mental health professionals assess, describe, and think about persons' risk for future violence. Psychiatrists and psychologists have gone from believing that they could not predict violence to feeling certain they can assess violence risk with well-above-chance accuracy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis has played a central role in changing this view. This article reviews the key concepts underlying ROC methods, the meaning of the area under the ROC curve (AUC), the relationship between AUC and effect size d, and what these two indices tell us about evaluations of violence risk. The area under the ROC curve and d provide succinct but incomplete descriptions of discrimination capacity. These indices do not provide details about sensitivity-specificity trade-offs; they do not tell us how to balance false-positive and false-negative errors; and they do not determine whether a diagnostic system is accurate enough to make practically useful distinctions between violent and non-violent subject groups. Justifying choices or clinical practices requires a contextual investigation of outcomes, a process that takes us beyond simply knowing global indices of accuracy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Heat receivers for solar dynamic space power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez-Davis, Marla Esther

A review of state-of-the-art technology is presented and discussed for phase change materials. Some of the advanced solar dynamic designs developed as part of the Advanced Heat Receiver Conceptual Design Study performed for LeRC are discussed. The heat receivers are analyzed and several recommendations are proposed, including two new concepts. The first concept evaluated the effect of tube geometries inside the heat receiver. It was found that a triangular configuration would provide better heat transfer to the working fluid, although not necessarily with a reduction in receiver size. A sensible heat receiver considered in this study uses vapor grown graphite fiber-carbon (VGCF/C) composite as the thermal storage media and was designed for a 7 kW Brayton engine. The proposed heat receiver stores the required energy to power the system during eclipse in the VGCF/C composite. The heat receiver analysis was conducted through the Systems Improved Numerical Differencing Analyzer and Fluid Integrator (SINDA) software package. The proposed heat receiver compares well with other latent and advanced sensible heat receivers while avoiding the problems associated with latent heat storage salts and liquid metal heat pipes. The weight and size of the system can be optimized by changes in geometry and technology advances for this new material. In addition to the new concepts, the effect of atomic oxygen on several materials is reviewed. A test was conducted for atomic oxygen attack on boron nitride, which experienced a negligible mass loss when exposed to an atomic oxygen fluence of 5 x 10 exp 21 atoms/sq cm. This material could be used to substitute the graphite aperture plate of the heat receiver.

Adolescents' Conceptions of Democracy in Central/Eastern Europe and the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Avery, Patricia G.; Levy, Sara A.; Simmons, Annette M. M.; Scarlett, Michael H.

2012-01-01

The term democracy has an overwhelmingly positive connotation for most people (Diamond & Plattner, 2008), yet it is a contested, fluid, and evolving concept that represents many different things to different people. This article presents our analysis of conceptions of democracy among groups of adolescents (n = 2,848, ages 13-19) in the Czech…

Pupils' Thinking and Course Requirements in Science Teaching (EKNA). Newsletter School Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andersson, Bjorn; And Others

The ENKA Project is concerned with two major problem areas: the conceptions of physical and chemical phenomena, central to an upper level course, held by compulsory school pupils (grades 7-9) and the implications from descriptions of pupils' conceptions and ways of reasoning for current teaching practice. To determine conceptions held, pupils were…

Beliefs of American Youth About Law and Order: Indicators of Instructional Priorities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patrick, John J.

Democracy entails the concept of orderly liberty, a concept that implies both obedience and constructive skepticism. Since teaching youngsters to be democratic citizens is a central concern of civic education, we must be concerned about whether our youth acquire this concept of orderly liberty. Studies indicate that American youth tend to value…

The Intimate Correlation of Invitational Education and Effective Classroom Management

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riner, Phillip S.

2003-01-01

Critics of Invitational Education and other self-concept approaches to learning have long argued that there is a lack of empirical data to support the claims that approaches to student instruction based on self-concept theory are central to effective learning. Ellis (2001) examines a number of these analyses where self-concept, self-esteem, and…

Galileo and the Pendulum: Latching on to Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Machamer, Peter; Hepburn, Brian

2004-01-01

Galileo changed the very concepts or categories by which natural philosophy could deal with matter and motion. Central to these changes was his introduction of time as a fundamental concept. He worked with the pendulum and with the inclined plane to discover his new concept of motion. Both of these showed him that acceleration and time were…

Swedish Nursing Students' Perceptions of the Concept of Health: A Phenomenographic Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skär, Lisa; Söderberg, Siv

2016-01-01

Objectives: Health is a central and important concept in nursing and nursing education, and has been theorised about in both positive and negative terms. The purpose of this study was to explore Swedish nursing students' perceptions of the concept of health. Design: A phenomenographic research approach was used to understand how nursing students…

Development of the ZEUS central tracking detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooks, C. B.; Bullock, F. W.; Cashmore, R. J.; Devenish, R. C.; Foster, B.; Fraser, T. J.; Gibson, M. D.; Gilmore, R. S.; Gingrich, D.; Harnew, N.; Hart, J. C.; Heath, G. P.; Hiddleston, J.; Holmes, A. R.; Jamdagni, A. K.; Jones, T. W.; Llewellyn, T. J.; Long, K. R.; Lush, G. J.; Malos, J.; Martin, N. C.; McArthur, I.; McCubbin, N. A.; McQuillan, D.; Miller, D. B.; Mobayyen, M. M.; Morgado, C.; Nash, J.; Nixon, G.; Parham, A. G.; Payne, B. T.; Roberts, J. H. C.; Salmon, G.; Saxon, D. H.; Sephton, A. J.; Shaw, D.; Shaw, T. B.; Shield, P. D.; Shulman, J.; Silvester, I.; Smith, S.; Strachan, D. E.; Tapper, R. J.; Tkaczyk, S. M.; Toudup, L. W.; Wallis, E. W.; Wastie, R.; Wells, J.; White, D. J.; Wilson, F. F.; Yeo, K. L.; ZEUS-UK Collaboration

1989-11-01

The design concept and development of the ZEUS central tracking detector is described. This is a cylindrical drift chamber designed for track reconstruction, electron identification and event triggering in a high-crossing-rate, high-magnetic-field environment.

Central Configurations of the Curved N-Body Problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diacu, Florin; Stoica, Cristina; Zhu, Shuqiang

2018-06-01

We consider the N-body problem of celestial mechanics in spaces of nonzero constant curvature. Using the concept of effective potential, we define the moment of inertia for systems moving on spheres and hyperbolic spheres and show that we can recover the classical definition in the Euclidean case. After proving some criteria for the existence of relative equilibria, we find a natural way to define the concept of central configuration in curved spaces using the moment of inertia and show that our definition is formally similar to the one that governs the classical problem. We prove that, for any given point masses on spheres and hyperbolic spheres, central configurations always exist. We end with results concerning the number of central configurations that lie on the same geodesic, thus extending the celebrated theorem of Moulton to hyperbolic spheres and pointing out that it has no straightforward generalization to spheres, where the count gets complicated even for two bodies.

Characteristics of Students Receiving Special Education Services in a Central Minnesota School District According to Setting, Classification, and Level of Service.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ittenbach, Richard F.; And Others

The records of 1,231 preschool, elementary, and secondary students receiving special education services in a central Minnesota school district were evaluated to provide information on differences according to setting, classification, and level of service. Data were analyzed within the context of four broad domains: demographics (age, race, gender,…

Decision making by superimposing information from parallel cognitive channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aityan, Sergey K.

1993-08-01

A theory of decision making with perception through parallel information channels is presented. Decision making is considered a parallel competitive process. Every channel can provide confirmation or rejection of a decision concept. Different channels provide different impact on the specific concepts caused by the goals and individual cognitive features. All concepts are divided into semantic clusters due to the goals and the system defaults. The clusters can be alternative or complimentary. The 'winner-take-all' concept nodes firing takes place within the alternative cluster. Concepts can be independently activated in the complimentary cluster. A cognitive channel affects a decision concept by sending an activating or inhibitory signal. The complimentary clusters serve for building up complex concepts by superimposing activation received from various channels. The decision making is provided by the alternative clusters. Every active concept in the alternative cluster tends to suppress the competitive concepts in the cluster by sending inhibitory signals to the other nodes of the cluster. The model accounts for a time delay in signal transmission between the nodes and explains decreasing of the reaction time if information is confirmed by different channels and increasing of the reaction time if deceiving information received from the channels.

UX Tau A Artist Concept

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-11-28

This artist concept is of the one-million-year-old star system called UX Tau A, approximately 450 light-years away. NASA Spitzer Space Telescope showed a gap in the dusty planet-forming disk swirling around the system central sun-like star.

Advances in central receivers for concentrating solar applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ho, Clifford K.

This paper provides a review of current state-of-the-art commercial central receiver systems and emerging technologies intended to increase the outlet temperature to >700 °C. Research on particle-based, gas-based, and liquid-based receiver designs that can achieve these higher temperatures are discussed. Particle-based technologies include directly irradiated designs (free-falling, obstructed, centrifugal) and enclosed designs (gravity fed, fluidized). New gas-based receivers include micro-channel designs and light-trapping configurations that increase the surface area, heat transfer, and solar absorptance to enable higher fluxes and pressures. Liquid-based receivers and materials that are reviewed include high-temperature halide salts (chlorides and fluorides), carbonate salts, and liquid metals (sodiummore » and lead bismuth). Advantages and challenges associated with each of the technologies and receiver designs are presented.« less

Advances in central receivers for concentrating solar applications

DOE PAGES

Ho, Clifford K.

2017-04-09

This paper provides a review of current state-of-the-art commercial central receiver systems and emerging technologies intended to increase the outlet temperature to >700 °C. Research on particle-based, gas-based, and liquid-based receiver designs that can achieve these higher temperatures are discussed. Particle-based technologies include directly irradiated designs (free-falling, obstructed, centrifugal) and enclosed designs (gravity fed, fluidized). New gas-based receivers include micro-channel designs and light-trapping configurations that increase the surface area, heat transfer, and solar absorptance to enable higher fluxes and pressures. Liquid-based receivers and materials that are reviewed include high-temperature halide salts (chlorides and fluorides), carbonate salts, and liquid metals (sodiummore » and lead bismuth). Advantages and challenges associated with each of the technologies and receiver designs are presented.« less

Development of the Central Dogma Concept Inventory (CDCI) Assessment Tool.

PubMed

Newman, Dina L; Snyder, Christopher W; Fisk, J Nick; Wright, L Kate

2016-01-01

Scientific teaching requires scientifically constructed, field-tested instruments to accurately evaluate student thinking and gauge teacher effectiveness. We have developed a 23-question, multiple select-format assessment of student understanding of the essential concepts of the central dogma of molecular biology that is appropriate for all levels of undergraduate biology. Questions for the Central Dogma Concept Inventory (CDCI) tool were developed and iteratively revised based on student language and review by experts. The ability of the CDCI to discriminate between levels of understanding of the central dogma is supported by field testing (N= 54), and large-scale beta testing (N= 1733). Performance on the assessment increased with experience in biology; scores covered a broad range and showed no ceiling effect, even with senior biology majors, and pre/posttesting of a single class focused on the central dogma showed significant improvement. The multiple-select format reduces the chances of correct answers by random guessing, allows students at different levels to exhibit the extent of their knowledge, and provides deeper insight into the complexity of student thinking on each theme. To date, the CDCI is the first tool dedicated to measuring student thinking about the central dogma of molecular biology, and version 5 is ready to use. © 2016 D. L. Newman et al. CBE—Life Sciences Education © 2016 The American Society for Cell Biology. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). It is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

The Centrality of Philosophical Anthropology to (a Future) Environmental Ethics.

PubMed

Gare, Arran

2016-01-01

While environmental ethics has successfully established itself in philosophy, as presently conceived it is still largely irrelevant to grappling the global ecological crisis because, as Alasdair MacIntyre has argued, ethical philosophy itself is in grave disorder. MacIntyre's historically oriented recovery of virtue ethics is defended, but it is argued that even MacIntyre was too constrained by received assumptions to overcome this disorder. As he himself realized, his ideas need to be integrated and defended through philosophical anthropology. However, it is suggested that current defenders of philosophical anthropology have not done it justice. To appreciate its importance it is necessary accept that we are cultural beings in which the core of culture is the conception of what are humans. This is presupposed not only in thought but in social practices and forms of life. This was understood by Aristotle, but modernity has been straightjacketed by the Seventeenth Century scientific revolution and Hobbes' philosophical anthropology, identifying knowledge and with techno-science and eliminating any place for questioning this conception of humans. The only conception of humanity that could successfully challenge and replace Hobbes' philosophical anthropology, it is argued, is Hegel's philosophical anthropology reformulated and developed on naturalistic foundations. This involves subordinating science to a reconceived humanities with a fundamentally different role accorded to ethics, placing it at the center of social life, politics and economics and at the centre of the struggle to transform culture and society to create an ecologically sustainable civilization.

Gaussian mixture models as flux prediction method for central receivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grobler, Annemarie; Gauché, Paul; Smit, Willie

2016-05-01

Flux prediction methods are crucial to the design and operation of central receiver systems. Current methods such as the circular and elliptical (bivariate) Gaussian prediction methods are often used in field layout design and aiming strategies. For experimental or small central receiver systems, the flux profile of a single heliostat often deviates significantly from the circular and elliptical Gaussian models. Therefore a novel method of flux prediction was developed by incorporating the fitting of Gaussian mixture models onto flux profiles produced by flux measurement or ray tracing. A method was also developed to predict the Gaussian mixture model parameters of a single heliostat for a given time using image processing. Recording the predicted parameters in a database ensures that more accurate predictions are made in a shorter time frame.

The effects of a computer skill training programme adopting social comparison and self-efficacy enhancement strategies on self-concept and skill outcome in trainees with physical disabilities.

PubMed

Tam, S F

2000-10-15

The aim of this controlled, quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effects of both self-efficacy enhancement and social comparison training strategy on computer skills learning and self-concept outcome of trainees with physical disabilities. The self-efficacy enhancement group comprised 16 trainees, the tutorial training group comprised 15 trainees, and there were 25 subjects in the control group. Both the self-efficacy enhancement group and the tutorial training group received a 15 week computer skills training course, including generic Chinese computer operation, Chinese word processing and Chinese desktop publishing skills. The self-efficacy enhancement group received training with tutorial instructions that incorporated self-efficacy enhancement strategies and experienced self-enhancing social comparisons. The tutorial training group received behavioural learning-based tutorials only, and the control group did not receive any training. The following measurements were employed to evaluate the outcomes: the Self-Concept Questionnaire for the Physically Disabled Hong Kong Chinese (SCQPD), the computer self-efficacy rating scale and the computer performance rating scale. The self-efficacy enhancement group showed significantly better computer skills learning outcome, total self-concept, and social self-concept than the tutorial training group. The self-efficacy enhancement group did not show significant changes in their computer self-efficacy: however, the tutorial training group showed a significant lowering of their computer self-efficacy. The training strategy that incorporated self-efficacy enhancement and positive social comparison experiences maintained the computer self-efficacy of trainees with physical disabilities. This strategy was more effective in improving the learning outcome (p = 0.01) and self-concept (p = 0.05) of the trainees than the conventional tutorial-based training strategy.

78 FR 58290 - Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-23

... (ICR) entitled VISTA Revision Concept Paper, Application & Budget Instructions for review and approval... received from this Notice. Description: CNCS is seeking approval of the AmeriCorps VISTA Concept Paper... and Community Service. Title: Concept Paper, Application, Budget Instructions. OMB Number: 3045-0038...

Whole-brain radiotherapy and high-dose methylprednisolone for elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma: Results of North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) 96-73-51

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Laack, Nadia N.; Ballman, Karla V.; Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity, and survival of whole-brain radiotherapy-treated (WBRT) and high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP)-treated in elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Methods and Materials: Patients with PCNSL who were 70 years and older received 1 g of methylprednisolone daily for 5 days, 30 days after WBRT. Patients then received 1 g of methylprednisolone every 28 days until progression. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) at 6 months. Results were compared with those in patients on the previous North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) trial who received pre-WBRT cytoxan,more » adriamycin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) and high-dose cytarabine (CHOP-WBRT). A planned interim analysis was performed. The current regimen would be considered inactive if survival was not improved from patients treated with CHOP-WBRT. Results: Nineteen patients were accrued between 1998 and 2003. Median age was 76 years. Interim analysis revealed a 6-month survival of 33%, resulting in closure of the trial. Toxicity, OS, and event-free survival (EFS) were similar to those in patients more than 70 years of age who received CHOP-WBRT. The subgroup of patients who received HDMP had longer OS (12.1 vs. 7.0 months, p = 0.76) and EFS (11.7 vs. 4.0 months, p = 0.04) compared with the CHOP-WBRT patients alive 60 days after the start of treatment. Conclusions: Patients on-study long enough to receive HDMP had prolongation of OS and EFS compared to patients receiving CHOP-WBRT. Although the numbers of patients are too small for statistical conclusions, the HDMP regimen deserves further study.« less

[Concept for a National Implant Registry to Improve Patient Safety].

PubMed

Prantl, L; von Fritschen, U; Liebau, J; von Hassel, J; Baur, E M; Vogt, P M; Giunta, R E; Horch, R E

2016-12-01

Since the introduction of silicone implants, several events have led to considerable uncertainty among the patients, public, and users. So far, however, the necessary steps to significantly improving patient safety have not been taken in any of these cases. Requiring stricter approvals for medical devices, improving monitoring by the regulatory authorities and the revision of the Medical Devices Directive are all initial steps in the right direction towards a change in policy, but are insufficient as an early warning system. After the introduction of registers was announced in the coalition agreement, the German Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeons (DGPRÄC), in close consultation with the Ministry of Health, has developed a concept which is presented here. The need for a uniform and legally binding central register for breast implants is fully supported by the entire medical profession. According to the concept presented by the DGPRÄC, three data qualities would be applicable: Safety data (mandatory), physician information (voluntary) and research data (optional, except if safety related). The public authorities are creating a unified, secure entry portal for all professional associations concerned. This register is based with the professional associations, and from there the mandatory security data will be forwarded to the public authorities. Decoding of the identity of the patient and doctor would only occur in specifically defined emergency situations such as product recalls. Automated tools in the security database provide early detection of problems, so that rapid clarification is possible in consultation with the professional associations, manufacturers and possibly patients. This concept as proposed by the DGPRÄC has thus far been very positively received in all discussions between the various parties concerned. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

The Nuka System of Care: improving health through ownership and relationships.

PubMed

Gottlieb, Katherine

2013-01-01

Southcentral Foundation's Nuka System of Care, based in Anchorage, Alaska, is a result of a customer-driven overhaul of what was previously a bureaucratic system centrally controlled by the Indian Health Service. Alaska Native people are in control as the "customer-owners" of this health care system. The vision and mission focus on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness and working together as a Native Community. Coupled with operational principles based on relationships, core concepts and key points, this framework has fostered an environment for creativity, innovation and continuous quality improvement. Alaska Native people have received national and international recognition for their work and have set high standards for performance excellence, community engagement, and overall impact on population health. In this article, the health care transformation led by Alaska Native people is described and the benefits and results of customer ownership and the relationship-based Nuka System of Care are discussed.

The Nuka System of Care: improving health through ownership and relationships

PubMed Central

Gottlieb, Katherine

2013-01-01

Southcentral Foundation’s Nuka System of Care, based in Anchorage, Alaska, is a result of a customer-driven overhaul of what was previously a bureaucratic system centrally controlled by the Indian Health Service. Alaska Native people are in control as the “customer-owners” of this health care system. The vision and mission focus on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness and working together as a Native Community. Coupled with operational principles based on relationships, core concepts and key points, this framework has fostered an environment for creativity, innovation and continuous quality improvement. Alaska Native people have received national and international recognition for their work and have set high standards for performance excellence, community engagement, and overall impact on population health. In this article, the health care transformation led by Alaska Native people is described and the benefits and results of customer ownership and the relationship-based Nuka System of Care are discussed. PMID:23984269

De retibus socialibus et legibus momenti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gayo-Avello, D.; Brenes, D. J.; Fernández-Fernández, D.; Fernández-Menéndez, M. E.; García-Suárez, R.

2011-05-01

Online Social Networks (OSNs) are a cutting edge topic. Almost everybody —users, marketers, brands, companies, and researchers— is approaching OSNs to better understand them and take advantage of their benefits. Maybe one of the key concepts underlying OSNs is that of influence which is highly related, although not entirely identical, to those of popularity and centrality. Influence is, according to Merriam-Webster, "the capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways". Hence, in the context of OSNs, it has been proposed to analyze the clicks received by promoted URLs in order to check for any positive correlation between the number of visits and different "influence" scores. That evaluation methodology is used in this letter to compare a number of those techniques with a new method firstly described here. That new method is a simple and rather elegant solution which tackles with influence in OSNs by applying a physical metaphor. On social networks and the laws of influence.

CRM as a General Practice of Every Business Organization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, TS Ezaz; Prabhakar, D.

2012-11-01

Every business unit emphasizes on spurting a long term relationship with customers to nurture its stability in todayís blooming market. Customerís expectations are now not only limited to get best products and services, they also need a face-to-face business in which they want to receive exactly what they demand and in a quick time. Customer Relationship Management is an upright concept or strategy to solidify relations with customers and at the same time reducing cost and enhancing productivity and profitability in business. An ideal CRM system is a centralized collection all data sources under an organization and provides an atomistic real time vision of customer information. A CRM system is vast and significant, but it be can implemented for small business, as well as large enterprises also as the main goal is to assist the customers efficiently.

A cellular automaton model for neurogenesis in Drosophila

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luthi, Pascal O.; Chopard, Bastien; Preiss, Anette; Ramsden, Jeremy J.

1998-07-01

A cellular automaton (CA) is constructed for the formation of the central nervous system of the Drosophila embryo. This is an experimentally well-studied system in which complex interactions between neighbouring cells appear to drive their differentiation into different types. It appears that all the cells initially have the potential to become neuroblasts, and all strive to this end, but those which differentiate first block their as yet undifferentiated neighbours from doing so. The CA makes use of observational evidence for a lateral inhibition mechanism involving signalling products S of the ‘proneural’ or neuralizing genes. The key concept of the model is that cells are continuously producing S, but the production rate is lowered by inhibitory signals received from neighbouring cells which have advanced further along the developmental pathway. Comparison with experimental data shows that it well accounts for the observed proportion of neuroectodermal cells delaminating as neuroblasts.

Support and maneuvering apparatus for solar energy receivers

DOEpatents

Murphy, L.M.

1988-07-28

A support and maneuvering apparatus is disclosed for a solar energy receiving device adapted for receiving and concentrating solar energy and having a central axis extending through the center thereof. The apparatus includes a frame for mounting the perimeter of said solar energy receiving device. A support member extends along the central axis of the receiving device and has a base end passing through the center of the receiving device and an outer distal end adapted for carrying a solar energy receiving and conversion mechanism. A variable tension mechanism interconnects the support member with the frame to provide stiffening for the support member and the frame and to assist in the alignment of the frame to optimize the optical efficiency of the solar energy receiving device. A rotatable base is provided, and connecting members extend from the base for pivotable attachment to the frame at spaced positions therealong. Finally, an elevation assembly is connected to the receiving device for selectively pivoting the receiving about an axis defined between the attachment positions of the connecting members on the frame. 4 figs.

Support and maneuvering apparatus for solar energy receivers

DOEpatents

Murphy, Lawrence M.

1989-01-01

A support and maneuvering apparatus is disclosed for a solar energy receiving device adpated for receiving and concentrating solar energy and having a central axis extending through the center thereof. The apparatus includes a frame for mounting the perimeter of said solar energy receiving device. A support member extends along the central axis of the receiving device and has a base end passing through the center of the receiving device and an outer distal end adapted for carrying a solar energy receiving and conversion mechanism. A variable tension mechanism interconnects the support member with the frame to provide stiffening for the support member and the frame and to assist in the alignment of the frame to optimize the optical efficiency of the solar energy receiving device. A rotatable base is provided, and connecting members extend from the base for pivotable attachment to the frame at spaced positions therealong. Finally, an elevation assembly is connected to the receiving device for selectively pivoting the receiving device about an axis defined between the attachment positions of the connecting members on the frame.

Quasar Drenched in Water Vapor Artist Concept

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-08-31

Artist concept illustrates a quasar, or feeding black hole, similar to APM 08279+5255, where astronomers discovered huge amounts of water vapor. Gas and dust likely form a torus around the central black hole, with clouds of charged gas above and below.

Toward large-scale solar energy systems with peak concentrations of 20,000 suns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kribus, Abraham

1997-10-01

The heliostat field plays a crucial role in defining the achievable limits for central receiver system efficiency and cost. Increasing system efficiency, thus reducing the reflective area and system cost, can be achieved by increasing the concentration and the receiver temperature. The concentration achievable in central receiver plants, however, is constrained by current heliostat technology and design practices. The factors affecting field performance are surface and tracking errors, astigmatism, shadowing, blocking and dilution. These are geometric factors that can be systematically treated and reduced. We present improvements in collection optics and technology that may boost concentration (up to 20,000 peak), achievable temperature (2,000 K), and efficiency in solar central receiver plants. The increased performance may significantly reduce the cost of solar energy in existing applications, and enable solar access to new ultra-high-temperature applications, such as: future gas turbines approaching 60% combined cycle efficiency; high-temperature thermo-chemical processes; and gas-dynamic processes.

Adaptive management of natural resources: theory, concepts, and management institutions.

Treesearch

George H. Stankey; Roger N. Clark; Bernard T. Bormann

2005-01-01

This report reviews the extensive and growing literature on the concept and application of adaptive management. Adaptive management is a central element of the Northwest Forest Plan and there is a need for an informed understanding of the key theories, concepts, and frameworks upon which it is founded. Literature from a diverse range of fields including social learning...

The Development and Validation of the Physical Self-Concept Scale for Older Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, Ya-Wen; Lu, Frank Jing-Horng

2013-01-01

Physical self-concept plays a central role in older adults' physical health, mental health and psychological well-being; however, little attention has been paid to the underlying dimensions of physical self-concept in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a new measurement for older adults. First, a qualitative study…

A Method for Using Adjacency Matrices to Analyze the Connections Students Make within and between Concepts: The Case of Linear Algebra

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Selinski, Natalie E.; Rasmussen, Chris; Wawro, Megan; Zandieh, Michelle

2014-01-01

The central goals of most introductory linear algebra courses are to develop students' proficiency with matrix techniques, to promote their understanding of key concepts, and to increase their ability to make connections between concepts. In this article, we present an innovative method using adjacency matrices to analyze students' interpretation…

[Video-Head impulse test with little diagnostic impact in vertigo-patients].

PubMed

Patscheke, Jochen Henrik; Plenz, Pauline; Ernst, Stephan; Klußmann, Jens-Peter

2018-03-01

Video-head impulse test (V-HIT) is more and more becoming a routine test in patients with vertigo, contributing information about the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). According to Ewald's second law, the unilateral pathological test points to this side's peripheral organ as being diseased. The value in clinical routine is still unclear. 171 consecutive patients with vertigo that had received a V-HIT and caloric testing at presentation in an academic ENT-department were included. By chart-review, they were categorized in different groups with unilateral peripheral, central and other etiology of vertigo, irrespective of their V-HIT result. Then the latter was analyzed within the different groups with respect to Gain, Gain-Asymmetry (GA) and Catch-up Saccades (CS). Canal Paresis (CP) from caloric testing was compared to GA. In patients with unilateral peripheral disease, 31 % showed a pathological gain (< 0.8), the mean GA was 4.53 % (± 16.72 %) and 60 % had CSs. In patients with presumed or assured central etiology, these data were 28 %, -1,56 % (± 17,89 %) and 45 %. Isolated CS occurred only sporadically. CP was not correlated with GA in all groups (p = 0,114). In this study V-HIT showed little diagnostic use, especially in separating peripheral from central disease. The lacking correlation between asymmetry in caloric testing and asymmetry of V-HIT gain challenges current pathophysiological concepts of impaired VOR. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Receiver-exciter controller design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jansma, P. A.

1982-01-01

A description of the general design of both the block 3 and block 4 receiver-exciter controllers for the Deep Space Network (DSN) Mark IV-A System is presented along with the design approach. The controllers are designed to enable the receiver-exciter subsystem (RCV) to be configured, calibrated, initialized and operated from a central location via high level instructions. The RECs are designed to be operated under the control of the DMC subsystem. The instructions are in the form of standard subsystem blocks (SSBs) received via the local area network (LAN). The centralized control provided by RECs and other DSCC controllers in Mark IV-A is intended to reduce DSN operations costs from the Mark III era.

Frequency and Content of Chat Questions by Time of Semester at the University of Central Florida: Implications for Training, Staffing and Marketing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goda, Donna; Bishop, Corinne

2008-01-01

The more than 4,000 "chats" received by the University of Central Florida's (UCF) Ask-A-Librarian digital reference service are the subject of this practitioner-based, descriptive case study. Question content from chats received during four semesters between January 2005 and May 2006 are categorized and plotted, by semester, to show the…

[Memorandum prevention research - research areas and methods].

