ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thomas, Traci L.
This paper describes a practicum project that involved teaching 14 students (ages 8 through 13) with physical disabilities (cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy) to plan, organize, and complete projects and assignments independently. The paper explains the low expectations for the students and the students' lack of experience in…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rodriguez, Santiago; Zamorano, Juan; Rosales, Francisco; Dopico, Antonio Garcia; Pedraza, Jose Luis
2007-01-01
This paper describes a complete lab work management framework designed and developed in the authors' department to help teachers to manage the small projects that students are expected to complete as lab assignments during their graduate-level computer engineering studies. The paper focuses on an application example of the framework to a specific…
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Britton Jr, Charles L.
This memorandum constitutes our September 2015 level 4 milestone for the project entitled “Johnson Noise Thermometry for Drift-free Temperature Measurements” and satisfies the Milestone/Activity (Conclude HFIR field demonstration of JNT prototype). The progress summary describes the work performed to complete the subject milestone.
Rodriguez, Guadalupe; Trejo, Grisel; Schiemann, Elizabeth; Quandt, Sara A; Daniel, Stephanie S; Sandberg, Joanne C; Arcury, Thomas A
2016-06-01
This analysis describes the work organization and domestic work experienced by migrant Latinas, and explores the linkage between work and health. Twenty Latina workers in North Carolina with at least one child under age 12 completed in-depth interviews focused on their work organization, domestic responsibilities, work-family conflict, health, and family health. Using a systematic qualitative analysis, these women described a demanding work organization that is contingent and exploitative, with little control or support. They also described demanding domestic roles, with gendered and unequal division of household work. The resulting work-family conflict affects their mental and physical health, and has negative effects on the care and health of their families. The findings from this study highlight that work stressors from an unfavorable work organization create work-family conflict, and that work-family conflict in this population has a negative influence on workers' health and health behaviors.
USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database
Life and works of one of the most prominent leaf beetle systematist, I. K. Lopatin, is described. Complete list of his publications is provided along with list of taxa that he described and taxa that were named after him....
Wind River watershed restoration. Annual report. November 2011 through October 2012
Jezorek, Ian G.; Connolly, Patrick J.
2013-01-01
A statement of work (SOW) was submitted to BPA in October 2011 that outlined work to be performed by USGS-CRRL. The SOW was organized by Work Element (WE), with each describing a research task. This report summarizes the progress completed under each WE.
An experimental study of scalar mixing in curved shear layers
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Karasso, P. S.; Mungal, M. G.
1990-01-01
This report describes the work being undertaken to study the scalar mixing in curved shear layers. First, the motivation for this work and its objectives are described. Second, a description of the experimental rig that has been built is given. Third, some preliminary results (flow visualizations) are discussed, and finally, future steps that will be taken to complete the study are outlined.
What Works Clearinghouse[TM] Reporting Guide for Study Authors
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
What Works Clearinghouse, 2012
2012-01-01
This document provides guidance about how to describe studies and report their findings in a way that is clear, complete, and transparent. This document does not include information about how studies are judged against What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards. For information about What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards, please refer to…
Wind River Watershed Restoration, 2005-2006 Annual Report.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Jezorek, Ian G.; Connolly, Patrick J.; Munz, Carrie
2008-11-10
This report summarizes work completed by U.S. Geological Survey's Columbia River Research Laboratory (USGS-CRRL) in the Wind River subbasin during the period April 2005 through March 2006 under Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract 22095. During this period, we collected temperature, flow, and habitat data to characterize habitat condition and variation within and among tributaries and mainstem sections in the Wind River subbasin. We also conducted electrofishing and snorkeling surveys to determine juvenile salmonid populations within select study areas throughout the subbasin. Portions of this work were completed with additional funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Lowermore » Columbia Fish Enhancement Group (LCFEG). A statement of work (SOW) was submitted to BPA in March 2005 that outlined work to be performed by USGS-CRRL. The SOW was organized by work elements, with each describing a research task. This report summarizes the progress completed under each work element.« less
Quality of Working Life of cancer survivors: associations with health- and work-related variables.
de Jong, Merel; Tamminga, Sietske J; Frings-Dresen, Monique H W; de Boer, Angela G E M
2017-05-01
This study aimed to (1) describe the Quality of Working Life (QWL) of cancer survivors and (2) explore associations between the QWL of cancer survivors and health- and work-related variables. Employed and self-employed cancer survivors were recruited through hospitals and patient organizations. They completed the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ-CS) and health- and work-related variables in this cross-sectional study. The QWL scores of cancer survivors were described, and associations between QWL and health- and work-related variables were assessed. The QWLQ-CS was completed by 302 cancer survivors (28% male) with a mean age of 52 ± 8 years. They were diagnosed between 0 and 10 years ago with various types of cancer, such as breast cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, urological cancers, and haematological cancers. The QWL mean score of cancer survivors was 75 ± 12 (0-100). Cancer survivors had statistically significant lower QWL scores when they had been treated with chemotherapy or when they reported co-morbidity (p ≤ 0.05). Cancer survivors without managerial positions, with low incomes or physically demanding work, and who worked a proportion of their contract hours had statistically significantly lower QWL scores (p ≤ 0.05). This study described the QWL of cancer survivors and associations between QWL and health- and work-related variables. Based on these variables, it is possible to indicate groups of cancer survivors who need more attention and support regarding QWL and work continuation.
Assessment of Existing Data and Reports for System Evaluation
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Matolak, David W.; Skidmore, Trent A.
2000-01-01
This report describes work done as part of the Weather Datalink Research project grant. We describe the work done under Task 1 of this project: the assessment of the suitability of available reports and data for use in evaluation of candidate weather datalink systems, and the development of a performance parameter set for comparative system evaluation. It was found that existing data and reports are inadequate for a complete physical layer characterization, but that these reports provide a good foundation for system comparison. In addition, these reports also contain some information useful for evaluation at higher layers. The performance parameter list compiled can be viewed as near complete-additional investigations, both analytical/simulation and experimental, will likely result in additions and improvements to this list.
Design And Implementation Of Integrated Vision-Based Robotic Workcells
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, Michael J.
1985-01-01
Reports have been sparse on large-scale, intelligent integration of complete robotic systems for automating the microelectronics industry. This paper describes the application of state-of-the-art computer-vision technology for manufacturing of miniaturized electronic components. The concepts of FMS - Flexible Manufacturing Systems, work cells, and work stations and their control hierarchy are illustrated in this paper. Several computer-controlled work cells used in the production of thin-film magnetic heads are described. These cells use vision for in-process control of head-fixture alignment and real-time inspection of production parameters. The vision sensor and other optoelectronic sensors, coupled with transport mechanisms such as steppers, x-y-z tables, and robots, have created complete sensorimotor systems. These systems greatly increase the manufacturing throughput as well as the quality of the final product. This paper uses these automated work cells as examples to exemplify the underlying design philosophy and principles in the fabrication of vision-based robotic systems.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lin, Wei-Liang; Cheng, Wang-Chuan; Wu, Chen-Hao; Wu, Hai-Ming; Wu, Chang-Yu; Ho, Kuan-Hsuan; Chan, Chueh-An
2010-01-01
This work describes a novel, first-year graduate-level analog integrated circuit (IC) design course. The course teaches students analog circuit design; an external manufacturer then produces their designs in three different silicon chips. The students, working in pairs, then test these chips to verify their success. All work is completed within…
Determinants of Sleep Duration among High School Students in Part-Time Employment
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Laberge, Luc; Ledoux, Élise; Auclair, Julie; Gaudreault, Marco
2014-01-01
Adolescents who work while attending school are reported to sleep less than those who do not. This study aimed to identify factors associated with short sleep duration in students who work during the school year. A cross-sectional survey aiming to describe working conditions and occupational safety and health was completed by representative…
Walking on by Is Just the Beginning: Dialogically Interrogating Face-Work
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Herakova, Liliana L.
2016-01-01
Courses: Introduction to Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communication, Nonverbal Communication. Objectives: After completing this single-class activity, students should be able to (1) describe and interpret face-work as a communicative act that both reflects and constructs identity, (2) explain the concept of intersectionality in basic…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Whannell, Patricia; Humphries, Judy; Whannell, Robert; Usher, Kim
2015-01-01
A number of different models have been developed to integrate both Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university study with a view to producing work-ready graduates. This paper describes one joint initiative which allows students to integrate their theoretical study and work-integrated learning (WIL) experience by supporting a sequential,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
MacDonald, Gina
2008-01-01
This report describes a biochemistry laboratory that is completely project-oriented. Upper-level biology and chemistry majors work in teams to purify a protein of their choice. After the student groups have completed literature searches, ordered reagents, and made buffers they continue to learn basic protein purification and biochemical techniques…
How Batterer Intervention Programs Work: Participant and Facilitator Accounts of Processes of Change
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Silvergleid, Courtenay S.; Mankowski, Eric S.
2006-01-01
Understanding what facilitates change in men who perpetrate domestic violence can aid the development of more effective batterer intervention programs (BIPs). To identify and describe key change processes, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine successful BIP completers and with 10 intervention group facilitators. The accounts described a…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Baker, Lisa R.; Hitchcock, Laurel Iverson
2017-01-01
This article describes the development, implementation, and assessment of a social media assignment using Pinterest as a tool for student engagement and professional development in two undergraduate social work courses. Twenty-one undergraduate students enrolled in Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE) courses completed the assignment…
Complete genome sequence of the bioleaching bacterium Leptospirillum sp. group II strain CF-1.
Ferrer, Alonso; Bunk, Boyke; Spröer, Cathrin; Biedendieck, Rebekka; Valdés, Natalia; Jahn, Martina; Jahn, Dieter; Orellana, Omar; Levicán, Gloria
2016-03-20
We describe the complete genome sequence of Leptospirillum sp. group II strain CF-1, an acidophilic bioleaching bacterium isolated from an acid mine drainage (AMD). This work provides data to gain insights about adaptive response of Leptospirillum spp. to the extreme conditions of bioleaching environments. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Survey of survivors' perspective on return to work after stroke.
Hartke, Robert J; Trierweiler, Robert
2015-10-01
To describe the development and results of a detailed survey on return to work (RTW) after stroke completed by survivors at various stages of recovery. This study used a multi-method qualitative and quantitative research strategy to design and implement a 39-item survey for stroke survivors. Individual interviews, focus groups, and working committees were used to conceptualize the issues and translate them into a survey format. Surveys were distributed in regular and electronic mail. Groups of rehabilitation professionals, employers, and stroke survivors were assembled to review findings and obtain feedback to aide in interpretation. Overall 715 surveys were completed. The respondents were on average 54 years of age, mostly white, well-educated, urban dwelling, and in skilled occupations. Results are described in seven areas: financial, stroke impairments, organizational, work and psychological issues, interpersonal support, and therapy. Several salient findings are described including the role of fatigue, under utilization of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and motivational factors related to finances, self-esteem, work, and workplace relationships. Although earning an income is a strong motivation to RTW, salary decreases in importance when compared with other psychological benefits. Fatigue was rated as the second highest impairment barrier to RTW and persisted as a relevant impediment over time. Attitudes of co-workers and flexibility in work schedule were viewed as most helpful to the RTW process, whereas work stress was viewed as the greatest impediment to return. Only 24% of the sample received VR counseling with more respondents receiving counseling if they returned 6 months or longer after their stroke. Other trends and clinical and research implications are discussed.
Wind River Watershed Restoration: Annual report April 2006 to March 2007
Connolly, Patrick J.; Jezorek, Ian G.; Munz, Carrie S.
2007-01-01
This report summarizes work completed by U.S. Geological Survey’s Columbia River Research Laboratory (USGS-CRRL) in the Wind River subbasin during the period April 2006 through March 2007 under Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract 26922. During this period, we collected temperature, flow, and habitat data to characterize physical habitat condition and variation within and among tributaries and mainstem sections in the Wind River subbasin. We also conducted electrofishing and snorkeling surveys to determine juvenile salmonid populations within select study areas throughout the subbasin. Portions of this work were completed with additional funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group (LCFEG). Funding from USFWS was for work to contribute to a study of potential interactions between introduced Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and wild steelhead O. mykiss. Funding from LCFEG was for work to evaluate the effects of nutrient enrichment in small streams. A statement of work (SOW) was submitted to BPA in March 2006 that outlined work to be performed by USGS-CRRL. The SOW was organized by work elements, with each describing a research task. This report summarizes the progress completed under each work element.
Wind River Watershed Restoration, 2006-2007 Annual Report.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Connolly, Patrick J.; Jezorek, Ian G.; Munz, Carrie S.
2008-11-04
This report summarizes work completed by U.S. Geological Survey's Columbia River Research Laboratory (USGS-CRRL) in the Wind River subbasin during the period April 2006 through March 2007 under Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract 26922. During this period, we collected temperature, flow, and habitat data to characterize physical habitat condition and variation within and among tributaries and mainstem sections in the Wind River subbasin. We also conducted electrofishing and snorkeling surveys to determine juvenile salmonid populations within select study areas throughout the subbasin. Portions of this work were completed with additional funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and themore » Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group (LCFEG). Funding from USFWS was for work to contribute to a study of potential interactions between introduced Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and wild steelhead O. mykiss. Funding from LCFEG was for work to evaluate the effects of nutrient enrichment in small streams. A statement of work (SOW) was submitted to BPA in March 2006 that outlined work to be performed by USGS-CRRL. The SOW was organized by work elements, with each describing a research task. This report summarizes the progress completed under each work element.« less
The Colorado Front Range Ecosystem Management Research Project: Accomplishments to date
Brian Kent; Wayne D. Shepperd; Deborah J. Shields
2000-01-01
This article briefly describes the goals and objectives for the Colorado Front Range Ecosystem Management Project (FREM). Research under this project has addressed both biophysical and human dimensions problems relating to ecosystem management in the Colorado Front Range. Results of completed work are described, and the status of the ongoing demonstration project at...
Teaching qualitative research to BSW students through exposure to aging.
Sidell, Nancy L
2007-01-01
This article describes one rural program's efforts to expose students to gerontology through teaching qualitative research methodology. A collaborative research pilot project was developed with a local nursing home. BSW students worked in two groups to conduct and present qualitative research projects by the course's completion. This article describes the research project and evaluates the project's success from student and instructor viewpoints. Significant differences were found in self-reported student knowledge of key concepts at the project's completion, compared with pre-test knowledge. Student comments revealed value in this teaching approach. Implications for further engaging students in gerontological research are discussed.
Computation of Radiation Heat Transfer in Aeroengine Combustors
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Patankar, S. V.
1996-01-01
In this report the highlights of the research completed for the NASA are summarized. This research has been completed in the form of two Ph.D. theses by Chai (1994) and Parthasarathy (1996). Readers are referred to these theses for a complete details of the work and lists of references. In the following sections, first objectives of this research are introduced, then the finite-volume method for radiation heat transfer is described, and finally computations of radiative heat transfer in non-gray participating media is presented.
Cibola High Levee Pond annual report 2004
Mueller, Gordon A.; Carpenter, Jeanette; Marsh, Paul C.
2005-01-01
Remaining work will be finished this coming summer and a final report describing CHLP and the ecology of these fish will be completed by the end of 2005. We offer our assistance to the Fish and Wildlife Service in the pond’s renovation and support for the creation of additional refuge ponds. Funding for this work ends September 2005.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bailey, Martha J.; Dynarski, Susan M.
2011-01-01
We describe changes over time in inequality in postsecondary education using nearly seventy years of data from the U.S. Census and the 1979 and 1997 National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth. We find growing gaps between children from high- and low-income families in college entry, persistence, and graduation. Rates of college completion increased by…
Molina, Rose; Boatin, Adeline; Farid, Huma; Luckett, Rebecca; Neo, Dayna; Ricciotti, Hope; Scott, Jennifer
2017-10-01
To describe various work models for obstetrics and gynecology global health faculty affiliated with academic medical centers and to identify barriers and opportunities for pursuing global health work. A mixed-methods study was conducted in 2016 among obstetrics and gynecology faculty and leaders from seven academic medical institutions in Boston, Massachusetts. Global health faculty members were invited to complete an online survey about their work models and to participate in semistructured interviews about barriers and facilitators of these models. Department chairs and residency directors were asked to participate in interviews. The survey response rate among faculty was 65.6% (21/32), of which 76.2% (16/21) completed an interview. Five department leaders (45.5% [5/11]) participated in an interview. Faculty described a range of work models with varied time and compensation, but only one third reported contracted time for global health work. The most common barriers to global health work were financial constraints, time limitations, lack of mentorship, need for specialized training, and maintenance of clinical skills. Career satisfaction, creating value for the obstetrics and gynecology department, and work model flexibility were the most important facilitators of sustainable global health careers. The study identified challenges and opportunities to creating flexible and sustainable work models for academic obstetrics and gynecology clinicians engaged in global health work. Additional research and innovation are needed to identify work models that allow for sustainable careers in global women's health. There are opportunities to create professional standards and models for academic global health work in the obstetrics and gynecology specialty.
Nevada National Security Site Industrial Sites Project Closeout - 12498
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Cabble, Kevin; Krauss, Mark; Matthews, Pat
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office is responsible for environmental restoration (ER) at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). This includes remediation at Industrial Sites where past nuclear testing activities and activities that supported nuclear testing may have or are known to have resulted in the release of contaminants into the environment. Industrial Sites at the NNSS have included nuclear facilities that supported the nuclear rocket/missile development programs, gas stations, landfills, spill sites, ordnance sites, and numerous other waste disposal and release sites. The NNSS Industrial Sites activities neared completion at the endmore » of fiscal year 2011 while other activities required under the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) and part of the same NNSS ER Project are forecasted to extend to 2027 or beyond. With the majority of Industrial Sites corrective action units (CAUs) completed (more than 250 CAUs and over 1,800 corrective action sites), it was determined that an activity closeout process should be implemented to ensure that the work completed over the past 15 years is well documented in a comprehensive and concise summary. While the process used to close each individual CAU is described in approved documents, no single document describes in summary fashion the work completed to close the many individual Industrial Sites. The activity closeout process will be used to develop an Industrial Sites closeout document that describes these years of work. This document will summarize the number of Industrial Sites closed under the FFACO and provide general descriptions of projects, contaminants removed, and sites closed in place with corresponding Use Restrictions. Other pertinent information related to Industrial Sites work such as the project history, closure decisions, historical declarations, remediation strategies, and final CAU status will be included in the closeout document, along with a table listing each CAU and corresponding corrective action sites within each CAU. Using this process of conducting the activity closeout and developing a closeout document may prove useful for other ER projects within the DOE complex in describing how a long period of ER can be summarized in a single document. The NNSS Industrial Sites activities were completed over the span of 15 years and involved the investigation, cleanup or Use Restriction, and closure of more than 260 CAUs and over 1,800 sites. These activities will conclude in FY 2012 (with the exception of one CAU). In order to capture the work completed over this length of time and document decisions made during the activities, a closeout effort was initiated. The closeout will review the work conducted during the Industrial Sites activities and produce a single document that summarizes Industrial Sites activities. This closeout is being conducted at an interim stage in the overall NNSA/NSO ER Project since the Soils and UGTA activities will continue for a number of years, but the completion of the Industrial Sites project warrants conducting a closeout now while personnel are available and information is still current. The process followed by NNSA/NSO in conducing project closeout for the Industrial Sites portion of the ER program may prove useful within the DOE complex in demonstrating how a large ER project can be summarized. (authors)« less
Young Women's Work Values and Role Salience in Grade 11: Are There Changes Three Years Later?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Madill, H. M.; Montgomerie, T. C.; Stewin, L. L.; Fitzsimmons, G. W.; Tovell, D. R.; Armour, M-A.; Ciccocioppo, A-L.
2000-01-01
Describes longitudinal study of 11th grade female students who completed a series of career-related inventories and follow-up interviews. Little change was noted in work-related values between the two administrations of the Values. Outlines D.E. Super's theory of career development and its applications to career counseling. (Author/JDM)
Developing a Projective Drawing Test: Experiences with the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA).
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Betts, Donna J.
2003-01-01
Describes the experience of creating and working with the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA). Six samples of the FSA completed by clients with multiple disabilities are presented. As the FSA is a work in progress and has yet to be established as a valid and reliable assessment, implications for further research are also discussed. (Contains 32…
Brush Testing for the TLRV Power Collection System
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
1975-04-01
This report describes work which as been completed to demonstrate the use of laboratory tests in simulationg and measuring brush wear for application in the power collection system of the U.S. Department of Transportation's tracked levitated research...
Greek-English Word Processing on the Macintosh.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rusten, Jeffrey
1986-01-01
Discusses the complete Greek-English word processing system of the Apple Macintosh computer. Describes the features of its operating system, shows how the Greek fonts look and work, and enumerates both the advantages and drawbacks of the Macintosh. (SED)
Status of the Consolidation of the LHC Superconducting Magnets and Circuits
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tock, J. Ph; Atieh, S.; Bodart, D.; Bordry, F.; Bourcey, N.; Cruikshank, P.; Dahlerup-Petersen, K.; Dalin, J. M.; Garion, C.; Musso, A.; Ostojic, R.; Perin, A.; Pojer, M.; Savary, F.; Scheuerlein, C.
2014-05-01
The first LHC long shutdown (LS1) started in February 2013. It was triggered by the need to consolidate the 13 kA splices between the superconducting magnets to allow the LHC to reach safely its design energy of 14 TeV center of mass. The final design of the consolidated splices is recalled. 1695 interconnections containing 10 170 splices have to be opened. In addition to the work on the 13 kA splices, the other interventions performed during the first long shut-down on all the superconducting circuits are described. All this work has been structured in a project, gathering about 280 persons. The opening of the interconnections started in April 2013 and consolidation works are planned to be completed by August 2014. This paper describes first the preparation phase with the building of the teams and the detailed planning of the operation. Then, it gives feedback from the worksite, namely lessons learnt and adaptations that were implemented, both from the technical and organizational points of view. Finally, perspectives for the completion of this consolidation campaign are given.
2016-01-01
activity, completed ana- lytic baselines, current memoranda describing in-progress work , briefings sent to high officials, and published papers by...Is Enough, Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND Corporation , MR-400-RC, 1994. ———, “Report of Working Group: Overall Force Planning Concepts, in Lessons...RAND’s Work on Planning Under Uncertainty for National Security, Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND Corporation , TR-1249-OSD, 2012. As of July 22, 2016: http
Wang, Zongxin
2002-07-01
The book, Zhen jiu jing yan fang (Experiential Recipe on Acupuncture and Moxibustion), written by Xu Ren, an imperial physician of Korea was completed in the 4th year of Renzu emperor (1644), and was an important work for the history of Korean acupuncture and moxibustion. However, there were mistakes on its writing date as described in the books of acu - moxibustion history in former reports. The portion of Mian xue tang zhen jiu ji cheng (Mianxuetang's Complete Work of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) universally recognized to be unique, was plagiarized from Zhen jiu jing yan fang.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gale, R. L.; Nease, A. W.; Nelson, D. J.
1978-01-01
Computer program mathematically describes complete hydraulic systems to study their dynamic performance. Program employs subroutines that simulate components of hydraulic system, which are then controlled by main program. Program is useful to engineers working with detailed performance results of aircraft, spacecraft, or similar hydraulic systems.
IDC Reengineering Iteration I2 Architectural Prototype Reports
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Hamlet, Benjamin R.
To fulfill the inception phase deliverable “Demonstration of architectural prototype“ the SNL IDC Reengineering project team is providing seven reports describing system prototyping work completed between October 2012 and October 2014as part of the SNL US NDC Modernization project.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Galbraith, Michael
Although much attention has been focused on women moving into work roles traditionally held by men, men who work in a profession or occupation with a high proportion of women essentially have been overlooked. Questionnaires were completed by 61 male alumni from a school of nursing in a study which attempted to: (1) describe demographic…
Thermal hydraulic simulations, error estimation and parameter sensitivity studies in Drekar::CFD
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Smith, Thomas Michael; Shadid, John N.; Pawlowski, Roger P.
2014-01-01
This report describes work directed towards completion of the Thermal Hydraulics Methods (THM) CFD Level 3 Milestone THM.CFD.P7.05 for the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) Nuclear Hub effort. The focus of this milestone was to demonstrate the thermal hydraulics and adjoint based error estimation and parameter sensitivity capabilities in the CFD code called Drekar::CFD. This milestone builds upon the capabilities demonstrated in three earlier milestones; THM.CFD.P4.02 [12], completed March, 31, 2012, THM.CFD.P5.01 [15] completed June 30, 2012 and THM.CFD.P5.01 [11] completed on October 31, 2012.
Worrying Thoughts Limit Working Memory Capacity in Math Anxiety
Shi, Zhan; Liu, Peiru
2016-01-01
Sixty-one high-math-anxious persons and sixty-one low-math-anxious persons completed a modified working memory capacity task, designed to measure working memory capacity under a dysfunctional math-related context and working memory capacity under a valence-neutral context. Participants were required to perform simple tasks with emotionally benign material (i.e., lists of letters) over short intervals while simultaneously reading and making judgments about sentences describing dysfunctional math-related thoughts or sentences describing emotionally-neutral facts about the world. Working memory capacity for letters under the dysfunctional math-related context, relative to working memory capacity performance under the valence-neutral context, was poorer overall in the high-math-anxious group compared with the low-math-anxious group. The findings show a particular difficulty employing working memory in math-related contexts in high-math-anxious participants. Theories that can provide reasonable interpretations for these findings and interventions that can reduce anxiety-induced worrying intrusive thoughts or improve working memory capacity for math anxiety are discussed. PMID:27788235
Worrying Thoughts Limit Working Memory Capacity in Math Anxiety.
Shi, Zhan; Liu, Peiru
2016-01-01
Sixty-one high-math-anxious persons and sixty-one low-math-anxious persons completed a modified working memory capacity task, designed to measure working memory capacity under a dysfunctional math-related context and working memory capacity under a valence-neutral context. Participants were required to perform simple tasks with emotionally benign material (i.e., lists of letters) over short intervals while simultaneously reading and making judgments about sentences describing dysfunctional math-related thoughts or sentences describing emotionally-neutral facts about the world. Working memory capacity for letters under the dysfunctional math-related context, relative to working memory capacity performance under the valence-neutral context, was poorer overall in the high-math-anxious group compared with the low-math-anxious group. The findings show a particular difficulty employing working memory in math-related contexts in high-math-anxious participants. Theories that can provide reasonable interpretations for these findings and interventions that can reduce anxiety-induced worrying intrusive thoughts or improve working memory capacity for math anxiety are discussed.
Cancer survivors. Work related issues.
Schultz, Pamela N; Beck, Martha L; Stava, Charles; Sellin, Rena V
2002-05-01
New and more effective treatments for cancer have resulted in individuals living longer with a better quality of life. Many more survivors are employed in the workplace. Cancer is no longer only an issue for survivors and their families; it has become an issue for the employer and the workplace. This article describes survey results of 4,364 long term cancer survivors in which they were asked to respond to items describing their ability to work, job discrimination, and quality of life. Thirty-five percent of survivors were working at the time they completed the survey, and 8.5% considered themselves unable to work. This research has shown that age, gender, ethnic group, and cancer type affected the working status of the survivors. Of survivors continuing to work, 7.3% indicated they had experienced job discrimination. The results indicate most cancer survivors do not perceive employment related problems, and are readily assimilated into the work force. Job discrimination and the ability to work is a quality of life issue.
Working out of hours: the experiences and training needs of general practitioner registrars.
Longhurst, S; Shipman, C; Dale, J
1998-05-01
Out-of-hours work has been identified as a major concern for registrars, and as contributing to the steady decline both in the number of applicants to vocational training schemes and in those practising as principals on completion of their training. Until now, little has been known about registrars' views about their experience of working out of hours and how this might be improved. The present study describes general practitioner (GP) registrars' current patterns of out-of-hours working and their perceptions about training needs.
Optimal Orbit Maneuvers with Electrodynamic Tethers
2006-06-01
orbital elements , which completely describe a unique orbit ; equinoctial elements are not employed but left for future iterations of the formulation...periods in the maneuver. Follow on work, uch as the transformation of this state vector from classical orbital elements to the quinoctial set of...
43 CFR 26.7 - Application format and instructions.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-10-01
..., if residential project (types of facilities, age, condition, tents, cabins, dormitories, food service). (11) Project staff (number and position titles). (12) Work-learning program. (Describe major projects... environmental learning will be integrated into projects.) (13) Complete calculation for daily rate of enrollee...
Chemoviscosity modeling for thermosetting resins
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Tiwari, S. N.; Hou, T. H.; Bai, J. M.
1985-01-01
A chemoviscosity model, which describes viscosity rise profiles accurately under various cure cycles, and correlates viscosity data to the changes of physical properties associated with structural transformations of the thermosetting resin system during cure, was established. Work completed on chemoviscosity modeling for thermosetting resins is reported.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chinitz, W.
1986-01-01
A computationally-viable model describing the interaction between fluid-mechanical turbulence and finite-rate combustion reactions, principally in high-speed flows was developed. Chemical kinetic mechanisms, complete and global, were developed describing the finite rate reaction of fuels of interest to NASA. These fuels included principally hydrogen and silane, although a limited amount of work involved hydrocarbon fuels as well.
Hybrid Electro-Optic Processor
1991-07-01
This report describes the design of a hybrid electro - optic processor to perform adaptive interference cancellation in radar systems. The processor is...modulator is reported. Included is this report is a discussion of the design, partial fabrication in the laboratory, and partial testing of the hybrid electro ... optic processor. A follow on effort is planned to complete the construction and testing of the processor. The work described in this report is the
An Analysis of Learners in Introductory Astronomy Massive Open Online Courses
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Buxner, Sanlyn; Formanek, Martin; Impey, Chris David; Wenger, Matthew
2016-06-01
We describe learners enrolled in three iterations of introductory astronomy massive open online courses (MOOCs). These courses are offered through commercial providers and facilitated by an instructional team at the University of Arizona. We describe an ongoing study of those who enroll, engage in, and complete these courses. The course has undergone several revisions, including integrating pedagogical techniques, found to be effective for in-person courses, to increase engagement including peer review, online discussions, and the use of cohorts. In its current version, learners enroll on a continual basis and complete 11 weeks of course content; they watch videos, complete content quizzes, submit writing assignments, complete peer review of other students’ work, and complete online citizen science projects. Tens of thousands of students has signed up for these courses but completion rates are much lower, around 10%. We have collected survey data from over 8,500 of these learners to assess their basic science knowledge, attitudes towards science and technology, motivations for taking the courses, and information about other ways they engage in science related activities. We present information about these learners, including their demographics, motivations, how they use the courses, and what factors lead to increased engagement and completion. Additionally, we present how survey data from these learners compare to 26 years of data we have collected from parallel group of undergraduate non-science major students enrolled in astronomy courses at the University of Arizona. Overall, we find that learners who enroll in the MOOCs have more interest in science and higher basic science knowledge that undergraduates who pay tuition for a similar course. Our work is helping us understand how to better serve learners in MOOCs and bridge more traditional courses with these types of courses.
A Situation Awareness Assistant for Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Boy, Guy A.; Platt, Donald
2013-01-01
This paper presents the development and testing of a Virtual Camera (VC) system to improve astronaut and mission operations situation awareness while exploring other planetary bodies. In this embodiment, the VC is implemented using a tablet-based computer system to navigate through inter active database application. It is claimed that the advanced interaction media capability of the VC can improve situation awareness as the distribution of hu man space exploration roles change in deep space exploration. The VC is being developed and tested for usability and capability to improve situation awareness. Work completed thus far as well as what is needed to complete the project will be described. Planned testing will also be described.
Product Assurance for Spaceflight Hardware
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Monroe, Mike
1995-01-01
This report contains information about the tasks I have completed and the valuable experience I have gained at NASA. The report is divided into two different sections followed by a program summary sheet. The first section describes the two reports I have completed for the Office of Mission Assurance (OMA). I describe the approach and the resources and facilities used to complete each report. The second section describes my experience working in the Receipt Inspection/Quality Assurance Lab (RI/QA). The first report described is a Product Assurance Plan for the Gas Permeable Polymer Materials (GPPM) mission. The purpose of the Product Assurance Plan is to define the various requirements which are to be met through completion of the GPPM mission. The GPPM experiment is a space payload which will be flown in the shuttle's SPACEHAB module. The experiment will use microgravity to enable production of complex polymeric gas permeable materials. The second report described in the first section is a Fracture Analysis for the Mir Environmental Effects Payload (MEEP). The Fracture Analysis report is a summary of the fracture control classifications for all structural elements of the MEEP. The MEEP hardware consists of four experiment carriers, each of which contains an experiment container holding a passive experiment. The MEEP hardware will be attached to the cargo bay of the space shuttle. It will be transferred by Extravehicular Activity and mounted on the Mir space station. The second section of this report describes my experiences in the RVQA lab. I listed the different equipment I used at the lab and their functions. I described the extensive inspection process that must be completed for spaceflight hardware. Included, at the end of this section, are pictures of most of the equipment used in the lab. There is a summary sheet located at the end of this report. It briefly describes the valuable experience I have gained at NASA this summer and what I will be able to take with me as I return to college. I briefly discuss the experiences I mentioned in the previous three paragraphs along with training classes I attended and courses I completed at the Learning Lab.
Air Force research in human sensory feedback for telepresence
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Julian, Ronald G.
1993-01-01
Telepresence operations require high quality information transfer between the human master and the remotely located slave. Present Air Force research focuses on the human aspects of the information needed to complete the control/feedback loop. Work in three key areas of human sensory feedback for manipulation of objects are described. Specific projects in each key area are outlined, including research tools (hardware), planned research, and test results. Nonmanipulative feedback technologies are mentioned to complete the advanced teleoperation discussions.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Teagarden, Jim; Koppes, Peggy
This document describes a classroom learning activity that brings together role playing, learning about the Middle Ages, and working for rewards. In the course of the activity, entitled "Knights of the Round Table," students advance by completing assignments and amassing points. Players move upwards through the beginning or…
Florida VIEW 1992-94. Careers.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Florida State Dept. of Education, Tallahassee. Div. of Vocational, Adult, and Community Education.
Information on 417 occupations is provided in this book. Introductory materials describe Florida Vital Information for Education and Work (VIEW), a complete system of career, education, and financial aid information; printed information and additional support materials; and use of this book. Four indexes appear first. The interest/occupational…
Parent-Aided Homework: A Working Model for School Personnel.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Harris, James R.
1983-01-01
Describes Parent-Aided Homework, a behavior modification program designed to encourage parent involvement in their child's homework. The PAH plan stresses positive reinforcement for successfully completed homework assignments. Parents enforce the agreed-on time limits and provide extra learning experiences and rewards. (JAC)
Mayer, Anita P; Files, Julia A; Ko, Marcia G; Blair, Janis E
2009-03-01
In medicine, the challenges faced by female faculty members who are attempting to achieve academic advancement have been well described. Various strategies have been proposed to increase academic productivity to aid the promotion of women in medicine. We propose an innovative collaboration strategy that encourages completion of an academic writing project. This strategy acknowledges the challenges inherent in achieving work-life balance and utilizes a collaborative work style with a group of peer physicians. The model is designed to encourage the completion and collation of independently prepared sections of an academic paper within a setting that emphasizes social networking and collaboration. This approach has many similarities to the construction of a quilt during a "quilting bee."
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ferland, G. J.; Chatzikos, M.; Guzmán, F.; Lykins, M. L.; van Hoof, P. A. M.; Williams, R. J. R.; Abel, N. P.; Badnell, N. R.; Keenan, F. P.; Porter, R. L.; Stancil, P. C.
2017-10-01
We describe the 2017 release of the spectral synthesis code Cloudy, summarizing the many improvements to the scope and accuracy of the physics which have been made since the previous release. Exporting the atomic data into external data files has enabled many new large datasets to be incorporated into the code. The use of the complete datasets is not realistic for most calculations, so we describe the limited subset of data used by default, which predicts significantly more lines than the previous release of Cloudy. This version is nevertheless faster than the previous release, as a result of code optimizations. We give examples of the accuracy limits using small models, and the performance requirements of large complete models. We summarize several advances in the H- and He-like iso-electronic sequences and use our complete collisional-radiative models to establish the densities where the coronal and local thermodynamic equilibrium approximations work.
Jobs in Environment. Job Family Series.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Science Research Associates, Inc., Chicago, IL.
The booklet describes 40 occupations related to the environmental areas of studying the earth, tackling pollution, better food and fewer diseases, developing the land and its uses, and protecting natural resources. For each occupation, duties are outlined and working conditions discussed. Techniques used to complete the illustrations include brief…
Fleminger, Jessica; Goldacre, Ben
2018-01-01
Trial registries are a key source of information for clinicians and researchers. While building OpenTrials, an open database of public trial information, we identified errors and omissions in registries, including discrepancies between descriptions of the same trial in different registries. We set out to ascertain the prevalence of discrepancies in trial completion status using a cohort of trials registered on both the European Union Clinical Trials Register (EUCTR) and ClinicalTrials.gov. We used matching titles and registry IDs provided by both registries to build a cohort of dual-registered trials. Completion statuses were compared; we calculated descriptive statistics on the prevalence of discrepancies. 11,988 dual-registered trials were identified. 1,496 did not provide a comparable completion status, leaving 10,492 trials. 16.2% were discrepant on completion status. The majority of discrepancies (90.5%) were a 'completed' trial on ClinicalTrials.gov inaccurately marked as 'ongoing' on EUCTR. Overall, 33.9% of dual-registered trials described as 'ongoing' on EUCTR were listed as 'completed' on ClinicalTrials.gov. Completion status on registries is commonly inaccurate. Previous work on publication bias may underestimate non-reporting. We describe simple steps registry owners and trialists could take to improve accuracy.
Recommendations for UAS Crew Ratings. Pilot Ratings and Authorization Requirements for UAS
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
2005-01-01
This position paper is intended to recommend the minimum certificate and rating requirements for a pilot to operate an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in the National Airspace System. The paper will recommend the minimum requirements based on the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) required of a UAS pilot and show how those compare to the KSAs required by regulation for manned-aircraft pilots. The paper will provide substantiation based on studies conducted using analyses, simulation and flight experience. The paper is not yet complete; only initial working material is included. The material provided describes the body of work completed thus far and the plan for remaining tasks to complete the recommendation. The HSI Pilot KSA document provides an analysis of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for UAS operation in the NAS. It is the source document used for the position paper.
Person factors and work environments of workers who use mobility devices.
Gray, David B; Morgan, Kerri A; Gottlieb, Meghan; Hollingsworth, Holly H
2014-01-01
Nearly 25% of people with mobility impairments and limitations who are of working age are employed, yet few studies have examined their perspectives on their jobs or work environments required to complete job tasks. The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that contribute to successful employment for those who use mobility devices. A convenience sample of 132 workers who use power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, canes, crutches or walkers. Participants completed an online version of the Mobility Device User Work Survey (MWS). A multivariate analysis and a two-step multiple linear regression analysis were used. Study participants had few secondary health conditions that influenced their work. Employee satisfactoriness to their employers was high. Accessibility of worksites was high. Assistive technologies were inexpensive, and personal assistance was used infrequently and usually was unpaid. Co-worker communications were very positive. Flexible work rules and supportive managers were highly valued. Job satisfaction positively correlated with accessibility, work tasks, co-worker communication and work support. The description of work environments of successfully employed mobility device users can provide some useful guidance to employers, vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors and unemployed mobility device users to balance employee abilities and preferences with the needs of employers.
Nilsson, Annika; Engström, Maria
2015-05-06
Among staff working in elderly care, a considerable proportion lack formal competence for their work. Lack of formal competence, in turn, has been linked to higher staff ratings of stress symptoms, sleep disturbances and workload. 1) To describe the strengths and weaknesses of an e-assessment and subsequent e-training program used among elderly care staff who lack formal competence and 2) to study the effects of an e-training program on staff members' working life (quality of care and psychological and structural empowerment) and well-being (job satisfaction and psychosomatic health). The hypothesis was that staff who had completed the e-assessment and the e-training program would rate greater improvements in working life and well-being than would staff who had only participated in the e-assessments. An intervention study with a mixed-methods approach using quantitative (2010-2011) and qualitative data (2011) was conducted in Swedish elderly care. Participants included a total of 41 staff members. To describe the strengths and weaknesses of the e-assessment and the e-training program, qualitative data were gathered using semi-structured interviews together with a study-specific questionnaire. To study the effects of the intervention, quantitative data were collected using questionnaires on: job satisfaction, psychosomatic health, psychological empowerment, structural empowerment and quality of care in an intervention and a comparison group. Staff who completed the e-assessments and the e-training program primarily experienced strengths associated with this approach. The results were also in line with our hypotheses: Staff who completed the e-assessment and the e-training program rated improvements in their working life and well-being. Use of the e-assessments and e-training program employed in the present study could be one way to support elderly care staff who lack formal education by increasing their competence; increased competence, in turn, could improve their self-confidence, working life, and well-being.
Cancer and treatment effects on job task performance for gynecological cancer survivors.
Nachreiner, Nancy M; Shanley, Ryan; Ghebre, Rahel G
2013-01-01
Over 91,000 new cases of gynecological cancers are expected to be diagnosed in 2013 in the US alone. As cancer detection technology and treatment options improve, the number of working-age cancer survivors continues to grow. To describe US gynecological cancer survivors' perceptions of the effects of cancer and treatment on their job tasks. 104 adult gynecological cancer survivors who were working at the time of their cancer diagnosis, treated at a University-based women's health clinic, diagnosed in the previous 24 months, and spoke English. Women completed written surveys to describe their work experiences following diagnosis. Clinical characteristics were obtained through medical record review. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were performed to describe characteristics and associations. Fifteen percent of women had chemotherapy and radiation treatment; 48% had only chemotherapy, 9% only radiation therapy, and 28% had neither. Survivors described the frequency of performing seven job tasks, such as 'intense concentration', 'analyzing data', and 'lifting heavy loads.' Women who had undergone radiation treatment were more likely to indicate limitations for physical tasks; women undergoing chemotherapy were more likely to report limitations in more analytic tasks. Only 29% of women noted an employer-based policy facilitated their return-to-work process. Cancer and treatment have important effects on job performance and may vary by type of treatment. Employer-based policies focusing on improved communication and work accommodations may improve the return to work process.
Grunfeld, Elizabeth A; Drudge-Coates, Lawrence; Rixon, Lorna; Eaton, Emma; Cooper, Alethea F
2013-01-01
For many survivors of prostate cancer, returning to work posttreatment is a realistic goal. However, little research to date has explored work among prostate cancer survivors. The focus of this study was to explore the meaning of work among prostate cancer survivors and to describe the linkages between masculinity and work following prostate cancer treatment. Fifty prostate cancer survivors who were in paid employment prior to their diagnosis completed a semistructured interview following completion of their treatment and of these, 41 also completed a 12-month follow-up interview. Framework analysis of the 91 transcripts was undertaken. The majority of the men had returned to work at the 12-month interview. Four themes were identified, and these were labeled "Work and self-identity," "Work-related implications of treatment side effects," "Disclosure of cancer," and "Perceptions of future as a cancer survivor." A degree of embarrassment and concern about residual side effects and whether these would present a challenge within the workplace was apparent among our sample and was compounded by a reluctance to disclose these. The descriptions provided by the men in this study reveal that the experience of prostate cancer can lead to challenges for both social and work-related roles. The influence of prostate cancer on men's reports of masculinity was variable, and recognition of these differences is required. In addition, some survivors of prostate cancer may require specific interventions aimed at helping them to manage disclosure of their illness, particularly within a work environment. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Not Available
Site Management System (SMS) guidance requires a Fiscal Year Work Plan (FYWP) to be prepared for the Environmental Restoration (ER) Mission Area and all related programs. This revision is a complete update to cover the FY 1994 time period. This document describes the overall ER Missions Area and provides FYWP appendices for each of the following five program areas: Remedial Action (RA); Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D); Project Management and Support (PM&S); Surveillance and Maintenance (S&M); and Disposal Facilities (DF).
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THERMAL BONDS
Monson, H.O.; Jaross, R.A.
1961-10-17
A device is described for completing the alkali metal bend between a fael element and its jacket. It consists of a heater and electo1nagic surrounding the fael element so tbat while it is heated a rotating magnetic field will agirate the alkali metal and work out void spaces. (AEC)
Rewiring a Working Library or Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
White, Robert L.; Jaffe, Lee David
1995-01-01
This case study describes the planning, funding, and implementation of a complete data-wiring renovation at the University of California, Santa Cruz library. Highlights include design principles; project schedule; benefits for staff's electronic mail and network use and for upgraded public terminals; and the importance of planning and…
Plaster People...A La George Segal.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Boulay, Michele
2003-01-01
Describes an art project used with eleventh- and twelfth-grade students in which they created plaster self-portraits inspired by the work of George Segal. Includes directions for the casting and lists the art materials needed for the lesson. Explains that the project requires half a semester to complete. (CMK)
Development of Facilities for an Ocean Engineering Laboratory. Final Report.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Nash, W. A.; And Others
A collection of seven laboratory facilities and processes dedicated to improving student understanding of the fundamental concepts associated with the structural mechanics of oceanic structures is described. Complete working drawings covering all mechanical and electrical aspects of these systems are presented so that the systems may be reproduced…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pollak, Ave
This guide is intended for use in presenting a three-session course designed to develop the problem-solving skills required of persons employed in the manufacturing and service industries. The course is structured so that, upon its completion, students will be able to accomplish the following: describe and analyze problems encountered at work;…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kellems, Ian S.; Hill, Clara E.; Crook-Lyon, Rachel E.; Freitas, Gary
2010-01-01
University counseling center therapists (N = 220) completed an Internet survey about religion/spirituality in therapy, with 200 of these therapists describing therapy with a recent client whose issues involved religion/spirituality. Common client religion/spirituality issues were questioning one's childhood religion, exploring…
Restructuring a Master's Degree Dissertation as a Patchwork Text.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Maisch, Maire
2003-01-01
Describes the introduction of the Patchwork Text format into the dissertation on a Master's degree in Social Work. Discusses the rationale for rethinking the conventional dissertation and the "patches" making up the revised dissertation format. Draws upon completed dissertations of two students on the program to illustrate how the characteristics…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wallace, Patricia
2007-01-01
This paper describes an instructional technique in an Information Systems course that provides students with actual work experience as part of an internship and/or apprenticeship assignment while completing additional course requirements. The course, Information Resource Management, provides students with a comprehensive overview of Information…
What a Book Editor Does All Day.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Allen, Patricia
1982-01-01
Describes the major tasks that an editor for a commercial publishing house, in this case a children's book publisher, performs on a day-to-day basis, including manuscript selection, working with authors and illustrators in completing a book, scheduling books for publication, and managing economic and production activities. (JL)
Working Together: Computers and People with Mobility Impairments.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Washington Univ., Seattle.
This brief paper describes several computing tools that have been effectively used by individuals with mobility impairments. Emphasis is on tasks to be completed and how the individuals abilities (not disabilities), with possible assistance from technology, can be used to accomplish them. Preliminary information addresses the importance of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Williamson, Bob; And Others
1985-01-01
Describes Statistical Work Analysis Teams (S.W.A.T.), which marry the two factors necessary for successful statistical analysis with the personal nature of attribute data into a single effort. Discusses S.W.A.T. project guidelines, implementation of the first S.W.A.T. projects, team training, and project completion. (CT)
Accelerated observers and the notion of singular spacetime
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Olmo, Gonzalo J.; Rubiera-Garcia, Diego; Sanchez-Puente, Antonio
2018-03-01
Geodesic completeness is typically regarded as a basic criterion to determine whether a given spacetime is regular or singular. However, the principle of general covariance does not privilege any family of observers over the others and, therefore, observers with arbitrary motions should be able to provide a complete physical description of the world. This suggests that in a regular spacetime, all physically acceptable observers should have complete paths. In this work we explore this idea by studying the motion of accelerated observers in spherically symmetric spacetimes and illustrate it by considering two geodesically complete black hole spacetimes recently described in the literature. We show that for bound and locally unbound accelerations, the paths of accelerated test particles are complete, providing further support to the regularity of such spacetimes.
An Immunized Aircraft Maneuver Selection System
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Karr, Charles L.
2003-01-01
The objective of this project, as stated in the original proposal, was to develop an immunized aircraft maneuver selection (IAMS) system. The IAMS system was to be composed of computational and informational building blocks that resemble structures in natural immune systems. The ultimate goal of the project was to develop a software package that could be flight tested on aircraft models. This report describes the work performed in the first year of what was to have been a two year project. This report also describes efforts that would have been made in the final year to have completed the project, had it been continued for the final year. After introductory material is provided in Section 2, the end-of-year-one status of the effort is discussed in Section 3. The remainder of the report provides an accounting of first year efforts. Section 4 provides background information on natural immune systems while Section 5 describes a generic ar&itecture developed for use in the IAMS. Section 6 describes the application of the architecture to a system identification problem. Finally, Section 7 describes steps necessary for completing the project.
Optimization of aircraft seat cushion fire blocking layers
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kourtides, D. A.; Parker, J. A.; Ling, A. C.; Hovatter, W. R.
1983-01-01
This report describes work completed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - for the Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center. The purpose of this work was to examine the potential of fire blocking mechanisms for aircraft seat cushions in order to provide an optimized seat configuration with adequate fire protection and minimum weight. Aluminized thermally stable fabrics were found to provide adequate fire protection when used in conjunction with urethane foams, while maintaining minimum weight and cost penalty.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Fricke, A.L.; Zaman, A.A.; Stoy, M.O.
A wide variety of experimental techniques have been used in this work, and many of these have been developed completely or improved significantly in the course of the research done during this program. Therefore, it is appropriate to describe these techniques in detail as a reference for future workers so that the techniques can be used in future work with little additional effort or so that the results reported from this program can be compared better with future results from other work. In many cases, the techniques described are for specific analytical instruments. It is recognized that these may bemore » superseded by future developments and improvements in instrumentation if a complete description of techniques used successfully in the past on other instrumentation is available. The total pulping and liquor preparation research work performed included chip and white liquor preparation, digestion, pulp washing, liquor and wash recovery, liquor sampling, weak liquor concentration in two steps to about 45--50% solids with an intermediate soap skimming at about 140F and 27--30% solids, determination of pulp yield and Kappa number, determination of total liquor solids, and a check on the total material balance for pulping. All other research was performed either on a sample of the weak black liquor (the combined black liquor and washes from the digester) or on the skimmed liquor that had been concentrated.« less
Geologic mapping of Argyre Planitia
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gorsline, Donn S.; Parker, Timothy J.
1995-01-01
This report describes the results from the geologic mapping of the central and southern Argyre basin of Mars. At the Mars Geologic Mapper's Meeting in Flagstaff during July, 1993, Dave Scott (United States Geological Survey, Mars Geologic Mapping Steering Committee Chair) recommended that all four quadrangles be combined into a single 1:1,000,000 scale map for publication. It was agreed that this would be cost-effective and that the decrease in scale would not compromise the original science goals of the mapping. Tim Parker completed mapping on the 1:500,000 scale base maps, for which all the necessary materials had already been produced, and included the work as a chapter in his dissertation, which was completed in the fall of 1994. Geologic mapping of the two southernmost quadrangles (MTM -55036 and MTM -55043; MTM=Mars Transverse Mercator) was completed as planned during the first year of work. These maps and a detailed draft of the map text were given a preliminary review by Dave Scott during summer, 1993. Geologic mapping of the remaining two quadrangles (MTM -50036 and MTM -50043) was completed by summer, 1994. Results were described at the Mars Geologic Mappers Meeting, held in Pocatello, Idaho, during July, 1994. Funds for the third and final year of the project have been transferred to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where Tim Parker will revise and finalize all maps and map text for publication by the United States Geological Survey at the 1:1,000,000 map scale.
A description of the catalog division project at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia Library.
