A comparative analysis of the results from 4 trials of beta-blocker therapy for heart failure: BEST, CIBIS-II, MERIT-HF, and COPERNICUS.

PubMed

Domanski, Michael J; Krause-Steinrauf, Heidi; Massie, Barry M; Deedwania, Prakash; Follmann, Dean; Kovar, David; Murray, David; Oren, Ron; Rosenberg, Yves; Young, James; Zile, Michael; Eichhorn, Eric

2003-10-01

Recent large randomized, controlled trials (BEST [Beta-blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial], CIBIS-II [Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Trial II], COPERNICUS [Carvedilol Prospective Randomized Cumulative Survival Study], and MERIT-HF [Metoprolol Randomized Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure]) have addressed the usefulness of beta-blockade in the treatment of advanced heart failure. CIBIS-II, COPERNICUS, and MERIT-HF have shown that beta-blocker treatment with bisoprolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol XL, respectively, reduce mortality in advanced heart failure patients, whereas BEST found a statistically nonsignificant trend toward reduced mortality with bucindolol. We conducted a post hoc analysis to determine whether the response to beta-blockade in BEST could be related to differences in the clinical and demographic characteristics of the study populations. We generated a sample from BEST to resemble the patient cohorts studied in CIBIS-II and MERIT-HF to find out whether the response to beta-blocker therapy was similar to that reported in the other trials. These findings are further compared with COPERNICUS, which entered patients with more severe heart failure. To achieve conformity with the entry criteria for CIBIS-II and MERIT-HF, the BEST study population was adjusted to exclude patients with systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg, heart rate <60 bpm, and age >80 years (exclusion criteria employed in those trials). The BEST comparison subgroup (BCG) was further modified to more closely reflect the racial demographics reported for patients enrolled in CIBIS-II and MERIT-HF. The association of beta-blocker therapy with overall survival and survival free of cardiac death, sudden cardiac death, and progressive pump failure in the BCG was assessed. In the BCG subgroup, bucindolol treatment was associated with significantly lower risk of death from all causes (hazard ratio (HR)=0.77 [95% CI=0.65, 0.92]), cardiovascular death (HR=0.71 [0.58, 0.86]), sudden death (HR=0.77 [0.59, 0.999]), and pump failure death (HR=0.64 [0.45, 0.91]). Although not excluding the possibility of differences resulting from chance alone or to different properties among beta-blockers, this study suggests the possibility that different heart failure population subgroups may have different responses to beta-blocker therapy.

A normally-off fully AlGaN HEMT with high breakdown voltage and figure of merit for power switch applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebrahimi, Behzad; Asad, Mohsen

2015-07-01

In this paper, we propose a fully AlGaN high electron mobility (HEMT) in which the gate electrode, the barrier and the channel are all AlGaN. The p-type AlGaN gate facilitates the normally-off operation to be compatible with the state-of-the-art power amplifiers. In addition, the AlGaN channel increases the breakdown voltage (VBR) to 598 V due to the higher breakdown field of AlGaN compared to GaN. To assess the efficiency of the proposed structure, its characteristics are compared with the conventional and recently proposed structures. The two-dimensional device simulation results show that the proposed structure has the highest threshold voltage (Vth) and the VBR with the moderately low ON-resistance (RON). These features lead to the highest figure of merit (2.49 × 1012) among the structures which is 83%, 59%, 47% and 49% more than those of the conventional, with a field plate, AlGaN gate and AlGaN channel structures, respectively.

Factors Contributing to the Postsecondary Enrollment Decisions of Maryland National Merit and National Achievement Semifinalists. ASHE 1984 Annual Meeting Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keller, Michael J.; McKeown, Mary P.

Factors that 1983 National Merit and National Achievement Semifinalists in Maryland felt influenced their college choice were studied. The 143 survey respondents were asked to indicate how important 22 factors were in the selection of a college. The factors covered items dealing with the characteristics of the college, efforts by the institution…

Characteristics of a promising new thermoelectric material - Ruthenium silicide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ohta, Toshitaka; Vining, Cronin B.; Allevato, Camillo E.

1991-01-01

A preliminary study on arc-melted samples has indicated that ruthenium silicide has the potential to obtain figure-of-merit values four times higher than that of conventional silicon-germanium material. In order to realize the high figure-of-merit values, high-quality crystal from the melt is needed. A Bridgman-like method has been employed and has realized much better crystals than arc-melted ones.

Quantitative Technique for Comparing Simulant Materials through Figures of Merit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rickman, Doug; Hoelzer, Hans; Fourroux, Kathy; Owens, Charles; McLemore, Carole; Fikes, John

2007-01-01

The 1989 workshop report entitled Workshop on Production and Uses of Simulated Lunar Materials and the Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials: Recommendations for Standardization, Production, and Usage, NASA Technical Publication both identified and reinforced a need for a set of standards and requirements for the production and usage of the Lunar simulant materials. As NASA prepares to return to the Moon, and set out to Mars, a set of early requirements have been developed for simulant materials and the initial methods to produce and measure those simulants have been defined. Addressed in the requirements document are: 1) a method for evaluating the quality of any simulant of a regolith, 2) the minimum characteristics for simulants of Lunar regolith, and 3) a method to produce simulants needed for NASA's Exploration mission. As an extension of the requirements document a method to evaluate new and current simulants has been rigorously defined through the mathematics of Figures of Merit (FoM). Requirements and techniques have been developed that allow the simulant provider to compare their product to a standard reference material through Figures of Merit. Standard reference material may be physical material such as the Apollo core samples or material properties predicted for any landing site. The simulant provider is not restricted to providing a single "high fidelity" simulant, which may be costly to produce. The provider can now develop "lower fidelity" simulants for engineering applications such as drilling and mobility applications.

Epilepsy and workplace discrimination: population characteristics and trends.

PubMed

West, Michael D; Dye, Amy N; McMahon, Brian T

2006-08-01

This study investigates the nature of allegations of workplace discrimination made by job seekers and workers with epilepsy. Demographic characteristics of individuals making allegations were consistent with those of individuals with epilepsy nationwide. Approximately three-fourths of allegations were related to post-hire issues, such as discrimination in promotion and termination, disciplinary actions, and harassment. The lowest rate of merit allegation was related to discrimination in hiring. Comparison of merit allegations before and after the U.S. Supreme Court's Sutton decision revealed that claimants have had higher rates of success following the decision, suggesting that the Sutton decision has had no negative effect on claimants with epilepsy.

Figure of Merit Characteristics Compared to Engineering Parameters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rickman, Doug L.; Schrader, Christian M.

2008-01-01

Current NASA lunar architecture calls for permanent human habitation of the moon by the year 2020. Due to the expense of delivering materials into orbit, technologies are being developed to use lunar regolith for building and as a material resource for fabrication, oxygen production, and other needs. Additionally, constant exposure to the finest size fraction of lunar regolith may present hazards to human health. Towards developing these technologies and mitigating hazards, lunar regolith simulants are becoming an increasingly important part of the development paradigm.

Sexual Harassment in the Federal Workplace: Is It a Problem? A Report of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board Office of Merit Systems Review and Studies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mathis, Patricia A.; Prokop, Ruth T.

This report represents the culmination of a year-long evaluation of the nature and extent of sexual harassment in the federal government. The various chapters explore the: (1) attitudes of federal employees toward sexual harassment; (2) extent of sexual harassment in the federal workplace; (3) characteristics of victims and perpetrators of sexual…

Workplace discrimination and HIV/AIDS: the national EEOC ADA research project.

PubMed

Conyers, Liza; Boomer, K B; McMahon, Brian T

2005-01-01

This article utilizes data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Integrated Mission System database to document the levels of employment discrimination involving individuals with HIV/AIDS. The researchers explore the theory that the nature of HIV/AIDS related employment discrimination is rooted in deeper stigmatization than discrimination against other disability groups. Researchers compare and contrast key demographic characteristics of Charging Parties and Respondents involved in HIV/AIDS related allegations of discrimination and their proportion of EEOC merit resolutions to those of persons with other physical, sensory, and neurological impairments. Findings indicate that, in contrast to the general disability group, HIV/AIDS was more likely to be male, ethnic minorities, between the ages of 25-44, in white collar jobs, in the South and West and to work for businesses with 15 to 100 employees. Additionally, the allegations in HIV/AIDS were more likely to receive merit resolution from the EEOC by a large difference of ten percent.

Recommended Experimental Procedures for Evaluation of Abrupt Wing Stall Characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Capone, F. J.; Hall, R. M.; Owens, D. B.; Lamar, J. E.; McMillin, S. N.

2003-01-01

This paper presents a review of the experimental program under the Abrupt Wing Stall (AWS) Program. Candidate figures of merit from conventional static tunnel tests are summarized and correlated with data obtained in unique free-to-roll tests. Where possible, free-to-roll results are also correlated with flight data. Based on extensive studies of static experimental figures of merit in the Abrupt Wing Stall Program for four different aircraft configurations, no one specific figure of merit consistently flagged a warning of potential lateral activity when actual activity was seen to occur in the free-to-roll experiments. However, these studies pointed out the importance of measuring and recording the root mean square signals of the force balance.

Post-hospital medical respite care and hospital readmission of homeless persons.

PubMed

Kertesz, Stefan G; Posner, Michael A; O'Connell, James J; Swain, Stacy; Mullins, Ashley N; Shwartz, Michael; Ash, Arlene S

2009-01-01

Medical respite programs offer medical, nursing, and other care as well as accommodation for homeless persons discharged from acute hospital stays. They represent a community-based adaptation of urban health systems to the specific needs of homeless persons. This article examines whether post-hospital discharge to a homeless medical respite program was associated with a reduced chance of 90-day readmission compared to other disposition options. Adjusting for imbalances in patient characteristics using propensity scores, respite patients were the only group that was significantly less likely to be readmitted within 90 days compared to those released to Own Care. Respite programs merit attention as a potentially efficacious service for homeless persons leaving the hospital.

Post-Hospital Medical Respite Care and Hospital Readmission of Homeless Persons

PubMed Central

Kertesz, Stefan G.; Posner, Michael A.; O’Connell, James J.; Swain, Stacy; Mullins, Ashley N.; Michael, Shwartz; Ash, Arlene S.

2009-01-01

Medical respite programs offer medical, nursing, and other care as well as accommodation for homeless persons discharged from acute hospital stays. They represent a community-based adaptation of urban health systems to the specific needs of homeless persons. This paper examines whether post-hospital discharge to a homeless medical respite program was associated with a reduced chance of 90-day readmission compared to other disposition options. Adjusting for imbalances in patient characteristics using propensity scores, Respite patients were the only group that was significantly less likely to be readmitted within 90 days compared to those released to Own Care. Respite programs merit attention as a potentially efficacious service for homeless persons leaving the hospital. PMID:19363773

Development of a particle method of characteristics (PMOC) for one-dimensional shock waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Y.-H.

2018-03-01

In the present study, a particle method of characteristics is put forward to simulate the evolution of one-dimensional shock waves in barotropic gaseous, closed-conduit, open-channel, and two-phase flows. All these flow phenomena can be described with the same set of governing equations. The proposed scheme is established based on the characteristic equations and formulated by assigning the computational particles to move along the characteristic curves. Both the right- and left-running characteristics are traced and represented by their associated computational particles. It inherits the computational merits from the conventional method of characteristics (MOC) and moving particle method, but without their individual deficiencies. In addition, special particles with dual states deduced to the enforcement of the Rankine-Hugoniot relation are deliberately imposed to emulate the shock structure. Numerical tests are carried out by solving some benchmark problems, and the computational results are compared with available analytical solutions. From the derivation procedure and obtained computational results, it is concluded that the proposed PMOC will be a useful tool to replicate one-dimensional shock waves.

Speech-discrimination scores modeled as a binomial variable.

PubMed

Thornton, A R; Raffin, M J

1978-09-01

Many studies have reported variability data for tests of speech discrimination, and the disparate results of these studies have not been given a simple explanation. Arguments over the relative merits of 25- vs 50-word tests have ignored the basic mathematical properties inherent in the use of percentage scores. The present study models performance on clinical tests of speech discrimination as a binomial variable. A binomial model was developed, and some of its characteristics were tested against data from 4120 scores obtained on the CID Auditory Test W-22. A table for determining significant deviations between scores was generated and compared to observed differences in half-list scores for the W-22 tests. Good agreement was found between predicted and observed values. Implications of the binomial characteristics of speech-discrimination scores are discussed.

Genetic merit for fertility traits in Holstein cows: I. Production characteristics and reproductive efficiency in a pasture-based system.

PubMed

Cummins, S B; Lonergan, P; Evans, A C O; Berry, D P; Evans, R D; Butler, S T

2012-03-01

The objective of the present study was to characterize the phenotypic performance of cows with similar proportions of Holstein genetics, similar genetic merit for milk production traits, but with good (Fert+) or poor (Fert-) genetic merit for fertility traits. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that cows with a negative estimated breeding value for calving interval would have superior fertility performance and would have detectable differences in body reserve mobilization and circulating concentrations of metabolic hormones and metabolites compared with cows that had a positive estimated breeding value for calving interval. For the duration of the study, cows were managed identically as a single herd in a typical grass-based, spring-calving production system. A total of 80 lactation records were available from 26 Fert+ and 26 Fert- cows over 2 consecutive years (2008 and 2009). During yr 1, cows were monitored during a 20-wk breeding season to evaluate reproductive performance. Milk production, body condition score (scale 1 to 5), body weight, grass dry matter intake, energy balance, and metabolic hormone and metabolite data were collected during both years. The Fert+ cows had greater daily milk yield (19.5 vs. 18.7 kg/d), shorter interval from calving to conception (85.6 vs. 113.8 d), and fewer services per cow (1.78 vs. 2.83). No difference between groups in grass dry matter intake, energy balance, or body weight was observed. The Fert+ cows maintained greater BCS during mid (2.84 vs. 2.74 units) and late lactation (2.82 vs. 2.73 units). Circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I were greater throughout the gestation-lactation cycle in Fert+ cows (148.3 vs. 128.2 ng/mL). The Fert+ cows also had greater circulating concentrations of insulin during the first 4 wk of lactation (1.71 vs. 1.24 μIU/mL). Analysis of records from national herd data verified the association between genetic merit for fertility traits and phenotypic reproductive performance; Fert+ cows (n = 2,436) required 11.1 d less to recalve than did Fert- cows (n = 1,388), and the percentage of cows that successfully calved for the second time within 365 and 400 d of the first calving was 8 and 13% greater for Fert+ compared with Fert- cows, respectively. These results demonstrate that genetic merit for fertility traits had a pronounced effect on reproductive efficiency, BCS profiles, and circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I. Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Developing Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline for Rating the Impairment in Mental and Behavioral Disorders; A Comparative Study of KNPA's New Guidelines and AMA's 6th Guides

PubMed Central

Ryu, Seong Gon; Hong, Narei; Hwang, Sun-Chul; Jung, Han-Young; Jeong, Dushin; Rah, Ueon Woo; Suh, Dong-Soo

2009-01-01

Quantifying and rating the impairments due to mental and behavior disorders are difficult for their own characteristics. Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS) is developing guidelines of rating impairment in mental and behavioral disorders based on Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KNPA)'s new guidelines. We compared the new KNPA's guidelines and the American Medical Association (AMA)'s 6th Guides in assessing impairment due to mental and behavioral disorders to develop new guidelines of KAMS. Two guidelines are different in diagnosing system, applicable disorders, qualification of assessors, application of scales, contents of assessment and rate of impairment of the whole person. Both AMA's and the proposed guidelines have individual merits and characteristics. There is a limitation in using the 6th AMA's Guides in Korean situation. However to improve objectivity in Korean assessment of psychiatric impairment, the new AMA's Guides can serve as a good reference. PMID:19503692

Workplace discrimination, deafness and hearing impairment: the national EEOC ADA research project.

PubMed

Bowe, Frank G; McMahon, Brian T; Chang, Tai; Louvi, Ioanna

2005-01-01

Data compiled by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), in its Integrated Mission System, provide documentation regarding the employment discrimination experience of Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing. This paper presents an analysis of 8,936 allegations filed by persons with hearing impairment and closed by EEOC between July 26, 1992 and September 30, 2003, as compared to 165,674 allegations filed by individuals with other physical or sensory disabilities. The investigators compare and contrast demographic characteristics of Charging Parties, characteristics of Respondents, the nature of allegations, and the outcomes of the allegations in order to illustrate how these variables differ between the two groups, herein referred to as HEARING (deaf, hard of hearing, or other hearing impairment) and GENDIS (general disability). Most allegations derived from both groups were filed against larger Respondents (those with 500+ workers). The most common allegation issues in the HEARING group involved matters of discharge, reasonable accommodation, and hiring. Outcomes derived from HEARING allegations were more likely to result in merit resolutions when compared to GENDIS, by a 25% to 21% margin.

Optimization of Automobile Crush Characteristics: Technical Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-10-01

A methodology is developed for the evaluation and optimization of societal costs of two-vehicle automobile collisions. Costs considered in a Figure of Merit include costs of injury/mortality, occupant compartment penetration, collision damage repairs...

Evaluation of solar cells for potential space satellite power applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

The evaluation focused on the following subjects: (1) the relative merits of alternative solar cell materials, based on performance and availability, (2) the best manufacturing methods for various solar cell options and the effects of extremely large production volumes on their ultimate costs and operational characteristics, (3) the areas of uncertainty in achieving large solar cell production volumes, (4) the effects of concentration ratios on solar array mass and system performance, (5) the factors influencing solar cell life in the radiation environment during transport to and in geosynchronous orbit, and (6) the merits of conducting solar cell manufacturing operations in space.

Filamentous Trichomic Prokaryotes in Carbonaceous Meteorites: Indigenous Microfossils, Minerals, or Modern Bio-Contaminants?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, Richard B.; Rozanov, Alexei Yu.

2011-01-01

Large complex filaments have been detected in freshly fractured interior surfaces of a variety of carbonaceous meteorites. Many exhibit the detailed morphological and morphometric characteristics of known filamentous trichomic prokaryotic microorganisms. In this paper we review prior studies of filamentous microstructures encountered in the meteorites along with the elemental compositions and characteristics of the, fibrous evaporite minerals and filamentous cyanobacteria and homologous trichomic sulfur bacteria. The meteorite images and elemental compositions will compared with data obtained with the same instruments for abiotic microstructures and living and fossil microorganisms in order to evaluate the relative merits of the alternate hypotheses that have been advanced to explain the nature and characteristics of the meteorite filaments. The possibiility that the filaments found in the meteorites may be comprise modern bio-contaminants will be evaluated in light of their observed elemental compositions and data by other researchers on the detection of indigenous complex organic biosignatures, and extraterrestrial amino acids and nucleobases found in the Murchison CM2 and the Orgueil CI1 carbonaceous meteorites.

Science education in the Boy Scouts of America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hintz, Rachel Sterneman

This study of science education in the Boy Scouts of America focused on males with Boy Scout experience. The mixed-methods study topics included: merit badge standards compared with National Science Education Standards, Scout responses to open-ended survey questions, the learning styles of Scouts, a quantitative assessment of science content knowledge acquisition using the Geology merit badge, and a qualitative analysis of interview responses of Scouts, Scout leaders, and scientists who were Scouts. The merit badge requirements of the 121 current merit badges were mapped onto the National Science Education Standards: 103 badges (85.12%) had at least one requirement meeting the National Science Education Standards. In 2007, Scouts earned 1,628,500 merit badges with at least one science requirement, including 72,279 Environmental Science merit badges. "Camping" was the "favorite thing about Scouts" for 54.4% of the boys who completed the survey. When combined with other outdoor activities, what 72.5% of the boys liked best about Boy Scouts involved outdoor activity. The learning styles of Scouts tend to include tactile and/or visual elements. Scouts were more global and integrated than analytical in their thinking patterns; they also had a significant intake element in their learning style. Earning a Geology merit badge at any location resulted in a significant gain of content knowledge; the combined treatment groups for all location types had a 9.13% gain in content knowledge. The amount of content knowledge acquired through the merit badge program varied with location; boys earning the Geology merit badge at summer camp or working as a troop with a merit badge counselor tended to acquire more geology content knowledge than boys earning the merit badge at a one-day event. Boys retained the content knowledge learned while earning the merit badge. Scientists, Scout leaders, and Scouts felt that Scouts learned science through participation in the Boy Scout program, both in the merit badge program and also through activities, trips, outdoors, in meetings, and through rank advancement. On an open-ended questionnaire, 75.2% of Scouts reported that doing merit badges helped them do better in school. Scout leaders indicated that the overall Scouting environment introduced boys to science. Scout scientists credited Boy Scouts with providing experiences that interested and/or helped them in their scientific careers.

Merit Pay and Job Enlargement as Reforms: Incentives, Implementation, and Teacher Response.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Firestone, William A.

1991-01-01

Based on intensive case studies of two school districts, this study compared two teacher work reforms: merit pay and job enlargement. Interviews with 64 teachers and 53 administrators, supplemented by over 1,300 survey responses, indicate the efficacy of each approach and the potential advantages of job enlargement. (SLD)

5 CFR 841.404 - Demographic factors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... available data will be used. (1) Distributions of new entrants by age, sex, and service; (2) Withdrawal... disability annuitants; (12) Child survivor termination and death rates; (13) Family characteristics for..., except those rates for child survivors and merit salary increases. ...

5 CFR 841.404 - Demographic factors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... available data will be used. (1) Distributions of new entrants by age, sex, and service; (2) Withdrawal... disability annuitants; (12) Child survivor termination and death rates; (13) Family characteristics for..., except those rates for child survivors and merit salary increases. ...

5 CFR 841.404 - Demographic factors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... available data will be used. (1) Distributions of new entrants by age, sex, and service; (2) Withdrawal... disability annuitants; (12) Child survivor termination and death rates; (13) Family characteristics for..., except those rates for child survivors and merit salary increases. ...

5 CFR 841.404 - Demographic factors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... available data will be used. (1) Distributions of new entrants by age, sex, and service; (2) Withdrawal... disability annuitants; (12) Child survivor termination and death rates; (13) Family characteristics for..., except those rates for child survivors and merit salary increases. ...

5 CFR 841.404 - Demographic factors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... available data will be used. (1) Distributions of new entrants by age, sex, and service; (2) Withdrawal... disability annuitants; (12) Child survivor termination and death rates; (13) Family characteristics for..., except those rates for child survivors and merit salary increases. ...

The large-scale placebo-controlled beta-blocker studies in systolic heart failure revisited: results from CIBIS-II, COPERNICUS and SENIORS-SHF compared with stratified subsets from MERIT-HF.

PubMed

Wikstrand, J; Wedel, H; Castagno, D; McMurray, J J V

2014-02-01

The four pivotal beta-blocker trials in heart failure (HF) had different inclusion criteria, making comparison difficult without patient stratifying. The aim of this study was to compare, in similar patients, the effects of bisoprolol, metoprolol controlled release/extended release (CR/XL), carvedilol and nebivolol on (i) total mortality, (ii) all-cause mortality or hospitalization due to cardiovascular causes (time to first event), (iii) all-cause mortality or hospitalization because of HF and (iv) tolerability, defined as discontinuation of randomized treatment. We compared stratified (s ) subsets in MERIT-HF with patients in CIBIS-II [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV and ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35%] and COPERNICUS (NYHA III/IV and EF <25%) and in patients with systolic HF in SENIORS-SHF (age ≥ 70 years and EF ≤ 35%). The annual mortality rates in the placebo and beta-blocker arms were: (i) CIBIS-II (n = 2647), 13.2% vs. 8.8% (relative risk reduction 34%, 95% CI: 19-46, P < 0.0001) and MERIT-HFs (n = 2002), 14.8% vs. 8.6% (relative risk reduction 42%, 95% CI: 24-56, P < 0.0001); (ii) COPERNICUS (n = 2289), 19.7% vs. 12.8% (relative risk reduction 35%, 95% CI: 19-48, P = 0.0014) and MERIT-HFs (n = 795), 19.1% vs. 11.7% (relative risk reduction 39%; 95% CI: 11-58, P = 0.0086); (iii) SENIORS-SHF (n = 1359), 11.3% vs. 9.7% (relative risk reduction 16%, NS) and MERIT-HFs (n = 985), 14.8% vs. 10.1% (relative risk reduction 32%, 95% CI: 2-53, P = 0.038). The effects on the other outcomes assessed were similar. Analyses indicated fewer discontinuations from randomized treatment on beta-blockers compared with placebo in COPERNICUS and the MERIT-HFs subsets. The efficacy and tolerability of bisoprolol, carvedilol and metoprolol CR/XL are similar in patients with systolic HF, irrespective of NYHA class or ejection fraction. Nebivolol is less effective and not better tolerated. © 2013 The Association for the Publication of the Journal of Internal Medicine.

NTP comparison process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corban, Robert

1993-01-01

The systems engineering process for the concept definition phase of the program involves requirements definition, system definition, and consistent concept definition. The requirements definition process involves obtaining a complete understanding of the system requirements based on customer needs, mission scenarios, and nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) operating characteristics. A system functional analysis is performed to provide a comprehensive traceability and verification of top-level requirements down to detailed system specifications and provides significant insight into the measures of system effectiveness to be utilized in system evaluation. The second key element in the process is the definition of system concepts to meet the requirements. This part of the process involves engine system and reactor contractor teams to develop alternative NTP system concepts that can be evaluated against specific attributes, as well as a reference configuration against which to compare system benefits and merits. Quality function deployment (QFD), as an excellent tool within Total Quality Management (TQM) techniques, can provide the required structure and provide a link to the voice of the customer in establishing critical system qualities and their relationships. The third element of the process is the consistent performance comparison. The comparison process involves validating developed concept data and quantifying system merits through analysis, computer modeling, simulation, and rapid prototyping of the proposed high risk NTP subsystems. The maximum amount possible of quantitative data will be developed and/or validated to be utilized in the QFD evaluation matrix. If upon evaluation of a new concept or its associated subsystems determine to have substantial merit, those features will be incorporated into the reference configuration for subsequent system definition and comparison efforts.

Optimization of a chemical identification algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chyba, Thomas H.; Fisk, Brian; Gunning, Christin; Farley, Kevin; Polizzi, Amber; Baughman, David; Simpson, Steven; Slamani, Mohamed-Adel; Almassy, Robert; Da Re, Ryan; Li, Eunice; MacDonald, Steve; Slamani, Ahmed; Mitchell, Scott A.; Pendell-Jones, Jay; Reed, Timothy L.; Emge, Darren

2010-04-01

A procedure to evaluate and optimize the performance of a chemical identification algorithm is presented. The Joint Contaminated Surface Detector (JCSD) employs Raman spectroscopy to detect and identify surface chemical contamination. JCSD measurements of chemical warfare agents, simulants, toxic industrial chemicals, interferents and bare surface backgrounds were made in the laboratory and under realistic field conditions. A test data suite, developed from these measurements, is used to benchmark algorithm performance throughout the improvement process. In any one measurement, one of many possible targets can be present along with interferents and surfaces. The detection results are expressed as a 2-category classification problem so that Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) techniques can be applied. The limitations of applying this framework to chemical detection problems are discussed along with means to mitigate them. Algorithmic performance is optimized globally using robust Design of Experiments and Taguchi techniques. These methods require figures of merit to trade off between false alarms and detection probability. Several figures of merit, including the Matthews Correlation Coefficient and the Taguchi Signal-to-Noise Ratio are compared. Following the optimization of global parameters which govern the algorithm behavior across all target chemicals, ROC techniques are employed to optimize chemical-specific parameters to further improve performance.

Analysis of 2D Transport and Performance Characteristics for Lateral Power Devices Based on AlGaN Alloys

DOE PAGES

Coltrin, Michael E.; Baca, Albert G.; Kaplar, Robert J.

2017-10-26

In this paper, predicted lateral power device performance as a function of alloy composition is characterized by a standard lateral device figure-of-merit (LFOM) that depends on mobility, critical electric field, and sheet carrier density. The paper presents calculations of AlGaN electron mobility in lateral devices such as HEMTs across the entire alloy composition range. Alloy scattering and optical polar phonon scattering are the dominant mechanisms limiting carrier mobility. Due to the significant degradation of mobility from alloy scattering, at room temperature Al fractions greater than about 85% are required for improved LFOM relative to GaN using a conservative sheet chargemore » density of 1 × 10 13 cm –2. However, at higher temperatures at which AlGaN power devices are anticipated to operate, this “breakeven” composition decreases to about 65% at 500 K, for example. For high-frequency applications, the Johnson figure-of-merit (JFOM) is the relevant metric to compare potential device performance across materials platforms. At room temperature, the JFOM for AlGaN alloys is predicted to surpass that of GaN for Al fractions greater than about 40%.« less

Analysis of 2D Transport and Performance Characteristics for Lateral Power Devices Based on AlGaN Alloys

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

Coltrin, Michael E.; Baca, Albert G.; Kaplar, Robert J.

In this paper, predicted lateral power device performance as a function of alloy composition is characterized by a standard lateral device figure-of-merit (LFOM) that depends on mobility, critical electric field, and sheet carrier density. The paper presents calculations of AlGaN electron mobility in lateral devices such as HEMTs across the entire alloy composition range. Alloy scattering and optical polar phonon scattering are the dominant mechanisms limiting carrier mobility. Due to the significant degradation of mobility from alloy scattering, at room temperature Al fractions greater than about 85% are required for improved LFOM relative to GaN using a conservative sheet chargemore » density of 1 × 10 13 cm –2. However, at higher temperatures at which AlGaN power devices are anticipated to operate, this “breakeven” composition decreases to about 65% at 500 K, for example. For high-frequency applications, the Johnson figure-of-merit (JFOM) is the relevant metric to compare potential device performance across materials platforms. At room temperature, the JFOM for AlGaN alloys is predicted to surpass that of GaN for Al fractions greater than about 40%.« less

Cui Bono? On the Relative Merits of Technology-Enhanced Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mykhnenko, Vlad

2016-01-01

This article provides evidence from a 4-year longitudinal study on the comparative use of illustrative video podcasts during Economic Geography lectures vis-à-vis traditional educational methods in order to guide pedagogic practice and future research on the relative merits of technology-enhanced learning in higher education. Key benefits derived…

5 MeV Proton irradiation effects on 200 GHz silicon-germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gnana Prakash, A. P.; Hegde, Vinayakprasanna N.; Pradeep, T. M.; Pushpa, N.; Bajpai, P. K.; Patel, S. P.; Trivedi, Tarkeshwar; Cressler, J. D.

2017-12-01

The total dose effects of 5 MeV proton and Co-60 gamma irradiation in the dose range from 1 to 100 Mrad on advanced 200 GHz Silicon-Germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors (SiGe HBTs) are investigated. The SRIM simulation study was conducted to understand the energy loss of 5 MeV proton ions in SiGe HBT structure. Pre- and post-radiation DC figure of merits such as forward- and inverse-mode Gummel characteristics, excess base current, DC current gain and output characteristics were used to quantify the radiation tolerance of the devices. The results show that the proton creates a significant amount of damages in the surface and bulk of the transistor when compared with gamma irradiation. The SiGe HBTs shows robust ionizing radiation tolerance even up to a total dose of 100 Mrad for both radiations.

UT/CSR analysis of earth rotation from Lageos SLR data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tapley, B. D.; Eanes, R. J.; Schutz, B. E.

1986-01-01

The 1983-1984 data collected by NASA and stations participating in the Crustal Dynamics Project from satellite laser ranging (SLR) systems are used to generate solutions for the earth polar motion. Solutions obtained using the MERIT Lageos standard data set are compared to operational results based on quick-look data and generated in near real-time, and the capability of Lageos SLR for the determination of earth orientation parameters (EOP) with high temporal resolution is investigated. Finally, the sensitivity of the MERIT campaign results to the number of tracking stations and to changes in the MERIT standard model is evaluated. It is concluded that the departures from the IAU/IUGG MERIT standards do not significantly change the solution and that solutions accurate at the 2 milliarcsec level can be maintained with a network of fewer than 10 appropriately selected stations.

Meeting the Needs of Alternatively Certified Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chesley, Lynne Scott; Wood, Fred H.; Zepeda, Sally J.

1997-01-01

The unique needs of alternatively certified teachers merit a customized induction program. This paper presents data from a recent study of beginning alternatively certified teachers in Oklahoma, examining characteristics of the teachers studied, frustrations among new teachers, insufficient resources and materials, training needs, relationships…

Layout optimization of GGISCR structure for on-chip system level ESD protection applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Jie; Dong, Shurong; Wong, Hei; Hu, Tao; Li, Xiang

2016-12-01

To improve the holding voltage, area efficiency and robustness, a comparative study on single finger, 4-finger and round shape layout of gate-grounded-nMOS incorporated SCR (GGISCR) devices are conducted. The devices were fabricated with a commercial 0.35 μm HV-CMOS process without any additional mask or process modification. To have a fair comparison, we develop a new Figure-of-Merit (FOM) modeling for the performance evaluation of these devices. We found that the ring type device which has an It2 value of 18.9 A is area efficient and has smaller effective capacitance. The different characteristics were explained with the different effective ESD currents in these layout structures.

An advanced pitch change mechanism incorporating a hybrid traction drive

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, B. M.; Loewenthal, S. H.; Sargisson, D. F.; White, G.

1984-01-01

A design of a propeller pitch control mechanism is described that meets the demanding requirements of a high-power, advanced turboprop. In this application, blade twisting moment torque can be comparable to that of the main reduction gearbox output: precise pitch control, reliability and compactness are all at a premium. A key element in the design is a compact, high-ratio hybrid traction drive which offers low torque ripple and high torsional stiffness. The traction drive couples a high speed electric motor/alternator unit to a ball screw that actuates the blade control links. The technical merits of this arrangement and the performance characteristics of the traction drive are discussed.

Space vehicle integrated thermal protection/structural/meteoroid protection system, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartlett, D. H.; Zimmerman, D. K.

1973-01-01

A program was conducted to determine the merit of a combined structure/thermal meteoroid protection system for a cryogenic vehicle propulsion module. Structural concepts were evaluated to identify least weight designs. Thermal analyses determined optimum tank arrangements and insulation materials. Meteoroid penetration experiments provided data for design of protection systems. Preliminary designs were made and compared on the basis of payload capability. Thermal performance tests demonstrated heat transfer rates typical for the selected design. Meteoroid impact tests verified the protection characteristics. A mockup was made to demonstrate protection system installation. The best design found combined multilayer insulation with a truss structure vehicle body. The multilayer served as the thermal/meteoroid protection system.

Investigating the Merits of Pair Work on a Text Editing Task in ESL Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Storch, Neomy

2007-01-01

Although the literature on language pedagogy encourages the use of pair work in the second language classroom, students sometimes seem reluctant to work in pairs, particularly on grammar-focused tasks. This study investigated the merits of pair work by comparing pair and individual work on an editing task and by analysing the nature of pair…

Figures of merit for microwave photonic phase shifters based on semiconductor optical amplifiers.

PubMed

Sancho, Juan; Lloret, Juan; Gasulla, Ivana; Sales, Salvador; Capmany, José

2012-05-07

We theoretically and experimentally compare the performance of two fully tunable phase shifter structures based on semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) by means of several figures of merit common to microwave photonic systems. A single SOA stage followed by a tailored notch filter is compared with a cascaded implementation comprising three SOA-based phase shifter stages. Attention is focused on the assessment of the RF net gain, noise figure and nonlinear distortion. Recommendations on the performance optimization of this sort of approaches are detailed.

Medical education resources initiative for teens program in baltimore: A model pipeline program built on four pillars.