PubMed

Walter, U; Nöcker, G; Plaumann, M; Linden, S; Pott, E; Koch, U; Pawils, S; Altgeld, T; Dierks, M L; Frahsa, A; Jahn, I; Krauth, C; Pomp, M; Rehaag, R; Robra, B P; Süß, W; Töppich, J; Trojan, A; von Unger, H; Wildner, M; Wright, M

2012-10-01

From 2004 to 2012, the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) established its first funding programme for the promotion of prevention research. 60 projects on primary prevention and health promotion and the meta-project entitled "Cooperation for Sustainable Prevention Research" (KNP) received BMBF grants under this programme during this period. The experience and knowledge gained and recommendations arising from the research funded under this programme are compiled in memorandum format. The "Memorandum on Prevention Research - Research Areas and Methods" highlights 5 research areas that are considered to be especially relevant from the perspective of the involved scientists and practice partners.The promotion of structural development and sustainability enhancement in disease prevention and health promotion are central areas that should branch out from existing nuclei of crystallization. Improving the health competence of the population and of specific subpopulations is another major area. Research in these areas should contribute to the development of theoretical concepts and to the empirical testing of these concepts. The transfer of knowledge for effective use of developed disease prevention and health promotion programmes and measures is still a scarcely researched area. Among other things, studies of the transfer of programmes from one context to another, analyses of the coop-eration between politics and science, and the continued theoretical and conceptual development of transfer research are needed. Long-term data on the effects of intervention studies are also needed for proper evaluation of sustainability. The latter dem-onstrates the importance of method development in disease prevention and health promotion research as an area that should receive separate funding and support. This research should include, in particular, studies of the efficacy of complex interventions, health economic analyses, and participative health research. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Understanding network concepts in modules

PubMed Central

2007-01-01

Background Network concepts are increasingly used in biology and genetics. For example, the clustering coefficient has been used to understand network architecture; the connectivity (also known as degree) has been used to screen for cancer targets; and the topological overlap matrix has been used to define modules and to annotate genes. Dozens of potentially useful network concepts are known from graph theory. Results Here we study network concepts in special types of networks, which we refer to as approximately factorizable networks. In these networks, the pairwise connection strength (adjacency) between 2 network nodes can be factored into node specific contributions, named node 'conformity'. The node conformity turns out to be highly related to the connectivity. To provide a formalism for relating network concepts to each other, we define three types of network concepts: fundamental-, conformity-based-, and approximate conformity-based concepts. Fundamental concepts include the standard definitions of connectivity, density, centralization, heterogeneity, clustering coefficient, and topological overlap. The approximate conformity-based analogs of fundamental network concepts have several theoretical advantages. First, they allow one to derive simple relationships between seemingly disparate networks concepts. For example, we derive simple relationships between the clustering coefficient, the heterogeneity, the density, the centralization, and the topological overlap. The second advantage of approximate conformity-based network concepts is that they allow one to show that fundamental network concepts can be approximated by simple functions of the connectivity in module networks. Conclusion Using protein-protein interaction, gene co-expression, and simulated data, we show that a) many networks comprised of module nodes are approximately factorizable and b) in these types of networks, simple relationships exist between seemingly disparate network concepts. Our results are implemented in freely available R software code, which can be downloaded from the following webpage: http://www.genetics.ucla.edu/labs/horvath/ModuleConformity/ModuleNetworks PMID:17547772

Anthropology from a Kantian point of view: toward a cosmopolitan conception of human nature.

PubMed

Louden, Robert B

2008-12-01

Anthropology was a new field of study when Kant first began lecturing on it in 1772, and Kant himself was the first academic to teach regular courses in this area. As is well known, his own approach to anthropology is self-described as 'pragmatic', and Kant's pragmatic anthropology differs markedly from the anthropologies that other early contributors to the new discipline were advocating. In this essay I focus on a fundamental feature of Kant's anthropology that has been under-appreciated in previous discussions; namely, the particular conception of human nature that he believes anthropology, when pursued properly, leads to. I call this conception a cosmopolitan conception of human nature. In addition to establishing the central importance of this idea for Kant's project in anthropology, I also try in this essay to unravel some of its ambiguities and tensions as well as to highlight its underlying moral motives. The cosmopolitan conception of human nature that is central to Kant's anthropology is a further indication of the significance of his anthropology for ethics.

A stand density management diagram for sawtimber-sized mixed upland central hardwoods

Treesearch

J.A., Jr. Kershaw; B.C. Fischer

1991-01-01

Data from 190 CFI plots located in southern and west-central Indiana are used to develop a stand density diagram for sawtimber-sized mixed upland hardwoods in the Central States. The stand density diagram utilizes the concepts of self-thinning to establish a maximum size-density curve, and the stocking standards of Gingrich (1967) to formulate imtermediate stocking...

Implementing Problem-Solving Techniques in an Urban Central Office Department by Establishing Teams and Infusing TQM Concepts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Jewell R.

This practicum is designed to assist central office personnel in evaluating the work environment for better coordination to accomplish work, plan for a change effort, and implement a participatory change initiative. The work setting involved a K-12 urban school district (193 schools) containing 431 central-office administrators and more than…

Dependence and a Kantian conception of dignity as a value.

PubMed

Byers, Philippa

2016-02-01

Kantian moral concepts concerning respect for human dignity have played a central role in articulating ethical guidelines for medical practice and research, and for articulating some central positions within bioethical debates more generally. The most common of these Kantian moral concepts is the obligation to respect the dignity of patients and of human research subjects as autonomous, self-determining individuals. This article describes Kant's conceptual distinction between dignity and autonomy as values, and draws on the work of several contemporary Kantian philosophers who employ the distinction to make sense of some common moral intuitions, feelings, and norms. Drawing on this work, the article argues that the conceptual distinction between dignity and autonomy as values is indispensable in the context of considering our obligations to those who are dependent and vulnerable.

A 200kW central receiver CPV system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lasich, John, E-mail: jbl@raygen.com; Thomas, Ian, E-mail: ithomas@raygen.com; Hertaeg, Wolfgang

2015-09-28

Raygen Resources has recently completed a Central Receiver CPV (CSPV) pilot plant in Central Victoria, Australia. The system is under final commissioning and initial operation is expected in late April 2015. The pilot demonstrates a full scale CSPV repeatable unit in a form that is representative of a commercial product and provides a test bed to prove out performance and reliability of the CSPV technology. Extensive testing of the system key components: dense array module, wireless solar powered heliostat and control system has been performed in the laboratory and on sun. Results from this key component testing are presented herein.

Test Pool Questions, Area III.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sloan, Jamee Reid

This manual contains multiple choice questions to be used in testing students on nurse training objectives. Each test includes several questions covering each concept. The concepts in section A, medical surgical nursing, are diseases of the following systems: musculoskeletal; central nervous; cardiovascular; gastrointestinal; urinary and male…

Concept Formation and Abstraction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lunzer, Eric A.

1979-01-01

This paper examines the nature of concepts and conceptual processes and the manner of their formation. It argues that a process of successive abstraction and systematization is central to the evolution of conceptual structures. Classificatory processes are discussed and three levels of abstraction outlined. (Author/SJL)

Noise temperature and noise figure concepts: DC to light

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stelzried, C. T.

1982-01-01

The Deep Space Network is investigating the use of higher operational frequencies for improved performance. Noise temperature and noise figure concepts are used to describe the noise performance of these receiving systems. It is proposed to modify present noise temperature definitions for linear amplifiers so they will be valid over the range (hf/kT) 1 (hf/kT). This is important for systems operating at high frequencies and low noise temperatures, or systems requiring very accurate calibrations. The suggested definitions are such that for an ideal amplifier, T sub e = (hg/k) = T sub q and F = 1. These definitions revert to the present definition for (hf/kT) 1. Noise temperature calibrations are illustrated with a detailed example. These concepts are applied to system signal-to-noise analysis. The fundamental limit to a receiving system sensitivity is determined by the thermal noise of the source and the quantum noise limit of the receiver. The sensitivity of a receiving system consisting of an ideal linear amplifier with a 2.7 K source, degrades significantly at higher frequencies.

Improving conceptual and procedural knowledge: The impact of instructional content within a mathematics lesson.

PubMed

Rittle-Johnson, Bethany; Fyfe, Emily R; Loehr, Abbey M

2016-12-01

Students, parents, teachers, and theorists often advocate for direct instruction on both concepts and procedures, but some theorists suggest that including instruction on procedures in combination with concepts may limit learning opportunities and student understanding. This study evaluated the effect of instruction on a math concept and procedure within the same lesson relative to a comparable amount of instruction on the concept alone. Direct instruction was provided before or after solving problems to evaluate whether the type of instruction interacted with the timing of instruction within a lesson. We worked with 180 second-grade children in the United States. In a randomized experiment, children received a classroom lesson on mathematical equivalence in one of four conditions that varied in instruction type (conceptual or combined conceptual and procedural) and in instruction order (instruction before or after solving problems). Children who received two iterations of conceptual instruction had better retention of conceptual and procedural knowledge than children who received both conceptual and procedural instruction in the same lesson. Order of instruction did not impact outcomes. Findings suggest that within a single lesson, spending more time on conceptual instruction may be more beneficial than time spent teaching a procedure when the goal is to promote more robust understanding of target concepts and procedures. © 2016 The British Psychological Society.

Integrity Is More than Validity: Seeking Credible, Usable, and Ethical Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rallis, Sharon F.; Lawrence, Rachael B.

2017-01-01

This chapter introduces integrity and use as central concepts for judging research quality. Analyzing an illustrative case through the NRC Guiding Principles for Education Research and Terenzini's tiers of intelligence, we demonstrate the centrality of research integrity to use.

Locating Place in School Geography--Experiences from the Pilot GCSE

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, Phil

2009-01-01

Geography, as with all subjects, has a set of organising principles and concepts. One of the central concepts which underpins the subject is that of place. However, it is very much the case that this is an evolving concept, which has taken on a number of guises over time. This paper reviews some of the major changes in perspectives on place as a…

Engagement, Conduct of Life and Dropouts in the Danish Vocational Education and Training (VET) System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nielsen, Klaus

2016-01-01

This study provides support for the idea that school engagement is a central concept when trying to understand the dropout process. One of the strengths of this concept is that it involves understanding dropping out as a process, rather than as an event. However, the concept of school engagement also presents a number of problems. It tends to be…

Thoughts About Created Environment: A Neuman Systems Model Concept.

PubMed

Verberk, Frans; Fawcett, Jacqueline

2017-04-01

This essay is about the Neuman systems model concept of the created environment. The essay, based on work by Frans Verberk, a Neuman systems model scholar from the Netherlands, extends understanding of the created environment by explaining how this distinctive perspective of environment represents an elaboration of the physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual variables, which are other central concepts of the Neuman Systems Model.

The Crustal Structure of the Central Anatolia (Turkey) Using Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yelkenci, S.; Benoit, M.; Kuleli, H.; Gurbuz, C.

2005-12-01

Central Anatolia lies in a transitional region between the extensional tectonics of western Anatolia and the complex transpressional tectonics of Eastern Anatolia, and has a complicated thermal and structural history. Few studies of the crustal structure of Anatolia have been performed, however, studies of the crustal structure of Eastern Anatolia showed that crustal thicknesses were thinner than previously thought. To further investigate the crustal structure in Central Anatolia, we present results from receiver function analysis using new data from broad-band instruments. The stations were equipped with 7 broadband three-component STS-2 and 13 short period three-component S-13 sensors. These stations operated for period of one and half months between the October and November, 2002, and yielded data for ~ 40 high quality receiver functions. Additionally, receiver functions were also computed using data from permanent stations MALT, ISP, and ANTO. We applied the hk-stacking technique of Zhu and Kanamori (2000) to receiver functions to obtain the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratios. Furthermore, we applied a waveform modeling technique to investigate mid-crustal discontinuties previously imaged in the region. Our results compare well with refraction-based crustal thicknesses in overlapped areas.

Curt Richter: psychobiology and the concept of instinct.

PubMed

Schulkin, Jay

2007-11-01

Curt Richter is at the origins of psychobiology in the United States. For Richter the concept of instinct was central to his research. While he had diverse interests that traversed a great range of psychobiology, the concept of instinct was fundamental to his research on specific hungers and the regulation of the internal milieu. Debates about the concept of instinct would last the bulk of Richter's experimental career, culminating in an international conference a decade after the Second World War.

Should the Concept of Network-Centric Warfare Form a Central Pillar of the Australian Army’s Transformation, as Articulated in the Hardened and Networked Army Concept?

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-08

of this transformation, the Australian Army aims to gain advantage through the concept of a ‘network- enabled’ Army. This approach is only a slight...43 NETWORK ENABLED VERSUS NETWORK CENTRIC— A DIFFERENT APPROACH ?... 45 Introduction...advantage through the concept of a ‘network- enabled’ Army. This approach is only a slight modification of that proposed in the Australian Department of

The Next-Generation Very Large Array: Technical Overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKinnon, Mark; Selina, Rob

2018-01-01

As part of its mandate as a national observatory, the NRAO is looking toward the long range future of radio astronomy and fostering the long term growth of the US astronomical community. NRAO has sponsored a series of science and technical community meetings to consider the science mission and design of a next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), building on the legacies of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Array (VLA).The basic ngVLA design emerging from these discussions is an interferometric array with approximately ten times the sensitivity and ten times higher spatial resolution than the VLA and ALMA radio telescopes, optimized for operation in the wavelength range 0.3cm to 3cm. The ngVLA would open a new window on the Universe through ultra-sensitive imaging of thermal line and continuum emission down to milli-arcsecond resolution, as well as unprecedented broadband continuum polarimetric imaging of non-thermal processes. The specifications and concepts for major ngVLA system elements are rapidly converging.We will provide an overview of the current system design of the ngVLA. The concepts for major system elements such as the antenna, receiving electronics, and central signal processing will be presented. We will also describe the major development activities that are presently underway to advance the design.

Reciprocity in therapeutic relationships: A conceptual review.

PubMed

Sandhu, Sima; Arcidiacono, Eleonora; Aguglia, Eugenio; Priebe, Stefan

2015-12-01

Reciprocity has generally been understood as a process of giving and taking, within an exchange of emotions or services, and has long been recognized as a central part of human life. However, an understanding of reciprocity in professional helping relationships has seldom received attention, despite movements in mental health care towards more collaborative approaches between service users and professionals. In this review, a systematic search of the published papers was conducted in order to explore how reciprocity is conceptualized and understood as part of the dyadic therapeutic relationship between professionals and service users. Eleven papers met our inclusion criteria and a narrative synthesis was used to synthesize the key concepts of reciprocity. The concepts of: 'dynamic equilibrium', 'shared affect', 'asymmetric alliance', and 'recognition as a fellow human being' were recurrent in understandings of reciprocity in professional contexts. These conceptualizations of reciprocity were also linked to specific behavioural and psychological processes. The findings suggest that reciprocity may be conceptualized and incorporated as a component of mental health care, with recurrent and observable processes which may be harnessed to promote positive outcomes for service users. To this end, we make recommendations for further research to progress and develop reciprocal processes in mental health care. © 2015 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.

Promoting Physical Understanding through Peer Mentoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nossal, S. M.; Huesmann, A.; Hooper, E.; Moore, C.; Watson, L.; Trestrail, A.; Weber, J.; Timbie, P.; Jacob, A.

2015-12-01

The Physics Learning Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides a supportive learning community for students studying introductory physics, as well as teaching and leadership experience for undergraduate Peer Mentor Tutors who receive extensive training and supervision. Many of our Peer Tutors were former Physics Learning Center participants. A central goal of the Physics Learning Center is to address achievement/equity gaps (e.g. race, gender, socio-economic status, disability, age, transfer status, etc.) for undergraduate students pursuing majors and coursework in STEM fields. Students meet twice a week in small learning teams of 3-8 students, facilitated by a trained Peer Mentor Tutor or staff member. These active learning teams focus on discussing core physical concepts and practicing problem-solving. The weekly training of the tutors addresses both teaching and mentoring issues in science education such as helping students to build confidence, strategies for assessing student understanding, and fostering a growth mindset. A second weekly training meeting addresses common misconceptions and strategies for teaching specific physics topics. For non-science majors we have a small Peer Mentor Tutor program for Physics in the Arts. We will discuss the Physics Learning Center's approaches to promoting inclusion, understanding, and confidence for both our participants and Peer Mentor Tutors, as well as examples from the geosciences that can be used to illustrate introductory physics concepts.

Instrumentation for one-way satellite PTTI applications. [calibration and synchronization of clocks from navigation satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Osborne, A. E.

1973-01-01

A review of general principles and operational procedures illustrates how the typical passive user and omni receiving antenna can recover Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) information from a low altitude navigation satellite system for clock calibration and synchronization. Detailed discussions of concepts and theory of the receiver design are presented. The importance of RF correlation of the received and local PN encoded sequences is emphasized as a means of reducing delay uncertainties of the instrumentation to values compatible with nanosecond to submicrosecond PTTI objectives. Two receiver configurations were fabricated for use in satellite-to-laboratory experiments. In one receiver the delay-locked loop for PN signals synchronization used a dithered amplitude detection process while the second receiver used a complex sums phase detection method for measurement of delay error. The necessity for compensation of Doppler shift is discussed. Differences in theoretical signal acquisition and tracking performance of the design concepts are noted.

Baroreflex regulation of blood pressure during dynamic exercise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raven, P. B.; Potts, J. T.; Shi, X.; Blomqvist, C. G. (Principal Investigator)

1997-01-01

From the work of Potts et al. Papelier et al. and Shi et al. it is readily apparent that the arterial (aortic and carotid) baroreflexes are reset to function at the prevailing ABP of exercise. The blood pressure of exercise is the result of the hemodynamic (cardiac output and TPR) responses, which appear to be regulated by two redundant neural control systems, "Central Command" and the "exercise pressor reflex". Central Command is a feed-forward neural control system that operates in parallel with the neural regulation of the locomotor system and appears to establish the hemodynamic response to exercise. Within the central nervous system it appears that the HLR may be the operational site for Central Command. Specific neural sites within the HLR have been demonstrated in animals to be active during exercise. With the advent of positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), the anatomical areas of the human brain related to Central Command are being mapped. It also appears that the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius and the ventrolateral medulla may serve as an integrating site as they receive neural information from the working muscles via the group III/IV muscle afferents as well as from higher brain centers. This anatomical site within the CNS is now the focus of many investigations in which arterial baroreflex function, Central Command and the "exercise pressor reflex" appear to demonstrate inhibitory or facilitatory interaction. The concept of whether Central Command is the prime mover in the resetting of the arterial baroreceptors to function at the exercising ABP or whether the resetting is an integration of the "exercise pressor reflex" information with that of Central Command is now under intense investigation. However, it would be justified to conclude, from the data of Bevegard and Shepherd, Dicarlo and Bishop, Potts et al., and Papelier et al. that the act of exercise results in the resetting of the arterial baroreflex. In addition, if, as we have proposed, the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors primarily monitors and reflexly regulates cardiac filling volume, it would seem from the data of Mack et al. and Potts et al. that the cardiopulmonary baroreceptor is also reset at the beginning of exercise. Therefore, investigations of the neural mechanisms of regulation involving Central Command and cardiopulmonary afferents, similar to those being undertaken for the arterial baroreflex, need to be established.

Debriefing bystanders of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is valuable.

PubMed

Møller, Thea Palsgaard; Hansen, Carolina Malta; Fjordholt, Martin; Pedersen, Birgitte Dahl; Østergaard, Doris; Lippert, Freddy K

2014-11-01

To explore the concept of debriefing bystanders after participating in an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest resuscitation attempt including (1) bystanders' most commonly addressed reactions after participating in a resuscitation attempt when receiving debriefing from medical dispatchers; (2) their perception of effects of receiving debriefing and (3) bystanders' recommendations for a systematic debriefing concept. Qualitative study based on telephone debriefing to bystanders and interviews with bystanders who received debriefing. Data was analyzed using the phenomenological approach. Six themes emerged from analysis of debriefing audio files: (1) identification of OHCA; (2) emotional and perceptual experience with OHCA; (3) collaboration with healthcare professionals; (4) patients outcome; (5) coping with the experience and (6) general reflections. When evaluating the concept, bystanders expressed positive short term effect of receiving debriefing and a retention of this effect after two months. Recommendations for a future debriefing concept were given. Debriefing by emergency medical dispatchers to OHCA bystanders stimulates reflection, positively influencing the ability to cope with the emotional reactions and the cognitive perception of own performance and motivates improvement of CPR skills. Importantly, it increases confidence to provide CPR in the future. Implementation of telephone debriefing to bystanders at Emergency Medical Dispatch Centres is a low complexity and a low cost intervention though the logistic challenges have to be considered. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Central solar-energy receiver

DOEpatents

Not Available

1981-10-27

An improved tower-mounted central solar energy receiver for heating air drawn through the receiver by an induced draft fan is described. A number of vertically oriented, energy absorbing, fin-shaped slats are radially arranged in a number of concentric cylindrical arrays on top of the tower coaxially surrounding a pipe having air holes through which the fan draws air which is heated by the slats which receive the solar radiation from a heliostat field. A number of vertically oriented and wedge-shaped columns are radially arranged in a number of concentric cylindrical clusters surrounding the slat arrays. The columns have two mirror-reflecting sides to reflect radiation into the slat arrays and one energy absorbing side to reduce reradiation and reflection from the slat arrays.

Central solar energy receiver

DOEpatents

Drost, M. Kevin

1983-01-01

An improved tower-mounted central solar energy receiver for heating air drawn through the receiver by an induced draft fan. A number of vertically oriented, energy absorbing, fin-shaped slats are radially arranged in a number of concentric cylindrical arrays on top of the tower coaxially surrounding a pipe having air holes through which the fan draws air which is heated by the slats which receive the solar radiation from a heliostat field. A number of vertically oriented and wedge-shaped columns are radially arranged in a number of concentric cylindrical clusters surrounding the slat arrays. The columns have two mirror-reflecting sides to reflect radiation into the slat arrays and one energy absorbing side to reduce reradiation and reflection from the slat arrays.

Concentrated solar-flux measurements at the IEA-SSPS solar-central-receiver power plant, Tabernas - Lameria (Spain)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vontobel, G.; Schelders, C.; Real, M.

A flux analyzing system (F.A.S.) was installed at the central receiver system of the SSPS project to determine the relative flux distribution of the heliostat field and to measure the entire optical solar flux reflected from the heliostat field into the receiver cavity. The functional principles of the F.A.S. are described. The raw data and the evaluation of the measurements of the entire helistat field are given, and an approach to determine the actual fluxes which hit the receiver tube bundle is presented. A method is described to qualify the performance of each heliostat using a computer code. The data of the measurements of the direct radiation are presented.

High Flux Microchannel Receiver Development with Adap-tive Flow Control

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Drost, Kevin

This project is focused on the demonstration of a microchannel-based solar receiver (MSR). The MSR concept consists of using a modular arrangement of arrayed microchannels to heat a working fluid in a concentrating solar receiver, allowing a much higher solar flux on the receiver and consequently a significant reduction in thermal losses, size, and cost.

Central Component Descriptors for Levels of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Niess, Margaret L.

2013-01-01

Technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) proposes a theoretical framework that incorporates four central components: an overarching conception of what it means to teach with technology, knowledge of students' thinking and understandings of specific topics with technologies, knowledge of curricular materials that incorporate…

CATS Household Travel Survey, Volume One: Documentation for the Chicago Central Business District

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1989-09-01

This report contains descriptions of the surveying concepts, the editing and : coding logic, the data base structure, several summary tables and the data base : for the Chicago Central Business District. Also, because the data at this time : are unfa...

Review of dextromethorphan administration in 18 patients with subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity.

PubMed

Afshar, Maryam; Birnbaum, Daniel; Golden, Carla

2014-06-01

The pathogenesis of methotrexate central nervous system toxicity is multifactorial, but it is likely related to central nervous system folate homeostasis. The use of folinate rescue has been described to decrease toxicity in patients who had received intrathecal methotrexate. It has also been described in previous studies that there is an elevated level of homocysteine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of patients who had received intrathecal methotrexate. Homocysteine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist. The use of dextromethorphan, noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor receptor antagonist, has been used in the treatment of sudden onset of neurological dysfunction associated with methotrexate toxicity. It remains unclear whether the dextromethorphan impacted the speed of recovery, and its use remains controversial. This study reviews the use of dextromethorphan in the setting of subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity. Charts of 18 patients who had sudden onset of neurological impairments after receiving methotrexate and were treated with dextromethorphan were reviewed. The use of dextromethorphan in most of our patients resulted in symptomatic improvement. In this patient population, earlier administration of dextromethorphan resulted in faster improvement of impairments and led to prevention of recurrence of seizure activity induced by methotrexate central nervous system toxicity. Our study provides support for the use of dextromethorphan in patients with subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

["Dieu et cerveau, rien que Dieu et cerveau!" Johann Gottfried von Herder (1744-1803) and the neurosciences of this time].

PubMed

Stahnisch, Frank

2007-01-01

The impact of Johann Gottfried von Herder on the broad spectrum of the history of ideas can hardly be estimated by separate categories derived from individual disciplines. It transcends the spheres of philosophy, theology, historiography and even medical anthropology--also because Herder, unlike many of his contemporary philosophers and hommes de lettres, was particularly interested in the neurophysiological and -anatomical investigations of his time. Herder's universal interest in human learning is reflected in numerous personal contacts to contemporary academic scholars and natural scientists, such as the Swiss theologian Johann Caspar Lavater, whose physiognomic doctrine mapped out a comprehensive research programme on character analysis, or the Mainz anatomist Samuel Thomas von Soemmering. Herder tightly received the latter's assumption about the interplay between the human soul and the anatomy of the brain. In this article, it shall be demonstrated that Herder's neurophilosophy was primarily influenced by a "pandynamic assumption of nature" and that it designated the brain centrally as a "working tool of God"--right between the human faculties of rationality, feeling and bodily development. The attractiveness of this concept to both basic brain research and clinical neurology was a result of his anthropological approach which combined latest developments in the natural sciences with a central perspective on the human sciences.

Communicability across evolving networks.

PubMed

Grindrod, Peter; Parsons, Mark C; Higham, Desmond J; Estrada, Ernesto

2011-04-01

Many natural and technological applications generate time-ordered sequences of networks, defined over a fixed set of nodes; for example, time-stamped information about "who phoned who" or "who came into contact with who" arise naturally in studies of communication and the spread of disease. Concepts and algorithms for static networks do not immediately carry through to this dynamic setting. For example, suppose A and B interact in the morning, and then B and C interact in the afternoon. Information, or disease, may then pass from A to C, but not vice versa. This subtlety is lost if we simply summarize using the daily aggregate network given by the chain A-B-C. However, using a natural definition of a walk on an evolving network, we show that classic centrality measures from the static setting can be extended in a computationally convenient manner. In particular, communicability indices can be computed to summarize the ability of each node to broadcast and receive information. The computations involve basic operations in linear algebra, and the asymmetry caused by time's arrow is captured naturally through the noncommutativity of matrix-matrix multiplication. Illustrative examples are given for both synthetic and real-world communication data sets. We also discuss the use of the new centrality measures for real-time monitoring and prediction.

Superconducting quantum simulator for topological order and the toric code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sameti, Mahdi; Potočnik, Anton; Browne, Dan E.; Wallraff, Andreas; Hartmann, Michael J.

2017-04-01

Topological order is now being established as a central criterion for characterizing and classifying ground states of condensed matter systems and complements categorizations based on symmetries. Fractional quantum Hall systems and quantum spin liquids are receiving substantial interest because of their intriguing quantum correlations, their exotic excitations, and prospects for protecting stored quantum information against errors. Here, we show that the Hamiltonian of the central model of this class of systems, the toric code, can be directly implemented as an analog quantum simulator in lattices of superconducting circuits. The four-body interactions, which lie at its heart, are in our concept realized via superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) that are driven by a suitably oscillating flux bias. All physical qubits and coupling SQUIDs can be individually controlled with high precision. Topologically ordered states can be prepared via an adiabatic ramp of the stabilizer interactions. Strings of qubit operators, including the stabilizers and correlations along noncontractible loops, can be read out via a capacitive coupling to read-out resonators. Moreover, the available single-qubit operations allow to create and propagate elementary excitations of the toric code and to verify their fractional statistics. The architecture we propose allows to implement a large variety of many-body interactions and thus provides a versatile analog quantum simulator for topological order and lattice gauge theories.

Rocky Mountain evolution: Tying Continental Dynamics of the Rocky Mountains and Deep Probe seismic experiments with receiver functions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rumpfhuber, E.-M.; Keller, Gordon R.; Sandvol, E.; Velasco, A.A.; Wilson, D.C.

2009-01-01

In this study, we have determined the crustal structure using three different receiver function methods using data collected from the northern transect of the Continental Dynamics of the Rocky Mountains (CD-ROM) experiment. The resulting migrated image and crustal thickness determinations confirm and refine prior crustal thickness measurements based on the CD-ROM and Deep Probe experiment data sets. The new results show a very distinct and thick lower crustal layer beneath the Archean Wyoming province. In addition, we are able to show its termination at 42??N latitude, which provides a seismic tie between the CD-ROM and Deep Probe seismic experiments and thus completes a continuous north-south transect extending from New Mexico into Alberta, Canada. This new tie is particularly important because it occurs close to a major tectonic boundary, the Cheyenne belt, between an Archean craton and a Proterozoic terrane. We used two different stacking techniques, based on a similar concept but using two different ways to estimate uncertainties. Furthermore, we used receiver function migration and common conversion point (CCP) stacking techniques. The combined interpretation of all our results shows (1) crustal thinning in southern Wyoming, (2) strong northward crustal thickening beginning in central Wyoming, (3) the presence of an unusually thick and high-velocity lower crust beneath the Wyoming province, and (4) the abrupt termination of this lower crustal layer north of the Cheyenne belt at 42??N latitude. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

A Sample WebQuest Applicable in Teaching Topological Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yildiz, Sevda Goktepe; Korpeoglu, Seda Goktepe

2016-01-01

In recent years, WebQuests have received a great deal of attention and have been used effectively in teaching-learning process in various courses. In this study, a WebQuest that can be applicable in teaching topological concepts for undergraduate level students was prepared. A number of topological concepts, such as countability, infinity, and…

Gifted Elementary Students' Interactions with Female and Male Scientists in a Biochemistry Enrichment Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

She, Candace Hsiao-Ching; Barrow, Lloyd H.

1997-01-01

Examines how gender and self-concept relate to gifted elementary students' participation in a biochemistry enrichment program taught by female and male scientists. Students with low self-concepts asked more questions and received more feedback than students with high self-concepts. Student-initiated questions and gender differences in interaction…

The Roles of Occupational Knowledge and Vocational Self-Concept Crystallization in Students' School-to-Work Transition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, M. Susan

1985-01-01

Examined predictors of college students' school-to-work transition difficulty, level of occupational knowledge, and crystallization of vocational self-concept. Occupational knowledge predicted whether students received at least one job offer before graduation and the total number of offers. Self-concept crystallization predicted at least one…

Using Scatterplots to Teach the Critical Power Concept

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pettitt, Robert W.