Caspari, S B; Batty, E L
1975-01-01
This paper describes the procedures used at the Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia to divide its ninety-year-old dictionary card catalog. The division was necessitated by overcrowding, obsolete subject headings, and lack of a complete authority list which resulted in like materials being scattered throughout the catalog under several headings. Two catalogs were created: the historical-biographical catalog, representing all works published before 1950 and all works of historical or biographical nature; and the current catalog, containing all works published from 1950 on, excepting historical or biographical materials. The 1950- catalog was further divided into name and subject catalogs, and the subject section was revised according to MeSH. The project was completed in about two years. As a result, searching time has been much reduced, and the library is able to take advantage of the annual revisions of MeSH to update the subject catalog. PMID:1173786
Hardy, Steven J; Hardy, Kristina K; Schatz, Jeffrey C; Thompson, Amanda L; Meier, Emily R
2016-09-01
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk for neurocognitive deficits, yet the literature describing interventions to ameliorate these problems and promote academic achievement is limited. We evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a home-based computerized working memory (WM) training intervention (Cogmed) in children with SCD. Youth with SCD between the age of 7 and 16 years completed an initial neuropsychological assessment; those with WM deficits were loaned an iPad on which they accessed Cogmed at home. Participants were instructed to work on Cogmed 5 days each week for 5 weeks (25 training sessions). We examined Cogmed usage characteristics and change on WM assessment scores following the intervention. Of the 21 participants (M age = 11.38, SD = 2.78; Mdn age = 10.00, interquartile range [IQR] = 5.00; 52% female) screened, 60% exhibited WM deficits (n = 12) and received the intervention and 50% (n = 6) completed Cogmed. The mean number of sessions completed was 15.83 (SD = 7.73; Mdn = 17.00, IQR = 16.00); females were more likely to complete Cogmed, χ(2) (1) = 6.00, P = 0.01. Participants who reported lower SCD-related pain impact completed more sessions (r = 0.71, P = 0.01). Children who completed Cogmed exhibited improvements in verbal WM, visuospatial short-term memory, and visuospatial WM. Initial findings suggest Cogmed is associated with WM improvement in youth with SCD; however, adherence was lower than expected. Home-based WM interventions may ameliorate SCD-related WM deficits but strategies are needed to address barriers to program completion. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advanced exterior sensor project : final report, September 2004.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Ashby, M. Rodema
2004-12-01
This report (1) summarizes the overall design of the Advanced Exterior Sensor (AES) system to include detailed descriptions of system components, (2) describes the work accomplished throughout FY04 to evaluate the current health of the original prototype and to return it to operation, (3) describes the status of the AES and the AES project as of September 2004, and (4) details activities planned to complete modernization of the system to include development and testing of the second-generation AES prototype.
Mobile robot exploration and navigation of indoor spaces using sonar and vision
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kortenkamp, David; Huber, Marcus; Koss, Frank; Belding, William; Lee, Jaeho; Wu, Annie; Bidlack, Clint; Rodgers, Seth
1994-01-01
Integration of skills into an autonomous robot that performs a complex task is described. Time constraints prevented complete integration of all the described skills. The biggest problem was tuning the sensor-based region-finding algorithm to the environment involved. Since localization depended on matching regions found with the a priori map, the robot became lost very quickly. If the low level sensing of the world is not working, then high level reasoning or map making will be unsuccessful.
Teaching Project Management On-Line: Lessons Learned from MOOCs
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Falcao, Rita; Fernandes, Luis
2016-01-01
Creating a course for teaching project management online in a full online distance-learning environment was a challenge. Working with adult learners from different continents that want to complete a Master degree was an additional challenge. This paper describes how different MOOCs were used to learn about teaching -(meta) e-learning. MOOCs…
Board of Teacher Education (Queensland). Research Grants Series No. 3.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Queensland Board of Teacher Education, Toowong (Australia).
The Queensland (Australia) Board of Teacher Education lets research grants for work in the area of teacher education. As projects are completed, the Board periodically publishes summaries of the project reports. This volume, number three in the series, describes six research studies, as follows: "Student Teacher Stress in Field Studies"…
Situationally Embodied Curriculum: Relating Formalisms and Contexts
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Barab, Sasha; Zuiker, Steve; Warren, Scott; Hickey, Dan; Ingram-Goble, Adam; Kwon, Eun-Ju; Kouper, Inna; Herring, Susan C.
2007-01-01
This study describes an example of design-based research in which we make theoretical improvements in our understanding, in part based on empirical work, and use these to revise our curriculum and, simultaneously, our evolving theory of the relations between contexts and disciplinary formalisms. Prior to this study, we completed a first cycle of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Morgan, Robert L.; Openshaw, Kristi P.
2011-01-01
In rural areas, transition planning for young adults with disabilities presents considerable challenges, including linkage to employment upon completion of special education services. Two assessment programs, described in this article, work in concert to assist transition teachers and youth with disabilities in rural areas and include: (a)…
Implementation of Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) in Engineering
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Douglas, Elliot P.; Chiu, Chu-Chuan
2013-01-01
This paper describes implementation and testing of an active learning, team-based pedagogical approach to instruction in engineering. This pedagogy has been termed Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL), and is based upon the learning cycle model. Rather than sitting in traditional lectures, students work in teams to complete worksheets…
Time to Translate: Deciphering the Codon in the Classroom
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Firooznia, Fardad
2015-01-01
I describe and evaluate a fun and simple role-playing exercise that allows students to actively work through the process of translation. This exercise can easily be completed during a 50-minute class period, with time to review the steps and contemplate complications such as the effects of various types of mutations.
Teaching Communication to Indian Educators.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Julien, Daniel J.; Monsma, John W.
A course on communication in the classroom was designed as part of a program to bring education courses, taught by regular university faculty, to Indian reservations, making it possible for an Indian student to continue working while taking courses and to complete his degree in five years. This paper describes the objectives and philosophy of the…
Working Papers in Experimental Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jablon, Ann, Ed.; And Others
Five papers describe clinical research completed by graduate students in speech-language pathology and audiology. The first study examines the linguistic input of three adults (a mother, teacher, and clinician) to a language impaired 8-year-old. The clinician's approach, less directive than that of the other two, facilitated spontaneous speech and…
Working with Fusion in Lesbian Couples.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Roth, Nicki F.
The phenomena of fusion within a lesbian relationship is described in a six-phased model. Fusion in relationships is defined as two incomplete people coming together in an attempt to make one more complete whole, the merging of two ego boundaries. The six phases discussed include ecstacy, getting married, the routine, depression/withdrawal,…
Reader's Response: Describing and Analyzing Quantitative Data
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McGrath, April L.
2013-01-01
The work of Harris and Martin (2012) on student motivations for choosing to complete online courses provides information on an important area of development within post-secondary education. As noted by the authors, online learning is an expanding field and learning more about why students choose online courses and their experiences in such courses…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lee, Lina
2007-01-01
This article describes a classroom project using one-to-one desktop videoconferencing to enhance the development of second language (1.2) oral skills. Eighteen university students worked collaboratively with expert speakers to complete task-based activities. The author gathered data from video-recording samples, reflections, and oral interviews to…
The Application of Project Management Techniques to College and University Admissions Activities.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bickers, Doyle
1993-01-01
The process of project management is illustrated through application to one activity, development of a new brochure, within the admissions program of a fictional college. The project life cycle is described, and a work responsibility schedule, project completion schedule, and critical path chart are used as planning and implementation tools. (MSE)
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cole, Charles A.
The rehabilitation of existing on-site wastewater treatment facilities is often the best approach to meeting waste disposal needs. Upon completing the learning session described in this instructor's guide, participants should understand the technology and treatment methods for low-volume wastewater flows. These materials are part of the Working…
The Preparation and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of a Library of Esters
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sanford, Elizabeth M.; Smith, Traci L.
2008-01-01
An investigative case study involving the preparation of a library of esters using Fischer esterification and alcoholysis of acid chlorides and their subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis by pig liver esterase and orange peel esterase is described. Students work collaboratively to prepare and characterize the library of esters and complete and evaluate…
AG Channel Measurement and Modeling Results for Over-Water and Hilly Terrain Conditions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Matolak, David W.; Sun, Ruoyu
2015-01-01
This report describes work completed over the past year on our project, entitled "Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Research: The AG Channel, Robust Waveforms, and Aeronautical Network Simulations." This project is funded under the NASA project "Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS)." In this report we provide the following: an update on project progress; a description of the over-freshwater and hilly terrain initial results on path loss, delay spread, small-scale fading, and correlations; complete path loss models for the over-water AG channels; analysis for obtaining parameter statistics required for development of accurate wideband AG channel models; and analysis of an atypical AG channel in which the aircraft flies out of the ground site antenna main beam. We have modeled the small-scale fading of these channels with Ricean statistics, and have quantified the behavior of the Ricean K-factor. We also provide some results for correlations of signal components, both intra-band and inter-band. An updated literature review, and a summary that also describes future work, are also included.
A neural network model for transference and repetition compulsion based on pattern completion.
Javanbakht, Arash; Ragan, Charles L
2008-01-01
In recent years because of the fascinating growth of the body of neuroscientific knowledge, psychoanalytic scientists have worked on models for the neurological substrates of key psychoanalytic concepts. Transference is an important example. In this article, the psychological process of transference is described, employing the neurological function of pattern completion in hippocampal and thalamo-cortical pathways. Similarly, repetition compulsion is seen as another type of such neurological function; however, it is understood as an attempt for mastery of the unknown, rather than simply for mastery of past experiences and perceptions. Based on this suggested model of neurological function, the myth of the psychoanalyst as blank screen is seen as impossible and ineffective, based on neurofunctional understandings of neuropsychological process. The mutative effect of psychoanalytic therapy, correcting patterns of pathological relatedness, is described briefly from conscious and unconscious perspectives. While cognitive understanding (insight) helps to modify transferentially restored, maladaptive patterns of relatedness, the development of more adaptive patterns is also contingent upon an affective experience (working through), which alters the neurological substrates of unconscious, pathological affective patterns and their neurological functional correlates.
MacDermid, Joy C; Tang, Kenneth; Sinden, Kathryn E; D'Amico, Robert
2018-05-25
Purpose Performance-based and disease indicators have been widely studied in firefighters; self-reported work role limitations have not. The aim of this study was to describe the distributions and correlations of a generic self-reported Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ-26) and firefighting-specific task performance-based tests. Methods Active firefighters from the City of Hamilton Fire Services (n = 293) were recruited. Participants completed the WLQ-26 to quantify on-the-job difficulties over five work domains: work scheduling (4 items), output demands (7 items), physical demands (8 items), mental demands (4 items), and social demands (3 items). A subset of participants (n = 149) were also assessed on hose drag and stair climb with a high-rise pack performance-based tests. Descriptive statistics and correlations were used to compare item/subscale performance; and to describe the inter-relationships between tests. Results The mean WLQ-26 item scores (/5) ranged from 4.1 to 4.4 (median = 5 for all items); most firefighters (54.5-80.5%) selected "difficult none of the time" response option on all items. A substantial ceiling effect was observed across all five WLQ-26 subscales as 44.0-55.6% were in the highest category. Subscale means ranged from 61.8 (social demands) to 78.7 (output demands and physical demands). Internal consistency exceeded 0.90 on all subscales. For the hose drag task, the mean time-to-completion was 48.0 s (SD = 14.5; range 20.4-95.0). For the stair climb task, the mean time-to-completion was 76.7 s (SD = 37.2; range 21.0-218.0). There were no significant correlations between self-report work limitations and performance of firefighting tasks. Conclusions The WLQ-26 measured five domains, but had ceiling effects in firefighters. Performance-based testing showed wider score range, lacked ceiling effects and did not correlate to the WLQ-26. A firefighter-specific, self-report role functioning scale may be needed to identify compromised work role capabilities in firefighters.
Rödiger, Matthias; Ziebolz, Dirk; Schmidt, Anne-Kathrin
2015-01-01
This case report describes the fabrication of monolithic all-ceramic restorations using zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) ceramics. The use of powder-free intraoral scanner, generative fabrication technology of the working model, and CAD/CAM of the restorations in the dental laboratory allows a completely digitized workflow. The newly introduced ZLS ceramics offer a unique combination of fracture strength (>420 MPa), excellent optical properties, and optimum polishing characteristics, thus making them an interesting material option for monolithic restorations in the digital workflow. PMID:26509088
Tanner, Jared J; Levy, Shellie-Anne; Schwab, Nadine A; Hizel, Loren P; Nguyen, Peter T; Okun, Michael S; Price, Catherine C
2017-04-01
A 71-year-old (MN) with an 11-year history of left onset tremor diagnosed as Parkinson's disease (PD) completed longitudinal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing. MRI scans showed an asymmetric caudate nucleus (right < left volume). We describe this asymmetry at baseline and the progression over time relative to other subcortical gray, frontal white matter, and cortical gray matter regions of interest. Isolated structural changes are compared to MN's cognitive profiles. MN completed yearly MRIs and neuropsychological assessments. For comparison, left onset PD (n = 15) and non-PD (n = 43) peers completed the same baseline protocol. All MRI scans were processed with FreeSurfer and the FMRIB Software Library to analyze gray matter structures and frontal fractional anisotropy (FA) metrics. Processing speed, working memory, language, verbal memory, abstract reasoning, visuospatial, and motor functions were examined using reliable change methods. At baseline, MN had striatal volume and frontal lobe thickness asymmetry relative to peers with mild prefrontal white matter FA asymmetry. Over time only MN's right caudate nucleus showed accelerated atrophy. Cognitively, MN had slowed psychomotor speed and visuospatial-linked deficits with mild visuospatial working memory declines longitudinally. This is a unique report using normative neuroimaging and neuropsychology to describe an individual diagnosed with PD who had striking striatal asymmetry followed secondarily by cortical thickness asymmetry and possible frontal white matter asymmetry. His decline and variability in visual working memory could be linked to ongoing atrophy of his right caudate nucleus.
Tanner, Jared J.; Levy, Shellie-Anne; Schwab, Nadine A.; Hizel, Loren P.; Nguyen, Peter T.; Okun, Michael S.; Price, Catherine C.
2016-01-01
Objective A 71-year old (MN) with an 11-year history of left onset tremor diagnosed as Parkinson’s disease (PD) completed longitudinal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing. MRI scans showed an asymmetric caudate nucleus (right< left volume). We describe this asymmetry at baseline and the progression over time relative to other subcortical gray, frontal white matter, and cortical gray matter regions of interest. Isolated structural changes are compared to MN’s cognitive profiles. Method MN completed yearly MRIs and neuropsychological assessments. For comparison, left onset PD (n=15) and non-PD (n=43) peers completed the same baseline protocol. All MRI scans were processed with FreeSurfer and the FMRIB Software Library (FSL) to analyze gray matter structures and frontal fractional anisotropy (FA) metrics. Processing speed, working memory, language, verbal memory, abstract reasoning, visuospatial, and motor functions were examined using reliable change methods. Results At baseline MN had striatal volume and frontal lobe thickness asymmetry relative to peers with mild prefrontal white matter FA asymmetry. Over time only MN’s right caudate nucleus showed accelerated atrophy. Cognitively, MN had slowed psychomotor speed and visuospatial-linked deficits with mild visuospatial working memory declines longitudinally. Conclusions This is a unique report using normative neuroimaging and neuropsychology to describe an individual diagnosed with PD who had striking striatal asymmetry followed secondarily by cortical thickness asymmetry and possible frontal white matter asymmetry. His decline and variability in visual working memory could be linked to ongoing atrophy of his right caudate nucleus. PMID:27813459
The study of the physics of cometary nuclei
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Whipple, F. L.; Marsden, B. G.; Sekanina, Z.
1976-01-01
A semiannual progress report describing the work completed during the period 1 September 1975 to 29 February 1976 on the physics of cometary nuclei was given. The following items were discussed: (1) a paper entitled ""A speculation about comets and the earth'', (2) a chapter entitled"" The physics of comets'' for ""Reviews of Astronomy and Astrophysics'', (3) continuing work on split comets, and (4) results dealing with a new application of nongravitational solar-radial forces as a measure of comet nucleus dimensions and activity.
Chairmanship of the Neptune/Pluto Outer Planets Science Working Group
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stern, S. Alan
1992-01-01
The Outer Planets Science Working Group (OPSWG) is the NASA Solar System Exploration Division (SSED) scientific steering committee for the Outer Solar Systems missions. The FY92 activities of OPSWG are summarized. A set of objectives for OPSWG over FY93 are described. OPSWG's activities for subsequent years are outlined. A paper which examines scientific questions motivating renewed exploration of the Neptune/Triton system and which reviews the technical results of the mission studies completed to date is included in the appendix.
Lundgren, Solveig M; Halvarsson, Maud
2009-07-01
This study investigates students' expectations and apprehensions before starting writing their Bachelor thesis and their experiences after completion. The questionnaire, which consisted of open questions, was given to 171 students at the beginning of the thesis course; of these, 107 replied; at the end of the course a total of 150 students answered and returned the questionnaire. The answers were analysed according to content analysis. Seven themes describing expectations and apprehensions; and four themes describing experience after completion of the thesis emerged. The results show that students' experiences can be divided into two different groups. One group saw the thesis project as being an important preparation for future professional activities, and one group, consisting of only a few students, described the production of a thesis as being a nightmare. Nevertheless, all the students considered that their experience of learning and the insights gained, together with the learning skills acquired through writing would be of great value in their coming professional life, and that they had become aware of alternative ways of thinking. All the students were proud of the work they had completed, and some saw it as a form of recognition or a "craftsman's diploma".
The magnetohydrodynamics coal-fired flow facility
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
1995-01-01
In this quarterly technical progress report, UTSI reports on the status of a multitask contract to develop the technology for the steam bottoming portion of a MHD Steam Combined Cycle Power Plant. The report describes the facility maintenance and environmental work completed, status of completing technical reports and certain key administrative actions occurring during the quarter. With program resources at a minimum to closeout the MHD program, no further testing occurred during the quarter, but the DOE CFFF facility was maintained in a standby status with winterization, preventive maintenance and repairs accomplished as needed. Plans and preparations progressed for environmental actions needed at the site to investigate and characterize the groundwater and for removal/disposal of asbestos in the cooling tower. Work continued to progress on archiving the results of the MHD program.
A Completely New Type of Actuator -or- This Ain't Your Grandfather's Internal Combustion Engine
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gore, Brian W.; Hawkins, Gary F.; Hess, Peter A.; Moore, Teresa A.; Fournier, Eric W.
2010-01-01
A completely new type of actuator - one that is proposed for use in a variety of environments from sea to land to air to space - has been designed, patented, built, and tested. The actuator is loosely based on the principle of the internal combustion engine, except that it is a completely closed system, only requiring electrical input, and the working fuel is water. This paper outlines the theory behind the electrolysis- and ignition-based cycle upon which the actuator operates and describes the performance capability test apparatus and results for the actuator. A mechanism application that harnessed the unit s power to twist a scaled rotor blade is also highlighted.
Zaporozhets, Irina A.; Ivanov, Vladimir V.; Lyakh, Dmitry I.; ...
2015-07-13
The earlier proposed multi-reference state-specific coupled-cluster theory with the complete active space reference suffered from a problem of energy discontinuities when the formal reference state was changing in the calculation of the potential energy curve (PEC). A simple remedy to the discontinuity problem is found and is presented in this work. It involves using natural complete active space self-consistent field active orbitals in the complete active space coupled-cluster calculations. As a result, the approach gives smooth PECs for different types of dissociation problems, as illustrated in the calculations of the dissociation of the single bond in the hydrogen fluorine moleculemore » and of the symmetric double-bond dissociation in the water molecule.« less
Sustainability of the prevention of passive infant smoking within well-baby clinics.
Crone, M R; Verlaan, M; Willemsen, M C; van Soelen, P; Reijneveld, S A; Sing, R A Hira; Paulussen, T G W M
2006-04-01
This study assessed the antecedents of continued use of an education program to prevent passive smoking in infants. It consists of a booklet for parents and a manual for health professionals describing a five-step procedure for discussing passive smoking. A questionnaire was sent to 67 managers, 670 nurses, and 335 physicians working in well-baby clinics (response rate: 70%, 53%, 47% respectively). Questions concerned the completeness of use, level of institutionalization, and characteristics of the organization, the user, and the dissemination strategy. Seventy-one percent of nurses and 42% of physicians worked with the program. They foremost provided the first three steps of the five-step procedure. Physicians' completeness of use was related to their perceived responsibility in providing this education, and nurses' use was related to their perceived self-efficacy, responsibility, training attendance, participation in the adoption decision, and level of institutionalization. Diffusion efforts should focus on improving the completeness of use and level of institutionalization.
Work and Health among Latina Mothers in Farmworker Families
Arcury, Thomas A.; Trejo, Grisel; Suerken, Cynthia K.; Grzywacz, Joseph G.; Ip, Edward H.; Quandt, Sara A.
2014-01-01
Background Work organization is important for the health of vulnerable workers, particularly women. This analysis describes work organization for Latinas in farmworker families and delineates the associations of work organization with health indicators. Methods 220 Latino women in farmworker families completed interviews from October 2012 - July 2013. Interviews addressed job structure, job demand, job control, and job support. Health measures included stress, depressive symptoms, physical activity, family conflict, and family economic security. Results Three-fifths of the women were employed. Several work organization dimensions, including shift, psychological demand, work safety climate, and benefits, were associated with participant health as expected, based on the work organization and job demands-control-support models. Conclusions Research should address women's health and specific work responsibilities. Occupational safety policy must consider the importance of work organization in the health of vulnerable workers. PMID:25742536
Managing Highway Maintenance: Standards for Maintenance Work, Part 2, Unit 8, Level 2.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Federal Highway Administration (DOT), Washington, DC. Offices of Research and Development.
Part of the series "Managing Highway Maintenance," the unit describes the ways maintenance standards are developed and some of the factors which are considered in setting standards; the preceding unit on standards (part 1) should be completed before reading this unit. The format is a programed, self-instruction approach in which…
Early Childhood and Parenting Research Program. Final Report.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gotts, E. E.
This final report reviews and evaluates the work completed by the Early Childhood and Parenting Research Program between June 1, 1978 and November 30, 1979. The first project described is the Home Oriented Preschool Education (HOPE) Follow-Up Study. The HOPE Follow-Up Study was designed to examine the effects of HOPE treatments on children and…
Digital Storytelling for Inclusive Education: An Experience in Initial Teacher Training
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lazzari, Marco
2016-01-01
We present an experience of digital storytelling conducted as part of a course for initial teacher training. The students of a special education course produced a digital story as partial fulfillment of their distance learning assignment. We describe the structure of the work completed by the students and discuss the results of a questionnaire…
Holding fixture for a hot stamping press
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Harris, R. P. (Inventor)
1983-01-01
A hand held guide for manually positioning a work piece between the anvil rib and tool of a hot die stamping press is described. A groove completed by interchangeable cover plates attached at one end of the guide conforms to a cross sectional dimension common to similar workpieces and, with a force fit, retentively holds each of the workpieces.
40 CFR 86.1905 - How does this program work?
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-07-01
... least in part on the Phase 1 or Phase 2 testing outcomes described in § 86.1915. (2) The engine family... this section. We may select an engine family from the current model year or any previous model year... months longer to complete Phase 2 testing if there is a reasonable basis for needing more time. In very...
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jackson, Daniel O.
2011-01-01
This article describes the implementation of technology-mediated tasks in an English for academic purposes (EAP) curriculum at a Japanese university. The course addressed the needs of English majors at the school by enabling more efficient completion of academic work, including essay writing. One way that technology supported this goal was through…
Making It Work: The Education and Employment of Recent Arts Graduates. Annual Report 2014
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lena, Jennifer C.
2014-01-01
The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) is a comprehensive survey administered online to the arts alumni of participating institutions. Completion time for the survey is generally 20 to 30 minutes. The results described in this report are based on data collected from the 2011, 2012, and 2013 annual survey administrations. This report…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McDonald, Edward R.
An experimental course in college-level, introductory German, based on a modification of Fred S. Keller's work in individualized instruction, is described in this study. The establishment of specific time limits for completion of predetermined subject matter and the provision of tutorial services are essential variations from the classical…
The Work of Glendon Lean on the Counting Systems of Papua New Guinea and Oceania.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Owens, Kay
2001-01-01
Introduces data collated by Glendon Lean on nearly 900 counting systems in Papua New Guinea, Oceania, and Irian Jaya (West Papua) which came from a questionnaire completed by students and talks with village elders. Lean's thesis on the spontaneous developments of these ancient cultures challenged traditional theories describing the spread of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ham, Sandra; Walker, Erica
This paper describes the Milwaukee Public Schools' involvement in Equity 2000, a standards-based reform initiative to enhance mathematics education and achievement among students of color, thereby increasing their likelihood of college enrollment and completion. The study highlights efforts to support and sustain a key component of Equity 2000:…
The Use of Technology in a Model of Formative Assessment
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
García López, Alfonsa; García Mazarío, Francisco
2016-01-01
This work describes a formative assessment model for a Mathematical Analysis course taken by engineering students. It includes online quizzes with feedback, a portfolio with weekly assignments, exams involving the use of mathematical software and a project to be completed in small groups of two or three students. The model has been perfected since…
How Much Time Is Required for Using Evaluation Results?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Flores, Rebecca; Roecks, Alan
The activities and procedures for Education Service Center, Region 20, Evaluation Services' time accounting system are described. Each individual in the evaluation component at the end of the working day records his or her time spent on an activity. This is done through the use of the time accounting form which is completed and turned in weekly to…
The relationship between nurse work schedules, sleep duration, and drowsy driving.
Scott, Linda D; Hwang, Wei-Ting; Rogers, Ann E; Nysse, Tami; Dean, Grace E; Dinges, David F
2007-12-01
Recent studies have shown that extended shifts worked by hospital staff nurses are associated with significantly higher risk of errors, yet little information is available about the ability to remain alert during the nurses' commutes following the completion of an extended work shift. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of drowsy driving episodes and the relationship between drowsy driving and nurse work hours, alertness on duty, working at night, and sleep duration. Data were collected from 2 national random samples of registered nurses (n=895). Full-time hospital staff nurses (n=895) completed logbooks on a daily basis for 4 weeks providing information concerning work hours, sleep duration, drowsy and sleep episodes at work, and drowsy driving occurrences. Almost 600 of the nurses (596/895) reported at least 1 episode of drowsy driving, and 30 nurses reported experiencing drowsy driving following every shift worked. Shorter sleep durations, working at night, and difficulties remaining awake at work significantly increased the likelihood of drowsy driving episodes. Given the large numbers of nurses who reported struggling to stay awake when driving home from work and the frequency with which nurses reported drowsy driving, greater attention should be paid to increasing nurse awareness of the risks and to implementing strategies to prevent drowsy driving episodes to ensure public safety. Without mitigation, fatigued nurses will continue to put the public and themselves at risk.
Characterization of elliptic dark hollow beams
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gutiérrez-Vega, Julio C.
2008-08-01
A dark hollow beam (DHB) is designed in general as a ringed shaped light beam with a null intensity center on the beam axis. DHBs have interesting physical properties such as a helical wavefront, a center vortex singularity, doughnut-shaped transverse intensity distribution, they may carry and transfer orbital and spin angular momentum, and may also exhibit a nondiffracting behavior upon propagation. Most of the known theoretical models to describe DHBs consider axially symmetric transverse intensity distributions. However, in recent years there has been an increasing interest in developing models to describe DHBs with elliptic symmetry. DHBs with elliptic symmetry can be regarded as transition beams between circular and rectangular DHBs. For example, the high-order modes emitted from resonators with neither completely rectangular nor completely circular symmetry, but in between them, cannot be described by the known HermiteGaussian or LaguerreGaussian beams. In this work, we review the current state of research on elliptic DHBs, with particular emphasis in Mathieu and Ince-Gauss beams.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kaber, David B.; Schutte, Paul C. (Technical Monitor)
2000-01-01
This report has been prepared to closeout a NASA grant to Mississippi State University (MSU) for research into situation awareness (SA) and automation in the advanced commercial aircraft cockpit. The grant was divided into two obligations including $60,000 for the period from May 11, 2000 to December 25, 2000. The information presented in this report summarizes work completed through this obligation. It also details work to be completed with the balance of the current obligation and unobligated funds amounting to $50,043, which are to be granted to North Carolina State University for completion of the research project from July 31, 2000 to May 10, 2001. This research was to involve investigation of a broad spectrum of degrees of automation of complex systems on human-machine performance and SA. The work was to empirically assess the effect of theoretical levels of automation (LOAs) described in a taxonomy developed by Endsley & Kaber (1999) on naive and experienced subject performance and SA in simulated flight tasks. The study was to be conducted in the context of a realistic simulation of aircraft flight control. The objective of this work was to identify LOAs that effectively integrate humans and machines under normal operating conditions and failure modes. In general, the work was to provide insight into the design of automation in the commercial aircraft cockpit. Both laboratory and field investigations were to be conducted. At this point in time, a high-fidelity flight simulator of the McDonald Douglas (MD) 11 aircraft has been completed. The simulator integrates a reconfigurable flight simulator developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology and stand-alone simulations of MD-11 autoflight systems developed at MSU. Use of the simulator has been integrated into a study plan for the laboratory research and it is expected that the simulator will also be used in the field study with actual commercial pilots. In addition to the flight simulator, an electronic version of the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT) has been completed for measuring commercial pilot SA in flight tasks. The SAGAT is to be used in both the lab and field studies. Finally, the lab study has been designed and subjects have been recruited for participation in experiments. This study will investigate the effects of five levels of automation, described in Endsley & Kaber's (1999) taxonomy and applied to the MD-11 autoflight system, on private pilot performance and SA in basic flight tasks by using the MD-11 simulator. The field study remains to be planned and executed.
The workload book: Assessment of operator workload to engineering systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gopher, D.
1983-01-01
The structure and initial work performed toward the creation of a handbook for workload analysis directed at the operational community of engineers and human factors psychologists are described. The goal, when complete, will be to make accessible to such individuals the results of theoretically-based research that are of practical interest and utility in the analysis and prediction of operator workload in advanced and existing systems. In addition, the results of laboratory study focused on the development of a subjective rating technique for workload that is based on psychophysical scaling techniques are described.
Thermodynamic limits to the efficiency of solar energy conversion by quantum devices
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Buoncristiani, A. M.; Byvik, C. E.; Smith, B. T.
1981-01-01
The second law of thermodynamics imposes a strict limitation to the energy converted from direct solar radiation to useful work by a quantum device. This limitation requires that the amount of energy converted to useful work (energy in any form other than heat) can be no greater than the change in free energy of the radiation fields. Futhermore, in any real energy conversion device, not all of this available free energy in the radiation field can be converted to work because of basic limitations inherent in the device itself. A thermodynamic analysis of solar energy conversion by a completely general prototypical quantum device is presented. This device is completely described by two parameters, its operating temperature T sub R and the energy threshold of its absorption spectrum. An expression for the maximum thermodynamic efficiency of a quantum solar converter was derived in terms of these two parameters and the incident radiation spectrum. Efficiency curves for assumed solar spectral irradiance corresponding to air mass zero and air mass 1.5 are presented.
Building professional competence in dental hygiene students through a community-based practicum.
Yoon, M N; Compton, S M
2017-11-01
As Canadians age, there is an increased need for oral health professionals specializing in services for this unique population. Dental hygiene students require exposure to this population to develop professional competencies. This study investigated the dimensions of professional competence that were developed through a practicum for dental hygiene students in long-term care settings while working with older adults. Nine dental hygiene students were recruited across two cohorts. All students completed reflective journals describing their practicum experiences. Five students also participated in an audio-recorded focus group and completed a pre-focus group questionnaire. Additionally, the practicum course coordinator completed an audio-recorded interview. Transcripts and journals were coded using a constant comparative approach and themes were identified. Students described developing client-focused skills, such as effective verbal and non-verbal communication with older adults with dementia. Context-based learning was also a large part of the competency development for the practicum students. Understanding the care environment within which these residents lived helped students to understand and empathize why oral health may not be prioritized. Students also developed an understanding of the work of other health professionals in the settings and improved their abilities to communicate with other healthcare providers. However, students recognized that the utility of those interprofessional skills in private practice may be limited. Dental hygiene students developed personal and ethical competencies during practicum that are highly transferrable across professional settings. Exposure of students to older adult populations in long-term care may increase the likelihood of dental hygienists working in this area. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Progress by the JWST Science Working Group
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gardner, Jonathan P.
2007-01-01
The JWST Science Working Group recently published a comprehensive, top-level review of JWST science in the journal Space Science Reviews (Gardner et al. 2006, SSR, 123, 485). That review paper gives details of the 4 JWST science themes, and describes the design of the observatory and ground system. Since publication, the SWG, working with members of the astronomical community, has continued to develop the science case for JWST, giving more details in a series of white papers. The white paper topics include first light, galaxy surveys, AGN, supernovae, stellar populations, and exoplanets. The white papers are in various stages of completion. In this poster, I will review recent progress.
Fluid Dynamics Lagrangian Simulation Model
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hyman, Ellis
1994-02-01
The work performed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) on this contract, Fluid Dynamics Lagrangian Simulation Model, Contract Number N00014-89-C-2106, SAIC Project Number 01-0157-03-0768, focused on a number of research topics in fluid dynamics. The work was in support of the programs of NRL's Laboratory for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics and covered the period from 10 September 1989 to 9 December 1993. In the following sections, we describe each of the efforts and the results obtained. Much of the research work has resulted in journal publications. These are included in Appendices of this report for which the reader is referred for complete details.
Charged particle and magnetic field research in space
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1972-01-01
Research completed and in progress is described, related publications and reports are listed, and abstracts of papers and talks on results of the research are given. The charged particle research centered on OGO-5 and OGO-6 electron spectrometer data, and theoretical radiation belt studies. Work on the ATS-1 magnetometer project included development of production data reduction programs, development of spectral analysis procedures, and scientific studies of ULF waves at synchronous orbit. The magnetic fields research also included work on the Mariner project and theoretical studies on the solar wind.
Wind River watershed restoration, annual report November 2009 to October 2010.
Connolly, P.J.; Jezorek, I.G.
2011-01-01
This report summarizes work completed by U.S. Geological Survey’s Columbia River Research Laboratory (USGS-CRRL) in the Wind River subbasin during the period November 2009 through October 2010 under Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract 46102. Long term research in the Wind River has focused on assessments of steelhead/rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss populations, interactions with introduced populations of spring Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and influences of habitat variables and habitat restoration on fish productivity. During the period covered by this report, we collected water temperature data to characterize variation within and among tributaries and mainstem sections in the Trout Creek watershed, and assisted Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) with smolt trapping and tagging of smolt and parr steelhead with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. We also continued to maintain and test efficacy of a passive integrated transponder tag interrogation system (PTIS) in Trout Creek for assessing the adult steelhead runsize. A statement of work (SOW) was submitted to BPA in October 2009 that outlined work to be performed by USGS-CRRL. The SOW was organized by work elements, with each describing a research task. This report summarizes the progress completed under each work element.
Polypeptide formation on polar mineral surfaces: possibility of complete chirality
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Schrader, Malcolm E.
2017-01-01
In the present work, it is shown that thermodynamically feasible polymerization of cyanomethanol, which can be formed from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide, can lead to synthesis of polypeptides as well as to the previously reported synthesis of RNA. If the polymerization takes place on a one-dimensional feature of a mineral, such as for example a crack on its surface, the concept of quasi-chirality is introduced to describe the adsorbed polypeptide. This, in principle, would lead to formation of proteins that are completely homochiral in their alpha carbon groups. The concept of quasi-chirality can also be introduced in the condensation of glycine under similar conditions to form a polypeptide. This again leads to proteins completely chiral in their alpha carbon groups.
2012-05-29
Hunter College has completed work on baseline measurements of relaxation times for pentacene at various temperatures in order to determine optimal...temperatures for measuring relaxation rate as a function of doping. We have also repeated these measurements on pentacene samples at 2 different...P3HT using a time-lag method. 2 Technical Accomplishments This Period Relaxation Measurements on Pentacene . As described initially in the 1Q
Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 1989
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1990-01-01
This bibliography describes and indexes by primary author the externally distributed technical reporting, released during 1989, that resulted from scientific and engineering work performed, or managed, by JPL. Three classes of publications are included: JPL publications in which the information is complete for a specific accomplishment; articles from the quarterly Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) Progress Report; and articles published in the open literature.
Novel dehydrins lacking complete K-segments in Pinaceae. The exception rather than the rule
Perdiguero, Pedro; Collada, Carmen; Soto, Álvaro
2014-01-01
Dehydrins are thought to play an essential role in the plant response, acclimation and tolerance to different abiotic stresses, such as cold and drought. These proteins contain conserved and repeated segments in their amino acid sequence, used for their classification. Thus, dehydrins from angiosperms present different repetitions of the segments Y, S, and K, while gymnosperm dehydrins show A, E, S, and K segments. The only fragment present in all the dehydrins described to date is the K-segment. Different works suggest the K-segment is involved in key protective functions during dehydration stress, mainly stabilizing membranes. In this work, we describe for the first time two Pinus pinaster proteins with truncated K-segments and a third one completely lacking K-segments, but whose sequence homology leads us to consider them still as dehydrins. qRT-PCR expression analysis show a significant induction of these dehydrins during a severe and prolonged drought stress. By in silico analysis we confirmed the presence of these dehydrins in other Pinaceae species, breaking the convention regarding the compulsory presence of K-segments in these proteins. The way of action of these unusual dehydrins remains unrevealed. PMID:25520734
Occupational safety beliefs among Latino residential roofing workers.
Arcury, Thomas A; Summers, Phillip; Carrillo, Lourdes; Grzywacz, Joseph G; Quandt, Sara A; Mills, Thomas H
2014-06-01
This analysis describes beliefs about work safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) among Latino roofing workers, it delineates their perceptions of work environment characteristics that affect work safety and PPE use, and it describes how they experience work injuries and the consequences of these injuries. In-depth interviews were completed with 10 current and former Latino residential roofers. Interview transcripts were subjected to systematic qualitative analysis. Participants' valued productivity over safety, and this had a negative influence on their safety behavior and reduced their PPE use. They understood that roofing was hazardous. They limited use of PPE when they felt it reduced productivity and when it was uncomfortable. Work environment characteristics that affected safety included company size, the physical demands of the job, lack of training, the need for work, general life stress, and distractions at work. An injury had to result in lost work time to be considered significant. Access to health care is limited by employers not providing Workers' compensation. Future research is needed to substantiate these descriptive results and to delineate factors that are associated with safety behavior and use of PPE. Interventions, based on a lay health educator model, are needed to improve safety in this population. Safety regulations need to be evaluated and their enforcement needs to be improved. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transmutation Theory in the Greek Alchemical Corpus.
Dufault, Olivier
2015-08-01
This paper studies transmutation theory as found in the texts attributed to Zosimus of Panopolis, "the philosopher Synesius," and "the philosopher Olympiodorus of Alexandria." It shows that transmutation theory (i.e. a theory explaining the complete transformation of substances) is mostly absent from the work attributed to these three authors. The text attributed to Synesius describes a gilding process, which is similar to those described by Pliny and Vitruvius. The commentary attributed to Olympiodorus is the only text studied here that describes something similar to a transmutation theory. It is unclear, however, if this was a theory of transmutation or if the writer meant something more like the literal meaning of the word "ekstrophē," a term used to describe the transformation of metals, as the "turning inside-out" of what is hidden in a substance. A similar conception of ekstrophē can be found in the works of Zosimus, who discussed transmutation to make an analogy with self-purification processes, which, from the perspective of his own anthropogony, consisted in the "turning inside-out" of the "inner human" (esō anthrōpos).
Alaska digital aeromagnetic database description
Connard, G.G.; Saltus, R.W.; Hill, P.L.; Carlson, L.; Milicevic, B.
1999-01-01
Northwest Geophysical Associates, Inc. (NGA) was contracted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to construct a database containing original aeromagnotic data (in digital form) from surveys, maps and grids for the State of Alaska from existing public-domain magnetic data. This database facilitates thedetailed study and interpretation of aeromagnetic data along flightline profiles and allows construction of custom grids for selected regions of Alaska. The database is linked to and reflect? the work from the statewide gridded compilation completed under a prior contract. The statewide gridded compilation is also described in Saltus and Simmons (1997) and in Saltus and others (1999). The database area generally covers the on-shore portion of the State of Alaska and the northern Gulf of Alaska excluding the Aleutian Islands. The area extends from 54'N to 72'N latitude and 129'W to 169'W longitude. The database includes the 85 surveys that were included in the previous statewide gridded compilation. Figure (1) shows the extents of the 85 individual data sets included in the statewide grids. NGA subcontracted a significant portion of the work described in this report to Paterson, Grant, and Watson Limited (PGW). Prior work by PGW (described in Meyer and Saltus, 1995 and Meyer and others, 1998) for the interior portion of Alrska (INTAK) is included in this present study. The previous PGW project compiled 25 of the 85 surveys included in the statewide grids. PGW also contributed 10 additional data sets that were not included in either of the prior contracts or the statewide grids. These additional data sets are included in the current project in the interest of making the database as complete as possible. Figure (2) shows the location of the additional data sets.
Physical assessment techniques performed by Italian registered nurses: a quantitative survey.
Cicolini, Giancarlo; Tomietto, Marco; Simonetti, Valentina; Comparcini, Dania; Flacco, Maria Elena; Carvello, Maicol; Manzoli, Lamberto
2015-12-01
The aims of the study were to describe which of the core techniques of the physical assessment are regularly performed by a sample of Italian nurses, and to investigate the potential predictors of a more complete examination. Physical examination is among the essential tasks of nursing professionals, who are requested to perform a correct and complete physical assessment. Cross-sectional survey. The study was performed between August 2013 and January 2014 in 17 Italian regions. A total of 1182 questionnaires were collected. Most participants were females (age range 41-50 years), and worked in Internal Medicine, Intensive Care and Surgical hospital units. Of the 30 core techniques that are currently taught and performed according to the Italian Baccalaureate degree requirements, 20 were routinely performed, 6 were seldom used and 4 were learnt but almost never performed (auscultation of lung, heart and bowel sounds and spine inspection). Graduate and postgraduate nurses, working in Intensive Care Units and Nursing Homes, were more prone than the others to carry out a more complete physical assessment. The skills to perform a physical assessment are suboptimal among this sample of Italian nurses. Health and educational providers should pose more attention and efforts to provide nurses with an acceptable training in physical examination practice. This study describes the specific physical techniques performed by nurses in real practice and provides information on which skills require more attention in nursing educational programmes. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Granger Morgan, M.
2011-04-01
In a book for the general public published a year before his death, Carl Sagan wrote, "Every time a scientific paper presents a bit of data, it's accompanied by an error bar---a quiet but instant reminder that no knowledge is complete or perfect." For those of us educated in experimental natural science such an observation seems so obvious as to hardly need saying. Yet when, after completing a PhD in experimental radio physics, I began to work on problems in environmental and energy risk and policy analysis in the early 1970s, I was amazed to find that the characterization and treatment of uncertainty was almost completely lacking in the analysis of that day. In the first part of this talk, I will briefly summarize how I, and a number of my physics-educated colleagues, have worked to rectify this situation. Doctoral education in the Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) at Carnegie Mellon University has also been shaped by a number of ideas and problem-solving styles that derive from physics. These have been strengthened considerably through integration with a number of ideas from experimental social science -- a field that too many in physics ignore or even belittle. In the second part of the talk, I will describe the PhD program in EPP, talk a bit about some of its unique features, and describe a few of the problems we address.
Tunis, Sean R; Turkelson, Charles
2012-12-01
Health technology assessment (HTA) is primarily used as a tool to ensure that clinical and policy decisions are made with the benefit of a systematic analysis of all completed research. This article describes the progress and potential for HTA reports to improve the quality and relevance of future research and to better serve the information needs of patients, clinicians, payers, and other decision makers. We conducted a review of the current published literature and working papers describing past, ongoing, and future initiatives that rely on HTA reports to identify gaps in evidence and improve the design of future research. Although still in a developmental stage, significant progress is under way to improve methods for using HTA reports for the systematic identification of research gaps, prioritization of future research, and improvement of study designs. Several well-defined frameworks have been developed to assist those who produce HTA to become more effective in these additional domains of work. A recurring element of this work is the importance of meaningfully involving stakeholders in the process of defining future research needs and designing studies to address them. Patients, clinicians, and payers are important audiences for completed research and are now recognized as serving an important role in determining what future research is needed. There are substantial opportunities to improve the quality, relevance, and efficiency of clinical research. Recent efforts are beginning to demonstrate the potential to build on the work invested in developing HTA reports to provide a roadmap toward these objectives.
Using Cognitive Work Analysis to Fit Decision Support Tools to Nurse Managers’ Work Flow
Brewer, Barbara B.; Logue, Melanie D.; Gephart, Sheila; Verran, Joyce A.
2011-01-01
Purpose To better understand the environmental constraints on nurse managers that impact their need for and use of decision support tools, we conducted a Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA). A complete CWA includes system analyses at five levels: work domain, decision-making procedures, decision-making strategies, social organization/collaboration, and worker skill level. Here we describe the results of the Work Domain Analysis (WDA) portion in detail then integrate the WDA with other portions of the CWA, reported previously, to generate a more complete picture of the nurse manager’s work domain. Methods Data for the WDA were obtained from semi-structured interviews with nurse managers, division directors, CNOs, and other managers (n = 20) on 10 patient care units in 3 Arizona hospitals. The WDA described the nurse manager’s environment in terms of the constraints it imposes on the nurse manager’s ability to achieve targeted outcomes through organizational goals and priorities, functions, processes, as well as work objects and resources (e.g., people, equipment, technology, and data). Constraints were identified and summarized through qualitative thematic analysis. Results The results highlight the competing priorities, and external and internal constraints that today’s nurse managers must satisfy as they try to improve quality and safety outcomes on their units. Nurse managers receive a great deal of data, much in electronic format. Although dashboards were perceived as helpful because they integrated some data elements, no decision support tools were available to help nurse managers with planning or answering “what if” questions. The results suggest both the need for additional decision support to manage the growing complexity of the environment, and the constraints the environment places on the design of that technology if it is to be effective. Limitations of the study include the small homogenous sample and the reliance on interview data targeting safety and quality. PMID:21862397
Using Cognitive Work Analysis to fit decision support tools to nurse managers' work flow.
Effken, Judith A; Brewer, Barbara B; Logue, Melanie D; Gephart, Sheila M; Verran, Joyce A
2011-10-01
To better understand the environmental constraints on nurse managers that impact their need for and use of decision support tools, we conducted a Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA). A complete CWA includes system analyses at five levels: work domain, decision-making procedures, decision-making strategies, social organization/collaboration, and worker skill level. Here we describe the results of the Work Domain Analysis (WDA) portion in detail then integrate the WDA with other portions of the CWA, reported previously, to generate a more complete picture of the nurse manager's work domain. Data for the WDA were obtained from semi-structured interviews with nurse managers, division directors, CNOs, and other managers (n = 20) on 10 patient care units in three Arizona hospitals. The WDA described the nurse manager's environment in terms of the constraints it imposes on the nurse manager's ability to achieve targeted outcomes through organizational goals and priorities, functions, processes, as well as work objects and resources (e.g., people, equipment, technology, and data). Constraints were identified and summarized through qualitative thematic analysis. The results highlight the competing priorities, and external and internal constraints that today's nurse managers must satisfy as they try to improve quality and safety outcomes on their units. Nurse managers receive a great deal of data, much in electronic format. Although dashboards were perceived as helpful because they integrated some data elements, no decision support tools were available to help nurse managers with planning or answering "what if" questions. The results suggest both the need for additional decision support to manage the growing complexity of the environment, and the constraints the environment places on the design of that technology if it is to be effective. Limitations of the study include the small homogeneous sample and the reliance on interview data targeting safety and quality. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Development of a prototype spatial information processing system for hydrologic research
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sircar, Jayanta K.
1991-01-01
Significant advances have been made in the last decade in the areas of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis technology, both in hardware and software. Science user requirements are so problem specific that currently no single system can satisfy all of the needs. The work presented here forms part of a conceptual framework for an all-encompassing science-user workstation system. While definition and development of the system as a whole will take several years, it is intended that small scale projects such as the current work will address some of the more short term needs. Such projects can provide a quick mechanism to integrate tools into the workstation environment forming a larger, more complete hydrologic analysis platform. Described here are two components that are very important to the practical use of remote sensing and digital map data in hydrology. Described here is a graph-theoretic technique to rasterize elevation contour maps. Also described is a system to manipulate synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data files and extract soil moisture data.
Impact of Functionally Graded Cylinders: Theory
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Aboudi, Jacob; Pindera, Marek-Jerzy; Arnold, S. M. (Technical Monitor)
2001-01-01
This final report summarizes the work funded under the Grant NAG3-2411 during the 04/05/2000-04/04/2001 period. The objective of this one-year project was to generalize the theoretical framework of the two-dimensional higher-order theory for the analysis of cylindrical functionally graded materials/structural components employed in advanced aircraft engines developed under past NASA Glenn funding. The completed generalization significantly broadens the theory's range of applicability through the incorporation of dynamic impact loading capability into its framework. Thus, it makes possible the assessment of the effect of damage due to fuel impurities, or the presence of submicron-level debris, on the life of functionally graded structural components. Applications involving advanced turbine blades and structural components for the reusable-launch vehicle (RLV) currently under development will benefit from the completed work. The theory's predictive capability is demonstrated through a numerical simulation of a one-dimensional wave propagation set up by an impulse load in a layered half-plane. Full benefit of the completed generalization of the higher-order theory described in this report will be realized upon the development of a related computer code.
[Characteristics of art therapists in rehabilitative therapy].
Oster, Jörg
2017-09-01
Characteristics of art therapists in rehabilitative therapy Objectives: This study examines the sociodemographic, qualification- and activity-related characteristics of art therapists working in the field of rehabilitation. In 2013, an analysis of occupational groups was carried out in Germany, with the objective of describing the art therapists working there.A total of 2,303 complete datasets were submitted. From this group, those therapists mainly working in the field of rehabilitation/follow-up care/participation of disabled persons (according to Social Security Code VI and IX, n = 302) were selected and described. Most art therapists are female (average age 45 years) and largelywork part-time. Music and art therapy are the most common venues.More than 80% have a graduate degree. Methods of quality management are used.More than half of the therapists working in rehabilitation hospitals are employed in the field of psychosomatic medicine. Both individual and group therapy (each patient attending 1-2 times a week) are common. The results provide an overview of art therapy in the field of rehabilitation and show the spread in rehabilitation. Further research is indicated.
Millimeter wave satellite communication studies. Results of the 1981 propagation modeling effort
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stutzman, W. L.; Tsolakis, A.; Dishman, W. K.
1982-01-01
Theoretical modeling associated with rain effects on millimeter wave propagation is detailed. Three areas of work are discussed. A simple model for prediction of rain attenuation is developed and evaluated. A method for computing scattering from single rain drops is presented. A complete multiple scattering model is described which permits accurate calculation of the effects on dual polarized signals passing through rain.
Nanotechnology-Enabled Optical Molecular Imaging of Breast Cancer
2008-07-01
explanation of results. 37 KEY RESEACH ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Design of needle-based fiber optic imaging system completed and development of first...policy or decision unless so designated by other documentation. REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting...our results to date. As described in the Statement of Work, Year 1 plans focused on design of this system and beginning initial construction. It
Final Report - LAW Envelope C Glass Formulation Testing to Increase Waste Loading, VSL-05R5900-1
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Kruger, Albert A.; Pegg, I. L.; Matlack, K. S.
2013-12-03
This report describes the results of testing specified by Test Plan VSL-05R5900-1 Rev.0. The work was performed in compliance with the quality assurance requirements specified in the Test Plan. Results required by the Test Plan are reported. The test results and this report have been reviewed for correctness, technical adequacy, completeness, and accuracy.
Automated directional solidification system for space processing
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mccreight, L. R. (Compiler)
1981-01-01
The system is to be used under low gravity conditions aboard a sounding rocket. Two complete flight qualified units, each of which includes four individually controllable furnaces capable of operation to as high as 1600 C, were developed with operating and control panels, associated cables, tools, and some spare supplies. Drawings, operating manuals, a user's computer program and reports and papers describing the work and equipment are presented.