PubMed

Mains, Tyler E; Wilcox, Mark V; Wright, Scott M

2016-01-01

Less than 6% of U.S. medical school applicants are African-American. The lack of diversity among physicians, by race as well as other measures, confers a negative impact on the American healthcare system because underrepresented minority (URM) physicians are more likely to practice in underserved communities and deliver more equitable, culturally competent care. MERIT (Medical Education Resources Initiative for Teens) is a nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. MERIT prepares URM high school students for health careers by providing a holistic support system for seven consecutive years. The program model, which utilizes weekly Saturday sessions, summer internships, and longitudinal mentoring, is built on four foundational pillars: (1) Ignite the Fire, (2) Illuminate the Path, (3) Create the Toolkit, and (4) Sustain the Desire. Since 2011, MERIT has supported 51 students in the Baltimore City Public School System. For the past two years, 100% (n = 14) of MERIT seniors enrolled in universities, compared to only 20.2% of Baltimore City students overall. While it is too early to know whether MERIT alumni will realize their goals of becoming healthcare professionals, they are currently excelling in universities and over 75% (n = 17) are still planning to pursue graduate degrees in health-related fields. After piloting an effective program model, MERIT now has three key priorities moving forward: (1) Creating a sustainable and thriving organization, (2) increasing the number of scholars the program supports in Baltimore, and (3) expanding MERIT to other cities.

Further applications of a Figure-of-Merit in space missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Preiss, Bruce; Pan, Thomas; Ramohalli, Kumar

1991-01-01

A redesigned figure-of-merit (FoM) approach is described with respect to its applications in projects that employ in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and advanced modular engines. The FoM considers long-term effects, reliability of hardware, and risks inherent to new technologies, as well as significant design parameters. A spreadsheet is utilized to describe the FoM by means of key mission characteristics and combinations of the characteristic inputs in terms of precise governing equations. Results of the FoMs for historical and Mars Sample Return (MSR) missions are given for the conventional mission as well as an ISRU mission for the MSR. A detailed description of the most effective Mars mission is presented, showing how different factors affect the FoM. The results demonstrate that the FoM gives quantitative results based on overall mission design, allowing intercomparisons of similar missions. The FoM can be used as a screening parameter by modifying aspects of the mission by means of the R-factor.

Figure of merit studies of beam power concepts for advanced space exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Gabriel; Kadiramangalam, Murali N.

1990-01-01

Surface to surface, millimeter wavelength beam power systems for power transmission on the lunar base were investigated. Qualitative/quantitative analyses and technology assessment of 35, 110 and 140 GHz beam power systems were conducted. System characteristics including mass, stowage volume, cost and efficiency as a function of range and power level were calculated. A simple figure of merit analysis indicates that the 35 GHz system would be the preferred choice for lunar base applications, followed closely by the 110 GHz system. System parameters of a 35 GHz beam power system appropriate for power transmission on a recent lunar base concept studied by NASA-Johnson and the necessary deployment sequence are suggested.

Comparing face-to-face and online qualitative research with people with multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Synnot, Anneliese; Hill, Sophie; Summers, Michael; Taylor, Michael

2014-03-01

We compared face-to-face focus groups and an online forum in qualitative research with people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and family members. Although the merits and challenges of online qualitative research have been considered by others, there is limited literature directly comparing these two data collection methods for people with disability or chronic illness. Twenty-seven people participated in one of four focus groups and 33 people took part in an online forum. Demographic and MS-related characteristics were similar between the two groups, with a slight nonsignificant trend toward nonmetropolitan residence in online forum participants. There was a high level of overlap in the themes generated between groups. Participant responses in the online forum were more succinct and on-topic, yet in the focus groups interaction was greater. Online qualitative research methods can facilitate research participation for people with chronic illness or disability, yielding generally comparable information to that gathered via face-to-face methods.

Characteristics of patients with diabetes screened for tuberculosis in a tertiary care hospital in South India

PubMed Central

Kumpatla, S.; Sekar, A.; Achanta, S.; Sharath, B. N.; Kumar, A. M. V.; Harries, A. D.

2013-01-01

Setting: Tertiary care hospital for diabetes mellitus (DM) in Tamil Nadu, South India. Objective: To compare the socio-demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics in DM patients with and without tuberculosis (TB). Design: A descriptive study involving a review of routinely maintained records to capture the results of screening of DM patients for TB between March and December 2012. DM patients were first asked whether they already had TB, and if not they were screened for TB symptoms, followed by investigations for and possible diagnosis of TB. Results: Of 7083 DM patients, 38 already had TB. Of the remainder, 125 (1.8%) had TB symptoms; 71 were investigated and 12 were newly diagnosed with TB. Of the 50 TB patients, 64% had smear-positive pulmonary TB (PTB). DM-TB patients were older, and had lower education level and economic status, a higher frequency of alcohol use, lower body mass index, a longer duration of DM, a greater likelihood of receiving insulin and poorer glycaemic control. Conclusion: Screening of DM patients for TB was feasible in a tertiary care hospital. The yield of new TB cases was low and merits further investigation. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were different in patients with DM and TB compared to those with DM only. PMID:26393064

Computational Modeling of Piezoelectric Foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Challagulla, K. S.; Venkatesh, T. A.

2013-02-01

Piezoelectric materials, by virtue of their unique electromechanical characteristics, have been recognized for their potential utility in many applications as sensors and actuators. However, the sensing or actuating functionality of monolithic piezoelectric materials is generally limited. The composite approach to piezoelectric materials provides a unique opportunity to access a new design space with optimal mechanical and coupled characteristics. The properties of monolithic piezoelectric materials can be enhanced via the additive approach by adding two or more constituents to create several types of piezoelectric composites or via the subtractive approach by introducing controlled porosity in the matrix materials to create porous piezoelectric materials. Such porous piezoelectrics can be tailored to demonstrate improved signal-to-noise ratio, impedance matching, and sensitivity, and thus, they can be optimized for applications such as hydrophone devices. This article captures key results from the recent developments in the field of computational modeling of novel piezoelectric foam structures. It is demonstrated that the fundamental elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of piezoelectric foam are strongly dependent on the internal structure of the foams and the material volume fraction. The highest piezoelectric coupling constants and the highest acoustic impedance are obtained in the [3-3] interconnect-free piezoelectric foam structures, while the corresponding figures of merit for the [3-1] type long-porous structure are marginally higher. Among the [3-3] type foam structures, the sparsely-packed foam structures (with longer and thicker interconnects) display higher coupling constants and acoustic impedance as compared to closepacked foam structures (with shorter and thinner interconnects). The piezoelectric charge coefficients ( d h), the hydrostatic voltage coefficients ( g h), and the hydrostatic figures of merit ( d hgh) are observed to be significantly higher for the [3-3] type piezoelectric foam structures as compared to the [3-1] type long-porous materials, and these can be enhanced significantly by modifying the aspect ratio of the porosity in the foam structures as well.

The Merits of Using "Worldview" in Religious Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van der Kooij, Jacomijn C.; de Ruyter, Doret J.; Miedema, Siebren

2017-01-01

This article aims to argue that worldview is a useful concept in religious education because of its encompassing character. In the first part of the article three essential characteristics of "worldview" are distinguished: "worldview" includes religious and secular views; a distinction between organized and personal worldviews…

Space shuttle phase B extension, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

In order to define a system which would significantly reduce payload delivery costs, activities were extended to modifications of the reusable space shuttle design concept. Considered were systems using orbiters with external propellant tanks and an interim expendable booster which allowed phased development of the usable orbiter and booster. Analyzed were: Merits of internal and external propellant tanks and the impact of external LH2 compared to L02 and LH2; impact of cargo bay size; impact abort; merit of expendable booster options; and merit of a phased development program. Studies showed that external L02/LH2 and the continued use of the J-2S engine on the orbiter reduced program cost and risk.

Investigating the enhancement of template-free activation detection of event-related fMRI data using wavelet shrinkage and figures of merit.

PubMed

Ngan, Shing-Chung; Hu, Xiaoping; Khong, Pek-Lan

2011-03-01

We propose a method for preprocessing event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data that can lead to enhancement of template-free activation detection. The method is based on using a figure of merit to guide the wavelet shrinkage of a given fMRI data set. Several previous studies have demonstrated that in the root-mean-square error setting, wavelet shrinkage can improve the signal-to-noise ratio of fMRI time courses. However, preprocessing fMRI data in the root-mean-square error setting does not necessarily lead to enhancement of template-free activation detection. Motivated by this observation, in this paper, we move to the detection setting and investigate the possibility of using wavelet shrinkage to enhance template-free activation detection of fMRI data. The main ingredients of our method are (i) forward wavelet transform of the voxel time courses, (ii) shrinking the resulting wavelet coefficients as directed by an appropriate figure of merit, (iii) inverse wavelet transform of the shrunk data, and (iv) submitting these preprocessed time courses to a given activation detection algorithm. Two figures of merit are developed in the paper, and two other figures of merit adapted from the literature are described. Receiver-operating characteristic analyses with simulated fMRI data showed quantitative evidence that data preprocessing as guided by the figures of merit developed in the paper can yield improved detectability of the template-free measures. We also demonstrate the application of our methodology on an experimental fMRI data set. The proposed method is useful for enhancing template-free activation detection in event-related fMRI data. It is of significant interest to extend the present framework to produce comprehensive, adaptive and fully automated preprocessing of fMRI data optimally suited for subsequent data analysis steps. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of the group of radiologists that benefits the most using Breast Screen Reader Assessment Strategy (BREAST)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganesan, A.; Alakhras, M.; Brennan, P. C.; Lee, W.; Tapia, K.; Mello-Thoms, C.

2018-03-01

Purpose: To determine the impact of Breast Screen Reader Assessment Strategy (BREAST) over time in improving radiologists' breast cancer detection performance, and to identify the group of radiologists that benefit the most by using BREAST as a training tool. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six radiologists who completed three case-sets offered by BREAST were included in this study. The case-sets were arranged in radiologists' chronological order of completion and five performance measures (sensitivity, specificity, location sensitivity, receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (ROC AUC) and jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic (JAFROC) figure-of-merit (FOM)), available from BREAST, were compared between case-sets to determine the level of improvement achieved. The radiologists were then grouped based on their characteristics and the above performance measures between the case-sets were compared. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with statistical significance set at p < 0.05 were used to compare the performance measures. Results: Significant improvement was demonstrated in radiologists' case-set performance in terms of location sensitivity and JAFROC FOM over the years, and radiologists' location sensitivity and JAFROC FOM showed significant improvement irrespective of their characteristics. In terms of ROC AUC, significant improvement was shown for radiologists who were reading screen mammograms for more than 7 years and spent more than 9 hours per week reading mammograms. Conclusion: Engaging with case-sets appears to enhance radiologists' performance suggesting the important value of initiatives such as BREAST. However, such performance enhancement was not shown for everyone, highlighting the need to tailor the BREAST platform to benefit all radiologists.

Measurement of laser spot quality

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Milster, T. D.; Treptau, J. P.

1991-01-01

Several ways of measuring spot quality are compared. We examine in detail various figures of merit such as full width at half maximum (FWHM), full width at 1/(e exp 2) maximum, Strehl ratio, and encircled energy. Our application is optical data storage, but results can be applied to other areas like space communications and high energy lasers. We found that the optimum figure of merit in many cases is Strehl ratio.

Sexual Harassment in the Federal Workplace.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newman, Meredith A.; Jackson, Robert A.; Baker, Douglas D.

2003-01-01

Data from the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (n=8,081) determined that worker characteristics (age, marital status, employment status) are the principal influence on the likelihood that workers will be sexually harassed. Those most likely also perceive training to be ineffective. Training programs must be reevaluated and upgraded. (Contains…

Status, Numbers and Influence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Melamed, David; Savage, Scott V.

2013-01-01

We develop a theoretical model of social influence in n-person groups. We argue that disagreement between group members introduces uncertainty into the social situation, and this uncertainty motivates people to use status characteristics to evaluate the merits of a particular opinion. Our model takes the numerical distribution of opinions and the…

Objective measurements to evaluate glottal space segmentation from laryngeal images.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Arriola, J M; Osma-Ruiz, V; Sáenz-Lechón, N; Godino-Llorente, J I; Fraile, R; Arias-Londoño, J D

2012-01-01

Objective evaluation of the results of medical image segmentation is a known problem. Applied to the task of automatically detecting the glottal area from laryngeal images, this paper proposes a new objective measurement to evaluate the quality of a segmentation algorithm by comparing with the results given by a human expert. The new figure of merit is called Area Index, and its effectiveness is compared with one of the most used figures of merit found in the literature: the Pratt Index. Results over 110 laryngeal images presented high correlations between both indexes, demonstrating that the proposed measure is comparable to the Pratt Index and it is a good indicator of the segmentation quality.

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarter, Jill

The search for evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence is placed in the broader astronomical context of the search for extrasolar planets and biomarkers of primitive life elsewhere in the universe. A decision tree of possible search strategies is presented as well as a brief history of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) projects since 1960. The characteristics of 14 SETI projects currently operating on telescopes are discussed and compared using one of many possible figures of merit. Plans for SETI searches in the immediate and more distant future are outlined. Plans for success, the significance of null results, and some opinions on deliberate transmission of signals (as well as listening) are also included. SETI results to date are negative, but in reality, not much searching has yet been done.

An advanced pitch change mechanism incorporating a hybrid traction drive

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, B. M.; Sargisson, D. F.; White, G.; Loewenthal, S. H.

1984-01-01

A design of a propeller pitch control mechanism is described that meets the demanding requirements of a high-power, advanced turboprop. In this application, blade twisting moment torque can be comparable to that of the main reduction gearbox output: precise pitch control, reliability and compactness are all at a premium. A key element in the design is a compact, high-ratio hybrid traction drive which offers low torque ripple and high torsional stiffness. The traction drive couples a high speed electric motor/alternator unit to a ball screw that actuates the blade control links. The technical merits of this arrangement and the performance characteristics of the traction drive are discussed. Comparisons are made to the more conventional pitch control mechanisms.

Promising Practices for Making Recreation Programming Matter for People who Experience Mental Illness.

PubMed

Hutchinson, Susan L; Fenton, Lara

2018-05-01

There is merit in understanding how recreation-oriented programs for adults living with mental illness address barriers to participation and how programming is structured to create safe and inclusive environments, resulting in programming that amplifies the benefits of recreation for mental well-being. Following an environmental scan of programs targeting adults living with mental illness in Canada, ten coordinators in community mental health settings were interviewed. Four themes were constructed to reflect characteristics deemed to be 'promising practices' related to recreation-oriented programming: (a) barriers and solutions to individual participation, (b) characteristics of welcoming and supportive environments, (c) leadership characteristics, and (d) program characteristics.

Preliminary study of advanced turboprop and turboshaft engines for light aircraft. [cost effectiveness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knip, G.; Plencner, R. M.; Eisenberg, J. D.

1980-01-01

The effects of engine configuration, advanced component technology, compressor pressure ratio and turbine rotor-inlet temperature on such figures of merit as vehicle gross weight, mission fuel, aircraft acquisition cost, operating, cost and life cycle cost are determined for three fixed- and two rotary-wing aircraft. Compared with a current production turboprop, an advanced technology (1988) engine results in a 23 percent decrease in specific fuel consumption. Depending on the figure of merit and the mission, turbine engine cost reductions required to achieve aircraft cost parity with a current spark ignition reciprocating (SIR) engine vary from 0 to 60 percent and from 6 to 74 percent with a hypothetical advanced SIR engine. Compared with a hypothetical turboshaft using currently available technology (1978), an advanced technology (1988) engine installed in a light twin-engine helicopter results in a 16 percent reduction in mission fuel and about 11 percent in most of the other figures of merit.

Au-Graphene Hybrid Plasmonic Nanostructure Sensor Based on Intensity Shift

PubMed Central

Alharbi, Raed; Irannejad, Mehrdad; Yavuz, Mustafa

2017-01-01

Integrating plasmonic materials, like gold with a two-dimensional material (e.g., graphene) enhances the light-material interaction and, hence, plasmonic properties of the metallic nanostructure. A localized surface plasmon resonance sensor is an effective platform for biomarker detection. They offer a better bulk surface (local) sensitivity than a regular surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor; however, they suffer from a lower figure of merit compared to that one in a propagating surface plasmon resonance sensors. In this work, a decorated multilayer graphene film with an Au nanostructures was proposed as a liquid sensor. The results showed a significant improvement in the figure of merit compared with other reported localized surface plasmon resonance sensors. The maximum figure of merit and intensity sensitivity of 240 and 55 RIU−1 (refractive index unit) at refractive index change of 0.001 were achieved which indicate the capability of the proposed sensor to detect a small change in concentration of liquids in the ng/mL level which is essential in early-stage cancer disease detection. PMID:28106850

A figure of merit for AMTEC electrodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Underwood, M. L.; Williams, R. M.; Jeffries-Nakamura, B.; Ryan, M. A.

1991-01-01

As a method to compare the results of alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) electrode performance measured under different conditions, an AMTEC figure of merit called ZA is proposed. This figure of merit is the ratio of the experimental maximum power for an electrode to a calculated maximum power density as determined from a recently published electrode performance model. The calculation of a maximum power density assumes that certain loss terms in the electrode can be reduced to essentially zero by improved cell design and construction, and that the electrochemical exchange current is determined from a standard value. Other losses in the electrode are considered inherent to the electrode performance. Thus, these terms remain in the determination of the calculated maximum power. A value of ZA near one, then, indicates an electrode performance near the maximum possible performance. The primary limitation of this calculation is that the small electrode effect cannot be included. This effect leads to anomalously high values of ZA. Thus, the electrode area should be reported along with the figure of merit.

The Psychometric Properties of the Iowa Personality Disorder Screen in Methadone-Maintained Patients: An Initial Investigation

PubMed Central

Beitel, Mark; Peters, Skye; Savant, Jonathan D.; Cutter, Christopher J.; Cecero, John J.; Barry, Declan T.

2012-01-01

The psychometric properties of the Iowa Personality Disorder Screen (IPDS) were examined in 150 methadone-maintained patients who completed measures of demographic, psychopathology, substance use, pain, and methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) characteristics. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution that explained 45 percent of the scale variance. The first factor captured internalizing tendencies, such as inhibition and hypersensitivity to others. The second factor comprised externalizing tendencies, such as impulsivity and insensitivity to others. The IPDS item subsets, derived factors, and the total score were significantly related to race/ethnicity but not sex. The effects of race/ethnicity were controlled statistically when the IPDS was compared to other measures of psychopathology, self-reported substance use, pain variables, and MMT characteristics. In general, the IPDS appears to be reliable and valid for use with methadone-maintained patients. The two-factor structure found in this study may have clinical utility and merits further investigation in other MMT samples. PMID:23398100

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Virgin Islands

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Virgin Islands

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. New Jersey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Missouri

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Rhode Island

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Texas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Nevada

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Georgia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Arkansas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Illinois

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Virginia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Hawaii

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Minnesota

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Alaska

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Delaware

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Utah

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Iowa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Kentucky

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Florida

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Delaware

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Indiana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Utah

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Mississippi

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Vermont

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Georgia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. New Mexico

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Alabama

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Connecticut

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Florida

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Illinois

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Pennsylvania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Colorado

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Arkansas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. California

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. South Dakota

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Louisiana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Wyoming

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Hawaii

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Massachusetts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Nevada

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Connecticut

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Michigan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. New Jersey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Ohio

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Washington

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Alabama

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. North Carolina

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Minnesota

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Arizona

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Arizona

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Maryland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Indiana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Michigan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. North Carolina

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Iowa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Washington

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Montana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Texas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Kansas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Idaho

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Maryland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Ohio

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Montana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Colorado

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Wyoming

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Oregon

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Pennsylvania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Oregon

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Virginia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Wisconsin

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Nebraska

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Vermont

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Puerto Rico

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Wisconsin

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. North Dakota

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. New York

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. New Hampshire

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. California

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Maine

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Oklahoma

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Maine

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. South Carolina

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Missouri

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Massachusetts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Alaska

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. North Dakota

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Kansas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Kentucky

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Tennessee

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Oklahoma

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. New Mexico

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Louisiana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. West Virginia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Tennessee

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Idaho

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. Nebraska

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. Mississippi

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

American Indian Self-Image Workshop Manual.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rainer, Howard T.

A self-image workshop manual for American Indians aims to help Indian people set goals and excel in whatever they plan in life. A section entitled "Are You an Eagle?" tells of the significance of eagles in traditional American Indian Culture, discusses those who merit an eagle feather for accomplishment, and lists characteristics of eagles (and…

A Culturally Responsive Evaluation Approach Applied to the Talent Development School-to-Career Intervention Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manswell-Butty, Jo-Anne L.; Reid, Malva Daniel; LaPoint, Velma

2004-01-01

Program evaluation has long been used to reveal program characteristics, merits, and challenges. While providing information about program effectiveness, evaluations can also ensure understanding of program outcomes, efficiency, and quality. Furthermore, evaluations can analyze and examine a program's political and social environment as well as…

Genetic differences based on a beef terminal index are reflected in future phenotypic performance differences in commercial beef cattle.

PubMed

Connolly, S M; Cromie, A R; Berry, D P

2016-05-01

The increased demand for animal-derived protein and energy for human consumption will have to be achieved through a combination of improved animal genetic merit and better management strategies. The objective of the present study was to quantify whether differences in genetic merit among animals materialised into phenotypic differences in commercial herds. Carcass phenotypes on 156 864 animals from 7301 finishing herds were used, which included carcass weight (kg), carcass conformation score (scale 1 to 15), carcass fat score (scale 1 to 15) at slaughter as well as carcass price. The price per kilogram and the total carcass value that the producer received for the animal at slaughter was also used. A terminal index, calculated in the national genetic evaluations, was obtained for each animal. The index was based on pedigree index for calving performance, feed intake and carcass traits from the national genetic evaluations. Animals were categorised into four terminal index groups on the basis of genetic merit estimates that were derived before the expression of the phenotypic information by the validation animals. The association between terminal index and phenotypic performance at slaughter was undertaken using mixed models; whether the association differed by gender (i.e. young bulls, steers and heifers) or by early life experiences (animals born in a dairy herd or beef herd) was also investigated. The regression coefficient of phenotypic carcass weight, carcass conformation and carcass fat on their respective estimated breeding values (EBVs) was 0.92 kg, 1.08 units and 0.79 units, respectively, which is close to the expectation of one. Relative to animals in the lowest genetic merit group, animals in the highest genetic merit group had, on average, a 38.7 kg heavier carcass, with 2.21 units greater carcass conformation, and 0.82 units less fat. The superior genetic merit animals were, on average, slaughtered 6 days younger than their inferior genetic merit contemporaries. The superior carcass characteristics of the genetically elite animals materialised in carcasses worth €187 more than those of the lowest genetic merit animals. Although the phenotypic difference in carcass traits of animals divergent in terminal index differed statistically by animal gender and early life experience, the detected interactions were generally biologically small. This study clearly indicates that selection on an appropriate terminal index will produce higher performing animals and this was consistent across all production systems investigated.

The impact of using old germplasm on genetic merit and diversity-A cattle breed case study.

PubMed

Eynard, Sonia E; Windig, Jack J; Hulsegge, Ina; Hiemstra, Sipke-Joost; Calus, Mario P L

2018-05-29

Artificial selection and high genetic gains in livestock breeds led to a loss of genetic diversity. Current genetic diversity conservation actions focus on long-term maintenance of breeds under selection. Gene banks play a role in such actions by storing genetic materials for future use and the recent development of genomic information is facilitating characterization of gene bank material for better use. Using the Meuse-Rhine-Issel Dutch cattle breed as a case study, we inferred the potential role of germplasm of old individuals for genetic diversity conservation of the current population. First, we described the evolution of genetic merit and diversity over time and then we applied the optimal contribution (OC) strategy to select individuals for maximizing genetic diversity, or maximizing genetic merit while constraining loss of genetic diversity. In the past decades, genetic merit increased while genetic diversity decreased. Genetic merit and diversity were both higher in an OC scenario restricting the rate of inbreeding when old individuals were considered for selection, compared to considering only animals from the current population. Thus, our study shows that gene bank material, in the form of old individuals, has the potential to support long-term maintenance and selection of breeds. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Published by Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Standardized Measures of Merit (MOM) Dictionary.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-03-20

BLIP) of the target. 3. Coordinate transformations and rotation routines are required to compare the differences between the reference track and...AD-AI24 070 STANDARDIZED MEASURES OF MERIT (MOM) OICTIONARY(U) AI R I/lt FORCE ELECTRONIC WARFARE C ENTE R K ELLY AFR TX 20 MAR 79 UNCLASSIFEF/G5/2 5...SECURITY CLASSIFIIATIONd Of THIS5 PAGE READ Data Entered) REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE BEFORE COMPLETING FORM REPOR NUME.R ~GOVT ACCESSION NO. 3. RECIPIENT’S

40 CFR 1502.14 - Alternatives including the proposed action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... impacts of the proposal and the alternatives in comparative form, thus sharply defining the issues and... action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits. (c) Include reasonable alternatives not...

40 CFR 1502.14 - Alternatives including the proposed action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... impacts of the proposal and the alternatives in comparative form, thus sharply defining the issues and... action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits. (c) Include reasonable alternatives not...

40 CFR 1502.14 - Alternatives including the proposed action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... impacts of the proposal and the alternatives in comparative form, thus sharply defining the issues and... action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits. (c) Include reasonable alternatives not...

40 CFR 1502.14 - Alternatives including the proposed action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... impacts of the proposal and the alternatives in comparative form, thus sharply defining the issues and... action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits. (c) Include reasonable alternatives not...

40 CFR 1502.14 - Alternatives including the proposed action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... impacts of the proposal and the alternatives in comparative form, thus sharply defining the issues and... action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits. (c) Include reasonable alternatives not...

Thermoelectric figure of merit of polymeric systems for low-power generators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cigarini, Luigi; Ruini, Alice; Catellani, Alessandra; Calzolari, Arrigo

2017-10-01

The request of thermoelectric materials for low-power and flexible applications fosters the investigation of the intrinsic electron and thermal transport of conducting polymeric chains, which are building blocks of the complex variety of organic composites proposed in experimental samples. Using calculations from first principles and the Landauer approach for both electron and phonon carriers, we study the thermoelectric figure of merit zT of three representative and largely used polymer chains, namely poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline and polyfluorene. Our results provide an upper-limit estimate of zT, due to the intrinsic electronic and vibrational properties of the selected compounds, and pave the way to a microscopic understanding of the mechanisms that affect their electronic and transport characteristics in terms of structural distortions and chemical doping.

The Merit of Merit: Notes on the Arguments for and Against Merit Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fassiotto, Michael E.

The types of merit pay increments and arguments for and against merit increments are reviewed, along with important variables a college should address when considering merit increments. The least common system at colleges and universities today is that of determining the entire faculty salary on the basis of merit. Most common at the university…

An arbitrary-shaped acoustic cloak with merits beyond the internal and external cloaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Baolei; Li, Tinghua; Wu, Jun; Hui, Ming; Yuan, Gang; Zhu, Yongsheng

2017-01-01

Based on transformation acoustics, an arbitrary-shaped acoustic cloak capable of functioning as an information exchange-enabling internal cloak and a movement-allowing external cloak is presented. The general expressions of material parameters for the acoustic cloaks with arbitrarily conformal or non-conformal boundaries are derived, and then the performances of developed cloaks are validated by full-wave simulations. Finally, the different characteristics of the linear and nonlinear transformations-based cloaks are compared and analyzed. The proposed cloak could lead to wider applications beyond that of normal cloaks, since it effectively compensates the insufficiencies of traditional internal and external cloaks. Besides, this work also provides a new method to design bifunctional device and suggests an alternative way to make a large object invisible.

Operationally efficient propulsion system study (OEPSS) data book. Volume 7; Launch Operations Index (LOI) Design Features and Options

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ziese, James M.

1992-01-01

A design tool of figure of merit was developed that allows the operability of a propulsion system design to be measured. This Launch Operations Index (LOI) relates Operations Efficiency to System Complexity. The figure of Merit can be used by conceptual designers to compare different propulsion system designs based on their impact on launch operations. The LOI will improve the design process by making sure direct launch operations experience is a necessary feedback to the design process.

Compact Si-based asymmetric MZI waveguide on SOI as a thermo-optical switch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rizal, C. S.; Niraula, B.

2018-03-01

A compact low power consuming asymmetric MZI based optical modulator with fast response time has been proposed on SOI platform. The geometrical and performance characteristics were analyzed in depth and optimized using coupled mode analysis and FDTD simulation tools, respectively. It was tested with and without implementation of thermo-optic (TO) effect. The device showed good frequency modulating characteristics when tested without the implementation of the TO effect. The fabricated device showed quality factor, Q ≈ 10,000, and this value is comparable to the Q of the device simulated with 25% transmission loss, showing FSR of 0.195 nm, FWHM ≈ 0.16 nm, and ER of 13 dB. With TO effect, it showed temperature sensitivity of 0.01 nm/°C and FSR of 0.19 nm. With the heater length of 4.18 mm, the device required 0.26 mW per π shift power with a switching voltage of 0.309 V, response time of 10 μ, and figure-of-merit of 2.6 mW μs. All of these characteristics make this device highly attractive for use in integrated Si photonics network as optical switch and wavelength modulator.

Peer and Self-Reports of Victimization and Bullying: Their Differential Association with Internalizing Problems and Social Adjustment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bouman, Thijs; van der Meulen, Matty; Goossens, Frits A.; Olthof, Tjeert; Vermande, Marjolijn M.; Aleva, Elisabeth A.

2012-01-01

Researchers typically employ either peer or self-reports to assess involvement in bullying. In this study, we examined the merits of each method for the identification of child characteristics related to victimization and bullying others. Accordingly, we investigated the difference between these two methods with regard to their relationship with…

The Prosecution of Hate Crimes: The Limitations of the Hate Crime Typology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phillips, Nickie D.

2009-01-01

Since the development of bias crime legislation over the past few decades, scholars have debated the merits of the legislation and questioned its enforcement. In light of such concerns, this study presents characteristics of all cases prosecuted as bias crimes in a New Jersey county between 2001 and 2004 and applies the hate crime typology…

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Sophomores. Summary Report. District of Columbia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

PSAT/NMSQT[R] 2014-2015 College-Bound High School Juniors. Summary Report. District of Columbia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2015

2015-01-01

In the fall of 2014, students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to help determine their level of readiness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT 2014 State Summary Reports summarize the characteristics, scores and educational plans of the Class of 2016 and Class of 2017.

Housing Characteristics and Quality of Multigenerational Households.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoover, Sally L.

Using data from the 1976 Annual Housing Survey, this paper presents information on housing for 1,865,000 households headed by persons under 65 that include one or more dependents aged 65 or over. It also provides data that will aid in the critical evaluation of the merits of federal programs designed to provide financial incentives for families…

School Improvement Plans and Student Achievement: Preliminary Evidence from the Quality and Merit Project in Italy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caputo, Andrea; Rastelli, Valentina

2014-01-01

This study provides preliminary evidence from an Italian in-service training program addressed to lower secondary school teachers which supports school improvement plans (SIPs). It aims at exploring the association between characteristics/contents of SIPs and student improvement in math achievement. Pre-post standardized tests and text analysis of…

Why is the electrocaloric effect so small in ferroelectrics?

DOE PAGES

Guzmán-Verri, G. G.; Littlewood, P. B.

2016-05-19

Ferroelectrics are attractive candidate materials for environmentally friendly solid state refrigeration free of greenhouse gases. Their thermal response upon variations of external electric fields is largest in the vicinity of their phase transitions, which may occur near room temperature. The magnitude of the effect, however, is too small for useful cooling applications even when they are driven close to dielectric breakdown. Insight from microscopic theory is therefore needed to characterize materials and provide guiding principles to search for new ones with enhanced electrocaloric performance. Here, we derive from well-known microscopic models of ferroelectricity meaningful figures of merit for a widemore » class of ferroelectric materials. Such figures of merit provide insight into the relation between the strength of the effect and the characteristic interactions of ferroelectrics such as dipolar forces. We find that the long range nature of these interactions results in a small effect. A strategy is proposed to make it larger by shortening the correlation lengths of fluctuations of polarization. In addition, we bring into question other widely used but empirical figures of merit and facilitate understanding of the recently observed secondary broad peak in the electrocalorics of relaxor ferroelectrics.« less

A Study of Psychological Distress in Two Cohorts of First-Year Medical Students that Underwent Different Admission Selection Processes

PubMed Central

Yusoff, Muhamad Saiful Bahri; Rahim, Ahmad Fuad Abdul; Baba, Abdul Aziz; Ismail, Shaiful Bahari; Esa, Ab Rahman

2012-01-01

Background: Medical training is often regarded as a stressful period. Studies have previously found that 21.6%–50% of medical students experience significant psychological distress. The present study compared the prevalence and levels of psychological distress between 2 cohorts of first-year medical students that underwent different admission selection processes. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted by comparing 2 cohorts of first-year medical students; 1 group (cohort 1) was selected based purely on academic merit (2008/2009 cohort) and the other group (cohort 2) was selected based on academic merit, psychometric assessment, and interview performance (2009/2010 cohort). Their distress levels were measured by the General Health Questionnaire, and scores higher than 3 were considered indicative of significant psychological distress. Results: The prevalence (P = 0.003) and levels (P = 0.001) of psychological distress were significantly different between the 2 cohorts. Cohort 1 had 1.2–3.3 times higher risk of developing psychological distress compared to cohort 2 (P = 0.007). Conclusion: Cohort 2 had better psychological health than cohort 1 and was less likely to develop psychological distress. This study provided evidence of a potential benefit of multimodal student selection based on academic merit, psychometric assessment, and interview performance. This selection process might identify medical students who will maintain better psychological health. PMID:23610547

32 CFR 750.46 - Applicable law.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... determining liability and the effect of contributory or comparative negligence on claimant's right of recovery... effect of contributory or comparative negligence by the claimant to determine the relative merits of the claim. If there is no foreign law on contributory or comparative negligence, apply traditional rules of...

32 CFR 750.46 - Applicable law.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... determining liability and the effect of contributory or comparative negligence on claimant's right of recovery... effect of contributory or comparative negligence by the claimant to determine the relative merits of the claim. If there is no foreign law on contributory or comparative negligence, apply traditional rules of...

32 CFR 750.46 - Applicable law.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... determining liability and the effect of contributory or comparative negligence on claimant's right of recovery... effect of contributory or comparative negligence by the claimant to determine the relative merits of the claim. If there is no foreign law on contributory or comparative negligence, apply traditional rules of...

32 CFR 750.46 - Applicable law.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... determining liability and the effect of contributory or comparative negligence on claimant's right of recovery... effect of contributory or comparative negligence by the claimant to determine the relative merits of the claim. If there is no foreign law on contributory or comparative negligence, apply traditional rules of...

32 CFR 750.46 - Applicable law.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... determining liability and the effect of contributory or comparative negligence on claimant's right of recovery... effect of contributory or comparative negligence by the claimant to determine the relative merits of the claim. If there is no foreign law on contributory or comparative negligence, apply traditional rules of...

Carcass merit and meat quality when Suffolk lambs, Katahdin lambs, and meat-goat kids were finished on a grass-legume pasture with and without supplementation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Small ruminant species and breed may impact response to supplementation of pasture diets. The experiment evaluated traditional U.S. sheep (Suffolk crossbed; SX, n = 36), hair sheep (Katahdin; KA, n = 36), and meat goat (Boer crossbred; GX, n = 36) carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters...

Predictive value of first fasting plasma glucose compared with admission plasma glucose for undiagnosed diabetes in a stable cardiology population.

PubMed

Wen, Zhu-zhi; Zhang, Xin-mei; Mai, Zun; Geng, Deng-feng; Wang, Jing-feng

2012-09-01

The study compared the predictive value of admission plasma glucose (APG) and first fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in stratifying patients meriting an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Characteristics of APG, FPG and OGTT 2-hour glucose as well as other blood measurements, physical examinations and medical information were assessed in 994 patients without known diabetes. The prevalences of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance were 24.6% and 37.9%, according to an OGTT, respectively. The first FPG demonstrated stronger predictive value in diagnosing diabetes than APG did both in overall and in patients with less clinical value. Compared to the first FPG, APG provided less value to coronary artery disease, hypertension and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein for diabetes screening. The first FPG exerted more predictive value than APG did and was still a preferable reference prior to APG in stratifying patients for undiagnosed diabetes by an OGTT. Copyright © 2012 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

39 CFR 775.11 - Environmental impact statements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... approaches or generally accepted research methods. For purposes of this subsection, “reasonably foreseeable...)), the environmental impacts and the alternatives are presented in comparative form, thus sharply... comparative merits. (iii) Identify the preferred alternative or alternatives in the draft and final statements...