2012-01-01

The critical power (CP) concept has received renewed attention and excitement in the academic community. The CP concept was originally conceived as a model derived from a series of exhaustive, constant-load, exercise bouts. All-out exercise testing has made quantification of the parameters for the two-component model easier to arrive at, which may…

Concept-Mapping Tools and the Development of Students' Critical-Thinking Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tseng, Sheng-Shiang

2015-01-01

Developing students' critical-thinking skills has recently received attention at all levels of education. This article proposes the use of concept-mapping tools to improve students' critical-thinking skills. The article introduces a Web-based concept-mapping tool--Popplet--and demonstrates its application for teaching critical-thinking skills in…

Energy Optimization Assessments at U.S. Army Installations: Caserma Ederle Vicenza, Italy

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-17

Caserma Ederle has one central plant, described in ECM CEP #2. In addi- tion to looking at the planned renovation of the central plant, this study...serving Bldgs 10B, 23, 44 and 66 • east circuit serving Bldg 290 (New Commissary building). The north circuit was recently renovated . Up to the New...water lines as a primary system for the hot water generators. New central plant concept The existing Central Energy Plant is going to be renovated by

ASTRID© - Advanced Solar Tubular ReceIver Design: A powerful tool for receiver design and optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frantz, Cathy; Fritsch, Andreas; Uhlig, Ralf

2017-06-01

In solar tower power plants the receiver is one of the critical components. It converts the solar radiation into heat and must withstand high heat flux densities and high daily or even hourly gradients (due to passage of clouds). For this reason, the challenge during receiver design is to find a reasonable compromise between receiver efficiency, reliability, lifetime and cost. There is a strong interaction between the heliostat field, the receiver and the heat transfer fluid. Therefore, a proper receiver design needs to consider these components within the receiver optimization. There are several design and optimization tools for receivers, but most of them focus only on the receiver, ignoring the heliostat field and other parts of the plant. During the last years DLR developed the ASTRIDcode for tubular receiver concept simulation. The code comprises both a high and a low-detail model. The low-detail model utilizes a number of simplifications which allow the user to screen a high number of receiver concepts for optimization purposes. The high-detail model uses a FE model and is able to compute local absorber and salt temperatures with high accuracy. One key strength of the ASTRIDcode is its interface to a ray tracing software which simulates a realistic heat flux distributions on the receiver surface. The results generated by the ASTRIDcode have been validated by CFD simulations and measurement data.

Relationships and Responsibilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lomawaima, K. Tsianina

2013-01-01

This commentary on Bryan Brayboy's 2011 Presidential address to the Council on Anthropology & Education focuses on the concepts and performance embedded in Dr. Brayboy's demonstration of "how his stories are his theories." Central concepts are academic life in a neoliberal world driven by the myth of disinterested markets, CAE's clear mission of…

School-Site Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

English, Fenwick W.

1989-01-01

School-site management embodies the concept that decisions should be made at the lowest possible level in organizations and intends that no decision be made without the input of those affected by them. The concept also suggests the empowerment of individual units of the system, particularly, the teachers. Centralization versus decentralization is…

Reading, Thinking, and Concept Development: Strategies for the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Theodore L., Ed.; Cooper, Eric J., Ed.

Intended to help teachers both improve students' text comprehension and better understand the teaching-learning process involved, this book focuses on comprehension and concept development as the central core of an effective educational program. The book's five sections deal with teaching explicit comprehension skills, precomprehension and…

Development of the Enzyme-Substrate Interactions Concept Inventory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bretz, Stacey Lowery; Linenberger, Kimberly J.

2012-01-01

Enzyme function is central to student understanding of multiple topics within the biochemistry curriculum. In particular, students must understand how enzymes and substrates interact with one another. This manuscript describes the development of a 15-item Enzyme-Substrate Interactions Concept Inventory (ESICI) that measures student understanding…

The Public Telecommunications Network: A Concept in Transition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noam, Eli M.

1987-01-01

Argues that the traditional centralized model of the public telecommunication networks is being undermined by a host of centrifugal forces, and that a new and open network concept is emerging that breaks down the dichotomy between the telecommunications sector and the rest of the economy. (JD)

The Making of a Course.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Truxal, John G.

1987-01-01

Discusses some of the concepts that are central to the courses offered by the Department of Technology and Society at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Emphasizes the integration of technology concepts into courses dealing with problem solving, space technology, military technology and environmental studies. (TW)

Pausing at the Threshold

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morgan, Patrick K.

2015-01-01

Since about 2003, the notion of threshold concepts--the central ideas in any field that change how learners think about other ideas--have become difficult to escape at library conferences and in general information literacy discourse. Their visibility will likely only increase because threshold concepts figure prominently in the Framework for…

Beyond Control Centers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trimble, Jay

2017-01-01

For NASA's Resource Prospector (RP) Lunar Rover Mission, we are moving away from a control center concept, to a fully distributed operation utilizing control nodes, with decision support from anywhere via mobile devices. This operations concept will utilize distributed information systems, notifications, mobile data access, and optimized mobile data display for off-console decision support. We see this concept of operations as a step in the evolution of mission operations from a central control center concept to a mission operations anywhere concept. The RP example is part of a trend, in which mission expertise for design, development and operations is distributed across countries and across the globe. Future spacecraft operations will be most cost efficient and flexible by following this distributed expertise, enabling operations from anywhere. For the RP mission we arrived at the decision to utilize a fully distributed operations team, where everyone operates from their home institution, based on evaluating the following factors: the requirement for physical proximity for near-real time command and control decisions; the cost of distributed control nodes vs. a centralized control center; the impact on training and mission preparation of flying the team to a central location. Physical proximity for operational decisions is seldom required, though certain categories of decisions, such as launch abort, or close coordination for mission or safety-critical near-real-time command and control decisions may benefit from co-location. The cost of facilities and operational infrastructure has not been found to be a driving factor for location in our studies. Mission training and preparation benefit from having all operators train and operate from home institutions.

Overcoming Social Pathologies in Education: On the Concept of Respect in R. S. Peters and Axel Honneth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stojanov, Krassimir

2009-01-01

The concept of respect plays a central role in several recent attempts to re-actualise the programme of a critical social theory. In Axel Honneth's most prominent version of that concept, respect is closely tied to the sphere of law, and it is limited to the recognition of a Kantian-type moral autonomy of the individual. So interpreted, the…

Toward a More Efficient Military Exchange System

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-01

Corps exchanges to use AAFES facility design and construction services. 0 Require the Navy and Marine Corps to adopt the AAFES food service franchising ... Franchising Development The Navy (NAVRESSO) is about to centrally develop and implement some in- house food franchising concepts. AAFES already has such...chose to implement the AAFES concepts. From the results of initial surveys, AAFES believes that introducing all of its food franchising concepts on all

Inservice Elementary and Middle School Teachers' Conceptions of Photosynthesis and Respiration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krall, Rebecca Mcnall; Lott, Kimberly H.; Wymer, Carol L.

2009-02-01

The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate inservice elementary and middle school teachers’ conceptions of photosynthesis and respiration, basic concepts they are expected to teach. A forced-choice instrument assessing selected standards-based life science concepts with non-scientific conceptions embedded in distracter options was utilized to assess 76 inservice elementary and middle school teachers from the central Appalachian region. Outcomes from four tasks assessing photosynthesis and respiration concepts are discussed. Findings revealed similarities between non-scientific conceptions the teachers demonstrated and non-scientific conceptions reported in the research literature on elementary and middle school students’ understanding of the concepts. Findings also informed subsequent inservice teacher professional development efforts in life science and the development of a biology course for preservice elementary teachers.

A Comparative Study of Work Centrality, Job Rewards and Satisfaction: Occupational Groups in Israel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mannheim, Bilha

1975-01-01

The study develops and measures a concept of Work-Role Centrality, mainly from a cognitive perspective, and examines by means of questionnaire data its distribution in a representative sample of 778 males participating in the labor force in Israel. (Author)

Apipuncture treatment for central post-stroke pain.

PubMed

Yun, Sang Pil; Sun, Bong Chul

2010-02-01

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of apipuncture treatment for central post-stroke pain. Two (2) female subjects with central post-stroke pain were treated with apipuncture. Both patients experienced a reduction in the intensity of pain after receiving apipuncture treatment without adverse effects. Apipuncture is an effective and safe intervention to treat central post-stroke pain.

Design of an airborne lidar for stratospheric aerosol measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, W. E.

1977-01-01

A modular, multiple-telescope receiving concept is developed to gain a relatively large receiver collection aperture without requiring extensive modifications to the aircraft. This concept, together with the choice of a specific photodetector, signal processing, and data recording system capable of maintaining approximately 1% precision over the required large signal amplitude range, is found to be common to all of the options. It is recommended that development of the lidar begin by more detailed definition of solutions to these important common signal detection and recording problems.

System concepts and design examples for optical communication with planetary spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lesh, James R.

Systems concepts for optical communication with future deep-space (planetary) spacecraft are described. These include not only the optical transceiver package aboard the distant spacecraft, but the earth-vicinity optical-communications receiving station as well. Both ground-based, and earth-orbiting receivers are considered. Design examples for a number of proposed or potential deep-space missions are then presented. These include an orbital mission to Saturn, a Lander and Rover mission to Mars, and an astronomical mission to a distance of 1000 astronomical units.

Optical Vector Receiver Operating Near the Quantum Limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilnrotter, V. A.; Lau, C.-W.

2005-05-01

An optical receiver concept for binary signals with performance approaching the quantum limit at low average-signal energies is developed and analyzed. A conditionally nulling receiver that reaches the quantum limit in the absence of background photons has been devised by Dolinar. However, this receiver requires ideal optical combining and complicated real-time shaping of the local field; hence, it tends to be difficult to implement at high data rates. A simpler nulling receiver that approaches the quantum limit without complex optical processing, suitable for high-rate operation, had been suggested earlier by Kennedy. Here we formulate a vector receiver concept that incorporates the Kennedy receiver with a physical beamsplitter, but it also utilizes the reflected signal component to improve signal detection. It is found that augmenting the Kennedy receiver with classical coherent detection at the auxiliary beamsplitter output, and optimally processing the vector observations, always improves on the performance of the Kennedy receiver alone, significantly so at low average-photon rates. This is precisely the region of operation where modern codes approach channel capacity. It is also shown that the addition of background radiation has little effect on the performance of the coherent receiver component, suggesting a viable approach for near-quantum-limited performance in high background environments.

Introducing Disjoint and Independent Events in Probability.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelly, I. W.; Zwiers, F. W.

Two central concepts in probability theory are those of independence and mutually exclusive events. This document is intended to provide suggestions to teachers that can be used to equip students with an intuitive, comprehensive understanding of these basic concepts in probability. The first section of the paper delineates mutually exclusive and…

Towards a Learning Progression of Energy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neumann, Knut; Viering, Tobias; Boone, William J.; Fischer, Hans E.

2013-01-01

This article presents an empirical study on an initial learning progression of energy, a concept of central importance to the understanding of science. Learning progressions have been suggested as one vehicle to support the systematic and successful teaching of core science concepts. Ideally, a learning progression will provide teachers with a…

Helping Students with Mathematics Difficulties Understand Ratios and Proportions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dougherty, Barbara; Bryant, Diane Pedrotty; Bryant, Brian R.; Shin, Mikyung

2016-01-01

Ratios and proportions are foundational to student understanding across multiple topics in mathematics and science. In mathematics, they are central to developing concepts and skills related to slope, constant rate of change, and similar figures, which are all fundamental to algebraic concepts and skills. This article examines the importance of…

Charter Schooling and Democratic Justice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abowitz, Kathleen Knight; Karaba, Robert

2010-01-01

As the mixed achievements of charter schools come under more intense political inspection, the conceptual underpinnings of current charter school reform remain largely unexamined. This article focuses on one moral-political concept centrally related to school reform and policy, the concept of justice. Using examples from the state of Ohio, the…

C. S. Peirce's Dialogical Conception of Sign Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bergman, Mats

2005-01-01

This article examines the contention that the central concepts of C. S. Peirce's semeiotic are inherently communicational. It is argued that the Peircean approach avoids the pitfalls of objectivism and constructivism, rendering the sign-user neither a passive recipient nor an omnipotent creator of meaning. Consequently, semeiotic may serve as a…

Regenerable metallic oxide systems for removal of carbon dioxide: A concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutton, J. G.; Heimlich, P. F.; Tepper, E. H.

1972-01-01

Design concepts for portable canisters for removal of carbon dioxide are described. One is screen pack configuration consisting of brazed rectangular canister with four metal oxide packs inserted. Other is radial flow canister with perforated central tube. Methods of production and operating principles are presented.

Threshold Concepts in Finance: Conceptualizing the Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoadley, Susan; Tickle, Leonie; Wood, Leigh N.; Kyng, Tim

2015-01-01

Graduates with well-developed capabilities in finance are invaluable to our society and in increasing demand. Universities face the challenge of designing finance programmes to develop these capabilities and the essential knowledge that underpins them. Our research responds to this challenge by identifying threshold concepts that are central to…

Fuel for Thought: Building Energy Awareness in Grades 9-12

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Metz, Steve, Ed.

2011-01-01

The concept of energy is central to all the science disciplines, seamlessly connecting science, technology, and mathematics. For high school and upper middle school teachers, this compendium comprises inquiry-based activities, lesson plans, and case studies designed to help teach increased awareness of energy, environmental concepts, and the…

Paulo Freire and the Concept of Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beckett, Kelvin Stewart

2013-01-01

In this article, I argue that Paulo Freire's liberatory conception of education is interesting, challenging, even transforming because central to it are important aspects of education which other philosophers marginalise. I also argue that Freire's critics are right when they claim that he paid insufficient attention to another important aspect of…

Tackling the Difficulties in Learning Evolution: Effects of Adaptive Self-Explanation Prompts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neubrand, Charlotte; Harms, Ute

2017-01-01

Teaching and learning evolution is challenging. Biology education research shows that the underlying evolutionary concepts are poorly understood among students. This prevents a meaningful understanding of the central biological concepts. The instructional format of self-explanation prompts seems to be promising to respond to these difficulties.…

Rethinking Reinforcement: Allocation, Induction, and Contingency

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baum, William M.

2012-01-01

The concept of reinforcement is at least incomplete and almost certainly incorrect. An alternative way of organizing our understanding of behavior may be built around three concepts: "allocation," "induction," and "correlation." Allocation is the measure of behavior and captures the centrality of choice: All behavior entails choice and consists of…

Prototype of a coherent tracking and detection receiver with wideband vibration compensation for free-space laser communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giggenbach, Dirk; Schex, Anton; Wandernoth, Bernhard

1996-04-01

The Optical Communications Group of the German Aerospace Research Establishment (DLR) has investigated the feasibility of a fiberless receiver telescope for high sensitive coherent optical space communication, resulting in an elegant pointing, acquisition and tracking (PAT) concept. To demonstrate the feasibility of this new concept, an optical receiver terminal that coherently obtains both the spatial error signal for tracking and the data signal with only one set of detectors has been built. The result is a very simple and compact setup with few optical surfaces. It does not require fibers for superpositioning and is capable to compensate for microaccelerations up to about one kilohertz.

Developing a Performance Measurement System for University Central Administrative Services

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arena, Marika; Arnaboldi, Michela; Azzone, Giovanni; Carlucci, Paola

2009-01-01

Central administrative services have recently received increasing attention from practitioners and academics due to the challenging need to both manage scarce resources and provide high-quality services. In this context, performance measurement systems (PMSs) may assume a central role, although an unresolved debate remains on the claimed benefits…

Gender matters, too: the influences of school racial discrimination and racial identity on academic engagement outcomes among African American adolescents.

PubMed

Chavous, Tabbye M; Rivas-Drake, Deborah; Smalls, Ciara; Griffin, Tiffany; Cogburn, Courtney

2008-05-01

The authors examined relationships among racial identity, school-based racial discrimination experiences, and academic engagement outcomes for adolescent boys and girls in Grades 8 and 11 (n = 204 boys and n = 206 girls). The authors found gender differences in peer and classroom discrimination and in the impact of earlier and later discrimination experiences on academic outcomes. Racial centrality related positively to school performance and school importance attitudes for boys. Also, centrality moderated the relationship between discrimination and academic outcomes in ways that differed across gender. For boys, higher racial centrality related to diminished risk for lower school importance attitudes and grades from experiencing classroom discrimination relative to boys lower in centrality, and girls with higher centrality were protected against the negative impact of peer discrimination on school importance and academic self-concept. However, among lower race-central girls, peer discrimination related positively to academic self-concept. Finally, socioeconomic background moderated the relationship of discrimination with academic outcomes differently for girls and boys. The authors discuss the need to consider interactions of individual- and contextual-level factors in better understanding African American youths' academic and social development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved).

Baseload Nitrate Salt Central Receiver Power Plant Design Final Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tilley, Drake; Kelly, Bruce; Burkholder, Frank

The objectives of the work were to demonstrate that a 100 MWe central receiver plant, using nitrate salt as the receiver coolant, thermal storage medium, and heat transport fluid in the steam generator, can 1) operate, at full load, for 6,400 hours each year using only solar energy, and 2) satisfy the DOE levelized energy cost goal of $0.09/kWhe (real 2009 $). To achieve these objectives the work incorporated a large range of tasks relating to many different aspects of a molten salt tower plant. The first Phase of the project focused on developing a baseline design for a Moltenmore » Salt Tower and validating areas for improvement. Tasks included a market study, receiver design, heat exchanger design, preliminary heliostat design, solar field optimization, baseline system design including PFDs and P&IDs and detailed cost estimate. The baseline plant met the initial goal of less than $0.14/kWhe, and reinforced the need to reduce costs in several key areas to reach the overall $0.09/kWhe goal. The major improvements identified from Phase I were: 1) higher temperature salt to improve cycle efficiency and reduce storage requirements, 2) an improved receiver coating to increase the efficiency of the receiver, 3) a large receiver design to maximize storage and meet the baseload hours objective, and 4) lower cost heliostat field. The second Phase of the project looked at advancing the baseline tower with the identified improvements and included key prototypes. To validate increasing the standard solar salt temperature to 600 °C a dynamic test was conducted at Sandia. The results ultimately proved the hypothesis incorrect and showed high oxide production and corrosion rates. The results lead to further testing of systems to mitigate the oxide production to be able to increase the salt temperature for a commercial plant. Foster Wheeler worked on the receiver design in both Phase I and Phase II looking at both design and lowering costs utilizing commercial fossil boiler manufacturing. The cost and design goals for the project were met with this task, but the most interesting results had to do with defining the failure modes and looking at a “shakedown analysis” of the combined creep-fatigue failure. A separate task also looked at improving the absorber coatings on the receiver tubes that would improve the efficiency of the receiver. Significant progress was made on developing a novel paint with a high absorptivity that was on par with the current Pyromark, but shows additional potential to be optimized further. Although the coating did not meet the emissivity goals, preliminary testing the new paint shows potential to be much more durable, and potential to improve the receiver efficiency through a higher average absorptivity over the lifetime. Additional coatings were also designed and modeled results meet the project goals, but were not tested. Testing for low cycle fatigue of the full length receiver tubes was designed and constructed, but is still currently undergoing testing. A novel small heliostat was developed through an extensive brainstorming and down select. The concept was then detailed further with inputs from component testing and eventually a full prototype was built and tested. This task met or exceeded the accuracy and structure goals and also beat the cost goal. This provides a significant solar field costs savings for Abengoa that will be developed further to be used in future commercial plants. Ultimately the $0.09/kWhe (real 2009 $) and 6,400 hours goals of the project were met.« less

The effectiveness of learning with concept mapping on the science problem-solving of sixth-grade children

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jolly, Anju B.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of concept mapping to science problem solving in sixth grade elementary school children. The study proposes to determine whether the students' ability to perform higher cognitive processes was a predictor of students' performance in solving problems in science and whether gender and socioeconomic status are related to performance in solving problems. Two groups participated in the study. Both groups were given a pre-test of higher cognitive ability--the Ross Test of Higher Cognitive Ability. One group received instruction on a science unit of study in concept mapping format and the other group received instruction in traditional format. The instruction lasted approximately 4 weeks. Both groups were given a problem-solving post-test. A comparison of post-test means was done using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) as the statistical procedure with scores on the test of higher cognitive ability as the covariate. Also, Multiple Regression was performed to analyze the influence of participants' gender and socioeconomic status on their performance in solving problems. Results from the analysis of covariance showed that the group receiving instruction in the concept mapping format performed significantly better than the group receiving instruction in traditional format. Also the Ross Test of Higher Cognitive Processes emerged to be a predictor of performance on problem solving. There was no significant difference in the analysis of the performance of males and females. No pattern emerged regarding the influence of socioeconomic status on problem solving performance. In conclusion, the study showed that concept mapping improved problem solving in the classroom, and that gender and socioeconomic status are not predictors of student success in problem solving.

Can biosemiotics be a "science" if its purpose is to be a bridge between the natural, social and human sciences?

PubMed

Brier, Søren

2015-12-01

Central to the attempt to develop a biosemiotics has been the discussion of what it means to be scientific. In Marcello Barbieri's latest argument for leaving Peircean biosemiotics and creating an alternative code-biology the definition of what it means to be scientific plays a major role. For Barbieri "scientific knowledge is obtained by building machine-like models of what we observe in nature". Barbieri interestingly claims that - in combination with the empirical and experimental basis - mechanism is virtually equivalent to the scientific method. The consequences of this statement seem to be that the optimal type of knowledge science can produce about living system is to model them as machines. But the explicit goal of a Peircean semiotically based biosemiotics is (also) to model living systems as cognitive and communicative systems working on the basis of meaning and signification. These two concepts are not part of the mechanistic models of natural science today, not even of cognitive science. Barbieri tries to solve this problem by introducing a new concept of biological meaning that is separate from the Peircean biosemiotics and then add Peirce's semiotics on top. This article argues why this view is inconsistent on the grounds that Peirce's semiotic paradigm only gives meaning in its pragmaticist conception of a fallibilist view of science, which again is intrinsic connected to its non-mechanistic metaphysics of Tychism, Synechism and Agapism. The core of the biosemiotic enterprise is to establish another type of trans- and interdisciplinary wissenschaft than the received view of "science". Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Knowledgeable Lemurs Become More Central in Social Networks.

PubMed

Kulahci, Ipek G; Ghazanfar, Asif A; Rubenstein, Daniel I

2018-04-23

Strong relationships exist between social connections and information transmission [1-9], where individuals' network position plays a key role in whether or not they acquire novel information [2, 3, 5, 6]. The relationships between social connections and information acquisition may be bidirectional if learning novel information, in addition to being influenced by it, influences network position. Individuals who acquire information quickly and use it frequently may receive more affiliative behaviors [10, 11] and may thus have a central network position. However, the potential influence of learning on network centrality has not been theoretically or empirically addressed. To bridge this epistemic gap, we investigated whether ring-tailed lemurs' (Lemur catta) centrality in affiliation networks changed after they learned how to solve a novel foraging task. Lemurs who had frequently initiated interactions and approached conspecifics before the learning experiment were more likely to observe and learn the task solution. Comparing social networks before and after the learning experiment revealed that the frequently observed lemurs received more affiliative behaviors than they did before-they became more central after the experiment. This change persisted even after the task was removed and was not caused by the observed lemurs initiating more affiliative behaviors. Consequently, quantifying received and initiated interactions separately provides unique insights into the relationships between learning and centrality. While the factors that influence network position are not fully understood, our results suggest that individual differences in learning and becoming successful can play a major role in social centrality, especially when learning from others is advantageous. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Children's Moral Reasoning about Illness in Chhattisgarh, Central India

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Froerer, Peggy

2011-01-01

This article is about children's moral reasoning about illness and supernatural retribution in a rural tribal community in Chhattisgarh, central India. Detailed ethnographic analysis is devoted to the norms and experiences within which conceptions about illness causality and morality are formed. The author is principally interested in the…

Associations of Mother-Child Reminiscing about Negative Past Events, Coping, and Self-Concept in Early Childhood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goodvin, Rebecca; Romdall, Lisa

2013-01-01

Parent-child reminiscing conversations in early childhood have received theoretical attention as a forum for children's self-concept development, but this has been little addressed in empirical work. This study examines associations between emotion reminiscing and children's self-concepts and, building from the reminiscing and…

The Impact of Contextual Factors on the Use of Students' Conceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saglam, Yilmaz; Karaaslan, Emre Harun; Ayas, Alipasa

2011-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of contextual factors on the use of students' conceptions. A total of 106 students received a questionnaire involving open-ended questions on acid-base and equilibrium concepts. Of these students, 16 students who provided complete and accurate responses to the questions participated in an interview. In…

Effects of Person- and Process-Focused Feedback on Prosocial Behavior in Middle Childhood

PubMed Central

Dunsmore, Julie C.

2014-01-01

Effects of person- and process-focused feedback, parental lay theories, and prosocial self-concept on children’s prosocial behavior were investigated with 143 9- and 10-year-old children who participated in a single session. Parents reported entity (person-focused) and incremental (process-focused) beliefs related to prosocial behavior. Children completed measures of prosocial self-concept, then participated in a virtual online chat with child actors who asked for help with service projects. After completing the chat, children could assist with the service projects. In the first cohort, children were randomly assigned to receive person-focused, process-focused, or control feedback about sympathy. In the second cohort, with newly-recruited families, children received no feedback. When given process-focused feedback, children spent less time spent helping and worked on fewer service projects. When given no feedback, children spent less time helping when parents held incremental (process-focused) beliefs. Children with higher prosocial self-concept who received no feedback worked on more service projects. PMID:25684859

NCI Central Review Board Receives Accreditation

Cancer.gov

The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs has awarded the NCI Central Institutional Review Board full accreditation. AAHRPP awards accreditation to organizations demonstrating the highest ethical standards in clinical res

Associations of centrally acting ACE inhibitors with cognitive decline and survival in Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Fazal, Karim; Perera, Gayan; Khondoker, Mizanur; Howard, Robert; Stewart, Robert

2017-07-01

Cognitive improvement has been reported in patients receiving centrally acting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (C-ACEIs). To compare cognitive decline and survival after diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease between people receiving C-ACEIs, non-centrally acting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (NC-ACEIs), and neither. Routine Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were extracted in 5260 patients receiving acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and analysed against C-/NC-ACEI exposure at the time of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. In the 9 months after Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, MMSE scores significantly increased by 0.72 and 0.19 points per year in patients on C-ACEIs and neither respectively, but deteriorated by 0.61 points per year in those on NC-ACEIs. There were no significant group differences in score trajectories from 9 to 36 months and no differences in survival. In people with Alzheimer's disease receiving acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, those also taking C-ACEIs had stronger initial improvement in cognitive function, but there was no evidence of longer-lasting influence on dementia progression. R.S. has received research funding from Pfizer, Lundbeck, Roche, Janssen and GlaxoSmithKline. © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2017. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license.

Atoms in molecules, an axiomatic approach. I. Maximum transferability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayers, Paul W.

2000-12-01

Central to chemistry is the concept of transferability: the idea that atoms and functional groups retain certain characteristic properties in a wide variety of environments. Providing a completely satisfactory mathematical basis for the concept of atoms in molecules, however, has proved difficult. The present article pursues an axiomatic basis for the concept of an atom within a molecule, with particular emphasis devoted to the definition of transferability and the atomic description of Hirshfeld.

Design parameters of a resonant infrared photoconductor with unity quantum efficiency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farhoomand, Jam; Mcmurray, Robert E., Jr.

1991-01-01

This paper proposes a concept of a resonant infrared photoconductor that has characteristics of 100 percent quantum efficiency, high photoconductive gain, and very low noise equivalent power. Central to this concept is an establishment of a high-finesse absorption cavity internal to the detector element. A theoretical analysis is carried out, demonstrating this concept and providing some design guidelines. A Ge:Ga FIR detector is presently being fabricated using this approach.

Subject-Specific Correctness of Students' Conceptions and Factors of Influence: Empirical Findings from a Quantitative Study with Grade 7 Students in Germany Regarding the Formation and Location of Deserts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schubert, Jan Christoph; Wrenger, Katja

2016-01-01

Students' conceptions are a central learning condition. Until now there have only been qualitative results regarding the important geographical area of the desert, especially its location and formation. Therefore this study surveys students' conceptions (N = 585; n = 448 without pre-instruction on deserts and n = 137 with pre-instruction on…

Selection of alternative central-station technologies for the Satellite Power System (SPS) comparative assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samsa, M.

1980-01-01

An important effort is the Satellite Power System (SPS) comparative Assessment is the selection and characterization of alternative technologies to be compared with the SPS concept. The ground rules, criteria, and screening procedure applied in the selection of those alternative technologies are summarized. The final set of central station alternatives selected for comparison with the SPS concept includes: (1) light water reactor with improved fuel utilization, (2) conventional coal combustion with improved environmental controls, (3) open cycle gas turbine with integral low Btu gasifier, (4) terrestrial photovoltaic, (5) liquid metal fast breeder reactor, and (6) magnetic confinement fusion.

High temperature solar thermal receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

A design concept for a high temperature solar thermal receiver to operate at 3 atmospheres pressure and 2500 F outlet was developed. The performance and complexity of windowed matrix, tube-header, and extended surface receivers were evaluated. The windowed matrix receiver proved to offer substantial cost and performance benefits. An efficient and cost effective hardware design was evaluated for a receiver which can be readily interfaced to fuel and chemical processes or to heat engines for power generation.

Analysis and improvement of the cavity structure of steam receiver of 1MWe solar tower power plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Qiang; Wang, Zhifeng; Zhu, Lingzhi

2017-06-01

The central receiver, which plays a dominant role in the radiation-heat conversion, is one of the most important components in the solar tower power plants. Its performance can directly affect the efficiency of the entire solar power generation system. In general, the performance of the central receiver is mainly determined by two aspects: the first is the receiver structure and arrangement of heating pipes, the other is the integral control and operation strategy. The former is the internal essence of the receiver and the latter is extrinsic. In this paper, the latter is temporarily not in the scope of the discussion. According to the previous cavity structure and arrangement of the heating pipes, it is found that there are varying degrees of deformation to the heating pipes, especially for the superheated pipes. In order to make some improvement for the cavity receiver, firstly, the most likely causes were analyzed according to the previous structure. Secondly, a possible cavity structure was proposed according to the calculation results. The results show that the performance of the receiver is better than the previous one.