Chromate dermatitis from a boiler lining.
Rycroft, R J; Calnan, C D
1977-08-01
Chromate dermatitis is described in a mechanical fitter working inside boiler combustion chambers. A source of hexavalent chromate is traced to the action of the heat and alkaline fuel ash on trivalent chrome ore in parts of the refractory lining. Removal of the patient from this contact has resulted in almost complete clearing of his dermatitis, without any relapse, during a 9-month follow-up period.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Bangkok (Thailand). Regional Office for Education in Asia and the Pacific.
This first volume in a two-part report reviews completed and proposed research studies on learning needs and problems in primary education and describes research proposed for Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, India, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. An introductory chapter considers the following…
Improving patient care through work-based learning.
Chapman, Linda
To record post-registration community nurses' perceptions of the impact of work-based learning on the quality of patient care. Ten nurses were interviewed. Each interviewee, who had successfully completed work-based learning programmes, was asked to describe their impact on the quality of patient care. The participants valued work-based learning. Four themes emerged where work-based learning contributed to improving the quality of care: increased health promotion, increased access to services, increased patient choice and reduced risk of infection. The relevance of studies and distance learning materials were perceived to be the main aspects that influenced changes in practice. The study provides insight into how work-based learning helped staff develop practice. It highlights that time for learning and mentoring are paramount for changes in practice to occur through work-based learning. Further studies are required to establish the best structure and style of distance learning materials needed to meet the needs of post-registration community nurses.
Work-related injury factors and safety climate perception in truck drivers.
Anderson, Naomi J; Smith, Caroline K; Byrd, Jesse L
2017-08-01
The trucking industry has a high burden of work-related injuries. This study examined factors, such as safety climate perceptions, that may impact injury risk. A random sample of 9800 commercial driver's license holders (CDL) were sent surveys, only 4360 were eligible truck drivers. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were developed to describe the population and identify variables associated with work-related injury. 2189 drivers completed the pertinent interview questions. Driving less-than-truckload, daytime sleepiness, pressure to work faster, and having a poor composite score for safety perceptions were all associated with increased likelihood of work-related injury. Positive safety perception score was protective for odds of work-related injury, and increased claim filing when injured. Positive psychological safety climate is associated with decreased likelihood of work-related injury and increased likelihood that a driver injured on the job files a workers' compensation claim. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
General catalogue of variable stars: Version GCVS 5.1
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Samus', N. N.; Kazarovets, E. V.; Durlevich, O. V.; Kireeva, N. N.; Pastukhova, E. N.
2017-01-01
Work aimed at compiling detailed catalogs of variable stars in the Galaxy, which has been carried out continuously by Moscow variable-star researchers since 1946 on behalf of the International Astronomical Union, has entered the stage of the publication of the 5th, completely electronic edition of the General Catalogue of Variable Stars (GCVS). This paper describes the requirements for the contents of the 5th edition and the current state of the catalog in its new version, GCVS 5.1. The complete revision of information for variable stars in the constellation Carina and the compilation of the 81st Name-list of Variable Stars are considered as examples of work on the 5th edition. The GCVS 5.1 is freely accessible on the Internet. We recommend the present paper as a unified reference to the 5th edition of the GCVS.
Multimode marine engine room simulation system based on field bus technology
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zheng, Huayao; Deng, Linlin; Guo, Yi
2003-09-01
Developing multi mode MER (Marine Engine Room) Labs is the main work in Marine Simulation Center, which is the key lab of Communication Ministry of China. It includes FPP (Fixed Pitch Propeller) and CPP (Controllable Pitch Propeller) mode MER simulation systems, integrated electrical propulsion mode MER simulation system, physical mode MER lab, etc. FPP mode simulation system, which was oriented to large container ship, had been completed since 1999, and got second level of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technical Progress award. This paper mainly introduces the recent development and achievements of Marine Simulation Center. Based on the Lon Works field bus, the structure characteristics and control strategies of completely distributed intelligent control network are discussed. The experiment mode of multi-nodes field bus detection and control system is described. Besides, intelligent fault diagnosis technology about some mechatronics integration control systems explored is also involved.
A unified teleoperated-autonomous dual-arm robotic system
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hayati, Samad; Lee, Thomas S.; Tso, Kam Sing; Backes, Paul G.; Lloyd, John
1991-01-01
A description is given of complete robot control facility built as part of a NASA telerobotics program to develop a state-of-the-art robot control environment for performing experiments in the repair and assembly of spacelike hardware to gain practical knowledge of such work and to improve the associated technology. The basic architecture of the manipulator control subsystem is presented. The multiarm Robot Control C Library (RCCL), a key software component of the system, is described, along with its implementation on a Sun-4 computer. The system's simulation capability is also described, and the teleoperation and shared control features are explained.
NIST Automated Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF): March 1987
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Herbert, Judith E. (Editor); Kane, Richard (Editor)
1987-01-01
The completion and advances to the NIST Automated Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) is described in this video. The six work stations: (1) horizontal machining; (2) vertical machining; (3) turning machinery; (4) cleaning and deburring; (5) materials handling; and (6) inspection are shown and uses for each workstation are cited. Visiting researchers and scientists within NIST describe the advantages of each of the workstations, what the facility is used for, future applications for the technological advancements from the AMRF, including examples of how AMRF technology is being transferred to the U.S. Navy industry and discuss future technological goals for the facility.
Path planning and execution monitoring for a planetary rover
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gat, Erann; Slack, Marc G.; Miller, David P.; Firby, R. James
1990-01-01
A path planner and an execution monitoring planner that will enable the rover to navigate to its various destinations safely and correctly while detecting and avoiding hazards are described. An overview of the complete architecture is given. Implementation and testbeds are described. The robot can detect unforseen obstacles and take appropriate action. This includes having the rover back away from the hazard and mark the area as untraversable in the in the rover's internal map. The experiments have consisted of paths roughly 20 m in length. The architecture works with a large variety of rover configurations with different kinematic constraints.
Burgoine, Thomas; Monsivais, Pablo
2013-06-27
Socio-ecological models of behaviour suggest that dietary behaviours are potentially shaped by exposure to the food environment ('foodscape'). Research on associations between the foodscape and diet and health has largely focussed on foodscapes around the home, despite recognition that non-home environments are likely to be important in a more complete assessment of foodscape exposure. This paper characterises and describes foodscape exposure of different types, at home, at work, and along commuting routes for a sample of working adults in Cambridgeshire, UK. Home and work locations, and transport habits for 2,696 adults aged 29-60 were drawn from the Fenland Study, UK. Food outlet locations were obtained from local councils and classified by type - we focus on convenience stores, restaurants, supermarkets and takeaway food outlets. Density of and proximity to food outlets was characterised at home and work. Commuting routes were modelled based on the shortest street network distance between home and work, with exposure (counts of food outlets) that accounted for travel mode and frequency. We describe these three domains of food environment exposure using descriptive and inferential statistics. For all types of food outlet, we found very different foodscapes around homes and workplaces (with overall outlet exposure at work 125% higher), as well as a potentially substantial exposure contribution from commuting routes. On average, work and commuting environments each contributed to foodscape exposure at least equally to residential neighbourhoods, which only accounted for roughly 30% of total exposure. Furthermore, for participants with highest overall exposure to takeaway food outlets, workplaces accounted for most of the exposure. Levels of relative exposure between home, work and commuting environments were poorly correlated. Relying solely on residential neighbourhood characterisation greatly underestimated total foodscape exposure in this sample, with levels of home exposure unrelated to levels of away from home exposure. Such mis-estimation is likely to be expressed in analyses as attenuated parameter estimates, suggesting a minimal 'environmental' contribution to outcomes of interest. Future work should aim to assess exposure more completely through characterising environments beyond the residential neighbourhood, where behaviours related to food consumption are likely to occur.
SIG Galileo final converter. Technical summary report
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Hinderman, J.D.
1979-05-01
The report summarizes significant events, activities and achievements on the SIG/Galileo Converter Program at 3M Company during the period June 1, 1978 through May 15, 1979. A stop work order was received from DOE on January 29, 1979 and all subsequent work and close out activities targeted for completion by May 15, 1979. Section A describes, in detail, the component configurations developed and proposed for the SN-1 converter. This converter was the Flight Design with the possible exception of N-leg improvements and a cold frame-housing interface processing change. Included at the end of the converter description is the status ofmore » the design at the time of the stop work order. In Section B, the activities performed to accomplish the design goals are described as they occurred. Section C lists all pertinent documentation which was developed and issued relating to the design of the converter. This includes drawings, specifications, procedures and analysis. Operating requirements for the SN-1 converter are given.« less
Simple methods of exploiting the underlying structure of rule-based systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hendler, James
1986-01-01
Much recent work in the field of expert systems research has aimed at exploiting the underlying structures of the rule base for reasons of analysis. Such techniques as Petri-nets and GAGs have been proposed as representational structures that will allow complete analysis. Much has been made of proving isomorphisms between the rule bases and the mechanisms, and in examining the theoretical power of this analysis. In this paper we describe some early work in a new system which has much simpler (and thus, one hopes, more easily achieved) aims and less formality. The technique being examined is a very simple one: OPS5 programs are analyzed in a purely syntactic way and a FSA description is generated. In this paper we describe the technique and some user interface tools which exploit this structure.
Attitudes towards attrition among UK trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Gafson, Irene; Currie, Jane; O'Dwyer, Sabrina; Woolf, Katherine; Griffin, Ann
2017-06-02
Physician dissatisfaction in the workplace has consequences for patient safety. Currently in the UK, 1 in 5 doctors who enter specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology leave the programme before completion. Trainee attrition has implications for workforce planning, organization of health-care services and patient care. The authors conducted a survey of current trainees' and former trainees' views concerning attrition and 'peri-attrition' - a term coined to describe the trainee who has seriously considered leaving the specialty. The authors identified six key themes which describe trainees' feelings about attrition in obstetrics and gynaecology: morale and undermining; training processes and paperwork; support and supervision; work-life balance and realities of life; NHS environment; and job satisfaction. This article discusses themes of an under-resourced health service, bullying, lack of work-life balance and poor personal support.
Early work patterns for gynaecological cancer survivors in the USA.
Nachreiner, N M; Ghebre, R G; Virnig, B A; Shanley, R
2012-01-01
Little is known about the balance between work demands and treatment plans for >4.3 million working-age cancer survivors in the USA. To describe changes in work status for gynaecological cancer survivors during the first 6 months following diagnosis and their experience with their employers' programmes and policies. One hundred and ten gynaecological cancer survivors who were working at the time of their cancer diagnosis completed a survey. Case record reviews documented their clinical characteristics and treatment details. Ninety-five women (86%) had surgery; 81 (74%) received chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both in addition to surgery. Nine per cent of women said that they changed their treatment plan because of their jobs; in contrast, 62% of women said that they changed their work situation to accommodate their treatment plan. Overall, the most common month for women to stop working was Month 1 (41%), to decrease hours was Month 2 (32%) and to increase hours was Month 6 (8%). Twenty-eight per cent of women were aware of employer policies that assisted the return to work process; 70% of women were familiar with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and 56% with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Only 26% completed a formal request for work accommodations. After 6 months, 56 of 83 women (67%) remained working or had returned to work. Work patterns varied for these gynaecological cancer survivors over the first 6 months following diagnosis. Opportunities exist to improve communication about work and treatment expectations between cancer survivors, occupational health professionals, employers and treating clinicians.
Surveys for sensitivity to fibers and potential impacts from fiber induced failures
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Butterfield, A. J.
1979-01-01
The surveys for sensitivities to fibers and potential impacts from fiber induced failures begins with a review of the survey work completed to date and then describes an impact study involving four industrial installations located in Virginia. The observations and results from both the surveys and the study provide guidelines for future efforts. The survey work was done with three broad objectives: (1) identify the pieces of potentially vulnerable equipment as candidates for test; (2) support the transfer function work by gaining an understanding of how fibers could get into a building; and (3) support the economic analysis by understanding what would happen if fibers precipitated a failure in an item of equipment.
Integration of disabled people in an automated work process
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jalba, C. K.; Muminovic, A.; Epple, S.; Barz, C.; Nasui, V.
2017-05-01
Automation processes enter more and more into all areas of life and production. Especially people with disabilities can hardly keep step with this change. In sheltered workshops in Germany people with physical and mental disabilities get help with much dedication, to be integrated into the work processes. This work shows that cooperation between disabled people and industrial robots by means of industrial image processing can successfully result in the production of highly complex products. Here is described how high-pressure hydraulic pumps are assembled by people with disabilities in cooperation with industrial robots in a sheltered workshop. After the assembly process, the pumps are checked for leaks at very high pressures in a completely automated process.
Ideal Gas with a Varying (Negative Absolute) Temperature: an Alternative to Dark Energy?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Saha, Subhajit; Mondal, Anindita; Corda, Christian
2018-02-01
The present work is an attempt to investigate whether the evolutionary history of the Universe from the offset of inflation can be described by assuming the cosmic fluid to be an ideal gas with a specific gas constant but a varying negative absolute temperature (NAT). The motivation of this work is to search for an alternative to the "exotic" and "supernatural" dark energy (DE). In fact, the NAT works as an "effective quintessence" and there is need to deal neither with exotic matter like DE nor with modified gravity theories. For the sake of completeness, we release some clarifications on NATs in Section 3 of the paper.
Premzl, Marko
2015-01-01
Using eutherian comparative genomic analysis protocol and public genomic sequence data sets, the present work attempted to update and revise two gene data sets. The most comprehensive third party annotation gene data sets of eutherian adenohypophysis cystine-knot genes (128 complete coding sequences), and d-dopachrome tautomerases and macrophage migration inhibitory factor genes (30 complete coding sequences) were annotated. For example, the present study first described primate-specific cystine-knot Prometheus genes, as well as differential gene expansions of D-dopachrome tautomerase genes. Furthermore, new frameworks of future experiments of two eutherian gene data sets were proposed. PMID:25941635
Lagrangian-Hamiltonian unified formalism for autonomous higher order dynamical systems
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Prieto-Martínez, Pedro Daniel; Román-Roy, Narciso
2011-09-01
The Lagrangian-Hamiltonian unified formalism of Skinner and Rusk was originally stated for autonomous dynamical systems in classical mechanics. It has been generalized for non-autonomous first-order mechanical systems, as well as for first-order and higher order field theories. However, a complete generalization to higher order mechanical systems is yet to be described. In this work, after reviewing the natural geometrical setting and the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms for higher order autonomous mechanical systems, we develop a complete generalization of the Lagrangian-Hamiltonian unified formalism for these kinds of systems, and we use it to analyze some physical models from this new point of view.
Shift work, mental distress and job satisfaction among Palestinian nurses.
Jaradat, Y M; Nielsen, M B; Kristensen, P; Bast-Pettersen, R
2017-01-01
Associations between shift work (SW) schedules, mental distress and job satisfaction have never been completely described. To examine gender-specific associations of SW with mental distress and job satisfaction in nurses in Hebron District, Palestine, in 2012. Detailed information on work schedules (day versus shift), socio-demographic status, mental distress (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-30) and job satisfaction (Generic Job Satisfaction Scale) in nurses employed in Hebron District, Palestine, was obtained through a questionnaire survey. Associations of SW and outcomes were examined by linear regression analysis. Of 372 nurses eligible for the study, 309 and 338 completed surveys regarding mental distress and job satisfaction, respectively. The sample comprised 62% women and 38% men. After adjusting for covariates, women working shifts reported significantly higher levels of mean mental distress [β coefficient 3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3-7.0] compared with women working regular day shifts. Men working shifts reported significantly lower levels of job satisfaction (-3.3; 95% CI -6.2 to -0.5) than men working regular day shifts. Women reported higher levels of mental distress than men, but this was unrelated to work schedule. In this study, nurses working shifts reported higher levels of mental distress and lower levels of job satisfaction, although these associations were weaker when adjusted for potential covariates. There was no evidence of a gender differential in the association between SW and mental distress and job satisfaction. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1995-01-01
This final report describes the work performed from June 1993 to January 1995. The purpose of this contract was to provide optomechanical engineering and fabrication support to the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) program in the areas of mirror, optical bench and camera assemblies of the telescope. The Center for Applied Optics (CAO) worked closely with the Optics and S&E technical staff of MSFC to develop and investigate the most viable and economical options for the design and fabrication of a number of parts for the various telescope assemblies. All the tasks under this delivery order have been successfully completed within budget and schedule.
Global Failure Modes in Composite Structures for High Altitudes
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Knauss, W. G.
2004-01-01
This report summarizes the accomplishments under the referenced grant. The work described was started under the guidance and supervision of the late Dr. James Stames as the technical contact. It was aimed at investigating the development of analysis tools to deal with the problem of rupture in reinforced structural skin of future composites-based aircraft. It was of particular interest to assess methods by which failure features reminiscent of cracks in metallic structures would develop and propagate in fiber reinforced structures in interaction with the reinforcing frame. To eventually achieve that goal it was necessary to first understand the stress or strain distribution at the front of such features so that interactions between such features and reinforcing agents could be assessed computationally. Thus the major emphasis here was on the assessment of damage front and methods on how to assess or characterize it. During the conduct of this research program Dr. Stames changed to a different NASA- internal assignment, which divorced him of the direct supervision of this grant. A student who was approximately % into the completion of his Ph.D. research needed to finish this work, and NASA funds were made available under Dr. Damodar Ambur, the successor Branch Manager for Dr. James Starnes, for the completion of this work. The current grant was the thus a new and fmal support increment for completion of the started research. Final reports for previous funding have been completed and submitted. Because of the interconnection of this last phase of the investigation with previous work it is deemed useful to make the Ph.D. thesis by Luis Gonzales the body of this report.
Pijpe, Anouk; Slottje, Pauline; van Pelt, Cres; Stehmann, Floor; Kromhout, Hans; van Leeuwen, Flora E; Vermeulen, Roel C H; Rookus, Matti A
2014-01-29
Evidence for the carcinogenicity of shift work in humans is limited because of significant heterogeneity of the results, thus more in-depth research in needed. The Nightingale Study is a nationwide prospective cohort study on occupational exposures and risks of chronic diseases among female nurses and focuses on the potential association between shift work and risk of breast cancer. The study design, methods, and baseline characteristics of the cohort are described. The source population for the cohort comprised 18 to 65 year old women who were registered as having completed training to be a nurse in the nationwide register for healthcare professionals in the Netherlands. Eligible women were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire including full job history, a detailed section on all domains of shift work (shift system, cumulative exposure, and shift intensity) and potential confounding factors, and an informed consent form for linkage with national (disease) registries. Women were also asked to donate toenail clippings as a source of DNA for genetic analyses. Between October 6, 2011 and February 1, 2012, 31% of the 192,931 women who were invited to participate completed the questionnaire, yielding a sample size of 59,947 cohort members. The mean age of the participants was 46.9 year (standard deviation 11.0 years). Toenail clippings were provided by 23,439 participants (39%). Results from the Nightingale Study will contribute to the scientific evidence of potential shift work-related health risks among nurses and will help develop preventive measures and policy aimed at reducing these risks.
Environmental interactions in space exploration: Environmental interactions working group
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kolecki, Joseph C.; Hillard, G. Barry
1992-01-01
With the advent of the Space Exploration Initiative, the possibility of designing and using systems on scales heretofore unattempted presents exciting new challenges in systems design and space science. The environments addressed by the Space Exploration Initiative include the surfaces of the Moon and Mars, as well as the varied plasma and field environments which will be encountered by humans and cargo enroute to these destinations. Systems designers will need to understand environmental interactions and be able to model these mechanisms from the earliest conceptual design stages through design completion. To the end of understanding environmental interactions and establishing robotic precursor mission requirements, an Environmental Interactions Working Group was established as part of the Robotic Missions Working Group. The working group is described, and its current activities are updated.
Work productivity and health of informal caregivers of persons with advanced cancer.
Mazanec, Susan R; Daly, Barbara J; Douglas, Sara L; Lipson, Amy R
2011-12-01
The purpose of this study was to describe health promotion behaviors and work productivity loss in informal caregivers of individuals with advanced stage cancer. Using a cross-sectional, correlational design, 70 caregivers completed measures of health behaviors, mood, social support, and burden. Absenteeism and presenteeism were evaluated in employed caregivers (n = 40). Caregivers reported low levels of physical activity. The mean percentage of work productivity loss due to caregiving was 22.9%. Greater work productivity loss was associated with greater number of caregiving hours, higher cancer stage, married status, and greater anxiety, depression, and burden related to financial problems, disrupted schedule, and health. Nurses should assess caregivers and provide health promotion interventions, which may ultimately reduce the economic impact of caregiving. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Closson, Elizabeth F.; Colby, Donn J.; Nguyen, Thi; Cohen, Samuel S.; Biello, Katie; Mimiaga, Matthew J.
2014-01-01
In Vietnam, there is an emerging HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). Male sex workers (MSWs) engage in high-risk sexual behaviours that make them particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. In 2010, 23 MSM in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) who recently received payment for sex with another man completed in-depth qualitative interviews exploring motivations for sex work, patterns of sex work disclosure and experiences of social stigma. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated into English and analysed using a qualitative descriptive approach. Low wages, unstable employment, and family remittances were motivating factors for MSM in HCMC to sell sex. Participants described experiences of enacted and felt social stigma related to their involvement in sex work. In response, they utilized stigma management techniques aimed at concealment of involvement in sex work. Such strategies restricted sexual communication with non-paying sex partners and potentially limited their ability to seek social support from family and friends. Departing from decontextualized depictions of sex work disclosure, our findings describe how decisions to reveal involvement in sex work are shaped by social and structural factors such as social stigma, techniques to minimize exposure to stigma, economic imperatives and familial responsibilities. PMID:25555192
Closson, Elizabeth F; Colby, Donn J; Nguyen, Thi; Cohen, Samuel S; Biello, Katie; Mimiaga, Matthew J
2015-01-01
In Vietnam, there is an emerging HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). Male sex workers engage in high-risk sexual behaviours that make them particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. In 2010, 23 MSM in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) who recently received payment for sex with another man completed in-depth qualitative interviews exploring motivations for sex work, patterns of sex work disclosure and experiences of social stigma. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated into English and analysed using a qualitative descriptive approach. Low wages, unstable employment and family remittances were motivating factors for MSM in HCMC to sell sex. Participants described experiences of enacted and felt social stigma related to their involvement in sex work. In response, they utilised stigma management techniques aimed at concealment of involvement in sex work. Such strategies restricted sexual communication with non-paying sex partners and potentially limited their ability to seek social support from family and friends. Departing from decontextualized depictions of sex work disclosure, our findings describe how decisions to reveal involvement in sex work are shaped by social and structural factors such as social stigma, techniques to minimise exposure to stigma, economic imperatives and familial responsibilities.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Kruger, Albert A.; Joseph, I.; Muller, I. S.
This report describes the results of testing specified by the Test Plan VSL-06R6900-1 Rev 0. The work was performed in compliance with quality assurance requirements specified in the Test Plan. Results required by the Test Plan are reported. The test results and this report have been reviewed for correctness, technical adequacy, completeness, and accuracy.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kanaga, Kim; Kossler, Michael E.
This practical guidebook is designed for managers and leaders who have responsibility for the creation and success of teams. First, a team is described as a workgroup whose members are dependent upon one another for the completion of a given task, and whose members possess different but complementary skill sets. A team manages its own work within…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rollin, Stephen A.; Subotnik, Rena F.; Bassford, Maya; Smulson, Jennifer
2008-01-01
The following article details the work of the American Psychological Association's (APA's) Coalition for Psychology in the Schools and Education (CPSE). First, a brief history of the background and creation of the coalition is described. The article then details the projects, completed and ongoing, of the CPSE. Those projects include a Teacher…
Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1988
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1989-01-01
This bibliography describes and indexes by primary author the externally distributed technical reporting, released during calendar year 1988, that resulted from scientific and engineering work performed, or managed, by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Three classes of publications are included: JPL publications in which the information is complete for a specific accomplishment; articles from the quarterly Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) Progress Report; and articles published in the open literature.
Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1985
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1986-01-01
This bibliography describes and indexes by primary author the externally distributed technical reporting, released during calender year 1985, that resulted from scientific and engineering work performed, or managed, by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Three classes of publications are included: JPL publications in which the information is complete for a specific accomplisment; Articles from the quarterly Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) Progress Report; and article published in the open literature.
2005-01-01
Cold Foam 1% ethylene glycol 1% benzalkonium chloride 1% polyvinylpolypyrrolidone 1% Brij 58 1% Benzyldimethyl tetradecyl ammonium chloride dihydrate...described in this report was authorized by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. This work was started in December 2003 and completed in March 2004. The...LITERA TURE CITED ..................................................................................... 15 5 FIGURES 1. Rates of Chloride Release in
2014 Enhanced LAW Glass Property-Composition Models, Phase 2
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Muller, Isabelle; Pegg, Ian L.; Joseph, Innocent
2015-10-28
This report describes the results of testing specified by the Enhanced LAW Glass Property-Composition Models, VSL-13T3050-1, Rev. 0 Test Plan. The work was performed in compliance with the quality assurance requirements specified in the Test Plan. Results required by the Test Plan are reported. The te4st results and this report have been reviewed for correctness, technical adequacy, completeness, and accuracy.
Guell, Cornelia; Panter, Jenna; Ogilvie, David
2013-05-24
Perceptions of the environment appear to be associated with walking and cycling. We investigated the reasons for walking and cycling to or from work despite reporting an unsupportive route environment in a sample of commuters. This mixed-method analysis used data collected as part of the Commuting and Health in Cambridge study. 1164 participants completed questionnaires which assessed the travel modes used and time spent on the commute and the perceived environmental conditions on the route to work. A subset of 50 also completed qualitative interviews in which they discussed their experiences of commuting. Participants were included in this analysis if they reported unsupportive conditions for walking or cycling on their route (e.g. heavy traffic) in questionnaires, walked or cycled all or part of the journey to work, and completed qualitative interviews. Using content analysis of these interviews, we investigated their reasons for walking or cycling. 340 participants reported walking or cycling on the journey to work despite unsupportive conditions, of whom 15 also completed qualitative interviews. From these, three potential explanations emerged. First, some commuters found strategies for coping with unsupportive conditions. Participants described knowledge of the locality and opportunities for alternative routes more conducive to active commuting, as well as their cycling experience and acquired confidence to cycle in heavy traffic. Second, some commuters had other reasons for being reliant on or preferring active commuting despite adverse environments, such as childcare arrangements, enjoyment, having more control over their journey time, employers' restrictions on car parking, or the cost of petrol or parking. Finally, some survey respondents appeared to have reported not their own environmental perceptions but those of others such as family members or 'the public', partly to make a political statement regarding the adversity of active commuting in their setting. Participants report walking and cycling to work despite adverse environmental conditions. Understanding this resilience might be just as important as investigating 'barriers' to cycling. These findings suggest that developing knowledge of safe walking and cycling routes, improving cycling confidence and restricting workplace parking may help to encourage walking and cycling to and from work.
2013-01-01
Background Perceptions of the environment appear to be associated with walking and cycling. We investigated the reasons for walking and cycling to or from work despite reporting an unsupportive route environment in a sample of commuters. Methods This mixed-method analysis used data collected as part of the Commuting and Health in Cambridge study. 1164 participants completed questionnaires which assessed the travel modes used and time spent on the commute and the perceived environmental conditions on the route to work. A subset of 50 also completed qualitative interviews in which they discussed their experiences of commuting. Participants were included in this analysis if they reported unsupportive conditions for walking or cycling on their route (e.g. heavy traffic) in questionnaires, walked or cycled all or part of the journey to work, and completed qualitative interviews. Using content analysis of these interviews, we investigated their reasons for walking or cycling. Results 340 participants reported walking or cycling on the journey to work despite unsupportive conditions, of whom 15 also completed qualitative interviews. From these, three potential explanations emerged. First, some commuters found strategies for coping with unsupportive conditions. Participants described knowledge of the locality and opportunities for alternative routes more conducive to active commuting, as well as their cycling experience and acquired confidence to cycle in heavy traffic. Second, some commuters had other reasons for being reliant on or preferring active commuting despite adverse environments, such as childcare arrangements, enjoyment, having more control over their journey time, employers’ restrictions on car parking, or the cost of petrol or parking. Finally, some survey respondents appeared to have reported not their own environmental perceptions but those of others such as family members or ‘the public’, partly to make a political statement regarding the adversity of active commuting in their setting. Conclusions Participants report walking and cycling to work despite adverse environmental conditions. Understanding this resilience might be just as important as investigating ‘barriers’ to cycling. These findings suggest that developing knowledge of safe walking and cycling routes, improving cycling confidence and restricting workplace parking may help to encourage walking and cycling to and from work. PMID:23705951
Burden of heart failure on patients from China: results from a cross-sectional survey.
Jackson, James Ds; Cotton, Sarah E; Bruce Wirta, Sara; Proenca, Catia C; Zhang, Milun; Lahoz, Raquel; Calado, Frederico J
2018-01-01
Little evidence exists on the burden that chronic heart failure (HF) poses specifically to patients in China. The objective of this study, therefore, was to describe the burden of HF on patients in China. A cross-sectional survey of cardiologists and their patients with HF was conducted. Patient record forms were completed by 150 cardiologists for 10 consecutive patients. Patients for whom a patient record form was completed were invited to complete a patient questionnaire. Most of the 933 patients (mean [SD] age 65.8 [10.2] years; 55% male; 80% retired) included in the study received care in tier 2 and 3 hospitals in large cities. Patients gave a median score of 4 on a scale from 1 (no disruption) to 10 (severe disruption) to describe how much HF disrupts their everyday life. Patients in paid employment (8%) missed 10% of work time and experienced 29% impairment in their ability to work due to HF in the previous week. All aspects of patients' health-related quality of life (QoL) were negatively affected by their condition. Mean ± SD utility calculated by the 3-level 5-dimension EuroQol questionnaire was 0.8±0.2, and patients rated their health at 70.3 (11.5) on a 100 mm visual analog scale. Patients incurred costs associated with HF treatment, travel, and professional caregiving services. HF is associated with poor health-related QoL and considerable disruption in patients' lives. Novel and improved therapies are needed to reduce the burden of HF on patients and the health care system.
Kalet, Adina L; Fletcher, Kathlyn E; Ferdman, Dina J; Bickell, Nina A
2006-09-01
We studied female graduates of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program (CSP, Class of 1984 to 1989) to explore and describe the complexity of creating balance in the life of mid-career academic woman physicians. We conducted and qualitatively analyzed (kappa 0.35 to 1.0 for theme identification among rater pairs) data from a semi-structured survey of 21 women and obtained their curricula vitae to quantify publications and grant support, measures of academic productivity. Sixteen of 21 (76%) women completed the survey. Mean age was 48 (range: 45 to 56). Three were full professors, 10 were associate professors, and 3 had left academic medicine. Eleven women had had children (mean 2.4; range: 1 to 3) and 3 worked part-time. From these data, the conceptual model expands on 3 key themes: (1) defining, navigating, and negotiating success, (2) making life work, and (3) making work work. The women who described themselves as satisfied with their careers (10/16) had clarity of values and goals and a sense of control over their time. Those less satisfied with their careers (6/16) emphasized the personal and professional costs of the struggle to balance their lives and described explicit institutional barriers to fulfillment of their potential. For this group of fellowship-prepared academic women physicians satisfaction is achieving professional and personal balance.
Defining, Navigating, and Negotiating Success
Kalet, Adina L; Fletcher, Kathlyn E; Ferdman, Dina J; Bickell, Nina A
2006-01-01
BACKGROUND We studied female graduates of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program (CSP, Class of 1984 to 1989) to explore and describe the complexity of creating balance in the life of mid-career academic woman physicians. METHODS We conducted and qualitatively analyzed (κ 0.35 to 1.0 for theme identification among rater pairs) data from a semi-structured survey of 21 women and obtained their curricula vitae to quantify publications and grant support, measures of academic productivity. RESULTS Sixteen of 21 (76%) women completed the survey. Mean age was 48 (range: 45 to 56). Three were full professors, 10 were associate professors, and 3 had left academic medicine. Eleven women had had children (mean 2.4; range: 1 to 3) and 3 worked part-time. From these data, the conceptual model expands on 3 key themes: (1) defining, navigating, and negotiating success, (2) making life work, and (3) making work work. The women who described themselves as satisfied with their careers (10/16) had clarity of values and goals and a sense of control over their time. Those less satisfied with their careers (6/16) emphasized the personal and professional costs of the struggle to balance their lives and described explicit institutional barriers to fulfillment of their potential. CONCLUSION For this group of fellowship-prepared academic women physicians satisfaction is achieving professional and personal balance. PMID:16918735
Repository-Based Software Engineering Program: Working Program Management Plan
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1993-01-01
Repository-Based Software Engineering Program (RBSE) is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sponsored program dedicated to introducing and supporting common, effective approaches to software engineering practices. The process of conceiving, designing, building, and maintaining software systems by using existing software assets that are stored in a specialized operational reuse library or repository, accessible to system designers, is the foundation of the program. In addition to operating a software repository, RBSE promotes (1) software engineering technology transfer, (2) academic and instructional support of reuse programs, (3) the use of common software engineering standards and practices, (4) software reuse technology research, and (5) interoperability between reuse libraries. This Program Management Plan (PMP) is intended to communicate program goals and objectives, describe major work areas, and define a management report and control process. This process will assist the Program Manager, University of Houston at Clear Lake (UHCL) in tracking work progress and describing major program activities to NASA management. The goal of this PMP is to make managing the RBSE program a relatively easy process that improves the work of all team members. The PMP describes work areas addressed and work efforts being accomplished by the program; however, it is not intended as a complete description of the program. Its focus is on providing management tools and management processes for monitoring, evaluating, and administering the program; and it includes schedules for charting milestones and deliveries of program products. The PMP was developed by soliciting and obtaining guidance from appropriate program participants, analyzing program management guidance, and reviewing related program management documents.
It's a goal!: Basing a community psychiatric nursing service in a local football stadium.
Pringle, Alan; Sayers, Pete
2004-09-01
This paper describes the development of a community mental health project in a local football stadium. Funded for three years by the Laureus Foundation's 'Sport for Good' initiative, the project provides mental health promotion and mental health awareness input targeted initially at young men, a group who are often very difficult to engage in this type work. Using group interventions and utilising football as a metaphor, the project helps young men address issues around depression, self-esteem and inclusion, and addresses the subject of suicide which remains the second biggest cause of death in young men in Britain. The paper describes the development of the project, the structure of the groups and the evaluation of the first two groups to complete the process. The work takes place in the Moss Rose stadium, home of Macclesfield Town, a team in the English Football League.
Haire, Sandra L.
2006-01-01
Here, we describe the first stages of our work in mapping burn severity at old and new burns as well as the work we have recently completed at our two field sites. The report is organized under our two main objectives with the purpose of summarizing the steps we have taken in working toward these objectives, as well as changes we have made in methodologies since the original study plan. We present some general observations and plans for the next steps in data analysis and product generation. This report, the study plan, a photograph gallery, slide presentations, and our contact information are available on the project Web site http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/swfire/swfire.html .
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
NONE
1997-12-31
The objective of this project is to utilize coal ashes to process hazardous materials such as industrial waste water treatment residues, contaminated soils, and air pollution control dusts from the metal industry and municipal waste incineration. This report describes the activities of the project team during the reporting period. The principal work has focused upon continuing evaluation of aged samples from Phase 1, planning supportive laboratory studies for Phase 2, completing scholarly work, reestablishing MAX Environmental Technologies, Inc., as the subcontractor for the field work of Phase 2, proposing two presentations for later in 1997, and making and responding tomore » several outside contacts.« less
Statistical models of lunar rocks and regolith
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Marcus, A. H.
1973-01-01
The mathematical, statistical, and computational approaches used in the investigation of the interrelationship of lunar fragmental material, regolith, lunar rocks, and lunar craters are described. The first two phases of the work explored the sensitivity of the production model of fragmental material to mathematical assumptions, and then completed earlier studies on the survival of lunar surface rocks with respect to competing processes. The third phase combined earlier work into a detailed statistical analysis and probabilistic model of regolith formation by lithologically distinct layers, interpreted as modified crater ejecta blankets. The fourth phase of the work dealt with problems encountered in combining the results of the entire project into a comprehensive, multipurpose computer simulation model for the craters and regolith. Highlights of each phase of research are given.
Software synthesis using generic architectures
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bhansali, Sanjay
1993-01-01
A framework for synthesizing software systems based on abstracting software system designs and the design process is described. The result of such an abstraction process is a generic architecture and the process knowledge for customizing the architecture. The customization process knowledge is used to assist a designer in customizing the architecture as opposed to completely automating the design of systems. Our approach using an implemented example of a generic tracking architecture which was customized in two different domains is illustrated. How the designs produced using KASE compare to the original designs of the two systems, and current work and plans for extending KASE to other application areas are described.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Sandwisch, D W
1995-11-01
This report describes work performed by Solar Cells, Inc. (SCI), under a 3-year subcontract to advance SCI`s PV manufacturing technologies, reduce module production costs, increase module performance, and provide the groundwork for SCI to expand its commercial production capacities. SCI will meet these objectives in three phases by designing, debugging, and operating a 20-MW/year, automated, continuous PV manufacturing line that produces 60-cm {times} 120-cm thin-film CdTe PV modules. This report describes tasks completed under Phase 1 of the US Department of Energy`s PV Manufacturing Technology program.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fedorov, A. V.; Bedarev, I. A.; Lavruk, S. A.; Trushlyakov, V. I.; Kudentsov, V. Yu.
2018-03-01
In the present work, a method of mathematical simulation is employed to describe processes occurring in the specimens of new equipment and using the remaining propellant in rocket-engine tanks. Within the framework of certain turbulence models, the authors perform a calculation of the flow field in the volume of the tank of the launch-vehicle stage when a hot gas jet is injected into it. A vortex flow structure is revealed; the characteristics of heat transfer for different angles of injection of the jet are determined. The obtained correlation Nu = Nu(Re) satisfactorily describes experimental data.
Wundt's laboratory at Leipzig in 1891.
Nicolas, S; Ferrand, L
1999-08-01
This article describes Wundt's laboratory at Leipzig in 1891 as viewed by a Belgian psychologist, J.J. Van Biervliet (1859-1945). Although few French-speaking psychologists worked in Wundt's laboratory, several of those who did reports wrote on how students were trained there. Van Biervliet decided to visit Wundt's laboratory at Leipzig in order to strengthen the foundation of his own laboratory at the University of Ghent and to become familiar with Wundt's experimental techniques. A translation of J.J. Van Biervliet's (1892) article "Experimental Psychology. Wundt's Institute at Leipzig" is presented here as one of the first and most complete articles in French describing the functioning of Wundt's laboratory.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fedorov, A. V.; Bedarev, I. A.; Lavruk, S. A.; Trushlyakov, V. I.; Kudentsov, V. Yu.
2018-05-01
In the present work, a method of mathematical simulation is employed to describe processes occurring in the specimens of new equipment and using the remaining propellant in rocket-engine tanks. Within the framework of certain turbulence models, the authors perform a calculation of the flow field in the volume of the tank of the launch-vehicle stage when a hot gas jet is injected into it. A vortex flow structure is revealed; the characteristics of heat transfer for different angles of injection of the jet are determined. The obtained correlation Nu = Nu(Re) satisfactorily describes experimental data.
Occupational Injury and Illness Surveillance: Conceptual Filters Explain Underreporting
Azaroff, Lenore S.; Levenstein, Charles; Wegman, David H.
2002-01-01
Occupational health surveillance data are key to effective intervention. However, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics survey significantly underestimates the incidence of work-related injuries and illnesses. Researchers supplement these statistics with data from other systems not designed for surveillance. The authors apply the filter model of Webb et al. to underreporting by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers’ compensation wage-replacement documents, physician reporting systems, and medical records of treatment charged to workers’ compensation. Mechanisms are described for the loss of cases at successive steps of documentation. Empirical findings indicate that workers repeatedly risk adverse consequences for attempting to complete these steps, while systems for ensuring their completion are weak or absent. PMID:12197968
Modeling of Diffusion in Liquid Ge and Its Alloys
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stroud, David G.
1998-01-01
This report summarizes progress made on NASA Grant NAG3-1437, Modeling of diffusion in Liquid Ge and Its Alloys, which was in effect from January 15, 1993 through July 10, 1997. It briefly describes the purpose of the grant, and the work accomplished in simulations and other studies of thermophysical properties of liquid semiconductors and related materials. A list of publications completed with the support of the grant is also given.
Particle Emission and Charging Effects Induced by Fracture
1989-06-15
were completed in a collaboration with K. C. Yoo (Westinghouse R & D) and R. G. Rosemeer ( Brimrose Corporation). This work is described in Section XII... Brimrose Corporation of America, Baltimore, MD 21236 1 204 I Eadr experimental and theoretical studies on various ircot-eissimon phenomena have been reported...Tr 84302 3251 Hanover Street B204 Lockheed Palo Alto Research Lab Palto Alto, CA 94304 R.G. Rosemeier Brimrose Corporation 7720 Belair Road R.A
Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 1987
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1988-01-01
A bibliography is presented which describes and indexes by author the externally distributed technical reporting, released during the calender year 1987, that resulted from scientific and engineering work performed, or managed, by the Jet Propulsion Lab. Three classes of publications are included: (1) JPL publications in which the information is complete for a specific accomplishment; (2) Articles from the quarterly Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Progress Report; and (3) Articles published in the open literature.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bennett, Gordon D.
This programmed text of self-instruction is one of a series of manuals on techniques describing procedures for planning and executing specialized work in water-resources investigations. It has been prepared on the assumption that the reader has completed standard courses in calculus and college physics and is presented in eight parts. Part I…
Preliminary design of a satellite observation system for Space Station Freedom
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cabe, Greg (Editor); Gallagher, Chris; Wilson, Brian; Rehfeld, James; Maurer, Alexa; Stern, Dan; Nualart, Jaime; Le, Xuan-Trang
1992-01-01
Degobah Satellite Systems (DSS), in cooperation with the University Space Research Association (USRA), NASA - Johnson Space Center (JSC), and the University of Texas, has completed the preliminary design of a satellite system to provide inexpensive on-demand video images of all or any portion of Space Station Freedom (SSF). DSS has narrowed the scope of the project to complement the work done by Mr. Dennis Wells at Johnson Space Center. This three month project has resulted in completion of the preliminary design of AERCAM, the Autonomous Extravehicular Robotic Camera, detailed in this design report. This report begins by providing information on the project background, describing the mission objectives, constraints, and assumptions. Preliminary designs for the primary concept and satellite subsystems are then discussed in detail. Included in the technical portion of the report are detailed descriptions of an advanced imaging system and docking and safing systems that ensure compatibility with the SSF. The report concludes by describing management procedures and project costs.
Burden, resilience and coping in caregivers of patients with interstitial lung disease.
Shah, R J; Collard, H R; Morisset, J
Prior work has described the experience of caregiving in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but the effect on caregivers in interstitial lung disease (ILD) has not been explored. Describe the burden, resilience, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) of caregivers of people with ILD. In a mixed methods study, ILD caregivers completed questionnaires and participated in focus groups. A qualitative thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts was conducted. Thirty seven caregivers completed the survey, and 15 participated in the focus groups. 65% were female; the average age was 66 (SD = 13). The mean Short Form-36 role emotional and mental health scores were 18 (SD = 4) and 46 (SD = 7). The focus groups identified 4 major themes: emotional burden, changes in relationship, coping strategies, and unmet needs of caregivers. Caregiving for patients with ILD significantly impairs HRQoL, particularly, emotional health. Increasing resources could improve the caregiving experience in ILD. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Gaudez, C; Gilles, M A; Savin, J
2016-03-01
For several years, increasing numbers of studies have highlighted the existence of movement variability. Before that, it was neglected in movement analysis and it is still almost completely ignored in workstation design. This article reviews motor control theories and factors influencing movement execution, and indicates how intrinsic movement variability is part of task completion. These background clarifications should help ergonomists and workstation designers to gain a better understanding of these concepts, which can then be used to improve design tools. We also question which techniques--kinematics, kinetics or muscular activity--and descriptors are most appropriate for describing intrinsic movement variability and for integration into design tools. By this way, simulations generated by designers for workstation design should be closer to the real movements performed by workers. This review emphasises the complexity of identifying, describing and processing intrinsic movement variability in occupational activities. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.
Safeguarding against substandard/counterfeit drugs: mitigating a macroeconomic pandemic.
Wertheimer, Albert I; Norris, Jeremiah
2009-03-01
Counterfeiting and the sale of substandard pharmaceutical products can no longer be ignored. At 10% of global trade, counterfeiting is affecting many countries, causing serious downstream expenses and resource shortages. To describe the nature and impact of drug product counterfeiting and substandard product sale and to present strategies that may have value in ameliorating these phenomena. A literature review was conducted, supplemented by interviews of key leaders/experts in the field and the search of relevant web sites. All of the data were combined, integrated, and coordinated to present the complete picture of this problem. In addition to known corruption in some of the least developed countries, the trail through developed countries was detected. This report identifies means to detect faulty products and describes efforts toward resisting and ending these corrupt practices. Counterfeit drugs, if not stopped, can be responsible for a macroeconomic pandemic where major portions of some populations may be too ill to work and where the health sector resources are completely overwhelmed, as with the case of HIV/AIDS.
Trace element and isotope studies in oxide/phosphate/silicate inclusions of iron meteorites
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Olsen, Edward J.
1996-01-01
Under the above grant research was funded in the following areas: 1. Pallasites: Rare earth element measurements in phosphates to determine if all pallasites fit into only two trace element groups. This work has been completed. 2. HIAB irons: To complete work on the only known silicate inclusion in a IIIAB iron meteorite. This work has been completed. 3. IIIAB irons: To continue the search for Cr-53 excesses in IIIAB iron meteorite phosphates. A part of this work has been completed 4. IIIAB irons: To complete the identification of the phosphate minerals in IIIAB iron meteorites and try to determine the phase relations and chemical history of trace element distributions during the core formation process. Work on this has been largely completed and preliminary results have been reported. The final work is being assessed prior to preparation of a manuscript for publication. 5. IIE irons: To complete work on the unique silicate assemblage in the IIE iron meteorite. Work on this was completed and a paper published. 6. Ungrouped irons: A partially devitrified silicate glass inclusion has been found in the ungrouped iron meteorite. Preliminary work on this has been reported. All the work on this has been now completed and a manuscript has been prepared and submitted for publication.
2014-01-01
Background Evidence for the carcinogenicity of shift work in humans is limited because of significant heterogeneity of the results, thus more in-depth research in needed. The Nightingale Study is a nationwide prospective cohort study on occupational exposures and risks of chronic diseases among female nurses and focuses on the potential association between shift work and risk of breast cancer. The study design, methods, and baseline characteristics of the cohort are described. Methods/Design The source population for the cohort comprised 18 to 65 year old women who were registered as having completed training to be a nurse in the nationwide register for healthcare professionals in the Netherlands. Eligible women were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire including full job history, a detailed section on all domains of shift work (shift system, cumulative exposure, and shift intensity) and potential confounding factors, and an informed consent form for linkage with national (disease) registries. Women were also asked to donate toenail clippings as a source of DNA for genetic analyses. Between October 6, 2011 and February 1, 2012, 31% of the 192,931 women who were invited to participate completed the questionnaire, yielding a sample size of 59,947 cohort members. The mean age of the participants was 46.9 year (standard deviation 11.0 years). Toenail clippings were provided by 23,439 participants (39%). Discussion Results from the Nightingale Study will contribute to the scientific evidence of potential shift work-related health risks among nurses and will help develop preventive measures and policy aimed at reducing these risks. PMID:24475944
First results in terrain mapping for a roving planetary explorer
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Krotkov, E.; Caillas, C.; Hebert, M.; Kweon, I. S.; Kanade, Takeo
1989-01-01
To perform planetary exploration without human supervision, a complete autonomous rover must be able to model its environment while exploring its surroundings. Researchers present a new algorithm to construct a geometric terrain representation from a single range image. The form of the representation is an elevation map that includes uncertainty, unknown areas, and local features. By virtue of working in spherical-polar space, the algorithm is independent of the desired map resolution and the orientation of the sensor, unlike other algorithms that work in Cartesian space. They also describe new methods to evaluate regions of the constructed elevation maps to support legged locomotion over rough terrain.
John Goodricke, Edward Pigott, and Their Study of Variable Stars
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
French, Linda M.
2012-06-01
John Goodricke and Edward Pigott, working in York, England, between 1781 and 1786, determined the periods of variation of eclipsing binaries such as Algol and Beta Lyrae and speculated that the eclipses of Algol might be caused by a "dark body," perhaps even a planet. They also determined the periods of variation of the first two known Cepheid variables, the stars whose period-luminosity relation today enables astronomers to determine distances to distant galaxies. Goodricke holds special interest because he was completely deaf and because he died at the age of 21. The lives and work of these two astronomers are described.
Age, sex, and performance influence the visuospatial working memory network in childhood.
Spencer-Smith, Megan; Ritter, Barbara Catherine; Mürner-Lavanchy, Ines; El-Koussy, Marwan; Steinlin, Maja; Everts, Regula
2013-01-01
This study describes the influence of age, sex, and working memory (WM) performance on the visuospatial WM network. Thirty-nine healthy children (7-12 years) completed a dot location functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task. Percent signal change measured the intensity and laterality indices measured the asymmetry of activation in frontal and parietal brain regions. Old children showed greater intensity of activation in parietal regions than young children but no differences in lateralization were observed. Intensity of activation was similar across sex and WM performance groups. Girls and high WM performers showed more right-sided lateralization of parietal regions than boys and low WM performers.
A Polarized High-Energy Photon Beam for Production of Exotic Mesons
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Senderovich, Igor
2012-01-01
This work describes design, prototyping and testing of various components of the Jefferson Lab Hall D photon beamline. These include coherent bremsstrahlung radiators to be used in this facility for generating the photon beam, a fine resolution hodoscope for the facility's tagging spectrometer, and a photon beam position sensor for stabilizing the beam on a collimator. The principal instrumentation project was the hodoscope: its design, implementation and beam testing will be thoroughly described. Studies of the coherent bremsstrahlung radiators involved X-ray characterization of diamond crystals to identify the appropriate line of manufactured radiators and the proper techniques for thinning themmore » to the desired specification of the beamline. The photon beam position sensor project involved completion of a designed detector and its beam test. The results of these shorter studies will also be presented. The second part of this work discusses a Monte Carlo study of a possible photo-production and decay channel in the GlueX experiment that will be housed in the Hall D facility. Specifically, the γ p → Xp → b 1 π → ω π +1 π -1 channel was studied including its Amplitude Analysis. This exercise attempted to generate a possible physics signal, complete with internal angular momentum states, and be able to reconstruct the signal in the detector and find the proper set of JPC quantum numbers through an amplitude fit. Derivation of the proper set of amplitudes in the helicity basis is described, followed by a discussion of the implementation, generation of the data sets, reconstruction techniques, the amplitude fit and results of this study.« less
Final Work Plan: Targeted Investigation at York, Nebraska
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
LaFreniere, Lorraine M.
The targeted investigation at York will be implemented in phases, so that data collected and interpretations developed at each stage of the program can be evaluated to guide subsequent phases most effectively. Section 2 of this Work Plan presents a brief overview of the York site, its geologic and hydrologic setting, and the previous CCC/USDA investigations. Section 3, outlines the proposed technical program for the targeted investigation, and Section 4 describes the investigative methods to be employed. A community relations plan is in Section 5, and Section 6 includes health and safety information. In addition to this site-specific Work Plan,more » the Master Work Plan (Argonne 2002) developed by Argonne for CCC/USDA investigations in Nebraska should be consulted for complete details of the methods and procedures to be used at York.« less
Thin-film cadmium telluride photovoltaic cells
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Compaan, A. D.; Bohn, R. G.