39 CFR 775.11 - Environmental impact statements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... approaches or generally accepted research methods. For purposes of this subsection, “reasonably foreseeable...)), the environmental impacts and the alternatives are presented in comparative form, thus sharply... comparative merits. (iii) Identify the preferred alternative or alternatives in the draft and final statements...

39 CFR 775.11 - Environmental impact statements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... approaches or generally accepted research methods. For purposes of this subsection, “reasonably foreseeable...)), the environmental impacts and the alternatives are presented in comparative form, thus sharply... comparative merits. (iii) Identify the preferred alternative or alternatives in the draft and final statements...

39 CFR 775.11 - Environmental impact statements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... approaches or generally accepted research methods. For purposes of this subsection, “reasonably foreseeable...)), the environmental impacts and the alternatives are presented in comparative form, thus sharply... comparative merits. (iii) Identify the preferred alternative or alternatives in the draft and final statements...

39 CFR 775.11 - Environmental impact statements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... approaches or generally accepted research methods. For purposes of this subsection, “reasonably foreseeable...)), the environmental impacts and the alternatives are presented in comparative form, thus sharply... comparative merits. (iii) Identify the preferred alternative or alternatives in the draft and final statements...

22 CFR 216.6 - Environmental assessments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... proposal and its alternatives in comparative form, thereby sharpening the issues and providing a clear... including the proposed action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits; include the... and mitigation measures; urban quality; historic and cultural resources and the design of the built...

22 CFR 216.6 - Environmental assessments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... proposal and its alternatives in comparative form, thereby sharpening the issues and providing a clear... including the proposed action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits; include the... and mitigation measures; urban quality; historic and cultural resources and the design of the built...

22 CFR 216.6 - Environmental assessments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... proposal and its alternatives in comparative form, thereby sharpening the issues and providing a clear... including the proposed action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits; include the... and mitigation measures; urban quality; historic and cultural resources and the design of the built...

22 CFR 216.6 - Environmental assessments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... proposal and its alternatives in comparative form, thereby sharpening the issues and providing a clear... including the proposed action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits; include the... and mitigation measures; urban quality; historic and cultural resources and the design of the built...

22 CFR 216.6 - Environmental assessments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... proposal and its alternatives in comparative form, thereby sharpening the issues and providing a clear... including the proposed action so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits; include the... and mitigation measures; urban quality; historic and cultural resources and the design of the built...

Output Control Using Feedforward And Cascade Controllers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seraji, Homayoun

1990-01-01

Report presents theoretical study of open-loop control elements in single-input, single-output linear system. Focus on output-control (servomechanism) problem, in which objective is to find control scheme that causes output to track certain command inputs and to reject certain disturbance inputs in steady state. Report closes with brief discussion of characteristics and relative merits of feedforward, cascade, and feedback controllers and combinations thereof.

Quality Measures for Dialysis: Time for a Balanced Scorecard

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Recent federal legislation establishes a merit-based incentive payment system for physicians, with a scorecard for each professional. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services evaluate quality of care with clinical performance measures and have used these metrics for public reporting and payment to dialysis facilities. Similar metrics may be used for the future merit-based incentive payment system. In nephrology, most clinical performance measures measure processes and intermediate outcomes of care. These metrics were developed from population studies of best practice and do not identify opportunities for individualizing care on the basis of patient characteristics and individual goals of treatment. The In-Center Hemodialysis (ICH) Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey examines patients' perception of care and has entered the arena to evaluate quality of care. A balanced scorecard of quality performance should include three elements: population-based best clinical practice, patient perceptions, and individually crafted patient goals of care. PMID:26316622

Irreversible and endoreversible behaviors of the LD-model for heat devices: the role of the time constraints and symmetries on the performance at maximum χ figure of merit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez-Ayala, Julian; Calvo Hernández, A.; Roco, J. M. M.

2016-07-01

The main unified energetic properties of low dissipation heat engines and refrigerator engines allow for both endoreversible or irreversible configurations. This is accomplished by means of the constraints imposed on the characteristic global operation time or the contact times between the working system with the external heat baths and modulated by the dissipation symmetries. A suited unified figure of merit (which becomes power output for heat engines) is analyzed and the influence of the symmetries on the optimum performance discussed. The obtained results, independent on any heat transfer law, are faced with those obtained from Carnot-like heat models where specific heat transfer laws are needed. Thus, it is shown that only the inverse phenomenological law, often used in linear irreversible thermodynamics, correctly reproduces all optimized values for both the efficiency and coefficient of performance values.

Comparative economics of space resource utilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cutler, Andrew Hall

1991-01-01

Physical economic factors such as mass payback ratio, total payback ratio, and capital payback time are discussed and used to compare the economics of using resources from the Moon, Mars and its moons, and near Earth asteroids to serve certain near term markets such as propellant in low Earth orbit or launched mass reduction for lunar and Martian exploration. Methods for accounting for the time cost of money in simple figures of merit such as MPRs are explored and applied to comparisons such as those between lunar, Martian, and asteroidal resources. Methods for trading off capital and operating costs to compare schemes with substantially different capital to operating cost ratio are presented and discussed. Areas where further research or engineering would be extremely useful in reducing economic uncertainty are identified, as are areas where economic merit is highly sensitive to engineering performance - as well as areas where such sensitivity is surprisingly low.

The influence of genetic selection and feed system on the reproductive performance of spring-calving dairy cows within future pasture-based production systems.

PubMed

Coleman, J; Pierce, K M; Berry, D P; Brennan, A; Horan, B

2009-10-01

Three genetic groups of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were established from within the Moorepark (Teagasc, Ireland) dairy research herd: LowNA, indicative of the Irish national average-genetic-merit North American Holstein-Friesian; HighNA, high-genetic-merit North American Holstein-Friesian; HighNZ, high-genetic-merit New Zealand Holstein-Friesian. Genetic merit in this study was based on the Irish total merit index, the Economic Breeding Index. Animals from within each genetic group were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 possible post-European Union-milk-quota pasture-based feeding systems (FS): 1) The Moorepark (MP) pasture system (2.64 cows/ha and 500 kg of concentrate supplement per cow per lactation) and 2) a high output per hectare (HC) pasture system (2.85 cows/ha and 1,200 kg of concentrate supplement per cow per lactation). A total of 126, 128, and 140 spring-calving dairy cows were used during the years 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. Each group had an individual farmlet of 17 paddocks, and all groups were managed similarly throughout the study. The effects of genetic group, FS, and the interaction between genetic group and FS on reproductive performance, body weight, body condition score, and blood metabolite concentrations were studied using mixed models with factorial arrangements of genetic groups and FS. Odds ratios were used in the analysis of binary fertility traits, and survival analysis was used in the analysis of survival after first calving. When treatment means were compared, the HighNA and HighNZ genotypes (with greater genetic merit for fertility performance) had greater first-service pregnancy rates and had a greater proportion of cows pregnant after 42 d of the breeding season than the LowNA group. Both HighNA and HighNZ genotypes were submitted for artificial insemination earlier in the breeding season and had greater survival than the LowNA genotype. There was no significant FS or genotype by FS interactions for any of the reproductive, blood metabolite, body weight, or body condition score measures. The results demonstrate that increased genetic merit for fertility traits resulted in improved reproductive performance and that the poor reproductive capacity of inferior-genetic-merit animals for fertility was not improved through concentrate supplementation at pasture.

Engineering of charge carriers via a two-dimensional heterostructure to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit.

PubMed

Ding, Guangqian; Wang, Cong; Gao, Guoying; Yao, Kailun; Dun, Chaochao; Feng, Chunbao; Li, Dengfeng; Zhang, Gang

2018-04-19

High band degeneracy and glassy phonon transport are two remarkable features of highly efficient thermoelectric (TE) materials. The former promotes the power factor, while the latter aims to break the lower limit of lattice thermal conductivity through phonon scattering. Herein, we use the unique possibility offered by a two-dimensional superlattice-monolayer structure (SLM) to engineer the band degeneracy, charge density and phonon spectrum to maximize the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). First-principles calculations with Boltzmann transport equations reveal that the conduction bands of ZrSe2/HfSe2 SLM possess a highly degenerate level which gives a high n-type power factor; at the same time, the stair-like density of states yields a high Seebeck coefficient. These characteristics are absent in the individual monolayers. In addition, the SLM shows a suppressed lattice thermal conductivity along the superlattice period as phonons are effectively scattered by the interfaces. An intrinsic ZT of 5.3 (300 K) is achieved in n-type SLM, and it is 3.2 in the p-type counterpart. Compared with the theoretical predictions calculated with the same level of accuracy, these values are at least four-fold higher than those in the two parent materials, monolayer ZrSe2 and HfSe2. Our results provide a new strategy for the maximum thermoelectric performance, and clearly demonstrate the advantage of two-dimensional material heterostructures in the application of renewable energy.

Exploration of operator method digital optical computers for application to NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Digital optical computer design has been focused primarily towards parallel (single point-to-point interconnection) implementation. This architecture is compared to currently developing VHSIC systems. Using demonstrated multichannel acousto-optic devices, a figure of merit can be formulated. The focus is on a figure of merit termed Gate Interconnect Bandwidth Product (GIBP). Conventional parallel optical digital computer architecture demonstrates only marginal competitiveness at best when compared to projected semiconductor implements. Global, analog global, quasi-digital, and full digital interconnects are briefly examined as alternative to parallel digital computer architecture. Digital optical computing is becoming a very tough competitor to semiconductor technology since it can support a very high degree of three dimensional interconnect density and high degrees of Fan-In without capacitive loading effects at very low power consumption levels.

Survey of Temperature Measurement Techniques For Studying Underwater Shock Waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danehy, Paul M.; Alderfer, David W.

2004-01-01

Several optical methods for measuring temperature near underwater shock waves are reviewed and compared. The relative merits of the different techniques are compared, considering accuracy, precision, ease of use, applicable temperature range, maturity, spatial resolution, and whether or not special additives are required.

Merit Pay for Teachers. The Best of ERIC on Educational Management, Number 74.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, Eugene, OR.

Included in this annotated bibliography of 11 publications on merit pay are reports covering various approaches to merit increases and the successes of a merit pay program in California's Round Valley School District, an Educational Research Service review of current research and practice on merit and incentive pay for teachers, an ERIC…

Lactation persistency as a component trait of the selection index and increase in reliability by using single nucleotide polymorphism in net merit defined as the first five lactation milk yields and herd life.

PubMed

Togashi, K; Hagiya, K; Osawa, T; Nakanishi, T; Yamazaki, T; Nagamine, Y; Lin, C Y; Matsumoto, S; Aihara, M; Hayasaka, K

2012-08-01

We first sought to clarify the effects of discounted rate, survival rate, and lactation persistency as a component trait of the selection index on net merit, defined as the first five lactation milks and herd life (HL) weighted by 1 and 0.389 (currently used in Japan), respectively, in units of genetic standard deviation. Survival rate increased the relative economic importance of later lactation traits and the first five lactation milk yields during the first 120 months from the start of the breeding scheme. In contrast, reliabilities of the estimated breeding value (EBV) in later lactation traits are lower than those of earlier lactation traits. We then sought to clarify the effects of applying single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on net merit to improve the reliability of EBV of later lactation traits to maximize their increased economic importance due to increase in survival rate. Net merit, selection accuracy, and HL increased by adding lactation persistency to the selection index whose component traits were only milk yields. Lactation persistency of the second and (especially) third parities contributed to increasing HL while maintaining the first five lactation milk yields compared with the selection index whose only component traits were milk yields. A selection index comprising the first three lactation milk yields and persistency accounted for 99.4% of net merit derived from a selection index whose components were identical to those for net merit. We consider that the selection index comprising the first three lactation milk yields and persistency is a practical method for increasing lifetime milk yield in the absence of data regarding HL. Applying SNP to the second- and third-lactation traits and HL increased net merit and HL by maximizing the increased economic importance of later lactation traits, reducing the effect of first-lactation milk yield on HL (genetic correlation (rG) = -0.006), and by augmenting the effects of the second- and third-lactation milk yields on HL (rG = 0.118 and 0.257, respectively).

[New International Classification of Chronic Pancreatitis (M-ANNHEIM multifactor classification system, 2007): principles, merits, and demerits].

PubMed

Tsimmerman, Ia S

2008-01-01

The new International Classification of Chronic Pancreatitis (designated as M-ANNHEIM) proposed by a group of German specialists in late 2007 is reviewed. All its sections are subjected to analysis (risk group categories, clinical stages and phases, variants of clinical course, diagnostic criteria for "established" and "suspected" pancreatitis, instrumental methods and functional tests used in the diagnosis, evaluation of the severity of the disease using a scoring system, stages of elimination of pain syndrome). The new classification is compared with the earlier classification proposed by the author. Its merits and demerits are discussed.

The relative merits of ring laser gyroscopes and 'iron-wheel' gyroscopes in application to medium accuracy INS for combat aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watson, Norman F.

The relative merits of gimballed INS based on mechanical gyroscopes and strapdown INS based on ring laser gyroscopes are compared with regard to their use in 1 nm/hr combat aircraft navigation. Navigation performance, velocity performance, attitude performance, body axis outputs, environmental influences, reliability and maintainability, cost, and physical parameters are taken into consideration. Some of the advantages which have been claimed elsewhere for the laser INS, such as dramatically lower life cycle costs than for gimballed INS, are shown to be unrealistic under reasonable assumptions.

Reward versus Reinforcement Possibilities of the Merit Pay System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-14

highly idiosyncratic manner, so that a given figure may represent a sufficient wage or bonus for person A and an insufficient wage or bonus for...properties of reinforcers may be stable over certain employee characteristics or job variables. What are these defining charateristics ? Past research...has shown that if members of a group of workers differ on social class or race (Quinn, Staines & McCullough, 1974), educational level (Campbell

Bandwidth Allocation to Interactive Users in DBS-Based Hybrid Internet

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-01-01

policies 12 3.1 Framework for queuing analysis: ON/OFF source traffic model . 13 3.2 Service quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14...minimizing the queuing delay. In consequence, we were interested in ob- taining improvements in the service quality , as perceived by the users. A...the service quality as per- ceived by users. The merit of this approach, first introduced in [8], is the ability to capture the characteristics of the

Biophotolysis systems for hydrogen production

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

Rao, K.K.; Adams, M.W.W.; Gisby, P.E.

1981-01-01

Model systems containing natural and synthetic catalysts were constructed for the production of H/sub 2/ from water using visible solar radiation as the energy source. The authors have investigated the use of aqueous systems with proflavine as the light activator and artificial electron donors for subsequent production of H/sub 2/ when coupled to electron mediators and hydrogenase (or Pt). The characteristics, relative merits and defects of these systems are discussed. 22 refs.

Introduction to Piezoelectric Actuators and Transducers

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-06-17

a piezo-device and a metal fork. A piezoelectric buzzer is shown in Fig. 12, which has merits such as high electric power efficiency, compact size...coefficient for surface acoustic wave and so is used for SAW devices with high -stabilized frequencies. The another distinguished characteristic of...quartz is an extremely high mechanical quality factor Qm > 10 5. Lithium niobate and lithium tantalate belong to an isomorphous crystal system and

Therapy operating characteristic curves: tools for precision chemotherapy

PubMed Central

Barrett, Harrison H.; Alberts, David S.; Woolfenden, James M.; Caucci, Luca; Hoppin, John W.

2016-01-01

Abstract. The therapy operating characteristic (TOC) curve, developed in the context of radiation therapy, is a plot of the probability of tumor control versus the probability of normal-tissue complications as the overall radiation dose level is varied, e.g., by varying the beam current in external-beam radiotherapy or the total injected activity in radionuclide therapy. This paper shows how TOC can be applied to chemotherapy with the administered drug dosage as the variable. The area under a TOC curve (AUTOC) can be used as a figure of merit for therapeutic efficacy, analogous to the area under an ROC curve (AUROC), which is a figure of merit for diagnostic efficacy. In radiation therapy, AUTOC can be computed for a single patient by using image data along with radiobiological models for tumor response and adverse side effects. The mathematical analogy between response of observers to images and the response of tumors to distributions of a chemotherapy drug is exploited to obtain linear discriminant functions from which AUTOC can be calculated. Methods for using mathematical models of drug delivery and tumor response with imaging data to estimate patient-specific parameters that are needed for calculation of AUTOC are outlined. The implications of this viewpoint for clinical trials are discussed. PMID:27175376

An empirically derived figure of merit for the quality of overall task performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lemay, Moira

1989-01-01

The need to develop an operationally relevant figure of merit for the quality of performance of a complex system such as an aircraft cockpit stems from a hypothesized dissociation between measures of performance and those of workload. Performance can be measured in terms of time, errors, or a combination of these. In most tasks performed by expert operators, errors are relatively rare and often corrected in time to avoid consequences. Moreover, perfect performance is seldom necessary to accomplish a particular task. Moreover, how well an expert performs a complex task consisting of a series of discrete cognitive tasks superimposed on a continuous task, such as flying an aircraft, does not depend on how well each discrete task is performed, but on their smooth sequencing. This makes the amount of time spent on each subtask of paramount importance in measuring overall performance, since smooth sequencing requires a minimum amount of time spent on each task. Quality consists in getting tasks done within a crucial time interval while maintaining acceptable continuous task performance. Thus, a figure of merit for overall quality of performance should be primarily a measure of time to perform discrete subtasks combined with a measure of basic vehicle control. Thus, the proposed figure of merit requires doing a task analysis on a series of performance, or runs, of a particular task, listing each discrete task and its associated time, and calculating the mean and standard deviation of these times, along with the mean and standard deviation of tracking error for the whole task. A set of simulator data on 30 runs of a landing task was obtained and a figure of merit will be calculated for each run. The figure of merit will be compared for voice and data link, so that the impact of this technology on total crew performance (not just communication performance) can be assessed. The effect of data link communication on other cockpit tasks will also be considered.

New test techniques to evaluate near field effects for supersonic store carriage and separation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sawyer, Wallace C.; Stallings, Robert L., Jr.; Wilcox, Floyd J., Jr.; Blair, A. B., Jr.; Monta, William J.; Plentovich, Elizabeth B.

1989-01-01

Store separation and store carriage drag studies were conducted. A primary purpose is to develop new experimental methods to evaluate near field effects of store separation and levels of store carriage drag associated with a variety of carriage techniques for different store shapes and arrangements. Flow field measurements consisting of surface pressure distributions and vapor screen photographs are used to analyze the variations of the store separation characteristics with cavity geometry. Store carriage drag measurements representative of tangent, semi-submerged, and internal carriage installations are presented and discussed. Results are included from both fully metric models and models with only metric segments (metric pallets) and the relative merits of the two are discussed. Carriage drag measurements for store installations on an aircraft parent body are compared both with prediction methods and with installations on a generic parent body.

Musical obsessions: a comprehensive review of neglected clinical phenomena.

PubMed

Taylor, Steven; McKay, Dean; Miguel, Euripedes C; De Mathis, Maria Alice; Andrade, Chittaranjan; Ahuja, Niraj; Sookman, Debbie; Kwon, Jun Soo; Huh, Min Jung; Riemann, Bradley C; Cottraux, Jean; O'Connor, Kieron; Hale, Lisa R; Abramowitz, Jonathan S; Fontenelle, Leonardo F; Storch, Eric A

2014-08-01

Intrusive musical imagery (IMI) consists of involuntarily recalled, short, looping fragments of melodies. Musical obsessions are distressing, impairing forms of IMI that merit investigation in their own right and, more generally, research into these phenomena may broaden our understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is phenomenologically and etiologically heterogeneous. We present the first comprehensive review of musical obsessions, based on the largest set of case descriptions ever assembled (N=96). Characteristics of musical obsessions are described and compared with normal IMI, musical hallucinations, and visual obsessional imagery. Assessment, differential diagnosis, comorbidity, etiologic hypotheses, and treatments are described. Musical obsessions may be under-diagnosed because they are not adequately assessed by current measures of OCD. Musical obsessions have been misdiagnosed as psychotic phenomena, which has led to ineffective treatment. Accurate diagnosis is important for appropriate treatment. Musical obsessions may respond to treatments that are not recommended for prototypic OCD symptoms. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Polygamy and the use of contraceptives.

PubMed

Audu, Bala; Yahya, Shaibu; Geidam, Ado; Abdussalam, Hadiza; Takai, Idrisa; Kyari, Othman

2008-04-01

To compare contraceptive use among women in monogamous and polygamous marriages in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires administered to married women enquired about their marriage type, sociodemographic characteristics, and contraceptive use. Of the 532 respondents, 33.6% were in polygamous marriages. There was a statistically significant association between monogamy and nonutilization of contraception (P=0.03); however, women in polygamous marriages were more likely not to use contraception when they were older than 35 years, had 4 or more living children, had no male child, had 3 or more female children, or lived in rural areas. There was also a statistically significant association between nonutilization of contraception and number of male children of co-wives (P=0.003), number of female children of co-wives (P=0.05), and use of contraception by co-wives (P=0.002). Polygamy influences contraceptive use and the role of co-wives in this regard merits further study.

Nonparametric EROC analysis for observer performance evaluation on joint detection and estimation tasks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wunderlich, Adam; Goossens, Bart

2014-03-01

The majority of the literature on task-based image quality assessment has focused on lesion detection tasks, using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, or related variants, to measure performance. However, since many clinical image evaluation tasks involve both detection and estimation (e.g., estimation of kidney stone composition, estimation of tumor size), there is a growing interest in performance evaluation for joint detection and estimation tasks. To evaluate observer performance on such tasks, Clarkson introduced the estimation ROC (EROC) curve, and the area under the EROC curve as a summary figure of merit. In the present work, we propose nonparametric estimators for practical EROC analysis from experimental data, including estimators for the area under the EROC curve and its variance. The estimators are illustrated with a practical example comparing MRI images reconstructed from different k-space sampling trajectories.

Genomic analysis of thermophilic Bacillus coagulans strains: efficient producers for platform bio-chemicals.

PubMed

Su, Fei; Xu, Ping

2014-01-29

Microbial strains with high substrate efficiency and excellent environmental tolerance are urgently needed for the production of platform bio-chemicals. Bacillus coagulans has these merits; however, little genetic information is available about this species. Here, we determined the genome sequences of five B. coagulans strains, and used a comparative genomic approach to reconstruct the central carbon metabolism of this species to explain their fermentation features. A novel xylose isomerase in the xylose utilization pathway was identified in these strains. Based on a genome-wide positive selection scan, the selection pressure on amino acid metabolism may have played a significant role in the thermal adaptation. We also researched the immune systems of B. coagulans strains, which provide them with acquired resistance to phages and mobile genetic elements. Our genomic analysis provides comprehensive insights into the genetic characteristics of B. coagulans and paves the way for improving and extending the uses of this species.

Genomic analysis of thermophilic Bacillus coagulans strains: efficient producers for platform bio-chemicals

PubMed Central

Su, Fei; Xu, Ping

2014-01-01

Microbial strains with high substrate efficiency and excellent environmental tolerance are urgently needed for the production of platform bio-chemicals. Bacillus coagulans has these merits; however, little genetic information is available about this species. Here, we determined the genome sequences of five B. coagulans strains, and used a comparative genomic approach to reconstruct the central carbon metabolism of this species to explain their fermentation features. A novel xylose isomerase in the xylose utilization pathway was identified in these strains. Based on a genome-wide positive selection scan, the selection pressure on amino acid metabolism may have played a significant role in the thermal adaptation. We also researched the immune systems of B. coagulans strains, which provide them with acquired resistance to phages and mobile genetic elements. Our genomic analysis provides comprehensive insights into the genetic characteristics of B. coagulans and paves the way for improving and extending the uses of this species. PMID:24473268

Holographic diffuser by use of a silver halide sensitized gelatin process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sun Il; Choi, Yoon Sun; Ham, Yong Nam; Park, Chong Yun; Kim, Jong Man

2003-05-01

Diffusers play an important role in liquid-crystal display (LCD) application as a beam-shaping device, a brightness homogenizer, a light-scattering device, and an imaging screen. The transmittance and diffusing angle of the diffusers are the critical aspects for the applications to the LCD. The holographic diffusers by use of various processing methods have been investigated. The diffusing characteristics of different diffusing materials and processing methods have been evaluated and compared. The micro-structures of holographic diffusers have been investigated by use of using scanning electron microscopy. The holographic diffusers by use of the silver halide sensitized gelatin (SHSG) method have the structural merits for the improvement of the quality of diffusers. The features of holographic diffuser were exceptional in terms of transmittance and diffusing angle. The replication method by use of the SHSG process can be directly used for the manufacturing of diffusers for the display application.

An Assessment of Alternate Thermal Protection Systems for the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Volume 1; Executive Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hays, D.

1982-01-01

Alternate thermal protection system (TPS) concepts to the Space Shuttle Orbiter were assessed. Metallic, ablator, and carbon-carbon concepts which are the result of some previous design, manufacturing and testing effort were considered. Emphasis was placed on improved TPS durability, which could potentially reduce life cycle costs and improve Orbiter operational characteristics. Integrated concept/orbiter point designs were generated and analyzed on the basis of Shuttle design environments and criteria. A merit function evaluation methodology based on mission impact, life cycle costs, and risk was developed to compare the candidate concepts and to identify the best alternate. Voids and deficiencies in the technology were identified, along with recommended activities to overcome them. Finally, programmatic plans, including ROM costs and schedules, were developed for all activities required to bring the selected alternate system up to operational readiness.

"Unequal opportunity": neighbourhood disadvantage and the chance to buy illegal drugs.

PubMed

Storr, C L; Chen, C-Y; Anthony, J C

2004-03-01

This study investigates whether subgroups of people living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods may be more likely to come into contact with drug dealers as compared with persons living in more advantaged areas, with due attention to male-female and race-ethnicity differences. Standardised survey data collected using stratified, multistage area probability sampling. United States of America, 1998. Nationally representative sample of household residents age 12 or older (n = 25 500). Evidence supports an inference that women are less likely to be approached by someone selling illegal drugs. The study found no more than modest and generally null racial and ethnicity differences, even for residents living within socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods, where chances to buy illegal drugs are found to be more common. Limitations of survey data always merit attention, but this study evidence lends support to the inference that physical and social characteristics of a neighbourhood can set the stage for opportunities to become involved with drugs.

The merit of meritocracy.

PubMed

Son Hing, Leanne S; Bobocel, D Ramona; Zanna, Mark P; Garcia, Donna M; Gee, Stephanie S; Orazietti, Katie

2011-09-01

We argue that the preference for the merit principle is a separate construct from hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies (i.e., system justification beliefs, prejudice, social dominance orientation), including descriptive beliefs that meritocracy currently exists in society. Moreover, we hypothesized that prescriptive beliefs about merit should have a stronger influence on reactions to the status quo when hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies are weak (vs. strong). In 4 studies, participants' preference for the merit principle and hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies were assessed; later, the participants evaluated organizational selection practices that support or challenge the status quo. Participants' prescriptive and descriptive beliefs about merit were separate constructs; only the latter predicted other hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies. In addition, as hypothesized, among participants who weakly endorsed hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies, the stronger their preference for the merit principle, the more they opposed selection practices that were perceived to be merit violating but the more they supported practices that were perceived to be merit restoring. In contrast, those who strongly endorsed hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies were always motivated to support the status quo, regardless of their preference for the merit principle. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved.

Data Analysis and Graphing in an Introductory Physics Laboratory: Spreadsheet versus Statistics Suite

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterlin, Primoz

2010-01-01

Two methods of data analysis are compared: spreadsheet software and a statistics software suite. Their use is compared analysing data collected in three selected experiments taken from an introductory physics laboratory, which include a linear dependence, a nonlinear dependence and a histogram. The merits of each method are compared. (Contains 7…

Comparing Videotapes and Written Narrative Records of Second Grade Reading Classes: Selecting Methods for Particular Observational Goals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gardner, C. H.; And Others

The classroom behaviors recorded during three second grade reading lessons provide suitable evidence for comparing the relative merits of using narrative observations versus videotapes as data collection techniques. The comparative analysis illustrates the detail and precision of videotape. Primarily, videotape gives a true picture of linear time,…

48 CFR 970.5217-1 - Work for Others Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... another Federal agency or non-Federal organization that involves direct comparative competition, either as... selection is based on merit or peer review, the work involves basic or applied research to further advance scientific knowledge or understanding, and a response does not result in direct, comparative competition; (3...

48 CFR 970.5217-1 - Work for Others Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... another Federal agency or non-Federal organization that involves direct comparative competition, either as... selection is based on merit or peer review, the work involves basic or applied research to further advance scientific knowledge or understanding, and a response does not result in direct, comparative competition; (3...

48 CFR 970.5217-1 - Work for Others Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... another Federal agency or non-Federal organization that involves direct comparative competition, either as... selection is based on merit or peer review, the work involves basic or applied research to further advance scientific knowledge or understanding, and a response does not result in direct, comparative competition; (3...

48 CFR 970.5217-1 - Work for Others Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... another Federal agency or non-Federal organization that involves direct comparative competition, either as... selection is based on merit or peer review, the work involves basic or applied research to further advance scientific knowledge or understanding, and a response does not result in direct, comparative competition; (3...

10 CFR 600.13 - Merit review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RULES General § 600.13 Merit review. (a) It is the policy of DOE that discretionary financial assistance be awarded through a merit-based selection process. A merit review means a thorough, consistent, and objective examination of applications...

10 CFR 600.13 - Merit review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RULES General § 600.13 Merit review. (a) It is the policy of DOE that discretionary financial assistance be awarded through a merit-based selection process. A merit review means a thorough, consistent, and objective examination of applications...

10 CFR 600.13 - Merit review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RULES General § 600.13 Merit review. (a) It is the policy of DOE that discretionary financial assistance be awarded through a merit-based selection process. A merit review means a thorough, consistent, and objective examination of applications...

10 CFR 600.13 - Merit review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RULES General § 600.13 Merit review. (a) It is the policy of DOE that discretionary financial assistance be awarded through a merit-based selection process. A merit review means a thorough, consistent, and objective examination of applications...

10 CFR 600.13 - Merit review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RULES General § 600.13 Merit review. (a) It is the policy of DOE that discretionary financial assistance be awarded through a merit-based selection process. A merit review means a thorough, consistent, and objective examination of applications...

4 CFR 5.3 - Merit pay.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM COMPENSATION § 5.3 Merit pay. The Comptroller General may promulgate regulations establishing a merit pay system for such employees of the Government Accountability Office as the Comptroller General considers appropriate. The merit pay system shall be designed to carry out purposes...

4 CFR 5.3 - Merit pay.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM COMPENSATION § 5.3 Merit pay. The Comptroller General may promulgate regulations establishing a merit pay system for such employees of the Government Accountability Office as the Comptroller General considers appropriate. The merit pay system shall be designed to carry out purposes...

4 CFR 5.3 - Merit pay.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM COMPENSATION § 5.3 Merit pay. The Comptroller General may promulgate regulations establishing a merit pay system for such employees of the Government Accountability Office as the Comptroller General considers appropriate. The merit pay system shall be designed to carry out purposes...

4 CFR 5.3 - Merit pay.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM COMPENSATION § 5.3 Merit pay. The Comptroller General may promulgate regulations establishing a merit pay system for such employees of the Government Accountability Office as the Comptroller General considers appropriate. The merit pay system shall be designed to carry out purposes...

4 CFR 5.3 - Merit pay.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM COMPENSATION § 5.3 Merit pay. The Comptroller General may promulgate regulations establishing a merit pay system for such employees of the Government Accountability Office as the Comptroller General considers appropriate. The merit pay system shall be designed to carry out purposes...

Cluster-void degeneracy breaking: Modified gravity in the balance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahlén, Martin; Silk, Joseph

2018-05-01

Combining galaxy cluster and void abundances is a novel, powerful way to constrain deviations from general relativity and the Λ CDM model. For a flat w CDM model with growth of large-scale structure parametrized by the redshift-dependent growth index γ (z )=γ0+γ1z /(1 +z ) of linear matter perturbations, combining void and cluster abundances in future surveys with Euclid and the four-meter multiobject spectroscopic telescope could improve the figure of merit for (w ,γ0,γ1) by a factor of 20 compared to individual abundances. In an ideal case, improvement on current cosmological data is a figure of merit factor 600 or more.

4 CFR 2.4 - Merit system principles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... motivated, competent, honest and productive workers. In a merit system, employees are hired, promoted... 4 Accounts 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Merit system principles. 2.4 Section 2.4 Accounts GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM PURPOSE AND GENERAL PROVISION § 2.4 Merit system principles...

4 CFR 2.4 - Merit system principles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... motivated, competent, honest and productive workers. In a merit system, employees are hired, promoted... 4 Accounts 1 2014-01-01 2013-01-01 true Merit system principles. 2.4 Section 2.4 Accounts GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM PURPOSE AND GENERAL PROVISION § 2.4 Merit system principles...

4 CFR 2.4 - Merit system principles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... motivated, competent, honest and productive workers. In a merit system, employees are hired, promoted... 4 Accounts 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Merit system principles. 2.4 Section 2.4 Accounts GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM PURPOSE AND GENERAL PROVISION § 2.4 Merit system principles...

Latest Trends of Vacuum Circuit Breaker and Related Technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozono, Hideaki; Tanimizu, Toru

Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCBs) have been widely used for medium voltage level, because of their performance: compact size, light weight, maintenance free operations and environment-friendly characteristics. They become most comfortable breakers for our needs from other breakers: oil, air, magnetic blast and gas. In this paper the history of vacuum, and latest trends of circuit breakers and related technologies are described, as well as merits or demerits of using vacuum technologies.

Modeling of propulsive jet plumes--extension of modeling capabilities by utilizing wall curvature effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doerr, S. E.

1984-06-01

Modeling of aerodynamic interference effects of propulsive jet plumes, by using inert gases as substitute propellants, introduces design limits. To extend the range of modeling capabilities, nozzle wall curvature effects may be utilized. Numerical calculations, using the Method of Characteristics, were made and experimental data were taken to evaluate the merits of the theoretical predictions. A bibliography, listing articles that led to the present report, is included.

Gender Differences in Patients' Perceptions of Inpatient Care

PubMed Central

Elliott, Marc N; Lehrman, William G; Beckett, Megan K; Goldstein, Elizabeth; Hambarsoomian, Katrin; Giordano, Laura A

2012-01-01

Objective To examine gender differences in inpatient experiences and how they vary by dimensions of care and other patient characteristics. Data Source A total of 1,971,632 patients (medical and surgical service lines) discharged from 3,830 hospitals, July 2007–June 2008, and completing the HCAHPS survey. Study Design We compare the experiences of male and female inpatients on 10 HCAHPS dimensions using multiple linear regression, adjusting for survey mode and patient mix. Additional models add additional patient characteristics and their interactions with patient gender. Principal Findings We find generally less positive experiences for women than men, especially for Communication about Medicines, Discharge Information, and Cleanliness. Gender differences are similar in magnitude to previously reported HCAHPS differences by race/ethnicity. The gender gap is generally larger for older patients and for patients with worse self-reported health status. Gender disparities are largest in for-profit hospitals. Conclusions Targeting the experiences of women may be a promising means of improving overall patient experience scores (because women comprise a majority of all inpatients); the experiences of older and sicker women, and those in for-profit hospitals, may merit additional examination. PMID:22375827

Tailored Fano resonance and localized electromagnetic field enhancement in Ag gratings

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

Li, Zhaozhu; Klopf, J. Michael; Wang, Lei

Metallic gratings can support Fano resonances when illuminated with EM radiation, and their characteristic reflectivity versus incident angle lineshape can be greatly affected by the surrounding dielectric environment and the grating geometry. By using conformal oblique incidence thin film deposition onto an optical grating substrate, it is possible to increase the grating amplitude due to shadowing effects, thereby enabling tailoring of the damping processes and electromagnetic field couplings of the Fano resonances, hence optimizing the associated localized electric field intensity. To investigate these effects we compare the optical reflectivity under resonance excitation in samples prepared by oblique angle deposition (OAD)more » and under normal deposition (ND) onto the same patterned surfaces. We observe that by applying OAD method, the sample exhibits a deeper and narrower reflectivity dip at resonance than that obtained under ND. This can be explained in terms of a lower damping of Fano resonance on obliquely deposited sample and leads to a stronger localized electric field. This approach opens a fabrication path for applications where tailoring the electromagnetic field induced by Fano resonance can improve the figure of merit of specific device characteristics, e.g. quantum efficiency (QE) in grating-based metallic photocathodes.« less

Tailored Fano resonance and localized electromagnetic field enhancement in Ag gratings

DOE PAGES

Li, Zhaozhu; Klopf, J. Michael; Wang, Lei; ...