Data structures and apparatuses for representing knowledge

DOEpatents

Hohimer, Ryan E; Thomson, Judi R; Harvey, William J; Paulson, Patrick R; Whiting, Mark A; Tratz, Stephen C; Chappell, Alan R; Butner, Robert S

2014-02-18

Data structures and apparatuses to represent knowledge are disclosed. The processes can comprise labeling elements in a knowledge signature according to concepts in an ontology and populating the elements with confidence values. The data structures can comprise knowledge signatures stored on computer-readable media. The knowledge signatures comprise a matrix structure having elements labeled according to concepts in an ontology, wherein the value of the element represents a confidence that the concept is present in an information space. The apparatus can comprise a knowledge representation unit having at least one ontology stored on a computer-readable medium, at least one data-receiving device, and a processor configured to generate knowledge signatures by comparing datasets obtained by the data-receiving devices to the ontologies.

Processes, data structures, and apparatuses for representing knowledge

DOEpatents

Hohimer, Ryan E [West Richland, WA; Thomson, Judi R [Guelph, CA; Harvey, William J [Richland, WA; Paulson, Patrick R [Pasco, WA; Whiting, Mark A [Richland, WA; Tratz, Stephen C [Richland, WA; Chappell, Alan R [Seattle, WA; Butner, R Scott [Richland, WA

2011-09-20

Processes, data structures, and apparatuses to represent knowledge are disclosed. The processes can comprise labeling elements in a knowledge signature according to concepts in an ontology and populating the elements with confidence values. The data structures can comprise knowledge signatures stored on computer-readable media. The knowledge signatures comprise a matrix structure having elements labeled according to concepts in an ontology, wherein the value of the element represents a confidence that the concept is present in an information space. The apparatus can comprise a knowledge representation unit having at least one ontology stored on a computer-readable medium, at least one data-receiving device, and a processor configured to generate knowledge signatures by comparing datasets obtained by the data-receiving devices to the ontologies.

Wrongdoing and Retribution: Children's Conceptions of Illness Causality in a Central Indian Village.

PubMed

Froerer, Peggy

2007-12-01

This paper is a study of children's conceptions of illness causality. Based on ethnographic research in a central Indian tribal community, it is a response to the lack of systematic attention within mainstream anthropology on children, and within medical anthropology on children's understanding of illness causation. A combination of participant observation and structured interviews was used to examine local distinctions between 'natural' and 'supernatural' illness, which are underpinned by ideas about supernatural retribution. The focus in this paper is on how children learn and reason about such ideas, and on the processes by which they assume culpability for 'supernatural' illnesses. By arguing that children do not simply replicate adult conceptions about illness causality but instead apply their own experience to their understanding and representation of such ideas, this paper challenges taken-for-granted assumptions about the acquisition and reproduction of cultural knowledge.

Statement on nursing: a personal perspective.

PubMed

McCutcheon, Tonna

2004-01-01

Contemporary nursing is based on a conglomerate of theoretical nursing models. These models each incorporate four central concepts: person, health, environment, and nursing. By defining these concepts, nurses develop an individual framework from which they base their nursing practice. As an aspiring nurse practitioner in the gastroenterology field, I have retrospectively assessed my personal definitions of person, health, environment, and nursing. From these definitions, I am able to incorporate specific theoretical frameworks into my personal belief system, thus formulating a basis for my nursing practice. This foundation is comprised of the influence of nursing theorists Jean Watson, Sister Callista Roy, Kolcaba, Florence Nightingale, and Ida J. Orlando; the Perioperative Patient-Focused Model; Watson's Theory of Human Caring; theories regarding transpersonal human caring and healing; and feminist theories. Therefore, this article describes self-examination of nursing care by defining central nursing concepts, acknowledging the influence of nursing theorists and theories, and developing a personal framework from which I base my nursing practice.

The Deep Space Network: Noise temperature concepts, measurements, and performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stelzried, C. T.

1982-01-01

The use of higher operational frequencies is being investigated for improved performance of the Deep Space Network. Noise temperature and noise figure concepts are used to describe the noise performance of these receiving systems. The ultimate sensitivity of a linear receiving system is limited by the thermal noise of the source and the quantum noise of the receiver amplifier. The atmosphere, antenna and receiver amplifier of an Earth station receiving system are analyzed separately and as a system. Performance evaluation and error analysis techniques are investigated. System noise temperature and antenna gain parameters are combined to give an overall system figure of merit G/T. Radiometers are used to perform radio ""star'' antenna and system sensitivity calibrations. These are analyzed and the performance of several types compared to an idealized total power radiometer. The theory of radiative transfer is applicable to the analysis of transmission medium loss. A power series solution in terms of the transmission medium loss is given for the solution of the noise temperature contribution.

Sensitivity analysis of heliostat aiming strategies and receiver size on annual thermal production of a molten salt external receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Servert, Jorge; González, Ana; Gil, Javier; López, Diego; Funes, Jose Felix; Jurado, Alfonso

2017-06-01

Even though receiver size and aiming strategy are to be jointly analyzed to optimize the thermal energy that can be extracted from a solar tower receiver, customarily, they have been studied as separated problems. The main reason is the high-level of detail required to define aiming strategies, which are often simplified in annual simulation models. Aiming strategies are usually focused on obtaining a homogeneous heat flux on the central receiver, with the goal to minimize the maximum heat flux value that may lead to damaging it. Some recent studies have addressed the effect of different aiming strategies on different receiver types, but they have only focused on the optical efficiency. The receiver size is also an additional parameter that has to be considered: larger receiver sizes provide a larger aiming surface and a reduction on spillage losses, but require higher investment while penalizing the thermal performance of the receiver due to the greater external convection losses. The present paper presents a sensitivity analysis of both factors for a predefined solar field at a fixed location, using a central receiver and molten salts as HTF. The analysis includes the design point values and annual energy outputs comparing the effect on the optical performance (measured using a spillage factor) and thermal energy production.

Concept dictionary creation and maintenance under resource constraints: lessons from the AMPATH Medical Record System.

PubMed

Were, Martin C; Mamlin, Burke W; Tierney, William M; Wolfe, Ben; Biondich, Paul G

2007-10-11

The challenges of creating and maintaining concept dictionaries are compounded in resource-limited settings. Approaches to alleviate this burden need to be based on information derived in these settings. We created a concept dictionary and evaluated new concept proposals for an open source EMR in a resource-limited setting. Overall, 87% of the concepts in the initial dictionary were used. There were 5137 new concepts proposed, with 77% of these proposed only once. Further characterization of new concept proposals revealed that 41% were due to deficiency in the existing dictionary, and 19% were synonyms to existing concepts. 25% of the requests contained misspellings, 41% were complex terms, and 17% were ambiguous. Given the resource-intensive nature of dictionary creation and maintenance, there should be considerations for centralizing the concept dictionary service, using standards, prioritizing concept proposals, and redesigning the user-interface to reduce this burden in settings with limited resources.

Concept Dictionary Creation and Maintenance Under Resource Constraints: Lessons from the AMPATH Medical Record System

PubMed Central

Were, Martin C.; Mamlin, Burke W.; Tierney, William M.; Wolfe, Ben; Biondich, Paul G.

2007-01-01

The challenges of creating and maintaining concept dictionaries are compounded in resource-limited settings. Approaches to alleviate this burden need to be based on information derived in these settings. We created a concept dictionary and evaluated new concept proposals for an open source EMR in a resource-limited setting. Overall, 87% of the concepts in the initial dictionary were used. There were 5137 new concepts proposed, with 77% of these proposed only once. Further characterization of new concept proposals revealed that 41% were due to deficiency in the existing dictionary, and 19% were synonyms to existing concepts. 25% of the requests contained misspellings, 41% were complex terms, and 17% were ambiguous. Given the resource-intensive nature of dictionary creation and maintenance, there should be considerations for centralizing the concept dictionary service, using standards, prioritizing concept proposals, and redesigning the user-interface to reduce this burden in settings with limited resources. PMID:18693945

Receiver concepts for data transmission at 10 microns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scholtz, A. L.; Philipp, H. K.; Leeb, W. R.

1984-05-01

Receivers for digitally modulated CO2 laser signals are compared. Incoherent heterodyne receivers and coherent homodyne setups, including the linear phase locked loop (PLL) receiver, the low intermediate frequency translation loop, and the Costas loop receiver were studied. Experiments covered the homodyne systems, emphasizing the linear PLL receiver. Reliable phase lock of the receiver is achieved at carrier levels as low as 3 nW. Reception of signals phase shift keyed with a data rate of up to 150 Mbit/sec is demonstrated at subnanowatt sideband power levels.

The Development of a Concept Inventory for Engineering Graphics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nozaki, Steven Yasuto

2017-01-01

Graphics education has been a central component in the engineering course of study. As technology advances, so have the methods in which graphics are expressed and practiced. Though the of media of graphics education have evolved, the concepts of the field remain relatively consistent. Tools are needed to measure students' comprehension,…

The Precalculus Concept Assessment: A Tool for Assessing Students' Reasoning Abilities and Understandings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlson, Marilyn; Oehrtman, Michael; Engelke, Nicole

2010-01-01

This article describes the development of the Precalculus Concept Assessment (PCA) instrument, a 25-item multiple-choice exam. The reasoning abilities and understandings central to precalculus and foundational for beginning calculus were identified and characterized in a series of research studies and are articulated in the PCA Taxonomy. These…

Modelos para la Unificacion de Conceptos, Metodos y Procedimientos Administrativos (Guidelines for Uniform Administrative Concepts, Methods, and Procedures).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Serrano, Jorge A., Ed.

These documents, discussed and approved during the first meeting of the university administrators affiliated with the Federation of Private Universities of Central America and Panama (FUPAC), seek to establish uniform administrative concepts, methods, and procedures, particularly with respect to budgetary matters. The documents define relevant…

Children's Scripts for Social Emotions: Causes and Consequences Are More Central than Are Facial Expressions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Widen, Sherri C.; Russell, James A.

2010-01-01

Understanding and recognition of emotions relies on emotion concepts, which are narrative structures (scripts) specifying facial expressions, causes, consequences, label, etc. organized in a temporal and causal order. Scripts and their development are revealed by examining which components better tap which concepts at which ages. This study…

Basic Concepts of CNS Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nowakowski, R. S.

1987-01-01

The goals of this review are to: (1) provide a set of concepts to aid in the understanding of complex processes which occur during central nervous system (CNS) development; (2) illustrate how they contribute to our knowlege of adult brain anatomy; and (3) delineate how modifications of normal developmental processes may affect the structure and…

Fostering the Exploitation of Open Educational Resources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richter, Thomas; Veith, Patrick

2014-01-01

The central concept behind Open Educational Resources (OER) is opening up the access to educational resources for stakeholders who are not the usual target user group. This concept must be perceived as innovative because it describes a general economic and social paradigm shift: Education, which formerly was limited to a specific group of…

Employing the Power of Technology to Change the Concept of the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kontos, George; And Others

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is constantly striving to expand the concept of the classroom and fulfill the mission of the university, which includes serving the educational needs of employed professionals, regardless of their schedules and distance from the central campus. "Distant learners" include those whose job demands, family…

Reflection in Education: A Kantian Epistemology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Procee, Henk

2006-01-01

As even its defenders admit, reflection in education suffers from a lack of conceptual clarity. In this essay, Henk Procee provides a philosophical analysis of the central concepts in this domain. In the current literature, these concepts are usually taken from the pragmatic school of John Dewey and from critical social theory associated with…

Ecuador--Land of Contrasts. Kindergarten-Third Grade.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Samuelsen, Mary Lou

This primary social studies unit, designed to teach an awareness of the Americas, is appropriate for teaching kindergarten through third grade students about Ecuador. The activities could easily be adapted to fit Mexico and many other countries in Central and South America. Eleven basic concepts are developed in this unit. The concepts are: (1)…

Learning about Life and Death in Early Childhood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Slaughter, Virginia; Lyons, Michelle

2003-01-01

Inagaki and Hatano (2002) have argued that young children initially understand biological phenomena in terms of vitalism, a mode of construal in which "life" or "life-force" is the central causal-explanatory concept. This study investigated the development of vitalistic reasoning in young children's concepts of life, the human body and death.…

Meaning Making: What Reflective Essays Reveal about Biology Students' Conceptions about Natural Selection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balgopal, Meena M.; Montplaisir, Lisa M.

2011-01-01

The process of reflective writing can play a central role in making meaning as learners process new information and connect it to prior knowledge. An examination of the written discourse can therefore be revealing of learners' cognitive understanding and affective (beliefs, feelings, motivation to learn) responses to concepts. Despite reflective…

Activity-Based Restorative Therapies: Concepts and Applications in Spinal Cord Injury-Related Neurorehabilitation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sadowsky, Cristina L.; McDonald, John W.

2009-01-01

Physical rehabilitation following spinal cord injury-related paralysis has traditionally focused on teaching compensatory techniques, thus enabling the individual to achieve day-to-day function despite significant neurological deficits. But the concept of an irreparable central nervous system (CNS) is slowly being replaced with evidence related to…

After Decentralization: Delimitations and Possibilities within New Fields

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wahlstrom, Ninni

2008-01-01

The shift from a centralized to a decentralized school system can be seen as a solution to an uncertain problem. Through analysing the displacements in the concept of equivalence within Sweden's decentralized school system, this study illustrates how the meaning of the concept of equivalence shifts over time, from a more collective target…

Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Understanding Conceptual Change and Development in Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Englund, Claire; Olofsson, Anders D.; Price, Linda

2017-01-01

Research indicates that teachers' conceptions of and approaches to teaching with technology are central for the successful imple-mentation of educational technologies in higher education. This study advances this premise. We present a 10-year longitudinal study examining teachers' conceptions of and approaches to teaching and learning with…

How Learning Logic Programming Affects Recursion Comprehension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haberman, Bruria

2004-01-01

Recursion is a central concept in computer science, yet it is difficult for beginners to comprehend. Israeli high-school students learn recursion in the framework of a special modular program in computer science (Gal-Ezer & Harel, 1999). Some of them are introduced to the concept of recursion in two different paradigms: the procedural…

The Role of Values and Evaluation in Thinking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

House, Ernest R.

2016-01-01

The concept of values is the central concept in evaluation. There are several ways of looking at values, including from the perspectives of philosophy, psychology, sociology, biology, and biography. In this article Ernest House discusses how values are conceived in cognitive psychology and what that means for evaluation. Further, he discusses the…

Relentless Verity: Education for Being-Becoming-Belonging.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kidd, James Robbins

The dynamic relationship of the concepts of being, becoming, and belonging is and must be the heart and central goal of adult education. The concept can be understood most readily by examination of the writings of humanist psychologists such as Carl Rogers, Fritz Perls, Gordon Allport, and Abraham Maslow. Some characteristics or dimensions of an…

Chasing Butterflies without a Net: Interpreting Cosmopolitanism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hansen, David T.

2010-01-01

In this article, I map current conceptions of cosmopolitanism and sketch distinctions between the concept and humanism and multiculturalism. The differences mirror what I take to be a central motif of cosmopolitanism: the capacity to fuse reflective openness to the new with reflective loyalty to the known. This motif invites a reconsideration of…

Academic Race Stereotypes, Academic Self-Concept, and Racial Centrality in African American Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Okeke, Ndidi A.; Howard, Lionel C.; Kurtz-Costes, Beth; Rowley, Stephanie J.

2009-01-01

The relation between academic race stereotype endorsement and academic self-concept was examined in two studies of seventh- and eighth-grade African Americans. Based on expectancy-value theory, the authors hypothesized that academic race stereotype endorsement would be negatively related to self-perceptions. Furthermore, it was anticipated that…

Recovery Following Bereavement: An Examination of the Concept

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balk, David E.

2004-01-01

Herman Feifel noted that appropriate attention to one's mourning and grieving allowed the dead to die and the bereaved "to redefine and reintegrate oneself into life" (H. Feifel, 1977, p. 9). The author takes this central focus on bereavement outcomes as the springboard for an examination of the concept recovery following bereavement. He examines…

Self-Determination: A Critical Component of Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Denney, Stephen C.; Daviso, Alfred W.

2012-01-01

Self-Determination is a central concept in special education practice and policy. Research indicates that students who possess specific self-determination skills have better outcomes and enhanced quality of life. Self-determination is a broad term and can be looked at in a variety of ways with differing values of importance. The concept of…

Dynamic Diversity: Toward a Contextual Understanding of Critical Mass

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garces, Liliana M.; Jayakumar, Uma M.

2014-01-01

Through an analysis of relevant social science evidence, this article provides a deeper understanding of critical mass, a concept that has become central in litigation efforts related to affirmative action admissions policies that seek to further the educational benefits of diversity. We demonstrate that the concept of critical mass requires an…

Using Informal Inferential Reasoning to Develop Formal Concepts: Analyzing an Activity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weinberg, Aaron; Wiesner, Emilie; Pfaff, Thomas J.

2010-01-01

Inferential reasoning is a central component of statistics. Researchers have suggested that students should develop an informal understanding of the ideas that underlie inference before learning the concepts formally. This paper presents a hands-on activity that is designed to help students in an introductory statistics course draw informal…

Conflicts of Interest: An Indispensable Element of Education for Sustainable Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundegard, Iann; Wickman, Per-Olof

2007-01-01

A central concept introduced in the Nordic debate on sustainable development is "action competence". The concept has been defined as a competence of learners, i.e. the ability to take into consideration the social factors and human conflict of interest that lies behind environmental questions and sustainable development. The concern of…

"What Exactly Is Parliament?": Finding the Place of Substantive Knowledge in History

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palek, Dominik

2015-01-01

The relationship between knowledge and literacy is a central concern for all teachers. In his teaching, Palek noted that his students were struggling to understand complex substantive concepts such as "parliament" and decided to explore the relationship between students' understanding of a concept and their wider substantive knowledge…

Mind the gap! Automated concept map feedback supports students in writing cohesive explanations.

PubMed

Lachner, Andreas; Burkhart, Christian; Nückles, Matthias

2017-03-01

Many students are challenged with the demand of writing cohesive explanations. To support students in writing cohesive explanations, we developed a computer-based feedback tool that visualizes cohesion deficits of students' explanations in a concept map. We conducted three studies to investigate the effectiveness of such feedback as well as the underlying cognitive processes. In Study 1, we found that the concept map helped students identify potential cohesion gaps in their drafts and plan remedial revisions. In Study 2, students with concept map feedback conducted revisions that resulted in more locally and globally cohesive, and also more comprehensible, explanations than the explanations of students who revised without concept map feedback. In Study 3, we replicated the findings of Study 2 by and large. More importantly, students who had received concept map feedback on a training explanation 1 week later wrote a transfer explanation without feedback that was more cohesive than the explanation of students who had received no feedback on their training explanation. The automated concept map feedback appears to particularly support the evaluation phase of the revision process. Furthermore, the feedback enabled novice writers to acquire sustainable skills in writing cohesive explanations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Grounded understanding of abstract concepts: The case of STEM learning.

PubMed

Hayes, Justin C; Kraemer, David J M

2017-01-01

Characterizing the neural implementation of abstract conceptual representations has long been a contentious topic in cognitive science. At the heart of the debate is whether the "sensorimotor" machinery of the brain plays a central role in representing concepts, or whether the involvement of these perceptual and motor regions is merely peripheral or epiphenomenal. The domain of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning provides an important proving ground for sensorimotor (or grounded) theories of cognition, as concepts in science and engineering courses are often taught through laboratory-based and other hands-on methodologies. In this review of the literature, we examine evidence suggesting that sensorimotor processes strengthen learning associated with the abstract concepts central to STEM pedagogy. After considering how contemporary theories have defined abstraction in the context of semantic knowledge, we propose our own explanation for how body-centered information, as computed in sensorimotor brain regions and visuomotor association cortex, can form a useful foundation upon which to build an understanding of abstract scientific concepts, such as mechanical force. Drawing from theories in cognitive neuroscience, we then explore models elucidating the neural mechanisms involved in grounding intangible concepts, including Hebbian learning, predictive coding, and neuronal recycling. Empirical data on STEM learning through hands-on instruction are considered in light of these neural models. We conclude the review by proposing three distinct ways in which the field of cognitive neuroscience can contribute to STEM learning by bolstering our understanding of how the brain instantiates abstract concepts in an embodied fashion.

Generating disease-pertinent treatment vocabularies from MEDLINE citations.

PubMed

Wang, Liqin; Del Fiol, Guilherme; Bray, Bruce E; Haug, Peter J

2017-01-01

Healthcare communities have identified a significant need for disease-specific information. Disease-specific ontologies are useful in assisting the retrieval of disease-relevant information from various sources. However, building these ontologies is labor intensive. Our goal is to develop a system for an automated generation of disease-pertinent concepts from a popular knowledge resource for the building of disease-specific ontologies. A pipeline system was developed with an initial focus of generating disease-specific treatment vocabularies. It was comprised of the components of disease-specific citation retrieval, predication extraction, treatment predication extraction, treatment concept extraction, and relevance ranking. A semantic schema was developed to support the extraction of treatment predications and concepts. Four ranking approaches (i.e., occurrence, interest, degree centrality, and weighted degree centrality) were proposed to measure the relevance of treatment concepts to the disease of interest. We measured the performance of four ranks in terms of the mean precision at the top 100 concepts with five diseases, as well as the precision-recall curves against two reference vocabularies. The performance of the system was also compared to two baseline approaches. The pipeline system achieved a mean precision of 0.80 for the top 100 concepts with the ranking by interest. There were no significant different among the four ranks (p=0.53). However, the pipeline-based system had significantly better performance than the two baselines. The pipeline system can be useful for an automated generation of disease-relevant treatment concepts from the biomedical literature. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Centralities in simplicial complexes. Applications to protein interaction networks.

PubMed

Estrada, Ernesto; Ross, Grant J

2018-02-07

Complex networks can be used to represent complex systems which originate in the real world. Here we study a transformation of these complex networks into simplicial complexes, where cliques represent the simplices of the complex. We extend the concept of node centrality to that of simplicial centrality and study several mathematical properties of degree, closeness, betweenness, eigenvector, Katz, and subgraph centrality for simplicial complexes. We study the degree distributions of these centralities at the different levels. We also compare and describe the differences between the centralities at the different levels. Using these centralities we study a method for detecting essential proteins in PPI networks of cells and explain the varying abilities of the centrality measures at the different levels in identifying these essential proteins. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Design concepts and performance of NASA X-band transponder (DST) for deep space spacecraft applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mysoor, Narayan R.; Perret, Jonathan D.; Kermode, Arthur W.

1991-01-01

The design concepts and measured performance characteristics of an X band (7162 MHz/8415 MHz) breadboard deep space transponder (DST) for future spacecraft applications, with the first use scheduled for the Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) and Cassini missions in 1995 and 1996, respectively. The DST consists of a double conversion, superheterodyne, automatic phase tracking receiver, and an X band (8415 MHz) exciter to drive redundant downlink power amplifiers. The receiver acquires and coherently phase tracks the modulated or unmodulated X band (7162 MHz) uplink carrier signal. The exciter phase modulates the X band (8415 MHz) downlink signal with composite telemetry and ranging signals. The receiver measured tracking threshold, automatic gain control static phase error, and phase jitter characteristics of the breadboard DST are in good agreement with the expected performance. The measured results show a receiver tracking threshold of -158 dBm and a dynamic signal range of 88 dB.

An X-band spacecraft transponder for deep space applications - Design concepts and breadboard performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mysoor, Narayan R.; Perret, Jonathan D.; Kermode, Arthur W.

1992-01-01

The design concepts and measured performance characteristics are summarized of an X band (7162 MHz/8415 MHz) breadboard deep space transponder (DSP) for future spacecraft applications, with the first use scheduled for the Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) and Cassini missions in 1995 and 1996, respectively. The DST consists of a double conversion, superheterodyne, automatic phase tracking receiver, and an X band (8415 MHz) exciter to drive redundant downlink power amplifiers. The receiver acquires and coherently phase tracks the modulated or unmodulated X band (7162 MHz) uplink carrier signal. The exciter phase modulates the band (8415 MHz) downlink signal with composite telemetry and ranging signals. The receiver measured tracking threshold, automatic gain control, static phase error, and phase jitter characteristics of the breadboard DST are in good agreement with the expected performance. The measured results show a receiver tracking threshold of -158 dBm and a dynamic signal range of 88 dB.

Forest habitat types of central Idaho

Treesearch

Robert Steele; Robert D. Pfister; Russell A. Ryker; Jay A. Kittams

1981-01-01

A land-classification system based upon potential natural vegetation is presented for the forests of central Idaho. It is based on reconnaissance sampling of about 800 stands. A hierarchical taxonomic classification of forest sites was developed using the habitat type concept. A total of eight climax series, 64 habitat types, and 55 additional phases of habitat types...

Metaphors--Messengers of Meaning: A Contribution to an Evolutionary Sociology of Science.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maasen, Sabine; Weingart, Peter

1995-01-01

Presents the idea that the central link between science and society is established by a diffusion of knowledge. Suggests knowledge transfers may be analyzed in a metaphorical context and that a metaphorical analysis should be combined with discourse analysis and central concepts of evolutionary theory. (50 references) (Author/AEF)

A Module for Hospital Central Processing Technicians on Decontamination, Assembly and Wrapping Concepts of GYN Hysterectomy Instruments.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wojcik, Roseann B.; Moseley, James L.

This learning module can be used as an orientation guide, inservice tool, or resource guide for hospital central processing department technicians and instructors. It contains information sheets, worksheets, worksheet answers, a posttest, and posttest answers on correct procedures for decontaminating, assembling, and wrapping the medical…

Moral Choices in Contemporary Society: A Study Guide for Courses by Newspaper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marcolongo, Francis J.

The study guide for a newspaper course on moral choices in contemporary society provides overviews, definitions, and review questions to accompany the reader and related articles. Designed for independent study, the guide helps students to understand central concepts, relate various readings to a central theme, and pursue additional reading on…

The effect of biogeographic and phylogeographic barriers on gene flow in the brown smoothhound shark, Mustelus henlei, in the northeastern Pacific

PubMed Central

Chabot, Chris L; Espinoza, Mario; Mascareñas-Osorio, Ismael; Rocha-Olivares, Axayácatl

2015-01-01

We assessed the effects of the prominent biogeographic (Point Conception and the Peninsula of Baja California) and phylogeographic barriers (Los Angeles Region) of the northeastern Pacific on the population connectivity of the brown smoothhound shark, Mustelus henlei (Triakidae). Data from the mitochondrial control region and six nuclear microsatellite loci revealed significant population structure among three populations: northern (San Francisco), central (Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, Punta Lobos, and San Felipe), and southern (Costa Rica). Patterns of long-term and contemporary migration were incongruent, with long-term migration being asymmetric and occurring in a north to south direction and a lack of significant contemporary migration observed between localities with the exception of Punta Lobos that contributed migrants to all localities within the central population. Our findings indicate that Point Conception may be restricting gene flow between the northern and central populations whereas barriers to gene flow within the central population would seem to be ineffective; additionally, a contemporary expansion of tropical M. henlei into subtropical and temperate waters may have been observed. PMID:25937903

Annual Report (63rd) of the Chief, National Guard Bureau for the Fiscal Year 1969

DTIC Science & Technology

1969-06-30

The National Guard is rooted in the concept of the privilege and responsibility of our able-bodied citizens to be ready at all times to bear arms for...authors of the Constitution recognized the importance of the concept by empowering the Congress to "provide for organizing, arming and disciplining...with Federal requirements have been based on a centralized concept , with Army and Air National Guard support predicated upon the number of

Arms Transfers to Venezuela: A Comparative and Critical Analysis of the Acquisition Process (1980-1996).

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-03-01

Budget (Oficina Central de Presupuesto [OCEPRE]), which is the presidential agency with overall responsibility to formulate the national budget...Budget (Oficina Central de Presupuesto OCEPRE), and they receive a special treatment in the Venezuelan Budgetary process. The OCEPRE is the...the Central Office of Budget (Oficina Central de Presupuesto , OCEPRE). This occurs when funds for weapons acquisitions come from the ordinary budget

Shifting concepts, changing contexts: the new schools' drive for change.

PubMed

Dupper, Maegen; Millard, Heidi; Lyons, Paul

2016-03-01

Seventeen new medical schools were founded in the US and Canada in the decade prior to 2014. These new medical schools continue the tradition of utilizing mission statements (MSs) to convey goals and ideals. The authors aimed to compare these 17 new medical schools' MSs with MSs of previously established medical schools in the US and Canada. The MSs of the 17 newest medical schools were processed and analyzed utilizing network text analysis software that assessed centrality of concepts within new medical schools' MSs. This semantic network data was then compared to existing similar analysis by Grbic et al. (Acad Med 88(6):852-860, 2013. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0b013e31828f603d ). Four concepts were found to be more central in new medical schools' MSs as compared to established medical schools' MSs: "physicians," "improve," "diversity," and "innovation." Grbic et al. found four concepts to be central to all 132 medical schools "health" or "health_care," "research," "education," and "premier" which are shared top themes of the new medical schools' MSs. The author's analysis has demonstrated that new medical schools, as compared to previously established subsets of medical schools, developed both shared and unique language within their MSs. This unique vocabulary reflected a response to a dynamic healthcare environment during the decade of new medical school development. New medical schools may have responded to environmental challenges including a physician shortage while also recognizing the need for a diverse physician workforce prepared to apply innovative strategies to healthcare.

The creation and evaluation of a model predicting the probability of conception in seasonal-calving, pasture-based dairy cows.