1994-09-01
This report describes work to develop and optimize radio-frequency (RF) sputtering for the deposition of thin films of cadmium telluride (CdTe) and related semiconductors for thin-film solar cells. Pulsed laser physical vapor deposition was also used for exploratory work on these materials, especially where alloying or doping are involved, and for the deposition of cadmium chloride layers. The sputtering work utilized a 2-in diameter planar magnetron sputter gun. The film growth rate by RF sputtering was studied as a function of substrate temperature, gas pressure, and RF power. Complete solar cells were fabricated on tin-oxide-coated soda-lime glass substrates. Currently, work is being done to improve the open-circuit voltage by varying the CdTe-based absorber layer, and to improve the short-circuit current by modifying the CdS window layer.
González Seligra, Paula; Medina Jaramillo, Carolina; Famá, Lucía; Goyanes, Silvia
2016-01-01
Interest in biodegradable edible films as packaging or coating has increased because their beneficial effects on foods. In particular, food products are highly dependents on thermal stability, integrity and transition process temperatures of the packaging. The present work describes a complete data of the thermal degradation and dynamic mechanical properties of starch–glycerol based films with citric acid (CA) as crosslinking agent described in the article titled: “Biodegradable and non-retrogradable eco-films based on starch–glycerol with citric acid as crosslinking agent” González Seligra et al. (2016) [1]. Data describes thermogravimetric and dynamical mechanical experiences and provides the figures of weight loss and loss tangent of the films as a function of the temperature. PMID:27158645
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rahman, Fuad; Tarnikova, Yuliya; Hartono, Rachmat; Alam, Hassan
2006-01-01
This paper presents a novel automatic web publishing solution, Pageview (R). PageView (R) is a complete working solution for document processing and management. The principal aim of this tool is to allow workgroups to share, access and publish documents on-line on a regular basis. For example, assuming that a person is working on some documents. The user will, in some fashion, organize his work either in his own local directory or in a shared network drive. Now extend that concept to a workgroup. Within a workgroup, some users are working together on some documents, and they are saving them in a directory structure somewhere on a document repository. The next stage of this reasoning is that a workgroup is working on some documents, and they want to publish them routinely on-line. Now it may happen that they are using different editing tools, different software, and different graphics tools. The resultant documents may be in PDF, Microsoft Office (R), HTML, or Word Perfect format, just to name a few. In general, this process needs the documents to be processed in a fashion so that they are in the HTML format, and then a web designer needs to work on that collection to make them available on-line. PageView (R) takes care of this whole process automatically, making the document workflow clean and easy to follow. PageView (R) Server publishes documents, complete with the directory structure, for online use. The documents are automatically converted to HTML and PDF so that users can view the content without downloading the original files, or having to download browser plug-ins. Once published, other users can access the documents as if they are accessing them from their local folders. The paper will describe the complete working system and will discuss possible applications within the document management research.
Care Aides' Relational Practices and Caring Contributions.
Andersen, Elizabeth A; Spiers, Jude
2016-11-01
HOW TO OBTAIN CONTACT HOURS BY READING THIS ARTICLE INSTRUCTIONS 1.2 contact hours will be awarded by Villanova University College of Nursing upon successful completion of this activity. A contact hour is a unit of measurement that denotes 60 minutes of an organized learning activity. This is a learner-based activity. Villanova University College of Nursing does not require submission of your answers to the quiz. A contact hour certificate will be awarded once you register, pay the registration fee, and complete the evaluation form online at http://goo.gl/gMfXaf. To obtain contact hours you must: 1. Read the article, "Care Aides' Relational Practices and Caring Contributions" found on pages 24-30, carefully noting any tables and other illustrative materials that are included to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the content. Be sure to keep track of the amount of time (number of minutes) you spend reading the article and completing the quiz. 2. Read and answer each question on the quiz. After completing all of the questions, compare your answers to those provided within this issue. If you have incorrect answers, return to the article for further study. 3. Go to the Villanova website listed above to register for contact hour credit. You will be asked to provide your name; contact information; and a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card number for payment of the $20.00 fee. Once you complete the online evaluation, a certificate will be automatically generated. This activity is valid for continuing education credit until October 31, 2019. CONTACT HOURS This activity is co-provided by Villanova University College of Nursing and SLACK Incorporated. Villanova University College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES 1. Define the application of Swanson's Middle Range Theory of Caring in care aides' relational care practices for nursing home residents. 2. Describe how nursing home managers can empower care aides to provide care. DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Neither the planners nor the author have any conflicts of interest to disclose. The current study was a qualitative focused ethnography aimed at exploring the complexities of care; working environments; and knowledge, skills, and efforts of care aides who work in nursing homes. Over the past decade, dramatic shifts in staffing patterns in Canadian nursing homes have transformed care aides' assistive and caring roles. Care aides are now the central and most accessible service providers to nursing home residents. In the current article, the authors (a) conceptualize care aide work as caring rather than caring activities, (b) explore relational care as a foundational and significant component of care aide work, (c) interpret care aides' relational care practices through the lens of Swanson's Middle Range Theory of Caring, and (d) describe how nursing home managers can empower care aides to do this work. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(11), 24-30.]. Copyright 2016, SLACK Incorporated.
Wiley, Susan; Schonfeld, David J; Fredstrom, Bridget; Huffman, Lynne
2013-01-01
To describe research training in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) Fellowship Programs. Thirty-five US-accredited DBP fellowships were contacted through the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network to complete an online survey on scholarly work and research training. With an 83% response rate, responding programs represented 110 (87 filled) fellowship positions. External funding for fellowship positions was minimal (11 positions fully funded, 13 funded above 50% of cost). Structured research training included didactic lectures, web-based training, university courses, direct mentoring, journal clubs, and required reading. Of the 159 fellows described, spanning a 5-year training period, the majority chose projects relying on their own data collection (57%) rather than joining an existing research study and focused on clinical research (86%). Among 96 fellows with completed scholarly work, 29% were observational/epidemiological studies, 22% secondary analyses of large data sets, 16% community-based research, and 15% survey design. A limited number of fellows pursued basic science, meta-analysis/critical appraisal of the literature, or analysis of public policy. Barriers to successful fellow research are as follows: lack of time and money, challenges in balancing clinical demands and protected faculty research time, limited faculty research opportunities, time or expertise, and a lack of infrastructure for fellow research mentoring. The scholarly work of fellows in DBP fellowship programs has primarily focused on clinical research using observational/epidemiological research and secondary analysis of large data set. Barriers largely in faculty time and expertise for research mentoring and inadequate funding in programs that have high clinical demands and little resources for research efforts were noted.
In-depth analysis of drivers' merging behavior and rear-end crash risks in work zone merging areas.
Weng, Jinxian; Xue, Shan; Yang, Ying; Yan, Xuedong; Qu, Xiaobo
2015-04-01
This study investigates the drivers' merging behavior and the rear-end crash risk in work zone merging areas during the entire merging implementation period from the time of starting a merging maneuver to that of completing the maneuver. With the merging traffic data from a work zone site in Singapore, a mixed probit model is developed to describe the merging behavior, and two surrogate safety measures including the time to collision (TTC) and deceleration rate to avoid the crash (DRAC) are adopted to compute the rear-end crash risk between the merging vehicle and its neighboring vehicles. Results show that the merging vehicle has a bigger probability of completing a merging maneuver quickly under one of the following situations: (i) the merging vehicle moves relatively fast; (ii) the merging lead vehicle is a heavy vehicle; and (iii) there is a sizable gap in the adjacent through lane. Results indicate that the rear-end crash risk does not monotonically increase as the merging vehicle speed increases. The merging vehicle's rear-end crash risk is also affected by the vehicle type. There is a biggest increment of rear-end crash risk if the merging lead vehicle belongs to a heavy vehicle. Although the reduced remaining distance to work zone could urge the merging vehicle to complete a merging maneuver quickly, it might lead to an increased rear-end crash risk. Interestingly, it is found that the rear-end crash risk could be generally increased over the elapsed time after the merging maneuver being triggered. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Training, Research, and Working Conditions for Urology Residents in Germany: A Contemporary Survey.
Borgmann, Hendrik; Arnold, Hannah K; Meyer, Christian P; Bründl, Johannes; König, Justus; Nestler, Tim; Ruf, Christian; Struck, Julian; Salem, Johannes
2016-12-16
Excellent uniform training of urology residents is crucial to secure both high-quality patient care and the future of our specialty. Residency training has come under scrutiny following the demands of subspecialized care, economical aspects, and working hour regulations. To comprehensively assess the surgical training, research opportunities, and working conditions among urology residents in Germany. We sent a 29-item online survey via email to 721 members of the German Society of Residents in Urology. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the surveys' four domains: (1) baseline characteristics, (2) surgical training (cumulative completed case volume for all minor-, medium-, and major-complexity surgeries), (3) research opportunities, and (4) working conditions. Four hundred and seventy-two residents completed the online survey (response rate 65%). Surgical training: the median number of cumulative completed cases for postgraduate yr (PGY)-5 residents was 113 (interquartile range: 76-178). Minor surgeries comprised 57% of all surgeries and were performed by residents in all PGYs. Medium-complexity surgeries comprised 39% of all surgeries and were mostly performed by residents in PGYs 2-5. Major surgeries comprised 4% of all surgeries and were occasionally performed by residents in PGYs 3-5. Research opportunities: some 44% have attained a medical thesis (Dr. med.), and 39% are currently pursuing research. Working conditions: psychosocial work-related stress was high and for 82% of residents their effort exceeded their rewards. Some 44% were satisfied, 32% were undecided, and 24% were dissatisfied with their current working situation. Limitations include self-reported survey answers and a lack of validated assessment tools. Surgical exposure among German urology residents is low and comprises minor and medium-complex surgeries. Psychosocial work-related stress is high for the vast majority of residents indicating the need for structural improvements in German urology residency training. In this study, we evaluated the surgical training, research opportunities, and working conditions among urology residents in Germany. We found low surgical exposure and high rates for psychosocial work-related stress, indicating the need for structural improvements in German urology residency training. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Integrated test plan for directional boring
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Volk, B.W.
This integrated test plan describes the field testing of the DITCH WITCH Directional Boring System. DITCH WITCH is a registered trademark of The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, Oklahoma. The test is being conducted as a coordinated effort between Charles Machine Works (CMW), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and the Westinghouse Hanford Company (WHC). Funding for the WHC portion of the project is through the Volatile Organic Compound-Arid Integrated Demonstration (VOC-Arid ID). The purpose of the test is to evaluate the performance of the directional boring system for possible future use on environmental restoration projects at Hanford and other Department ofmore » Energy (DOE) sites. The test will be conducted near the 200 Areas Fire Station located between the 200 East and 200 West Area of the Hanford Site. The directional boring system will be used to drill and complete (with fiberglass casing) two horizontal boreholes. A third borehole will be drilled to test sampling equipment but will not be completed with casing.« less
Wind River water restoration, Annual report November 2008 to October 2009.
Connolly, P.J.; Jezorek, I.G.; Munz, C.S.
2010-01-01
This report summarizes work completed by U.S. Geological Survey’s Columbia River Research Laboratory (USGS-CRRL) in the Wind River subbasin during the period November 2008 through October 2009 under Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract 41038. Long term research in the Wind River has focused on assessments of steelhead/rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss populations, interactions with introduced populations of spring Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and influences of habitat variables on fish productivity. During this period, we collected water temperature data to characterize variation within and among tributaries and mainstem sections in the Trout Creek watershed, and assisted Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with smolt trapping and tagging of smolt and parr steelhead with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. We also continued to maintain and test efficacy of a passive integrated transponder tag interrogation system (PTIS) in Trout Creek for assessing the adult steelhead runsize. We continued to maintain and download PTIS setups in the fish ladder at Hemlock Dam. These PTISs contributed information on movement and rearing of steelhead parr and smolts. A statement of work (SOW) was submitted to BPA in October 2009 that outlined work to be performed by USGS-CRRL. The SOW was organized by work elements, with each describing a research task. This report summarizes the progress completed under each work element.
Continuing Education in Patient Safety: Massive Open Online Courses as a New Training Tool.
Sarabia-Cobo, Carmen María; Torres-Manrique, Blanca; Ortego-Mate, Ma Carmen; Salvadores-Fuentes, Paloma; Sáenz-Jalón, María
2015-10-01
Describe the use of two massive open online courses designed to provide education on patient safety. Review follow-up evaluation data from the courses. DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: Neither the planners nor the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose. The Nursing School of the University of Cantabria conducted a training session on patient safety through two massive open online courses (MOOCs) aimed at the general population and especially Spanish-speaking health professionals. This study aimed to analyze the profile of health professionals who have completed the courses, their degree of satisfaction, and the percentage of completion. In this retrospective and observational study, two MOOCs on clinical safety were created through an online platform (MiríadaX). Quantitative analysis of the profile of health professionals, their degree of satisfaction, and the percentage of completion was performed. A total of 12,400 students were enrolled, and the average completion rate was 32%. The profile of the average student was female, 37 years old, college educated, a nurse in a hospital, and interested in the course because it may be useful for performing her work. Fifty-five percent of students were very satisfied with the course. MOOCs are considered to be effective and easily accessible, with quality content for professional continuing education that encourages interdisciplinary work and meeting professionals from around the world. Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bernardara, M.; Tabuada, G.
2016-06-01
Conjectures of Beilinson-Bloch type predict that the low-degree rational Chow groups of intersections of quadrics are one-dimensional. This conjecture was proved by Otwinowska in [20]. By making use of homological projective duality and the recent theory of (Jacobians of) non-commutative motives, we give an alternative proof of this conjecture in the case of a complete intersection of either two quadrics or three odd-dimensional quadrics. Moreover, we prove that in these cases the unique non-trivial algebraic Jacobian is the middle one. As an application, we make use of Vial's work [26], [27] to describe the rational Chow motives of these complete intersections and show that smooth fibrations into such complete intersections over bases S of small dimension satisfy Murre's conjecture (when \\dim (S)≤ 1), Grothendieck's standard conjecture of Lefschetz type (when \\dim (S)≤ 2), and Hodge's conjecture (when \\dim(S)≤ 3).
Meaning-centered dream work with hospice patients: A pilot study.
Wright, Scott T; Grant, Pei C; Depner, Rachel M; Donnelly, James P; Kerr, Christopher W
2015-10-01
Hospice patients often struggle with loss of meaning, while many experience meaningful dreams. The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary exploration into the process and therapeutic outcomes of meaning-centered dream work with hospice patients. A meaning-centered variation of the cognitive-experiential model of dream work (Hill, 1996; 2004) was tested with participants. This variation was influenced by the tenets of meaning-centered psychotherapy (Breitbart et al., 2012). A total of 12 dream-work sessions were conducted with 7 hospice patients (5 women), and session transcripts were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research (CQR) method (Hill, 2012). Participants also completed measures of gains from dream interpretation in terms of existential well-being and quality of life. Participants' dreams generally featured familiar settings and living family and friends. Reported images from dreams were usually connected to feelings, relationships, and the concerns of waking life. Participants typically interpreted their dreams as meaning that they needed to change their way of thinking, address legacy concerns, or complete unfinished business. Generally, participants developed and implemented action plans based on these interpretations, despite their physical limitations. Participants described dream-work sessions as meaningful, comforting, and helpful. High scores on a measure of gains from dream interpretation were reported, consistent with qualitative findings. No adverse effects were reported or indicated by assessments. Our results provided initial support for the feasibility and helpfulness of dream work in this population. Implications for counseling with the dying and directions for future research were also explored.
Team Oriented Robotic Exploration Task on Scorpion and K9 Platforms
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kirchner, Frank
2003-01-01
This final report describes the achievements that have been made in the project over the complete period of performance. The technical progress highlights the different areas of work in terms of Progress in Mechatronics, Sensor integration, Software Development. User Interfaces, Behavior Development and Experimental Results and System Testing. The different areas are: Mechatronics, Sensor integration, Software development, Experimental results and Basic System Testing, Behaviors Development and Advanced System Testing, User Interface and Wireless Communication.
Dynamic grid refinement for partial differential equations on parallel computers
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mccormick, S.; Quinlan, D.
1989-01-01
The fast adaptive composite grid method (FAC) is an algorithm that uses various levels of uniform grids to provide adaptive resolution and fast solution of PDEs. An asynchronous version of FAC, called AFAC, that completely eliminates the bottleneck to parallelism is presented. This paper describes the advantage that this algorithm has in adaptive refinement for moving singularities on multiprocessor computers. This work is applicable to the parallel solution of two- and three-dimensional shock tracking problems.
A Personal Computer-Based Head-Spine Model
1998-09-01
the CHSM. CHSM was comprised of the pelvis, the thoracolumbar spine, a single beam representation of the cervical spine, the head, the rib cage , and...developing the private sector HSM-PC project follows the Phase II program Work Plan , but continues into a Phase m SBIR program internally funded by...on completing the head and neck portion of HSM-PC, which as described in the Confidence Assessment Plan (CA Plan ) will be known as the Head Cervical
Cabana Multi-User Spaceport Tour of KSC
2017-02-17
Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to members of the news media on the balcony of Operations Support Building II describing the site's transition from a primarily government-only facility to a premier, multi-user spaceport. In the background is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Modifications were recently completed in the VAB where new work platforms were installed to support processing of NASA's Space Launch System rocket designed to send the Orion spacecraft on missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
Solution-processed copper-nickel nanowire anodes for organic solar cells
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stewart, Ian E.; Rathmell, Aaron R.; Yan, Liang; Ye, Shengrong; Flowers, Patrick F.; You, Wei; Wiley, Benjamin J.
2014-05-01
This work describes a process to make anodes for organic solar cells from copper-nickel nanowires with solution-phase processing. Copper nanowire films were coated from solution onto glass and made conductive by dipping them in acetic acid. Acetic acid removes the passivating oxide from the surface of copper nanowires, thereby reducing the contact resistance between nanowires to nearly the same extent as hydrogen annealing. Films of copper nanowires were made as oxidation resistant as silver nanowires under dry and humid conditions by dipping them in an electroless nickel plating solution. Organic solar cells utilizing these completely solution-processed copper-nickel nanowire films exhibited efficiencies of 4.9%.This work describes a process to make anodes for organic solar cells from copper-nickel nanowires with solution-phase processing. Copper nanowire films were coated from solution onto glass and made conductive by dipping them in acetic acid. Acetic acid removes the passivating oxide from the surface of copper nanowires, thereby reducing the contact resistance between nanowires to nearly the same extent as hydrogen annealing. Films of copper nanowires were made as oxidation resistant as silver nanowires under dry and humid conditions by dipping them in an electroless nickel plating solution. Organic solar cells utilizing these completely solution-processed copper-nickel nanowire films exhibited efficiencies of 4.9%. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr01024h
Using link analysis to explore the impact of the physical environment on pharmacist tasks.
Lester, Corey A; Chui, Michelle A
2016-01-01
National community pharmacy organizations have been redesigning pharmacies to better facilitate direct patient care. However, evidence suggests that changing the physical layout of a pharmacy prior to understanding how the environment impacts pharmacists' work may not achieve the desired benefits. This study describes an objective method to understanding how the physical layout of the pharmacy may affect how pharmacists perform tasks. Link analysis is a systems engineering method used to describe the influence of the physical environment on task completion. This study used a secondary data set of field notes collected from 9 h of direct observation in one mass-merchandise community pharmacy in the U.S. State, Wisconsin. A node is an individual location in the environment. A link is the movement between two nodes. Tasks were inventoried and task themes identified. The mean, minimum, and maximum number of links needed to complete each task were then determined and used to construct a link table. A link diagram is a graphical display showing the links in conjunction with the physical layout of the pharmacy. A total of 92 unique tasks were identified resulting in 221 links. Tasks were sorted into five themes: patient care activities, insurance issues, verifying prescriptions, filling prescriptions, and other. Insurance issues required the greatest number of links with a mean of 4.75. Verifying prescriptions and performing patient care were the most commonly performed tasks with 36 and 30 unique task occurrences, respectively. Link analysis provides an objective method for identifying how a pharmacist interacts with the physical environment to complete tasks. This method provides designers with useful information to target interventions to improve the effectiveness of pharmacist work. Analysis beyond link analysis should be considered for large scale system redesign. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Burden of heart failure on patients from China: results from a cross-sectional survey
Jackson, James DS; Cotton, Sarah E; Bruce Wirta, Sara; Proenca, Catia C; Zhang, Milun; Lahoz, Raquel; Calado, Frederico J
2018-01-01
Purpose Little evidence exists on the burden that chronic heart failure (HF) poses specifically to patients in China. The objective of this study, therefore, was to describe the burden of HF on patients in China. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey of cardiologists and their patients with HF was conducted. Patient record forms were completed by 150 cardiologists for 10 consecutive patients. Patients for whom a patient record form was completed were invited to complete a patient questionnaire. Results Most of the 933 patients (mean [SD] age 65.8 [10.2] years; 55% male; 80% retired) included in the study received care in tier 2 and 3 hospitals in large cities. Patients gave a median score of 4 on a scale from 1 (no disruption) to 10 (severe disruption) to describe how much HF disrupts their everyday life. Patients in paid employment (8%) missed 10% of work time and experienced 29% impairment in their ability to work due to HF in the previous week. All aspects of patients’ health-related quality of life (QoL) were negatively affected by their condition. Mean ± SD utility calculated by the 3-level 5-dimension EuroQol questionnaire was 0.8±0.2, and patients rated their health at 70.3 (11.5) on a 100 mm visual analog scale. Patients incurred costs associated with HF treatment, travel, and professional caregiving services. Conclusion HF is associated with poor health-related QoL and considerable disruption in patients’ lives. Novel and improved therapies are needed to reduce the burden of HF on patients and the health care system. PMID:29922040
Development of an integrated BEM for hot fluid-structure interaction
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Banerjee, P. K.; Dargush, G. F.
1989-01-01
The Boundary Element Method (BEM) is chosen as a basic analysis tool principally because the definition of quantities like fluxes, temperature, displacements, and velocities is very precise on a boundary base discretization scheme. One fundamental difficulty is, of course, that the entire analysis requires a very considerable amount of analytical work which is not present in other numerical methods. During the last 18 months all of this analytical work was completed and a two-dimensional, general purpose code was written. Some of the early results are described. It is anticipated that within the next two to three months almost all two-dimensional idealizations will be examined. It should be noted that the analytical work for the three-dimensional case has also been done and numerical implementation will begin next year.
Groundwater monitoring well assessment final work plan
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Not Available
1993-10-01
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (JEG) has been contracted by Environmental Management Operations (EMO) to develop and implement a Groundwater Monitoring Well Assessment Plan for Canal Creek in the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG-EA). The task will be performed under the provisions of Master Agreement 071914-A-D7, Task Order 142133. The project consists of assessing the condition of existing groundwater monitoring wells in the Canal Creek Area prior to a groundwater sampling program. The following Work Plan describes the technical approach that will be used to conduct field work for the project. Integrity of some monitoring wells installed at APG-EAmore » has come into question because of problems with well completions that were detected in wells at the O-field Study Area during a recent sampling event. Because of this, EPA and APG-DSHE officials have requested a well integrity assessment for a percentage of 168 monitoring wells installed at the Canal Creek Study Area(14 by USATHAMA, 152 by USGS). Results of the well assessment will be used to determine if these wells were completed in a fashion that minimizes the potential for either cross-contamination of aquifers or leakage of water from the surface into the well.« less
Skin-specific training experience of workers assessed for contact dermatitis.
Zack, B; Arrandale, V; Holness, D L
2018-05-17
Contact dermatitis is a common and preventable work-related disease. Skin-specific training may be effective for preventing occupational contact dermatitis, but little information is available regarding actual workplace training and its effectiveness. To describe workplace skin-specific training among workers with suspected contact dermatitis. Patch test patients being assessed for suspected contact dermatitis at an occupational health clinic in Toronto, Canada, completed a questionnaire on training experiences, workplace characteristics, exposures and skin protection practices. Of 175 patients approached, 122 (71%) workers completed questionnaires. Many (80%) had received general occupational health and safety and hazardous materials training (76%). Fewer (39%) received skin-specific training. Of those with work-related contact dermatitis, 52% did not receive skin-specific training. Skin-specific training was commonly provided by health and safety professionals or supervisors using video, classroom and online techniques. Content included glove use, exposure avoidance and hand washing information. Workers that received skin-specific training found it memorable (87%), useful (85%) and common sense in nature (100%). This study indicates gaps in workplace training on skin disease prevention for workers with contact dermatitis. Workers perceived skin-specific training to be useful. Understanding worker training experiences is important to prevention programme development and reducing work-related skin disease.
Schondelmeyer, Stephen W.; Hadsall, Ronald S.; Schommer, Jon C.
2008-01-01
Objectives To describe PharmD students' work experiences and activities; examine their attitudes towards their work; examine perceptions of preceptor pharmacists they worked with; and determine important issues associated with career preference. Methods A written survey was administered to third-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students at 8 colleges and schools of pharmacy in the Midwest. Results Five hundred thirty-three students (response rate = 70.4%) completed the survey instrument. Nearly 100% of PharmD students reported working in a pharmacy by the time their advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) began. Seventy-eight percent reported working in a community pharmacy, and 67% had worked in a chain community pharmacy. For all practice settings, students reported spending 69% of their time on activities such as compounding, dispensing, and distribution of drug products. Conclusions Most students are working in community pharmacy (mainly chain) positions where their primary function is traditional drug product dispensing and distribution. Having a controllable work schedule was the variable most strongly associated with career choice for all students. PMID:18698391
Solar and stellar coronal plasmas
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Golub, Leon
1989-01-01
Progress in observational, theoretical, and radio studies of coronal plasmas is summarized. Specifically work completed in the area of solar and stellar magnetic fields, related photospheric phenomena and the relationships between magnetism, rotation, coronal and chromospheric emission in solar-like stars is described. Also outlined are theoretical studies carried out in the following areas, among others: (1) neutral beams as the dominant energy transport mechanism in two ribbon-flares; (2) magneto hydrodynamic and circuit models for filament eruptions; and (3) studies of radio emission mechanisms in transient events. Finally, radio observations designed for coronal activity studies of the sun and of solar-type coronae are described. A bibliography of publications and talks is provided along with reprints of selected articles.
DESIGN OF CIRCUITS FOR THE PATTERN ARTICULATION UNIT. Report No. 127
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Smith, K.C.
1962-08-31
The Pattern Articulation Unit embodies a central core of 1024 identical processing modules called stalactites'' arranged in a two-dimensional array with only local connectivity. Two possible complete circuit realizations of the stalactite are described. Stalactites of either design contain about 50 transistors, 250 diodes, 250 resistors, and 50 capacitors. Stalactite organization, signal flow, the bubbling register connection, the requirements of a working register, design of stacking logic, mode of operation, circuit design, direct and conditional input, design of bubbling logic, complement circuits, output and circuit, up and down drivers, and cable diivers and terminators are described. Experimental verification of variousmore » components is discussed. (M.C.G.)« less
Bang, Magnus; Solnevik, Katarina; Eriksson, Henrik
2015-01-01
Computerized wearable devices such as smart watches will become valuable nursing tools. This paper describes a smart-watch system developed in close collaboration with a team of nurses working in a Swedish ICU. The smart-watch system provides real-time vital-sign monitoring, threshold alarms, and to-do reminders. Additionally, a Kanban board, visualized on a multitouch screen provides an overview of completed and upcoming tasks. We describe an approach to implement automated checklist systems with smart watches and discuss aspects of importance when implementing such memory and attention support. The paper is finalized with an in-development formative evaluation of the system. PMID:26958162
Bang, Magnus; Solnevik, Katarina; Eriksson, Henrik
Computerized wearable devices such as smart watches will become valuable nursing tools. This paper describes a smart-watch system developed in close collaboration with a team of nurses working in a Swedish ICU. The smart-watch system provides real-time vital-sign monitoring, threshold alarms, and to-do reminders. Additionally, a Kanban board, visualized on a multitouch screen provides an overview of completed and upcoming tasks. We describe an approach to implement automated checklist systems with smart watches and discuss aspects of importance when implementing such memory and attention support. The paper is finalized with an in-development formative evaluation of the system.
Experience-Sampling Methodology with a Mobile Device in Fibromyalgia
Diana, Castilla; Cristina, Botella; Azucena, García-Palacios; Luis, Farfallini; Ignacio, Miralles
2012-01-01
This work describes the usability studies conducted in the development of an experience-sampling methodology (ESM) system running in a mobile device. The goal of the system is to improve the accuracy and ecology in gathering daily self-report data in individuals suffering a chronic pain condition, fibromyalgia. The usability studies showed that the developed software to conduct ESM with mobile devices (smartphones, cell phones) can be successfully used by individuals with fibromyalgia of different ages and with low level of expertise in the use of information and communication technologies. 100% of users completed the tasks successfully, although some have completely illiterate. Also there seems to be a clear difference in the way of interaction obtained in the two studies carried out. PMID:23304132
Mihailidis, A; Melonis, M; Keyfitz, R; Lanning, M; Van Vuuren, S; Bodine, C
2016-10-01
This paper presents a new cognitive assistive technology, nonlinear contextually aware prompting system (N-CAPS) that uses advanced sensing and artificial intelligence to monitor and provide assistance to workers with cognitive disabilities during a factory assembly task. The N-CAPS system was designed through the application of various computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms that allows the system to track a user during a specific assembly task, and then provide verbal and visual prompts to the worker as needed. A pilot study was completed with the N-CAPS solution in order to investigate whether it was an appropriate intervention. Four participants completed the required assembly task five different times, using the N-CAPS system. The participants completed all of the trials that they attempted with 85.7% of the steps completed without assistance from the job coach. Of the 85.7% of steps completed independently, 32.5% of these were completed in response to prompts given by N-CAPS. Overall system accuracy was 83.3%, the overall sensitivity was 86.2% and the overall specificity was 82.4%. The results from the study were positive in that they showed that this type of technology does have merit with this population. Implications for Rehabilitation It provides a concise summary of the importance of work in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and how technology can support this life goal. It describes the first artificially intelligent system designed to support workers with intellectually disabilities. It provides evidence that individuals with intellectual disabilities can perform a work task in response to technology.
Hunter, Myra S; Hardy, Claire; Norton, Sam; Griffiths, Amanda
2016-10-01
Hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS) - the main symptoms of the menopause transition - can reduce quality of life and are particularly difficult to manage at work. A cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention has been developed specifically for HFNS that is theoretically based and shown to reduce significantly the impact of HFNS in several randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Self-help CBT has been found to be as effective as group CBT for these symptoms, but these interventions are not widely available in the workplace. This paper describes the protocol of an RCT aiming to assess the efficacy of CBT for menopausal symptoms implemented in the workplace, with a nested qualitative study to examine acceptability and feasibility. One hundred menopausal working women, aged 45-60 years, experiencing bothersome HFNS for two months will be recruited from several (2-10) large organisations into a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Women will be randomly assigned to either treatment (a self-help CBT intervention lasting 4 weeks) or to a no treatment-wait control condition (NTWC), following a screening interview, consent, and completion of a baseline questionnaire. All participants will complete follow-up questionnaires at 6 weeks and 20 weeks post-randomisation. The primary outcome is the rating of HFNS; secondary measures include HFNS frequency, mood, quality of life, attitudes to menopause, HFNS beliefs and behaviours, work absence and presenteeism, job satisfaction, job stress, job performance, disclosure to managers and turnover intention. Adherence, acceptability and feasibility will be assessed at 20 weeks post-randomisation in questionnaires and qualitative interviews. Upon trial completion, the control group will also be offered the intervention. This is the first randomised controlled trial of a self-management intervention tailored for working women who have troublesome menopausal symptoms. Clin.Gov NCT02623374. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Guillevin, Loïc; Hunsche, Elke; Denton, Christopher P; Krieg, Thomas; Schwierin, Barbara; Rosenberg, Daniel; Matucci-Cerinic, Marco
2013-01-01
Digital ulcers (DUs) are frequent manifestations of systemic scleroderma (SSc). This study assessed functional limitations due to DUs among patients enrolled in the Digital Ulcer Outcome (DUO) Registry, an international, multicentre, observational registry of SSc patients with DU disease. Patients completed at enrolment a DU-specific functional assessment questionnaire with a 1-month recall period, measuring impairment in work and daily activities, and hours of help needed from others. Physician-reported clinical parameters were used to describe the population. For patients who completed at least part of the questionnaire, descriptive analyses were performed for overall results, and stratified by number of DUs at enrolment. This study included 2327 patients who completed at least part of the questionnaire. For patients with 0, 1-2, and ≥3 DUs at enrolment, mean overall work impairment during the prior month among employed/self-employed patients was 28%, 42%, and 48%, respectively. Across all included patients, ability to perform daily activities was impaired on average by 35%, 54%, and 63%, respectively. Patients required a mean of 2.0, 8.7, and 8.8 hours of paid help and 17.0, 35.9, and 63.7 hours of unpaid help, respectively, due to DUs in the prior month. Patients with DUs had more complications and medication use than patients with no DUs. With increasing number of DUs, SSc patients reported more impairment in work and daily activities and required more support from others.
Land Ahoy! Understanding Submarine Command and Control During the Completion of Inshore Operations.
Roberts, Aaron P J; Stanton, Neville A; Fay, Daniel
2017-12-01
The aim of this study was to use multiple command teams to provide empirical evidence for understanding communication flow, information pertinence, and tasks undertaken in a submarine control room when completing higher- and lower-demand inshore operation (INSO) scenarios. The focus of submarine operations has changed, and submarines are increasingly required to operate in costal littoral zones. However, submarine command team performance during INSO is not well understood, particularly from a sociotechnical systems perspective. A submarine control-room simulator was built. The creation of networked workstations allowed a team of nine operators to perform tasks completed by submarine command teams during INSO. The Event Analysis of Systematic Teamwork method was used to model the social, task, and information networks and to describe command team performance. Ten teams were recruited for the study, affording statistical comparisons of how command-team roles and level of demand affected performance. Results indicated that the submarine command-team members are required to rapidly integrate sonar and visual data as the periscope is used, periodically, in a "duck-and-run" fashion, to maintain covertness. The fusion of such information is primarily completed by the operations officer (OPSO), with this operator experiencing significantly greater demand than any other operator. The OPSO was a bottleneck in the command team when completing INSO, experiencing similar load in both scenarios, suggesting that the command team may benefit from data synthesis tasks being more evenly distributed within the command team. The work can inform future control-room design and command-team ways of working by identifying bottlenecks in terms of information and task flow between operators.
Daly, Barbara; Kenealy, Timothy; Arroll, Bruce; Sheridan, Nicolette; Scragg, Robert
2013-08-16
To describe primary health care (practice and specialist) nurses involvement in the government-funded annual diabetes review 'Get Checked' programme and the division of care between nurses and general practitioners in Auckland, New Zealand. Of the total 911 practice and specialist nurses identified and working in the greater Auckland region, 276 (30%) were randomly selected and invited to undertake a self-administered questionnaire and telephone interview in 2006-8. An 86% response rate was achieved. Over 60% of practice nurses and over half of specialist nurses participate in 'Get Checked' reviews. Of those nurses, 40% of practice and 70% specialist nurses, reported completing over half of the total number of 'Get Checked' reviews at their practice. Of the nurses sampled who work in general practice (n=198), 38% reported that 'nurses mostly complete' the reviews, 45% stated that 'nurses and doctors equally complete' them and 17% reported that only 'doctors' did so. For the nurses who reported that 'nurses and doctors equally complete' the reviews (n=89), most nurses undertake blood pressure measurements (90%), weigh patients (88%), give lifestyle advice (87%), examine patient's feet (73%), and 44% carried out the complete review of the patients they consult. These findings show the 'Get Checked' programme was successful in engaging practice and community-based specialist nurses in the community management of diabetes and has revealed positive relationships between nurses and doctors, extended roles for nurses and the importance of engaging nurses in the design of health care programmes.
Alexander, Susan; Hoy, Haley; Maskey, Manil; Conover, Helen; Gamble, John; Fraley, Anne
2013-05-13
The knowledge base for healthcare providers working in the field of organ transplantation has grown exponentially. However, the field has no centralized 'space' dedicated to efficient access and sharing of information. The ease of use and portability of mobile applications (apps) make them ideal for subspecialists working in complex healthcare environments. In this article, the authors review the literature related to healthcare technology; describe the development of health-related technology; present their mobile app pilot project assessing the effects of a collaborative, mobile app based on a freely available content manage framework; and report their findings. They conclude by sharing both lessons learned while completing this project and future directions.
Extended development of a sodium hydroxide thermal energy storage module
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rice, R. E.; Rowny, P. E.; Cohen, B. M.
1980-01-01
The post-test evaluation of a single heat exchanger sodium hydroxide thermal energy storage module for use in solar electric generation is reported. Chemical analyses of the storage medium used in the experimental model are presented. The experimental verification of the module performance using an alternate heat transfer fluid, Caloria HT-43, is described. Based on these results, a design analysis of a dual heat exchanger concept within the storage module is presented. A computer model and a reference design for the dual system (storage working fluid/power cycle working fluid) were completed. The dual system is estimated to have a capital cost of approximately one half that of the single heat exchanger concept.
Fielding An Amphibious UAV: Development, Results, and Lessons Learned
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pisanich, Greg; Morris, Stephen
2002-01-01
This report summarizes the work completed on the design and flight-testing of a small, unmanned, amphibious demonstrator aircraft that flies autonomously. The aircraft named ACAT (Autonomous Cargo Amphibious Transport) is intended to be a large cargo carrying unmanned aircraft that operates from water to avoid airspace and airfield conflict issues between manned and unmanned aircraft. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, a demonstrator ACAT was designed, built, and flown that has a six-foot wingspan and can fly autonomously from land or water airfield. The demonstrator was designed for a 1-hour duration and 1-mile telemetry range. A sizing code was used to design the smallest demonstrator UAV to achieve these goals. The final design was a six-foot wingspan, twin hull configuration that distributes the cargo weight across the span, reducing the wing structural weight. The demonstrator airframe was constructed from balsa wood, fiberglass, and plywood. A 4-stroke model airplane engine powered by methanol fuel was mounted in a pylon above the wing and powers the ACAT UAV. Initial flight tests from land and water were conducted under manual radio control and confirmed the amphibious capability of the design. Flight avionics that were developed by MLB for production UAVs were installed in the ACAT demonstrator. The flight software was also enhanced to permit autonomous takeoff and landing from water. A complete autonomous flight from ahard runway was successfully completed on July 5, 2001 and consisted of a take-off, rectangular flight pattern, and landing under complete computer control. A completely autonomous flight that featured a water takeoff and landing was completed on October 4, 2001. This report describes these activities in detail and highlights the challenges encountered and solved during the development of the ACAT demonstrator. hard runway was successfully completed on July 5, 2001 and consisted of a take-off, rectangular flight pattern, and landing under complete computer control. A completely autonomous flight that featured a water takeoff and landing was completed on October 4, 2001. This report describes these activities in detail and highlights the challenges encountered and solved during the development of the ACAT demonstrator.
BUILDING MATERIALS RECLAMATION PROGRAM
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
David C. Weggel; Shen-En Chen; Helene Hilger
2010-08-31
This report describes work conducted on the Building Materials Reclamation Program for the period of September 2008 to August 2010. The goals of the project included selecting materials from the local construction and demolition (C&D) waste stream and developing economically viable reprocessing, reuse or recycling schemes to divert them from landfill storage. Educational resources as well as conceptual designs and engineering feasibility demonstrations were provided for various aspects of the work. The project was divided into two distinct phases: Research and Engineering Feasibility and Dissemination. In the Research Phase, a literature review was initiated and data collection commenced, an advisorymore » panel was organized, and research was conducted to evaluate high volume C&D materials for nontraditional use; five materials were selected for more detailed investigations. In the Engineering Feasibility and Dissemination Phase, a conceptual study for a regional (Mecklenburg and surrounding counties) collection and sorting facility was performed, an engineering feasibility project to demonstrate the viability of recycling or reuse schemes was created, the literature review was extended and completed, and pedagogical materials were developed. Over the two-year duration of the project, all of the tasks and subtasks outlined in the original project proposal have been completed. The Final Progress Report, which briefly describes actual project accomplishments versus the tasks/subtasks of the original project proposal, is included in Appendix A of this report. This report describes the scientific/technical aspects (hypotheses, research/testing, and findings) of six subprojects that investigated five common C&D materials. Table 1 summarizes the six subprojects, including the C&D material studied and the graduate student and the faculty advisor on each subproject.« less
Miscetti, G; Barberini, L; Chiocchini, D; Cirimbilli, A; Pippi, R; Pampanella, L; Caserta, G; Gargarella, L
2011-01-01
This study, a collaborative effort among the Local Health Authority 2 of Perugia, Italy, the National Coordination of Worker's Safety Representatives for University and Research Institutions and the National Coordination for Protection and Prevention Services for Universities and Research Institutions, describes the results of a method used to evaluate work-related stress. Personnel from four Italian universities, which we call University I, II, III and IV geographically distributed in nord (1), center (2) and south (1) of Italy, responded to a questionnaire regarding risk evaluation of work-related stress in response to the Italian Law 81/2008. The methodology includes a preliminary analysis of the physical/technological and organizational/relational aspects of the company in order to determine a risk factor of work-related stress. This is followed by an evaluation by agencies competent in the areas of prevention and protection, (Administrative personnel of the company, Medical support persons, heads of the Prevention and Protection Service, employee representatives, and others) that apply a specific algorithm and by the employees through the completion of a questionnaire. The employees, mostly men, of the various universities, completed 510 questionnaires. Based on the results of the questionnaires and on a comparison between the expectations of the administration and the employees, the preventative measures that need to be adopted were identified. The results of this study show that there is not complete agreement between the administration and the employees regarding the work-related expectations. This difference in viewpoints could be a source of work-related stress. Some aspects of the study were shown to be of common concern in the various universities, while for other aspects, there were significantly different perceptions between male and female employees. An immediate response is needed with respect to some aspects in the work context and to plan further investigations where the results are not clear. The method used provides an adequate response to the legislative requirements and labor principles, in evaluating the risk of work related stress. In addition the method allows employees to contribute directly to the evaluation process.
The Weak Nuclear Force: Quantum Chameleon
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Lincoln, Don
Radioactive decay is the transmutation of one subatomic particle into another. In most instances, what happens is that existing particles move to new configurations. However in radioactive decays using the weak force, a particular kind of particle disappears and is replaced by a completely different particle. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln talks about how it all works and even describes a type of decay that has never been observed and, if it were observed, it would require the textbooks be rewritten.
Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1984
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1985-01-01
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) bibliography 39-26 describes and indexes by primary author the externally distributed technical reporting, released during calendar year 1984, that resulted from scientific and engineering work performed, or managed, by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Three classes of publications are included: (1) JPL Publications (82-, 83-, 84-series, etc.), in which the information is complete for a specific accomplishment; (2) articles from the quarterly Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) Program Report (42-series); and (3) articles published in the open literature.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Fortmann, R.G.; Walker, J.P.
1993-07-10
Sierra Energy Company`s targeted goals during the third quarter of this Cooperative Agreement included the following objectives from the Statement of Work: in Phase 2A, completion of subtask 2.1.2--acquire best possible field data in the 3-D seismic program; and initiation of Subtask 2.1.3--process acquired 3-D seismic data. Technical progress is described for these tasks.
Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory: 1990 and 1991
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1993-01-01
JPL Bibliography 39-32 describes and indexes by primary author the externally distributed technical reporting, released during calendar years 1990 and 1991, that resulted from scientific and engineering work performed or managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Three classes of publications are included: (1) JPL publications (90- and 91-series) in which the information is complete for a specific accomplishment; (2) articles from the quarterly Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) Progress Report (42-series); and (3) articles published in the open literature.
Cabana Multi-User Spaceport Tour of KSC
2017-02-17
Nancy Bray, director of Spaceport Integration and Services at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, speaks to members of the news media on the balcony of Operations Support Building II describing the site's transition from a primarily government-only facility to a premier, multi-user spaceport. In the background is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Modifications were recently completed in the VAB where new work platforms were installed to support processing of NASA's Space Launch System rocket designed to send the Orion spacecraft on missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
Cabana Multi-User Spaceport Tour of KSC
2017-02-17
Tom Engler, director of Center Planning and Development at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, speaks to members of the news media on the balcony of Operations Support Building II describing the site's transition from a primarily government-only facility to a premier, multi-user spaceport. In the background is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Modifications were recently completed in the VAB where new work platforms were installed to support processing of NASA's Space Launch System rocket designed to send the Orion spacecraft on missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
Linear-hall sensor based force detecting unit for lower limb exoskeleton
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Hongwu; Zhu, Yanhe; Zhao, Jie; Wang, Tianshuo; Zhang, Zongwei
2018-04-01
This paper describes a knee-joint human-machine interaction force sensor for lower-limb force-assistance exoskeleton. The structure is designed based on hall sensor and series elastic actuator (SEA) structure. The work we have done includes the structure design, the parameter determination and dynamic simulation. By converting the force signal into macro displacement and output voltage, we completed the measurement of man-machine interaction force. And it is proved by experiments that the design is simple, stable and low-cost.
A Cooling System for Impermeable Clothing
Gleeson, J. P.; Pisani, J. F.
1967-01-01
A self-contained conditioning unit for use with impermeable protective clothing is described. The pack-mounted unit weighing 10 lb. (4·5 kg.) will enable a wearer to work for approximately one hour at temperatures in the zone of evaporative regulation. At 40·6°C. (105°F.), the temperature at which the unit was tested, the heat load imposed by the complete assembly of suit, conditioning unit, and ducting is only slightly higher than that imposed by the wearing of shorts. Images PMID:6028716
Framework for assessing key variable dependencies in loose-abrasive grinding and polishing
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Taylor, J.S.; Aikens, D.M.; Brown, N.J.
1995-12-01
This memo describes a framework for identifying all key variables that determine the figuring performance of loose-abrasive lapping and polishing machines. This framework is intended as a tool for prioritizing R&D issues, assessing the completeness of process models and experimental data, and for providing a mechanism to identify any assumptions in analytical models or experimental procedures. Future plans for preparing analytical models or performing experiments can refer to this framework in establishing the context of the work.
The Use of Cyclone Modeling in the Erection of Precast Segmental Aerial Construction.
1983-06-01
activity or completion of a work cycle within an activity. Marvin E. Mundel outlines the three methods31 as: 1. CONTINUOUS TIMING In continouous timing...technique described by Mundel and outlined in Chapter II in which actual times are recorded and durations for activities obtained later by suc- cessive...8. 28. Thomas, p. 264. 29. Thomas and Holland, p. 520. 30. Thomas and Holland, p. 521. 31. Marvin E. Mundel , Motion and Time Study, Improving
Historical Astrolexicography and Old Publications
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mahoney, Terry J.
I describe how the principles of lexicography have been applied in limited ways in astronomy and look at the revision work under way for the third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, which, when completed, will contain the widest and most detailed coverage of the astronomical lexicon in the English language. Finally, I argue the need for a dedicated historical dictionary of astronomy based rigorously on a corpus of quotations from sources published in English from the beginnings of written English to the present day.
Extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray diagnostics of high-temperature plasmas. Annual progress report
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Moos, H W; Armstrong, L Jr
1980-01-01
The work performed from mid-January 1979 through 1980 is described. EUV diagnostic studies have been performed at the Alcator A and C Tokamaks, and on TMX. A toroidal asymmetry has been found in the low density phase of Alcator A. The confinement time of impurities has been measured on Alcator A. Impurity concentrations in the center cell of TMX have been studied using EUV spectroscopic techniques. A time resolving spectrograph with 1024 detector elements is essentially complete.
The actuation of a biomimetic poly(vinyl alcohol)poly(acrylic acid) gel.
Marra, S P; Ramesh, K T; Douglas, A S
2002-02-15
Active polymer gels expand and contract in response to certain environmental stimuli, such as the application of an electric field or a change in the pH level of the surroundings. This ability to achieve large, reversible deformations with no external mechanical loading has generated much interest in the use of these gels as biomimetic actuators and "artificial muscles". In previous work, a thermodynamically consistent finite-elastic constitutive model has been developed to describe the mechanical and actuation behaviours of active polymer gels. The mechanical properties were characterized by a free-energy function, and the model uses an evolving internal variable to describe the actuation state. In this work, an evolution law for the internal variable is determined from free actuation experiments on a poly(vinyl alcohol)poly(acrylic acid) (PVAPAA) gel. The complete finite-elastic/evolution law constitutive model is then used to predict the response of the PVA-PAA gel to isotonic and isometric loading and actuation. The model is shown to give relatively good agreement with experimental results.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wagner, William (Technical Monitor); Cranmer, Steven R.
2005-01-01
The paper discusses the following: 1. No-cost Extension. The no-cost extension is required to complete the work on the unified model codes (both hydrodynamic and kinetic Monte Carlo) as described in the initial proposal and previous annual reports. 2. Scientific Accomplishments during the Report Period. We completed a comprehensive model of Alfvtn wave reflection that spans the full distance from the photosphere to the distant heliosphere. 3. Comparison of Accomplishments with Proposed Goals. The proposal contained two specific objectives for Year 3: (1) to complete the unified model code, and (2) to apply it to various kinds of coronal holes (and polar plumes within coronal holes). Although the anticipated route toward these two final goals has changed (see accomplishments 2a and 2b above), they remain the major milestones for the extended period of performance. Accomplishments la and IC were necessary prerequisites for the derivation of "physically relevant transport and mode-coupling terms" for the unified model codes (as stated in the proposal Year 3 goals). We have fulfilled the proposed "core work" to study 4 general types of physical processes; in previous years we studied turbulence, mode coupling (Le., non-WKB reflection), and kinetic wave damping, and accomplishment lb provides the fourth topic: nonlinear steepening.
[School of Public Health of Mexico: educational and technological innovation in the new millennium].
Magaña-Valladares, Laura; Suárez-Conejero, Juana Elvira; Hernández-Ávila, Mauricio; Gudiño-Cejudo, María Rosa
2014-01-01
This article was conceived to analyze the work of the School of Public Health of Mexico (ESPM for is acronym in Spanish) from the year 2000 to the present day. One of the highlights that we will examine is the reorientation of the educational work of the school in order to meet the challenges in health and education that emerged during the end of the twentieth century. In order to explain the evolution of this process, we will describe the three main guiding principles that characterize the present work of the school: the pedagogical model's change, the incorporation of the information and communication technologies, and the professionalization in teaching. The purpose of this work is to define those guiding principles, and to expose, through the contrast between past and present, the complete history of uninterrupted work of the School of Public Health of Mexico during its ninety-two years of existence, that has gone beyond the boundaries of the country.
Parental and adolescent health behaviors and pathways to adulthood.
Bauldry, Shawn; Shanahan, Michael J; Macmillan, Ross; Miech, Richard A; Boardman, Jason D; O Dean, Danielle; Cole, Veronica
2016-07-01
This paper examines associations among parental and adolescent health behaviors and pathways to adulthood. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we identify a set of latent classes describing pathways into adulthood and examine health-related predictors of these pathways. The identified pathways are consistent with prior research using other sources of data. Results also show that both adolescent and parental health behaviors differentiate pathways. Parental and adolescent smoking are associated with lowered probability of the higher education pathway and higher likelihood of the work and the work & family pathways (entry into the workforce soon after high school completion). Adolescent drinking is positively associated with the work pathway and the higher education pathway, but decreases the likelihood of the work & family pathway. Neither parental nor adolescent obesity are associated with any of the pathways to adulthood. When combined, parental/adolescent smoking and adolescent drinking are associated with displacement from the basic institutions of school, work, and family. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Longmore, S. N.; Collins, R. P.; Pfeifer, S.; Fox, S. E.; Mulero-Pazmany, M.; Bezombes, F.; Goodwind, A.; de Juan Ovelar, M.; Knapen, J. H.; Wich, S. A.