2017-03-14

Metallic gratings can support Fano resonances when illuminated with EM radiation, and their characteristic reflectivity versus incident angle lineshape can be greatly affected by the surrounding dielectric environment and the grating geometry. By using conformal oblique incidence thin film deposition onto an optical grating substrate, it is possible to increase the grating amplitude due to shadowing effects, thereby enabling tailoring of the damping processes and electromagnetic field couplings of the Fano resonances, hence optimizing the associated localized electric field intensity. To investigate these effects we compare the optical reflectivity under resonance excitation in samples prepared by oblique angle deposition (OAD)more » and under normal deposition (ND) onto the same patterned surfaces. We observe that by applying OAD method, the sample exhibits a deeper and narrower reflectivity dip at resonance than that obtained under ND. This can be explained in terms of a lower damping of Fano resonance on obliquely deposited sample and leads to a stronger localized electric field. This approach opens a fabrication path for applications where tailoring the electromagnetic field induced by Fano resonance can improve the figure of merit of specific device characteristics, e.g. quantum efficiency (QE) in grating-based metallic photocathodes.« less

Identification of the optimal spectral region for plasmonic and nanoplasmonic sensing.

PubMed

Otte, Marinus A; Sepúlveda, Borja; Ni, Weihai; Juste, Jorge Pérez; Liz-Marzán, Luis M; Lechuga, Laura M

2010-01-26

We present a theoretical and experimental study involving the sensing characteristics of wavelength-interrogated plasmonic sensors based on surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) in planar gold films and on localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) of single gold nanorods. The tunability of both sensing platforms allowed us to analyze their bulk and surface sensing characteristics as a function of the plasmon resonance position. We demonstrate that a general figure of merit (FOM), which is equivalent in wavelength and energy scales, can be employed to mutually compare both sensing schemes. Most interestingly, this FOM has revealed a spectral region for which the surface sensitivity performance of both sensor types is optimized, which we attribute to the intrinsic dielectric properties of plasmonic materials. Additionally, in good agreement with theoretical predictions, we experimentally demonstrate that, although the SPP sensor offers a much better bulk sensitivity, the LSPR sensor shows an approximately 15% better performance for surface sensitivity measurements when its FOM is optimized. However, optimization of the substrate refractive index and the accessibility of the relevant molecules to the nanoparticles can lead to a total 3-fold improvement of the FOM in LSPR sensors.

78 FR 6854 - Health Services Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-31

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Health Services Research and Development Service Scientific Merit... Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on February 13-14, 2013, at the... research. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit. Recommendations regarding funding...

4 CFR 2.4 - Merit system principles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 4 Accounts 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Merit system principles. 2.4 Section 2.4 Accounts GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM PURPOSE AND GENERAL PROVISION § 2.4 Merit system principles. (a) Merit personnel systems are based on the principle that an organization is best served by...

5 CFR 315.611 - Appointment of certain veterans who have competed under agency merit promotion announcements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... competed under agency merit promotion announcements. 315.611 Section 315.611 Administrative Personnel... who have competed under agency merit promotion announcements. (a) Agency authority. An agency may... competition under a merit promotion announcement open to candidates outside the agency's workforce; and (2...

7 CFR 3400.22 - Merit review for education and extension activities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Merit review for education and extension activities...) COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SPECIAL RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM Peer and Merit Review Arranged by Grantees § 3400.22 Merit review for education and...

Effects of porosity distribution and porosity volume fraction on the electromechanical properties of 3-3 piezoelectric foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, B. V.; Challagulla, K. S.; Venkatesh, T. A.; Hadjiloizi, D. A.; Georgiades, A. V.

2016-12-01

Unit-cell based finite element models are developed to completely characterize the role of porosity distribution and porosity volume fraction in determining the elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric properties as well as relevant figures of merit of 3-3 type piezoelectric foam structures. Eight classes of foam structures which represent structures with different types and degrees of uniformity of porosity distribution are identified; a Base structure (Class I), two H-type foam structures (Classes II, and III), a Cross-type foam structure (Class IV) and four Line-type foam structures (Classes V, VI, VII, and VIII). Three geometric factors that influence the electromechanical properties are identified: (i) the number of pores per face, pore size and the distance between the pores; (ii) pore orientation with respect to poling direction; (iii) the overall symmetry of the pore distribution with respect to the center of the face of the unit cell. To assess the suitability of these structures for such applications as hydrophones, bone implants, medical imaging and diagnostic devices, five figures of merit are determined via the developed finite element model; the piezoelectric coupling constant (K t ), the acoustic impedance (Z), the piezoelectric charge coefficient (d h ), the hydrostatic voltage coefficient (g h ), and the hydrostatic figure of merit (d h g h ). At high material volume fractions, foams with non-uniform Line-type porosity (Classes V and VII) where the pores are preferentially distributed perpendicular to poling direction, are found to exhibit the best combination of desirable piezoelectric figures of merit. For example, at about 50% volume fraction, the d h , g h , and d h g h figures of merit are 55%, 1600% and 2500% higher, respectively, for Classes V and VII of Line-like foam structures compared with the Base structure.

Chess players' fame versus their merit.

PubMed

Simkin, M V; Roychowdhury, V P

2015-12-12

We investigate a pool of international chess title holders born between 1901 and 1943. Using Elo ratings, we compute for every player his expected score in a game with a randomly selected player from the pool. We use this figure as the player's merit. We measure players' fame as the number of Google hits. The correlation between fame and merit is 0.38. At the same time, the correlation between the logarithm of fame and merit is 0.61. This suggests that fame grows exponentially with merit.

[The interactive effects of comparative advertising on brand and company image change].

PubMed

Hama, Y

1991-04-01

The purpose of the present study was: 1) to investigate the effects of two types of comparative advertising--Merit-type (emphasizing positive aspects of their own brand) and Demerit-type (pointing out negative aspects of the rival brand); and 2) to find an effective strategy against comparative advertising of a rival company. Subjects were shown advertisements, and were then asked to evaluate those advertisements (17 items), the brands and company images (3 items) for these two companies. The results are as follows: Comparative advertising, especially of the Demerit-type, was the most conspicuous type of advertising, which also had a significant negative effect on the perception of rival brands. However, this type of advertising also had a negative effect on his own advertising, the brands advertised, and the company itself. Furthermore, it was found that when a rival company uses Demerit-type advertising, it is better not to respond by the same type, but to respond by Merit-type advertising. In such a situation, positive image of his own brand and company become significantly higher.

Merit Pay Plans for Teachers: Status and Descriptions. ERS Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Educational Research Service, Arlington, VA.

This report, an update of the 1978 survey of national merit pay plans for teachers, provides descriptive data on currently operating merit pay plans and state level activities. Outlining current research, the report points out that neither a commonly acceptable definition of merit pay nor a generally acceptable method of determining meritorious…

The Impact of Merit-Based Financial Aid on College Enrollment: A Field Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monks, James

2009-01-01

Merit-based financial aid awards have become increasingly prevalent in the pricing policies of higher education institutions. This study utilizes an experiment to estimate the efficacy of merit-aid awards in achieving the institutional objective of attracting the most academically desirable applicants. I find that merit aid has a statistically…

Who Should We Help? The Negative Social Consequences of Merit Scholarships.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heller, Donald E., Ed.; Marin, Patricia, Ed.

This is a collection of papers from a 2001 symposium at Harvard University entitled "State Merit Aid Programs: College Access and Equity." After a Foreword by Gary Orfield, the seven papers are (1) "State Merit Scholarship Programs: An Introduction" (Donald E. Heller); (2) "Merit Scholarships and College Access: Evidence…

Estimation of the limit of detection in semiconductor gas sensors through linearized calibration models.

PubMed

Burgués, Javier; Jiménez-Soto, Juan Manuel; Marco, Santiago

2018-07-12

The limit of detection (LOD) is a key figure of merit in chemical sensing. However, the estimation of this figure of merit is hindered by the non-linear calibration curve characteristic of semiconductor gas sensor technologies such as, metal oxide (MOX), gasFETs or thermoelectric sensors. Additionally, chemical sensors suffer from cross-sensitivities and temporal stability problems. The application of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommendations for univariate LOD estimation in non-linear semiconductor gas sensors is not straightforward due to the strong statistical requirements of the IUPAC methodology (linearity, homoscedasticity, normality). Here, we propose a methodological approach to LOD estimation through linearized calibration models. As an example, the methodology is applied to the detection of low concentrations of carbon monoxide using MOX gas sensors in a scenario where the main source of error is the presence of uncontrolled levels of humidity. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quality Measures for Dialysis: Time for a Balanced Scorecard.

PubMed

Kliger, Alan S

2016-02-05

Recent federal legislation establishes a merit-based incentive payment system for physicians, with a scorecard for each professional. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services evaluate quality of care with clinical performance measures and have used these metrics for public reporting and payment to dialysis facilities. Similar metrics may be used for the future merit-based incentive payment system. In nephrology, most clinical performance measures measure processes and intermediate outcomes of care. These metrics were developed from population studies of best practice and do not identify opportunities for individualizing care on the basis of patient characteristics and individual goals of treatment. The In-Center Hemodialysis (ICH) Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey examines patients' perception of care and has entered the arena to evaluate quality of care. A balanced scorecard of quality performance should include three elements: population-based best clinical practice, patient perceptions, and individually crafted patient goals of care. Copyright © 2016 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Lunar Regolith Characterization for Simulant Design and Evaluation using Figure of Merit Algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schrader, Christian M.; Rickman, Douglas L.; Melemore, Carole A.; Fikes, John C.; Stoeser, Douglas B.; Wentworth, Susan J.; McKay, David S.

2009-01-01

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), in conjunction with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and aided by personnel from the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science group at Johnson Space Center (ARES-JSC), is implementing a new data acquisition strategy to support the development and evaluation of lunar regolith simulants. The first analyses of lunar regolith samples by the simulant group were carried out in early 2008 on samples from Apollo 16 core 64001/64002. The results of these analyses are combined with data compiled from the literature to generate a reference composition and particle size distribution (PSD)) for lunar highlands regolith. In this paper we present the specifics of particle type composition and PSD for this reference composition. Furthermore. we use Figure-of-Merit (FoM) routines to measure the characteristics of a number of lunar regolith simulants against this reference composition. The lunar highlands regolith reference composition and the FoM results are presented to guide simulant producers and simulant users in their research and development processes.

Comparative study of the surface characteristics, microstructure, and magnetic retentive forces of laser-welded dowel-keepers and cast dowel-keepers for use with magnetic attachments.

PubMed

Chao, Yonglie; Du, Li; Yang, Ling

2005-05-01

Information regarding the merits and problems associated with connecting a keeper to a dowel and coping using a laser welding technique has not been explored extensively in the dental literature. This in vitro study compared the surface characteristics, microstructure, and magnetic retentive forces for a dowel and coping-keeper mechanism fabricated using a laser welding process and a cast-to casting technique. Five cast-to and 6 laser-welded dowel and coping-keeper specimens were tested. Using 5 freestanding keepers as the control group, the surface characteristics and microstructures of the specimens were examined by means of stereomicroscopy, metallographic microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy-dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) microanalysis with SEM provided elemental concentration information for the test specimens. The vertical magnetic retentive forces (N) of the 3 groups were measured using a universal testing machine. The results were statistically compared using 1-way analysis of variance and the Newman-Keuls multiple range test (alpha =.05). The laser-welded dowel-keeper generally maintained its original surface smoothness as well as the original microstructure. Elements diffused readily through the fusion zone. The surface of the cast dowel-keeper became rough with the formation of an oxide layer, the microstructure changed, and there was only limited elemental diffusion in the fusion zone. The average vertical magnetic retentive force of the laser-welded group, the cast group, and the control group were 4.2 +/- 0.2 N, 3.8 +/- 0.3 N, and 5.6 +/- 0.3 N, respectively. Statistically significant differences in vertical magnetic retentive force were found between the control group and both the laser-welded and cast groups (P <.01). Compared with the cast dowel-keepers, the average vertical magnetic retentive force of the laser-welded dowel-keepers was significantly higher (P <.05). The laser welding technique had less influence on the surface characteristics, the microstructure, and the magnetic retentive forces of keepers relative to techniques that incorporate a keeper at the time of cast dowel and coping fabrication.

Relationship between dairy cow genetic merit and profit on commercial spring calving dairy farms.

PubMed

Ramsbottom, G; Cromie, A R; Horan, B; Berry, D P

2012-07-01

Because not all animal factors influencing profitability can be included in total merit breeding indices for profitability, the association between animal total merit index and true profitability, taking cognisance of all factors associated with costs and revenues, is generally not known. One method to estimate such associations is at the herd level, associating herd average genetic merit with herd profitability. The objective of this study was to primarily relate herd average genetic merit for a range of traits, including the Irish total merit index, with indicators of performance, including profitability, using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Physical, genetic and financial performance data from 1131 Irish seasonal calving pasture-based dairy farms were available following edits; data on some herds were available for more than 1 year of the 3-year study period (2007 to 2009). Herd average economic breeding index (EBI) was associated with reduced herd average phenotypic milk yield but with greater milk composition, resulting in higher milk prices. Moderate positive correlations (0.26 to 0.61) existed between genetic merit for an individual trait and average herd performance for that trait (e.g. genetic merit for milk yield and average per cow milk yield). Following adjustment for year, stocking rate, herd size and quantity of purchased feed in the multiple regression analysis, average herd EBI was positively and linearly associated with net margin per cow and per litre as well as gross revenue output per cow and per litre. The change in net margin per cow per unit change in the total merit index was €1.94 (s.e. = 0.42), which was not different from the expectation of €2. This study, based on a large data set of commercial herds with accurate information on profitability and genetic merit, confirms that, after accounting for confounding factors, the change in herd profitability per unit change in herd genetic merit for the total merit index is within expectations.

Measuring Productivity in College-Level Chemistry Education Scholarship

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pienta, Norbert J.

2004-01-01

The American Chemical Society (ACS) Directories of Graduate Research provides useful data for the comparison of publication rates with colleagues in chemistry department. It is essential to compare fairly regarding cases of promotion, tenure and merit raises.

Pros and Cons and Current Status of Merit Pay in the Public Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adkins, Gary A.

During the 1920's merit pay became the most preferred system of teacher compensation; however, today fewer than 4 percent of the school systems in the United States use merit pay plans. The National Education Association suggests that merit pay is a "bogus issue" obscuring more significant areas of education needing reform, and the…

Paying for Better Teaching: Merit Pay and Its Alternatives. OAP Monograph Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bacharach, Samuel B.; And Others

President Reagan's promotion of merit pay as the main vehicle of educational change has prompted a sharp debate. This monograph presents arguments for and against merit pay and assesses its relative worth as a means of improving American education. First, merit pay is defined as a compensation system linking individual teachers' salaries to…

75 FR 25885 - The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is Providing Notice of the Opportunity to File Amicus...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-10

... MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is Providing Notice of the Opportunity to File Amicus Briefs in the Matter of Larry L. Evans v. Department of Veterans Affairs, MSPB Docket Number AT-3330-09-0953- I-1. AGENCY: Merit Systems Protection Board. ACTION: Notice...

75 FR 20007 - The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Is Providing Notice of the Opportunity To File Amicus...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-16

... MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Is Providing Notice of the Opportunity To File Amicus Briefs in the Matter of Hyginus U. Aguzie v. Office of Personnel Management, MSPB Docket Number DC-0731- 09-0261-R-1 AGENCY: Merit Systems Protection Board. ACTION: Notice...

Thermoelectric Properties of Novel One-dimensional and Two-dimensional Systems Based on MoS2 Nanoribbons and Sheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arab, Abbas

Atomically thin materials such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have attracted a lot of interest since the discovery of Graphene. Potential use of Graphene in semiconductor industry has been hindered by the fact that graphene is a semi metal with zero band gap. The difficulties in engineering band gap in graphene turn the focus light to inherent semiconducting two-dimensional (2D) materials; TMDCs. Bulk of TMDCs are formed by layers vertically stacked and weakly bonded together via weak van der Waals interactions. These weak interlayer forces make it possible to obtain monolayer by using scotch tape exfoliation or lithium-ion intercalation. Among the semiconducting members of TMDCs, MoS 2 is the most appealing candidate, partly due to its thermal stability and also for its natural abundance. Intensive study of electronic properties of MoS2 has revealed the desirable band gap (1.2 eV), good carrier xmobility (which is close to those of silicon thin films and graphene nanoribbons), thermal stability and a surface free from dangling bonds make it a perfect candidate for electronic and opto-electronic applications. Despite the fact that MoS2 has a high Seebeck coefficient, its thermoelectric properties have not studied as well as it should be. In this work, we have studied thermoelectric properties of monolayer and fewlayer MoS2 sheets in both armchair and zigzag orientations and also of monolayer MoS2 armchair nanoribbons. Density functional theory (DFT) using non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) method in ballistic transport regime of Landauer-Buttiker formulation in linear transport approximation has been implemented to calculate the transmission spectra and consequently electronic transport coefficients. Phonon transmission spectra are calculated based on parameterization of Stillinger-Weber potential. Thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, is calculated using these electronic and phonon transmission spectra. In the case of MoS2 sheets, thermoelectric properties of monolayer, bilayer, trilayer and quadlayer in armchair and zigzag directions have been studied. Our results show that as number of layers increase from monolayer to quadlayer, both transmission spectrum and phonon thermal conductance increase. In addition, strong electronic and thermal anisotropy is found between zigzag and armchair orientations. Transmission coefficient and phonon thermal conductance of zigzag orientation is higher than those of armchair with the same number of layers. Electrical conductance and phonon thermal conductance are competing forces in achieving a high thermoelectric figure of merit. Advantage of having a higher electrical conductance in zigzag orientation has been nullified by having a higher phonon thermal conductance. In fact, our results show higher thermoelectric xifigure of merit for armchair oriented than zigzag oriented sheets. Also as number of layer decreases from quadlayer to monolayer, we are witnessing a higher thermoelectric figure of merit for both armchair and zigzag oriented sheets. Hence, the highest achieved thermoelectric figure of merit was obtained by monolayer armchair MoS2 sheet for both p-type and n-type semiconducting behavior. In case of MoS2 armchair nanoribbons, effect of several factors has been studied; width of nanoribbon, Sulfur vacancy and edge roughness. The electronic properties of nanoribbons are dominated by the presence of edge states that are dependent on the number of zigzag chains across the nanoribbon. In addition, it is found that the phonon thermal conductance of monolayer MoS2 armchair nanoribbon is smaller compared to MoS2 monolayer armchair sheet. This outcome can be explained by phonon edge scattering. The effect of this phonon edge scattering is more pronounced in narrower nanoribbons compared to wide ones which leads to higher thermoelectric figure of merit for narrow nanoribbons. The effect of edge roughness and sulfur vacancy on thermoelectric behavior of MoS2 nanoribbons is also studied. Our result shows that edge roughness decreased the thermoelectric figure of merit compared to those of a perfect nanoribbon as its impact on electrical conductance is more severe than on phonon thermal conductance. Sulfur vacancy, however, improved thermoelectric figure of merit of MoS2 nanoribbons. It has been shown that thermoelectric figure of merit as high as 4 and 3 at T = 500K can be achieved n-doped and p-doped MoS2 nanoribbons. The ability of getting a high thermoelectric figure of merit for both n-type and p-type behavior from the same material will be a huge boost to thermoelectric industry if realized.

A novel artificial immune clonal selection classification and rule mining with swarm learning model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Sheshtawi, Khaled A.; Abdul-Kader, Hatem M.; Elsisi, Ashraf B.

2013-06-01

Metaheuristic optimisation algorithms have become popular choice for solving complex problems. By integrating Artificial Immune clonal selection algorithm (CSA) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm, a novel hybrid Clonal Selection Classification and Rule Mining with Swarm Learning Algorithm (CS2) is proposed. The main goal of the approach is to exploit and explore the parallel computation merit of Clonal Selection and the speed and self-organisation merits of Particle Swarm by sharing information between clonal selection population and particle swarm. Hence, we employed the advantages of PSO to improve the mutation mechanism of the artificial immune CSA and to mine classification rules within datasets. Consequently, our proposed algorithm required less training time and memory cells in comparison to other AIS algorithms. In this paper, classification rule mining has been modelled as a miltiobjective optimisation problem with predictive accuracy. The multiobjective approach is intended to allow the PSO algorithm to return an approximation to the accuracy and comprehensibility border, containing solutions that are spread across the border. We compared our proposed algorithm classification accuracy CS2 with five commonly used CSAs, namely: AIRS1, AIRS2, AIRS-Parallel, CLONALG, and CSCA using eight benchmark datasets. We also compared our proposed algorithm classification accuracy CS2 with other five methods, namely: Naïve Bayes, SVM, MLP, CART, and RFB. The results show that the proposed algorithm is comparable to the 10 studied algorithms. As a result, the hybridisation, built of CSA and PSO, can develop respective merit, compensate opponent defect, and make search-optimal effect and speed better.

Economic weights for genetic improvement of lactation persistency and milk yield.

PubMed

Togashi, K; Lin, C Y

2009-06-01

This study aimed to establish a criterion for measuring the relative weight of lactation persistency (the ratio of yield at 280 d in milk to peak yield) in restricted selection index for the improvement of net merit comprising 3-parity total yield and total lactation persistency. The restricted selection index was compared with selection based on first-lactation total milk yield (I(1)), the first-two-lactation total yield (I(2)), and first-three-lactation total yield (I(3)). Results show that genetic response in net merit due to selection on restricted selection index could be greater than, equal to, or less than that due to the unrestricted index depending upon the relative weight of lactation persistency and the restriction level imposed. When the relative weight of total lactation persistency is equal to the criterion, the restricted selection index is equal to the selection method compared (I(1), I(2), or I(3)). The restricted selection index yielded a greater response when the relative weight of total lactation persistency was above the criterion, but a lower response when it was below the criterion. The criterion varied depending upon the restriction level (c) imposed and the selection criteria compared. A curvilinear relationship (concave curve) exists between the criterion and the restricted level. The criterion increases as the restriction level deviates in either direction from 1.5. Without prior information of the economic weight of lactation persistency, the imposition of the restriction level of 1.5 on lactation persistency would maximize change in net merit. The procedure presented allows for simultaneous modification of multi-parity lactation curves.

Gender, Race, and Delinquent Behavior: An Extension of Power-Control Theory to American Indian Adolescents

PubMed Central

Eitle, David; Niedrist, Fallon; Eitle, Tamela McNulty

2014-01-01

Research testing Hagan’s power-control theory has largely been tested with samples of non-Hispanic whites. We extend prior research by testing the theory’s merits with a sample of American Indian (AI) adolescents. Overall, we find mixed support for the theory’s merits. However, we find that our measure of patriarchy is a robust predictor of AI female delinquent activity. We also find that a grandparent in the household serves to greatly reduce involvement in violent behavior among AI females. Compared to a sample of non-Hispanic whites, these results reveal the importance of testing explanations of deviant behavior across racial and ethnic groups. PMID:25342866

45 CFR 2516.520 - How does a State, Indian tribe, or community-based entity review the merits of an application?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... entity review the merits of an application? 2516.520 Section 2516.520 Public Welfare Regulations Relating...-LEARNING PROGRAMS Application Review § 2516.520 How does a State, Indian tribe, or community-based entity review the merits of an application? In reviewing the merits of an application for a subgrant under this...

Why Do so Few Public School Districts Use Merit Pay?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldhaber, Dan; DeArmond, Michael; Player, Daniel; Choi, Hyung-Jai

2008-01-01

This article presents a principal-agent model in the context of public schools to help explain the use of merit pay for teachers. The model considers how both the nature of teaching and the political costs of union resistance affect school district merit pay decisions. Our results support the idea that merit pay is more likely in environments…

Development and Evolution of Agriculturally Related Merit Badges Offered by the Boy Scouts of America

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Terry, Robert, Jr.

2013-01-01

Badges of Merit have been a primary component of Scouting programs since the inception of the movement more than 100 years ago. The diverse range of subjects for merit badges has included 32 programs relating directly to agriculture. The focus of this historical research was to identify when agriculturally related merit badges were introduced,…

Aerodynamic characteristics of some lifting reentry concepts applicable to transatmospheric vehicle design studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spearman, M. L.

1984-01-01

The aerodynamic characteristics of some lifting reentry concepts are examined with a view to the applicability of such concepts to the design of possible transatmospheric vehicles (TAV). A considerable amount of research has been done in past years with vehicle concepts suitable for manned atmospheric-entry, atmospheric flight, and landing. Some of the features of these concepts that permit flight in or out of the atmosphere with maneuver capability should be useful in the mission requirements of TAV's. The concepts illustrated include some hypersonic-body shapes with and without variable geometry surfaces, and a blunt lifting-body configuration. The merits of these concepts relative to the aerodynamic behavior of a TAV are discussed.

[Low level alpha activity measurements with pulse shape discrimination--the analytical system and its characteristics].

PubMed

Noguchi, M; Satoh, K; Higuchi, H

1984-12-01

Pulse shape discrimination of alpha and beta rays with liquid scintillation counting was investigated for the purpose of low level alpha activity measurements. Various liquid scintillators for pulse shape discrimination were examined by means of pulse rise time analysis. A new scintillator of low cost and of superior characteristics was found. The figure of merits better than 3.5 in rise time spectrum and the energy resolution better than 9% were obtained for carefully prepared samples. The background counting rate for a sample of 10 ml was reduced to 0.013 cpm/MeV in the range of alpha ray energy 5 to 7 MeV.

"Am I Famous Yet?" Judging Scholarly Merit in Psychological Science: An Introduction.

PubMed

Sternberg, Robert J

2016-11-01

The purpose of this symposium is to consider new ways of judging merit in academia, especially with respect to research in psychological science. First, I discuss the importance of merit-based evaluation and the purpose of this symposium. Next, I review some previous ideas about judging merit-especially creative merit-and I describe some of the main criteria used by institutions today for judging the quality of research in psychological science. Finally, I suggest a new criterion that institutions and individuals might use and draw some conclusions. © The Author(s) 2016.

Review of Related Literature and Research: History of Merit Pay, Differentiated Staffing, and Incentive Pay Programs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guernsey, Marsha A.

This paper reviews selected literature pertaining to merit pay, differentiated staffing, and incentive pay programs. The first section reviews the history of these alternatives to the single salary schedule, beginning with an account of two experimental merit pay plans in the early 20th century. During the 1920s, merit pay plans gave way to the…

Touchstone Education: New Charter with Experienced Leader Learns from Extending Teachers' Reach. An Opportunity Culture Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barrett, Sharon Kebschull; Han, Jiye Grace

2013-01-01

In 2012, Touchstone Education opened its first school, Merit Preparatory Charter School of Newark ("Merit Prep Newark"), in New Jersey, with 84 sixth-graders, 90 percent of whom are low-income, with most entering Merit Prep several years behind grade level. In reading and science, Merit Prep Newark has shown strong early results in its…

Risk Aversion and Support for Merit Pay: Theory and Evidence from Minnesota's Q Comp Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nadler, Carl; Wiswall, Matthew

2011-01-01

Recent research attributes the lack of merit pay in teaching to the resistance of teachers. This article examines whether the structure of merit pay affects the types of teachers who support it. We develop a model of the relative utility teachers receive from merit pay versus the current fixed schedule of raises. We show that if teachers are risk…

VASSAR: Value assessment of system architectures using rules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Selva, D.; Crawley, E. F.

A key step of the mission development process is the selection of a system architecture, i.e., the layout of the major high-level system design decisions. This step typically involves the identification of a set of candidate architectures and a cost-benefit analysis to compare them. Computational tools have been used in the past to bring rigor and consistency into this process. These tools can automatically generate architectures by enumerating different combinations of decisions and options. They can also evaluate these architectures by applying cost models and simplified performance models. Current performance models are purely quantitative tools that are best fit for the evaluation of the technical performance of mission design. However, assessing the relative merit of a system architecture is a much more holistic task than evaluating performance of a mission design. Indeed, the merit of a system architecture comes from satisfying a variety of stakeholder needs, some of which are easy to quantify, and some of which are harder to quantify (e.g., elegance, scientific value, political robustness, flexibility). Moreover, assessing the merit of a system architecture at these very early stages of design often requires dealing with a mix of: a) quantitative and semi-qualitative data; objective and subjective information. Current computational tools are poorly suited for these purposes. In this paper, we propose a general methodology that can used to assess the relative merit of several candidate system architectures under the presence of objective, subjective, quantitative, and qualitative stakeholder needs. The methodology called VASSAR (Value ASsessment for System Architectures using Rules). The major underlying assumption of the VASSAR methodology is that the merit of a system architecture can assessed by comparing the capabilities of the architecture with the stakeholder requirements. Hence for example, a candidate architecture that fully satisfies all critical sta- eholder requirements is a good architecture. The assessment process is thus fundamentally seen as a pattern matching process where capabilities match requirements, which motivates the use of rule-based expert systems (RBES). This paper describes the VASSAR methodology and shows how it can be applied to a large complex space system, namely an Earth observation satellite system. Companion papers show its applicability to the NASA space communications and navigation program and the joint NOAA-DoD NPOESS program.

Lunar Regolith Figures of Merit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rickman, Doug; Scjrader. Cjrostoam; Jpe (zer. Jams); Fourroux, Kathy

2009-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the lunar regolith figures of merit. The contents include: 1) A quick review of Figures-of-Merit (FoM); 2) Software Implementation of FoM Algorithms; and 3) Demonstration of the Software.

Risk Aversion and Support for Merit Pay: Theory and Evidence from Minnesota's Q Comp Program. Working Paper #09-05

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nadler, Carl; Wiswall, Matthew

2009-01-01

Recent research attributes the lack of merit pay in teaching to the resistance of teachers. This paper examines whether the structure of merit pay affects the types of teachers who support it. We develop a model of the relative utility teachers receive from merit pay versus the current fixed schedule of raises. We show that if teachers are risk…

The Disuse Syndrome

PubMed Central

Bortz II, Walter M.

1984-01-01

Our cultural sedentariness, recently acquired, lies at the base of much human ill-being. Physical inactivity predictably leads to deterioration of many body functions. A number of these effects coexist so frequently in our society that they merit inclusion in a specific syndrome, the disuse syndrome. The identifying characteristics of the syndrome are cardiovascular vulnerability, obesity, musculoskeletal fragility, depression and premature aging. The syndrome is experimentally reproducible and, significantly, the clinical features are subject to both preventive and restitutive efforts that happily are cheap, safe, accessible and effective. PMID:6516349

Compressive behavior of energy-saving fired facing brick composite wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Kai; Wu, Cai

2018-03-01

The energy-saving fired facing brick composite wall has a broad development prospects due to its merits of thermal insulation, energy conservation, beautiful, and natural. The construction and characteristics of this wall are introduced and analyzed in this paper. Experimental studies of samples are also conducted to investigate its compressive performance. The results show that the energy-saving fired facing brick composite wall has high compressive capacity. It has considerable application prospect, the study in this paper provides foundation to further studies.

A second-order impact model for forest fire regimes.

PubMed

Maggi, Stefano; Rinaldi, Sergio

2006-09-01

We present a very simple "impact" model for the description of forest fires and show that it can mimic the known characteristics of wild fire regimes in savannas, boreal forests, and Mediterranean forests. Moreover, the distribution of burned biomasses in model generated fires resemble those of burned areas in numerous large forests around the world. The model has also the merits of being the first second-order model for forest fires and the first example of the use of impact models in the study of ecosystems.

Image reconstruction for x-ray K-edge imaging with a photon counting detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Bo; Cong, Wenxiang; Xi, Yan; Wang, Ge

2014-09-01

Contrast agents with high-Z elements have K-absorption edges which significantly change X-ray attenuation coefficients. The K-edge characteristics is different for various kinds of contrast agents, which offers opportunities for material decomposition in biomedical applications. In this paper, we propose a new K-edge imaging method, which not only quantifies a distribution of a contrast agent but also provides an optimized contrast ratio. Our numerical simulation tests demonstrate the feasibility and merits of the proposed methodology.

On the meaning of the weighted alternative free-response operating characteristic figure of merit.

PubMed

Chakraborty, Dev P; Zhai, Xuetong

2016-05-01

The free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) method is being increasingly used to evaluate observer performance in search tasks. Data analysis requires definition of a figure of merit (FOM) quantifying performance. While a number of FOMs have been proposed, the recommended one, namely, the weighted alternative FROC (wAFROC) FOM, is not well understood. The aim of this work is to clarify the meaning of this FOM by relating it to the empirical area under a proposed wAFROC curve. The weighted wAFROC FOM is defined in terms of a quasi-Wilcoxon statistic that involves weights, coding the clinical importance, assigned to each lesion. A new wAFROC curve is proposed, the y-axis of which incorporates the weights, giving more credit for marking clinically important lesions, while the x-axis is identical to that of the AFROC curve. An expression is derived relating the area under the empirical wAFROC curve to the wAFROC FOM. Examples are presented with small numbers of cases showing how AFROC and wAFROC curves are affected by correct and incorrect decisions and how the corresponding FOMs credit or penalize these decisions. The wAFROC, AFROC, and inferred ROC FOMs were applied to three clinical data sets involving multiple reader FROC interpretations in different modalities. It is shown analytically that the area under the empirical wAFROC curve equals the wAFROC FOM. This theorem is the FROC analog of a well-known theorem developed in 1975 for ROC analysis, which gave meaning to a Wilcoxon statistic based ROC FOM. A similar equivalence applies between the area under the empirical AFROC curve and the AFROC FOM. The examples show explicitly that the wAFROC FOM gives equal importance to all diseased cases, regardless of the number of lesions, a desirable statistical property not shared by the AFROC FOM. Applications to the clinical data sets show that the wAFROC FOM yields results comparable to that using the AFROC FOM. The equivalence theorem gives meaning to the weighted AFROC FOM, namely, it is identical to the empirical area under weighted AFROC curve.

75 FR 65404 - Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-22

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit... & Regenerative Medicine Subcommittee of the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit..., examination, reference to, [[Page 65405

Exploring Access and Equity in Higher Education: Policy and Performance in a Comparative Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clancy, Patrick; Goastellec, Gaele

2007-01-01

A comparative analysis of how access and equity are defined and how policies have evolved reveals a number of commonalities and differences between countries. The overall trend is a movement from the priority given to "inherited merit" in the admission process through a commitment to formal equality, towards the application of some modes of…

Merit pay: viable?

PubMed

Farmer, C R

1978-01-01

Can an organization really have a meaningful relationship between its merit pay program and motivation of its employees? C. Richard Farmer of Armstrong Cork says yes--if. If the approach to granting merit pay increases is coupled with a salary structure attuned to economic and competitive conditions, and if it is communicated effectively and openly to the employees, then it automatically translates labor market activity, performance, and the cost of living into a meaningful increase. Position descriptions, evaluations, and performance appraisals are some of the tools essential to a viable merit pay program. But besides these definite do's, the author outlines some of the don'ts of merit pay programs, such as centralized administration of the program--policies, programs, and procedures may be centralized, but their administration must be carried out by those close to the individual employees and work units. Above all, the merit pay program must be based on performance, not longevity.