PubMed

Fenlon, Caroline; O'Grady, Luke; Doherty, Michael L; Dunnion, John; Shalloo, Laurence; Butler, Stephen T

2017-07-01

Reproductive performance in pasture-based production systems has a fundamentally important effect on economic efficiency. The individual factors affecting the probability of submission and conception are multifaceted and have been extensively researched. The present study analyzed some of these factors in relation to service-level probability of conception in seasonal-calving pasture-based dairy cows to develop a predictive model of conception. Data relating to 2,966 services from 737 cows on 2 research farms were used for model development and data from 9 commercial dairy farms were used for model testing, comprising 4,212 services from 1,471 cows. The data spanned a 15-yr period and originated from seasonal-calving pasture-based dairy herds in Ireland. The calving season for the study herds extended from January to June, with peak calving in February and March. A base mixed-effects logistic regression model was created using a stepwise model-building strategy and incorporated parity, days in milk, interservice interval, calving difficulty, and predicted transmitting abilities for calving interval and milk production traits. To attempt to further improve the predictive capability of the model, the addition of effects that were not statistically significant was considered, resulting in a final model composed of the base model with the inclusion of BCS at service. The models' predictions were evaluated using discrimination to measure their ability to correctly classify positive and negative cases. Precision, recall, F-score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. Calibration tests measured the accuracy of the predicted probabilities. These included tests of overall goodness-of-fit, bias, and calibration error. Both models performed better than using the population average probability of conception. Neither of the models showed high levels of discrimination (base model AUC 0.61, final model AUC 0.62), possibly because of the narrow central range of conception rates in the study herds. The final model was found to reliably predict the probability of conception without bias when evaluated against the full external data set, with a mean absolute calibration error of 2.4%. The chosen model could be used to support a farmer's decision-making and in stochastic simulation of fertility in seasonal-calving pasture-based dairy cows. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of Centralizing Acute Stroke Services on Stroke Care Provision in Two Large Metropolitan Areas in England

PubMed Central

Morris, Stephen; Hoffman, Alex; Hunter, Rachael M.; Boaden, Ruth; McKevitt, Christopher; Perry, Catherine; Pursani, Nanik; Rudd, Anthony G.; Turner, Simon J.; Tyrrell, Pippa J.; Wolfe, Charles D.A.; Fulop, Naomi J.

2015-01-01

Background and Purpose— In 2010, Greater Manchester and London centralized acute stroke care into hyperacute units (Greater Manchester=3, London=8), with additional units providing ongoing specialist stroke care nearer patients’ homes. Greater Manchester patients presenting within 4 hours of symptom onset were eligible for hyperacute unit admission; all London patients were eligible. Research indicates that postcentralization, only London’s stroke mortality fell significantly more than elsewhere in England. This article attempts to explain this difference by analyzing how centralization affects provision of evidence-based clinical interventions. Methods— Controlled before and after analysis was conducted, using national audit data covering Greater Manchester, London, and a noncentralized urban comparator (38 623 adult stroke patients, April 2008 to December 2012). Likelihood of receiving all interventions measured reliably in pre- and postcentralization audits (brain scan; stroke unit admission; receiving antiplatelet; physiotherapist, nutrition, and swallow assessments) was calculated, adjusting for age, sex, stroke-type, consciousness, and whether stroke occurred in-hospital. Results— Postcentralization, likelihood of receiving interventions increased in all areas. London patients were overall significantly more likely to receive interventions, for example, brain scan within 3 hours: Greater Manchester=65.2% (95% confidence interval=64.3–66.2); London=72.1% (71.4–72.8); comparator=55.5% (54.8–56.3). Hyperacute units were significantly more likely to provide interventions, but fewer Greater Manchester patients were admitted to these (Greater Manchester=39%; London=93%). Differences resulted from contrasting hyperacute unit referral criteria and how reliably they were followed. Conclusions— Centralized systems admitting all stroke patients to hyperacute units, as in London, are significantly more likely to provide evidence-based clinical interventions. This may help explain previous research showing better outcomes associated with fully centralized models. PMID:26130092

Central line associated sepsis in children receiving parenteral nutrition in Oman.

PubMed

Al Lawati, Tawfiq T; Al Jamie, Adawaiya; Al Mufarraji, Nasra

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) is used when gut fails to provide complete nutrition. Central line Associate Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) a major complication of this therapy. The objective of the study was to report the incidence of CLABSI and associated mortality in children receiving PN in the Royal Hospital and study the indication and duration of PN use. All children from the age of 0-48 months who received TPN outside NICU from the period between 1/1/2011 till 31/12/2014 were included. Data were retrieved from the hospital electronic data base. There were 42 children 27 males and 15 females who used PN through a central line for a total duration of 569 days. The incidence of CLABSI was 14 days per 1000 days catheter and mortality of 556 per 10000. The average duration of TPN was 14.5 days. Most of the patient had CLABSI in the PICU and cardiac related illness or surgery was the most common indication of PN use. The average duration of use was 14 days. Inspite of that short duration use of PN, there is a very high incidence of CLABSI and its related mortality. Bundle policy for central line care is not used in the Royal Hospital and this study calls for urgent implementation of central line care bundle policy in the Royal Hospital. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Differentiation of Enhancing Glioma and Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma by Texture-Based Machine Learning.

PubMed

Alcaide-Leon, P; Dufort, P; Geraldo, A F; Alshafai, L; Maralani, P J; Spears, J; Bharatha, A

2017-06-01

Accurate preoperative differentiation of primary central nervous system lymphoma and enhancing glioma is essential to avoid unnecessary neurosurgical resection in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a machine-learning algorithm by using texture analysis of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images for differentiation of primary central nervous system lymphoma and enhancing glioma. Seventy-one adult patients with enhancing gliomas and 35 adult patients with primary central nervous system lymphomas were included. The tumors were manually contoured on contrast-enhanced T1WI, and the resulting volumes of interest were mined for textural features and subjected to a support vector machine-based machine-learning protocol. Three readers classified the tumors independently on contrast-enhanced T1WI. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were estimated for each reader and for the support vector machine classifier. A noninferiority test for diagnostic accuracy based on paired areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve was performed with a noninferiority margin of 0.15. The mean areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.877 (95% CI, 0.798-0.955) for the support vector machine classifier; 0.878 (95% CI, 0.807-0.949) for reader 1; 0.899 (95% CI, 0.833-0.966) for reader 2; and 0.845 (95% CI, 0.757-0.933) for reader 3. The mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the support vector machine classifier was significantly noninferior to the mean area under the curve of reader 1 ( P = .021), reader 2 ( P = .035), and reader 3 ( P = .007). Support vector machine classification based on textural features of contrast-enhanced T1WI is noninferior to expert human evaluation in the differentiation of primary central nervous system lymphoma and enhancing glioma. © 2017 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Nurses as 'guests'--a study of a concept in light of Jacques Derrida's philosophy of hospitality.

PubMed

Oresland, Stina; Lutzén, Kim; Norberg, Astrid; Rasmussen, Birgit H; Määttä, Sylvia

2013-04-01

As revealed in previous empirical research, nurses describe their position in home-based nursing care (HBNC) as that of 'guests' in the patient's home. Such a description is problematic as 'guests' might not be considered to belong to the realm of professionalism. As Jacques Derrida's work on hospitality has received wide publicity, sparking theoretical and philosophical discussion about host and guest, the aim of this study was to explore how the concept 'guests' can be understood in the light of Derrida's philosophy of hospitality. The study revealed that (a) guest must be considered a binary concept; and (b) hospitality should be regarded as an exchange of giving and receiving between a host and a guest. The present study demonstrated that it is important to reflect on the meaning of the concepts used by nurses in HBNC. Further theoretical and empirical exploration of the concept 'hospitality' would be fruitful, i.e. what is patients' understanding of 'hospitality' and 'hostility' related to nurses' descriptions of themselves as 'guests' in the patient's home. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Control Centrality and Hierarchical Structure in Complex Networks

PubMed Central

Liu, Yang-Yu; Slotine, Jean-Jacques; Barabási, Albert-László

2012-01-01

We introduce the concept of control centrality to quantify the ability of a single node to control a directed weighted network. We calculate the distribution of control centrality for several real networks and find that it is mainly determined by the network’s degree distribution. We show that in a directed network without loops the control centrality of a node is uniquely determined by its layer index or topological position in the underlying hierarchical structure of the network. Inspired by the deep relation between control centrality and hierarchical structure in a general directed network, we design an efficient attack strategy against the controllability of malicious networks. PMID:23028542

Space Solar Power Satellite Systems, Modern Small Satellites, and Space Rectenna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergsrud, Corey Alexis Marvin

Space solar power satellite (SSPS) systems is the concept of placing large satellite into geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) to harvest and convert massive amounts of solar energy into microwave energy, and to transmit the microwaves to a rectifying antenna (rectenna) array on Earth. The rectenna array captures and converts the microwave power into usable power that is injected into the terrestrial electric grid for use. This work approached the microwave power beam as an additional source of power (with solar) for lower orbiting satellites. Assuming the concept of retrodirectivity, a GEO-SSPS antenna array system tracks and delivers microwave power to lower orbiting satellites. The lower orbiting satellites are equipped with a stacked photovoltaic (PV)/rectenna array hybrid power generation unit (HPGU) in order to harvest solar and/or microwave energy for on-board use during orbit. The area, and mass of the PV array part of the HPGU was reduced at about 32% beginning-of-life power in order to achieve the spacecraft power requirements. The HPGU proved to offer a mass decrease in the PGU, and an increase in mission life due to longer living component life of the rectenna array. Moreover, greater mission flexibility is achieved through a track and power delivery concept. To validate the potential advantages offered by a HPGU, a mission concept was presented that utilizes modern small satellites as technology demonstrators. During launch, a smaller power receiving "daughter" satellite sits inside a larger power transmitting "mother" satellite. Once separated from the launch vehicle the daughter satellite is ejected away from the mother satellite, and each satellite deploys its respective power transmitting or power receiving hardware's for experimentation. The concept of close proximity mission operations between the satellites is considered. To validate the technology of the space rectenna array part of the HPGU, six milestones were completed in the design. The first milestone considers thermal analysis for antennas, and the second milestone compares commercial off-the-shelve high frequency substrates for thermal, and outgassing characteristics. Since the design of the rectenna system is centralized around the diode component, a diode analysis was conducted for the third milestone. Next, to efficiently transfer power between the different parts of the rectenna system a coplanar stripline was consider for the fourth milestone. The fifth milestone is a balanced-to-unbalanced transition structure that is needed to properly feed and measure different systems of the rectenna. The last milestone proposes laboratory measurement setups. Each of these milestones is a separate research question that is answered in this dissertation. The results of these rectenna milestones can be integrated into a HPGU.

Health: A Developing Concept in Nursing.

PubMed

Alslman, Eman Tariq; Ahmad, Muayyad M; Bani Hani, Manar Ali; Atiyeh, Huda Mohammad

2017-04-01

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the level of maturity of the concept of health in the nursing discipline. The four principles of Morse and colleagues were used to evaluate the level of maturity of the health concept-epistemological, logical, pragmatical, and linguistical. This evaluation suggests that the concept of health in nursing is immature, defined inconsistently, and with different instruments. Health is a central concept for nursing. Additional concept development and clarification are needed. For the concept of health to be conceptualized, it is important that nurses have consensus regarding the definition of health. The nursing discipline should define health in a manner that is consistent with its philosophical presuppositions. Further, it should be measurable, empirically based, and capture the outcomes that are sensitive to the nursing interventions. © 2015 NANDA International, Inc.

Single-stick tunneled central venous access using the jugular veins in infants weighing less than 5 kg.

PubMed

Lindquester, Will S; Hawkins, C Matthew; Monroe, Eric J; Gill, Anne E; Shivaram, Giridhar M; Seidel, F Glen; Lungren, Matthew P

2017-11-01

Despite the demonstrated feasibility of the single-stick technique in the femoral vein, its use in neonates and infants for placing central lines in internal and external jugular veins has not been reported. Describe and assess the safety and efficacy of tunneled jugular central venous catheter placement performed under ultrasound (US) and fluoroscopic guidance in neonates and infants weighing <5 kg using the single-stick technique at three tertiary pediatric hospitals. Thirty-three children weighing less than 5 kg received tunneled central venous access in either internal or external jugular veins using the single-stick technique. Patient history, procedural records and clinical follow-up documents were retrospectively reviewed. Complication rates were compared to those of 41 patients receiving single-stick femoral central lines. Technical complications occurred during one (3.0%) jugular placement with the patient having a failed right-side attempt with subsequent successful left-side placement. The catheters did not last the entire course of treatment in three (9.1%) patients with jugular lines. One patient had the catheter removed due to concern for infection, one catheter was accidentally removed during dressing changes, and one catheter was displaced and subsequently exchanged. Of patients receiving femoral central lines, 1 (2.4%) had a technical complication and 5 catheters (12.2%) did not last the entire course of treatment. The placement of tunneled central venous catheters in neonates/infants <5 kg is safe and technically feasible using the internal/external jugular vein via the single-stick technique. By theoretically reducing the risks of catheter infection by avoiding the diaper area and thrombosis by using larger veins, it may be preferable in certain patient populations.

Development of a solar receiver for an organic rankine cycle engine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Haskins, H.J.; Taylor, R.M.; Osborn, D.B.

A solar receiver is described for use with an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) engine as part of the Small Community Solar Thermal Power Experiment (SCSE). The selected receiver concept is a direct-heated, once-through, monotube boiler normally operating at supercritical pressure. Fabrication methods for the receiver core have been developed and validated with flat braze samples, cylindrical segment samples, and a complete full-scale core assembly.

Solar thermal repowering utility value analysis. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Taylor, R.; Day, J.; Reed, B.

The retrofit of solar central receiver energy supply systems to existing steam-electric generating stations (repowering) is being considered as a major programmatic thrust by DOE. The determination of a government response appropriate to the opportunities of repowering is an important policy question, and is the major reason for the analysis. The study objective is to define a government role in repowering that constitutes an efficient program investment in pursuit of viable private markets for heliostat-based energy systems. In support of that objective, the study is designed to identify the scope and nature of the repowering opportunity within the larger contextmore » of its contributions to central receiver technology development and commercialization. The Supply and Integration Tasks are documented elsewhere. This report documents the Demand Task, determining and quantifying the sources of the value of repowering and of central receiver technology in general to electric utilities. The modeling tools and assumptions used in the Demand Task are described and the results are presented and interpreted. (MCW)« less

Solar Stirling receiver alternatives for the terrestrial solar application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stearns, J.

1986-01-01

Concept studies have been completed for four dish-Stirling receivers, i.e., solar only and thermal storage receiver, each of which is either directly coupled or indirectly (heat pipe) coupled to the Stirling engine. The results of these studies are to be applied to systems benefit/cost analysis to determine the most desirable development approach.

An Evaluation of the Early Alert (STAR) Program at Central Piedmont Community College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gammon, J. B.

2017-01-01

Central Piedmont Community College is exploring ways to help at-risk students achieve academic success by utilizing an early-alert system called Success Through Academic Reporting (STAR). All First-Time, Full-time Degree-seeking students (FFD) receive an opportunity for follow-up services that support a centralized strategy, which has the…

Healthcare justice and human rights in perinatal medicine.

PubMed

Chervenak, Frank A; McCullough, Laurence B

2016-06-01

This article describes an approach to ethics of perinatal medicine in which "women and children first" plays a central role, based on the concept of healthcare justice. Healthcare justice requires that all patients receive clinical management based on their clinical needs, which are defined by deliberative (evidence-based, rigorous, transparent, and accountable) clinical judgment. All patients in perinatal medicine includes pregnant, fetal, and neonatal patients. Healthcare justice also protects the informed consent process, which is intended to empower the exercise of patient autonomy in the decision-making process about patient care. In the context of healthcare justice, the informed consent process should not be influenced by ethically irrelevant factors. Healthcare justice should be understood as a basis for the human rights to healthcare and to participate in decisions about one's healthcare. Healthcare justice in perinatal medicine creates an essential role for the perinatologist to be an effective advocate for pregnant, fetal, and neonatal patients, i.e., for "women and children first." Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Surveillance of bloodstream infections in pediatric cancer centers – what have we learned and how do we move on?

PubMed Central

Simon, Arne; Furtwängler, Rhoikos; Graf, Norbert; Laws, Hans Jürgen; Voigt, Sebastian; Piening, Brar; Geffers, Christine; Agyeman, Philipp; Ammann, Roland A.

2016-01-01

Pediatric patients receiving conventional chemotherapy for malignant disease face an increased risk of bloodstream infection (BSI). Since BSI may represent an acute life-threatening event in patients with profound immunosuppression, and show further negative impact on quality of life and anticancer treatment, the prevention of BSI is of paramount importance to improve and guarantee patients’ safety during intensive treatment. The great majority of all pediatric cancer patients (about 85%) have a long-term central venous access catheter in use (type Broviac or Port; CVAD). Referring to the current surveillance definitions a significant proportion of all BSI in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia is categorized as CVAD-associated BSI. This state of the art review summarizes the epidemiology and the distinct pathogen profile of BSI in pediatric cancer patients from the perspective of infection surveillance. Problems in executing the current surveillance definition in this patient population are discussed and a new concept for the surveillance of BSI in pediatric cancer patients is outlined. PMID:27274442

Surveillance of bloodstream infections in pediatric cancer centers - what have we learned and how do we move on?

PubMed

Simon, Arne; Furtwängler, Rhoikos; Graf, Norbert; Laws, Hans Jürgen; Voigt, Sebastian; Piening, Brar; Geffers, Christine; Agyeman, Philipp; Ammann, Roland A

2016-01-01

Pediatric patients receiving conventional chemotherapy for malignant disease face an increased risk of bloodstream infection (BSI). Since BSI may represent an acute life-threatening event in patients with profound immunosuppression, and show further negative impact on quality of life and anticancer treatment, the prevention of BSI is of paramount importance to improve and guarantee patients' safety during intensive treatment. The great majority of all pediatric cancer patients (about 85%) have a long-term central venous access catheter in use (type Broviac or Port; CVAD). Referring to the current surveillance definitions a significant proportion of all BSI in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia is categorized as CVAD-associated BSI. This state of the art review summarizes the epidemiology and the distinct pathogen profile of BSI in pediatric cancer patients from the perspective of infection surveillance. Problems in executing the current surveillance definition in this patient population are discussed and a new concept for the surveillance of BSI in pediatric cancer patients is outlined.

Somnolence after prophylactic cranial irradiation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Freeman, J.E.; Johnston, P.G.B.; Voke, J.M.

1973-12-01

A transient cerebral disturbance characterized by somnolence of varying degree is described in children after cranial irradiation given as part of central nervous system (C.N.S.) prophylaxis for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission. Out of 28 such children receiving cranial irradiation from a telecobalt unit as part of the Medical Research Council protocol for C.N.S. prophylaxis 11 (39%) developed pronounced symptoms of somnolence, anorexia, and lethargy some six weeks after the completion of cranial irradiation, and a further 11 (39%) developed these features in mild form. In all cases the symptoms were transient, no focal neurological abnormality was detected, and allmore » children made a spontansous and complete recovery. E.E.G. studies on five somnolent children showed similar abnormal activity of diffuse and patchy distribution over both hemispheres. Indirect evidence is presented to support the concept that this syndrome represents a transient radiation encephalopathy, analogous to acute transient radiation myelopathy, caused by temporary disturbance of myelin synthesis. (auth)« less

Fibromyalgia: harmonizing science with clinical practice considerations.

PubMed

Perrot, Serge; Dickenson, Anthony H; Bennett, Robert M

2008-01-01

This review summarizes the present and emerging knowledge base on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is the most common chronic pain syndrome encountered in general medicine and rheumatology. Historically, contemporary concepts of fibromyalgia have evolved in terms of its clinical description and parallel advances in the understanding of its pathophysiology. A generally accepted paradigm postulates that fibromyalgia is the clinical expression of a rheumatologic disorder in which the associated pain is driven primarily by central sensitization and possibly through changes in several neuronal systems but not necessarily reliant on peripheral processes. Several agents, including serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (ie, duloxetine and milnacipran), opioids (ie, tramadol), and the alpha2-delta ligand pregabalin, which recently received U.S. regulatory approval for the treatment of fibromyalgia, have been evaluated in clinical trials, demonstrating benefit in terms of pain reduction and improvement in core symptoms (ie, fatigue and sleep disturbance). The European League Against Rheumatism has developed updated guidelines for the management of fibromyalgia.

MEDRank: using graph-based concept ranking to index biomedical texts

PubMed Central

Herskovic, Jorge R.; Cohen, Trevor; Subramanian, Devika; Iyengar, M. Sriram; Smith, Jack W.; Bernstam, Elmer V.

2011-01-01

BACKGROUND As the volume of biomedical text increases exponentially, automatic indexing becomes increasingly important. However, existing approaches do not distinguish central (or core) concepts from concepts that were mentioned in passing. We focus on the problem of indexing MEDLINE records, a process that is currently performed by highly-trained humans at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). NLM indexers are assisted by a system called the Medical Text Indexer (MTI) that suggests candidate indexing terms. OBJECTIVE To improve the ability of MTI to select the core terms in MEDLINE abstracts. These core concepts are deemed to be most important and are designated as “major headings” by MEDLINE indexers. We introduce and evaluate a graph-based indexing methodology called MEDRank that generates concept graphs from biomedical text and then ranks the concepts within these graphs to identify the most important ones. METHODS We insert a MEDRank step into the MTI and compare MTI’s output with and without MEDRank to the MEDLINE indexers’ selected terms for a sample of 11,803 PubMed Central articles. We also tested whether human raters prefer terms generated by the MEDLINE indexers, MTI without MEDRank, and MTI with MEDRank for a sample of 36 PubMed Central articles. RESULTS MEDRank improved recall of major headings designated by 30% over MTI without MEDRank (0.489 vs 0.376). Overall recall was only slightly (6.5%) higher (0.490 vs 0.460) as was F2 (3%, 0.408 vs 0.396). However, overall precision was 3.9% lower (0.268 vs 0.279). Human raters preferred terms generated by MTI with MEDRank over terms generated by MTI without MEDRank (by an average of 1.00 more term per article), and preferred terms generated by MTI with MEDRank and the MEDLINE indexers at the same rate. CONCLUSIONS The addition of MEDRank to MTI significantly improved the retrieval of core concepts in MEDLINE abstracts and more closely matched human expectations compared to MTI without MEDRank. In addition, MEDRank slightly improved overall recall and F2. PMID:21439897

MEDRank: using graph-based concept ranking to index biomedical texts.

PubMed

Herskovic, Jorge R; Cohen, Trevor; Subramanian, Devika; Iyengar, M Sriram; Smith, Jack W; Bernstam, Elmer V

2011-06-01

As the volume of biomedical text increases exponentially, automatic indexing becomes increasingly important. However, existing approaches do not distinguish central (or core) concepts from concepts that were mentioned in passing. We focus on the problem of indexing MEDLINE records, a process that is currently performed by highly trained humans at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). NLM indexers are assisted by a system called the Medical Text Indexer (MTI) that suggests candidate indexing terms. To improve the ability of MTI to select the core terms in MEDLINE abstracts. These core concepts are deemed to be most important and are designated as "major headings" by MEDLINE indexers. We introduce and evaluate a graph-based indexing methodology called MEDRank that generates concept graphs from biomedical text and then ranks the concepts within these graphs to identify the most important ones. We insert a MEDRank step into the MTI and compare MTI's output with and without MEDRank to the MEDLINE indexers' selected terms for a sample of 11,803 PubMed Central articles. We also tested whether human raters prefer terms generated by the MEDLINE indexers, MTI without MEDRank, and MTI with MEDRank for a sample of 36 PubMed Central articles. MEDRank improved recall of major headings designated by 30% over MTI without MEDRank (0.489 vs. 0.376). Overall recall was only slightly (6.5%) higher (0.490 vs. 0.460) as was F(2) (3%, 0.408 vs. 0.396). However, overall precision was 3.9% lower (0.268 vs. 0.279). Human raters preferred terms generated by MTI with MEDRank over terms generated by MTI without MEDRank (by an average of 1.00 more term per article), and preferred terms generated by MTI with MEDRank and the MEDLINE indexers at the same rate. The addition of MEDRank to MTI significantly improved the retrieval of core concepts in MEDLINE abstracts and more closely matched human expectations compared to MTI without MEDRank. In addition, MEDRank slightly improved overall recall and F(2). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Communication and control in an integrated manufacturing system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shin, Kang G.; Throne, Robert D.; Muthuswamy, Yogesh K.

1987-01-01

Typically, components in a manufacturing system are all centrally controlled. Due to possible communication bottlenecking, unreliability, and inflexibility caused by using a centralized controller, a new concept of system integration called an Integrated Multi-Robot System (IMRS) was developed. The IMRS can be viewed as a distributed real time system. Some of the current research issues being examined to extend the framework of the IMRS to meet its performance goals are presented. These issues include the use of communication coprocessors to enhance performance, the distribution of tasks and the methods of providing fault tolerance in the IMRS. An application example of real time collision detection, as it relates to the IMRS concept, is also presented and discussed.

Development of advanced space solar dynamic receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, Yoshiyuki; Tanaka, Kotaro; Nomura, Osami; Kanari, Katsuhiko; Takahashi, Yoshio; Kamimoto, Masayuki

Work on an advanced solar dynamic receiver is reviewed. The authors first describe the component test of the receiver tube with LiF in metallic containers, which was performed in a closed high-temperature He-Xe loop. They then give the details of the development of composite phase change materials, such as ceramic/molten salts or carbon/molten salts for advanced receiver concepts. As for SiC/LiF composites, the performance test of the receiver component will soon be ready to begin.

Putting Threshold Concepts to Work in Health Sciences: Insights for Curriculum Design from a Qualitative Research Synthesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barradell, Sarah; Peseta, Tai

2017-01-01

The idea of threshold concepts (TC) has been well received across the higher education community. However the concept's framework is still evolving and the literature uses the framework in different ways. Just over a decade since the idea first captured interest, it is opportune to explore the nature of that discourse, and the kinds of enquiry…

Associations of centrally acting ACE inhibitors with cognitive decline and survival in Alzheimer’s disease

PubMed Central

Fazal, Karim; Khondoker, Mizanur; Howard, Robert; Stewart, Robert

2017-01-01

Background Cognitive improvement has been reported in patients receiving centrally acting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (C-ACEIs). Aims To compare cognitive decline and survival after diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease between people receiving C-ACEIs, non-centrally acting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (NC-ACEIs), and neither. Method Routine Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were extracted in 5260 patients receiving acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and analysed against C-/NC-ACEI exposure at the time of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Results In the 9 months after Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, MMSE scores significantly increased by 0.72 and 0.19 points per year in patients on C-ACEIs and neither respectively, but deteriorated by 0.61 points per year in those on NC-ACEIs. There were no significant group differences in score trajectories from 9 to 36 months and no differences in survival. Conclusions In people with Alzheimer’s disease receiving acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, those also taking C-ACEIs had stronger initial improvement in cognitive function, but there was no evidence of longer-lasting influence on dementia progression. Declaration of interest R.S. has received research funding from Pfizer, Lundbeck, Roche, Janssen and GlaxoSmithKline. Copyright and usage © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2017. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license. PMID:28713585

Effects of the use of thematic organizers in conjunction with concept mapping on learning, misconceptions, and retention in middle school science class

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keown, Sandra L.

This study was devised to determine effects of the use of interactive thematic organizers and concept maps in middle school science classes during a unit study on minerals. The design, a pretest-posttest control group, consisted of matched groups (three experimental groups and one comparison group). It also included a student survey assessing qualitative aspects of the investigation. The 67 6th-grade students and one science teacher who participated in the study were from an independent K-12 school. Students represented a normal, well-distributed range of abilities. Group I (control) proceeded with their usual method of studying a unit---reading aloud the text and answering workbook questions. Group II worked with interactive thematic organizers, designed to activate prior knowledge and help students make inferences about target concepts in three treatments. Group III created three interactive concept maps, which represented both understandings and misconceptions. Concept maps were reviewed and repaired as students completed each treatment. Group IV participated in both thematic organizer and concept map treatments. Statistical analyses were determined through a pretest and a delayed recall posttest essay for all four groups. Two scores were assigned---one quantitative raw score of correct explicit answers and one rubric score based on the quality of interpretive responses. Group II also received scores for thematic organizer responses. Group III received rubric scores for concept maps. Group IV received all possible scores. Paired t-tests reported comparisons of scores across the treatment groups. A linear regression indicated whether or not concept map misconceptions affected posttest scores. Finally, an ANCOVA reported statistical significance across the four treatment groups. Findings of data analysis indicated statistically significant improvement in posttest scores among students in the three experimental groups. Students who participated in both treatments represented the highest scores among the four groups. Results of the ANCOVA indicated there was statistically significant difference in scores among the four treatments. Recommendations were made to further investigate development of interactive thematic organizers with student-chosen hyperlinks to concepts, as well as a recommendation that researchers investigate teacher understandings of interpretive purpose and form in the creation of thematic organizers.

Power collection reduction by mirror surface nonflatness and tracking error for a central receiver solar power system.

PubMed

McFee, R H

1975-07-01

The effects of random waviness, curvature, and tracking error of plane-mirror heliostats in a rectangular array around a central-receiver solar power system are determined by subdividing each mirror into 484 elements, assuming the slope of each element to be representative of the surface slope average at its location, and summing the contributions of all elements and then of all mirrors in the array. Total received power and flux density distribution are computed for a given sun location and set of array parameter values. Effects of shading and blocking by adjacent mirrors are included in the calculation. Alt-azimuth mounting of the heliostats is assumed. Representative curves for two receiver diameters and two sun locations indicate a power loss of 20% for random waviness, curvature, and tracking error of 0.1 degrees rms, 0.002 m(-1), and 0.5 degrees , 3sigma, respectively, for an 18.2-m diam receiver and 0.3 degrees rms, 0.005 m(-1), and greater than 1 degrees , respectively, for a 30.4-m diam receiver.

Concepts of trust among patients with serious illness.