2017-02-01
In this paper we describe an unmanned aerial system equipped with a thermal-infrared camera and software pipeline that we have developed to monitor animal populations for conservation purposes. Taking a multi-disciplinary approach to tackle this problem, we use freely available astronomical source detection software and the associated expertise of astronomers, to efficiently and reliably detect humans and animals in aerial thermal-infrared footage. Combining this astronomical detection software with existing machine learning algorithms into a single, automated, end-to-end pipeline, we test the software using aerial video footage taken in a controlled, field-like environment. We demonstrate that the pipeline works reliably and describe how it can be used to estimate the completeness of different observational datasets to objects of a given type as a function of height, observing conditions etc. - a crucial step in converting video footage to scientifically useful information such as the spatial distribution and density of different animal species. Finally, having demonstrated the potential utility of the system, we describe the steps we are taking to adapt the system for work in the field, in particular systematic monitoring of endangered species at National Parks around the world.
Foran-Tuller, Kelly; Robiner, William N; Breland-Noble, Alfiee; Otey-Scott, Stacie; Wryobeck, John; King, Cheryl; Sanders, Kathryn
2012-03-01
The purpose of this article is to describe a pilot mentoring program for Early Career Psychologists (ECPs) working in Academic Health Centers (AHCs) and synthesize the lessons learned to contribute to future ECP and AHC career development training programs. The authors describe an early career development model, named the Early Career Boot Camp. This intensive experience was conducted as a workshop meant to build a supportive network and to provide mentorship and survival tools for working in AHCs. Four major components were addressed: professional effectiveness, clinical supervision, strategic career planning, and academic research. Nineteen attendees who were currently less than 5 years post completion of doctoral graduate programs in psychology participated in the program. The majority of boot camp components were rated as good to excellent, with no component receiving below average ratings. Of the components offered within the boot camp, mentoring and research activities were rated the strongest, followed by educational activities, challenges in AHCS, and promotion and tenure. The article describes the purpose, development, implementation, and assessment of the program in detail in an effort to provide an established outline for future organizations to utilize when mentoring ECPs.
Implementation and Outcomes of a Faculty-Based, Peer Review Manuscript Writing Workshop.
Kulage, Kristine M; Larson, Elaine L
2016-01-01
The publication of scholarly work and research findings is an important expectation for nursing faculty; however, academic writing is often neglected, leaving dissemination through manuscript writing an area of concern for the nursing profession. Writing initiatives have been utilized to promote scholarly dissemination in schools of nursing, but those described in the literature have been primarily non-United States based and student focused. This article describes a faculty-based manuscript writing workshop, assesses participants' impressions, and describes its impact on scholarly output. The workshop is a collaborative learning process utilizing peer review to improve manuscript quality and model behaviors for improving writing and peer-reviewing skills. Seventeen workshop participants including three predoctoral students, 6 postdoctoral fellows, and 8 faculty members completed an anonymous workshop survey (81% response rate). All but 1 of 17 manuscripts reviewed in the workshop are published, accepted, or in the review process. All participants indicated that the workshop was a valuable use of time and would recommend it to colleagues. The greatest reported workshop benefit was its function as an impetus to complete and submit manuscripts. We recommend the manuscript writing workshop model for other schools of nursing seeking ways to expand their scholarly output and create accountability for dissemination through manuscript writing. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Isotopic Effects in Nuclear Fragmentation and GCR Transport Problems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cucinotta, Francis A.
2002-01-01
Improving the accuracy of the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) environment and transport models is an important goal in preparing for studies of the projected risks and the efficiency of potential mitigations methods for space exploration. In this paper we consider the effects of the isotopic composition of the primary cosmic rays and the isotopic dependence of nuclear fragmentation cross sections on GCR transport models. Measurements are used to describe the isotopic composition of the GCR including their modulation throughout the solar cycle. The quantum multiple-scattering approach to nuclear fragmentation (QMSFRG) is used as the data base generator in order to accurately describe the odd-even effect in fragment production. Using the Badhwar and O'Neill GCR model, the QMSFRG model and the HZETRN transport code, the effects of the isotopic dependence of the primary GCR composition and on fragment production for transport problems is described for a complete GCR isotopic-grid. The principle finding of this study is that large errors ( 100%) will occur in the mass-flux spectra when comparing the complete isotopic-grid (141 ions) to a reduced isotopic-grid (59 ions), however less significant errors 30%) occur in the elemental-flux spectra. Because the full isotopic-grid is readily handled on small computer work-stations, it is recommended that they be used for future GCR studies.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Marland, S.
1992-07-01
This report describes my work as an intern with Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., in the summer of 1991. I was assigned to the Reactor Technology Engineering Department, working on the Advanced Neutron Source (ANS). My first project was to select and analyze sealing systems for the top of the diverter/reflector tank. This involved investigating various metal seals and calculating the forces necessary to maintain an adequate seal. The force calculations led to an analysis of several bolt patterns and lockring concepts that could be used to maintain a seal on the vessel. Another project involved some pressure vessel stressmore » calculations and the calculation of the center of gravity for the cold source assembly. I also completed some sketches of possible cooling channel patterns for the inner vessel of the cold source. In addition, I worked on some thermal design analyses for the reflector tank and beam tubes, including heat transfer calculations and assisting in Patran and Pthermal analyses. To supplement the ANS work, I worked on other projects. I completed some stress/deflection analyses on several different beams. These analyses were done with the aid of CAASE, a beam-analysis software package. An additional project involved bending analysis on a carbon removal system. This study was done to find the deflection of a complex-shaped beam when loaded with a full waste can.« less
Conceptual Design of the Nuclear Electronic Xenon Ion System (NEXIS)
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Monheiser, Jeff; Polk, Jay; Randolph, Tom
2004-01-01
In support of the NEXIS program, Aerojet-Redmond Operations, with review and input from the JPL and Boeing, has completed the design for a development model (DM) discharge chamber assembly and main discharge cathode assembly. These efforts along with the work by JPL to develop the carbon-carbon-composite ion optics assembly have resulted in a complete ion engine design. The goal of the NEXIS program is to significantly advance the current state of the art by developing an ion engine capable of operating at an input power of 20kW, an Isp of 7500 sec and have a total xenon through put capability of 2000 kg. In this paper we will describe the methodology used to design the discharge chamber and cathode assemblies and describe the resulting final design. Specifics will include the concepts used for the mounting of the ion optics along with the concepts used for the gimbal mounts. In addition, we will present results of a vibrational analysis showing how the engine will respond to a typical Delta IV heavy vibration spectrum.
DE-EE0006714 Final Report-Project Icebreaker™
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Wagner, Lorry; Karpinski, David; Nagusky, Beth
Project Icebreaker, a 20 Megawatt offshore wind project 8 miles north of Cleveland, OH in Lake Erie, has been under development by the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation since 2009. Significant development efforts were completed prior to the award of DE-EE0006714 (December 2014). This report describes the status of the work performed under award DE-EE0006714. The work was organized into several categories or tasks. The report presents the status of that work in each of eleven (11) main tasks: 1) State and Federal Permits; 2) Mono Bucket Foundation Engineering; 3) Construction and Installation Engineering; 4) Cable Route Survey; 5) Electricalmore » System Design; 6) Power Off-take; 7) Project Costs and Risk Management; 8) Operations and Maintenance Planning; 9) Domestic Supply Chain Development; 10) Instrumentation Planning; and 11) Department of Energy Review.« less
Mobile work: Ergonomics in a rapidly changing work environment.
Honan, Meg
2015-01-01
Places of work have been completely transformed by innovations in mobile work tools and ever-present access to internet data. This article characterizes use patterns and provides preliminary considerations for productive and comfortable use of common mobile devices. Two surveys described trends in mobile work. In the first, ergonomics professionals who oversee programs reported common mobile devices, their users and what data is accessed. The second, an end user survey, explored common activities performed on mobile devices, duration of use and locations where mobile work is common. The survey results provide a baseline data point for the status of mobile work in early 2014. Research indicates that additional risks have been introduced to the neck, thumbs and hands when using mobile devices. Possible trends regarding device use and work locations emerge. Intervention studies provide some direction for the practitioner. Practical strategies are outlined to reduce exposure intensity and duration. Contemporary mobile work presents tremendous change and opportunity for ergonomists and researchers to keep pace with fitting the changing models of work to the person. Continued research is needed on current mobile device use patterns to better understand ergonomic risk exposure in this rapidly changing realm.
43 CFR 3836.27 - When must I complete my deferred assessment work?
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
2014-10-01
... annual maintenance fees for the years deferred instead of performing the deferred assessment work. ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false When must I complete my deferred... ASSESSMENT WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR MINING CLAIMS Deferring Assessment Work § 3836.27 When must I complete my...
43 CFR 3836.27 - When must I complete my deferred assessment work?
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
2012-10-01
... annual maintenance fees for the years deferred instead of performing the deferred assessment work. ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false When must I complete my deferred... ASSESSMENT WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR MINING CLAIMS Deferring Assessment Work § 3836.27 When must I complete my...
43 CFR 3836.27 - When must I complete my deferred assessment work?
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-10-01
... annual maintenance fees for the years deferred instead of performing the deferred assessment work. ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false When must I complete my deferred... ASSESSMENT WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR MINING CLAIMS Deferring Assessment Work § 3836.27 When must I complete my...
43 CFR 3836.27 - When must I complete my deferred assessment work?
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
2013-10-01
... annual maintenance fees for the years deferred instead of performing the deferred assessment work. ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false When must I complete my deferred... ASSESSMENT WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR MINING CLAIMS Deferring Assessment Work § 3836.27 When must I complete my...
A Module for Graphical Display of Model Results with the CBP Toolbox
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Smith, F.
2015-04-21
This report describes work performed by the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) in fiscal year 2014 to add enhanced graphical capabilities to display model results in the Cementitious Barriers Project (CBP) Toolbox. Because Version 2.0 of the CBP Toolbox has just been released, the graphing enhancements described in this report have not yet been integrated into a new version of the Toolbox. Instead they have been tested using a standalone GoldSim model and, while they are substantially complete, may undergo further refinement before full implementation. Nevertheless, this report is issued to document the FY14 development efforts which will provide amore » basis for further development of the CBP Toolbox.« less
Superradiant phase transition with graphene embedded in one dimensional optical cavity
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Benliang; Liu, Tao; Hewak, Daniel W.; Wang, Qi Jie
2018-01-01
We theoretically investigate the cavity QED of graphene embedded in an optical cavity under perpendicular magnetic field. We consider the coupling of cyclotron transition and a multimode cavity described by a multimode Dicke model. This model exhibits a superradiant quantum phase transition, which we describe exactly in an effective Hamiltonian approach. The complete excitation spectrum in both the normal phase and superradiant phase regimes is given. In contrast to the single mode case, multimode coupling of cavity photon and cyclotron transition can greatly reduce the critical vacuum Rabi frequency required for quantum phase transition, and dramatically enhance the superradiant emission by fast modulating the Hamiltonian. Our work paves a way to experimental explorations of quantum phase transitions in solid state systems.
Standardization efforts in IP telephony
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sengodan, Senthil; Bansal, Raj
1999-11-01
The recent interest in IP telephony has led to a tremendous increase of standardization activities in the area. The three main standards bodies in the area of IP telephony are the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU-T) Study Group (SG) 16, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the European Telecommunication Standards Institute's (ETSI) TIPHON project. In addition, forums such as the International Multimedia Teleconferencing Consortium (IMTC), the Intelligent Network Forum (INF), the International Softswitch Consortium (ISC), the Electronic Computer Telephony Forum (ECTF), and the MIT's Internet Telephony Consortium (ITC) are looking into various other aspects that aim at the growth of this industry. This paper describes the main tasks (completed and in progress) undertaken by these organizations. In describing such work, an overview of the underlying technology is also provided.
Analysis of routine pilot-controller communication
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Morrow, Daniel G.; Lee, Alfred; Rodvold, Michelle
1990-01-01
Although pilot-controller communication is central to aviation safety, this area of aviation human factors has not been extensively researched. Most research has focused on what kinds of communication problems occur. A more complete picture of communication problems requires understanding how communication usually works in routine operations. A sample of routine pilot-controller communication in the TRACON environment is described. After describing several dimensions of routine communication, three kinds of communication problems are treated: inaccuracies such as incorrect readbacks, procedural deviations such as missing callsigns and readbacks, and nonroutine transactions where pilot and controller must deal with misunderstandings or other communication problems. Preliminary results suggest these problems are not frequent events in daily operations. However, analysis of the problems that do occur suggest some factors that may cause them.
Common procedures and strategies for anaesthesia in interventional radiology.
Landrigan-Ossar, Mary
2015-08-01
This review describes the range of cases now available in the interventional radiology suite and summarizes suggestions for their anaesthetic and perioperative management. The type and complexity of interventional radiology cases being performed increases from year to year. Anaesthesiologists' presence in interventional radiology is increasing in turn, due to increasingly ill patients and intricate procedures requiring more than local anaesthesia for well tolerated completion. The literature available describing this is largely written by radiologists, with little attention paid to anaesthetic considerations. Cases in interventional radiology are complex in terms of the logistics of working in an unfamiliar area, frequency of patient comorbidity and unfamiliar procedures. Ensuring familiarity with the variety of interventional radiology procedures and their periprocedure requirements can increase anaesthesiologists' comfort in interventional radiology.
Structural Test and Analysis of a Hybrid Inflatable Antenna
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gaspar, James L.; Mann, Troy; Sreekantamurthy, Tham; Behun, Vaughn
2007-01-01
NASA is developing ultra-lightweight structures technology for communication antennas for space missions. One of the research goals is to evaluate the structural characteristics of inflatable and rigidizable antennas through test and analysis. Being able to test and analyze the structural characteristics of a full scale antenna is important to enable the simulation of various mission scenarios to determine system performance in space. Recent work completed to evaluate a Hybrid Inflatable Antenna concept will be discussed. Tests were completed on a 2-m prototype to optimize its static shape and identify its modal dynamics that are important for analytical model validation. These test results were used to evaluate a preliminary finite element model of the antenna, and this model development and correlation activity is also described in the paper.
Is a description deeper than the quantum one possible?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ghirardi, GianCarlo; Romano, Raffaele
2014-12-01
Recently, it has been argued that quantum mechanics is a complete theory, and that different quantum states do necessarily correspond to different elements of reality, under the assumptions that quantum mechanics is correct and that measurement settings can be freely chosen. In this work, we prove that this result is a consequence of an unnecessarily strong mathematical expression of the free choice assumption, which embodies more conditions than explicitly stated. The issues of the completeness of quantum mechanics, and of the interpretation of the state vector, are by no means resolved. Taking this perspective, we describe how the recently introduced class of crypto-nonlocal hidden variables theories can be used to characterize the maximal possible departure from quantum mechanics, when the system consists of a pair of qubits.
Mounier-Geyssant, Estelle; Barthélemy, Jean-François; Mouchot, Lory; Paris, Christophe; Zmirou-Navier, Denis
2007-11-01
This study describes exposure levels of bakery and pastry apprentices to flour dust, a known risk factor of occupational asthma. Questionnaires on work activity were completed by 286 students. Among them, 34 performed a series of two personal exposure measurements using a PM2.5 and PM10 personal sampler during a complete work shift, one during a cold ("winter") period, and the other during a hot ("summer") period. Bakery apprentices experience greater average PM2.5 and PM10 exposures than pastry apprentices (p < 0.006). Exposure values for both particulate fractions are greater in winter (average PM10 values among bakers = 1.10 mg.m-3 [standard deviation: 0.83]) than in summer (0.63 mg.m-3 [0.36]). While complying with current European occupational limit values, these exposures exceed the ACGIH recommendations set to prevent sensitization to flour dust (0.5 mg.m-3). Over half the facilities had no ventilation system. Young bakery apprentices incur substantial exposure to known airways allergens, a situation that might elicit early induction of airways inflammation.
Thermographic Inspections And The Residential Conservation Service Program (RCS)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ward, Ronald J.
1983-03-01
Rhode Islanders Saving Energy (RISE) is a non-profit corporation founded in 1977 to provide Rhode Island residents with a variety of energy conservation services. Since January of 1981, it has been performing energy audits in compliance with the Department of Energy's (DOE) Residential Conservation Service Program (RCS). One aspect of the RCS program is the performance of inspections on energy conservation activities completed according to RCS installation guidelines. This paper will describe both the use and results of thermographic inspections within the RISE program. The primary objective of these inspections has been to assure the quality of the building envelope after completion of retrofit measures. Thermal anamolies have been detected that vary in size, location and probable cause. Approximately 37% of all jobs performed through RISE in conjunction with the RCS program have required remedial work as a result of problems that were identi-fied during the thermographic inspection. This percentage was much higher when infra-red inspections were conducted on "Non-RCS" retrofits. Statistics will be presented that provide an interesting insight on the quality of retrofit work when performed in associa-tion with a constant inspection process.
How to make an efficient and robust molecular catalyst for water oxidation.
Garrido-Barros, Pablo; Gimbert-Suriñach, Carolina; Matheu, Roc; Sala, Xavier; Llobet, Antoni
2017-10-16
Energy has been a central subject for human development from Homo erectus to date. The massive use of fossil fuels during the last 50 years has generated a large CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere that has led to the so-called global warming. It is very urgent to come up with C-neutral energy schemes to be able to preserve Planet Earth for future generations to come and still preserve our modern societies' life style. One of the potential solutions is water splitting with sunlight (hν-WS) that is also associated with "artificial photosynthesis", since its working mode consists of light capture followed by water oxidation and proton reduction processes. The hydrogen fuel generated in this way is named as "solar fuel". For this set of reactions, the catalytic oxidation of water to dioxygen is one of the crucial processes that need to be understood and mastered in order to build up potential devices based on hν-WS. This tutorial describes the different important aspects that need to be considered to come up with efficient and oxidatively robust molecular water oxidation catalysts (Mol-WOCs). It is based on our own previous work and completed with essential contributions from other active groups in the field. We mainly aim at describing how the ligands can influence the properties of the Mol-WOCs and showing a few key examples that overall provide a complete view of today's understanding in this field.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Parkhurst, John T.; Fleisher, Matthew S.; Skinner, Christopher H.; Woehr, David J.; Hawthorn-Embree, Meredith L.
2011-01-01
After completing the Multidimensional Work-Ethic Profile (MWEP), 98 college students were given a 20-problem math computation assignment and instructed to stop working on the assignment after completing 10 problems. Next, they were allowed to choose to finish either the partially completed assignment that had 10 problems remaining or a new…
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lawing, P. L.
1985-01-01
A method of constructing airfoils by inscribing pressure channels on the face of opposing plates, bonding them together to form one plate with integral channels, and contour machining this plate to form an airfoil model is described. The research and development program to develop the bonding technology is described as well as the construction and testing of an airfoil model. Sample aerodynamic data sets are presented and discussed. Also, work currently under way to produce thin airfoils with camber is presented. Samples of the aft section of a 6 percent airfoil with complete pressure instrumentation including the trailing edge are pictured and described. This technique is particularly useful in fabricating models for transonic cryogenic testing, but it should find application in a wide ange of model construction projects, as well as the fabrication of fuel injectors, space hardware, and other applications requiring advanced bonding technology and intricate fluid passages.
Accuracy and Calibration of High Explosive Thermodynamic Equations of State
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Baker, Ernest L.; Capellos, Christos; Stiel, Leonard I.; Pincay, Jack
2010-10-01
The Jones-Wilkins-Lee-Baker (JWLB) equation of state (EOS) was developed to more accurately describe overdriven detonation while maintaining an accurate description of high explosive products expansion work output. The increased mathematical complexity of the JWLB high explosive equations of state provides increased accuracy for practical problems of interest. Increased numbers of parameters are often justified based on improved physics descriptions but can also mean increased calibration complexity. A generalized extent of aluminum reaction Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL)-based EOS was developed in order to more accurately describe the observed behavior of aluminized explosives detonation products expansion. A calibration method was developed to describe the unreacted, partially reacted, and completely reacted explosive using nonlinear optimization. A reasonable calibration of a generalized extent of aluminum reaction JWLB EOS as a function of aluminum reaction fraction has not yet been achieved due to the increased mathematical complexity of the JWLB form.
Esquete, Patricia; Cunha, Marina R
2018-02-05
The Tanaidacea collection from various research cruises carried out in the Gulf of Cadiz and Horseshoe Continental Rise between 2004 and 2012 yielded four species new to science that are described herein. Two belong to genera recorded for the first time since the original descriptions of their type species: Cetiopyge, described from the Gulf of Mexico and Gamboa from shallow waters of Macaronesia. The other two belong to the genera Collettea and Paragathotanais, both with a worldwide distribution. Additionally, specimens of Tumidochelia uncinata are described and illustrated to complete previous descriptions. Identification keys to all known genera of Nototanaidae, and the Eastern Atlantic species of Paragathotanais and Collettea are provided. This works raises the number of tanaidacean species known from the deep-sea habitats in the study region to a total of 22.
Kucera, Kristen L; Lipscomb, Hester J; Silverstein, Barbara
2011-01-01
We describe medical care received through workers' compensation (WC) and union-provided insurance surrounding work-related back injuries and examine relationships between care provided and time off work among a large cohort of carpenters. Union records identified a cohort of 20,642 carpenters working in Washington State from 1989-2003 and their private health insurance claims. These data were linked to workers' compensation files from this state-run program including records of medical care. Over 74,000 WC medical encounters resulted from 2959 work-related back injuries. Eleven percent received private care for musculoskeletal back pain within 90 days of work-related injury; this proportion increased with increasing lost days. Delay to physical therapy was more prevalent among those out of work longest. The proportion of claimants with care from both systems and from private utilization only increased after the first 90 days and, for the subset with at least one paid lost work day, after return to work. Examination of medical care through both systems versus solely in workers' compensation provides a more complete understanding of back injury care while also demonstrating complexity. Differences in outcomes based upon treatment shortly after injury are worthy of further exploration.
Allocation of Physician Time in Ambulatory Practice: A Time and Motion Study in 4 Specialties.
Sinsky, Christine; Colligan, Lacey; Li, Ling; Prgomet, Mirela; Reynolds, Sam; Goeders, Lindsey; Westbrook, Johanna; Tutty, Michael; Blike, George
2016-12-06
Little is known about how physician time is allocated in ambulatory care. To describe how physician time is spent in ambulatory practice. Quantitative direct observational time and motion study (during office hours) and self-reported diary (after hours). U.S. ambulatory care in 4 specialties in 4 states (Illinois, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Washington). 57 U.S. physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, and orthopedics who were observed for 430 hours, 21 of whom also completed after-hours diaries. Proportions of time spent on 4 activities (direct clinical face time, electronic health record [EHR] and desk work, administrative tasks, and other tasks) and self-reported after-hours work. During the office day, physicians spent 27.0% of their total time on direct clinical face time with patients and 49.2% of their time on EHR and desk work. While in the examination room with patients, physicians spent 52.9% of the time on direct clinical face time and 37.0% on EHR and desk work. The 21 physicians who completed after-hours diaries reported 1 to 2 hours of after-hours work each night, devoted mostly to EHR tasks. Data were gathered in self-selected, high-performing practices and may not be generalizable to other settings. The descriptive study design did not support formal statistical comparisons by physician and practice characteristics. For every hour physicians provide direct clinical face time to patients, nearly 2 additional hours is spent on EHR and desk work within the clinic day. Outside office hours, physicians spend another 1 to 2 hours of personal time each night doing additional computer and other clerical work. American Medical Association.
Flint and the British Tradition of Relativity Theory
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Beichler, James
2009-03-01
Most scientists and scholars are familiar with Sir Arthur Eddington's role in verifying General Relativity in 1919. A few less are aware of his work introducing the theory to the English scientific community. Still less know of Eddington's extensions of relativity theory, especially his attempts to develop a unified field theory. But very few scholars, historians or even physicists are aware of the important role played by other English scientists in the acceptance and development of relativity. In fact, H.T. Flint and his colleagues published more than thirty-five articles in peer reviewed journals in Britain over a period of four decades in an attempt to extend relativity to include electromagnetism and the quantum. Yet his work and that of his close associates is almost completely unknown today, in spite of the fact that he published a book describing his complete unified field theory in the 1960s, well before most quantum theorists even began thinking along the lines of unification. In a world filled with speculations about gravitons, superstrings, quantum loops and other unification models, Flint did it first, but his work has all but disappeared from the scientific consciousness. From Eddington to Flint, the English school of relativists has produced ardent supporters of relativity and numerous advances beyond the standard interpretations of general relativity.
Devine, Susan G; Llewellyn-Jones, Lorraine; Lloyd, Jacqui
2009-04-01
Workforce development is one element of health promotion capacity building. This paper describes the extent to which participants in a five-day short course in health promotion, delivered three times in north Queensland during 2007, reported greater adoption of health promotion within their work roles, and the factors that affected the level of adoption. Out of 54 course attendees, 39 completed a post-course survey five to nine months after completing the course (72% response rate). Additionally, 11 course attendees participated in a focus group or phone interview to explore survey findings. The courses succeeded in providing knowledge, skills, confidence and enthusiasm to undertake health promotion work. Eighty per cent of participants stated they had incorporated health promotion into their work frequently or all of the time since undertaking the course. Lack of understanding of health promotion from co-workers and managers, lack of organisational support and commitment, lack of resources, competing clinical priorities, and lack of time were cited as the main barriers for undertaking health promotion. The course met participant training needs. However, similar training across all levels of staff including management may help to develop organisational capacity, thereby building a more knowledgeable workforce that is supported to undertake health promotion as a core part of an organisation's business.
Coiera, E
2016-11-10
Anyone with knowledge of information systems has experienced frustration when it comes to system implementation or use. Unanticipated challenges arise frequently and unanticipated consequences may follow. Working from first principles, to understand why information technology (IT) is often challenging, identify which IT endeavors are more likely to succeed, and predict the best role that technology can play in different tasks and settings. The fundamental purpose of IT is to enhance our ability to undertake tasks, supplying new information that changes what we decide and ultimately what occurs in the world. The value of this information (VOI) can be calculated at different stages of the decision-making process and will vary depending on how technology is used. We can imagine a task space that describes the relative benefits of task completion by humans or computers and that contains specific areas where humans or computers are superior. There is a third area where neither is strong and a final joint workspace where humans and computers working in partnership produce the best results. By understanding that information has value and that VOI can be quantified, we can make decisions about how best to support the work we do. Evaluation of the expected utility of task completion by humans or computers should allow us to decide whether solutions should depend on technology, humans, or a partnership between the two.
Development of Live-working Robot for Power Transmission Lines
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yan, Yu; Liu, Xiaqing; Ren, Chengxian; Li, Jinliang; Li, Hui
2017-07-01
Dream-I, the first reconfigurable live-working robot for power transmission lines successfully developed in China, has the functions of autonomous walking on lines and accurately positioning. This paper firstly described operation task and object of the robot; then designed a general platform, an insulator replacement end and a drainage plate bolt fastening end of the robot, presented a control system of the robot, and performed simulation analysis on operation plan of the robot; and finally completed electrical field withstand voltage tests in a high voltage hall as well as online test and trial on actual lines. Experimental results show that by replacing ends of manipulators, the robot can fulfill operation tasks of live replacement of suspension insulators and live drainage plate bolt fastening.
Detection of Banned and Restricted Ozone-Depleting Chemicals in Printed Circuit Boards
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Lee, Richard N.; Wright, Bob W.
2008-12-01
A study directed toward the detection of halogenated solvents in the matrix of circuit boards has recently been completed. This work was undertaken to demonstrate the potential for reliable detection of solvents used during the fabrication of printed circuit boards (PCB). Since many of these solvents are now, or soon will be, restricted under the terms of legislation enacted in response to the Montreal Protocol and other international agreements, the work described here, conducted over a period of more that 4 years, has provided guidance for the development of chromatographic system and analytical protocol to assure compliance with regulations introducedmore » to control, or ban, industrial solvents associated with adverse environmental impact.« less
Energy absorption in aluminum extrusions for a spaceframe chassis
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Logan, R.W.; Perfect, S.A.; Parkinson, R.D.
1994-09-19
This work describes the design, finite-element analysis, and verifications performed by LLNL and Kaiser Aluminum for the prototype design of the CALSTART Running Chassis purpose-built electric vehicle. Component level studies, along with our previous experimental and finite-element works, provided the confidence to study the crashworthiness of a complete aluminum spaceframe. Effects of rail geometry, size, and thickness were studied in order to achieve a controlled crush of the front end structure. These included the performance of the spaceframe itself, and the additive effects of the powertrain cradle and powertrain (motor/controller in this case) as well as suspension. Various design iterationsmore » for frontal impact at moderate and high speed are explored.« less
The work of Glendon Lean on the counting systems of Papua New Guinea and Oceania
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Owens, Kay
2001-04-01
Glendon Lean collated data on nearly 900 counting systems of Papua New Guinea, Oceania, and Irian Jaya (West Papua). Lean's data came from a questionnaire completed by students and talks with village elders. He read old documents written in English, German, and Dutch. He made comparisons between older and new accounts of the counting systems and compared neighbouring counting systems from both Austronesian and non-Austronesian languages. His work drew attention to the rich diversity of the systems and suggested that systems based on body parts and cyclic systems developed spontaneously. Digit tally systems were also relatively common. Lean's thesis on spontaneous developments of these ancient cultures challenged traditional theories describing the spread of number systems from Middle East cultures.
Gender similarities in doctors' preferences--and gender differences in final specialisation.
Gjerberg, Elisabeth
2002-02-01
This article is based on a career history study of gender differences and similarities in recruitment to and transitions between specialities among Norwegian doctors. A questionnaire on career and family history was sent to all Norwegian doctors authorised in 1980-1983. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to describe and analyse completion of specialisation in the specialty in which they started their career. Survival analysis was used to analyse transitions between medical specialities. The findings clearly contradict the idea that the low proportion of women in male dominated areas of medicine reflects women's lack of interest in specialities like surgery and internal medicine. Women were as likely as men to start their career in these fields. The problem is their not completing specialist training. A far higher proportion of men than women completed their specialist training in surgery. The reasons for this are complex. Heavy work loads with duties and "nights on call" make it difficult for women to combine childcare and work and make them change to other specialities. Also, female specialists in surgery and internal medicine postpone having their first child compared to women in other medical specialities. However, the fact that some women change from surgery to gynaecology and obstetrics, a specialty which to a considerable extent are comparable with surgery with regard to duty and work loads, indicate that structural barriers in combining childcare and a hospital career do not fully explain the flux of women. The possible existence of other closure mechanisms in surgery, as indicated by some doctors in this and in other studies, have to be further explored.
Pilot Study of a Novel Partnership for Installing Smoke Alarms.
Omaki, Elise C; Frattaroli, Shannon; Shields, Wendy C; McDonald, Eileen M; Rizzutti, Nicholas; Appy, Meri-K; Voiles, Denise; Jamison, Shelly; Gielen, Andrea C
2018-02-07
Objectives To demonstrate the feasibility of partnering fire department personnel and home visiting nurses to increase the number of low-income homes protected by smoke alarms. Methods During a regularly scheduled home visit, nurses at the Nurse-Family Partnership of Maricopa County (NFP) informed their clients about an opportunity to have smoke alarms installed in their homes for free. For interested families, nurses sent a referral to the Phoenix Fire Department (PFD), scheduled an appointment, and accompanied the PFD volunteers during the installation. During the appointment, PFD personnel installed alarms and provided safety education. Clients completed a follow-up survey 1-3 months after the installation visit. In-depth interviews were completed with key informants from NFP and PFD to solicit feedback on the program. Results Fifty-two smoke alarm installation visits were completed. Before the fire department arrived, 55% of homes had no working smoke alarm. Almost all (94%) homes received at least one new smoke alarm, and every home had at least one working smoke alarm at the end of the fire department visit. At follow-up, all homes maintained at least one working smoke alarm. Members from both organizations were enthusiastic about, and supportive of the project. NFP nurses appreciated the skill and knowledge of the firefighters; PFD representatives noted that the nurses' relationships with clients made it easier for them to gain access to families who are often described as "hard-to-reach". Conclusions Partnering home visiting nurses and fire departments can be successful to increase the number of vulnerable homes with smoke alarms.
Kinetics of imidazolium-based ionic liquids degradation in aqueous solution by Fenton oxidation.
Domínguez, Carmen M; Munoz, Macarena; Quintanilla, Asunción; de Pedro, Zahara M; Casas, Jose A
2017-10-15
In the last few years, several works dealing with Fenton oxidation of ionic liquids (ILs) have proved the capability of this technology for their degradation, achieving complete ILs removal and non-toxic effluents. Nevertheless, very little is known about the kinetics of this process, crucial for its potential application. In this work, the effect of several operating conditions, including reaction temperature (50-90 °C), catalyst load (10-50 mg L -1 Fe 3+ ), initial IL concentration (100-2000 mg L -1 ), and hydrogen peroxide dose (10-200% of the stoichiometric amount for the complete IL mineralization) on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C 4 mim]Cl) oxidation has been investigated. Under the optimum operating conditions (T = 90 °C; [Fe 3+ ] 0 = 50 mg L -1 ; [H 2 O 2 ] 0 = 100% of the stoichiometric amount), the complete removal of [C 4 mim]Cl (1000 mg L -1 ) was achieved at 1.5-min reaction time. From the experimental results, a potential kinetic model capable to describe the removal of imidazolium-based ILs by Fenton oxidation has been developed. By fitting the proposed model to the experimental data, the orders of the reaction with respect to IL initial concentration, Fe 3+ amount and H 2 O 2 dose were found to be close to 1, with an apparent activation energy of 43.3 kJ mol -1 . The model resulted in a reasonable fit within the wide range of operating conditions tested in this work.
Design, engineering and evaluation of refractory liners for slagging gasifiers. Final report
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
deTineo, B J; Booth, G; Firestone, R F
1982-08-01
The contract for this program was awarded at the end of September 1978. Work was started on 1 October 1978, on Tasks A, B, and E. Task A, Conceptual Liner Designs, and Task B, Test System Design and Construction, were completed. Task C, Liner Tests, and Task D, Liner Design Evaluation, were to begin upon completion of Task B. Task E, Liner Model Development, is inactive after an initial data compilation and theoretical model development effort. It was to be activated as soon as data were available from Task D. Task F, Liner Design Handbook, was active along with Taskmore » A since the reports of both tasks were to use the same format. At this time, Tasks C, D, and F are not to be completed since funding of this project was phased out by DOE directive. The refractory text facility, which was constructed, was tested and found to perform satisfactorily. It is described in detail, including a hazard analysis which was performed. (LTN)« less
Complete event simulations of nuclear fission
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Vogt, Ramona
2015-10-01
For many years, the state of the art for treating fission in radiation transport codes has involved sampling from average distributions. In these average fission models energy is not explicitly conserved and everything is uncorrelated because all particles are emitted independently. However, in a true fission event, the energies, momenta and multiplicities of the emitted particles are correlated. Such correlations are interesting for many modern applications. Event-by-event generation of complete fission events makes it possible to retain the kinematic information for all particles emitted: the fission products as well as prompt neutrons and photons. It is therefore possible to extract any desired correlation observables. Complete event simulations can be included in general Monte Carlo transport codes. We describe the general functionality of currently available fission event generators and compare results for several important observables. This work was performed under the auspices of the US DOE by LLNL, Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. We acknowledge support of the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development in DOE/NNSA.
The treatment of tuberculosis in Ferrara (Italy) in the 19th century.
Vicentini, Chiara Beatrice; Mares, Donatella; Guidi, Enrica; Angelini, Lauretta; Contini, Carlo; Manfredini, Stefano
2010-12-01
The present work is a review of the remedies in use in Ferrara against tuberculosis in the 1800s. The work started from the discovery of accounts describing methods and remedies. These remedies were also in use world wide. Of particular interest is the work by Antonio Campana, a famous professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Botany in Ferrara, who wrote a pharmacopoeia which had several editions between 1797 and 1841. The Farmacopea Ferrarese was addressed to the apothecaries of Ferrara. Nevertheless, due to its great reputation it had an international distribution. It provided us with an exhaustive view about the medical field in Ferrara in the early 1800s. The remedies adopted in the city in the second half of the century were in line with those present abroad. The work was also supported by the discovery of statistical accounts of the Sant'Anna hospital from 1871. The manuscript written by Alessandro Bennati enabled elucidation of the methods used to treat tuberculosis in the second half of the century. Bennati's work is an historical document completed by the work of the physician Cesare Minerbi.
Diet Quality Scores of Australian Adults Who Have Completed the Healthy Eating Quiz.
Williams, Rebecca L; Rollo, Megan E; Schumacher, Tracy; Collins, Clare E
2017-08-15
Higher scores obtained using diet quality and variety indices are indicators of more optimal food and nutrient intakes and lower chronic disease risk. The aim of this paper is to describe the overall diet quality and variety in a sample of Australian adults who completed an online diet quality self-assessment tool, the Healthy Eating Quiz. The Healthy Eating Quiz takes approximately five minutes to complete online and computes user responses into a total diet quality score (out of a maximum of 73 points) and then categorizes them into the following groups: 'needs work' (<33), 'getting there' (33-38), 'excellent' (39-46), or 'outstanding' (47+). There was a total of 93,252 first-time respondents, of which 76% were female. Over 80% of respondents were between 16-44 years of age. The mean total score was 34.1 ± 9.7 points. Females had a higher total score than males ( p < 0.001) and vegetarians had higher total scores than non-vegetarians ( p < 0.001). Healthy eating quiz scores were higher in those aged 45-75 years compared to 16-44 years ( p < 0.001). When comparing Socioeconomic Indices for Areas deciles, those most disadvantaged had a lower total score than those least disadvantaged ( p < 0.001). Repeat measures showed that those who scored lowest (needs work) in their first completion increased their total score by 3.2 ± 7.4 at their second completion ( p < 0.001). While the Healthy Eating Quiz data indicates that individuals receiving feedback on how to improve their score can improve their diet quality, there is a need for further nutrition promotion interventions in Australian adults.
Complete Numerical Solution of the Diffusion Equation of Random Genetic Drift
Zhao, Lei; Yue, Xingye; Waxman, David
2013-01-01
A numerical method is presented to solve the diffusion equation for the random genetic drift that occurs at a single unlinked locus with two alleles. The method was designed to conserve probability, and the resulting numerical solution represents a probability distribution whose total probability is unity. We describe solutions of the diffusion equation whose total probability is unity as complete. Thus the numerical method introduced in this work produces complete solutions, and such solutions have the property that whenever fixation and loss can occur, they are automatically included within the solution. This feature demonstrates that the diffusion approximation can describe not only internal allele frequencies, but also the boundary frequencies zero and one. The numerical approach presented here constitutes a single inclusive framework from which to perform calculations for random genetic drift. It has a straightforward implementation, allowing it to be applied to a wide variety of problems, including those with time-dependent parameters, such as changing population sizes. As tests and illustrations of the numerical method, it is used to determine: (i) the probability density and time-dependent probability of fixation for a neutral locus in a population of constant size; (ii) the probability of fixation in the presence of selection; and (iii) the probability of fixation in the presence of selection and demographic change, the latter in the form of a changing population size. PMID:23749318
Work Safety Culture of Youth Farmworkers in North Carolina: A Pilot Study
Kearney, Gregory D.; Rodriguez, Guadalupe; Quandt, Sara A.
2015-01-01
Objectives. We analyzed aspects of the behavioral, situational, and psychological elements of work safety culture of hired youth farmworkers in North Carolina. Methods. Data were from interviewer-administered questionnaires completed with 87 male and female hired farmworkers aged 10 to 17 years in North Carolina in 2013. We computed means, SDs, and Cronbach α values for the perceived work safety climate and safety perception summary scores. Results. Hired youth farmworkers in North Carolina described a negative work safety culture. Most engaged in unsafe general and unsafe work behaviors, few received training, and many were sexually harassed at work. They had mixed safety attitudes and knew that their employment was precarious. They reported a poor perceived work safety climate characterized by the perception that their supervisors “are only interested in doing the job fast and cheaply.” However, we could not detect statistically significant associations between work safety culture and injuries among these farmworkers. Conclusions. Increased scrutiny of agriculture as a suitable industry for workers as young as 10 years and additional regulations to protect hired youth farmworkers, if not to remove them from this environment, are warranted. Additional research is needed. PMID:25521896
Development of Methods to Predict the Effects of Test Media in Ground-Based Propulsion Testing
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Drummond, J. Philip; Danehy, Paul M.; Gaffney, Richard L., Jr.; Parker, Peter A.; Tedder, Sarah A.; Chelliah, Harsha K.; Cutler, Andrew D.; Bivolaru, Daniel; Givi, Peyman; Hassan, Hassan A.
2009-01-01
This report discusses work that began in mid-2004 sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Test & Evaluation/Science & Technology (T&E/S&T) Program. The work was undertaken to improve the state of the art of CFD capabilities for predicting the effects of the test media on the flameholding characteristics in scramjet engines. The program had several components including the development of advanced algorithms and models for simulating engine flowpaths as well as a fundamental experimental and diagnostic development effort to support the formulation and validation of the mathematical models. This report provides details of the completed work, involving the development of phenomenological models for Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes codes, large-eddy simulation techniques and reduced-kinetics models. Experiments that provided data for the modeling efforts are also described, along with with the associated nonintrusive diagnostics used to collect the data.
Whisker growth studies under conditions which resemble those available on an orbiting space station
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hobbs, Herman H.
1992-01-01
Minimal funding was provided by NASA with one designated 'mission' being the clear demonstration of the relevance of previously supported whisker growth studies to microgravity research. While in one sense this work has shown the converse, namely, that ambient gravitational fields as high as 1 Earth normal have no relevance to growth of whiskers by hydrogen reduction of metal halides, a case is made that this does not demonstrate lack of relevance to microgravity research. On the contrary, the driving forces for this growth are precisely those which must be understood in order to understand growth in microgravity. The results described suggest that knowledge gained from this work may be highly fundamental to our understanding of the genesis of metal crystals. Time and money ran out before this work could be considered complete. At least another year's study and analysis will be required before publications could be justified.
Computed potential energy surfaces for chemical reactions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heinemann, K.; Walch, Stephen P.
1992-01-01
The work on the NH + NO system which was described in the last progress report was written up and a draft of the manuscript is included in the appendix. The appendix also contains a draft of a manuscript on an Ar + H + H surface. New work which was completed in the last six months includes the following: (1) calculations on the (1)CH2 + H2O, H2 + HCOH, and H2 + H2CO product channels in the CH3 + OH reaction; (2) calculations for the NH2 + O reaction; (3) calculations for the CH3 + O2 reaction; and (4) calculations for CH3O and the two decomposition channels--CH2OH and H + H2CO. Detailed descriptions of this work will be given in manuscripts; however, brief descriptions of the CH3 + OH and CH3 + O2 projects are given.
Using Global Climate Data to Inform Long-Term Water Planning Decisions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Groves, D. G.; Lempert, R.
2008-12-01
Water managers throughout the world are working to consider climate change in their long-term water planning processes. The best available information regarding plausible future hydrologic conditions are largely derived from global circulation models and from paleoclimate data. To date there lacks a single approach for (1) utilizing these data in water management planning tools for analysis and (2) evaluating the myriad of possible adaptation options. This talk will describe several approaches being used at RAND to incorporate global projections of climate change into local, regional, and state-wide long-term water planning. It will draw on current work with the California Department of Water Resources and other local Western water agencies, and a recently completed project with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. Work to date suggests that climate information can be assimilated into local water planning tools to help identify robust climate adaptation water management strategies.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bensaid, R.
2002-01-01
It has been emphasized in previous papers that the bilingual "basic list" of the IAA multilingual terminological data bank (MTDB) needed improvement before beginning works on definitions. In this communication, in a first part, we report, on the works (corrections and additions) done to improve the scope of the "basic list" . These works have yet to be done by coordinators for the others twelve languages concerned by the IAA MTBD. In a second part, according to the decision of the IAA MTDB committee to complete the MTDB with definitions in French and in English, we describe the methodology adopted and the problems encountered to elaborate a mock-up of a space dictionary, including in a first step definitions in English and in French, of the English terms and expressions beginning by the letter "A" in the basic list.
McKenzie, Thomas L.; Rushall, Brent S.
1974-01-01
Swimmers' attendance at training and work rates were described by their coaches as being poor and irregular. Reinforcement contingencies were developed to remedy these unsatisfactory conditions. Two experiments were conducted. A multiple baseline design verified the effects of publicly marking attendance at practice as a sufficient solution for reducing absenteeism, tardiness, and leaving early. Follow-up analyses showed this contingency to have lasting effects. In the second experiment, a reversal design was used to assess the effects of employing program boards as a means of increasing work output during practice. Work rates in eight selected swimmers were elevated by an average of 27.1% when the boards were instituted. Follow-up evaluations showed that the use of the program boards had lasting effects. Publicly checking the completion of each training unit of work changed the nature of the swimming environment to produce a more productive use of time. The role of the coach was subsequently changed as less time was spent in directing and supervising behaviors. PMID:4436167
Fedorowich, Larissa M; Côté, Julie N
2018-10-01
Standing is a popular alternative to traditionally seated computer work. However, no studies have described how standing impacts both upper body muscular and vascular outcomes during a computer typing task. Twenty healthy adults completed two 90-min simulated work sessions, seated or standing. Upper limb discomfort, electromyography (EMG) from eight upper body muscles, typing performance and neck/shoulder and forearm blood flow were collected. Results showed significantly less upper body discomfort and higher typing speed during standing. Lower Trapezius EMG amplitude was higher during standing, but this postural difference decreased with time (interaction effect), and its variability was 68% higher during standing compared to sitting. There were no effects on blood flow. Results suggest that standing computer work may engage shoulder girdle stabilizers while reducing discomfort and improving performance. Studies are needed to identify how standing affects more complex computer tasks over longer work bouts in symptomatic workers. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
McKenzie, T L; Rushall, B S
1974-01-01
Swimmers' attendance at training and work rates were described by their coaches as being poor and irregular. Reinforcement contingencies were developed to remedy these unsatisfactory conditions. Two experiments were conducted. A multiple baseline design verified the effects of publicly marking attendance at practice as a sufficient solution for reducing absenteeism, tardiness, and leaving early. Follow-up analyses showed this contingency to have lasting effects. In the second experiment, a reversal design was used to assess the effects of employing program boards as a means of increasing work output during practice. Work rates in eight selected swimmers were elevated by an average of 27.1% when the boards were instituted. Follow-up evaluations showed that the use of the program boards had lasting effects. Publicly checking the completion of each training unit of work changed the nature of the swimming environment to produce a more productive use of time. The role of the coach was subsequently changed as less time was spent in directing and supervising behaviors.
Development and prevention of work related disorders in a sample of Brazilian violinists.
Lima, Ronise Costa; Pinheiro, Tarcísio Márcio Magalhães; Dias, Elizabeth Costa; de Andrade, Edson Queiroz
2015-06-05
The present study is part of a project designed to investigate the development of disorders related to the work of orchestra violinists. To describe and analyze the functional disorders of the musculoskeletal systems of violinists from the four orchestras in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Analyses of musculoskeletal system disorders found in violinists from orchestras in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were completed using a variety of approaches, including Occupational Therapy, Epidemiology and the Social Science methodologies. Participants sustained musculoskeletal disorders despite their common sense belief that musicians are generally healthier than other professional groups. The struggle for a better financial situation forced study participants to work harder, in a variety of work environments, increasing and diversifying their exposure to risk factors. Protective and preventive measures were scarce and in most cases these were only employed after the onset of musculoskeletal disorders. The use of inadequate strategies and the lack of appropriate options to deal with risk factors contributed to the maintenance of symptoms or the onset of health disorders.
Akam, Michael
2015-04-19
Sidnie Manton became best known for her work on arthropod locomotion, and for proposing radical views on the evolution of arthropods that were accepted for a generation. However, her early training was as an embryologist, and the work that she carried out at the beginning of her career still stands as one of the major twentieth century contributions to the study of crustacean embryology. Here, I review her first major paper, largely completed while she was a graduate student, describing embryonic development in Hemimysis lamornae, a small shrimp-like animal found in the seas around the UK. The clarity of her writing and the quality of her figures set a standard that laid the basis for subsequent work, and although not all of her conclusions have stood the test of time, they remain a standard reference for work today. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
Akam, Michael
2015-01-01
Sidnie Manton became best known for her work on arthropod locomotion, and for proposing radical views on the evolution of arthropods that were accepted for a generation. However, her early training was as an embryologist, and the work that she carried out at the beginning of her career still stands as one of the major twentieth century contributions to the study of crustacean embryology. Here, I review her first major paper, largely completed while she was a graduate student, describing embryonic development in Hemimysis lamornae, a small shrimp-like animal found in the seas around the UK. The clarity of her writing and the quality of her figures set a standard that laid the basis for subsequent work, and although not all of her conclusions have stood the test of time, they remain a standard reference for work today. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. PMID:25750244
Emotional working memory capacity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Schweizer, Susanne; Dalgleish, Tim
2011-01-01
Participants with a lifetime history of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-exposed controls with no PTSD history completed an emotional working memory capacity (eWMC) task. The task required them to remember lists of neutral words over short intervals while simultaneously processing sentences describing dysfunctional trauma-related thoughts (relative to neutral control sentences). The task was designed to operationalise an everyday cognitive challenge for those with mental health problems such as PTSD; namely, the ability to carry out simple, routine tasks with emotionally benign material, while at the same time tackling emotional laden intrusive thoughts and feelings. eWMC performance, indexed as the ability to remember the word lists in the context of trauma sentences, relative to neutral sentences, was poorer overall in the PTSD group compared with controls, suggestive of a particular difficulty employing working memory in emotion-related contexts in those with a history of PTSD. The possible implications for developing affective working memory training as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD are explored. PMID:21684525
On Asymptotically Good Ramp Secret Sharing Schemes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Geil, Olav; Martin, Stefano; Martínez-Peñas, Umberto; Matsumoto, Ryutaroh; Ruano, Diego
Asymptotically good sequences of linear ramp secret sharing schemes have been intensively studied by Cramer et al. in terms of sequences of pairs of nested algebraic geometric codes. In those works the focus is on full privacy and full reconstruction. In this paper we analyze additional parameters describing the asymptotic behavior of partial information leakage and possibly also partial reconstruction giving a more complete picture of the access structure for sequences of linear ramp secret sharing schemes. Our study involves a detailed treatment of the (relative) generalized Hamming weights of the considered codes.
Modularity, quaternion-Kähler spaces, and mirror symmetry
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Alexandrov, Sergei; Banerjee, Sibasish
2013-10-15
We provide an explicit twistorial construction of quaternion-Kähler manifolds obtained by deformation of c-map spaces and carrying an isometric action of the modular group SL(2,Z). The deformation is not assumed to preserve any continuous isometry and therefore this construction presents a general framework for describing NS5-brane instanton effects in string compactifications with N= 2 supersymmetry. In this context the modular invariant parametrization of twistor lines found in this work yields the complete non-perturbative mirror map between type IIA and type IIB physical fields.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Montellano, B.O. de
This report describes later stages of a program to develop culturally relevant science and math programs for Hispanic students. Part of this effort was follow-up with 17 teachers who participated in early stages of the program. Response was not very good. Included with the report is a first draft effort for curriculum materials which could be used as is in such a teaching effort. Several of the participating teachers were invited to a writing workshop, where lesson plans were drafted, and critiqued and following rework are listed in this publication. Further work needs to be completed and is ongoing.
[The migraine of Immanual Kant].
Podoll, K; Hoff, P; Sass, H
2000-07-01
The German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) suffered, since his forties, from a migraine with aura which showed a significant exacerbation in his seventies, coinciding with the onset of symptoms of a senile dementia of Alzheimer's type. Recorded symptoms of Kant's migraine include recurrent scintillating scotomas, one episode of diplopia, two episodes of complete amaurosis and frequent headaches described as oppressions of the head. The said symptoms of Kant's migraine can be traced not only in his letters and in accounts of his contemporary biographers, but also in the philosopher's published work.
Gd-doped BNNTs as T2-weighted MRI contrast agents
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ciofani, Gianni; Boni, Adriano; Calucci, Lucia; Forte, Claudia; Gozzi, Alessandro; Mazzolai, Barbara; Mattoli, Virgilio
2013-08-01
This work describes, for the first time, doping of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with gadolinium (Gd@BNNTs), a stable functionalization that permits non-invasive BNNT tracking via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report the structure, Gd loading, and relaxometric properties in water suspension at 7 T of Gd@BNNTs, and show the behaviour of these nanostructures as promising T2-weighted contrast agents. Finally, we demonstrate their complete biocompatibility in vitro on human neuroblastoma cells, together with their ability to effectively label and affect contrast in MRI images at 7 T.