The Measurement of Magnetic Fields

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berridge, H. J. J.

1973-01-01

Discusses five experimental methods used by senior high school students to provide an accurate calibration curve of magnet current against the magnetic flux density produced by an electromagnet. Compares the relative merits of the five methods, both as measurements and from an educational viewpoint. (JR)

Broadband nonvolatile photonic switching based on optical phase change materials: beyond the classical figure-of-merit.

PubMed

Zhang, Qihang; Zhang, Yifei; Li, Junying; Soref, Richard; Gu, Tian; Hu, Juejun

2018-01-01

In this Letter, we propose a broadband, nonvolatile on-chip switch design in the telecommunication C-band with record low loss and crosstalk. The unprecedented device performance builds on: 1) a new optical phase change material (O-PCM) Ge 2 Sb 2 Se 4 Te 1 (GSST), which exhibits significantly reduced optical attenuation compared to traditional O-PCMs, and 2) a nonperturbative design that enables low-loss device operation beyond the classical figure-of-merit (FOM) limit. We further demonstrate that the 1-by-2 and 2-by-2 switches can serve as basic building blocks to construct nonblocking and nonvolatile on-chip switching fabric supporting arbitrary numbers of input and output ports.

Knowledge discovery for pancreatic cancer using inductive logic programming.

PubMed

Qiu, Yushan; Shimada, Kazuaki; Hiraoka, Nobuyoshi; Maeshiro, Kensei; Ching, Wai-Ki; Aoki-Kinoshita, Kiyoko F; Furuta, Koh

2014-08-01

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease and predicting the status of the patients becomes an important and urgent issue. The authors explore the applicability of inductive logic programming (ILP) method in the disease and show that the accumulated clinical laboratory data can be used to predict disease characteristics, and this will contribute to the selection of therapeutic modalities of pancreatic cancer. The availability of a large amount of clinical laboratory data provides clues to aid in the knowledge discovery of diseases. In predicting the differentiation of tumour and the status of lymph node metastasis in pancreatic cancer, using the ILP model, three rules are developed that are consistent with descriptions in the literature. The rules that are identified are useful to detect the differentiation of tumour and the status of lymph node metastasis in pancreatic cancer and therefore contributed significantly to the decision of therapeutic strategies. In addition, the proposed method is compared with the other typical classification techniques and the results further confirm the superiority and merit of the proposed method.

High-voltage lateral double-implanted MOSFETs implemented on high-purity semi-insulating 4H-SiC substrates with gate field plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seok, Ogyun; Kim, Hyoung Woo; Moon, Jeong Hyun; Lee, Hyun-Su; Bahng, Wook

2018-06-01

Lateral double-implanted MOSFETs (LDIMOSFETs) fabricated on on-axis high-purity semi-insulating (HPSI) 4H-SiC substrates with gate field plates have been demonstrated for the enhancement of reverse blocking capability. The effects of gate field plate on LDIMOSFET were analyzed by simulation and experimental methods. The electric field concentration at the gate edge was successfully suppressed by a gate field plate. A high breakdown voltage of 934 V and a figure of merit of 14.6 MW/cm2 were achieved at L FP of 2 µm and L drift of 15 µm, while those of the conventional device without a gate field plate were 744 V and 13.3 MW/cm2, respectively. Also, the fabricated device shows stable blocking characteristics at a high temperature of 250 °C. The drain leakage was increased by only 22% at 250 °C compared with that at room temperature.

Vectorial diffraction properties of THz vortex Bessel beams.

PubMed

Wu, Zhen; Wang, Xinke; Sun, Wenfeng; Feng, Shengfei; Han, Peng; Ye, Jiasheng; Yu, Yue; Zhang, Yan

2018-01-22

A vortex Bessel beam combines the merits of an optical vortex and a Bessel beam, including a spiral wave front and a non-diffractive feature, which has immense application potentials in optical trapping, optical fabrication, optical communications, and so on. Here, linearly and circularly polarized vortex Bessel beams in the terahertz (THz) frequency range are generated by utilizing a THz quarter wave plate, a spiral phase plate, and Teflon axicons with different opening angles. Taking advantage of a THz focal-plane imaging system, vectorial diffraction properties of the THz vortex Bessel beams are comprehensively characterized and discussed, including the transverse (Ex, Ey) and longitudinal (Ez) polarization components. The experimental phenomena are accurately simulated by adopting the vectorial Rayleigh diffraction integral. By varying the opening angle of the axicon, the characteristic parameters of these THz vortex Bessel beams are exhibited and compared, including the light spot size, the diffraction-free range, and the phase evolution process. This work provides the precise experimental and theoretical bases for the comprehension and application of a THz vortex Bessel beam.

Aerodynamics of electrically driven freight pipeline system

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

Lundgren, T.S.; Zhao, Y.

2000-06-01

This paper examines the aerodynamic characteristics of a freight pipeline system in which freight capsules are individually propelled by electrical motors. The fundamental difference between this system and the more extensively studied pneumatic capsule pipeline is the different role played by aerodynamic forces. In a driven system the propelled capsules are resisted by aerodynamic forces and, in reaction, pump air through the tube. In contrast, in a pneumatically propelled system external blowers pump air through the tubes, and this provides the thrust for the capsules. An incompressible transient analysis is developed to study the aerodynamics of multiple capsules in amore » cross-linked two-bore pipeline. An aerodynamic friction coefficient is used as a cost parameter to compare the effects of capsule blockage and headway and to assess the merits of adits and vents. The authors conclude that optimum efficiency for off-design operation is obtained with long platoons of capsules in vented or adit connected tubes.« less

Automated Text Analysis Based on Skip-Gram Model for Food Evaluation in Predicting Consumer Acceptance

PubMed Central

Kim, Augustine Yongwhi; Choi, Hoduk

2018-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate food taste, smell, and characteristics from consumers' online reviews. Several studies in food sensory evaluation have been presented for consumer acceptance. However, these studies need taste descriptive word lexicon, and they are not suitable for analyzing large number of evaluators to predict consumer acceptance. In this paper, an automated text analysis method for food evaluation is presented to analyze and compare recently introduced two jjampong ramen types (mixed seafood noodles). To avoid building a sensory word lexicon, consumers' reviews are collected from SNS. Then, by training word embedding model with acquired reviews, words in the large amount of review text are converted into vectors. Based on these words represented as vectors, inference is performed to evaluate taste and smell of two jjampong ramen types. Finally, the reliability and merits of the proposed food evaluation method are confirmed by a comparison with the results from an actual consumer preference taste evaluation. PMID:29606960

Pulse-shape discrimination with Cs2HfCl6 crystal scintillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardenas, C.; Burger, A.; Goodwin, B.; Groza, M.; Laubenstein, M.; Nagorny, S.; Rowe, E.

2017-10-01

The results of investigation into cesium hafnium chloride (Cs2HfCl6) scintillating crystals as a promising detector to search for rare nuclear processes occurring in Hf isotopes is reported. The light output, quenching factor, and pulse-shape characteristics have been investigated at room temperature. The scintillation response of the crystal induced by α-particles and γ-quanta were studied to determine possibility of particle discrimination. Using the optimal filter method we obtained clear separation between signals with a factor of merit (FOM) = 9.3. This indicates that we are able to fully separate signals originating from α-particles and γ-quanta. Similar fruitful discrimination power was obtained by applying the mean time method (FOM = 7) and charge integration method (FOM = 7.5). The quenching factor for collimated 4 MeV α-particles is found to be 0.36, showing that α-particles generate more than a third of the light compared to γ-quanta at the same energy.

Automated Text Analysis Based on Skip-Gram Model for Food Evaluation in Predicting Consumer Acceptance.

PubMed

Kim, Augustine Yongwhi; Ha, Jin Gwan; Choi, Hoduk; Moon, Hyeonjoon

2018-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate food taste, smell, and characteristics from consumers' online reviews. Several studies in food sensory evaluation have been presented for consumer acceptance. However, these studies need taste descriptive word lexicon, and they are not suitable for analyzing large number of evaluators to predict consumer acceptance. In this paper, an automated text analysis method for food evaluation is presented to analyze and compare recently introduced two jjampong ramen types (mixed seafood noodles). To avoid building a sensory word lexicon, consumers' reviews are collected from SNS. Then, by training word embedding model with acquired reviews, words in the large amount of review text are converted into vectors. Based on these words represented as vectors, inference is performed to evaluate taste and smell of two jjampong ramen types. Finally, the reliability and merits of the proposed food evaluation method are confirmed by a comparison with the results from an actual consumer preference taste evaluation.

Workplace discrimination and disfigurement: the national EEOC ADA research project.

PubMed

Tartaglia, Alexander; McMahon, Brian T; West, Steven L; Belongia, Lisa

2005-01-01

Using the Integrated Mission System of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the employment discrimination experience of Americans with disfigurement is documented. Key dimensions of workplace discrimination involving Americans with disfigurement and persons with missing limbs are compared and contrasted. Specifically, the researchers examine demographic characteristics of Charging Parties; the industry designation, location and size of Respondents/employers; the discrimination Issue (i.e., type of adverse action) alleged to occur; and the legal outcome or Resolution of these allegations. Charging Parties with disfigurement who are female or between 30 and 39 years of age are more likely to encounter employment discrimination than their counterparts with missing limbs. Harassment and Non-wage Benefits are the Issues that emerge in higher proportion. Allegations derived from persons with disfigurement are more common in among mid-size employers, those located in the South, or those in Retail or Service industries. Following investigation, allegations derived from persons with disfigurement are less likely to have Merit Resolutions than those brought by Charging Parties with missing limbs.

Performance of an exhaled nitric oxide and carbon dioxide sensor using quantum cascade laser-based integrated cavity output spectroscopy.

PubMed

McCurdy, Matthew R; Bakhirkin, Yury; Wysocki, Gerard; Tittel, Frank K

2007-01-01

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is an important biomarker in asthma and other respiratory disorders. The optical performance of a NOCO(2) sensor employing integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) with a quantum cascade laser operating at 5.22 microm capable of real-time NO and CO(2) measurements in a single breath cycle is reported. A NO noise-equivalent concentration of 0.4 ppb within a 1-sec integration time is achieved. The off-axis ICOS sensor performance is compared to a chemiluminescent NO analyzer and a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) CO(2) absorption capnograph. Differences between the gas analyzers are assessed by the Bland-Altman method to estimate the expected variability between the gas sensors. The off-axis ICOS sensor measurements are in good agreement with the data acquired with the two commercial gas analyzers. This work demonstrates the performance characteristics and merits of mid-infrared spectroscopy for exhaled breath analysis.

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

Yamada, R.; Ambrosio, G.; Barzi, E.

The design study of the block type 15-Tesla RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al dipole magnet, and its merits over Nb{sub 3}Sn magnets are presented. The copper stabilized RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al strand is now becoming commercially available for the application to the accelerator magnets. A 1 mm diameter RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al strand with filament size about 50 {mu}, non-copper Jc about 1000 A/mm{sup 2} at 15 Tesla at 4.2K, copper ratio of 50%, can now be produced over several hundred meters. The stress and strain characteristics of the Nb{sub 3}Al strand are superior to the Nb{sub 3}Sn strand. Another advantage is that itmore » can tolerate a longitudinal strain up to 0.55%. The RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al Rutherford cable will have less chance of contamination of the stabilizer, compared to Nb{sub 3}Sn cable. These characteristics of the RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al will be beneficial for designing and producing 15-Tesla dipole magnets. An example 15-Tesla magnet cross section, utilizing the RHQT Nb{sub 3}Sn strand is presented. A systematic investigation on RHQT Nb{sub 3}Al strands, its Rutherford cables, and building a small racetrack magnet for cable testing are proposed.« less

A common garden design reveals population-specific variability in potential impacts of hybridization between populations of farmed and wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

PubMed

Harvey, Alison C; Glover, Kevin A; Taylor, Martin I; Creer, Simon; Carvalho, Gary R

2016-03-01

Released individuals can have negative impacts on native populations through various mechanisms, including competition, disease transfer and introduction of maladapted gene complexes. Previous studies indicate that the level of farmed Atlantic salmon introgression in native populations is population specific. However, few studies have explored the potential role of population diversity or river characteristics, such as temperature, on the consequences of hybridization. We compared freshwater growth of multiple families derived from two farmed, five wild and two F1 hybrid salmon populations at three contrasting temperatures (7°C, 12°C and 16°C) in a common garden experiment. As expected, farmed salmon outgrew wild salmon at all temperatures, with hybrids displaying intermediate growth. However, differences in growth were population specific and some wild populations performed better than others relative to the hybrid and farmed populations at certain temperatures. Therefore, the competitive balance between farmed and wild salmon may depend both on the thermal profile of the river and on the genetic characteristics of the respective farmed and wild strains. While limited to F1 hybridization, this study shows the merits in adopting a more complex spatially resolved approach to risk management of local populations.

What's crucial in night vision goggle simulation?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kooi, Frank L.; Toet, Alexander

2005-05-01

Training is required to correctly interpret NVG imagery. Training night operations with simulated intensified imagery has great potential. Compared to direct viewing with the naked eye, intensified imagery is relatively easy to simulate and the cost of real NVG training is high (logistics, risk, civilian sleep deprivation, pollution). On the surface NVG imagery appears to have a structure similar to daylight imagery. However, in actuality its characteristics differ significantly from those of daylight imagery. As a result, NVG imagery frequently induces visual illusions. To achieve realistic training, simulated NVG imagery should at least reproduce the essential visual limitations of real NVG imagery caused by reduced resolution, reduced contrast, limited field-of-view, the absence of color, and the systems sensitivity to nearby infrared radiation. It is particularly important that simulated NVG imagery represents essential NVG visual characteristics, such as the high reflection of chlorophyll and halos. Current real-time simulation software falls short for training purposes because of an incorrect representation of shadow effects. We argue that the development of shading and shadowing merits priority to close the gap between real and simulated NVG flight conditions. Visual conspicuity can be deployed as an efficient metric to measure the 'perceptual distance' between the real NVG and the simulated NVG image.

Fundamental Characteristics of Bioprint on Calcium Alginate Gel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umezu, Shinjiro; Hatta, Tatsuru; Ohmori, Hitoshi

2013-05-01

The goal of this study is to fabricate precision three-dimensional (3D) biodevices those are micro fluidics and artificial organs utilizing digital fabrication. Digital fabrication is fabrication method utilizing inkjet technologies. Electrostatic inkjet is one of the inkjet technologies. The electrostatic inkjet method has following two merits; those are high resolution to print and ability to eject highly viscous liquid. These characteristics are suitable to print biomaterials precisely. We are now applying for bioprint. In this paper, the electrostatic inkjet method is applied for fabrication of 3D biodevices that has cave like blood vessel. When aqueous solution of sodium alginate is printed to aqueous solution of calcium chloride, calcium alginate is produced. 3D biodevices are fabricated in case that calcium alginate is piled.

A Brief Review of OPT101 Sensor Application in Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Instrumentation for Intensive Care Unit Clinics

PubMed Central

Li, Ting; Zhong, Fulin; Pan, Boan; Li, Zebin; Huang, Chong; Deng, Zishan

2017-01-01

The optoelectronic sensor OPT101 have merits in advanced optoelectronic response characteristics at wavelength range for medical near-infrared spectroscopy and small-size chip design with build-in trans-impedance amplifier. Our lab is devoted to developing a series of portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) devices embedded with OPT101 for applications in intensive care unit clinics, based on NIRS principle. Here we review the characteristics and advantages of OPT101 relative to clinical NIRS instrumentation, and the most recent achievements, including early-diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation of thrombus, noninvasive monitoring of patients' shock severity, and fatigue evaluation. The future prospect on OPT101 improvements in noninvasive clinical applications is also discussed. PMID:28757564

Pb-for-Bi substitution for enhancing thermoelectric characteristics of [(Bi,Pb)2Ba2O4+/-ω]0.5CoO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakai, K.; Karppinen, M.; Chen, J. M.; Liu, R. S.; Sugihara, S.; Yamauchi, H.

2006-06-01

We report strongly enhanced thermoelectric characteristics for a misfit-layered oxide, [Bi2Ba2O4±ω]0.5CoO2, in a wide temperature range, as achieved through substituting up to 20% of Bi by Pb. The Pb substitution kept the thermal conductivity (κ) unchanged but decreased the electrical resistivity (ρ) and increased the Seebeck coefficient (S) simultaneously, such that a three-fold enhancement in the thermoelectric figure of merit, Z (≡S2/ρκ), was realized. At the same time x-ray absorption near-edge structure data indicated that the valence and spin states of Co are not affected by the Pb-for-Bi substitution.

Highly linear dual ring resonator modulator for wide bandwidth microwave photonic links.

PubMed

Hosseinzadeh, Arash; Middlebrook, Christopher T

2016-11-28

A highly linear dual ring resonator modulator (DRRM) design is demonstrated to provide high spur-free dynamic range (SFDR) in a wide operational bandwidth. Harmonic and intermodulation distortions are theoretically analyzed in a single ring resonator modulator (RRM) with Lorentzian-shape transfer function and a strategy is proposed to enhance modulator linearity for wide bandwidth applications by utilizing DRRM. Third order intermodulation distortion is suppressed in a frequency independent process with proper splitting ratio of optical and RF power and proper dc biasing of the ring resonators. Operational bandwidth limits of the DRRM are compared to the RRM showing the capability of the DRRM in providing higher SFDR in an unlimited operational bandwidth. DRRM bandwidth limitations are a result of the modulation index from each RRM and their resonance characteristics that limit the gain and noise figure of the microwave photonic link. The impact of the modulator on microwave photonic link figure of merits is analyzed and compared to RRM and Mach-Zehnder Interference (MZI) modulators. Considering ± 5 GHz operational bandwidth around the resonance frequency imposed by the modulation index requirement the DRRM is capable of a ~15 dB SFDR improvement (1 Hz instantaneous bandwidth) versus RRM and MZI.

Stroke Laterality Bias in the Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

PubMed

McCluskey, Gavin; Wade, Carrie; McKee, Jacqueline; McCarron, Peter; McVerry, Ferghal; McCarron, Mark O

2016-11-01

Little is known of the impact of stroke laterality on the management process and outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Consecutive patients admitted to a general hospital over 1 year with supratentorial AIS were eligible for inclusion in the study. Baseline characteristics and risk factors, delays in hospital admission, imaging, intrahospital transfer to an acute stoke unit, stroke severity and classification, length of hospital admission, as well as 10-year mortality were measured and compared among right and left hemisphere AIS patients. There were 141 patients (77 men, 64 women; median age 73 [interquartile range 63-79] years), There were 71 patients with left hemisphere AIS and 70 with right hemisphere AIS. Delays to hospital admission from stroke onset to neuroimaging were similar among right and left hemisphere AIS patients. Delay in transfer to an acute stroke unit (ASU) following hospital admission was on average 14 hours more for right hemisphere compared to left hemisphere AIS patients (P = .01). Laterality was not associated with any difference in 10-year survival. Patients with mild and nondominant AIS merit particular attention to minimize their intrahospital transfer time to an ASU. Copyright © 2016 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transition index maps for urban growth simulation: application of artificial neural networks, weight of evidence and fuzzy multi-criteria evaluation.

PubMed

Shafizadeh-Moghadam, Hossein; Tayyebi, Amin; Helbich, Marco

2017-06-01

Transition index maps (TIMs) are key products in urban growth simulation models. However, their operationalization is still conflicting. Our aim was to compare the prediction accuracy of three TIM-based spatially explicit land cover change (LCC) models in the mega city of Mumbai, India. These LCC models include two data-driven approaches, namely artificial neural networks (ANNs) and weight of evidence (WOE), and one knowledge-based approach which integrates an analytical hierarchical process with fuzzy membership functions (FAHP). Using the relative operating characteristics (ROC), the performance of these three LCC models were evaluated. The results showed 85%, 75%, and 73% accuracy for the ANN, FAHP, and WOE. The ANN was clearly superior compared to the other LCC models when simulating urban growth for the year 2010; hence, ANN was used to predict urban growth for 2020 and 2030. Projected urban growth maps were assessed using statistical measures, including figure of merit, average spatial distance deviation, producer accuracy, and overall accuracy. Based on our findings, we recomend ANNs as an and accurate method for simulating future patterns of urban growth.

Neutronics Studies of Uranium-bearing Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated Fuel for PWRs

DOE PAGES

George, Nathan M.; Maldonado, G. Ivan; Terrani, Kurt A.; ...

2014-12-01

Our study evaluated the neutronics and some of the fuel cycle characteristics of using uranium-based fully ceramic microencapsulated (FCM) fuel in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). Specific PWR lattice designs with FCM fuel have been developed that are expected to achieve higher specific burnup levels in the fuel while also increasing the tolerance to reactor accidents. The SCALE software system was the primary analysis tool used to model the lattice designs. A parametric study was performed by varying tristructural isotropic particle design features (e.g., kernel diameter, coating layer thicknesses, and packing fraction) to understand the impact on reactivity and resultingmore » operating cycle length. Moreover, to match the lifetime of an 18-month PWR cycle, the FCM particle fuel design required roughly 10% additional fissile material at beginning of life compared with that of a standard uranium dioxide (UO 2) rod. Uranium mononitride proved to be a favorable fuel for the fuel kernel due to its higher heavy metal loading density compared with UO 2. The FCM fuel designs evaluated maintain acceptable neutronics design features for fuel lifetime, lattice peaking factors, and nonproliferation figure of merit.« less

Plasmonic gold mushroom arrays with refractive index sensing figures of merit approaching the theoretical limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yang; Zhou, Jianhua; Liu, Tianran; Tao, Yuting; Jiang, Ruibin; Liu, Mingxuan; Xiao, Guohui; Zhu, Jinhao; Zhou, Zhang-Kai; Wang, Xuehua; Jin, Chongjun; Wang, Jianfang

2013-08-01

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based sensing has found wide applications in medical diagnosis, food safety regulation and environmental monitoring. Compared with commercial propagating surface plasmon resonance (PSPR)-based sensors, LSPR ones are simple, cost-effective and suitable for measuring local refractive index changes. However, the figure of merit (FOM) values of LSPR sensors are generally 1-2 orders of magnitude smaller than those of PSPR ones, preventing the widespread use of LSPR sensors. Here we describe an array of submicrometer gold mushrooms with a FOM reaching ~108, which is comparable to the theoretically predicted upper limit for standard PSPR sensors. Such a high FOM arises from the interference between Wood’s anomaly and the LSPRs. We further demonstrate the array as a biosensor for detecting cytochrome c and alpha-fetoprotein, with their detection limits down to 200 pM and 15 ng ml-1, respectively, suggesting that the array is a promising candidate for label-free biomedical sensing.

Influence of turning Treatments on Al6061 by Offline Inspection Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Annigeri, Ulhas K.; Sandeep, K. L. G.; Prasanna Chaitanya, M.; Sairam Varma, G.; Datta, B. Arun

2018-02-01

Aluminium is mostly extracted from bauxite and is frequently being utilised in the manufacture of sea, land and air vehicles. Since, it has the merit of resistance to corrosion it is frequently being used in sea vehicles. Another outstanding merit of aluminium is its weight which is very less compared to other ferrous materials. In our study, we have selected Al6061 as the material and based on full factorial design the surface roughness has been observed with three base parameters speed, feed and depth of cut. A mathematical model has been developed to predict the surface roughness and also the dominant factor affecting the turning process has been determined. The plots such as main effects, interaction and Pareto chart have been analysed to give an effective conclusion to the process followed in the study. The purpose of these experiments to compare the effect of process treatments in all possible pairs to select the best treatment to the process has been done satisfactorily.

High doping effect on the thermoelectric properties of p-type lead telluride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dmitriev, A. V.

2018-04-01

We study theoretically the effect of heavy doping on the thermoelectric properties of p-type PbTe in the acceptor doping interval of 5 × 1019 to 4 × 1020 cm-3 and in the temperature range of 300 to 900 K. In our calculations, a three-band model of the PbTe electron energy spectrum is used that takes into account not only the light electron and hole bands but also the heavy-hole band. This so-called Σ-band plays an important role in the emergence of the figure-of-merit increase in this material at heavy acceptor doping. The calculated thermoelectric characteristics appear to be sensitive to the doping level. An increase in the figure-of-merit up to ZT ≈ 1.3 at 900 K was found at the doping level of 2 × 1020 cm-3. The maximum of ZT on the temperature axis is situated close to the temperature at which the light hole and heavy hole band edges coincide and hence, a prominent density-of-states singularity appears in the valence band, and the Fermi level lies near this singularity.

The merits of measuring challenge and hindrance appraisals.

PubMed

Searle, Ben J; Auton, Jaime C

2015-01-01

The challenge-hindrance framework has shown that challenge stressors (work characteristics associated with potential personal gain) tend to have positive outcomes, whereas hindrance stressors (those which obstruct goals) have negative outcomes. However, typical research methods assume that stressors allocated to these categories are appraised consistently by different people and across different situations. We validate new measures of challenge and hindrance appraisals and demonstrate their utility in stress research. We used a cross-sectional survey of American employees (Study 1, n = 333), a diary survey of Australian employees (Study 2, n = 241), and a survey of Australian college students whose performance was evaluated independently (Study 3, n = 350). Even after accounting for the effects of stressors, challenge and hindrance appraisals consistently explained unique variance in affective states, with indications that stressors have indirect effects via appraisals. Such effects were seen within- as well as between-participants (Study 2). Appraisals also had expected associations with specific coping behaviors (Study 1), while challenge appraisal was associated with task performance (Study 3). The scales of challenge and hindrance appraisals were psychometrically sound across multiple contexts. RESULTS highlight the merit of considering appraisal in stress research.

Young children consider merit when sharing resources with others.

PubMed

Kanngiesser, Patricia; Warneken, Felix

2012-01-01

MERIT IS A KEY PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS: rewards should be distributed according to how much someone contributed to a task. Previous research suggests that children have an early ability to take merit into account in third-party situations but that merit-based sharing in first-party contexts does not emerge until school-age. Here we provide evidence that three- and five-year-old children already use merit to share resources with others, even when sharing is costly for the child. In Study 1, a child and a puppet-partner collected coins that were later exchanged for rewards. We varied the work-contribution of both partners by manipulating how many coins each partner collected. Children kept fewer stickers in trials in which they had contributed less than in trials in which they had contributed more than the partner, showing that they took merit into account. Few children, however, gave away more than half of the stickers when the partner had worked more. Study 2 confirmed that children related their own work-contribution to their partner's, rather than simply focusing on their own contribution. Taken together, these studies show that merit-based sharing is apparent in young children; however it remains constrained by a self-serving bias.

77 FR 69504 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Emergency Reinstatement of Previously Approved Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-19

... MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD Agency Information Collection Activities; Emergency Reinstatement of Previously Approved Collection AGENCY: Merit Systems Protection Board. ACTION: Notice of emergency reinstatement. SUMMARY: The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is requesting approval from the Office of...

Problems with the Small Business Administration’s Merit Appraisal and Compensation System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-21

TAD-AI07 181 GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC FEDERAL PERS-ETC F/6 5/9 PROBLEMS WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION’S MERIT APPRAIS--ETC(U...Adninistrator, Small Business Administration Dear Mr. Car D Subjec::/ Problems with the Small Business Administra- tjon’s Merit Appraisal and Compensation...System, (rLP68 8i 71). We reviewed the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) performance appraisal/merit pay program as part of our review of

Preschoolers' understanding of merit in two Asian societies.

PubMed

Chevallier, Coralie; Xu, Jing; Adachi, Kuniko; van der Henst, Jean-Baptiste; Baumard, Nicolas

2015-01-01

Recent research in moral psychology have suggested that children make judgments about distributive justice early on in development, and in particular they appear to be able to use merit when distributing the benefits of a collective action. This prediction has recently been validated in various western cultures but it is unknown whether it also applies to more collectivistic cultures, in which the group might be favoured over the individual, and need over merit. Here, we investigate merit-based distributions among 81 children belonging to two Asian societies, China and Japan (mean age = 5.0 years). In line with the idea that children's moral psychology develops early, we found that Chinese and Japanese children are able to use merit to distribute the benefits of a collective action.

Extraction of Maltol from Fraser Fir: A Comparison of Microwave-Assisted Extraction and Conventional Heating Protocols for the Organic Chemistry Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koch, Andrew S.; Chimento, Clio A.; Berg, Allison N.; Mughal, Farah D.; Spencer, Jean-Paul; Hovland, Douglas E.; Mbadugha, Bessie; Hovland, Allan K.; Eller, Leah R.

2015-01-01

Two methods for the extraction of maltol from Fraser fir needles are performed and compared in this two-week experiment. A traditional benchtop extraction using dichloromethane is compared to a microwave-assisted extraction using aqueous ethanol. Students perform both procedures and weigh the merits of each technique. In doing so, students see a…

Ballistic thermoelectric properties of nitrogenated holey graphene nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Wei; Xiao, Huaping; Ouyang, Tao; Zhong, Jianxin

2017-11-01

In this study, we theoretically investigate the ballistic thermoelectric performance of a new two-dimensional material, nitrogenated holey graphene (NHG), using nonequilibrium Green's function method. The calculations show that compared to graphene, such novel single atomic layer structure exhibits better thermoelectric performance. At room temperature, the stable hole (electron) thermoelectric figure of merit ( Z T ) could approach 0.75 (0.2) and 0.6 (0.2) for zigzag-edged (Z-NHGNRs) and armchair-edged NHGNRs (A-NHGNRs), respectively. To achieve better thermoelectric performance, the effect of geometric engineering (chevron-type nanoribbons and rhomboid quantum dot) on the electronic and phononic transport properties of Z-NHGNRs is further discussed. The results indicate that structure modulation is indeed a viable approach to enhance the thermoelectric properties (the figure of merit could exceed 1.5 and 1.3 for the chevron-type and rhomboid quantum dot system, respectively). On analyzing the transport properties, such improvement on the figure of merit is mainly attributed to the increased Seebeck coefficient and reduced thermal conductance (including both electronic and phononic contributions). Our findings presented in this paper qualify NHG as a promising thermoelectric material and provide theoretical guidance for fabricating the outstanding thermoelectric devices.

75 FR 3542 - Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-21

... unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Disclosure would also reveal research proposals and research... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit... (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit...

Remote sensing of planetary properties and biosignatures on extrasolar terrestrial planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Des Marais, David J.; Harwit, Martin O.; Jucks, Kenneth W.; Kasting, James F.; Lin, Douglas N C.; Lunine, Jonathan I.; Schneider, Jean; Seager, Sara; Traub, Wesley A.; Woolf, Neville J.

2002-01-01

The major goals of NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) and the European Space Agency's Darwin missions are to detect terrestrial-sized extrasolar planets directly and to seek spectroscopic evidence of habitable conditions and life. Here we recommend wavelength ranges and spectral features for these missions. We assess known spectroscopic molecular band features of Earth, Venus, and Mars in the context of putative extrasolar analogs. The preferred wavelength ranges are 7-25 microns in the mid-IR and 0.5 to approximately 1.1 microns in the visible to near-IR. Detection of O2 or its photolytic product O3 merits highest priority. Liquid H2O is not a bioindicator, but it is considered essential to life. Substantial CO2 indicates an atmosphere and oxidation state typical of a terrestrial planet. Abundant CH4 might require a biological source, yet abundant CH4 also can arise from a crust and upper mantle more reduced than that of Earth. The range of characteristics of extrasolar rocky planets might far exceed that of the Solar System. Planetary size and mass are very important indicators of habitability and can be estimated in the mid-IR and potentially also in the visible to near-IR. Additional spectroscopic features merit study, for example, features created by other biosignature compounds in the atmosphere or on the surface and features due to Rayleigh scattering. In summary, we find that both the mid-IR and the visible to near-IR wavelength ranges offer valuable information regarding biosignatures and planetary properties; therefore both merit serious scientific consideration for TPF and Darwin.

Remote sensing of planetary properties and biosignatures on extrasolar terrestrial planets.

PubMed

Des Marais, David J; Harwit, Martin O; Jucks, Kenneth W; Kasting, James F; Lin, Douglas N C; Lunine, Jonathan I; Schneider, Jean; Seager, Sara; Traub, Wesley A; Woolf, Neville J

2002-01-01

The major goals of NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) and the European Space Agency's Darwin missions are to detect terrestrial-sized extrasolar planets directly and to seek spectroscopic evidence of habitable conditions and life. Here we recommend wavelength ranges and spectral features for these missions. We assess known spectroscopic molecular band features of Earth, Venus, and Mars in the context of putative extrasolar analogs. The preferred wavelength ranges are 7-25 microns in the mid-IR and 0.5 to approximately 1.1 microns in the visible to near-IR. Detection of O2 or its photolytic product O3 merits highest priority. Liquid H2O is not a bioindicator, but it is considered essential to life. Substantial CO2 indicates an atmosphere and oxidation state typical of a terrestrial planet. Abundant CH4 might require a biological source, yet abundant CH4 also can arise from a crust and upper mantle more reduced than that of Earth. The range of characteristics of extrasolar rocky planets might far exceed that of the Solar System. Planetary size and mass are very important indicators of habitability and can be estimated in the mid-IR and potentially also in the visible to near-IR. Additional spectroscopic features merit study, for example, features created by other biosignature compounds in the atmosphere or on the surface and features due to Rayleigh scattering. In summary, we find that both the mid-IR and the visible to near-IR wavelength ranges offer valuable information regarding biosignatures and planetary properties; therefore both merit serious scientific consideration for TPF and Darwin.

Is there a relationship between genetic merit and enteric methane emission rate of lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows?

PubMed

Dong, L F; Yan, T; Ferris, C P; McDowell, D A; Gordon, A

2015-11-01

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of cow genetic merit on enteric methane (CH4) emission rate. The study used a data set from 32 respiration calorimeter studies undertaken at this Institute between 1992 and 2010, with all studies involving lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Cow genetic merit was defined as either profit index (PIN) or profitable lifetime index (PLI), with these two United Kingdom genetic indexes expressing the expected improvement in profit associated with an individual cow, compared with the population average. While PIN is based solely on milk production, PLI includes milk production and a number of other functional traits including health, fertility and longevity. The data set had a large range in PIN (n=736 records, -£30 to +£63) and PLI (n=548 records, -£131 to +£184), days in milk (18 to 354), energy corrected milk yield (16.0 to 45.6 kg/day) and CH(4) emission (138 to 598 g/day). The effect of cow genetic merit (PIN or PLI) was evaluated using ANOVA and linear mixed modelling techniques after removing the effects of a number of animal and diet factors. The ANOVA was undertaken by dividing each data set of PIN and PLI into three sub-groups (PIN:£15, PLI:£67) with these being categorised as low, medium and high genetic merit. Within the PIN and PLI data sets there was no significant differences among the three sub-groups in terms of CH(4) emission per kg feed intake or per kg energy corrected milk yield, or CH(4) energy (CH(4)-E) output as a proportion of energy intake. Linear regression using the whole PIN and PLI data sets also demonstrated that there was no significant relationship between either PIN or PLI, and CH(4) emission per kg of feed intake or CH(4)-E output as a proportion of energy intake. These results indicate that cow genetic merit (PIN or PLI) has little effect on enteric CH(4) emissions as a proportion of feed intake. Instead enteric CH(4) production may mainly relate to total feed intake and dietary nutrient composition.

Short communication: Genetic lag represents commercial herd genetic merit more accurately than the 4-path selection model.