PubMed

Mechanic, D; Meyer, S

2000-09-01

This paper examines conceptions of trust among three groups of respondents diagnosed with either breast cancer, Lyme disease or mental illness. Interviews were carried out using an open-ended interview guide to explore how patients made assessments of trust in their doctors and health care plans. The guide followed a conceptual approach that asked questions about competence, agency/fiduciary responsibility, control, disclosure and confidentiality. Respondents were given ample opportunity to raise other areas of concern. The data were organized using the NUDIST software package for the analysis of non-numerical and unstructured qualitative data. Patients viewed trust as an iterative process and commonly tested their physicians against their knowledge and expectations. Interpersonal competence, involving caring, concern and compassion, was the most common aspect of trust reported, with listening as a central focus. Most patient comments referred to learnable skills and not simply to personality characteristics. Technical competence also received high priority but was often assessed by reputation or interpersonal cues. Patients were much concerned that doctors be their agents and fight for their interests with health care plans. Disclosure and confidentiality were less common concerns; most patients anticipated that doctors would be honest with them and respect their confidences. Patients' responses also appeared to vary by their disease, their socio-demographic characteristics, their involvement with self-help groups, and how their illness conditions unfolded.

A system for distributed intrusion detection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Snapp, S.R.; Brentano, J.; Dias, G.V.

1991-01-01

The study of providing security in computer networks is a rapidly growing area of interest because the network is the medium over which most attacks or intrusions on computer systems are launched. One approach to solving this problem is the intrusion-detection concept, whose basic premise is that not only abandoning the existing and huge infrastructure of possibly-insecure computer and network systems is impossible, but also replacing them by totally-secure systems may not be feasible or cost effective. Previous work on intrusion-detection systems were performed on stand-alone hosts and on a broadcast local area network (LAN) environment. The focus of ourmore » present research is to extend our network intrusion-detection concept from the LAN environment to arbitarily wider areas with the network topology being arbitrary as well. The generalized distributed environment is heterogeneous, i.e., the network nodes can be hosts or servers from different vendors, or some of them could be LAN managers, like our previous work, a network security monitor (NSM), as well. The proposed architecture for this distributed intrusion-detection system consists of the following components: a host manager in each host; a LAN manager for monitoring each LAN in the system; and a central manager which is placed at a single secure location and which receives reports from various host and LAN managers to process these reports, correlate them, and detect intrusions. 11 refs., 2 figs.« less

Biological Signal Processing with a Genetic Toggle Switch

PubMed Central

Hillenbrand, Patrick; Fritz, Georg; Gerland, Ulrich

2013-01-01

Complex gene regulation requires responses that depend not only on the current levels of input signals but also on signals received in the past. In digital electronics, logic circuits with this property are referred to as sequential logic, in contrast to the simpler combinatorial logic without such internal memory. In molecular biology, memory is implemented in various forms such as biochemical modification of proteins or multistable gene circuits, but the design of the regulatory interface, which processes the input signals and the memory content, is often not well understood. Here, we explore design constraints for such regulatory interfaces using coarse-grained nonlinear models and stochastic simulations of detailed biochemical reaction networks. We test different designs for biological analogs of the most versatile memory element in digital electronics, the JK-latch. Our analysis shows that simple protein-protein interactions and protein-DNA binding are sufficient, in principle, to implement genetic circuits with the capabilities of a JK-latch. However, it also exposes fundamental limitations to its reliability, due to the fact that biological signal processing is asynchronous, in contrast to most digital electronics systems that feature a central clock to orchestrate the timing of all operations. We describe a seemingly natural way to improve the reliability by invoking the master-slave concept from digital electronics design. This concept could be useful to interpret the design of natural regulatory circuits, and for the design of synthetic biological systems. PMID:23874595

The Absence of 'Race' in German Discourses on "Bildung". Rethinking "Bildung" with Critical Race Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wischmann, Anke

2018-01-01

This paper investigates the impact of mostly implicit convictions about 'white supremacy' and racist ideas in traditional and recent theories of "Bildung" which is a central educational concept in Germany. Concepts of "Bildung" describe processes of individual self-formation. It will be argued that the notion of…

Language Aspects of Engineering Students' View of Entropy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haglund, Jesper; Andersson, Staffan; Elmgren, Maja

2016-01-01

Entropy is a central concept in thermodynamics, but has been found to be challenging to students due to its abstract nature and the fact that it is not part of students' everyday language. Interviews with three pairs of engineering students (N = 6) were conducted and video recorded regarding their interpretation and use of the entropy concept, one…

Teaching Einsteinian Physics at Schools: Part 1, Models and Analogies for Relativity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaur, Tejinder; Blair, David; Moschilla, John; Stannard, Warren; Zadnik, Marjan

2017-01-01

The Einstein-First project aims to change the paradigm of school science teaching through the introduction of modern Einsteinian concepts of space and time, gravity and quanta at an early age. These concepts are rarely taught to school students despite their central importance to modern science and technology. The key to implementing the…

Teachers' Conceptions of Student Engagement in Learning: The Case of Three Urban Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barkaoui, Khaled; Barrett, Sarah Elizabeth; Samaroo, Julia; Dahya, Negin; Alidina, Shahnaaz; James, Carl

2015-01-01

Although student engagement plays a central role in the education process, defining it is challenging. This study examines teachers' conceptions of the social and cultural dimensions of student engagement in learning at three low-achieving schools located in a low socioeconomic status (SES) urban area. Sixteen teachers and administrators from the…

Analysis of Potential Affect of The Green Pages Concept for Telephone Directories.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Long, Jim

The project described addressed the feasibility of assessing the impact on low-income persons of the "Green Pages" concept, which seeks to improve the accessibility of public, non-profit, and survival human service agencies and other community information by centralizing them in a single, easy-to-find location in the phone book. This…

Teaching Energy Concepts by Working on Themes of Cultural and Environmental Value

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Besson, Ugo; De Ambrosis, Anna

2014-01-01

Energy is a central topic in physics and a key concept for understanding the physical, biological and technological worlds. It is a complex topic with multiple connections with different areas of science and with social, environmental and philosophical issues. In this paper we discuss some aspects of the teaching and learning of the energy…

"The Little Prince"--An Introduction to Spirituality: A Moving Experience in Religious Education for Primary School Children in a Secularised World

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ter Avest, Ina; McDougall, Roseanne

2014-01-01

In our research the right of the child for spiritual development is central. Grimmitt's distinction in "teaching in", "about" and "from religion" is extended with the concept of "teaching for"--a concept that connects religion with children's attitude of wondering as an "ontological calling" in…

The Virtual Solar System Project: Developing Conceptual Understanding of Astronomical Concepts through Building Three-Dimensional Computational Models.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keating, Thomas; Barnett, Michael; Barab, Sasha A.; Hay, Kenneth E.

2002-01-01

Describes the Virtual Solar System (VSS) course which is one of the first attempts to integrate three-dimensional (3-D) computer modeling as a central component of introductory undergraduate education. Assesses changes in student understanding of astronomy concepts as a result of participating in an experimental introductory astronomy course in…

A Network Text Analysis of David Ayer's "Fury"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunter, Starling David; Smith, Susan

2015-01-01

Network Text Analysis (NTA) involves the creation of networks of words and/or concepts from linguistic data. Its key insight is that the position of words and concepts in a text network provides vital clues to the central and underlying themes of the text as a whole. Recent research has relied on inductive approaches to identify these themes. In…

A School for the Common Good

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baines, Lawrence; Foster, Hal

2006-01-01

This article examines the history and the concept of the common school from the Common School Movement reformers of the 1850s to the present. These reformers envisioned schools that were to be tuition free and open to everyone, places where rich and poor met and learned together on equal terms. Central to the concept of the common school is its…

The economics of central billing offices.

PubMed

Woodcock, E; Nguyen, L

2000-01-01

The anticipation of economies of scale in physician billing has led many medical practices to consolidate their billing operations. This article analyzes these economies of scale, comparing performance indicators from centralized and decentralized operations. While consolidation provides compliance, control and information, diseconomies of scale can exist in the centralized receivables management process. The authors conclude that physician practices should consider a hybrid approach to billing, thus reaping the benefits of both centralization and decentralization.

Space platform utilities distribution study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lefever, A. E.

1980-01-01

Generic concepts for the installation of power data and thermal fluid distribution lines on large space platforms were discussed. Connections with central utility subsystem modules and pallet interfaces were also considered. Three system concept study platforms were used as basepoints for the detail development. The tradeoff of high voltage low voltage power distribution and the impact of fiber optics as a data distribution mechanism were analyzed. Thermal expansion and temperature control of utility lines and ducts were considered. Technology developments required for implementation of the generic distribution concepts were identified.

Description of European Space Agency (ESA) Concept Development for a Mars Sample Receiving Facility (MSRF)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vrublevskis, J.; Berthoud, L.; Guest, M.; Smith, C.; Bennett, A.; Gaubert, F.; Schroeven-Deceuninck, H.; Duvet, L.; van Winnendael, M.

2018-04-01

This presentation gives an overview of the several studies conducted for the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2007, which progressively developed layouts for a potential implementation of a Mars Sample Receiving Facility (MSRF).

Hands on Group Work Paper Model for Teaching DNA Structure, Central Dogma and Recombinant DNA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Altiparmak, Melek; Nakiboglu Tezer, Mahmure

2009-01-01

Understanding life on a molecular level is greatly enhanced when students are given the opportunity to visualize the molecules. Especially understanding DNA structure and function is essential for understanding key concepts of molecular biology such as DNA, central dogma and the manipulation of DNA. Researches have shown that undergraduate…

Ideologies of Civic Participation in Central Asia: Liberal Arts in the Post-Soviet Democratic Ethos

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Norma Jo; Thompson, Chad D.

2010-01-01

Higher educational practices in post-Soviet Central Asia remain predicated on an authoritarian conception of expertise rooted in an objective and universal science. While the substance of such education has changed since the Soviet era, the form of education remains rooted in Soviet-era discursive ideological practices, practices that encourage…

Assessing Cultural Change in North-Central New Mexico.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eastman, Clyde

A study conducted during the summer of 1969 researched the concept of culture with regard to the acculturation process of Spanish Americans. The Spanish Americans of north-central New Mexico were compared with the Anglo Americans living within that region. Data were collected on 799 adults from the 2 groups by means of personal interviews. Factor…

Coniferous forest habitat types of central and southern Utah

Treesearch

Andrew P. Youngblood; Ronald L. Mauk

1985-01-01

A land-classification system based upon potential natural vegetation is presented for the coniferous forests of central and southern Utah. It is based on reconnaissance sampling of about 720 stands. A hierarchical taxonomic classification of forest sites was developed using the habitat type concept. Seven climax series, 37 habitat types, and six additional phases of...

Breeding strategies for north central tree improvement programs

Treesearch

Ronald P. Overton; Hyun Kang

1985-01-01

The rationales and concepts of long-term tree breeding are discussed and compared with those for short-term breeding. A model breeding program is reviewed which maximizes short-term genetic gain for currently important traits and provides genetic resources that can be used effectively in future short-term breeding. The resources of the north-central region are examined...

An active UHF RFID localization system for fawn saving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eberhardt, M.; Lehner, M.; Ascher, A.; Allwang, M.; Biebl, E. M.

2015-11-01

We present a localization concept for active UHF RFID transponders which enables mowing machine drivers to detect and localize marked fawns. The whole system design and experimental results with transponders located near the ground in random orientations in a meadow area are shown. The communication flow between reader and transponders is realized as a dynamic master-slave concept. Multiple marked fawns will be localized by processing detected transponders sequentially. With an eight-channel-receiver with integrated calibration method one can estimate the direction-of-arrival by measuring the phases of the transponder signals up to a range of 50 m in all directions. For further troubleshooting array manifolds have been measured. An additional hand-held receiver with a two-channel receiver allows a guided approaching search without endangering the fawn by the mowing machine.

[The centralized mycobacteriological laboratory is a necessary component of a phthisiological service in large towns of Russia].

PubMed

Dorozhkova, I R; Freĭman, G E; Moroz, A M

2007-01-01

The paper presents the main points of the authors' own concept of the centralization of mycobacteriological service in large towns of the Russian Federation. The main points of step-by-step organizational and methodological measures required to solve this problem are described in detail. Consecutive measures to realize the proposed mycobacteriological service centralization model originated in January 2004 on a model of the Moscow Eastern Administrative District with 1380 thousand inhabitants are described.

The effectiveness of concept mapping on development of critical thinking in nursing education: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Yue, Meng; Zhang, Meng; Zhang, Chunmei; Jin, Changde

2017-05-01

As an essential skill in daily clinical nursing practice, critical thinking ability has been an important objective in nursing education. Concept mapping enables nursing students connect new information to existing knowledge and integrates interdisciplinary knowledge. However, there is a lack of evidence related to critical thinking ability and concept mapping in nursing education. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of concept mapping in developing critical thinking in nursing education. This systematic review was reported in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A search was conducted in PubMed, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing concept mapping and traditional teaching method were retrieved. Data were collected by two reviewers according to the data extraction tables. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by other two reviewers. The results of meta-analysis were presented using mean difference (MD). Thirteen trials were summarized in the systematic review and eleven trials were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effect size showed that, comparing with traditional methods, concept mapping could improve subjects' critical thinking ability measured by California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI), California Critical Thinking Skill Test (CCTST) and Critical Thinking Scale (CTS). The subgroup analyses showed that concept mapping improved the score of all subscales. The result of this review indicated that concept mapping could affect the critical thinking affective dispositions and critical thinking cognitive skills. Further high quality research using uniform evaluation is required. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Unified algorithm of cone optics to compute solar flux on central receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grigoriev, Victor; Corsi, Clotilde

2017-06-01

Analytical algorithms to compute flux distribution on central receiver are considered as a faster alternative to ray tracing. They have quite too many modifications, with HFLCAL and UNIZAR being the most recognized and verified. In this work, a generalized algorithm is presented which is valid for arbitrary sun shape of radial symmetry. Heliostat mirrors can have a nonrectangular profile, and the effects of shading and blocking, strong defocusing and astigmatism can be taken into account. The algorithm is suitable for parallel computing and can benefit from hardware acceleration of polygon texturing.

From Latifundia to Central Planning and Onward to Agribusiness: A Rejoinder to Joachim Singelmann's Presidential Address on "From Central Planning to Markets"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Szelenyi, Ivan

2011-01-01

This article presents the author's rejoinder to Joachim Singelmann's presidential address on "From Central Planning to Markets." Joachim Singelmann in his presidential address challenged the received wisdom: socialism was doomed to fail; during the market transition all of its basic institutions had to be abolished and replaced by the…

'It's good enough': Swedish general dental practitioners on reasons for accepting substandard root filling quality.

PubMed

Dahlström, L; Lindwall, O; Rystedt, H; Reit, C

2018-04-01

The concept of 'good enough' is central and necessary in the assessment of root filling quality. The aim was to explore the concept by analysing reasons and arguments for the acceptance or rejection of substandard root filling quality as reported by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Sweden. The study was designed as a qualitative and exploratory study based on seven videotaped focus group interviews analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. Thirty-three GDPs employed in the Public Dental Health Service in Gothenburg, Sweden, participated (4-6 GDPs/interview). In all, nine predetermined questions were followed. Before each focus group, the participants received radiographs of 37 root fillings and were asked to assess the root filling quality. The three cases representing the most divergent assessments served as a basis for the discussion. The cases were presented without clinical information; the dentists would relate to the cases as being just root filled by themselves. The radiographs did not provide a sufficient basis for decisions on whether or not to accept the root filling. This study emphasized that dentists did not primarily look for these arguments in the technical details of the root filling per se, but instead, they considered selected features of the contextual situation. The GDPs constantly introduced relevant 'ad hoc considerations' to account for the decisions they made. These contextual considerations were related to aspects of pulpal and periapical disease, risks (e.g. technical complications) or to consumed resources (personal and/or economic). It was obvious that the concept of 'good enough' does not exist as a general formula ready to be applied in particular situations. Instead, it is necessarily and irremediably tied to contextual properties that emerge from case to case. © 2017 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Ultrabroadband Phased-Array Receivers Based on Optical Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-26

AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2016-0121 Ultrabroadband Phased- array Receivers Based on Optical Techniques Christopher Schuetz UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE Final Report...Jul 15 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Ultrabroadband Phased- Array Receivers Based on Optical Techniques 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER FA9550-12-1...receiver that enables us to capture and convert signals across an array using photonic modulators, routing these signals to a central location using

Concept Validation and Optimization for a Vent-Based Mine-Blast Mitigation System

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-17

the proposed concept has a relatively limited (but respectable) ability to reduce the detonation-induced total momentum transferred to, and the...concept, Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, (04 2013): 218. doi: 10.1108/MMMS-04-2013-0029 TOTAL : 9 Number of Papers published in peer...for none) (c) Presentations Number of Presentations: Non Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceeding publications (other than abstracts): Received Paper TOTAL

The Effect of Track Changes on the Development of Academic Self-Concept in High School: A Dynamic Test of the Big-Fish-Little-Pond Effect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wouters, Sofie; De Fraine, Bieke; Colpin, Hilde; Van Damme, Jan; Verschueren, Karine

2012-01-01

Academic self-concept has received a great deal of attention in recent educational research because it mediates many other educational outcomes. Therefore, it is important to find out how students' academic self-concept develops. We examined the big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE) dynamically by investigating the effect of track changes in high…

Flexible fuel cell gas manifold system

DOEpatents

Cramer, Michael; Shah, Jagdish; Hayes, Richard P.; Kelley, Dana A.

2005-05-03

A fuel cell stack manifold system in which a flexible manifold body includes a pan having a central area, sidewall extending outward from the periphery of the central area, and at least one compound fold comprising a central area fold connecting adjacent portions of the central area and extending between opposite sides of the central area, and a sidewall fold connecting adjacent portions of the sidewall. The manifold system further includes a rail assembly for attachment to the manifold body and adapted to receive pins by which dielectric insulators are joined to the manifold assembly.

Domain Specificity between Peer Support and Self-Concept

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leung, Kim Chau; Marsh, Herbert W.; Craven, Rhonda G.; Yeung, Alexander S.; Abduljabbar, Adel S.

2013-01-01

Peer support interventions have mostly neglected the domain specificity of intervention effects. In two studies, the present investigation examined the domain specificity of peer support interventions targeting specific domains of self-concept. In Study 1, participants ("n" = 50) who had received an academically oriented peer support…

Large-scale cortical volume correlation networks reveal disrupted small world patterns in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Wu, Qiong; Gao, Yang; Liu, Ai-Shi; Xie, Li-Zhi; Qian, Long; Yang, Xiao-Guang

2018-01-01

To date, the most frequently reported neuroimaging biomarkers in Parkinson's disease (PD) are direct brain imaging measurements focusing on local disrupted regions. However, the notion that PD is related to abnormal functional and structural connectivity has received support in the past few years. Here, we employed graph theory to analyze the structural co-variance networks derived from 50 PD patients and 48 normal controls (NC). Then, the small world properties of brain networks were assessed in the structural networks that were constructed based on cortical volume data. Our results showed that both the PD and NC groups had a small world architecture in brain structural networks. However, the PD patients had a higher characteristic path length and clustering coefficients compared with the NC group. With regard to the nodal centrality, 11 regions, including 3 association cortices, 5 paralimbic cortices, and 3 subcortical regions were identified as hubs in the PD group. In contrast, 10 regions, including 7 association cortical regions, 2 paralimbic cortical regions, and the primary motor cortex region, were identified as hubs. Moreover, the regional centrality was profoundly affected in PD patients, including decreased nodal centrality in the right inferior occipital gyrus and the middle temporal gyrus and increased nodal centrality in the right amygdala, the left caudate and the superior temporal gyrus. In addition, the structural cortical network of PD showed reduced topological stability for targeted attacks. Together, this study shows that the coordinated patterns of cortical volume network are widely altered in PD patients with a decrease in the efficiency of parallel information processing. These changes provide structural evidence to support the concept that the core pathophysiology of PD is associated with disruptive alterations in the coordination of large-scale brain networks that underlie high-level cognition. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Central distractors in Force Concept Inventory data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, Terry F.; Schumayer, Dániel

2018-01-01

The Force Concept Inventory was designed to poll the Newtonian conception of force. While there are many in-depth studies analyzing response data that look at the structure of the correct answers, we believe that the incorrect answers also carry revealing information about the students' worldview. The inventory was originally designed so that the "distractors" in each question reflected commonly held misconceptions, and thus the rate at which students guess the correct answer is very low. Students select incorrect answers that correspond to the misconception that they hold and there are very few responses which appear obviously wrong to students. A side effect of this approach is that the incorrect responses reflect the non-Newtonian worldviews held by students. These non-Newtonian worldviews are coherent and robust, and this, at least in part, helps to explain why these misconceptions are so resistant to instruction. In this study we focus once more on the misconception data in Force Concept Inventory responses, particularly on the linkages between these misconceptions. We hypothesize that there are distinct groupings of distractor items formed by the strength of the association between these items. The two largest groupings are associated with the "impetus" world view in which the motion of an object is determined by the quantity of impetus which that object contains. We find that certain central items hold particularly important places in these groupings and also that individual groupings may be connected to each other by "connector" items. We finally suggest that, on the basis of this study, that these non-Newtonian worldviews might best be dismantled by addressing these key central and connector items.

Receiver subsystem analysis report (RADL Item 4-1). The 10-MWe solar thermal central-receiver pilot plant: Solar-facilities design integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1982-04-01

The results of thermal hydraulic, design for the stress analyses which are required to demonstrate that the receiver design for the Barstow Solar Pilot Plant satisfies the general design and performance requirements during the plant's design life are presented. Recommendations are made for receiver operation. The analyses are limited to receiver subsystem major structural parts (primary tower, receiver unit core support structure), pressure parts (absorber panels, feedwater, condensate and steam piping/components, flash tank, and steam mainfold) and shielding.

Developing an Instrument for Assessing Students' Understanding of the Energy Concept across Science Disciplines

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Mihwa

2013-01-01

Energy is a core and unifying concept in all science disciplines and across all grade levels. Although energy is one of the most central and richly connected ideas in all of science disciplines, students often have a great deal of difficulty understanding it. Numerous studies have been conducted on this topic finding that many students held…

The Potential of Repertory Grid Technique in the Assessment of Conceptual Change in Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winer, Laura R.; Vazquez-Abad, Jesus

This paper presents results from a number of trials of a new approach in assessing student conceptions in physics and changes in these conceptions over time. The goal was to explore the potential of Personal Construct Psychology and its central tool, Repertory Grid Technique, to aid in the diagnosis of learner difficulties and eventually the…

Reconciling carbon-cycle concepts, terminology, and methodology

Treesearch

F.S. III Chapin; G.M Woodwell; J.T. Randerson; G.M. Lovett; E.B. Rastetter; D.D. Baldocchi; D.A. Clark; M.E. Harmon; D.S. Schimel; Valentini R.; Wirth C.; Aber J.D.; Cole J.J.; Goulden M.L.; Harden J.W.; Heimann M.; Howarth R.W.; Matson P.A.; McGuire A.D.; Melillo J.M.; H.A. Mooney; J.C. Neff; R.A. Houghton; M.L. Pace; M.G. Ryan; S.W. Running; O.E. Sala; W.H. Schlesinger; E. D. Schulze

2005-01-01

Recent projections of climatic change have focused a great deal of scientific and public attention on patterns of carbon (C) cycling as well as its controls, particularly the factors that determine whether an ecosystem is a net source or sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Net ecosystem production (NEP), a central concept in C-cycling research, has been used by...

Concept-Focused Teaching: Using Big Ideas to Guide Instruction in Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olson, Joanne K.

2008-01-01

One of the main problems we face in science teaching is that students are learning isolated facts and missing central concepts. For instance, consider what you know about life cycles. Chances are that you remember something about butterflies and stages, such as egg, larva, pupa, adult. But what's the take-home idea that we should have learned…

A Theory of the Discovery and Predication of Relational Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doumas, Leonidas A. A.; Hummel, John E.; Sandhofer, Catherine M.

2008-01-01

Relational thinking plays a central role in human cognition. However, it is not known how children and adults acquire relational concepts and come to represent them in a form that is useful for the purposes of relational thinking (i.e., as structures that can be dynamically bound to arguments). The authors present a theory of how a psychologically…

Instructional Strategies to Promote Conceptual Change about Force and Motion: A Review of the Literature

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tomaraa, Marina; Tselfes, Vassilis; Goucos, Dimitris

2017-01-01

During the last four decades, the results of a great deal of research have indicated that, prior to any formal instruction in physics, students hold scientifically incorrect ideas about physics concepts in general, and about the force and motion concepts in particular, the latter being considered central in science teaching. To these days,…

Concept Confusion and Concept Discernment in Basic Magnetism Using Analogical Reasoning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemmer, Miriam; Morabe, Olebogeng Nicodimus

2017-01-01

Analogical reasoning is central to all learning, whether in daily life situations, in the classroom or while doing research. Although analogies can aid the learning process of making sense of phenomena and understanding new ideas in terms of known ideas, these should be used with care. This article reports a study of the use of analogies and the…

Tool Use and the Development of the Function Concept: From Repeated Calculations to Functional Thinking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doorman, Michiel; Drijvers, Paul; Gravemeijer, Koeno; Boon, Peter; Reed, Helen

2012-01-01

The concept of function is a central but difficult topic in secondary school mathematics curricula, which encompasses a transition from an operational to a structural view. The question in this paper is how the use of computer tools may foster this transition. With domain-specific pedagogical knowledge on the learning of function as a point of…

Reflections on Teaching Periodic Table Concepts: A Case Study of Selected Schools in South Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mokiwa, Hamza Omari

2017-01-01

The Periodic Table of Elements is central to the study of modern Physics and Chemistry. It is however, considered by teachers as difficult to teach. This paper reports on a case study exploring reflections on teaching periodic table concepts in five secondary schools from South Africa. Qualitative methodology of interviews and document analysis…

Human dignity, humiliation, and torture.

PubMed

Luban, David

2009-09-01

Modern human rights instruments ground human rights in the concept of human dignity, without providing an underlying theory of human dignity. This paper examines the central importance of human dignity, understood as not humiliating people, in traditional Jewish ethics. It employs this conception of human dignity to examine and criticize U.S. use of humiliation tactics and torture in the interrogation of terrorism suspects.

Using Pooled Data and Data Visualization to Introduce Statistical Concepts in the General Chemistry Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olsen, Robert J.

2008-01-01

I describe how data pooling and data visualization can be employed in the first-semester general chemistry laboratory to introduce core statistical concepts such as central tendency and dispersion of a data set. The pooled data are plotted as a 1-D scatterplot, a purpose-designed number line through which statistical features of the data are…

The Impact of Three-Dimensional Computational Modeling on Student Understanding of Astronomy Concepts: A Qualitative Analysis. Research Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hansen, John; Barnett, Michael; MaKinster, James; Keating, Thomas

2004-01-01

In this study, we explore an alternate mode for teaching and learning the dynamic, three-dimensional (3D) relationships that are central to understanding astronomical concepts. To this end, we implemented an innovative undergraduate course in which we used inexpensive computer modeling tools. As the second of a two-paper series, this report…

The use of historical range and variability (HRV) in landscape management

Treesearch

Robert E. Keane; Paul F. Hessburg; Peter B. Landres; Fred J. Swanson

2009-01-01

This paper examines the past, present, and future use of the concept of historical range and variability (HRV) in land management. The history, central concepts, benefits, and limitations of HRV are presented along with a discussion on the value of HRV in a changing world with rapid climate warming, exotic species invasions, and increased land development. This paper...

Eddington limit for a gaseous stratus with finite optical depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukue, Jun

2015-06-01

The Eddington luminosity of a spherical source is usually defined for a uniformly extending normal plasma. We usually suppose that the gas can accrete to the central object at the sub-Eddington luminosity, while it would be blown off from the central luminous source in the super-Eddington case. We reconsider this central dogma of the Eddington limit under the radiative transfer effect for the purely scattering case, using analytical and numerical methods. For the translucent isolated gas cloud (stratus) with finite optical depth, the concept of the Eddington luminosity is drastically changed. In an heuristic way, we find that the critical condition is approximately expressed as Γ = (1 + μ* + τc)/2, where Γ (=L/LE) is the central luminosity L normalized by the Eddington luminosity LE, τc is the optical depth of the stratus, and μ* (=√{1-R_*^2/R^2}) is the direction cosine of the central object, R* being the radius of the central object, and R the distance from the central object. When the optical depth of the stratus is around unity, the classical Eddington limit roughly holds for the stratus; Γ ˜ 1. However, when the optical depth is greater than unity, the critical condition becomes roughly Γ ˜ τc/2, and the stratus would infall on to the central source even at the highly super-Eddington luminosity. When the optical depth is less than unity, on the other hand, the critical condition reduces to Γ ≳ (1 + μ*)/2, and the stratus could be blown off in some limited ranges, depending on μ*. This new concept of the Eddington limit for the isolated stratus could drastically change the accretion and outflow physics of highly inhomegeneous plasmas, with relevance for astrophysical jets and winds and supermassive black hole formation.

Event centrality as a unique predictor of posttraumatic stress symptoms and perceived disability following spinal cord injury.

PubMed

Boals, A; Trost, Z; Berntsen, D; Nowlin, L; Wheelis, T; Monden, K R

2017-11-01

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving completion of self-report measures. Individuals who acquire a spinal cord injury (SCI) face numerous physical and psychological challenges, with the former receiving considerable less attention during the rehabilitation process. In this article, we examined event centrality as a unique predictor of psychological outcomes in a sample of individuals receiving rehabilitation for SCI. Event centrality refers to the extent to which individuals construe a stressful experience as a core part of their identity. In samples of individuals exposed to psychological traumas (for example, sexual assault or military combat), event centrality has emerged as a consistent and powerful predictor of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs). This is the first study to examine event centrality in an SCI sample. Inpatient rehabilitation program in a large urban city in the Southwestern United States. A sample of 55 participants in rehabilitation for a recent SCI completed measures of event centrality, PTSS, depressed mood and perceived disability. Event centrality was significantly related to perceived disability (r=0.48) and PTSS (r=0.31) and accounted for unique variance in these two outcomes after controlling for demographics and depressed mood. Event centrality is common among individuals with SCI and may be a unique contributor to worse psychological and functional outcomes. We hope our findings will alert health-care professionals to the importance of event centrality. This study was supported by a grant from the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF89).