The male reproductive system of Hippolyte inermis Leach 1815 (Decapoda, Caridea)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cobos, Vanesa; Díaz, Vanessa; Raso, Jose Enrique García; Manjón-Cabeza, M. E.
2011-03-01
The present work completes a series of studies on the biology of the shrimp Hippolyte inermis Leach 1815, where we suggested the species to be gonochoristic. The morphology of the male reproductive system (testes, vasa deferentia, gonopores) and the different stages of male germ cell development are described for the first time in the genus Hippolyte, using TEM, SEM, and histological methods. All males from 1.70 to 3.42 mm in carapace length had active testes and well-developed vasa deferentia. No case of sex reversal could be found.
Optical Evaluation of an As-Manufactured Compound Secondary Concentrator
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Jaworske, Donald A.; Skowronski, Timothy J.; Miles, Barry J.
1999-01-01
Secondary concentrators are needed in solar thermal propulsion to further concentrate the energy collected by large lightweight primary concentrators. Although the physics of secondary concentrators has been worked out in detail and the manufacturing has been successfully completed for a ground demonstration, there is a need to quantify the specific performance of as-manufactured concentrators. This paper summarizes the properties of a secondary concentrator manufactured for the Integrated Solar Upper Stage engine ground demonstration in 1997 and presents data obtained from the optic that describe the performance of the as-manufactured component.
A 1.06 micrometer avalanche photodiode receiver
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Eden, R. C.
1975-01-01
The development of a complete solid state 1.06 micron optical receiver which can be used in optical communications at data rates approaching 1.5 Gb/s, or in other applications requiring sensitive, short pulse detection, is reported. This work entailed both the development of a new type of heterojunction III-V semiconductor alloy avalanche photodiode and an extremely charge-sensitive wideband low noise preamp design making use of GaAs Schottky barrier-gate field effect transistors (GAASFET's) operating in in the negative-feedback transimpedance mode. The electrical characteristics of the device are described.
Space Nuclear Power Plant Pre-Conceptual Design Report, For Information
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
B. Levine
2006-01-27
This letter transmits, for information, the Project Prometheus Space Nuclear Power Plant (SNPP) Pre-Conceptual Design Report completed by the Naval Reactors Prime Contractor Team (NRPCT). This report documents the work pertaining to the Reactor Module, which includes integration of the space nuclear reactor with the reactor radiation shield, energy conversion, and instrumentation and control segments. This document also describes integration of the Reactor Module with the Heat Rejection segment, the Power Conditioning and Distribution subsystem (which comprise the SNPP), and the remainder of the Prometheus spaceship.
Langley, Michelle C; O'Connor, Sue; Piotto, Elena
2016-08-01
In this paper, we describe worked and pigment-stained Nautilus shell artefacts recovered from Jerimalai, Timor-Leste. Two of these artefacts come from contexts dating to between 38,000 and 42,000 cal. BP (calibrated years before present), and exhibit manufacturing traces (drilling, pressure flaking, grinding), as well as red colourant staining. Through describing more complete Nautilus shell ornaments from younger levels from this same site (>15,900, 9500, and 5000 cal. BP), we demonstrate that those dating to the initial occupation period of Jerimalai are of anthropogenic origin. The identification of such early shell working examples of pelagic shell in Island Southeast Asia not only adds to our growing understanding of the importance of marine resources to the earliest modern human communities in this region, but also indicates that a remarkably enduring shell working tradition was enacted in this area of the globe. Additionally, these artefacts provide the first material culture evidence that the inhabitants of Jerimalai were not only exploiting coastal resources for their nutritional requirements, but also incorporating these materials into their social technologies, and by extension, their social systems. In other words, we argue that the people of Jerimalai were already practicing a developed coastal adaptation by at least 42,000 cal. BP. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Relative Salience of Daily and Enduring Influences on Off-Job Reactions to Work Stress.
Calderwood, Charles; Ackerman, Phillip L
2016-12-01
Work stress is an important determinant of employee health and wellness. The occupational health community is recognizing that one contributor to these relationships may be the presence of negative off-job reactivity to work, which we argue involves continued thoughts directed towards work (cognitive reactivity), continued negative mood stemming from work (affective reactivity), and the alteration of post-work behaviours in response to work factors (behavioural reactivity). We explored the relative contributions of daily work stressors, affective traits, and subjective job stress perceptions to negative off-job reactivity. These relationships were evaluated in a study of hospital nurses (n = 75), who completed trait measures and then provided self-assessments of daily work stress and off-job reactions for four work days. The results of several multilevel analyses indicated that a main-effects model best described the data when predicting cognitive, affective, and behavioural reactivity from daily work stressors, affective traits, and subjective job stress perceptions. A series of multilevel dominance analyses revealed that subjective job stress perceptions dominated the prediction of behavioural reactivity, while trait negative affect dominated the prediction of affective reactivity. Theoretical implications and the relative salience of daily and enduring contributors to negative off-job reactivity are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Online Graph Completion: Multivariate Signal Recovery in Computer Vision.
Kim, Won Hwa; Jalal, Mona; Hwang, Seongjae; Johnson, Sterling C; Singh, Vikas
2017-07-01
The adoption of "human-in-the-loop" paradigms in computer vision and machine learning is leading to various applications where the actual data acquisition (e.g., human supervision) and the underlying inference algorithms are closely interwined. While classical work in active learning provides effective solutions when the learning module involves classification and regression tasks, many practical issues such as partially observed measurements, financial constraints and even additional distributional or structural aspects of the data typically fall outside the scope of this treatment. For instance, with sequential acquisition of partial measurements of data that manifest as a matrix (or tensor), novel strategies for completion (or collaborative filtering) of the remaining entries have only been studied recently. Motivated by vision problems where we seek to annotate a large dataset of images via a crowdsourced platform or alternatively, complement results from a state-of-the-art object detector using human feedback, we study the "completion" problem defined on graphs, where requests for additional measurements must be made sequentially. We design the optimization model in the Fourier domain of the graph describing how ideas based on adaptive submodularity provide algorithms that work well in practice. On a large set of images collected from Imgur, we see promising results on images that are otherwise difficult to categorize. We also show applications to an experimental design problem in neuroimaging.
Methodology and outcomes of a family medicine research fellowship.
Cronholm, Peter F; Straton, Joseph B; Bowman, Marjorie A
2009-08-01
There has not been a strong tradition of training researchers to provide the great amount of new evidence needed for the practice of family medicine. Few models for creating successful family medicine researchers have been presented in the literature. The authors report on the methodology and outcomes of a faculty development research fellowship in the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. The fellowship focuses on the two domains-intensive research training and academic career development-and frames them with coursework in a content-appropriate master's degree program and clinical practice in an underserved community. Fifteen fellows have completed the program, which began in 1997. Most fellows' research work has been related to primary care and health disparities. Program completers have been the principal investigators on 39 funded studies and coinvestigators on 24 funded studies. They have, at the time this article was written, described their work in 236 publications, 114 of them peer reviewed. All but one program completer hold academic faculty positions, and 12 practice in underserved areas. In a research-intense institution, the fellowship program successfully trained family physicians to be independent clinical researchers and leaders who have substantially contributed to the national effort to mitigate health disparities through practice and research. The authors suggest that the outcomes strongly support the development of similar training opportunities in family medicine departments in other resource- and research-rich institutions.
Requirements for the structured recording of surgical device data in the digital operating room.
Rockstroh, Max; Franke, Stefan; Neumuth, Thomas
2014-01-01
Due to the increasing complexity of the surgical working environment, increasingly technical solutions must be found to help relieve the surgeon. This objective is supported by a structured storage concept for all relevant device data. In this work, we present a concept and prototype development of a storage system to address intraoperative medical data. The requirements of such a system are described, and solutions for data transfer, processing, and storage are presented. In a subsequent study, a prototype based on the presented concept is tested for correct and complete data transmission and storage and for the ability to record a complete neurosurgical intervention with low processing latencies. In the final section, several applications for the presented data recorder are shown. The developed system based on the presented concept is able to store the generated data correctly, completely, and quickly enough even if much more data than expected are sent during a surgical intervention. The Surgical Data Recorder supports automatic recognition of the interventional situation by providing a centralized data storage and access interface to the OR communication bus. In the future, further data acquisition technologies should be integrated. Therefore, additional interfaces must be developed. The data generated by these devices and technologies should also be stored in or referenced by the Surgical Data Recorder to support the analysis of the OR situation.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Shull, H.E.
The objective of the project was to investigate the economic feasibility of converting potato waste to fuel alcohol. The source of potato starch was Troyer Farms Potato Chips. Experimental work was carried out at both the laboratory scale and the larger pilot scale batch operation at a decommissioned waste water treatment building on campus. The laboratory scale work was considerably more extensive than originally planned, resulting in a much improved scientific work. The pilot scale facility has been completed and operated successfully. In contrast, the analysis of the economic feasibility of commercial production has not yet been completed. The projectmore » was brought to a close with the successful demonstration of the fermentation and distillation using the large scale facilities described previously. Two batches of mash were cooked using the procedures established in support of the laboratory scale work. One of the batches was fermented using the optimum values of the seven controlled factors as predicted by the laboratory scale application of the Box-Wilson design. The other batch was fermented under conditions derived out of Mr. Rouse's interpretation of his long sequence of laboratory results. He was gratified to find that his commitment to the Box-Wilson experiments was justified. The productivity of the Box-Wilson design was greater. The difference between the performance of the two fermentors (one stirred, one not) has not been established yet. Both batches were then distilled together, demonstrating the satisfactory performance of the column still. 4 references.« less
Pathways to Improve Student Pharmacists’ Experience in Research
McClendon, Katie S.; Bell, Allison M.; Ellis, Ashley; Adcock, Kim G.; Hogan, Shirley; Ross, Leigh Ann
2015-01-01
Objective. To describe the implementation of a student research program and to provide outcomes from the initial 4 years’ experience. Design. Students conducted individual research projects in a 4-year longitudinal program (known as Pathway), with faculty member advising and peer mentoring. A prospective assessment compared perceptions of those who completed the Pathway program with those of students who did not. Descriptive statistics, t tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. Assessment. The class of 2013 was the first to complete the Pathway program. In the Pathway assessment project, 59% (n=47) of students who responded reached self-set goals. Pathway students agreed that this research experience improved their ability to work/think independently, evaluate literature, and distinguish themselves from other students. Conclusion. The Pathway program helped students understand the research process and reach other self-set goals. PMID:26089567
Sentence Completion to Assess Children's Views about Aging
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lichtenstein, Michael J.; Pruski, Linda A.; Marshall, Carolyn E.; Blalock, Cheryl L.; Lee, Shuko; Plaetke, Rosemarie
2003-01-01
Purpose: Sentence completion exercises require students to give open-ended responses to prompts. The first purpose of this article is to describe the method of sentence completion to assess middle-school children's attitudes and beliefs about aging. The second purpose is to describe the patterns of characteristics that children associate with…
Flight experience with lightweight, low-power miniaturized instrumentation systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hamory, Philip J.; Murray, James E.
1992-01-01
Engineers at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility (NASA-Dryden) have conducted two flight research programs with lightweight, low-power miniaturized instrumentation systems built around commercial data loggers. One program quantified the performance of a radio-controlled model airplane. The other program was a laminar boundary-layer transition experiment on a manned sailplane. The purpose of this paper is to report NASA-Dryden personnel's flight experience with the miniaturized instrumentation systems used on these two programs. The paper will describe the data loggers, the sensors, and the hardware and software developed to complete the systems. The paper also describes how the systems were used and covers the challenges encountered to make them work. Examples of raw data and derived results will be shown as well. Finally, future plans for these systems will be discussed.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Toby, Brian H.; Von Dreele, Robert B.
The General Structure and Analysis Software II (GSAS-II) package is an all-new crystallographic analysis package written to replace and extend the capabilities of the universal and widely used GSAS and EXPGUI packages. GSAS-II was described in a 2013 article, but considerable work has been completed since then. This paper describes the advances, which include: rigid body fitting and structure solution modules; improved treatment for parametric refinements and equation of state fitting; and small-angle scattering data reduction and analysis. GSAS-II offers versatile and extensible modules for import and export of data and results. Capabilities are provided for users to select anymore » version of the code. Code documentation has reached 150 pages and 17 web-tutorials are offered. © 2014 International Centre for Diffraction Data.« less
Ecologic study of children's use of a computer nutrition education program.
Matheson, D; Achterberg, C
2001-01-01
The purpose of this research was to describe the context created by students as they worked in groups on a nutrition computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program. Students worked on the program in groups of three. Observational methods were used to collect data from students in two sixth-grade classrooms that were part of an experimental program designed to restructure the educational process. Thirty-two students, from 12 groups, were observed as they completed the program. The groups were assigned by the teachers according to standard principles of cooperative learning. Students completed "Ship to Shore," a program designed specifically for this research. The program required three to five 50-minute classroom periods to complete. The objectives of the program were to change children's knowledge structure of basic nutrition concepts and to increase children's critical thinking skills related to nutrition concepts. We collected observational data focused on three domains: (1) student-computer interaction, (2) student-student interaction, and (3) students' thinking and learning skills. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze the data. Specifically, the constant-comparative method was used to develop open coding categories, defined by properties and described by dimensions. The open coding categories were in turn used in axial coding to differentiate students' learning styles. Five styles of student interaction were defined. These included (1) dominant directors (n = 6; 19%), (2) passive actors (n = 5; 16%), (3) action-oriented students (n = 7; 22%), (4) content-oriented students (n = 8; 25%), and (5) problem solvers (n = 5; 16%). The "student style" groups were somewhat gender specific. The dominant directors and passive actors were girls and the action-oriented and content-oriented students were boys. The problem solvers group was mixed gender. Children's responses to computer-based nutrition education are highly variable. Based on the results of this research, nutrition educators may recommend that nutrition CAI programs be implemented in mixed gender groups.
The NOAA Scientific Computing System Data Assembly Center
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Suchdeve, K. L.; Smith, S. R.; Van Waes, M.
2016-02-01
The Scientific Computing System (SCS) Data Assembly Center (DAC) was established in 2014 by the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) to evaluate the quality of full-resolution (sampling on the order of once per second) data collected by SCS onboard NOAA-operated research vessels. The SCS data are nominally transferred from the vessel to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) soon after the completion of each cruise and are complimented with detailed cruise metadata from OMAO. The authors will describe tools developed by the SCS DAC to monitor the timeliness of SCS data delivery to NCEI and the completeness of the SCS packages received by NCEI (ensuring the package contains data for all enabled sensors on a given cruise). Feedback to OMAO and NCEI regarding the timeliness and data completeness will be outlined along with challenges encountered by the DAC as it works to develop automated quality assessment of the SCS data packages.Data collected by SCS on NOAA vessels represent a significant investment by the American taxpayer. The mission of the SCS DAC is to ensure that archived SCS data at NCEI are a complete record of the observations made on NOAA research cruises. Archival of complete SCS datasets at NCEI ensures these data are preserved for future generations of scientists, policy makers, and the public.
Time away from work predicts later cognitive function: differences by activity during leave.
Leist, Anja K; Glymour, M Maria; Mackenbach, Johan P; van Lenthe, Frank J; Avendano, Mauricio
2013-08-01
We sought to examine how different activities performed during employment gaps are associated with later cognitive function and change. Five cognitive measures were used to indicate cognitive impairment of 18,259 respondents to the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (ages 50-73) in 2004/5 or 2006/7. Using complete employment histories, employment gaps of ≥6 months between ages 25 and 65 were identified. Controlling for early life socioeconomic status, school performance, and education, higher risk of cognitive impairment was associated with employment gaps described as unemployment (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.35) and sickness (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.52-2.09). In contrast, lower risk of cognitive impairment was associated with employment gaps described as training (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.52-1.01) or maternity leave (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.57-0.79). In longitudinal mixed effects models, training and maternity leave were associated with lower 2-year aging-related cognitive decline. Periods away from work described as unemployment or sickness are associated with lower cognitive function, whereas maternity and training leaves are associated with better late-life cognitive function. Both causation and selection mechanisms may explain these findings. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Time away from work predicts later cognitive function: Differences by activity during leave
Leist, Anja K.; Glymour, M Maria; Mackenbach, Johan P; van Lenthe, Frank J; Avendano, Mauricio
2013-01-01
Purpose To examine how different activities performed during employment gaps are associated with later cognitive function and change. Method Five cognitive measures were used to indicate cognitive impairment of 18,259 respondents to the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (age 50-73) in 2004/5 or 2006/7. Using complete employment histories, employment gaps of six months or more between ages 25 and 65 were identified. Results Controlling for early-life socioeconomic status, school performance, and education, higher risk of cognitive impairment was associated with employment gaps described as unemployment (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.18, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] 1.04, 1.35) and sickness (OR = 1.78, 95 % CI 1.52, 2.09). In contrast, lower risk of cognitive impairment was associated with employment gaps described as training (OR = 0.73, 95 % CI 0.52, 1.01) or maternity (OR = 0.65, 95 % CI 0.57, 0.79). In longitudinal mixed effects models, training and maternity spells were associated with lower two-year aging-related cognitive decline. Discussion Periods away from work described as unemployment or sickness are associated with lower cognitive function, whereas maternity and training spells are associated with better late-life cognitive function. Both causation and selection mechanisms may explain these findings. PMID:23889855
A mobile device system for early warning of ECG anomalies.
Szczepański, Adam; Saeed, Khalid
2014-06-20
With the rapid increase in computational power of mobile devices the amount of ambient intelligence-based smart environment systems has increased greatly in recent years. A proposition of such a solution is described in this paper, namely real time monitoring of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal during everyday activities for identification of life threatening situations. The paper, being both research and review, describes previous work of the authors, current state of the art in the context of the authors' work and the proposed aforementioned system. Although parts of the solution were described in earlier publications of the authors, the whole concept is presented completely for the first time along with the prototype implementation on mobile device-a Windows 8 tablet with Modern UI. The system has three main purposes. The first goal is the detection of sudden rapid cardiac malfunctions and informing the people in the patient's surroundings, family and friends and the nearest emergency station about the deteriorating health of the monitored person. The second goal is a monitoring of ECG signals under non-clinical conditions to detect anomalies that are typically not found during diagnostic tests. The third goal is to register and analyze repeatable, long-term disturbances in the regular signal and finding their patterns.
User evaluation of a GUI for controlling an autonomous persistent surveillance team
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Scerri, Paul; Owens, Sean; Sycara, Katia; Lewis, Michael
2010-04-01
In future military missions, there will be many sensor assets collecting much important information about the environment. User control over surveillance assets is important to ensure that the specific data collected is appropriate for the current mission. Unfortunately, previous work has shown that individual users cannot effectively control more than about four assets, even if the assets have significant autonomy. In the ACCAST project, we hypothesized that by including autonomous teamwork between the assets and allowing users to interact by describing what the team as a whole and specific sub-teams should do, we could dramatically scale up the number of assets an individual user could effectively control. In this paper, we present the results of an experiment where users controlled up to 30 autonomous assets performing a complex mission. The assets autonomously worked together using sophisticated teamwork and the user could tell sub-teams to execute team oriented plans which described the steps required to achieve a team objective without describing exactly which asset performed which role and without having to specify how the team should handle routine information sharing, communications and failure circumstances. The users, soldiers from Fort Benning, were surprisingly good at managing the assets and were all able to complete the complex mission with extremely low friendly and civilian casualties.
The Salinas Airshower Learning And Discovery Project (SALAD)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hernandez, Victor; Niduaza, Rommel; Ruiz Castruita, Daniel; Knox, Adrian; Ramos, Daniel; Fan, Sewan; Fatuzzo, Laura
2015-04-01
The SALAD project partners community college and high school STEM students in order to develop and investigate cosmic ray detector telescopes and the physical concepts, using a new light sensor technology based on silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detectors. Replacing the conventional photomultiplier with the SiPM, offers notable advantages in cost and facilitates more in depth, hands-on learning laboratory activities. The students in the SALAD project design, construct and extensively evaluate the SiPM detector modules. These SiPM modules, can be completed in a short time utilizing cost effective components. We describe our research to implement SiPM as read out light detectors for plastic scintillators in a cosmic ray detector telescope for use in high schools. In particular, we describe our work in the design, evaluation and the assembly of (1) a fast preamplifier, (2) a simple coincidence circuit using fast comparators, to discriminate the SiPM noise signal pulses, and (3) a monovibrator circuit to shape the singles plus the AND logic pulses for subsequent processing. To store the singles and coincidence counts data, an Arduino micro-controller with program sketches can be implemented. Results and findings from our work would be described and presented. US Department of Education Title V Grant Award PO31S090007
Dale, Jeremy; Russell, Rachel; Scott, Emma; Owen, Katherine
2017-08-17
General practice is experiencing a growing crisis with the numbers of doctors who are training and then entering the profession in the UK failing to keep pace with workforce needs. This study investigated the immediate to medium term career intentions of those who are about to become general practitioners (GPs) and the factors that are influencing career plans. Online questionnaire survey, with quantitative answers analysed using descriptive statistics and free text data analysed using a thematic framework approach. Doctors approaching the end of 3-year GP vocational training in the West Midlands, England. 178 (57.2%) doctors completed the survey. Most participants planned to work as salaried GPs or locums rather than entering a general practice partnership for at least the first 5 years post-completion of training; others failed to express a career plan or planned to leave general practice completely or work overseas. Many were interested in developing portfolio careers.The quality of general practice experience across undergraduate, foundation and vocational training were reported as influencing personal career plans, and in particular perceptions about workload pressure and morale within the training practices in which they had been placed. Experience of a poor work-life balance as a trainee had a negative effect on career intentions, as did negative perceptions about how general practice is portrayed by politicians and the media. This study describes a number of potentially modifiable factors related to training programmes that are detrimentally influencing the career plans of newly trained GPs. In addition, there are sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender and having children, which are also influencing career plans and so need to be accommodated. With ever-increasing workload in general practice, there is an urgent need to understand and where possible address these issues at national and local level. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.
Shift work parameters and disruption of diurnal cortisol production in female hospital employees.
Hung, Eleanor Wai Man; Aronson, Kristan J; Leung, Michael; Day, Andrew; Tranmer, Joan
2016-01-01
Shift work is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Disruption of cortisol production is a potential underlying mechanism. This study explored the associations of diurnal quantity and pattern of cortisol production in relation to (1) current shift work status (exclusive day versus rotating days and nights), (2) years of past shift work and (3) parameters of rotating shift work (timing, length and intensity). Female hospital employees (160 day workers and 168 rotating shift workers) from southeastern Ontario, Canada, participated in a cross-sectional study. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and measures of body height, weight, and waist circumference were taken. Midstream urine samples were collected over two separate 24-hour periods to measure creatinine-adjusted cortisol. Total diurnal cortisol production and pattern were described with two measures of the area under the curve. The effect of shift work on cortisol was modeled using multivariable linear regression analyses. Cortisol production in day workers and shift workers on their day shift were similar; however, shift workers on the night shift had flatter diurnal cortisol curves and produced less cortisol. This suggests that night work is associated with an acute attenuation of cortisol production.
Building community capacity using web-supported work-based learning.
Pearson, Pauline; Young-Murphy, Lesley; Yaseen, Jonathan; Shiel, Gillian
2013-02-01
Health visitors are a central component of policy to create strong, stable families and communities. The programme which is described here is intended to facilitate existing health visitors to gain confidence and extend or renew their skills in building community capacity (BCC). Networking and relationships are essential to effective community development. These are key skills for the health visitor, which along with professional principles support community capacity building. Learning in this programme is self-directed, supported by web-based resources over a 24 week period. Learning mainly takes place in practice. It involves carrying out a work based project through to completion. Participants register online, and follow a series of six phases. Evaluation of the pilot took place during 2011. Three main areas for improvement were identified: reflective software; signposting access to resources; and dealing with workload pressures. Community engagement for health improvement remains an important element of the vision for health visiting. The programme described is a core resource through which health visitors can build the skills and confidence of community groups and staff in other agencies to make a difference to health and wellbeing.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nfaoui, M.; El-Hami, K.
2018-02-01
The study or applications of solar energy at a given site are dependent on more complete and detailed data on the solar radiation of this site, the aim of this work is presented the method used in the calculation and describe the available data by trying to extract some useful information. We present the method used in the calculation and describe the available data by trying to extract some useful information. In our study we use programs through MATLAB to estimate the totality of the solar radiation on any inclined surface. Moreover, we will study in the last part the influence of exposure (orientation and inclination) on the amount of solar radiation received on a surface of 1m2. Then in order to study the theoretical solar field available in Khouribga, a series of insolation and irradiation data calculate, and then we apply the same strategy of this work to the 20 Moroccan cities in different time scales (every 3min, every day, every month and all year).
Matthews, Debora C; Brillant, Martha G S; Clovis, Joanne B; McNally, Mary E; Filiaggi, Mark J; Kotzer, Robert D; Lawrence, Herenia P
2012-06-01
To examine predictors of participation and to describe the methodological considerations of conducting a two-stage population-based oral health survey. An observational, cross-sectional survey (telephone interview and clinical oral examination) of community-dwelling adults aged 45-64 and ≥65 living in Nova Scotia, Canada was conducted. The survey response rate was 21% for the interview and 13.5% for the examination. A total of 1141 participants completed one or both components of the survey. Both age groups had higher levels of education than the target population; the age 45-64 sample also had a higher proportion of females and lower levels of employment than the target population. Completers (participants who completed interview and examination) were compared with partial completers (who completed only the interview), and stepwise logistic regression was performed to examine predictors of completion. Identified predictors were as follows: not working, post-secondary education and frequent dental visits. Recruitment, communications and logistics present challenges in conducting a province-wide survey. Identification of employment, education and dental visit frequency as predictors of survey participation provide insight into possible non-response bias and suggest potential for underestimation of oral disease prevalence in this and similar surveys. This potential must be considered in analysis and in future recruitment strategies. © 2011 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.
The why of practice: utilizing PIE to analyze social work practice in Australian hospitals.
Nilsson, David; Joubert, Lynette; Holland, Lucy; Posenelli, Sonia
2013-01-01
This research used a collaborative approach to gain a comprehensive, quantitative understanding of the breadth and depth of the social work role in health care. Data was collected from individual interviews with all employed hospital social workers (N = 120) across five Melbourne, Australia health networks about their most recently completed case. This data was coded using a revised version of the Karls and Wandrei (1994) Person-in-Environment (PIE) tool to retrospectively analyze the reasons for social work involvement over the course of the case. The findings demonstrate that the hospital social work role is multidimensional across a number of domains but centers predominantly on assisting clients and their significant others with issues of altered social roles and functioning; particularly in relation to role responsibility, dependency, and managing associated role-change losses. The findings of this study will assist hospital social workers, managers, and academics to better describe and effectively undertake this complex work. These findings will also assist in the development of professional training and education to up-skill social workers who operate within this complex setting.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kolecki, Joseph C.; Hillard, G. Barry
1991-01-01
With the advent of the Space Exploration Initiative, the possibility of designing and using systems on scales not heretofore attempted presents exciting new challenges in systems design and space science. The environments addressed by the Space Exploration Initiative include the surfaces of the Moon and Mars, as well as the varied plasma and field environments which will be encountered by humans and cargo enroute to these destinations. Systems designers will need to understand environmental interactions and be able to model these mechanisms from the earliest conceptual design stages through design completion. To the end of understanding environmental interactions and establishing robotic precursor mission requirements, an Environmental Interactions Working Group has been established as part of the Robotic Missions Working Group. The current paper describes the working group and gives an update of its current activities. Working group charter and operation are reviewed, background information on the environmental interactions and their characteristics is offered, and the current status of the group's activities is presented along with anticipations for the future.
Exploring Nurse Leaders' Policy Participation Within the Context of a Nursing Conceptual Framework.
Waddell, Ashley; Adams, Jeffrey M; Fawcett, Jacqueline
2017-11-01
This study was designed to describe and quantify the experiences of nurse leaders working to influence policy and to build consensus for priority skills and knowledge useful in policy efforts within the context of a nursing conceptual framework. The conceptual model for nursing and health policy and the Adams influence model were combined into a conceptual framework used to guide this two-round modified Delphi study. Twenty-two nurse leaders who were members of a state action coalition participated in the Round 1 focus group; 15 of these leaders completed the Round 2 electronic survey. Round 1 themes indicated the value of a passion for policy, the importance of clear communication, and an understanding the who and when of policy work. Round 2 data reinforced the importance of clear communication regarding policy engagement; knowing the who and when of policy closely followed, and having a passion for policy work was identified as least important. These themes inform learning objectives for nursing education and preparation for interactions with public officials because influencing policy requires knowledge, skills, and persistence. Study findings begin to describe how nurse leaders influence policy within the context of a nursing conceptual framework and generate implications for research, education, and professional practice.
Second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2)
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Snyder, Robert S. (Compiler)
1997-01-01
This report highlights the scientific and engineering accomplishments achieved during the 14-day Second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) mission. The mission, managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, laid the groundwork for broader international partnerships and scientific alliances. Five other space agencies joined NASA on the mission: the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the French Space Agency (CNES), the German Space Agency (DARA), and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). For the mission, microgravity and life sciences investigations were completed inside Spacelab by a crew working around the clock. The report foreword and introduction describe the mission and the facilities used for IML-2. By the end of the mission, hundreds of primary and secondary experiments were completed. With the help of the principal investigators, most of the primary investigations and some of the co-investigations are described in this document. The lead report authors are cited at the beginning of each experiment description The remainder of the description includes the experiment objectives, flight activities postflight analysis, conclusions, illustrations, and references for further research. The major scientific accomplishments of each investigation are highlighted.
Quantum thermodynamics of general quantum processes.
Binder, Felix; Vinjanampathy, Sai; Modi, Kavan; Goold, John
2015-03-01
Accurately describing work extraction from a quantum system is a central objective for the extension of thermodynamics to individual quantum systems. The concepts of work and heat are surprisingly subtle when generalizations are made to arbitrary quantum states. We formulate an operational thermodynamics suitable for application to an open quantum system undergoing quantum evolution under a general quantum process by which we mean a completely positive and trace-preserving map. We derive an operational first law of thermodynamics for such processes and show consistency with the second law. We show that heat, from the first law, is positive when the input state of the map majorizes the output state. Moreover, the change in entropy is also positive for the same majorization condition. This makes a strong connection between the two operational laws of thermodynamics.
Sources and vicissitudes of being in D. W. Winnicott's work.
Green, André
2010-01-01
The author questions the reasons for the appearance of the concept of being in Winnicott's work four years before his death. Winnicott illustrated his concept of being by describing a patient in whom he found a complete dissociation of male and female elements. Insisting on the role of the environment and the part played by the mother, Winnicott considered that the pure female element relates to the breast or the mother, in the sense that the baby is becoming the breast. He opined that instinct or drive has nothing to do with this. The present paper discusses this viewpoint at length, comparing Winnicott's and Freud's positions. It is noted that Winnicott introduced his concept of being at a time when he felt threatened by his own mortality.
Sheaves, Bryony; Onwumere, Juliana; Keen, Nadine; Stahl, Daniel; Kuipers, Elizabeth
2015-01-01
Objective: To examine the prevalence of nightmares in people with psychosis and to describe the link between nightmares and sleep quality, psychotic, affective, and cognitive symptoms. Methods: Forty participants with psychotic symptoms completed an assessment of nightmares, sleep quality, positive symptoms of psychosis, affect, posttraumatic stress, social functioning, and working memory. Results: Among the patients, 55% reported weekly distressing nightmares. Experience of more frequent nightmares was related to poorer sleep quality and sleep efficiency. More distressing nightmares were positively associated with greater delusional severity, depression, anxiety, stress, and difficulties with working memory. Conclusions: Nightmares might be common in those with psychosis and are associated with increased day- and nighttime impairment. Future research should investigate treatments for nightmares, for people presenting with psychotic symptoms. PMID:26454557
Effects of Shift and Night Work in the Offshore Petroleum Industry: A Systematic Review
FOSSUM, Ingrid Nesdal; BJORVATN, Bjørn; WAAGE, Siri; PALLESEN, Ståle
2013-01-01
Shift and night work are associated with several negative outcomes. The aim of this study was to make a systematic review of all studies which examine effects of shift and night work in the offshore petroleum industry, to synthesize the knowledge of how shift work offshore may affect the workers. Searches for studies concerning effects on health, sleep, adaptation, safety, working conditions, family- and social life and turnover were conducted via the databases Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO and PubMed. Search was also conducted through inspection of reference lists of relevant literature. We identified studies describing effects of shift work in terms of sleep, adaptation and re-adaptation of circadian rhythms, health outcomes, safety and accidents, family and social life, and work perceptions. Twenty-nine studies were included. In conclusion, the longitudinal studies were generally consistent in showing that adaptation to night work was complete within one to two weeks of work, while re-adaptation to a daytime schedule was slower. Shift workers reported more sleep problems than day workers. The data regarding mental and physical health, family and social life, and accidents yielded inconsistent results, and were insufficient as a base for drawing general conclusions. More research in the field is warranted. PMID:23803497
Women's postpartum maternity benefits and work experience.
Gjerdingen, D K; McGovern, P M; Chaloner, K M; Street, H B
1995-10-01
This study was conducted to describe women's perceptions of their maternity leave policy and its implementation, maternity leave benefits, postpartum work experience, and factors that relate to returning to work. Surveys were mailed to 436 married, recently employed, first-time mothers at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postpartum. Most respondents said they had written maternity leave policies they could understand, but they were not completely satisfied with their policies. The average 11.1-week maternity leave was considerably shorter than their 8-month ideal, and only 25.5% had the option of working part-time. A minority (35.8%) were allowed to use personal days to care for a sick infant. Most women were distressed about making child care arrangements. Compared with women who remained at home, those who returned to work complained of more respiratory, gynecologic, and breast symptoms. Relatively little is known about women's postpartum work experience. In this study, return to work after delivery was related to several demographic, occupational, and social factors and was associated with health problems and concerns about child care. With a majority of new mothers now returning to work, attention has recently been directed to factors that facilitate the merger of work and parenting roles. One such important factor is women's parental or maternity leave benefits, the focus of this study.
Saunders, S L; MacEachen, E; Nedelec, B
2015-01-01
Effort is a concept that underlies programs assisting people with work disability to re-enter the labour force. During re-entry, attention is paid to the effort invested by the worker with an injury. However, for those with chronic work disability, the motivation to return to work (RTW) may be questioned by benefit service providers and healthcare professionals. The objective of this paper is to describe the efforts made by people with long term work-disability to regain a foothold on the labour market. This phenomenological study explored the meaning of work for people with long-term work disability and job loss. Twenty-seven interviews were conducted with nine participants. A thematic analysis was completed of the collected data. A key finding of this study is the variety and degree of effort exerted by participants to regain employment, despite time away from the workplace and system barriers. Effort was exerted to retain pre-accident employment; to obtain new work following job loss; and, to remain in a new job. This study suggests that if the RTW effort of people with long-term work disability is not fully acknowledged or supported, this population will remain unemployed where their strengths as competent, experienced workers will continue to be wasted.
How do consumers describe wine astringency?
Vidal, Leticia; Giménez, Ana; Medina, Karina; Boido, Eduardo; Ares, Gastón
2015-12-01
Astringency is one of the most important sensory characteristics of red wine. Although a hierarchically structured vocabulary to describe the mouthfeel sensations of red wine has been proposed, research on consumers' astringency vocabulary is lacking. In this context, the aim of this work was to gain an insight on the vocabulary used by wine consumers to describe the astringency of red wine and to evaluate the influence of wine involvement on consumers' vocabulary. One hundred and twenty-five wine consumers completed and on-line survey with five tasks: an open-ended question about the definition of wine astringency, free listing the sensations perceived when drinking an astringent wine, free listing the words they would use to describe the astringency of a red wine, a CATA question with 44 terms used in the literature to describe astringency, and a wine involvement questionnaire. When thinking about wine astringency consumers freely elicited terms included in the Mouth-feel Wheel, such as dryness and harsh. The majority of the specific sub-qualities of the Mouth-feel Wheel were not included in consumer responses. Also, terms not classified as astringency descriptors were elicited (e.g. acid and bitter). Only 17 out of the 31 terms from the Mouth-feel Wheel were used by more than 10% of participants when answering the CATA question. There were no large differences in the responses of consumer segments with different wine involvement. Results from the present work suggest that most of the terms of the Mouth-feel Wheel might not be adequate to communicate the astringency characteristics of red wine to consumers. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Balmant, Wellington; Sugai-Guérios, Maura Harumi; Coradin, Juliana Hey; Krieger, Nadia; Furigo Junior, Agenor; Mitchell, David Alexander
2015-01-01
Current models that describe the extension of fungal hyphae and development of a mycelium either do not describe the role of vesicles in hyphal extension or do not correctly describe the experimentally observed profile for distribution of vesicles along the hypha. The present work uses the n-tanks-in-series approach to develop a model for hyphal extension that describes the intracellular transport of nutrient to a sub-apical zone where vesicles are formed and then transported to the tip, where tip extension occurs. The model was calibrated using experimental data from the literature for the extension of reproductive aerial hyphae of three different fungi, and was able to describe different profiles involving acceleration and deceleration of the extension rate. A sensitivity analysis showed that the supply of nutrient to the sub-apical vesicle-producing zone is a key factor influencing the rate of extension of the hypha. Although this model was used to describe the extension of a single reproductive aerial hypha, the use of the n-tanks-in-series approach to representing the hypha means that the model has the flexibility to be extended to describe the growth of other types of hyphae and the branching of hyphae to form a complete mycelium.
Geneste, Grégory; Hermet, Jessica; Dezanneau, Guilhem
2017-08-09
We respond to the erroneous criticisms about our modeling of proton transport in barium stannate [G. Geneste et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 19104]. In this previous work, we described, on the basis of density-functional calculations, proton transport in the classical and semi-classical regimes, and provided arguments in favor of an adiabatic picture for proton transfer at low temperature. We re-explain here our article (with more detail and precision), the content of which has been distorted in the Comment, and reiterate our arguments in this reply. We refute all criticisms. They are completely wrong in the context of our article. Even though a few of them are based on considerations probably true in some metals, they make no sense here since they do not correspond to the content of our work. It has not been understood in the Comment that two competitive configurations, associated with radically different transfer mechanisms, have been studied in our work. It has also not been understood in the Comment that the adiabatic regime described for transfer occurs in the protonic ground state, in a very-low barrier configuration with the protonic ground state energy larger than the barrier. Serious confusion has been made in the Comment with the case of H in metals like Nb or Ta, leading to the introduction of the notion of (protonic) "excited-state proton transfer", relevant for H in some metals, but (i) that does not correspond to the (ground state) adiabatic transfers here described, and (ii) that does not correspond to what is commonly described as the "adiabatic limit for proton transfer" in the scientific literature. We emphasize, accordingly, the large differences between proton transfer in the present oxide and hydrogen jumps in metals like Nb or Ta, and the similarities between proton transfer in the present oxide and in acid-base solutions. We finally describe a scenario for proton transfer in the present oxide regardless of the temperature regime.
Development of Submillimeter SIS Mixers and Broadband HEMT Amplifiers
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Zmuidzinas, J.
2004-01-01
This is the final technical report for NASA grant NAG5-9493. entitled "Development of Submillimeter SIS Mixers and Broadband HEMT Amplifiers". The goal of this project was to develop and demonstrate a new generation of superconducting tunnel junction (SIS) receivers with extremely wide instantaneous (intermediate-frequency, or IF) bandwidths. of order 12 GHz. along with the wideband low-noise microwave HEMT (high electron mobility transistor) amplifiers which follow the SIS mixer. These wideband SIS/HEMT receivers would allow rapid submillimeter wavelength spectral line surveys to be carried out, for instance with the NASA airborne observatory SOFIA. and could potentially be useful for future submillimeter space missions such as SAFIR. In addition, there are potential NASA earth science applications. such as the monitoring of the distribution of chemical species in the stratosphere and troposphere using the limb-sounding technique. The overall goals of this project have been achieved: a broadband 200-300 SIS receiver was designed and constructed, and was demonstrated in the field through a test run at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory on Mauna Kea. HI. The technical details are described in the appendices. which are primarily conference publications. but Appendix A also includes an unpublished summary of the latest results. The work on the SIS mixer design are described in the conference publications (appendices B and C). The "Supermix" software package that was developed at Caltech and used for the SIS design is also described in two conference papers, but has been substantially revised, debugged. and extended as part of the work completed for this grant. The Supermix package is made available to the community at no charge. The electromagnetic design of a radial waveguide probe similar to the one used in this work is described in a journal publication. Details of the novel fabrication procedure used for producing the SIS devices at JPL are also given in an upcoming journal article. Finally, details on the wideband HEMT amplifier design and noise characterization techniques are described in two publications.
Communication self-assessment by public prosecutors in a north-eastern Brazilian state.
Sales, Neuza Josina; Castaneda, Daniel Francisco Neyra; Barreto, Íkaro Daniel de Carvalho; Paoliello, Marina; Campanha, Silvia Márcia Andrade
2016-01-01
To describe how public prosecutors self-assess their communication approaches and how listeners react to them; to analyze how this relates to gender, age, and work experience. Descriptive, transversal study. A questionnaire was developed and sent to 126 public prosecutors for completion. Thirty-three completed questionnaires were sent back. The independent variables were gender, age, and number of years of professional experience. The dependent variables were communication self-assessment throughout the years of work, communication parameters used, and listeners' reactions. A descriptive analyzis and Fisher's Exact Test was carried out. the sample contained both male and female participants with a median age of 43 years and an average of 20 years of professional experience. Most of the respondents claimed they had experienced demotivation, insecurity, tension, and difficulty when trying to convince listeners. More women than men reported they felt that their communication had worsened throughout their careers. All the women reported they experienced insecurity when speaking in public. One third of the public prosecutors stated they suffered from disorders on their voice. Those respondents aged over 43, experienced greater proportion on voice change than younger ones. In contrast to their younger colleagues, the majority of public prosecutors with more than 20 years of professional experience revealed that they felt insecure when speaking in public. the public prosecutors identified their strong and weak communication parameters. Gender, age, and work experience affect communicative performance.
Quantum Sensing and Communications Being Developed for Nanotechnology
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Nguyen, Quang-Viet; Seibert, Marc A.
2003-01-01
An interdisciplinary quantum communications and sensing research effort has been underway at the NASA Glenn Research Center since the summer of 2000. Researchers in the Communications Technology, Instrumentation and Controls, and Propulsion and Turbomachinery Divisions have been working together to study and develop techniques that use the principle of quantum entanglement (QE). This work is supported principally by the Nanotechnology Base R&T program at Glenn. As applied to communications and sensing, QE is an emerging technology that holds promise as a new and innovative way to communicate faster and farther, and to sense, measure, and image environmental properties in ways that are not possible with existing technology. Quantum entangled photons are "inseparable" as described by a wave function formalism. For two entangled photons, the term "inseparable" means that one cannot describe one photon without completely describing the other. This inseparability gives rise to what appears as "spooky," or nonintuitive, behavior because of the quantum nature of the process. For example, two entangled photons of lower energy can be created simultaneously from a single photon of higher energy in a process called spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Our research is focused on the use of polarization-entangled photons generated by passing a high-energy (blue) photon through a nonlinear beta barium borate crystal to generate two red photons that have orthogonal, but entangled, polarization states. Although the actual polarization state of any one photon is not known until it is measured, the act of measuring the polarization of one photon completely determines the polarization state of its twin because of entanglement. This unique relationship between the photons provides extra information about the system. For example, entanglement makes it easy to distinguish entangled photons from other photons impinging on a detector. For many other applications, ranging from quantum computation and information to quantum sensing, the entanglement property is critical.
Overview of a pharmacist anticoagulation certificate program.
Kirk, Julienne K; Edwards, Rebecca; Brewer, Andrew; Miller, Cathey; Bray, Bryan; Groce, James B
2017-07-01
To describe the design of an ongoing anticoagulation certificate program and annual renewal update for pharmacists. Components of the anticoagulation certificate program include home study, pre- and posttest, live sessions, case discussions with evaluation and presentation, an implementation plan, and survey information (program evaluation and use in practice). Clinical reasoning skills were assessed through case work-up and evaluation prior to live presentation. An annual renewal program requires pharmacists to complete home study and case evaluations. A total of 361 pharmacists completed the anticoagulation certificate program between 2002 and 2015. Most (62%) practiced in ambulatory care and 38% in inpatient care settings (8% in both). In the past four years, 71% were working in or starting anticoagulation clinics in ambulatory and inpatient settings. In their evaluations of the program, an average of 90% of participants agreed or strongly agreed the lecture material was relevant and objectives were met. Pharmacists are able to apply knowledge and skills in management of anticoagulation. This structured practice-based continuing education program was intended to enhance pharmacy practice and has achieved that goal. The certificate program in anticoagulation was relevant to pharmacists who attended the program. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Mounier-Geyssant, Estelle; Barthélemy, Jean-François; Mouchot, Lory; Paris, Christophe; Zmirou-Navier, Denis
2007-01-01
Background This study describes exposure levels of bakery and pastry apprentices to flour dust, a known risk factor of occupational asthma. Methods Questionnaires on work activity were completed by 286 students. Among them, 34 performed a series of two personal exposure measurements using a PM2.5 and PM10 personal sampler during a complete work shift, one during a cold ("winter") period, and the other during a hot ("summer") period. Results Bakery apprentices experience greater average PM2.5 and PM10 exposures than pastry apprentices (p < 0.006). Exposure values for both particulate fractions are greater in winter (average PM10 values among bakers = 1.10 mg.m-3 [standard deviation: 0.83]) than in summer (0.63 mg.m-3 [0.36]). While complying with current European occupational limit values, these exposures exceed the ACGIH recommendations set to prevent sensitization to flour dust (0.5 mg.m-3). Over half the facilities had no ventilation system. Conclusion Young bakery apprentices incur substantial exposure to known airways allergens, a situation that might elicit early induction of airways inflammation. PMID:17976230
Hoff, Rune; Corbett, Karina; Mehlum, Ingrid S; Mohn, Ferdinand A; Kristensen, Petter; Hanvold, Therese N; Gran, Jon M
2018-04-27
Completing upper secondary education is associated with higher work participation and less health-related absence from work. Although these outcomes are closely interrelated, most studies focus on single outcomes, using cross-sectional designs or short follow-up periods. As such, there is limited knowledge of the long-term outcomes, and how paths for completers and non-completers unfold over time. In this paper, we use multi-state models for time-to-event data to assess the long-term effects of completing upper secondary education on employment, tertiary education, sick leave, and disability pension over twelve and a half years for young men. Baseline covariates and twelve and a half years of follow-up data on employment, tertiary education, sick leave and disability pension were obtained from national registries for all males born in Norway between 1971 and 1976 (n =184951). The effects of completing upper secondary education (by age 23) were analysed in a multi-state framework, adjusting for both individual and family level confounders. All analyses were done separately for general studies and vocational tracks. Completers do better on a range of outcomes compared to non-completers, for both fields of upper secondary education, but effects of completion change over time. The largest changes are for tertiary education and work, with the probability of work increasing reciprocally to the probability of education. Vocational students are quicker to transfer to the labour market, but tend to have more unemployment, sick leave and disability, and the absolute effects of completion on these outcomes are largest for vocational tracks. However, the relative effects of completion are larger for general studies. Completing upper secondary education increases long-term work participation and lowers health-related absence for young men, but effects diminish over time. Studies that have used shorter follow-up periods could be overstating the negative effects of dropout on labour market participation. Multi-state models are well suited to analyse data on work, education and health-related absence, and can be useful in understanding the dynamic aspects of these outcomes.
Standard Review Plan for Environmental Restoration Program Quality Management Plans. Revision 2
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Not Available
1993-12-01
The Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (RL) Manual Environmental Restoration Program Quality System Requirements (QSR) for the Hanford Site, defines all quality requirements governing Hanford Environmental Restoration (ER) Program activities. The QSR requires that ER Program participants develop Quality Management Plans (QMPs) that describe how the QSR requirements will be implemented for their assigned scopes of work. This standard review plan (SRP) describes the ER program participant responsibilities for submittal of QMPs to the RL Environmental Restoration Division for review and the RL methodology for performing the reviews of participant QMPS. The SRP serves the following functions: acts asmore » a guide in the development or revision of QMPs to assure that the content is complete and adequate; acts as a checklist to be used by the RL staff in their review of participant QMPs; acts as an index or matrix between the requirements of the QSR and implementing methodologies described in the QMPs; decreases the time and subjectivity of document reviews; and provides a formal, documented method for describing exceptions, modifications, or waivers to established ER Program quality requirements.« less
Polymerization and processing of polymers in magnetic fields
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Benicewicz, B.C.; Smith, M.E.; Douglas, E.P.
1997-04-01
Liquid crystalline thermosets (LCT`s) have become recognized over the past few years as an important class of materials. Numerous reports from the authors laboratory and others have described their synthesis and phase behavior. In particular, the authors have described important effects due to the orientation of the rodlike molecules in a liquid crystalline phase. They have found that curing rates are enhanced compared to reaction in an isotropic phase, and that the glass transition of the fully cured material can be significantly higher than the final cure temperature. For structural applications, orientation of LCT`s will allow maximum improvement in mechanicalmore » properties. A few studies have described use of magnetic fields to orient LCT`s. However, no measurements were made of the tensile properties of materials processed in magnetic fields. The authors have conducted experiments which describe the tensile modulus dependence of an LCT over the complete range of magnetic field strengths from 0 to 18 Tesla. Their work has focused on the system composed of the diglycidyl ether of dihydroxy-{alpha}-methylstilbene (DGE-DHAMS) cured with sulfanilamide (SAA).« less
Proceedings of RIKEN BNL Research Center workwhop on RHIC spin
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
SOFFER,J.
1999-10-06
This RHIC Spin Workshop is the 1999 annual meeting of the RHIC Spin Collaboration, and the second to be hosted at Brookhaven and sponsored by the RIKEN BNL Research Center. The previous meetings were at Brookhaven (1998), Marseille (1996), MIT in 1995, Argonne 1994, Tucson in 1991, and the Polarized Collider Workshop at Penn State in 1990. As noted last year, the Center provides a home for combined work on spin by theorists, experimenters, and accelerator physicists. This proceedings, as last year, is a compilation of 1 page summaries and 5 selected transparencies for each speaker. It is designed tomore » be available soon after the workshop is completed. Speakers are welcome to include web or other references for additional material. The RHIC spin program and RHIC are rapidly becoming reality. RHIC has completed its first commissioning run, as described here by Steve Peggs. The first Siberian Snake for spin has been completed and is being installed in RHIC. A new polarized source from KEK and Triumf with over 1 milliampere of polarized H{sup minus} is being installed, described by Anatoli Zelenski. They have had a successful test of a new polarimeter for RHIC, described by Kazu Kurita and Haixin Huang. Spin commissioning is expected next spring (2000), and the first physics run for spin is anticipated for spring 2001. The purpose of the workshop is to get everyone together about once per year and discuss goals of the spin program, progress, problems, and new ideas. They also have many separate regular forums on spin. There are spin discussion sessions every Tuesday, now organized by Naohito Saito and Werner Vogelsang. The spin discussion schedule and copies of presentations are posted on http://riksg01.rhic.bnl.gov/rsc. Speakers and other spinners are encouraged to come to BNL and to lead a discussion on your favorite idea. They also have regular polarimeter and snake meetings on alternate Thursdays, led by Bill McGahern, the lead engineer for the accelerator spin effort (Thomas Roser is the spokesperson). Waldo Mackay, the Project Manager for spin, leads a weekly accelerator meeting on spin issues on Wednesdays. Finally, Phenix, STAR, and the pp2pp Collaboration have regular collaboration meetings including spin, and spin working groups.« less
Countermeasure development using a formalised metric-based process
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Barker, Laurence
2008-10-01
Guided weapons, are a potent threat to both air and surface platforms; to protect the platform, Countermeasures are often used to disrupt the operation of the tracking system. Development of effective techniques to defeat the guidance sensors is a complex activity. The countermeasure often responds to the behaviour of a responsive sensor system, creating a "closed loop" interaction. Performance assessment is difficult, and determining that enough knowledge exists to make a case that a platform is adequately protected is challenging. A set of metrics known as Countermeasure Confidence Levels (CCL) is described. These set out a measure of confidence in prediction of Countermeasure performance. The CCL scale provides, for the first time, a method to determine whether enough evidence exists to support development activity and introduction to operational service. Application of the CCL scale to development of a hypothetical countermeasure is described. This tracks how the countermeasure is matured from initial concept to in-service application. The purpose of each stage is described, together with a description of what work is likely to be needed. This will involve timely use of analysis, simulation, laboratory work and field testing. The use of the CCL scale at key decision points is described. These include procurement decision points, and entry-to-service decisions. Each stage requires collection of evidence of effectiveness. Completeness of the available evidence can be assessed, and duplication can be avoided. Read-across between concepts, weapon systems and platforms can be addressed and the impact of technology insertion can be assessed.