PubMed

Dechow, C D; Rogers, G W

2018-05-01

Expectation of genetic merit in commercial dairy herds is routinely estimated using a 4-path genetic selection model that was derived for a closed population, but commercial herds using artificial insemination sires are not closed. The 4-path model also predicts a higher rate of genetic progress in elite herds that provide artificial insemination sires than in commercial herds that use such sires, which counters other theoretical assumptions and observations of realized genetic responses. The aim of this work is to clarify whether genetic merit in commercial herds is more accurately reflected under the assumptions of the 4-path genetic response formula or by a genetic lag formula. We demonstrate by tracing the transmission of genetic merit from parents to offspring that the rate of genetic progress in commercial dairy farms is expected to be the same as that in the genetic nucleus. The lag in genetic merit between the nucleus and commercial farms is a function of sire and dam generation interval, the rate of genetic progress in elite artificial insemination herds, and genetic merit of sires and dams. To predict how strategies such as the use of young versus daughter-proven sires, culling heifers following genomic testing, or selective use of sexed semen will alter genetic merit in commercial herds, genetic merit expectations for commercial herds should be modeled using genetic lag expectations. Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlation between calmodulin activity and gravitropic sensitivity in primary roots of maize

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stinemetz, C. L.; Kuzmanoff, K. M.; Evans, M. L.; Jarrett, H. W.

1987-01-01

Recent evidence indicates a role for calcium and calmodulin in the gravitropic response of primary roots of maize (Zea mays, L.). We examined this possibility by testing the relationship between calmodulin activity and gravitropic sensitivity in roots of the maize cultivars Merit and B73 x Missouri 17. Roots of the Merit cultivar require light to the gravitropically competent. The gravitropic response of the Missouri cultivar is independent of light. The occurrence of calmodulin in primary roots of these maize cultivars was tested by affinity gel chromatography followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with bovine brain calmodulin as standard. The distribution of calmodulin activity was measured using both the phosphodiesterase and NAD kinase assays for calmodulin. These assays were performed on whole tissue segments, crude extracts, and purified extracts. In light-grown seedlings of the Merit cultivar or in either dark- or light-grown seedlings of the Missouri cultivar, calmodulin activity per millimeter of root tissue was about 4-fold higher in the apical millimeter than in the subtending 3 millimeters. Calmodulin activity was very low in the apical millimeter of roots of dark-grown (gravitropically nonresponsive) seedlings of the Merit cultivar. Upon illumination, the calmodulin activity in the apical millimeter increased to a level comparable to that of light-grown seedlings and the roots became gravitropically competent. The time course of the development of gravitropic sensitivity following illumination paralleled the time course of the increase in calmodulin activity in the apical millimeter of the root. The results are consistent with the suggestion that calmodulin plays an important role in the gravitropic response of roots.

Differential gene expression in the endometrium reveals cytoskeletal and immunological genes in lactating dairy cows genetically divergent for fertility traits.

PubMed

Moran, Bruce; Butler, Stephen T; Moore, Stephen G; MacHugh, David E; Creevey, Christopher J

2017-02-01

Profitable milk production in dairy cows requires good reproductive performance. Calving interval is a trait used to measure reproductive efficiency. Herein we used a novel lactating Holstein cow model of fertility that displayed genetic and phenotypic divergence in calving interval, a trait used to define reproductive performance using a national breeding index in Ireland. Cows had similar genetic merit for milk production traits, but either very good genetic merit for fertility (Fert+; n=7) or very poor genetic merit for fertility (Fert-; n=6). We tested the hypothesis that Fert+ cows would have a corresponding detectable difference in endometrial gene expression compared with the Fert- cows. To do this, we sequenced the transcriptome of endometrial biopsies collected on Day 7 of the oestrous cycle (non-pregnant). This is an important stage for uterine remodelling and initiation of histotroph secretion. Significant differential expression (false discovery rate-adjusted P<0.1) of 403 genes between Fert+ and Fert- cows was found. A novel network-based functional analysis highlighted 123 genes from three physiologically relevant networks of the endometrium: (1) actin and cytoskeletal components; (2) immune function; and (3) ion transportation. In particular, our results indicate an overall downregulation of inflammation-related genes and an upregulation of multiple ion transporters and gated-voltage channels and cytoskeletal genes in Fert+ cows. These three topics, which are discussed in terms of the uterus and in the context of fertility, provide molecular evidence for an association between gene expression in the uterine environment and genetic merit for fertility in dairy cows.

Intellectual Property Law and the Protection of Computer Programs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lomio, J. Paul

1990-01-01

Briefly reviews the laws pertaining to copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, and discusses how each of these may be applied to the protection of computer programs. The comparative merits and limitations of each category of law are discussed and recent court decisions are summarized. (CLB)

Measuring Instructional Merit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robison, Sharon S.; And Others

1993-01-01

Before implementing an instructional program in the Rowland (California) school district, planners must define success in terms of measurable student performance, calculates resources expended in relation to the expected benefits, and determine how long it will take the program to achieve the desired results. Baseline data are then compared to new…

Reflections on the Gall-Peters Projection.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robinson, Arthur H.

1987-01-01

Explains the cartographic qualities of rectangular world maps and compares the merits of various projections such as the Mercator and the recently-created Gall-Peters. States that the Gall-Peters projection does not provide a reasonable base for a general world map; that no rectangular projection does. (JDH)

Knowledge Workers' Perceptions of Performance Ratings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Alan D.; Rupp, William T.

2004-01-01

One major purpose of performance appraisals is to determine individual merit, especially where pay for performance systems are employed. Based upon expectancy theory, high performance ratings should entail high merit increases while low performance ratings result in low merit increases. However, it appears that decoupling performance ratings and…

5 CFR 335.106 - Special selection procedures for certain veterans under merit promotion.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... veterans under merit promotion. 335.106 Section 335.106 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS PROMOTION AND INTERNAL PLACEMENT General Provisions § 335.106 Special selection procedures for certain veterans under merit promotion. Preference eligibles or veterans who have...

78 FR 12422 - Health Services Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board, Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-22

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Health Services Research and Development Service Scientific Merit... nursing research. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit, mission relevance, and the... recommendations will include qualifications of the personnel conducting the studies as well as research...

78 FR 18680 - Rehabilitation Research and Development Scientific Merit Review Board, Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-27

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Rehabilitation Research and Development Scientific Merit Review... Service, and the Chief Research and Development Officer on the scientific and technical merit, the mission... Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, that a meeting of the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service...

75 FR 72872 - Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-26

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit...-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that a meeting of the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will be held on December 13-14, 2010, at the Hilton Alexandria Old...

Merit Pay: A Plan That Works.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKay, John R.

An overview is provided of Sumter Area Technical College's (SATC's) successful faculty evaluation and merit pay plan. Following introductory material on SATC, a discussion is presented of the reasoning behind resistance to efforts to tie faculty evaluation to merit pay. Next, SATC's evaluation system is set in the context of the college's overall…

42 CFR 21.46 - Merit roll.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... candidates for appointment as officers shall assign a numerical rating to each candidate for appointment in... expired merit roll. If two candidates who were examined at the same time receive the same numerical rating... candidate whose name is being transferred from an expired to a new merit roll has the same numerical rating...

42 CFR 21.46 - Merit roll.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... candidates for appointment as officers shall assign a numerical rating to each candidate for appointment in... expired merit roll. If two candidates who were examined at the same time receive the same numerical rating... candidate whose name is being transferred from an expired to a new merit roll has the same numerical rating...

42 CFR 21.46 - Merit roll.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... candidates for appointment as officers shall assign a numerical rating to each candidate for appointment in... expired merit roll. If two candidates who were examined at the same time receive the same numerical rating... candidate whose name is being transferred from an expired to a new merit roll has the same numerical rating...

42 CFR 21.46 - Merit roll.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... candidates for appointment as officers shall assign a numerical rating to each candidate for appointment in... expired merit roll. If two candidates who were examined at the same time receive the same numerical rating... candidate whose name is being transferred from an expired to a new merit roll has the same numerical rating...

42 CFR 21.46 - Merit roll.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... candidates for appointment as officers shall assign a numerical rating to each candidate for appointment in... expired merit roll. If two candidates who were examined at the same time receive the same numerical rating... candidate whose name is being transferred from an expired to a new merit roll has the same numerical rating...

Net merit as a measure of lifetime profit: 2018 revision

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The lifetime net merit (NM$) index ranks dairy animals based on their combined genetic merit for economically important traits. Indexes are updated periodically to include new traits and to reflect prices expected in the next few years. The August 2018 update of NM$ includes genetic evaluations for ...

75 FR 40036 - Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-13

.... Disclosure would also reveal research proposals and research underway which could lead to the loss of these... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit... (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit...

Value-Added Merit Pay.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Twomey, Daniel F.

The purpose of merit pay is to reward employees for their accomplishments and motivate them to continue improving. Critics of merit pay say the increased extrinsic motivation that it prompts is more than offset by the decrease in intrinsic motivation. Supporters of performance-based pay claim several benefits of the practice. This study addressed…

An Accounting Program Merit Pay Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindsay, David H.; Campbell, Annhenrie; Tan, Kim B.; Wagner, Andrew

2010-01-01

Basing the compensation of accounting professors on merit pay in order to encourage better teaching, research and service is controversial. Before the effectiveness of merit-based salary plans can be examined empirically, it must be determined which accounting programs use such a system. In this study, the 852 accounting programs in the United…

Preschoolers’ Understanding of Merit in Two Asian Societies

PubMed Central

Chevallier, Coralie; Xu, Jing; Adachi, Kuniko; van der Henst, Jean-Baptiste; Baumard, Nicolas

2015-01-01

Recent research in moral psychology have suggested that children make judgments about distributive justice early on in development, and in particular they appear to be able to use merit when distributing the benefits of a collective action. This prediction has recently been validated in various western cultures but it is unknown whether it also applies to more collectivistic cultures, in which the group might be favoured over the individual, and need over merit. Here, we investigate merit-based distributions among 81 children belonging to two Asian societies, China and Japan (mean age = 5.0 years). In line with the idea that children’s moral psychology develops early, we found that Chinese and Japanese children are able to use merit to distribute the benefits of a collective action. PMID:25970346

Allegation of ethnic minorities from 1993-2008: an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) study.

PubMed

Arango-Lasprilla, Juan Carlos; Ketchum, Jessica M; Hurley, Jessica; Getachew, Almaz M; Gary, Kelli Williams

2014-01-01

Approximately 25% of working-aged Americans with disabilities work full or part time, yet still face discrimination despite the passing of the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) over 20 years ago. To determine if the proportion of allegations of ADA Title I workplace discrimination with merit closed at any year between 1993 and 2008 differs among Whites, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians; to determine if there was a change over time from 1993 to 2008 in merit closure rate within each race/ethnicity group; and to determine whether changes over time between 1993 and 2008 in the merit closure rate differ among the race/ethnicity groups. Logistic regression was used for this cross-sectional panel study to model the merit closure rate for each ethnic group from 1993 to 2008 using 318,587 charging parties from the EEOC database. All ethnic groups exhibited significant changes over time in the merit closure rate. There were significant differences in the closure rates among the race/ethnicity groups specifically at closure years 1995-2000, 2002, 2003, and 2006. Finally, there was evidence that the trends in merit closure rates over time differed significantly among the race/ethnicity groups. There was significant evidence that the proportion of claims closed with merit was significantly different among the racial/ethnicity groups.

Antenna Efficiency and the Genius of the IEEE Standard for Antenna Terms [Education Column

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warnick, Karl F.

2012-08-01

At a 2007 Square Kilometre Array Design Studies (SKADS) workshop in Dwingeloo, Wim van Cappellen of the Nether lands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) gave a presentation on figures of merit, in which he memorably compared antenna terms to apples. What seems like a simple, homogeneous fruit comes in all colors and varieties. Similarly, a survey of antenna literature and textbooks shows that authors use a wide variety of antenna figures of merit, often not in compliance with the relevant IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas [1]. Since this standard is now in the process of revision by the Antennas and Propagation Society Antenna Standards Committee, it seems worth while to consider the standard, and clarify some common misunderstandings and inconsistent usages.

Application of artificial neural networks in hydrological modeling: A case study of runoff simulation of a Himalayan glacier basin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buch, A. M.; Narain, A.; Pandey, P. C.

1994-01-01

The simulation of runoff from a Himalayan Glacier basin using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is presented. The performance of the ANN model is found to be superior to the Energy Balance Model and the Multiple Regression model. The RMS Error is used as the figure of merit for judging the performance of the three models, and the RMS Error for the ANN model is the latest of the three models. The ANN is faster in learning and exhibits excellent system generalization characteristics.

Technology and benefits of aircraft counter rotation propellers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strack, W. C.; Knip, G.; Weisbrich, A. L.; Godston, J.; Bradley, E.

1981-01-01

Results are reported of a NASA sponsored analytical investigation into the merits of advanced counter rotation propellers for Mach 0.80 commercial transport application. Propeller and gearbox performance, acoustics, vibration characteristics, weight, cost and maintenance requirements for a variety of design parameters and special features were considered. Fuel savings in the neighborhood of 8 percent relative to single rotation configurations are feasible through swirl recovery and lighter gearboxes. This is the net gain which includes a 5 percent acoustic treatment weight penalty to offset the broader frequency spectrum noise produced by counter rotation blading.

Pyroelectric Ceramics for Infrared Detection Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guggilla, Padmaja; Batra, A. K.; Currie, J. R.; Aggarwal, M. D.; Penn, B.; Lal, R. B.

2004-01-01

Pyroelectric and dielectric properties of modified PZT and PZ have been studied for their use in infrared detectors. Various material figure-of-merits for their use in infrared detector are calculated including when the pyroelectric element is placed on heat-sink condition. The results are compared with exiting candidate materials.

Swimming Pools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ministry of Housing and Local Government, London (England).

Technical and engineering data are set forth on the design and construction of swimming pools. Consideration is given to site selection, pool construction, the comparative merits of combining open air and enclosed pools, and alternative uses of the pool. Guidelines are presented regarding--(1) pool size and use, (2) locker and changing rooms, (3)…

Implementing "Education for All": Moving from Goals to Action.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coulson, Andrew J.

This paper reviews a cross-section of research on implementing Education for All, a goal and timeline established by the United Nations for educating all children. It examines how education policies in developing countries affect educational conditions and outcomes, comparing the merits of alternative education policies using five criteria:…

Science Education in the Boy Scouts of America

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hintz, Rachel Sterneman

2009-01-01

This study of science education in the Boy Scouts of America focused on males with Boy Scout experience. The mixed-methods study topics included: merit badge standards compared with National Science Education Standards, Scout responses to open-ended survey questions, the learning styles of Scouts, a quantitative assessment of science content…

Employee Reactions to Merit Pay: Cognitive Approach and Social Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Yingchun

2010-01-01

The dissertation aims to tackle one of the most pressing questions facing the merit pay system researchers and practitioners: Why do merit pay raises have such a small effect on employees' satisfaction, commitment and job performance? My approach to the study of this question is to develop explanatory frameworks from two perspectives: cognitive…

Development of a lifetime merit-based selection index for US dairy grazing systems

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Pasture-based dairy producers in the US face costs, revenues and management challenges that differ from those associated with conventional dairy production systems. Three Grazing Merit indexes (GM$1, GM$2, and GM$3), parallel to the US Lifetime Net Merit (NM$) index, were constructed using economic ...

Merit Aid to College Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baum, Sandra R.; Schwartz, Saul

1988-01-01

Merit scholarships, an attempt to maintain the number and quality of students in the face of declining enrollments, are a bad idea for society and for individual institutions. Merit aid will assist students who would have attended college anyway and hurt needy students who might not be able to attend. Includes two tables, eight notes, and 11…

76 FR 6197 - Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-03

... Patient Response to Care; HSR 3-Informatics and Research Methods Development; HSR 4-Mental and Behavioral... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board... Advisory Committee Act) that a meeting of the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review...

76 FR 76772 - Submission for Review: Standard Form 1153: Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-08

... and request for comments. SUMMARY: Merit System Audit and Compliance, Office of Personnel Management... Management, Merit System Audit and Compliance, Room 6484, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415, or sent... instructions if more room is needed to list designated beneficiaries. Analysis Agency: Merit System Audit and...

76 FR 54809 - Submission for Review: Standard Form 1153: Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-02

... and request for comments. SUMMARY: Merit System Audit and Compliance, Office of Personnel Management..., U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Merit System Audit and Compliance, Room 6484, 1900 E Street, NW... Classification and Pay Claims Program Manager, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Merit System Audit and...

3 CFR 13518 - Executive Order 13518 of November 9, 2009. Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... opportunities for veterans within the executive branch, consistent with merit system principles and veterans... in section 4 of this order, merit system principles, the agency's strategic human capital plan, and... employment opportunities for veterans within the agency, consistent with law and merit system principles...

An Optimization Model for the Allocation of University Based Merit Aid

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sugrue, Paul K.

2010-01-01

The allocation of merit-based financial aid during the college admissions process presents postsecondary institutions with complex and financially expensive decisions. This article describes the application of linear programming as a decision tool in merit based financial aid decisions at a medium size private university. The objective defined for…

The New Merit Aid

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dynarski, Susan

2004-01-01

Merit aid, a discount to college costs contingent upon academic performance, is nothing new. Colleges and private organizations have long rewarded high-achieving, college-bound high school students with scholarships. While merit aid has a long history in the private sector, it has not played a major role in the public sector. At the state level,…

Marketing Merit Aid: The Response of Flagship Campuses to State Merit Aid Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ness, Erik C.; Lips, Adam J. A.

2011-01-01

This study examines the differences in the portfolio of institutional scholarships and the marketing of these awards between flagship campuses with and without state merit aid programs. Using content analysis techniques to analyze institutional websites of the 16 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) flagship campuses, three thematic responses…

Examining the Impact of State Level Merit-Aid Policies on Advanced Placement Participation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kramer, Dennis A., II

2016-01-01

This study examines the impact of merit-aid programs on secondary course taking patterns. Specifically, this study uses difference-in-differences to analyze state-level Advanced Placement (AP) participation and examination data pre and post merit-aid adoption. Results indicate increases in AP participation and number of total examinations after…

Rewarding Teachers: Issues and Incentives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newcombe, Ellen

This paper discusses some of the issues behind the current debate on merit pay for teachers. A brief history is presented of performance-based compensation systems. The difficulties in arriving at a consensus on a valid definition of merit pay are pointed out, and examples are presented of various merit plans, such as master teaching plans, career…

Merit Pay and Music Education: A Motivation Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vagi, Robert

2014-01-01

Recently, state and federal legislators have emphasized teacher quality in their efforts to improve public education. Many reformers believe that merit pay may prove invaluable in attracting highly qualified educators to the workforce and retaining them, as well as in improving students' test scores. While merit pay's ability to recruit and retain…

Merit: Who, What, and Why.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aupperle, Eric M.

1998-01-01

Looks back at the innovations/tribulations that went into the making of Merit Network, Inc., Michigan's pioneering Internet provider. Today, Merit is serving as the GigaPoP organization for its two current Internet2 members, Michigan State University and University of Michigan, and will provision a vBNS connection for Wayne State University.…

Native Amazonian Children Forego Egalitarianism in Merit-Based Tasks When They Learn to Count

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jara-Ettinger, Julian; Gibson, Edward; Kidd, Celeste; Piantadosi, Steve

2016-01-01

Cooperation often results in a final material resource that must be shared, but deciding how to distribute that resource is not straightforward. A distribution could count as fair if all members receive an equal reward ("egalitarian distributions"), or if each member's reward is proportional to their merit ("merit-based…

Self-consistent vertical transport calculations in AlxGa1-xN/GaN based resonant tunneling diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rached, A.; Bhouri, A.; Sakr, S.; Lazzari, J.-L.; Belmabrouk, H.

2016-03-01

The formation of two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) at AlxGa1-xN/GaN hexagonal double-barriers (DB) resonant tunneling diodes (RTD) is investigated by numerical self-consistent (SC) solutions of the coupled Schrödinger and Poisson equations. Spontaneous and piezoelectric effects across the material interfaces are rigorously taken into account. Conduction band profiles, band edges and corresponding envelope functions are calculated in the AlxGa1-xN/GaN structures and likened to those where no polarization effects are included. The combined effect of the polarization-induced bound charge and conduction band offsets between the hexagonal AlGaN and GaN results in the formation of 2DEGs on one side of the DB and a depletion region on the other side. Using the transfer matrix formalism, the vertical transport (J-V characteristics) in AlGaN/GaN RTDs is calculated with a fully SC calculation in the ballistic regime. Compared to standard calculations where the voltage drop along the structure is supposed to be linear, the SC method leads to strong quantitative changes in the J-V characteristics showing that the applied electric field varies significantly in the active region of the structure. The influences of the aluminum composition and the GaN(AlGaN) thickness layers on the evolution of the current characteristics are also self-consistently investigated and discussed. We show that the electrical characteristics are very sensitive to the potential barrier due to the interplay between the potential symmetry and the barrier height and width. More interestingly, we demonstrate that the figures of merit namely the peak-to-valley ratio (PVR) of GaN/AlGaN RTDs can be optimized by increasing the quantum well width.

Merit Pay: Good for Teachers?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Drevitch, Gary

2006-01-01

When asked to share her thoughts about merit-pay for teachers, one second-grade teacher said that it is a touchy subject. Other teachers, however, have a different take on the increasingly talked-about alternative pay systems. Whatever their viewpoint, merit-pay is an issue to watch. More and more districts are considering it and it could mean new…

"Education Will Get You to the Station": Marginalized Students' Experiences and Perceptions of Merit in Accessing University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

James, Carl E.; Taylor, Leanne

2008-01-01

This article explores how four minority students in a university access program reconciled their presence on merit. They shared their experiences over two years through their application statements, life history interviews, weekly group sessions, and personal journal entries. Consistent with the discourse of merit, participants believed that by…

The Politics of Determining Merit Aid Eligibility Criteria: An Analysis of the Policy Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ness, Erik C.

2010-01-01

Despite the scholarly attention on the effects of merit aid on college access and choice, particularly on the significant effect that states' varied eligibility criteria play, no studies have examined the policy process through which merit aid criteria are determined. This is surprising given the recent attention to state-level policy dynamics and…

Making Sense of the Educational Present: Problematising the "Merit Turn" in the Italian Eduscape

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grimaldi, Emiliano; Barzano, Giovanna

2014-01-01

This article problematises the recent "merit turn" in the Italian education system. It addresses the analysis of how the global idea of "merit as lever for modernisation" and its related technologies have flowed into a regional education space through a set of four policy trajectories. It explores how these have partially…

49 CFR 1103.19 - Advising upon the merits of a client's cause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Advising upon the merits of a client's cause. 1103... Practitioner's Duties and Responsibilities Toward A Client § 1103.19 Advising upon the merits of a client's cause. A practitioner shall try to obtain full knowledge of his client's cause before advising thereon...

The Perceived Association of Merit Pay and Teacher Qualities in Two Middle Schools in a Southeastern State

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balls, John Daniel

2013-01-01

This dissertation determined the perceived association of merit pay and teacher qualities in the sample schools. The research focused on the association of merit pay and levels of teacher qualities and if a relationship exists between teacher performance-based compensation and teacher qualities/performance. The indications and suggestions of this…

75 FR 39734 - Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-12

... from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On September 2, the subcommittee on Health Services Research 7 for Pilot Proposal... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board... Advisory Committee Act) that a meeting of the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review...

Figures of Merit for Lunar Simulants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slane, Frederick A.; Rickman, Douglas L.

2012-01-01

At an earlier SRR the concept for an international standard on Lunar regolith simulants was presented. The international standard, ISO 10788, Lunar Simulants, has recently been published. This paper presents the final content of the standard. Therefore, we are presenting an update of the following: The collection and analysis of lunar samples from 1969 to present has yielded large amounts of data. Published analyses give some idea of the complex nature of the regolith at all scales, rocks, soils and the smaller particulates commonly referred to as dust. Data recently acquired in support of NASA s simulant effort has markedly increased our knowledge and quantitatively demonstrates that complexity. It is anticipated that future analyses will further add to the known complexity. In an effort to communicate among the diverse technical communities performing research on or research using regolith samples and simulants, a set of Figures of Merit (FoM) have been devised. The objective is to allow consistent and concise comparative communication between researchers from multiple organizations and nations engaged in lunar exploration. This paper describes Figures of Merit in a new international standard for Lunar Simulants. The FoM methodology uses scientific understanding of the lunar samples to formulate parameters which are reproducibly quantifiable. Contaminants and impurities in the samples are also addressed.

Drivers of workplace discrimination against people with disabilities: the utility of Attribution Theory.

PubMed

Chan, Fong; McMahon, Brian T; Cheing, Gladys; Rosenthal, David A; Bezyak, Jill

2005-01-01

The purpose of this paper was to determine what drives workplace discrimination against people with disabilities. These findings are then compared to available literature on attribution theory, which concerns itself with public perceptions of the controllability and stability of various impairments. The sample included 35,763 allegations of discriminations filed by people with disabilities under the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Group A included impairments deemed by Corrigan et al. [1988] to be uncontrollable but stable: visual impairment (representing 13% of the total allegations in this study), cancer (12%), cardiovascular disease (19%), and spinal cord injuries (5%). The controllable but unstable impairments in group B included depression (38%), schizophrenia (2%), alcohol and other drug abuse (4%), and HIV/AIDS (7%). The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had resolved all allegations in terms of merit Resolutions (a positive finding of discrimination) and Resolutions without merit. Allegations of workplace discrimination were found to center mainly on hiring, discharge, harassment, and reasonable accommodation issues. Perceived workplace discrimination (as measured by allegations filed with EEOC) does occur at higher levels in Group B, especially when serious issues involving discharge and disability harassment are involved. With the glaring exception of HIV/AIDS, however, actual discrimination (as measured by EEOC merit Resolutions) occurs at higher levels for Group A.

A comparative study of electric power distribution systems for spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stuart, Thomas A.; King, Roger J.

1990-01-01

The electric power distribution systems for spacecraft are compared concentrating on two interrelated issues: the choice between dc and high frequency ac, and the converter/inverter topology to be used at the power source. The relative merits of dc and ac distribution are discussed. Specific converter and inverter topologies are identified and analyzed in detail for the purpose of detailed comparison. Finally, specific topologies are recommended for use in dc and ac systems.

Objective Assessment and Design Improvement of a Staring, Sparse Transducer Array by the Spatial Crosstalk Matrix for 3D Photoacoustic Tomography

PubMed Central

Kosik, Ivan; Raess, Avery

2015-01-01

Accurate reconstruction of 3D photoacoustic (PA) images requires detection of photoacoustic signals from many angles. Several groups have adopted staring ultrasound arrays, but assessment of array performance has been limited. We previously reported on a method to calibrate a 3D PA tomography (PAT) staring array system and analyze system performance using singular value decomposition (SVD). The developed SVD metric, however, was impractical for large system matrices, which are typical of 3D PAT problems. The present study consisted of two main objectives. The first objective aimed to introduce the crosstalk matrix concept to the field of PAT for system design. Figures-of-merit utilized in this study were root mean square error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, mean absolute error, and a three dimensional structural similarity index, which were derived between the normalized spatial crosstalk matrix and the identity matrix. The applicability of this approach for 3D PAT was validated by observing the response of the figures-of-merit in relation to well-understood PAT sampling characteristics (i.e. spatial and temporal sampling rate). The second objective aimed to utilize the figures-of-merit to characterize and improve the performance of a near-spherical staring array design. Transducer arrangement, array radius, and array angular coverage were the design parameters examined. We observed that the performance of a 129-element staring transducer array for 3D PAT could be improved by selection of optimal values of the design parameters. The results suggested that this formulation could be used to objectively characterize 3D PAT system performance and would enable the development of efficient strategies for system design optimization. PMID:25875177

Modeling and evaluating the performance of Brillouin distributed optical fiber sensors.

PubMed

Soto, Marcelo A; Thévenaz, Luc

2013-12-16

A thorough analysis of the key factors impacting on the performance of Brillouin distributed optical fiber sensors is presented. An analytical expression is derived to estimate the error on the determination of the Brillouin peak gain frequency, based for the first time on real experimental conditions. This expression is experimentally validated, and describes how this frequency uncertainty depends on measurement parameters, such as Brillouin gain linewidth, frequency scanning step and signal-to-noise ratio. Based on the model leading to this expression and considering the limitations imposed by nonlinear effects and pump depletion, a figure-of-merit is proposed to fairly compare the performance of Brillouin distributed sensing systems. This figure-of-merit offers to the research community and to potential users the possibility to evaluate with an objective metric the real performance gain resulting from any proposed configuration.

Investigation of the Behavioral Characteristics of Dogs Purpose-Bred and Prepared to Perform Vapor Wake® Detection of Person-Borne Explosives.

PubMed

Lazarowski, Lucia; Haney, Pamela Sue; Brock, Jeanne; Fischer, Terry; Rogers, Bart; Angle, Craig; Katz, Jeffrey S; Waggoner, L Paul

2018-01-01

Specialized detector dogs are increasingly being utilized for the detection of modern threats. The Vapor Wake ® (VW) dog was developed to create a dog phenotype ideally suited for detecting hand-carried and body-worn explosives. VW dogs (VWDs) are trained to sample and alert to target odors in the aerodynamic wakes of moving persons, which entrains vapor and small particles from the person. The behavioral characteristics necessary for dogs to be successfully trained and employed for the application of VW are a distinct subset of the desired general characteristics of dogs used for detection tasks due to the dynamic nature of moving targets. The purpose of this study was to examine the behavioral characteristics of candidate detector dogs to determine the particular qualities that set apart VW-capable dogs from others. We assessed 146 candidate detector dogs from a VW breeding and training program. Dogs received identical puppy development and foundational odor training and underwent performance evaluations at 3, 6, 10, and 12 months old, after which they were sold for service. Dogs were categorized based on their final outcome of the training program, independently determined by private vendors, corresponding to three groups: dogs successfully sold for VW, dogs sold for standard explosives detection, and dogs that failed to be placed in any type of detector dog service (Washouts). Comparisons of behavioral evaluations between the groups were made across domains pertaining to search-related behaviors (Performance), reactions to novel stimuli (Environmental), and overall ease of learning new tasks (Trainability). Comparisons were also made at each evaluation to determine any early emergence of differences. VWDs scored significantly higher on Performance characteristics compared to standard explosives detection dogs (EDDs) and Washouts. However, Environmental characteristics did not differentiate VWDs from EDDs, though scores on these measures were significantly lower in the Washouts. Furthermore, differences between groups emerged as early as 3 and 6 months for select measures. We describe the behavioral characteristics targeted for selection in developing the VW phenotype and discuss the relative merit and degree of expression of those characteristics in the success of dogs bred and trained for the VW application.

Different but Equal? How Nonmajors and Majors Approach and Learn Genetics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knight, Jennifer K.; Smith, Michelle K.

2010-01-01

Introductory biology courses are frequently offered separately to biology majors and nonbiology majors, with the assumption that the two groups of students are different enough to merit different courses. To assess the evidence behind this assumption, we compared students in two different genetics classes at the University of Colorado-Boulder, one…

Content Based Image Retrieval and Information Theory: A General Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zachary, John; Iyengar, S. S.; Barhen, Jacob

2001-01-01

Proposes an alternative real valued representation of color based on the information theoretic concept of entropy. A theoretical presentation of image entropy is accompanied by a practical description of the merits and limitations of image entropy compared to color histograms. Results suggest that image entropy is a promising approach to image…

Improved Decision Making for School Organization. What and What for

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Myers, Donald A.; Sinclair, Robert

1973-01-01

A framework of 13 decision criteria to give educators help in comparing the relative merits of different forms of school organization. The methods of school organization judged to be in widespread use and defined in the article are (1) the self-contained classroom, team teaching, departmentalization, modular scheduling, differentiated staffing,…

INVESTIGATION OF AMMONIA EQUIPMENT CONFIGURATIONS FOR SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION APPLICATIONS. Project Summary (EPA/600/SR-95/028)

EPA Science Inventory

The report gives results of a study that provided information regarding the merits of using ammonia with a secondary brine loop for supermarket refrigeration systems. The ammonia systems were compared with an equivalent R-22 system. The models used in the study are provided with...

A COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF BOISE, IDAHO, AMBIENT AIR FINE PARTICLE SAMPLES USING THE PLATE AND MICROSUSPENSION SALMONELLA MUTAGENICITY ASSAYS

EPA Science Inventory

The primary objective of this study is to characterize the genotoxic potential of the ambient air aerosols collected within an air shed impacted primarily by wood smoke and automotive emissions. The study also examines the relative merits of a microsuspension assay and the standa...

Multitrait modeling of first vs. later parities for US yield, somatic cell score, and fertility traits

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Genetic merits in first vs. later parity with correlations <1 were compared to official repeatability models using 88 million lactation records of 34 million cows for yield traits and fewer records for somatic cell score (SCS) and 2 cow fertility traits. Estimated genetic correlations of first with ...

Nurturing Democracy: The Contribution of Distributed Leadership to a Democratic Organizational Landscape

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woods, Philip A.; Gronn, Peter

2009-01-01

This article reviews the comparative merits of distributed leadership and democratic leadership as understandings of, and preferred alternatives to, the leadership of and in organizations. It is particularly concerned that, while distributed leadership may provide a welcome and worthwhile respite from and alternative to the kind of heroic…

Psychological Adjustment in a College-Level Program of Marked Academic Acceleration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robinson, Nancy M.; Janos, Paul M.

1986-01-01

The questionnaire responses of 24 markedly accelerated young students at the University of Washington were compared with those of 24 regular-aged university students, 23 National Merit Scholors, and 27 students who had qualified for acceleration but instead elected to participate in high school. Accelerants appeared as well adjusted as all…

Restoration ecology: A new forest management paradigm, or another merit badge for foresters?

Treesearch

Michael R. Wagner; William M. Block; Brian W. Geils; Karl F Wenger

2000-01-01

Focusing on the Southwest but raising questions that are more broadly applicable, we compare ecological restoration with conventional management regimes -- multiple-use management, ecosystem management, and managing for specific resourse objectives. That restoration assumes a holistic prespective and active intervention does not distinguish it from other approaches to...

A preliminary human factors planning and design outline of parameters related to space station windows and CCTV monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haines, R. F.

1985-01-01

The question of the merits of placing windows on proposed future space stations is addressed. The use of windows for human visual capabilities is compared to using closed circuit television. Placement and field of view, as well as the number of windows is discussed.

Does Merit-Based Aid Improve College Affordability? Testing the Bennett Hypothesis in the Era of Merit-Based Aid

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Jungmin

2016-01-01

This study tested the Bennett hypothesis by examining whether four-year colleges changed listed tuition and fees, the amount of institutional grants per student, and room and board charges after their states implemented statewide merit-based aid programs. According to the Bennett hypothesis, increases in government financial aid make it easier for…

Teacher Merit Pay. The Progress of Education Reform. Volume 11, Number 3

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Education Commission of the States (NJ1), 2010

2010-01-01

Merit pay programs for educators -- sometimes referred to a "pay for performance" -- attempt to tie a teacher's compensation to his/her performance in the classroom. While the idea of merit pay for classroom teachers has been around for several decades, only now is it starting to be implemented in a growing number of districts around the…

How Money Helps Keep Students in College: The Relationship between Family Finances, Merit-Based Aid, and Retention in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olbrecht, Alexandre M.; Romano, Christopher; Teigen, Jeremy

2016-01-01

In this paper, we leverage detailed, individual-level student data to understand the relationships between family finances, merit-based aid, and first-year student retention. With three cohorts of student data that comprise family financial status, institutional merit scholarships, and many of the other known correlates of student retention, we…

Public Entrepreneurs and the Adoption of Broad-Based Merit Aid beyond the Southeastern United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ingle, William Kyle; Petroff, Ruth Ann

2013-01-01

The concentration of broad-based merit aid adoption in the southeastern United States has been well noted in the literature. However, there are states that have adopted broad-based merit aid programs outside of the Southeast. Guided by multiple theoretical frameworks, including innovation diffusion theory (e.g., Gray, 1973, 1994; Rogers, 2003),…

Aero-space plane figures of merit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunt, James L.; Martin, John G.