Oral Minocycline for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): Results of a Phase I/II Clinical Study

PubMed Central

Cukras, Catherine A.; Petrou, Philip; Chew, Emily Y.; Meyerle, Catherine B.; Wong, Wai T.

2012-01-01

Purpose. Inflammation contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of diabetic macular edema (DME). In particular, retinal microglia demonstrate increased activation and aggregation in areas of DME. Study authors investigated the safety and potential efficacy of oral minocycline, a drug capable of inhibiting microglial activation, in the treatment of DME. Methods. A single-center, prospective, open-label phase I/II clinical trial enrolled five participants with fovea-involving DME who received oral minocycline 100 mg twice daily for 6 months. Main outcome measurements included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal subfield thickness (CST), and central macular volume using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and late leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA). Results. Findings indicated that the study drug was well tolerated and not associated with significant safety issues. In study eyes, mean BCVA improved continuously from baseline at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months by +1.0, +4.0, +4.0, and +5.8 letters, respectively, while mean retinal thickness (CST) on OCT decreased by −2.9%, −5.7%, −13.9, and −8.1% for the same time points. At month 6, mean area of late leakage on FA decreased by −34.4% in study eyes. Mean changes in contralateral fellow eyes also demonstrated similar trends. Improvements in outcome measures were not correlated with concurrent changes in systemic factors. Conclusions. In this pilot proof-of-concept study of DME, minocycline as primary treatment was associated with improved visual function, central macular edema, and vascular leakage, comparing favorably with historical controls from previous studies. Microglial inhibition with oral minocycline may be a promising therapeutic strategy targeting the inflammatory etiology of DME. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01120899.) PMID:22589436

Oral minocycline for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME): results of a phase I/II clinical study.

PubMed

Cukras, Catherine A; Petrou, Philip; Chew, Emily Y; Meyerle, Catherine B; Wong, Wai T

2012-06-22

Inflammation contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of diabetic macular edema (DME). In particular, retinal microglia demonstrate increased activation and aggregation in areas of DME. Study authors investigated the safety and potential efficacy of oral minocycline, a drug capable of inhibiting microglial activation, in the treatment of DME. A single-center, prospective, open-label phase I/II clinical trial enrolled five participants with fovea-involving DME who received oral minocycline 100 mg twice daily for 6 months. Main outcome measurements included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal subfield thickness (CST), and central macular volume using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and late leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA). Findings indicated that the study drug was well tolerated and not associated with significant safety issues. In study eyes, mean BCVA improved continuously from baseline at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months by +1.0, +4.0, +4.0, and +5.8 letters, respectively, while mean retinal thickness (CST) on OCT decreased by -2.9%, -5.7%, -13.9, and -8.1% for the same time points. At month 6, mean area of late leakage on FA decreased by -34.4% in study eyes. Mean changes in contralateral fellow eyes also demonstrated similar trends. Improvements in outcome measures were not correlated with concurrent changes in systemic factors. In this pilot proof-of-concept study of DME, minocycline as primary treatment was associated with improved visual function, central macular edema, and vascular leakage, comparing favorably with historical controls from previous studies. Microglial inhibition with oral minocycline may be a promising therapeutic strategy targeting the inflammatory etiology of DME. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01120899.).

Bus 54 -- Where are you? A school bus intelligent information system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Truett, L.F.; Moore, S.; Tonn, B.

1998-07-01

Although major accidents involving school buses are rare (only about 0.3% of all fatal crashes since 1986 are classified as school-bus-related), even minor accidents and breakdowns cause a great deal of parental anxiety. The objective of this research is to design an efficient, cost-effective, accurate, and secure system that will track individual school buses and communicate appropriate information to the school system`s central administration unit, to the school transportation administrator, and to parents of children on the bus. The greatest benefit of the proposed information system is that parents and officials can always know the location and condition (these conditionsmore » would vary depending on the needs of a particular school system) of the school buses. In case of an accident or mechanical problem, when emergency crews are needed, they can be dispatched almost immediately with a good understanding of the problem and the exact location of the bus. In addition to being able to track the bus while the child is on board, parents will be able to determine the location of their child`s bus prior to its arrival in the morning in order to prevent the child from needing to wait outside in inclement weather. The information available to parents can also be expanded to include maps of limited routes (e.g., snow routes). Basically, the Bus 54 concept consists of a bus component and a central data processing unit. Each bus will be outfitted with a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, a wireless communication device, and wireless data communication service. The central data processing unit will receive and process information from the buses and provide information access to parents and officials via an Internet link.« less

Central control of thermogenesis.

PubMed

Clapham, John C

2012-07-01

In mammals and birds, conservation of body heat at around 37 °C is vital to life. Thermogenesis is the production of this heat which can be obligatory, as in basal metabolic rate, or it can be facultative such as the response to cold. A complex regulatory system has evolved which senses environmental or core temperature and integrates this information in hypothalamic regions such as the preoptic area and dorsomedial hypothalamus. These areas then send the appropriate signals to generate and conserve heat (or dissipate it). In this review, the importance of the sympathetic nervous system is discussed in relation to its role in basal metabolic rate and adaptive thermogenesis with a particular emphasis to human obesity. The efferent sympathetic pathway does not uniformly act on all tissues; different tissues can receive different levels of sympathetic drive at the same time. This is an important concept in the discussion of the pharmacotherapy of obesity. Despite decades of work the medicine chest contains only one pill for the long term treatment of obesity, orlistat, a lipase inhibitor that prevents the absorption of lipid from the gut and is itself not systemically absorbed. The central controlling system for thermogenesis has many potential intervention points. Several drugs, previously marketed, awaiting approval or in the earlier stages of development may have a thermogenic effect via activation of the sympathetic nervous system at some point in the thermoregulatory circuit and are discussed in this review. If the balance is weighted to the "wrong" side there is the burden of increased cardiovascular risk while a shift to the "right" side, if possible, will afford a thermogenic benefit that is conducive to weight loss maintenance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Central Control Food Intake' Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

First on-sun test of NaK pool-boiler solar receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno, J. B.; Andraka, C. E.; Moss, T. A.; Cordeiro, P. G.; Dudley, V. E.; Rawlinson, K. S.

During 1989-1990, a refluxing liquid-metal pool-boiler solar receiver designed for dish/Stirling application at 75 kW(sub t) throughput was successfully demonstrated at Sandia National Laboratories. Significant features of this receiver included (1) boiling sodium as the heat transfer medium, and (2) electric-discharge-machined (EDM) cavities as artificial nucleation sites to stabilize boiling. Following this first demonstration, a second-generation pool-boiler receiver that brings the concept closer to commercialization has been designed, constructed, and successfully tested. For long life, the new receiver is built from Haynes Alloy 230. For increased safety factors against film boiling and flooding, the absorber area and vapor-flow passages have been enlarged. To eliminate the need for trace heating, sodium has been replaced by the sodium-potassium alloy NaK-78. To reduce manufacturing costs, the receiver has a powdered-metal coating instead of EDM cavities for stabilization of boiling. To control incipient-boiling superheats, especially during hot restarts, it contains a small amount of xenon. In this paper, we present the receiver design and report the results of on-sun tests using a nominal 75 kW(sub t) test-bed concentrator to characterize boiling stability, hot-restart behavior, and thermal efficiency at temperatures up to 750 C. We also report briefly on late results from an advanced-concepts pool-boiler receiver.

Large incidence angle and defocus influence cat's eye retro-reflector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lai-xian; Sun, Hua-yan; Zhao, Yan-zhong; Yang, Ji-guang; Zheng, Yong-hui

2014-11-01

Cat's eye lens make the laser beam retro-reflected exactly to the opposite direction of the incidence beam, called cat's eye effect, which makes rapid acquiring, tracking and pointing of free space optical communication possible. Study the influence of cat's eye effect to cat's eye retro-reflector at large incidence angle is useful. This paper analyzed the process of how the incidence angle and focal shit affect effective receiving area, retro-reflected beam divergence angle, central deviation of cat's eye retro-reflector at large incidence angle and cat's eye effect factor using geometrical optics method, and presented the analytic expressions. Finally, numerical simulation was done to prove the correction of the study. The result shows that the efficiency receiving area of cat's eye retro-reflector is mainly affected by incidence angle when the focal shift is positive, and it decreases rapidly when the incidence angle increases; the retro-reflected beam divergence and central deviation is mainly affected by focal shift, and within the effective receiving area, the central deviation is smaller than beam divergence in most time, which means the incidence beam can be received and retro-reflected to the other terminal in most time. The cat's eye effect factor gain is affected by both incidence angle and focal shift.

Techno-economic sensitivity study of heliostat field parameters for micro-gas turbine CSP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landman, Willem A.; Gauché, Paul; Dinter, Frank; Myburgh, J. T.

2017-06-01

Concentrating solar power systems based on micro-gas turbines potentially offer numerous benefits should they become commercially viable. Heliostat fields for such systems have unique requirements in that the number of heliostats and the focal ratios are typically much lower than conventional central receiver systems. This paper presents a techno-economic sensitivity study of heliostat field parameters for a micro-gas turbine central receiver system. A 100 kWe minitower system is considered for the base case and a one-at-a-time strategy is used to investigate parameter sensitivities. Increasing heliostat focal ratios are found to have significant optical performance benefits due to both a reduction in astigmatic aberrations and a reduction in the number of facet focal lengths required; confirming the hypothesis that smaller heliostats offer a techno-economic advantage. Fixed Horizontal Axis tracking mechanism is shown to outperform the conventional Azimuth Zenith tracking mechanism in high density heliostat fields. Although several improvements to heliostat field performance are discussed, the capex fraction of the heliostat field for such system is shown to be almost half that of a conventional central receiver system and optimum utilization of the higher capex components, namely; the receiver and turbine subsystems, are more rewarding than that of the heliostat field.

Registries in European post-marketing surveillance: a retrospective analysis of centrally approved products, 2005-2013.

PubMed

Bouvy, Jacoline C; Blake, Kevin; Slattery, Jim; De Bruin, Marie L; Arlett, Peter; Kurz, Xavier

2017-12-01

Regulatory agencies and other stakeholders increasingly rely on data collected through registries to support their decision-making. Data from registries are a cornerstone of post-marketing surveillance for monitoring the use of medicines in clinical practice. This study was aimed at gaining further insight into the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) requests for new registries and registry studies using existing registries and to review the experience gained in their conduct. European Public Assessment Reports were consulted to identify products for which a request for a registry was made as a condition of the marketing authorisation. All centrally authorised products that received a positive opinion of the EMA Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2013 were included. Data regarding registry design and experiences were collected from EMA electronic record keeping systems. Of 392 products that received a positive Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use opinion during 2005-2013, 31 registries were requested for 30 products in total. Sixty-five percent were product registries whereas 35% were disease registries and 71% of the registries had a primary safety objective. Most commonly reported issues with registries were delayed time to start and low patient accrual rates. The delays found in getting new registries up and running support the need to improve the timeliness of data collection in the post-marketing setting. Methodological challenges met in conducting this study highlighted the need for a clarification of definitions and epidemiological concepts around patient registries. The results will inform the EMA Patient Registry initiative to support use of existing patient registries for the post-authorisation benefit-risk monitoring of medicinal products. © 2017 Commonwealth of Australia. Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2017 Commonwealth of Australia. Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Conceptions of critical thinking held by nurse educators.

PubMed

Walthew, Patricia J

2004-09-01

This study investigated nurse educators' conceptions of critical thinking used in making judgment related to nursing. Twelve nurse educators from a large nursing school in an urban environment in New Zealand participated in this qualitative study. A semistructured questionnaire was used to explore the nurse educators' conceptions of critical thinking. The study found that the participants viewed rational, logical thinking as a central focus of critical thinking. However, in addition to these traditional perspectives, the nurse educators also included in their conceptions views more commonly held by feminist writers. These aspects focused on attention to intuition, subjective knowing, attention to context, emotions, and caring.

Relationships between the conception rate of estrus synchronization using estradiol benzoate and CIDR (progesterone) and other parameters in holstein lactating dairy cows.

PubMed

Miura, Hiroshi; Kotani, Satoko; Kohiruimaki, Masayuki; Ohtsuka, Hiromichi; Kikuchi, Motohiro; Ohnami, Yoji

2008-06-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between conception rate and other parameters before estrus synchronization with a Controlled Internal Drug Release Device (CIDR) and estradiol benzoate (EB). In the estrus synchronization program, animals were injected with 2 mg EB and then received a CIDR. Seven days later, the CIDR was removed and the animals were given an injection of Prostaglandin F(2alpha). Twenty-four hours later, they received an injection of 1 mg EB, and they were artificially inseminated 24 h after that. This program was applied to 258 Holstein cows in Tohoku-machi (Aomori, Japan). Blood was collected at the beginning of the program, and the conception rate was determined about 40 days after insemination. The relationships among conception rate, blood biochemical values, age, body condition score and days in milk were statistically analyzed to determine better conditions for cow conception. The conception rate of the cows in the high progesterone group (more than 1 ng/ml, P(4)+) was significantly higher than that of the low progesterone group (less than 1 ng/ml, P(4)-; 47.9% vs. 28.6% P<0.01). In the P(4)- groups, the serum phospholipid level was significantly higher in the conception group than in the non-conception group, and the same tendency was seen in the P(4)+ groups. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (Alb), and total cholesterol (TChol) were significantly higher in the conception group compared with the non-conception group, but no with P(4) was observed. We concluded that 1) the conception rate of the P(4)- group was remarkably low, that 2) the low conception rate and low P(4) level was related to a low PL level and that 3) BUN, Alb and TChol were higher in the conception group, although no relation with P(4) was found.

Using Centrality of Concept Maps as a Measure of Problem Space States in Computer-Supported Collaborative Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clariana, Roy B.; Engelmann, Tanja; Yu, Wu

2013-01-01

Problem solving likely involves at least two broad stages, problem space representation and then problem solution (Newell and Simon, Human problem solving, 1972). The metric centrality that Freeman ("Social Networks" 1:215-239, 1978) implemented in social network analysis is offered here as a potential measure of both. This development research…

Structural cost optimization of photovoltaic central power station modules and support structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutton, P. D.; Stolte, W. J.; Marsh, R. O.

1979-01-01

The results of a comprehensive study of photovoltaic module structural support concepts for photovoltaic central power stations and their associated costs are presented. The objective of the study has been the identification of structural cost drivers. Parametric structural design and cost analyses of complete array systems consisting of modules, primary support structures, and foundations were performed. Area related module cost was found to be constant with design, size, and loading. A curved glass module concept was evaluated and found to have the potential to significantly reduce panel structural costs. Conclusions of the study are: array costs do not vary greatly among the designs evaluated; panel and array costs are strongly dependent on design loading; and the best support configuration is load dependent

Design concepts and performance of NASA X-band (7162 MHz/8415 MHz) transponder for deep-space spacecraft applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mysoor, N. R.; Perret, J. D.; Kermode, A. W.

1991-01-01

The design concepts and measured performance characteristics are summarized of an X band (7162 MHz/8415 MHz) breadboard deep space transponder (DSP) for future spacecraft applications, with the first use scheduled for the Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) and Cassini missions in 1995 and 1996, respectively. The DST consists of a double conversion, superheterodyne, automatic phase tracking receiver, and an X band (8415 MHz) exciter to drive redundant downlink power amplifiers. The receiver acquires and coherently phase tracks the modulated or unmodulated X band (7162 MHz) uplink carrier signal. The exciter phase modulates the X band (8415 MHz) downlink signal with composite telemetry and ranging signals. The receiver measured tracking threshold, automatic gain control, static phase error, and phase jitter characteristics of the breadboard DST are in good agreement with the expected performance. The measured results show a receiver tracking threshold of -158 dBm and a dynamic signal range of 88 dB.

49 CFR 236.913 - Filing and approval of PSPs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... architectural concepts; the PSP describes a product that uses design or safety assurance concepts considered... the end of the system design review phase of product development and 180 days prior to planned implementation, inviting FRA to participate in the design review process and receive periodic briefings and...

49 CFR 236.913 - Filing and approval of PSPs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... architectural concepts; the PSP describes a product that uses design or safety assurance concepts considered... the end of the system design review phase of product development and 180 days prior to planned implementation, inviting FRA to participate in the design review process and receive periodic briefings and...

A Concept for Differential Absorption Lidar and Radar Remote Sensing of the Earth's Atmosphere and Ocean from NRHO Orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Y.; Marshak, A.; Omar, A.; Lin, B.; Baize, R.

2018-02-01

We propose a concept that will put microwave and laser transmitters on the Deep Space Gateway platform for measurements of the Earth's atmosphere and ocean. Receivers will be placed on the ground, buoys, Argo floats, and cube satellites.

Child Day Care Recycling Fund Experiment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowen, Gary L.; Neenan, Peter A.

This report describes the context, design, and findings of an evaluation of a welfare reform initiative, the Recycling Fund Concept, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The proposed fund would allocate money to parents of preschool children who receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). The concept assumes that lack of child care…

The Power and Limits of Philosophy of Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cuypers, Stefaan E.

2014-01-01

This article reflects on different conceptions of educational philosophy, their strengths and weaknesses. Against the backdrop of major alternatives, and the received view, delineated by RS Peters, John White's recent radically practical conception is critically assessed. Notwithstanding a pluralist answer to the question "What is, can…

USEPA'S FINAL ECOSYSTEM AND SERVICES (FEGS) CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM: Concept to Implementation and Links with EnviroAtlas

EPA Science Inventory

For the last decade ecosystem services have received increasing focus, yet the natural and social scientists working on mainstreaming these concepts are still struggling with the basic issues. One of such issue is developing a framework that avoids double counting, provides guid...

Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of the Mathematics Courses Included in the Primary School Teacher Education Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Serin, Mehmet Koray; Incikabi, Semahat

2017-01-01

Mathematics educators have reported on many issues regarding students' mathematical education, particularly students who received mathematics education at different departments such as engineering, science or primary school, including their difficulties with mathematical concepts, their understanding of and preferences for mathematical concepts.…

Affective Objectives in Community College Science.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ediger, Marlow

Science teachers need to stress several kinds of objectives in teaching and learning. One kind, cognitive, receives major emphasis by teachers. In addition to vital facts and concepts, pupils should also acquire major generalizations. And, in addition to facts, concepts, and generalizations, pupils also need to be able to think critically.…

Crew procedures and workload of retrofit concepts for microwave landing system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Summers, Leland G.; Jonsson, Jon E.

1989-01-01

Crew procedures and workload for Microwave Landing Systems (MLS) that could be retrofitted into existing transport aircraft were evaluated. Two MLS receiver concepts were developed. One is capable of capturing a runway centerline and the other is capable of capturing a segmented approach path. Crew procedures were identified and crew task analyses were performed using each concept. Crew workload comparisons were made between the MLS concepts and an ILS baseline using a task-timeline workload model. Workload indexes were obtained for each scenario. The results showed that workload was comparable to the ILS baseline for the MLS centerline capture concept, but significantly higher for the segmented path capture concept.

75 FR 65012 - Nationwide Categorical Waivers Under Section 1605 (Buy American) of the American Recovery and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-21

... location and via the Internet; (4) load Management Ripple Control Receivers for an existing load management... central location and via the Internet; (4) Load Management Ripple Control Receivers for an existing load...

Highly elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase is associated with central nervous system relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Results of a multicenter prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Kim, Seok Jin; Hong, Jun Sik; Chang, Myung Hee; Kim, Jeong-A; Kwak, Jae-Yong; Kim, Jin Seok; Yoon, Dok Hyun; Lee, Won Sik; Do, Young Rok; Kang, Hye Jin; Eom, Hyeon-Seok; Park, Yong; Won, Jong-Ho; Mun, Yeung-Chul; Kim, Hyo Jung; Kwon, Jung Hye; Kong, Jee Hyun; Oh, Sung Yong; Lee, Sunah; Bae, Sung Hwa; Yang, Deok-Hwan; Jun, Hyun Jung; Kim, Yang Soo; Yun, Hwan Jung; Lee, Soon Il; Kim, Min Kyoung; Park, Eun Kyung; Kim, Won Seog; Suh, Cheolwon

2016-11-01

Central nervous system involvement remains a challenging issue in the treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We conducted a prospective cohort study with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients receiving rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone to identify incidence and risk factors for central nervous system involvement. Among 595 patients, 279 patients received pre-treatment central nervous system evaluation, and 14 patients had central nervous system involvement at diagnosis (2.3% out of entire patients and 5.0% out of the 279 patients). For those patients, median follow-up duration was 38.2 months and some of them achieved long-term survival. Out of 581 patients who did not have central nervous system involvement at diagnosis, 26 patients underwent secondary central nervous system relapse with a median follow-up of 35 months, and the median time to central nervous system involvement was 10.4 months (range: 3.4-29.2). Serum lactate dehydrogenase > ×3 upper limit of normal range, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2, and involvement of sinonasal tract or testis, were independent risk factors for central nervous system relapse in multivariate analysis. Our study suggests that enhanced stratification of serum lactate dehydrogenase according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network-International Prognostic Index may contribute to better prediction for central nervous system relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 01202448.

Highly elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase is associated with central nervous system relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Results of a multicenter prospective cohort study

PubMed Central

Kim, Seok Jin; Hong, Jun Sik; Chang, Myung Hee; Kim, Jeong-A; Kwak, Jae-Yong; Kim, Jin Seok; Yoon, Dok Hyun; Lee, Won Sik; Do, Young Rok; Kang, Hye Jin; Eom, Hyeon-Seok; Park, Yong; Won, Jong-Ho; Mun, Yeung-Chul; Kim, Hyo Jung; Kwon, Jung Hye; Kong, Jee Hyun; Oh, Sung Yong; Lee, Sunah; Bae, Sung Hwa; Yang, Deok-Hwan; Jun, Hyun Jung; Kim, Yang Soo; Yun, Hwan Jung; Il Lee, Soon; Kim, Min Kyoung; Park, Eun Kyung; Kim, Won Seog; Suh, Cheolwon

2016-01-01

Central nervous system involvement remains a challenging issue in the treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We conducted a prospective cohort study with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients receiving rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone to identify incidence and risk factors for central nervous system involvement. Among 595 patients, 279 patients received pre-treatment central nervous system evaluation, and 14 patients had central nervous system involvement at diagnosis (2.3% out of entire patients and 5.0% out of the 279 patients). For those patients, median follow-up duration was 38.2 months and some of them achieved long-term survival. Out of 581 patients who did not have central nervous system involvement at diagnosis, 26 patients underwent secondary central nervous system relapse with a median follow-up of 35 months, and the median time to central nervous system involvement was 10.4 months (range: 3.4–29.2). Serum lactate dehydrogenase > ×3 upper limit of normal range, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2, and involvement of sinonasal tract or testis, were independent risk factors for central nervous system relapse in multivariate analysis. Our study suggests that enhanced stratification of serum lactate dehydrogenase according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network-International Prognostic Index may contribute to better prediction for central nervous system relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 01202448. PMID:27713132

Report on the Status of Students and Families Who Received Mental Health and Case Management Services at Linkages to Learning Sites, 2013-2014

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wade, Julie; Maina, Nyambura

2016-01-01

Students who received mental health services at a Linkages to Learning (LTL) site showed improvement on some measures of well-being and school engagement, including self-ratings of self-concept and attendance. Families who received case management services showed improvement on multiple areas of self-sufficiency, and large percentages of…

The Single Crew Module Concept for Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chambliss, Joe

2012-01-01

Many concepts have been proposed for exploring space. In early 2010 presidential direction called for reconsidering the approach to address changes in exploration destinations, use of new technologies and development of new capabilities to support exploration of space. Considering the proposed new technology and capabilities that NASA was directed to pursue, the single crew module (SCM) concept for a more streamlined approach to the infrastructure and conduct of exploration missions was developed. The SCM concept combines many of the new promising technologies with a central concept of mission architectures that uses a single habitat module for all phases of an exploration mission. Integrating mission elements near Earth and fully fueling them prior to departure of the vicinity of Earth provides the capability of using the single habitat both in transit to an exploration destination and while exploring the destination. The concept employs the capability to return the habitat and interplanetary propulsion system to Earth vicinity so that those elements can be reused on subsequent exploration missions. This paper describes the SCM concept, provides a top level mass estimate for the elements needed and trades the concept against Many concepts have been proposed for exploring space. In early 2010 presidential direction called for reconsidering the approach to address changes in exploration destinations, use of new technologies and development of new capabilities to support exploration of space. Considering the proposed new technology and capabilities that NASA was directed to pursue, the single crew module (SCM) concept for a more streamlined approach to the infrastructure and conduct of exploration missions was developed. The SCM concept combines many of the new promising technologies with a central concept of mission architectures that uses a single habitat module for all phases of an exploration mission. Integrating mission elements near Earth and fully fueling them prior to departure of the vicinity of Earth provides the capability of using the single habitat both in transit to an exploration destination and while exploring the destination. The concept employs the capability to return the habitat and interplanetary propulsion system to Earth vicinity so that those elements can be reused on subsequent exploration missions. This paper describes the SCM concept, provides a top level mass estimate for the elements needed and trades the concept against Constellation approaches for Lunar, Near Earth Asteroid and Mars Surface missions.

Satellite power systems (SPS) concept definition study. Volume 2, part 1: System engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1980-01-01

Top level trade studies are presented, including comparison of solid state and klystron concepts, higher concentration on the solar cells, composite and aluminum structure, and several variations to the reference concept. Detailed trade studies are presented in each of the subsystem areas (solar array, power distribution, structures, thermal control, attitude control and stationkeeping, microwave transmission, and ground receiving station). A description of the selected point design is also presented.

The dimensions of 'traditional food' in reflexive modernity: Norway as a case study.

PubMed

Amilien, Virginie; Hegnes, Atle Wehn

2013-11-01

This article aims to better understand the definition(s) of 'traditional' food. The authors discuss and exemplify how this rhetorical concept is used in the specialist literature and in Norwegian public debate. The authors ultimately propose a set of central dimensions of traditional food and their relevance across various discourses. After examining the use of the concept 'tradition' in scientific publications, the authors note that it is based on two main axes: time and know-how. These are interwoven in a 'meaning' dimension in the connection between time and culture, but also in a 'place' dimension that is systematically materialised in food. In order to better describe and understand the dynamic that emerges from the interplay of innovation and tradition, the article goes through the broadest use of 'traditional food' in public discourses, in national and regional newspapers, and in consumers' attitudes. There, the concept of 'traditional food' is used for both preserving historic values and renewing sense of identity. The article can be regarded as an empirical example which elaborates the understanding of tradition in reflexive modernity. It concludes that the concept of traditional food is neither fixed nor finite but is a fluid and energetic concept which, based on the tensions between four central axes, can adapt to the discourses of preservation, moderation and innovation. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Systematic Framework and Nanoperiodic Concept for Unifying Nanoscience: Hard/Soft Nanoelements, Superatoms, Meta-Atoms, New Emerging Properties, Periodic Property Patterns, and Predictive Mendeleev-like Nanoperiodic Tables.

PubMed

Tomalia, Donald A; Khanna, Shiv N

2016-02-24

Development of a central paradigm is undoubtedly the single most influential force responsible for advancing Dalton's 19th century atomic/molecular chemistry concepts to the current maturity enjoyed by traditional chemistry. A similar central dogma for guiding and unifying nanoscience has been missing. This review traces the origins, evolution, and current status of such a critical nanoperiodic concept/framework for defining and unifying nanoscience. Based on parallel efforts and a mutual consensus now shared by both chemists and physicists, a nanoperiodic/systematic framework concept has emerged. This concept is based on the well-documented existence of discrete, nanoscale collections of traditional inorganic/organic atoms referred to as hard and soft superatoms (i.e., nanoelement categories). These nanometric entities are widely recognized to exhibit nanoscale atom mimicry features reminiscent of traditional picoscale atoms. All unique superatom/nanoelement physicochemical features are derived from quantized structural control defined by six critical nanoscale design parameters (CNDPs), namely, size, shape, surface chemistry, flexibility/rigidity, architecture, and elemental composition. These CNDPs determine all intrinsic superatom properties, their combining behavior to form stoichiometric nanocompounds/assemblies as well as to exhibit nanoperiodic properties leading to new nanoperiodic rules and predictive Mendeleev-like nanoperiodic tables, and they portend possible extension of these principles to larger quantized building blocks including meta-atoms.

Modelling students' knowledge organisation: Genealogical conceptual networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koponen, Ismo T.; Nousiainen, Maija

2018-04-01

Learning scientific knowledge is largely based on understanding what are its key concepts and how they are related. The relational structure of concepts also affects how concepts are introduced in teaching scientific knowledge. We model here how students organise their knowledge when they represent their understanding of how physics concepts are related. The model is based on assumptions that students use simple basic linking-motifs in introducing new concepts and mostly relate them to concepts that were introduced a few steps earlier, i.e. following a genealogical ordering. The resulting genealogical networks have relatively high local clustering coefficients of nodes but otherwise resemble networks obtained with an identical degree distribution of nodes but with random linking between them (i.e. the configuration-model). However, a few key nodes having a special structural role emerge and these nodes have a higher than average communicability betweenness centralities. These features agree with the empirically found properties of students' concept networks.

A Conceptual Design Study of a High Temperature Solar Thermal Receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robertson, C. S.; Ehde, C. L.; Stacy, L. E.; Abujawdeh, S. S.; Narayanan, R.; Mccreight, L. R.; Gatti, A.; Rauch, H. W., Sr.