Dizziness causes absence from work.
van der Zaag-Loonen, H J; van Leeuwen, R B
2015-09-01
The objective of the study was to assess absenteeism from work due to dizziness in patients referred to a tertiary centre. Consecutive patients with a paid employment completed the WHO Health and work Performance Questionnaire, including items on work absence in the past 7 days and 4 weeks, and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Of the 400 patients [55% females, mean age 46.3 years (SD 10.8), range 18-68 years], 46 (12%) indicated they were completely disabled to work due to dizziness, while 202 (51%) patients indicated they had worked less than expected due to dizziness. Patients with more disease-related disabilities had more absenteeism from work. Half of the patients who are referred to a tertiary centre for dizziness report work absenteeism due to their complaints, and 12% is completely disabled to work.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Coronel-Escamilla, A.; Gómez-Aguilar, J. F.; Torres, L.; Escobar-Jiménez, R. F.; Valtierra-Rodríguez, M.
2017-12-01
In this paper, we propose a state-observer-based approach to synchronize variable-order fractional (VOF) chaotic systems. In particular, this work is focused on complete synchronization with a so-called unidirectional master-slave topology. The master is described by a dynamical system in state-space representation whereas the slave is described by a state observer. The slave is composed of a master copy and a correction term which in turn is constituted of an estimation error and an appropriate gain that assures the synchronization. The differential equations of the VOF chaotic system are described by the Liouville-Caputo and Atangana-Baleanu-Caputo derivatives. Numerical simulations involving the synchronization of Rössler oscillators, Chua's systems and multi-scrolls are studied. The simulations show that different chaotic behaviors can be obtained if different smooths functions defined in the interval (0 , 1 ] are used as the variable order of the fractional derivatives. Furthermore, simulations show that the VOF chaotic systems can be synchronized.
Numerical approach to describe complementary drying of banana slices osmotically dehydrated
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
da Silva Júnior, Aluízio Freire; da Silva, Wilton Pereira; de Farias Aires, Juarez Everton; Farias Aires, Kalina Lígia C. A.
2018-02-01
In this work, diffusion model was used to describe the water loss in the complementary drying process of cylindrical slices of banana pretreated by osmotic dehydration. A numerical solution has been proposed for the diffusion equation in cylindrical coordinates, which was obtained through the Finite Volume Method. The diffusion equation was discretized assuming that the effective water diffusivity and the dimensions of a finite cylinder may vary; also considering the boundary condition of the third kind. The banana slices were cut in length of about 1.00 cm and average radius 1.70 cm before osmotic pretreatment, and completed the pretreatment with length of about 0.74 cm and average radius 1.40 cm. The complementary drying was carried out in a kiln with circulation and air exchange. Drying temperatures were the same as used in the osmotic pretreatment (40 to 70 °C). The proposed model described well the water loss, with good statistical indicators for all fits.
Structural Similitude and Scaling Laws for Plates and Shells: A Review
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Simitses, G. J.; Starnes, J. H., Jr.; Rezaeepazhand, J.
2000-01-01
This paper deals with the development and use of scaled-down models in order to predict the structural behavior of large prototypes. The concept is fully described and examples are presented which demonstrate its applicability to beam-plates, plates and cylindrical shells of laminated construction. The concept is based on the use of field equations, which govern the response behavior of both the small model as well as the large prototype. The conditions under which the experimental data of a small model can be used to predict the behavior of a large prototype are called scaling laws or similarity conditions and the term that best describes the process is structural similitude. Moreover, since the term scaling is used to describe the effect of size on strength characteristics of materials, a discussion is included which should clarify the difference between "scaling law" and "size effect". Finally, a historical review of all published work in the broad area of structural similitude is presented for completeness.
Approximation methods for the stability analysis of complete synchronization on duplex networks
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Han, Wenchen; Yang, Junzhong
2018-01-01
Recently, the synchronization on multi-layer networks has drawn a lot of attention. In this work, we study the stability of the complete synchronization on duplex networks. We investigate effects of coupling function on the complete synchronization on duplex networks. We propose two approximation methods to deal with the stability of the complete synchronization on duplex networks. In the first method, we introduce a modified master stability function and, in the second method, we only take into consideration the contributions of a few most unstable transverse modes to the stability of the complete synchronization. We find that both methods work well for predicting the stability of the complete synchronization for small networks. For large networks, the second method still works pretty well.
Long-range interacting systems in the unconstrained ensemble.
Latella, Ivan; Pérez-Madrid, Agustín; Campa, Alessandro; Casetti, Lapo; Ruffo, Stefano
2017-01-01
Completely open systems can exchange heat, work, and matter with the environment. While energy, volume, and number of particles fluctuate under completely open conditions, the equilibrium states of the system, if they exist, can be specified using the temperature, pressure, and chemical potential as control parameters. The unconstrained ensemble is the statistical ensemble describing completely open systems and the replica energy is the appropriate free energy for these control parameters from which the thermodynamics must be derived. It turns out that macroscopic systems with short-range interactions cannot attain equilibrium configurations in the unconstrained ensemble, since temperature, pressure, and chemical potential cannot be taken as a set of independent variables in this case. In contrast, we show that systems with long-range interactions can reach states of thermodynamic equilibrium in the unconstrained ensemble. To illustrate this fact, we consider a modification of the Thirring model and compare the unconstrained ensemble with the canonical and grand-canonical ones: The more the ensemble is constrained by fixing the volume or number of particles, the larger the space of parameters defining the equilibrium configurations.
Morris, Anna E; Lutman, Mark E; Yardley, Lucy
2009-01-01
A prototype self-report measure of vestibular rehabilitation outcome is described in a previous paper. The objectives of the present work were to identify the most useful items and assess their psychometric properties. Stage 1: One hundred fifty-five participants completed a prototype 36-item Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire (VRBQ). Statistical analysis demonstrated its subscale structure and identified redundant items. Stage 2: One hundred twenty-four participants completed a refined 22-item VRBQ and three established questionnaires (Dizziness Handicap Inventory, DHI; Vertigo Symptom Scale short form, VSS-sf; Medical Outcomes Study short form 36, SF-36) in a longitudinal study. Statistical analysis revealed four internally consistent subscales of the VRBQ: Dizziness, Anxiety, Motion-Provoked Dizziness, and Quality of Life. Correlations with the DHI, VSS-sf, and SF-36 support the validity of the VRBQ, and effect size estimates suggest that the VRBQ is more responsive than comparable questionnaires. Twenty participants completed the VRBQ twice in a 24-hour period, indicating excellent test-retest reliability. The VRBQ appears to be a concise and psychometrically robust questionnaire that addresses the main aspects of dizziness impact.
Multipoint Pressure and Temperature Sensing Fiber Optic Cable for Monitoring CO 2 Sequestration
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Challener, William
2015-02-10
This report describes the work completed on contract DE-FE0010116. The goal of this two year project was to develop and demonstrate in the laboratory a highly accurate multi-point pressure measurement fiber optic cable based on MEMS pressure sensors suitable for downhole deployment in a CO 2 sequestration well. The sensor interrogator was also to be demonstrated in a remote monitoring system and environmental testing was to be completed to indicate its downhole survivability over a lengthy period of time (e.g., 20 years). An interrogator system based on a pulsed laser excitation was shown to be capable of multiple (potentially 100+)more » simultaneous sensor measurements. Two sensors packages were completed and spliced in a cable onto the same fiber and measured. One sensor package was subsequently measured at high temperatures and pressures in supercritical CO 2, while the other package was measured prior and after being subjected to high torque stresses to mimic downhole deployment. The environmental and stress tests indicated areas in which the package design should be further improved.« less
Assessing your competitors' application of CIM/CIP. [Computer Integrated Manufacturing/Processing
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
King, M.J.; Evans, H.N.
1993-07-01
As part of the authors consulting assignments, they are frequently asked to describe what is best industry practice in the area of computer integrated manufacturing/processing (CIM/CIP). This might be specific to a particular piece, such as advanced controls or a laboratory system. Often it is in response to the enormous publicity given to CIM/CIP--begging the question, Who in the hydrocarbon industry is actually doing it '' Although much of this information is available to consultants, client confidentiality precludes its release. Instead, included is a questionnaire intended to be completed by representatives of manufacturing sites. The data gathered will be analyzedmore » and reported in a future issue. The intent is to give anyone who has completed the questionnaire the opportunity to assess the position of his or her site with respect to the competition. To show how this might work a prototype study was completed. This included an estimate of the advanced control benefits achieved in 68 refineries in Western Europe. So that sites could be compared, these were expressed as a percentage of the maximum economically achievable.« less
Light aircraft lift, drag, and moment prediction: A review and analysis
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Smetana, F. O.; Summey, D. C.; Smith, N. S.; Carden, R. K.
1975-01-01
The historical development of analytical methods for predicting the lift, drag, and pitching moment of complete light aircraft configurations in cruising flight is reviewed. Theoretical methods, based in part on techniques described in the literature and in part on original work, are developed. These methods form the basis for understanding the computer programs given to: (1) compute the lift, drag, and moment of conventional airfoils, (2) extend these two-dimensional characteristics to three dimensions for moderate-to-high aspect ratio unswept wings, (3) plot complete configurations, (4) convert the fuselage geometric data to the correct input format, (5) compute the fuselage lift and drag, (6) compute the lift and moment of symmetrical airfoils to M = 1.0 by a simplified semi-empirical procedure, and (7) compute, in closed form, the pressure distribution over a prolate spheroid at alpha = 0. Comparisons of the predictions with experiment indicate excellent lift and drag agreement for conventional airfoils and wings. Limited comparisons of body-alone drag characteristics yield reasonable agreement. Also included are discussions for interference effects and techniques for summing the results above to obtain predictions for complete configurations.
A complete graphical criterion for the adjustment formula in mediation analysis.
Shpitser, Ilya; VanderWeele, Tyler J
2011-03-04
Various assumptions have been used in the literature to identify natural direct and indirect effects in mediation analysis. These effects are of interest because they allow for effect decomposition of a total effect into a direct and indirect effect even in the presence of interactions or non-linear models. In this paper, we consider the relation and interpretation of various identification assumptions in terms of causal diagrams interpreted as a set of non-parametric structural equations. We show that for such causal diagrams, two sets of assumptions for identification that have been described in the literature are in fact equivalent in the sense that if either set of assumptions holds for all models inducing a particular causal diagram, then the other set of assumptions will also hold for all models inducing that diagram. We moreover build on prior work concerning a complete graphical identification criterion for covariate adjustment for total effects to provide a complete graphical criterion for using covariate adjustment to identify natural direct and indirect effects. Finally, we show that this criterion is equivalent to the two sets of independence assumptions used previously for mediation analysis.
Bloch, Steven
2011-01-01
The study described here investigates the practice of anticipatory completion of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) utterances in progress. The aims were to identify and analyse features of this practice as they occur in natural conversation between a person using an AAC system and a family member. The methods and principles of Conversation Analysis (CA) were used to video record conversations between people with progressive neurological diseases and a progressive speech disorder (dysarthria) and their family members. Key features of interaction were identified and extracts transcribed. Four extracts of talk between a man with motor neurone disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and his mother are presented here. Anticipatory completion of AAC utterances is intimately related to the sequential context in which such utterances occur. Difficulties can arise from topic shifts, understanding the intended action of an AAC word in progress and in recognising the possible end point an utterance. The analysis highlights the importance of understanding how AAC talk works in everyday interaction. The role of co-participants is particularly important here. These results may have implications for both AAC software design and clinical intervention.
Overview of the Icing and Flow Quality Improvements Program for the NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Irvine, Thomas B.; Kevdzija, Susan L.; Sheldon, David W.; Spera, David A.
2001-01-01
Major upgrades were made in 1999 to the 6- by 9-Foot (1.8- by 2.7-m) Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) at the NASA Glenn Research Center. These included replacement of the electronic controls for the variable-speed drive motor, replacement of the heat exchanger, complete replacement and enlargement of the leg of the tunnel containing the new heat-exchanger, the addition of flow-expanding and flow-contracting turning vanes upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger, respectively, and the addition of fan outlet guide vanes (OGV's). This paper describes the rationale behind this latest program of IRT upgrades and the program's requirements and goals. An overview is given of the scope of work undertaken by the design and construction contractors, the scale-model IRT (SMIRT) design verification program, the comprehensive reactivation test program initiated upon completion of construction, and the overall management approach followed.
Telescope Array Low energy Extension: TALE
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ogio, Shoichi
TALE, the Telescope Array Low Energy extension was designed to lower the energy threshold to about 1016.5 eV. TALE has a surface detector (SD) array made up of 103 scintillation counters (40 with 400 m spacing, 36 with 600 m spacing and 27 with 1.2 km spacing) and a Fluorescence Detector (FD) station consisting of ten FD telescopes working with the Telescope Array Middle Drum FD station, which is made up of 14 telescopes. TALE-FD full operation started in 2013 and the SD array was partially-completed with 16 SDs and continues the operation from 2014. We will describe the history and the current status of the detectors and will make a brief report about the FD and the hybrid analysis results. TALE detector will be completed as a hybrid air shower detector in 2018. We will report the technical details of the detectors, the schedule and the expected performances.
Mavian, Carla; López-Bueno, Alberto; Balseiro, Ana; Casais, Rosa; Alcamí, Antonio; Alejo, Alí
2012-04-01
Worldwide amphibian population declines have been ascribed to global warming, increasing pollution levels, and other factors directly related to human activities. These factors may additionally be favoring the emergence of novel pathogens. In this report, we have determined the complete genome sequence of the emerging common midwife toad ranavirus (CMTV), which has caused fatal disease in several amphibian species across Europe. Phylogenetic and gene content analyses of the first complete genomic sequence from a ranavirus isolated in Europe show that CMTV is an amphibian-like ranavirus (ALRV). However, the CMTV genome structure is novel and represents an intermediate evolutionary stage between the two previously described ALRV groups. We find that CMTV clusters with several other ranaviruses isolated from different hosts and locations which might also be included in this novel ranavirus group. This work sheds light on the phylogenetic relationships within this complex group of emerging, disease-causing viruses.
Final report of the decontamination and decommissioning of the BORAX-V facility turbine building
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Arave, A.E.; Rodman, G.R.
1992-12-01
The Boiling Water Reactor Experiment (BORAX)-V Facility Turbine Building Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D) Project is described in this report. The BORAX series of five National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS) reactors pioneered intensive work on boiling water reactor (BWR) experiments conducted between 1953 and 1964. Facility characterization, decision analyses, and D&D plans for the turbine building were prepared from 1979 through 1990. D&D activities of the turbine building systems were initiated in November of 1988 and completed with the demolition and backfill of the concrete foundation in March 1992. Due to the low levels of radioactivity and the absence of loosemore » contamination, the D&D activities were completed with no radiation exposure to the workers. The D&D activities were performed in a manner that no radiological health or safety hazard to the public or to personnel at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) remain.« less
Final report of the decontamination and decommissioning of the BORAX-V facility turbine building
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Arave, A.E.; Rodman, G.R.
1992-12-01
The Boiling Water Reactor Experiment (BORAX)-V Facility Turbine Building Decontamination and Decommissioning (D D) Project is described in this report. The BORAX series of five National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS) reactors pioneered intensive work on boiling water reactor (BWR) experiments conducted between 1953 and 1964. Facility characterization, decision analyses, and D D plans for the turbine building were prepared from 1979 through 1990. D D activities of the turbine building systems were initiated in November of 1988 and completed with the demolition and backfill of the concrete foundation in March 1992. Due to the low levels of radioactivity and themore » absence of loose contamination, the D D activities were completed with no radiation exposure to the workers. The D D activities were performed in a manner that no radiological health or safety hazard to the public or to personnel at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) remain.« less
On the 4D generalized Proca action for an Abelian vector field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Allys, Erwan; Beltrán Almeida, Juan P.; Peter, Patrick; Rodríguez, Yeinzon
2016-09-01
We summarize previous results on the most general Proca theory in 4 dimensions containing only first-order derivatives in the vector field (second-order at most in the associated Stückelberg scalar) and having only three propagating degrees of freedom with dynamics controlled by second-order equations of motion. Discussing the Hessian condition used in previous works, we conjecture that, as in the scalar galileon case, the most complete action contains only a finite number of terms with second-order derivatives of the Stückelberg field describing the longitudinal mode, which is in agreement with the results of JCAP 05 (2014) 015 and Phys. Lett. B 757 (2016) 405 and complements those of JCAP 02 (2016) 004. We also correct and complete the parity violating sector, obtaining an extra term on top of the arbitrary function of the field Aμ, the Faraday tensor Fμν and its Hodge dual tilde Fμν.
Teaching cultural competence using an exemplar from literary journalism.
Anderson, Kathryn L
2004-06-01
Fadiman's work of literary journalism, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, was used as a case study to teach transcultural and other nursing concepts to undergraduate nursing students. Campinha-Bacote's model of cultural competence was used to organize transcultural nursing concepts in the course. Before and after the course, students completed assessments consisting of two cultural attitude questionnaires and a paper describing a personal experience with adherence and failure to adhere by a Mexican American client. After reading Fadiman's book and completing several short writing assignments examining key course concepts, student scores on the questionnaires were mostly unchanged. However, students demonstrated growth in cultural awareness and skill in their "after" papers. Results suggest that valid, reliable tools are needed to detect changes in cultural competence. Qualitative data suggest that students can begin the process of becoming culturally competent through the creative use of literature in nursing education.
Bonforte, Alessandro; Fagone, Sonia; Giardina, Carmelo; Genovese, Simone; Aiesi, Gianpiero; Calvagna, Francesco; Cantarero, Massimo; Consoli, Orazio; Consoli, Salvatore; Guglielmino, Francesco; Puglisi, Biagio; Puglisi, Giuseppe; Saraceno, Benedetto
2016-01-01
This work presents and describes a 20-year long database of GPS data collected by geodetic surveys over the seismically and volcanically active eastern Sicily, for a total of more than 6300 measurements. Raw data were initially collected from the various archives at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Catania—Osservatorio Etneo and organized in a single repository. Here, quality and completeness checks were performed, while all necessary supplementary information were searched, collected, validated and organized together with the relevant data. Once all data and information collections were completed, raw binary data were converted into the universal ASCII RINEX format; all data are provided in this format with the necessary information for precise processing. In order to make the data archive readily consultable, we developed software allowing the user to easily search and obtain the needed data by simple alphanumeric and geographic queries. PMID:27479914
Bonforte, Alessandro; Fagone, Sonia; Giardina, Carmelo; Genovese, Simone; Aiesi, Gianpiero; Calvagna, Francesco; Cantarero, Massimo; Consoli, Orazio; Consoli, Salvatore; Guglielmino, Francesco; Puglisi, Biagio; Puglisi, Giuseppe; Saraceno, Benedetto
2016-08-01
This work presents and describes a 20-year long database of GPS data collected by geodetic surveys over the seismically and volcanically active eastern Sicily, for a total of more than 6300 measurements. Raw data were initially collected from the various archives at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Catania-Osservatorio Etneo and organized in a single repository. Here, quality and completeness checks were performed, while all necessary supplementary information were searched, collected, validated and organized together with the relevant data. Once all data and information collections were completed, raw binary data were converted into the universal ASCII RINEX format; all data are provided in this format with the necessary information for precise processing. In order to make the data archive readily consultable, we developed software allowing the user to easily search and obtain the needed data by simple alphanumeric and geographic queries.
Hydromagnetic conditions near the core-mantle boundary
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Backus, George E.
1995-01-01
The main results of the grant were (1) finishing the manuscript of a proof of completeness of the Poincare modes in an incompressible nonviscous fluid corotating with a rigid ellipsoidal boundary, (2) partial completion of a manuscript describing a definition of helicity that resolved questions in the literature about calculating the helicities of vector fields with complicated topologies, and (3) the beginning of a reexamination of the inverse problem of inferring properties of the geomagnetic field B just outside the core-mantle boundary (CMB) from measurements of elements of B at and above the earth's surface. This last work has led to a simple general formalism for linear and nonlinear inverse problems that appears to include all the inversion schemes so far considered for the uniqueness problem in geomagnetic inversion. The technique suggests some new methods for error estimation that form part of this report.
An Innovative Multimedia Approach to Laboratory Safety
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Anderson, M. B.; Constant, K. P.
1996-01-01
A new approach for teaching safe laboratory practices has been developed for materials science laboratories at Iowa State university. Students are required to complete a computerized safety tutorial and pass an exam before working in the laboratory. The safety tutorial includes sections on chemical, electrical, radiation, and high temperature safety. The tutorial makes use of a variety of interactions, including 'assembly' interactions where a student is asked to drag and drop items with the mouse (either labels or pictures) to an appropriate place on the screen (sometimes in a specific order). This is extremely useful for demonstrating safe lab practices and disaster scenarios. Built into the software is a record tracking scheme so that a professor can access a file that records which students have completed the tutorial and their scores on the exam. This paper will describe the development and assessment of the safety tutorials.
Jovanović, N; Podlesek, A; Volpe, U; Barrett, E; Ferrari, S; Rojnic Kuzman, M; Wuyts, P; Papp, S; Nawka, A; Vaida, A; Moscoso, A; Andlauer, O; Tateno, M; Lydall, G; Wong, V; Rujevic, J; Platz Clausen, N; Psaras, R; Delic, A; Losevich, M A; Flegar, S; Crépin, P; Shmunk, E; Kuvshinov, I; Loibl-Weiß, E; Beezhold, J
2016-02-01
Postgraduate medical trainees experience high rates of burnout, but evidence regarding psychiatric trainees is missing. We aim to determine burnout rates among psychiatric trainees, and identify individual, educational and work-related factors associated with severe burnout. In an online survey psychiatric trainees from 22 countries were asked to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS) and provide information on individual, educational and work-related parameters. Linear mixed models were used to predict the MBI-GS scores, and a generalized linear mixed model to predict severe burnout. This is the largest study on burnout and training conditions among psychiatric trainees to date. Complete data were obtained from 1980 out of 7625 approached trainees (26%; range 17.8-65.6%). Participants were 31.9 (SD 5.3) years old with 2.8 (SD 1.9) years of training. Severe burnout was found in 726 (36.7%) trainees. The risk was higher for trainees who were younger (P<0.001), without children (P=0.010), and had not opted for psychiatry as a first career choice (P=0.043). After adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics, years in training and country differences in burnout, severe burnout remained associated with long working hours (P<0.001), lack of supervision (P<0.001), and not having regular time to rest (P=0.001). Main findings were replicated in a sensitivity analysis with countries with response rate above 50%. Besides previously described risk factors such as working hours and younger age, this is the first evidence of negative influence of lack of supervision and not opting for psychiatry as a first career choice on trainees' burnout. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
Heath, T J
2002-08-01
To describe the attitudes of veterinarians to their work, career and profession during the 10 years after graduation. Longitudinal study of students who started their course at The University of Queensland in 1985 and 1986, and who completed questionnaires in their first and fifth year as students, and after one, five and 10 years as veterinarians. Data from 129 (96%) questionnaires completed after 10 years as a veterinarian were coded numerically then analysed, together with data from previous questionnaires, with SAS System 7 for Windows 95. After 10 years, almost all respondents were either very glad they had done the veterinary course (57%) or generally glad, though with some misgivings (37%). Despite this, only 55% would definitely become a veterinarian if they 'had to do it over again'. The responses for about one-third were different from those given five years earlier. The views of many were related to the level of support and encouragement received in their first job after graduation. There were 42% who were working less than half-time as veterinarians, and their main reasons were, in order, raising children, long hours of work, attitudes of bosses and clients, and poor pay. A majority was concerned about the ethics and competence of some colleagues, and almost all believed that consideration of costs must influence the type of treatment animals receive. Most veterinarians were glad to have done the veterinary course, but for about one-quarter their career had not lived up to expectations and almost half would not do it again in another incarnation. Stress, hours of work, difficulties in balancing personal life with career and low income were important concerns for many. Low income may contribute to the low number of males entering the veterinary profession.
Large Synoptic Survey Telescope mount final design
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Callahan, Shawn; Gressler, William; Thomas, Sandrine J.; Gessner, Chuck; Warner, Mike; Barr, Jeff; Lotz, Paul J.; Schumacher, German; Wiecha, Oliver; Angeli, George; Andrew, John; Claver, Chuck; Schoening, Bill; Sebag, Jacques; Krabbendam, Victor; Neill, Doug; Hileman, Ed; Muller, Gary; Araujo, Constanza; Orden Martinez, Alfredo; Perezagua Aguado, Manuel; García-Marchena, Luis; Ruiz de Argandoña, Ismael; Romero, Francisco M.; Rodríguez, Ricardo; Carlos González, José; Venturini, Marco
2016-08-01
This paper describes the status and details of the large synoptic survey telescope1,2,3 mount assembly (TMA). On June 9th, 2014 the contract for the design and build of the large synoptic survey telescope mount assembly (TMA) was awarded to GHESA Ingeniería y Tecnología, S.A. and Asturfeito, S.A. The design successfully passed the preliminary design review on October 2, 2015 and the final design review January 29, 2016. This paper describes the detailed design by subsystem, analytical model results, preparations being taken to complete the fabrication, and the transportation and installation plans to install the mount on Cerro Pachón in Chile. This large project is the culmination of work by many people and the authors would like to thank everyone that has contributed to the success of this project.
Bird fanciers lung in mushroom workers.
Hayes, J; Barrett, M
2015-04-01
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been described in mushrooms workers caused by exposure to mushroom or fungal spores in the compost used to grow mushrooms. We describe two mushroom workers who developed hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to exposure to avian proteins found in poultry manure which was used in producing mushroom compost. Both workers were employed in the compost production area. Both presented with typical features of HP. Both workers had negative serological and precipitin studies to Apergillus fumigatus, Saccarhopolyspora rectivirgula and thermophilic actinomycetes but had positive responses to poultry antibodies. Neither was exposed to mushroom spores. Both workers required initial therapy with corticosteroids. Relocation with avoidance of further exposure resulted in complete cure in one worker and change in work practice with the use of personal protections equipment resulted in the second workerclinical stabilisation. These are the first reported cases of bird fanciers lung in mushroom workers.
Nagel, James R.
2017-12-22
In this paper, a complete mathematical formalism is introduced to describe the excitation of electrical eddy currents due to a time-varying magnetic field. The process works by applying a quasistatic approximation to Ampere's law and then segregating the magnetic field into impressed and induced terms. The result is a nonhomogeneous vector Helmholtz equation that can be analytically solved for many practical geometries. Four demonstration cases are then solved under a constant excitation field over all space—an infinite slab in one dimension, a longitudinal cylinder in two dimensions, a transverse cylinder in two dimensions, and a sphere in three dimensions. Numericalmore » simulations are also performed in parallel with analytic computations, all of which verify the accuracy of the derived expressions.« less
Global Nursing-a literature review in the field of education and practice.
Kraft, Mia; Kästel, Anne; Eriksson, Henrik; Hedman, Ann-Marie Rydholm
2017-07-01
To describe key findings of Global Nursing in empirical nursing studies. A literature review using descriptive data synthesis of peer-reviewed articles in the field of nursing education and practice. This review of Cinahl Complete, PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus was undertaken using the search strategy "global nursing". Independent title/abstract and full-text screening was undertaken, identifying original articles written in English. A total of 472 titles and 170 abstracts were read through. Seventy-three articles were included for full-text review. Twenty published studies of Global Nursing with multiple research methodologies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Findings were described with five categories. Global Nursing Arena, Global Nursing Working Environments, Global Nursing Workforce Management, Global Nursing Competencies and Global Nursing Networking were shown to be crucial when Global Nursing was addressed in the literature.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sibley, David; Nold, Andreas; Kalliadasis, Serafim
2015-11-01
Density Functional Theory (DFT), a statistical mechanics of fluids approach, captures microscopic details of the fluid density structure in the vicinity of contact lines, as seen in computations in our recent study. Contact lines describe the location where interfaces between two fluids meet solid substrates, and have stimulated a wealth of research due to both their ubiquity in nature and technological applications and also due to their rich multiscale behaviour. Whilst progress can be made computationally to capture the microscopic to mesoscopic structure from DFT, complete analytical results to fully bridge to the macroscale are lacking. In this work, we describe our efforts to bring asymptotic methods to DFT to obtain results for contact angles and other macroscopic quantities in various parameter regimes. We acknowledge financial support from European Research Council via Advanced Grant No. 247031.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Nagel, James R.
In this paper, a complete mathematical formalism is introduced to describe the excitation of electrical eddy currents due to a time-varying magnetic field. The process works by applying a quasistatic approximation to Ampere's law and then segregating the magnetic field into impressed and induced terms. The result is a nonhomogeneous vector Helmholtz equation that can be analytically solved for many practical geometries. Four demonstration cases are then solved under a constant excitation field over all space—an infinite slab in one dimension, a longitudinal cylinder in two dimensions, a transverse cylinder in two dimensions, and a sphere in three dimensions. Numericalmore » simulations are also performed in parallel with analytic computations, all of which verify the accuracy of the derived expressions.« less
Nurturing nursing students during intensive care unit clinical practicum.
Goldin, Marlienne; Kautz, Donald D
2010-01-01
Approximately one-third of new graduates will quit their jobs in the first year. When nurses leave, vacant positions result in increased overtime for the remaining staff, which eventually results in burnout. Burnout leads to even more turnover. This article describes how the staff transformed a neurosurgical intensive care unit and nurture students through the application of Jean Watson's 10 Caritas processes. When nursing students complete their clinical practicum in the unit, learning is enhanced, the students seek to continue to work in the intensive care unit, recruitment and retention are encouraged, and burnout may be prevented.
Prolactinoma with preferential infrasellar extension: a report of two cases.
Nishio, S; Morioka, T; Fujiwara, S; Fukui, M
2001-05-01
The authors describe two male patients with prolactinomas which were incidentally found either during the course of a complete work up for headache or after minor head trauma. Since these tumours were located mainly in the sphenoid bone and did not show any upward growth to the suprasellar region, they were initially thought to be a primary skull base tumour; however, the serum prolactin levels of these patients were 1,179 ng/ml and 3,260 ng/ml, respectively. The authors thus emphasise the need to recognise this peculiar infrasellar growth pattern of prolactinoma. Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
Research in interactive scene analysis
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Tenenbaum, J. M.; Barrow, H. G.; Weyl, S. A.
1976-01-01
Cooperative (man-machine) scene analysis techniques were developed whereby humans can provide a computer with guidance when completely automated processing is infeasible. An interactive approach promises significant near-term payoffs in analyzing various types of high volume satellite imagery, as well as vehicle-based imagery used in robot planetary exploration. This report summarizes the work accomplished over the duration of the project and describes in detail three major accomplishments: (1) the interactive design of texture classifiers; (2) a new approach for integrating the segmentation and interpretation phases of scene analysis; and (3) the application of interactive scene analysis techniques to cartography.
Interactive design of generic chemical patterns.
Schomburg, Karen T; Wetzer, Lars; Rarey, Matthias
2013-07-01
Every medicinal chemist has to create chemical patterns occasionally for querying databases, applying filters or describing functional groups. However, the representations of chemical patterns have been so far limited to languages with highly complex syntax, handicapping the application of patterns. Graphic pattern editors similar to chemical editors can facilitate the work with patterns. In this article, we review the interfaces of frequently used web search engines for chemical patterns. We take a look at pattern editing concepts of standalone chemical editors and finally present a completely new, unpublished graphical approach to pattern design, the SMARTSeditor. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The U.S. Spectrum X Gamma Coordination Facility
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Forman, William R.
1999-08-01
Spectrum-X-Gamma (SXG) provides for US participation in a first-class international x-ray mission. Despite launch delays, SXG will provide unique scientific opportunities due to its capability for all-sky monitoring, polarimetry, high resolution spectroscopy, and broad wavelength range-from the ultraviolet (TAUVEX and FUVITA), through the x-ray (SODART and JET-X), to the hard x-ray (MART), and gamma-ray burst detectors. Before describing our completed work, we review the unique properties of SXG and provide some examples of the scientific importance of SXG in the Chandra, XMM, and ASTRO-E era.
Investigation of air transportation technology at Princeton University, 1992-1993
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stengel, Robert F.
1994-01-01
The Air Transportation Research Program at Princeton University proceeded along five avenues during the past year: (1) Flight Control System Robustness; (2) Microburst Hazards to Aircraft; (3) Wind Rotor Hazards to Aircraft; (4) Intelligent Aircraft/Airspace Systems; and (5) Aerospace Optical Communications. This research resulted in a number of publications, including theses, archival papers, and conference papers. An annotated bibliography of publications that appeared between June 1992 and June 1993 is included. The research that these papers describe was supported in whole or in part by the Joint University Program, including work that was completed prior to the reporting period.
Design and Demonstration of a Miniature Lidar System for Rover Applications
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Robinson, Benjamin
2010-01-01
A basic small and portable lidar system for rover applications has been designed. It uses a 20 Hz Nd:YAG pulsed laser, a 4-inch diameter telescope receiver, a custom-built power distribution unit (PDU), and a custom-built 532 nm photomultiplier tube (PMT) to measure the lidar signal. The receiving optics have been designed, but not constructed yet. LabVIEW and MATLAB programs have also been written to control the system, acquire data, and analyze data. The proposed system design, along with some measurements, is described. Future work to be completed is also discussed.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sword, A. J.; Park, W. T.
1975-01-01
A teleoperator system with a computer for manipulator control to combine the capabilities of both man and computer to accomplish a task is described. This system allows objects in unpredictable locations to be successfully located and acquired. By using a method of characterizing the work-space together with man's ability to plan a strategy and coarsely locate an object, the computer is provided with enough information to complete the tedious part of the task. In addition, the use of voice control is shown to be a useful component of the man/machine interface.
A review of developments in the theory of elasto-plastic flow
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Swedlow, J. L.
1973-01-01
The theory of elasto-plastic flow is developed so that it may accommodate features such as work-hardening, anisotropy, plastic compressibility, non-continuous loading including local or global unloading, and others. A complete theory is given in quasi-linear form; as a result, many useful attributes are accessible. Several integral theorems may be written, finite deformations may be incorporated, and efficient methods for solving problems may be developed; these and other aspects are described in some detail. The theory is reduced to special forms for 2-space, and extensive experience in solving such problems is cited.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sicker, Ronald J.; Meyer, William V.; Foster, William M.; Fletcher, William A.; Williams, Stuart J.; Lee, Chang-Soo
2016-01-01
This presentation will feature a series of short, entertaining, and informative videos that describe the current status and science support for the Light Microscopy Module (LMM) facility on the International Space Station. These interviews will focus on current experiments and provide an overview of future capabilities. The recently completed experiments include nano-particle haloing, 3-D self-assembly with Janus particles and a model system for nano-particle drug delivery. The videos will share perspectives from the scientists, engineers, and managers working with the NASA Light Microscopy program.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, Jing; Wang, Yagang; Zega, Valentina; Su, Yan; Corigliano, Alberto
2018-07-01
In this work the nonlinear dynamic behaviour under varying temperature conditions of the resonating beams of a differential resonant accelerometer is studied from the theoretical, numerical and experimental points of view. A complete analytical model based on the Hamilton’s principle is proposed to describe the nonlinear behaviour of the resonators under varying temperature conditions and numerical solutions are presented in comparison with experimental data. This provides a novel perspective to examine the relationship between temperature and nonlinearity, which helps predicting the dynamic behaviour of resonant devices and can guide their optimal design.
The U.S. Spectrum X Gamma Coordination Facility
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Forman, William R.
1999-01-01
Spectrum-X-Gamma (SXG) provides for US participation in a first-class international x-ray mission. Despite launch delays, SXG will provide unique scientific opportunities due to its capability for all-sky monitoring, polarimetry, high resolution spectroscopy, and broad wavelength range-from the ultraviolet (TAUVEX and FUVITA), through the x-ray (SODART and JET-X), to the hard x-ray (MART), and gamma-ray burst detectors. Before describing our completed work, we review the unique properties of SXG and provide some examples of the scientific importance of SXG in the Chandra, XMM, and ASTRO-E era.
The Zoogeography of Marine Tardigrada.
Kaczmarek, Łukasz; Bartels, Paul J; Roszkowska, Milena; Nelson, Diane R
2015-11-02
This monograph describes the global records of marine water bears (Phylum Tardigrada). We provide a comprehensive list of marine tardigrades recorded from around the world, providing an up-to-date taxonomy and a complete bibliography accompanied by geographic co-ordinates, habitat, substrate and biogeographic comments. A link is provided to an on-line interactive map where all occurrences for each species are shown. In total we list 197 taxa and their 2240 records from 39 oceans and seas and 18 Major Fishing Areas (FAO). It is hoped this work will serve as a reference point and background for further zoogeographic and taxonomic studies on marine tardigrades.
Quiet Clean Short-Haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE): Acoustic treatment development and design
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Clemons, A.
1979-01-01
Acoustic treatment designs for the quiet clean short-haul experimental engines are defined. The procedures used in the development of each noise-source suppressor device are presented and discussed in detail. A complete description of all treatment concepts considered and the test facilities utilized in obtaining background data used in treatment development are also described. Additional supporting investigations that are complementary to the treatment development work are presented. The expected suppression results for each treatment configuration are given in terms of delta SPL versus frequency and in terms of delta PNdB.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Phillips, W. Hewitt
1998-01-01
An autobiography, of a noted aeronautical engineer, W. Hewitt Phillips, whose career spanned 58 years (1940-1998) at NASA Langley is presented. This work covers his early years to the Sputnik launch. His interests have been in research in aeronautics and in the related problems of spaceflight. After an introduction, his early life through the college years is reviewed, and his early interest in model airplanes is described. The first assignment for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which would later become NASA, was with the Flight Research Division. His early work involved "Flying Qualities", i.e., the stability and control characteristics of an airplane. The next chapter describes his early analytical studies. His work during World War II in the design of military airplanes, and the other effects of the war on research activities, is covered in the next two chapters. This research was involved in such innovations and refinements as the swept wing, the flettner tabs, servo tabs, spring tabs and whirlerons. The rest of the work covers the research which Mr. Hewitt was involved in, after the war until the Sputnik launch. These areas include unsteady lift, measurements of turbulence in the atmosphere, gust alleviation, and lateral response to random turbulence. He was also involved in several investigations of airplane accidents. The last two chapters cover the administration of the Langley Research Center, and the dawn of the Space Age. A complete bibliography of reports written by Mr. Hewitt, is included.
Decision support and disease management: a logic engineering approach.
Fox, J; Thomson, R
1998-12-01
This paper describes the development and application of PROforma, a unified technology for clinical decision support and disease management. Work leading to the implementation of PROforma has been carried out in a series of projects funded by European agencies over the past 13 years. The work has been based on logic engineering, a distinct design and development methodology that combines concepts from knowledge engineering, logic programming, and software engineering. Several of the projects have used the approach to demonstrate a wide range of applications in primary and specialist care and clinical research. Concurrent academic research projects have provided a sound theoretical basis for the safety-critical elements of the methodology. The principal technical results of the work are the PROforma logic language for defining clinical processes and an associated suite of software tools for delivering applications, such as decision support and disease management procedures. The language supports four standard objects (decisions, plans, actions, and enquiries), each of which has an intuitive meaning with well-understood logical semantics. The development toolset includes a powerful visual programming environment for composing applications from these standard components, for verifying consistency and completeness of the resulting specification and for delivering stand-alone or embeddable applications. Tools and applications that have resulted from the work are described and illustrated, with examples from specialist cancer care and primary care. The results of a number of evaluation activities are included to illustrate the utility of the technology.
Frederix, Gerardus W J; Quadri, Nuz; Hövels, Anke M; van de Wetering, Fleur T; Tamminga, Hans; Schellens, Jan H M; Lloyd, Andrew J
2013-04-01
This study aimed to estimate utility values in laypeople and productivity loss for women with breast cancer in Sweden and the Netherlands. To capture utilities, validated health state vignettes were used, which were translated into Dutch and Swedish. They described progressive disease, stable disease, and 7 grade 3/4 adverse events. One hundred members of the general public in each country rated the states using the visual analog scale and time trade-off method. To assess productivity, women who had recently completed or were currently receiving treatment for early or advanced breast cancer (the Netherlands, n = 161; Sweden, n = 52) completed the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-General Health (WPAI-GH) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using means (SD). The utility study showed that the Swedish sample rated progressive and stable disease (mean, 0.61 [0.07] and 0.81 [0.05], respectively) higher than did the Dutch sample (0.49 [0.06] and 0.69 [0.05]). The health states incorporating the toxicities in both countries produced similar mean scores. Results of the WPAI-GH showed that those currently receiving treatment reported productivity reductions of 69% (the Netherlands) and 72% (Sweden); those who had recently completed therapy reported reductions of 41% (the Netherlands) and 40% (Sweden). The differences in the utility scores between the 2 countries underline the importance of capturing country-specific values. The significant impact of adverse events on health-related quality of life was also highlighted. The WPAI-GH results demonstrated how the negative impact of breast cancer on productivity persists after women have completed their treatment. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.
Wang, Ying-Chih; Wickstrom, Rick; Yen, Sheng-Che; Kapellusch, Jay; Grogan, Kimberly A
2017-05-10
Cross-sectional study. The WorkAbility Rate of Manipulation Test (WRMT), an adaptation of the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (MMDT), contains a revised board and protocols to improve its utility for therapy or fitness assessment. To describe the development and preliminary psychometric properties of WRMT. Sixty-six healthy participants completed MMDT and WRMT in a random order followed by a user experience survey. We compared tests using repeated-measures analysis of variance, test-retest reliability, and examined agreement between tests. Despite the similarities of these 2 instruments, the different administration protocols resulted in statistically different score distributions (P < .001). Results supported good test-retest reliability of WRMT (placing test ICC = 0.88-0.90 and turning test ICC = 0.68-0.82). The WRMT correlated moderately with MMDT (r = 0.81 in placing test and r = 0.44-0.57 in turning test). Bland-Altman plot showed that the differences in completion time were 3.8 seconds between placing tests and 19.6 (both hands), 0.3 (right hand), and 3.9 (left hand) seconds between turning tests. Overall, participants felt that the instruction of WRMT was easier to follow (44%) and preferred its setup, color, and depth of the test board (49%). Time required to complete 1 panel of 20 disks correlated highly with the time needed to finish a complete trial of 60 disks in both MMDT (r = 0.91-0.97) and WRMT (r = 0.88-0.95). Caution is warranted in comparing scores from these 2 test variants. 3b. Copyright © 2017 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Proyer, René T; Wellenzohn, Sara; Gander, Fabian; Ruch, Willibald
2015-03-01
Robust evidence exists that positive psychology interventions are effective in enhancing well-being and ameliorating depression. Comparatively little is known about the conditions under which they work best. Models describing characteristics that impact the effectiveness of positive interventions typically contain features of the person, of the activity, and the fit between the two. This study focuses on indicators of the person × intervention fit in predicting happiness and depressive symptoms 3.5 years after completion of the intervention. A sample of 165 women completed measures for happiness and depressive symptoms before and about 3.5 years after completion of a positive intervention (random assignment to one out of nine interventions, which were aggregated for the analyses). Four fit indicators were assessed: Preference; continued practice; effort; and early reactivity. Three out of four person × intervention fit indicators were positively related to happiness or negatively related to depression when controlled for the pretest scores. Together, they explained 6 per cent of the variance in happiness, and 10 per cent of the variance of depressive symptoms. Most tested indicators of a person × intervention fit are robust predictors of happiness and depressive symptoms-even after 3.5 years. They might serve for an early estimation of the effectiveness of a positive intervention. © 2014 The International Association of Applied Psychology.
Development of a probabilistic PCB-bioaccumulation model for six fish species in the Hudson River
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Stackelberg, K. von; Menzie, C.
1995-12-31
In 1984 the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) completed a Feasibility Study on the Hudson River that investigated remedial alternatives and issued a Record of Decision (ROD) later that year. In December 1989 USEPA decided to reassess the No Action decision for Hudson River sediments. This reassessment consists of three phases: Interim Characterization and Evaluation (Phase 1); Further Site Characterization and Analysis (Phase 2); and, Feasibility study (Phase 3). A Phase 1 report was completed in August, 1991. The team then completed a Final Work Plan for Phase 2 in September 1992. This work plan identified various PCB fate andmore » transport modeling activities to support the Hudson River PCB Reassessment Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS). This talk provides a description of the development of a Probabilistic bioaccumulation models to describe the uptake of PCBs on a congener-specific basis in six fish species. The authors have developed a framework for relating body burdens of PCBs in fish to exposure concentrations in Hudson River water and sediments. This framework is used to understand historical and current relationships as well as to predict fish body burdens for future conditions under specific remediation and no action scenarios. The framework incorporates a probabilistic approach to predict distributions in PCB body burdens for selected fish species. These models can predict single population statistics such as the average expected values of PCBs under specific scenarios as well as the distribution of expected concentrations.« less
RN work engagement in generational cohorts: the view from rural US hospitals.
Sullivan Havens, Donna; Warshawsky, Nora E; Vasey, Joseph
2013-10-01
To describe staff nurse work engagement, identify predictors by generational cohort, present implications for nurse managers and suggest future research. A global nurse shortage looms. While an adequate supply of nurses is needed to ensure access to care, access to quality care may be enhanced by an adequate supply of highly engaged nurses-those who are dedicated, energized, and absorbed. Nurses have long reported the presence of energy depleting practice environments. Nurses practicing in professional practice environments may be more engaged. A non-experimental survey design was executed. Direct care Registered Nurses (n = 747) working in five rural acute care hospitals completed questionnaires to assess work engagement (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9), decisional involvement (Decisional Involvement Scale), relational coordination (Relational Coordination Survey) and the nursing practice environment (Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index). Descriptive, correlational and regression analyses examined work engagement and predictors by generational cohort. With the exception of the absorption component, no statistically significant differences in engagement emerged across generational cohorts. Predictors of engagement differed by cohort, however across all cohorts, professional nursing practice environments predicted nurse work engagement. Professional nursing practice environments are significantly associated with nurse work engagement. Enhancing nurse work engagement is a complex challenge. Generational cohorts may respond to different strategies to enhance engagement. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Dyer, Joseph-Omer; Hudon, Anne; Montpetit-Tourangeau, Katherine; Charlin, Bernard; Mamede, Sílvia; van Gog, Tamara
2015-03-07
Example-based learning using worked examples can foster clinical reasoning. Worked examples are instructional tools that learners can use to study the steps needed to solve a problem. Studying worked examples paired with completion examples promotes acquisition of problem-solving skills more than studying worked examples alone. Completion examples are worked examples in which some of the solution steps remain unsolved for learners to complete. Providing learners engaged in example-based learning with self-explanation prompts has been shown to foster increased meaningful learning compared to providing no self-explanation prompts. Concept mapping and concept map study are other instructional activities known to promote meaningful learning. This study compares the effects of self-explaining, completing a concept map and studying a concept map on conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills among novice learners engaged in example-based learning. Ninety-one physiotherapy students were randomized into three conditions. They performed a pre-test and a post-test to evaluate their gains in conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills (transfer performance) in intervention selection. They studied three pairs of worked/completion examples in a digital learning environment. Worked examples consisted of a written reasoning process for selecting an optimal physiotherapy intervention for a patient. The completion examples were partially worked out, with the last few problem-solving steps left blank for students to complete. The students then had to engage in additional self-explanation, concept map completion or model concept map study in order to synthesize and deepen their knowledge of the key concepts and problem-solving steps. Pre-test performance did not differ among conditions. Post-test conceptual knowledge was higher (P < .001) in the concept map study condition (68.8 ± 21.8%) compared to the concept map completion (52.8 ± 17.0%) and self-explanation (52.2 ± 21.7%) conditions. Post-test problem-solving performance was higher (P < .05) in the self-explanation (63.2 ± 16.0%) condition compared to the concept map study (53.3 ± 16.4%) and concept map completion (51.0 ± 13.6%) conditions. Students in the self-explanation condition also invested less mental effort in the post-test. Studying model concept maps led to greater conceptual knowledge, whereas self-explanation led to higher transfer performance. Self-explanation and concept map study can be combined with worked example and completion example strategies to foster intervention selection.
Roberts, Aaron P J; Stanton, Neville A; Fay, Daniel T
2018-05-01
This is a world's first-of-a-kind study providing empirical evidence for understanding submarine control room performance when completing higher and lower demand Dived Tracking (DT) scenarios. A submarine control room simulator was built, using a non-commercial version of Dangerous Waters as the simulation engine. The creation of networked workstations allowed a team of nine operators to perform tasks completed by submarine command teams during DT. The Event Analysis of Systemic Teamwork (EAST) method was used to model the social, task and information networks and describe command team performance. Ten teams were recruited for the study, affording statistical comparisons of how command team roles and level of demand affected performance. Results indicate that command teams can covertly DT a contact differently depending on demand (e.g. volume of contacts). In low demand it was possible to use periscope more often than in high demand, in a 'duck-and-run' fashion. Therefore, the type of information and frequency of particular task completion, was significantly different between the higher and lower demand conditions. This resulted in different operators in the command team experiencing greater demand depending on how the DT mission objective was completed. Potential bottlenecks in the command team were identified and implications are discussed alongside suggestions for future work. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A preliminary model of work during initial examination and treatment planning appointments.
Irwin, J Y; Torres-Urquidy, M H; Schleyer, T; Monaco, V
2009-01-10
Objective This study's objective was to formally describe the work process for charting and treatment planning in general dental practice to inform the design of a new clinical computing environment.Methods Using a process called contextual inquiry, researchers observed 23 comprehensive examination and treatment planning sessions during 14 visits to 12 general US dental offices. For each visit, field notes were analysed and reformulated as formalised models. Subsequently, each model type was consolidated across all offices and visits. Interruptions to the workflow, called breakdowns, were identified.Results Clinical work during dental examination and treatment planning appointments is a highly collaborative activity involving dentists, hygienists and assistants. Personnel with multiple overlapping roles complete complex multi-step tasks supported by a large and varied collection of equipment, artifacts and technology. Most of the breakdowns were related to technology which interrupted the workflow, caused rework and increased the number of steps in work processes.Conclusion Current dental software could be significantly improved with regard to its support for communication and collaboration, workflow, information design and presentation, information content, and data entry.
Burnes, Theodore R; Rojas, Elizabeth M; Delgado, Irena; Watkins, Tianna E
2018-07-01
Using a participatory action research (PAR) paradigm, this study investigated how 35 individuals involved in the sex work industry exemplified aspects of agency and intentional well-being under harsh work environments. Using PAR and qualitative research, sex workers were asked to identify research questions and help to design a study investigating the relationship between well-being and sex worker agency. Participants in the study each completed one semi-structured individual interview to share their experiences in the sex work industry. Data from these interviews were analyzed using constructivist phenomenology; standards of trustworthiness were accounted for using multiple tools. Four themes emerged from the data that described how the participants understood their own resilience and areas of needed attention with respect to their mental health: (1) validating sex work and eliminating whorephobic oppression; (2) safety and mobility within practice environments; (3) sexual boundary setting; and (4) social support for sex workers. Implications of the findings on theory, research, practice, and advocacy are discussed.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Heinrichs, T. A.; Broderson, D.; Johnson, A.; Slife, M.