1992-01-01

The design environment of the aerospace plane is variable rich, intricately networked and sensitivity intensive. To achieve a viable design necessitates addressing three principal elements: knowledge of the 'figures of merit' and their relationships, the synthesis procedure, and the synergistic integration of advanced technologies across the discipline spectrum. This paper focuses on the 'figures of merit' that create the design of an aerospace plane.

A New Merit Function for Evaluating the Flaw Tolerance of Composite Laminates. Pt. 2; Arbitrary Size Holes and Center Cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.; Sumpter, Rod

1999-01-01

In a previous paper, a new merit function for determining the strength performance of flawed composite laminates was presented. This previous analysis was restricted to circular hole flaws that were large enough that failure could be predicted using the laminate stress concentration factor. In this paper, the merit function is expanded to include the flaw cases of an arbitrary size circular hole or a center crack. Failure prediction for these cases is determined using the point stress criterion. An example application of the merit function is included for a wide range of graphite/epoxy laminates.

A New Merit Function for Evaluating the Flaw Tolerance of Composite Laminates. Part 2; Arbitrary Size Holes and Center Cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Mikulas M., Jr.; Sumpter, Rod

2000-01-01

In a previous paper, a new merit function for determining the strength performance of flawed composite laminates was presented. This previous analysis was restricted to circular hole flaws that were large enough that failure could be predicted using the laminate stress concentration factor. In this paper, the merit function is expanded to include the flaw cases of an arbitrary size circular hole or center crack. Failure prediction for these cases is determined using the point stress criterion. An example application of the merit function is included for a wide range of graphite/epoxy laminates.

A New Merit Function for Evaluating the Flaw Tolerance of Composite Laminates. Part 2; Arbitrary Size Holes and Center Cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.; Sumpter, Rod

1997-01-01

In a previous paper, a new merit function for determining the strength performance of flawed composite laminates was presented. This previous analysis was restricted to circular hole flaws that were large enough that failure could be predicted using the laminate stress concentration factor. In this paper, the merit function is expanded to include the flaw cases of an arbitrary size circular hole or a center crack. Failure prediction for these cases is determined using the point stress criterion. An example application of the merit function is included for a wide range of graphite/epoxy laminates.

It's only a dream if you wake up: Young adults' achievement expectations, opportunities, and meritocratic beliefs.

PubMed

Shane, Jacob; Heckhausen, Jutta

2017-02-01

The present paper examines university graduates' beliefs about how meritocratic socioeconomic status (SES) attainment in U.S. society is for themselves (merit agency beliefs) and for most other people (merit societal beliefs), and how these distinct beliefs are differentially associated with labour market experiences and achievement-goal attitudes and expectations in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Data from a 10-month longitudinal study of 217 graduates from the 2013 class of a large public U.S. university were analysed using multilevel modelling. The results indicate that most participants optimistically expected to attain upward social mobility. Furthermore, participants' merit agency beliefs were reflective of their labour market prospects and experiences, and calibrated their achievement-goal attitudes and expectations. However, participants' merit societal beliefs were not associated with these labour market experiences and achievement-goal attitudes and expectations. The distinction between merit agency beliefs and merit societal beliefs may be motivationally beneficial by allowing individuals to continue striving toward the uncertain long-term goal pursuit of upward social mobility despite the short-term struggles and setbacks many young adults are likely to experience in the aftermath of the Great Recession. © 2017 International Union of Psychological Science.

Pedagogical Merit Review of Animal Use for Education in Canada

PubMed Central

Griffin, Gilly

2016-01-01

There are two components to the review of animal based protocols in Canada: review for the merit of the study itself, and review of the ethical acceptability of the work. Despite the perceived importance for the quality assurance these reviews provide; there are few studies of the peer-based merit review system for animal-based protocols for research and education. Institutional animal care committees (ACC)s generally rely on the external peer review of scientific merit for animal-based research. In contrast, peer review for animal based teaching/training is dependent on the review of pedagogical merit carried out by the ACC itself or another committee within the institution. The objective of this study was to evaluate the views of ACC members about current practices and policies as well as alternate policies for the review of animal based teaching/training. We conducted a national web-based survey of ACC members with both quantitative and qualitative response options. Responses from 167 ACC members indicated broad concerns about administrative burden despite strong support for both the current and alternate policies. Participants’ comments focused mostly on the merit review process (54%) relative to the efficiency (21%), impact (13%), and other (12%) aspects of evaluation. Approximately half (49%) of the comments were classified into emergent themes that focused on some type of burden: burden from additional pedagogical merit review (16%), a limited need for the review (12%), and a lack of resources (expertise 11%; people/money 10%). Participants indicated that the current system for pedagogical merit review is effective (60%); but most also indicated that there was at least some challenge (86%) with the current peer review process. There was broad support for additional guidance on the justification, criteria, types of animal use, and objectives of pedagogical merit review. Participants also supported the ethical review and application of the Three Rs in the review process. A clear priority from participants in the survey was updating guidance to better facilitate the merit review process of animal-based protocols for education. Balancing the need for improved guidance with the reality of limited resources at local institutions will be essential to do this successfully; a familiar dilemma to both scientists and policy makers alike. PMID:27352243

Pedagogical Merit Review of Animal Use for Education in Canada.

PubMed

Avey, Marc T; Griffin, Gilly

2016-01-01

There are two components to the review of animal based protocols in Canada: review for the merit of the study itself, and review of the ethical acceptability of the work. Despite the perceived importance for the quality assurance these reviews provide; there are few studies of the peer-based merit review system for animal-based protocols for research and education. Institutional animal care committees (ACC)s generally rely on the external peer review of scientific merit for animal-based research. In contrast, peer review for animal based teaching/training is dependent on the review of pedagogical merit carried out by the ACC itself or another committee within the institution. The objective of this study was to evaluate the views of ACC members about current practices and policies as well as alternate policies for the review of animal based teaching/training. We conducted a national web-based survey of ACC members with both quantitative and qualitative response options. Responses from 167 ACC members indicated broad concerns about administrative burden despite strong support for both the current and alternate policies. Participants' comments focused mostly on the merit review process (54%) relative to the efficiency (21%), impact (13%), and other (12%) aspects of evaluation. Approximately half (49%) of the comments were classified into emergent themes that focused on some type of burden: burden from additional pedagogical merit review (16%), a limited need for the review (12%), and a lack of resources (expertise 11%; people/money 10%). Participants indicated that the current system for pedagogical merit review is effective (60%); but most also indicated that there was at least some challenge (86%) with the current peer review process. There was broad support for additional guidance on the justification, criteria, types of animal use, and objectives of pedagogical merit review. Participants also supported the ethical review and application of the Three Rs in the review process. A clear priority from participants in the survey was updating guidance to better facilitate the merit review process of animal-based protocols for education. Balancing the need for improved guidance with the reality of limited resources at local institutions will be essential to do this successfully; a familiar dilemma to both scientists and policy makers alike.

Cost/Effort Drivers and Decision Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seidel, Jonathan

2010-01-01

Engineering trade study analyses demand consideration of performance, cost and schedule impacts across the spectrum of alternative concepts and in direct reference to product requirements. Prior to detailed design, requirements are too often ill-defined (only goals ) and prone to creep, extending well beyond the Systems Requirements Review. Though lack of engineering design and definitive requirements inhibit the ability to perform detailed cost analyses, affordability trades still comprise the foundation of these future product decisions and must evolve in concert. This presentation excerpts results of the recent NASA subsonic Engine Concept Study for an Advanced Single Aisle Transport to demonstrate an affordability evaluation of performance characteristics and the subsequent impacts on engine architecture decisions. Applying the Process Based Economic Analysis Tool (PBEAT), development cost, production cost, as well as operation and support costs were considered in a traditional weighted ranking of the following system-level figures of merit: mission fuel burn, take-off noise, NOx emissions, and cruise speed. Weighting factors were varied to ascertain the architecture ranking sensitivities to these performance figures of merit with companion cost considerations. A more detailed examination of supersonic variable cycle engine cost is also briefly presented, with observations and recommendations for further refinements.

Heterogonous Nanofluids for Nuclear Power Plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alammar, Khalid

2014-09-01

Nuclear reactions can be associated with high heat energy release. Extracting such energy efficiently requires the use of high-rate heat exchangers. Conventional heat transfer fluids, such as water and oils are limited in their thermal conductivity, and hence nanofluids have been introduced lately to overcome such limitation. By suspending metal nanoparticles with high thermal conductivity in conventional heat transfer fluids, thermal conductivity of the resulting homogeneous nanofluid is increased. Heterogeneous nanofluids offer yet more potential for heat transfer enhancement. By stratifying nanoparticles within the boundary layer, thermal conductivity is increased where temperature gradients are highest, thereby increasing overall heat transfer of a flowing fluid. In order to test the merit of this novel technique, a numerical study of a laminar pipe flow of a heterogeneous nanofluid was conducted. Effect of Iron-Oxide distribution on flow and heat transfer characteristics was investigated. With Iron-Oxide volume concentration of 0.009 in water, up to 50% local heat transfer enhancement was predicted for the heterogeneous compared to homogeneous nanofluids. Increasing the Reynolds number is shown to increase enhancement while having negligible effect on pressure drop. Using permanent magnets attached externally to the pipe, an experimental investigation conducted at MIT nuclear reactor laboratory for similar flow characteristics of a heterogeneous nanofluid have shown upto 160% enhancement in heat transfer. Such results show that heterogeneous nanofluids are promising for augmenting heat transfer rates in nuclear power heat exchanger systems.

Results of winglet development studies for DC-10 derivatives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shollenberger, C. A.; Humphreys, J. W.; Heiberger, F. S.; Pearson, R. M.

1983-01-01

The results of investigations into the application of winglets to the DC-10 aircraft are presented. The DC-10 winglet configuration was developed and its cruise performance determined in a previous investigation. This study included high speed and low speed wind tunnel tests to evaluate aerodynamic characteristics, and a subsonic flutter wind tunnel test with accompanying analysis and evaluation of results. Additionally, a configuration integration study employed the results of the wind tunnel studies to determine the overall impact of the installation of winglets on the DC-10 aircraft. Conclusions derived from the high speed and low speed tests indicate that the winglets had no significant effects on the DC-10 stability characteristics or high speed buffet. It was determined that winglets had a minimal effect on aircraft lift characteristics and improved the low speed aircraft drag under high lift conditions. The winglets affected the DC-10 flutter characteristics by reducing the flutter speed of the basic critical mode and introducing a new critical mode involving outer wing torsion and longitudinal bending. The overall impact of winglets was determined to be of sufficient benefit to merit flight evaluation.

Coach simplified structure modeling and optimization study based on the PBM method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Miaoli; Ren, Jindong; Yin, Ying; Du, Jian

2016-09-01

For the coach industry, rapid modeling and efficient optimization methods are desirable for structure modeling and optimization based on simplified structures, especially for use early in the concept phase and with capabilities of accurately expressing the mechanical properties of structure and with flexible section forms. However, the present dimension-based methods cannot easily meet these requirements. To achieve these goals, the property-based modeling (PBM) beam modeling method is studied based on the PBM theory and in conjunction with the characteristics of coach structure of taking beam as the main component. For a beam component of concrete length, its mechanical characteristics are primarily affected by the section properties. Four section parameters are adopted to describe the mechanical properties of a beam, including the section area, the principal moments of inertia about the two principal axles, and the torsion constant of the section. Based on the equivalent stiffness strategy, expressions for the above section parameters are derived, and the PBM beam element is implemented in HyperMesh software. A case is realized using this method, in which the structure of a passenger coach is simplified. The model precision is validated by comparing the basic performance of the total structure with that of the original structure, including the bending and torsion stiffness and the first-order bending and torsional modal frequencies. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to choose design variables. The optimal Latin hypercube experiment design is adopted to sample the test points, and polynomial response surfaces are used to fit these points. To improve the bending and torsion stiffness and the first-order torsional frequency and taking the allowable maximum stresses of the braking and left turning conditions as constraints, the multi-objective optimization of the structure is conducted using the NSGA-II genetic algorithm on the ISIGHT platform. The result of the Pareto solution set is acquired, and the selection strategy of the final solution is discussed. The case study demonstrates that the mechanical performances of the structure can be well-modeled and simulated by PBM beam. Because of the merits of fewer parameters and convenience of use, this method is suitable to be applied in the concept stage. Another merit is that the optimization results are the requirements for the mechanical performance of the beam section instead of those of the shape and dimensions, bringing flexibility to the succeeding design.

Teacher Merit Pay: What Do We Know? The Progress of Education Reform. Volume 11, Number 3

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Education Commission of the States (NJ3), 2010

2010-01-01

Merit pay programs for educators--sometimes referred to a "pay for performance"--attempt to tie a teacher's compensation to his/her performance in the classroom. While the idea of merit pay for classroom teachers has been around for several decades, only now is it starting to be implemented in a growing number of districts around the…

Wide Temperature Characteristics of Transverse Magnetically Annealed Amorphous Tapes for High Frequency Aerospace Magnetics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedra, Janis M.

1999-01-01

100 kHz core loss and magnetization properties of sample transverse magnetically annealed, cobalt-based amorphous and iron-based nanocrystalline tape wound magnetic cores are presented over the temperature range of -150 to 150 C, at selected values of B(sub peak). For B-fields not close to saturation, the core loss is not sensitive to temperature in this range and is as low as seen in the best MnZn power ferrites at their optimum temperatures. Frequency resolved characteristics are given over the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz, at B(sub peak) = 0.1 T and 50 C only. A linear permeability model is used to interpret and present the magnetization characteristics and several figures of merit applicable to inductor materials arc reviewed. This linear modeling shows that, due to their high permeabilities, these cores must he gapped in order to make up high Q or high current inductors. However, they should serve well, as is, for high frequency, anti ratcheting transformer applications.

Manufacturing complexity analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delionback, L. M.

1977-01-01

The analysis of the complexity of a typical system is presented. Starting with the subsystems of an example system, the step-by-step procedure for analysis of the complexity of an overall system is given. The learning curves for the various subsystems are determined as well as the concurrent numbers of relevant design parameters. Then trend curves are plotted for the learning curve slopes versus the various design-oriented parameters, e.g. number of parts versus slope of learning curve, or number of fasteners versus slope of learning curve, etc. Representative cuts are taken from each trend curve, and a figure-of-merit analysis is made for each of the subsystems. Based on these values, a characteristic curve is plotted which is indicative of the complexity of the particular subsystem. Each such characteristic curve is based on a universe of trend curve data taken from data points observed for the subsystem in question. Thus, a characteristic curve is developed for each of the subsystems in the overall system.

Detectors for the gamma-ray resonant absorption (GRA) method of explosives detection in cargo: a comparative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vartsky, David; Goldberg, Mark B.; Engler, Gideon; Shor, Asher; Goldschmidt, Aharon; Feldman, Gennady; Bar, Doron; Orion, Itzhak; Wielopolski, Lucian

2004-01-01

Gamma-Ray Resonant Absorption (GRA) is an automatic-decision radiographic screening technique that combines high radiation penetration with very good sensitivity and specificity to nitrogenous explosives. The method is particularly well-suited to inspection of large, massive objects (since the resonant γ-ray probe is at 9.17 MeV) such as aviation and marine containers, heavy vehicles and railroad cars. Two kinds of γ-ray detectors have been employed to date in GRA systems: 1) Resonant-response nitrogen-rich liquid scintillators and 2) BGO detectors. This paper analyses and compares the response of these detector-types to the resonant radiation, in terms of single-pixel figures of merit. The latter are sensitive not only to detector response, but also to accelerator-beam quality, via the properties of the nuclear reaction that produces the resonant-γ-rays. Generally, resonant detectors give rise to much higher nitrogen-contrast sensitivity in the radiographic image than their non-resonant detector counterparts and furthermore, do not require proton beams of high energy-resolution. By comparison, the non-resonant detectors have higher γ-detection efficiency, but their contrast sensitivity is very sensitive to the quality of the accelerator beam. Implications of these detector/accelerator characteristics for eventual GRA field systems are discussed.

A substantial and confusing variation exists in handling of baseline covariates in randomized controlled trials: a review of trials published in leading medical journals.

PubMed

Austin, Peter C; Manca, Andrea; Zwarenstein, Merrick; Juurlink, David N; Stanbrook, Matthew B

2010-02-01

Statisticians have criticized the use of significance testing to compare the distribution of baseline covariates between treatment groups in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Furthermore, some have advocated for the use of regression adjustment to estimate the effect of treatment after adjusting for potential imbalances in prognostically important baseline covariates between treatment groups. We examined 114 RCTs published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, The Lancet, and the British Medical Journal between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2007. Significance testing was used to compare baseline characteristics between treatment arms in 38% of the studies. The practice was very rare in British journals and more common in the U.S. journals. In 29% of the studies, the primary outcome was continuous, whereas in 65% of the studies, the primary outcome was either dichotomous or time-to-event in nature. Adjustment for baseline covariates was reported when estimating the treatment effect in 34% of the studies. Our findings suggest the need for greater editorial consistency across journals in the reporting of RCTs. Furthermore, there is a need for greater debate about the relative merits of unadjusted vs. adjusted estimates of treatment effect. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Iranian Workforce and Job Groups.

PubMed

Choobineh, Alireza; Daneshmandi, Hadi; Saraj Zadeh Fard, Seyed Kazem; Tabatabaee, Seyed Hamidreza

2016-01-01

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are known to cause occupational injuries. This study aimed to collate the existed relevant data and develop a general feature of MSDs problem among Iranian workforce. In this study, we used the raw data related to 8004 employees from 20 Iranian industrial settings distributed throughout the country. In all studies, participants were selected based on simple random sampling method, and the data were collected using demographic characteristics and Nordic MSDs questionnaires. The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were reported in the lower back (48.9%), shoulders (45.9%), neck (44.2%), upper back (43.8%), and knees (43.8%). Prevalence rates of MSDs at least in one body region were found to be the highest (90.3%) among health-care workers. Prevalence rates of MSDs symptoms in all body regions were higher among workers with dynamic activities as compared to those of workers with static activities. MSDs symptoms were common among the study population. Health-care provider and workers with dynamic activities had the highest rate of MSDs. These results merit attention in planning and implementing ergonomics interventional program in Iranian industrial settings.

Childhood risk factors in Korean women with anorexia nervosa: two sets of case-control studies with retrospective comparisons.

PubMed

Kim, Youl-Ri; Heo, Si Young; Kang, Heechan; Song, Ki Jun; Treasure, Janet

2010-11-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the risk factors for anorexia nervosa (AN) in Korean women. Two sets of case-control comparisons were conducted, in which 52 women with lifetime AN from Seoul, S. Korea, were compared with 108 Korean healthy controls and also with 42 women with lifetime AN from the UK in terms of their childhood risk factors. A questionnaire designed to conduct a retrospective assessment of the childhood risk factors was administered to all participants. The Korean AN women were more likely to report premorbid anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional undereating and were less likely to report having supportive figures in their childhood than the Korean healthy controls. There were no overall differences in the childhood risk factors between the Korean and British women with AN. Premorbid anxiety, perfectionism, less social support, and emotional undereating merit attention as risk factors in Korean AN. The current results are informative, but an epidemiologically robust prospective case-control study would be needed to validate these findings. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Experimental investigation on underwater trajectory deviation of high-speed projectile with different nose shape

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wei; Qi, Yafei; Huang, Wei; Gao, Yubo

2017-01-01

The investigation on free-surface impact of projectiles has last for more than one hundred years due to its noticeable significance on improving defensive weapon technology. Laboratory-scaled water entry experiments for trajectory stability had been performed with four kinds of projectiles at a speed range of 20˜200 m/s. The nose shapes of the cylindrical projectiles were designed into flat, ogive, hemi-sphere and cone to make comparisons on the trajectory deviation when they were launched into water at a certain angle of 0˜20°. Two high-speed cameras positioned orthogonal to each other and normal to the water tank were employed to capture the entire process of projectiles' penetration. From the experimental results, the consecutive images in two planes were presented to display the general process of the trajectory deviation. Compared with the effect of impact velocities and nose shape on trajectory deviation, it merited conclude that flat projectiles had a better trajectory stability, while ogival projectiles experienced the largest attitude change. The characteristics of pressure waves were also investigated.

Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Genes in Corn Roots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takezawa, D.; Patil, S.; Bhatia, A.; Poovaiah, B. W.

1996-01-01

Two cDNAs encoding Ca-2(+) - Dependent Protein Kinases (CDPKs), Corn Root Protein Kinase 1 and 2 (CRPK 1, CRPK 2) were isolated from the root tip library of corn (Zea mays L., cv. Merit) and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Deduced amino acid sequences of both the clones have features characteristic of plant CDPKS, including all 11 conserved serine/threonine kinase subdomains, a junction domain and a calmodulin-like domain with four Ca-2(+), -binding sites. Northern analysis revealed that CRPKI mRNA is preferentially expressed in roots, especially in the root tip; whereas, the expression of CRPK2 mRNA was very low in all the tissues tested. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that CRPKI mRNA is highly expressed in the root apex, as compared to other parts of the root. Partially purified CDPK from the root tip phosphorylates syntide-2, a common peptide substrate for plant CDPKs, and the phosphorylation was stimulated 7-fold by the addition of Ca-2(+). Our results show that two CDPK isoforms are expressed in corn roots and they may be involved in the Ca-2(+)-dependent signal transduction process.

Ultra-wideband high-speed Mach-Zehnder switch based on hybrid plasmonic waveguides.

PubMed

Janjan, Babak; Fathi, Davood; Miri, Mehdi; Ghaffari-Miab, Mohsen

2017-02-20

In this paper, the distinctive dispersion characteristic of hybrid plasmonic waveguides is exploited for designing ultra-wideband directional couplers. It is shown that by using optimized geometrical dimensions for hybrid plasmonic waveguides, nearly wavelength-independent directional couplers can be achieved. These broadband directional couplers are then used to design Mach-Zehnder-interferometer-based switches. Our simulation results show the ultra-wide bandwidth of ∼260  nm for the proposed hybrid plasmonic-waveguide-based switch. Further investigation of the proposed Mach-Zehnder switch confirms that because of the strong light confinement in the hybrid plasmonic waveguide structure, the switching time, power consumption, and overall footprint of the device can be significantly improved compared to silicon-ridge-waveguide-based Mach-Zehnder switches. For the Mach-Zehnder switch designed by using the optimized directional coupler, the switching time is found to be less than one picosecond, while the power consumption, V_πL_π figure of merit, and active length of the device are ∼61  fJ/bit, 85  V×μm, and 30 μm, respectively.

A breakdown enhanced AlGaN/GaN MISFET with source-connected P-buried layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Xin; Wang, Ying; Cao, Fei; Yu, Cheng-Hao; Fei, Xin-Xing

2017-12-01

This paper presents a breakdown-enhanced AlGaN/GaN MISFET with a source-connected P-buried layer combined with field plates (SC-PBL FPs MISFET). A TCAD tool was used to analyze the breakdown characteristics of the proposed structure, and results show that in comparison to the conventional gate field plate MISFET (GFP-C MISFET), the proposed structure provides a significant increase of breakdown voltage (VBK) due to redistribution of electric field in the gate-drain region induced by the SC-PBL and the FPs. The optimized SC-PBL FPs MISFET with a gate-drain spacing of 6 μm achieved a high Baliga's figure of merit of 2.6 GW cm-2 with a corresponding breakdown voltage (VBK) of 1311.62 V and specific on resistance (RON,sp) of 0.66 mΩ cm2, which demonstrates a good trade-off between RON,sp and VBK compared to the GFP-C MISFET with VBK of 524.27 V and RON,sp of 0.61 mΩ cm2.

Highly Stable Near-Infrared Fluorescent Organic Nanoparticles with a Large Stokes Shift for Noninvasive Long-Term Cellular Imaging.

PubMed

Zhang, Jinfeng; Chen, Rui; Zhu, Zelin; Adachi, Chihaya; Zhang, Xiaohong; Lee, Chun-Sing

2015-12-02

Fluorescent organic nanoparticles based on small molecules have been regarded as promising candidates for bioimaging in recent years. In this study, we report a highly stable near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent organic nanoprobes based on nanoparticles of an anthraquinone derivate with strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics and a large Stokes shift (>175 nm). These endow the nanoprobe with high fluorescent brightness and high signal-to-noise ratio. On the other hand, the nanoprobe also shows low cytotoxicity, good stability over a wide pH range, superior resistance against photodegradation and photobleaching comparing to typical commercial fluorescent organic dyes such as fluorescein sodium. Endowed with such merits in term of optical performance, biocompatibility, and stability, the nanoprobe is demonstrated to be an ideal fluorescent probe for noninvasive long-term cellular tracing and imaging applications. As an example, it is shown that strong red fluorescence from the nanoprobe can still be clearly observed in A549 human lung cancer cells after incubation for six generations over 15 days.

Merits of flywheels for spacecraft energy storage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gross, S.

1984-01-01

Flywheel energy storage systems which have a very good potential for use in spacecraft are discussed. This system can be superior to alkaline secondary batteries and regenerable fuel cells in most of the areas that are important in spacecraft applications. Of special importance, relative to batteries, are lighter weight, longer cycle and operating life, and high efficiency which minimizes solar array size and the amount of orbital makeup fuel required. Flywheel systems have a long shelf life, give a precise state of charge indication, have modest thermal control needs, are capable of multiple discharges per orbit, have simple ground handling needs, and have characteristics which would be useful for military applications. The major disadvantages of flywheel energy storage systems are that: power is not available during the launch phase without special provisions; and in flight failure of units may force shutdown of good counter rotating units, amplifying the effects of failure and limiting power distribution system options; no inherent emergency power capability unless specifically designed for, and a high level of complexity compared with batteries. The potential advantages of the flywheel energy storage system far outweigh the disadvantages.

Calculation of the figure of merit for carbon nanotubes based devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaseashta, Ashok

2004-03-01

The dimensionality of a system has a profound influence on its physical behavior. With advances in technology over the past few decades, it has become possible to fabricate and study reduced-dimensional systems in which electrons are strongly confined in one or more dimensions. In the case of 1-D electron systems, most of the results, such as conductance quantization, have been explained in terms of non-interacting electrons. In contrast to the cases of 2D and 3D systems, the question of what roles electron-electron interactions play in real 1-D systems has been difficult to address, because of the difficulty in obtaining long, relatively disorder free 1-D wires. Since their first discovery and fabrication in 1991, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received considerable attention because of the prospect of new fundamental science and many potential applications. Hence, it has been possible to conduct studies of the electrons in 1-D. Carbon nanotubes are of considerable technological importance due to their excellent mechanical, electrical, and chemical characteristics. The potential technological applications include electronics, opto-electronics and biomedical sensors. The applications of carbon nanotubes include quantum wire interconnects, diodes and transistors for computing, capacitors, data storage devices, field emitters, flat panel displays and terahertz oscillators. One of the most remarkable characteristics is the possibility of bandgap engineering by controlling the microstructure. Hence, a pentagon-heptagon defect in the hexagonal network can connect a metallic to a semiconductor nanotube, providing an Angstrom-scale hetero-junction with a device density approximately 10^4 times greater than present day microelectronics. Also, successfully contacted carbon nanotubes have exhibited a large number of useful quantum electronic and low dimensional transport phenomena, such as true quantum wire behaviors, room temperature field effect transistors, room temperature single electron transistors, Luttinger-liquid behavior, the Aharonov Bohm effect, and Fabry-Perot interference effects. Hence it is evident that CNT can be used for a variety of applications. To use CNT based devices, it is critical to know the relative advantage of using CNTs over other known electronic materials. The figure of merit for CNT based devices is not reported so far. It is the objective of this investigation to calculate the figure of merit and present such results. Such calculations will enable researchers to focus their research for specific device designs where CNT based devices show a marked improvement over conventional semiconductor devices.

Improving resistivity survey resolution at sites with limited spatial extent using buried electrode arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiflu, H.; Kruse, S.; Loke, M. H.; Wilkinson, P. B.; Harro, D.

2016-12-01

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys are widely used in geological, environmental and engineering studies. However, the effectiveness of surface ERT surveys is limited by decreasing resolution with depth and near the ends of the survey line. Increasing the array length will increase depth of investigation, but may not be possible at urban sites where access is limited. One novel method of addressing these limitations while maintaining lateral coverage is to install an array of deep electrodes. Referred to here as the Multi-Electrode Resistivity Implant Technique (MERIT), self-driving pointed electrodes are implanted at depth below each surface electrode in an array, using direct-push technology. Optimal sequences of readings have been identified with the "Compare R" method of Wilkinson. Numerical, laboratory, and field case studies are applied to examine the effectiveness of the MERIT method, particularly for use in covered karst terrain. In the field case studies, resistivity images are compared against subsurface structure defined from borings, GPR surveys, and knowledge of prior land use. In karst terrain where limestone has a clay overburden, traditional surface resistivity methods suffer from lack of current penetration through the shallow clay layer. In these settings, the MERIT method is found to improve resolution of features between the surface and buried array, as well as increasing depth of penetration and enhancing imaging capabilities at the array ends. The method functions similar to a cross-borehole array between horizontal boreholes, and suffers from limitations common to borehole arrays. Inversion artifacts are common at depths close to the buried array, and because some readings involve high geometric factors, inversions are more susceptible to noise than traditional surface arrays. Results are improved by using errors from reciprocal measurements to weight the data during the inversion.

Ab initio study of thermoelectric properties of doped SnO{sub 2} superlattices

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

Borges, P.D., E-mail: pdborges@gmail.com; Silva, D.E.S.; Castro, N.S.

2015-11-15

Transparent conductive oxides, such as tin dioxide (SnO{sub 2}), have recently shown to be promising materials for thermoelectric applications. In this work we studied the thermoelectric properties of Fe-, Sb- and Zn-uniformly doping and co-doping SnO{sub 2}, as well as of Sb and Zn planar (or delta)-doped layers in SnO{sub 2} forming oxide superlattices (SLs). Based on the semiclassical Boltzmann transport equations (BTE) in conjunction with ab initio electronic structure calculations, the Seebeck coefficient (S) and figure of merit (ZT) are obtained for these systems, and are compared with available experimental data. The delta doping approach introduces a remarkable modificationmore » in the electronic structure of tin dioxide, when compared with the uniform doping, and colossal values for ZT are predicted for the delta-doped oxide SLs. This result is a consequence of the two-dimensional electronic confinement and the strong anisotropy introduced by the doped planes. In comparison with the uniformly doped systems, our predictions reveal a promising use of delta-doped SnO{sub 2} SLs for enhanced S and ZT, which emerge as potential candidates for thermoelectric applications. - Graphical abstract: Band structure and Figure of merit for SnO2:Sb superlattice along Z direction, P. D. Borges, D. E. S. Silva, N. S. Castro, C. R. Ferreira, F. G. Pinto, J. Tronto and L. Scolfaro, Ab initio study of thermoelectric properties of doped SnO2 superlattices. - Highlights: • Thermoelectric properties of SnO{sub 2}-based alloys and superlattices. • High figure of merit is predicted for planar-doped SnO{sub 2} superlattices. • Nanotechnology has an important role for the development of thermoelectric devices.« less

Concurrent tailoring of fabrication process and interphase layer to reduce residual stresses in metal matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saravanos, D. A.; Chamis, C. C.; Morel, M.

1991-01-01

A methodology is presented to reduce the residual matrix stresses in continuous fiber metal matrix composites (MMC) by optimizing the fabrication process and interphase layer characteristics. The response of the fabricated MMC was simulated based on nonlinear micromechanics. Application cases include fabrication tailoring, interphase tailoring, and concurrent fabrication-interphase optimization. Two composite systems, silicon carbide/titanium and graphite/copper, are considered. Results illustrate the merits of each approach, indicate that concurrent fabrication/interphase optimization produces significant reductions in the matrix residual stresses and demonstrate the strong coupling between fabrication and interphase tailoring.

Evaluation of mixed solvent electrolytes for ambient temperature secondary lithium cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, D. H.; Subbarao, S.; Deligiannis, F.; Dawson, S.; Halpert, G.

1988-01-01

The ethylene carbonate/2-methyltetrahydrofuran (EC/2-MeTHF) mixed-solvent electrolyte has been experimentally found to possess many desirable electrolyte characteristics for ambient-temperature secondary Li-TiS2 cell applications. As many as 300 cycles have been demonstrated, and a cycling efficiency figure-of-merit of 38.5 percent, for 10-percent EC/90-percent MeTHF mixed-solvent electrolyte in experimental Li-TiS2 cells. The improved performance of this electrolyte is attributable to the formation of a beneficial passivating film on the Li electrode by interaction with the EC.

On estimating the effects of clock instability with flicker noise characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, S. C.

1981-01-01

A scheme for flicker noise generation is given. The second approach is that of successive segmentation: A clock fluctuation is represented by 2N piecewise linear segments and then converted into a summation of N+1 triangular pulse train functions. The statistics of the clock instability are then formulated in terms of two sample variances at N+1 specified averaging times. The summation converges very rapidly that a value of N 6 is seldom necessary. An application to radio interferometric geodesy shows excellent agreement between the two approaches. Limitations to and the relative merits of the two approaches are discussed.

Evaluation Criteria for Micro-CAI: A Psychometric Approach

PubMed Central

Wallace, Douglas; Slichter, Mark; Bolwell, Christine

1985-01-01

The increased use of microcomputer-based instructional programs has resulted in a greater need for third-party evaluation of the software. This in turn has prompted the development of micro-CAI evaluation tools. The present project sought to develop a prototype instrument to assess the impact of CAI program presentation characteristics on students. Data analysis and scale construction was conducted using standard item reliability analyses and factor analytic techniques. Adequate subscale reliabilities and factor structures were found, suggesting that a psychometric approach to CAI evaluation may possess some merit. Efforts to assess the utility of the resultant instrument are currently underway.

Extant and Extinct Lunar Regolith Simulants: Modal Analyses of NU-LHT-1M and -2m, OB-1, JSC-1, JSC-1A and -1AF,FJS-1, and MLS-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schrader, Christian; Rickman, Doug; McLemore, Carole; Fikes, John; Wilson, Stephen; Stoeser, Doug; Butcher, Alan; Botha, Pieter

2008-01-01

This work is part of a larger effort to compile an internally consistent database on lunar regolith (Apollo samples) and lunar regolith simulants. Characterize existing lunar regolith and simulants in terms of: a) Particle type; b) Particle size distribution; c) Particle shape distribution; d) Bulk density; and e) Other compositional characteristics. Evaluate regolith simulants (Figure of Merit) by above properties by comparison to lunar regolith (Apollo sample) This presentation covers new data on lunar simulants.

Comparative studies of silicon photomultipliers and traditional vacuum photomultiplier tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Feng; Lü, Jun-Guang; Lu, Hong; Wang, Huan-Yu; Ma, Yu-Qian; Hu, Tao; Zhou, Li; Cai, Xiao; Sun, Li-Jun; Yu, Bo-Xiang; Fang, Jian; Xie, Yu-Guang; An, Zheng-Hua; Wang, Zhi-Gang; Gao, Min; Li, Xin-Qiao; Xu, Yan-Bing; Wang, Ping; Sun, Xi-Lei; Zhang, Ai-Wu; Xue, Zhen; Liu, Hong-Bang; Wang, Xiao-Dong; Zhao, Xiao-Yun; Zheng, Yang-Heng; Meng, Xiang-Cheng; Wang, Hui

2011-01-01

Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are a new generation of semiconductor-based photon counting devices with the merits of low weight, low power consumption and low voltage operation, promising to meet the needs of space particle physics experiments. In this paper, comparative studies of SiPMs and traditional vacuum photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) have been performed regarding the basic properties of dark currents, dark counts and excess noise factors. The intrinsic optical crosstalk effect of SiPMs was evaluated.

Native Amazonian children forego egalitarianism in merit-based tasks when they learn to count.