1980-01-01

A conceptual design was made for a solar thermal receiver capable of operation in the 1095 to 1650 C (2000 to 3000 F) temperature range. This receiver is designed for use with a two-axis paraboloidal concentrator in the 25 to 150 kW sub t power range, and is intended for industrial process heat, Brayton engines, or chemical/fuels reactions. Three concepts were analyzed parametrically. One was selected for conceptual design. Its key feature is a helical coiled tube of sintered silicon nitride which serves as the heat exchanger between the incident solar radiation and the working fluid. A mechanical design of this concept was prepared, and both thermal and stress analysis performed. The analysis showed good performance, low potential cost in mass production, and adaptability to both Brayton cycle engines and chemical/fuels production.

Fiber optic control system integration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poppel, G. L.; Glasheen, W. M.; Russell, J. C.

1987-01-01

A total fiber optic, integrated propulsion/flight control system concept for advanced fighter aircraft is presented. Fiber optic technology pertaining to this system is identified and evaluated for application readiness. A fiber optic sensor vendor survey was completed, and the results are reported. The advantages of centralized/direct architecture are reviewed, and the concept of the protocol branch is explained. Preliminary protocol branch selections are made based on the F-18/F404 application. Concepts for new optical tools are described. Development plans for the optical technology and the described system are included.

CESA-1 receiver design review. Phase 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1980-07-01

The Central Electrica Solar de Almeria CESA-1 is a 1.0 MWe water/steam solar central receiver electric power plant being built by the Spanish in Almeria, Spain. Centro de Estudios de la Energia (CEE) is responsible for the management, design, and construction of the project. At the request of the Solar Energy Research Institute and with the approval of the Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore is providing technical assistance in areas unique to solar applications to CEE. At the request of CEE, Sandia contracted with Foster Wheeler Development Corporation (FWDC) to critically review and evaluate the CESA-1 receiver design.more » Foster Wheeler Iberia (FWI) was subcontracted to FWDC to coordinate efforts with CEE in Madrid. The FWDC program which was started on July 9, 1979, was subdivided into three tasks: (1) design basis review: critical review of the receiver design specifications and requirements; (2) design review and analyses: critical review of thermal/hydraulic, structural, and materials aspects of the receiver design and the design and analysis procedures used by the designer in critical areas of the design; and (3) operational review: critical review of receiver instrumentation and controls and the operational and safety aspects of the receiver. Results of the design review and evaluation are presented. (WHK)« less

19 CFR 356.7 - Request to determine when the Government of a FTA country received notice of a scope determination.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...) and (e)(2) with the Secretary of Commerce, Attention: Import Administration, Central Records Unit... name of applicable FTA country] Received Notice of a Scope Determination by first class mail or...

The Effect of Concept Mapping-Guided Discovery Integrated Teaching Approach on Chemistry Students' Achievement and Retention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fatokun, K. V. F.; Eniayeju, P. A.

2014-01-01

This study investigates the effects of Concept Mapping-Guided Discovery Integrated Teaching Approach on the achievement and retention of chemistry students. The sample comprised 162 Senior Secondary two (SS 2) students drawn from two Science Schools in Nasarawa State, Central Nigeria with equivalent mean scores of 9.68 and 9.49 in their pre-test.…

A Study of Faculty Perception of the Implementation of the Articulated Faculty Concept. Self-Study Report No. 3. Institutional Research Series 1981.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zimmerman, Woodford W.

In 1975 and 1981, surveys were conducted at the Lima regional campus of Ohio State University (OSU) to determine the perceptions of tenured and nontenured faculty with regard to the articulated faculty concept, whereby regional campus instructors are fully affiliated with academic departments at the OSU central campus. Faculty were asked to…

Relationship between Self Concept, School Performance, and Divergent Thinking. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trowbridge, Norma

This investigation attempts to explore the relationship between self concept and socio-economic status (SES) of children from 8 to 14 years of age. In a sample of 3789 children in central U. S. children of low SES scored higher than children of middle SES at all ages, in both sexes, among blacks as well as whites, and in rural areas as well as…

Critical Listening and the Dialogic Aspect of Moral Education: J. F. Herbart's Concept of the Teacher as Moral Guide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

English, Andrea

2011-01-01

In his central educational work, "The Science of Education" (1806), J. F. Herbart did not explicitly develop a theory of listening, yet his concept of the teacher as a guide in the moral development of the learner gives valuable insight into the moral dimension of listening within teacher-student interaction. Herbart's theory radically calls into…

From Symbols, Stories and Social Artifacts to Social Architecture and Agency: The Discourse of Learning and the Decline of "Organizational Culture" in the "New Work Order."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siegel, Irwin H.

The concept of organizational culture has been central to the development of concepts, such as the learning organization and organizational learning, which are important within the field of adult education. However, the functionalist models of organizational culture, which have often relied on ethnographic and/or anecdotal studies of organizations…

The Nature of Conceptual Understanding in Biomedicine: The Deep Structure of Complex Ideas and the Development of Misconceptions. Technical Report No. 440.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feltovich, Paul J.; And Others

This report presents a general framework for studying the acquisition and cognitive representation of biomedical concepts and analyzing the nature and development of misconceptions. The central approach of the report is a selective and highly concentrated analysis of the true nature of clusters of complex concepts and the manner in which they are…

KSC-03pd0216

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-01-30

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A sea turtle rescued from the Mosquito Lagoon is prepared to receive a transmitter on its back. Several turtles were found stunned, impacted by the unseasonal cold temperatures experienced in Central Florida. The cooperative effort of KSC contractor Dynamac Corporation's Aquatics Program and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge warmed the turtles and evaluated them for release. Most were tagged and one received the transmitter, provided by the University of Central Florida, for satellite tracking. The turtles were then transported in a skiff through the Haulover Canal to a location away from the main channel and released into the Indian River Lagoon.

KSC-03pd0217

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-01-30

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A sea turtle rescued from the Mosquito Lagoon is prepared to receive a transmitter on its back. Several turtles were found stunned, impacted by the unseasonal cold temperatures experienced in Central Florida. The cooperative effort of KSC contractor Dynamac Corporation's Aquatics Program and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge warmed the turtles and evaluated them for release. Most were tagged and one received the transmitter, provided by the University of Central Florida, for satellite tracking. The turtles were then transported in a skiff through the Haulover Canal to a location away from the main channel and released into the Indian River Lagoon.

Biological Principles and Threshold Concepts for Understanding Natural Selection. Implications for Developing Visualizations as a Pedagogic Tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tibell, Lena A. E.; Harms, Ute

2017-11-01

Modern evolutionary theory is both a central theory and an integrative framework of the life sciences. This is reflected in the common references to evolution in modern science education curricula and contexts. In fact, evolution is a core idea that is supposed to support biology learning by facilitating the organization of relevant knowledge. In addition, evolution can function as a pivotal link between concepts and highlight similarities in the complexity of biological concepts. However, empirical studies in many countries have for decades identified deficiencies in students' scientific understanding of evolution mainly focusing on natural selection. Clearly, there are major obstacles to learning natural selection, and we argue that to overcome them, it is essential to address explicitly the general abstract concepts that underlie the biological processes, e.g., randomness or probability. Hence, we propose a two-dimensional framework for analyzing and structuring teaching of natural selection. The first—purely biological—dimension embraces the three main principles variation, heredity, and selection structured in nine key concepts that form the core idea of natural selection. The second dimension encompasses four so-called thresholds, i.e., general abstract and/or non-perceptual concepts: randomness, probability, spatial scales, and temporal scales. We claim that both of these dimensions must be continuously considered, in tandem, when teaching evolution in order to allow development of a meaningful understanding of the process. Further, we suggest that making the thresholds tangible with the aid of appropriate kinds of visualizations will facilitate grasping of the threshold concepts, and thus, help learners to overcome the difficulties in understanding the central theory of life.

Tri-Lateral Noor al Salaam High Concentration Solar Central Receiver Program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blackmon, James B

2008-03-31

This report documents the efforts conducted primarily under the Noor al Salaam (“Light of Peace”) program under DOE GRANT NUMBER DE-FC36-02GO12030, together with relevant technical results from a closely related technology development effort, the U.S./Israel Science and Technology Foundation (USISTF) High Concentration Solar Central Receiver program. These efforts involved preliminary design, development, and test of selected prototype power production subsystems and documentation of an initial version of the system definition for a high concentration solar hybrid/gas electrical power plant to be built in Zaafarana, Egypt as a first step in planned commercialization. A major part of the planned work wasmore » halted in 2007 with an amendment in October 2007 requiring that we complete the technical effort by December 31, 2007 and provide a final report to DOE within the following 90 days. This document summarizes the work conducted. The USISTF program was a 50/50 cost-shared program supported by the Department of Commerce through the U.S./Israel Science and Technology Commission (USISTC). The USISTC was cooperatively developed by President Clinton and the late Prime Minister Rabin of Israel "to encourage technological collaboration" and "support peace in the Middle East through economic development". The program was conducted as a follow-on effort to Israel's Magnet/CONSOLAR Program, which was an advanced development effort to design, fabricate, and test a solar central receiver and secondary optics for a "beam down" central receiver concept. The status of these hardware development programs is reviewed, since they form the basis for the Noor al Salaam program. Descriptions are provided of the integrated system and the major subsystems, including the heliostat, the high temperature air receiver, the power conversion unit, tower and tower reflector, compound parabolic concentrator, and the master control system. One objective of the USISTF program was to conduct marketing research, identify opportunities for use of this technology, and to the extent possible, secure an agreement leading to a pre-commercialization demonstration or prototype plant. This was accomplished with the agreement to conduct the Noor al Salaam program as a tri-lateral project between Egypt, Israel, and the U.S. The tri-lateral project was led by the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH); this included the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority and the Israeli USISTC participants. This project, known was Noor al Salaam, was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Department of Energy (DOE). The Egyptian activity was under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Energy and Electricity, New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) as part of Egypt's plans for renewable energy development. The objective of the Noor al Salaam project was to develop the conditions necessary to obtain funding and construct and operate an approximately 10 to 20 Megawatt hybrid solar/natural gas demonstration power plant in Zaafarana, Egypt that could serve both as a test bed for advanced solar technology evaluations, and as a forerunner to commercial plant designs. This plant, termed Noor Al Salaam, or “Light of Peace”, reached the initial phase of system definition before being curtailed, in part by changes in USAID objectives, coupled with various delays that were beyond the scope of the program to resolve. The background of the USISTF technology development and pre-commercialization effort is provided in this report, together with documentation of the technology developments conducted under the Noor al Salaam program. It should be noted that only a relatively small part of the Noor al Salaam funding was expended over the approximately five years for which UAH was prime contractor before the program was ordered closed (Reference 1) so that the remaining funds could be returned to USAID.« less

Outreach hepatitis B vaccination of female sex workers in central-west Brazil: immunization status, compliance, and immune response.

PubMed

Carneiro, Luciene Moraes; Mousquer, Gina Jonasson; Pinheiro, Raquel Silva; Castro, Ana Rita Coimbra Motta; França, Divânia Dias Da Silva; Caetano, Karlla Antonieta Amorim; Carneiro, Megmar Aparecida dos Santos; Martins, Regina Maria Bringel; Matos, Marcos André de; Castro, Lisie; Rezende, Grazielli; Teles, Sheila Araujo

2014-01-01

To evaluate the hepatitis B immunization status of female sex workers (FSWs) in Central-West Brazil and to evaluate their compliance with and immune response to hepatitis B vaccination delivered using outreach strategies. A total of 721 FSWs recruited in 2 large cities in Central-West Brazil were interviewed and screened for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers. Hepatitis B vaccine was offered to all women susceptible to HBV, using outreach strategies. The immune response of FSWs who received a full course of vaccine was assessed following the final vaccine dose. We found that 27.6% of FSWs, the majority of whom were aged 18 to 25 years, had serological evidence of previous hepatitis B vaccination. A total of 434 FSWs were eligible for vaccination, 389 (89.6%) of whom accepted the first hepatitis B vaccine dose. Of those, 64% received a second dose and 37.5% received all three doses. Through the outreach strategy, there was a 52.2% increase in the number of women who received the second dose and a 67% increase in the number who received the third dose. Of the 146 women who received a full course of vaccine, 105 accepted testing for quantitative anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) following the final vaccine dose, and 92.4% of those tested had developed protective levels of anti-HBs. Lower education level, workplace, and length of prostitution were predictors of full-vaccine acceptance. The present findings illustrate the benefits of using outreach strategies to overcome the difficulties of vaccinating hard-to-reach populations such as FSWs.

Concept of a utility scale dispatch able solar thermal electricity plant with an indirect particle receiver in a single tower layout

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwaiger, Karl; Haider, Markus; Haemmerle, Martin; Steiner, Peter; Obermaier, Michael-Dario

2016-05-01

Flexible dispatch able solar thermal electricity plants applying state of the art power cycles have the potential of playing a vital role in modern electricity systems and even participating in the ancillary market. By replacing molten salt via particles, operation temperatures can be increased and plant efficiencies of over 45 % can be reached. In this work the concept for a utility scale plant using corundum as storage/heat transfer material is thermodynamically modeled and its key performance data are cited. A novel indirect fluidized bed particle receiver concept is presented, profiting from a near black body behavior being able to heat up large particle flows by realizing temperature cycles over 500°C. Specialized fluidized bed steam-generators are applied with negligible auxiliary power demand. The performance of the key components is discussed and a rough sketch of the plant is provided.

A new concept of a unified parameter management, experiment control, and data analysis in fMRI: application to real-time fMRI at 3T and 7T.

PubMed

Hollmann, M; Mönch, T; Mulla-Osman, S; Tempelmann, C; Stadler, J; Bernarding, J

2008-10-30

In functional MRI (fMRI) complex experiments and applications require increasingly complex parameter handling as the experimental setup usually consists of separated soft- and hardware systems. Advanced real-time applications such as neurofeedback-based training or brain computer interfaces (BCIs) may even require adaptive changes of the paradigms and experimental setup during the measurement. This would be facilitated by an automated management of the overall workflow and a control of the communication between all experimental components. We realized a concept based on an XML software framework called Experiment Description Language (EDL). All parameters relevant for real-time data acquisition, real-time fMRI (rtfMRI) statistical data analysis, stimulus presentation, and activation processing are stored in one central EDL file, and processed during the experiment. A usability study comparing the central EDL parameter management with traditional approaches showed an improvement of the complete experimental handling. Based on this concept, a feasibility study realizing a dynamic rtfMRI-based brain computer interface showed that the developed system in combination with EDL was able to reliably detect and evaluate activation patterns in real-time. The implementation of a centrally controlled communication between the subsystems involved in the rtfMRI experiments reduced potential inconsistencies, and will open new applications for adaptive BCIs.

Canopy gap characteristics of an old-growth and an adjacent second-growth beech-maple stand in north-central Ohio

Treesearch

David M. Hix; P. Charles Goebel; Heather L. Whitman

2011-01-01

The increased importance of integrating concepts of natural disturbance regimes into forest management, as well as the need to manage for complex forest structures, requires an understanding of how forest stands develop following natural disturbances. One of the primary natural disturbance types occurring in beech-maple ecosystems of the Central Hardwood Forest is...

A Microsoft® Excel Simulation Illustrating the Central Limit Theorem's Appropriateness for Comparing the Difference between the Means of Any Two Populations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moen, David H.; Powell, John E.

2008-01-01

Using Microsoft® Excel, several interactive, computerized learning modules are developed to illustrate the Central Limit Theorem's appropriateness for comparing the difference between the means of any two populations. These modules are used in the classroom to enhance the comprehension of this theorem as well as the concepts that provide the…

Iran Sanctions

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-02

currency and can use it to buy rials—or services denominated in rials—cheaply. • These difficulties—shipping, currency devaluation , and others—have...increasingly trading through barter arrangements rather than hard currency exchange. The pullout from Iran by major international firms has slowed Iran’s...countries to the concept of sanctioning Iran’s Central Bank was based on humanitarian grounds. One of the Central Bank’s roles is to keep Iran’s currency

Information Learned from Generic Language Becomes Central to Children's Biological Concepts: Evidence from Their Open-Ended Explanations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cimpian, Andrei; Markman, Ellen M.

2009-01-01

Generic sentences (e.g., "Snakes have holes in their teeth") convey that a property (e.g., having holes in one's teeth) is true of a category (e.g., snakes). We test the hypothesis that, in addition to this basic aspect of their meaning, generic sentences also imply that the information they express is more conceptually central than the…

Using Student Writing and Lexical Analysis to Reveal Student Thinking about the Role of Stop Codons in the Central Dogma

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prevost, Luanna B.; Smith, Michelle K.; Knight, Jennifer K.

2016-01-01

Previous work has shown that students have persistent difficulties in understanding how central dogma processes can be affected by a stop codon mutation. To explore these difficulties, we modified two multiple-choice questions from the Genetics Concept Assessment into three open-ended questions that asked students to write about how a stop codon…

Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Bevacizumab Therapy for Radiation Necrosis of the Central Nervous System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Levin, Victor A., E-mail: vlevin49@comcast.ne; Bidaut, Luc; Hou, Ping

Purpose: To conduct a controlled trial of bevacizumab for the treatment of symptomatic radiation necrosis of the brain. Methods and Materials: A total of 14 patients were entered into a placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study of bevacizumab for the treatment of central nervous system radiation necrosis. All patients were required to have radiographic or biopsy proof of central nervous system radiation necrosis and progressive neurologic symptoms or signs. Eligible patients had undergone irradiation for head-and-neck carcinoma, meningioma, or low- to mid-grade glioma. Patients were randomized to receive intravenous saline or bevacizumab at 3-week intervals. The magnetic resonance imaging findings 3 weeksmore » after the second treatment and clinical signs and symptoms defined the response or progression. Results: The volumes of necrosis estimated on T{sub 2}-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T{sub 1}-weighted gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated that although no patient receiving placebo responded (0 of 7), all bevacizumab-treated patients did so (5 of 5 randomized and 7 of 7 crossover) with decreases in T{sub 2}-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T{sub 1}-weighted gadolinium-enhanced volumes and a decrease in endothelial transfer constant. All bevacizumab-treated patients-and none of the placebo-treated patients-showed improvement in neurologic symptoms or signs. At a median of 10 months after the last dose of bevacizumab in patients receiving all four study doses, only 2 patients had experienced a recurrence of magnetic resonance imaging changes consistent with progressive radiation necrosis; one patient received a single additional dose of bevacizumab and the other patient received two doses. Conclusion: The Class I evidence of bevacizumab efficacy from the present study in the treatment of central nervous system radiation necrosis justifies consideration of this treatment option for people with radiation necrosis secondary to the treatment of head-and-neck cancer and brain cancer.« less

Investigation of Pipeline Concepts, Materials and Construction Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-06-01

Tite" Ethyl "Bell-Ring" Johns-Manville "Ring-Tite" Rehau "Mechan-O-Joint". Weights for 4 Inch, 6 Inch, and 8 inch diameter pipes are 1.86 LB/FT...415 Avenida Pico San Clemento, California 92672 C58 I Returned Reply Useful Used In By USPS Received Information Concept Rehau Plastiks, Incorporated

Teaching Business Communication on the Production Line: A Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Richard W.

1993-01-01

Analyzes the communication training received by over 4,000 workers as part of an effort to implement a team concept production system at a General Motors plant. Presents an overview of the team concept training. Discusses five barriers to effective training, four successful instructional methods, and implications for business communication. (RS)

Does Teaching Sequence Matter When Teaching High School Chemistry with Scientific Visualisations?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fogarty, Ian; Geelan, David; Mukherjee, Michelle

2012-01-01

Five Canadian high school Chemistry classes in one school, taught by three different teachers, studied the concepts of dynamic chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier's Principle. Some students received traditional teacher-led explanations of the concept first and used an interactive scientific visualisation second, while others worked with the…

Mathematical Modeling in Mathematics Education: Basic Concepts and Approaches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erbas, Ayhan Kürsat; Kertil, Mahmut; Çetinkaya, Bülent; Çakiroglu, Erdinç; Alacaci, Cengiz; Bas, Sinem

2014-01-01

Mathematical modeling and its role in mathematics education have been receiving increasing attention in Turkey, as in many other countries. The growing body of literature on this topic reveals a variety of approaches to mathematical modeling and related concepts, along with differing perspectives on the use of mathematical modeling in teaching and…

Saxon Math. What Works Clearinghouse Intervention Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

What Works Clearinghouse, 2017

2017-01-01

"Saxon Math" is a curriculum for students in grades K-12. The amount of new math content students receive each day is limited and students practice concepts every day. New concepts are developed, reviewed, and practiced cumulatively rather than in discrete chapters or units. This review focuses on studies of "Saxon Math"'s…

Computer-Based Exercises To Supplement the Teaching of Stereochemical Aspects of Drug Action.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrold, Marc W.

1995-01-01

At the Duquesne University (PA) school of pharmacy, five self-paced computer exercises using a molecular modeling program have been implemented to teach stereochemical concepts. The approach, designed for small-group learning, has been well received and found effective in enhancing students' understanding of the concepts. (Author/MSE)

Exploring the Self-concept of Adults with Mild Learning Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pestana, Claudio

2015-01-01

This qualitative study aimed to add to the research on the self-concept of adults with mild learning disabilities and to generate a deeper understanding of their self-perceptions rather than draw generalised quantitative conclusions. Eight adults diagnosed with mild learning disabilities receiving support from a supported living project were…

Implementation and Evaluation of a Course Concept Based on Reusable Learning Objects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Zele, Els; Vandaele, Pieter; Botteldooren, Dick; Lenaerts, Josephina

2003-01-01

This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a learning objects based computer aided system for an advanced engineering course at Ghent University, Belgium. A new syllabus concept was introduced: students had access to a Web-delivered component and received an identical printed component as two sources of information additional to…

Evaluation of field operations test 8 : electronic credentialing : New York state proof-of-concept project one stop credentialing and registration

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-09-01

The State of New York received a grant from the I-95 Corridor Coalition to develop a proof-of-concept for an electronic credentialing system for the motor carrier industry. When fully developed, the system, which is a web-based solution, will enable ...

Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies: A Global Network Advancing Dignity through Dialogue

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindner, Evelin G.; Hartling, Linda M.; Spalthoff, Ulrich

2011-01-01

Human rights are universally based on the concept of human dignity. Various international organizations are developing the theoretical, legal, and political framework for human rights. The underlying concept of human dignity is less disputed, but also receives less attention. This shortcoming is addressed by a worldwide group of scholars and…

Blended Learning in Vocational Education: Teachers' Conceptions of Blended Learning and Their Approaches to Teaching and Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bliuc, Ana-Maria; Casey, Grant; Bachfischer, Agnieszka; Goodyear, Peter; Ellis, Robert A.

2012-01-01

This paper presents research exploring teachers' experiences of using blended learning in vocational education. Teachers involved in designing and teaching using blended learning from a major Australian vocational education provider participated in the study. They received open-ended questionnaires asking to describe their conceptions of blended…

Effects of an Integrated Physical Education/Music Program in Changing Early Childhood Perceptual-Motor Performance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Judy; And Others

1981-01-01

Two approaches to facilitating perceptual-motor development in children ages 4-6 were investigated. Fifteen children (the experimental group) received integrated physical education/music instruction based on Kodaly and Dalcroze (Eurhythmics) concepts. The control group received movement exploration and self-testing instruction. Significant…

Best practices for learning video concept detectors from social media examples (Author’s Manuscript)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-23

Best practices for learning video concept detectors from social media examples Svetlana Kordumova & Xirong Li & Cees G. M. Snoek Received: 25...September 2013 /Revised: 3 April 2014 /Accepted: 25 April 2014 # Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014 Abstract Learning video concept detectors from...While the potential has been recognized by many, and progress on the topic has been impressive, we argue that key questions crucial to know how to learn

Real Time Filtering of Tweets Using Wikipedia Concepts and Google Tri-gram Semantic Relatedness

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-20

Real Time Filtering of Tweets Using Wikipedia Concepts and Google Tri-gram Semantic Relatedness Anh Dang1, Raheleh Makki1, Abidalrahman Moh’d1...of a topic that the user is interested in receiving relevant posts in real-time. Our proposed approach extracts Wikipedia concepts for profiles and...group name “DALTREC”. Our proposed approach for this year’s filtering task is based on using Wikipedia and Google Trigram for calculating the semantic

The T/R modules for phased-array antennas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peignet, Colette; Mancuso, Yves; Resneau, J. Claude

1990-09-01

The concept of phased array radar is critically dependent on the availability of compact, reliable and low power consuming Transmitter/Receiver (T/R) modules. An overview is given on two major programs actually at development stage within the Thomson group and on three major development axis (electrical concept optimization, packaging, and size reduction). The technical feasibility of the concept was proven and the three major axis were enlightened, based on reliability, power added efficiency, and RF tests optimization.

Anti-PD-L1 Treatment Induced Central Diabetes Insipidus.

PubMed

Zhao, Chen; Tella, Sri Harsha; Del Rivero, Jaydira; Kommalapati, Anuhya; Ebenuwa, Ifechukwude; Gulley, James; Strauss, Julius; Brownell, Isaac

2018-02-01

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), anti-programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1), and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (anti-CTLA4) monoclonal antibodies, have been widely used in cancer treatment. They are known to cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which resemble autoimmune diseases. Anterior pituitary hypophysitis with secondary hypopituitarism is a frequently reported irAE, especially in patients receiving anti-CTLA4 treatment. In contrast, posterior pituitary involvement, such as central diabetes insipidus (DI), is relatively rare and is unreported in patients undergoing PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. We describe a case of a 73-year-old man with Merkel cell carcinoma who received the anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody avelumab and achieved partial response. The patient developed nocturia, polydipsia, and polyuria 3 months after starting avelumab. Further laboratory testing revealed central DI. Avelumab was held and he received desmopressin for the management of central DI. Within 6 weeks after discontinuation of avelumab, the patient's symptoms resolved and he was eventually taken off desmopressin. The patient remained off avelumab and there were no signs or symptoms of DI 2 months after the discontinuation of desmopressin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of central DI associated with anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. The patient's endocrinopathy was successfully managed by holding treatment with the immune checkpoint inhibitor. This case highlights the importance of early screening and appropriate management of hormonal irAEs in subjects undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors to minimize morbidity and mortality. Copyright © 2017 Endocrine Society

The 10 MWe solar thermal central receiver pilot plant solar facilities design integration, RADL item 1-10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1980-08-01

Work on the plant support subsystems and engineering services is reported. The master control system, thermal storage subsystem, receiver unit, and the beam characterization system were reviewed. Progress in program management and system integration is highlighted.

GPS Signal Corruption by the Discrete Aurora: Precise Measurements From the Mahali Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semeter, Joshua; Mrak, Sebastijan; Hirsch, Michael; Swoboda, John; Akbari, Hassan; Starr, Gregory; Hampton, Don; Erickson, Philip; Lind, Frank; Coster, Anthea; Pankratius, Victor

2017-10-01

Measurements from a dense network of GPS receivers have been used to clarify the relationship between substorm auroras and GPS signal corruption as manifested by loss of lock on the received signal. A network of nine receivers was deployed along roadways near the Poker Flat Research Range in central Alaska, with receiver spacing between 15 and 30 km. Instances of large-amplitude phase fluctuations and signal loss of lock were registered in space and time with auroral forms associated with a sequence of westward traveling surges associated with a substorm onset over central Canada. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) The signal corruption originated in the ionospheric E region, between 100 and 150 km altitude, and (2) the GPS links suffering loss of lock were confined to a narrow band (<20 km wide) along the trailing edge of the moving auroral forms. The results are discussed in the context of mechanisms typically cited to account for GPS phase scintillation by auroral processes.

Exploring the presentation of HPV information online: A semantic network analysis of websites.

PubMed

Ruiz, Jeanette B; Barnett, George A

2015-06-26

Negative vaccination-related information online leads some to opt out of recommended vaccinations. To determine how HPV vaccine information is presented online and what concepts co-occur. A semantic network analysis of the words in first-page Google search results was conducted using three negative, three neutral, and three positive search terms for 10 base concepts such as HPV vaccine, and HPV immunizations. In total, 223 of the 300 websites retrieved met inclusion requirements. Website information was analyzed using network statistics to determine what words most frequently appear, which words co-occur, and the sentiment of the words. High levels of word interconnectivity were found suggesting a rich set of semantic links and a very integrated set of concepts. Limited number of words held centrality indicating limited concept prominence. This dense network signifies concepts that are well connected. Negative words were most prevalent and were associated with describing the HPV vaccine's side-effects as well as the negative effects of HPV and cervical cancer. A smaller cluster focuses on reporting negative vaccine side-effects. Clustering shows the words women and girls closely located to the words sexually, virus, and infection. Information about the HPV vaccine online centered on a limited number of concepts. HPV vaccine benefits as well as the risks of HPV, including severity and susceptibility, were centrally presented. Word cluster results imply that HPV vaccine information for women and girls is discussed in more sexual terms than for men and boys. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Atmospheric transmission loss in mirror-to-tower slant ranges due to water vapor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gueymard, Christian A.; López, Gabriel; Rapp-Arrarás, Igor

2017-06-01

Considering CSP systems of the central tower-receiver type, this study investigates the specific effect of water vapor absorption on the total atmospheric transmission losses that impact direct irradiance along the slant path between a distant mirror and the receiver on the tower. Spectral and broadband calculations of total atmospheric attenuation are made for various water vapor conditions (from dry to humid) with both the rigorous MODTRAN code and the simpler and faster SMARTS code. The use of the latter is made indirectly possible through the "fictitious sun" concept. The MODTRAN and SMARTS results compare reasonably well under the present conditions, which closely echo the conditions used in previous studies, thus allowing instructive comparisons that will be reported later. To study the vertical profile of water vapor between surface and a height of 300 m, the columnar precipitable water at ≈5 m resolution has been derived from special high-resolution radiosonde soundings carried out twice daily at two arid sites. This analysis shows that the desired precipitable water at the receiver level can be simply extrapolated from that at the mirror level if the water vapor scale height is known. The latter is shown to significantly vary on a daily basis at the two sounding sites, with a median of 2.74 km. The exact value of this scale height conditions the transmission loss due to water vapor, but in any case this loss is found relatively small in comparison with other sources of attenuation, even when considering long slant paths under humid conditions. This unexpected finding is explained by the saturation effect that characterizes water vapor absorption.