2014-12-01
This presentation describes the overall program goals and current status of broad scale, statewide orthoimagery and digital elevation model (DEM) projects currently underway in Alaska. As context, it will also describe the history and successes of previous statewide Alaska mapping efforts over the preceding 75 years. A new statewide orthomosaic imagery baselayer at 1:24,000 NMAS accuracy (12.2-meters CE90) is nearing completion. The entire state (1.56 million square kilometers) has been imaged with the SPOT 5 satellite, and a 2.5-meter spatial resolution, multi-spectral, nearly cloud-free, pan-sharpened orthoimage will be produced by mid-2015. A second major project is collection of an improved accuracy DEM statewide. Airborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IfSAR) data has been collected for about half of the state of Alaska and completion of the rest of the state is anticipated within a few years. A 5-meter post spacing, 20-foot contour interval accuracy equivalent (3-meter vertical LE90) DEM and radar backscatter intensity image is being delivered. Historic projects to be described include the 1950's USGS Alaska topographic mapping program, one of the largest and most pioneering, challenging, and successful ever undertaken in North America. These historic and current mapping programs have served as both a baselayer framework and as feedstock for science for virtually every geologic, geophysical, and terrestrial natural science project in the state.
Using Teamcenter engineering software for a successive punching tool lifecycle management
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Blaga, F.; Pele, A.-V.; Stǎnǎşel, I.; Buidoş, T.; Hule, V.
2015-11-01
The paper presents studies and researches results of the implementation of Teamcenter (TC) integrated management of a product lifecycle, in a virtual enterprise. The results are able to be implemented also in a real enterprise. The product was considered a successive punching and cutting tool, designed to materialize a metal sheet part. The paper defines the technical documentation flow (flow of information) in the process of constructive computer aided design of the tool. After the design phase is completed a list of parts is generated containing standard or manufactured components (BOM, Bill of Materials). The BOM may be exported to MS Excel (.xls) format and can be transferred to other departments of the company in order to supply the necessary materials and resources to achieve the final product. This paper describes the procedure to modify or change certain dimensions of sheet metal part obtained by punching. After 3D and 2D design, the digital prototype of punching tool moves to following lifecycle phase of the manufacturing process. For each operation of the technological process the corresponding phases are described in detail. Teamcenter enables to describe manufacturing company structure, underlying workstations that carry out various operations of manufacturing process. The paper revealed that the implementation of Teamcenter PDM in a company, improves efficiency of managing product information, eliminating time working with search, verification and correction of documentation, while ensuring the uniqueness and completeness of the product data.
Verbal working memory predicts co-speech gesture: evidence from individual differences.
Gillespie, Maureen; James, Ariel N; Federmeier, Kara D; Watson, Duane G
2014-08-01
Gesture facilitates language production, but there is debate surrounding its exact role. It has been argued that gestures lighten the load on verbal working memory (VWM; Goldin-Meadow, Nusbaum, Kelly, & Wagner, 2001), but gestures have also been argued to aid in lexical retrieval (Krauss, 1998). In the current study, 50 speakers completed an individual differences battery that included measures of VWM and lexical retrieval. To elicit gesture, each speaker described short cartoon clips immediately after viewing. Measures of lexical retrieval did not predict spontaneous gesture rates, but lower VWM was associated with higher gesture rates, suggesting that gestures can facilitate language production by supporting VWM when resources are taxed. These data also suggest that individual variability in the propensity to gesture is partly linked to cognitive capacities. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Naylor, Ron
2007-03-01
The aim of Galileo's tidal theory was to show that the tides were produced entirely by the earth's motion and thereby to demonstrate the physical truth of Copernicanism. However, in the Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems Galileo did not explain some of the most significant aspects of the theory completely. As a consequence, the way the theory works has long been disputed. Though there exist a number of interpretations in the literature, the most widely accepted are based on ideas that are not explicitly articulated by Galileo in the Dialogue. This essay attempts to understand the way the theory functions in terms of Galilean physics. It is an interpretation of the theory based solely on Galileo's arguments--and one that reveals it to have had some unrecognized consequences. This interpretation indicates that Galileo's theory would not have worked in the manner he described in the Dialogue.
20 CFR 404.325 - The termination month.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
2013-04-01
... complete your trial work period in December 1999, but you do not do work showing your ability to do... disabling even if it occurs during the trial work period or the reentitlement period. If you continue to have a disabling impairment and complete 9 months of trial work, your termination month will be the...
20 CFR 404.325 - The termination month.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
2012-04-01
... complete your trial work period in December 1999, but you do not do work showing your ability to do... disabling even if it occurs during the trial work period or the reentitlement period. If you continue to have a disabling impairment and complete 9 months of trial work, your termination month will be the...
20 CFR 404.325 - The termination month.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
2014-04-01
... complete your trial work period in December 1999, but you do not do work showing your ability to do... disabling even if it occurs during the trial work period or the reentitlement period. If you continue to have a disabling impairment and complete 9 months of trial work, your termination month will be the...
78 FR 26382 - Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC)
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2013-05-06
... Completed by the Export Mapping Working Group (EMWG) to date. 3. Review and Discuss the Global Supply Chain Subcommittee's Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Working Group and address Next Steps regarding Land Border... the Trusted Trader Subcommittee and the Work Completed by the Industry Standards Working Group (ISWG...
7 CFR 654.14 - Duration of sponsor(s)' responsibility.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-01-01
... performed by force account, division of work, or performance of work methods, the sponsor(s)' O&M responsibilities begin on the date the work or portion thereof is completed as determined by NRCS, except for completed work located on Federal lands which are subject to special-use permits. The O&M agreement shall...
Language, gay pornography, and audience reception.
Leap, William L
2011-01-01
Erotic imagery is an important component of gay pornographic cinema, particularly, where work of audience reception is concerned. However, to assume the audience engagement with the films is limited solely to the erotic realm is to underestimate the workings of ideological power in the context and aftermath of reception. For example, the director of the film under discussion here (Men of Israel; Lucas, 2009b) intended to present an erotic celebration of the nation-state. Yet, most viewers ignore the particulars of context in their comments about audience reception, placing the "Israeli" narrative within a broader framework, using transnational rather than film-specific criteria to guide their "reading" of the Israeli-centered narrative. This article uses as its entry point the language that viewers employ when describing their reactions to Men of Israel on a gay video club's Web site; this article shows how the work of audience reception may draw attention to a film's erotic details while invoking social and political messages that completely reframe the film's erotic narrative.
Medical surgical nurses describe missed nursing care tasks-Evaluating our work environment.
Winsett, Rebecca P; Rottet, Kendra; Schmitt, Abby; Wathen, Ellen; Wilson, Debra
2016-11-01
The purpose of the study was to explore the nurse work environment by evaluating the self-report of missed nursing care and the reasons for the missed care. A convenience sample of medical surgical nurses from four hospitals was invited to complete the survey for this descriptive study. The sample included 168 nurses. The MISSCARE survey assessed the frequency and reason of 24 routine nursing care elements. The most frequently reported missed care was ambulation as ordered, medications given within a 30 minute window, and mouth care. Moderate or significant reasons reported for the missed care were: unexpected rise in volume/acuity, heavy admissions/discharges, inadequate assistants, inadequate staff, meds not available when needed, and urgent situations. Identifying missed nursing care and reasons for missed care provides an opportunity for exploring strategies to reduce interruptions, develop unit cohesiveness, improve the nurse work environment, and ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Development of a Human Behavior and Performance Training Curriculum for ISS Astronauts
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
VanderArk, Steve; Tomi, Leena; Vassin, Alexander; Inoue, Natsuhiko; Bessone, Lorendana; OConnor, Sharon; Mukai, Chiaki; Coffee, Emily; Sipes, Walter; Salnitskiy, Vyecheslav;
2007-01-01
The paper will describe the DACUM process and summarize the core competencies that were agreed upon, internationally, as important for ISS astronauts. The paper will further discuss the ongoing work being completed by the subgroup, Human Behaviour and Performance Training Working Group, including defining the competencies and behavioural markers. Finally, an overview of remaining work will be provided, including determining which competencies require formal training and which require no formal training, developing training objectives, sequencing the training, and establishing how to assess training effectiveness. DISCUSSION: Designing a common set of goals for behavioural training has been the desire of the SHBP WG since its inception in 1998. This group, along with training specialists and astronauts, are making great strides toward defining these competencies. The road ahead will be exceedingly challenging as training objectives are defined and a training flow is proposed to the MCOP; with proposed ISS crews increasing to six people in the near future, such enhanced behavioural training may be all the more essential for mission success.
[Retired physicians in Hungary - nationwide, representative study].
Győrffy, Zsuzsa; Szél, Zsuzsanna; Girasek, Edmond
2016-10-01
The aging population and the aging physician society is an important challenge of the New Millenium. Despite this, very few publications are dealing with the older generations' physical and mental well-being, quality of life and working conditions. The aim of this study was to describe the retired physicians populations' (n = 2112) demographic data, work status, income and health status. Data of this representative, cross-sectional epidemiological study was obtained from online and paper-based questionnaires completed by 2112 retired physicians. The retired physicians' average age is 72 years, nearly two-thirds of the respondents retired after 35-45 years of service. Currently, nearly 60% are working, almost a quarter of them more than 40 hours per week. 35% of the respondents' income is below HUF 150,000. On this issue, significant differences emerge between female doctors and their male colleagues. The employment data of the results is consistent with the international trend, but the gender perspectives has unique significance in the international literature. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(43), 1729-1736.
Oshodi, Titilayo O; Crockett, Rachel; Bruneau, Benjamin; West, Elizabeth
2017-09-01
To explore the structure of the Essentials of Magnetism II (EOMII) scale using data from nurses working in England; and to describe the impact of different aspects of the nursing work environment on nurse-assessed care quality (NACQ). The EOMII Scale was developed in the United States to measure nursing work environments. It has been widely used in the United States and in a number of other countries, but has not yet been used in the UK. Cross-sectional study. Registered nurses (n = 247) providing direct patient care in two National Health Service hospitals in England completed the EOMII scale and a single-item measuring NACQ. Principal components analysis was used to assess the structure of the scale. Correlation and regression analyses were used to describe the relationships between factors and NACQ. A solution with explanatory variance of 45.25% was identified. Forty items loaded on five factors, with satisfactory consistency: (i) ward manager support; (ii) working as a team; (iii) concern for patients; (iv) organisational autonomy; and (v) constraints on nursing practice. While in univariate analyses, each of the factors was significantly associated with NACQ, in multivariate analyses, the relationship between organisational autonomy and NACQ no longer reached significance. However, a multiple mediation model indicated that the effect of organisational autonomy on NACQ was mediated by nurse manager support, working as a team and concern for patients but not constraints on nursing practice. Subscales of the EOMII identified in an English sample of nurses measured important aspects of the nursing work environment, each of which is related to NACQ. The EOMII could be a very useful tool for measuring aspects of the nursing work environment in the English Trusts particularly in relation to the quality of care. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Bena, Antonella; Debernardi, Maria Luisa; Pasqualini, O; Dalmasso, M; Quarta, D
2008-01-01
Construction of the Torino-Novara High Speed Train Track (TAV) provided a unique opportunity to describe the magnitude of accidents on a major construction project for which complete data were available for 123 companies with over 10,000 employees. To describe the rate and severity of accidents during the construction of TAV and to compare this with national indexes. The limits and critical points of the national surveillance system are discussed and solutions for responding to public occupational safety and health service needs are proposed. 1,691 injuries with more than 3 lost work days were recorded between 2003 and 2005 by the TAV Surveillance System (Orme-TAV). Accident rate and severity indexes (Orme indexes) by year and occupation, were compared with indexes for Piedmont and Italy for the period 2002-04 provided by INAIL (National Institute for Insurance against Occupational Accidents and Diseases) for the Construction sector and the Road and Railway Construction sub-sector. A comparison with the accident rate of the same 123 firms calculated for all construction yards in Italy in 2003-04 (national indexes) was also made. Accident rates decreased from 152 in 2003 to 72 in 2005 per 1,000 workers, but were higher than the national indexes (the Orme indexes/national indexes ratio was 1.75 in 2003 and 1.67 in 2004). Accident severity indexes were lower than the national figures. Complete reporting, facilitated by the existence of a Surveillance System, yielded accident rates that were more reliable than those previously reported. Data suggest that the discrepancy is due to both underreporting and exposed worker assessment difficulties. The burden of on-site work-related accidents in the construction sector appears to be higher and more costly than what has been desumed from national data.
How to survive (and enjoy) doing a thesis: the experiences of a methodological working group.
Giddings, Lynne S; Wood, Pamela J
2006-03-01
'Doing a thesis', whether for Masters or PhD, can be a lonely and tortuous journey. This article offers a complementary process to the traditional apprenticeship supervision model. It describes the experiences of students who during their thesis research met monthly in a grounded theory working group. They reflected on their experiences during a focus group interview. After describing the background to how the group started in 1999 and exploring some of the ideas in the literature concerning the thesis experience, the article presents the interview. To focus the presentation, specific questions are used as category headings. Overall, the participants found attending the group was a "life-line" that gave them "hope" and was complementary to the supervision process. Through the support of peers, guidance from those ahead in the process, and consultancy with teachers and visiting methodological scholars, these students not only successfully completed their theses, but reported that they had some enjoyment along the way. This is the fifteenth in a series of articles which have been based on interviews with nursing and midwifery researchers, and were primarily designed to offer the beginning researcher a first-hand account of the experience of using particular methodologies.
Farmers' perceptions of health in the Riverland region of South Australia: 'If it's broke, fix it'.
Rawolle, Tessa A; Sadauskas, David; van Kessel, Gisela; Dollman, James
2016-10-01
To explore perceptions of health among South Australian farmers. Descriptive qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews. Two rural towns in the Riverland region of South Australia. Fifteen adults involved in farming within the Riverland region of South Australia, from a variety of farming industries; age range 23-70 years old; 53% male, 47% female. Perceptions and definitions of health. Participants described an ecological understanding of health across individual, farm, and community domains. Participants perceived health as being able to function and complete farm work. Participants reported that farm work helped to maintain fitness, but the multiple stress and hazards associated with farming had a significant influence on health. Participants described how health was influenced by community activities and social support from friends and families. Women were reported to take a lead role in health. Health providers can frame interventions to resonate with the perceptions of health held by people, shaped and formed by the context of farming. Further research is needed to explore farmers' perceptions of health in different locations, from different industries and from a range of age groups. © 2016 National Rural Health Alliance Inc.
Bayesian Latent Class Analysis Tutorial.
Li, Yuelin; Lord-Bessen, Jennifer; Shiyko, Mariya; Loeb, Rebecca
2018-01-01
This article is a how-to guide on Bayesian computation using Gibbs sampling, demonstrated in the context of Latent Class Analysis (LCA). It is written for students in quantitative psychology or related fields who have a working knowledge of Bayes Theorem and conditional probability and have experience in writing computer programs in the statistical language R . The overall goals are to provide an accessible and self-contained tutorial, along with a practical computation tool. We begin with how Bayesian computation is typically described in academic articles. Technical difficulties are addressed by a hypothetical, worked-out example. We show how Bayesian computation can be broken down into a series of simpler calculations, which can then be assembled together to complete a computationally more complex model. The details are described much more explicitly than what is typically available in elementary introductions to Bayesian modeling so that readers are not overwhelmed by the mathematics. Moreover, the provided computer program shows how Bayesian LCA can be implemented with relative ease. The computer program is then applied in a large, real-world data set and explained line-by-line. We outline the general steps in how to extend these considerations to other methodological applications. We conclude with suggestions for further readings.
Frugé, Ernest; Margolin, Judith; Horton, Terzah; Venkateswaran, Lakshmi; Lee, Dean; Yee, Donald L; Mahoney, Donald
2010-12-01
A workshop at the 2008 ASPHO Annual Meeting functioned as the first step in a systematic needs assessment of the particular challenges to satisfaction and success in the middle and senior phases of career development for pediatric hematologist/oncologists (PHOs). The 61 ASPHO members who attended were randomly distributed to small discussion groups based on self-identified career stage. Groups completed challenge forms for each issue identified as pertinent to their own stage of professional development. A total of 71 forms with useable data were generated by the groups. The largest number of challenges described (26) clustered around themes of Work-Life Balance followed by Transition and Succession (18), Management and Finances (15), and Keeping up to Date (13). Mid-career groups were more likely to identify Work-Life Balance challenges while senior stage groups were more likely to articulate Succession and Management challenges. The article describes the demographics of the workshop participants, summarizes the content of challenge themes and the associated suggestions for management. It is hoped that this effort will assist educational and career planning efforts by individuals, institutions, and ASPHO as a professional society.
Putting culture in the curriculum: a European project.
Sairanen, Raija; Richardson, Eileen; Kelly, Hélène; Bergknut, Eva; Koskinen, Liisa; Lundberg, Pranee; Muir, Nita; Olt, Helen; De Vlieger, Lily
2013-03-01
The purpose of this paper is to describe the rationale for and the method of designing a framework for a European curriculum to promote intercultural competence in health care students. The background relating to the migration of people into and across Europe is cited as the factor driving the need for such a project. The project group emerged from the European organisation known as COHEHRE (Consortium of Higher Education Institutes in Health and Rehabilitation in Europe). Composed of a group of nurse educators from 5 European countries it charts the process which led them to create a curriculum framework. The completed work is available in the form of a CD-ROM. The paper describes the steps taken to reach the project outcomes over 4 years. The methods of dissemination of the project outcomes are included. The discussion considers the journey of the group towards the outcomes of the project and identifies the need to discover how effective the framework is in achieving the aims of the group. In conclusion it articulates the hope that this work will improve the care which is shown to all recipients of health care whatever their cultural background. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
[Activities of Colorado University
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Snow, Theodore P.; Bierbaum, Veronica
2003-01-01
During the report period we completed several studies and embarked on a new set of laboratory experiments. We also hired a new post-doctoral Research Associate, Momir Stepanovic, who has gradually assumed leadership in the laboratory work. The other person involved has been graduate student Brian Eichelberger, who will complete his Ph.D. based on this work by late spring of this year. We have also continued to collaborate with our previous postdoctoral Research Associate, Valery Le Page, through a consulting arrangement. In the following sections we summarize work that has been completed and either in print, in press, or in final stages of preparation for publication; current work being carried out in the laboratory; and plans for the coming year. Work completed in 2002: 1. Modeling the physical and chemical states of PAHs in the diffuse interstellar medium. 2. Hydrogenation and charge states of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in diffuse clouds. 3. Laboratory studies of chemical reactions involving carbon chain anions.
Balmant, Wellington; Sugai-Guérios, Maura Harumi; Coradin, Juliana Hey; Krieger, Nadia; Furigo Junior, Agenor; Mitchell, David Alexander
2015-01-01
Current models that describe the extension of fungal hyphae and development of a mycelium either do not describe the role of vesicles in hyphal extension or do not correctly describe the experimentally observed profile for distribution of vesicles along the hypha. The present work uses the n-tanks-in-series approach to develop a model for hyphal extension that describes the intracellular transport of nutrient to a sub-apical zone where vesicles are formed and then transported to the tip, where tip extension occurs. The model was calibrated using experimental data from the literature for the extension of reproductive aerial hyphae of three different fungi, and was able to describe different profiles involving acceleration and deceleration of the extension rate. A sensitivity analysis showed that the supply of nutrient to the sub-apical vesicle-producing zone is a key factor influencing the rate of extension of the hypha. Although this model was used to describe the extension of a single reproductive aerial hypha, the use of the n-tanks-in-series approach to representing the hypha means that the model has the flexibility to be extended to describe the growth of other types of hyphae and the branching of hyphae to form a complete mycelium. PMID:25785863
Social cohesion: The missing factor required for a successful hand hygiene program.
Kwok, Yen Lee Angela; Harris, Peter; McLaws, Mary-Louise
2017-03-01
There are limited explorations into hospital staff reactions to automated hand hygiene surveillance or hand hygiene interventions. An automated surveillance system with daily feedback and a behavioral intervention component was trialed in 2 wards in an Australian tertiary teaching hospital. After 9 months, 12 clinicians from each ward were interviewed prior to the completion of the trial to explore satisfaction with the system and behavioral component of nudging each other with a reminder to comply. Only on completion of the trial were transcripts analyzed for themes. Staff from the ward with improved compliance described a socially cohesive team with a well-liked nurse unit manager who accessed daily compliance rates and worked with staff to set goals. This contrasted with the ward without improvement in compliance, whose staff described their great reluctance and discomfort to nudge each other to comply and distrust of the authenticity of the rates established from the automated system. Interventions for improving compliance are more likely to be successful in a ward with a social cohesive team. Patient safety interventions, in the first instance, may benefit from purposeful selection of wards with cohesive teams and skilled leaders who can transform clinicians into early adopters of the program. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Return to work and its relation to financial distress among Iranian cancer survivors.
Ghasempour, Mostafa; Rahmani, Azad; Davoodi, Arefeh; Sheikhalipour, Zahra; Ziaeei, Jamal Evazie; Abri, Fariba
2015-01-01
Return to work after treatment completion is important for both cancer survivors and society. Financial distress is one of the factors that may influence the return to work in cancer survivors. However, this relationship has not been well investigated. This study aimed to determine the rate of return to work and its relation to financial distress among Iranian cancer survivors. This descriptive-correlational study was undertaken among 165 cancer survivors who completed their initial treatments and had no signs of active cancer. The Return to Work questionnaire and Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. After initial treatments, 120 cancer survivors (72%) had returned to work, of which 50 patients (42%) had returned to full-time work and 70 (58%) reduced their work hours and returned to part-time work. Cancer survivors also reported high levels of financial distress. In addition, the financial distress was lower among patients who had returned completely to work, in comparison to patients who had quit working for cancer-related reasons (p=0.001) or returned to work as part-time workers (p=0.001). The findings showed that a high percent of Iranian cancer survivors had not returned to their jobs or considerably reduced working hours after treatment completion. Accordingly, due to high levels of financial distress experienced by participants and its relation to return to work, designing rehabilitation programs to facilitate cancer survivor return to work should be considered.
Understanding skill acquisition among registered nurses: the 'perpetual novice' phenomenon.
Wilson, Barbara; Harwood, Lori; Oudshoorn, Abe
2015-12-01
To determine whether the perpetual novice phenomenon exists beyond nephrology nursing where it was first described. The perpetual novice is a state in which nurses are unable to progress from a novice to an expert in one or more essential clinical skills which are used in their practice area. Maintaining clinical competence is essential to quality patient care outcomes. An exploratory, sequential, mixed methods design was used, comprised of a quantitative component followed by in-depth interviews. Registered nurses employed in one of four roles were recruited from two university-affiliated hospitals in London, Ontario, Canada: Clinical Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Advanced Practice Nurse and Nurse Practitioner. Participants were first asked to complete and return a survey and demographic questionnaire. Following the return of the completed surveys, ten participants were interviewed to enhance the results of the surveys. The results of the surveys confirmed that the perpetual novice phenomenon exists across multiple nursing care areas. Four contributing factors, both personal and structural in nature, emerged from the interviews: (1) opportunities for education, (2) the context of learning, (3) personal motivation and initiative to learn and (4) the culture of the units where nurses worked. The perpetual novice phenomenon exists due to a combination of both personal factors as well as contextual factors in the work environment. The results assist in directing future educational interventions and provide nursing leaders with the information necessary to create work environments that best enable practicing nurses to acquire and maintain clinical competence. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A medical student leadership course led to teamwork, advocacy, and mindfulness.
Warde, Carole M; Vermillion, Michelle; Uijtdehaage, Sebastian
2014-06-01
Many medical trainees seek work among underserved communities but may be unprepared to cope with the challenges. Relationship-centered qualities have been shown to promote physician resilience and prevent burnout. The UCLA-PRIME program aims to prepare medical students to work among vulnerable groups and begins with a 3-week leadership course. We describe this course and share lessons with those seeking to foster leadership, advocacy, and resiliency in our future physician workforce. Twenty students participated in our curriculum that emphasized five competencies: leadership, advocacy, teamwork, mindfulness, and self-care. Course activities complemented the students' work as they developed a community outreach project. They assessed and reflected on their leadership, relationship, and team behaviors, were coached to improve these, learned mindfulness meditation, and participated in community forums. Our evaluation assessed course quality, project completion, leadership, mindfulness, and team relational coordination. Students were very satisfied with all aspects of the course. They designed a medical student elective addressing the health challenges of an incarcerated and formerly incarcerated population. While we found no change in leadership practices scores, students had high team relational coordination scores and improved mindfulness scores upon course completion. Our course to develop medical students as resilient leaders, team members, and advocates for medically underserved groups consisted of a community-based service project, coupled with a facilitated relationship-centered curriculum. It promoted qualities in students that characterize effective and resilient physician leaders; they were more mindful, related to each other effectively, and coordinated their activities well with one another.
Flexibility in Postgraduate Medical Training in the Netherlands.
Hoff, Reinier G; Frenkel, Joost; Imhof, Saskia M; Ten Cate, Olle
2018-03-01
Postgraduate medical training in the Netherlands has become increasingly individualized. In this article, the authors describe current practices for three residency programs at the University Medical Center Utrecht: anesthesiology, pediatrics, and ophthalmology. These programs are diverse yet share characteristics allowing for individualized residency training. New residents enter each program throughout the year, avoiding a large simultaneous influx of inexperienced doctors. The usual duration of each is five years. However, the actual duration of rotations or of the program as a whole can be reduced because of residents' previous medical experience or demonstration of early mastery of relevant competencies. If necessary, the duration of training can also increase.Although working hours are already restricted by the European Working Time Directive, most residents choose to train on a part-time basis. The length of their program then is extended proportionally. The extension period added for those residents training part-time can be used to develop specific competencies, complete an elective rotation or research, or explore a focus area. If the resident meets all training objectives before the extension period is completed, the program director can choose to shorten the program length. Recently, entrustable professional activities have been introduced to strengthen workplace-based assessment. The effects on program duration have yet to be demonstrated.Flexible postgraduate training is feasible. Although improving work-life balance for residents is a necessity, attention must be paid to ensuring that they gain the necessary experience and competencies and maintain continuity of care to ensure that high-quality patient care is provided.
Producing approximate answers to database queries
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Vrbsky, Susan V.; Liu, Jane W. S.
1993-01-01
We have designed and implemented a query processor, called APPROXIMATE, that makes approximate answers available if part of the database is unavailable or if there is not enough time to produce an exact answer. The accuracy of the approximate answers produced improves monotonically with the amount of data retrieved to produce the result. The exact answer is produced if all of the needed data are available and query processing is allowed to continue until completion. The monotone query processing algorithm of APPROXIMATE works within the standard relational algebra framework and can be implemented on a relational database system with little change to the relational architecture. We describe here the approximation semantics of APPROXIMATE that serves as the basis for meaningful approximations of both set-valued and single-valued queries. We show how APPROXIMATE is implemented to make effective use of semantic information, provided by an object-oriented view of the database, and describe the additional overhead required by APPROXIMATE.
Project Management Framework to Organizational Transitions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kotnour, Tim; Barton, Saul
1996-01-01
This paper describes a project management framework and associated models for organizational transitions. The framework contains an integrated set of steps an organization can take to lead an organizational transition such as downsizing and change in mission or role. The framework is designed to help an organization do the right work the right way with the right people at the right time. The underlying rationale for the steps in the framework is based on a set of findings which include: defining a transition as containing both near-term and long-term actions, designing actions which respond to drivers and achieve desired results, aligning the organization with the external environment, and aligning the internal components of the organization. The framework was developed based on best practices found in the literature, lessons learned from heads of organizations who have completed large-scale organizational changes, and concerns from employees at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The framework is described using KSC.
Specifications of a continual reassessment method design for phase I trials of combined drugs†
Wages, Nolan A.; Conaway, Mark R.
2013-01-01
In studies of combinations of agents in phase I oncology trials, the dose–toxicity relationship may not be monotone for all combinations, in which case the toxicity probabilities follow a partial order. The continual reassessment method for partial orders (PO-CRM) is a design for phase I trials of combinations that leans upon identifying possible complete orders associated with the partial order. This article addresses some practical design considerations not previously undertaken when describing the PO-CRM. We describe an approach in choosing a proper subset of possible orderings, formulated according to the known toxicity relationships within a matrix of combination therapies. Other design issues, such as working model selection and stopping rules, are also discussed. We demonstrate the practical ability of PO-CRM as a phase I design for combinations through its use in a recent trial designed at the University of Virginia Cancer Center. PMID:23729323
Gallagher, Heather; Cooper, Maryann; Durand, Cheryl
2010-01-01
To assess the effect of an interdisciplinary, volunteer clinical experience completed by physician assistant (PA), pharmacy, and nursing students and whether the experience will change students' knowledge of, or attitudes toward, a team approach to health care. Surveys were conducted before and after the project using a 5-point Likert scale that measured the impact of the project on a nonrandom sample of PA, pharmacy, and nursing students who completed a minimum of four hours of service at Head Start preschool sites in southern New Hampshire. Students were recruited through email announcements and a lunchtime information session describing the program. Presurveys were completed using Blackboard before the student's scheduled participation day. Postsurveys were completed onsite at the end of the volunteer time. Surveys were blinded using a number and letter code. Students' knowledge (survey questions 1-4) and attitudes (survey questions 5-7) toward the health care team were evaluated in several areas including the importance of working in a team, knowledge level of other team members, awareness of community agencies as part of the team, and the importance of communication within the health care team. Paired t-tests were used to determine whether significant changes occurred in attitudes or knowledge as a result of the interdisciplinary volunteer experience. Approval of the study protocol was granted by the college's institutional review board. Statistically significant increases were noted in awareness of community resources, understanding of the strengths and skills of other members of the health care team, and experiences in working with other disciplines. Student attitudes toward a team approach to health care did not significantly change as a result of this experience. Enabling students to interact with other disciplines and to provide care to patients significantly increased students' awareness of community resources as well as their understanding of the strengths and skills of other members of the health care team. Students also gained experience working in a health care team. This demonstrates that a volunteer experience involving interdisciplinary collaboration can be used to enhance students' knowledge of the health care team.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Weathers, Robert R., II; Hemmeter, Jeffrey
2011-01-01
SSDI beneficiaries lose their entire cash benefit if they perform work that is substantial gainful activity (SGA) after using Social Security work incentive programs. The complete loss of benefits might be a work disincentive for beneficiaries. We report results from a pilot project that replaces the complete loss of benefits with a gradual…
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gong, Jian; Volakis, John L.; Woo, A. C.; Wang, H. T. G.
1993-01-01
This is the final report on this project which was concerned with the analysis of cavity-backed antennas and more specifically spiral antennas. The project was a continuation of a previous analysis, which employed rectangular brick elements, and was, thus, restricted to planar rectangular patch antennas. A total of five reports were submitted under this project and we expect that at least four journal papers will result from the research described in these reports. The abstracts of the four previous reports are included. The first of the reports (028918-1-T) is over 75 pages and describes the general formulation using tetrahedral elements and the computer program. Report 028918-2-T was written after the completion of the computer program and reviews the capability of the analysis and associated software for planar circular rectangular patches and for a rectangular planar spiral. Measurements were also done at the University of Michigan and at Mission Research Corp. for the purpose of validating the software. We are pleased to acknowledge a partial support from Mission Research Corp. in carrying out the work described in this report. The third report (028918-3-T) describes the formulation and partial validation (using 2D data) for patch antennas on a circular platform. The 3D validation and development of the formulation for patch antennas on circular platforms is still in progress. The fourth report (028918-4-T) is basically an invited journal paper which will appear in the 'J. Electromagnetic Waves and Applications' in early 1994. It describes the application of the finite element method in electromagnetics and is primarily based on our work here at U-M. This final report describes the culmination of our efforts in characterizing complex cavity-backed antennas on planar platforms. The report describes for the first time the analysis of non-planar spirals and non-rectangular slot antennas as well as traditional planar patch antennas. The comparisons between measurements and calculations are truly impressive. Another unique aspect of this work is the incorporation of the FFT as part of the BiCG solver by overlaying a structured triangular mesh over the unstructured mesh. The implementation of this BiCG-FFT solution algorithm is important in minimizing the CPU and storage requirements. This final report will be submitted for publication in a refereed journal.
Photometric Analysis of the Jovian Ring System and Modeling of Ring Origin and Evolution
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Esposito, L. W.
2003-01-01
We have successfully completed the work described in our proposal. The work supported by this grant resulted in the publication of the following paper: Brooks, S. M., L. W. Esposito, M. R. Showalter, and H. B. Throop. 2002. The size distribution of Jupiter's main ring from Galileo imaging and spectroscopy. Icarus, in press. This was also the major part of Dr. Shawn Brooks PhD dissertation. Dr. Brooks gave oral presentations on this work at the Lunar and Planetary Conference, the annual meetings of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society, the annual meetings of the European Geophysical Society, the international Jupiter Conference in Boulder, the Jupiter after Galileo and Cassini Conference in Lisbon and to the Working Group in Non-Linear Dynamics in Potsdam, Germany. This work was reviewed in: Esposito, L. W. 2002. Planetary rings. Rep. hog. Phys. 65, 1741-1783. Planetary rings. LASP reprint 874. Online at http://stacks.iop.org/RoPP/65/1741. Dr. Esposito gave presentations at schools and over the internet on the results of this work. Dr. Brooks lectured in undergraduate and graduate classes on Jupiter's rings, and on the meaning of his research. In August 2003, Dr. Shawn Brooks received the Phd degree from the University of Colorado in Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences.
Direct solar pumping of semiconductor lasers: A feasibility study
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Anderson, Neal G.
1992-01-01
This report describes results of NASA Grant NAG-1-1148, entitled Direct Solar Pumping of Semiconductor Lasers: A Feasibility Study. The goals of this study were to provide a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of pumping semiconductor lasers in space with directly focused sunlight and to identify semiconductor laser structures expected to operate at the lowest possible focusing intensities. It should be emphasized that the structures under consideration would provide direct optical-to-optical conversion of sunlight into laser light in a single crystal, in contrast to a configuration consisting of a solar cell or storage battery electrically pumping a current injection laser. With external modulation, such lasers could perhaps be efficient sources for intersatellite communications. We proposed specifically to develop a theoretical model of semiconductor quantum-well lasers photopumped by a broadband source, test it against existing experimental data where possible, and apply it to estimating solar pumping requirements and identifying optimum structures for operation at low pump intensities. These tasks have been accomplished, as described in this report of our completed project. The report is organized as follows: Some general considerations relevant to the solar-pumped semiconductor laser problem are discussed in Section 2, and the types of structures chosen for specific investigation are described. The details of the laser model we developed for this work are then outlined in Section 3. In Section 4, results of our study are presented, including designs for optimum lattice-matched and strained-layer solar-pumped quantum-well lasers and threshold pumping estimates for these structures. It was hoped at the outset of this work that structures could be identified which could be expected to operate continuously at solar photoexcitation intensities of several thousand suns, and this indeed turned out to be the case as described in this section. Our project is summarized in Section 5, and information on publications resulting from this work is provided in Section 6.
Collaborative Projects: A Study of Paired Work in a Malaysian University.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Holmes, Richard
2003-01-01
Examines the project work of university students in a TESOL (Teaching of English as a Second Language) program in Malaysia. Compares phonetics and phonology projects completed by students working in pairs with those completed by students alone and reports student attitudes and strategies. (Author/LRW)
40 CFR 82.156 - Required practices.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-07-01
... the additional time needed to conduct and complete repairs in a safe working environment will be... creating a safe working environment will require more than 30 weeks; (B) The operator notifies EPA within... the additional time needed to conduct and complete work in a safe environment will be permitted. (iii...
Probabilistic Feasibility of the Reconstruction Process of Russian-Orthodox Churches
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chizhova, M.; Brunn, A.; Stilla, U.
2016-06-01
The cultural human heritage is important for the identity of following generations and has to be preserved in a suitable manner. In the course of time a lot of information about former cultural constructions has been lost because some objects were strongly damaged by natural erosion or on account of human work or were even destroyed. It is important to capture still available building parts of former buildings, mostly ruins. This data could be the basis for a virtual reconstruction. Laserscanning offers in principle the possibility to take up extensively surfaces of buildings in its actual status. In this paper we assume a priori given 3d-laserscanner data, 3d point cloud for the partly destroyed church. There are many well known algorithms, that describe different methods of extraction and detection of geometric primitives, which are recognized separately in 3d points clouds. In our work we put them in a common probabilistic framework, which guides the complete reconstruction process of complex buildings, in our case russian-orthodox churches. Churches are modeled with their functional volumetric components, enriched with a priori known probabilities, which are deduced from a database of russian-orthodox churches. Each set of components represents a complete church. The power of the new method is shown for a simulated dataset of 100 russian-orthodox churches.
Neural reactivation links unconscious thought to decision-making performance.
Creswell, John David; Bursley, James K; Satpute, Ajay B
2013-12-01
Brief periods of unconscious thought (UT) have been shown to improve decision making compared with making an immediate decision (ID). We reveal a neural mechanism for UT in decision making using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants (N = 33) encoded information on a set of consumer products (e.g. 48 attributes describing four different cars), and we manipulated whether participants (i) consciously thought about this information (conscious thought), (ii) completed a difficult 2-back working memory task (UT) or (iii) made an immediate decision about the consumer products (ID) in a within-subjects blocked design. To differentiate UT neural activity from 2-back working memory neural activity, participants completed an independent 2-back task and this neural activity was subtracted from neural activity occurring during the UT 2-back task. Consistent with a neural reactivation account, we found that the same regions activated during the encoding of complex decision information (right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left intermediate visual cortex) continued to be activated during a subsequent 2-min UT period. Moreover, neural reactivation in these regions was predictive of subsequent behavioral decision-making performance after the UT period. These results provide initial evidence for post-encoding unconscious neural reactivation in facilitating decision making.
Neural reactivation links unconscious thought to decision-making performance
Bursley, James K.; Satpute, Ajay B.
2013-01-01
Brief periods of unconscious thought (UT) have been shown to improve decision making compared with making an immediate decision (ID). We reveal a neural mechanism for UT in decision making using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants (N = 33) encoded information on a set of consumer products (e.g. 48 attributes describing four different cars), and we manipulated whether participants (i) consciously thought about this information (conscious thought), (ii) completed a difficult 2-back working memory task (UT) or (iii) made an immediate decision about the consumer products (ID) in a within-subjects blocked design. To differentiate UT neural activity from 2-back working memory neural activity, participants completed an independent 2-back task and this neural activity was subtracted from neural activity occurring during the UT 2-back task. Consistent with a neural reactivation account, we found that the same regions activated during the encoding of complex decision information (right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left intermediate visual cortex) continued to be activated during a subsequent 2-min UT period. Moreover, neural reactivation in these regions was predictive of subsequent behavioral decision-making performance after the UT period. These results provide initial evidence for post-encoding unconscious neural reactivation in facilitating decision making. PMID:23314012
Markerless 3D motion capture for animal locomotion studies
Sellers, William Irvin; Hirasaki, Eishi
2014-01-01
ABSTRACT Obtaining quantitative data describing the movements of animals is an essential step in understanding their locomotor biology. Outside the laboratory, measuring animal locomotion often relies on video-based approaches and analysis is hampered because of difficulties in calibration and often the limited availability of possible camera positions. It is also usually restricted to two dimensions, which is often an undesirable over-simplification given the essentially three-dimensional nature of many locomotor performances. In this paper we demonstrate a fully three-dimensional approach based on 3D photogrammetric reconstruction using multiple, synchronised video cameras. This approach allows full calibration based on the separation of the individual cameras and will work fully automatically with completely unmarked and undisturbed animals. As such it has the potential to revolutionise work carried out on free-ranging animals in sanctuaries and zoological gardens where ad hoc approaches are essential and access within enclosures often severely restricted. The paper demonstrates the effectiveness of video-based 3D photogrammetry with examples from primates and birds, as well as discussing the current limitations of this technique and illustrating the accuracies that can be obtained. All the software required is open source so this can be a very cost effective approach and provides a methodology of obtaining data in situations where other approaches would be completely ineffective. PMID:24972869
MICA: desktop software for comprehensive searching of DNA databases
Stokes, William A; Glick, Benjamin S
2006-01-01
Background Molecular biologists work with DNA databases that often include entire genomes. A common requirement is to search a DNA database to find exact matches for a nondegenerate or partially degenerate query. The software programs available for such purposes are normally designed to run on remote servers, but an appealing alternative is to work with DNA databases stored on local computers. We describe a desktop software program termed MICA (K-Mer Indexing with Compact Arrays) that allows large DNA databases to be searched efficiently using very little memory. Results MICA rapidly indexes a DNA database. On a Macintosh G5 computer, the complete human genome could be indexed in about 5 minutes. The indexing algorithm recognizes all 15 characters of the DNA alphabet and fully captures the information in any DNA sequence, yet for a typical sequence of length L, the index occupies only about 2L bytes. The index can be searched to return a complete list of exact matches for a nondegenerate or partially degenerate query of any length. A typical search of a long DNA sequence involves reading only a small fraction of the index into memory. As a result, searches are fast even when the available RAM is limited. Conclusion MICA is suitable as a search engine for desktop DNA analysis software. PMID:17018144
Image Edge Tracking via Ant Colony Optimization
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Ruowei; Wu, Hongkun; Liu, Shilong; Rahman, M. A.; Liu, Sanchi; Kwok, Ngai Ming
2018-04-01
A good edge plot should use continuous thin lines to describe the complete contour of the captured object. However, the detection of weak edges is a challenging task because of the associated low pixel intensities. Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) has been employed by many researchers to address this problem. The algorithm is a meta-heuristic method developed by mimicking the natural behaviour of ants. It uses iterative searches to find the optimal solution that cannot be found via traditional optimization approaches. In this work, ACO is employed to track and repair broken edges obtained via conventional Sobel edge detector to produced a result with more connected edges.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chameides, William L.
1988-01-01
Spring 1084 GTE CITE-1 flight data from the field exercise was obtained from a GTE Data Archive Tape. Chemical and supporting meteorological data taken over the Pacific Ocean was statistically and diagnostically analyzed to identify the key processes affecting the concentrations of ozone and its chemical precursors in the region. The analysis was completed. The analysis of the GTE CITE-2 data is being performed in collaboration with Dr. D.D. Davis and other GTE scientists. Initial results of the analysis were presented and work begun on the paper describing the results.
Novel measurement techniques (development and analysis of silicon solar cells near 20% effciency)
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wolf, M.; Newhouse, M.
1986-01-01
Work in identifying, developing, and analyzing techniques for measuring bulk recombination rates, and surface recombination velocities and rates in all regions of high-efficiency silicon solar cells is presented. The accuracy of the previously developed DC measurement system was improved by adding blocked interference filters. The system was further automated by writing software that completely samples the unkown solar cell regions with data of numerous recombination velocity and lifetime pairs. The results can be displayed in three dimensions and the best fit can be found numerically using the simplex minimization algorithm. Also described is a theoretical methodology to analyze and compare existing dynamic measurement techniques.
Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1992
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1994-01-01
JPL Bibliography 39-33 describes and indexes by primary author the externally distributed technical reporting, released during calendar year 1992, that resulted from scientific and engineering work performed or managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Three classes of publications are included: (1) JPL Publication (92-series) in which the information is complete for a specific accomplishment; (2) articles from the quarterly Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) Progress Report (42-series) (each collection of articles in this class of publication presents a periodic survey of current accomplishments by the Deep Space Network as well as other developments in Earth-based radio technology); and (3) articles published in the open literature.
Marvin, Christopher C.; Voight, Eric A.; Suh, Judy M.; Paradise, Christopher L.; Burke, Steven D.
2009-01-01
The synthesis of didemniserinolipid B utilizing a ketalization/ring-closing metathesis (K/RCM) strategy is described. In the course of this work, a novel 2-allyl-4-fluorophenyl auxiliary for relay ring-closing metathesis (RRCM) was developed which increased the yield of the RCM. The resulting 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octene core was selectively functionalized by complimentary dihydroxylation and epoxidation routes to install the C10 axial alcohol. This bicyclic ketal core was further functionalized by etherification and an alkene cross metathesis with an unsaturated α-phenylselenyl ester en route to completing the total synthesis. PMID:18811201
Kelly, Peter J; Deane, Frank P; King, Robert; Kazantzis, Nikolaos; Crowe, Trevor P
2007-12-01
A survey was completed by 122 case managers describing the types of homework assignments commonly used with individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI). Homework types were categorized using a 12-item homework description taxonomy and in relation to the 22 domains of the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN). Case managers predominately reported using behaviourally based homework tasks such as scheduling activities and the development of personal hygiene skills. Homework focused on CAN areas of need in relation to Company, Psychological Distress, Psychotic Symptoms and Daytime Activities. The applications of the taxonomy for both researchers and case managers are discussed.
Hawking effects as a noisy quantum channel
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ahn, Doyeol
2018-01-01
In this work, we have shown that the evolution of the bipartite entangled state near the black hole with the Hawking radiation can be described by a noisy quantum channel, having a complete positive map with an "operator sum representation." The entanglement fidelity is obtained in analytic form from the "operator sum representation." The bipartite entangled state becomes bipartite mixed Gaussian state as the black hole evaporates. By comparing negativity and entanglement monotone with the analytical form of the entanglement fidelity, we found that the negativity and the entanglement monotone for s = 1/2 provide the upper and the lower bounds of the entanglement fidelity, respectively.
The oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol
Yohe, G.R.; Dunbar, J.E.; Pedrotti, R.L.; Scheidt, F.M.; Lee, F.G.H.; Smith, E.C.
1956-01-01
The products formed in the oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol with oxygen and sodium hydroxide at about 100?? are 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, trimethylacetic acid, an acidic compound C14H22O3, and probably 2,6-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone (which was actually isolated in the similar oxidation of the above-named benzaldehyde), in addition to compounds previously reported. Some of the properties of C14H22O3 are given, and the oxidation of it to 2,3-di-tert-butylsuccinic anhydride is described, but assignment of structure is reserved pending the completion of more experimental work.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
deWit, A.; Cohn, N.
1999-01-01
The Netherlands Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) commissioned Hague Consulting Group (HCG) to complete a benchmark study of airport charges at twenty eight airports in Europe and around the world, based on 1996 charges. This study followed previous DGCA research on the topic but included more airports in much more detail. The main purpose of this new benchmark study was to provide insight into the levels and types of airport charges worldwide and into recent changes in airport charge policy and structure, This paper describes the 1996 analysis. It is intended that this work be repeated every year in order to follow developing trends and provide the most up-to-date information possible.
An unusual cause of febrile hepatitis
Stelzer, Teresa; Kohler, Sibylle; Marques Maggio, Ewerton; Heuss, Ludwig Theodor
2015-01-01
We describe the case of a 51-year-old man with recently diagnosed ulcerative colitis who developed fever and elevated liver enzymes as well as cholestasis a few weeks after starting treatment with mesalazine. As no obvious cause was found and fever persisted, liver biopsy was performed and revealed granulomatous hepatitis. The patient recovered completely after cessation of mesalazine, so that a drug-induced granulomatous hepatitis after exclusion of other differential diagnoses in an extensive work up was assumed. The present case demonstrates that even though drug-induced liver injury due to mesalazine is rare, it should be considered in unclear cases and lead to prompt discontinuation of mesalazine. PMID:26113581
Habitability in long-term space missions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mount, Frances E.
1987-01-01
The research (both in progress and completed) conducted for the U.S. Space Station in relation to the crew habitability and crew productivity is discussed. Methods and tasks designed to increase the data base of the man/system information are described. The particular research areas discussed in this paper include human productivity, on-orbit maintenance, vewing requirements, fastener types, and crew quarters. This information (along with data obtained on human interaction with command/control work station, anthropometic factors, crew equipment, galley/wardroom, restraint systems, etc) will be integrated into the common data base for the purpose of assisting the design of the Space Station and other future manned space missions.
Optically powered remote gas monitor
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Dubaniewicz, T.H. Jr.; Chilton, J.E.
1995-12-31
Many mines rely on toxic gas sensors to help maintain a safe and healthy work environment. This report describes a prototype monitoring system developed by the US Bureau of Mines (USBM) that uses light to power and communicate with several remote toxic gas sensors. The design is based on state-of-art optical-to-electrical power converters, solid-state diode lasers, and fiber optics. This design overcomes several problems associated with conventional wire-based systems by providing complete electrical isolation between the remote sensors and the central monitor. The prototype performed well during a 2-week field trial in the USBM Pittsburgh Research Center Safety Research Coalmore » Mine.« less
Spin dephasing in a magnetic dipole field.
Ziener, C H; Kampf, T; Reents, G; Schlemmer, H-P; Bauer, W R
2012-05-01
Transverse relaxation by dephasing in an inhomogeneous field is a general mechanism in physics, for example, in semiconductor physics, muon spectroscopy, or nuclear magnetic resonance. In magnetic resonance imaging the transverse relaxation provides information on the properties of several biological tissues. Since the dipole field is the most important part of the multipole expansion of the local inhomogeneous field, dephasing in a dipole field is highly important in relaxation theory. However, there have been no analytical solutions which describe the dephasing in a magnetic dipole field. In this work we give a complete analytical solution for the dephasing in a magnetic dipole field which is valid over the whole dynamic range.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Yang, Zhaoqing; Khangaonkar, Tarang; Wang, Taiping
In this report we describe the 1) the expansion of the PNNL hydrodynamic model domain to include the continental shelf along the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and Vancouver Island; and 2) the approach and progress in developing the online/Internet disseminations of model results and outreach efforts in support of the Puget Sound Operational Forecast System (PS-OPF). Submittal of this report completes the work on Task 2.1.2, Effects of Physical Systems, Subtask 2.1.2.1, Hydrodynamics, for fiscal year 2010 of the Environmental Effects of Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy project.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
de Wit, A.; Cohn, N.
1999-01-01
The Netherlands Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) commissioned Hague Consulting Group (HCG) to complete a benchmark study of airport charges at twenty eight airports in Europe and around the world, based on 1996 charges. This study followed previous DGCA research on the topic but included more airports in much more detail. The main purpose of this new benchmark study was to provide insight into the levels and types of airport charges worldwide and into recent changes in airport charge policy and structure. This paper describes the 1996 analysis. It is intended that this work be repeated every year in order to follow developing trends and provide the most up-to-date information possible.
Comment on "Principles of connectivity among morphologically defined cell types in adult neocortex".
Barth, Alison; Burkhalter, Andreas; Callaway, Edward M; Connors, Barry W; Cauli, Bruno; DeFelipe, Javier; Feldmeyer, Dirk; Freund, Tamas; Kawaguchi, Yasuo; Kisvarday, Zoltan; Kubota, Yoshiyuki; McBain, Chris; Oberlaender, Marcel; Rossier, Jean; Rudy, Bernardo; Staiger, Jochen F; Somogyi, Peter; Tamas, Gabor; Yuste, Rafael
2016-09-09
Jiang et al (Research Article, 27 November 2015, aac9462) describe detailed experiments that substantially add to the knowledge of cortical microcircuitry and are unique in the number of connections reported and the quality of interneuron reconstruction. The work appeals to experts and laypersons because of the notion that it unveils new principles and provides a complete description of cortical circuits. We provide a counterbalance to the authors' claims to give those less familiar with the minutiae of cortical circuits a better sense of the contributions and the limitations of this study. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Bisgaard, N
2001-06-01
This article presents an overview of past and current experiences with time division multiple assess-based (Global System for Mobil Communication) mobile telephones in Europe as seen by the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association. Initial fear of widespread interference problems for hearing aid users in general owing to use of a new generation of mobile telephones seems unjustified. The background for the International Electrotechnical Commission 118-13 standard for measuring interference is described. No solution to complete elimination of interference problems resulting from direct contact between hearing aids and mobile telephones has yet been found. Several reports on the subjects are cited, and new work on measurement standards for near-field situations is mentioned.