PubMed

Jara-Ettinger, Julian; Gibson, Edward; Kidd, Celeste; Piantadosi, Steve

2016-11-01

Cooperation often results in a final material resource that must be shared, but deciding how to distribute that resource is not straightforward. A distribution could count as fair if all members receive an equal reward (egalitarian distributions), or if each member's reward is proportional to their merit (merit-based distributions). Here, we propose that the acquisition of numerical concepts influences how we reason about fairness. We explore this possibility in the Tsimane', a farming-foraging group who live in the Bolivian rainforest. The Tsimane' learn to count in the same way children from industrialized countries do, but at a delayed and more variable timeline, allowing us to de-confound number knowledge from age and years in school. We find that Tsimane' children who can count produce merit-based distributions, while children who cannot count produce both merit-based and egalitarian distributions. Our findings establish that the ability to count - a non-universal, language-dependent, cultural invention - can influence social cognition. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Why goldfish? Merits and challenges in employing goldfish as a model organism in comparative endocrinology research.

PubMed

Blanco, Ayelén Melisa; Sundarrajan, Lakshminarasimhan; Bertucci, Juan Ignacio; Unniappan, Suraj

2018-02-01

Goldfish has been used as an unconventional model organism to study a number of biological processes. For example, goldfish is a well-characterized and widely used model in comparative endocrinology, especially in neuroendocrinology. Several decades of research has established and validated an array of tools to study hormones in goldfish. The detailed brain atlas of goldfish, together with the stereotaxic apparatus, are invaluable tools for the neuroanatomic localization and central administration of endocrine factors. In vitro techniques, such as organ and primary cell cultures, have been developed using goldfish. In vivo approaches using goldfish were used to measure endogenous hormonal milieu, feeding, behaviour and stress. While there are many benefits in using goldfish as a model organism in research, there are also challenges associated with it. One example is its tetraploid genome that results in the existence of multiple isoforms of endocrine factors. The presence of extra endogenous forms of peptides and its receptors adds further complexity to the already redundant multifactorial endocrine milieu. This review will attempt to discuss the importance of goldfish as a model organism in comparative endocrinology. It will highlight some of the merits and challenges in employing goldfish as an animal model for hormone research in the post-genomic era. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Springback and diagravitropism in Merit corn roots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelly, M. O.; Leopold, A. C.

1992-01-01

Dark-treated Merit corn (Zea mays L.) roots are diagravitropic and lose curvature upon withdrawal of the gravity stimulus (springback). Springback was not detected in a variety of corn that is orthogravitropic in the dark, nor in Merit roots in which tropistic response was enhanced either with red light or with abscisic acid. A possible interpretation is that springback may be associated with a weak growth response of diagravitropic roots.

Introduction to a Follow-Up Symposium on "Am I Famous Yet?": Judging Scholarly Merit in Psychological Science.

PubMed

Sternberg, Robert J

2017-11-01

I introduce a follow-up symposium to "'Am I Famous Yet?' Judging Scholarly Merit in Psychological Science," which was published in Perspectives on Psychological Science in November 2016. The follow-up symposium is intended to increase the diversity of contributors and contributions and thereby to continue and expand the discussion of how scholarly merit can be usefully evaluated in psychological science.

Balance Between Merit and Equity in Academic Hiring Decisions: Judgemental Content Analysis Applied to the Phraseology of Australian Tenure-Stream Advertisements in Comparison with Canadian Advertisements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boyle, Gregory J.; Furedy, John J.; Neumann, David L.; Westbury, H. Rae; Reiestad, Magnus

2010-01-01

The wording of university academic job advertisements can reflect a commitment to equity (affirmative action) as opposed to academic merit in hiring decisions. The method of judgemental content analysis was applied by having three judges rate 810 Australian tenure-stream advertisements on seven-point magnitude scales of equity and merit. The…

Exponentially Decelerated Contrast Media Injection Rate Combined With a Novel Patient-Specific Contrast Formula Reduces Contrast Volume Administration and Radiation Dose During Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography.

PubMed

Saade, Charbel; Mayat, Ahmad; El-Merhi, Fadi

2016-01-01

Matching contrast injection timing with vessel dynamics significantly improves vessel opacification and reduces contrast dose in the assessment of pulmonary embolism during computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography. The aim of this study was to investigate opacification of the pulmonary vasculature (PV) during CT pulmonary angiography using a patient-specific contrast formula (PSCF) and exponentially decelerated contrast media (EDCM) injection rate. Institutional review board approved this retrospective study. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography was performed on 200 patients with suspected pulmonary embolism using a 64-channel CT scanner. Patient demographics were equally distributed. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 equal protocol groups: protocol A used a PSCF, and protocol B involved the use of a PSCF combined with EDCM. The mean cross-sectional opacification profile of 8 central and 11 peripheral PVs were measured for each patient, and arteriovenous contrast ratio was calculated. Protocols were compared using Mann-Whitney U nonparametric statistics. Jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to assess diagnostic efficacy. Interobserver variations were investigated using kappa methods. A number of pulmonary arteries demonstrated increases in opacification (P < 0.02) for protocol B compared with A, whereas opacification in all veins was reduced in protocol B (P < 0.03). Subsequently, increased arteriovenous contrast ratio in protocol B compared with A was observed at all anatomic locations (P < 0.0002). An increase in jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic figure of merit (P < 0.0002) and interobserver variation was observed with protocol B compared with protocol A (κ = 0.3-0.73). Mean contrast volume was reduced in protocol B (29 [4] mL) compared with protocol A (33 [9] mL). Mean effective radiation dose in protocol B (1.2 [0.4] mSv) was reduced by 14% compared with protocol A (1.4 [0.6] mSv). Significant improvements in visualization of the PV can be achieved with a low contrast volume using an EDCM and PSCF. The reduced risk of cancer induction is highlighted.

An estimation of distribution method for infrared target detection based on Copulas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shuo; Zhang, Yiqun

2015-10-01

Track-before-detect (TBD) based target detection involves a hypothesis test of merit functions which measure each track as a possible target track. Its accuracy depends on the precision of the distribution of merit functions, which determines the threshold for a test. Generally, merit functions are regarded Gaussian, and on this basis the distribution is estimated, which is true for most methods such as the multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT). However, merit functions for some other methods such as the dynamic programming algorithm (DPA) are non-Guassian and cross-correlated. Since existing methods cannot reasonably measure the correlation, the exact distribution can hardly be estimated. If merit functions are assumed Guassian and independent, the error between an actual distribution and its approximation may occasionally over 30 percent, and is divergent by propagation. Hence, in this paper, we propose a novel estimation of distribution method based on Copulas, by which the distribution can be estimated precisely, where the error is less than 1 percent without propagation. Moreover, the estimation merely depends on the form of merit functions and the structure of a tracking algorithm, and is invariant to measurements. Thus, the distribution can be estimated in advance, greatly reducing the demand for real-time calculation of distribution functions.

Enhanced spin figure of merit in an Aharonov-Bohm ring with a double quantum dot

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

Zhou, Xingfei; Qi, Fenghua; Jin, Guojun, E-mail: gjin@nju.edu.cn

2014-04-21

We theoretically investigate the thermoelectric effects in an Aharonov-Bohm ring with a serially coupled double quantum dot embedded in one arm. An external magnetic field is perpendicularly applied to the two dots. Using the nonequilibrium Green's function method in the linear-response regime, we calculate the charge and spin figures of merit. When the energy levels of the two quantum dots are equal and the system is connected to two normal leads, a large spin figure of merit (Z{sub s}T ≈ 4.5) accompanying with a small charge figure of merit (Z{sub c}T ≈ 0) can be generated due to the remarkable bipolar effect. Further, whenmore » the system is connected to two ferromagnetic leads, the spin figure of merit can reach even a higher value about 9. Afterwards, we find that Z{sub s}T is enhanced while Z{sub c}T is reduced in the coaction of the Aharonov-Bohm flux and Rashba spin-orbit coupling. It is argued that the bipolar effect is positive (negative) to spin (charge) figure of merit in the presence of level detuning of the two quantum dots and intradot Coulomb interactions, respectively. Also, we propose a possible experiment to verify our results.« less

How Effective Are Self- and Peer Assessment of Oral Presentation Skills Compared with Teachers' Assessments?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Grez, Luc; Valcke, Martin; Roozen, Irene

2012-01-01

Assessment of oral presentation skills is an underexplored area. The study described here focuses on the agreement between professional assessment and self- and peer assessment of oral presentation skills and explores student perceptions about peer assessment. The study has the merit of paying attention to the inter-rater reliability of the…

General Astrophysics and Comparative Planetology with the Terrestrial Planet Finder Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuchner, Marc J. (Editor)

2005-01-01

This document discusses the potential of the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) for general astrophysics beyond its base mission, focusing on science obtainable with no or minimal modifications to the mission design, but also exploring possible modifications of TPF with high scientific merit and no impact on the basic search for extrasolar Earth analogs.

A Longitudinal Field Study Comparing a Multiplicative and an Additive Model of Motivation and Ability. Technical Report No. 11.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barrett, Gerald V.; And Others

The relative contribution of motivation to ability measures in predicting performance criteria of sales personnel from successive fiscal periods was investigated. In this context, the merits of a multiplicative and additive combination of motivation and ability measures were examined. The relationship between satisfaction and motivation and…

The Synthesis of 2-acetyl-1,4-naphthoquinone: A Multi-step Synthesis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Green, Ivan R.

1982-01-01

Outlines 2 procedures for synthesizing 2-acetyl-1,4-naphthoquinone to compare relative merits of the two pathways. The major objective of the exercise is to demonstrate that certain factors should be considered when selecting a pathway for synthesis including availability of starting materials, cost of reagents, number of steps involved,…

Preparing Tutors to Hit the Ground Running: Lessons from New Tutors' Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Calma, Angelito

2013-01-01

Tutor development is an essential part of academic staff development, yet is comparatively under-researched. This article examines what tutors value as most and least important in a program. Using data from more than 300 participants in three years, and using the dimensions or worth, merit and success as an analytical framework, the article…

Free Choice of Learning Management Systems: Do Student Habits Override Inherent System Quality?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porter, Gavin W.

2013-01-01

Purpose: Although multiple studies examine institutional transitions of learning management systems (LMS) or compare their merits, studies examining students' free choice of access on parallel LMSs for the same course are absent from the literature. In order to investigate usage in a free-choice situation, identical content was posted at the same…

Efficiency in Assessment: Can Trained Student Interns Rate Essays as Well as Faculty Members?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cole, Tracy L.; Cochran, Loretta F.; Troboy, L. Kim; Roach, David W.

2012-01-01

What are the most efficient and effective methods in measuring outcomes for assurance of learning in higher education? This study examines the merits of outsourcing part of the assessment workload by comparing ratings completed by trained student interns to ratings completed by faculty. Faculty evaluation of students' written work samples provides…

An Empirical Study of the Career Paths of Senior Educational Administrators in Manitoba, Canada: Implications for Career Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wallin, Dawn C.

2012-01-01

This paper conceptualizes queue theory (Tallerico & Blount, 2004) to discuss a mixed-methods study that determined the career patterns of senior educational administrators in public school divisions in Manitoba, Canada, compared by position, context and sex. Findings indicate that queue theory has merit for describing the career paths of…

The assessment of science: the relative merits of post-publication review, the impact factor, and the number of citations.

PubMed

Eyre-Walker, Adam; Stoletzki, Nina

2013-10-01

The assessment of scientific publications is an integral part of the scientific process. Here we investigate three methods of assessing the merit of a scientific paper: subjective post-publication peer review, the number of citations gained by a paper, and the impact factor of the journal in which the article was published. We investigate these methods using two datasets in which subjective post-publication assessments of scientific publications have been made by experts. We find that there are moderate, but statistically significant, correlations between assessor scores, when two assessors have rated the same paper, and between assessor score and the number of citations a paper accrues. However, we show that assessor score depends strongly on the journal in which the paper is published, and that assessors tend to over-rate papers published in journals with high impact factors. If we control for this bias, we find that the correlation between assessor scores and between assessor score and the number of citations is weak, suggesting that scientists have little ability to judge either the intrinsic merit of a paper or its likely impact. We also show that the number of citations a paper receives is an extremely error-prone measure of scientific merit. Finally, we argue that the impact factor is likely to be a poor measure of merit, since it depends on subjective assessment. We conclude that the three measures of scientific merit considered here are poor; in particular subjective assessments are an error-prone, biased, and expensive method by which to assess merit. We argue that the impact factor may be the most satisfactory of the methods we have considered, since it is a form of pre-publication review. However, we emphasise that it is likely to be a very error-prone measure of merit that is qualitative, not quantitative.

Merit and Justice: An Experimental Analysis of Attitude to Inequality

PubMed Central

Rustichini, Aldo; Vostroknutov, Alexander

2014-01-01

Merit and justice play a crucial role in ethical theory and political philosophy. Some theories view justice as allocation according to merit; others view justice as based on criteria of its own, and take merit and justice as two independent values. We study experimentally how these views are perceived. In our experiment subjects played two games (both against the computer): a game of skill and a game of luck. After each game they observed the earnings of all the subjects in the session, and thus the differences in outcomes. Each subject could reduce the winnings of one other person at a cost. The majority of the subjects used the option to subtract. The decision to subtract and the amount subtracted depended on whether the game was one of skill or luck, and on the distance between the earnings of the subject and those of others. Everything else being equal, subjects subtracted more in luck than in skill. In skill game, but not in luck, the subtraction becomes more likely, and the amount larger, as the distance increases. The results show that individuals considered favorable outcomes in luck to be undeserved, and thus felt more justified in subtracting. In the skill game instead, they considered more favorable outcomes (their own as well as others') as signal of ability and perhaps effort, which thus deserved merit; hence, they felt less motivated to subtract. However, a larger size of the unfavorable gap from the others increased the unpleasantness of poor performance, which in turn motivated larger subtraction. In conclusion, merit is attributed if and only if effort or skill significantly affect the outcome. An inequality of outcomes is viewed differently depending on whether merit causes the difference or not. Thus, merit and justice are strongly linked in the human perception of social order. PMID:25490094

The Assessment of Science: The Relative Merits of Post-Publication Review, the Impact Factor, and the Number of Citations

PubMed Central

Eyre-Walker, Adam; Stoletzki, Nina

2013-01-01

The assessment of scientific publications is an integral part of the scientific process. Here we investigate three methods of assessing the merit of a scientific paper: subjective post-publication peer review, the number of citations gained by a paper, and the impact factor of the journal in which the article was published. We investigate these methods using two datasets in which subjective post-publication assessments of scientific publications have been made by experts. We find that there are moderate, but statistically significant, correlations between assessor scores, when two assessors have rated the same paper, and between assessor score and the number of citations a paper accrues. However, we show that assessor score depends strongly on the journal in which the paper is published, and that assessors tend to over-rate papers published in journals with high impact factors. If we control for this bias, we find that the correlation between assessor scores and between assessor score and the number of citations is weak, suggesting that scientists have little ability to judge either the intrinsic merit of a paper or its likely impact. We also show that the number of citations a paper receives is an extremely error-prone measure of scientific merit. Finally, we argue that the impact factor is likely to be a poor measure of merit, since it depends on subjective assessment. We conclude that the three measures of scientific merit considered here are poor; in particular subjective assessments are an error-prone, biased, and expensive method by which to assess merit. We argue that the impact factor may be the most satisfactory of the methods we have considered, since it is a form of pre-publication review. However, we emphasise that it is likely to be a very error-prone measure of merit that is qualitative, not quantitative. PMID:24115908

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

Takaki, Hirokazu; Kobayashi, Kazuaki; Shimono, Masato

We present the thermoelectric properties of TiN/MgO superlattices employing first-principles calculation techniques. The Seebeck coefficients, the electrical conductances, the thermal conductances, and the figure of merit are investigated employing electrical and thermal transport calculations based on density functional theory combined with the nonequilibrium Green's function and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation methods. The TiN/MgO superlattices with a small lattice mismatch at the interfaces are ideal systems to study the way for an enhancement of thermoelectric properties in artificial nanostructures. We find that the interfacial scattering between the two materials in the metal/insulator superlattices causes the electrical conductance to change rapidly, whichmore » enhances the Seebeck coefficient significantly. We show that the figure of merit for the artificial superlattice nanostructures has a much larger value compared with that of the bulk material and changes drastically with the superlattice configurations at the atomistic level.« less

Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer of Tm(3+)/Ho(3+)-codoped TeO(2)-WO(3)-ZnO glasses for 1.47mum amplifier.

PubMed

Chen, Ganxin; Zhang, Qinyuan; Cheng, Yun; Zhao, Chun; Qian, Qi; Yang, Zhongmin; Jiang, Zhonghong

2009-05-01

We report on spectroscopic properties and energy transfer of Tm(3+)/Ho(3+)-codoped tungsten tellurite glasses for 1.47microm amplifier. Fluorescence spectra and the analysis of energy transfer indicate that Ho(3+) is an excellent codopant for 1.47microm emission. Comparing with other tellurite glasses, the radiative lifetime of the (3)H(4) level of Tm(3+) in tungsten tellurite glass is slightly lower, but the spontaneous emission probability, stimulated emission cross-section and the figure of merit for bandwidth are obviously larger. Although the pump efficiency of tungsten tellurite amplifier is approximately 50% less than that of fluoride glass, the figure of merit for bandwidth is approximately three times larger in tungsten tellurite glass than in fluoride glass. The results indicate that Tm(3+)/Ho(3+)-codoped tungsten tellurite glass is attractive for broadband amplifier.

Thermoelectric Performance of Yb-Doped Ba8Ni0.1Zn0.54Ga13.8Ge31.56 Type-I Clathrate Synthesized by High-Pressure Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chen; Zhang, Long; Dong, Jianying; Xu, Bo

2017-05-01

Type I clathrates are a promising thermoelectric (TE) material for waste heat recovery applications. However, the TE figure-of-merit of type I clathrates still needs further improvement. In this study, Yb-doped Ba8- x Yb x Ni0.1Zn0.54 Ga13.8Ge31.56 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) type I clathrates were synthesized using a high-pressure technique. Energy dispersive spectrometry confirmed successful Yb doping. An increased Yb doping level reduces electrical resistivity and suppresses lattice thermal conductivity while keeping the Seebeck coefficient almost unchanged. TE figure-of-merit of Ba7.7Yb0.3Ni0.1Zn0.54Ga13.8Ge31.56 type I clathrate was improved by 15% (0.91) at the highest measured temperature (900 K) compared with a Yb-free sample.

Filter design for cancellation of baseline-fluctuation in needle EMG recordings.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Carreño, I; Malanda-Trigueros, A; Gila-Useros, L; Navallas-Irujo, J; Rodríguez-Falces, J

2006-01-01

Appropriate cancellation of the baseline fluctuation (BLF) is an important issue when recording EMG signals as it may degrade signal quality and distort qualitative and quantitative analysis. We present a novel filter-design approach for automatic cancellation of the BLF based on several signal processing techniques used sequentially. The methodology is to estimate the spectral content of the BLF, and then to use this estimation to design a high-pass FIR filter that cancel the BLF present in the signal. Two merit figures are devised for measuring the degree of BLF present in an EMG record. These figures are used to compare our method with the conventional approach, which naively considers the baseline course to be of constant (without any fluctuation) potential shift. Applications of the technique on real and simulated EMG signals show the superior performance of our approach in terms of both visual inspection and the merit figures.

Evaluation of homogeneous electrocatalysts by cyclic voltammetry.

PubMed

Rountree, Eric S; McCarthy, Brian D; Eisenhart, Thomas T; Dempsey, Jillian L

2014-10-06

The pursuit of solar fuels has motivated extensive research on molecular electrocatalysts capable of evolving hydrogen from protic solutions, reducing CO2, and oxidizing water. Determining accurate figures of merit for these catalysts requires the careful and appropriate application of electroanalytical techniques. This Viewpoint first briefly presents the fundamentals of cyclic voltammetry and highlights practical experimental considerations before focusing on the application of cyclic voltammetry for the characterization of electrocatalysts. Key metrics for comparing catalysts, including the overpotential (η), potential for catalysis (E(cat)), observed rate constant (k(obs)), and potential-dependent turnover frequency, are discussed. The cyclic voltammetric responses for a general electrocatalytic one-electron reduction of a substrate are presented along with methods to extract figures of merit from these data. The extension of this analysis to more complex electrocatalytic schemes, such as those responsible for H2 evolution and CO2 reduction, is then discussed.

Ability of dairy cows to be inseminated according to breed and genetic merit for production traits under contrasting pasture-based feeding systems.

PubMed

Bedere, N; Disenhaus, C; Ducrocq, V; Leurent-Colette, S; Delaby, L

2017-05-01

Strong genetic selection on production traits is considered to be responsible for the declined ability of dairy cows to ensure reproduction. The present study aimed to quantify the effect of genetic characteristics (breeds and genetic merit for production traits) and feeding systems (FS) on the ability of dairy cows to be inseminated. An experiment was conducted during 9 years on Normande and Holstein cows assigned to contrasted pasture-based FS. Diets were based on maize silage in winter and grazing plus concentrate in spring in the High FS; and on grass silage in winter and grazing with no concentrate during spring in the low FS. Within breed, cows were classified into two genetic groups with similar estimated breeding values (EBV) for milk solids: cows with high EBV for milk yield were included in a Milk-Group and those with high EBV for fat and protein contents were included in a Content-Group. Holstein produced more milk throughout lactation than Normande cows (+2294 kg in the High FS and +1280 kg in the Low FS, P<0.001) and lost more body condition to nadir (-1.00 point in the High FS and -0.80 kg in the Low FS, P<0.001). They also showed a poorer ability to be inseminated because of both a delayed commencement of luteal activity (CLA) and delayed first service (more days from start of the breeding season to first service, DAI1). Cows in the Milk-Group produced more milk than cows in the Content-Group, but milk solids production was similar. Cows in the Content-Group had earlier CLA than cows in the Milk-Group (P<0.01). Genetic group neither affected ovulation detection rate nor DAI1. Within breed and FS, cows with high genetic merit for milk yield had later CLA and DAI1. Cows in the High FS produced more milk and lost less condition to nadir than cows in the Low FS. FS did not affect dairy cows' ability to be inseminated. However, cows with higher milk protein content, and presumably better energy balance, had earlier CLA (P<0.01) and DAI1 (P<0.10). In addition, higher milk yield was associated with poorer ovulation detection rate and oestrus intensity (P<0.05). The study showed that at similar EBV level for milk solids, selection for increased milk fat and protein content resulted in improved cyclicity and similar oestrous expression and submission rates compared with selection for increased milk yield.

CT triage for lung malignancy: coronal multiplanar reformation versus images in three orthogonal planes.

PubMed

Kusk, Martin Weber; Karstoft, Jens; Mussmann, Bo Redder

2015-11-01

Generation of multiplanar reformation (MPR) images has become automatic on most modern computed tomography (CT) scanners, potentially increasing the workload of the reporting radiologists. It is not always clear if this increases diagnostic performance in all clinical tasks. To assess detection performance using only coronal multiplanar reformations (MPR) when triaging patients for lung malignancies with CT compared to images in three orthogonal planes, and to evaluate performance comparison of novice and experienced readers. Retrospective study of 63 patients with suspicion of lung cancer, scanned on 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with images reconstructed in three planes. Coronal images were presented to four readers, two novice and two experienced. Readers decided whether the patients were suspicious for malignant disease, and indicated their confidence on a five-point scale. Sensitivity and specificity on per-patient basis was calculated with regards to a reference standard of histological diagnosis, and compared with the original report using McNemar's test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to compare the performance of the four readers, using the area under the curve (AUC) as figure of merit. No statistically significant difference of sensitivity and specificity was found for any of the readers when compared to the original reports. ROC analysis yielded AUCs in the range of 0.92-0.93 for all readers with no significant difference. Inter-rater agreement was substantial (kappa = 0.72). Sensitivity and specificity were comparable to diagnosis using images in three planes. No significant difference was found between experienced and novice readers. © The Foundation Acta Radiologica 2014.

USCG Diversity: Moving Beyond Training, Rules, and Regulations

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission requirements to the best of its ability. The USCG is at a decision point. The dilemma is the...feasibility of managing demography in a volunteer organization that assesses and promotes its personnel based on merit. Should the USCG maintain a merit-based...admission and promotion policy, or should the goal of race/ gender societal reflectiveness take precedence over the concept of merit for the USCG to

Environmental Science and Engineering Merit Badges: An Exploratory Case Study of a Non-Formal Science Education Program and the U.S. Scientific and Engineering Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vick, Matthew E.; Garvey, Michael P.

2016-01-01

The Boy Scouts of America's Environmental Science and Engineering merit badges are two of their over 120 merit badges offered as a part of a non-formal educational program to U.S. boys. The Scientific and Engineering Practices of the U.S. Next Generation Science Standards provide a vision of science education that includes integrating eight…

Examining the Impact of a Highly Targeted State Administered Merit Aid Program on Brain Drain: Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity Analysis of Missouri's Bright Flight Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrington, James R.; Muñoz, José; Curs, Bradley R.; Ehlert, Mark

2016-01-01

The adoption of state-funded merit-based aid programs has become increasingly popular among policy-makers, particularly in the southeastern part of the United States. One of the primary rationales of state-funded merit-based aid is to provide scholarships to the best and brightest students as a means to retain high quality human capital in the…

Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy for Early Psychosis: A preliminary study of a novel integrative psychotherapy.

PubMed

Vohs, Jenifer L; Leonhardt, Bethany L; James, Alison V; Francis, Michael M; Breier, Alan; Mehdiyoun, Nikki; Visco, Andrew C; Lysaker, Paul H

2018-05-01

Poor insight impedes treatment in early phase psychosis (EPP). This manuscript outlines preliminary findings of an investigation of the novel metacognitively oriented integrative psychotherapy, Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy, for individuals with early phase psychosis (MERIT-EP). Twenty adults with EPP and poor insight were randomized to either six months of MERIT-EP or treatment as usual (TAU). Therapists were trained and therapy was successfully delivered under routine, outpatient conditions. Insight, assessed before and after treatment, revealed significant improvement for the MERIT-EP, but not TAU, group. These results suggest MERIT-EP is feasible to deliver, accepted by patients, and leads to clinically significant improvements in insight. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thin-film thermoelectric devices with high room-temperature figures of merit.

PubMed

Venkatasubramanian, R; Siivola, E; Colpitts, T; O'Quinn, B

2001-10-11

Thermoelectric materials are of interest for applications as heat pumps and power generators. The performance of thermoelectric devices is quantified by a figure of merit, ZT, where Z is a measure of a material's thermoelectric properties and T is the absolute temperature. A material with a figure of merit of around unity was first reported over four decades ago, but since then-despite investigation of various approaches-there has been only modest progress in finding materials with enhanced ZT values at room temperature. Here we report thin-film thermoelectric materials that demonstrate a significant enhancement in ZT at 300 K, compared to state-of-the-art bulk Bi2Te3 alloys. This amounts to a maximum observed factor of approximately 2.4 for our p-type Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 superlattice devices. The enhancement is achieved by controlling the transport of phonons and electrons in the superlattices. Preliminary devices exhibit significant cooling (32 K at around room temperature) and the potential to pump a heat flux of up to 700 W cm-2; the localized cooling and heating occurs some 23,000 times faster than in bulk devices. We anticipate that the combination of performance, power density and speed achieved in these materials will lead to diverse technological applications: for example, in thermochemistry-on-a-chip, DNA microarrays, fibre-optic switches and microelectrothermal systems.

Figure of merit comparison of PP-based electret and PVDF-based piezoelectric polymer energy harvesters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mrlík, M.; Leadenham, S.; AlMaadeed, M. A.; Erturk, A.

2016-04-01

The harvesting of mechanical strain and kinetic energy has received great attention over the past two decades in order to power wireless electronic components such as those used in passive and active monitoring applications. Piezoelectric ceramics, such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate), constitute the most commonly used electromechanical interface in vibration energy harvesters. However, there are applications in which piezoelectric ceramics cannot be used due to their low allowable curvature and brittle nature. Soft polymer PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) is arguably the most popular non-ceramic soft piezoelectric energy harvester material for such scenarios. Another type of polymer that has received less attention is PP (polypropylene) for electret-based energy harvesting using the thickness mode (33- mode). This work presents figure of merit comparison of PP versus PVDF for off-resonant energy harvesting in thickness mode operation, revealing substantial advantage of PP over PVDF. For thickness mode energy harvesting scenarios (e.g. dynamic compression) at reasonable ambient vibration frequencies, the figure of merit for the maximum power output is proportional to the square of the effective piezoelectric strain constant divided by the effective permittivity constant. Under optimal conditions and for the same volume, it is shown that PP can generate more than two orders of magnitude larger electrical power as compared to PVDF due to the larger effective piezoelectric strain constant and lower permittivity of the former.

Maraviroc: perspectives for use in antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected patients.

PubMed

Vandekerckhove, Linos; Verhofstede, Chris; Vogelaers, Dirk

2009-06-01

Maraviroc (Pfizer's UK-427857, Selzentry or Celsentri outside the USA) is the first agent in the new class of oral HIV-1 entry inhibitors to acquire approval by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency. Considering the mechanism of action, it is expected that this drug will be effective only in a subpopulation of HIV-1-infected people, namely those harbouring the R5 virus. The favourable toxicity profile of the drug has been demonstrated in Phase III clinical trials in treatment-naive (MERIT) and treatment-experienced (MOTIVATE) patients. In the latter population, maraviroc showed a superior antiviral efficacy and immunological activity compared with optimized backbone therapy + placebo. However, in MERIT, a prospective double-blind, randomized trial in treatment-naive patients, maraviroc + zidovudine/lamivudine failed to prove non-inferiority to efavirenz + zidovudine/lamivudine as standard of care regimen in the 48 week intention-to-treat analysis. Using an assay with higher sensitivity for minority CXCR4-using (X4) HIV variants (the enhanced Trofile assay-Monogram), non-inferiority was reached for the maraviroc- versus efavirenz-based combination. These data indicate the important impact of the sensitivity of tropism testing on treatment outcome of maraviroc-containing regimens. This paper discusses both the prospective and retrospective analyses of the MERIT data and highlights the impact of these results on daily practice in HIV care.

Genetic improvement of total milk yield and total lactation persistency of the first three lactations in dairy cattle.

PubMed

Togashi, K; Lin, C Y

2008-07-01

The objective of this study was to compare 6 selection criteria in terms of 3-parity total milk yield and 9 selection criteria in terms of total net merit (H) comprising 3-parity total milk yield and total lactation persistency. The 6 selection criteria compared were as follows: first-parity milk estimated breeding value (EBV; M1), first 2-parity milk EBV (M2), first 3-parity milk EBV (M3), first-parity eigen index (EI(1)), first 2-parity eigen index (EI(2)), and first 3-parity eigen index (EI(3)). The 9 selection criteria compared in terms of H were M1, M2, M3, EI(1), EI(2), EI(3), and first-parity, first 2-parity, and first 3-parity selection indices (I(1), I(2), and I(3), respectively). In terms of total milk yield, selection on M3 or EI(3) achieved the greatest genetic response, whereas selection on EI(1) produced the largest genetic progress per day. In terms of total net merit, selection on I(3) brought the largest response, whereas selection EI(1) yielded the greatest genetic progress per day. A multiple-lactation random regression test-day model simultaneously yields the EBV of the 3 lactations for all animals included in the analysis even though the younger animals do not have the opportunity to complete the first 3 lactations. It is important to use the first 3 lactation EBV for selection decision rather than only the first lactation EBV in spite of the fact that the first-parity selection criteria achieved a faster genetic progress per day than the 3-parity selection criteria. Under a multiple-lactation random regression animal model analysis, the use of the first 3 lactation EBV for selection decision does not prolong the generation interval as compared with the use of only the first lactation EBV. Thus, it is justified to compare genetic response on a lifetime basis rather than on a per-day basis. The results suggest the use of M3 or EI(3) for genetic improvement of total milk yield and the use of I(3) for genetic improvement of total net merit H. Although this study deals with selection for 3-parity milk production, the same principle applies to selection for lifetime milk production.

Measuring Provider Performance for Physicians Participating in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.

PubMed

Squitieri, Lee; Chung, Kevin C

2017-07-01

In 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began requiring all eligible providers to participate in the Quality Payment Program or face financial reimbursement penalty. The Quality Payment Program outlines two paths for provider participation: the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System and Advanced Alternative Payment Models. For the first performance period beginning in January of 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that approximately 83 to 90 percent of eligible providers will not qualify for participation in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model and therefore must participate in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System program. The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System path replaces existing quality-reporting programs and adds several new measures to evaluate providers using four categories of data: (1) quality, (2) cost/resource use, (3) improvement activities, and (4) advancing care information. These categories will be combined to calculate a weighted composite score for each provider or provider group. Composite Merit-Based Incentive Payment System scores based on 2017 performance data will be used to adjust reimbursed payment in 2019. In this article, the authors provide relevant background for understanding value-based provider performance measurement. The authors also discuss Merit-Based Incentive Payment System reporting requirements and scoring methodology to provide plastic surgeons with the necessary information to critically evaluate their own practice capabilities in the context of current performance metrics under the Quality Payment Program.

Satellite Power Systems (SPS): Concept development and evaluation program: Preliminary assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

A preliminary assessment of a potential Satellite Power System (SPS) is provided. The assessment includes discussion of technical and economic feasibility; the effects of microwave power transmission beams on biological, ecological, and electromagnetic systems; the impact of SPS construction, deployment, and operations on the biosphere and on society; and the merits of SPS compared to other future energy alternatives.

A Comparative Analysis of Student Participation in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program and Performance on the Grade 11 Michigan Merit Exam (MME)/Act

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flye, Alesia L.

2017-01-01

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) curriculum emphasizes writing, collaboration, organization, and reading to strengthen academic skills. High school students enrolled in AVID elective classes receive daily academic support, while enrolled in challenging classes such as Advanced Placement (AP). The purpose of this study was to…

Investigating the Use of Mastery-Style Online Homework Exercises in Introductory Algebra-Based Mechanics in a Controlled Clinical Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evans, William R.; Selen, Mats A.

2017-01-01

Homework in introductory physics represents an important part of a student's learning experience; therefore, choosing the manner in which homework is presented merits investigation. We performed three rounds of clinical trials comparing the effects of mastery-style homework vs. traditional-style homework with students in both algebra-based and…

Learning Nature of Science Concepts through a Research Apprenticeship Program: A Comparative Study of Three Approaches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burgin, Stephen R.; Sadler, Troy D.

2016-01-01

The merits of three approaches (explicit, reflective and implicit) to Nature of Science (NOS) teaching and learning in the context of a summer research experience on high school student participants' NOS ideas were explored in this study. The effectiveness of explicit over implicit approaches has been demonstrated in school contexts, but less…

Using Google Scholar Citations to Support the Impact of Scholarly Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pitney, William A.; Gilson, Todd A.

2012-01-01

Athletic training faculty seeking tenure and promotion, or simply undergoing an annual merit review, may need an understanding of the impact of their scholarly work. To that end, citation counts are frequently used as a measure of impact that a journal article has had in a given discipline. As compared to the simple quantity of publications, the…

Figures of Merit for Mirror Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-10

show higher temporal stability. Mirror figure changes with time have generally been small: - X/30 - X/40 for CER-VIT and silica mirrors .27 Zerodur and...9 III. MIRROR FAILURE CRITERIA ................. s .. .................. 13 A. Mechanical Loading Effects...41 / a3 I.. I • INTRODUCTION Large space mirrors were analyzed I with the objective of comparing the ability of materials to minimize static

Soil-contact decay tests using small blocks : a procedural analysis

Treesearch

Rodney C. De Groot; James W. Evans; Paul G. Forsyth; Camille M. Freitag; Jeffrey J. Morrell

Much discussion has been held regarding the merits of laboratory decay tests compared with field tests to evaluate wood preservatives. In this study, procedural aspects of soil jar decay tests with 1 cm 3 blocks were critically examined. Differences among individual bottles were a major source of variation in this method. The reproducibility and sensitivity of the soil...